Chapter Three
The plan went off without a hitch. Brigitta was so grateful for her parents help with the children on nights like this, but if she could be a fly on their wall she would know how her father truly felt about Peter's constant work obligations.
"He is not respecting her," Georg argued as he helped Maria put Edit to bed. "He should be a partner to Brigitta and she to him, always. Our marriage survived so much because of that. I don't think Peter knows how to love a woman."
"He is trying to provide for a growing family," Maria replied. "You of all people should know that is not easy and puts a lot on the man."
"Yes," Georg replied. "But a man that cannot change a diaper or polish the silver while his wife creates a three course meal isn't much of a man in my opinion."
Maria kissed Edit then turned to Georg. "Not everyone is going to be as wonderful a husband and father has you, my love. You raised our sons to be like you and that is admirable, there are three very lucky ladies, but Brigitta is okay, she is happy. You need to relax."
Georg touched his forehead to Maria's then kissed her deeply. "I love you," he whispered. "All of this…" He looked around the large guest room and gestured with his hand before putting it back on Maria's waist. "Wouldn't exist without you. You are my anchor, my Darling. I need you so desperately."
Maria slid her hands up Georg's chest. "I'm here."
Georg had also been a little clingy. He liked to have Maria close by. He liked the security of visually assuring she was safe and secure. When anything required distance for a long amount of time, Georg became very nervous and agitated. When Maria miscarried the last two babies and was in the hospital, he was a bear to be around until she came home. That made it worse and now his need for closeness was like air. He had been required to travel when he was lecturing and had been away from home more than was comfortable, now he wanted to make up for lost time.
Maria accepted her husband's affections and held him close to her. They were on a solid foundation now, and their love was deep and strong. Georg was right about one thing though, most of what they have was based not only on love but mutual respect.
Brigitta's evening went perfectly.. Peter was always proud of her when she pulled off a party like this. Everything ran right on time, she had years of practice after all. Too bad she was beginning to feel that doctors, dentists, PTA, and polished silver just was not enough.
Brigitta longed to feel like a woman again. To feel desired by her husband. In truth, she felt like after she gave birth to PJ, Peter considered the job done, he had a son to carry on the name. Edit had been an accident after too much champagne. Still, perhaps after this night and the success of the dinner Peter would feel something.
Brigitta slid her arms around Peter and gave him a kiss. "Very successful evening," she smiled. "You had those bidders eating out of your hand."
Peter pulled back, "Well, that will set us up for a couple months easily. We will be able to afford a summer camp for Annie and PJ with that money."
Brigitta took a deep breath, "What if I were to use the money to start up a music club or maybe take a course at the university. We can have the kids stay with my folks a few days a week. Papa loves to have them, especially Edit."
"What do you need to do that for?" Peter asked. "There is enough for you to do raising our kids. You can still spend time with your parents if you want?"
"Because I need something Peter," Brigitta replied. "I need to do something with my mind or I'm going to go crazy."
Peter didn't understand. When he married Brigitta he did so with the desire to have a wife at home. He loved her and respected her intelligence, but could not comprehend her discontentment. "Why don't we get ready for bed?" he asked in effort to change the subject.
Brigitta made another shameless move then, "We don't have to go to sleep just yet, do we, Peter? I mean, the children aren't home tonight and my parents aren't dropping them until after breakfast."
Peter took her hint and smiled and her. If Brigitta wanted to be intimate, he could do that. She had worked hard that evening after all and done an excellent job. Perhaps another child would help get this crazy notion of book clubs and schooling out of her head. Brigitta always seemed happiest when she was going to have a baby.
Peter closed the gap between him and Brigitta and slipped his hands around her waist. He lowered his head to kiss her. Brigitta felt an immense sense of relief in that. If Peter were still interested in sex perhaps there was still the remnant of a spark, still something to keep things a light.
Maria woke up to an empty bed a little after midnight. She shook her head. Georg had probably fallen asleep in the parlor again. She rolled over to go back to sleep when she heard voices coming up from the kitchen.
Maria slid out of bed and went in search of her husband. She wasn't surprised to find him in the kitchen with Annie fixing her some warm milk. "Now suppose you tell me what was so important you were sneaking phone calls in the night when you aren't supposed to do that, hmm? Do your parents let you do that?"
Annie shook her head, "They only let me talk an hour a day on the phone and that is only sometimes too. Polly said that Andrew likes Susan, but i don't think he does. I think he likes Polly, but Polly likes this other kid John and…
Georg shook his head, "All right, all right," he laughed. "I am certain there is a world where that situation warrants phone calls in the middle of the night, but this one is not it. You have rules at home, there are rules here too. Understand?"
Annie nodded. "Sorry, Grandpa. I couldn't sleep that's the only reason I was thinking about it."
Georg sat down across from Annie. "Why couldn't you sleep?"
Annie shrugged, "Dad had one of his business things again tonight and Mom gets upset a lot after he does that. Sometimes she even cries at night and I don't think Dad hears her because he doesn't get up and check or anything. If I ask Mom why she's sad she just says she has a headache."
Georg knew on an instinctual level Brigitta was unhappy and had been since Edit was born, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. "Sometimes grown ups don't like to talk to their children about certain things but it is very nice you check on your Mama. Now, finish your milk and I'll come sit with you until you fall asleep if you'd like"
Annie shook her head, "No, thanks, Grandpa. I can do it myself." Annie drank the rest of her milk and started for the hallway when Maria finally made her presence known. "Are you okay, Angel?" she asked the very sleepy looking tween.
Annie nodded, "Yeah, Grandpa made me some warm milk and cinnamon. It was pretty good. Love you, Grandma."
"I love you, too," Maria replied then went to join Georg.
"Don't tell me," Georg laughed. "You can't sleep and want me to fix you some warm milk?"
Maria shook her head, "More like I can't sleep and went looking for you."
"I heard Annie on the telephone, they think they can get away with everything when they are here," Georg sighed. "You would think we spoil them or something?"
"You are the worst offender," Maria replied. "I heard you talking with her. Never ceases to amaze me, Georg, what truly gifted father and grandfather you turned out to be. Given your unique approach to parenting in the beginning."
"Hmm," Georg replied. "Well, I had a good teacher and a formidable opponent if i didn't tow the line if I remember."
Maria noticed Georg was not entirely focused on their conversation. "Are you tired, my love? Let's go back to bed, shall we?"
Georg nodded, he had things on his mind now, such as his daughter's apparent unhappiness. Maria knew where his mind was. "Honey, marriages hit snags, there's no need to start worrying. I'm sure Peter and Brigitta will work things out."
"Me too," Georg sighed. "You just, we want better for our children. Better than what we had and…we lost everything, Maria when we left Austria. Everything. All we had was the strength of our family, our faith in God and our love for each other. When I think of any of the children having to survive without that. I mean Kurt is still unmarried but that is his choice. Brigitta…"
Maria sighed. "Sometimes things are hard to navigate with someone else. Sometimes you need to be alone to…work things out in your mind."
Georg kissed Maria's temple. "Thankfully, We have always been a good team.Peter doesn't respect Brigitta, I said that before. Perhaps it's time I had a talk with John and see if he can't set his boy straight."
"Georg, I know you feel like you have to protect the children, even though Brigitta is 33 she's still our little girl, I realize that, but this is her marriage and her problem, let her work it out. If either of us get involved it could just make things worse," Maria warned.
Georg nodded, Maria was right and he knew it, but it was hard. "It's just hard to know that she's in an unhappy marriage."
"I know," Maria replied. "But she will work through it and in the end of that she and Peter will be better off. I know they will."
Thankfully, Georg didn't pursue Maria with questions or continue arguing. Instead, he gave her a firm kiss on the lips and pulled her close hoping holding one another tight would put them both to sleep.
A/N: And here we have Chapter 3. Keep the reviews, favs, and follows coming.
