A wedding to plan

Maria floated up to the penthouse. Lily was still up. "Maria, you're radiating happiness."

She started to sing, "I'm getting married in a month….."

"When, where,"

"As soon as we can get it all arranged, Father Stephan hopefully,"

"Are you going on a honeymoon Maria?"

"That's going to be hard."

"No it won't Maria."

"Oscar and I will watch the children for a few days."

"Are you sure?'

"Definitely sure."

"That's so kind of you."

"That's what friends are for," Lily seemed to sing to Maria.

Maria and Georg went to see Father Stephan immediately. "I've been wondering when this was going to happen."

"You too Father."

"Yes Maria, I saw the way you looked at each other and of course the children seem to already think of you as their mother."

"I can't believe we were that obvious."

"Love has a way of showing whether you like it or not. Since you haven't lived here long, I only need to publish the Banns of Marriage once. Shall we set a date?"

"Saturday September 27th."

"What time?"

"Two o'clock."

"That late Maria?"

"Georg, the girls are going to need time to get their hair done."

"I suppose you're right." Georg gave her hand a firm squeeze.

The very next day Georg took the bus into the city after the children went to school. Maria was waiting for him at the front door; talking with Robert. "I understand congratulations are in order Miss Maria."

"Yes, Robert that's true."

"I couldn't be happier for you. Are you waiting for him?"

"Yes, I see him."

Robert spotted a tall distinguished gentleman who suddenly pick up his pace; his smile becoming larger as he approached.

"Georg, please meet Robert, our security guard."

"Please to meet you, you have a lovely betrothed."

"Well thank you Robert, that's most kind."

"Have a good day you two."

"See you later Robert. Where are we going Georg?"

"To buy our wedding rings; I saw a jewelry store from the bus, it's just up the street."

"Georg, this looks expensive."

"Don't worry Maria; remember you buy wedding rings only once." The couple entered the store with Georg's arm around her waist; the store clerk smiled at them as he saw them looking at the display cabinet of wedding rings. "Are you looking for something special?"

Almost immediately Maria spotted one set she want to see close up. "Sir, may I see the set on the second shelf; the ones with the engravings."

"One of my favorites; the flowers are Edelweiss."

"I thought so. We're from Austria. Do you like them Georg?"

"They're perfect Maria. Sir, do you have a matching engagement ring." Maria looked at him in surprise; tears filled her eyes.

"You're in luck sir. Let me size both of your fingers." He left them while he went in the back of the store. "Georg I never expected –." He put his fingers to her lips. "I love you Maria, I want everyone to know you are my betrothed." They snuck in a quick kiss before the man returned.

He placed the rings on a piece of velvet sitting on the counter top. "Try them on."

Georg took his; it fit perfectly. Maria was hesitant; she was a little emotional. "Let me help you Maria." Georg placed the wedding ring first and then the engagement ring. It was a perfect match; on either side on the diamond were flowers of Edelweiss in gold.

The store clerk had two ring boxes waiting to receive the rings as they removed them. "Sir, let me open an account for you; I'll send the bill later."

Georg had also seen a little park; they walked to a private bench under a tree. "Maria, sit down please." He got down on one knee. "I know we're already committed to marry; I ask you again. Will you marry me?"

"You know I will." Maria was powerless to stop the tears streaming down her face.

"May I have your hand? Maria, please wear this to show the world that I love you."

"Look what you've made me do," wiping her tears with her other hand before Georg handed her his handkerchief. "I love you." They sat together for a long time; enjoying their closeness.

"We should get a quick lunch before I need to get home."

"Give the children my love; see you tomorrow, same time same place." After a soft kiss goodbye, he boarded the bus and Maria watched until it was out of sight. She almost ran to the elevator; she couldn't get to the apartment fast enough.

Lily could tell she was out of breath. "What going on Maria?"

"This," she put out her hand.

"Maria it's fabulous."

"Those little flowers are Edelweiss, Austria's national flower. Our wedding rings are also engraved with it." Maria couldn't stop looking at her ring. But Lily reminded her.

"Maria, we have a wedding to plan."

"Thank you Lily, I don't know where to begin; but nothing too fancy."

"We'll get started tomorrow afternoon."

Lily waited to see Georg kiss Maria goodbye as he left for the afternoon. "Maria, our first stop is an older dress shop that is owned by a good friend of mine. I think Gladys will have exactly what you want. She sells simple beautiful inexpensive dresses."

"Hello Lily, who do you have with you?"

"My friend Maria, she's getting married."

"Maria do you have any ideas? Not really Gladys, I know nothing about wedding dresses. I'm not a fancy person."

"Then you want a soft material, nothing stiff or scratchy. Let me show you what I have."

Gladys hung the dresses from hooks so Maria could see them well. It was the third dress that caught Maria's eye.

Right away she said, I really like that one."

"Alright, let's try it on. It has a built in slip."

The dress Maria chose was a Batiste Cotton Smocked Flapper Dress made of sheer white cotton with small stitched satin smocking at the shoulders, on the drop waist and the cuffs of the sleeves. In addition there was satin ribbon embroidery on the front of the bodice and around the slight v-neck collar, and on the edges of the skirt.

The dress and attached slip fell to just above her ankles.

"Gladys, this is perfect. It feels so comfortable. Lily, do you think Georg will like it?"

"Maria, he will love anything you pick out. I can't believe how well it fits you. You look stunning."

"This dress only needs a simple veil. This one matches perfectly; it's like a hat Maria. Let me show you." Gladys opened the large sequined speckled headband and placed it on her head and dropped the veil over her face; then straightened the part in the back. "The priest will tell your fiancé when he can lift the veil over your head. Do you like it?"

Maria was too choked up to speak. Finally, in a whisper, "I can't believe that is me."

"You look lovely Maria; Georg's heart is going to beat a mile a minute when he sees you."

"You think so?"

"Hummmn."

Gladys gave the bill to Lily. "You know Georg gave me money."

"That doesn't surprise me; like he told me when he bought our rings, you only get married once."

"Lily, I'll send it to your apartment."

They were walking back to the apartment. "Tell me Maria, what is Georg going to wear?"

"Lily, you remember me telling you about the dance. He wore a Navy Dress uniform. It really didn't look naval to me but Liesl told me it was. Can we look at tuxedos and see if I can find something similar.

On another shopping trip they found an almost exact copy. Maria was talking to herself but out loud, "I wonder if he brought his medals with him?"

"That would make it perfect Maria."

"Maybe Liesl knows, I'll ask her."

They also stopped at Simon's Shoe store to buy Maria's wedding shoes. "Simon, Gladys tells me you sell comfortable wedding shoes."

"Sure do Lily; nothing is worse than having sore feet when you dance your first dance. Here's one that matches your swatch perfectly."

"Miss, please sit down so I can measure your foot and get the proper size."

Simon returned with three boxes, "this one should fit but you never know. How does that feel?"

"A little tight sir." "Okay we'll try this one, better?"

"Oh yes, much better." Maria got up and danced around the room.

It was a few days later, "one last shopping trip Maria, wedding night clothes." Maria blushed. "I know, nothing too revealing, I promise."

"Okay Lily, I trust you."

True to her word, Maria was pleased with her selection.

"We still need to talk with Charlie about the reception."

"Charlie, please meet my friend Lily."

"Hello Lily."

"What can I do for you Maria?"

"Could you host a small reception for Georg and me?"

"Of course Maria, I've done that before. If I move out the large table, it makes for a very cozy room."

"We won't have many guests."

"Let me take care of it Maria. Georg and the children have eaten here so much; it's the least I can do."

"Are you sure Charlie? We can pay."

"Maria, it's my pleasure. I was so delighted when Georg and the children found you; I had heard their prayers."

"Alright, but nothing too fancy."

"Do you have a choice for a dance song?"

"I do but I'm not sure it is possible. You see Georg and I danced an Austrian folk dance together, quite unexpectedly. I was actually trying to teach the dance to Kurt when Georg saw us and asked me to dance with him. We didn't finish the dance; this time I want too."

"I have some Austrian friends, I'm they might know. Which dance was it?"

"The Laendler."

"That's a nice dance. Maria, check with me next week."

"Okay Charlie and please don't tell Georg. I want to surprise him."

'Your secret is safe with me."

They said their goodbyes and left. "That was nice of him Maria."

"Yes, it was. He's so nice."

"When are you going shopping for the children?"

"It will need to be on a Saturday; I suppose this one coming up; that's only two weeks before the wedding."

"I want you to come to the apartment so they can see it before they stay with us."

"I'll tell you for sure tomorrow."

Maria confirmed with Georg that they would be in town Saturday as soon as the shops opened to finish all their shopping. That evening at dinner with Oscar and Lily; Oscar asked her. "Maria, would you allow me the privilege of walking you down the aisle?"

"Yes Oscar, thank you, thank you. I don't want to stumble or walk too fast."

The girls bought dressy dresses; something different than what they wore to school. Liesl's was a little more special. Maria had told Georg. "Liesl's dress should be something she could also wear to a school dance." Hers was what was called a semi-formal dress; in pale green.

At the men's store the boys bought an American suit; no short pants for them. Their sisters all told them; "you look mighty fine." Maria had told Georg her choice of tux for him. He liked the idea and he did have his medal.

The last stop before heading back to German City was to visit with Oscar and Lily. "Children, this is an elevator; it will take us up to the 18th floor. It's a weird feeling at first so you might want to hold on to the hand rail." Maria and Georg held the little girl's hands.

The doorman had announced them to Oscar and Lilly; they were waiting in the hall. "How was the elevator ride children?"

"It was fine Ms. Lily but Marta and Gretl weren't too sure." Lily looked at the girls, "you can hold my hand when we ride the elevator, okay?" Marta and Gretl smiled back.

"We're really high up, Father."

"Yes Kurt we are. It's a beautiful view."

"Boys, you'll be using the room where I've been sleeping; it has two twin beds. Girls are you alright with bunk beds?"

"Yes, Fräulein, Louisa and I have slept in bunk beds before; Marta and Gretl will have the lower ones."

"I'm glad you're alright with them Brigitta. Liesl, you get a room by yourself. Is that alright?"

"I don't mind Ms. Lily."

Maria walked with them to their bus stop. The children were getting used to seeing their Father and their Fräulein kiss. They were out in public so the kiss was very soft and light. "I love you Maria."

"I love you Georg, only two weeks to go."

"I know."

They did everything they could to make those two weeks pass by quickly.