Maria telephones the house from the convent.
" Georg can you pick me up at the abbey. Something has happened and I need you to come immediately. I will be waiting in the Reverend Mothers office"; Maria says sounding somewhat urgent.
Georg, knowing that Maria went to see the doctor voices his concern "Maria are you ill. What's wrong? You sound scared.
" I will explain when you get here. Also come alone," Maria says as she looks at Samuel.
" I will be right there," Georg says.
Georg grabs his coat and starts to leave when Franz stops him "Do you need me to drive you somewhere sir?
" No I am going into town to pick up the Baroness. I will be back soon," Georg says as he opens the front door.
The Reverend Mother has sent one of the postulants to town to get some things for Samuel. She figures it would be less noticeable to send one of them because of the charity work they do. After what seems like an hour Georg arrives. Maria hears his voice as Sister Berthe escorts him to the office.
Georg opens the door and starts to ask Maria what is going on when he sees her with the baby.
" What on earth? Maria whose baby is that? He asks as he walks towards her.
Maria proceeds to tell him the story "I don't know what else to do. We can't give him to the police. They can't be trusted. Reverend Mother can't take him. There is no one else. We have to help him Georg. Please! Maria pleads to Georg.
Georg looks into his wives eyes. He knows how desperately she wants a baby. But he also knows how dangerous this could be if someone found out Samuel is Jewish. He has had reports from Germany also. Disturbing ones. Many businessmen who he also counts as friends have disappeared. Jews are being targeted as traitors. Hitler has made many speeches condemning the Jews. Georg walks closer to Maria he looks at Samuel and then at her. She looks at him with compassion and love.
Georg reaches up and strokes her cheek with his hand, "How are we going to explain to everyone where he came from?
" As I was explaining to Reverend Mother, I can say he was the child of my cousin who along with her husband died in an accident. I am the only living relative. It will work" Samuel starts to cry and Maria rocks him.
" It might work, but to make it totally believable I suggest he stay with Reverend Mother until tomorrow when she can call us at the villa with the news of your cousins accident. We can then come and get the baby. This way it will look totally believable" Georg says as he watches Maria with the baby.
Maria takes Georgs hand in hers and squeezes it.
Reverend Mother agrees with Georg and they set up a plan for tomorrow. Maria hugs Samuel to her and says goodbye to Reverend Mother.
Once in the car Georg asks Maria about her doctor visit. Maria looks at Georg and recounts what the doctor said; "He told me that I have nothing to worry about. Sometimes these things take time is all he said". Georg watches Maria as she lowers her head. He reaches over to her and lifts her chin. He sees the tears forming in her eyes.
" Darling I promise you will have your wish. I love you and God will bless us with a child. Have a little patience" he says as takes her hand in his. Maria leans over and places her head on Georgs shoulder. She loves him so much that sometimes she feels as if she is living a dream. By the time they return home it is time for dinner.
Dinner has the usual conversations. The children talk about what they did in school each taking a turn so no one is left out. Gretl as usual is last. Dinner ends and Maria tends to helping with homework and putting the younger ones to bed. Georg retires to his study to tend to some business. His thoughts go to the events of this afternoon. He thinks of Maria. Her face was aglow when she held Samuel in her arms. What they were about to undertake would be dangerous but necessary. The thought of what the Nazis could do to that child sends a shiver down his spine.
Maria finishes putting the children to bed and retires to her and Georgs bedroom. The tension of the day finally catches up to her. She decides to draw a warm bath. As the water fills, her thoughts go to Samuel.
How could anyone want to hurt an innocent child? Barbarians are all she could think to herself as she slips off her robe and enters the bathtub. Georg enters the bedroom and smiles when he hears Maria softly singing to herself. He has an idea. He quickly goes downstairs and retrieves some strawberries, glasses, and a bottle of champagne from the kitchen. On the way upstairs he grabs a couple of roses from a vase. Entering the bedroom he sprinkles a path of rose petals from the bathroom door to their bed.
.