Ok everyone, I've never written a SOM fan fic before, so wish me luck. I know the first chapter is really bad, but the next one is good, so don't give up on me yet! Oh and by the way: I owe a lot to my BFF, who read this and told me that she WOULD edit it if it wasn't so long. Thanks a lot for being my support! This story is told in the first-person point of view, so to make it easier for all of us, I've told who is telling the story. Oh goodness I almost forgot: please don't hate me for messing up any quotes. I'm rubbish at them. One last thing: This takes place right after the puppet show and Max's "announcement." Ok I'll shut up now.

Maria's POV

Everyone walked into the sitting room after Herr Dettweiler made his "announcement". I desperately wanted the children to sing once more. Maybe if the Captain heard their angelic voices again, he would change his mind about not letting them sing in the festival.

"Alright children, who shall we hear from next?" I asked as I bounded over to a corner of the room to grab my guitar. The children crowded around me, chattering excitedly. Liesl whispered something in my ear. "Really?" I asked, surprised. She nodded, and then whispered her idea into her sibling's ears. They all murmured in agreement. I walked over to where the Captain was standing with the Baroness and Max.

"The vote is unanimous. You, Captain," I said, holding out my guitar. He looked at me, aghast. He obviously didn't want to sing. The children begged and pleaded for him to grant our wish.

"I hear you were quite good once." I hoped I could make up his mind.

"Well that was a very very long time ago," he said, walking away from us.
"I remember, Father." Why couldn't he just sing one little song for the children?

Captain's POV

Why was everyone ganging up on me? I reluctantly agreed to sing after being begged by my children. Lately I couldn't help but grant their every wish. The children sat down happily after a signal from their governess, except Liesl, who sat beside me on the sofa. Elsa and Max were seated across the room, and as I began to strum the strings of the guitar, I heard Elsa mutter something to Max. I could just make out his response.

"What?"

The next time I can hear Elsa. "To bring along my harmonica." I barely contained my laughter at the thought of her playing the harmonica. I noticed Fräulien Maria leaning against the mantle. I thought of a song to sing that she, of all people, would like.

"Edelweiss, edelweiss

Every morning you greet me

Small and white, clean and bright

You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever"

I motioned for my eldest daughter to join me. She did, her clear voice harmonizing with mine. I couldn't help but be amazed at how much Fräulien Maria had taught the children in such a short span of time. I glanced up at her and am taken by surprise. Why hadn't I noticed how beautiful she was? Sure, before I had thought she was pretty, but now, half-illuminated by the glow of a lamp, she was breathtaking. I could hardly finish the song.

Maria's POV

The Captain chose to sing Edelweiss, one of my favorite songs. I found myself loving it even more as I listened to his soft baritone voice. Liesl was right, he was rather good. When he gestured for Liesl to join in, I could see the obvious look of love in his eyes and upon his face as he gazed his eldest daughter. She was becoming a woman, right there before his eyes. His eyes had then left Liesl and rested on Baroness Schraeder. I might have been imagining it, but I thought there was some sort of empty look in his eyes, even if there was a smile on his face. It hurt me to know that he was getting married to her when he obviously doesn't love her.

Liesl's voice had stopped singing and the Captain continued by himself. As his eyes found mine, I found myself mesmerized by his lovely voice, his clear blue eyes that I know I am drowning, never to come out again. My knees grew weak and I felt a silly smile grow on my face. The Captain finished the song, still staring at me. Suddenly he seemed to come to his senses and shrugged as if asking my opinion. I felt the Baroness's eyes upon me as I lean against the wall as support for my weak knees. I wonder what she's thinking and why she's glaring at me like that.

Captain's POV

I couldn't help but stare at Fräulien Maria, how the blue dress she was wearing perfectly brought out the color of her eyes, how the fabric of that same blue dress hung of her curves more gracefully than anything Elsa had ever worn. I suddenly realized that the song was over and I was still staring at her. To cover for my actions, I smiled sheepishly and shrugged. She still only grinned with a funny look in her eyes, the same look I see when she's with the children. Max broke in on my happy moment of gazing at the governess.

"Any time you, Georg, you can be part of my new act."

I laugh and turn my attention to Elsa, who had stood up. "I have a wonderful idea, Georg," she said, walking over to me. "Let's really fill this house with music. You must throw a grand and glorious party for me while I'm here."

"A party?" I ask, half surprised that she didn't ask for one earlier.

"Yes! I think it's high time I met all your friends here in Salzburg, and met me!"

"I see what you mean." The children are chattering away excitedly about the party.

"Say goodnight, children. It's time for bed," Fräulien Maria said, ushering them out of the room. The children reluctantly run out of the sitting room to get ready for bed.

"It will be my first party, Father!" squealed little Gretl as she jogged backwards out of the room.

Maria's POV

I got the children ready for bed. It was rather difficult. All they wanted to do was talk about the party, what they would wear, who would be there, and for the older children, remembering the last party they had had, before their mother's death. My mind, however, was still on the Captain. Why did look at me like that? Why was it that he looked so cold when he looked at the Baroness? Why didn't it look like he loved her? Why was he marrying someone he didn't love? Was it a social thing? Why was she going along with it? Questions race around in my brain. I know for a fact that the Baroness didn't love him (it's all in the eyes), so why would she marry him? The children were ready for bed, so I kissed them all good night. I walked into my room and started closing the curtains. A voice behind me startled me out of my thoughts.

"Fräulien Maria?"

I spun around, surprised. "Brigitta? What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep. Will you read to me?" she asked softly.

"Of course, darling." She led me into her room. I retrieved her book from the nightstand and she got under the covers of her bed. I glanced down at the book: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain. Hmm. Pretty advanced book for a ten-year-old. I found her bookmark, lay down on the floor, and started reading.