Epilogue
A year later…..
Maria was sitting on the terrace watching her children cheerfully playing in the garden. Her hands rested on her enlarged stomach and the soft baby kick coming from inside brought a smile to her face. The terrible happenings of the past year were only bad memories. She had needed some time to get over the sorrow, but the support and the healing power of love she had received from her family healed those wounds relatively quickly. Georg had been always beside her, helping and supporting her, and never letting her separate out of grief or sorrow. She was truly grateful to him for all he had done, but first of all for his patience by granting her the time she had needed until their life could be back to normal. She had been the most suprized to find out about expecting again. There had been no signs, no morning sicknesses, no exhaustion. The way she had found out about her pregnancy was miraculous. She had visited her doctor regularly, on a monthly basis and on one of these occasions about 4 months after the miscarriage the doctor, after examining her, had come back with the diagnosis of her being 4-week pregnant. She had been worried at the beginning, afraid of losing her child again, but all the positive feedbacks and her general well being made her worries vanish. This is how her pregnancy went afterwards, so smoothly, so easily. She felt sick only a little bit and occasionally, and she was glowing with the miracle of maternity.
Georg had been watching his wife for a while. The same train of thoughts crossed his mind. He was amazed to see the beauty of his very pregnant wife sitting on the terrace and gently talking to their unborn child. He couldn't help but smile at the memory of the day when they had found out about Maria's pregnancy and the happiness that had been spread on his wife's face.
Slowly he approached her from behind, placing a kiss on her temple he gently stroked her face.
"How are you today?" He asked while his other hand went to rest on her stomach.
"I feel like a big balloon, but otherwise everything is under control." She replied with a smile but in the moment he let out her words a sudden cramp in her stomach made her face turn pale.
"Maria?" Georg asked with concern. "What is it? Are you all right?"
"Call a doctor quickly." Was all she could say. "Ouch! I just told him how excited I'm to meet him. He is a good child, already obeying to his mother." She said as she felt another wave of contraction coming over her. Georg gently helped her stand up and guided her inside. The other children stopped playing in the garden when they noticed what had been going on, on the terrace. They followed their parents inside.
Liesl and the older ones tried to keep an eye on their younger siblings, but all of the children were very excited about the new arrival to their family.
"Why isn't the doctor here yet?" Maria gasped between two contractions while holding Georg's hand tightly.
"Maria, I have just called him. You know how long it takes with babies." Georg tried to calm her.
"Have you ever delivered a baby? This one will be here sooner than we think." Maria replied feeling an urge to push.
"Maria, why are you pushing?" Georg asked.
"Georg, Georg. The baby is coming out." Maria said and gave one more big push.
"Are you sure? Oh, my gosh!" Georg exclaimed when he took a look at the end of the bed but before he could act, a strong baby cry was heard in the room. He grabbed a towel to put around the baby and placed him into Maria's arms.
"We have a baby son, Maria." He said and kissed his wife gently on the lips.
"As I see our little Daniel is the most obedient child." Maria said and stroked the baby's cheek. Happiness lit every corner of her heart. "He is definitely his father's son. Look at his eyes." She said all the while not removing her gaze from the tiny baby face and her hand gently taking the baby's little hand in hers.
"But surely he inherited your temper. Entering the world so quickly, he didn't even need an hour." Georg laughed and reached down to gently touch his son's face.
The trio sat quietly on the bed until Liesl announced the doctor's arrival. Maria and Georg exchanged a smile and Georg left the room to let the doctor take care about the baby and Maria.
"Captain, they are both fine. Congratulation on the baby son." The doctor confirmed a few minutes later to Georg who was impatiently waiting in front of his bedroom.
His eyes were in tears as he reentered the room; the adorable sight of Maria cuddling their baby to her chest filled his heart with pride and gratitude. Georg sat next to Maria and put his arms around her shoulders. Maria's eyes were shining with tears, as she looked up at her husband her face reflecting nothing but true happiness. Georg studied his wife and his son for a long moment. As miraculous as Maria's pregnancy had been, this delivery with its easiness and quickness was surely the miracle of miracles he had ever experienced.
"Can we come in?" The children softly knocked on the door. Georg opened the door for them and they tiptoed into the room and gathered around the bed to silently admire the baby.
The End.
Thank you all for reading my story and also for the lots of reviews I have received from you. Again, I want to say a big thank you to my wonderful beta Jessica for her help and support.
I hope you liked my story. Please review!