Surprise

Maria had just thrown her legs over the side of the bed with her feet barely touching the floor when she heard a knock and saw a piece of paper slide under her door.

She ran to retrieve it. "Good morning, my love. Meet me in my study. It wasn't a dream Maria, I really do love you. Georg."

She brought the paper to her heart, it was racing again. "Will I ever get used to this." She twirled around, "I don't care" And started to sing, "I'm in love, I'm in love with a wonderful guy."

She dressed hurriedly, putting on one of the dresses Georg had given her for Christmas. Her hair had grown; the natural curls now fell causually around her face. Before leaving her bedroom, she told herself, "Calm down Maria, you're blushing." She didn't care and ran down the stairs; slowing only slightly before his study; then she began to whistle, "I whistle a happy tune."

"Come in Maria."

"How did you know it was me?"

"I heard you darling." He gave her a soft kiss. Her head went swimming and her cheeks got rosier. "You're beautiful sweetheart."

"Oh, Georg, I'm blushing like a school girl."

"That's alright, I love the school girl."

"Are we going to pretend Georg?"

"Do you think you can?'

"I'll try."

"Come on; let's get to the dining room before the children."

"Father, Father, you're home so soon. How was the Princess?"

"Same as usual Brigitta,"

"Is she coming to visit?"

"No visit Brigitta, in fact never."

"Are you sure Father?"

"Of course I'm sure Brigitta."

"Just checking."

"Fräulein, you look different."

"Do I Louisa?"

"You look like you could break out into song at any moment."

"A song like:

I'm so happy, happy here with you
All I need I found in you
I'm so happy, all I need is you
Because you are happy too."

"And who might that be?"

"Your Father." Seven pairs of eyes looked from their Father to their Fräulein.

"I told you Father no longer had a broken heart, Fräulein Maria fixed it."

"Fräulein, come sit by me. Liesl take your Fräulein's place please."

"Brigitta's correct, this woman," he held Maria's hand, "single handedly healed this family especially me. What do think children, should I ask her to marry me?"

Maria's face was truly crimson; they were holding hands, she held on to Georg's tightly. "Yes, yes and more yeses."

"Should I do this properly children?" All he saw were seven affirmative nods. He turned Maria in her chair and got down on one knee. "Maria Kutschera, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and the mother to these seven mischievous children?"

"Yes, yes," He drew her face close to his, planting a loving kiss on her sweet lips.

"I love you Maria."

"I love you Georg."

Maria turned to Brigitta, "Your wish came true."

"Yes, all because of you." Now it was tears of happiness she felt running down her face.

"Children, I love all of you too."

"We know, Fräulein, we know."

"Does this mean you will be our Mother?" Gretl asked.

"Yes, sweetie, it does." Gretl's grin showed off her jack-o-lantern smile; having recently lost another tooth.

Katia and Franz came to the door; they had stood silently witnessing everything.

"Are you ready to eat now?"

"I hope so, I'm starved."

"Boys, Fräulein, do they ever think about anything except their stomachs?"

"At some point in their life they do, but Kurt has a lot of growing to do first.

"Isn't that right Georg?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"Georg you know exactly what I mean. These seven children are living proof."

"Maria, I'm surprised."

"Didn't you just asked me to marry you and you told me you loved me?" The older children were smiling; snickering and then they couldn't hold it any longer – out right laughing. Thank goodness Gretl and Marta didn't have a clue nor did they ask.

When breakfast was over Georg told his children. "I want everyone to find something to do for a couple of hours; your Fräulein and I need to talk. We'll play games later."

"Maria, I can't believe you said what you did?"

"Why Georg? First boys think about food later love. You were like that I'm sure."

"And where did you learn this?"

"From all the love stories I read at the university."

"So you're not a naïve as I thought."

"Georg, I only know about love from books. I've never experienced it, until now with you. Did I tell you how nice it feels?"

"No."

"It's so nice I was singing in my room. 'I'm in love; I'm in love with a wonderful guy.'" She noticed Georg had a peculiar look on his face. "Were you thinking about something other than falling in love?" The expression on his face told her everything; "you really weren't thinking about love."

Now Georg realized he and Maria had been thinking very differently. "No Maria, I was thinking about his growing into a man."

"Oh no, is that what the children thought too? I'm so embarrassed." She hid her face in her hands. Georg immediately sat beside her; removed hands and kissed her tears.

He smiled. "It seems we weren't on the same page; I'm sorry Maria, I should have known you really are naive."

"Georg, I do know that little boys change just like girls do; I suppose it was a poor choice of words. I hope the children will forgive me."

"Darling, I don't even think they knew what they were laughing about."

"I hope you're right."

Maria fell into his arms. "How come I got so lucky to find you?"

"Like the Reverend Mother told me; 'Find out what God wants not what you think you want.' God didn't want me to live in a convent, so He found a way to send me to you."

"I see you have learned the lessons of the Reverend Mother well."

"I objected and complained but she had the final word and now I have absolutely no regrets."

"You sang last night, so did I, 'I'm as happy as a lark learning to prey.'"

"Did you really?"

"Hummmn"

"Maria, what do you know about society's rules for an engaged couple?"

"Nothing Georg, something tells me I'd rather not know."

"That might have been true if I didn't think of another way. Normally we couldn't live in the same house."

"What are you saying?"

"Let me finish; I've invited people, friends, and some relatives to come visit, so they can watch over us and make sure we don't misbehave."

"Georg, but we wouldn't."

"You and I know that, but people outside these walls don't." Maria appeared shocked but it was cut short by a loud voice, Kurt's shouting "Uncle Max, Uncle Max. Why are you here?"

"There's our first chaperone. Come, let's meet him."

"Max,"

"Georg your invite was rather vague. What's going on?"

"Maria, please meet Max Detweiler."

"Pleased to meet you sir." Max looked first at his friend and then Maria, "Ah, now I understand."

He took Maria's hand for a kiss. "So you're the reason for my friend's smile returning to his face."

"It seems that way, thank you."

By now Kurt had rounded up everyone. Maria noticed they were very happy to see him. He must be someone very special. she thought.

"Father, will you and Uncle Max play freeze tag with us?'

"Sure, why not. Franz, take Max's bag up to the room next to Stefan's please."

"Thanks Franz."

"You're welcome, Herr Detweiler."

Lunch was served after a vigorous game of freeze tag. "Children you are all sitting in different places."

"We can sit anywhere but our Fräulein sits in Liesl's old seat."

"Uncle Max sit beside me," from Brigitta; then "no me," from Marta.

"Shh, shh, you'll all get your chance. I see an empty chair by Liesl."

The children occupied all their time until it was bedtime. Max and Georg sat in his study while Maria put them to bed.

"Where did you find this angel?

"At the Abbey,"

"No, you must be teasing."

"It's true Max. Brigitta became ill after the first week of school; I needed to find a teacher for her. I did some inquiring and was told about this wonderful teacher at the Abbey school. The rest you can see for yourself."

"I'm glad for you Georg. I really am. Now if only the Nazi's will stay out of Austria, everything will be fine."

"I try not to think too much about them. I'll face that challenge when it happens."