Maria is anxious to see Samuel again. She smiles as she sees Sister Margaretta coming towards the gate.
" Good morning Captain, Maria Reverend Mother is expecting you."
Watching the couple go into the abbey the woman in the bushes crouches even lower so that she is not seen. She has seen the woman before but not the man. Waiting patiently she watches as she spots the woman again. She watches as two nuns escort the couple out of the abbey. She gasps as she recognizes the blanket. She watches as the woman turns and she can see the baby in her arms. " Why does this woman have my son? She asks herself. She thought the sisters in the abbey would care for him. She watches helplessly as the couple gets into their car and head off. " I must find out who they are," she says as she slowly creeps away.
Driving towards the villa Georg watches Maria with Samuel. He smiles as he listens to her sweet voice softly singing to the baby. Maria looks up to see Georg staring at her.
" What? she asks.
" You are a natural Maria, he says. You have only known that baby one day and I can see how much you love him. You are an amazing woman".
" How could you not love this baby", she asks as she looks down and smiles at Samuel. His mother must be heartbroken. But I can understand why she did what she did. I wonder though if she is still in Salzburg."
" If she is I am sure she is in hiding, Georg says. Maybe she will go to the abbey for help. You gave Reverend Mother somewhat of a description of her. Hopefully she shows up there". Maria nods and begins to sing softly to Samuel. The baby slowly closes his eyes and falls into a peaceful sleep.
Georg pulls into the driveway and laughs as he sees the children come running out the door. He barely has time to turn the car off when the children open the door for Maria.
" Can I hold him? Can he sleep with me? Can I feed him? The children shout questions to Maria. As the children get louder Samuel awakens. His ear-piercing cry causes the children to stop shouting and stare at the small baby.
" Ssh its al right, Maria says as she rocks Samuel.
Georg glares at the children" you must learn to be a little quieter around the baby. He is not a new puppy. Let's all go into the house so we can get Samuel settled. You will all get a chance to hold him. Maria followed by Georg and the children enter the house. Frau Schmidt smiles as she sees the baby.
" It will be good again to have the sounds of a new baby in the house again. The nursery is ready Baroness. Would you like me to put him to bed?
" No, thank you Frau Schmidt I will take him upstairs. Children why don't you help your father bring in the rest of Samuel's things from the car", Maria says as she ascends the stairs. She enters the nursery and is about to put Samuel down when he awakens. He begins to cry again and she realizes he must be wet.
Georg enters the nursery and goes over to Maria.
" Changing time, this is one part of child rearing that I never took part in", he says as he watches Maria. As she undoes the diaper Georg gasps. " Oh my God I forgot about something"
Maria looks at him and is confused at his reaction.
" Maria look at him. I forgot that male Jewish babies get circumcised. It is a religious ritual. If anyone sees him they will know he is Jewish. You have to make sure no one else changes him. I will tell Liesl the real truth about him so she can help you" he says as he looks to see nobody else comes in.
" Georg this is so wrong. Why are the Nazis doing this to the Jews? We all believe in one God, Don't we," she says as she finishes changing the baby.
" I'm afraid the Nazi's believe in no God. They believe in one race, their race, and they intend to get rid of anyone that does not fit into that mold, even if they are only a baby" he says as he puts his hand on her cheek and caresses it. Maria looks at Georg and leans into his palm closing her eyes at the feeling of his warm hand on her cheek. The spell is broken when they hear a whispered voice call to them from the door.
" Can I come in" Gretl says quietly.
Maria smiles and motions for her to come to her. " Do you want to hold him" Maria asks.
Gretl nods her head and Maria motions for her to sit on the rocking chair. Gretl waits patiently as Maria slowly places Samuel into her arms. "Put your arm under his neck so you support his head" Maria smiles as she watches Gretl. The baby stares at Gretl and Gretl stares back. Maria laughs as Gretl talks to Samuel.
" Hello Samuel I am Gretl. I am five years old. I was the youngest until you came here. When you are older I will teach you how to read and how to play ball". Georg smiles as he watches the interaction. Samuel seems to be mesmerized by Gretl. He seems to be listening to everything she is telling him.
" Papa is Samuel my brother? Gretl asks. Georg looks at Maria and nods.
" Yes darling he is to be considered part of this family," Georg says as he puts his arms around Maria.