The Plan
The adults had heard the Bishop. His explanation of why the Germans would be so persistent to capture Georg weighed heavily on their minds. The Bishop could see their faces of freight, sadness, concern and worry. He didn't keep them in suspense.
"Captain, first I want you to know that a small platoon of men from the Austrian Army is guarding your villa. I sent some seminary students there to pack some of your things. I instructed them to pay particular attention to your study. I'm sure all your important papers and other valuables will be packed. They were also instructed to pack a few items of clothing for everyone in your group."
"Thank you, Bishop. I really didn't want to leave Austria without the children's birth certificates and pictures of Agathe."
"You're more than welcome. Your medal was packed and I was told they took your flag down and packed it as well."
"That's appreciated too; everything else can be replaced."
The Bishop saw the others nod in agreement. He began to tell them about their escape.
"Early tomorrow morning, my driver will come to the Abbey. In addition, Sam will use his car and I have a driver for your car, Georg. You will be taken to an abandoned train station. My staff has arranged for a train to stop there; it will take you to Italy.
"This is no ordinary train. The train car you will travel in once belonged to the Pope. The Papal Crest is still on it. It has been attached to a modern locomotive. It will travel at an amazing speed through Austria.
"You will be accompanied by a priest, Father Wasner. He's written many articles for the anti-Nazi Catholic newspaper expressing his anti-Anschluss views. It's not safe for him to remain in Austria any longer.
"The leader of Italy, Mussolini, hasn't declared allegiance to Hitler but that could change soon. As of now it's still safe for you travel in Italy. When you arrive in Rome the Pope's ship will be waiting for you. It will take you to a British naval ship at the port of Gibraltar Spain.
"And halfway to America, you will be transferred to an American naval ship for the remainder of your travel. Each of them was built for speed; you will arrive in America four days later."
The Bishop couldn't help but notice the astonished, incredulous, stunned looks on everyone's face. But before he could speak Maria did.
"Isn't that dangerous? How in the world do we get from one ship to the other?"
"Katia and I want to know too."
"Isabel, I'll let Georg explain."
"It may be a little dangerous. After the ships are side-by-side a rope bridge can be connected to both ships. Myself or Franz will help you ladies and the children walk across it."
Franz had been Georg's orderly in the navy; he knew all about these bridges. The other men, Stefan, Phillip and Max were also somewhat nervous about walking on a rope bridge; they didn't express their concern.
"Okay, we believe you." Maria answered for the other ladies.
And everyone noticed the Bishop didn't leave them. The Mother Abbess had told him what he had told his children. He was in love with their Fräulein and that they would get married someday.
"Georg and Maria, do you know you can't hide the fact you're in love?"
He didn't wait for an answer; he could see their smiles.
"I have a proposal for you. Would you like to marry before you begin your travel?"
The couple looked at each other with their mouths in that open, speechless position. Georg quickly regained his composure.
"I'm sure I speak for Maria. Our answer is yes."
"And Maria's face tells me she concurs."
"I do Bishop. I hold love in my heart for Georg; a feeling which once scared me but now I accept wholeheartedly because I believe it was meant to be."
"I believe that as well; let me perform the ceremony this evening at vespers."
"Thank you, Bishop. You will make seven children very happy; they already think of her as their mother."
"I should leave before they return. Your oldest two may detect my happier smile."
The group stood as he left them. And now they started to talk among themselves. Maria asked.
"Should we keep our wedding ceremony a surprise for the children?"
None of the adults spoke. They nodded and held broad smiles. The Reverend Mother was the exception.
"Then you better hide those happy smiles. The children could return at any moment."
When the children and the two Sisters returned, the group had erased their smiles and everyone was thanking the Reverend Mother for her hospitality. And she made an announcement especially for the children.
"After dinner, I want everyone to join us for vespers. Children, it's the way we end our day; we pray, sing hymns and listen to the reading of scripture."
No one asked any questions, not even Brigitta. Instead Marta spoke.
"Father, we learned our Fräulein was a problem here at the Abbey. She was always getting into trouble. But, Father, God solved their problem by sending her to be our governess so you could fall in love with her. She's your Cinderella and you are our Fräulein's prince just like in my story book."
Georg hadn't wanted to embarrass Maria; he didn't comment on all his rules she broke. Even thinking about all she had done made him smile. And Maria remembered all the rules of the Abbey she had broken; she wore a smile too.
It was their father who spoke. "Yes, I suppose we are. Now you should go get clean-up for dinner."
Liesl knew where the bathroom was; she led her brothers and sisters there. The adults were now able to smile again.