Disclaimer: I don't own anything about the Sound of Music. I just love to fantasize about these two wonderful main characters and the others.

Just for reference here are everyone's ages: Maria – 29, Georg – 45, Liesl – 23, Friedrich – 21, Louisa – 20, Kurt – 18, Brigitta – 17, Marta – 13, Gretl 12,

Joy almost 6 and David 4 in February 1935

The von Trapp family had just celebrated seven wonderful years together. Georg and Maria had a solid marriage. All his friends had marveled at their deep love for each other.

Maria herself had questioned her ability to please Georg, but Eleanor had told her; Georg was deeply in love with her, the young woman that she was. He only wanted to protect her as she experienced all those things that were never available to her in her youth.

They became one of those marriages that other always wanted for themselves. Even the children knew; especially the older ones. The events that were unfolding in the world would test that marriage.

It was soon to be 1935; everything in the world had changed. It was the first years of what would be called the Great Depression – it affected everyone. This family was no exception.

It was last year the first bank in Austria had failed and the depositors lost all their money. Georg was one of those depositors. He had some money saved that had not been deposited in any bank; so they lived reasonably well for a while. Other money was in a London bank. He didn't want to touch it – something told him to leave it there.

The rise of the Nazi party, especially among the youth had gone unnoticed by most the world. The other leaders in Europe tried to look past Hitler; thinking it was only a temporary interest of the youth. Georg felt differently; he told all who would listen, "we must protect Austria or it will be swallowed up by Germany."

Already German's pressure was being felt by other countries. Only Germany was looking for new submarine designs; Georg would not do business with them, so he became unemployed like many of his friends.

One afternoon Maria found Georg in his study simply staring at a book on his desk.

"Georg, you seem so pensive."

He and Maria were so close they shared everything; all their thoughts, good or bad. They kept surprises but never had they kept secrets.

He motioned for her to come close after pushing his chair away from his desk, he sat her on his lap. Instinctively she soothed his face will her fingers. "Tell me darling, what's troubling you."

"We hardly have enough money to pay the bills, Maria."

"Georg, the housestaff all know. Nobody has money. I talked to them; they don't want to leave us. They will work for room and board. Will that help?"

"Yes, it will." He said brightly.

"Come, let's go tell them." She got up and took his hand pulling him to his feet.

While talking to them, they each had some new ideas. "Georg, I'd like to enlarge the garden. Several of the neighbors are moving. They have encouraged me to take things from their gardens. Now is a good time to move them, they will be ready to grow and produce again in the spring."

"The same for cows, Georg; the Patten family has offered me their two after they leave; and maybe a few more laying hens from the Burchers."

No one would go hungry and part could also be sold or in some instances given to the very needy.

When the family had visited Sidney at the lodge a few years ago, they all interacted with the seminary students who stayed there. The older children especially had enjoyed their discussions. Maria wondered if they might rent out a couple of their unused rooms to seminary or even University students. Before she did anything she checked with Georg.

"Georg, how would you feel about renting some of our unused rooms to students?"

"I really don't like the idea of strangers in the villa."

"But you already know them."

"I do."

"Yes, remember Robert Cruze and Charles Burke, you enjoyed talking with them. And I also think Friedrich has a friend in need of a room. The money would help pay for electricity."

"I suppose you're right, Maria. Let's talk to the children."

"Could I ask Samuel, Papa?" Friedrich asked as soon as Georg told them.

"Your Mother told me you might have someone to ask. Even just three people will help."

The three young men fit right into the family; everyone enjoyed their time together in the evenings.

For more than a year, the bills had been paid and everyone was comfortable with a roof over their head and food on the table.

It was mid morning when Franz heard the door bell which he answered as usual.

"Good day sir," he heard. "I'm Sidney Shriver."

Franz immediately recognized the name, "Sidney, what brings you to the villa?"

"To see Georg and Maria; are they home?"

"Yes." Just then Maria spotted him as she came down the front stairs.

"Sidney, this is a surprise, come with me. Georg is in his study."

"Georg, Georg, we have a visitor."

The two entered the study and heard the same question Franz had asked. "What brings you to the villa?"

"I was at the Abbey visiting one of the seminary students who stayed with me. Maria can tell you they have strict visiting hours. I couldn't go back to the lodge without seeing both of you."

They started to talk old navy talk so Maria excused herself. Their conversation drifted to other topics. "Georg, this is a huge house. How much land does it sit on?"

"Let's take a walk and I'll show you." They walked through the gardens and out by the cow pasture and chicken houses.

"Georg, I wanted to get out of the house to discuss a guest I had recently."

"What about the guest?"

"Do you remember Alfred Schuler?"

"Yes, he was commander of U boat 210."

"He stayed a couple of nights and had several visitors including Colonel Klein from Berlin. They stayed in his room the entire time, used only room service."

"What is your concern, Sidney?"

"I think they were planning something. When Kirk delivered their food he over heard them discussing different people; he heard your name mentioned. He remembered it from your family's visit."

Sidney could see Georg's mind getting into military mode. Before Georg could speak, Sidney did. "Georg, I still have my connections with the Austrian Security Forces, Sedrich Fogle is a member. Let me do some footwork and see what I can learn. How can we meet? I don't want to worry Maria."

"How much time do you need?"

"Give me three days."

"Thursday afternoon in the cow pasture."

"I'll park at the train station and use your back gate."

That day Phillip and Stefan were both making deliveries of milk and eggs. Georg waited within eye sight of the back gate.

"Georg, the news is not good. Alfred is collaborating with the German Navy. There is no nice way to tell you. They want you Georg. I think your family and everyone in the villa is in great danger. The Germans will go to any means possible; even to the extent of taking members of the family hostage."

"That also includes you Sidney. The Germans will make the connection."

"Yes I know that, as much as I love the lodge. I would feel comfortable turning it over to the seminary. Something in my gut tells me that Europe is in for another war."

"Yes I sense that too. Give me a chance to think over all this. Where else can we meet?"

"At the foot hills abandoned army base, next Wednesday."

For the first time in his marriage he was keeping something from Maria. He had to for now; the time would come soon when he could tell her. He was sure she would understand.

Georg made a list of all who needed to come with them; Frau Schmidt, Frau Katia, Martha, Phillip, Stefan, Karl and Stephanie, her mother Christine; Sidney of course and maybe Max.