Hello Everyone! I'm back again with a new story, which I hope you will enjoy. It takes place about 7 years after the movie, picking up in the late summer of 1945 and it will just go from there. The von Trapp family leaves in the US, somewhere in the Eastcoast. Maria and Georg have a 6-year old daughter, Alexandra who is about to start school. And besides this, some other excitement keeps the von Trapp Family occupied. Enjoy my story and please leave me a little feedback, I would like to know what you think.
Gratitude: my wonderful beta, Jessica for her helpful suggestions, corrections. Also, I had a friend, who did some prereading, and her suggestions were also truly appreciated and incorporated into this story! Thank you Ladies!
I do not own the Sound of Music, or the characters.
It was almost September and the von Trapp children enjoyed the last days of their summer holidays. The older ones, Louisa and Friedrich, were supposed to return to college. Friedrich attended a law school, while Louisa had majored in teaching. Georg was also to return to his cadets at the Naval Academy and the youngest child, Alexandra was filled with excitement about starting school. Maria tried to make the most of their time together before some of children were going to leave for their college semester. The large group of people enjoyed long walks, picnics together while everyone was eagerly anticipating Liesl's wedding to be held in the middle of September. The girls were discussing what dress they should wear, who the maid of honor should be, as well as the role of flower girls were given out. Liesl was grateful for Maria's presence and assistance and she was grateful for each little advice Maria would give to her. She had always thought of her parents' marriage as an example to follow. In the last 7 years, no one had had seen any fights or big arguments between Maria and Georg, but the couple indeed had seemed to have fallen more in love every single day. Liesl loved her fiancé very much, and she was loved in return, their relationship had proved to be a fairy tale so far. Despite her happiness, she couldn't help but wonder if their marriage was going to be as happy and strong as her parents'. Maria had not only made her father very happy, but she had been the most wonderful mother as well. Due to the little age difference between Liesl and Maria, the two women had become very close friends throughout the years.
When September came they bid farewell to Louisa, Friedrich who were going away for their college semester. Also, Alexandra's first school day arrived and the little girl was filled with excitement. In the morning of the big day, Georg silently entered Alexandra's room to wake her up. Sitting down next to her on the bed, his heart almost melted at the sight of his youngest daughter, her blond curls framing her beautiful face, which carried her mother's features. Georg placed a gentle kiss on his youngest daughter's face. The girl started shifting and her blue eyes flung open as she looked up at her father.
"Come, my sweetheart. It's time to get ready for school. You don't want to be late on your first day, do you?" he asked while gently helping the girl sit up. Alexandra put her arms around her father's neck and let out a few tears.
"Alexandra? What's the matter?" he asked while gently caressing Alexandra's long blond hair.
"I don't want to go to school. I'm afraid," she cried and her tears became a storm.
"Ssh, my darling. Everything will be all right. I'm sure you will find a lot of new friends. You are a brave girl…ssh," Georg gently caressed the girl's hair. How he wanted to hold his daughter in his arms to comfort her, but he knew that she should get ready.
In the very next moment Maria stormed into the room, but stopped when she saw Georg holding Alexandra in his arms and comforting her. First she softly smiled before she slowly approached the bed and put her hand on her husband's shoulder.
"What's the matter?" she softly asked hiding her own excitement. Ever since the first minutes of that morning, Maria had felt nervous as if she had been the one starting school. She could completely relate to what her daughter was feeling that very moment. Her own first day at school had been marked with excitement, except she had not had anyone to comfort her.
"Oh, nothing really. Alexandra and I have just discussed some serious issues," Georg answered while giving a twinkle to his daughter, noticing how the little girl was more relaxed in his embrace.
"Oh, I see," Maria smiled. "But then if you are done, I think darling you should get ready. Come, let me help you." Maria gently guided her daughter out of bed. Georg silently sneaked out of the room, letting them get ready for the big day.
Georg sat at the breakfast table talking to his children while impatiently waiting for Maria and Alexandra's arrival. A few minutes later Maria led her daughter into the dining room motioning for her to sit down and start eating. The girl was reluctant at first, but then with the help of the others she was convinced to have some breakfast.
"You better eat that, Alexandra. You won't get any food until lunch time when you are at school," Kurt tried to convince his sister. Alexandra's eyes grew wide and took a bite of the toast.
"And what about you, Mommy?" Alexandra asked when she noticed her mother not eating anything, just having a cup of tea.
"Uhm… I have already eaten….," Maria got embarrassed, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Georg, but at least it worked with Alexandra.
"Oh, it's time, guys, let's go if we don't want to miss the school bus," Brigitta noticed the time and took a last bite of the toast. She jumped up from her seat while motioning for Marta, Gretl and Kurt to do the same. All the four of them went to hug their parents, before they left to start their own school day.
"And where is Liesl?" Alexandra asked curiously.
"Oh, she has left early. She has some errands this morning before work," Maria answered. "I saw her for a quick moment this morning," Maria added. "Are you ready with your breakfast, Alexandra?" Maria asked. The little girl nodded in response. She didn't need to get instructed, she went to pick up her school bag leaving her parents alone.
"Maria? And when did you have breakfast?" Georg asked, noticing his wife still sipping her cup of tea.
"Georg, I'm not hungry this morning. All this excitement makes my stomach feel so strange. I just couldn't tell her the truth," Maria answered.
"But otherwise, are you all right Maria? You look a bit pale this morning," Georg studied his wife's face.
"Only nervous, Georg," she answered. Standing up she placed a little kiss on her husband's lips.
"Mommy, daddy…I'm ready," a shy voice came from the doorway.
Georg packed Maria and Alexandra into the car and they headed to the school. The little girl was very quiet during the ride, while Maria kept on talking to her. Once they arrived, Georg helped them get out of the car. Alexandra took a hold of her parents' hands and the trio walked inside the building. Maria felt the little girl tightening the hold on her hand.
"Oh look sweetheart, how nice it all looks in here," Maria exclaimed as she looked around noticing the colorful drawings that decorated the walls. Alexandra nodded without saying a word.
"You must be Alexandra!" a cheerful female voice was heard as a tall and nicely dressed woman approached them. She wore a green longish skirt and a pastel jacket giving her an elegant outfit, while her hair was simply put together at the back of her head, a few curls framing her friendly face. Alexandra turned her head toward her new teacher. Her lips curved to a shy smile, but she kept her eyes cast downwards.
"Hello. I'm Ms. Taylor, your teacher. There are quite a few children in the classroom already. Come and join them!" the woman said and gently guided the little girl into the classroom. She gave a nervous, but also proud look to her parents and entered the classroom with her teacher.
"She will be okay," Georg said while gently squeezing Maria's hand.
"I know. She is a smart and intelligent little girl," Maria sighed.
Ms. Taylor returned to Maria and Georg leaving Alexandra in the classroom. She smiled in reassurance at the two obviously nervous parents standing in front of her. She had seen that look often since starting her teaching career and deep in her heart she fully understood what exactly parents should feel upon letting their child enter the world of studies.
"Mr. von Trapp, Mrs. von Trapp. Your daughter is fine, so are the other pupils. They have already started making friends with each other," the teacher said and smiled at Maria.
"Thank you Ms. Taylor. I know our daughter is in good hands. I will be here to pick her up around noon," Maria answered. She sensed Ms. Taylor being a professional; after all she was a trained teacher herself. In the deepest corner of her mind she felt a little regret for not being able to pursue a career as schoolteacher, but mothering 8 children had fully compensated her and even more. Ms. Taylor softly nodded in response and returned to her pupils.
Georg took Maria's hand and led her back to the car. He had noticed something about her lately; something was definitely not right with her. Her expression had shown the signs of fatigue and the healthy color of her always rosy cheeks had slowly faded into paleness.
"Maria, I should hurry up now, otherwise I'm going to be late for work," he said and gently stroked her face. Maria looked at him and gently kissed him on the lips.
"Darling, please make sure to get some rest now that we know that she is going to okay. You look very tired. Are you sure you are okay?" Georg asked in concern.
"Don't worry about me, Georg," Maria smiled as waved her hand at him before he got on the car and went to work.
In two weeks time the little girl did very well at school and managed to adjust to her class very easily. Also, she managed to find new friends and enjoyed school life immensely. Her happy chatting and laughter usually filled the house and she was the sunshine in everyone's eyes.
Slowly, but surely the plans for Liesl's wedding were also taking shape. The invitations were sent out to number of people, mostly to friends. Maria negotiated with caterers, florist shops and dressmakers and tried to pay attention to every single detail, without having much time for herself, but she enjoyed it very much. She felt exhausted more and more often, but it wasn't until the day of Liesl's dress fitting that she started suspecting what the reason for her problem was. She was standing in the dressmaker's shop looking at some materials, dresses all the while waiting for Liesl to come out of the fitting room. Maria felt a little dizzy spell coming over her, but after taking a deep breath she felt a bit better. Liesl showed up a few minutes later and turned around in front of the mirror to show her gown to Maria.
"So mother, what do you think?" Liesl smiled at Maria asking for an opinion.
"Oh, Liesl you look absolutely gorgeous," Maria answered tears shining in her eyes at the sight of her daughter standing there full in white with a long veil fixed by some white flowers on her hair. She wanted to hug her daughter, but another sudden dizzy spell made her lightheaded immediately looking for a chair. Liesl noticed how pale Maria's face had become. Guiding her to a nearby chair she helped her sit down.
"Mother? Are you all right?" Liesl asked with concern, taking a hold of Maria's hand.
"It's just stuffy in here. Some fresh air would definitely help," Maria answered, but as she spoke a sudden realization came to her mind. She hadn't felt well lately, every single morning for about 2 weeks she had felt sick and she had suffered from severe headaches. First she had thought she had been exhausted, but the more she thought now, the more she remembered the last time she had felt this way. That had been about 4 years ago and shortly thereafter the doctor discovered her being with child. "Pregnant!" she thought to herself and her face lit up in a smile but also a wave of fear crossed her mind.
"Mother?" Liesl asked noticing Maria's smile.
"I'm all right, Liesl. It's just stuffy in here as I said," Maria answered excitedly.
To be continued…..
Thank you for reading! More to come soon! Please review.