As time passed, good fortune was bestowed upon Max and Liesel.
Liesel published her first book —The Boy in the Shadows— and soon chose to pursue a career as a literature teacher. She continued her career as a writer anonymously.
Max took on the bakery after the death of the original owner. He never found his family, but was sure that they would meet again one day with God.
Hans, the tailor, met death after burning down his own shop in a fit of rage.
Liesel remembered Rudy every moment when she looked into the eyes of her students. There was a particular boy with hair the colour of lemons, an athlete for the school's track team, that she was fond of for his quirky personality and never failing smile. He was particularly fond of a shy young girl with beautiful blonde hair.
History seems to repeat itself in the strangest and pettiest ways.
Max did marry Liesel. He proposed to her on a cold winter night, two years after their reunion. They were married six months later in a traditional Jewish ceremony.
For those who wonder, they were more in love than words could fathom to describe. Max saw more beauty in Liesel than he thought could exist on Earth. Liesel lost herself in his eyes as if none other existed around them. They were best friends. They were meant for each other. They were in love in every meaning of the word.
Two years later, they were blessed with their first born. He was a boy, greatly resembling Max, but with yellow hair. His smile was enough to light a thousand rooms. He was beautiful. Liesel and Max loved him more than anything in the world, which made them love each other even more.
His name was Hans Rudy Vaundenburg.
I want everyone to know how much I appreciate your support in AATT. You have made this so much fun for me. Please read my next story, Only One, when it's posted tomorrow morning. It features the story of how Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta met and their miraculous, unlikely true love. I hope you enjoyed After All This Time. Thank you!
alyyycat