Maria goes upstairs to get Samuel. Realizing this is the last time she will be in the house she walks around going into the children's room and then her and Georgs bedroom. She hears Georg call to her and she goes downstairs. Georg takes Samuel and both Maria and him take a last look around.
" Ready? He asks her as he puts his arm around her.
" I guess" she answers as she opens the door and they walk outside. Georg opens the door for her and she gets in. Looking at the car Maria does not recognize it.
" Georg when did you get this car? she asks as Georg hands her Samuel.
I bought it a few weeks ago. I knew I had to have a back up plan for our escape so I bought this car. You will understand when we make our escape" he says looking over at her. They pull onto the roadway and Georg immediately sees the car . He watches out of the rearview mirror as the car follows him. Maria also notices and looks at Georg. He squeezes her hand and she smiles at him. They drive to town and park by the marketplace. They pretend to shop as they stop at the craft booths. Maria looks around and sees two nazi soldiers watching them.
" Georg do you see them? she asks.
" Yes I do. Maria act as normal as possible. Smile laugh act as normal as possible" he says as he looks at her. Maria nods as they both walk. Maria stops as a cramp in her back causes pain for her. Not wishing to worry Georg she pretends to look at some puppets. Georg looks at his watch and realizes they need to go to the abbey. He takes Maria by the hand and they go to the car. They drive to the abbey and park around back. On their way to the gate they see the car that is following them go slowly by. Georg rings the bell and Sister Margaretta comes to greet them. They all go to the Reverend Mothers office. Sarah is there along with Reverend Mother and Sister Berthe.
" Maria, Captain I am so scared" Sarah says as he takes Samuel from Georg.
" Sarah listen to me carefully. Here are your papers and train tickets. The train leaves in one hour. Max and the children will meet you there. Remember take the number sixty two bus then transfer to the forty five that will take you to the station. Once you are on do not contact Max right away, wait until you have crossed the border. It will look less suspicious. Maria and I will meet all of you tomorrow. The important thing is to act normal, like you are going on holiday. If anyone questions you do you remember what I told you to say" Georg asks her.
" Yes, my husband is in the army and I am going to Switzerland to stay with my grandfather. I have the name of the man who is suppose to be my grandfather, just in case they don't believe me" she says as she pulls out the paper with Herr Sessemans name on it.
" Good, now you must go. Tell Max thank you and that we will see him tomorrow. If anything happens and we are not there by five tomorrow he will know what to do" he says looking at Maria.
Sarah hugs Maria and then Georg. She also says goodbye to the sisters. Sister Berthe walks her out to see if she will be followed. Maria turns to walk back to the Reverend Mother when another cramp causes her to wince. Georg turns to see the pain on her face.
" Maria are you all right? What is it? Georg says going to her.
" Oh it's nothing my back has been bothering me all day. I think I slept wrong. The pain comes and goes. I am fine now" she says looking at Georg.
" Are you sure? Georg asks her. Maria smiles and nods. Sister Berthe comes back into the office.
" Captain there is a car parked outside the entrance to the abbey. I saw two Nazi soldiers inside" Sister Berthe says as she closes the door.
"I know about them. Did you see anybody follow Sarah? he asks.
" No they just kept their eyes on the abbey. I watched as Sarah got on the bus" she says.
" Good" he says looking at his watch.
" Maria why don't you try to rest. We will not leave until after dark" he says going over to her.
" I am a little tired" she says rubbing her back.
" Your back again? Georg asks as she notices her eyes narrow.
" Yes but its gone now" she says getting up. Georg goes with her to one of the rooms. She lies down and he rubs her back. He watches as her eyes slowly close. Once he is sure she is asleep he goes back to the office.
" How's Maria, Captain? She doesn't look good" Reverend Mother asks.
" She is exhausted. She has not slept well lately. She just can't get comfortable. I will be glad when we are in Switzerland. I am going to get back to her" he says.
" Very well, I will get you both something to eat. You both will need your strength" she says as she heads towards the kitchen. Georg goes back to Maria and quietly opens the door. Instead of sleeping she is sitting up in bed.
" Maria what's wrong, I thought you were asleep" he says sitting down next to her.
"I was but I have to go to the bathroom again" she says smiling. " I will be right back. He watches as she heads into the bathroom. He is about to go get their food when he hears her scream his name. Running to the bathroom door he opens it to see her on the floor.
" My God Maria what happened" he says bending down . He looks down to see her dress soaking wet. He looks at her and sees the pain in her eyes.
" Georg what's happening? I had to go to the bathroom and when I went to stand I felt this pressure then pain. Now my dress is wet" she says as she tries to stand.
" I'm not sure but I think you are in labor" he says helping her up.
" Labor! Georg it's too early. This can't be happening not now" she cries. Georg helps her to the bed. As she sits down a wave of pain overtakes her. Georg feels her squeeze his hand then releases it as the pain subsides.
" Georg what are we going to do now? We have to leave in one hour" she says trying to get up.
" We are not going anywhere. You stay here I am going to tell Reverend Mother what is going on" he says going to the door. She watches as he leaves and comes back a couple of minutes later.
" Reverend Mother is calling the doctor" he says as he takes a couple of pillows and puts them behind Maria. She takes his hand again and he sees her face contort in pain. He looks at his watch as she breathes through the pain. He feels her release his hand and watches her relax.
A knock is heard and Georg says "come in"
Maria looks up to see Reverend Mother come in.
" Captain can I talk to you" she says looking over at Maria.
" I'll be right back" he tells Maria. Georg goes outside the room and sees the look of worry on the nuns face.
" When will the doctor be here? He asks her.
"I don't know how to tell you this. The doctor has been arrested by the Nazis. They think he is a traitor. He was taken an hour ago" she says noting the look of panic on Georgs face.
" What! That is ridiculous. Is there another doctor? He asks her.
" There is only Doctor Schroeder but I wouldn't trust him. He is German and a member of the party" she answers him.
" Wait I think I know someone that can help " she says heading back towards her office.
" Georg" Maria calls to him. He goes to her and helps her through another contraction. He looks at his watch again.
" Five minutes apart" he says to himself.
" Georg is the doctor here? She asks him. Georg wishes he could tell her yes but he knows she can tell when he is lying.
" No, Maria. The doctor was arrested" he says to her holding her hand.
"Georg what are we going to do? We can't do this alone. What if something goes wrong? She asks
Sister Berthe is watching from the doorway. She goes to Maria and puts her hands on Marias stomach. Georg and Maria watch as she moves her hands back and forth.
" Well the baby's head is down that is good. How far apart are your pains? She asks Maria.
" They are about five minutes apart" Georg answers.
" Sister how do you know so much? Georg asks.
" Before I came to the convent I was a missionary. I delivered over a hundred babies in the village I was living in. Doctors were very scarce and babies seem to come when they want not when they are due. As you are finding out" she says smiling.
"Captain why don't I help Maria get into a nightgown. I also want to see how far along she is" Sister Berthe says as she gets a nightgown.
" Georg, please don't leave" Maria says as he goes to the door.
" I'll be right back. I promise I will be right back after I make a phone call" he says smiling at her.
" Let's get you out of your dress and into a clean nightgown. You will be more comfortable. Maria stands up as Sister Berthe helped her get undressed. She starts to get back into bed when a contraction takes hold. She clenches her fists as the wave of pain becomes stronger. She closes her eyes and tries to breathe through the pain. She relaxes her body as the pain slowly fades.
" Maria why don't you lie down and I can check to see how far along you are" Sister Berthe says as she washes her hands in alcohol.
Georg comes back and waits outside the door. He sees Reverend Mother and Sister Margaretta come towards him.
"How is she, Captain? Reverend Mother asks.
" She's scared. She's worried about the children and how we are getting out of Austria but most of all she is worried about the baby" he says looking at the closed door. They turn their heads toward the door as they hear Maria moan. A few minutes later the door opens and Sister Berthe lets them in. He looks over to the bed where Maria is lying. Her eyes are closed and she is breathing slow and even. He walks to her and sits down. He leans over and places a kiss on her forehead. She opens her eyes and smiles at him.
" Hello, I told you I would be back" he says as his hand caresses her cheek. Reverend Mother and Sister Margaretta are here. They want to see if you need anything" he says.
" Maria everything will be all right. God will make sure you and your child will come to no harm. You are in good hands with Sister Berthe. She has delivered many babies" she says reaching down to take Marias hand in hers.
" Thank you Mother, I'm sorry we have put the abbey in danger. I should have known I was in labor. My back has been hurting all day. I thought I had done too much with packing and everything and I…….
Maria stops talking and squeezes her hand as another contraction takes hold. She's finding it harder to breathe through the pain. She feels the pain subside and she relaxes her body once more.
Seeing a look of pain on Reverend Mothers face Maria apologizes " I'm sorry Mother ,did I hurt you?
" No Maria I just was not expecting you to have that much strength" she says as she shakes her hand trying to get the feeling back.
" Sister how long will this take? Maria asks looking at Sister Berthe.
" Usually first babies take seven to ten hours" she answers.
"Seven to ten hours! Georg I won't be able to do this. I change my mind." she says looking at him.
" It's a little late for that Maria. Try and breathe through the pain" Sister Berthe says as she pats Maria on the shoulder.
"Breathe through it. You must be joking. You're enjoying this aren't you. I gave you so much trouble when I lived here you figure this is your chance to get me back" Maria says sounding very angry. Reverend Mother and Sister Margaretta look at each other and raise their eyes to the heavens. They both decide to take a seat on the other side of the room and wait until they are needed.
" Maria, Sister Berthe is just trying to help" Georg says looking up at Sister Berthe.
Maria is about to say something when another contraction takes hold. She closes her eyes and tries to breathe. Georg watches as small teardrops fall slowly down her cheeks. He hears her moan and tries to comfort her.
" Don't touch me " she yells. Georg pulls his hand away and looks to Sister Berthe.
" Keep talking to her Captain. She really does not mean it. It is just the pain" the nun says.
The next few hours pass and the contractions are coming closer and closer. All Georg can do is comfort her and try and keep her as calm and relaxed as possible. He wipes her forehead with a cool cloth.
The next contraction takes hold and Maria starts to push.
" No Maria, don't push. You may not be ready. I have to check you" Sister Berthe says as she washes her hands with alcohol. Georg holds Marias hand while the nun checks her. His heart breaks for her as he hears her moan as Sister Berthe checks for the baby's head.
" Maria listen to me. You can start pushing. Mother, Sister Margaretta I will need your help" she says as she props Maria up on the bed.
" Captain I want you to get behind Maria so you can keep her propped up. Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta I need you to bend Marias knees and pull them back, like this" she says showing them.
"Maria on the next contraction I want you to take a big breath , hold it and push, understand" she says
Maria nods her head and as she feels the next contraction she takes a breath and pushes. Georg puts his mouth next to her ear encouraging Maria with each push.
An hour goes by and she is still pushing. He can tell she is getting tired though. Between pushes he lays her back and wipes her head with a cool cloth. She tries to smile but another contraction causes her to moan.
" Georg I can't go on. I'm too tired. Please make it stop" she cries leaning into him.
"I can't make it stop. It won't be much longer" he says looking at Sister Berthe for assurance.