"Fräulein, you will never know how much you have helped." Georg said out loud after she had left his study. His thoughts continued. It's clear to me now; I don't want the kind of life Elsa would bring to me; parties, waltzes and other high society activities. I want a real mother for my children. Now, what do I do about this party Elsa desired? My Gretl is so looking forward to her first party.
His head went into his hands. "What have I done? I can't marry this woman." Georg was all alone, literally and figuratively; he had no one to talk to.
Breakfast was pleasant, both he and Maria individually decided not to talk about Gretl's situation. Elsa and Max had not joined them; they never got up that early. Georg had to talk to someone; he needed guidance.
"Franz, please bring the car around. I need to go into town."
"Yes, sir"
Georg drove past the church where the older children attended Mass every Sunday; he had developed a relationship with an elderly retired priest in a monastery in the hills on the outskirts of Salzburg.
He entered the small chapel, just to sit and think. Father Stephan didn't get many visitors to his hilltop retreat. He noticed the fancy car that was parked on the road; he looked around and saw no one, probably in the church, he thought.
It only took him a minute to discover who was there; he waited a few minutes before asking.
"Georg, what brings you here?"
"My youngest daughter; she recently had a realization, probably while still asleep, that she wanted her mother, kept crying out 'Mama, where are you?' It had never occurred to me to tell her about Agathe when she got older. My young governess from the Abbey has made me realize how much my children need a mother."
"But I thought you were about to be engaged to a woman from Vienna."
"I thought I was but I don't think she can be the mother my children need. Father, I find myself very much attracted to the children's governess, but she promised herself to God."
"Georg, how long has she been a postulant?"
"I think she told the children two years."
"The Reverend Mother must have her doubts. Maybe that's why she was sent to you. Georg, I know you're not comfortable with the Church's prayers; just ask Him to guide you. And my friend, go with your feelings."
He sat for awhile longer.
"God, how do I tell Elsa I can't marry her?"
He really wasn't expecting an immediate answer. On the drive home an idea came to him.
When he arrived, he immediately went to his study. "Where is that list of guests?" He mumbled out loud.
He continued to speak quietly as he pulled it from a drawer. "There's his name, Baron Daniel von Bumgarder, from Genovia. Good, he's coming, by himself. Eleanor and Harold will help me, I'm sure."
The dinner bell rang; he put the list away and found his way to the dining room. Franz met him at the door. "The Baroness won't be at dinner, sir. She's not feeling well."
"Franz, make sure Katia finds out if she wants something brought to her room."
"Yes sir, I will."
Georg thought to himself. Now I can enjoy my children's conversation instead of Elsa's private comments.
Maria also seemed to be more at ease without the Baroness. But she and Max got along beautifully. Dinner proved to be much different than Maria's first dinner with the family, when the Captain had discouraged conversation; tonight he actually encouraged it.
"Gretl, do you have your pretty dress to wear to the party?"
"Not yet Father, Fräulein Maria and Frau Schmidt and Marta, we go to town tomorrow to get it."
"And the rest of you; are you ready?" He saw a smile from Louisa.
"Louisa, does that smile mean something?"
"Liesl thinks she is going to get to drink Champaign."
"Father, I'm almost seventeen. When did you have your first sip?"
Georg thought to himself. She's just like Agathe. Always asking me questions like that.
"It was different for me. I was the man of the house."
"Well, I'm the woman of the house!"
Maria and Max were doing their best not to laugh. Maria was thinking. How's he going to get out of this one.
Georg noticed everyone looking at him waiting for his answer. "Alright, alright, I'm out-numbered – a small glass, that's all Liesl."
"Thank you Father," then kissed him on the cheek, something she hadn't done since her mama died.
When everyone finished with dinner, they heard. "Children, what do you want to do before bedtime?"
"Sing for us, Father."
"Not just me, everyone"
"Fräulein, may I borrow your guitar?"
"Of course Captain, let me get it."
Everyone waited for Maria to return. "Let me be sure it's in tune." Maria plucked the stings one at a time and adjusted it accordingly. "Here you go Captain." She handed him the instrument.
"Sing with me." he started with Twinkle, twinkle little star…. and then the rowboat song. That was just for you terrible sailors who fall out of rowboats." Great laughter exploded from the room.
"Your turn Fräulein, sing that Do, Re, Me song."
"Children sing with me, you know your parts."
They sang a few more songs including, There Were Three Jolly Fishermen.
Maria ended with a song that held a lot of meaning for her, Climb Every Mountain.
It's beginning spoke about following a specific path, through the highs and lows of mountain byways, fording streams and following that all allusive rainbow; to lead you to your dream. And the last stanza about a dream needing love, every day, all the days of your life until you fulfill your dream.
Georg looked at her; their eyes caught. What he saw was innocent affection that caused his heart beat to speed up again. He also had listened to the words; they seemed to speak to him as well.
Gretl was yawning; after all she didn't have a good rest last night. The others looked like they too, were almost ready to fall asleep. Maria took them all up to bed.
"Max, join me for a nightcap?'
"You know I never pass up the good stuff."
"Here you are Max."
"Did you see your children's faces Georg? It's been a long time since I've seen them all so happy."
"Yes, I noticed." He was really thinking about the look he saw in Maria's eyes.
"I better turn in, tomorrow's the big day."
