Times of love

The girls didn't always double date; in fact Liesl had already been on several dates only with Charlie. Today was Louisa's turn. Paul was in town and invited her to go to lunch with him.

The base shuttle stopped in front of the von Trapp home. "Young man would you like me to wait?"

"Yes, thank you sir; I'll only be a few minutes." As usual Louisa was waiting for him. "Who is your friend Louisa?"

"Mr. Mitchell, please meet Paul."

"Nice to meet you, Paul. Where are you going?"

"We'll get off at the front gate."

"Where are we eating, Paul?"

"There's a nice restaurant only two blocks down the street."

The menu had a wide variety of sandwiches; egg salad, a Cuban Sandwich made from a slice of Roquefort Cheese and chopped nuts with cooked salad dressing spread equally on two slices of crust-less whole wheat bread and toasted or the Dixieland made with chopped nuts and fried bacon covered in salad dressing; even a bread and butter sandwich that you dipped in undiluted tomato soup.

Liesl chose the tomato soup sandwich and Paul the Cuban; enjoyed with a glass of soda; either ginger-ale or Coca-cola. Paul took this time to answer a question Louisa had asked when they first met. He was hesitant to bring up the subject but he knew he should.

"Louisa, when we first met you asked me about my parents. I want to tell you what happened." Louisa's heart took a leap; she knew it wasn't good news.

"I'm sure you read about the bombing of Britain by the Germans." She nodded. "My parent were out for their usual morning walk when the first raid occurred; it took Britain by surprise and no sirens went off; it probably wouldn't have mattered they weren't near a bomb shelter. They were among the first casualties of the war."

She reached for his hand. "I'm so sorry Paul." Tears formed in her eyes.

"Thank you," He held her hand with both of his. "I was devastated when I got the wire on the ship. Their good neighbors discovered they were missing and went looking for them. The ship's Captain and all the crew were very supportive. This may sound strange but I'm glad they died together; you see they were older when I was born and they had spoke many times about not knowing if they could survive if the other died. They were so much in love, Louisa; at least I know they are safe and happy together in heaven."

Louisa tried to hold back her tears but they fell anyway. They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Louisa, I know your mother died; your Uncle Max told me. I'm sure these past years have been very difficult for you and your siblings."

"Yes, and we almost lost father too."

"What do you mean?"

"Just like your parents, Mama and Father were very much in love. His heart was destroyed; he was decorated as a hero of the war and then Austria lost it anyway and he lost his navy; it made it twice as hard on him. It was Mother who saved us all."

"I guess that makes us have something in common. They both seem very much in love."

"They are Paul; God gave her to us; we are forever grateful. I'm glad you wanted to tell me about your parents."

"I want to share everything with you. I like you a lot Louisa."

"Thank you, I like you too." Paul and Louisa took the shuttle back; said goodbye to her at the house and he continued on back to work.

His girls with boyfriends brought Georg the usual feelings of growing older but he had Karl. He doted on him; he had never been around the others for very long during their wee years; his work and then the war had kept him away.

Maria came home from shopping and found Georg holding him up and encouraging him to walk; he could already crawl and went every where.

"Georg, please don't encourage him. I can't find him now; he'll be every where if he can walk."

"Maria, I'm only helping him a little."

"I know love. I bought him some new clothes; eighteen month size and he's only one."

"He's a big boy Maria, not a petite girl."

"Changing the subject, did you see Louisa's calendar in her room?"

"No, what calendar?"

"Paul's gone to DC again; she made a countdown calendar until he comes home."

Charlie and Liesl went to the movies one night; then stopped at the Ice Cream Shoppe. They walked away from the lights to a secluded bench.

"Liesl how long have we been dating?"

"Almost a year, Charlie."

He touched her face, "I love you Liesl."

"You do?"

"Yes, I think you're too shy to tell me you love me also."

"I'm going to surprise you Charlie. I do love you. I've known for a long time."

"Me too, Liesl will you marry me?"

"Yes, Charlie." Immediately Liesl reached around him and they embraced; and then a long lingering passionate kiss; the kind that told the other how much they were loved; neither wanted to break apart, but they did.

"I have something for you. Liesl, this is a small reminder of my love for you." He opened a box with a ring that had a single pearl. "Someday I will replace it with a diamond. May I have your hand?"

"Charlie, it's beautiful, you don't need to replace it. I want to wear this one forever. Did you ask my father?"

"Yes, of course, we have his and your mother's blessing. I hope Louisa won't be jealous."

"Maybe a little, but she is three years younger, I think she will understand."

Liesl floated into the house that night. Georg and Maria were sitting on the sofa together.

"Father, you keep secrets well."

"What do you mean Liesl?"

"This is what," placing her hand so they could see her ring.

"So, it's official now."

"Yes, it is."

"We couldn't be happier for you. Charlie's a good man."

At breakfast, Liesl made her announcement. "Charlie, asked me to marry him."

"I'm really glad for you, when?"

"Thank you Louisa, we haven't set a date. When does Paul come home?"

"Next week."

The two couples continued to go out together but soon it was only Liesl and Charlie. They had a wedding to plan. Louisa and Paul liked to dance; they went to the club every Friday night.

On the porch, Paul and Louisa kissed that night. Louisa was on cloud nine as she went up the stairs to her room.

"Liesl, do you feel all warm inside when you and Charlie kiss?"

"I guess that's a good description. Are you and Paul getting serious?"

"I love him Liesl and I think he loves me too. It's so hard with him being away so much."

"I can't imagine. I'm so glad neither one will be sent to war; war is so terrible."

"DC is far enough for me."

Louisa still had questions; she sought her Mother for advice. "Mother, do you remember Father's first kiss?"

"Always will Louisa. It was the night he came back from seeing the Princess. I had fallen asleep on one of the sofa's downstairs. His presence woke me. He sat beside me and teased me about my hands being up against my chest, 'I'm trying to slow it down,' I told him. He took one of my hands and held it. 'What's happening now?' He asked. 'It's even faster,' I told him. Then he touched my face and it happened; his lips kissed first my cheek and then he moved to give me my very first kiss; very soft not lingering but stirring feelings inside me that were so new but very pleasant.

"When he walked me to the stairs, I kissed him. I remember it like it was yesterday."

"Like feeling all warm inside?"

"Yes, that's a good description."

"Liesl told me the same thing."

"Have you and Paul kissed?"

"Yes, Mother and like you I kissed him back. Am I too young to think he is the one?"

"No Louisa, I don't think so, just be sure; it's for a lifetime."

"I know Mother, I know."