The seven children, Frau Schmidt, Uncle Max and Dominik were all on the terrace. Only the adults tried to mask their anticipation. The children, on the other hand . . .

"What's taking them so long?" asked Kurt, craning his neck in the direction of the gazebo, but it couldn't been seen from the terrace.

"Does it always take this long to propose?" asked Frederich, imitating the actions of his brother.

Frau Schmidt laughed. "You can't put a normal time frame on something like this. It is a big question, and a big decision. Don't worry, we'll find out soon enough."

This didn't really help their impatience. "What if she refuses?" asked Louisa, who was most like her father and usually the first to think the worst.

"Don't be silly," said Brigitta, who of all of the children looked the calmest. After all, it was she who had predicted from the start the love between their father and governess. "They're in love, of course she won't refuse. And remember what she promised us before she left?"

"That as long as it was in her power, she would never leave us," said Liesl, putting all of her hopes on that promise now.

"I hope she will be our Mother," said Marta, holding her doll tightly to her. "I love her so much."

"We all do," said Kurt, wrapping his arm around his favorite sister.

A silence followed and they waited some more. Brigitta went to the terrace railing and looked in the direction of the gazebo. For a minute, she saw nothing. Then she saw something that made her eyes widen and her heart nearly stop.

"Oh, no . . ." she said, and everyone rushed towards her and looked in the direction she was pointing. Though they were a ways off, it was clear that their father was walking back to the house, carrying Maria in his arms.

They started to panic, thinking she had been hurt, or she was unconscious. But before anyone could do anything, they came closer and were able to see them better. No, their governess was not unconscious. She was very much conscious, her arms wrapped around their father's neck and her head resting on his shoulder. And their father looked like he'd just conquered the world.

When they saw everyone on the terrace, the Captain flashed the biggest smile and Maria waved. And on her ring finger was a ring.

And then all heaven broke loose.

Georg let down Maria just before the children pummeled them both in hugs and exclamations of joy. Maria barely saw who she was hugging and judged on size. At one point she even fell to the ground. Brigitta and Marta especially could not hold back their tears and hugged her fiercely.

"Now you won't ever go," Marta had murmured into her dress.

Maria kissed her head. "Never."

On the last night of the month, Maria stood by the gate to the lake, gazing out over the water. The past few days had been the best of her life. To be with every person alive that she loved under the same roof . . . nothing could replace that.

Though she had only been engaged for less than a week, wedding plans were already underway; both wanted to be married as soon as was appropriate. She and Elsa had already had two long talks on the telephone, discussing details, and she was planning to come to Salzburg for a visit the following week. Maria was so grateful for this friendship, because without her, she would be completely lost in this area.

Max was his usual, charming, sponging self: annoying Georg, flattering Maria, entertaining the children, and now becoming fast friends with her brother.

Dominik, to her relief, had been accepted into the fold right away by the children. By now they were calling him "Uncle Dom." It would be sad to see him leave tomorrow for his next job, but she was used to that by now. In fact, it would be easier now, knowing she was with people she loved near her.

And to think, if things had gone as originally planned for her this summer, she would be back at the Abbey by now, thinking that was her home. Now, she could imagine no home without those inside the villa.

She sighed and closed her eyes, remembering the afternoon last week when Georg had asked the question that had secured her place in the family . . .

Maria's eyes widened at the sight of Georg down on one knee before her. He held both of her hands and suddenly seemed to be nervous again.

Georg let out a nervous chuckle before speaking, looking at their joined hands. "Perhaps I'm ruining everything by doing this . . . perhaps you would prefer more time . . . or maybe not even that. After all, I am older than you, with seven children from a previous marriage, certainly not a clean slate. Not only that, with the foolish things I've done, you should have no reason to love me, or to give me the answer I so hope to hear."

Then he looked into her eyes, and Maria saw the world in his. "However, I have to take this chance. Because you've saved my life. In every possible way. The moment I met you, I came back to life. My heart came back to life. The road to this point has not been easy, and the future will not always be easy either. But I can't . . . just can't contemplate a happy life without you by my side. To my children and myself, you are an angel, a miracle. This family would not be whole without you. I would be lost without you."

By this point, tears were spilling down Maria's cheeks, and she gasped when Georg pulled out a ring from his pocket and held it close to her hand. The ring was simple and lovely: a pearl surrounded by very tiny diamonds on a silver band. Looking at her, his eyes began to water too. "I am in love with you, Maria Rainer, and always will be. Will you marry me?"

Exactly two seconds passed before a radiant smile spread across Maria's face through her tears. "Yes, Georg, I will," she said, her voice shaking and nodding her head.

Now Georg smiled, his face suddenly looking twenty years younger. He slipped the ring onto the proper finger, and then kissed the spot long and hard. Suddenly he began to shake a little, and wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her middle and buried his face in her stomach.

She felt him quivering and, when she felt a wetness where his face was, bent down and kissed his head, stroking his hair. "Oh, beloved . . ." she murmured.

And they stayed in that position for a long time. Then, so quickly her head spun, Georg had stood up and kissed her over and over again . . .

A pair of arms encircling her waist from behind brought her back from the flashback. Maria smiled and leaned her head back on his shoulder. "Good evening."

"Hello, my love," murmured Georg, kissing her ear. "All are settled and in bed." It had been his turn to put them to bed.

"Good," she said lazily, and looked out at the water, reveling in the feel of his warmth surrounding her.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

She smiled again and turned around. "Just thinking of how much has changed in the past three months. For everybody."

Georg nodded. "Seems like the difference between night and day, when compared. And can it be agreed upon that things have changed for the better?"

She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. Suddenly, he began to chuckle, causing her to raise it again. "What's so funny?"

"Just remembering something that happened when I led the children upstairs to bed. Your brother gathered us together and thanked us."

"For the hospitality?"
"Not just that." He caressed her cheek. "Also for loving his sister."

Maria bit her lip and closed her eyes. "You know, ten years ago, I would have said that my life was so cursed and dark, and that God had forgotten about me." She opened her eyes. "Now I know He never did, and blessed me more than I ever deserved."

"That's not true," said Georg, kissing her forehead. "With everything you have done for our children, our family, and myself . . . you deserve every happiness in the world. And I intend to make sure you are happy and loved for the rest of your life."

Now Maria cupped his face. "You did just as much for me. You and the children have given me the greatest things in the world: love, a family, and a home. Things I've dreamed of since I lost my parents. And I know now they can be at peace, knowing I am in love and loved by the finest, bravest man I have ever known. There will never be enough time to show you my gratitude."

"I could say the same thing, my Maria," said Georg, His arms tightened around her and a smile lighted his face. "But we have the rest of our lives to try."

Now she smiled. In that moment, she had never been more grateful to God, who had never abandoned her. And when their lips met in a powerful kiss, Maria could only think one thing:

This must be what paradise is.

THE END

A/N: Whew! And that marks an end to this four-act story. I can't express my gratitude for all of the people who read and reviewed, keeping it going. This is far from the last time you will hear from me; there are quite a few stories in my head, now the problem will be which one to write first!

May God bless and thank you once again!