You Must Love Me

Written by: lysimarie

Author's note & Disclaimer: Hello again! Here is the next installment of You Must Love Me. If I'm still writing about it, you know that I haven't gotten any rights to either of the movies.

Chapter 2: Confessions and Thunderstorms

Last time on You Must Love Me: Christine smiled. She had survived her first trick from the children, she had a good time with the captain, even if he was very stern, and she loved the house she was staying in. So far, Salzburg was great.

Late, late, late, late! I can't believe that I'm late on my first night for dinner. Christine thought, running down the stairs to the dining room. She had overslept and was late by five minutes for dinner. Not the best thing to do. She ran into the dining room, and stopped suddenly when all eyes were on her. She smiled, and went to her seat. "So good of you to finally grace us with your presence, Fraulein." The Captain said, coldly as she took her seat.

"ACK!" she said, feeling something underneath her butt. She stood immediately, finding a pine cone and looked at the captain, an amused look on his face. "Something wrong?"

Christine looked at the children, who were also amused. She didn't want to rat out the children…what do I say?! "Um…ah….rheumatism." she said, brushing the horrible pinecone aside as she sat.

"I would like to thank all of you for the precious gift you all left for me in my room this morning." She said, as they began to eat their salads. "Knowing how nervous I must have been, it was so nice of you to make my welcoming so kind and pleasant." She said, breaking the long silence.

"What gift?" the Captain asked.

The brunette looked at the children, who had a look that nearly broke Christine's heart. "It's a secret captain. Between the Children and me."

"Well, then I suggest that you keep it and let us eat." His voice sharp.

Christine was satisfied whit what she had done, the children were feeling remorseful, and the food was divine. Suddenly, Amiee broke out in soft tears. "What is the matter Amiee?"

"Nothing…" she said, her tears still falling.

Not too long afterward, Arabella, Alana, and Alexandar had joined in. The two older children looked at their siblings, then at each other, and shook their heads. The Captain had had enough, but Christine was relishing in her correct form of silent punishment, and averted his eyes. "Fraulein, is it at every meal or just dinner time that we will have to endure this form of….indigestion?"

Christine looked at the captain, her green eyes wide. "They're all right Captain, they're just happy."

A few days had passed since the dinner fiasco, and the children had grown close to their Fraulein. However, she noticed that the children never did anything but go out for a walk and their lessons. Christine thought that she would try something new. "Well children, what would you like to do tomorrow?"

"We have lessons." Alana stated, rather sadly.

"I mean after your lessons. Don't you children play?" Christine asked, knitting her eyebrows together.

"Never. Father has us do lessons and walk around the grounds for an hour before we have dinner, and then we go to bed." Avril said, carrying her youngest sister who was falling asleep.

"Hmm. I'll have a talk with him tonight."

As Christine knocked on the Captain's study door, she felt more nervous than she did when she had the lead part in her high school musical. "Come in."

Christine opened the door slowly, her heart pounding in her ears. "Excuse me Captain?"

Erik put down the book he was reading and looked up to see her standing in front of him, looking nervous. "Thinking of leaving us so soon?"

"No. Quite the opposite. I was wondering, after the children finish their lessons, could I take them somewhere?"

Erik squinted his eyes. "Where would you go?"

Christine twisted her hands nervously. "I thought maybe we could go for a hike in the woods, and have a picnic on one of the nearby hills."

The older sea captain thought for a moment. It wouldn't hurt. The children would still get their exercise for the day. "All right Fraulein. You may take the children on an outing. But please promise that you will bring them home in time to get ready for dinner."

"Of course Captain. Thank you so much. You don't know how much this will mean to them." She said, her smile breaking through the Captain's barriers, and he smiled in return.

Christine excused herself, and went to her room. Standing by her door was Avril, dressed in a black and purple pair of pajama's with a white skull and crossbones on her hip and on her shirt. "Fraulein, can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course Avril. Come in." she said, thunder beginning to form above their heads.

After Christine changed into her pj's, Avril and her sat on the bed, in an uncomfortable silence. "Fraulein, I want to talk to you about my father." The young girl said, running her hand through her dark ponytail.

"Alright. What do you want to tell me?"

"Father is a wonderful man, don't get me wrong, but ever since mother died, things have been different. The life my siblings and I are living isn't what we used to have, and the worst thing is that Arabella hasn't known anything different other than the military lifestyle we have been forced to take on." She replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"When we lost mother, we were all affected in different ways. I lost the one person I could unburden my heart to, Adam had lost the person he trusted, Alex lost his play friend, Alana lost her storyteller, and Amiee was only two, Arabella was just born, and they lost their mother who was going to become something for them. But father, he was affected the most. He wouldn't see us. I think he was trying to distance us from him to forget. He would go places, France, Rome, England, and lately he's been in America. I think that's where he found you. Anyway, I don't know why, but I feel like I can confide in you. You aren't like the other governesses. They always scolded us for what we did. And most of the time, father would become angry, and discharge them on the spot. Even though discipline is the 'number one rule in this house'." She said, mocking her father.

Christine laughed. "I'm glad you felt that way Avril. And I thank you for telling me about your father. I sensed something when I first saw him, and when that whistle blew, I was sincerely shocked."

Avril snickered. "That's not a new thing. It started shortly after Arabella learned to walk, that was about three years ago. Since then we've marched, and done nothing but school."

"I see. Oh, I talked with your father. Don't tell your siblings, but he is allowing us to go on a picnic tomorrow after your lessons."

"REALLY?!" Avril said, as a huge thunderclap shot through the room. The two jumped, and the door was flown open as Arabella ran in and into Christine's arms.

"Are you frightened of the thunderstorm Arabella?"

The girl nodded vigorously, and with the next clap of thunder, the rest of the children were in her room. "Are you all scared of the thunderstorm?" Christine asked, and the answer was apparent on their faces, including the oldest, Adam.

"Why does the thunder do that?" Amiee asked.

"Well, the lightning says something to the thunder, and the thunder has to answer back. It would be rude otherwise." She said a smile on her face.

"He must be nasty." Arabella added.

"Not really. Do you want to know what makes me feel better?"

"What does Fraulein Christine?" Alana asked.

"I sing a song my mother taught me."

"How does it go?"

"Rain drops on roses,

and whiskers on kittens,

bright copper kettles,

and warm woolen mittens,

brown paper packages tied up with strings,

these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies

And crisp apple strudel

Door bells

And sleigh bells

And Schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things…"

As Christine sang, the children began to smile, Avril more than the others. "She's just like our mother. Bright and full of life, laughter, and happiness." She thought as she watched her Fraulein.

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,

Silver white winters that melt into springs,

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites,

When the bee stings,

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad!"

The children laughed, and began listing their favorite things. "Kitty cats!" Amiee shouted.

"A good book!" Alana added.

"Bunny rabbits." Arabella laughed.

"Snakes!" Alex said, attacking his sisters jokingly.

"Shopping sprees!" Avril cried.

"No school!" Adam said confidently.

All the children laughed in agreement. "See how much fun it can be!"

"Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kitten

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with strings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream color ponies and Crisp apple strudel

Door bells and sleigh bells and Schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,

Silver white winters that melt into springs,

These are a few of my favorite things!" They all sang together.

Christine continued, not noticing who had entered the doorway. "When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad!"

"Fraulein Christine!" his loud booming voice came out.

Christine turned sharply, like deer caught in the headlights, and gasped. There he was, the captain, dressed in a button down shirt, halfway open, and a pair of black trousers. Christine caught herself, and looked into his eyes. They were full of anger. "Good evening Captain." She said, a smile on her face, trying to make the best of the situation.

"Fraulein, didn't I tell you that bedtime is to be strictly observed in this house?"

"Well, they were upset by the thunderstorm, and I just thought that…" He sent her a look that didn't want an explanation. "Yes Sir."

"And do you have a hard time remembering such instructions?"

Christine bit back a smile. "Only during thunderstorms."

Erik looked from his children to her. "Avril?"

"Yes Father?"

"I didn't see you leave your room. Where have you been?"

"I…I was…"

Christine covered for her. "Avril was helping me get to know how things went around here. I wanted to know the basics around here, but it's much too late now, so children, please go back to bed, you heard your father."

The children ran out of the room like it was on fire, leaving the two adults in the room. Christine felt uncomfortable, and turned her back to him as she walked to the window. The storm had passed, but Christine was preparing herself for another storm. "Fraulein."

She closed her eyes, and turned slowly. She was literally shaking as she made eye contact. Please don't make me leave. I don't want to.

Erik noticed her shaking, and how nervous she was. He hated that about himself. He always seemed to scare people. He didn't want to hurt her anymore than he just did, so he did the one thing he never thought he would do to a governess. Nothing. He bid her good night, and smiled at her.

Christine stood there, shocked. She noticed the sincerity in his eyes, and noticed how deep of a blue they were. They were like the ocean. She noticed she was staring, and looked away blushing. The masked captain noticed, and left her alone.

Christine sat on her bed, and smiled. Her stomach was flipping, and she didn't know why.

Whee! I'm having fun playing with these characters. Anyway, I don't own any rights to My Favorite Things, but if I did, that would be cool...

Many thanks to Zeeksmom, who was my first reviewer! You are awesome! I apologize for my error, and I hope I made up for it.