"The only thing that is constant is change." – Heraclitus

Maria wasn't entirely sure why she was so nervous. Logic told her that the children would totally approve of her engagement to their father. It was just a formality, a consideration to ask for their approval. She was confident that they loved her as much as she loved them. Still, she was on pins and needles until the announcement was made and they voiced their blessing.

The Captain decided, and she agreed, that they would wait until after breakfast to tell the children what had happened the night before. It would give everyone a chance to be fully awake and present. It also gave the two grown ups a little bit longer to revel in their secret a bit longer. Perhaps her nervousness was actually a keen sense of foreboding because almost instantly, nothing went according to the plan.

For the first time in all her days spent with the family, Maria dressed and came down to breakfast early. She knew he'd be there and she wanted to be alone with him again, to be encouraged by his love and bolstered by his confidence that everything was finally the way it should be. He looked up from the morning newspaper when she appeared and instantly a smile spread wide across his face.

"Well, good morning," he said cheerfully, rising from his seat to meet her. "If I had known that the best way to get you to meals on time was to propose marriage…"

"Don't get very used to it," she teased back. "I only came down early because I had this beautiful dream last night and I wanted to see if it was real." He pulled her close to himself and kissed her. It was not a dream. Neither heard delicate footsteps approaching.

"Father, have you seen Fraulein Maria, she's not… oh!" They parted and turned to face Liesl standing in the doorway, mouth agape.

"Good morning, Liesl," Maria managed to say. She knew she was blushing. The Captain managed to stifle a laugh.

"I, uh… I went to your room but you weren't there. I guess I was afraid that you left again," Liesl explained. Then it was her turn to laugh. "But I see that you're still here."

"I suppose," her father started, rubbing the back of his head, trying to find the words to address this suddenly awkward moment. "You are old enough to be let in on our little secret." He took Maria by the hand, pulled her to his side once again and kissed her sweetly on her cheek. He then turned to his daughter and raised his eyebrows, saying no more.

"I see," Liesl said very evenly, underplaying her reaction. "And the Baroness Schrader? Does she approve?"

"She broke off the engagement and returned to Vienna last night," he answered, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Oh, dear. Was that before or after you kissed the governess?" She didn't have many opportunities to spar with her father for fun. She returned his look with raised eyebrows as she walked slowly toward them.

"Oh, Liesl, it wasn't like that at all!" Maria blurted out nervously. "Please understand that…" Father and daughter finally burst into a fit of laughter.

"Fraulein, I'm only teasing Father. I think this is wonderful news!" She quickly threw her arms around them both. She gave Maria a loving smile and kissed her on the cheek. "I can tell that you are both very happy and love each other very much. I can't wait until the others hear this!"

"We were going to tell all of you after breakfast," Maria interjected, still feeling the need to explain everything.

"Oh, Liesl will keep this to herself, won't you sweetheart? After all, she only saw you in my arms. She doesn't know everything."

"OH! But I think I do now! There's going to be a wedding? Am I right?" Liesl clapped her hands together and bounced on her toes with excitement.

"Oh, darling, really," Maria moaned at the Captain. "She isn't an infant. You gave it all away."

"Ah, but the joke is still on her. She is going to have to sit on this even juicier bit of information. All through breakfast. And I am feeling very, very hungry." The Captain laughed to see his daughter's face drop. Once Maria understood that they were only having fun and not trying to sound so cruel, she took a deep breath. She had to admit that it was nice to see that their bond was completely and fully reestablished. She had prayed for it.

They were interrupted again by the thunderous sounds of doors slamming and feet thumping down the stairs. If cook had wondered if the children were ready for breakfast, Maria thought to herself, all doubt was removed by now. She moved to her place at the table as each child filed in and greeted their bright and well rested faces. She gazed across the table to the Captain, who stood beaming. She knew he was thinking the same thought; everything was finally as it should be and about to become even more so. As they sat down to eat, Liesl asked if she could say the blessing.

"I'm feeling particularly thankful this morning," she explained. Her father nodded his permission with a warning in his eye. "Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful day and this bounty of food. Please bless our entire family. Amen." She smiled at her father who glared at her, but she was not fooled. He was pleased by her prayer.

"You forgot about Fraulein Maria," Marta practically shouted.

"Did I?" Liesl replied. "Oh, no matter. God knows who we mean even if we don't mention them by name."