Disclaimer: The Sound of Music belongs to 20th Century Fox. Also, there is a section of this story that is of the same theme as another recently posted story. This is purely coincidental, and do not wish the author of that other story (MaryAnne741) to be offended. I have been working on this story since before Thanksgiving, so all I can say about these two fics being posted at the same time is this: great minds think alike.
Gratitude: To Ilandra and Jelpy, as always. Jelpy, who made my stomach crawl with her comment about some local tradition (please tell me it wasn't Austrian), and who also mortified me when she pointed out that I had used the wrong homophone. Well, I was mortified and then proceeded to laugh my butt off. Ilandra, who made me change a scene to keep Maria in character and who also prevented me from making the Captain look like, how did you put it, a total ass. So, thank you both for your input. This story would be terrible if it wasn't for you two.
Rating: PG (although part one has a PG-13 part and the end might make some people a little ruffled. I don't know how, but I just thought I'd c.m.a. there)
Comments: This story is dedicated to Ilandra, since she asked for it in one of her reviews. It takes place in the same universe as Every Happiness, Nautical Training, and Eight on Wednesday. Incidentally, if I ever write in this AU again, it'll be shorted to the "Stefan Universe." There are some blatant and subtle references to Eight on Wednesday, so if you don't understand something, you can either ask me or re-read that one, which ever you chose. In this universe, there is no such thing as the Anchluss. It's all utopia for the von Trapps. Well, in that setting, how can it not be?
Summary: Storms surge and tensions mount as the Captain is forced to wait outside
Waiting for You
Georg's leg twitched as he tried to force himself to remain seated. Outside, the rain pummeled the window pane and the wind thrashed about the house, emitting a ghastly sound. He bowed his head and inhaled deeply.
The thunder crashed, startling him so greatly he actually jumped in his seat. He glanced about him, seeing the worried faces of his children staring back at him.
"Will the power go out, Father?" Marta asked, her cheeks white. She rubbed her fingers over the tiny ballerina atop her music box.
Georg shook his head, his throat too tight to make any sound. To his horror, the house betrayed him and the lights flickered.
Please, no, he prayed, closing his eyes against the torturous dimming of the electricity. Not tonight. Any night but tonight.
Sitting at a small table, Friedrich glanced up at the ceiling. "Do you think everything is alright up there?" he asked, looking at Brigitta, who was sitting across from him.
The girl followed his gaze, her eyebrows rising in worry.
"Maybe they need some water," she said, the game of checkers she and Friedrich had been playing completely forgotten.
"What for?" Kurt asked from the settee.
His sister shrugged. "That's what they do in the movies," she offered.
"This isn't the movies, silly," Kurt scoffed.
"She's just trying to help," Louisa snapped from her seat on the floor, where she had been trying to preoccupy herself with a game of solitaire. "I don't see you making any suggestions!"
"Will you both be quiet?" Friedrich barked, looking nervously at his father.
Georg didn't even hear them argue. He cast his own look up to the ceiling, his stomach tightening as he thought of what was happening above him.
Damn propriety, he thought somberly, as he rose and walked over to the window. The trees swayed violently in the wind, and he wondered how much more force it would take for the limbs to snap off all together.
He should be upstairs, instead of being forced to wait, completely helpless. As he stood there, he couldn't think of any reason as to why he shouldn't be up there.
He had been there for the entire journey so far. He had been there from the very beginning…
Those were the longest five days of my life, Georg thought wryly as he drove the car up to the front of the villa. As he switched off the motor and prepared to climb out, he found himself more than anxious to see his family and to hear about how they had spent their week apart.
Immediately, a brisk February wind hit him as he got out of the car. He had half-expected the children to be waiting for him outside, but as he shivered in the night air, he laughed to himself at their sage choice to remain indoors.
"Hello!" he called out as he entered the house. Within an instant, seven figures flew towards him, knocking him over on the front few steps of their home. He laughed as he wrapped his arms around Gretl. "I can see you all missed me!"
They were all speaking to him at once, each eager to welcome him home and to tell him the various little things that had happened in his absence. He rose and they started to guide him to the parlor, when he stopped, looking around.
"Where's your mother?" he asked.
"She's in her room," Kurt answered. "She must not know you're here yet."
"With that loud welcoming, how could she not know?" Georg asked, laughing. He cast a glance up in the direction where his wife was. "Is she feeling well?"
"Yes, I think so," Brigitta said, tugging on his arm in an effort to lead him to the parlor. "Come, Father! You must tell us all about Vienna!"
"Yes, did you meet the Chancellor?"
"Did you go to any balls?"
"Was it as cold there as it is here?"
"Did you buy us anything?"
Georg laughed and peeled himself free of his children's grasp. "I will be more than happy to tell you all about it," he said as he started to climb the stairs. "But I really think I must say hello to your mother. We'll be down shortly."
He could have sworn he saw Liesl and Louisa exchange a knowing look, but he had already turned and was sprinting too quickly up the stairs to be sure. Trying to be dignified, he refrained from taking the steps two at a time. He walked to his bedroom, finding the door closed.
Georg opened it and found Maria standing in the middle of the room, the soft lights illuminating her face. His breath caught in his throat as he realized she was wearing a becoming silk dressing robe. Her cheeks reddened as he quickly shut the door behind him and turned the key.
"I hope you will forgive me for not being with the children just now," she said, a glow to her eyes that made his heart beat faster. She unfastened the tie of her robe, but kept it draped around her with her arms.
He walked over to her and stared into her eyes.
"Welcome home, Captain," she whispered.
He took her hands in his and moved his face close to hers. He felt her warm breath on his lips, and smiled. "This is one of the best welcome home parties I've ever had," he murmured before wrapping his arms around her and kissed her deeply.
He felt her moan as he dipped her body back. She reached her arms up to caress his neck, and the movement caused her robe to come apart. Georg reached down and was surprised to feel bare skin beneath his hands. He withdrew for a second and glanced down at her. He felt his mouth drop open as he saw that the robe was the only thing she was wearing.
He looked into her eyes and grinned at her. "No, I was wrong," he said and gestured to her. "This is the best welcome home party I've ever had."
Sliding his hands under her robe, he caressed her bare back and felt her shudder beneath his touch. She clutched him closer to her and deepened their embrace. Georg felt her sink a little as her knees faltered for a moment. Smiling in their kiss, he held her tighter.
Finally withdrawing for air, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "Oh, I've missed you," she breathed.
"You have no idea, Baroness," he replied. Unable to wait any longer, he reached down and scooped her into his arms. As he walked over to the bed, he felt his own strength threaten to leave him as she trailed kisses along his jaw line.
Georg laid her on the bed and peeled the robe away from her. He stared down at her, and a warm smile formed on his face. "You're beautiful."
She smiled sweetly as she reached out to him. "Come here," she murmured as she pulled him down to join her.
Lightning flashed in the sky, and Georg saw small waves crashing against the Pegasus landing. He gritted his teeth and tapped his hand on the glass. This storm was the strongest of the season, and what was so alarming about it was that it was so late. The middle of October was usually the time of slight winds and steady rain. Gale-force winds and near monsoon downpours were highly out of the ordinary.
This storm isn't the only thing that's late, Georg mused, his thoughts darkening for a moment as he bowed his head in frustration.
"Father?" a soft voice startled him almost as much as the earlier thunder. He whirled around to see Friedrich standing closer to him.
"Yes, Friedrich?" he asked.
"Is there something we can do?" the boy asked lowly, looking over at his siblings. "Marta and Gretl are scared."
Georg stared at his son, wondering when he had transformed into a young man. Knowing that distraction would be the best relief for his children, and for him, he nodded at Friedrich.
"Why don't you go to the kitchen and make yourselves something to eat?" he suggested.
Friedrich nodded, his eyes brightening at the idea. "We can make anything?" he asked.
Georg smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "Just don't make a mess," he said and turned to look at the rest of his children. "Can you all please help your brother make some food for us? It seems we're in for a long night, and I don't remember any of us eating dinner."
"I'm not hungry," Louisa declared.
"I am," Kurt said and jumped up. He looked at his sister. "I saw some left- over cake in the refrigerator."
Louisa pursed her lips and thought for a moment. "Oh, if it will get me out of this room," she said and hoisted herself up. Grabbing Gretl's hand, she led the group out of the parlor.
Georg smiled and turned to stare out at the window again. The momentary distraction lifted his spirits, but he felt his mood begin to darken again as the silence fell upon the room.
This is all wrong, this is all wrong, he kept telling himself. It had all happened so quickly. There hadn't been time to get her to the doctor, nor did he think Max's efforts to bring the doctor to her would be in time. Now, they had to wait it out, stranded in their home, as if nowhere near civilization.
His face twisted in frustration. It had been completely normal until now. It had been more than normal, he thought. It had been wonderful…
Georg sighed as he walked out onto the balcony adjoining the master bedroom. The warm April air shifted around him, and he inhaled deeply. Finally free of the bitter cold of the last few months, Georg relished thinking of the lush seasons ahead of him.
He watched his children as they also enjoyed the bright sunshine and warm breeze, and he smiled. A year ago, they would have been either marching stiffly around the grounds or plotting to rid themselves of their latest governess/victim. A year ago, he would have been hiding in his study, planning his next escape to Vienna and trying to forget his disappearing reality. A year ago, the warmth of the air wouldn't have reached his heart.
His smile widened as he thought of how happy they all were, and it amazed him that their lives how were so dramatically different not even a year later. He placed his hand to shade his eyes as he gazed up at the Untersberg, absorbing how tranquil his life was now. He hadn't realized until Maria had practically shoved it into his face how much he was missing by refusing to embrace the beauty his family held for him.
He heard the door open and close behind him, and he turned to see Maria enter quietly, placing her small purse onto the bureau. Immediately, he noted the distant look in her eyes, and he walked over to her.
"You were gone for quite a while," he commented as he put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "I wish I could have gone with you."
He started to pull away from the embrace, when she surprised him by wrapping her arms around him and hugging her tightly to her. She stayed like that for a moment longer, and he heard her exhale slowly, as if trying to calm herself. When she finally withdrew, he noticed that the distance in her eyes had changed to apprehension.
"What is it, Maria?" he asked, concerned. He guided her to sit on the bed next to him, and he took her hands in his, watching her try to arrange her thoughts.
"You're not seriously ill, are you?" he asked, feeling a weight form in his stomach. She had been suffering from headaches and inexplicable fatigue for the past few days. When she had felt faint the day before, he had arranged for her to see Dr. Kesler immediately. He had wanted to accompany her, but he had been surprised and slightly hurt when she had insisted he remain at the villa. They had compromised by asking Liesl to go with her.
She shook her head, unable to look at him as she stared out at the open door overlooking the lake.
"Maria," he said, reaching out to guide her face back to look at him. "What did he say?"
"I'm not sick, Georg," she started, her eyes locking with his. "I'm, uh…"
"You're what?" he asked, not sure if he should feel relieved that she wasn't ill or even more concerned with the fear he saw in her eyes.
"I'm pregnant," she said, her voice hardly above a whisper.
His eyes widened as he registered what she had said.
"Pregnant," he repeated, and she nodded. He felt her hands moving nervously within his, and her breathing start to become faster as she watched his reaction.
A huge grin slowly spread over his face and he released her hands to wrap his arms around her. "Pregnant?" he said into her shoulder, squeezing her tighter. "Oh, Maria!"
He pulled away and saw the fear melt from her face. She seemed to release a breath that she had been holding. "Yes!" she exclaimed, finally smiling.
"How could I not have known!" he mused, thinking of how obvious her afflictions had been. But then, he remembered Agathe's early stages of pregnancy had been marked with dizziness and nausea, and not with headaches. He had thought Maria was suffering through a severe bout of spring fever.
She laughed. "It is wonderful, isn't it?" she asked.
He grabbed her hands together, and brought them to his lips. "You have made me happier than I ever thought possible, Maria," he told her, staring into her eyes. "Why were you nervous about telling me?"
She swallowed and shook her head. "It just came as a shock," she said quickly. "I had no idea, and I wasn't sure how you would react…"
He shook his head slightly as her voice faded away. "This is wonderful, Maria," he said. "A true blessing."
Her eyes brightened. "Oh, yes. A true gift from God."
He hugged her again. "A baby," he whispered into her hair, and he heard her intake a breath sharply, emotion overcoming her. He held her tighter and closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her in his arms. Just as he had been amazed a few moments ago at how happily their lives had changed, he was humbled at the thought that God was giving him yet another reason to be joyous. A child with Maria was something he had prayed for, a sign of their deep connection and love. Now that it was a reality, he silently thanked God for blessing him in so many ways.
He withdrew and held her face in his hands. "I have never seen you look more beautiful," he whispered to her. Her eyes filled with happy tears, and he reverently brought his lips to hers.
"Father?" Brigitta's voice broke the tense silence. The Captain turned to see his children standing in the doorway, all wearing identical expressions of subtle fear.
He stared back at them. "You're done already?"
"We weren't all that hungry after all," Kurt mumbled and plopped himself on the sofa.
"We found some extra sheets by the backroom," Brigitta started, holding up a bundle. She looked at Louisa, who was also holding a small stack. "Do you think they will need more?"
He walked over to them and nodded. "I think it's a good idea, Brigitta. Friedrich, you look after things while we're gone," he told them, finding some comfort in speaking something familiar: a command, albeit a gentle one. "We'll be right back."
The boy nodded with confidence.
"But I want to go too!" Gretl protested, and Georg's voice failed him again. Silently, he took some sheets from Brigitta and tried to smile at his youngest child.
"They'll be back soon," Friedrich said to Gretl as he took her shoulders and guided her to the center of the room and hugged her. "Besides, you don't really want to go upstairs, do you?"
"I want to see Mother!" the girl protested, tears steaming down her cheeks.
"You don't want to see her right now," Louisa remarked, and the little girl's sobs subsided as she leaned into her brother's embrace.
Georg, Brigitta and Louisa were about to exit the room when a loud cry from upstairs pierced through the sound of the rainfall.
Georg paled, and he heard Marta gasp. Standing still for a moment, Georg tried to calm his erratic breathing. The room fell into a deafening silence.
"Mother never sounded like that," he heard Friedrich whisper, and Georg closed his eyes tightly against the thunder booming around him. Part of him wished the thunder would crash continuously so he would never have to hear that sound again.
"Father?" Brigitta asked besides him.
He looked down at his daughter and found compassion on her face.
"Louisa and I can go upstairs," the girl offered.
He smiled down at her and shook his head. "Let's go," he said, stepping ahead of them. For some reason, the preoccupation with the task was comforting.
The comfort didn't last long. As they ascended the stairs, Georg felt a sickening knot form in his stomach.
If he heard her cry like that again, he didn't think he would be able to take it.
To be continued…