Ch. 4: Liberty

Georg and Maria spent a week lounging around their home in Stowe. They took strolls and sometimes did simple things that made them happy. In there time together they remained happy, yet were aware that his illness was getting more serious everyday.

One night Maria got a call from Dr. Gray in New York, who wanted to check up on Georg.

"I want to check on him and tell you the symptoms you might look for to tell when…" he trailed off.

"It's going to be over?" Maria finished.

"Yes," he told her. They made plans to meet once again in New York to perform a few more tests.

So that was the reason Maria and Georg were once again on their way to the city of New York. Georg was not happy about going so Maria decided to take him to a special place in New York she knew he would love.

There was one thing Georg had never done that Maria knew he had always wanted to do. So she quietly bought tickets for a ferry and then walked to the Doctor's office with Georg. As they did a check-up on Georg, Dr. Gray talked to Maria about what to look for when his condition worsened.

Maria listened to his words halfheartedly, storing them in the back of her mind. She had no intention of thinking of the sad times ahead, just yet. Thanking the doctor, Maria left with Georg as soon as she could. She had a strange feeling that they would never be back to that Doctor together.

Maria whispered to Georg to walk to the subway with her. They walked together to the subway with Georg playfully demanding explanation.

"Where are we going, Maria? Please tell me," He demanded playfully as they sat down in the subway bound for Battery Park. Maria smiled at him. He reminded her of one of their children.

"Well, my dear, you'll see when we get there," she smiled as she caught his eye as he glared at her.

The train reached Battery Park around noon and they both walked outside. It was raining lightly and fog hung over the sea like the stars hovering above the earth.

"Now can you tell me?" he sweetly asked.

"Yes, this is where were going," Maria told him, happily pointing to the Statue of Liberty, as she boarded the boat. He was speechless as they climbed to the top level of the ferry. Maria put her arms around Georg as they both stood on the top of the ferry gazing at the far off figure of the statue.

"You knew I always wanted to go here?" he asked in surprise. Maria laughed.

"I think everyone did," she stated, "you were so upset that you couldn't get off at Liberty Island."

"It's definitely prettier than Ellis Island. Don't you agree?" He asked. Maria just nodded and gazed at the statue.

"I'm glad we came on a day when it wasn't sunny. I love the fog," Maria told him softly.

"Yes it does make the Statue seem much more majestic, hm?" he asked. Maria just nodded again as the boat crept closer to it. "This is how it was when we first came here, remember?"

"You mean it was foggy like this?" she asked.

"Yes, and remember the children when they saw the Statue. I'll never forget the look in their eyes. They were fascinated," he told her.

"Suddenly whatever doubts they had about coming here were all erased," Maria added.

"All because of that Statue and what it symbolizes," Georg finished. The boat reached the dock and Georg and Maria walked out onto Liberty Island.

"Well, here we are," she commented as they began to walk closer to the statue. Maria saw the look in Georg's eyes and she quickly told him the disappointing news. "Darling, the doctors say that you can't climb to the top. There're worried you will become exhausted."

"But Maria, I'll be fine. I promise I won't become exhausted," he said before looking at her and seeing there was no point in arguing.

"Can we at least go up to the top of the pedestal?" he asked hopefully. "It could be romantic," he added putting his arm around her shoulder. Maria rolled her eyes.

"Well, when you put it that way…" she began before he kissed her and quickened his pace to get to the back of the Statue.

They rode to the top of the pedestal in an elevator. At the top of the pedestal there was a museum containing information on the Statue of Liberty. After meandering around the museum, Maria and Georg walked outside to get a view of New York. Maria sighed as she leaned into Georg. He really didn't seem very different from before. To her, he was still he strong and loving sea captain.

"It's really is beautiful isn't it?" she commented.

"It is. You know sometimes I wish the world could be more like America," he added.

"What do you mean? Free?" Maria asked.

"Well yes. We are free to do what we want within reason. We also have opportunities that some never get when they live elsewhere. I know the system of government isn't perfect; nothing ever is, but it's close to being perfect."

"Do you miss Austria, darling?"

"Well in a way I do. I'll always be Austrian; that will never change. However, I'm extremely proud to be called an American as well," he answered.

"That's how I feel too. We are so blessed Georg, so blessed," Maria said softly.

"We are rather blessed, aren't we?" he asked her. Putting his arm around her and pulling her closer he continued, "Thank you, Maria."

"For what?" she asked.

"Bringing me here. It is very special," he concluded.

"I thought so, too."

"Of course, anything I do with you is truly magical," he concluded. She smiled as he tightened his grip on her and pulled her into a deep kiss.

Later as they walked around the path to the front of the statue they realized that the children would be home in a week.

"Time really flew by; I can't believe they are done with the tour already!" Maria exclaimed. "Soon they will be home. I can't wait to see them," she added.

"Really? You mean you can't wait for a loud house again. I was just getting used to the peace," Georg told her. Maria gave him a sharp look to keep herself from laughing, but it didn't work.

"I wonder how the little ones are doing," she told him. "I still don't believe it was the best idea to leave Eleanor and Johannes with Uncle Max. They're barely even teenagers."

"Yes, and I'm sure Max has let them run off to every club across the country all by themselves," Georg laughed.

"Georg!" Maria shot him a glare.

"I'm kidding! I'm sure they're doing fine, my love. It's fun to travel the USA, you know."

"I guess you're right," she admitted.

"My wife tells me I'm right before I die. I never thought I'd hear those words. My darling, I thought you were always right!" Georg exclaimed.

"Well I am," she began, "most of the time."

"You are amazing," he told her shaking his head. Before he could comment any more Maria broke into a wide grin and threw her arms around him. He smiled back and kissed her passionately.

Eventually they rode the ferry back to the mainland, as the sun was setting over the Statue of Liberty. When they reached New York City, Maria and Georg made their way to the Subway to go home, together, one last time.