Seven pairs of eyes stared hard back at their father.

"Children, why don't we all go in for breakfast. We'll explain it then."

Georg looked at Maria and then lead them all into the dining room. Maria followed him, leaving the children by themselves in the hall. Having no choice but to follow their father and governess, Liesl, and her brothers and sisters, cautiously made their way to breakfast. Timidly they took their seats around the table.

Just as all nine of them were seated and about to say the blessing, Uncle Max sauntered in, his usual late self, but still cheerful and bright.

"Good morning everyone!" Max turned to the children who were always happy at breakfast time, but now were all quiet and had odd looks on their faces.

"Something I said?" Max said, as he took his seat on Georg's left. Georg only gave him a silencing look.

"Uh, fraulein, would you say grace for us please?"

Everyone took that as the cue to bow their heads as Maria blessed their meal. When she was done, she, Georg, and Max, all vigorously dug into their plates of eggs and toast, but the children still sat quiet and wide-eyed.

Freidrich lightly kicked Liesl under the table. He made a face at her to say something. Catching on, Liesl remained silent for a moment, taking note of how neither her father nor Fraulein Maria were looking anywhere but at their plates.

"Are you going to tell us what's going on now, father?" She casually took a sip of her juice as she looked at Georg.

Her father, however, took his time chewing another mouthful of his breakfast before wiping his mouth with his napkin and finally looking around the table at his children.

"Well...children. As I'm sure you've all realized by now due to her absence the Baroness is no longer with us. She's uh, well, she's returned to Vienna."

"For how long, father?" Marta piped up, a piece of bacon in her hand as she stopped mid-bite.

Georg looked across the table in Maria's direction very quickly, but it didn't go unnoticed by all seven children. Max, however, was still a bit hazy as to the morning's events.

"Elsa left, Georg? When did this happen?"

"Actually, Max, she was gone just shortly after dinner last night."

This time, Georg's gaze was blatantly fixed on Maria, who was by now, finished with her breakfast and had no choice but to return her fiancé's loving look.

By now, Max had caught on and was chuckling to himself. The children were still oblivious to what was happening, well all except Liesl, who was now smiling to herself and lightly joining in Max's laughter.

"You still haven't answered Marta, father. When do you think the Baroness will be back?" Kurt asked, but Liesl silenced him, wanting to hear what she hoped her father would say, from her father and Fraulein Maria.

Georg fixed his gaze on his youngest son and then made it a point to make eye contact with each one of his children before speaking again.

"Children, I'm afraid that Elsa isn't going to be returning...she and I won't be getting married after all."

Seven faces tried to remain calm and even, but all the children couldn't help but smile the tiniest bit, the corners of their mouths twitching upward ever so slightly.

"Oh really, Georg, and why might that be?" Max asked wickedly, now completely looking down the table in Maria's direction. Maria was trying to avert her gaze from staring straight over at Georg. A light crimson color was present in her cheeks and she, too, had a small smile on her face, although she was trying her best to not give away the news.

"Elsa isn't going to be coming back because I've decided to marry someone else. Someone I'm madly in love with. Someone who loves everyone in this room and who I know is loved by all of us." By now, Georg was smiling as broadly as possible.

Liesl had tears in her eyes, which was confusing to her brothers and sisters, who were about to hear the best news they'd heard in years. She desperately wanted to run over and hug her father, but she still wanted to hear his words.

"Who, father?" Six voices asked all in unison. Liesl decided she couldn't take it anymore and slowly stood up and walked over to her father.

"Please say it, father. Go ahead, it's all right." She nodded at Georg. He took her hand in his.

"You sister is right." He smiled across the table, everyone else finally understanding what was about to happen. "Children, what would you all think of adding Maria to our family?"

Their eyes all lit up. Brigitta was the first to respond.

"Really, father? She'd be able to stay with us forever?"

"Yes, Brigitta. I love Maria very much, and would be thrilled if you all would like her to be your new mother."

All at once six of the Von Trapp children uttered their replies and rushed over to welcome Maria to the family. Liesl remained where she stood and draped her arms around her father's neck. She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes as Georg wrapped his arms around his oldest daughter.

"Thank you," she whispered to him. "Thank you for not making the biggest mistake of all our lives and for making us truly happy again."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and pulled back to look him in the eye. Georg squeezed her hands again and gave her a slight nod in return. Liesl took that as his way of saying "you're welcome." And went to join her siblings and embrace her new mother.

"You're a lucky man, Georg. I'm truly delighted for the both of you." Max stuck out his hand and congratulated his friend.

"Thank you, Max. I wanted to tell you last night, but...well, let's just say Maria and I were up late discussing the future of our family."

Max's eyes twinkled at the sight of his friend's happiness.

"No harm done." Then he leaned in closer, not wanting the children or Maria to hear his next set of words.

"And now what of Elsa? I trust you both left things civil between you?"

Elsa was one of Max's dearest friends after all - and Georg's. They had all been close for years and Max had nothing against her. But knew that Maria and Georg were a much more obvious fit than Georg and Elsa. Of course he was happy for Georg, he just wanted to make sure his other friend was fine as well.

"We left things very dignified and amicable. I told her I wished her the best. And she obviously understood about Maria and I." Georg responded with a sad smile, which was quickly replaced by a joyous one as Gretl came bounding onto his lap.

"Good, that makes me glad," Max said as Georg and his youngest embraced.

After taking turns hugging and kissing her, Maria and the others made their way down the table to join Georg, Gretl, and Max, who stood up to congratulate his friend's new bride.

"I wish you all the happiness in the world and then some, Maria. I know you'll do wonders for this family." He took her hand gently and kissed it.

"Thank you, Max. I'm so pleased at how happy you are for the both of us. I hope you'll be sticking around for a while longer now." Maria gave him a quick wink.

"Oh naturally. I'm sure we all know by now how much I enjoy parties. Just think, a wedding reception is the creme de la creme of parties. You're not rid of me just year, my dear."

This made everyone laugh. Flanked by six children, Maria looked down at Georg and Gretl sitting together. He smiled up at her.

"So children, I take that as a yes? We have your blessing?" He looked to each of the Von Trapps.

The seven of them looked to each other and then Kurt spoke up for all of them.

"Most definitely. As long as she's here to stay, then our answer is yes!"

***Ah - a happy ending. But not quite an ending, just yet! Few more fluff chapters to give it a proper ending. Thanks for the kind words. Keep reviewing please! ***