Part 13

Helen had watched with sad eyes as Georg stormed out of the room her eyes slowly drifting to the children in the other. Putting down a tray she walked in quietly.

"Children go to bed I can clear the rest" she said and everyone apart from Leisl started to move.

The children turned to look at a non-moving Leisl but Helen nodded them off with an assuring smile before turning back to the eldest child. Walking around to look at the child's face she sat on a chair nearby, just watching as tears fell down the blank girls face.

Leisl knew what she was doing and though she did not look she could see out of the corner of her eye as the elder lady clasped her hands together, waiting…

She sniffled; her arms still wrapped across her stomach "It's not fair!" she blurted out looking to the celling.

Helens face and heart was pained and more so for the girl in front of her "I know" she said, her voice warm and comforting yet laced with such utter sadness.

Leisl shook her head "We lost a mother already and it was painful enough. Then finally she came, Maria. She brought meaning back into our lives, love, laughter, everything. Then after the ball she was torn away from us but then she came back only for her to be ripped away AGAIN!" she screamed "He thinks she is gone, but she is not! I know she is not! I would feel it, so long as there is hope I swear… I swear I will not give up!" she sobbed.

Helen forced her tears away as she got up and walked over to embrace the girl. Leisl lent against the older woman as she continued to vent "He's slipping away again. We need him now more than ever yet all he seems to be doing is drifting further and further away" she whispered.

Helen rubbed her back soothingly as she spoke "Oh Leisl. It's how he deals, he does not mean to leave you all alone and all you children are his world you have to know that. But… he cannot go through that pain again, he cannot deal with it, so he is closing up. I know it's hard to understand but that's the way it is. I'm not saying what he is doing is right, far from, I'm just trying to make you understand"

Leisl stepped away wiping away some of the tears before looking at her "I do understand in part. But what I cannot understand and will not accept is his will to believe she is dead! She is missing, she is not here but i simply refuse to believe that she is dead!" she said in desperation and anger.

"Leisl…"

"No! She is not dead, she is not! She is not! I would know god damn it! I would feel it in my soul because she is my mother. I know my biological mother loved us dearly but she is gone and has been for years! Maria is my mother now, for the first time in years I finally felt like I could talk to someone, I felt like all the burdens of a girl could be shared with her because she cared because she loved us. And god help me if you or father is going to ask me to give that up so easily!" She said, anger and possibly every other single emotion lacing her voice.

Helen was shocked but smiled a watery smile none the less "I know I would not ask such a thing child. But what I ask is that you try to understand your father's action but whatever you do, do not condone them. Help him; make him come back to you. Remember the night of the ball? Do you remember what she said to you and the children before she left?" she said.

Leisl looked at her "In part, not completely"

Helen smiled "She said, and do not forget this, she said 'I will always love you, you have to trust your father now, do what he says and stay close to him, things are about to change and you will have to help each other. But no matter what, I will be there with you every step of the way in your hearts' let them words guide you, though she may not be here your mother is out there somewhere, her heart here with us, waiting for her body to come back and find it" she said kissing the top of the girls head.

Leisl smiled "Thank you" she whispered.

Helen rubbed the girls arm "Its ok, now go on, off to bed with you" she said gently.

Just as Leisl left out of the corner of her eye she saw the store cupboards door swing shut slightly. Oh Georg she thought sadly as she finished tidying up.

Oo00o0

Roxanne couldn't do it anymore. For days she had hid her inner turmoil, slowly watching as her friend started close in on herself. She had to know, she felt the desperate need to help no matter what. Maria was not one to give up easily so she knew that Maria had to have had a bond with the Captain, it was either that or… or rape. No it could not be that last she thought looking at her reflection. Maria was tough and god knew she could take anyone down, but then again seeing the Captain's picture she had her doubts. So many questions filled her mind, she wanted to know desperately and then there was the penultimate question. Did Herr Zeller know?

Coming out of the bedroom fully dressed she looked at Maria, watching as she made her bed "Maria?" she said in defeat.

Carrying on with making her bed and oblivious to Roxanne's predicament Maria spoke "Yes Rox?" she said finally patting out the pillows.

Roxanne huffed and closed her eyes before gathering her strength "I… we need to talk" she said.

Maria frowned and looked at Roxanne "I thought we had already gone through the plan? I'm sure you're just nervous. What don't you understand?"

Roxanne huffed "I'm not talking about the mission" she said following Maria with her eyes as she packed a small bag of food and guns etc.

Maria, though necessarily didn't know what Roxanne was talking about, knew that she was getting suspicious and her 'illness' as Maria had named it was not clearing up. So now as Roxanne tried to question her about what she assumed was her sickness she tried avoid it desperately "Rox please not now, whatever it is it will have to wait. We can talk about it later but today we need to be focused" Maria said looking her friend in the eyes, hating the fact she had to lie to her.

Roxanne was biting her lip trying not explode but accepted Maria's request with a short nod and forced smile as she went to grab her jacket before they were out the door and on their way to Rashel's.

Outside it was warm the sun shining down on them and to everyone else it was the perfect day but as Roxanne and Maria walked towards the small house they were told to look into the air and everything around them seemed suffocating and tense.

Half way there Roxanne stopped and just stood there, her feet no longer willing to move until she had her answers.

Maria frowned and turned when she found Roxanne no longer at her side "Rox?"

Rox scrunched up her fists "I can't… I can't do this anymore" she said in defeat.

Maria's heart sped up, her mind running so fast she could barely keep up with herself "Rox what are you talking about?" she said trying to act dumb.

"You know exactly what I am talking about!" she protested.

Maria took a breath and stepped closer "How could I possibly know what you are talking about"

"Don't play with me Maria, I know, and I know that you know that I know!" she said her words so jumbled and confusing "OH for god sake Maria just admit it!" she said frustrated.

Maria swallowed and walked away "You are being irrational Roxanne!" she said walking down the dusty road.

Roxanne laughed in spite as she trailed after her with sheer determination "ME! You're the one who's in denial, you're the one who is lying!" she shouted only for Maria to spin around so fast that she almost crashed into her.

Maria was furious, her anger no longer in control, why couldn't she just leave well alone! "Oh? and pray tell what exactly I have been lying about? I would very much like to know!" she said her usual warm blue eyes now as cold as ice.

"YOU'RE PREGNANT!" she screamed.

Maria's heart was pounding so hard she swore that the whole country could hear it, the simple two beats pounding its way through the deafening silence Roxanne had shouted them into. Maria looked down trying to stop the onslaught of tears that threatened to spill and turned away continuing to walk down the road "Go home Roxanne" she whispered in defeat and exhaustion.

"Maria… please. I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout I'm sorry, i… I just wanted to know" she said her voice catching as she walked after Maria "I was worried about you. Every morning you were sick and refused to touch wine or any type of alcohol, I'm sorry, Maria please!" she said grabbing Maria's arm and swinging her around her heart stopping at the distraught and shocking sight of Maria.

"Rox please, just leave it alone" she said squeezing her eyes shut as they just stood there.

Carefully and with great trepidation Roxanne stepped forward rubbing Maria's arms gently "What happened?"

Maria shook her head wiping furiously at the tears that fell relentlessly down her face.

"Maria you are my friend, the only true friend I have ever had, so please, tell me" she said gently and that was all it took for Maria. All the pent up sadness and frustration, everything she had felt came spilling out as she lent her head against Roxanne's shoulder as she sobbed her heart out.

"I… I loved him… oh god how I loved him!" Maria sobbed as she pulled away from Roxanne and stumbled over to a nearby tree and slumped down it, exhaustion overtaking her in waves.

Roxanne followed her heart breaking with Maria's as she sat next to her.

Maria closed her eyes, sweet torturous memories filling her mind, over lapping and consuming her with such utter euphoria "I didn't w… it wasn't supposed to happen, I didn't mean to fall so hard but I couldn't help it" she said quietly looking at the sad look in Roxanne's eyes "At first he was cold but I could see deep down that he had such love and all I wanted was for him to show his children that love. Oh they were wonderful all seven of them unique and beautiful" she said smiling, though tears still couldn't help but spill over the edges of her crystal blue eyes.

Roxanne smiled "I take it it was the Captain that made you this sappy?" she said trying to lighten the air.

Maria chuckled softly and nodded "Yes" she whispered her mind drifting off to his strong features, the way his eyes had danced with such delight as she had said I love you to him "He was kind and gentle though our senses were a little carried away from time to time. We… i…" she stopped her voice catching before she looked intently at Roxanne "Rox you have to understand…"

"I know I know, you slept with the enemy!" she said a little carried away by the romantic story of her friend and the Captain.

Maria shook her head "Yes and no Rox, just listen for a moment. Oh how do I explain this? I and Georg loved each other yes but you see Herr Zeller found out, I tried to by time and thankfully it came in the form of a ball. The night before the ball I had no alternative to hand myself into Herr Zeller but before I did I slept with Georg. The night of the ball I told him who I was and he was furious. Short version is we had a huge fight, he chucked me out only for me to return two days later where we made up and that was the same day we ran away and the same night we were married." Maria smiled at how huge Roxanne's eyes had gone with shock but continued "For a while we were on foot and finally we came to Innsbruck, unfortunately the Nazi's were there too. That night I was captured and… and Ge… Georg was killed" she sobbed the last part the tears coming back in their floods. Roxanne tried to comfort her but Maria shook her head "No, I'm fine, please. At the time I didn't realise I was pregnant but it became apparent a few days later that I was. Anyway, Herr Zeller didn't and still does not realise my predicament so he made me a deal that I either start working with the Nazis again or I be killed, obviously I chose the former and so here I am. But Roxanne please, you have to promise me that you will not tell a soul of this to anyone. This information could get you killed; I don't even know why I told you, so you have to promise me. Okay?" she finished her tears almost all gone.

Roxanne nodded a tear rolling down her cheek at her story "Of course I promise" she said hugging her tightly "OH Maria I can't believe it!" she said in delight.

Maria chuckled as they hugged. Tearing apart Maria smiled before her expression faded "Roxanne, I… this child cannot get into Herr Zeller's hands. God knows what would happen to my child if they did and I cannot escape the Nazis so this dear child my child cannot stay with me. I will carry him or her to term and then once they are born they will go to a good family, a family where they will be safe and away from all this" she said her heart breaking inside.

Roxanne's eyes widened with horror "Maria! No! You can't this child is yours, yours and the Captains you cannot give them up!" she said grabbing Maria's hands.

Maria smiled sadly "But don't you see? I must it is the only way they will truly be safe" she said quietly.

"Maria…"

"This is not up for discussion Roxanne. My decision is final" she said pulling away from her.

Roxanne wanted to protest but she knew from past experiences when Maria had made her decision it could not be changed unless she decided and under no persuasion from anybody else. Sighing she got up and followed Maria back towards the hotel.

"Aren't we goin…"

Maria shook her head cutting her off "Not today Rox, I'm exhausted and though I'm not keeping this miracle inside me I going to make god damn sure that I carry him or her to term" she said smiling and she rubbed her hands over her stomach.

O0o0o0o0

That night as Maria lay in bed her thoughts were no longer sad ones, no longer mourning Georg. Indeed she missed him terribly but instead of dreaming of the awful memory of him being shot she dreamt of their love and what they had created. Which night they were created she did not know all she was thankful for was that there was more than one night that this child could have been made on.

She remembered his kisses and how he liked to make sure every inch of her had been laced with his sweet caresses. How his hands would slide down her soft naked skin, tracing the underside of her breast with his thumb making her quiver. Delight and euphoria was all she could think of as those sweet memories filled her mind. Indeed on one of the nights they had been traveling he had taken his pleasure from her, leaving her still aching and on the edge but she had not minded for she had been favourably rewarded the next night. Again she smiled and though her heart ached for him dreadfully she knew those memories could last her a life time for all the love he had poured into them could never leave her doubtful.

O0o0o0

Max and Elsa…

Elsa turned in her bed and watched as Max sat on a chair near the fire. Her mind and eyes must have been playing tricks on her, it could not be true, it was not possible, impossible, darn rig…

"Darling are you ok?" Max said interrupting Elsa's thoughts.

Elsa sighed and sat up "No I am not. My mind is driving me wild and not in the way you think" she said seeing the cheeky smile on his face.

"Oh and what is troubling you my dear?" he said walking over to her before sitting down.

Elsa bit her lip but seeing the trust in his eyes she spoke "I… I saw something today, well at least I think I saw something" she said hesitantly and Max nodded for her to go on "I think I saw Maria" she said.

Max laughed "But that's wonderful!"

Elsa rolled her eyes "No max, it entirely isn't!" she protested.

"I don't understand" he said frowning.

"You see she wasn't with the family and she, she… she was wearing a Nazi uniform…" she trailed off quietly, watching as Max's face contorted into confusion.

It could not be…

Authors note: Dun dun dahhhh. Hello readers, sorry I haven't updated of late, I have been terribly busy, I hope this chapter was okay and not too rushed, please review and tell us what you think it's always a pleasure! Thankyou! :D