Over the next two weeks Maria was feeling very ill in the mornings and throwing up a lot. Georg thought it was food poisoning at first but Maria knew what it was that was causing her to be violently sick every morning. To be sure she went to the doctors to confirm it.
When she returned she gathered everybody into the drawing room, even Frau Schmidt and Franz.

"Everybody I have an announcement to make. There's going to be somebody else coming into the house in a few months"

The children looked confused.

"Are we taking in a lodger Daddy?"

Replied Louisa.

"No Louisa. You're going to have a new baby brother or sister"

The whole room gasped and Georg threw his arms around his beautiful wife and kissed her.

"Oh Maria I'm so happy. A little baby. Do you need anything? A drink or something to eat?"

"No I'm absolutely wonderful. Why don't you go and pour champagne for everybody"

Georg rushed to the drinks cabinet and poured out 5 glasses of champagne and 6 glasses of pure orange. He walked back to the crowd and handed out glasses.
Champagne for Himself, Maria, Franz, Frau Schmidt and Liesl and orange for the 6 little ones.

"Now Liesl on this one occasion you may have champagne"

Georg winked at his eldest daughter and she hugged him as a way of saying thank you.

The next 9 months were both exciting and tiring for Maria. The doctor confirmed that it was to be a little girl that was due. Georg loved the idea of another girl but Kurt and Friedrick , who already felt out numbered, didn't like this idea much. A cot was moved into Maria and Georg's bedroom and endless teddy bears lined the bedroom.
The final weeks of Maria's pregnancy were painful for her as she was full of aches and she was constantly tired. One night in the middle of November Maria was woken with a terrible sharp pain in her stomach.

"Georg, darling wake up"

"What is it"

"Arrrgggh, the baby's coming"

Georg jumped out of bed and got out a suitcase that was already packed which was on top of the wardrobe and helped Maria out of bed. He put her dressing gown on her and led her downstairs and into the car. He ran back in and knocked loudly on Frau Schmidt's bedroom door.

"Yes Captain what's the matter"

"Maria has gone into labour please can you wake the children and Franz and meet us at the hospital."

"Yes of course I'll do it right away"

"And Frau Schmidt?"

"Yes captain"

"You come too"

"Yes captain"