Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

A/N:  Let's just pretend that the Anchluss never happened so the Von Trapps don't get kicked out of Austria.  Takes place the night of the party right after he talk with the Baroness.

DISCLAIMER:  Anything you recognize, I don't own.  Also, the title is from the song "My Girl" by The Temptations.

~*~

Maria stared out of the window of her bedroom.  The darkness outside mirrored the darkness in her heart.  She was confused and scared and she was filled with new emotions.  Her stomach was twisting itself into knots and her heart felt like it was fluttering away. 

This was neither a dog's bit nor a bee's sting and it wasn't quite a bad feeling and she didn't know what to do about it.

She didn't want to take the Baroness' advice, though.

The party noises downstairs interrupted her thoughts.  She smiled as she remembered the children's performance.  They had been so excited and she just loved watching their faces shine with happiness when they knew they were the centre of attention.  She was so pleased that they no longer had to find attention in doing stupid things like putting frogs in people's pockets and glue on people's toothbrushes.  They had their father's attention.  For now at least.  What would happen when he married the Baroness?

Her mind was all muddled with thoughts.  She pushed down firmly on the pile of clothing in her half-packed suitcase.  She could just as easily unpack it as she could close it.  She looked at the letter she had already written.  It was laying on the night-table; it looked so foreboding just laying there, its message bearing inevitable disappointment.  She just couldn't give up on the children or on her mission.  What would the reverend mother think?

~*~

The next morning, the children were sitting around the breakfast table with the Captain, Uncle Max and the Baroness.  They were waiting for Maria, who was late for the first time since her first night there.

The children all looked at each other worriedly as their father tapped his fingers on the table and cleared his throat.

"Well," said the Baroness brightly.  The children all turned their attention to her, "I'm sure Maria is just feeling a little bit ill after all the excitement last night.  Perhaps it would do well to start without her."  The children continued to stare at her and none of them responded.

The Captain stopped tapping his fingers against the table and instead stared at each of his children's somber faces.

"Maybe we'll wait a little bit longer.  If she's not down in five minutes, we can send Frau Schmidt up to check on her."  The children nodded in agreement.

"That sounds like a good idea, father."  Brigitta responded for all the children

"Well, I don't know," began the Baroness, "the food might be cold by then.  And besides, what if she's gone?  We could wait for hours and she wouldn't come" A small smile was forming on her face.  The children looked at her puzzled.

"Gone?" whispered Gretl, "Why would she go?"  Marta and Gretl looked at each other worriedly.

"Oh, I don't think she's gone anywhere, children," said their father firmly, "I'm sure the Baroness was just being silly."  His tone was daring her to disagree.

"Oh, please, I'd like to hear the joke," said a clear voice from behind the Captain, "I'm sorry I'm late, children, but I guess I overslept."

"Maria!" Exclaimed Gretl, "You haven't gone!"

"Well, of course I haven't gone, Gretl.  What gave you that silly idea?" but Maria turned to exchange dark looks with the Baroness.

"Well, now that Maria is here, we can have our breakfast!" declared the Captain, breaking the troubled silence.

Tell me what you think.  It's my first fanfic for TSOM, so I'll need plenty of advice!