Disclaimer: I still own nothing…
Chapter Eight
The middle of October was already here. The leaves had turned orange, yellow, red, and crisp. The air was cooler with an edge to it. When the wind hit, everyone tightened their coats around themselves in hopes of shielding themselves from the icy chill. Dogs no longer stayed in the shade of the trees, but in the warmth of the sun; whenever they could find it. Summer dresses and suits were put away and winter ones were pulled out. The mornings were chilling, the days mild, and the nights almost ice. Autumn had come and winter was approaching.
It had been a month since the Captain and Maria found themselves talking by the gazebo. The uncomfortable air that had come that evening had vanished and now the Captain and Maria's bond seemed stronger than ever.
Nothing more was said on the subject that they had been talking about, neither really knew how to bring the subject back up. Not that Maria minded, but Georg did. He kept promising himself that he would ask her after the children were put to bed every night, but when he came close to, the picture of her red and teary eyes, and heavy breathing made him stop. He couldn't bring himself to put her in that state again. He was torn.
The children and Maria had a week long break from school. It was understood, but never said, that Maria and the family would be spending as much time together as possible, but no minded this fact it was as if they were a family. So, it was without question that the nine (well ten really, Max had come to visit and decided to join them) would be making there way to their favorite spot on "Maria's Mountain" (as they referred to it).
"Children, if we want to make it there before dark we really must go!" the Captain yelled into the house, laughing but with a hint of impatience. The children were upstairs trying, desperately, to get ready.
"Yes Father!"
"Coming Father!"
"Just one more minute Father!"
"Where are my shoes!"
"Has anyone seen my hat!"
"Here Kurt, catch!"
"Watch were you throw that thing Frederick!"
"Sorry Louisa!"
"Ah hah! Here it is."
"Fraulein I still can't find my shoes!"
"Did you check under your bed. Gret; put that down dear, we have to go."
"But I want to take my doll, please!"
"Yes, Fraulein please!"
"Well, you can each take one. Leisl, will you go get the food baskets, have Louisa help you. Oh, and would some one please grab the guitar!"
"Yes, Fraulein." Leisl and Louisa came bounding down the stairs, not seeing their Father staring at them, then up stairs with an amused smile.
"Fraulein?"
"Yes!"
"I still can't…oh here they are. OW!"
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, just hit my head on the bed."
"HAHAHAHA."
"Oh be quiet Kurt."
"Children…" Maria warned.
"Sorry."
"Ready, let's go!"
Suddenly five of the children came racing down the stairs, just as Louisa and Leisl came out of the kitchen. One by one they filed out of the door and towards the car to an amused Max. First came Frederick and Kurt, throwing the ball between themselves and they walked. Then Marta and Gretl who were giggling and waving their dolls in the air. Then Brigitta who was rubbing the spot on her head that had painfully made contact with the underside of the bed. Then Leisl and Louisa with food baskets in hand, talking. Finally a very worn out looking Maria.
"Well, that went rather well." she said, with a big smile while placing her hat on her messy hair and stepping through the door. The Captain laughed a hearty laugh and locked the door.
"Father!" all the children nearly yelled as the car made its way down the dirt road.
"Yes."
"We forgot the guitar."
"Are you sure."
"Yes, Father. It isn't back here." said Leisl.
"I thought I told one of you to grab it." Maria said with a sigh.
"Yes, you told Frederick."
"No, she told Louisa."
"She didn't tell me to get it. She told Kurt to."
"But I thought she told you."
"I just said she didn't!"
"Well, then who got it."
"It isn't back here, remember!"
"Children, children calm down." Georg said as Max and Maria tried to suppress their grins.
"Not to worry everyone. My apartment is just up the street. We can stop and get mine, how does that sound?" the Captain gave Maria a thankful smile.
Maria bounded up the two flights of stairs quickly, went down the hall past five other apartments and opened her own.
It was a small, but cozy place. There was a kitchen and a living area right when you walked in. With a table for eating and a chair with small table next to it that held a lamp for reading. Sitting across from the chair was a small radio. The wall opposite the door had a window on it and a cross. Off to the right led to the bedroom and bathroom. Yes, it wasn't much, but it was home.
Maria went into her room, picked up the guitar and made her back into the living area. Right when she reached the main room again a piercing ringing ran throughout the building. Maria froze, she had only heard that sound once before and she knew it meant no good. Without another thought Maria ran.
Georg, Max, and the children stood waiting for Maria by the car. Frederick and Kurt had begun throwing their ball to one another. Louisa was talking to Brigitta, and Leisl was listening to a story of Marta's while Grelt entertained her father and uncle.
The shattering of glass caught their attention and they all looked up in time to see glass that was once a window falling to the ground. The Captain froze when he noticed that the apartment to which the window belonged was right next to Maria's.
"FRAULEIN MARIA!"
"GRETL, NO!" but it was too late. Little Gretl had already disappeared into the now burning building.
Author's Note:grins: Well…there you have it. :sigh: Don't you just love those little cliffhanger mahoppers:grins: I know I do! Tee hee. We've made progess, I actually re-read this chapter before posting it..YEAH FOR ME! Though I did probably miss somethig...:shrugs: I guess that's all….Well, I'll get chapter nine up soon…most like tomorrow but I can't promise anything…I'll try though…
