A Time to Speak of Love

Sam took them into the Abbey through the alley door. Maria stopped suddenly.

"Am I hearing things?"

Sam laughed. "You're not. That's Sisters Bertha and Margareta you hear laughing. The children were singing about goats and goat herders."

"Sam, how long have they been here?"

"Myself and the Bishop's driver went to the villa shortly after Max left here. They were very scared when they arrived. The Mother Abbess put them at ease by singing that song about their favorite things."

"I'm not surprised. She likes that song as much as I do."

Georg let Max walk on ahead. He wanted to ask Maria a question. "Maria, is it true you left the villa last night?"

"It is Captain. I had feelings I never had before. They scared me."

"My name is Georg. Did it ever occur to you that I may have had similar feelings? They're signs we hold love in our heart for the other."

Maria hung her head as she stated. "I thought you were going to marry the Baroness."

"That was my intention when I brought her home from Vienna. But after seeing her in deep conversation with one of the German followers I had invited to the party, and then she looped her arm under his and they walked away, I knew my suspicions had been confirmed. She was one of Hitler's followers. How did you find me?"

"Max told me he saw how you were captured and that Herr Zeller had revealed where he was taking you. My friends and I hiked on that mountain often; I knew about that mountain plateau.

"I willingly went with him. I felt God had answered my prayers by sending him to the Abbey. And Georg I'm no longer frightened by my feelings."

"And I won't hesitate to tell you I'm in love with you. A love which has grown since the day we met."

"And I can now admit I've been in love with you since you blew that silly whistle."

"Maybe it's silly, Maria. But today it served its purpose. I'm sure you realize all of us need to get out of Austria; the Germans will continue to search for me."

"Yes I do. Come on Georg. We've kept the children waiting long enough."

She took hold of his hand and tugged him to walk with her.

Max had waited for them. He had sensed their love ever since Georg had sung Edelweiss for his children. He knew he had really sung it to Maria. He saw them holding hands.

"So you both have admitted you're in love."

"We have Max, but before we can act on our love we need to get out of Austria."

"Yes, I know we do. I told Franz the same."

Liesl saw Max first. "Did you find Father?"

"I did, with your Fräulein's help."

Georg showed his face with Maria by his side. A room in the Abbey had never experienced such a commotion. There were screams of excitement; tears were now tears of joy and profound happiness.

Not even Georg could stand after his children began to push and shove to be able to touch him and kiss him. Maria had stepped back so as not to get trampled in the bedlam.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her down to the floor close to him. He used his finger whistle to silence them.

"I want you to know that one day your Fräulein and I will marry. We both have discovered our love for the other."

"Father, that is wonderful news. Our Fräulein has always seemed like a mother to us."

"Thank you, Liesl. I see the Reverend Mother has stood."

She smiled at the wonderful scene. "Katia and Isabel have been helping the Sisters prepare lunch. Captain, no one was hungry earlier. I'm sure everyone is now."

Kurt was the first child to stand. He waited for the others but was right behind the Reverend Mother. The Sisters had eaten breakfast; they would have their noon meal after they finished their chores.

There were more than enough chairs in the Abbey's dining room for the group. They had their fill of a hearty stew and bread. There was no desert but no one complained. It was Liesl who asked.

"Father, what is going to happen to us? I know we can't go home."

"At this moment, I really don't know."

The Reverend Mother stood.

"Captain, the Bishop will be here shortly. He has some information for you. Sister Bertha and Margareta, why don't you take the children to see the kittens in the barn and you can tell them how a problem has been solved."