CHAPTER 7: What if?

Georg made his way back up the stairs, heading in the direction of Maria's room. His heart was so full of happiness and hope that he had to restrain himself from running down the hallway. As he neared her bedroom Frau Schmidt was just leaving.

"How is she?" Georg asked the housekeeper.

"She is still in a lot of pain, but she is refusing for the Doctor to be called. I've made her as comfortable as possible. She just needs rest…and reassurance" Frau Schmidt gave the Captain a knowing look. Georg smiled at her warmly, understanding her unspoken meaning, and continued down the hallway.

In the time that Georg had been in his study dismissing Elsa the children had returned home from school. They had instantly run to Maria's room, but upon seeing her in the state she was in they had cautiously but appropriately retreated outside to play until Maria was ready to see them. The children thought that Maria was just experiencing a bad day with her injuries, all unaware of the events that had taken place only an hour before.

Liesl however, knew that something must have happened to have caused her such pain and discomfort, and so chose to stay with her while her siblings went out to play. Maria was thankful that the two of them had so clearly developed such a connection for her to determine, without a word being spoken, that she needed company right now.

As Frau Schmidt left the room Liesl came and sat on the bed next to her, cautious not to bounce the mattress too much to avoid hurting her further. Maria gazed up at Liesl and couldn't help the tears that began to form in her eyes. Liesl simply took Fraulein Maria's hand in hers and waited until she was ready to speak, letting her cry for all that she needed to.

As Georg approached Maria's bedroom door he could hear the muffled sounds of voices and sobbing. His heart broke slowly as he thought of his love crying because of him…well because of Elsa, but it was he who hadn't seen right through her, or protected Maria. Georg raised his hand to knock when he heard Liesl's voice from the other side. Not wanting to disturb the two friends he turned to leave, until he heard something that would change the way he was feeling.

"Fraulein Maria you can't let what the Baroness said and did discourage you. She was just acting in her own interests. She never cared for Father or for us…not as you do." Liesl said with all the love and acceptance she could portray.

Maria looked up at the girl who was so quickly turning into a young woman, even in the time since she had known her, and gave her a warm smile portraying just as much love and acceptance. But she couldn't help feel that she was the reason for the Baroness' and Captain's relationship breakdown, and would be the cause of his unhappiness once again.

"I can't continue to be a burden on this family Liesl, as much as I love you all"...'including the Captain' she thought, although she could not say this.

Georg hung his head in sorrow at hearing this. 'Oh my sweet darling. How could I have let you ever think you were a burden on us? I will have to prove to you how much you belong here, belong with us…with me.' At this thought Georg decided he could listen to no more and made his way to his own bedroom for some solitude. He had to think, to breathe, to formulate a plan to keep Maria in their lives…forever. If he had stayed another minute he would have heard the rest of the women's conversation and would have realised that he didn't need to prove or formulate anything, because Liesl was about to do that for him with one sentence.

"Fraulein Maria we all love you so much too, especially Father."

Maria let out a gasp when Liesl said this, not out of surprise at the girl's blatant honesty, but rather the shock of someone (other than the Baroness) confirming what she so dearly hoped was true. But Maria still feared that the Captain would never show her his love, or accept hers.

Everyone in the household slept a little more soundly that night. The children had been told about the Baroness' departure back to Vienna, Georg left out some of the details as to why, but they had all struggled to hide their delight at the news and he understood their feelings. Georg had formulated a plan as to how he was going to keep Maria in their lives, but first he would take care of her and ensure she recovered fully before he let his feelings be known.

Maria had slept in the comfort of knowing that she was no longer under the control of the Baroness and she was free to have her feelings without feeling guilty, even if the Captain did not return them. The Villa was finally at peace once again, if not all were completely happy.

The next morning the children came tentatively to Maria's bedroom door, still not sure if she was ok. Just as they were about to knock their father rounded the corner from his bedroom, already dressed for the day. He saw the children standing outside their Governess' door, and although he knew they desperately wanted to see her, he also knew how important it was for Maria to get her rest after the events of the previous day.

"Children!" Georg said authoritatively but not with anger "Your Fraulein needs to rest this morning. You can see her this afternoon after school."

The children all looked up at their father with pleading but understanding eyes.

"Run along for breakfast now, or you will be late." He said with a smile and a pat to his youngest daughter's cheek.

The children all smiled, nodded and made their way down to the dining room.

Georg remained standing outside Maria's bedroom door watching his children all talking animatedly as they walked down the hallway, and he couldn't help but feel the melancholy he still felt from time to time when he thought about how he had treated his children…'before you came into our lives my darling'…he thought as he raised his hand and placed it flat against her door. As quietly and gently as he could, Georg opened her bedroom door just to make sure she was still sleeping…'just to look at your face'. Maria was still sleeping soundly with no trace of the pain or anguish that had marred her face yesterday. Georg sighed and closed the door.

He NEVER wanted to see her in pain again, not if he could help it.

Maria awoke and began to stretch her upper body. She felt a lingering pain in her back and sides. As she opened her eyes she realised the room was brighter than it usually was for this time of morning and wondered why the children were yet to come bursting into her room to wake her like they usually did.

She turned her head towards her bedside table where her small clock sat and took a few seconds to focus her still sleepy eyes. When she did, they shot open in shock and she let out a loud gasp.

"10:30am!" she said aloud, and without thinking threw off the warm covers and attempted to quickly get out of bed.

Before her brain could catch up with her actions, Maria found herself on the floor in a tangled heap. She let out a loud cry, but more in frustration in not remembering that she was unable to walk than from the actual pain of hitting the floor. She wasn't accustomed to sleeping in so late and in her shock and haste she had not been thinking clearly and thus the situation was now what it was.

Luckily for her Frau Schmidt was on her way to Maria's bedroom to see if she had awoken so she could get her ready for the day. Upon entering her bedroom and seeing the bed empty and all the bed coverings pulled to the left side of the bed, she knew exactly what had happened and immediately started yelling for help as she ran around the bed to find Maria crumpled on the floor.

"Oh Fraulein my dear, what happened?" the housekeeper asked as she bent down to comfort her until the Captain or Franz arrived to help put her back to bed.

Maria looked up at Frau Schmidt with an almost amused look on her face and said "I just thought it was about time I got my lazy self out of bed."

Frau Schmidt tried to hide her grin, but when Maria began to laugh at the ridiculous situation she couldn't help but join in, if only to lighten Maria's mood.

Georg had been down stairs in the drawing room going over some plans for his next business venture, when he had heard a loud thud shortly followed by anxious cries for help from his housekeeper. He knew exactly where they were coming from as he had seen Frau Schmidt heading towards Maria's room only moments before. He didn't hesitate for even a second before he was running full speed up the stairs in the same direction, all manner of senarios playing through his mind.

'Please, please let her be alright' he thought to himself as he got to the bedroom door. Upon entering however, he was shocked at the scene before him.

Maria had somehow managed to get herself on the floor beside the bed and Frau Schmidt was beside her, cradling her head in her lap. But the most shocking site was that the two women were laughing almost to the point of being in tears. Georg's heart rate began to settle to a normal speed when he realised Maria was not seriously hurt, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Well, well, well Fraulein what trouble have you managed to find yourself in this morning?"

Both women looked up at the sound of the Captains voice and stopped laughing. Frau Schmidt looked relieved that someone had come to help her get Maria back into bed, while Maria turned a very bright shade of red at being found on the floor in her nightgown by her employer.

Georg casually walked around the side of the bed to fully assess the situation and couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Maria looked at him with a glare of mock hurt and frustration, but she too was still in the throes of seeing the comedy in the situation, and couldn't hide her grin.

"Well I was so shocked at finding myself still in bed at 10:30am, I was more concerned about enduring your wrath than remembering that I can't actually use my legs."

Georg looked at her with mock indignity before grinning again and saying "And I suppose you still expect me to help you back into bed after such an insubordinate comment?" he teased.

Maria gave him the most pleading and endearing look she could muster, while still lying in such an awkward position on the floor.

Frau Schmidt moved aside when Georg bent down to lift Maria up off the floor. Maria marvelled at how gentle he was and at the strength that she could feel in his arms as they lifted her close to his chest. Although it was an easy and short distance from the floor to the bed for Georg to lift her, he still held her fully in his arms and stood for what felt like an eternity just holding her...even though he didn't have to.

When he finally placed her down on the bed, Maria felt as though she had gone a lifetime without drawing in a breath, as her head was spinning from looking so deeply into Georg's blue eyes and he into hers.

Georg adjusted her pillows and pulled the sheets securely back around her before looking back into her eyes again, saying "Now no more adventures…at least not until after lunch alright?"

Maria looked up at him with a guilty look on her face and smiled.

Without thinking, Georg bent down and placed a soft kiss upon her forehead. He turned and gave Frau Schmidt a thankful nod before exiting the room.

Maria took in a slow cleansing breath as soon as he disappeared from view, and unbeknownst to her, Georg had done the same thing on the opposite side of the door.

'Patience Georg, patience!'

To be continued...