I walk into the other room trying to calm myself after dealing with Zeller. That man is dangerous I know but I am a proud Austrian who does not want the Germans overtaking my country. I decide to go out on the balcony to calm down. I look out at the lake and my thoughts go back to her. The way she felt in my arms. I find my feelings toward her have changed. Since the day she came here my life hasn't been the same. I laugh when I look at the lake and think back when she and the children fell. I wasn't laughing then but things have changed. I have changed. She helped me realize what I have been missing. I look at my children and how much they love her and she them. This house is again filled with the sound of music and I have her to thank for that. Tonight when we danced and our bodies were so close I could feel the spark. I wanted to kiss her but she stepped back. I know she felt it too. I have not felt that way since Agathe. Oh my God!

It hits me like a hammer. I love her. I hadn't thought about it until now.

I think back to the night of the puppet show when I had sung Edelweiss. When I ended the song our eyes met and I felt a connection to her.

I go downstairs to find her. I look in all the rooms and I don't see her. I also notice that Elsa is missing. I ask Max if he has seen them and he says no. I decide to try to find Maria and I go up to her room. I knock on her door and I don't hear anything. I slowly open the door and see her packing her things. Her head is bent down and I can see she is crying. She suddenly looks up and sees me. She backs up as if she's afraid of me.

I go into her room and say" Maria where are you going ? " Why are you crying? She wipes her eyes and says nothing. I walk over to her and she turns her head away from me.

I go to her and take her shoulders and slowly turn her around. I gently pull her hands away from her eyes.

" Maria what is it? I ask.

She looks at me and mumbles " I am leaving. I can't stay here."

" Why ? What's happened? I plead with her.

" I have to go back to the abbey" she says. "I'm confused and afraid.

" Afraid?. Have I done something to make you fear me? I ask her. She looks at me and our eyes connect again. I feel the spark again and I take her hand in mine. " Maria please tell me".

" I am having feelings I don't understand." " I have never felt this way before." she says as she slowly starts to cry again. I slowly put my arms around her and hold her. She puts her head on my chest momentarily and then she pulls away. " Maria! Who are you afraid of" I say.

" Of you! . "I am afraid of my feelings for you" she says as she turns around and walks to the other part of the room.

My heart leaps as I realize she loves me too. I walk to her and again I turn her around.

I take my hand and gently touch her cheek. She leans into my hand.

" Maria you have no reason to be afraid" I say looking into her eyes. " I'm in love with you . I have been in love with you for a while now." When we danced tonight I could see it in your eyes too".

She says" the Baroness was here before you came". "She told me that I was in love with you and you me." "She also said you would get over me." I didn't know what to do so I told her that I would leave. "I am so confused. "I was sent here to be a governess until September and then I would leave to start my noviate."

Now I know where Elsa was. She saw us dancing and could see my feelings for Maria emerge. I will deal with Elsa later but first I have to get Maria to change her mind.

"Maria, Elsa is wrong I will not get over you". "I love you ,more than you know. " Please don't leave? I take her face in my hands and gently touch my lips to hers. I feel her lips respond to mine and I hold her close. Our lips part and she puts her head on my chest.

" I hope this means you are staying" I say as she looks up at me. She smiles and nods her head yes.

" I love you " she whispers as she puts her head on my chest again.

We hold each other for a while. I tell her to put away her things away and we will go down to dinner.

" I have a big surprise for everyone especially Elsa" I say as she puts her things away. I take her arm in mine and we walk downstairs. As we come down the stairs I look to see Elsa and Max staring at us.

I turn to Maria and say" Are you ready ". She holds my arm tighter and we descend the stairs towards them.