P.S. I Love You

Chapter 21

It was a cold day in the beginning of winter. The entirety of Munich was covered in snow. Anyone could tell that it was a happy day, not only in Munich, but all over the world. The lights from the windows of the stores twinkled. Decorations lined the streets, from Christmas trees to St. Nicholases. Churches all around were filled with people, singing happily, celebrating the birth of Christ. The entire town was otherwise silent, with the snow falling beautifully to the ground. Further away, children were outside, playing in the snow, delirious from events that happened earlier in the day.

It was finally Christmas.

Augusta was filled with a new hope, and with the spirit of Christmas. It was such a lovely holiday in general, and recent events had made everything much better. Lukas was in jail, and out of her life, no longer her fiancé. She didn't have to worry about him trying to hurt her or those she loved any longer. Over the past week, she had spent a lot of time with Hans, and didn't have to worry about whether her mother found out or not. There were no more secrets to be kept. Her parents took her and Hans out to dinner one evening, to get to know Hans. It was a wonderful evening, and Augusta's parents loved Hans, just as if he was their own son. He was the father of their soon-to-be grandchild, after all. She was so glad that her parents Iiked Hans, because she knew that he was perfect and she was glad that her parents, especially her mother, thought so too. Augusta couldn't help but wonder when they were going to get married, but she knew better than to ask Hans about it. That wasn't something a woman was meant to do. She was just very excited at the thought, and hoped to be married before their child was born.

Now it was Christmas, a day of celebration. Her immediate family usually came over for Christmas- usually consisting over her aunts, uncles, cousins, and her two surviving grandmothers. This year, however, it was her mother's family who showed up, since most of her father's family was out in Berchtesgaden celebrating with her cousin, the Luftwaffe chief, and the hierarchy of the NSDAP. Augusta couldn't help but wonder how well that went, since she knew that her father's brother and his wife did not like her cousin's husband or the leadership of the Nazi Party one bit. And she also wondered what kind of extravagant holiday celebration was going on there. Nothing but the very best, she thought.

Augusta was finished getting ready for Christmas dinner, and she thought she looked great. Her hair was curled perfectly, from sleeping in pin curls the night before, after she came home from midnight mass. She had on very minimal makeup- just some blush and mascara. She wore a red gown, not too extravagant, but definitely very festive and flattering. Her little tummy was beginning to show very much, since she was almost three months pregnant. That thought made her very happy, and she couldn't wait until her child came into the world. She had on a pair of silver shoes that she bought from Italy. All in all, she looked picturesque.

"You look great," Augusta's sister, Ilse said, when Augusta came out of her room.

"So do you! Wow, look at you! You're all grown up!"

Ilse was sixteen years old, and she was in the BDM. Her dark brown hair was also curled to perfection, just like Augusta's. Ilse had on a dark green dress with black shoes. Augusta genuinely thought that Ilse looked beautiful, and much older than she really was.

"Thanks," Ilse said, and blushed. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Are you pregnant?" Ilse gestured at Augusta's stomach.

Now it was Augusta's turn to blush.

"Yes, Mother didn't tell you?"

"No! I remember that she was angry with you because she thought you were cheating on Lukas, but she didn't mention anything about you being pregnant."