Disclaimer: The Sound of Music belongs to 20th Century Fox. Die Fledermaus was written by Johann Strauss
Rating: PG (but part 3 is PG-13)
Gratitude: To Jelpy and Ilandra, as always. Jelpy, who kept Maria from whining and gave me a wonderful push in the right direction regarding how certain issues were brought to light. Ilandra, who opened my eyes to how I could make Maria shine, and patiently read a few extra versions before we both decided the finished product was up to par. You two are wonderful to work with, and I cannot thank you enough for your words of wisdom.
Comments: This story was inspired while working on another fic. It's a filler for the film, taking place between the engagement and the wedding. I picked Die Fledermaus because that was the opera I had seen when I was in Munich, and it is rather special to me. Incidentally, "die fledermaus" is "the bat" in German, for those who might ask where the "bat" in the title comes from.
Summary: The Captain takes Maria out on a date
Bats and Bouquets
Maria sighed in frustration and refrained from throwing the flower brochure across the parlor. Dropping it to the table, she buried her face in her hands, exhaling loudly. She had no idea planning a wedding could be such difficult work.
All she wanted was a simple arrangement of local flowers, and all that was offered to her were massive and often ostentatious bouquets that didn't suit her at all. She was beginning to contemplate going out to the fields on her wedding day and picking the flowers herself.
She pulled her hands away from her eyes and studied the catalogue for the caterer, which was next to the brochure for the flowers. She scowled at the complex menus and choices. Her frown deepened when her eyes wandered to the prices.
"Can't we just invite the children and one or two friends?" she thought aloud, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
Maria stared up at the ceiling. Rubbing her sore neck, she cast a forlorn glance out at the window and the bright warm day. Maybe if she took her work outside, the fresh air would rejuvenate her. Brightening at the idea, she started to gather her papers, when an unopened envelope fell to the ground.
Knitting her eyebrows in confusion, Maria stooped over to pick it up. She frowned as she saw it was from the dress designer, and it was dated for that day. How could she have missed it? Glancing again at the mess on the table, she quickly solved that mystery.
Opening the telegram, she felt her stomach tighten in renewed frustration as she read that the material she had selected for the girls' dresses couldn't be cut in the way needed for the design she had chosen. It was too fragile for such a detailed and precise pattern.
"Oh!" she cried in annoyance, slamming the telegram on the table and plopping down onto the chair. "Why can't one thing go right?!"
The sound of low laughter surprised her, and she flew into the air, yelping in surprise. She whirled around, only to find her fiancé standing in the doorway, a look of sympathetic amusement on his face.
She glared at him, her aggravation threatening to overcome her. "This is a nightmare, Georg," she said, gesturing to the mess on the table. "I had no idea that this was going to be so much work."
He started to slowly walk over to her, their eyes locking. "What's happening?" he asked.
Touched by the soft compassion she heard in his voice, she felt the words pour out of her at once. "The flowers are too frilly, the dresses are too delicate, the food is too ornate, and the wine I had wanted isn't available for the number of people we've invited. I cannot get an earlier appointment to see the judge for the legal issues, and-"
Georg had reached her by that point and placed his hands on her shoulders. Bringing her gently towards him, he placed a calming kiss on her forehead. "I will take care of the legal issues, Maria," he said. "And Max is in town with Liesl getting more floral brochures for you to look at. There is another caterer who specializes in simple chicken dishes that I just found in Grödig."
Maria laughed.
"But you're on your own for the dresses," he said, bringing his hands up to cup her cheeks. He stared into her eyes. "Aren't you always telling me to trust God?"
"Has God ever planned a wedding?" she asked.
Georg laughed and hugged her to him.
"This is turning out to be much more than celebrating the sacrament of marriage," Maria muttered into his shoulder.
"It does end up being more about the celebrating, I'm afraid," Georg said, stroking her hair.
Maria pulled back and stared into his eyes. "Can't we just have a small ceremony and send cards later?"
Georg shook his head and laughed. "It's too late now, and you know it," he said, reaching up to tap her nose. His face became serious after a moment. "It'll all be worth it in the end, Maria."
She smiled. "Do you think so?"
He nodded. "I know so. When it's all over, we're going to be far away from ornate floral arrangements, difficult caterers, and temperamental designers. It will be just you and me alone in Paris," he said, sliding his hand to the back of her neck and pulling her closer to him. "And the best part is that I am going to be married to the most beautiful and loving person in the world."
She smiled sweetly and reached up to kiss him. His arms wrapped around her and caressed her shoulders and neck. She brought her hands up to run through his hair, bringing him closer to her. Georg's hand slipped down her back, massaging her lightly and succeeding in calming her agitated nerves. Breaking away for air, Georg smiled down at her as he caressed her cheek. "I have a surprise for you," he whispered, stepping back.
"A wedding coordinator?" she suggested.
Georg laughed. "Max does seem rather eager for that job, but no," he said. "This is even better."
He dug into his suit jacket pocket and produced two tickets. He held them out for her to see.
"Die Fledermaus?" she read, looking up at him.
"We're going to the opera tonight, Maria," he said.
Maria's eyes widened. "The opera?" she repeated.
Georg nodded. "You've been working far too hard on this wedding, and you deserve a night when all you have to worry about is looking beautiful. So, basically, you don't have to worry at all."
She smiled. "Oh, Georg," she breathed.
"First, we dine at the restaurant at the Hotel Goldener Hirsch-"
"Georg!" Maria gasped. "That's so expensive!"
"Hush," he said, putting his finger to her lips. She smiled in excitement at the prospect of dining at such an extravagant restaurant. "First, we eat there and then enjoy a night with one of Strauss's funniest productions."
"Oh, this is wonderful!" Maria exclaimed, hugging him. He laughed and swayed her side to side in their embrace. After they had parted, she cast a look down at her dress. "What should I wear?"
Georg waved his arms in dismissal. "I decline any obligation to answer that," he said, taking her hands in his. "Didn't you buy something fancy when the girls took you out shopping the other day?"
Maria cocked her head, thinking. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Oh, yes! I remember buying a few things that were less 'governess like,' as Brigitta had put it."
"Oh?" Georg asked, his interest piqued.
"I must say, Georg," Maria started, her voice lower, "you're being so generous to me. I've never been spoiled before."
He smiled broadly and squeezed her hands in his. "I can't give you enough, Maria."
Her eyes brightened. "You're all I need," she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, each thankful for the happiness they shared.
After a long moment, they parted, and Georg looked over at the clock. "I suggest you get ready, Fräulein. We leave in two hours."
"I don't need two hours to get ready, Georg!" Maria protested.
"Take your time, Maria," he said, guiding her away from the table and the source of her frustration. "I shall see you at the front door at precisely five o'clock."
Maria looked around him to the hallway. "No children?" she whispered, meeting his gaze.
He grinned. "Just you and I, my love."
***
"She said she didn't need two hours to get ready," Georg muttered as he looked at his watch again. He began to pace to the front door and back to the base of the staircase, casting continuous glances upward to where his fiancée was preparing herself. "I see she took my advice to heart."
Kurt looked at his brother and rolled his eyes. "Why do girls take so long?" he asked.
Friedrich shrugged. Bored, he maneuvered his hand to cast a dog-shaped shadow on the wall. "I don't know. They don't have to wear as much as we do."
Georg ceased his pacing and laughed. "I wouldn't say that too loudly, Friedrich," he warned. When the boy looked up at him, he nodded vehemently. "They outnumber us."
"I wonder what she'll wear," Kurt thought aloud, studying his brother's shadow puppet and trying to mimic Friedrich's hand positioning. "I can't picture her all dressed up, like the women at the ball."
"Yes," Friedrich agreed. "She seems to be more comfortable climbing a tree."
Georg cleared his throat. While his sons had a point, he thought Maria to be rather elegant. She had a natural bounce to her step and a glow to her cheeks that left the women of the haute culture soporific in his opinion.
"Maria may not be accustomed to a more refined atmosphere," he started, looking at his sons in the eye, "but I find her to be quite attractive when she's not wearing something rejected by the poor."
The group laughed, and Kurt looked up in the direction Maria and his sisters had been hiding for the past two hours. "She does dance nicely," he offered.
Georg smiled. "Quite nicely," he said, more to himself than to his son.
The boys exchanged a look, still struggling with the image of their tomboyish governess and soon-to-be mother as a cultivated, restrained woman of the upper class.
Kurt sighed and shook his hands in exasperation. "What are they doing up there? Re-arranging her hair for the millionth time?"
Friedrich pursed his lips and shook his head. "Her hair is short," he said. "What can she do with it?"
Georg wisely avoided to comment and looked at his watch again. It was now five minutes after the hour. Their reservations were for half past, and he cast a weary look up in the direction of Maria's door again.
"Shall I go and see, Father?" Friedrich asked, starting to rise off his seat on the stairs.
The Captain shook his head. "No, maybe I should-"
He was silenced with the sound of a door opening and the animated squeals filtering down to the grand hallway. The three von Trapp men looked up to see the girls walking down the stairs, all wearing excited expressions on their faces. Georg looked past his daughters and saw Maria descending the stairs behind them.
He felt his lips curve upward in a large appreciative smile at the sight of her, dressed elegantly and walking with the grace of a princess. She is simply stunning, Georg thought as their eyes met and she smiled shyly at him. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
"Maria, you're gorgeous," he whispered, not hearing the collective "ohhs" of his younger daughters and the feigned gagging noises of his sons.
She laughed nervously and glanced down at her dress. "Will this do?" she asked, moving side to side a little so the diaphanous material would sway. "It's not too formal for tonight?"
He scanned her once over, finding himself mesmerized by the soft lines the perfectly cut gown created on her body. "Perfect," he murmured, staring into her eyes.
"We thought the color would bring out her eyes," Brigitta offered as she and Louisa draped a light shawl around Maria's shoulders.
"And I believe you especially like blue," Maria added in a quiet voice.
He nodded. "And you would be right," he returned, leaning closer to her.
"You look like a princess," Marta sighed.
"Like a Baroness," Georg corrected and grinned at his fiancée. He stepped to the side and offered his arm. She laced her arm in his, her excitement barely contained in her vivacious smile.
"Shall we, my love?" he asked with grandeur.
"With pleasure, my dear," she answered just as extravagantly and held her chin up in a regal manner.
Georg looked around at his children, all of whom were staring at the couple, elation in their eyes. "We shall see you tomorrow," he said. "Please behave for Frau Schmidt and your Uncle Max."
The couple walked out to the car, both looking forward to their night out on the town.
To be continued.
