Married
This hotel was only two blocks from the bus station. The group stopped a few meters away to admire it.
"Georg, this is absolutely stunning. I'm not sure I've ever seen such green trees. And they frame the building so perfectly. And every room has its own balcony with a flower basket on the railing."
"It is beautiful, darling. I also see a seating area for the restaurant under the second floor. Let's get inside and find the reservation desk."
As they came closer, Georg saw the sign for the reservation office.
"Maria, the office is separate from the main building; it looks small. I'll go in alone."
She and the others watched Georg enter the office. He heard the usual greeting. "May I help you?"
"Yes, I need accommodations for fourteen people."
The clerk looked surprised. "Did you say fourteen?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Do you plan to stay very long?"
"We do. I can't be exact but maybe a week."
"Give me a minute to check with the manager."
"No problem, I'll wait."
The clerk emerged with the manager. He immediately spoke to Georg.
"All our vacant rooms are scattered on all the floors. I have a newly acquired house nearby. It will have more than enough bedrooms for you. It still has maid service and you can eat in our restaurant."
"My group isn't picky. It sounds like it is perfect for us."
"Then let's go out and tell the others in your group."
Georg exited first. "Our accommodations are in another building. The manger is taking us there."
"Where is he taking us?"
"To a house, Maria, it's owned by the hotel."
In minutes they saw it. It was as beautiful as the hotel. It didn't have balconies but it did have flower boxes. And it was nestled in a grove of trees.
They entered the house and were immediately greeted by the hotel worker on duty. "Welcome everyone, let me show you around. This room off the entrance is occupied with staff all during the day."
Isabel whispered to Katia. "This was probably a parlor at one time."
"I agree. They have separated it from the main rooms with this door."
She was correct. That door opened in to what a hotel would call a lobby. It had tables with chairs and many places to sit and talk. A stairway took them to the second floor.
There they found more than enough bedrooms. They didn't select their rooms. But they did leave all their luggage in one of them. They were anxious to see the rest of the house. Another set of stairs took them to the back of the house where they found a kitchen and a dining room.
Again the manger spoke. "You may use the kitchen. There's a market in the next block. Do you think you will be comfortable here?"
"Most definitely, sir. Right now, I believe everyone is hungry. It's been awhile since we ate."
"The restaurant can accommodate your group. I'm sure you may need to freshen up. Can you find your way back to it?"
"Yes we can."
"Remember to let the staff know if you need anything."
"Thank you for the reminder."
He departed. Georg heard. "Father, this is really nice."
"It is Liesl."
And from the not usual child, he heard Brigitta. "Can we get ready to go to the restaurant now? Even I'm hungry."
Maria answered her. "I'm hungry too. Let's hurry and get ready to leave."
There were several bathrooms to use; they were ready in a few minutes. Georg and Maria led them. The men were last. They were able to find enough tables in the outdoor space under part of the second floor of the hotel. They discovered many foods were similar to Austrian dishes.
Their food choices were served promptly. There was little conversation. It seems everyone was really hungry. When they finished eating, they walked to the market. There they bought coffee, tea, milk and juice.
"Now we have things to drink in the morning. I'm sure the restaurant doesn't open as early as we will wake up.'
"Katia, you're probably correct. Let's go back and select your bedrooms. Children, you should hang all your clothes in the wardrobe. You can place your other clothes in the dresser."
They did as their father had suggested. Then they congregated in the big room.
"There are two things I want to do in the morning. First, I need to find a postal station. I have two letters to mail."
"To where Father?" Friedrich asked.
"One is for Father Stephan. I told him I would let him know we arrived in Switzerland."
"When I was a young sailor, I met a junior American navy officer. We worked together on a mission around the tip of south Africa. I've followed his career. He's now a Vice Admiral. He told me then to contact him if I ever wanted to come to the United States."
"Why so far away Father?"
"I know Switzerland says it's neutral. But in order to have peace with the Germans they don't totally secure their borders. I know the Germans will eventually learn I'm here.
"For now we must stay here until I get a reply. The second thing I want to do is find someone who will marry Maria and me."
"Yes, yes Father. I want a mother as soon as possible."
"Gretl, Maria and I want to be married as soon as possible. It's been a long day. Why don't you go get ready for bed? Maria and I will come say goodnight in a few minutes."
After the children left to go to their bedrooms, Isabel asked. "How long will you need to wait for a reply?"
"I'm not sure. But I do know letters can now be sent in an airplane. They can cross the ocean in about six hours. So hopefully the Admiral will reply as soon as he receives mine."
"We should all pray that he will. Georg, I also want to send a letter to the Kellers. I promised the children I would."
"Harold would also be interested in knowing we are out of Austria."
"Yes, he would. Everyone, we should turn in soon. I suspect the children will wake early."
"You're probably right. They may wake not realizing where they are. I know I'll wake on navy time and so will Sidney. We'll listen for them."
"And I wonder if any of the churches near us ring their bells for morning prayers."
Sidney added. "That's quite possible, Maria. I think we both saw several church spires."
What no one knew was that everyone would be awake at dawn; the unfamiliar surroundings had given some a restless night's sleep. The others, including Maria had heard several different church bells ring. And Katia was already in the kitchen. She had the coffee brewed, the water heated for tea and glasses ready for the children's choice of milk or juice.
They sat around the dining room table that morning enjoying their beverage while waiting for the restaurant to open. There the menu brought smiles to the children's faces; they each found a favorite.
It was now time to find the postal station and the all-important place for Maria and Georg to wed. After taking time to use the restaurant's facilities, the group stood out front and discussed where to start looking for both of them.
"If I remember correctly, the bus driver told us this part of Chur is known as Old Town. I wonder if it is like Salzburg and has a square with original buildings which have been preserved."
"Georg, I think you may be right. I'm sure the train and bus station were on the edges of the town. Let's walk until we find the next street to the right."
"Sidney, why don't you take the lead?"
Sidney did take the lead. Georg and Maria followed with the children and two ladies next. The three men, Stefan, Phillip and Franz were last. They didn't walk far before Sidney found a street which looked like it might lead to a plaza. This street was lined with buildings on both sides.
"Everyone, this street looks similar to streets in Salzburg. Let's take it and see if it ends in a plaza."
Sidney suspected his intuition was correct as he noticed all the buildings shared common walls; some buildings housed apartments, others were stores selling hats, shoes and an apothecary store was there too. Maria noticed something else.
"I see two churches on this street; they both have bell towers."
"Their bells must have been what we heard this morning, Maria."
Liesl spoke next. "Father, I see a building with a sign which reads, Postal Station."
"I see it too. Let's hurry there and I'll mail my letters."
Georg went in alone. He sent his letter to the admiral via airmail. The letter to Father Stephan, which also contained a note from Maria to the Mother Abbess, was mailed using regular mail.
While he was in the building, everyone was looking around the square. At the very end was a large building. "Maria, I'm sure that is the courthouse." Sidney told her.
"Is that where you and Father are going to get married?"
"Yes, Louisa. I told your father we could have our marriage blessed by a priest after we are in America."
Georg exited the postal station. He noticed everyone was smiling. Maria hooked her arm with his and began to guide him down the street.
"That big building is most likely the courthouse."
"I believe you may be correct, darling."
Now everyone walked faster. As they came closer, they could read the inscription on the building, Cantonal Court. All the adults knew that was the building's original name. Canton was the word for a political district.
"Maria, come with me. We'll go inquire." The others patiently waited outside.
Maria had gripped Georg's arm with both hands. Georg patted them. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm sure the magistrate will marry us."
A police guard stood inside the entrance. "How may I direct you?"
"To the magistrate's office please."
"He's performing a wedding. You will need to wait."
"We don't mind waiting. Let me go tell the others in our group."
"They can wait with you."
"All twelve of them, sir?"
"As long as they're not too noisy."
"Maria, you stay here. I'll go tell them."
Georg found them all standing closer to the entrance. "We need to wait our turn. You can come but you need to be very quiet."
"Are you really going to be married?"
"I'm almost positive, Liesl."
"We'll be quiet."
"Okay, everyone can follow me inside."
Maria couldn't help but notice the children's big smiles. She held up crossed fingers, a signal of hope.
Everyone soon saw a very happy couple emerge from the magistrate's office. The magistrate was right behind them. He immediately saw the large group.
"Sergeant Gunder, is there another couple who want to be married?"
"There is sir."
"The news that wartime rules are in effect must have been announced on the wireless."
Georg whispered in Maria's ear. "He's going to marry us." She squeezed his arm firmly as her way of replying.
The sergeant answered the magistrate. "It seems that way, sir."
He then turned to Georg. "Tell him your desire."
"Your Honor, this woman and I wish to be married."
"Do you want all these people present at the ceremony?"
"We do, sir."
"Follow me."
He entered a small room. It had no chairs; only a table with a book on it.
The magistrate waited for the others to enter. "First and foremost I need your names."
In turn they spoke. "Georg von Trapp."
"Maria Rainer."
"Maria, how old are you?""
"I'm twenty-two, Sir."
"And where were you born?"
"My birth certificate says Vienna. But I know I was born on a train somewhere in the Austrian Province of Tirol."
Neither noticed the surprised looks of all the others. The magistrate continued. "And your age and place of birth, Sir."
"I'm forty and I was born in Zara, a city in the former Austrio-Hungarian Empire."
"And these children are from a previous marriage?"
"They are. Their mother died before my youngest daughter turned two."
"I can see their big smiles, a sign they consent to this marriage." He saw all of them nod, including all the adults.
"Georg and Maria, please stand in front of me. Everyone else can stand on either side of them."
He waited a few seconds. Everyone stood very still. The magistrate began to speak.
"All marriage ceremonies begin with declaration of good faith. Does anyone know of any reason why this couple should not marry?"
He heard a resounding, "NO!" from all of them.
The magistrate sensed their desire to get on with the ceremony; he did.
"Even a civil wedding ceremony is based is based on scripture. In the story of the Garden of Eden we read the words, a man leaves his father and is united with his wife, and they become one. And then in the New Testament we read similar words. God made people male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two shall become one.
"Therefore the vows taken are the same here as they would be in any church. And so I begin with the customary greeting.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness this couple exchange their vows of marriage. Marriage is a way of life, given by God, so that the husband and wife may provide each other companionship, help, comfort, joy and most of all love.
"Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by God.
"Georg and Maria please turn and face each other and hold hands."
The couple was in their own world. They looked deeply into the others eyes. Their hands were joined in a soft embrace.
"Do you Georg take Maria, to be your wife, knowing in your heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a loving companion? On this special day, in the presence of family and friends as witnesses, do you give your sacred vow that you will always be with Maria and support her, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow? Do you promise to love her completely, to console and comfort her during difficult times, to laugh with her and to grieve with her, to share with her life's simplest but most enduring pleasures, to be truthful and honest with her, and to cherish her, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Do you Maria take Georg, to be your husband, knowing in your heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a loving companion? On this special day, in the presence of family and friends as witnesses, do you give your sacred vow that you will always be with Georg and support him, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow? Do you promise to love him completely, to console and comfort him during difficult times, to laugh with himand to grieve with him, to share with his life's simplest but most enduring pleasures, to be truthful and honest with him, and to cherish him, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Forasmuch as Georg and Maria have consented to join their lives in the bonds of matrimony, and have spoken vows in the presence of family and friends, and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, I, therefore, by the authority of the laws of Switzerland, pronounce that they are husband and wife.
"Georg you may kiss your bride."
This wasn't a deep romantic or passionate kiss. It was a soft light kiss. When their lips separated, they both mouthed the words. I love you.
"And children you may now give hugs and kisses to not only your new mother but also to your father."
While this was going on, the magistrate noticed all the adults. He could tell each and every one of them approved of this marriage. He heard Isabel.
"This is definitely a marriage made in heaven. For four years I prayed for Georg to find a wife. God knew Maria would be the one to touch his heart."
The sergeant appeared. The magistrate saw him. "Don't tell me another couple wants to be married?"
"I'm afraid so, sir. Maybe we should have set hours when they will be performed."
"I'll think about that idea. After this group leaves, send them in."
Georg heard him. "We need to leave and find a place to celebrate."
The sergeant had heard Georg. He would speak to him outside.