Maria was amazed at the energy her family retained after nearly a full day of hiking. It seemed like days since their departure from the Meinhards, yet it was just less than twelve hours. The two day respite had truly rejuvenated them; they had only stopped for a brief lunch a few hours earlier, and had traveled a considerable distance. Not even the heavy fog and overcast sky could dim their spirits. They were near Switzerland, and they knew safety was close. Smiling to herself, she quietly walked along, letting her family's laughter and animated conversations fill her head.
Suddenly, her stomach started to twitch, and she inhaled sharply, refusing to allow it to overcome her. Slowly, she exhaled, willing her body to cooperate. She seemed to have stopped it in time, as no disorientation came, and her stomached settled sooner than it had in the past. She looked around quickly, hoping no one had noticed. They all were engrossed in their journey, none of them too close to her, and she was grateful her sudden dizziness had been unobserved.
Hoping to distract herself from whatever was wrong with her, Maria looked over at Kurt, who kept pulling his newly acquired trousers up his waist.
"Kurt, are you sure those pants aren't too big?" she asked.
The boy turned and grinned. "They're very warm," he answered. "I like them like this."
Maria laughed. "At least you're not tripping over them."
"At least his legs won't get frost bitten," a voice murmured close to her. Maria looked up, surprised to see her husband walking in stride next to her. He glanced down at her and smiled tightly. She paused and reached over to squeeze his hand, still seeing the concern in his eyes.
"When the Lord closes a door," she whispered.
His smile became more genuine as he studied her. "Sometimes that open window can be a little foggy, but you always manage to help me see it," he said. "You have been the strength of this family, Maria."
"Thank you," she said, her eyes filling at the unexpected declaration. She sighed. "I worry too, Georg, but we're a lot better off than we could be."
Georg smiled. "Your optimism is catching, my dear," he said as they fell behind from the rest of the group. "I feel confident that we'll be in Switzerland in no time."
"That's all I need to hear," she said, laughing.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, squeezing her tightly for a moment. Despite her own concerns about both their situation and her strengthening ailments, Maria felt completely secure. In her husband's embrace, she closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment of peace.
Georg released her but kept her hand in his as they continued. They followed the children, and Maria relished having Georg to herself for a little while. Even though this wasn't what she had expected her life to be like as a newlywed, she was happy just to be with him, knowing that they would be together, no matter what.
Maria looked up at him, seeing him staring ahead with focused eyes. She tugged on his hand. "Captain?"
He turned to meet her gaze and smiled. "Yes?"
"You looked far away," she said. "What's on your mind?"
He remained silent for a moment and then smiled. "I'm just trying to remain optimistic."
"Take it from me, it's not always easy," she said, laughing.
He joined her laughter. "You could have fooled me," he said. His laughter died down, but his soft smile remained and he looked up at the children again. "Staying with the Meinhards really helped their spirits."
She followed his gaze. "Yes, it was just what we all needed," she agreed quietly and rested her head against his shoulder.
They walked a bit more in comfortable silence. The children seemed to know not to go too far ahead; the fog wasn't oppressively thick, but Maria was glad she could still see all of her family in front of her. They heard Kurt's exclamation at something Friedrich had said, and soon, a chorus of laughter echoed in the hills.
Reaching a slightly more rocky and difficult area on their path, Georg clutched her hand tighter. Both looked up, seeing the children still foraging ahead of them, only occasionally turning to see their parents' progression.
"I'm so pleased they care," Georg muttered. "Once we're clear of this, I think we should start looking for a spot to camp for the night."
He displayed his watch for her to see, and she nodded, not expecting it to be so late. "Yes," she said. "I hope they don't mind sleeping outside after a few nights of being inside a warm barn."
"They'll love it," he said.
"Yes, I'm sure they will," Maria agreed. She glanced upwards, wishing their surroundings weren't so grey and bleak.
Not paying attention to the path in front of her, her foot caught on a few rocks. Before she knew what had happened, she started to tumble forward, gasping in surprise.
Immediately, she felt Georg's hands on her shoulders, preventing her from falling completely over and steadying her. "Easy," he whispered so lowly, she wasn't sure he had said anything at all.
Once Maria was squarely on both her feet, she looked up and smiled in gratitude at him. "I'm always tripping," she said lightly. His hands were still on her shoulders, and if anything, their grip had tightened even after he was assured she was alright. Maria stared into his eyes, seeing something deeper than the concern for her near tumble.
"Georg?"
After a long moment, he exhaled and smiled. "I'll just have to keep a closer eye on you," he said. He stepped back but kept his arm around her shoulder as they resumed their walk.
Suddenly, her stomach twitched again, and her vision seemed to blur for a moment. Disoriented, she brought her hand up to her temple and closed her eyes. She felt Georg's chest lift as he inhaled deeply, and she knew he was watching her.
"Are you alright?" she heard him ask.
She nodded. "That stumble went to my head," she said, opening her eyes. The spinning that usually accompanied her nausea wasn't as strong as it had been, and when she smiled at Georg, it was more sincere and confident. "Too much fresh air."
He nodded and guided her along. Maria wished once again she could stop adding to his burden; he had enough to be anxious about. As his wife, she wanted to help him. But all she was doing was making him worry more with her sudden and inexplicable ailments.
Yet, at the same time, she was glad he was constantly by her side. They hadn't had a chance to be alone since their homecoming, and while she knew that it wasn't the time for them to be as close as they had been on their honeymoon, she relished in any private moment they could share. She rested her head against his shoulder again, and he squeezed her tighter.
When they finally reached a more grassy part of the path, Georg guided Maria to sit on an obliging boulder. He looked over at the children and whistled to them. Maria watched as they all stopped and turned. Georg gestured for them to join their parents.
Maria let out a light chuckle. "I bet you miss that whistle now, darling," she said.
Georg laughed as he reached into his pocket, revealing several peculiar looking plants. He broke off a piece of one and handed it to her.
Accepting it, she gave him a questioning look. "What is this?"
"Ginger root," he answered, his tone soft. "It'll help your stomach."
She eyed it suspiciously before taking a tentative bite. He watched her eat for a second before looking up at the children, who were still walking towards them. He turned back to her. "I'll be right back," he said and walked to meet the children.
Maria watched them form a circle around him as he spoke, explaining that they would have to camp out for the night. Even in the growing darkness, Maria could see the smiles broaden on the older children's faces, and she shook her head. Her eyes traveled back to Georg, and she felt her heart tighten as she observed his patient yet commanding stance.
She wished she could somehow convey to him that she was alright, but the more she thought about her afflictions, the more concerned she herself became.
It was as if her body was betraying her. Succumbing to nausea wasn't like her, even though she had yet to actually get sick. Also, sleep had been elusive to her for the most part since they started their journey. It was only on their first night in the barn did her exhaustion overpower her anxiety.
She was disconcerted and nervous; she had even missed her last period due to the bombardment of emotions she had gone through. At first she thought it was the stress. She knew that her family was safe and they were almost to Switzerland, but she couldn't help but continue to worry about their situation. She knew that God had been watching over all of them so far, but she couldn't think of any reason as to why she was continuously agitated and couldn't consume more than bread and tea.
Maria narrowed her eyes, feeling as if she was missing the last piece of a puzzle.
The sound of the children's voices brought her thoughts back to the moment, and she looked up to see her family approaching. She popped the last piece of the ginger root in her mouth, and noted that her stomach was calmer than it had been a few moments ago. She looked heavenward, again asking for God to continue to help them.
Noting Brigitta's wide eyes and the concern on Liesl's face, Maria smiled and stood up slowly.
"Daniel and Eva spoiled me," she said lightly. Marta ran over to her and wrapped her arms around her waist. Maria smiled and rubbed the girl's hair gently.
"We're going to camp outside again!" Gretl announced, practically jumping up and down.
"It'll be better than the first night we camped out," Louisa said, rearranging her backpack. "We have more supplies this time."
"And better food," Kurt added.
"We didn't have any food last time," Friedrich corrected.
His brother looked at him with exasperation. "That's why it's better!"
Maria shook her head and looked down at Marta, who was still attached to her waist. "Are you as excited about camping outside as your brothers and sisters?"
Marta looked up and nodded, her eyes betraying her caution. Maria smiled again and hugged the girl closer to her. "Maybe singing about our favorite things will make it better," she said.
Marta's eyes brightened, and her smile was more genuine. Maria squeezed her tighter and looked up at Georg.
A kind smile spread across his face as he walked over to Gretl and scooped her into his arms. "How much more do you think we have to go, Gretl?"
She giggled and looked into the direction they were heading. "Five years!" she declared, and Georg laughed aloud.
"You'll be all grown up by then!" he exclaimed.
"Maybe another day or two?" Friedrich guessed. "Didn't Herr Meinhard say that they live close to the Swiss border?"
"Yes, it shouldn't be too long now," Maria said, nodding.
"There's chocolate there, right?" Gretl asked, her face serious.
Georg gave her an assuring squeeze. "When we get there, I shall buy you the biggest piece of chocolate you've ever seen," he promised her, and she beamed.
Maria laughed, feeling more relaxed than she had all day. The ginger root seemed to have done the trick, although she wasn't sure if it was the plant or her family's light mood that made her feel better. Marta's hold around her waist lessened, and she looked down at her daughter.
"Would you like some chocolate too?" she asked.
Marta nodded with an excited grin, her earlier apprehension diminished. "Will we be in Switzerland tomorrow, Mother?"
Maria smiled. "If not tomorrow, then soon, darling," she answered. That seemed to please the little girl, who clasped her mother's hand in hers before turning around to see Liesl and Kurt starting to walk towards their projected campsite. Maria smiled again. "Go ahead, Marta, I'll be alright."
Marta smiled in assurance before dashing off to follow her sister and brother.
Maria looked around at the rest of her family. "Let's get going!"
Georg nodded and set Gretl down. He looked over at Friedrich, who quickly walked over to take his sister's hand. Georg patted the girl's head before walking over to Maria. Offering her his arm, he winked at her.
"Shall we, my lady?" he asked, and Maria could hear the concern under his purposely light tone.
Wordlessly, she laced her hand around his and smiled at him as they followed the others.
Maria felt Georg's grasp on her arm tighten, and she looked up at him, seeing that earlier focus in his eyes.
"I wish I could help ease your pain," she whispered.
He smiled. "You always do," he said, placing his other hand atop hers. "I just wish I could help you."
She paused, sighing as she looked ahead of her, torn between confessing her fears and her resolve not to add to his troubles. She opened her mouth to say something, but refrained and tried to smile at him.
He studied her, and Maria's throat tightened. The gentleness in his eyes reminded her of that first morning in the barn, and she saw a near wistful look on his face. She swallowed, touched by his patience.
Georg took both her hands in his. "You'll be fine," he said. His conviction instantly set her at ease. Despite not even knowing what was wrong with her, she believed him.
"You always make me feel safe."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "And you always give me the strength I need," he returned, lingering close to her. After a moment, they retreated, and Georg smiled at her. They turned to continue walking.
Following their children, they remained silent, Maria no longer dwelling in her despair about whatever was ailing her. Rather, she concentrated on how she could manage the next round of dizziness, and how she could continue to help her husband.
The children had stopped and turned towards their parents.
"Is this a good place?" Liesl asked.
Georg and Maria looked around. They were lower than the hill's peak, and the incline behind them shielded them from the winds. The ground was soft and covered in thick grass; even without their provided blankets, they would be comfortable. The nearest woods were at least a hundred meters away to the south; they were safe from any forest inhabitants. Looking upward, he saw a cloudy but inactive sky, insulating them from the brisk night air.
He nodded. "Let's set up the blankets close together, in a circle," he instructed. "We'll start the fire in the center."
Within a few minutes, Louisa had a small fire going. The family unpacked a few pieces of dried ham and chicken, hungry, but rationing carefully. Georg and Maria prepared their meal as the children entertained themselves with jokes and songs. Once the children had food in front of them, Georg looked over at Maria, who was eyeing the last two pieces of ham cautiously. Sitting next to her, he smiled and handed her a piece of bread and another piece of ginger root.
Maria accepted them happily. "You seem to read my thoughts."
Georg wrapped his arm around her. "You're very easy to read, my love," he whispered.
He kissed her temple, and Maria turned to hug him to her, forgetting about the children for a moment. Tucking her head next to his neck, she saw his throat move as he sighed deeply. His hand traveled up and down her back, making her warm despite the chill in the air.
As if from a distance, she could head the children's voices and laughter. Reluctantly pulling away from him, she turned and watched her family eat happily. Beside her, she felt more than heard Georg deep laughter. She closed her eyes, forgetting about her stomach problems and relaxing in the calm mood their family always seemed able to create no matter what their situation.
To be continued…
A/N: Who knew one page could be such a hassle? If I wasn't so tired of looking at it, I'd still be making changes. That's what I get for ignoring a section while concentrating on others.
I must say the kindness of your reviews thus far is very touching. It means a lot to me that you all like this story so much, because I loved writing it. My new favorite line: "The Captain's swimmers!" Woohoo! Thanks emartin! - INAC