Two

Maria opened the doors to her wardrobe to decide what dress to wear for the day. While she did not have as many options as some women, she was able to choose a dress that suited the activities planned for the day. There were simpler, stronger dresses for days spent outside or travelling, and lighter, more pretty ones for easy and important days. She would choose one of the latter dresses for today.

But in this case, she was not thinking of the children when she chose her dress; she had just come back, unexpectedly, and did not have any solid plans made yet beyond the usual study hours.

No, when she chose the dress she had worn the night of the ball, it was for one unconscious reason: she wanted to look pretty for the Captain.

Maria arrived last at the table for breakfast, which had only happened her first night at the villa. But she wasn't late, which was a relief. Not wanting more curious questions from the children – aka Brigitta – she avoided looking at the Captain as she passed him on the way to her seat. "Good morning, everyone!"

The children all greeted her enthusiastically and with radiant smiles; Marta and Gretl even got up from their seats to kiss her. None had yet gotten over the happiness of having their beloved governess back. Neither had their father, but he merely conveyed his happiness by giving her a very warm look when she finally had the nerve to make eye contact with him.

"Fraulein, will you say grace for us?" asked the Captain.
"Of course, sir," replied Maria. But before she could begin the prayer, Gretl made an observation.

"But Father, the Baroness has not yet come down!"

The Captain chose to unfold his napkin and place it on his lap as he carefully answered his youngest child. "Well, Gretl, the Baroness is no longer here. She returned to Vienna last night; Max drove her."

Safe to say, the children were a bit surprised but even more curious. After all, only yesterday their father had said she would be their new mother. "When will she be coming back, Father?" asked Liesl.

"I'm afraid never," said the Captain casually. "We've called off our engagement."

Maria watched as all of the children did their best to hide their joy and relief – she couldn't deny to herself that she felt the same – and tried to look polite and sad for their father. They all apologized to him in some way, trying to sound convincing.

Maria could see the Captain fighting his own amused smile at their attempts to feel sorry before he replied. "That's all right, children. It just wasn't meant to be. Now, Fraulein, I believe we should start breakfast."

They exchanged a smile before Maria lowered her head to pray. Everyone else had smiles on their faces as they kept their heads lowered, hiding them.

After that, breakfast progressed pleasantly and happily. The children talked quite enough for the two adults, who ate silently and sometimes shared shy glances and smiles at the other.

It was near the end of breakfast that Gretl made another of her observations. "You know something, Father?"

The Captain looked at his baby girl with an indulgent smile. "What might that be, Gretl?"

"Now that the Baroness is gone, you should marry Fraulein Maria!"

What happened next was the most comical event to ever happen at that table, and considering all of the pranks on former governesses. Instantly the Captain and Maria began making the most comical noises, the former from choking on his coffee and the latter from choking on her orange juice. Both hid their flaming faces in their napkins, while the five oldest children couldn't help but giggle at this sight, trying to surpress outright laughter. They had seen Fraulein Maria be less than prim many times, but their father? This was priceless. Gretl looked incredibly curious and concerned as to why a rather smart and logical observation on her part should result in such a reaction. Marta looked extremely thoughtful.

"Fraulein Maria, are you all right?" asked Gretl, hoping she would not get in trouble.

"Yes, darling, I'm just fine," said Maria, in a rather breathless voice. Her face still very red, she bent down and kissed Gretl's brow reassuringly.

"Well, I think that's enough breakfast for today," said the Captain in a similar voice, rising from his chair. "To the study room, everyone, time for lessons."

For once the children did not groan. The five oldest hurriedly rushed out, their hands covering their mouths, so they could get to a place where they could let their laughter out at seeing their father in that state for the first time in their lives. Maria and Gretl, trailed behind, Maria holding Gretl's hand. As she left the dining room, Maria realized that Marta was not following them. Turning around, she found the seven-year-old standing by her father and looking up at him. "Father, may I speak with you?" she asked in her tiny voice.

"Of course, sweetheart," replied her father, a bit surprised but very loving. Marta was perhaps the least demanding child, being so shy, and Maria knew that the Captain took particular pleasure in his time with her. "Let's go for a walk."

Taking his daughter's hand, the Captain looked at Maria for confirmation that was all right, and she nodded with a smile.

Maria then led Gretl into the schoolroom to join her siblings, but Maria's mind was racing, whirling, and quite far away because of that one word Gretl had spoken:

Marry.

A/N: Ah, what would those two do without the children? Hope that provided a little laugh for you wonderful readers!