After that disasterous meal, everything thankfully returned to routine. I followed the children upstairs to help tuck Gretl and Marta into bed. We had a good little routine going for ourselves. I would draw them a warm bath and I would bathe them at the same time. I would give them a little time to hang out in the tub while I got their toothbrushes prepared and their nightgowns laid out for them. Marta for the most part was pretty independent about dressing while Gretl still needed some help with zippers and buttons. They both were good about brushing their teeth as long as they had their foot stools to reach the sink. After that we would go into their bedroom and it was then I would brush their hair while we talked about just anything we wanted. Our little talks seemed to calm them down enough to make them go to sleep.

"Fraulein Maria," Gretl piped up as soon as she got in the bed.

"What?" I ask, pulling the sheets under her chin.

"Can I kiss you goodnight?"

"Oh, sweetheart," I was touched. "Of course you can."

That was when she planted the cutest peck on my cheek. It felt just like a butterfly had landed on my face. I kissed her cheek back as I gave her a hug.

"I love you, Fraulein Maria," she said, giving my neck a squeeze.

"I love you, baby girl," I could have cried.

"What about me?" Marta asked. I seriously thought she could have cried too.

"Oh," I said letting go of Gretl and walking over to Marta's bed. "Come here, baby. Fraulein Maria loves you, too."

Marta, following in her sister's footsteps, gave me a butterfly kiss on the cheek. I again had to hold back my tears as I was so overwhelmed by love from these girls. I could have stayed in their arms forever. It felt as though the angels were reassuring me that I was where I still belonged. Someone once said that God is wherever love is. I have to agree with that person.

"Okay, girls," I said, hating to break away. "It's time for bed. I will see you in the morning."

"Promise?" Gretl asked me with such uncertainty that it was breaking my heart.

"Cross my heart," I tell her while managing a smile.

"Oh don't die!" Marta yelled, genuinely worried that I might.

"Oh Marta," I say with a chuckle. "I'm not dying anytime soon. I have too much to live for. Goodnight, girls."

"Goodnight, Fraulein Maria," they reply as I switch off the light and shut the door. I have to stop for a moment and catch my breath. I put my hand over my mouth and count to ten. I obviously was so wrapped up in myself that I didn't see Brigitta standing there.

"Are you okay, Fraulein Maria?"

"Yes, darling, I am," I reply.

"You seem like you're lost or something."

"Oh, I promise I'm fine," Brigitta was always too observant for her own good. "Are you heading to bed?"

"Yes. Lousia, Liesel, and Fredric will be going to bed shortly, too."

"Well, what about Kurt?"

"I'm right here," Kurt said, coming out of his bedroom. He must be calling it an early night because he is in his pajamas already.

"Well all right. Come here you two," I say with my arms outstretched. Brigitta was the first one to hug me before she called it lights out. Kurt kind of took his time before he would come to me.

"What's the matter, Kurt?" I ask by the time he finally gets to me.

"Just about tonight. I..." his voice trailed off and his face was getting red. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for."

"Yes I do," a tear fell from his eye. "I feel like I ruined dinner for everyone. Me and my stupid appetite."

"So you were hungry! Everybody gets hungry, Kurt," he wouldn't look up at me. I cup his chin into my hand and kiss his cheek. I feel so sorry for him. He throws his arms around me and returns my kiss. When he did that, I was mortified to see Captain standing there.

"He's okay," I mouth to him while I kind of shoo him away. I didn't want Kurt to feel even more terrible by having his father see him cry. Captain seems to instinctively know what I'm trying to say to him because then he turned away and headed down the stairs. Then he stopped again to stare.

"Thank you," he mouths to me before he carried on again. I could only find myself smiling again knowing that love is all that matters after all. I don't think Kurt ever knew that his father was watching over him and I in that moment.