CHAPTER 2
It was the first time Maria was going to a concert with all the high class society. Everyone was dressed in the most fashionable way, all the men in black tucks, and the women in long dresses all elegant and sophisticated. She was wearing a beautiful low cut, light blue gown made of silk, with only one strap of lace holding the dress on her right shoulder. The front of her dress was slightly slit, and one could make out a thinner material like those seen on ballerina's skirts, white. She wore high heels, matching the colour of her gown. Edward had given her simple but elegant white diamond earrings as a gift for tonight's outing, which were the only piece of jewellery she wore, with the exception of her small golden cross that she had had for ever, and that she never parted with. What she didn't realise, was that looks of admiration followed her throughout the room. She looked so fresh, and simply elegant in a natural way, the colour of her dress bringing out her beautiful blue eyes that sparkled with joy. She radiated a sort of warmth, a gentleness that could be felt wherever she went. Edward was proud of the way she looked, and for being so well accompanied.
The concert was simply a pure delight. The orchestra was absolutely fabulous, and the singers were all world famous singers. At the end of the last song, when everyone was clapping enthusiastically, Edward turned to face Maria to get her reaction of the show. She had a few tears in her eyes that had fallen unconsciously from the beauty of the concert. Edward saw them, and kissed them gently away, as Maria tighten her grip on his hand to thank him. She had never heard anything quite like this, and Edward knowing how music had such a great importance for Maria had made her the perfect surprise.
They slowly walked out of the royal theatre holding hands, not speaking, but savouring the moment they had just spent.
Edward's parents, count and countess Dessera were waiting in the grand hotel Cristal's restaurant room. They were quite anxious to meet their only son's fiancé.
Maria and Edward finally walked in the room, trying to find them:
-"Oh, I see them! » exclaimed Edward.
Maria suddenly stopped walking and let go of Edward's hand. She couldn't remember being this nervous.
-"Maria, said Edward holding her shoulders and cupping her head in his hands to force her to look at him, listen to me my love, they are going to be crazy about you. Even if they weren't, he saw a look of panic cross her eyes, and added quickly, no one on earth could stop me from marrying you. I love you, and no one will ever change that.
She stared at him, only to see the truthfulness of his statement in his eyes. She smiled back at him, and took his hand in hers before they directed themselves towards her future parents in law.
As soon as they saw her, they knew their son had made the right choice. They could see what a perfect couple they made, and the undeniable love shining in their beloved son's eyes. Maria instantly felt at ease with them. Julia was an adorable slightly plump woman, but who still bore the signs of a younger beauty she had been. Maxim was a solid looking man of 65 years old, with grey hair, and a small moustache, and bushy eyebrows that made him look strict, but the twinkle and mischief in his eyes made everyone want to get to know him better.
Dinner went extremely well: the food was delicious, and the company delightful.
Julia and Max took instantly to Maria. Her naturalness, her frankness, her sense of humour, her beauty was far better than all the money in the world. To tell the truth, they had been rather upset, when they had heard Edward was marrying a local school teacher. They would have rather liked him to marry a baroness, a countess or something, and were wondering if this girl wasn't marrying their son for his fortune, which one might add, was rather extensive. But they soon realised that Maria was not this kind of person, and that money was of little concern to her. Everyone felt at ease and the evening went by in a flash.
At the end of the desert, Maria excused herself to go to the bathroom to freshen up. She passed in front of the range of deserts that were exposed behind a glass window. She saw this little girl of about five years old, with long blond hair that curled at the end staring at the pastries, obviously lost, not knowing which one to chose, every cake looking delicious. She couldn't see her face, the little girl being back to her, but somehow, she felt oddly familiar. She looked strikingly like Gretl, the youngest of the Von Trapp children.
"Stop it Maria, you are imagining things!" she said to herself angrily. Not every little girl with blond hair is Gretl because you want them to be! Oh but how I miss her!"
She just couldn't find the will to walk away from this child, so absorbed in her own thought. Suddenly, she heard a young women's voice calling:
"Gretl, are you finished soon? Everyone is waiting for you!"
Maria froze, not believing what she had just heard, when the little girl turned around with the cake in her plate and stared at Maria in disbelief. And suddenly a loud crash was heard as the plate fell on the floor and the little girl ran to Maria and held her as tight as her little arms would allow her. Maria could not believe what was happening. Slowly she lifted the little girl in her arms to look at her face: she was holding her Gretl who was crying quietly and holding on to Maria with her arms around her neck, not wanting to let go.
Liesl, who had been watching the scene, one hand over her mouth cried out in shock:
"Fraulein Maria!!"
In the mean time, Captain Von Trapp had been waiting for his eldest and younger daughters to return, his patience now running out. When he heard them shouting:
"Father, father!! Look who we found in the same restaurant!"
So people, what do you think? Please tell me, I wrote the next chapter, but is it worth it to post it?