One

Nearly every day at the Von Trapp villa spent as governess, Maria was woken up by one of the children. Nine out of ten times it would be either Marta or Gretl. Her first morning back at the villa, it was by both of them.

It was a good thing that Maria managed to wake up by the sound of the door flying open and not by two tiny bodies jumping onto her bed and subsequently onto her.

"Fraulein Maria! Fraulein Maria!"

"Hooray, you're still here!"

"Well, of course I'm still here, sillies!" said Maria, still half-clouded by sleep in all her senses, but hugging the little ones back just as fiercely as they were hugging her. When she managed to rub all of the sleep out of her eyes, she gasped to see the remaining five children coming into the room as well, all looking relieved that she was there. Now feeling more awake, she motioned for the rest to come one the bed as well.

"Listen, everyone," she said, looking at each child in their pajamas. "I don't want you to fear that I will disappear again like that. Because I never will do that again, I promise you that. I don't plan on going anywhere."

The look of relief and happiness that appeared on each child's face was like a weight lifted off Maria's heart.

"That's very nice to hear, Fraulein. Now come, children, time to get dressed."

All seven children turned around in surprise to see their father, fully dressed for the day, leaning against the open doorway. They each in turn got up to greet him, either with a hug or an exclamation before rushing to their rooms.

Maria's reaction was to bite back a gasp, blush, and feel her heartbeat go faster. The way he was looking and smiling at her told her that what had happened last night was no dream. When they had parted for the night, all that had been said was "good night" and nothing more had happened beyond secret smiles.

"Fraulein Maria, why are you blushing?"

This question snapped Maria out of her musings; naturally, it came from Brigitta, who was lingering behind. As she got out of bed and, as quickly as she could, put on her robe, she replied, "Well, Brigitta, your father took me by surprise and any woman would blush to be seen by a man in just a nightgown." Oh, it took a lot for her to say that out loud, especially when the Captain's eyes were on her.

Unfortunately, Brigitta, highly intelligent but being only ten, did not take the hint. "But the night of the thunderstorm, Fraulein, when Father came in, you didn't blush."

She glanced briefly at the Captain, who had subtlely covered his very amused smile. Now all she wanted to do was crawl under the bed. Thankfully, she found some courage at seeing his amusement and got some of her spark back. "Well, I was in trouble then and didn't think about that." But God knows I did once you children left the room.

The Captain could not help but chuckle silently at her answer, but thankfully took pity on her. "Enough, Brigitta, now let's leave Fraulein Maria some privacy so you can get dressed. I believe you know that curiosity is a dangerous thing, don't you?"

Remembering the lecture she and her sisters had gotten from their father last night after being caught spying, Brigitta guiltily replied, "Yes, Father," and left.

Before following her, the Captain looked at Maria. She still was blushing, clutching her robe tight around her. Her annoyance at his amusement was still evident, but she did fight a smile as she mouthed, "Thank you."

He smiled that dangerous half-smile, mouthed, "You're welcome" in return, and Maria could have sworn he gave a small wink* before walking away.

Once he was gone, Maria shut the door and leaned against it, a hand going to her head. Sometimes I think that man will be the death of my sanity.

*Just remember the part in the movie after she is called Mother for the first time, she looks at her husband and what does he do? I swear, I melt, every time.