I'm calling out your name

(Calling out your name)

Finally managing to mumble a farewell as she tore herself away from the Captain's eyes, Maria turned and began crossing the street. The mountain breeze seemed to have shifted to another part of the world, and they were now left with an occasional waft that gave little relief against the heavy summer air. Without the cooler air weaving through the city streets, the mid-afternoon sun seemed so much warmer than before. Still, it was a glorious day.

As she walked along the footpath, Maria still couldn't believe that the Captain had stumbled across her. She'd only been taking a shortcut to the bookshop, but the beautiful dresses had caught her attention. She'd only stopped to admire them for a moment. She couldn't help herself. Shop after shop, the windows were full of mannequins wearing some of the most glamourous dresses she'd ever seen. And then, of course, the Captain finds her and thinks she's been gazing in shop windows all afternoon.

Honestly, it was like the man had a sixth sense. He always seemed to appear out of nowhere the moment she started doing something she shouldn't. Arriving on the scene whenever she was somewhere when she was supposed to be somewhere else. It might not be so bad if he wasn't always so smug about it. Was it some kind of skill he'd developed in the Navy? Perhaps it wasn't just bravery that had earned him the medals he'd shown the children in one of their lessons last week. She felt like she knew what it was like to be one of those ships on the Mediterranean. Everything seems peaceful and calm, and then, when you least expect it, out of nowhere the Captain suddenly launches a surprise attack…

Pulling up suddenly, Maria stopped to let a woman with greying hair and a limp pass in front of her. Smiling and nodding at the elderly woman, she looked around and realised there were more people on the street than earlier. Instead of getting carried away with her thoughts, she really needed to concentrate…

Continuing along the footpath, weaving her way between the shoppers, it wasn't long before her thoughts drifted back to the Captain. Smiling to herself, recalling how he'd hugged Brigitta's birthday present to his chest, she couldn't help but start humming. She'd been so happy when he'd suggested going to the bookshop with her. It would mean so much to Brigitta to know that her father was there to buy her gift. Maria already knew how much she was going to love the book they'd chosen for her.

After having felt awfully guilty for not speaking to the Captain earlier, she was feeling so much better now. Not only had he quickly forgiven her, he actually seemed a little relieved that she'd gone ahead and made plans. A little grateful even. Although, she stopped humming for a moment, that may have had more to do with her finally bringing the children into town to get fitted with new clothes.

But Maria couldn't quite shake the look in the Captain's eyes when he realised it was Brigitta's birthday tomorrow. It had been heartbreaking. Another tiny glimpse behind the Captain's mask. Over the past weeks, there'd been times when he'd let down his guard, but only ever for a moment. Each time it made her realise how broken hearted he must have been. How much he still was.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't imagine forgetting your child's birthday. But then, she couldn't imagine loving someone so much that you ached without them, feeling so lost and alone, your whole world just came to a stop. She could only think it was a little like when her father passed away, suddenly she found herself alone in the world. Over time, somehow, you learn to cope as best you can.

Maria started humming again as she reminded herself what a blessing it was that the Captain had opened his eyes to his children, that he'd started making amends…

Can you hear me calling
Out your name?

"Fraulein!" he called out after her, hoping she heard him, hoping she'd turn…

Georg had stopped in the middle of the footpath, a few yards behind Maria, waiting for her to turn around to face him. But she just kept walking away. He should have known she wouldn't have heard him, that she'd be walking along daydreaming about something...

Maria wondered why the Captain seemed so happy for the children to be at Frau Bloch's. He'd been so adamant in the beginning that his children didn't need clothes to play in. In fact, when she'd arrived, he'd been adamant that the von Trapp children didn't play. And yet, here he'd been the past weeks, demanding that she make time for the children to be fitted out with clothes suitable for playing.

She smiled as she thought back, to when she'd first told the children they would be getting their new clothes. They were all a little disappointed to be saying goodbye to their drapes. Louisa, in her quiet, sensitive way had asked her later if she minded. She had a little in the beginning. But she'd made her point to the Captain. That was much more important. And her heart had nearly burst when the children eventually wore their father down, convincing him to allow them to wear the play clothes she'd made around the villa.

But she knew she shouldn't waste too much time worrying about all of that. It wasn't important. The Captain had started reconnecting with his children. That was more important than anything. He seemed so much happier these past weeks, and despite everyone being a little anxious and wary in the beginning, the children were just happy to have their father back.

Humming a little louder, Maria wondered if things could be more perfect. It was such a glorious summer afternoon, and they'd all come so far in only a few weeks. Right now, it was impossible to worry about anything for too long…

You know that I'm falling
And I don't know what to say
I'll speak a little louder
I'll even shout

Georg took a few longer steps, quickening his pace. Catching up with Maria, only a few feet behind, he caught the sound of something floating on the heavy summer air. His initial panic was still with him, but he could feel its cold grip loosen as he realised it was Maria humming away to herself. The sound of her voice was always soothing, for some inexplicable reason, it always managed to calm him.

"Fraulein!"

Maria pulled up suddenly. Did she just hear the Captain, or was she imaging things? Before she had a chance to turn around, she could feel a hand on her arm.

"Fraulein…" Georg said more softly as she turned to face him.

"Captain?!" Concerned by the look on his face, Maria's eyes quickly fell on his hand on her arm. "Is something wrong…?" she asked, certain that her heart was starting to race because of the look in his eyes, rather than the unfamiliar touch of his hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" following her eyes down, Georg was horrified that he had hold of his governess' arm. Out on the street, for God's sake! Quickly letting go, he cleared his throat. "Ehrm…" why was he short of breath, he wondered. "Fraulein…" he tugged at his ear, trying to find the words, unable to face her, as the words evaded him. "I forgot to ask…" he began, but stopped as he looked up and saw bright blue eyes filled with concern. For him. God, she had the most beautiful eyes…

You know that I'm proud
And I can't get the words out

"What's is it, Captain?" Maria's voice was gentle, but he was starting to alarm her. "What's wrong…?"

"It's, well… it's Brigitta's birthday…" Georg flexed his fingers, feeling ridiculous for even having to ask. "Fraulein, tomorrow… is something, anything… I mean… have you made any plans…?"

"Oh, Captain!" Maria gave him a wide smile, more than a little relieved. She'd been bracing herself for something far more serious.

"I forgot to ask…" he explained. "And, you see, well… I'm not really…" he trailed off, feeling like a complete idiot. How was it possible that he knew every detail about Elsa's plans with her friends for the next two days, but had no idea about his daughter's birthday tomorrow?

"Well, it's just something simple," Maria began, hoping that the Captain wasn't thinking she'd planned anything elaborate.

"How about we walk while you explain?" Georg suggested.

"Are you sure?" Maria knew there was no way he'd had time to go to the bank to sign those papers yet. She'd only said goodbye to him at the street corner a few minutes ago.

"There may not be a chance to catch up later at home," Georg told her. "An evening at the theatre…" he explained as she frowned at him. "Come on," he started walking, leaving Maria little choice but to follow him.

"I hope you're not expecting anything too grand…" Maria glanced across as she caught up and fell into step beside him.

"Trust me, Fraulein, after the past days, something simple would be a welcome relief," Georg mumbled under his breath.

"If you want to change anything, Captain, just let me know."

"Change anything?" Georg questioned her.

"Well, for Marta's birthday, I wasn't sure… so, I asked Frau Schmidt what was usually done… well, in the way of celebrations," Maria began a little nervously. "And, well…"

"She told you we hadn't celebrated birthdays…" it wasn't really a question, more of a statement. Looking straight ahead, Georg held his jaw tight, wanting to hide his guilt and shame. He was still ashamed that he hadn't even managed a telephone call from Vienna on the day. "So, Fraulein, how did you celebrate Marta's birthday?" he asked quietly, having only heard fragments of how they'd celebrated, still too embarrassed to ask.

"That's when I asked Liesl and Friedrich what they thought we should do," Maria continued, wishing that she'd found time to explain all of this earlier. She'd planned to. Just like Brigitta's gift. But she just hadn't expected the Captain to be so busy with the Baroness' friends. "I'm sorry, Captain, but, well… they both wanted… well, they asked if we could…"

"Celebrate the way we used to…" Georg finished the sentence she was wrestling with.

"That was what the children decided for Marta's birthday, but we can do whatever you like," Maria said quickly, sensing one of those dark clouds descending on the Captain. "We can do something completely different for Brigitta," she offered, trying to fight off his dark mood before it had a chance to set in. "And you're welcome to join in…" she added. "Of course, that's if you have time…"

"Can I?" the words tumbled out before Georg could even stop to think. He knew tomorrow had been meticulously planned out by Elsa, yet again the day in town entertaining her friends. But right at that moment, he didn't care. His daughter's birthday was suddenly, and rightly, the most important thing in the world. He was going to spend the entire day at home with his children.

"Of course, you can, Captain," Maria turned to him, trying to read the mood underneath his stony face. "The children will be beside themselves."

"Hmm, in a good way, I hope," Georg replied in a quiet voice, only half joking. He still wasn't certain that the children had forgiven him for the past four years. God, how could they? He'd been trying hard these past three weeks to make amends, but it wasn't easy. At times, the children still seemed wary of him. Perhaps that's why the children hadn't mentioned Brigitta's birthday. They remembered how he used to react.

His poor children. They still had every reason to fear him. Every reason to question if his newfound interest would last or whether it was just a passing phase. That's what worried him these past days when he was spending so little time at home and so much time in Salzburg with Elsa.

"They would love for you to join us!" Maria turned to him, surprised that he still harboured so much self-doubt. Over the past weeks, she'd been trying to make him understand that he was making good progress with the children, but he needed to be patient. They all did. It would just take a little time. For everyone. "Oh, Captain, you must realise by now, the children just love spending time with you."

"I hope so, Fraulein," Georg replied.

"Believe me, the children will love you joining in Brigitta's birthday celebrations," she glanced at the Captain again, and her heart soared as she saw a faint smile on his lips.

They walked in silence for several minutes, and were now only a few blocks away from Frau Bloch's shop. Maria had never been in Salzburg with the Captain, and now that she was paying attention, it was surprising how many people would nod at him or greet him, hoping that he would stop to talk to them.

"Is it always like this, Captain?" she asked quietly, after one man very forcefully greeted him, and seemed disappointed when he only stopped long enough to apologise that he was in a hurry to an appointment.

"Sometimes it's worse…" Georg mumbled under his breath.

"I really should hurry back, Captain," Maria said to him. "I'd asked Frau Bloch to measure up the young girls first, I hope they haven't been too much trouble while I've been away."

"I'm sure Liesl has an eye on them," Georg reassured her.

"I know she will," Maria smiled at the Captain. "But I didn't plan on being away quite so long."

"Hmmm…" Georg replied, but couldn't help smiling.

"Fraulein, let's take a small detour so we can talk more about tomorrow," Georg gently placed his hand on Maria's elbow and guided her down another of the narrow cobblestone laneways, barely half a block away from Frau Bloch's.

"But, Captain…" Maria started protesting, but stopped suddenly as the hot sun disappeared and a cool wave of air surrounded her. Glancing around, there were ancient looking vines planted in front of each row of shops. They were so old, so large, over the years they'd been trained to create an overhead canopy across the narrow lane. After a short distance, the lane opened up to a wider courtyard where tables and bench seats were spread out in the shade of the vines and a large oak tree. Despite the warmth of the afternoon, there were only a few customers sitting outside the various teahouses and cafes enjoying a late lunch or an early afternoon tea.

Oh I...
I want to be with you everywhere
Oh I...
I want to be with you everywhere

Georg led Maria to one of the tables outside one of the teahouses and motioned for her to sit down on one of the bench seats. He sat down opposite her, placing Brigitta's present on the seat beside him and his hat over the top. "What would you like, Fraulein?" he asked as he ran a hand through his hair, sweeping it back in place. "An iced tea? Some lemonade, perhaps?"

"Captain, don't you have to be at the bank?" Maria asked.

"A few more minutes won't matter," he gave her a half grin. Right now, he wanted to discuss Brigitta's birthday. Properly. As a father should.

"I really should be getting…"

"Good afternoon, Captain von Trapp," a young waitress nodded and smiled. "What can I get you?"

The afternoon was rather warm, and Maria had to admit that it was nice to sit down under the canopy of lush vines. Realising that the Captain was waiting for her answer, she smiled at him and then the waitress. "An iced tea would be lovely, thank you."

"A jug of iced tea, please, and two pieces of sachertorte," Georg nodded to the waitress, who smiled and turned, quickly disappearing inside.

"I really should be getting back to Frau Bloch's, Captain," Maria said to him, knowing only too well how much trouble bored children could get themselves into. Well, it was something she'd learned this summer.

"Fraulein, you wait here," Georg went to stand up. "I'll go and save the poor woman from my children."

"No, no, Captain!" Maria cut him off and stopped him in his tracks. "I've thought of a few ideas I want to share with Frau Bloch."

"So, you weren't just daydreaming when I found you?" Georg smiled.

"Well, perhaps a little…" Maria blushed as she stood up, straightening out her skirt. "I just want to make sure she's not going to make another set of uniforms for the children," Maria arched her brow at the Captain. "I won't be long," she added over her shoulder.

Georg watched as Maria walked to the end of the courtyard. She disappeared out of sight as the courtyard gave way to the narrower laneway, and he lost her between the shops. Running an unsteady hand through his hair, he could feel his confidence starting to waiver.

What in God's name had he just agreed to?

Thank you so much everyone for reading and reviewing my last chapter.

I still hope no one's looking for a plot amongst all this fluff!

Once again, the song woven throughout the chapter is "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac.

"Immerse your soul in love"