Disclaimer: Yup... I don't own the sound of music... nor do I own the titel of this story, that one belongs to the wonderful Alan J Lerner

A/N: So, this is my first fic, and I am scared like hell, so go easy on me. Furthermore I'd like to thank my best freak Jacq for nagging me! You're great!

Summary: What happened during the weeks leading up to the proposal?

Chapter One

"I want you to stay… I ask you to stay" The words were ringing in her head as Maria closed the door behind her, still a little out of breath. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected those words when he followed her into the hallway. After their first meeting she knew that this man was as stubborn as she was and wouldn't give in easily. The look on his face when they fought outside proved that she was right. How different he had looked when he had apologized. His face gentle and insecure, a man who had just rediscovered his children and didn't know how to act the part.

Walking to the adjoining bathroom she suppressed the urge to dance and sing at the same time. She couldn't remember a time when felt happier than she did now. Before taking off her wet dress she turned on the hot water, not even realizing that she was whistling. While stepping under the shower, she marvelled at the Captains reaction when he heard his children sing. Even outside she had noticed a change in his behaviour, but when she heard him sing a long and even hug his children she knew that she wasn't seeing things. She had known all along that all that he needed was a push in the right direction, but she had never dared to hope that he would change so soon and so sudden.

Maria closed her eyes, enjoying the warm water. She knew she had to get dressed and meet the children but she couldn't resist the temptation of staying in the shower a while longer. After all, the lake water had been cold and falling into it hadn't been pleasant even though the outcome was something she would always be grateful for. She smiled when she thought about how those children finally got what they really wanted: their father back. No more need for nasty tricks to get rid of some horrible governess, they finally had their fathers attention.

Reaching for a towel she stepped out into the cold air. Rubbing herself dry she went to her room to grab a new dress, reprimanding herself for not doing this before. Remembering the state she was in before her shower she grinned as she realized it wouldn't have made much of a difference.

She returned to her bathroom and put on her dress. After drying her hair and running a hairbrush through it, she looked into the mirror to check her appearance one last time and couldn't suppress her laughter as she saw sparkling blue eyes, red cheeks and a bright smile. An unruly hairdo completed the picture. She rolled her eyes at her childish enthusiasm and walked to the door to go downstairs and meet the children and their father.

Descending the stairs Maria didn't have to guess where the children were, the noise they made, lead her to them directly. They were playing a game of tag outside in the garden with the Captain and the Baroness looking on. The moment Maria stepped out onto the terrace Gretl noticed her and motioned to Maria that she had to join them in their game.

The Captain saw Maria walking over to the group and give Gretl a small hug before running off to chase Friedrich down. A small smile appeared on his face, he knew this Fräulein was somehow special and he would be forever grateful to her for making him see how important his family was. He couldn't remember a time when he could simply enjoy watching his children running around the grand garden chasing each other.

A soft voice pulled him back to the present. "Georg, is anything wrong?" He blinked a couple of times before his eyes landed on Elsa, who was sliding her hand in his.

"Hmm? Oh nothing darling. Just hoping that that dreadful first meeting with my children hasn't scared you off." He smiled at her and patted her hand.

Reassured by his answer she laughed, "Oh Georg! You really are terrible!" The Captain feigned a shocked expression, but his eyes twinkled, blowing his cover.

They remained silent for a while and the eyes of the Captain returned to the group on the lawn. This time Brigitta was running after Louisa but she was a little too fast for her younger sibling. His eyes landed on her, the young lady that only one hour ago stood up to him. He couldn't figure out why he was so intrigued by her. She was only the governess after all. She looked up and their eyes met. She smiled at him, before running off again.

Elsa followed his gaze and frowned, she wondered why all of the sudden he was so fascinated with his children. Of course she knew he was a father, but he had never really talked about them. Sure, a lavish party wasn't the time and place to talk about these things but somehow she had never really thought about him being a father. She definitely hadn't expected him to be the kind of father who sang with his children nor the type of man who found watching his children play a wonderful way to spend his day. The man she met in Vienna was independent and she was captivated by his dark side, not the kind of man who would give in easily. But that's what he did when he came back from the terrace after his fight with the governess… Maybe she was just overanalyzing things, after all, she hadn't seen him with his children before had she? She didn't have to worry. Even if he was different from the way he was in Vienna, the reason he asked her here was obvious, he was thinking about marrying her. That hadn't changed had it? No, she was sure it hadn't.

Yeah, I know, rather short, the rest will be longer. That is, if you would like to read more? Please review, I'd love to know what you guys think!