Georg walked around his children, who were lying down encircling the fire. Occasionally, he would stoop down to place a blanket higher over one of them. The soft noises of the night filled the air, and an uncommonly warm mountain breeze sifted around him. The embers of the fire were still glowing, and the clouds had lifted to reveal a bright, full moon. Georg smiled to himself as he stared down at his children, the pale lighting only enhancing the beauty they held for him.
The sound of a low yet sweet voice caught his ear. He looked up and saw Maria still sitting upright. She was rocking Marta and was singing an old Austrian lullaby. Georg's heart swelled at the sight: Maria had always had a special bond with the children and could calm them no matter what their situation. Her continuation to do so, even while drained herself, touched Georg beyond words.
She's an excellent mother.
Georg sat across from his wife and daughter, his head cast down, letting Maria's soft voice fill his head. Just as she always managed to calm their children, Maria also settled his own doubts, even if she didn't realize she did. Her strength and love made her capable of handling anything, and through that strength, he knew they all would be safe.
The words of her lullaby echoed in his head. Words sung to him by his own mother. Words Agathe used to sing to the children when they were infants. Words that would live in his heart forever. The thought that his homeland no longer existed struck him again, but as he listened to Maria singing, he knew he had done the right thing in making his family leave. Austria was now a dream, a memory. He would rather it remain that way forever, undefiled and pure, than to live in its remnants.
Daniel had said that Switzerland was about a two-day's distance by ox cart. Using his judgment, Georg guessed they would be there soon. The thought gave him the most relief he had felt since the moment he had read that telegram. In a matter of days, maybe even hours, they would be safe. He could provide his children with a proper night's sleep in beds, and he could take Maria to a doctor…
Georg looked up as Maria's voice drifted away. He saw her hug Marta closer to her, a peaceful expression on her tired face. The moonlight draped over her, and she smiled as she surveyed the children. Despite her exhaustion, Georg thought she had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment.
She's pregnant entered Georg's head, and again his stomach twisted. He felt the corners of his mouth curve upward and a surge of wonderment flow through him, all but driving the fear from his mind. A new life. She was carrying a life they had created from their love. God couldn't have given him a more precious gift.
He stood and walked over to her and smiled as their eyes met. Stooping over, he gathered Marta in his arms and gently placed her next to Louisa. He shifted the blankets around both of his girls and caressed their cheeks. Standing straight, he saw Maria watching him. He returned to her and extended his hand to her.
"Now that the clouds have lifted, you can really see the moon," he whispered, eager to have a moment alone with her. "It's clearer away from the fire."
"That'd be lovely," she said as she stood and smoothed her skirt around her. "I love skies filled with stars."
He gently pulled her to him, noting how her smile seemed to drive the fatigue from her face. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he quietly guided her away from the camp. Sitting on a large rock, they relaxed in each other's company.
"You're magical with Marta," he said softly, and Maria smiled as she looked over at the children. "She's having the most difficult time with all of this."
She nodded. "My heart goes out to her. She feels like she's the only one who's scared."
"They're all scared, I can see it," Georg said, sighing. "But they are handling it all very well. I'm so proud of them. They haven't complained at all. They fight to keep their spirits high, and their enthusiasm is unwavering."
"It's been tough, but we're almost there," Maria said, looking back at him. "I can feel it."
Georg nodded and squeezed her tighter. "As soon as we get settled in Switzerland, I'm going to buy everyone new clothes."
Maria laughed. "But you have to buy Gretl that chocolate first."
He chuckled and leaned down to look at their feet, studying their worn shoes. "And I'm going to buy my wife the most beautiful dress in town," he added. Hearing her gasp at the declaration, he smiled to himself. "No more hiking over the hills."
"It hasn't been so bad, darling," she said. "But I will be happier when it's over."
There was a long pause before Maria rubbed his forearm. "Are we to stay in Switzerland, Georg?"
He sat up straight and turned to her. "I wasn't sure when to speak to you about where we can go next," he confessed. "The right moment never seemed to occur."
"How about now?"
Smiling, Georg glanced over to the children. "I don't want to stay in Europe, Maria," he said. He heard her inhale briskly, but continued before she could say anything. "Even though Switzerland is notoriously neutral, anything can happen. There would still be a possibility of the Nazis finding us. I will not allow that to happen. If we were out of Europe, they won't get us. I can't allow even the slightest chance of us separating. I can't even comprehend it."
"But, Georg," Maria started, and he could hear the hesitance in her voice, "where can we go? America?"
He turned to face her again and nodded mutely. She exhaled and licked her lips. "It's a whole different world, Georg," she whispered, turning from him and looking upwards at the stars.
"Yes," he agreed. "But this family's safety is the only thing I care about."
He watched as Maria closed her eyes, contemplating his idea.
"But I want you to want it too," he added softly, and he could see her frown begin to fade away.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at him. "I believe it will work," she said. "We can do it, as long as we're together. This summer has been one big adventure after another, and I know that, with God's guidance, we can do anything."
Georg laughed and hugged her to him again. "God has been watching over us so far," he said, watching her as she looked down and placed her hands on her lap.
He exhaled slowly, knowing the time had come. "How's your stomach?"
She sighed and looked up at him. "It's okay," she said, and he could see her collecting her thoughts, the apprehension forming on her face. "But it's more than my stomach."
"Yes?"
Maria suddenly blinked several times, fighting off inexplicable tears. "I kept avoiding it; I kept thinking that if I didn't worry about it, it would go away," she started, her voice hardly above a whisper. "I don't want to worry you more, Georg."
He guided her chin upward to look into her eyes. "You're always first on my mind."
She looked down again, wringing her hands together. "I feel so guilty," she confessed. "I should be helping you. I shouldn't be adding to your burden."
His hand drifted up to stroke her cheek. "Maria, let me help you."
She looked in the other direction, and Georg reached over to rub her back. "You're not sleeping," he began for her. "You're not eating."
"I'm just anxious," Maria recited, turning back to him. "Things have been so hectic for the last few weeks…"
Georg smiled. "They weren't very hectic in Paris," he corrected, and the moonlight made her red cheeks take on a soft pink hue. She smiled in remembrance, before Georg watched the worry return to her eyes as she thought of her afflictions.
"The mere thought of food makes my stomach turn," she continued in a rushed voice, suddenly unable to stop herself from voicing her troubles. "I never used to get sick, so I just thought it was all the changes and the stress of what we were going through. I'm restless but exhausted at the same time. But there's something more…"
Georg narrowed his eyes. "Yes?"
She sighed. "I feel as if there's something I'm missing; something that I should know that I just can't quite grasp."
She looked up at him again, and Georg smiled gently. "Maria," he started, "when was the last time you… you… well, you had your cycle?"
Maria blinked again, caught off guard. He watched her reaction carefully. After the shock at his question dissolved, he saw her repeating his words to herself. She shifted her gaze, looking past him into the night as the pieces slowly came together for her. His soft smile grew wider as a second wave of shock came over her face.
After what seemed an eternity, Maria looked at him again, her eyes wide. "Georg…"
"You're pregnant," he said.
A flicker of a smile crossed her face, and Georg felt his heart tug as she digested the idea. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes," she whispered, and he was surprised to see acceptance on her face so quickly.
He leaned in closer. "Am I right?" he asked, smiling gently. "I could be wrong, you know. I may only have seven children, but I've never been…"
Maria's light laughter interrupted him. He fell silent and they stared at one another. For a long moment, he watched as she realized the full impact of the revelation. Starting to feel unsettled, Georg took her hands in his again. "What are you thinking?"
She shook her head, her lips curving upward for a moment. "I can't describe it."
Georg nodded, feeling his heart start to beat faster as he saw the wonderment in her eyes.
"How could I have been so blind?" she asked herself. "The signs are obvious."
"You said yourself: you tried not to think about it," he answered.
"But I should have known," she insisted. "I mean, I've been around pregnant animals enough."
Georg laughed lightly, and she giggled too. "I think it's different when you're the one with child, and not simply watching an animal."
Maria sighed. "We don't know for sure, but the more I think about it, the more right it feels."
He squeezed her tighter. "It's only been a couple of days," he said. "And we have been busy with the children and our journey."
"It's so soon," Maria said, leaning over to rest her head on his shoulder.
Before he could stop himself, Georg burst out laughing, causing Maria to shoot up from her relaxed pose and stare at him. His laughter got deeper when he saw the look on her face. "It only takes once."
Her cheeks reddened. "I know that, Georg, but…"
He grinned at her. "And I would say our odds were—"
"Georg!" she whispered lowly, looking anxiously over at the children. After a moment, she looked up at him and returned his conspicuous grin.
Suddenly, her smile vanished. "How long have you know?"
"Since our first night with Daniel and Eva," he answered, sighing.
Maria stared past him as she remembered. "And the next morning, you let me sleep in," she said, looking back at him. "Why didn't we talk about it then?"
Now it was Georg who looked agitated. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I was scared," he confessed. "Just as you kept worrying about the children, I realized that there was something that was beyond my control now: you and this baby. I had no idea how you were faring, aside from the normal early symptoms. I didn't know if you and the baby were alright.
"Something could go horribly wrong, and there would be nothing in my power to stop it. That terrified me more than I can say. I had the same concerns any new father would have, but with the added threat of dragging you over mountains."
Her eyes glistened in sympathy.
"I have never felt more terrified," he continued. "Knowing that I had to keep everyone safe, and that you were in no condition for this. You still aren't in any condition—"
"Oh, Georg…"
"And I doubted myself for putting you and all the children through this. I began to think that I had let my selfish desires to avoid the Nazis take precedence over my family's needs," he finished.
Maria looked at him sharply. "Georg, you don't honestly think that I would want to stay in that villa while you were off on the Adriatic," she said.
He sighed and shook his head. "And I didn't think you knew. I was so shocked, so scared, that I couldn't discuss it with you, because I had to come to terms with it myself."
He fell silent and saw her studying him.
"How do you feel about it?" she asked, and Georg saw the worry in her eyes.
He took her hands in his again and squeezed them tightly. "I couldn't be happier," he said earnestly. "No, that's not enough. I am ecstatic, thrilled, excited, awed…"
Maria's apprehension melted into the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen on her.
"The thought that you're carrying our child fills me with such purpose, such wonder," he continued. "I feel as if God has blessed me in more ways in these few months than He has in the last few years. Just by sending you into my life and making me whole again… This baby is already beautiful: the best of both of us."
Maria gazed at him, and he reached up to wipe a tear escaping down her cheek.
"I was scared and doubtful first, but then I remembered what you are always saying, When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window," he said.
Maria frowned. "You saw the baby as a closed door?" she whispered, her hand again unconsciously going to her stomach.
He smiled gently. "No, my love," he corrected and caressed her cheek. "This baby is the open window."
Maria breathed in deeply, her throat too tight to say anything.
He looked over at his sleeping children, and then back to her. "How do you feel about it?"
She exhaled slowly. "I feel lucky," she said. Seeing his perplexed face, she smiled. "Lucky and scared and shocked and happy, and thrilled."
He laughed.
After a moment, her smile faded. "But most of all, I feel humbled."
"Humbled?"
She nodded. "In less than six months, I have been given what I've always dreamed of: a real family," she explained, her eyes glistening again. "And now, we have this new little person about to enter our lives. Sometimes I think it's all a dream, and I don't deserve it."
He took her hands in his. "You don't really think that, do you?"
She shook her head. "No. It's just all so much. So many wonderful things so quickly. But I wouldn't have it any other way."
He smiled and squeezed her hands.
"I cannot thank God enough for sending me to you," she whispered.
He brought her hands up to his mouth, kissing them gently. "God has answered a lot of prayers this summer."
"Everything is coming together," she said.
"It's amazing, Maria," he continued softly. "It's amazing what just a little faith can do for a person. And what amazes me even more is how your faith is so abundant, you share it with everyone without even knowing it."
She blushed, flattered at the strength in his convictions.
Feeling energized, Georg took her hands in his again. "God never gives us more than we can handle," he said. "And knowing that has brought me such peace. Yes, this will be tough, and I don't think I'll ever stop worrying about you. But we're almost there, and I feel more relaxed and at peace with each step we take."
Maria reached up to stroke his face. "I think you've got enough faith of your own, Captain," she said.
He reached up to cover her hand resting on his cheek, and their eyes locked. His other hand rested on her stomach. More tears spilled down her cheeks, and a loving smile lit her face.
"Thank you, Maria," he whispered. "Just when I thought our lives could not be more blessed, you give me something so precious."
"A new life and a new existence," Maria said, her throat tight.
Georg leaned his head closer to her, sighing deeply and savoring being so close to her. Sharing their happy news brought him such joy. He knew, at that very moment, that everything was truly going to be alright.
Keeping his hand on her stomach, he looked past her into the dimly lit mountains. With the fog almost completely lifted, the serene Alpine landscape almost glowed in the fuzzy moonlight.
Suddenly, he saw it, and he felt his heart start to beat faster. His eyes widened, and a slow smile formed on his face.
Puzzled, Maria turned around, and he heard her inhale sharply as she saw it too. She turned back to him, her bright eyes mirroring his excitement as he stared ahead for a moment longer.
"Georg," she whispered, her voice filled with hope.
He looked over at her and kissed her cheek gently. "We're almost there."
Maria looked around one more time; he reached up to guide her face back to him. Her eyes were shining. "It's like God couldn't wait to show us," she said, cupping his face in her hands and bringing it closer to her. They laughed lightly before their lips touched in a kiss filled with hope and promise.
To be continued…