The bright sunlight peeked through the cracks of the barn walls, falling on Maria's face. She squinted and turned against the brightness, unwilling to face the day just yet. Pulling the blanket closer to her chin, she reveled in the warmth surrounding her. A deep sigh of peace sounded from her throat, and she smiled.
It seemed ages since she had felt so safe. The last thing she remembered from the night before was Georg pulling her into his arms and nearly commanding her to rest.
It wasn't until she relaxed just a little did Maria realize how exhausted she was. The stress and fear that had consumed their family since the Music Festival prohibited an ounce of calmness to enter her disposition. She was scared for her children. She was worried about her husband. She was nervous about their future. Taking it upon herself to help ease everyone's burden, she didn't realize the toll it was taking on her. When Georg had hugged her the night before, she had felt all of her stress melt away. She had slept as soundly as she had during their honeymoon, and she'd felt as if she hadn't a worry at all.
The sounds of distant laughter caught her attention. Puzzled, Maria slowly opened her eyes and listened closer. It was Brigitta's laughter, joined by Louisa and Gretl. She lifted her head and looked around. Her mouth dropped open as she realized she was alone in the barn. The entire family had been up for what could have been hours, and they had left her there to sleep.
Maria shot up to a sitting position. Instantly, the room swarmed around her, and her stomach lurched. Her hands flew to her temples as she closed her eyes against the horrid spinning. Before she could stop it, an agonized moan escaped her throat as she tried desperately to swallow the bile that had leapt into her mouth.
She gulped in air, hoping to suppress the nausea from getting any worse. After what seemed an eternity, her stomach settled, and the bile receded from her throat. Cautiously, she opened her eyes, still breathing deeply. Sitting still, she listened to the quietness around her, hearing even the smallest movements of the animals below and the light wind whispering through the walls.
As the physical ailments subsided, Maria was once again filled with fear. Only this time, it was fear for herself, and what was wrong with her.
Before she could further reflect on it, she heard someone approach and looked up. As if he had been waiting for her to stir, Georg walked quickly over to her. Their eyes locked, and her throat tightened as she saw the concern on his face.
"You hadn't slept in two days," he explained before she could say anything. "I told the children not to disturb you."
She sighed. "I should be helping."
"The girls are doing your share," he said, sitting in front of her and taking her hands. "How are you feeling?"
Maria twisted her mouth. "Guilty," she admitted.
"Don't," he insisted, and Maria saw a strange expression form on his face. "You need to take care of yourself."
"I need to help you," she said quietly. "I can't do that if I'm sleeping all the time."
He reached up to stroke her cheek. "You can't if you're sick either."
"I'm fine," she said. "I just needed to relax and that sleep was the best thing for me."
She started to rise, but Georg put his hands on her shoulders and gently prevented her from doing so. Maria pursed her lips in frustration and gave him a pointed stare. "Georg, I want to help."
He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Only if you eat some breakfast first," he said. He put his finger over her open mouth. "Just some toast with jam? I think you like jam."
Despite herself, she laughed. "Alright I'll eat," she said, trying to fight off her apprehension at what the food might do to her uneasy stomach. "But only if I get to prepare it myself."
Georg laughed. "We'll see if Eva lets you into her kitchen."
"Here you go, dear," Eva said as she placed a couple of pieces of bread and a cup of tea in front of Maria. "Just the thing for an upset stomach."
Maria smiled gratefully, and hesitantly sipped the tea. The warmth soothed her dry throat and coated her twitchy stomach. Slowly, she closed her eyes and exhaled. "I didn't know how thirsty I was," she murmured and reopened her eyes, seeing the older woman studying her. "Thank you."
Eva nodded. "Your husband is very concerned."
Maria sighed and looked out the window to where Georg was standing. Eva had scooted him out, telling him that she would take care of Maria's stomach problems.
Maria felt that she was adding to his worries, and she hated herself for it. "He has more important things to worry about than my loss of appetite," she said.
Eva sat down and took her hands. "From what I can tell, you and your children are the most important things to him."
Tears filled Maria's eyes, and she pulled her hands free to wipe them away angrily. "I wish I could ease his troubles."
"You do, my dear," Eva said, breaking off a piece of bread and spreading some jam on it. Handing it to Maria, she smiled. "I see him look at you, and his face softens. And I see you interact with the children; by easing their spirits, you're helping more than you think you are."
Maria smiled and looked out the window again. "I pray we make it to safety," she whispered.
"You will, with God's guidance," Eva said, nodding. Pausing for a moment, she stood slowly and walked over to the counter. "How long will you stay?"
Before Maria could answer, the door opened, and they turned to see Georg entering with an air of impatience on his face.
"Forgive the intrusion," he apologized, "but I hate not being able to help."
"You're just nosey," Maria said and laughed. Cocking her head for him to join her, she handed him a piece of bread.
He waved it away as he sat in the chair which Eva had just vacated. "I'm not the one who hasn't eaten in two days," he said, looking over at the bread she had yet to touch.
"Neither am I," Maria said lightly. "I just had a few pieces of bread and some wonderful tea a few moments ago."
He pursed his lips but shook his head and laughed at the twinkle in her eyes. "Just eat all of it," he whispered.
She studied him for a moment, about to ask what was on his mind, when Eva walked over with the pot of warm water.
"Would you like some more tea?" she offered.
Maria shook her head. "I'll finish this first," she answered. "That tea is wonderful, Eva. What's in it?"
"Some local herbs, known for easing an unsettled stomach," the other said absently as she returned to the counter.
Georg studied Maria silently as she popped the bread into her mouth. Turning to face Eva, he smiled. "The fence is nearly finished."
The woman brightened. "Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I should start preparing the dinner."
"Oh, good," Maria said. "I can help you this time."
She started to stand. As he had done in the loft, Georg placed a hand on her shoulder, easing her back into the chair.
"You can help by sitting and not over-doing it," he half-commanded, half pleaded. Maria was about to object, but the concern in his eyes silenced her. She nodded and looked over at Eva.
"Well, can I at least peel some potatoes from here?"
Eva laughed. "Yes, of course," she said. "I just have to rinse off the knife."
Maria gave her husband an amused look. "May I get the potatoes and knife, or will everything be brought to me?"
He grinned. "You didn't mind things being brought to you in Paris," he whispered, and Maria's cheeks reddened as she looked up quickly to be assured Eva had not heard him.
"You can start with these, Maria," Eva started, and Georg winked at his wife before quickly rising to retrieve the vegetables.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and they all jumped as Gretl and Brigitta dashed inside and ran to their mother.
"They have kittens!" Gretl exclaimed breathlessly. "There are kittens in the barn!"
Maria's face lit with her daughters' enthusiasm. "Kittens!?" she repeated. "Did you see their whiskers?"
Georg smiled at the scene and turned to Eva. "I hope you're not going out of your way for the second night in a row for us," he said.
Eva chuckled. "No, we're not having a big meal; I hope vegetable stew will be satisfactory to you."
He nodded and began to arrange the potatoes so he could carry them all together. "Thank you for allowing another woman in your kitchen."
She turned to face him, and he was surprised to see the seriousness on her face. She held up a small bag. "For when she gets sick," she said quietly and then paused. She glanced over at Maria, who was still deeply engrossed in conversation with Brigitta and Gretl, before turning back to Georg. "For when she gets sick in the morning."
Georg's eyes widened for a moment and he looked down at the bag in Eva's hand. "What is it?"
"What's in the tea," the other answered. "Raspberry leaf and ginger root. It will soothe her stomach."
Georg accepted the offering with a grateful smile. "Thank you," he whispered.
"You've been a father seven times, Georg," Eva said. "You know the signs. I've been a mother three times; so do I. She wants to feel needed. She needs to be taken care of."
Georg nodded, the uneasy knot reforming in his stomach. Part of him wanted desperately to talk with Maria, yet another part still had to overcome the fear for her safety. He knew he could only talk about it with her when he had conquered his own anxiety.
Eva smiled tightly and patted his arm. "God has sent you to us; He has been watching over you so far," she said with the same conviction Maria had often displayed. "All of you will be fine."
A smile spread across Georg's face and he felt slightly more confident. "I appreciate it," he said.
"Is there something wrong?" Maria asked from her chair. Brigitta and Gretl turned to stare at their father and Eva.
Georg winked at Eva before turning to his wife. "Not at all, my dear," he said. "I'm just making sure you will have plenty of potatoes to peel."
Maria brightened at the task. Eva walked over and poured her a fresh cup of tea.
"Can we help?" Brigitta asked.
Gretl pouted. "I want to see the kittens again!" she protested.
"Go outside, dears," Eva said kindly and nodded to the door. Georg pursed his lips, about to insist they help, when Eva patted his forearm. "Let them have their fun."
The sun was barely visible as it started its ascent over the mountain tips the next morning. A brisk, fresh, mountain air surrounded the little farm, whose inhabitants and guests stood at the front gate. The Von Trapps were gathered around their hosts, fully rested and rejuvenated for the next part of their journey. Eva was fussing over Kurt's new pants, which were still too big around his waist.
"Oh, I don't mind hemming them in the middle," she offered. "You barely sat still for your mother last night."
"I like them big," Kurt insisted, embarrassed to have such attention on him.
Georg handed a large bag to Liesl and nodded to Daniel. "Thank you for the blankets and the food," he said, shaking the man's hand. "It's more than we—"
"Thank you for cleaning my loft and fixing that fence," Daniel interrupted. "I'd say we've all benefited from these two days."
Georg's face became serious. He reached into his jacket pocket and handed the older man an envelope. "For the food we've taken out of your mouths," he said. When the other began to protest, Georg shook his head vehemently. Daniel met the Captain's gaze directly and nodded after a moment.
Eva hugged Marta one last time before turning to Maria. "Make sure your children are safe," she said, hugging Maria tightly.
Maria nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Thank you for everything."
Georg walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Ready?" he asked.
She inhaled deeply and nodded. "Let's go home."
To be continued…
A/N: Sorry for the delay. Holidays and stuff. Thank you for all the lovely reviews – they're a wonderful Christmas present!