After returning to their home the first thing Maria did was to place a call to make an appointment with their family doctor. She suspected she was expecting, but wanted to make sure before letting anyone know about her condition. In her mind she did some calculations and figured out that she could be about 4-5 weeks along. She longed to share the news with Georg but didn't want to build up his hopes too early after what had happened in the past.
The very next day Maria was impatiently waiting for her appointment at the doctor's office. She was excited, a bit nervous, too and felt a lump in her throat when the nurse called her name. All the signs of a pregnancy had been there. She had experienced them twice already, and it was easiest answer even now on one hand, on the other, she knew that being pregnant was equal to a real miracle after what had happened.
"Mrs. von Trapp, nice to see you!" Dr. Watts greeted Maria when she entered the doctor's office. The kind elderly man had been their personal physician for about 3 years now. Maria smiled at the grey haired man as he shook her hand gently.
"Good morning, Dr. Watts," Maria felt her embarrassment rise but managed to hide it behind a little smile.
"What brings you here today?" the doctor asked putting on his reading glasses and took a pen and notepad to take notes. Maria swallowed before she started describing what she had felt lately.
"Oh, well….I haven't felt too well lately. For about 2 weeks I have been feeling sick in the mornings and some severe headaches have given me a hard time. The last time I felt this way was about 4 years ago before I found out I was expecting," Maria finished, all the while casting her eyes downwards.
"I see," the doctor smiled at Maria reassuringly. "From the symptoms you have just described you may be pregnant. But let's make sure, you understand I need to make a small examination," the doctor answered friendly. Maria nodded in understanding, but couldn't help feeling embarrassed about the situation.
After the examination Maria sat down at the desk, and impatiently awaited the doctor's return. She nervously wrung her hands that were in her lap. Being pregnant was something she wanted more than anything, but she couldn't expel the thought of fear out of her mind.
"Let me congratulate you, Mrs. von Trapp," the doctor stated when he returned to his desk.
"You mean that I am?" Maria asked in disbelief.
"Yes, you are going to have a baby. I assume you are about 5 weeks along and I calculate your baby is due at the end of April next year," the doctor smiled at Maria.
Maria felt tears welling in her eyes and her whole being was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Her hand gently touched her stomach and caressed it gently as to send her love to the child growing inside.
"Thank you, doctor," she responded, her eyes still shining. "But last time, about 4 years ago I miscarried after the fifteenth week due to an accident," Maria added.
"What happened, Mrs. von Trapp?" the doctor asked, taking notes.
"It was winter time and the road in front of our house was icy. When I walked out just to pick up the mail, I slipped. I managed to stand up, but by the time I went back to the house I felt strong cramps and I fainted," Maria answered, feeling a worry crossing her mind, realizing that the whole wintertime was lying ahead this time as well.
"That was an accident. Please be more careful this time. What did the doctors say after that?" the doctor asked.
"I was told that my chances of getting pregnant again were very little," Maria answered.
"I don't see any problem this time. According to the examination I just did, everything seems to be in perfect order with the child. What I would suggest that you take it slow, and of course you will receive a check up regularly, we will run a few tests on you. There are no restrictions at the moment in terms of your daily activities, as long as you don't feel cramps or other signs giving a reason for worries, just remember to take things a bit slower," the doctor smiled at Maria who seemed to be relieved after the doctor's reassurance. In the last 4 years she had been dreaming about this, which was now becoming a reality. She promised to take good care of herself, not only for her but also for Georg's sake. Even now, 4 years after the terrible accident she couldn't help but feel guilty for not being careful enough back then. She remembered the first few weeks after the miscarriage and how hard they had been on her, but with her family's and especially Georg's support slowly she had managed to get over the sorrow of losing the baby and the ability to give birth in the future.
On the way home she felt like being in a dream as if she was floating. She tried to think of the best way to tell Georg and her family about the news. If she could get a moment alone with him when he came home, that would be a great opportunity. Then they could tell it together to the rest of the family at dinner. Or should she tell everyone the news at dinnertime? There were too many options. One thing was clear; first she wanted to share the news with Georg. If she couldn't do so before dinner, then she should wait until they were alone later in the evening. She arrived to pick up her daughter with high spirits. The little girl kept on chatting until they arrived home making Maria wonder what her reaction would be. Once they arrived home Maria was busy helping Alexandra do her homework as well as listening to her other children's stories. Inside she was smiling and often she found it hard to concentrate on anything else but her baby.
Georg arrived a few hours later and the more she wanted, the less she managed to steal a quiet moment alone with him. The family had dinner together and there was a point when Maria almost trailed off the news, but then decided to keep it for a little while longer.
Once each child was gone to bed and the house was quiet again, she went upstairs to the master bedroom. Georg had withdrawn a bit earlier, reasoning he had some reading to do. A slight smile crossed her face as she saw her husband resting on the sofa with a book in his hand doing his reading. Without saying a word she went to the bathroom, took a shower while trying to arrange her thoughts. Not that she was afraid of telling him about the baby, she only wanted to do things perfectly. Georg looked up from his book and removed his reading glasses in the moment he heard his wife enter the bedroom. He smiled as he saw her approach the sofa to join him there. Maria sat down next to him and kissed him gently on the lips. Her husband in response put his arms around her, pulled her close and kissed her passionately on the lips. When his lips left hers to place further kisses on her neck and shoulder Maria pulled away laughing. Georg looked disappointed at first, but noticing the glow to her face, he gave her a questioning look.
"Georg, darling," she started. "We are going to have a baby," she finished while looking into his eyes, wanting to find out his reaction. His face went into a huge smile as he hugged her close to him. He could hardly recall a time when he had felt happier than that very moment. For years he had prayed for this blessing. He had never been able to come to terms with the fact why God would take away this most precious privilege from a woman, namely to become a mother time and time again. Now holding his wife in his arms and knowing that she was carrying their child, his heart and mind was filled with happiness beyond any control.
"Oh Maria! Is that really true?" he asked gently caressing her back. "Ever since I noticed your lack of appetite a few weeks ago, I have been secretly hoping to hear this," he said while looking into her eyes that were filled with tears. "And tell me, are you okay? What did the doctor say? I promise I will keep an eye on you from now on and I will lock you in the house when the icy season comes," Georg said, a wave of concern washing his mind, but still not managing to replace the happiness he felt.
"The doctor said that we both were okay, and he didn't see any reason for worries. I have to take things slow, but otherwise, everything is under control," Maria answered and put her head to rest on Georg's shoulder.
"I love you Maria, my darling," Georg said while his hand gently caressed her stomach. He kissed her fully on the lips before leading her to the bed where they fell asleep in each other's arms in complete happiness.
The very next day they made sure to gather the family for breakfast. When everyone arrived and was settled Maria and Georg exchanged a look to go ahead with the news.
"Children, can you please listen to me for one moment?" Maria asked trying to get her children's attention. As if it was an instruction, everyone turned to Maria and gave a questioning look. First she was hesitant, all of a sudden she didn't find the right words. Georg took a hold of her hand and gave her a reassuring look.
"Oh well…children," Maria started, but her words failed. "Soon, or by the end of April to be precise, you will have a new brother or sister," Maria finished and looked at her children.
"I suspected it!" Liesl exclaimed. "When you felt faint in the dress shop the other way, this was my first thought," she smiled and went to hug Maria.
"Mommy! Then I won't be the youngest. I will help you, okay?" Alexandra happily added and expressed her happiness by standing up from her seat jumping all around in the dining room.
"Oh of course, I will surely need your help, honey," Maria answered and took a hold of her daughter when she reached Maria's seat. Alexandra's hands went around her mother's neck and Maria felt her daughter placing a kiss on her cheek.
The others, including Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl jumped up from their seats and bombarded Maria with hugs. "We will all take good care of you, Mother," Gretl said and gave another hug to her mother. Maria smiled at her four teenager children, whose excitement of having a new addition to the family was more than obvious. A huge smile formed on Georg's face as he witnessed the happy moment of his family. His gaze wandered over to Maria to exchange a happy and reassuring look.
"We should call Louisa and Friedrich. I'm sure they will be excited!" Brigitta said referring to her two siblings at college. Maria did call her two children later that day, and both of them were indeed excited to hear the news of their mother being in a delicate condition again.
In the afternoon, being deep in thought and her mind focused on the baby, Maria almost forgot about the whole world around her. Liesl watched Maria for a long moment from a doorway, and she couldn't help but react with a smile at the adorable sight of her mother. Her eyes were shining bright, giving a magical glow to her cheeks that were a little pale. She didn't have the heart to disturb her mother's private moment, and her thoughts wandered over to her own future. "Is this what I will feel when I….?" She thought to herself, but simultaneously a little fear crossed her mind. Maria woke up from her little daydream and looked at her eldest daughter smiling. She sighed and remembered the little shopping she had promised earlier to Liesl.
To be continued……
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