Once the pair were in the car, Maria gave her fiancé directions to where she wanted to go but wouldn't tell him the final destination.

"Where are we going, my love," Georg teased her as they drove through Salzburg.

Maria simply smiled. "You'll see," she said pointing in the direction she wanted him to go. "That way."

Georg rolled his eyes as he directed the car in the direction Maria indicated. "Are we getting close?"he asked her.

She nodded, looking off into the distance and seeing their destination rise to meet them.

"Here we are," she said gleefully as the car pulled up in front of Untersberg.

Georg just grinned. "So this is your mountain," he said with a smile in his voice.

Maria's head whipped around. "How did you know?"

"The children may have mentioned it once or twice," Georg replied guiltily.

"Ah, yes," said Maria. "I brought them here for a picnic about...oh...a week after you left for Vienna. It's where I first taught them to sing..." her voice faded at the memory and she glanced up at the sky.

"So I wanted to bring you here," she said, turning back to look at her fiancé. "You deserve to see it more than anyone."

Georg's heart instantly warmed. From the couple of brief mentions his children had made of 'Maria's mountain' he understood that it was a very important and sacred place to her, so for her to allow him to visit was something truly special.

They took the train up to the mountain top. Maria was out of the carriage before the train had completely stopped and Georg had to run to keep up with her.

'Next time she brings me up here,' he thought to himself 'I must remember to dress accordingly.'

Maria sat on the soft grass, her head tilted up to the sky, the sun beating down on her face as she waited for Georg to catch up with her. She was thinking about her very early memories of the Untersburg; how in her mind it became her mountain...

The car rumbled along through the busy streets of Salzburg. Maria sat alongside her father in the front seat. This was rare; normally, no matter the circumstances, she had to sit in the back seat. However, her father had decided for their short visit to Salzburg, she could sit in the front of the car beside him.

The six year old's bright eager eyes took in everything around her. The breeze that came through the open window blew her curls into a tangle.

"It's beautiful here, Father," she breathed, looking high into the sky. Then, she noticed a great landform looming over the horizon, as if watching over all the city.

"What's that?" she asked her father, indicating the mountain.

"That Maria," said her father. "is the Untersburg. The most amazing mountain in all Salzburg."

"Really?"

"Well, that's my opinion," he said. "Would you like to visit there this afternoon? You can take a train up to the very top of the mountain."

Maria's eyes sparkled and she nodded her head eagerly.

True to his word, Maria's father took her to the mountain that very afternoon. She told him over and over again how beautiful it was and how much she loved it.

"Well then," said her father. "Why don't you make it your own mountain."

Maria nodded, as if agreeing this was a good idea. 'My mountain' she decided. 'That would be wonderful.'

The sound of Georg approaching broke Maria from her reverie. He smiled at her, but before he could say a word, she had leapt up and run across the grassy field into his arms. Georg only grinned wider and held her tighter.

"It really is beautiful up here," he mused.

"You haven't seen the half of it," she said with a smile. "Come on, I want to show you the brook."

And with that, she was off again. Georg sighed and raced off after her.

He found her by the brook. She was balanced on the stones that formed a sort of bridge over the brook, bending down with her hand in the cool water.

"It's exquisite, darling," he said. "How ever did you become acquainted with this amazing mountain?"

She smiled and told him all about her visit sixteen years ago, just before her father died and how from then on the Untersburg was cemented in her heart as 'her mountain'.

Maria then left the stream and rushed over to her fiancé, linking her arm through his. They walked along together, smiling at each other and talking of little insignificant things that seemed to hold worlds of meaning.

They weren't sure how long they'd stayed up on the Untersburg until Maria noticed the sun getting lower in the sky.

"We'd better be off," she said to Georg. "Or we'll never make it home in time for dinner and the children and Max will wonder where we are."

Georg smiled at her. "Well yes, I have to agree with you on that," he said. "Although, the prospect of spending the rest of the day here alone with you is very alluring."

At that Maria smiled back playfully, as, hand in hand, the two walked back towards the train.

That night at dinner, Franz entered the dining room while everyone was finishing their dessert, with a telegram for Georg. As usual, after discovering Rolfe had delivered it, Liesl excused herself and dashed out of the room.

Georg smiled as he read the telegram. It was from his old friend from the Navy, Werner Huber. He and his wife Johanna had been invited to the party he had reluctantly thrown for the Baroness, but had unfortunately been unable to attend. To make up for it, they were inviting Georg to a ball they were hosting in two weeks time.

"Who is the telegram from, Father?" asked Kurt.

"Werner," Georg told his son. "He and Johanna are inviting me to a ball to make up for the fact they couldn't come to the Baroness's party."

"Can you please tell them to say 'hello' to Rupert for me, Father," Louisa said to Georg. "I think he's dreamy."

Georg raised his eyebrow, and stole a glance at Maria. She too appeared taken aback. After all, Liesl had told her this very morning that Louisa was a tomboy. 'Still,' she thought. 'she's a girl all the same."

"And tell them to say 'hello' to Martina for me Father please," Brigitta said. "She's ever so nice."

"I will," Georg promised.

After dinner had finished and the children were all tucked away in bed, Georg took Maria's hand and led her into his study. She had never been in there before, but she immediately guessed where Captain had taken her.

"Oh my," she breathed, as she took in the room. The back wall and the wall to her left were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The wall to her right had a huge window, with a desk placed underneath. On the far side of the desk was a gramophone and opposite the desk was a large sofa.

"Why did you bring me in here, Captain?" she asked him playfully.

He smiled his adorable half-smile that she loved so much. "I need to talk to you about the Huber's ball.

"Oh yes, of course," she said softly. "I hope you have a wonderful time."

Georg was shocked. "Maria, you can't possibly believe I'm going to attend the Huber's ball alone.

"Oh Georg, please, you wouldn't want me there. You only asked me to marry you yesterday. I know absolutely nothing about Austrian society or the aristocracy;" she pleaded. "I'll just be an embarrassment to you. Not to mention everybody will look down on me once they find out I was your governess."

Desperately, Georg turned her around to face him. "Maria," he said sternly. "There is no way you could possibly embarrass me. And as for your knowledge of Austrian aristocracy? The ball is not for another two weeks. I will make sure you're prepared enough by that time to endure a few hours of socialising."

"But-" she protested, but he cut her off with a quick, soft kiss.

"You're going to have to end up doing this a lot more often," he told her. "We may as well start practising now. I'll be right there, by your side all night. Everything will be fine. I promise."

"Okay," Maria nodded, before tilting her head up and kissing her Captain again.

Thanks for all the amazing reviews so far guys! It means the world to me. Also thank you for the wonderful members on TSOM Fanfiction who helped me with the last name of the family.