Chapter 9

"Max!" Georg exclaimed.

Maria wondered what Max said.

Flirting session? What does he mean by 'flirting session'? Maria thought.

"Um, excuse me Maria," Georg muttered, then walked up to Max muttering curses under his breath.

"Max! What do you think you're doing!" the Captain muttered in a hushed tone, walking him out of the music room.

Maria watched as the two men walked out of the room. Maria sighed. The events a while ago still made her heart beat faster and faster. His hands on hers, his face near hers, his gaze always on her eyes, his-

Ugh. Why does he even do this to her? She somehow felt embarassed when Max saw what happened. She continued composing the song until she finished it.

She walked out of the music room and up to her room, humming the tune of her new song- "Supercalifragilisticexpilidoicous".

She then passed by the balcony, and heard her name being said. She turned to the balcony and saw Max and Georg talking.

"...you know I-"

"Shh, Georg. You could tell that soon, once you get the perfect timing. I know you. You'll do everything in your will just to tell her," Max told Georg.

Maria was surprised by the words, but she was not sure of what it meant. She just walked to her room.

Minutes later, someone knocked on her door.

"Maria?"

Georg. Maria stood up and opened the door. She was greeted by a warm smile from the Captain. "May I come in?" he said. Maria smiled back at him.

That smile just made my day even more happier, the Captain thought.

"Of course, Captain. Is there anything you need?" Maria replied.

You, he thought. he smiled again to her. "No. Not at all. I just wanted to practice the song with you," he said.

"Oh. Well, okay then," she said. She got out her notebook and started teaching the song to him. Only, she didn't notice his stares at her sometimes.

Later, when they were done, they gathered the children in the ballroom and performed their song.

It left smiles on their faces. The Captain was proud of himself-and Maria.

"So, did you like it?" the Captain told his children.

"Very much, Father!" Gretl exclaimed.

"Really?" Georg said and carried his daughter.

"Really," Gretl replied.

"Well, I guess that's all for now. You can play with Maria- I mean, Fraulein Maria. I have something to attend to with Uncle Max," he said. He turned to look at Maria, kind of nervous because he nearly called her by her first name in front of the children.

"Okay Father!" Marta said. "You have fifteen minutes before dinner. I'll see you all later," he said, smiling. He looked at Maria and smiled at her. He then left with one last glance at Maria and Maria taught the kids the song.

Soon it was dinner time. Maria and the children were early, and they were just waiting for the Captain. All the meals were on the table, and the children were chatting with their governess.

"Sorry I'm late, children, come on, let's eat," he said, sitting down on his chair. They prayed the grace before meals and started eating. While eating, they sometimes had a chat. But one chat startled the two adults.

"Father, if you liked-or either- loved Fraulein Maria, would you marry her?" Louisa suddenly asked.

Maria's eyes widened. She felt herself blush. The Captain stopped eating and just stared at his daughter.

"Uh..you know what Louisa? Maybe we should all finish our food so that you all may go to bed early," the Captain replied, then continued eating. No one spoke after that.

Maria was just blushing. She was nearly finished eating her food.

After eating, Maria decided to take a stroll outside the gardens again. She seemed to like the place. Its nice, inviting, aura makes her a little bit attached to it. This certainly was the place she could ease her thoughts. Especially after the events of the day.

First, the music room, then, Max's words, then Georg and Max's talk from the balcony, then, the rehearsal for the song with Georg, then her and Georg's performance, then Louisa's words at the dinner table.

These were how many times Maria couldn't help but blush and feel butterflies in her stomach again and again. Just thinking about the distance her and Georg had mere hours ago still gives her butterflies. It was as if she could still feel his warm breath on her cheek. How could this day still hasn't made her heart burst?

She stopped walking in front of the black iron gate leading to the lake and rested her hands on it. She admired the moonlight sparkling on the lake. She felt a smile creep up onto her lips.

"Nice night, isn't it?" a deep, soothing voice said. Maria nearly jumped in surprise as she turned around to face the person.

Once she turned around, it felt like this was the last event that will make her heart burst.

She saw Georg.

"Oh! Captain!" Maria exclaimed putting a hand above her heart. Georg smirked at her, moving a bit nearer to her. Although they were a bit far apart. "Too surprised, aren't we?" the Captain teased. He smiled at her, and continued walking until he's beside her.

He rested his hands on the black iron gate as well. Maria's hands were behind her back. She was still blushing. She continued to look at the lake.

"I...uh...haven't thanked you properly, haven't I?" the Captain said, scratching the back of his neck. Maria felt intrigued & so looked back at the Captain. "Thank me? For what, Captain?" she replied. Georg smiled nervously, looking down on the ground. He was thinking of the right words he wanted to tell her.

Maria just watched him. This was the first time she saw him nervous and at a loss of words.

Finally, the Captain spoke up.

"For everything," he said, looking back at Maria, locking his gaze on hers. "For reuniting me with my children, for bringing life by back to my household, and for making me learn to...love...again," the Captain said. He held her hands, gazing soulfully into her eyes.

Maria was in awe. This is the event that will make her heart burst.

Maria shook her thoughts away. "Love again?" she said. "Y-Yes," the Captain stuttered.

Suddenly the door opened. Frau Schmidt appeared. The two broke away. "Sir, it may seem to appear that your children aren't sleeping, but creating a riot in their room," she informed. Maria's eyes widened. She put a hand on her hair. "Oooh! I forgot to check them into sleep!" Maria panicked. "Yes, you did," Frau Schmidt replied.

Georg tried to hide his laugh. He just smiled. Maria looked back at him. "Um..if you may excuse me, Captain," she said.

Georg chuckled. "No problem. Go," he said, smiling.

Maria smiled back an practically ran back inside and to the children.

A/N: Hello! I'm sorry for not updating for who knows how long. Our Christmas break is nearing to its end, so I'm making the most out of it. I hope you liked this chapter! Merry Christmas & a happy New Year! :)