After tea, David took Rick to the Administrative Office to begin the paperwork, leaving him there with the clerk while he returned to his office to draft a message to William, informing him of events and asking for advice. The message had been sent and receipted by the time Rick knocked on his open door and entered.

"Complicated." Rick shook his head. "The war would be easier to fight without all the forms."

"Now you understand why I don't submit expense claims." David chuckled and pointed to the coat tree. "Let's get you a place to sleep."

As they walked through the freshly fallen snow toward Hotel Bernerhof, David explained its background. "This was built shortly after Bern became the capital of the new Swiss Confederation. That's why it's so close to all the Federal buildings and the main embassies. They all grew up together."

The doorman tipped his hat as he held the door for them, and as they walked across the vast lobby, David smiled at Rick's swivelling head. "This was considered the finest hotel in Europe when it opened in the eighteen fifties. I was equally impressed on my first visit."

At the desk, David signed the requisition for the room, and after Rick was given his key, David said, "I'll meet you here at eight twenty in the morning. It'll be easier access that way until your pass is ready."

Rick nodded, remaining silent for a long while before he spoke. "This is overwhelming. All of it. I'm ... I ..."

"I know the experience. I went through it last June when I arrived here." He pointed to Rick's rumpled trousers. "We'll see to getting you some new clothes tomorrow. There are some fine shops in the next block or two."

David left the hotel and mused as he walked toward the Ambassador's residence. Seven months now, nearly eight. So many changes since I arrived here. He quickened his pace as he thought of Maria. A few minutes later, Stanley opened the door to his knock, and after hasty greetings, David rushed up the stairs.

He and Maria met in a trembling hug as she rose from the chaise longue. They remained silent as they kissed and caressed, and then, as he felt her sobs, he opened his eyes to see tears running down her cheeks. "What is it?"

"I started bleeding yesterday morning, and I'm still bleeding. Our baby didn't make it, David." She burst into loud, hiccuping sobs.

He pulled her head into his shoulder and held her, gently swaying as he stroked her neck and back. After a long, silent spell, he said, "We can make another."

She nodded as her sobbing eased. "It relieves me that you want to. That you still want a child." She nuzzled her face into his neck. "Just hold me for a while, David. Let me calm again."

"I want your children. Our children. We'll have them."

Maria hummed, then blotted her tears on David's shoulder. "I wondered why I wasn't getting the symptoms about which Mama and Edith had talked." She lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. "I bled a bit last month while you were away, but Mama had told me it's not unusual for some spotting in the early weeks."

"Any pain?"

"In my soul." She closed her eyes and blew out a breath. "But just the usual cramping and dull backache."

David moved his hands to the small of her back and began massaging. She moaned, then said, "Strange. I had accepted the miscarriage, but I feared telling you about it."

"Feared? Why?"

"Fear of disappointing you. Fear you might think me inadequate."

"That's really misguided thinking."

"I know. But the thoughts were still there. Even knowing one-third of all pregnancies miscarry in the first two months, the thoughts were still there. Crazy me."

"Not crazy. It proves you have motherly instincts. We'll get it to work. When are you fertile again?"

"I don't know. Edith said it may take a month or more for my cycle to re-regulate. She had two miscarriages of which she's aware."

"That she's aware? Why wouldn't she be aware?"

"Dr Bekker told me many women are not even aware they had been pregnant. They discover it only when they see a large shift in the timing of their cycle."

David nodded. "You used to begin bleeding with last quarter. It was new moon last night; I watched it set shortly after sunset as I walked back to the hotel."

"I saw that on the calendar. If I continue in tune with the moon, this time, it will be easier. The coming of the new moon to remind me to fold cottons and wear knickers again." She blew out a big breath. "I'm so relieved. The way you've accepted this."

"I cannot see any other way to respond to it. It's simply nature taking its course; your body sensing something wasn't correct."

She pulled his head down as she rose to her toes, and their lips merged. Half a minute later, when their lips parted, she asked, "How was your trip? Are the men still up there dicky dipping?"

"Manny, Dolf and Hans drove back to Sonnenhang yesterday, and I've brought Rick here. Franz and Ernst are still making their way back."

"Why is Rick here?"

"We're processing a field commission for him, and I'll be doing some mentoring to get him comfortable with his new responsibilities."

"So, does that mean George's request has been approved?"

"I had a message from William the morning I left, informing me he'll make it happen."

"So, Rick as an officer? I thought you were looking at promoting him to sergeant."

"That was the intention, but while George assessed him, he saw greater potential, and I've confirmed it the past while." David nodded to the chaise longue. "Let's sit."

Maria tilted her head toward the bedroom and gave him a squeeze. "We could play red dickie. I've plenty of towels."

"Later. We should sit first."

"What is it?" She stroked his beard. "Something's happened, hasn't it?"

He nodded. "Franz and Ernst may not make it back."