Chapter Thirty-Two

Louisa's Home

Burlington, VT

April 2, 1961

"Nana!" Sammy exclaimed. "We set up the big room for you and Pop-Pop! Come see!"

Maria smiled and practically waddled behind Georg toward the room Louisa had set up for them to stay until the baby was born. She and Sam had recently moved from Morristown to Burlington when Sam received a promotion that would enable him to travel a lot less. Louisa didn't want to go through the hassle of moving, but the desire to have Sam home with her was a big motivation. Fortunately, Burlington was not only home to Louisa and her family, but also home to Mary Fletcher Hospital where Dr. DeFilippo had her practice. Curtis agreed to deliver if Maria and Georg stayed within a stone's throw of a capable hospital. Louisa offered her home in a heartbeat.

"Are you going to have the baby here?" Robert asked Maria as she sat down on the bed.

"That's our plan, Darling," Maria replied. "The baby will be born in a couple of weeks. Then when Uncle Curtis says that it is safe, we will go home to the farm."

"Why don't you have the baby in the hospital?" Sam asked. "Mama had Maggie there."

"If Nana has the baby at the hospital then I can't help her, and I need to help Nana when the baby comes out of Nana's tummy."

Robert looked straight at Georg. Both Maria and Georg knew what was coming. "How did the baby get in there anyway, Pop-Pop?"

Maria looked at Georg waiting to see what he would do. Georg sighed, "God put the baby there because Pop-Pop and Nana love each other so much that it built a whole other person. The baby grows inside the mother's tummy until it is strong and healthy ,then it comes out like Baby Maggie did and we all love and take care of the baby until it grows big and strong."

"It looks pretty big now," Sammy commented, studying Maria's large belly. She only laughed. Out of the mouths of babes…

Georg sent the boys to run along and play. Maria needed to rest after even the trip. Georg promised he would go and play with the boys after he got Maria settled. "Georg, I really think you need to rest also. You had to take that nitro tablet thing twice this week."

Georg nodded. It was true. His heart had been acting up the last few days. It was his nerves; he knew it. Lida was going to be coming home the next day, she telegraphed to say she wanted to be home for Georg's birthday and the arrival of her newest sibling. Maria had replied to the message that they would be glad to see her and she would have someone at the train station to greet her. Georg was thinking that it should be him, but he hadn't decided yet. He was nervous. He thought things were better, but then Lida left again. Yes, she said it was to find herself, but it still stung she chose to leave while his health was so unstable.

Adding to that was the baby. Georg was terrified about the birth, he was always scared for the baby and Agathe or Maria and that was when they were younger. Maria had a lot more difficulty with this pregnancy than the other three. Her body ached more, her legs were swollen almost from her hip, and the indigestion and heartburn kept them both awake most of the night.

"I'll be all right," Georg smiled. "I'm following doctor's orders. A couple minute throwing the ball with the boys won't hurt. It's cold outside, the won't want to stay out long."

Maria sighed, "Okay, help me, please, get my legs on the bed, they're too heavy."

Georg knew that score all too well, it was sometimes hard for him to make his legs move like he needed. The difference was his upper body was still very developed and strong. He could use his arms and chest to help propel himself on those days, Maria couldn't. She was strong emotionally, much more than he, but this pregnancy had cost her some physical energy and strength.

Georg situated Maria on the bed and she shut her eyes. "I can't keep my eyes open, Darling. I am so sorry."

Georg gently placed a light blanket over Maria and gave her a kiss. "Do you want me to stay? If you do, I'll explain it to the boys."

"Go on and play, Captain," Maria smiled. "Just don't over do it. I want to celebrate your birthday, not your hospital stay."

Georg nodded. "I will take it easy, Darling. Try to get some sleep, I'll check on you in a little while, okay?"

Maria nodded again and rested her hand on her very active baby. "How about you and I just take a little rest. You calm down in there a little bit, hmm?"

Maria began to softly hum to the baby as she tried to calm it so she could rest.

Meanwhile, Georg went to play ball with his grandsons. He was correct; they only wanted to stay out a little bit because it was still quite chilly.

"Okay, coats and hats off and wash your hands," Georg told the boys as he joined Louisa in the kitchen. "Did I remember to say thank you yet?"

Louisa nodded, "A couple times now, Father. Yes, and the boys love you being here, they really do. Did they bug you too much when they showed you the room?"

Georg laughed, "Bobby asked me how the baby got into your mother's stomach. I tried to explain it to him in an age appropriate way, but you might want to have Sam follow up on that."

Louisa nodded, "He asked us when I was pregnant with Maggie and Sam told him it was magic."

Georg laughed, "I suppose in some ways it is. That's how it should feel anyway."

Louisa nodded, "I know. How are you feeling, Father? I know you are trying to take good care of Mother, and I know you want to be there for her when she delivers, but is this really safe?"

Georg shook his head. "It's not safe," Georg agreed. "It's unsafe at any speed, but the bottom line is that your mother wants this. The baby doctor and Curtis both say she is in good health, that the baby seems to be healthy so…At this point in time, I have to think about what is going to make this situation the most comfortable for your mother's feelings, not just her physical needs and that will be having me close by. It's been like that since she was raped and she first realized that she was carrying Lida. I became her source of safety and comfort, and I still am. I still want to be, but I"ll tell you this too, Louisa, Maria is a source of safety and comfort for me also. If it goes as it should, this is right. If something happens, Mary Fletcher is five minutes away. That's all we can focus on."

Louisa nodded and handed Georg a glass of iced tea. "You know," Louisa began. "Looking back at things over time, how Mother changed so much so quickly after what happened, it all makes sense. The quick and quiet marriage, the false dates when we went through immigration, Lida not being able to carry a tune in a bucket and not having one physical trait that is yours, not one."

"Lida is still your sister, though," Georg replied quickly and sternly. "Blood isn't the only thing that makes a family, Louisa."

"I know that," Louisa jumped in quickly. "Believe me, I know that, Father. Uncle Max isn't blood to us, is he, but it feels like he is. That's what I mean. It all makes sense, but, except for how much everyone has been hurt, I wouldn't trade what we ended up with for all the tea in China, you know?"

Georg leaned over and kissed Louisa on the cheek, "Yup, I do. I better check in on your Mother, then I'll help you with those potatoes."

"You don't have to help me with supper, Father," Louisa told him as she washed the fourth potato in her pile.

"Nonsense," Georg replied. 'You don't think a Captain has to pull the occasional KP? I'll be right back."

Dinner that night was lively. Baby Maggie was beginning to try to say some words but nothing made sense yet. The two boys were so excited to have their grandparents at the house, it didn't even occur to anyone how strange it was to hear a pregnant woman called "nana."

Carlisle, Pennsylvania Early Morning

April 3, 1961

"And you'll do a better job of calling and writing to me than you did to your folks?" Andrew confirmed as he dropped Lida off at the train station.

Lida nodded, "I know you'll be glad to hear from me. The few times I did call and talked to Mama she would tell me Papa was well, but he was resting. My Papa was always so active, and now he is always resting."

Andrew slid his arm around Lida. "When you think it is appropriate, send me word and I'll come out to Stowe and see your parents about courting you properly. I know how important tradition is to a lot of parents, especially of the first generation sort."

"And the older generation sort too," Lida replied. "There's a big age gap, as you can probably tell since Mama is pregnant."

"My mother had my youngest sister at 42, so I know it can happen," Andrew replied. "If it isn't like you want it to be, if there is too much tension or unresolved feelings, wire me and I'll send you a ticket back here. I care for you, Lida Rose von Trapp," Andrew said, sliding a stray piece of hair behind Lida's ear. "I think I'm falling in love with you and I do hope you find peace with your family and come back to me with all their support behind you."

Lida looked into Andrew's doe brown eyes and smiled, "I think I might be falling in love with you too. It's only that I've been hurt so much by everything I told you, and I have done so much damage on my own that…"

Andrew silenced Lida with a finger to her lips. "You don't have to explain. I understand, and I promise you, I'll be ready and waiting when you are. I truly will."

Lida tilted her face up toward Andrew's and the pair slowly and gently kissed as the train bound for Stowe pulled into the station.

Burlington, Vermont

"Are you sure, Georg?" Maria asked as she sat in an overstuffed chair of Sam's sewing more diapers for the baby.

"Yes," Georg replied. "This is something I have to do. We have to have this settled or not, one way or another, now. We do."

Maria looked up at Georg. He had the Captain von Trapp look on his face and she knew that arguing would be futile. "You need to talk to her then, Georg and you need to listen to her. I don't want you to upset yourself."

"I won't," Georg promised. "I really, truly won't. I just want to be the one waiting for Lida so she knows as far as I'm concerned, as far as you and me are concerned, all of the harsh things are in the past and we are going to move forward."

Georg fixed his tie then looked at Maria one more time, "Are you sure you'll be okay without me? How's your back pain?"

"Comes and goes," Maria sighed. "I'll be fine. Louisa is here and Julia. I'll be fine. I'll see you when you get back all right?"

Georg nodded again, then grabbed his cane and his keys and headed for the train station.

Stowe, Vermont Dusk April 3, 1961

Lida took a deep breath as her train pulled into the Stowe station. The platform was largely empty, Stowe being a small town with little traffic in and out. She looked out into the setting sun and saw a lone figure standing at the exit of the platform. When she had wired to say she was coming home, Maria assured her that someone would retrieve her at the train, however, Lida expected it to be Kurt, Friedrich, or Max. She never expected this.

When the train pulled in, Georg felt his stomach drop. He wanted this to go so well, so perfectly, coming nearly full circle in the course of the year. He would know if he got his wish in mere moments.

Lida stepped off the train with her suitcase in her hand and trepidation in her heart. She had planned to write more often than she had and call more frequently in the last five months, but the nature of the work and her own emotions prevented her from doing so. She knew her parents would be angry with her. The few times she spoke to Maria she kept the calls very short.

Lida frowned as she took in Georg's lone figure. He was leaning heavily on a cane, something he never had before, and he looked like he needed it. What else had happened that she missed? How much precious time did she waste? Could she even do this? Approach her own father after what she had done?

Georg smiled when he saw Lida get off the train. She had grown, he could tell, not physically of course, she was slightly her mother, but her eyes had life behind them again, purpose. She had indeed found herself as they all hoped. When Lida did not communicate with them while she was gone save a few letters and a couple phone calls, Maria and Georg agreed to give her space and time to make her own discoveries. They had given her all they could give her, now she had to find out what she was made of and steer her own course.

Lida hesitated as watched Georg across the platform. He seemed much older than he had at his birthday party a year ago, but looked much better than when she had seen him in the hospital. Lida was afraid to move.

Slowly, Georg opened his arms to his little girl. Lida saw Georg begin to smile. Lida's feet seemed to move without her thinking as she began to run the short distance between the train and the exit of the platform.

Georg caught her in his arms like he used to when she was small and he would come home from work. "I missed you," Georg sighed as he rocked back and forth with Lida's arms around his neck. "I am so sorry, baby girl. I am so sorry."

Lida pulled back and met Georg's, her tears reflected on his cheeks as their eyes met. "Papa, no. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything I said, everything I did. I just hope that you can forgive me and one day love me again."

Georg pulled Lida closer. "Lida Rose, I can't start loving you again, because I never stopped. From the moment you were born until the day I die I will love you, your mother will love you."

"But how? After all the things I said...how horrible I was, and I didn't write or call like I said I... "

"Let me tell you a secret, just between us, yes?" Georg asked.

Lida nodded and wiped her eyes. "Parents don't just love their children when they make them happy, you always love them. My love for you, for your brothers and sisters, for the new baby is a love that will not ever end. Don't forget that. A father should never stop loving his children, it's not something you do every now and again. I will never stop, no matter what you do. I love you so much."

Lida gave Georg a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Papa," she whispered. "Let's go home."

Georg smiled and ran his hand through Lida's blonde curls. "Yes, let's go home."

A/N: Well, there it is. The father/daughter reunion you have waited 15 or so chapters for. Hope it measures up to your hopes.

There are 3 chapters and an epilogue left and there will be a short involving Georg's memories of Lida growing up on a significant day in her life.

Have a good weekend. See you Tuesday.