Disclaimer: I don't own the Sound of music! How many times do I have to say that?!

Author's note: Prepare yourselves for this one guys, I think some people will enjoy it!

Thanks a lot to 9999, and Elledreamer for their reviews on chapter 7. 9999, I hope this is long enough for you, lol.

Now guys, if I don't get enough reviews, I won't send you the next chapter! Lol, of course I will, but please, do review because I'm spending a lot of time writing this ( I woke up at seveen in the morning just to finish it and post it this morning! Seven o clock is early on a sunday!), and I want to know if you enjoy it or not!

Now read, and review!


That was it! The wedding was in tow days!

The fitting of the wedding dress was the last urgent thing that needed to be done. In fact, Maria had not really had to prepare anything for the wedding, because Edward's parents, especially his mother had insisted to prepare everything: the flowers, the reception, (which was going to take place in Edward's parent's mansion in Salzburg), the guest lists…. The only thing Maria had insisted upon was that the ceremony takes place at the convent, where she had spent so many years, when she had wanted to become a nun. Apart from that, Maria did not really feel like worrying about the rest, she had enough worries not to add the business of preparing the wedding. She knew she had to go through with it, but felt sick with guilt. She knew in her heart she might be making a mistake, but she couldn't back away now. It was too late.

She couldn't betray Edward.

Maria's small guest list only included a far away cousin, that lived in Germany with his wife and children (he was the only relative she had now, both her parents being dead), two colleagues from the school, and of course the whole of the Von Trapp family.

Days past at an alarming speed, and…That was it! The wedding was going to take place after tomorrow!

That afternoon, Maria asked Liesl to go to town with her to the dress shop for her final wedding dress fitting.

"You really want me to come with you to give you my advice?"

"Of course darling! I really want you to tell me what you think! And I want you to try on your bridel's maid dress, and tell me if you like it." Answered Maria, smiling.

"My what?"

"Well, I should have asked you before, but better late than never! Liesl, do you want to be my made of honour?"

"Oh Maria!" Tears were starting to form in Liesl's eyes. I'd be honoured!"

She gave Maria a big hug.

"Thank you Liesl." Tears were forming in Maria's eyes to now. I don't know how I would get through this day if you weren't there by my side!"

They left Maria's apartment, where they had had lunch together, to walk to the shop which was in the heart of town, not even ten minutes away from her flat.

It was a Thursday afternoon, and every Thursdays since the beginning of the summer, they ate lunch together, and spent part of the afternoon, just the two of them. It was their special day together. And Liesl just would not miss it for the world. She was so glad to have someone to talk to, an adult, and women she could confide to. She had missed having a mother to share her joys, her sorrows, her fears. But in the person of Maria, she had found all this again. And now, she was going to lose her in two small days!

"Liesl, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Maria said after a while. She felt something was bothering her. She did not need Liesl to say anything; she could just feel it when the young women was happy, or when she was sad. She knew her so well, as if she was her own daughter.

"Nothing, I'm fine." she said, avoiding Maria's questioning stares.

"Liesl, you know you can tell me anything, darling. I'm here whenever you want to talk, and don't you forget it." she told her, taking her by the shoulder to comfort her.

"It's just that…"

"Yes?"

"Well, in two days, you'll be married, and well.."

She didn't need Liesl to finish her sentence to understand what was bothering her.

"Liesl, listen to me. I might have less time in the future, but it doesn't mean that we won't see each other anymore! I'll always be there for you and your brothers and sisters. You, all of you are the family I never had. And nothing will ever change the way I feel about you, no even the fact that I'm married!"

"Oh, Maria!"

Maria held a weeping Liesl in her arms.

"I'm sorry, it's just, I can't get used to the idea of not seeing you every day. But thank you for what you said, it means a lot to hear you say it!"

"I'm going to miss all of you so much to! But we will try to see each other as much as we can! Don't worry, darling!" Maria was trying to comfort Liesl as much as herself, and she felt her vision starting to blur to.

Liesl dried her tears, and Maria tried to show a happy face. But deep inside, her heart was aching. How was she going to manage not to see those children as much as she did now? They were like her own flesh and blood!

They walked in the streets of Salzburg trying to cheer each other up, by talking about everything and anything.

Soon they arrived at the wedding dress 'shop. It was a very expensive shop, too luxurious in Maria's opinion.

"I came to choose my dress here with Edward's mother", she said, while opening the door of the shop.

"Oh my!" Liesl stopped dead in her tracks, looking admiringly around her.

The shop had three stores, that were all filled with beautiful wedding gowns. Liesl could not decide which dress was the most beautiful.

Maria smiled at her, remembering what she had felt like when she had entered the store for the first time, accompanied by her soon to be mother-in-law...

A middle aged woman, looking very elegant and sophisticated, came to welcome them.

"Good afternoon ladies. Miss Rainier, your dress is ready for the fitting. If you would care to follow me?"

They followed the saleswoman to a large room at the bottom of the shop. This room was filled with beautiful gold mirrors. Every inch of the wall was covered with them. In the middle of the room, was a white platform, half of it was hidden behind a cream colored curtain, while on the other half was placed another silver mirror, higher than the women, and more beautiful than the other mirrors.

Liesl opened her mouth in astonishment.

"Close your mouth Liesl, we are not a cut fish!" Maria laughed.

The women brought them two chairs to sit in while they were waiting for the dress to be brought to them.

"There it is!" the woman said smiling, while her assistant crossed the room, carrying the dress in her arms as if it was a very fragile and rare work of art.

It was the most beautiful dress Liesl had ever seen. It was a strapless taffeta gown with asymmetrical beading on the bodice and skirt. And it had a very long veil to go with it.

Maria went behind the curtain to put on the gown. She came out moments later, looking absolutely fabulous. She looked like white angel. Her lovely short blond hair was shining with the sun light filtering from the near window, which made her look angelic, all dressed in white

"Maria, it's perfect!" Liesl exclaimed.

"Yes, it is a very nice dress." She smiled

"Nice? It's a dream dress! I want the same one for my wedding!"

"Well, if it's still in good shape for this day, I'll give it to you then, Maria laughed.

"Thank you so much!"

After the fitting, Maria drove Liesl back to the villa, and then headed to Annie's house, her work colleague and friend. Annie had made Maria promise her to come to her house as soon as she got the dress ready, to show it to her.

When she finally arrived to her apartment, it was eleven o clock in the evening. Annie had dropped her by car, so she wouldn't have to walk back alone in the dark. She had eaten at her friend's house for dinner, which she had not planned. Despite her tiredness, Maria had accepted, not really wanting to go back to her flat, alone. She feared being left alone. Being alone meant she had time to think, and thinking was something she tried to avoid doing at the moment. They had talked about the wedding all evening. Annie was really excited about it, and she had been ecstatic when she had seen Maria in the dress.

"Oh my goodness! You look fabulous! I've never seen a more beautiful dress in all my life, or a prettier bride-to-be! » Annie had cried out.

Maria could only give her a small smile, and pretend to be as excited as her friend was. It seemed to Maria that the world wad upside down, and that Annie was the one getting married the day after tomorrow, not her.

While thinking about all the things which had to be done tomorrow, she climbed the stairs of the building two at a time, to enter her apartment. But she stopped dead in her tracks. Someone was sitting on the floor, in front of her door. There was no light on, and she couldn't see the person's face. She approached cautiously, trying to overcome her fear.

"Georg!"she cried out in astonishment.

Sitting on her front door was the captain.

"What are you doing here at this time of night? Are the children alright? Did something happen? "She feared the worst.

"Hello Maria, he said in hoarse voice, while getting up. I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I really needed to talk to you."

"Did something happen to the children?"she asked again, not having been relieved from her fears.

"No they're all fine, don't worry."

She let out a sigh of relief. Curiosity was starting to get the better of her now. What could he possibly have to say to her, that it couldn't wait tomorrow?

She opened her door, and let him in. They entered in the sitting room.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea?" she asked, while putting away her purchases in the nearest cupboard. How ironic! There she was, putting away her wedding dress, while the man she truly……. (she couldn't' manage to use this word), was there, in her apartment.

"Coffee would be great."

"Make yourself comfortable, while I get us some coffee."

She left the sitting room to go to the kitchen, and he was left alone. He looked about him. Her flat wasn't big, but it was cosy, and pretty he taught.

He moved her guitar that was left on the sofa, and sat down. Yes, he taught, it was a nice place, bright, sweet, and comforting.

He took a picture of Maria and the children that was on the small table, in front of the sofa. They really looked like a family! He could see the love shining in his children's eyes. They were surrounding Maria, who was carrying a smiling Gretl in her arms. This picture had been taken a few weeks ago, in front of the lake, at the villa. . He caressed it lightly.

She arrived a few minutes later, holding two steaming cups of coffe on a tray that she placed on the small table in front of him. He put the picture quickly back on the table. She smiled seeing the picture.

"Milk?"

"No thank you, it's perfect like that."

She handed him the cup, but he didn't take it by the handle, and he let out a small yelp of pain. He quickly put it down on the table, the heat burning his hands.

"Oh, I'm so sorry; I should have warned you it was boiling! I'll get you some ice."

She started to get up, but he was faster than her and grabbed her hand. She stared at his hand holding hers.

"No, please, stay."

She slowly sat back down on her chair, near the sofa, not knowing what to expect.

"Maria, I…"

"Yes?" she said slowly.

"I need to talk to you."

He was looking strange, hesitant, and unsure, not like him at all.

"I need to talk to you." He said, looking in her eyes, seeking the courage to continue.

Maria had to remember to breath.

"I can't pretend anymore, he began, I can't stay quiet anylonger, I need to tell you this, or else, I'll never forgive myself not to have said it, when I still could."

She was just paralysed. Was he trying to say, what she had longed to hear him say for so long?

"Maria, I love you."he finally managed.

She couldn't speak, her voice was gone.

Georg had to force himself to continue. This was the last chance he was going to get to say what he truly felt for her.

"I know this is not what you would wish to hear, but I can't hide it any longer. Maria, I've loved you since the first night you came into my life. You are my world. I need you in my life."

He approached her very slowly. She knew she had to back away, but she couldn't move any more. She was sure if she tried to get up, she would collapse.

"Maria, I love you." He whispered again, taking her beautiful face in his hands. She closed her eyes. "God, I beg you, help me! She prayed in a silence.

Gently, he placed a kiss on her lips. At that moment, Maria forgot everything. There was no Edward, no wedding, nothing. She was completely lost in the sweetness of their first shared kiss. Electricity shot through their bodies. He deepened the kiss. Maria responded by encircling her arms around his neck, to get him closer to her. She had never felt anything like that. She had never felt so alive, so wonderfully free in all her life. She was in heaven.

"Now wait a second, what am I doing!!!!" a voice screamed in her head

She suddenly broke the kiss. She stood up quickly and put her hand on her mouth, in horror.

So? What do you think?