Maria and Liesl headed to town to do some shopping for the wedding and for things the family needed. First they went to Liesl's dress rehearsal and the sight of her eldest daughter amazed Maria. The dressmakers had done little amendments on the gown and it fit Liesl perfectly. The gown was simple but beautiful, making Liesl look like a princess.
"I think the gown is done. Do you wish us to make any more changes, Miss?" the dressmaker asked. "Personally I wouldn't touch it anymore. It's perfect."
"Mother? What do you think?" Liesl asked. Maria went around Liesl to see every little detail of her gown.
"Perfect!" she exclaimed, gently touching the soft material.
After finishing their business with the dressmakers they ran to various shops in town to purchase further items for the family. Liesl stopped at display window of a baby shop.
"Mother, maybe we should go in here, too," Liesl smiled at Maria. "You may wish to take a look at new baby items as well. Soon you will be needing them," she added.
"Maybe, yes it's a good idea. Let's go in," Maria pulled her daughter inside. They spent about an hour in the shop looking around and also making some purchases. Maria was on high spirit as she picked out the cutest baby items. She wondered what color she should choose. Silently she hoped for a baby boy, but knew that she would be just as happy with a little girl. After their purchase was done and exited the shop Maria pointed to a nearby coffee shop.
"Let's go there and sit down a bit. One day you will see how easily you get tired when expecting," Maria smiled and noticed a slight shade of red crossing Liesl's face. She felt a bit embarrassed by Maria's comment, although she knew that one day she and Craig were supposed to have babies of their own.
They settled at a table and ordered some tea and cake, which were delivered shortly thereafter.
"Oh those baby items are so cute, Mother," Liesl said as she put down her fork.
"Yes, thank you. Don't worry. When your brother or sister grow out of them, I will make sure that your child inherits them," Maria said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"What?" Liesl asked shocked, her face turning red while casting her eyes downwards.
"Liesl? Is everything all right? What's the matter?" Maria asked.
"Nothing. I just… have never really thought about that, having babies and…" Liesl's words failed.
"Oooo, sorry Liesl. I didn't want to embarrass you. I have the feeling that a real mother-daughter conversation should be done and soon," Maria softly said noticing a tear fall down Liesl's face. "Liesl, darling. You can ask me anything, you are my daughter but if you prefer to talk to a friend, then let me be the one!" Maria said while taking a hold of Liesl's hand. The girl nodded in response.
"Yes, but not here. Can we go home? Will you really talk to me? There are so many things I'm unsure of," Liesl stated, feeling a bit uneasy.
"Come, let's go," Maria smiled and waved at the waiter to bring them the bill.
The house was quiet when they got home, only the housekeeper was preparing some food in the kitchen. They went upstairs and settled in Liesl's room.
"Tell me, Liesl what are you unsure of? About marrying Craig? You love him, don't you?" Maria started the conversation to break the tension.
"Yes mother, I love him very much, but I doubt that it's enough to make a marriage work. I'm afraid I will never be able to be a good wife to him," Liesl trailed off.
"How can you doubt it, Liesl? You both love each other, and your match was made in heaven. There might be days that are harder than the others, but most of the time marriage, if you love your partner, is the strongest bond between two people. You have to respect the other one, and with love and trust a relationship can roll along," Maria answered. "Please don't worry about that! Keep the faith and things will turn out well!"
"Mother? Are you happy that you are pregnant?" Liesl asked, a bit unsure if this was the right way to ask the very question that may lead to a conversation she desperately needed.
"Yes Liesl, I'm very happy. A child is a true gift from God, the true sign of the love two people share," Maria answered and her hand automatically touched her stomach.
"I know and I have looked at it in this light, but now that I'm going to get married, all this baby issue scares me and I don't know what's going to happen when….." Liesl's words failed.
"When what?" Maria asked, trying to keep a straight face, although she knew where Liesl wanted to lead their conversation.
"After the wedding is finished and he and I…." her words failed again and she moved her eyes sideward to look out of the window.
"When the newly wed couple is alone for the first time, right?" Maria smiled. Liesl nodded in response. Maria swallowed and with her eyes cast downwards she arranged her thoughts. A slight blush crossed her face and she remained silent for a long moment. She had planned on this conversation with Liesl for a long time, but now she felt awkward in the situation. She knew that Liesl needed her help desperately just like she had been in need for such a conversation prior to her wedding night. Despite the fact, she had not had the chance to find any women around to be there for her. The only advice she had received was from the Reverend Mother, but that had been far from a personal discussion.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't want to……" Liesl broke the silence, noticing Maria's embarrassment. Maria shook her head and took a hold of Liesl's hand.
"No, it's okay Liesl," Maria smiled. "Please don't think of it as if it was something terrible, or scary. Liesl, it's the most beautiful thing that happens between two people who love each other and are ready to consummate that love in the sanctity of marriage," Maria blushed again slightly. She was not used to discussing such private and intimate matters with anyone but her husband.
"I understand it, but still I don't know what I should do once we are alone after our wedding," Liesl replied, feeling again uneasy.
"Give some credit to yourself and keep the faith. When you are in that situation, the love you have for your husband and your instincts, God planted in you will tell you how to act. Trust your husband wholeheartedly. He loves you very much, you shouldn't be afraid of him," Maria tried to comfort her daughter, although she remembered clearly how scared she had been on her wedding night. She understood her daughter completely, the feelings and emotions she obviously was going through. For this reason, she wanted to do her very best to make Liesl feel comfortable asking questions about the situation.
"Mother, were you not afraid?" Liesl asked, casting her eyes downward to avoid any eye contact with Maria.
"Afraid? I was nervous, terrified and in a state of total panic," Maria laughed at the memory. Her voice turned serious when she went on. "I was young, fresh from a convent and I didn't really have a chance to discuss these issues with anyone prior to our wedding, which would have been helpful. During my teen-age years I never had any boyfriends. Your father was the first man who ever kissed me. I was going to be a nun, and therefore I had not planned on falling in love with anyone, but it happened and the way it concluded on our wedding night was everything a woman could dream of and more," Maria smiled.
"So, I assume you were fine and everything was alright?" Liesl questioned, her voice sounding more confident, and a slight smile crossed her face.
"Yes Liesl, everything was all right and even more," Maria replied as taking a hold of Liesl's hand again. "So are you feeling better now? If you have any more issues or questions, please do ask them. Anytime!" Maria finished.
"Thank you, mother," Liesl hugged Maria. "I think I'm feeling much better now," Liesl whispered while a wave of relief crossed her mind.
"Good! You are always welcome. I love you, darling," Maria answered, feeling relieved that she had been able to help her daughter.
x x x
The last touches and arrangements had been made for the wedding and the day was almost there. Everything was all set; everyone's dress had been ordered and delivered while the excitement started reaching its top among family members.
The day before the wedding, when the house was already quiet, Liesl couldn't sleep. Carefully, she sneaked out of her room going straight to the kitchen. She took a deep breath and reached for the milk bottle in the hope some warm milk would calm her nerves. She was about to sit down and enjoy the warm drink when Maria showed up. Her eyes grew wide upon seeing her daughter there.
"Liesl, you should be sleeping. You have to look fresh on your big day," she said while stifling a yawn.
"And what about you?" Liesl asked in response, smiling nervously.
"Oh, me? The baby is hungry," Maria responded, with one hand touching her stomach while opening the fridge to look for something. She took a piece of bread and cheese and joined Liesl at the table. Taking a seat, she looked at her daughter, noticing how nervous she was.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"I'm just a little excited," Liesl smiled.
"Darling, I know what you feel. But believe me, all these nerves are in vain. Everything will be perfect tomorrow," Maria started. "Hasn't it always been your dream? I mean, even as a little girl didn't you always dream of marrying your "prince charming?" Your dream has come true. You will be standing there tomorrow, in the gown of your dreams, marrying the man of your dreams," Maria said, taking a bite from her sandwich. Liesl smiled at Maria's response, and suddenly she realized how right her mother had just been.
"Thank you, Mother. And also thank you so much for the conversation we had the other day," Liesl said while hugging Maria, a few tears making their way down her cheeks.
"Liesl?" Maria asked, noticing the tears in her daughter's eyes.
"They are happy tears, Mother. About 10 years ago, when I would think of my wedding day, I often found myself being very sad at the prospect that there wouldn't be anyone close to talk to me if I needed encouragement, or if I have doubts or questions. And the day wouldn't be as special as it should be, without the most important person in my life being present. But now I know that this day will be the most special in my life, because I can share the day with my mother," Liesl said making tears form in Maria's eyes. "For years, after her death I felt an emptiness in my heart and I never thought that anyone could fill that gap. But you did, and I will be forever grateful to God for sending you to our house. I cannot tell you, how much I love you, Mother," Liesl smiled at Maria through her tears. "Liesl," Maria sighed. "No, you have taught me so much and you made me who I am now," Liesl finished.
"Oh, Liesl! You have no idea what your words mean to me. I love you very much, and I'm so proud of you. You are such a wonderful person. I'm sure your mother will be watching down tomorrow and she will have all the reason for being filled with pride for her eldest daughter," Maria said with teary eyes and hugged Liesl close to her. Oh, how she loved this family, her family. Liesl recent words had washed away some of her fears, that had always consumed her mind. She had been so young when she and Georg had gotten married, and she had always wanted to do everything perfectly by making every single soul in this family happy. Now, Liesl's words confirmed that she had not failed her duties.
"Liesl, darling. You have always been my best friend, ever since the moment you climbed into my room through the window on that very night. Remember?" Maria asked.
"How could I ever forget that?" Liesl laughed. "I was so afraid of father, but the way you stood up for me. Only a best friend can do so," she added.
"What I want you to know, that even though you are leaving our family's nest, you will always be my daughter and my friend. Please do come to me, if you need to talk, if you are happy or if you are sad," Maria said feeling tears in her eyes.
"Thank you. I would like to say the same. Our friendship means a lot to me," Liesl responded and gave a hug to Maria.
"Come, let's go upstairs," Maria whispered and smiled at her daughter. "We both need some rest for the big day," she finished and the two women walked upstairs.
They said goodnight to each other at Liesl's door and Maria went back to her bedroom. She entered it silently not to wake up her husband. After taking off her robe, she carefully laid down next to her husband. Little did she know that her husband was awake. She didn't realize it until she felt his fingers gently caressing her neck.
"What?" she startled. "You won't tell me I woke you up," she whispered.
"Oh, no…I have been awake for a while. I cannot sleep when you are not next to me," he said while pulling her close and reaching down with one hand to caress her stomach. She placed her hand on his and they just lay there in complete happiness. It wasn't until a few minutes later that Georg started placing kisses on her cheek, his lips finding hers in a passionate kiss. His hand slowly traveled upwards until it found the top button of her nightgown. He undid it slowly and looked into her eyes as if asking for permission to go on.
"Maria?" he questioned, his hand gently stroking her face. She didn't say a word just nodded and her fingers gently traced the line of his mouth. Again, he placed his lips on hers and when she felt him gently caressing her body, his kisses and touches carried her into another world, where only the two of them and the love they shared existed.
To be continued…..
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