Chapter One: So Long, Farewell

Dearest Captain,

I have realized that my being at your home is wrong, not just for me but for your family, too. I have been called to serve the Lord at the Abbey, and I don't wish to interfere on your relationship with the Baroness Schrader any longer. I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye in person, so please tell the children goodbye for me, and that I will miss them very much. I wish every happiness for you and your family. It was such a blessing to be employed by a wonderful family who will always have a special place in my heart. I will always love each member of your family. May God bless you all.

So long, farewell,

Maria

Maria put down her pencil and folded up the tear stained letter. She hated to, but she had to go. It was her only choice other than to face the man she could never love but did. She especially couldn't face him after what the Baroness said about how he loved her but would get over it soon. She couldn't even bear the thought. Maria folded up the paper and walked to the door. She opened it slowly, looking over the balcony to make sure no one could see her from downstairs. Quiet as she could, she walked down the hall and stairs with her bag and guitar in hand. She thanked God all the people at the party were in the ballroom. Quickening her pace, Maria walked to the table and sat the letter down. She took one last look around the villa and walked to the door, thinking no one could see her leave.

...

"Something on your mind, Georg?" Max walked up to his friend who was standing at the doorway of the ballroom with an alarmed stance, his back to the party.

"Max, I have to go. I may be back in a little while, but right now I don't know what I'm going to do. Get the party to a stop and make sure all the guests leave."

The Captain started to walk away, but Max pulled on his jacket and said, "Georg what are you talking about? I won't let you leave me here to take care of this without the slightest idea of what's going on."

Georg turned around with a serious look in his eyes. "Max, I haven't the time right now! I just saw Maria leave, did you not see her walk out the door? I'm going after her, now please take care of the party!"

"You're in love with her, aren't you?"

Georg looked at his friend and thought for a moment. He had been thinking of her more, ever since she brought music back into the house. He had been talking to her more and more, every chance he got. Max had been right when he was in love with Agathe and didn't realize it, all those years ago.

"How do you do it Max?" asked Georg. "You were right about the children's mother. I believe you're right again."

...

Georg's mind was clouded with thoughts as he put the letter in the passenger seat and started to drive away from the villa. If Maria loved him, why would she be running away? What did she mean by interfering with his relationship with the Baroness? Did she say something to Maria that made her feel that way and decide to leave?

He thought back to earlier that evening when Maria went upstairs with the Baroness to change her dress... She went upstairs with the Baroness! Elsa must've said something to her while they were in her room. Why would she do that? Maria had never done anything to hurt her. His only thought was that she was jealous of her. Did she realize that he loved Maria before he even did? He sped up as he drove, looking on the sidewalks for a sign of his Fräulein. As he turned a corner near the town square, he saw a woman sitting on a bench in his headlights, waiting for the late bus. A certain woman with a bag and a guitar case, wearing a red hat and an ugly gray dress.

"Maria!" he exclaimed, hitting the brakes and coming to a quick halt in front of the bench. He got out of his car and ran to her as fast as he could as she stood up and opened her mouth to speak. But all that came out of her mouth was a gasp as Georg wrapped her in his arms.

...

Maria looked up as she heard the screeching of brakes and saw bright headlights. 'Is that the Captain's car? It couldn't be!' she thought, getting up off the bench in a hurry to see what was going on. Suddenly, she saw a man of great stature get out of the car and run towards her. It was the Captain! How could he have found her if he was busy at the party? Maria just knew that no one could see her leave. She started to speak, wanting to ask what he was doing here, but she lost her words as soon as he took her in an embrace.

"Oh, Maria, why would you run away? You can't just leave like that, do you know how dangerous it is out here at night?" Georg let Maria out of his arms and looked her in the eye.

She sighed and said, "I couldn't face you, not after..." She couldn't go on any longer. How would she tell him? Walking towards the car, her mind was overwhelmed with thoughts on how she would explain to him; how she realized she loved him, what the Baroness said, and how she couldn't bear to be with him when she knew she was going to ruin his relationship.

Racing after her, Georg called, "Not after what, Maria?" She got in the passenger seat of the car and he got in the drivers. Her face was in her hands, so Georg put his hand on her back and said in a soft voice, "Please, Maria, tell me. You can trust me. I promise."

Maria say up and looked at him; in his eyes she saw that she could trust him. She sighed and confessed what had happened. "When I went up to my room earlier tonight, the Baroness said I was in love with you. She also said you were in love with me, but you would get over it soon enough. I'm just so confused. I don't know if I'm in love with you, I've never been in love before!"

She looked down at her lap, trying to avoid Georg's eyes. What would he think of her now? "She really said that Maria?" Georg asked furiously. "Now don't you listen to what she said about how I will get over it soon enough, because I will never get over it. Even though I just realized it tonight, I've been in love with you for weeks, and I would be honored if you felt the same way about me."

Maria was astonished. This couldn't possibly be happening to her! She looked up at him, wide-eyed as he moved his hand to the nape of her neck and ran his fingers through her short, soft hair. Maria breathed in deeply at the feeling of his hand and thought about how she felt. She had been wanting to talk him more and more, her thoughts of him almost never leaving. And every time she was with him, she felt like she had hundreds of butterflies trapped in her stomach. "I've been thinking about you more, and every time I'm around you, I get this feeling in my stomach, and I get nervoubs... that's all love?"

Georg chuckled and with a smile, said, "Yes my darling, I believe it is." He leaned in to kiss her, looking into her eyes for approval, and he got it when she leaned in too and met his lips in a chaste kiss. Maria, not sure of what to do with her hands, placed them on his shoulders as he deepened the kiss and held her even closer. She wrapped her arms around him and relished this new feeling of closeness with her Captain. Georg drew his face away and started running kisses over her neck. As she placed her head on his shoulder, she sighed. "Oh, how can this be happening to me?"

"This is God's will, my love," he said, "and I'm so glad it is."