Planning
From the moment Georg asked Eleanor to help Maria with the wedding, she had made a list of things to do. First was an immediate task – an announcement for the paper. Usually banns of marriage were announced in the bride's church, but since they were marrying at the Abbey Chapel, the announcement was for the paper; nothing fancy, just an announcement.
The next day she spoke to Georg and Maria. "Georg, you know we must announce your pending marriage to Maria."
"Yes, I'm aware. I just hope this doesn't make my telephone ring with a lot of long lost relatives and friends."
"Georg, don't you want them to know?"
"Certainly, but I hope they won't be nosey."
"They may want to know the woman who has captured your heart," and with a twinkle in her eyes, "and that you're no longer available."
Maria was confused about Georg's reaction. She was about to say something when Eleanor asked her, "What do you think, Maria?" She thought a moment.
"It's only the Salzburg paper, right?"
They both nodded. "Georg, you and your family have only lived here a short while. I don't think our pending marriage will draw that much attention."
"I suppose you're right Maria."
With that out of the way, Eleanor spoke, "Saturday I'm inviting you both to dinner with me and Harold. We'll be going to the Restaurant Hotel Gmachl. Eleanor saw Maria take a deep breath.
"Maria, don't worry, I'll help you find something suitable to wear." Maria let out her breath and smiled with relief.
On the way to the villa that afternoon Maria could tell Georg was still worried about the announcement. "You're worried about the guests at the party who met Elsa, aren't you?"
"Yes, Maria.
"Georg, you only introduced Elsa as your companion for the evening; nobody had ever met her before. Did we invite everyone who came to the party?"
"No not everyone, definitely no one with allegiance to the Germans."
"As I read the guest list to Eleanor, she tried to describe each couple to me; and how you knew them. Please don't worry; our wedding day will be wonderful." When he stopped the car she reached for his face and softly caressed his cheek and softly kissed him. His smile appeared and he acknowledged her with a kiss of his own.
Saturday came and Maria looked radiant. Her stylish suit in brown mustard gold fit her well. Complementing shoes with a small heel completed her outfit. Eleanor had encouraged her to but a more stylish coat, after all it was already getting very cold in the evenings.
Nothing untoward happened at dinner. Maria had eaten enough with Georg and the children, she now felt very comfortable with all the tableware. The food was exquisite; she even had a half glass of wine. And the Ebersols were a delight to be with, Maria thoroughly enjoyed herself.
"Maria, you look so beautiful tonight, I'm having a hard saying goodnight."
"I am too. As much as I enjoyed dinner, I missed our nightly time alone, just to talk."
"Me too, sweetheart, I must go now." Knowing he could only give her a sweet soft kiss, otherwise it would be even more difficult to say goodnight, and so he did, leaving her with a smile on his face and love in his heart.
As Maria lay in her bed, she thought, "My wedding is only three weeks away." Her dreams didn't keep her awake; she woke up wishing it was today. The next two weeks were very busy.
Frau Schmidt had seen to it that the invitation was sent to the printers within two days of them telling the children. Since they had limited guests to family and close friends, the task of addressing them was not great. Maria took the envelopes to the cottage with her to do.
"Maria, are you sure there's no one you want to invite?"
"My family is there at the Abbey, but…." She stopped.
"But what Maria? Is there someone?"
"I would like my foster mother to know, I haven't seen her since I entered the Abbey. I don't even know if she would be well enough to travel, she's very old now. Maybe her daughter Kathy would bring her."
What's her name, Maria?"
"Anika Mueller"
"Do you know where to send an invitation?"
"Yes, I do know. Should I ask Georg?"
"You can, but I'm sure its fine with him. Anyone else?" She replied with a shake of her head.
As always Georg picked her up in the early afternoon and they would spend the remainder of the day at the villa.
"Georg, I invited my foster mother to our wedding; I'm not sure she will come, she is very old."
"I'm glad you thought to invite her, I'm sure she will be pleased just to be invited."
The children had no school on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Those days were set aside to take the children into town to buy their clothes. Frau Schmidt was eager to help; she knew the children best and helped them find just what they wanted; including the boys.
Maria was very fortunate; she had found her gown on the first day. Maria's small figure allowed her to find an elegant gown with a long train which was embroidered with white satin roses. A long twenty foot veil of multiple layers of soft Bridal Illusion Tulle would sit on the crown of her head held in place by a crown of entwined Edelweiss.
A few days later, Eleanor told her, "Maria, we need to plan the reception."
"At the villa of course and my only request is there be lots of flowers. Flowers like you find up in the mountains."
"Tell me more, Maria."
"How about I show you? We can go in the morning; I know Georg has some business in town."
Eleanor wasn't a sophisticated Baroness; she had three sons, she was accustomed to playing and walking and hiking. With a small lunch packed, they left for Maria's mountain. "I love the out-of-doors," Maria told her; "to admire the wonder of God's creation."
"Even in early fall, the flowers are so beautiful."
"Yes, Eleanor. There are always flowers, even in the snow."
"Maria, I know a florist who likes to use native plants, actually a couple, Hazel and Ralph Kepplinger, who could give you what you want. I'll make an appointment to meet with them."
In a few days all the plans for the reception were finished, Hazel and Ralph knew exactly what Maria wanted. They had hired a music group; extra servers; and Frau Schmidt's favorite bakery would make the cake.
A letter arrived for Maria, at the villa. It surprised her; until she opened it. It was from Kathy, informing her that her mother was indeed not able to travel. It went on to say, "we are both very happy for you, please visit us someday."
"Georg, my foster mother sends her regrets, but Kathy asks us to visit someday."
"We will, Maria, soon after our honeymoon." Maria sent a reply. In my heart I thought that may be true; thank you so much for inviting us to visit. Georg tells me, we will shortly after our honeymoon. Give my love to Mother Anika. Lovingly, Maria.
Over the next few days, Eleanor and Maria spent a lot of time talking; Maria always joined her for breakfast. Maria was so comfortable around her; she shared a lot of her feelings of inadequacy. "Georg has experienced so much in his life; he's been so many places and then there's the fact of his previous marriage. I wonder if I will please him."
"Maria, from what I sense, Georg loves you so much, I don't believe he has those thoughts. I assure you, your feminine feelings will be very powerful; you remember how you felt after the dance."
"Oh, yes Eleanor. And since then too, when he held my hands after the children sang to me. When we started courting, he would just look at me, I wanted to run into his arms. Now when we kiss I feel like I'm going to faint."
"Can you imagine even stronger feelings? They will over power your mind."
"Not really, but I'm not afraid. I know he loves me and will protect me."
"Yes, Maria, he will. Now let's talk about your wedding night. What did you have in mind?"
As she told her, all Eleanor could do was – approve; "that will make his heart so full, Maria. He will be very pleased – you will share his reaction with me?" Maria simply smiled.
One other thing she told her, treating her like the daughter she never had. "You know Maria, all the emotions you've been feeling can throw your cycle off – it may come early or it might be late – one never knows. Just be prepared."
The Saturday before the wedding, Georg wanted to take the family somewhere special. He decided to take them all out to dinner and then to the theater for a performance of three short plays by A.A. Milne.
"Father, what should we wear?" Liesl asked.
"Well, maybe the clothes you wore for the puppet show; it's only the theater Liesl, not the opera."
"Someday maybe you will take me to the opera, so I can wear a fancy dress and gloves."
"We'll see, sweetheart, we'll see." It's just like Maria told me. She's growing up.
That Saturday, Maria came to the villa early. She and Georg spent the afternoon playing games with the children; bean bag games, silly games like musical chairs, hot potato and charades.
Georg had made dinner reservations for six and the play started at eight. Frau Schmidt helped Maria get everyone ready and she changed into another dress that she had brought with her from the cottage.
"Fraulein Maria, you know this is the first time for Father to take all of us somewhere special."
"Children, when you were young your Father was away a lot in the war; then sadness filled his heart and he just couldn't. But you know he always loved all of you."
"We know," Liesl said sadly. "But then you came to us and Father found love in his heart for you."
"Yes, and I also found love and my direction in life. I still can't believe that next week we will be married."
"I'm so excited; this will be my first wedding."
Georg found them, all gathered around Maria for a group hug. His heart was full as he watched, not wanting to interrupt, but it was time to leave. Franz had brought the car around to the circle. As with all families there were disagreements as to where everyone would sit.
"Children, the only way you all fit is for the five youngest to sit in the back, Friedrich and Liesl will sit up front with us. I know that's not fair but that's the way it needs to be." The children reluctantly took their seats; Maria tried to cheer them up by talking about the theater.
At the restaurant they were seated at a long table near the front. Everyone who walked by acknowledged them; at first it made Georg nervous. Maria noticed.
"Georg, stop worrying, only the maître d' knows your name." She whispered in his ear.
"I hope you're right."
They each ordered their favorite. When the waiter asked about dessert, the children heard their Father tell him, "we're going to the theater; we'll have dessert after the performance." Before leaving Maria insisted everyone use the restroom.
Their seats at the theater were perfect for everyone. The children laughed and applauded the wonderful performance. "Father, can we do this again sometime?"
"I'm sure in the future we will take you often." As promised they went to the small café near the theater for dessert. The children couldn't stop talking about the plays. It was very late when they all piled into the car for the trip home. The children waited in the car when he walked Maria to the door of the cottage.
"I guess we can't kiss too long, we might have seven peaking toms."
"You really think so Georg?"
"If I take too long the older ones will have something to say, I'm sure."
"Georg, I'm so excited. We have to make this week go by quickly."
"It will Maria. I love you darling." They shared a sweet kiss. Georg waited for her to close the door and he heard the lock turn before he returned to seven waiting children, two of whom were almost asleep.
Maria had breakfast with Eleanor. "Thank you, Eleanor; you've been so much help. I never had the dreams of a normal child. My best friend always dreamed about getting married and it did come true for her. My only dream was how to get away from the "judge." And to think, now I'm having that dream; but it's not a dream, it's real. Tomorrow, I'll be married and will experience feelings that only a man and a woman can share."
Eleanor understood and smiled. "Do you want to go to the Abbey early?"
"Yes, Eleanor, I want some time to walk around and sit quietly in the Chapel. The sisters only have an hour in the morning when they are allowed to talk. I want to thank them for putting up me; the black sheep of the Abbey as Sister Bertha called me." They both laughed.
"Maria, I know they are delighted that you have found your place in life; seven children and a Baron needed your love. I know you won't be very hungry in the morning but you do need to eat something. Harold will drive us there around eight. Is that too early?'
"No, that will give me plenty of time." She kissed her goodbye, as Georg had arrived to take her home for dinner.
The day was almost over when Georg drove her back to the cottage. Georg was holding her as tears tumbled from her eyes. "Maria, why the tears?"
"I can't help it Georg, I'm so happy. It's almost our wedding day."
"Yes, tomorrow, sweetheart, and you'll be Baroness von Trapp."
"That still sounds strange, Georg. Me a Baroness?"
"You never thought you would be a governess and yet you changed my children in a day; although it took a little longer for stubborn old me."
"You weren't stubborn; you just needed someone to love you to release your grief."
"My dear wise Maria; it's almost midnight, I understand its bad luck to see a bride before her wedding."
"Yes, I've heard that too;" they kissed and reluctantly said goodnight.