Fate

During the dance with Maria the Captain had felt his heart hammering in his chest. Her blushing at the end told him that she was feeling something for him, but what it was he couldn't figure out. Now he stood in the ballroom, waiting for the woman his heart truly desired. Elsa had gone upstairs to powder her nose, leaving the Captain in a bad mood with a strange feeling that something was about to happen. All of a sudden he decided to go see for himself that Maria was still there, to see what dress she was going to wear and walk her down to the ballroom. Slowly going out to the hallway contemplating about his life, he was utterly unprepared for the sight that met him. Maria stood with her back towards him, wearing her old clothes and with the bag and guitar in her hands.

"Maria?" She startled and turned to face him. The Captains heart almost broke at the sight of her, cheeks red from crying and eyes filled with sorrow. He went to her and, without thinking, brushed her tears away with his thumbs. She turned her head.

"Please don't." He winced at the lack of emotions in her voice, knowing that she had masked them well.

"Where are you going?" She turned to look at him again.

"Please, it doesn't matter."

"You're not going back to the abbey are you?" Maria nodded and the tears started streaming down her face.

"You weren't supposed to see this at all. Please, just let me walk away."

"Why?" He couldn't for the life of him understand why she wanted to leave now.

"Was it because of the dance? I'm sorry if I intimidated you."

"I... I have to go." With that said she ran outside, welcoming the rain that fell on her treacherous body. She heard someone run after her and at the gate a strong masculine hand took a hold of her arm.

"Let go of me." She turned to face her assailant, who naturally was the Captain. He released her instantly at her demand but still held her gaze.

"I need you Maria, don't leave me."

"I'm sure the Baroness will take care of the children just fine, don't you worry Captain."

"They're not the ones I'm worried about." He took her hands in his, stroking them gently.

"You're cold. Let's go inside."

"I don't want..."

"To the gazebo then" he stated promptly, took her bags and started dragging her along.

"Now tell me Maria, what's going on? I thought... Well, during the dance I... Kind of felt something I haven't in many years and..." Maria could hardly believe what she was hearing.

"And what?" she whispered, awaiting the inevitable betrayal of God.

"And I kind of hoped it was reciprocal?" Maria gasped at his boldness but felt her cheeks flush at the compliment. He stepped closer to her, making their noses almost touch. Her eyes closed automatically when he leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips. When they parted he couldn't help but smile and felt the butterflies doing summersaults inside his stomach, hoping insistently that he wouldn't be rejected.

"Oh Georg..." Maria couldn't take it any longer. She threw herself at him and they kissed passionately, the party and the Baroness long since forgotten.

"Maria, I love you." Maria smiled wider than ever and leaned in to whisper in Georgs ear.

"I love you too."

THE END