About 5 months later…..

After the long and dark winter the spring of 1946 brought the refreshment and renewal to the whole von Trapp family. Everyone was looking forward to the new arrivals, as well as to the high school graduation of Kurt. As springtime arrived, Maria and Liesl were able to spend more time outside enjoying the fresh air, while the two pregnant women got very close to each other, their friendship had become stronger, and they were more like two friends than a mother and her daughter. Liesl was grateful for Maria's support and encouragement, while Maria was happy to share the same experience with someone nearby.

Since Liesl stopped working as her pregnancy moved along, she spent most of her time at her parents' place and Maria was also happy to have her eldest daughter around. The two women often went for walks together, or did shopping for baby items, or just relaxed when exhaustion caught up with them.

"Oh, look at that tiny little jacket," Liesl said to Maria while they were standing in the middle of a baby store.

"Yes, very cute," Maria said. "But I think I have bought enough jackets for your brother or sister. I guess my grandchild would need more of them," Maria answered and the two of them shared a laughter at the little absurd situation. Maria's laughter faded as her face paled. Her hand touched her enlarged stomach and took a deep sigh.

"Are you all right?" Liesl asked in concern.

"Oh yes, I think so. But my child is very active today and I just got a punch from him," Maria smiled.

"I know the feeling, I really like it, especially when it comes at night," Liesl laughed. "And then I cannot fall asleep, and my darling husband can't understand why I'm so restless. Men!" she added and the two women burst out in laugher, both understanding the problem too well.

"Liesl, can we sit down or something? I can feel my back getting heavy, and it hurts already," Maria suggested and pointed to a nearby bench outside the shop. Slowly they walked to the bench and got settled as comfortable as their conditions allowed them.

"Oh look, mother! My feet are swollen," Liesl pointed to her feet.

"I know that problem. Look at mine! When we get home we'll have to make sure to put our feet up," Maria answered and caressed her stomach. "A little foot massage would also do some good," she sighed.

"I personally wouldn't mind some cookies," Liesl sighed and pulled out a little paper bag from her pocket. "Would you like to have some?" she asked Maria.

"Oh no, thank you! Last night I wanted to eat the whole bag of chocolate chips, but then I stopped myself, I'm big enough already," Maria laughed.

"When is your baby due exactly?" Liesl asked as she took a bite from the delicious piece of sweets.

"Due?" Maria asked. "According to what the doctor said I have about 3 weeks left. But babies usually come when they want to. Alexandra came 2 weeks earlier before "due" time," Maria answered.

"Mother? Are you not afraid?" Liesl asked.

"Afraid? Of giving birth you mean? No, I don't think so," Maria shook her head. "But I would prefer to skip that part or to have it behind me," she added with a smile.

"Is it that terrible?" Liesl asked her fears rising.

"Oh sorry, I didn't want to scare you," Maria smiled at her daughter. "But I would lie to you if I told you that it's something very pleasant. I mean it's not pleasant until the baby is born, but in the moment it's out and they place it in your arms and you cuddle the little bundle to your chest, you forget all the pain you have been through. I still remember the moment I held Alexandra in my arms for the first time, and how the tiny creature opened her eyes and looked at me," Maria explained, her heart touched by the memory.

"And also, this whole thing is our privilege. Can you feel it?" Maria asked softly.

"Yes, it is the most miraculous experience I have ever had. I still remember the day when I first felt my baby," Liesl said with dreamy eyes.

"Those are the moments we will never forget. With each child it is special," Maria said.

"Mother, I think we should go now. Craig should be coming to pick me up soon, and I'm sure father has no idea where we are," Liesl said and the two women headed back home.

When Maria told Liesl earlier about the due time of babies, little did she know that her time would be sooner than expected. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, the air was surprisingly mild. Just like on every Sunday, the family gathered around the table and enjoyed some little afternoon treat, mostly cakes and coffee, a tradition that they had brought from their homeland. This had also been the time that they could spend without any rush, when everyone had a chance to come up with their issues or plans. On this afternoon the table was set on the terrace and as usual they chatted and laughed happily. Everyone was busy with the cake, no one noticed that Marta and Gretl exchanged a look with each other. Gretl nodded as if it was the right time and Marta turned to Maria.

"Mother?" Marta swallowed. Maria turned her head towards her daughter and gave her a smile.

"Yes, darling?" she asked gently. The girl again swallowed before trailing off her plans.

"Mother, Gretl and I…I mean we heard of a summer camp, and……so, would it be possible for the two of us to go there?" she trailed off. Maria arranged her thoughts, also Georg looked up from his plate.

"In July? For how long? And where?" Maria asked while she tried to help Alexandra with her piece of cake.

"Oh, it's for two weeks, Mother. It's a New England summer camp organized by our school," Gretl was the one who finished it for Marta. Maria looked at her two teenager daughters, and she personally couldn't think of any reason for not letting them go there. She didn't say a word first, but looked at her husband.

"Darling, I think we should let the girls go and enjoy themselves. What do you think?" she asked, while gently touching his hand.

"Oh, well," Georg started. "Is there a way I can fight with three women in this family?" he laughed. Obviously, Maria was approving of her daughters' plans; there was no way for him to object, not that he wanted to. The two girls were looking at their father curiously.

"Is that a yes, then?" they asked. Georg nodded in response and the two teenagers jumped up and hugged their father. Maria smiled at their action. Noticing her glass empty, she reached for the milk bottle.

"Oh, the milk bottle is empty," Maria stated a bit disappointed when she wanted to refill her glass. "I shall go and get some more from inside," she stood up and headed to the kitchen to refill the bottle. She didn't pay much attention to the shot of pain she was feeling in her back. Once she was done with the task and was just about to go back to join her family on the terrace, she felt it again. Another jolt of pain shot in her body, this time reaching her stomach. She took a deep breath and put down the bottle. Her face turned pale, and when the next wave of cramps came she couldn't keep standing anymore. Her legs went weak and she sank to her knees, while her hands reached for a nearby chair. It was obvious, her time had arrived.

"Help! Georg… anyone!" she screamed. Georg heard her voice on the terrace and he jumped up from his chair and ran inside.

"Maria! What happened?" he asked, the sight of her almost broke his heart. He put his arms around her shoulder to hold her tight. Another wave of cramps came and she screamed out again.

"The baby… call the doctor," she whined and took a hold of his hand.

"What if he cannot make it here in time?" Maria asked, her voice sounding scared. She was terrified by the fact that she would have to give birth without professional help available. Georg presence gave strength and faith to her, but she was afraid. Feeling another strong cramp she screamed out aloud. Those minutes seemed like an eternity until Dr. Watts showed up in the bedroom door.

"Oh, Mrs. von Trapp. I see your child is anxious to come into this world," the doctor walked over to the bed.

Long hours had passed. Georg never left her bedside, but held her hand in support and helped her in every way he could. She was at the point when she wanted to give it up due to the intensity of the pain, but Georg's presence gave her renewed energy to make it to the final point. She needed it badly, especially, when she heard the doctor instruct her to give one more last big push. With Georg's supporting arms around her and with her all remaining power she complied until the strong baby cry filled the room.

Maria slowly opened her eyes and looked at Georg whose eyes were shining with tears. He kept eye contact with her, while his hand gently stroked her wet face.

"Congratulation to your healthy baby son," the doctor's words broke the silence and he went to place the baby into Maria's arms. Georg put his arms around Maria and placed a little kiss on her face. Oh how happy and proud he was in that moment. He felt tears form in his eyes, as he heard Maria softly speak to their newborn son, and how the baby opened his eyes and looked up at his mother.

The von Trapp family had many reasons to celebrate in the summer of 1946. The Christening ceremony of David took place in June while in the same month Liesl gave birth to her first child.

Baby Agathe Elisabeth Johnson was born on 20 June 1946, just when her time was due. Liesl had been scared at first, but the actual giving birth went as smoothly as possible and her daughter entered the world within 2 hours.

When the family gathered in July for Agathe Elisabeth's christening, Georg took his chance to look at his family. His baby son slept peacefully in his arms and he witnessed Maria holding her granddaughter. The fact of becoming a father and grandfather at the same time filled his whole being with overwhelming joy and gratitude. Life was perfect in that very moment, but he wondered how often he had felt life being perfect ever since the summer of 1938. There had been many moments on that list already, and this particular one was only an addition to that endless list.

A moment later everyone turned to the doorway to notice the arrival of the photographer. Each member of the large group became excited and all of them started posing for the pictures. Photos were taken of the children, of the children and Maria, of Maria and Georg, of Maria and the baby etc. Everyone enjoyed the activity. When they started posing for the last picture Georg stopped to think for a moment and a huge smile crossed his face. Georg and Maria were seated in the middle, Georg having Alexandra sit on his lap and Maria holding her newborn son. All the other children gathered around them and gave a big smile at the same time. They had never felt happier or connected to each other than in that very moment.

Epilogue

Years later, when all the children had grown up and moved on with their own lives, the picture still held a special place on the fireplace in the living room.

"My family" Georg thought to himself as looking at the large group in the picture on a winter night while enjoying the sound of softly cracking fire. His gaze wandered over to Maria sitting in a nearby rocking chair and reading a book. He was still amazed by the beauty of his wife, although being in her 50s. Maria put down the book and her reading glasses as she realized her husband's gaze on her. She gave him a smile and her eyes wandered over to the picture. Their thoughts were in perfect synchrony. That picture was a box of memories of a time that had flow by, but also been treasured by all of them. Georg reached out his hand and took a hold of hers as their gaze remained fixed on the picture.

The End.

I hope you all enjoyed my story. Thank you for all of you for reading and reviewing my story. Let me know what you think!