A/N: Remember there was no Rolf in my original story.

First Dates

Later in the privacy of their bedroom, oh Karl was there, but he wasn't going to share Georg's observations.

"Maria, did you see Liesl talking with Charlie. I don't believe I've ever seen her show so much interest in a young man."

"How old is Charlie?"

"I'm not sure; maybe 24 or 25."

"That's a good age for a young man for Liesl."

Georg laughed, "You have them married already."

"No sweetheart, just an observation."

"You know Maria; we may have two girls dating at the same time."

"How are you with that?"

"Not as distressing as I thought I might be."

"Enough about them, what about us?"

"I was thinking the same; are you ready?"

"More than ready sweetheart, love me."

Georg met Maria at the doctor's office for Karl's check-up. "Doc Adams it's nice to see you again."

"Hello Georg; how's that little boy?

"Not little Doc," Maria answered before Georg could.

"I see, let's get him on the scale. Just under nine pounds; you must have rich breast milk Maria. How often does he nurse?"

"Almost every two hours."

"Thanks not good for you Maria; do you think your cook knows how to make formula?

"I'm sure she does."

"I don't want you to stop nursing. Have her fix two bottles and right before you feed him put in a teaspoon of cereal. Georg, you may need to enlarge the nipple hole. Give him one around mid-day and another before midnight. Hopefully that will allow you time to have a good nap in the afternoon and get maybe four or more hours of sleep at night."

"Thanks Doc, she's been a trooper but I know she's been tired."

Paul and Charlie came by Georg's office late one afternoon. "Do you have a minute sir?"

"Sure do, how can I help you?"

"I'm sure you noticed Charlie and I spent a lot of time talking with your daughters."

"Yes, their mother and I both noticed."

"Would you mind if we asked them to go the Ice Cream Shoppe on base Saturday afternoon?"

"Not at all, what time should I tell them to expect you?"

"Thank you sir, tell them we'll see them around two."

"I will, good day."

"Good day sir."

Georg found Maria in their room feeding Karl. "Well Maria our girls are going to have dates Saturday."

"How so Georg?"

"Paul and Charlie want to walk them to the Ice Cream Shoppe on base this Saturday."

"Have you told them?"

"Not yet, I wanted to talk with you first."

"Where are they? Do you know?"

"Liesl's room."

"How's my son doing?"

"Very well, he gave me another smile today."

"Really, I'm jealous."

"He'll smile for you. You've only held him when he's been asleep."

"Are you going down with him?"

"Yes, soon."

"I'll go tell the girls."

He knocked on Liesl's door. "Come in."

"Hi Father, you're smiling."

"Girls, I always smile."

"It's extra big," Liesl said, and "your eyes twinkle." He heard from Louisa.

"Well, I have news for both of you."

"News Father."

Charlie and Paul are coming over on Saturday afternoon to take you both to the Ice Cream Shoppe on base."

"What time?"

"At two."

"Thank you Father."

"I thought you would like my news."

"See you at dinner."

"Liesl, I've never been on a date."

"Neither have I, unless you call the time four of us went for a walk after school one day, a date. Will talk later, we need to get ready for dinner."

Georg went downstairs; Karl was awake in his cradle. "Were you waiting for me Karl?" He picked him up and took him to sit with him in his favorite chair. "Yes, Karl, this is your Father's face; not as pretty as Mother's."

Karl's blue eyes looked right at him and even without a coax he smiled at him.

"Thank you Karl, that's a big smile for me."

"Are you sure he's smiling and not pooping."

"Now Brigitta. Why do you say that?"

"He did that to me yesterday. Let me check his diaper."

"Please do."

"Seems that was a real smile."

"I thought it was." Now Marta and Gretl were surrounding the chair making faces at him; more smiles from Karl.

Maria met Liesl and Louisa at the base of the stairs. "Girls, your father tells me Charlie and Paul are coming over tomorrow."

"Yes, we're going to the Ice Cream Shoppe with them."

"That's a nice place for your first outing together with them."

"We thought so too, Mother."

The girls were nervous waiting for their dates. Suddenly the doorbell rang. Maria went towards the door, "I'll get it girls, you sit for a minute."

"Good afternoon guys, you look mighty sporty.""Thanks Mrs. Maria, are the girls ready?"

"We are."

"You were waiting for us?"

"Yes, of course."

"Have a good time."

"We'll have them back by four."

"That's fine."

Their home was only a few blocks from the Ice Cream Shoppe. Louisa was especially shy. Liesl was the first to speak.

"How's your new job Charlie?"

"Just fine Liesl, great class."

"How long is each class?"

"They meet everyday for three months; then they have three months of on the job training."

"Paul, are you interpreting any secret messages?"

"I can't tell you Louisa; just let me say, I've been busy."

"Here we are. Do you have a favorite?"

"We've only been here a few times. I really liked the fudge sundae, Paul."

"And you Liesl?"

"Vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce."

"Coming right up."

They sat at a table; ate and talked for awhile before walking back. As they got close to the house Charlie asked them both, "would you like to go to the sock-hop next Friday at the club?"

"Sock-hop?"

"It's just called that; the group plays all of the new dance music."

"We'll ask father, but I'm sure it will be fine."

"We'll pick you up at seven."

"Thank you Charlie, I had a lovely time."

"I did too, Paul."

Inside they found Maria and Georg sitting playing with Karl. "Did you have a nice time girls?"

"Very nice, we've been invited to a dance next Friday at the club on base. Is that alright, father?"

"That's fine girls." They disappeared, chitchatting up the stairs.

"Well Maria, how are you with all these dates. I'm sure this won't be the last."

"I'm fine with it darling. It's fun for me."

"I thought you might say that."

By six-thirty that Friday, the girls were dressed and waiting – standing; they didn't want to wrinkle their dresses.

"Louisa, do you know how to dance?"

"Not really, but Liesl tells me I'll be fine."

"Do you want to practice?"

"Georg started to hold her and move to a slow song."

"Father, I don't think we will dance that close our first time. That kind of dancing is for you and Mother."

"You mean, for old people."

"Now Father, I didn't say that." The doorbell rang and stopped any further conversation.

Georg reached for the door, "good evening guys, your dates are ready."

"Have a good time girls."

"Thanks Mother."

"Enjoy yourselves."

"We'll have them home by ten."

As soon as they left, Maria and Georg broke out in a hearty laugh. "Maria, would you like to dance with an old person?

"I'd love to." Georg tuned the radio to a music channel and the two of them danced for over an hour. "In a few weeks would you feel comfortable leaving Karl and going to the Navy Ball?"

"Could we Georg? We've haven't been out together in a long time." Maria was one of those women who every woman envied; she didn't look like she had an eight week old baby and since she had married Georg, she loved to dress up for him.

Maria had gone upstairs to feed Karl and get ready for bed. Georg was waiting for the girls. Soon he heard voices and the door opened, "see you soon." He heard.

"Did you have a good time girls?"

"The best father; they played all kinds of dance music. We learned to dance the Charleston. Good night father."

"Good night girls." Georg's smile was never wider; he was glad they had met these fine young men.