Chapter 12

June 1939
Amsterdam, Holland.

The soft summer rain fell down in a gentle fashion, creating mud and puddles in the streets. All around people walked under umbrellas.

"It's amazing how many different kinds of umbrellas there are," Erik commented as he worked on the shading of the sketch he was making of the sorry folks outside.

Ruth sat beside him, she was watching the raindrops on the window of the coffee shop in which they sat waiting out the rain.

"I love summer rain," she said with a small sigh. It was fitting weather for the disappointment she felt in her heart. It had been two years since Erik had gotten his bachelor's of arts and still he was only a visitor in Holland. It was even worse now for he had taken up a job as the postmaster at Lüneburg, giving him less free time than before.

"It's a silly job," Ruth mused, "but one that keeps him near his grandmother."

The old woman was eighty six now and her health was steadily deteriorating. There was no hope at the moment of Erik moving anywhere with her and moving without her was out of the question as well. Except for him, the poor old woman had no one to care for her.

"The odds are just always against us," Ruth concluded with another sigh. "At this rate there isn't much point in waiting and we might as well just get married now."

She felt Erik reach over and take her hand. "What miserable thought is on your mind that makes you sigh so much?"

"I was just thinking how with everything dragging out with your Oma there's little point in waiting we might as well marry now or else we might just end up waiting forever."

There were a few seconds of stunned silence. Ruth glanced up at Erik, he was looking at her obviously deep in thought.

"Never mind," she brushed the whole idea aside but Erik caught her other hand.

"Why, Ruth, you clever little kitten!" He stated enthusiastically. There was excitement in his eyes. "I don't know why we didn't think of it sooner! What is the point in waiting? We both know neither of our parents will approve so there's no issue on that account. We had hoped to settle if we could convince Oma to move, but she's too sick now and we don't know how long she will be sick. But just because we can't settle doesn't mean we can't marry."

Ruth could tell he was in earnest. Her face brightened at this encouragement. She hadn't expected it, but that was her constant flaw. Erik was a quiet sort of young man, and that quietness was often mistaken for caution.

"It really won't be so difficult," Ruth reasoned as she tried to control her excitement. "It's not like there is nowhere for us to live. Susi won't mind at all. She's an open minded woman, which means when you are here you could stay with me in my room at the flat."

A satisfied sort of smile appeared on Erik's face as he cast her a naughty look. Ruth felt the blood rush to her face. She slapped his arm angrily.

He let out a good natured laugh at this reaction. "Now don't go and become a violent little kitten. Let's stick to the matter at hand. I'm here for three more days. We could get married tomorrow."

"Yes, we could do it tomorrow!" Ruth agreed. "Today what you need to do is get a license. Meanwhile I'll speak to Susi and work it out with her. Tomorrow after I knock off of work we can go to the registry and get married. I've got some leave days due so I'll take the other two days off. Honestly, Erik, I don't know why we didn't think of this sooner."

The smile faded from Erik's face and he peered earnestly into her eyes. "It's probably not the sort of wedding you imagined..."

"I never imagined the wedding," Ruth cut him off. "I always knew we'd be doing it against the will of everyone and would not make a big deal of it. I actually rather like the idea of just you and I eloping on our own. Susi is going to a medical conference in London tomorrow and will be gone for a few days. We'll have that flat all to ourselves with no one to disturb us. I could not ask for more. Now let's not waste any time." She jumped from her chair and without so much as a goodbye to Erik ran off to see if her cousin had come home so she could relay the news and secure an agreement to the whole endeavor.

***

The next day was bright and sunny. The perfect day to marry as far as Ruth was concerned. Her work as a typist was done mechanically, her thoughts being far, far away. She glanced at the other girls who sat at the office with her.

"Just look at them, sitting here and never knowing, never guessing that I'm getting married today."

It was such a fun thought.

Once the bell rang she was the first to pack up her things and quite literally flew from the office, pausing only to by a bouquet of flowers from a street vendor. It wouldn't be a wedding without flowers after all.

She found Erik waiting at the office of the town clerk.

"Did you run all the way?" He laughed at her red face and panting breath.

"Pretty much," Ruth replied. "Seemed to me I couldn't get here fast enough. Oh Erik, I've been waiting for this day for so long. I'm almost afraid I'll wake up and find out I've dreamt it all."

"On the bright side you can then suggest it to me and do it all over again." His face then grew serious. "When do you suppose you'll tell your parents?"

Ruth shrugged indifferently. "When I feel the time is right. You know how my father is, he'll never accept it anyway. I suppose I'll have to tell them when you are finally able to settle your affairs and we move to Switzerland. I don't know. I'll cross the bridge when I get to it. How about you? Do you think you'll ever tell your family?"

Erik shook his head. "I don't think so. You know how they are. Come on," he reached for her hand. "Let's go."

Ruth's face glowed with joy and excitement as she took the hand he offered.

Together they walked into the office, took the vow, signed the marriage license and were pronounced man and wife.