Maria awakens to the smell of fresh coffee. She reaches for Georg but he is not there. Glancing at the clock she realizes it is still early. Sitting up in bed she reaches for the coffee sitting in the nitetable. She takes a sip and looks up when she hears the door open. Maria smiles as she sees Georg enter the room.
" Good morning darling," he says as he approaches her.
He bends down and gives her a soft kiss on her lips. She responds by gently caressing his cheek with her hand.
" What are you doing up so early? she asks him. He smiles and takes her hand.
" I have something to show you. I thought I would check something before we brought Samuel home," he says as he leads her to a door adjoining their bedroom. Narrowing her eyebrows Maria looks at Georg. Georg opens the door and Maria smiles at what she sees. Her eyes first land on a beautiful wooden cradle covered in white eyelet and lace. In one corner a rocking chair and in the other a white crib. The walls are decorated with clouds and a light blue background. Maria walks into the room and looks at the pictures hanging from the walls. Each one is of the children as babies. They are lined up in order of age. She smiles as she recognizes each one. They all look the same but each of them has uniqueness about them. Georg walks behind her and puts his arms around her waist. Pointing to an empty space next to Gretls picture " our child's picture will be there soon. Maria turns around and puts her arms around Georgs neck.
" I hope and pray for it every day" she says sighing.
" I love you Maria," he says as he gently lifts her chin. His eyes meet hers and he kisses her gently on the lips. As they slowly part Georg looks at the room.
" I figured I would see what kind of condition the room is in. Frau Schmidt told me she had recently cleaned the room. Seems she has the idea we would be needing it", Georg says as Maria picks up a stuffed bunny that was lying in the cradle.
Maria smiles and is about to say something when he hears Frau Schmidt calling for him. They both exit the room and meet Frau Schmidt, as she was just about to knock on their door.
"Ah Captain, Baroness the Reverend Mother is on the phone she says she must talk to the Baroness, She sounds very upset." Maria and Georg both look at each other and nod.
"Thank you Frau Schmidt I will be right there" Maria says as she goes to her room to get her robe. A few moments later Maria and Georg enter Georgs study. "Hello Reverend Mother" Maria says as she picks up the phone. Reverend Mother then goes into the story that Maria had told her to say. Although Maria disagreed Georg thought it best to sound as convincing on the phone as they could. He told Maria that certain people could be listening in on their phone. Nobody can be trusted. When Maria hung up she told Georg she went back upstairs to get dressed. They had to tell the children about Samuel and Frau Schmidt and Franz also have to be informed. As Georg gathered the children into the living room, he also asked Frau Schmidt and Franz to join them.
As the children were asking each other what was going on Georg and Maria enter the room. Franz and Frau Schmidt followed them. Georg clears his throat.
" Ahem, your mother and I have something to tell you. We will be adding a new member to the family".
Before he could finish the children jump up and hug Maria.
"Mother we are so happy you are going to have a baby," Brigitta says as she hugs Maria.
Georg realizing his error in the words he chose shouts "children wait your Mother is not having a baby". The children turn and all look confused. Georg settles them down and explains about Samuel. The children listen quietly and wait until he finishes.
"We both talked about it and hope you will accept Samuel as part of our family" Georg says as he takes Marias hand in his.
The children look at each other and nod.
"I won't be the youngest anymore," Gretl shouts. They all laugh and go into breakfast. The rest of the morning is spent getting ready for Samuel. Frau Schmidt washes and irons all the baby clothes. The girls clean all the baby toys while the boys make sure the cradle is in good shape. Soon it is time to pick up Samuel. As Maria and Georg drive to the abbey. Georg looks at Maria.
" I'm sorry about this morning. I should have chosen my words more carefully," he says holding her hand in his.
Maria smiles at him " it's all right darling, the children assumed I was having a baby and in a way they are getting a new brother. At least I know when I do get pregnant the children will be happy".
Georg smiles at her and puts his arm around her. They pull up to the abbey and get out.
As they ring the bell they don't notice that they are being watched. The woman making sure they can't see her watches as they enter the abbey.