A/N: Another musing fic. Set before Edelweiss and after the boat scene. Comments are appreciated.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Sound of Music.
The grass bended gently in the light breeze, as the dawn sun shone down on the Von Trapp Villa. It was early morning and the house was quiet, peaceful. The only movement was the light footsteps as someone made their way outside. Maria smiled and inhaled the fresh, crisp morning air. The wind lightly ruffled her hair, and twirled around the hem of her skirts. Deciding that the lake was too beautiful to ignore, she ran down the stairs and to the gate. Her hands grasped the cold metal as she sighed, watching the geese fly over the water and into the clouds. She looked to the sky and smiled.
"Thank you Father," she whispered. "I feel like I have a purpose, a meaning... a home."
She paused, and looked back at the lake. "I have a home, don't I?" She shook her head. She was being silly, the abbey was her home. They had taken her in when she had no-where else to go, and yet, she felt more at home here, at the Villa, with the children and Frau Shmidt and the Captain and...
She gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. The Captain? She couldn't believe her own thoughts, she didn't, did she? She paused then. She felt safe around the Captain. He had kept her, allowed her to stay, even after she had shouted at him. The thought still made her blush. She had shouted at him, but when he asked her to stay... That is what made her cheeks the softest shade of pink in the early morning sun. The way he had looked at her. She had seen into his soul in that moment and she knew it. Happiness, sorrow, gratitude, and, something she couldn't quite understand. It was intense, that other emotion, and when she saw him looking at her like that... her stomach had felt odd, but... it had been the best feeling.
She smiled once again and looked at the calm waters reflecting the sun. She was unaware of anything apart from the lake until she felt someone grasp her thigh. She gasped and looked down, only to find Marta staring back at her. She smiled down at the little girl and her dishevelled appearance, and yet she couldn't help but be a little disappointed that it was Marta that held onto her leg. She would have preferred if the Cap...
She almost gasped aloud at her thoughts. The Captain? She blushed again and trying to distract herself spoke to Marta.
"Good morning sweetie. Did you sleep well?"
The girl looked at Maria and broke into a big toothy grin.
"Oh yes Fraülein! I had the most marvellous dream too, about our picnics!"
Maria smiled at the girl, bending down to her level and smoothing her hair.
"I think it is almost time, we woke the others. And almost time you," she said poking the little girls nose and making her giggle "got dressed!"
The girl beamed at Maria in approval, as she straightened up. Maria decided then and there that she would just have to busy herself with the children, to prevent more... odd and confusing thoughts about her employer. She smiled at Marta and then took the little girls hand in her own, and they began to make their way into the house and to the start of another busy fun filled day in the Von Trapp Villa.
End.