Falls and Feelings

Maria ran upstairs, dripping wet, but happy. She could stay! 'This has been the only time my outspokenness has not affected me in a bad way.' She thought as she went inside her room to change.

Walking back into the sitting room, Georg also had a smile on his face. Maria had truly helped him reestablish his relationship with his children. He promised himself then and there that he would make sure to spend more time with them.

The rest of the day went smoothly. The children had gone outside to play, and were ecstatic when their father came outside, wanting to join them. Maria just sat there watching them, smiling at how much effort the Captain was putting in to restoring the family closeness they once had.

After the excitement of playing outside, they all went back inside for dinner. Georg interacted with his children throughout the meal, and also keeping conversation with the Baroness and Uncle Max. After all, they were his guests.

Maria, after putting the children to bed, went for a stroll around the lake. 'It's getting late, I should go inside.' It was very dark out and you could hardly see a thing. Before she knew it, she found herself leveled to the ground. She tried to get up but couldn't. She cried out in pain.

"Fraulein, are you alright? What happened?" Georg asked, urgency and care evident in his tone of voice.

"Sir, I-I tripped on that big rock over there. I'm okay Captain." She tried to prove that statement by standing up, only she couldn't. She tried but she winced out in pain as she felt herself fall back down-until two strong arms caught her. Without a second thought, Georg scooped her up into his arms. Her ankle hurt badly, so she didn't even protest. Instinctively she threw her arms around his neck. As they reached the door, Georg discovered it was locked. Muttering a few curses under his breath, he thought of what to do. He then remembered the window to his study was open.

Maria was hardly paying attention. All of her thoughts were occupied on the strong and comforting arms that were holding her.

"Fraulein, do you think you could get through this window? I'll help you in, and there is a chair here right by the wall." Maria nodded. She hardly had to do anything as Georg expertly lifted the window more open, while still holding Maria.

He tried as gently as possible to lift her and help her though the window best he could. Maria hopped two steps to the chair and collapsed upon it. In just a few seconds, Georg was inside too, carefully lifting her injured foot onto the foot rest.

"Will you be okay while I go get ice for you?" Georg asked, concern still in his voice. Again, Maria nodded. She couldn't keep her mind off how she felt when he held her. She missed that safe comforting feeling. In a few minutes, Georg was back with the ice, holding it to her now swollen ankle.

"It just looks like a bad sprain, Maria. Nothing broken." He said softly as he looked up to smile at her. "It will get better soon. You need to rest now." She didn't have time to reply before he swept her up in his arms again.

"Now, we wouldn't want you to fall again, would we? No objection, Maria. You need to rest your ankle and relax." And Maria didn't make objections. The feelings she felt when she was close to him made her forget about her swollen ankle. He carried her up to her room and laid her gently on the bed. He grabbed a pillow to elevate her foot and placed the ice back on her ankle.

"Thank you, Captain. I appreciate you helping me." She said, looking up ad smiling nervously.

"It was my pleasure, Maria." Maria blushed. 'Why did I say that?' Georg thought. 'She makes me feel as if I were in school again.'

Then there was silence. Both were lost in their thoughts until Georg said, "Well, it's late. You need plenty of rest. I'll let the children know in the morning to let you sleep in."

"Really Captain I'm-"

"No excuses Maria. You need to take it easy and allow for your ankle to heal. And please, when we're alone, there is no need for formalities."

"Thank you." She said softly. "Goodnight Capt - Georg." She said smiling.

"Goodnight Maria."