Part 9
Like the month for Maria and Georg, Max's had also been difficult but though Maria's had been completely lonely the other thinking the other was dead Max's had been laced with happiness. His and Elsa's relationship had greatly improved, they kissed and cuddled as often as they could which had increased as Elsa healed.
The woman, Rashel, which they now called a dear friend, had turned out to be a smuggler but not for drugs but for people just like him who were trying to escape but unlike him and Elsa they only stayed a day or so. It was only because of Elsa's condition that they had stayed. Rashel had indeed been kind to them and as Elsa healed slowly she had almost grown attached to them. So much so that she had asked them to stay permanently. At first max and Elsa had hesitated but as the days passed there seemed no reason to say no. So it was yesterday they had finally agreed to stay with Rashel and her wonderful family.
And what a wonderful family it was. Rashel had a daughter the same age as Leisl, a younger one about Brigitta's age and a little boy a little older than Gretl but still younger than Marta. All in all they had welcomed Elsa and him whole heartedly and Elsa had continued to see the joys of children, her mind no longer seeing the ways of boarding schools but a warm loving family.
Max had indeed thought about the possibility of having a family with Elsa but he was afraid he was becoming too old. What confused him was the fact that Elsa was so young and had her whole life ahead of her, so why would she want to spend it with him, with an aging man whose jokes were near god damn awful.
Elsa watched bemused on a couch the opposite end of the room from Max as the logs burnt and sputtered in the fire. She could almost see his thoughts floating from his head and she couldn't help but smile at his oblivious concentration. Uncrossing her legs and taking her hands from her lap she walked over to him and sat lazily on his lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest.
Max smiled and kissed her head as his arms came around her slim waist.
"Don't" she whispered.
Max frowned in confusion "Don't what darling?" he replied quietly.
Elsa smiled and looked up at him, her chin still resting on his chest "You know exactly what I am talking about" she said.
Max frowned again "My dear if I know you and I do then you must know that I could never know what your scheming mind is thinking" he said back cheekily.
Elsa chuckled "No I'm serious, I know what you were thinking about before, I could see it on your lovely expressive face" she said as she stroked his cheek but Max interrupted her.
"You mean old and wrinkly" he smiled.
Elsa huffed and taped him lightly "Oh hush for a second. I meant don't think like that. Don't think that I am too young and your too old, for one it's not true and even if it were I would love you anyway. I love you Max and no matter how old or ugly or whatever you are nothing is going to change that, so, don't, don't think of such ridiculous things" she said before kissing his lips softly.
Max smiled and hugged her closer, still careful not to hurt her almost healed stomach. As they broke apart Elsa smiled "Instead, think of what we can do in a week or so. I can finally take you to my bed, where we shall stay for at least 3 days" she said determined and Max laughed before kissing her again.
O00o000o
That morning as Maria got on the bus with Roxanne she smiled for the first time in a month. Finally after a month of being stuck in her quarters, constantly watched by Her Zellers piercing eyes she was free. It was true that she wasn't permanently free and probably never would be but for the time being she was away, no longer being observed and laughed at by him and his friends, if they could even be called that.
The day was long and tiring even though she and Roxanne were sat down on the bus most of the day, but it was being cramped up and still for so long that took its toll on both of them. Especially Maria who felt like she was going to throw up every five seconds, thankfully she managed to keep it in until the bus stopped. As soon as it did she had practically ran out, finding the nearest bush and emptying the contents it had held. Roxanne had rushed out and rubbed her back oblivious to the reason she had thrown up.
But an old kind lady had come up and given them some water. It was from the look in the elder lady's eye, the mischief and twinkle that gave Maria a hint that the elder lady knew her predicament.
It was now night and the bus slowed allowing everyone a break for 15 minutes until it continued its journey. The bus stopped and Maria looked to her side, Roxanne sleeping soundly against the window her cardigan tucked beneath her head as a cushion. Maria smiled and took another cardigan out of her bag and laid it on top of the girl before getting off the bus to stretch her legs.
She stepped out and into the night, crickets resounding around her and soft voices of other passengers who had also got off for a few minutes. Maria walked idly her arms wrapped around herself when a voice broke through her reverie.
"Well it seems we have got ourselves into a pickle doesn't it my dear?" the old wise voice said.
Maria turned and looked at the older lady, the wind rustling through her brittle grey hair. Raising an eyebrow she spoke "Excuse me?" she said confused.
The older lady walked forward in her brown dress and cream cardigan and nodded her over away from the other people.
"My child I may be old but I am not blind. You are a Nazi are you not?" she said.
Maria bit her lip and nodded hesitantly.
"And you are pregnant are you not?" she said again.
Maria took a breath and once again nodded, almost ashamed.
The lady looked at her with almost sympathy "Forgive me, I have been rude call me Annabelle" she said offering her hand.
Maria smiled and shook it "Maria" she replied back.
"Forgive me if I have been too forth right, it's a habit" she said smiling.
Maria chuckled the lady almost reminding her so much of herself "Don't worry, its fine. I myself can sometimes have the same problem, but now I must you to forgive me, but how did you know I was a Nazi and why are you not beating me with a stick?" Maria asked confused.
Annabelle chuckled "Your bag fell off the rack above, your uniform slipped out slightly and I tucked it back away safely, don't worry no one else saw" she said sincerely.
Maria nodded still confused "Why are you telling me this, why are you even talking to me, most people are scared of us how do you know I'm not mean and could kill you where you stand?" Maria rushed out.
Annabelle again laughed "You ask so many questions. I am 72 my dear I should be dead soon and I don't give a rats ass about what those damn Nazis think. And you are pregnant so you're either married to another Nazi or you had an affair. And then there's that sad look on your face, so I figure you are not happy with your life or your lover is dead" Annabelle said sympathetically.
Maria looked down her heart almost screaming in sadness and anguish as tears sprung to her eyes. Annabelle stepped forward and touched her arm lovingly.
"Which is it love?" she said her voice sweet like honey, the words seeming almost harsh but dripping off her tongue in warm loving tones which instantly meant no harm.
Maria looked up and furiously blinked the oncoming waterfall of tears away "Both" she whispered out as she looked at the stars through blurred eyes.
Annabelle's eyebrows shot up in shock "Both?" she whispered and Maria nodded.
Annabelle looked down trying to piece together Maria's untold story "So you married someone who opposed the Nazis, got pregnant and now he is dead?" she said almost in shock.
Maria nodded "Yes"
"Did they kill him because they found out you were pregnant and married?"
Maria looked at her quickly "No! god no, they don't know that I am married or pregnant, please don't tell anyone oh god I beg you. My story is far too complicated to explain so I just beg you to not say a word to anyone and just accept what you know, if you know more the danger you would be entangled into is unfathomable. So please" she said almost in tears.
Annabelle stepped forward and embraced the young girl "Shush my dear, oh i stepped my foot in it. Oh love your secret is safe with me, don't fret. I mean look at me, who am exactly going to tell?" she said looking at Maria's tear stained face.
Maria chuckled.
"Don't worry, my lips are forever sealed I promise you" she said before they returned to the bus.
O0o0o0o0o0
It was early morning before Roxanne and Maria arrived in Innsbruck. As they stopped Maria shook Roxanne awake gently "Wake up sleepy head we are here" Maria said in a warm gentle tone.
Roxanne blinked the shades of sun soon lighting up the new morning "We're here?" she said quietly. Not quite fully awake.
Maria smiled and nodded as she picked up their things. Slowly they got off the bus and were just about to head off to find something to eat when Annabelle pulled Maria aside.
"Annabelle?" Maria said confused.
Annabelle smiled "I just wanted to say good luck and from what I have seen you will make a wonderful mother" she said quietly before enveloping her in a hug.
Maria smiled and hugged her back before returning to Roxanne. It was odd that an old lady could not know her but also know so much without being told. Some pople would have found it odd and strange and almost invasive but Maria found it almost comforting, comforting that someone knew her predicament and still accepted her. Yes that had certainly made her day without a doubt
Roxanne smiled "So what's the plan?"
Maria smiled "First we need to eat and then we go book into a hotel" she said tiredly.
Roxanne nodded before Maria spoke again "Who's the person we need to investigate called again?"
Roxanne dug inside her skirt pocket before pulling out a piece of paper "Er Rashel Braun"
Authors note: du du da! Oh yeah! Cliff hanger! Well sort of. Anyway sorry I haven't updated in a while it was hell trying to put this chapter together when your imagination and muse has utterly disappeared but anyway I did for all you lovely guys. Please please review it's absolutely always appreciated! :D