Chapter 15 - Jesolo, Italy; Wednesday
"Oh Clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary…Amen."
Louisa lowered her rosary, or rather Morgan Lang's rosary, and sighed. Some of her other siblings all looked up, their faces drawn. She offered a small smile before glancing over at the bed where their mother was sleeping.
"Do you think she liked that?" Gretl asked, her voice small.
Friedrich nodded, sitting back on his chair opposite Louisa. "Maybe she heard us and is thinking she's back in the abbey."
"Maybe that's why she hasn't woken up," Kurt suggested, and Louisa shot him a look he didn't catch. He stood and kicked at the pillow next to him. "Do we all have to sleep in the same room?" Blankets and pillows had been tossed about. The room was cramped, and he cast a longing look outside.
"Where else do you think we can sleep?" Friedrich said and glanced at his mother. "Besides, I don't want to go anywhere else."
"I want to go outside," Kurt said.
"Then go," Brigitta snapped.
"It's the sea," Kurt continued. "We've never seen the sea."
"I hate the sea," Gretl said.
"Don't let Father know you said that!" Lousia cautioned.
"The sea has taken Father," the little girl said.
"No, the Nazis took Father," Kurt corrected, and the others fell silent.
Needing to do something, Louisa stood. "Let's open the windows and clean-up," she suggested.
"Who made you in charge?" Friedrich challenged.
She turned on him. "Well, if you think you should tell everyone what to do just because you're the oldest one here, then you're doing a poor job of it." Her brother's ears burned.
"Where is Liesl?" Gretl asked.
"She is outside," Brigitta said.
"By herself?" Louisa asked, and she and Brigitta shared a look. Liesl had been taking solitary walks often.
"No, with Marta," Friedrich answered, his tone serious. The older Von Trapps frowned. Marta hadn't spoken since they'd learned about their parents.
Itching to be productive, Louisa opened the curtains and window. The Italian sunshine poured into the room, fresh sea air drifted inside. Maria sighed in the bed, but no one noticed. Following her sister's lead, Brigitta opened a second window and soon the children were tidying up the floor.
Friedrich chuckled. "Remember the night of the thunderstorm and we all said our favorite things?' The others paused and then smiled.
"Presents," Brigitta said, her expression wistful.
"Bunny rabbits," Gretl, grinning.
"Pillow fights!" Kurt shouted and tossed the pillow at Brigitta who shrieked and deflected. Laughing, she threw her partially-folded blanket at her brother. He dodged, and the fabric fell over Gretl, making the child laugh. Louisa didn't so much as toss her pillow at Friedrich as she launched it. It smacked him in the head. Grinning, his arm wound back, and the retaliation was swift and direct. They both howled with laughter. Kurt pulled the blanket from Gretl, her hair messy. Her smile was wide. She flung a small stuffed toy at Brigitta, but it landed on the bed.
Stepping over to claim it, Brigitta looked up and gasped.
Maria's eyes were open. They were clear and bright. The shine of sweat was no longer painting her face, and she was smiling.
"Mother!" Brigitta exclaimed.
The others dropped their weapons and turned.
"Mother?" Brigitta asked, grabbing Maria's hand. It was cool. "Your fever!" She looked up, frantic, at her siblings. They all dared themselves to believe what they were seeing.
Maria's smile widened. "Hello." Her voice, raspy from disuse and illness, sounded melodious to the five Von Trapp children.
"Mother!" Gretl shouted, eager to climb onto the bed. Friedrich held her back. "Easy," he whispered and guided Gretl to take Maria''s other hand instead. His eyes stung. "Hello, Mother."
Maria sighed and looked around, feeling herself emerging from a heavy fog. She inhaled and then winced. Instantly noticing, the children frowned. "Are you all right?" Brigitta asked.
Gulping, Maria nodded and then her eyes searched the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where…"
"We're in Italy," Lousia answered and then looked at the others. Should they tell her about Father?
"That's right…" Maria whispered and looked around at her children. "You're here…"
"We missed you," Brigitta said, tears falling unchecked.
"Me too," Maria said, squeezing Gretl's hand. She looked so peaceful. The Von Trapp children stared down at her and then at each other. The fear suppressing them had slightly lifted. Their father might have been lost to them, but now they had their mother back. It made the room brighter.
Kurt gulped and stepped back. "I should.. Should someone get Uncle Max or Baroness Lang?" When the others made no response, he took another step back, his stomach getting twitchy. The room was becoming too small again. "I'll… I'll get them…" he offered and ran out, needing to escape. He didn't want the others to see him cry. He only made it two steps outside when he nearly collided with Liesl and Marta.
"She's awake," he choked out before running to find the adults.
To be continued…
A/N - I knew I wanted the children to be there when Maria woke up, but I had struggled with how. But the pillow fight was perfect. The children had been through so much, and the stress is taking its toll. The release of energy was what they needed, and it brought Maria back to them.