A Problem Like Maria

Chapter 18

January came and went fairly uneventful. Georg and Ellie rekindled their relationship while Maria and Georg's friendship grew simultaneously. Meanwhile Kurt turned twelve and Liesl and Rolf were growing closer by the day.

February on the other hand brought a roller coaster of emotions. Brigitta turned 11 and Valentine's day was fast approaching, but one more February birthday brought a mixture of emotions.

Maria, Georg and Ellie were all in the family room. Maria had granted the kids an hour to themselves to do whatever they wanted which gave her time to catch up on homework. She sat in a chair reading "Little Women" while Georg and Ellie cuddled on the couch watching a movie.

In all honesty Maria felt like a third wheel, especially after Georg commented on if she would be comfortable with them sitting there. She sucked it up and said she was fine because she desperately needed a quiet place to read.

Maria had just dog-eared a page when she heard steps running into the room.

"Maria! Georg! I know what I want for my birthday!" Gretl jumped in Maria's lap, the book forgotten. "I want to see mommy!" Maria and Ellie both turned their heads to Georg with concerned looks. Georg sat shocked, emotionless.

"Um.." Was all Maria could muster and Ellie looked down at her lap.

Gretl sat up and looked to her brother "oh please Georg. I want to go see her. I never have and I want to talk to her" she got up and walked over to him.

"Uh, I'm gonna go find Liesl" Ellie threw the blanket off her lap and exited the room stiffly, obviously uncomfortable.

Maria on the other hand, didn't budge. She couldn't imagine what Georg must be thinking.

"Let me think about it" Georg held Gretl's shoulder and gave her a forced smile before the almost six year old skipped out of the room, content with her answer.

A few moments of crushing silence came and went. Maria sat her book on a side table before crossing her arms and giving her friend and gentle and patient look.

"So?" She sighed.

"So" he sighed too

"If it's too hard I'll try to explain-" she began

"No, it's not. I'm fine, sort of. I want to see her too and I want to gi-"

"I know, give Gretl everything." Maria rolled her eyes. He spoiled all of his siblings, but he really would do anything for the two Little girls, especially Gretl.

"Maybe you should take them?" Maria suggested "not even Helen. Just you and them. Then you can talk to her and the little girls and-"

"I can't go alone" he put his head in his hands. "I want them to have closure and I would feel as if I'd failed if I lost it in front of them. I can't have closure until I make it through for them, until I know we can be okay alone." Georg explained.

As uncomfortable as Maria felt she made a brave suggestion "I could go with you?"

Georg looked at her, stunned by her boldness, even though he shouldn't have been. He was relieved she had offered because he was about to ask.

"Day after tomorrow?" Maria said

"Deal" Georg nodded. "I better go tell Ellie the angst fest is over" he got up and left the room and Maria returned to her book.
_______________________________________

The day of Gretl's birthday arrived. Helen fixed pancakes per her request and promised that they could have cake after dinner. Helen knew of their plans and while she had seen where her niece was laid before, she knew that it was important that the kids went alone. She did find it interesting however that Maria was going with them, but then again she understood them in a way she couldn't and Helen believed that Maria could be a rock for Georg, just as he had been for her in the past.

The kids headed off to the cemetery. After a solemn drive they got out. It was sunny and warm, a hint of spring teasing them. As they approached the headstone the children all sat or knelt in front of it, except Georg. Maria waited a few steps behind, in order to grant some privacy. The stone had green moss over it, which in a sense made it beautiful. On her stone a simple statement was carved above her name "no greater love has no one than this, to lay down their life..". The sentence made Maria's gut wrench but her heart swell with pride. Agathe, their mother, had sacrificed literally everything for her children.

Maria watched as gentle Marta traced her fingers over the words and how Friedrich allowed himself to shed a tear. Brigitta stood next to Kurt and Louisa and Liesl held their hands tightly. Georg approached his siblings and knelt by his littlest sister and asked, "what is it that you wanted to tell mommy?" He spoke barely above a whisper.

Gretl got up and stood directly in front of the stone before placing her hand on it "thank you mommy, I miss you."

Marta was in shambles but Gretl never cried, nor did Brigitta. Georg picked up Marta and shushed her until her breathing evened and the tears stopped soaking his shirt. She clung to him and rested her head on his shoulder while the other kids took turns talking to their mom. When Georg concluded by saying "love you mom" Maria felt it was safe to approach, and while it would have been scandalous to any onlooker Maria took his free hand in hers and squeezed it. She studied his face and realized he hadn't shed a tear, in fact, he was smiling ever so slightly.

"You did it" she spoke softly.

Georg looked at the scene in front of him, then to Maria, enjoying the feeling of his hand in hers. "We all did." He nodded in the direction of his brothers and sisters. "And if you ever want to go see your dad, I'll go with you." He offered.

She saw her dad at least a few times a year, someth]imes alone, once with Rafie, mostly with Peg. But maybe she and Georg could help each other.

The rest of the day was happy. They returned home to a pile of Presents for Gretl and Aunt Helen made her a cake. Maria put on Gretl's favorite movie that evening before she left.

She knew that this would be an unforgettable birthday.

Hey y'all I know it's sort of a down chapter, but i think its important for them to deal with their grief.

Don't worry tho, there will be fluff in the next chapter, set during Valentine's day.

Thanks for reading!!!