Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is all Rogers and Hammerstein's work. And the screen writers and the network; No Copyright infringement intended. Some ideas also come from the real Maria in her book titled "Maria."
The inspiration for this story came to me after reading, "Nothing Comes from Nothing" the revised story by Shahrazado63. The last chapters tell of a visit from Georg's mother-in-law. She comes after learning that Elsa has left him and she is told about Maria.
Maria had returned from the Abbey, but Georg never could find the right moment to talk to her; she told him she wouldn't leave again until they talked.
My story picks up after Maria is embarrassed at a dinner party.
At the end of the dinner party Baroness Whitehead hosted; Maria did not look good; she was cold and pale.
The Captain and his friend, a doctor, thought she might just need some fresh air, they suggested she go for a walk.
She walked the grounds for a longtime, before ending up in her favorite place; the gazebo where she came many a night after the children were in bed, to think and to pray.
Tonight was no different; she prayed for an answer to that lingering question; what was life's purpose for her now.
The Captain had watched her many a night, longing to talk to her, to be close to her. But that was not to be. He had brought Elsa back with him from Vienna for the sole purpose of asking her to marry him.
Tonight was different; Elsa had graciously returned to Vienna having realized their marriage was not to be. His mother-in-law, Baroness Whitehead was not as gracious; she found ways to embarrass Maria at dinner; to the extent it physically affected her.
He would walk the grounds until he found her, he knew full well, he would find her in the gazebo. He saw her through the glass, bent over with folded hands; perhaps praying or maybe just thinking.
Not wanting to scare her, he started to hum Edelweiss; a little louder the closer he got. She turned to see who was humming.
"Maria, it's only me, don't be frightened." He came closer; she moved away towards the very end of the bench.
"May I sit down," he pointed to the other end of the bench. "We both know the feelings we have for each other; I can't lie and I don't think you can either."
Maria stood up, not knowing what to do or say. He came towards her slowly.
He held her chin with his fingertips; he looked into her eyes, he softly said, "Maria, I love you."
She took a deep breath as those words sunk into her being. This was the first time anyone had spoken those words to her. The sisters and the Reverend Mother had love for her, but that was different.
She was sure her mother loved her, but she died when she was two so she never heard them from her. Her father had lost two wives and could never express love to her.
She looked at the eyes of the man who had just said those words; his eyes spoke the very words his lips had just uttered. She smiled a shy smile.
"Maria, those words have been in my heart since the first day I saw you. You touched my heart. I had you turn around so you would not see my eyes."
"You've had feeling for me for a long time also?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Maria, had hard as it might be, please call me Georg. Tell me when did you know?"
She smiled, "when you blew that silly whistle."
He laughed. "Do you know what I wanted to do when you blew the whistle at me?"
Maria looked at him. "I wanted to give you an old fashioned spanking."
"Captain – I mean Georg, really?"
"Yes, and I had that same feeling recently."
"Why?" she asked. "Because you ran away and had me worried sick."
"I'm sorry; I didn't think I mattered to you."
"Mattered! Of course you mattered to me."
"I was so mixed up, I couldn't think straight."
"Maria, come here please; no spanking today." He just smiled lovingly.
She went to him; he lifted her chin again and kissed her sweetly. Very shyly she responded. He wasn't going to rush her. He broke the kiss and brought his lips up to kiss her still closed eyes.
Guiding her head against his shoulder he held her close. She cautiously put her arms on his back.
"Maria," he whispered, "trust me darling, I know this is all so new for you. Never be afraid to tell me your thoughts. No matter what they may be. Okay?"
"Yes, Georg, I trust you."
"You know we have to go back to the house?"
"I just can't face Baroness Whitefield."
"You won't have to. I'll take you up the back stairs to your room; she leaves early in the morning. I'll let you stay in your room. I'll cover for you, don't worry."
He took her hand and walked around back and entered through the staff entrance; up the back stairs, down the hall past the children's rooms.
He didn't want to leave her, but he knew he must. With a kiss on her forehead he opened her door.
Maria put her fingers to his lips, "good night Georg, I love you; he pulled the door shut. Soon, he thought, she will be my bride.
Georg was the first down at breakfast, he spoke to Frau Schmidt. "Maria isn't feeling well, will you see if she needs anything?"
"Of course, Captain."
Frau Schmidt had become very close to Maria while the Captain was away. In her heart she knew the truth.
She knocked on Maria's door, she heard a very soft, "come in." When she opened the door, she saw Maria still in bed with a rag on her forehead. "Maria, does your head hurt?"
"Yes, Frau Schmidt, I guess I'm not used to wine or champagne."
"I brought you some tea and toast along with two aspirin. I'll tell the children you will be down later."
"Thank you."
After breakfast, having answered everyone's questions about Maria, Max drove the Baroness to the train station.
Liesl took the children to the study room for their lessons.
A little later, Georg thought Maria might feel better, he asked Liesl to check on her.
Liesl softly knocked on Maria's door. Maria had bathed and finished dressing. She opened the door.
"Oh, Fraulein, so good to see you up, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, Liesl but let this be a lesson to you; be very careful the first time you are allowed an adult beverage."
Liesl smiled, "was that really the problem or is there another reason?"
"Liesl, you are going to have to wait for that answer." Maria said smiling.
"Why don't we go downstairs?"
The Captain asked everyone to come into the sitting room.
The little ones sat on the floor; Liesl, Friedrich and Louisa sat in the chairs.
Maria wasn't sure what to do; Georg solved her problem immediately. He took her hand and sat with her on the love seat.
The older children looked at each other, with a look of wonder.
"Children, you act surprised that I'm sitting with Fraulein Maria, holding her hand."
He squeezed her hand gently.
"Father," Liesl asked, "what does this mean?"
"Fraulein Maria will be with us for a long, long time. She has chosen not to return to the Abbey."
The children looked at each other in wonder. Liesl smiled at Maria, she knew. "Tell us more Father."
"Well, children, it seems that it's God's plan that she becomes someone's wife."
"Someone's wife," Brigitta exclaimed.
"Is she going to marry Uncle Max?" Kurt asked.
At that, Maria and the Captain broke into giggly laughter.
"No, Kurt. Does anyone else want to guess?"
"Oh, Father, just tell us."
"Okay no more games, I'm going to marry Maria, if she'll have me?" Maria looked at him in complete surprise, he was always teasing her.
"Fraulein, tell him yes, please?"
Everyone's eyes were on Maria.
"Georg," she surprised him by using his given name in front of the children, he smiled. "You know perfectly well the answer." She delayed answering him, then she turned and said; "I love you with all my heart, I would be most happy to be your wife."
Georg brought his other hand up to her face, he kissed ever so gently. Almost before he released his kiss the children were climbing all over him and Maria.
He tried without success to get his children's attention, he reached into his vest pocket for his whistle.
Maria saw him about to bring the whistle to his lips; "Captain," she said loudly, "please, give me the whistle." Their eyes met and she smiled at him. He laughed and handed over the whistle; never to be seen again.
The children saw her take the whistle from their Father. They quieted down instantly.
"Seems like my bride-to-be doesn't like my whistle. I knew she would be a trouble maker the first day I met her. I think she needs an old fashioned spanking."
The children looked at their father and saw his laughing eyes, so they went along with him.
They all nodded their heads.
While Maria was still in shock, he put her over his knee, "Okay, who wants to go first? Gretl?
"Father, you can't spank our governess."
"I can't?"
"No," Gretl said as she stomped her foot.
"Okay, what about kisses and tickles?"
He was laughing so hard, he almost let her fall to the floor. He turned her and held her like a baby. "Is this better, Gretl?"
She and the other children rushed to Maria, giving her tickles and kisses. She had broken free of Georg's hold of her hands and tried to stop the tickles. Finally, she gave up. Georg saw her surrender. He pushed the children away, Georg bent over and gave her a long lingering kiss.
The children covered their eyes, pretending not to watch. They just smiled and laughed.
He sat Maria on his lap and lovingly hugged her.
Maria was overcome with emotion; tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. She had never felt so much love.
"Okay, children go play for a while. I want to talk to your Fraulein."
"Maria, you know we can never be completely alone until we are married. Your living here before we are married can make for a lot of ugly rumors. We need to have a chaperone, like Max; he looked at her and winked. He didn't need to say a word, Maria knew what he meant.
They sat there and talked for a long time. Maria finally said, "I really should go check on the children."
"Why?" he asked, "is the house on fire?"
"Oh, really Georg, let's both go check on them."
Begrudgingly, Georg got off the love seat and went hand in hand with Maria to find the children.
Everyone in the house were their chaperones, even the children. They found it hard to find a quiet moment together.
The only time they got away was late in the evening after the children were in bed.
Max would see them sneak away to the gazebo.
They enjoyed each other's company. Georg showered her with affection. Their kisses were nothing but sweet and lovingly. He knew he would share deeper more passionate kisses on their wedding night. This was enough for now.
Maria was a quick learner; she responded with kisses of her own as well as affectionate touches.
Here they stood, outside the gates to the Abbey, where Maria would spend the night; neither wanted to say good night.
Finally, Georg spoke, "the sooner we get to sleep the quicker tomorrow will be here."
"I'm as bad as the children the night before their birthday or on Christmas Eve waiting for Christkindle (our Santa Claus); I don't want to go to bed, to leave you."
Georg laughed, "Yes, I know that feeling too; but we must." Kissing her sweetly he rang the bell and Maria entered the Abbey one more time as a single woman.