Adam Blake - 160. Chapter 160

Now, we needed to go to the hospital to see Franz’s mother. I knew this wouldn’t be easy. Hans brought the car around. I took Franz’s hand and had him sit on my lap. “Franz, you know your mom is very, very ill. There is a possibility that she might be in a coma and not be able to see you or talk to you. But I know if she joins our Lord, she will be free of all pain and be able to look after you from Heaven. You need to be brave. I will always be there for you.”

Walking into the hospital was an experience for me as well. People stopped, bowed their heads as I followed Hans to her room. When we entered her room, she was still breathing, but the doctor said it could happen at any moment. Franz went and took her hand. He said he loved her and would never forget her. He leaned over and kissed her then the beeper went off. She was gone.

Franz began to cry. I picked him up and held him close. I thought Dad, if possible, send his mother to him in his dreams tonight. He didn’t have to go through this. Before we left, we went to the chapel to pray. I told Hans to arrange a funeral and obtain a land plot in the cemetery for her burial.

We left to go back to the Palace. When we got there, Adam and Marie took him to the private living room. I told Marie what happened, and she also went to the living room.

I called my ministers to determine the procedure for adoption. They suggested that I do that in the US since that is my home country. That was easy for me; I got his papers from the ministry containing all of the birth registrations and the death certificates. I called my lawyers in the States, told them what I wanted. I sent them the papers by courier.

Now I have a funeral to oversee.

Frau Fischer was buried in the cemetery associated with the church she would have attended. I think she probably was one of the few the Archbishop had blessed. My heart went out to Franz. His mother meant a lot to him. Now I had the job to replace the pain with love. I would make that a priority.

It was two weeks after the funeral when Franz came to me. “I had a dream last night. My mother was in my dream.” I picked him up and sat him on my lap. “Tell me”

“My mother said she wasn’t in pain anymore and thanked me for bringing the Prince to her. I didn’t understand what she meant by that. She told me she loved me and would look after me from above. What did she mean?”

“Franz, your mother is in heaven with our Lord. I think she came to tell you that and not to worry. You are my son now. I’m your father, and Marie is your mother, and Adam and Marie is your brother and sister. Your mother loves you, and so do I.”

We cuddled for a while. I noticed a tear. It must be hard for a 12-year-old to try and understand what has happened. His father was dead, and now his mother. I had a job to make sure he is loved.

I spent a lot of time with my children. Running in the early morning, reading while Adam and Marie took lessons in speaking German while Franz took English lessons. It could get confusing as they practiced their language. As it always happens, a wrong verb or a wrong pronunciation caused many laughs. Laughing was good because it removes the stress and makes learning fun. With kids, once they find something to make you laugh, they do it more. I didn’t mind. It was good that they were laughing.

We welcomed the Prince and Princess back to Liechtenstein with a carriage parade. The people came out and cheered. I watched, Gerry was home and very much loved.

Our last night, Dad came to me in my sleep, thanking me for taking care of his son and his kingdom. “He will have a son in 12 months. He is to name his son Adam. It is a way to honor what you have done for him and me. I was told that my son would bring to me a man who would be the one to look after him. When I saw you, I knew it was you. You are a blessed man.” And then he was gone. I felt lost, but I knew I did everything he wanted me to do and didn’t need him anymore. He had Gerry now to guide.

Saying goodbye is always hard and saying goodbye to your son is doubly hard. On the flight home, Billy was telling Franz all about America and the Indians. Stephan was with us and Emma, our lone girl entrant for the Olympics.