A big surprise

When they arrived home, Kurt and his father were already cleaned up and waiting for them. Kurt was so excited he started to talk the moment they came in the door.

"Fräulein Maria, Father and I had the best time."

"Tell us Kurt."

First, I climbed the cherry tree to pick all the cherries so Katia could make a pie for dessert tonight. Then we helped Phillip fix the fence around the pasture. I helped get Berth and Princess back into the barn."

"Did they chase you?"

"No sillies, they didn't chase us. We milked them."

"What do mean, we?"

"Father and I, it wasn't hard; just getting the milk to go into the pail was hard."

"So you boys had a good time."

"The best Maria, thank you. Did you and the girls have a good time together?"

"Yes we did. Tell me Captain, how did Louisa learn to like critters?"

"Critters Maria?

"Spiders, caterpillars and frogs."

"I suppose it's because she was born between Friedrich and Kurt; she learned boy things. You don't like critters Maria?"

"Just as long as they stay outside." Everyone had a good laugh including Maria.

For dessert at dinner that night, they each had a large piece of cherry pie topped with a mound of whipped cream.

"The cherries are good Kurt. Did you make them extra sweet?"

"Of course I did," trying to keep a straight face.

All their activity today had made them all rather tired. It wasn't long until Maria noticed and suggested they turn in a little early. No one complained and went up to bed.

The Captain did join them for church on Sunday. They kept the day rather quiet; no running around playing tag. Brigitta was reading; Kurt and Marta were playing checkers. Maria took this time to start teaching Louisa how to embroider; Gretl was content to watch them. Even the Captain sat in his chair and read. He glanced up and looked at everyone and once again thought, "They look like a real family."

The next day Maria decided to take in the early morning on the veranda; as before she took her guitar with her. She had just finished her prayers when she heard. "There you are Fräulein."

"Good morning children."

"You play the guitar Fräulein Maria?"

"Yes, I sang a hymn with my prayers. Would you like to learn it?"

Maria saw five heads nod including Kurt's. "There are only three words. Repeat after me, Dona; now Nobis and last Pacem."

"What does it mean Fräulein?"

"Give us peace; but it sounds better when you sing it in Latin. I'll sing it once, and then you try."

"Very good children."

"I have an easy song for you. Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?" They joined in; they knew this one.
"Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong."

"Enough singing for now; who has first choice for a game today?"

"It's my turn Fräulein."

"Yes, Marta it is and your choice is?"

"Badminton."

They were only able to play a few games when a summer rain storm chased them inside early. Liesl had given Maria a board game that the older children used to play. "Children, I have your favorite board game. Do you think you could teach Marta how to play?"

"Sure Fräulein, but what will Gretl do?"

"She and I are going to read that book I got from the bookstore. Is that alright Louisa?"

"I just didn't want her to be left out."

"That's sweet of you Louisa. Gretl, you and I need to go to my room."

Maria had an extra large chair in her room, perfect for herself and Gretl.

"Gretl, this is a story about a baby deer named Bambi. He's a little prince of the forest, Gretl; his legs wobbled until he could stand up straight. He played with all the little animals of the forest, rabbits, a skunk; he saw a butterfly sit on his tail and a mother quail hurried past him as her babies said 'hello Bambi." Maria slowly turned the pages so Gretl had time to look at each page.

"He met many other animals as summer turned to fall and then winter. It was in the spring when the hunters came into the forest. Little Bambi never saw his mother again. His Father the Great Prince of the Forest protected him and all the other animals in the forest tried to make him happy.'"

Gretl looked up at Maria with tears running down her face, "just like my Mama went away."

"Yes, sweetie she did. Everyone tried to help you, just like the animals helped Bambi, but sadness touched them too, including your Father, he was the saddest of all. They wanted to show you their love but they couldn't."

"Do you love me Fräulein Maria?"

"Of course I do. That's why I hold your hand; give you hugs and kisses like I'm doing now."

"Can you be my mama?"

"I don't think so Gretl."

"Why not?"

Maria had to think fast. "It's complicated. You need to tell everyone you love them. It will make the whole family very happy. You'll be Queen of the Villa."

"Can I really Fräulein?"

"Of course, do you have any dress-up clothes?"

"In my room; come with me I'll show you."

After dinner the Captain heard. "Will you join us in the sitting room?"

"Yes, of course I will."

"Give Gretl and me a few minutes."

"What's going on children?"

"We don't know Father."

"Not even you Brigitta?"

"No Father."

Gretl stayed in the hall while Maria went in the sitting room. "Captain, I need your big chair." He smiled, wondering what was happening. He put Marta on his lap and sat with the others on the sofa.

"Come in your Majesty, your chair is waiting. Presenting Queen Gretl of Genovia; now what does everyone do in the presence of a Queen."

"That means we must stand and bow; you girls curtsy."

"Yes, Father."

"You may be seated my loyal subjects." When Gretl spoke their mouths hung open in astonishment. Maria put her finger to her lips to remind them to be quiet.

"I declare today 'I love you day.' I love Father, Marta, Kurt, Brigitta, Louisa and Fräulein Maria; my family."

That caught Maria by surprise, that's not the way they had rehearsed.

"Let's celebrate with some cookies."

That was Katia's signal to bring in the tray of cookies and pitcher of milk. "The Queen gets the first cookie and now all her loyal subjects."

"Thank you Queen Gretl, what a wonderful surprise. But even queens and her subjects need to sleep; it's bedtime everyone." Hugs and kisses for their father sent them scurrying up the stairs.

As Maria got up to go with them, she heard. "Will you come back down please, I'll be here."

"Yes, give me a few minutes."

Maria returned to the sitting room. "Thank you Maria, how did it happen?"

"Even I'm not sure. I had the felling she could talk; but didn't want to. I found a new children's story, Bambi. A story about a fawn whose mother dies; and his father and all the animals helped take care of him. Some how it registered with Gretl; the rest you heard.

"Maria, she called us all her family."

"Yes, I heard." Wanting to avoid the subject she quickly added. "It's been a long day I need some sleep too."

"Good night Maria."

"Goodnight Captain," there was that twinkle again."

Georg realized Maria hadn't responded to his recognition that Gretl had called them a family. He wondered, "Was it possible Gretl that had said something more to Maria?"

Monday brought Georg home early. As usual he entered through the kitchen.

"Gretl, why are you not outside with the others."

"I came to get the cookies for tea time. Fräulein Maria is teaching us all about a proper tea time."

"Don't you and Marta have proper tea time with your dolls?"

"That's not the same Father."

"You really like Fräulein Maria."

"Yes, Father, I want her to be my mama."

Now it was the Captain's turn to think quickly, "what can I carry for you?"

"The juice, please Father."

"Look everybody, Father's home."

"Father, you're just in time for tea."

"So I heard."

His eyes met Maria's but she turned away quickly.

Georg wondered, "Did Gretl also ask Maria if she could be her mama?"