She couldn't help but sigh deeply as she made her way quietly through the garden of the von Trapp villa later that same evening and her hands were clasped in front of her, her head slightly bowed as the late August breeze brushed through her soft blonde hair like a gentle hand and she continued to try and understand what it was that she was feeling. She had been so filled with joy when she had left the convent earlier that afternoon and she had been making the journey back to the children; back to the Captain, but nothing could have prepared her for the pure agony that had surged through her entire body when Brigitta had revealed to her that the Captain was to marry the Baroness. She had felt happier than she had in weeks when she had finally realised that she was in love with him - when the Reverend Mother had managed to make her see it - and her heart had felt as though it would burst from the happiness that she felt at the thought of him loving her just as deeply, but now she felt as though she wanted to curl up into a corner and cry.
She had felt uncomfortable all throughout dinner as she had felt both the Baroness and the Captain's attention upon her from where she had been sat at the opposite end of the table to them, her heart thumping madly against her chest when she had risen from her seat in order to pour herself another glass of water and she had felt his gaze follow her. He was pleased that she had returned, she knew that, but she knew from the moment the Baroness had stepped out onto the terrace that she wasn't as thrilled. She had felt so small and so alone as she had been stood outside with the two of them once the children had hurried inside for their dinner, the only words that she had been able to muster up being a soft wish of happiness in response to the news of their upcoming marriage. Her heart had stopped momentarily when she had heard the Captain speak from behind her, her heart shattering as she had quietly shook her head in response to his words: 'You are back to, um, stay?' She knew that she wouldn't be able to stay at the villa forever, not now that she knew what she'd have to hear about on a daily basis, but she also knew that as soon as those wedding bells started to peal loudly the Baroness would dismiss her.
As she continued to walk slowly through the beautifully lit garden, she felt her eyes begin to sting with the same tears of heartbreak that she had shed earlier that evening. She had never been in love before; had never had the opportunity, but even though she wasn't accustomed to how it felt to be taken into the arms of a man and to be softly kissed, just like the women in the movies she had watched in her teenage years, she still knew that the feelings inside of her were not just some stupid infatuation that she would soon get over. She was completely and utterly in love with the Captain, and to have such strong feelings towards him and not be able to act upon them brought far greater pain than she had ever experienced before in her twenty-one years of life. She allowed the tips of her fingers to stroke lightly against the bark of a pine-tree that stood proudly beside the gazebo, a gentle sigh escaping her as she made her way over to the stone bench and sat down quietly before resting her hands in her lap and forbidding her gentle tears to fall.
'Hello.' Her head shot up instantly at the sound of the Captain's heavenly voice breaking through the silence of the garden, her heart beginning to race as she gazed over at him and saw the small smile upon his lips as he stood a short distance away from her. 'I thought I just might find you here.' He told her as he used his forefinger to accentuate each word that escaped his mouth. She stood up slowly, then, clasping her hands in front of her once again as her heart continued to race and she found herself unable to look away.
'Was there- was there something you wanted?' She asked gently, beginning to play nervously with her fingers.
'Hmm?' He hummed. 'No, no, no, no, no, no, sit down, please.' He told her as he gestured toward the stone bench and carefully began to approach her, noticing the uncertainty in her beautiful blue eyes. 'Please.' Maria did as she was told and slowly sat down once again, then, Georg's fingers twitching slightly as he looked out at the extensive grounds. 'Uh, may I?' He asked softly, not waiting for her reply before he sat down and could feel her gazing at him. There were so many different thoughts rushing through Maria's head at that moment, her heart continuing to race as she tried to understand his motives for coming to find her. The last time she had seen him, he had been standing with Max and the Baroness in the corner of the family room as the three of them had been gently discussing something whilst she had been sat with the children. His nervous chuckle brought her out of her thoughts, her gaze instantly snapping back to him as he pulled lightly at his earlobe and cleared his throat. 'You know, I was thinking, um, I was wondering - two things.' She waited patiently for him to continue. 'Why did you run away to the Abbey...?' He started, his hands resting in his lap. 'And, what was it that made you come back?'
'Well, I had an obligation to fulfill...' She admitted as she gazed over at him. 'And I came back to fulfill it.'
'Mmm,' He hummed softly. 'Is that all?'
'And I missed the children.' She admitted as she turned away from him slightly, casting her gaze up to the enchanting stars above the two of them.
'Yes,' He spoke softly, hoping that her sudden silence meant that there was something else. 'Only the children?' He pressed slightly.
'No,' She shook her head. 'Yes!' Her heart began to pound again as she realised she had slipped up. 'Isn't it right I should have missed them?' She was starting to panic now.
'Oh, yes, yes, of course.' He chuckled gently as he saw her unsettled state and wanted to comfort her subtly. 'I was, uh, only hoping that perhaps you- perhaps you might, uh,'
'Yes?' She asked gently as she cocked her head slightly to one side, wishing that everything wasn't always such a mystery with him.
'Well, uh,' He stammered. 'Nothing was the same when you were away, and it'll be all wrong again after you leave.' He felt his heart beginning to pound within his chest. 'And I just thought that perhaps you might, uh, change your mind?' He raised an eyebrow at her, Maria feeling her heart break once again as she thought about what he was saying.
'Well, I'm sure the Baroness will be able to make things fine for you.' Her voice trembled with the frustration and strong dislike that she held towards the woman as she stood.
'Maria.' She stopped dead in her tracks as she began to make her way over to the gazebo. He had never called her by her Christian name before. It had always been 'Fraulein.'. 'There isn't going to be any Baroness.' He told her gently, Maria's brow furrowing slightly in confusion as she felt the breeze once again beginning to run through her short hair.
'There isn't?' She asked quietly.
'No.' He shook his head as he stood from the bench and began to make his way over to her, his fingers twitching once again as they always did when he grew nervous.
'I don't understand.' She admitted, her gaze fixed solely upon him once again as the two of them walked slowly towards the beautiful glass gazebo.
'Well, we've called off our engagement, you see.' He trailed off as he stepped inside the small building.
'Oh, I'm sorry.' She sighed as she followed suit and felt an immediate rush of warmth take over her.
'Mmm.' He nodded. 'You are?' He stammered as he registered her words.
'Mmm hmm.' She hummed. 'You did?' She gasped as she turned to face him.
'Yes.' He nodded stiffly. 'Well, you can't- marry someone, when you're- in love with someone else.' He gazed lovingly at her, her blue eyes locked with his own. 'Can you?'
The only response that she could manage at that moment was a simple shake of the head as they were lost in one another's eyes, her breath trembling when he reached up to take her chin between his thumb and forefinger and she could feel his hand trembling as he guided her face closer to his own. She allowed her gaze to drop from his, to his lips as he continued to bring her close, her eyes fluttering closed of their own accord just seconds before he drew her lower lip into his mouth and began to kiss her slowly. She felt a surge of warmth course through her veins at that, a soft hum escaping her as his lips caressed hers ever-so-gently and she felt time stand still. The kiss was over far too soon for her liking, her eyes once again locked with Georg's as he smiled lovingly at her and removed his hand from her chin before allowing it to travel along her shoulder, down her arm towards her waist until he was able to draw her close enough to nuzzle her perfectly smooth hairline with his mouth. He heard her gentle sigh of contentment as she leaned into him and her eyes fell closed once again, her lips slightly parted before he allowed her to fall against his chest and they held tightly to one another as she snuggled into him.
'The Reverend Mother always says,' She whispered. 'Where the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.' Georg was unable to hide the broad smile that formed upon his lips as he continued to stroke the tips of his fingers comfortingly against the soft blonde hair at the nape of his love's neck, his heart swelling with love for her as he brought her away from him and cupped her face tenderly in the palms of his hands as she allowed her head to rest against one of the small glass windows. Oh, how marvelous she was.
'Is that why you came back?' He asked gently as his face was mere inches from her own, her precious clear blue eyes fluttering closed as she nodded with a breath-taking smile in response. 'And have you found it...' He continued as he brushed the pads of his thumbs lovingly against the softness of her cheeks. 'Maria?' Her eyes fluttered open perfectly.
'I think I have...' She admitted as she gazed up at him, her eyes widening slightly as she lifted her head from where it was settled against the window. 'I know I have.'
'I love you.' He stated sincerely after gazing deeply into her eyes, neither of them saying a words as he drew her close and began to kiss her face delicately.
'Oh, can this be happening to me?' She whimpered softly a few moments later as he placed light kisses upon her cheek, her head falling back as he stroked her jaw delicately.
Georg ceased his kisses to her face when she placed her hand upon his chest and pushed him away slightly, a surge of love coursing through his veins when her voice started to fill the air as she sang to him. He had heard her sing before, of course, with the children, but as the two of them were stood alone together, now, it sounded so much more light and beautiful. He listened intently to her as she sang about the wicked and miserable childhood she'd had, his brow furrowing slightly as he couldn't believe that a person would ever dream of bringing such harm to such a beautiful and kindhearted woman. He kissed her knuckles slowly when she began to sing about whether or not he should be in love with her, shaking his head teasingly with a gentle chuckle as she smiled up at him. 'Do you know when I first started loving you?' He raised his brow at her as he led her by the hand into the middle of the gazebo, Maria shaking her head gently as she caressed his knuckles with her thumbs. 'That night at the dinner table when you sat on that ridiculous pine cone.' He chuckled as he leaned slightly closer to her, Maria's eyes widening as she giggled gently and she felt her heart swell with the undying love that she held for him.
'What?' She gasped lovingly. 'No, I knew the first time you blew that silly whistle.' She admitted, her eyes fluttering closed when he stroked her cheek.
'Oh, my love.' He sighed.
The two of them allowed themselves to get lost in one another's eyes again as he began to sing her words back to her a short while later, neither of them releasing each other's hands as his heavenly voice filled the small building and she beamed up at him. It wasn't long until he was kissing her forehead as she sang the final words to her song, the two of them slipping their arms warmly around one another as they brought the song to a conclusion before indulging in a kiss that was both delicate and passionate. 'Maria?' Georg hummed against her skin as he began to kiss his way up her face, Maria's response being a perfect hum as she tilted her head back to catch his lower lip in a soft kiss. 'Is there anyone I should go to to ask permission to marry you?' He released a gentle sigh of relief at finally getting the rock off of his chest, the look in Maria's eyes making him chuckle.
'Well, why don't we ask-'
'The children?' They finished at the same time as she brushed the tips of her fingers against the dark hair at the nape of his neck, soft laughter escaping the two of them.
They already knew what the answer would be.
It was a short time later when the two of them were settled in one another's arms on one of the benches within the gazebo, Maria settled in Georg's lap as his arms were tightly around her waist and she cupped the sides of his neck warmly as they kissed shamelessly in the moonlight. He ran his hands soothingly along her spine through the lovely blue material of her dress as her warm and soft lips continued to slowly caress his own, a deep hum of contentment escaping him as she began to thread her fingers warmly through his hair. 'Maria.' He hummed a few moments later as he cradled the back of her head protectively, his deep blue eyes sparkling as he ended their kiss and gazed into her eyes.
'What's wrong?' She breathed as her lips were slightly swollen and her short blonde hair, which had been exquisitely neat at the beginning of the evening, was now tussled from the way that he had been running his fingers through it during their lengthy kissing session. 'Did I do something wrong?' She traced his sharp jawline tenderly with her thumbs.
'No, my darling, of course not!' He was quick to reassure her as he cupped her face in his hands and brought her close enough to plant a lingering kiss upon her rosy lips. 'I just feel like I should be getting you back to your room, sweetheart, because it must be well past midnight by now and you know that you're going to get up early with the children.'
She hummed softly in agreement as she lay her head down upon his shoulder and nuzzled his neck warmly, her eyes fluttering closed as he began to stroke her hair soothingly. 'I've spent too much time alone over these last six weeks, Captain, and I don't think I can do that again now that I know what it feels like to be held so tightly in your embrace.'
'First of all,' He kissed her hairline warmly. 'You're going to have to learn to start calling me Georg from now on, darling, instead of Captain. I know it's going to take quite some time before we're both used to things being different around here, but we'll take things slow, alright? There's no need to rush into anything, Maria, we can take our time with it.' She nodded lovingly, a warm smile upon her perfect lips. 'Second of all, you are never going to be on your own like that again, do you hear me? I will always be right down that corridor if you need me, I promise, sweetheart.' She puled away from his shoulder at that, placing her hand upon his chest as she kissed his lips softly and smiled against them.
'I don't like being on my own.' She whispered once they had parted. 'I spent the majority of my childhood locked in a dark and cramped loft, Georg, and I still hate being alone.' He heard the tremble in her voice, then, his heart breaking at how wicked and miserable her childhood had really been as he tightened his hold around her and kissed her nose.
'If you ever need me,' He reached up to stroke her fringe out of her face. 'Whether it's the day or night, Maria, I want you to know that you can come to me.' He spoke lovingly. 'If you ever wake up in the early hours of the morning and need me to hold you, just come to me and I'll do so. Everything is going to be so different for you now, darling, and I want you to know that I am never going to let anyone hurt you ever again.' She smiled tearfully at that, her arms slipping around his neck as she kissed his soft lips lingeringly.
'Thank you, darling.' She managed to whimper. 'Thank you.'
'I love you so much, Maria Rainer, you know that?' He raised his brow at her as he stroked her face comfortingly.
'I do.' She reassured him as she lay her head back down upon his shoulder. 'I love you too, Georg, endlessly.'
No words had ever been more truthful.
The two of them were extremely quiet as they were stood outside her bedroom later that evening, neither of them wanting to disturb the children as they slept peacefully in the rooms next to hers. 'I can't believe this is actually happening.' She whispered as their fingers were laced and her back was pressed up against the door. 'If someone had said to me just two months ago that you were going to propose to me, I'd have thought they had gone mad.' Georg chuckled warmly as he took a small step closer to her. 'I love you.'
'And I love you.' He reassured her as he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it softly, nothing but love in his eyes as he gazed up at her just moments later. 'I love you so much that it physically hurts sometimes, Maria, and I can't explain how much you mean to me.' She cupped his cheek warmly in her palm, a small smile on her lips.
'Me either.' She admitted. 'Now kiss me so that we can both get to bed and make morning come sooner, because I can't wait much longer to ask the children for their blessing.'
Georg couldn't help but chuckle affectionately at her, then, allowing his hands to find her waist before he held her against the door and pressed his lips to hers in a slow kiss. He smiled lovingly down at her once they had parted, her eyes delaying opening as she gripped his shirt gently in the palm of her hand. 'Will that kiss suffice?' He murmured softly.
'It just might.' She breathed, her clear blue eyes sparkling preciously. 'I wish you could come with me.'
'I know you do, sweetheart, so do I.' He stroked her face slowly. 'But we both know that Gretl has a tendency to run into your room without knocking first, and can you imagine the look on her face if she saw me in your bed?' The two of them laughed softly as he continued to hold her by the waist and she gazed up at him, nothing but love in her eyes. 'It won't be long until we're husband and wife, my sweet, and then we will never have to sleep apart again.' He reminded her. 'We just have to be patient until that day arrives.'
'I can do that.' She admitted with a slight nod of her head. 'But I'll need a large supply of kisses from you to keep me going.'
'You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Rainer, but I believe I can deliver.' He smirked, tilting his head to one side and leaving a slow kiss to her neck to make her gasp softly. 'Now, all I need you to do for me tonight is get yourself into bed and get a good night's sleep, darling.' He told her. 'I can tell you haven't been sleeping well, and you'll need your energy.'
'Maybe if I set my alarm clock for a little earlier, I could come into your bed for a cuddle before I have to wake the children.' She smirked as she nuzzled her nose against his.
'I look forward to it.' He chuckled. 'Now, to bed with you.'
'Goodnight, my love.' She smiled, rising up onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek softly. 'And thank you for making this whole evening so incredible.'
'You're welcome, darling.' He stroked her hair. 'Goodnight, sweetheart.' He kissed her forehead lightly, then, a loving smile upon his lips as he watched her enter her bedroom.
He felt his heart swell with love for her when he heard her delighted giggle through the door, a warm chuckle escaping him as he began to make his way to his own room.
He didn't know what life was going to be like once he and Maria were married, but he certainly knew one thing.
It was never going to be dull.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading the first chapter of my first story! I really hoped you enjoyed it, and please review! Thank you! :-) XxxXxXxXxX