Chapter Thirty
Stowe, Vermont
Two Weeks Later
November 1960
Maria fixed her hair and smoothed her dress for the tenth time it seemed. She hadn't seen Georg in thirteen days and she felt as if it were a lifetime. The news that Georg's heart condition was treatable came with the news that unfortunately the weakness he felt in his legs since the attack would likely be a permanent condition.
The doctors explained that given he was suffering "silent" attacks for a while before the major event some of the muscles and tissues in his lower body, mainly his feet and calves had lost oxygen and strength. Georg was determined to work hard to regain what was lost but Maria and even Curtis were hesitant about over exertion.
Georg was in the Boston hospital for twelve days while they balanced his medication. Both medications had side effects that could be very dangerous if Georg wasn't careful.
His blood tests had been excellent the last few days, and he was finally being released.
"Mama, you look so pretty," Julia smiled. "Your face is shining even if you do feel sick."
"The lemon juice trick is helping," Maria replied. "I have missed your father so much."
"We all did," Julia replied. "I hope he is the old Papa again, happier and like he was before Lida ruined our lives and treated him so badly."
"Julia, don't let your Papa hear you talk like that," Maria warned. "We have decided to give Lida her space and let her get herself a new foundation, a new start. She called me when she got settled, I told her how your Papa was feeling and now we have to let her be and let Papa be as well. He won't want any animosity, Darling.'
Julia nodded, "But it was scary, Mama. Seeing Papa like that, I have never seen him so weak or so…"
Maria moved closer to Julia. She was very close to Georg and the entire situation had shaken her foundation. Maria wrapped Julia in her arms and kissed her cheek. "But he is well now, he is much better and he will be home in an hour. Let's finish getting ready for him, hmm?"
Julia nodded and hugged Maria tight before she broke off to help Maria finish making Georg's favorite iced tea.
Montpelier, Vermont
Campbell's Jewelers
"I don't know about that one, Max," Georg said as he examined an elaborate diamond ring. "I don't really see Widow Cullen as a diamond ring kind of lady."
Georg was leaning against his hospital issue cane. It was supposed to help him balance when he was walking since he struggled with weakness and heaviness in his legs since the heart attack. It did the job, but he hated how it looked. He planned to acquire a new, more suitable one as soon as he was settled at home.
"Don't all women like diamonds?" Max asked.
"No," Georg replied. "For example, Maria. Maria does not care for diamond jewelry, at least if it isn't mixed with another stone. Neither does Brigitta, they both prefer sapphires or emeralds to diamonds. Women are not cookie cutter Max. Remember that."
Max nodded, "Yes, I remember you told me that there is no such phrase as "all women". Brianna is simple, you are right, perhaps a small ...Oh my…"
Max's eyes fell on a beautiful unique ring on the edge of the case. It was rose gold with a pure white pearl in the center of four sparkling diamonds. It was a classic beauty, not unlike his Brianna. "Georg…"
Georg looked into the case and his eyes fell on the same ring. "Ah yes," Georg replied. "Yes, now you see that is perfect. Absolutely perfect. I think she will love it. It's very different and quite elegant."
Max asked the clerk if he could view the ring. While Max was finalizing his very expensive yet perfect purchase, Georg was looking at the cameos. Maria had always wanted one, but for some reason he never chose to get it for her. Now, it was the time. His Maria deserved this, a token of his love and their new life going forward, their new baby, everything.
Curtis was waiting outside when Georg and Max emerged, both with small bags. "I see you made John Campbell's day," he greeted. "Let me see, Max?"
Max gladly showed off the ring. "In fact, Georg, if you don't mind, I would like to go back to my place, change,and go see Bri. I think I missed her as much as you must have missed Maria."
Georg nodded, "Come over tomorrow, I have a lovely champagne I have been saving you can indulge on."
Curtia told Georg his alcohol days were over. Alcohol and coumadin did not mix.
"We'll be there," Max replied. "Bless you, Georg. I mean that."
Curtis turned his head as the two men embraced. He didn't know realistically how many more years the friendship could last, Max was nearly 72 and Georg would be 71 in April. Still, he hoped they would be there for each other many years to come. They would be if he could help it.
Stowe, Vermont
von Trapp Home
"They're here!" Kurt's youngest son, Charles yelled out. "Grandpa is home!"
"Charlie, let Grandma see him first," Julia instructed. "She missed him very much."
Deborah held her son back and let Maria fly out the door to meet Georg's car.
As soon as Georg laid eyes on Maria he frowned. She looked hollow in her cheeks and had very little color. He knew the morning sickness was in full swing now. He regretted not being home to help her through this part. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Georg got out and moved as quickly as he could to Maria. "Oh, Darling, I missed you so," Georg sighed as he took Maria in his arms. "You feel so good. You feel so good. You look exhausted. I'm sorry."
Maria had tears running down her face. Georg looked better. He looked well. He had color in his cheeks, sparkle in his eyes, she could tell he was feeling better, however, seeing him using the cane bothered her. "Georg, are you all right? Oh my love, I missed you so much. I would have come to you, Darling. I should have insisted…"
"Ssh," Georg soothed. "You did what I needed you to do. I needed to know you and the baby were going to be okay. I worried terribly about you even still. We have a housefull?"
Maria shook her head, "Just Julia, Kurt and his family, and Marta, that's it."
"On Sunday we will see everyone," Georg replied. "Let's go inside, get them all to go home. I need to be alone with you. We have so much to catch up on."
Maria smiled, "I have oatmeal raisin cookies and your favorite mint iced tea then we will send them home and just hold each other for the rest of the night."
Georg smiled, "Yes, and tomorrow until Max comes over, then the next day…I need to make up for lost time holding you in my arms."
With their arms around each other, Georg and Maria headed into the house. "Where is Max? Did you leave him on the side of the road or something?"
Georg chuckled, "No, we left him at home. He had some important business to attend to."
Stowe, Vermont
Widow Cullen's Home
Brianna Cullen didn't think she would ever marry again. Her husband had died five years ago and the marriage had not been a happy one. Jack was a tyrant, demanding and openly abusive. When he passed away, Brianna felt free for the first time since coming to America.
When she met Max Detweiler, she found him refreshingly humorous and entirely genuine. He said what he meant and meant what he said. When they had dinner or went dancing he was kind and romantic. When they were alone he was respectful and caring. When they parted company, she missed him. When he came back into her life with a proposal of marriage, the only answer she could think of was yes.
Brianna learned that it was his best friend, who she met a few times, having a heart attack that pushed him to her door. '"I am too old to keep pretending I like being alone," Max told her. "I miss you and I love you. What do you say to getting married?"
That was the last time they were together before Max left to accompany Georg to Boston in Maria's stead. Brianna missed him and couldn't wait to see him tonight and plan their life together.
Brianna didn't expect the knock on her door so soon. Quickly she fixed her hair into a knot at the back of her head and pinched her fair cheeks to bring up some color before opening the door.
When she pushed the door open, there was Max smiling at her, his trademark hat pulled down over one eye. Brianna was about to fall into his embrace when she saw it, a small velvet box in his hand. "I would get down on one knee to do this, Bri, but I'm afraid I won't get back up again."
Brianna's eyes filled as she looked at the perfect, delicate diamond clustered pearl ring. It was exactly what she would have chosen if she even thought Max would get her a ring. "You will still wear my ring, won't you?" Max asked. "I'm sorry I was gone so long, it took longer to regulate Georg's medications and I couldn't…".
Brianna launched herself at Max and held on tight. "Of course I will! I missed ye so much me lad. I missed ye and I love ye."
Max enveloped Brianna in his arms and slowly stepped into the house with her hanging around his neck. "I love you too," Max declared before kissing her soundly and kicking the door shut.
Stowe, Vermont
von Trapp Home
"I can't believe it," Maria laughed as she set about straightening up the bedroom. Once the family left them and Julia had her fill of Georg's hugs and reassurance, Maria insisted Georg put his feet up and change into more comfortable clothing.
"I couldn't either, Darling, but Max is engaged. He's taking the plunge. I remember Widow Cullen from town and I knew her husband Jack when I was working. Nice guy, but brash, I felt. Not at all like Max."
"Well, maybe she didn't like brash men," Maria replied. "Do you need anything, my love? Does your back hurt sitting like that?"
Georg shook his head. "Maria stop," he said firmly. "Come here please."
Maria protested, "Georg, I really should finish…"
"Come here now, please," Georg replied more firmly.
Maria obeyed him and sat on the edge of the bed. Georg took her hands into his and met her eyes. "Maria, do you feel that? Feel my hands?"
Maria nodded and squeezed Georg's hand. "They're warm and strong and in your grasp," he said gently. "I know what happened was frightening and I know that not being able to predict when or if my heart will speed up isis frightening, for me too, but Darling, I am trying okay? I am taking the medications with the utmost precision and I am trying to strengthen my legs and build my stamina. What I need from you while I do this is for you to be calm. Just try to be calm and be here with me in each moment we have. Yes?"
Maria nodded slowly, "Oh Georg, I was terrified. I am terrified. I never thought I would ever see you having a walking stick, never mind needing it. You are depending on that cane and it makes me nervous."
"This is not a complication I predicted, but I am still able to walk, it just feels different, heavy, but I can do it, okay? I am alive, my hands are warm again and my feet are warm again too. We have to put this behind us, we have a baby coming in five and a half months. We need to plan and you need to get some meat on your bones."
Maria looked down at her hands, "I'll try. I eat, I do, but it comes back up again most of the time."
"I'm home now to take care of you, we will get through this part together. You know what else?"
"What?" Maria asked.
"I thought about this a lot. What you want for the birth of our fourth child. While I want you to see Dr. DeFilippo a few more times, I would feel pretty good making a compromise for the birth. I don't want you going through anything else related to this pregnancy without me by your side and that includes delivery. Curtis said he will do it with Marta assisting if we agree to have the baby closer to the hospital, just in case. I think that…"
Before Georg finished his sentence, Maria threw her arms around his neck. "I promise Darling, if there is something wrong before I'm due I won't argue. I'll go straight to the hospital, but yes, having the baby together near the hospital, that's the best way." Maria gave Georg a kiss on the cheek. "I don't think I could love you more than I do right now."
Georg laughed and released Maria's hands. "Bring me my jacket and we will see about that."
Maria brought Georg his jacket so he could retrieve the little gift he had purchased for her from the inside pocket. "I saw this in the store when Max was choosing Widow Cullen's ring and I knew I had to. Thank you, Maria, for truly being the love of my life."
Georg handed Maria the box with the cameo pin inside. She gasped in delight, utterly thrilled with the very simple, yet elegant gift.
Neither Maria nor Georg left the bedroom the rest of the day except for her making a snack and both of them making frequent trips to their bathroom. They needed this time, this reconnection with one another and they were at a stage in their lives where they were wise enough to take it.
A/N: Well, we have Georg home again with his Maria and they are slowly coming back together physically and emotionally. And how about Max huh? It's never too late to find love.
The condition that if effecting Georg's legs is peripheral neuropathy, which is basically nerve damage in body parts such as the hands, feet, and/or legs. It can be painful but his is not. It can be life altering and effect your gait, stamina, and balance. For an older man, he would need to have a cane or walker depending on the condition of his body beforehand. Given Georg was healthy and did not suffer from arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions he would most likely be ok with a cane until he is older and loses more strength.
Anyway,.thanks again for supporting this story and my other work. Have a great weekend and if you are in the US, Happy 4th!
