Welcome to the Snapshots Universe. I was going to say that this is the first story, but actually, I did two or three other stories in this verse already:
Isaac and Ishmael (4)
Home of the Brave (1)
What Lasts a Lifetime (3)
Day of Infamy (2)
See my profile for the changed in the numbering as new stories are posted.
There will be many more, so I guess this is number 4. Chronologically, for now, it is number 2, but there will be stories coming that take place before this one does. I'll add and change the numbers as I go along.
Here are the birthdays and ages we are working with for this universe/story. The dates are all ten years ahead of the original year. The Captain was born in 1880 but that would make him close to 60 when he married Maria so I adjusted a bit.
Georg - April 4, 1890 - 51
Maria - January 26, 1915 - 26
Liesl (boyfriend is Calvin) November 1921 - 20
Friedrich - March 1923 - 18
Louisa - September 1924 - 17
Kurt - December 1925 - 15 almost 16
Brigitta - July 1927 - 14
Marta - August 1929 - 12 (birth month altered to fit the movie)
Gretl - February 1931 - 10
Andrea (OC) -February 1939 - 2
Lena (OC) - May 1941 - 7 months
The quotations by Roosevelt are taken from his "Day of Infamy" speech made in Congress December 8, 1941
As always, R/R.
Snapshots
Day of Infamy
December 6th, 1941
21:43
Georg groaned as he finished the newspaper while Maria cleaned up the kitchen. "What is it, Darling?"
"I don't understand the American press. They put so much information into the papers; about the allies, training exercises, Japan!" Georg replied. "Anything and everything is fair game. If you and I can read this so can Hitler, so can Hirohito. Wide open for targeting us!"
Georg took a long drag of his cigarette. "I read a few days ago, Roosevelt approved Admiral Kimmel's plan to bunch all our planes at Pear Harbor and that they transferred more submarines and destroyers to the Atlantic. Now why do I need that information?"
Maria moved around the kitchen island to where Georg sat. "I suppose too much information is better than not enough. We were kept in the dark about a lot of important things in Austria we needed to know."
"As citizens, we never needed to know the particulars of troop movements or military measures like this," Georg sighed, then lightly moaned. "Oh, right there…"
Maria kneaded the tense muscles along her husband's shoulders. She hadn't been much help to him the last few weeks. The birth of their second child had been very difficult and the baby had been colicky. Now, she was teething and took so much of Maria's time. She knew that meant added stress heaped on Georg's already over taxed shoulders. His work at the metal works was demanding, and he had a wife and 9 children clinging to him.
"Feels good?" Maria clarified. "You are so tense, my love, and I know it is not only because of that newspaper."
"No," Georg admitted. "This morning, Mike Steed called all of us floor managers into a meeting about the production line for January. Out of all the new parts and machines we're going to be making, not a single item would be useful to an army or navy, not one! We are, America, that is, we'll end up in this war, it is only a question of when, and our factories are making more homegoods and car parts. It's a tremendous waste of resources."
Maria moved until she was standing in front of Georg. "Darling, I know it's hard to accept, but you are in America and you are a retired Navy captain. I'm sure there are good active Navy captains that can worry about this. We have 9 children. If you must worry, worry about that."
"That is what I'm worried about," Georg sighed. "We have a life here now, Maria. A good life. It isn't at all what we pictured when we got married, but it is ours and it is happy all the same."
Maria continued to cuddle up to Georg. She hadn't been interested in relations with her husband for a good while. The only way to prevent more children was to avoid activities that could result in pregnancy. They had agreed to wait until Lena was a year before trying again for a third and likely final child.
Maria knew Georg wanted another son so bad he could taste it, though he did cherish their two daughters.
"And to what do I owe this pleasure, Mrs von Trapp?" Georg asked.
"You worry too much," Maria sighed. "I just want to help you relax. What if, tomorrow after church, you and I go up on the mountain and mark a couple trees? Christmas is coming up in seventeen days."
"Don't remind me," Georg replied. "I haven't gotten anything for Liesl or for Kurt, or you."
Maria placed another tender kiss on Georg's lips then burrowed in his arms. "This is my gift," Maria whispered. "Being with you, being close to you on our own little corner of the world. Just you and me, Maria and Georg, That's all we ever have to be."
Georg led Maria upstairs. They both stopped by the nursery to check on Andrea and Lena before retiring. Georg stretched out on the bed and put his arms above his head. "Back sore?"
He nodded, "When one spends their later life as a number crunching aristocrat, and ends up being a floor manager in a metal plant at 50, your body reminds you that you are not as young as you think you are."
Maria sat on the side of the bed and smooth Georg's hair off his forehead. "You're not as old as you might feel either. Get changed, lie back, and rest. Tomorrow, we will have a lovely afternoon, just you and me."
Georg reached up and slid his arms around Maria's slight frame. "What about the babies?"
"Liesl already said she would help after Mass. You are going to Mass aren't you?" Maria asked. That was usually a crap shoot.
"I thought I'd mind the girls during Mass," Georg replied, not sure if alone time with Maria was contingent on his attending church.
Maria chuckled "All right. You mind the girls, when I get home...you mind me."
A devilish light flashed through her eyes as she stood and headed to their bathroom to get herself ready for bed.
December 7, 1941
0920
"Kurt, go call your brother and Brigitta please, we have to get ready to leave now," Maria instructed. "If we miss the 930 bus we will not make Mass."
"I can drive you to Mass, Maria," Georg offered.
"Lena is asleep," Maria reminded him as he fed Andrea another bit of eggs.
"Yes," Georg sighed. "On the wrong side of the clock."
Lena had then up half the night with her fussing, but that morning, Georg noticed the tooth had broken through so the poor thing got a little relief.
Friedrich and Brigitta finally came into the kitchen ready for church. "We'll be back in a couple hours, Georg."
Georg grinned at her smile.
As soon as Maria left the house, Georg put his plan into action. He went into the linen closet and found two large picnic blankets, then Maria's extra warm throw. He packed some of the chicken and potato salad Maria had made the other day and a nice bottle of wine he had hidden for an occasion like this one. Private time, completely private, was rare for them with seven older children, a toddler, and an infant. There was nothing that could ruin this day for them. Everything was planned and it was going to be perfect.
Mass seemed to last for years instead of an hour for Maria. Even as she sang the hymns with the choir she found she was counting the minutes until the services were over and she could take the children home.
Time alone with Georg was so rare. They would get an hour here and there but four of their children were still too young to be independent. All Maria wanted was to be encased in her husband's arms and feel his warmth and strength surround her. Georg worked very hard at the metal works and unlike a lot of husbands, he tried his best at home. She knew that when she got home the house would be a little messy and perhaps Andrea a little sticky, but she knew with Georg the children were safe and wouldn't need clean diapers.
Some of the women she met in choir talked about that. Most wouldn't even leave their children at home alone with their husbands. Some even admitted their husbands didn't know how to put on a diaper. Maria knew how lucky she was.
When Mass finally let out, Maria did her best to break away quickly. She wanted to get home, get changed and head out for the afternoon with Georg. Maria suggested it to help Georg relax but she was in need of this as much as he was.
1203PM
Maria was right. She got home to a kitchen that had some dried oatmeal on the floor and Andrea toddling around in only a fresh diaper, but both babies were happy. Georg was engaged in chasing Andrea around and trying to get her to put on her clothing. "Mama will be upset if you are running around nearly naked," Georg was overheard saying.
"Mama," Andrea babbled. She saw Maria and the older children but Georg didn't. It took some doing but Maria had finally trained the older seven to be quiet going into the house in case the babies were sleeping.
"Yes, Mama. Now come…" Maria couldn't stifle her laughter anymore.
"Problems,Darling?" Maria asked as she picked Andrea up and gave her a kiss. "She run away from you?'
Georg laughed, "Yes, she just refused to obey me. I wonder where she gets that from?"
Maria shook her head and put thr baby down on her feet again. "Go with Papa and get dressed."
Andrea toddler off to Georg immediately. "How did you do that?"
"She knows when I mean business, you are too soft hearted,' Maria replied. "While you are dressing her, I'll go change."
Georg went to finish his task while the older children branched off to their various Sunday activities. Liesl prepared for her babysitting details, Louisa and Brigitta were permitted to stay in town and go to a movie, Friedrich and Kurt headed out back with Marta and Gretl for a game of tag. The children were settled and it was time.
Their time.
Hand in hand Georg and Maria headed to the truck to drive up into the hills. Georg took the paint with them so they could mark a couple trees as possibilities for Christmas harvesting. In the back he had the picnic he packed for them and enough blankets to keep them warm though he felt such a powerful sense of desire just sitting next to Maria that he doubted he would make use of them.
"What about this one, Dear?" Maria asked softly as she looked up at a 6ft Vermont pine tree. "I love the shape of it. It's beautiful."
Georg looked at the tree and then put a mark on it. He did that with several trees so they could come back closer to Christmas and select one as a family. They went back to the truck and drove up to the clearing where they could see their farm from above. While Maria observed their home in the afternoon light, Georg retrieved the basket and blankets. "Hungry, Darling?"
Maria turned around and smiled, "You really do know me, don't you? All I want is to spend some quiet time with you." Maria moved closer and pressed her body against Georg. "Surrounded by your arms."
Georg placed the blankets and basket on the ground and wrapped his wife in his embrace, lowering his head to capture her lips in a stirring kiss.
von Trapp Home
2:25PM
Friedrich collapsed on the couch as Kurt turned on the radio to listen to the Sunday music program that was coming on soon. The news was just finishing when an announcer broke in.
"The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor by air, President Roosevelt has just announced…"
Friedrich gasped, "Turn that up! Liesl, come here!"
Liels hurried into the living room with Lena in her arms. "What happened? Are you all right?"
"We have been attacked," Kurt replied. "By the Japanese, at Pearl Harbor…"
"Didn't Father say that might happen?" Marta asked. "Is that a bad place?"
"It is now," Friedrich replied as the radio switched back to the regular programming.
243PM
Brigitta and Louisa sat watching the news reels prior to the start of the movie when the film suddenly stopped.
A collective groan could be heard throughout the room as the theater manager came into the room. "Ladies and gentleman, I apologize but I thought you would all like to know. It was just announced on the radio that Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands has been attacked by the Japanese. I thought some of you might wish to leave, especially if any of you have family members serving in the Pacific…"
Both girls looked at each other horrified. They were supposed to be safe here! They got up and headed for the exit. The only place they wanted to be was home.
329PM
Louisa and Brigitta rushed through the door to find their siblings all crowded around the radio listening to any updated information that was coming through. It was a Sunday and there were a lot of news programs on, but the news about the attack only came in dribs and drabs. Gretl was holding onto Liesl's leg and Marta was biting her finger and even Friedrich looked anxious.
"What's going to happen now?" Brigitta asked. "Are we going to have to go to war?"
"I'm going to enlist," Friedrich bragged. "Probably in the Navy just like Father."
"Me too," Kurt replied. "If Mother and Father sign for me."
"You know they won't," Louisa spoke up. "Where are Mother and Father? Still up on the mountain?"
Liesl nodded, "Father took blankets and food up there, and some wine, they'll be gone all day."
"I want Mother," Gretl whined.
Andrea and Lena were picking up on their siblings' anxiety and started to fuss. "Let's turn this off for now. We can't do anything more from here anyway. Why don't we sing? Let's rehearse Stille Nacht in English so we can help Mother for church."
Kurt turned the knob off and went took Andrea to pull her closer to him so she could calm herself down. She was chewing on her fist and looking around. "Mama?" Even the little girl wanted Maria's calming influence just now, and Georg's guidance.
"Soon baby," Kurt replied. "Mama and Papa will be back soon."
345PM
Georg gently stroked Maria's arm and back as they lay together on blankets he had packed for just this purpose. Their love making was thoroughly satisfying, a much needed break from reality.
Maria was absently stroking Georg's chest listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Do we have to go back?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, our children will be hungry and complaining loudly if there isn't a satisfactory Sunday supper." Georg dripped a kiss on her head. "What would you think if I hired David Adam's to build us a little cabin up here? A little getaway just for us…hmm? "
Maria beamed then "Oh, Georg, no. We can't afford that. You already work much too hard as it is.
"We can afford it, and think how much better we will both feel if we have a little honeymoon place right near home?"
Georg began to gently fondle Maria under the blanket, touching every single place that he knew would make her melt. He ran his hand along her arm, across her stomach, up to her breast where he teased tbr tender nipple between two callused fingers eliciting a moan that was part pleasure, part protest.
"But we have to go" Maria fussed but Georg only continued.
"We have time for one…" He kissed her cheek. "More…" Another kiss. "Round…"
Then he was on top of her and between her thighs before Maria even realized it.
As the pair made quick, yet passionate love capping off their private afternoon, they had no idea the mayhem they would be returning to, not just at home, but in the world outside their blanket cocoon.
506PM
Georg and Maria pulled up to the house and were barely out of the truck before all nine children were outside chattering at the same time. "It's awful, Mother. Awful," Marta cried.
"Will we have to run again?" Brigitta asked Georg.
"If Friedrich enlists, can you sign for me to go too?" came from Kurt.
"Whoa, whoa," Georg held up his hand. It was times like this he missed the whistle. "What is all this? What happened?"
"The Japanese, Father," Liesl replied. "They bombed Pearl Harbor and some other place called Manila. It was on the radio."
"No," Maria gasped. "You must have misunderstood, Liesl."
"I wish we did, Mother," Louisa piped up. " They repeated it over and over."
Georg hurried into the house with the family on his heels. He turned the radio up and listened as the reporter read the news again. "The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor by air, causing tremendous destruction and loss of American lives…"
Georg turned white. He felt his stomach lurch and his breath hitch in his chest. He had said it to Maria over and over again, an attack on Pearl would be the worst thing that could happen except of course invasion of Washington D.C. in one fell swoop their new home, their safe place, was threatened. If Japan could attack the United States, would Germany be next?
The children all looked to Georg for guidance, "What does this mean, Papa?" Gretl asked.
Maria could tell Georg had no answer, he didn't process the information yet, he was still letting his mind work. "Well," Georg finally said. "It means that the United States is going to go to war with Japan…then England will follow. Germany and Italy will declare war on the United States…and the dominoes will fall and fall. Everything will change, everything has changed…"
Maria could see the faraway haunted look in Georg's eyes and the frightened look on the children's faces. She quickly spoke up, but softly. "Georg…" Maria placed a steadying hand on his arm. "This has all been a terrible shock. Why don't you put Lena down for her late afternoon rest and I'll start some supper? It is quite late for a big meal."
Georg nodded, a couple minutes cuddling the baby was always able to help him get a grip on himself. "Come on girls," Maria encouraged. "We need to stay busy, I'm sure that tomorrow or the next day President Roosevelt will come on and speak about all this, but we have one another and that will help us through, come what may."
Maria's words settled the younger ones for the time being but it didn't quell the boys' war fever. Friedrich went on through supper about going into town and enlisting. "They will be glad to have someone who speaks good German," he bragged.
"I could enlist too, but I want to fly planes, " Kurt piped up.
"You're too young," Louisa reminded her brother.
"Not if Mother and Father sign for me," Kurt replied.."I already know a couple of kids that are 16 and enlisting and that was before this."
The telephone rang and the family looked at one another. "Who would be calling on a Sunday evening?" Maria wondered as Georg stood to get the phone.
All they could hear was Georg's voice, "Yes, yes I do understand why they would be doing that, yes. Well, certainly I do…I'll see you first thing then? Goodnight."
Maria looked over at Georg. "That was Michael Steed. He was already contacted by a US Senator from Vermont that all factories and plants will have to begin producing war materials and that especially includes any metal plants. He's called an 8am meeting for all management to hatch a plan and seems to be particularly interested in my opinions given that I…Well, I'll likely only be gone a few hours, he won't be officially opening until Tuesday, too many families wondering if they are going to get telegrams and of course the President is going to speak."
"Is the United States going to war, Father?" Marta asked. "Will you have to go away because you are a Captain?"
"No, Darling," Georg replied. "I won't have to go away. I'm not a Captain here, I am…I was on the opposite side of the United States in the last war, I'm not sure they would want me. Even at that I'm past 50 so…No. My work at the factory though will get busier I imagine." Georg looked at both his sons. "Boys, there is more than one way to win a war. Mr. Steed told me he is going to be bringing on extra help. Friedrich, you are old enough to make your own choices, but understand that you will be needed around here both at home and at the plant before you decide anything, Kurt you are not old enough, so no more talk of this enlistment. Understand? Neither of you. Do you understand?"
Both boys nodded, they knew the tone and they knew when to shut up.
As Georg and Maria got ready for bed that night she questioned him. "I know that given our situation, being so new to the country, we have no real patriotic loyalties yet, though I certainly feel violated by this attack, but why are you so set against Friedrich enlisting if that is what he feels is best? Not that I want him to, I thought that would be what you wanted."
"Well, it isn't," Georg replied. "To think that Kurt actually thought I would sign for him, preposterous!"
"That doesn't answer my question, " Maria pressed.
"No, I don't suppose it does," came the brusque reply. "I'm tired, Maria. Go to sleep."
"Georg, I'm only ask…" Maria began but Georg cut her off. "Go to sleep."
Maria sighed, for now, that subject was decidedly closed.
December 8, 1941
710AM
Friedrich woke early the next day, still seriously contemplating enlistment in the American Navy. His father didn't necessarily feel any connection to this new place they called home, but he did. This terrible attack had made him angry, they had the right to feel safe here, they left everything and if it came down to it, he would fight for it.
Georg stepped out onto the porch. He lit a cigarette and met Friedrich's gaze. "Remember what I asked of you yesterday," Georg reminded him. "About enlistment."
"I'm sure there are lines at every recruiting station already, Father," Fridrich replied. "I don't understand. You fought for your country and everyone bought you drinks wherever you went, even though we lost that war. Why don't you want me to be like you?"
"Friedrich," Georg sighed. "I asked you to stop this talk about enlisting. You are 18, you don't need my approval, but I hope that my request to wait and see what is needed here carries some weight with you."
Friedrich nodded, "I will think about it some more, Father, but, you didn't answer my question. Why are you so against me doing this?"
Georg took a deep breath, "I have to go to work, tell your mother I'll be home before the President speaks."
Georg let Friedrich's question hang in the air. He wasn't ready to talk about any of his emotions, especially not with his son. He wasn't even ready to discuss it with Maria.
801AM
"Thank you all for coming in today, I know yesterday was a shock to everyone, and we have likely had some families here in this part of the state that have faced some loss. If any of you have experienced a loss of a loved one in this, know that we at Steed will be here to support you through that. Now, I have already been contacted…"
Georg listened but his mind wandered as Mr. Steed started discussing transitioning the focus of the metalworks to producing war materials. This was not supposed to happen, it was not supposed to happen here.
"Georg, do you have anything to offer on this, on the structure and density of the products we will be making, regarding any naval contract?"
Georg bit a lip and took a deep breath. It was show time, time to draw on an experience he would prefer to forget, to be a part of something no matter how remotely he never wanted to be a part of again.
With a plan in place, Georg headed home. The streets in Stowe were never busy, but today there was almost no one in the street, except for, as Friedrich predicted, many young men. What made these young men so eager to lose their lives, or worse, live with the lives they took and the things they saw? Sometimes that was a fate worse than death.
1200PM
Maria had lunch ready but no one felt much like eating. Friedrich was angry with his father for not replying to his question and Kurt was upset with Louisa for telling him he had a "baby face" and wouldn't ever be able to "sneak" into the Army by lying about his age.
Maria was concerned about Georg. She knew he barely slept because she found the maps he had been studying. She knew what this was about, but if Georg wasn't ready to talk, she had to wait him out.
"Girls, help your Mother with the dishes so we can hear the President," Georg instructed. "I'll try to get the clearest reception we can. If he doesn't declare war on Japan…I'll be shocked, but I hope that he doesn't. I hope still…"
"Father, how can you say that?" Kurt asked. "They attacked us, we have to go to war against the Japanese. If America was involved in the war before, maybe Hitler didn't conquer Austria, maybe we are still there."
Maria shook her head, "Kurt, that's enough. Go help with the dishes now please."
"But Mother.." Kurt began.
"Now, Kurt," Maria said again and she went into the parlor instead of her son. "I don't understand any of this. Why are they both so excited to go off and get themselves killed?"
"You don't know that would happen, Georg," Maria replied. "They admire you, they want to make you proud of them."
"They need to find another way," Georg said firmly. "If they get drafted, fine, I'll drive them into the capital myself, un
but to choose…My Father died when I was four, I didn't have him there to warn me what I was.getting into. I have medals and I have stories, but I also have blood on my hands, Maria. I have nightmares, Hell, I nearly missed my wife's Fourth of July debut last year because of the dreams…it is my job to protect them and I…"
Georg stopped as the radio crackled to life with the announcement that President Roosevelt had arrived at Congress and was about to address them and the American people on the House floor.
"Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:" President Roosevelt's voice poured out of the radio. Georg held Maria and the little ones close to him, the older children stood close and held onto each other.
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…"
In his Captain's mind, Georg thought about that. Was the attack deliberate? Yes, no one accidentally attacked an island with a fleet of bombers, but was it sudden? The signs had been there, no one wanted to see it. He learned that the hard way, it seems he was in good company.
"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu," the President continued.
Maria sighed. It was so tragic. There were women all across Europe that were already without husbands and fathers, there were mothers now without sons and it had just gotten worse. Now it was here, in their new home. It was here in a place they had come to to feel safe. Were they? Did Georg suspect or merely fear the East coast would also be invaded? If it was, what would that mean for their family? For Georg?
If the Germans sided with Japan, which they would do, would they be safe?
"As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the utmost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us."
Who was us?" LIesl wondered. "Did us include them? New people from an old land, an old enemy land where their father fought against this government? Would they be arrested here? Was it really like Calvin said or was that just propaganda too? Were the Americans, the ruler…President of this still knew home as righteous as they claimed?"
"With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God," President Roosevelt declared.
Georg sighed. This was happening. He had tried to protect his family, protect himself by getting out of Austria and refusing to bow down to a madman though if he felt it better and safer for Maria and the children that he play along, in the end, he would have, but it was more than just his hide he was trying to save. It was Friedrich's and Kurt's and the girls too, they would have been forced to serve or to serve those that served and without any of the patriotism that he had used to justify the lives he had taken. It was different in one's mind when there was a just cause…and this was nothing if not that.
"I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
That was all there was to it. Such a tremendous event in anyone's life and the speech boiled down to just over six minutes. That Georg admired, Roosevelt did what he needed to do and it wasn't a hard sell either. Ultimately, the Congress would decide if there was to be war or if there would be a tense, unnerving kind of peace.
Before suppertime, it came over the radio that Congress had voted, nearly unanimously, to declare war on Japan. When the anchor finished reading that report, Georg turned off the radio and sat in his easy chair, shoulders slumped. It was a defeated posture Maria only saw a couple times before and it did unnerve her to see her husband so dejected.
Maria picked Lena up and smiled at the older children, "Please take the baby and Andrea into your rooms and play with them."
Liesl nodded and started to move her siblings so Maria could have privacy with Georg.
Maria moved so she was sitting on the arm of Georg's chair. He moved his arm up so she could slide into his lap. Maria wrapped her arms around Georg and he in turn, did the same for her. Georg reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. Maria quickly moved to light it for him as they sat in silence, Georg in the chair, Maria now on the floor near his feet. Georg only took two drags of the cigarette before he tossed it in the fireplace.
"We did it for nothing, Maria," he finally said. "We packed up our family, now the war is here anyway, we did it for nothing!"
Georg stood up and started pacing like a caged tiger. Maria stood up to try to get her hands on him, but he was too rigid. "No," she replied firmly. "Not for nothing, Georg! If we stayed, you would have been taken from us, forced into a tin can beneath the sea to fight for a cause that is damned by its own evil! We are together because we left for safety, you led us to safety!"
"I…You know they will be drafted, Maria," Georg sighed. "How on earth will we…I never wanted this for my children, I fought, I fought with all my might to make sure that my war was the last war! What did all those men die for? On both sides? What did my brother die for? What was it all for?"
Maria couldn't pretend to understand how Georg felt, or answer his very honest question, so she let her heart lead. "I agree many of the great miseries of the world were caused by war. When the wars were over, no one could ever remember what they were about. I know you lost, Darling, and I know you suffered, but what you did, you did, and it was the best you could do. Isn't that what you always say, "all you can do is the best you can". You did your best and look where you are. You have a home, you have a family, isn't this worth the sacrifice?"
Georg stopped and faced Maria. "I don't…want to lose anything else," he confessed. "I don't want to lose any one else."
Maria closed the gap between them and held Georg tight to her, flushing her body against his. "I can't promise that, my Darling. They probably will draft so many boys and if something happens with Calvin, it will affect Liesl but we are together, my love. We are together. If we have to run again, Heaven forbid, we stay together. No matter what, we stay together."
Georg pulled back to meet Maria's gaze. His hardened features softened and he cupped her face and made her a soft, yet sincere promise, "We stay together."
As Georg and Maria stood in one another's arms, little Andrea escaped Liesl and toddled out to her parents.
"I'm sorry," Liesl said quickly trying to corral the little girl "No, no..." Georg replied. "Come here...children!" Georg called out. As the remaining children appeared in the living room Georg and Maria opened their arms to them. The world might be in turmoil, but in that moment, one family in a farmhouse in Vermont, was finally standing at ease.