Chapter 20 - Jesolo, Italy, four days later

Georg was uncertain if the taxi driver had wanted a more generous tip. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the assistance in extracting himself from the cab. Every aspect of his journey had been filled with courtesy. In Germany and the annexed Austria, it was because he was a brave hero who'd sacrificed himself for the good of the Fatherland. In Italy, it was either due to pity or the extra money he'd given for assistance. He didn't really care for the motivation; every little bit of help got him closer to his family.

He couldn't have fled Germany quickly enough. For after his initial elation that he had been discharged without any complications (other than his leg), he'd begun to fear something would happen. Schultz would rethink about keeping Georg in the Kriegsmarine. Perhaps the Admiral would think more about how a Captain who had been forced against his will to serve had so been conveniently at the center busting a covert exchange.

Barely out of that hated uniform, he had taken the first southbound train he could. Safely away from the Navy, he telephoned the Langs, giving a succinct recap of what had happened. He'd clearly heard the shock in his friend's voice.

He'd known he'd been miserable at hiding his disappointment that Maria wasn't home to talk to him. She'd gone to church. Hearing her voice would have probably caused him to weep on the streets…as it was he was already nearly mad with impatience to see her again. Nikolas assured him they would all be waiting on the platform when he arrived, which, barring any complications, would be in three days' time.

Only God had been more generous, and Georg stood outside the Lang home two days early. He stood still, staring at the walls that had kept his family safe and had sheltered them where he could not. He'd been dreaming of this moment for weeks, counting the hours until he was with his family again. The moment was finally upon him, and he was struck immoble.

The enormity of their ordeal loomed over him. The tension and terror that had consumed them all felt like a distant nightmare, yet still clung to him. Now that it was finally over and he was just a few feet away from peace, his mind reflected on what had happened to all of them. Not even home for twelve hours after his honeymoon, and his life had been not so much upended as devastated. His children were sent away, his wife injured and abandoned, he forced to stand in arms with the devil. He'd only been able to function by not dwelling on any of it. But now that it was all over, he had to catch his breath.

Looking past the house, he caught a glimmer of the Adriatic Sea. He stared, its azure waters calling out to him. Unlike the gray, stormy waves of the North Sea, these waters were calm and soothing. The same sea of his childhood and what had called him to the Navy in the first place. And now the waves were welcoming him back, ready to complete his healing. The sun shined down, making the water sparkle. Georg released a deep breath. Yes, it was over. It was time.

He opened the gate and barely heard its clicking closed when the front door opened.

"Georg?" Nikolas Lang asked, shocked.

Max followed. "You're early!"

Georg offered a wry smile. "I got here as fast as I could," he said, limping up the walk. His friends met him half-way.

"My God," Nikolas said. "You weren't kidding! You actually got yourself injured!"

"A minor consequence, and a better idea than blowing myself up.."

His friend's eyes widened. "You didn't…"

Georg shrugged. "Desperation clouds the judgment."

Max shook his head. "Always with the theatrics. My plan was much safer."

Georg met Max's eyes. "I never thought I'd be thankful for your…friends."

Max raised his hands. "It does help to have no political convictions… sometimes."

Georg gave him a side glance. "Do I want to know who in the Kriegsmarine is less than loyal to the cause? How did you grant me that extra leniency?"

Max smirked. "Oh, I think many in the Kriegsmarine are loyal… they're just more loyal to their own pocketbooks," he said. "And I am not above making some suggestive statements to cash in on some favors."

Georg's eyes narrowed in amusement. "Blackmail?"

"I don't call it that."

"And the Nazis just let you go?" Nikolas asked.

"I left before they could reconsider," Georg said and regarded his friends. How could he ever repay them? They sacrificed so much, risked their lives… for him and his family. "Max.. Nikolas… I owe you both my life."

Max grinned. "I'll hold you to that," he said but then sobered. "But truthfully, Georg, of course we'd do what we could for you." Georg nodded. It would have been unsettling to see his irreverent friend being sincere. But the past month had altered everything.

Nikolas shook his head. "Think nothing of it. These are dark times," he said. "And as Maria has been saying, 'we have to be the light."

Georg gasped…"Where…"

But his question was drowned out by a symphony of surprised, elated shouting. The three men looked up as the von Trapp children stampeded through the front door, charging at their father. Thankfully, they did manage to restrain themselves from toppling him over, although he honestly wouldn't have minded.

Georg's throat tightened as they surrounded him. Only a month, and he felt like he was seeing them anew. It was similar to the fog that had lifted as he heard them sing for Max and Elsa. The way his heart had slowly thawed. It was different now, but just as consuming. Instead of thawing, he felt as if his heart was healing.

He could not hug any of them enough, it seemed. Gazing at each of his precious children, he felt the anxiety melt away, leaving him breathless and elated. Their bright smiles, their loving gazes, and their joyous voices filled him with such raw emotion, he almost fell over on his own. They all seemed so much older, so much wiser than the last time he'd seen them.

They had been his only thing that had kept him sane. While thinking of Maria's fate had made him sick, he clung to the memories of his children's laughter to keep him from drowning in despair. Liesl's quiet strength, Friedrich's enthusiasm…Louisa's penchant for pranks and Kurt's endless appetite…Brigitta always with a book, gentle Marta and spirited Gretl…His determination to be reunited with his children brought him comfort when all he felt was darkness.

They peppered him with questions, and he laughed. "We have so much to catch up on!" he said and looked down at Marta. The girl was sobbing, and Georg's happiness broke at the sight of her. "Oh, darling." He whispered, wishing he could pick her up as he had done a few weeks ago. Instead, he held out his hand, and the girl molded into him, her tears soaking his jacket. Hating himself for putting his children through such an ordeal, he looked up.

They had sobered but were still smiling. "I missed you so," was all he could say.

"We missed you too," Brigitta whispered.

"But we knew you would come back to us," Lousia insisted.

"You're not leaving again?" Gretl asked.

He reached over and caressed the girl's cheek. "No, Gretl, I am here to stay," he said. She smiled and hugged his waist next to her sister. He wobbled to rebalance himself, ignoring the pain shooting through his leg. It didn't matter, it was nothing; he was back with his children. That was worth one hundred times more than any discomfort.

Nikolas and Max, who had backed away to give the family their privacy, stepped forward. "They've been wonderful, Georg. Well mannered, courteous, helpful," Nikolas said.

At that, Georg's eyebrows rose. "My children!?" he asked, and they laughed. The sound was music to him.

"Mother will be so happy to see you!" Friedrich said. Marta stepped back, no longer crying. She nodded urgently.

Georg blinked, his heart starting to race. "Where…"

"She's walking with Baroness Lang," Louisa answered.

"She insists she walk every day," Brigitta added.

"And Baroness Lang insists the only way she's allowed to is if someone goes with her," Kurt added.

Georg laughed as his eyes stung. "If she's insisting she be outside, then she's…" His throat tightened. "She's…."

Liesl placed her hand on his shoulder. "She's getting better each day, Father," she assured him and then cocked her head to the back of the house. "They'll be returning soon."

The children backed away as Georg straightened and glanced at the sea. Turning back, he smiled. "I love you very much," he said, stroking Marta's tear-stained cheek. "Don't go away."

He turned and walked toward the water. Gretl started to follow, but Liesl held her back. "They'll come back together," she said.

To be concluded…