Thanks so much to my beta, Bellarsam Chrisjulittle! This is by far, the most eventful, exciting chapter, but there are more chapters to come! I appreciate the reviews very much!

Georg woke up the next morning to a distant sound, though it was one he couldn't exactly identify. He rolled over to Maria's side of the bed, eyes still closed. "Maria," he whispered groggily. No answer. "Maria?" He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes wearily, glancing towards the empty space next to him. His eyes sprang open as he realized that his wife was, in fact, not next to him.

The room was dark, the curtains not yet opened, and he instantly noticed a light peering out from under the closed bathroom door. And there was the sound again, coming from the bathroom. He leapt from the bed, alarmed and worried about the noise, and strided towards the door. "Maria!" he called, banging on the door.

"Georg," Maria's voice choked, "Don't come in here!" Georg immediately knew something was wrong; the tone in his wife's voice was forced and stressed. He barged into the room, without a thought, to see Maria leaned over the bowl. "Georg!" she gasped, vomit spewing from her mouth.

He knew he recognized the sound – the sound of regurgitation. He remembered those sleepless nights when Agathe would throw up until sunrise. But that was when she was…no, Maria couldn't be! Pushing the thought to the back of his brain, he knelt beside his wife with a wet towel. "Maria, how did this happen?" he asked calmly, while he pressed it to her forehead.

"I don't…I don't know!" she exclaimed, between expulsions. "Food poisoning, maybe?"

"Calm down, love. It's going to be okay," Georg reassured his wife, as he got up to get a new towel. However, he couldn't keep his first thought tamed: could Maria be…pregnant?

Frau Schmidt opened the door to Liesl's room, only to see that the girl was still peacefully sleeping. Ahh, I'll have to put the sheets on later, she thought to herself, turning towards the door. Suddenly, there was a mild crunching noise beneath her feet. It was a piece of paper, one that was neat and had writing on it. Picking it up, she was tempted to read it, but knew she shouldn't; this was her employer's daughter, after all. She heard a rustle behind her, then a yawn.

"Good morning, Frau Schmidt," Liesl greeted tiredly, stretching her arms out above her. She glanced towards the window; the curtains shut, and then gazed towards the housekeeper. "What's that in your hand?" she questioned curiously, noticing the paper she held.

"A note; someone slipped it under your door during the night," Frau Schmidt replied warmly, handing it to the girl. Liesl suddenly became excited, a happy grin appearing on her face.

"A note? For me?" An eager happiness filled up inside of her as she snatched the note, reading it over. First there was a cute little drawing of a boat, then a question:

Boat ride after breakfast?
- Lukas

Butterflies swarmed inside of her, and she smiled at the note. "A boat ride," she whispered dreamily. Suddenly, her gaze snapped to Frau Schmidt. "Please don't tell Mother and Father! Please!" she begged, clasping her hands together in desperation. Frau Schmidt could only chuckle at the girl's nervousness, however she was confused about why she wouldn't want her mother to know – Maria was one of the kindest, most understanding people she knew. The Captain, on the other hand, she understood.

"Of course not, dear. I'll be back later to put the sheets on!" she replied, as she began to walk out of the room. Liesl fell onto her bed distantly – she was in another world, dreaming of how her afternoon would play out – worrying, was more like it. How would she avoid her parents? She thought back to what Brigitta had said about telling Mother; it sounded like a better idea now, even if it was only for Mother to distract Father from going outside.

Liesl jumped suddenly, as there was an unexpected knock on the door. "Liesl, may I come in?" Maria's voice questioned. Liesl smiled to herself; this was her opportunity.

"Of course, Mother!" she called, placing the note under her pillow for the moment before the door opened.

"Good morning, darling," Maria greeted with a smile, noticing her daughter's happy grin. "Has something happened?"

"Mother," Liesl started hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, what is it?" She took a seat next to her eldest daughter curiously.

Liesl pulled the note from under the pillow, and silently handed it to her Mother. Maria read the note with a soft smile. I knew this was coming, she thought to herself, glancing at a blushing Liesl.

"Darling, it's okay. I'm not going to judge you," she stated softly. "Whatever we talk about is between you and me." Liesl looked up to meet her mother's eyes. How could she have been so foolish; this was her Mother.She could tell her anything.

"But, what about Father?"

"It's alright, he's too busy worrying about the party Max made him have," Maria replied, with a knowing chuckle.

Liesl's eyes widened. "Party?" She had always loved when her Father threw parties, even if she couldn't attend them. Watching the women twirl around in gorgeous dresses and the handsome men chat about politics and world issues made her eager to debut in society.

"Oh yes, your father wanted you and I to get fitted for dresses today, but I can see you have plans," Maria smiled, holding up the note with a wink. "So, we can go tomorrow."

Liesl beamed at her mother appreciatively. "Thank you," she paused to think. "Do you think Lukas really likes me?"

"How could he not?" Maria gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead before walking out of the room. "And I'll do my best to keep your Father inside," she added with a reassuring smile.

This afternoon is going to go perfectly, Liesl thought dreamily before getting ready for breakfast.

After breakfast, Liesl tried to appear calm as she hurried outside to meet Lukas. She had spent all morning meeting his mischievous gaze, exchanging smiles, and thinking of his face, even though it was right there, across from her. Upon slowly opening the doors, she noticed a man's figure standing by the gate to the lake. It must be him, she thought to herself with a smile as she descended the stairs towards him. Luckily, he hadn't noticed her yet, and she smoothed out her dress before announcing her presence.

"Well, hello there," she greeted happily. Lukas whipped around to see the beautiful girl he had encountered the night before.

"You came," he breathed, a glad grin on his lips.

"Of course I came! Why wouldn't I?" Liesl questioned confusedly, meeting the boy's eye.

"It's just…I was hoping I didn't scare you away." His tone became unusually timid, as he stared at his shoes.

"You could never scare me away," Liesl replied softly. She barely knew the boy, but over the few days he'd stayed at their home, she'd observed and studied his actions and words, like at dinner when he'd spoken up to her father or when he had told her to be careful while climbing the wall. These small things told her more about his personality than anything else.

Their gazes met again, and they grinned at each other, as Lukas opened the gate. "Ready?" he questioned, holding out his hand, a playful look on his face.

Liesl nodded, taking the boy's hand and stepping into the long and narrow boat. After closing the gate, he, too, entered the boat to sit across from her.

Liesl giggled a little, glancing around her. "This has happened before, too. Except, last time, we fell into the water…" She explained the story to Lukas, his captivated ears focused on every part. When Liesl had finished, he laughed out loud.

"Ah yes, I remember reading about your parents' marriage in the paper. 'Decorated sea captain marries postulant'," he began, with a roll of his eyes. "The paper always over exaggerates everything; though I can see that they really do love each other." He began steering the boat away from the terrace, rowing them to the middle of the lake. Liesl nodded thoughtfully; if only she, too, could have a love like her parents…

"My mother really did save my family, though," Liesl replied airily, as she glanced to the house, a soft, grateful smile on her face.
Lukas was suddenly curious. "Save?" he questioned interestedly. How could her family have possibly been saved? He could picture how much better it would be with the Baroness around, but what was Liesl's life like before she had arrived? He knew her birth mother had died – did that have anything to do with it?

Liesl nodded before beginning the story of her life after her mother's death, with a few interjections or questions from her counterpart. She was hesitant to tell this part of the story, but she knew he would listen, not judge.

"That sounded like it was fun," he remarked sincerely after she'd told him about her father's bland treatment of her, and her brothers and sisters.

"Oh, you have no idea," she replied matter-of-factly. Little did she know that he did, in fact, know how it felt to be shut out by a loved one; he just wasn't ready to tell her.

She continued with where she left off; Fraulein Maria's, now her Mother, arrival. He noticed the reminiscent smile on her face throughout this part of the story, the eager, excited tone in her voice as she talked about her parent's love, as if she was ready to find a love of her own, and it made him grin for her.

"W-why are you smiling?" Her pleasant voice interrupted his thoughts, and he answered honestly.

"You just seem so happy," he answered, a smile on his face, "And it makes me happy."

She glanced down bashfully – why did he always have to be so honest about his feelings? Glancing up again, there he was, still beaming at her. Their eyes met and her feelings collided inside of her like ocean waves; he was looking at her. He took her hand gently, romantically. She gaped at the gesture for a few minutes, though it put her at ease; he wanted to take it slow, like her. The air was silent for a moment, and a silent breeze wafted through the boat pleasantly.

"I wonder what would happen if wefell out of this boat…" he wondered aloud playfully, breaking the anxious stillness between them.

Liesl laughed happily. "That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed, with a tone of mock-excitement. Lukas chuckled at the remark, a smile on his face to match Liesl's.

"So anyways, I packed a picnic and luckily the cook let me steal a few pieces of bread." There was a twinkle in his eye as he talked, and she liked it; it made her happy to see him happy.

"Lovely," she mused, gazing at the perfect world around her. The afternoon really was going to go perfectly.

It was a gorgeous day outside as Georg stepped onto the terrace, his uninterested mood instantly brightened by the picture before him. Max was sitting next to Maria, while she held a giggling Marta in her lap. Gretl was sitting on the ground next to the table, playing with Gracie. He remembered the day when they'd purchased the dog. Maria had led him into the little pet store off of Otto Avenue, while they were in town one day. He had always passed by the store before, though this time, he was willing to go in, for her. She quickly became attached to the large Bernese in the corner, much to his uncertainty. To further the attachment, the owner then came over and began telling the history of the dog; how it was an orphan and how its parents had died in a car accident with their owners.

His wife had then nuzzled it against her chest so that both sets of eyes were peering up at him beseechingly. How could he have said no to that? His children would've loved it, and his wife already did, so naturally he purchased dog, along with a leash and some food for it after the owner hurriedly explained all of its needs, careful not to overwhelm them or make them think twice. He remembered the excitement in his children's voices after they'd brought Gracie home, which had made him smile.

He chuckled at the memory, silently admitting to himself that it wasrather pleasant having the dog around. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by his youngest.

"Oh, Father!" Gretl beckoned in a dire tone, from her spot on the ground. "Look! Gracie is sick!" He strided over to the dog and knelt down next to her. Upon inspecting the dog for any bumps or bruises, he gave Gretl a silly look.

"Darling, she's fine. She just needs some rest, that's all," he comforted softly, lifting little Gretl into his arms with a peck on the forehead. He carried her over to the table where Max and Maria were, placed her in a chair before sitting down himself next to his wife.

"Good afternoon, dear," Maria greeted cheerfully. Max poured Georg a glass of pink lemonade, and handed it to his friend.

"Max, I thought you didn't like pink lemonade," Georg teased. He aimed the wicked, lopsided smile on his face towards his friend, as he took a sip of the sweet drink.

Max shrugged. "Well, Georg, it's grown on me. I've now decided, that I do, in fact, like pink lemonade." The drama of the statement only made the little girls giggle, and Georg chuckled along with them.

"Elise made a batch especially for Marta," Maria added informatively, beaming down at the girl in her lap. Of course, pink was Marta's favorite color, and everyone knew it.

"Hmm, well, isn't that special," Georg commented, playfully tapping his daughter on the nose. Marta giggled in response, snuggling her head into her mother's chest shyly. Maria ruffled her daughter's brown hair thoughtfully.

"Isn't there something you'd like to tell your father, Marta?" Maria reminded with a glance towards her husband.

"I'm going to take dance lessons, Father!" Marta burst out gleefully.

Georg gave his daughter a mock-curious glance. "Is that so?" he questioned, just as footsteps were heard behind them.

"Marta, come on!" Friedrich urged, as Kurt wheeled a bicycle up to the table. Marta gave them a shy look, then bashfully looked into her lap.

"Aw, Marta, don't be scared. It's just a bicycle," Kurt insisted, with a glance towards Uncle Max, motioning him to help convince the girl it wasn't scary.

"What are you boys up to?" Georg questioned suspiciously.

"We're going to teach Marta to ride a bike," Friedrich responded enthusiastically. Behind him, Kurt began to ride across the terrace. Max chuckled at the scene, glancing at the little girl.

"See look, Marta, it's easy!" Kurt exclaimed eagerly.

Marta perked up at this, sliding off her mother's lap. "Can I try?" she questioned, eying the cute blue bike.

"Come on, let's go to the garden," Friedrich called, leading his two siblings down the steps. Gretl scampered after them, before Maria told them to be careful.

"So Georg, how is the party planning going?" Max pestered lightheartedly, taking a sip of his drink.

Georg groaned at the question; he, like every other Austrian aristocrat, loved parties, however Max's usual nagging did not put him in a good mood. He'd already spent the better half of the day in his study, writing and addressing invitations. "It's going well, Max," he answered patiently, gazing past his friend to the lake.

"Well, who did you invite this time? The Ambassador of Britain? Baron Eberhardt? Elsa, maybe?" Max pressed, leaning forward in his chair.

Georg was put on edge by the latter. "Why on earthwould I invite Elsa?" he gritted, as he glanced towards an uncomfortable Maria.

Elsa was her husband's ex-fiancé, though she didn't mind having her at the party. She, Max and Georg would be the only people she knew, and that scared her. Her stomach churned at the prospect of having to socialize with all her husband's high-class friends; she had taken peeks at the articles in the society section in the newspaper that Georg had removed just for her own sanity, and most of them were about their marriage. The gossip was horrid; some people even assumed that Georg had seduced her! It was a ridiculous topic, and why was it in the paper again? She had no idea, but from then on, she had vowed to ignore the society section and all the gossip that came with it.

"For me, of course! I'll need a dinner partner, and someone to dance with!" Max exclaimed straightforwardly. Georg rolled his eyes at this – when had Max ever danced? Glancing towards Maria, she was nodding in agreement.

"Georg, its fine," Maria reassured, seeing the uncertain look on her husband's face.

"It's settled, then! Elsa is invited!" Max declared, before Georg could get a word in. "Now, who else can we invite…?" Max stroked his chin thoughtfully. They all thought for a moment, before Maria came up with an idea.

"Max, we must invite Lukas; he could perform a piece, maybe?" Maria requested with a smile. There was one more person she knew. Max's face lit up at the proposition, the opposite of Georg's face.

"Absolutely not," Georg dictated, while Max burst out cheerfully, "Wonderful idea! That's marvelous! The guests will love it, Georg!" Georg groaned again; he disliked the boy, though both Maria and Max were against him again on this one.

"Please, darling," Maria pleaded. "Just this once." Georg didn't see why his wife was so keen on the boy, though he gave in with a grumble.

"Fine, fine," he waved away the thought quickly, though it still lingered in the air as Max celebrated this victory.

"Perfect! Perfect! He'll perform the new piece he wrote, one inspired by Beethoven and Bach. You'll both like it, surely," he rambled animatedly, an excited tone in his voice.

"Oh, I'm sure we will, Max," Georg commented gruffly, as he poured himself another glass of lemonade.

"And Georg," Max continued annoyingly, "When are you going to let Liesl attend one of your parties? She certainly needs to debut in society sometime this year."

Georg laughed mockingly at this request. He surely would not let his silly friend tell him how to raise his children. "Absolutely out of the question," he replied firmly. His eldest daughter was only sixteen, and stunning at that. In the next year or so, she would undoubtedly have boys chasing her around, which made him nervous.

"Oh, Georg…," Maria complained tiredly. "Let Liesl be a woman, for once. She'd be a wonderful companion for someone who doesn't know anyone," she added, referring to herself. Max nodded in agreement.

His wife however, he couldn't defy. She made a point, after all; Maria didn't know anyone, which he felt guilty about. He would surely have to chat about boring politics with diplomats and barons, and if having Liesl there would bring her comfort, then so be it.

With a sigh, he gave in. "If it would bring you comfort, my dear, of course." He made a mental note not to invite any teenage boys to the party.

Maria gave him a grateful smile, before standing up. "Thank you, darling. It means a lot to me." She pecked him on the cheek. "I'm going inside; would you two like to join me?" She had almost completely forgotten about Liesl's boat ride rendezvous on the lake. The men began to nod, before a scream rang out across the yard.

Thanks for reading this chapter! Reviews are welcome, and there are more chapters to come so stay tuned!