Weddings

Liesl's wedding wasn't elaborate – after all the Great Depression was still affecting everyone. "Mother, do you still have your gown?"

"Of course I do Liesl. Do you want to wear it?"

"Could I?"

"I'd be pleased; I'm sure it will fit you; as you remember it's not a fitted dress."

"Yes, I remember, but I will need shoes."

"Do you want to try it on?"

"Yes I'd like to." Maria went to the back of her closet and brought out the dress covered in a paper covering. Maria carefully removed it; preserving it for later.

"Mother, it's just a lovely as I remembered." She slid into it; the fit was perfect.

"I also have the veil if you would like to wear it too."

"Yes, I thought it was lovely; not ostentatious."

Katia had been told and was already planning the reception; it would be held at the house. They had a giant living room.

During their meetings with Father Gabe, they personalized their vows. Father Gabe had told them; agreeing to the words of commitment was the most important.

Liesl stood beside her Father. "You're beautiful; Maria's gown looks just as lovely on you. Remember sweetheart, your Mama is smiling up in heaven."

"I know Father, she's very happy. I can feel her presence."

Father Gabe and Charlie walked in together from the side door. The Father stood on the altar. Charlie along with Paul, his best man stood at the base of the stairs. The processional music began; Louisa walked before them. The music notes were heard which were Georg's clue to begin to walk.

Slowly, they walked the aisle. "Who gives this woman to marry?"

"Her Mother and I," was heard loud and clear. Georg gave her hand to Charlie; together with Louisa and Paul following they climbed the few stairs to the altar.

The congregation heard their vows recited without hesitation; with hands joined as they said them.

"Liesl, with all my love, I take you to be my wife. I will love you through good and the bad, through joy and the sorrow. I will try to be understanding, and to trust in you completely. Together we will face all of life's experiences and share one another's dreams and goals. I promise I will be your equal partner in a loving, honest relationship, for as long as we both shall live."

And then; "Charlie, with all my love, I take you to be my husband. I will love you through good and the bad, through joy and the sorrow. I will try to be understanding, and to trust in you completely. Together we will face all of life's experiences and share one another's dreams and goals. I promise I will be your equal partner in a loving, honest relationship, for as long as we both shall live."

And then with equally personal thoughts, they received each other's ring. And now they knelt, waiting for the pronouncement.

"With the power given to me through the Church and under the laws of the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May the Lord mercifully look with favor upon you and fill you with all Spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life and forever. Amen."

They exited the church to a joyful tune. Their guests waited for them to take pictures and then everyone boarded a shuttle bus to take them all to the house. Katia and Franz had come by car so they could leave and beat everyone home in order to make final preparations for the reception.

Simple decorations provided a wedding like picture; the drinks were out; small sandwiches along with the usual nuts, mints and other candies. Franz did the honors of opening a couple of bottles of Champagne; he saw them coming and quickly filled the glasses and Katia poured the juice for the children.

Liesl and Charlie waited patiently outside as they had been instructed; holding hands waiting for their first kiss as husband and wife. Suddenly the door opened for them; they didn't have to be prompted.

"Finally I can kiss my wife." Charlie announced; a sweet but romantic kiss, amid cheers from everyone. Georg handed them both a glass filled with Champagne. "Here, here to the new bride and groom; my daughter and her husband."

The guests mingled; it was then that Liesl spotted him. "Uncle Max, when did you arrive?"

"On the early train Liesl; nothing could keep me away. I wish you both much happiness." He had a kiss on the cheek for Liesl and a warm handshake for Charlie.

The cake was cut and the last kiss given; Franz drove the happy couple to the train station; they would honeymoon in New York City for three days.

When they returned, Charlie surprised Liesl; he had rented a lovely apartment with a balcony that over looked a park. They would spend the next several years there; Liesl became a pre-school teacher in a program sponsored by the Parish Church. Of course they visited her mother and father regularly and her siblings were frequent visitors to their apartment.

A few months later Paul found his position in intelligence was taking him to DC more and more. Louisa was nineteen, soon to be twenty and Paul was twenty-two. He went to see Georg.

"How may I help you Paul?"

"Sir, I would like your permission to ask Louisa to marry me. We need to weather this impending war together. I already know I'm entitled to base housing. Louisa would be in a protected place."

"Paul you and she have been together for two full years. I know you make Louisa very happy. You have my and Maria's full support."

On their next date they had a conversation. "Louisa, I don't like being away from you anymore than you do. I love you, is it possible –, "but before he could continue.

"Paul, I love you so much. My heart aches when you are away."

"Do you want to get married and move to DC with me?"

"Yes, yes, did you ask" – "your father," he filled in for her. "Of course I did. Shall we tell them?"

They went home early. "Louisa, this is a surprise. Is the movie over?"

"No Mother, Paul and I want to get married."

"Georg, have you kept a secret from me?"

"It hasn't been very long Maria, Paul and I talked only two days ago."

"Captain, Mrs. Maria, we want to marry soon. I have two weeks until I'm expected back in DC."

"We don't want anything fancy; a wedding with the family and of course the housestaff is enough."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure Mother."

Paul and Louisa went to see Father Gabe. He knew they had been dating a long time, so their coming to see him wasn't a surprise.

"Father, is it possible for us to marry in two weeks?" They explained.

"Since your mother and father are in complete agreement, I don't see why not. I'll announce it to the congregation this Sunday at your regular time for attending Mass."

"Thank you Father Gabe, we'll see you Sunday."

Their wedding was even simpler than Liesl and Charlie's. Louisa opted for an all white soft chiffon short dress with only a simple veil; and Paul wore a regular dark suit.

With only the family and housestaff in attendance and of course Uncle Max; they were married. They didn't have time to personalize their vows; it didn't matter to them. They wanted to marry and weather the war years together. They took their honeymoon in DC, where they would live for the next several years.

Ironically Louisa too became a pre-school teacher. Many young couples needed their non-school age children taken care of; everyone was working in those days; anything to help the family income.

It was after their wedding that Maria announced there would be a new baby for Georg to dote over. And so the circle of life kept on going.

The End

A/N: I wrote this short story only to show that this couple and their children were a real family. It wasn't intended to be an epic that describe in detail everything that was happening; only a glimpse at a real family. Thanks for reading, I hope you laughed or smiled; maybe even a tear fell.