War Girls Complete Collection Chapter 297

Chapter 16: Richard

R

ichard rushed into the herb garden where Katrina was tending to the plants. She gazed up at him with her warm brown eyes and it stabbed at his heart. He’d been a daft idiot. How could he let his worry about her disappointment keep him from doing the one thing that would keep her safe by his side?

Since he hadn’t had time to plan for this moment, he took his sweet time wrapping her in his arms and kissing her. But despite, or because of, her enthralling nearness, his mind drew a blank. Where were the masterfully crafted words when he needed them?

“I don’t want to leave,” she murmured.

“You won’t.” He took a step back and went down on one knee. “I asked you sixteen months ago, but I’m asking you again today. Do you still want to marry me?”

“Of course I do,” she said. “I never wanted anyone else but you.”

“I love you more than life itself. And the only reason I didn’t suggest getting married right now was because I knew you wanted one of your brothers to give you away.”

A soft smile spread across her face. “I did. But that’s secondary. What I want to be most of all is your wife.”

“I promise. We’ll make up for it and have a big celebration sometime in the future. It will be the biggest and happiest wedding celebration the world has seen in years.”

Katrina took his hand and pulled him up with a smile. “I could do with a white dress.”

His face fell. “You know that getting a bridal gown right now is next to impossible…”

She kissed him. “Not now, but maybe next year when we celebrate. When do you want to go to the town hall?”

“What about today?” His heart was overflowing with joy and now that she’d said yes again, he didn’t want to wait another minute.

“Isn’t that a bit early? And I’d at least want to have a good wash before getting married,” she teased him.

Richard hadn’t noticed, but Katrina was covered in dust from head to toe, probably the same way he looked after a day’s work. “What about tomorrow then?”

“Tomorrow will work.” Her eyes twinkled with delight. “I love you, Richard.”

“I love you, too.”

During supper they announced their plans to get married the next day.

“I was wondering what kept you so long,” Aunt Lydia said, walking into the pantry and coming out with an entire bar of chocolate to celebrate. She broke it into ten pieces and everyone except Evie, who looked quite disappointed, received one.

The next morning, Richard and Katrina set off early. Ursula and Evie formed their wedding party. Ursula had loaned her finest summer dress to Katrina, and to Richard his bride looked like a queen. He didn’t care that none of them had a single Pfennig to their names, because everything that he wanted was right there with him: Katrina and the baby she carried. Aunt Lydia had stayed behind, arguing that someone had to take care of the farm in their absence.

At the registry office in the town hall, they were both asked to show their papers and fill out a one-page form. Then, the soldier in uniform led them to another room, empty save for a few chairs and a speaker’s desk. An old man in civilian clothes stood at the desk. Richard recognized him as a local from town. Apparently he worked for the Americans now.

“I’m the registrar,” he said and looked at the four people present. “Are you the witness?” he asked Ursula.

“Yes, I’m the groom’s sister.”

“Very well, let’s begin.” The registrar didn’t dawdle, and took a small black book from a drawer, reading a short paragraph about the institution of matrimony and then asked, “Will you, Richard Klausen, take this woman, Katrina Zdanek, to be your lawful wife? Will you love, honor and provide for her your entire life?”

Richard looked into Katrina’s eyes and smiled. “I will.”

“Katrina Zdanek, will you take this man, Richard Klausen, to be your lawful husband? Will you love, honor and obey him your entire life?”

He saw the glint of discomfort flash through her eyes, but she dutifully answered, “I will.”

“I herewith declare you husband and wife. Congratulations.” The registrar closed his little black book and bid them a good day.

Richard was stupefied. He’d definitely thought his wedding would be a bit more romantic. Gratefully, Ursula saved the situation as she put Evie on the floor and hugged bride and groom ferociously, all the while trying to keep her flowing tears hidden. “I wish you so much happiness. May you always be happy. I’m so delighted,” she repeated again and again, until Richard wordlessly handed her a kerchief and picked up Evie.

Evie chortled with delight as he threw her into the air, but started complaining when he showered her with kisses to her chubby cheeks.

“She doesn’t like your beard,” Katrina giggled.

With a sliver of guilt he let go of the baby, and then asked, “What about you?”

“I love your beard,” she lowered her voice to a murmur, “especially how it tickles on my thighs.”

Richard felt a hot flush of passion rush through him and cast a side-glance at Ursula, hoping she hadn’t noticed. Then he kissed his wife until she wriggled breathlessly in his arms and she pushed him away, whispering, “Not here.”

He whispered back, “Haven’t you just promised to obey me for the rest of our lives?”

“About that… I didn’t really mean the obeying part.” She cast him a most cheeky smile and if it hadn’t been for his sister and niece present, he’d have consummated the marriage right there in the office.

“Too late, sweetheart. Now you’re mine forever and have to cater to my every wish.” He gave her the grin that he knew she found irresistible and added, “Just wait until we’re alone tonight.”

Ursula cleared her throat. “We should leave. I’m sure there are other couples waiting to get married.”

“I’ll bet they can’t wait to experience the most romantic wedding ceremony ever,” Richard replied with a sarcastic grin, but dutifully followed his sister out of the room.

“You haven’t been at my wedding, or you wouldn’t say that,” Ursula said and both Richard and Katrina stared at her.

Katrina scrunched her nose. “I thought you were…” She was too polite to finish her sentence.

“Andreas died before…” Ursula sighed. “And Evie is not his child.”

“So who’s the father?” Richard didn’t have the same qualms Katrina had.

“I can’t say.”

“What do you mean? You don’t know?” His mind immediately filled with some of the most disgusting images he’d seen in his years as Wehrmacht soldier.

The horror must have shown on his face, because Ursula hurried to clarify. “Nothing bad happened. And of course I know the father, I just can’t reveal his identity.”

That explanation didn’t do much to ease his worries, but judging by Ursula’s thinned lips that was her last word about the topic. He wondered whether Anna knew. She and Ursula had always been close and despite their different characters had shared all their small and not so small secrets with each other.

Unfortunately, there was no way to ask Anna, so he’d have to live with his curiosity, but he was determined to find out the big secret. Sooner or later. For now though, he decided to seize the day and enjoy life with his new wife.

“… so when are you going to tell us?” Ursula’s voice interrupted his reminiscing.

He stopped in his tracks, caught unawares, and stared at her inquiring face. “Tell you what?”

“That Katrina is expecting.”

His jaw fell to the floor. How on earth had she even found out?

Thankfully, Katrina came to his rescue and said, “We wanted to announce the big news as soon as I had permission to stay here, so today would be a great opportunity, right, Richard?”

Unable to do more than nod, he continued to walk toward Kleindorf, shaking his head at the ways of the women in his life. As they arrived at the farm, he didn’t see anyone around, not even the little children, and it stabbed at his heart. He hadn’t expected any huge festivities, but after the drab ceremony at the town hall he had at least hoped for a word of congratulations.

He sensed the same disappointment in Katrina and squeezed her hand, trying to convince himself that he was overreacting. Aunt Lydia had a farm to run, and they had postponed the reception to the future when – hopefully – Katrina’s brothers could attend.

A mumbled noise caught his attention and he jerked up his head, instantly ready to fight against whatever evil waited behind the closed door.

“Wait here,” he told Katrina and Ursula before he sneaked up to the kitchen door and slammed it open. He froze in place, chills rushing down his spine as he peered into the expectant faces of Aunt Lydia, Frau Hansen and eleven children.

As soon as they saw him, Lydia cried out, “Congratulations to the freshly married couple,” and then everyone started to sing, “

Eine Hochzeit, die ist lustig, eine Hochzeit, die ist schön.

” A wedding is jolly; a wedding is nice.

Katrina sidled up to him and he saw that she had tears in her eyes. It might not be the most unromantic wedding after all. Hugs and kisses were shared and all the children wanted to touch the bride.

Aunt Lydia ushered them into the kitchen where she had set the table for everyone. In the middle stood a wedding cake with real cream on top.

Richard’s mouth watered and he licked his lips. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten whipped cream. “Aunt Lydia, there was no need for this…” he feebly protested, but she waved his remark away.

“I’m not about to stand for letting my only nephew get married without so much as a wedding cake. Not on my farm!”

“Thank you, Lydia. That’s so generous of you.” Tears of joy spilled down Katrina’s cheeks.

“We all have come to love you and I’m sure you’ll be a good wife to Richard.”

Katrina nodded, having difficulties voicing a word. The next moment, one of the children asked, “Can we now eat the cake?”

Everyone in the room laughed and settled around the table for the feast. Frau Hansen served homemade cherry juice for the children and coffee, albeit not the real kind, for the adults. Then Lydia distributed the cake: one piece for each person, the biggest ones for Katrina and Richard.

After some chatting, Richard clinked his spoon against a glass. “Thank you so much for this wonderful surprise.” He looked around the table. “While the ceremony itself in the town hall was less than memorable, this,” he encompassed the kitchen with a gesture, “… celebration made our special day truly wonderful. We’re both incredibly happy and moved by the efforts you’ve gone to. And…” he paused for a moment, “… we have another announcement to make.”

He could see the knowing glance on not only Ursula’s but also Aunt Lydia’s face and wondered why’d they never said a word. “My lovely wife is expecting a baby.”

More congratulations followed and happiness filled the room.

Ursula stood. “In absence of our parents it’s probably my duty as Richard’s oldest sister to say a few words.” She smiled. “Welcome to our family, Katrina. I must confess I wasn’t overly pleased in the beginning. But you have proven to be the best woman Richard could wish for, and a good friend for all of us.” She leaned over to pick up a box from the kitchen counter. “We didn’t have much time, but thanks to Aunt Lydia, I made this for you.” Then she handed the box to Katrina and said with a wink, “Sorry, but I don’t have anything for you, dearest brother.”

Katrina opened the box and took out a simple, caramel-colored dress with lace at the hem. She held it up and Richard noticed that it was loose enough to fit until the baby was born.

“It’s beautiful. But I can’t possibly accept this.” Katrina fingered the fabric, her hands caressing the fine material.

“You can and you should, or you’ll soon have nothing to wear,” Ursula said with a wink.

Richard took a closer look at the dress and a faint memory came up from times before the war. His aunt would set the table in the living room with the fine china and a silky linen tablecloth – caramel-colored with lace on the edges.

“Put it on,” one of the older girls urged Katrina. She smiled and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned in the dress, positively glowing. The caramel color enhanced her suntan and made her brown eyes shine. As far as Richard was concerned, she was the most beautiful woman on earth.

“You look stunning,” he whispered against her ear as everyone cheered them both.

Much later, when the children had been put to bed, they bid their goodnights to Ursula and Aunt Lydia. When they climbed the stairs to the attic, he turned to Katrina with a mischievous grin, “I haven’t forgotten about your promise to love, pleasure and obey me for the rest of our lives.”

“Hey… the registrar said nothing about pleasuring you…” she protested, but he’d already swept her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold and put her on her feet in front of the bed.

His hand skimmed over the soft material of her loose dress and he couldn’t wait to see how she’d look when her swollen belly filled it out. But for now he’d show her how much he adored and worshipped her.