Max arrived with a ton of gifts for the children. All charged to Georg of course. Maria is glad he is here. She was always awkward around him. She always had this feeling that he blamed her for Georgs breakup with Elsa. It was only after having a long talk with him that he told her that all he wants is for Georg to be happy. He realized that Georg would never be happy with Elsa.
The next months fly by. Soon it is the middle of April. The temperature outside was still cool and Maria was very grateful for that. Lying in bed she tries in vain to sleep. Even with the window open she is still warm. She looks over at Georg who to her dismay is sleeping soundly. Her mood of late has been up and down. One minute she is happy and the next she finds herself in tears. Georg has tried to tell her this is normal but it makes her feel so ridiculous.
" How can he sleep when I feel so miserable" she says looking over at him. She nudges him slightly but he doesn't move. Again she pushes his shoulder and he still doesn't wake up. She finds herself getting angry and before she can stop herself she pushes him so hard he starts to fall over the side of the bed.
" Georg" she cries out as she tries to grab him but is too late .Hearing the thud she gets out of bed and goes to the other side.
Georg still somewhat groggy looks up at Maria. He gets up and sits on the bed.
" What's wrong? Maria, is it the baby? he asks sounding worried.
" No I'm fine. I can't sleep. Every time I start to fall asleep the baby kicks and wakes me up. Then I have to go to the bathroom for the tenth time. Then my back hurts. Oh Georg I feel awful and I look terrible" Maria says as she begins to cry and sits next to him on the bed. Georg smiles at her and takes her in his arms. He lets her cry and says nothing. He holds her until he hears her sobs subside.
"Maria you are pregnant. Unfortunately this is part of being pregnant. If I could take some of the discomfort away I would. Maria please believe me I have never seen you more beautiful or desirable. I have never wanted you more than I do now" he says as she kisses her lips gently.
She feels his lips on hers and she responds eagerly. They part and Maria put her head against Georgs chest. He holds her tighter and they slowly fall back against the pillows. Her eyes become heavy and she lies on her side to get comfortable. Georg lays up against her and she feels his arm drape across her waist. His hand rests on top of her stomach. He slowly rubs her stomach and she feels sleep start to claim her.
" I love you " she whispers to him before she finally falls asleep.
" I love you too, more than you will ever know" he whispers in her ear.
Maria blinks and feels the warmth of the sun on her face. She slowly sits up and stretches.
" What time is it?" she asks herself. She looks over at the clock and is shocked to find that is almost eleven o'clock. She rises and gets dressed. She attempts to put on her shoes but throws one when she can't reach down to buckle them.
" Would you like some help" Georg says as he stands in the doorway. Looking up at him Maria can't help but laugh.
Georg retrieves her other shoe and helps her on with them.
"I'm glad I wasn't standing there" he says pointing to the mark on the wall.
" I'm sorry I am getting frustrated. I feel so helpless at times" Maria says as Georg helps her up.
" Only a couple more weeks and you will be back to normal. I promise it will all be worth it" he says kissing her on the forehead. Maria nods her head and places it on Georgs chest.
"I have a surprise for you" he says as they walk to the nursery. They go to the door and go in.
Maria looks around and her eyes fill with tears. She knew the room was being prepared for the new baby. There has been painters in there all week. They had moved Samuel, just temporarily, into the room next to Sarah's. The room has totally changed. The walls are covered with a fresh coat of light blue paint. The ceiling has clouds billowing all over. On the walls are pictures of lambs and bunnies. The windows are covered with white curtains. Maria sees that they are embroidered with blue and yellow flowers. The cradle is in one corner leaving the other corner free for Samuel.
" I figure we can put the cradle in our room for a couple weeks and then when the baby is old enough he can then be put in here with Samuel" Georg says as he puts his arm around her
" Oh Georg it is beautiful" she says looking up at him.
" Oh I forgot one thing" he says going over to the closet. He opens the door and pulls out a picture frame.
He walks over to the pictures of the children hanging on the wall. He holds the frame up and puts it next to Samuels. Maria smiles as she sees the drawing inside.
"Gretl drew a picture of the new baby. I think it is rather good" he says laughing.
" I see it is a girl. I think she wants a little sister" he says as they both look at it.
" Well I know what you are hoping for. Will you be disappointed if it is not a boy? she asks.
Turning her to face him he says "Maria the only thing I care about is that you both are healthy the rest is up to God. He takes her in his arms and they hold each other.
They walk downstairs and go into the dining room. Frau Schmidt comes in with a plate loaded with food. She places it in front of Maria.
" I appreciate this but it is really too much food" Maria says to Frau Schmidt.
" Nonsense Baroness you are eating for two" Frau Schmidt says as she walks back into the kitchen.
" Georg this is enough food for four people. I don't want to hurt her feelings by not eating it but this is just too much" Maria says.
Georg starts to say something when Frau Schmidt bursts into the room. She is visibly upset and trying to tell the Captain something. Georg rises and goes to her.
" Frau Schmidt calm down and tell me what is wrong" he says trying to calm her down.
" Captain turn on the radio, the chancellor is speaking. He says that he is stepping down and that Austria has now joined with Germany" she says as she breaks down. Georg goes to the radio in his study. He hears the voice of the chancellor. He hears the end of his speech. He looks up to see Maria, tears running down her face. He opens his arms and she melts into his embrace. Tears also find their way down his face. They hold each other for a while. Georg takes hold of his emotions.
" Maria, we have to start preparing for our escape. I have Sarah and Samuels papers. Max is in town and he will be back soon. I figure Zeller will try and contact me as soon as possible. I will be ready for him. I need you to get the children ready. They can only bring one suitcase so make sure that you pack sensibly. I will call the abbey and arrange everything with the Reverend Mother" Georg says as he breaks their embrace.
Maria goes upstairs to pack for the children. She first starts in the youngest room and finishes with the boys. She figures Leisl can pack herself.
Georg calls the abbey and talks to the Reverend Mother. He arranges for Sarah to go to the abbey when she is done with school. The rest of them will meet there at five o'clock. He hangs up and hears Max call out his name.
" I take it you have heard" Max says as he takes off his coat. "I was in town and the banks were being overrun. Everybody is taking their money out. I am glad you had the foresight to take out most of your money. At least your family will have something to start a new life with."
" Maria is upstairs packing. I am going up to help her. I know Zeller will be calling me or worse yet showing up here unannounced so I want everything done before he comes. Our papers are in my safe along with the money. After we help Maria I will get them" he says as he starts upstairs.
Max follows behind him as they see the suitcases outside the bedroom doors. Max starts to bring the suitcases to the car as Georg searches for Maria. He looks in their room and she is nowhere. Going into the hall he sees the door to the nursery open. Going inside he finds Maria. She is looking at the picture frame that they just hung.
He walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her. He knows she has been crying and all he can do is try and comfort her.
" I promise you everything will be fine. I know this is not how it was suppose to be but the alternative is out of the question" he says as he gently turns her to face him.
She looks up at him and nods." I'm sorry it's just that this child will never grow up in this house. Why did this have to happen now? She asks him looking for answers.
"The world is turning upside down. Right now my only concern is to get my family and Samuel and Sarah to a safe place. My family is the only thing I care about. Max and I will take the rest of the suitcases down. Are you all packed? He asks her as they head for their room.
" Yes I just wanted to bring some things for the baby. The girls worked so hard on these outfits" she says as she puts them in her suitcase.
Maria puts the clothes in the suitcase. Georg takes the suitcases downstairs.
" Are you coming? The children will be home soon and we have to get ready" he asks he starts down the stairs.
" I will be down in a minute" she says smiling at him. Georg smiles back and she watches him descend the stairs. Going back into her bedroom she remembers the christening outfit Leisl made. She opens the door of the closet and reaches for the hanger.
"Ow"she says as she grabs her back. Sitting on the bed she rubs her back with her hand.
" My back has been bothering me all day. I must have slept wrong" she says to herself as she gets up. She gets the outfit and heads downstairs. She freezes as she hears Georg talking to someone. Georgs voice sounds strange. He sounds like he is angry but he is not shouting. Going down the stairs she sees the other person. She does not recognize him but her fear escalates when she sees the red and black armband. She reaches the bottom of the stairs and goes over to Georg.
" Maria please let me introduce Herr Zeller" he says looking at her. Maria turns her attention to the man with her husband. He looks at her and when he smiles and introduces himself she feels her body shiver . She hold her hand out pretending she is glad to meet him. Her heart skips as he holds her hand a little too long. Turning his attention back to Georg Zeller continues his conversation "So Captain when can we expect you at Bremerhaven?
" Your offer is an exciting one but as you can see I would like to wait until after the birth of my child. After all a couple of weeks won't matter that much will it? He asks. Georg looks at Maria and then quickly back at Zeller. Zeller looks at the Captain as if trying to read his mind.
He accepted my offer a little to quickly Zeller thinks to himself. He is up to something I just can't figure out what. Georg watches Zeller and knows he is suspicious. Georg has made no secret of his hatred of the Nazis and Zeller knows this. Maria watches the two men and can feel the tension.
" Captain I guess a few more weeks will be all right. Her is my phone number. I will keep in touch with you. Baroness it was a pleasure to meet you " he says as he takes her hand.
" Goodbye Herr Zeller" she says as she goes into the living room. She listens as Georg says goodbye and hears him close the door. She waits for him and runs to Georg when he comes into the living room.
" Georg I think he knows. I saw it in his eyes. What are we going to do? She asks looking at him for assurance.
" He can't know about us leaving but he does know we will try to escape. I was hoping he wouldn't come so soon. I can guarantee he will have someone watching us. We are going to have to change our plans' he says.
Instead of all of us leaving together we will leave separately. Max will take the children into town. I will give him their train tickets and papers. We will take Samuel into town and pretend to be shopping. I will have Max make sure he isn't followed and then he will take the children and get on the train. He knows where in Switzerland to go" he says speaking lowly.
" What if Max is being followed? She asks him.
" Zeller wants me not the children. But I will warn Max. he will know what to do" Georg says as he reaches up to caress her cheek.
"We will go to the abbey and I will give Sarah her and Samuels tickets and papers. She will meet up with Max on the train. This way we are not all together so it will look less suspicious" he says trying to explain everything.
"How are we going to get out of Austria? she asks him.
" Instead of taking a train we are going to drive. I have friends that are going to help us because if I am right Zeller already has someone sitting outside the front gate waiting to follow me" he says looking into her eyes. He sees the fear and worry they hold inside.
" Maria do you trust me? He asks.
" Of course I do" she answers.
" Then believe me when I say everything will be fine" he says wrapping his arms around her. They hear a car pull up. They look out and see Franz and the children.
" I will send Franz and Frau Schmidt into town on an errand so they won't know what we are doing" he says as he goes to the front door. He calls for Frau Schmidt and he watches as they both leave. Once inside Georg and Maria tell the children what they are planning. Georg looks at his children and it tears him apart knowing how scared they are.
" Uncle Max will be with you at all times. Please listen to him and do everything he says" Georg says.
" Father what about you and Mother? Leisl asks.
" We will meet up with you in Switzerland. Our first concern is that you are all safe. It will not be that long. Hopefully by this time tomorrow we will be together in Switzerland" he says trying to reassure them. Max comes in from the garage and Georg tells him of their change of plans. Max agrees with Georg and they get the children ready. Maria looks at all of them and tries to stop from crying. She gives them all a hug and watches as they drive away. Georg goes to her and holds her.
" I love you" he says as she puts her head on his chest. " I love you too" she answers back.