Moving along nicely

Two weeks passed by nicely, father and children getting along and doing everything they possibly could, with Maria tagging along, even Max and Elsa went along them some days; this had Maria and Elsa become good friends. Elizabeth noticed this, and asked Elsa to be Maria's teacher, show her how to act more ladylike, Elsa was surprised at first, but agreed she would talk to Maria about it. Maria of cause excepted knowing she needed to learn how to be a baroness, so while the children were doing their studies in the morning she and Elsa would talk or show what was expected of her and how to dress, Elsa favorite part. Maria felt it the most boring thing she'd ever done, as much as Elsa try to make it fun, Besides it was either her or her mother in law to be, Maria took it all in, but she was in thought some of the times, wanting to know why Elsa was here and helping her out, she thought how the captain and her seemed really close, laughing, touching and really flirting with each other, but only around Georg parents.

All this crossed Maria's mind, she started to think if they were an item, "oh that would be lovely", she said to herself "a proper family just what they all need, but then what will become of her, will she stay on… but as what, get sent back to the farm, oh god no, I know I was sent here against my own will but… I love it here, with the children it's so nice to be a part of something you wanted for so long, even though it is hurt fall; to marry not for love", than another thing came to mind, will she be sold on, she was making herself Ill and she had to stop. Alfred on the other hand wasn't having any of it, he knew his son and the games he'd play, to get out of something he wasn't happy with, he always had some trick up his sleeve, but this was the stupidest he seen yet, so he just sat back and watched. The children too noticed how their father was acting, this worried them especially Louisa, she thought back to the conversation she had with Maria that day, about her father might want to marry someday, and no one could take the place of her mother, Louisa was happy with that, but not with this kind of woman. Sure she's elegant, beautiful, polite and maybe fun to be around if you're an adult, but children… no, she had no idea, she's not' Maria, loving, caring, understanding, fun to be with. No Louisa had to think about this one, after being reunited with their father, there become some new rules, there still be discipline and order but a different kind. The captain's new rule was no more military and the children's was no more pranks, she had to think of something and quick.

At night Maria and Liesl still had their girly chats, with the captain knowing this, he'd come to an agreement that Liesl could stay up an hour after her siblings had gone to bed, her being sixteen and everything. One night the conversation started to run dry, until Liesl asked Maria about her parents. Maria court off guard didn't know what to say, so she told her the truth, about their death and she was sent to live with her uncle and aunt. Maria got so upset everything came out, except the part of being sold, Maria cried herself to sleep in Liesl arms, but not before she begged her not to tell anyone what she said. Liesl promised, but she also made a promise to herself, that know will ever hurt her friend again.

One afternoon Elizabeth announced there was to be a party in two weeks' time, nothing special just a social advent, it was her way to see how Maria fitted in, but she didn't tell any of her family that. Georg was not happy, he knew what his mother was up to, but couldn't do anything about it, as she'd already sent the invitations. Maria was worried this would be her first ball and she didn't know what to do. with the help of Elsa and Liesl Maria was taken on a shopping trip, she was soon kitted out with a beautiful gown, Maria couldn't believe she could wear something so beautiful, it was a long strapless sparkling white gown, that showed her figure perfectly, And she loved it.

That night after her girly chat with Liesl, Maria decided to go for some fresh air, so she headed for the lake, on her walk towards the gazebo she saw the captain he was sitting on a bench looking out towards the lake, she stepped up behind him and said "hello", bringing him to turn round, "hello", he answered, Rising from the bench.

Maria; "I'm sorry… I didn't know anyone was out here"

George; "it's alright, I was just err… getting some fresh air"

Maria; "yes' me too"

They both just stood in silence for a moment, taking in the surroundings until Georg asked Maria to join him for a little walk and she accepted. They both become quite good friends these past few weeks, doing things together with the children, they also enjoyed one another company.

As they walked along the lake Georg started to make small talk, about the children and what kind of day he had, while she was in town getting her dress with Elsa and Liesl. This brought Maria to ask Georg what sort of people will be there.

Georg, "well… there be a lot of my friends and my parent's also" he saw a worried a look on her face, "I wouldn't worry about it, just be yourself"

Maria; "Myself"

Georg, "mm"… I'm sure... you're knock them dead", Maria laughed

Maria, "yes… I'm sure I will if I just be myself… your mother included", Georg grabbed her arm but gently, to bring her to a halt and to get her to face him.

Maria saw Georg face become very serious,

Georg; "Maria … listen to me, I'm very grateful to you for what you've done these past weeks... helping me to get to know my children again, but I… do need to say this, don't ever change... especially not to suit others, you have a... wonderful gift Maria… and a loving nature, and that's very hard to come by, especially when you're… paying for someone's stupid mistakes, you're still able to create a loving atmosphere, and if you ever need anything or… wanted to know anything... I want you to know… you can come to me…anytime for anything.

Maria just stood there staring at him, she was speechless, she didn't know what to do, she felt like throwing hers arms around his neck and giving him a kiss, but she couldn't; it could give the wrong impression; and she didn't want to do that. No one had ever said anything so kind and thoughtful to her before, she felt wonderful, amazing, she felt like she was floating on air, and he made her feel that way. So she gave him a thank you smile that also lit up her face. They started to walk back to the house, both feeling a bit uncomfortable, but also happy with what was said, they walked back in silence. As they got to the door, Maria stopped Georg before he reached the handle, she stopped him, rising her hand to his bicep and saying "captain" surprised by the feeling from her touch, he looked to where her hand rested, he watched her as she removed it, then looked straight at her, he could see she wanted say something, but didn't know how to.

Georg; "what is Maria, you can talk to me… about anything"

Maria; "there is err… one thing I like to know"

Georg; "yes"

Maria; "well…err what's going on between you and Elsa, I mean…" Georg knew straight away what she was on about and cut in to explain.

Georg; "Maria… can I tell you a secret?" she answered with a nod.

Georg; "you see… I'm not happy with what my parents have done… to either of us, so I asked max to get me out of it, when I got to Vienna… the only thing he could come up with, was to bring Elsa back and pass her off as my fiancé, I knew it would of never work, my parents would of seen right though it, and if not… they would of still expected me too marry, and I believe I'm not ready for that yet. So I changed Max's plan, came up with the idea of Elsa and I getting along, in some hope it would… get them to change their minds… or at least give me more time to come up with something better".

Maria; "I see… so you're not an item"?

Georg; "No were not, were very good… but that's all"

Maria; "well thank you for telling me, it's nice to know, I'm not the only one… who's not happy with this. So Max and Elsa know about the…err"?

Georg; "the deal" nodding his head to confirm

Maria, "well… I suppose they don't think much of me then"

Georg; " I wouldn't say that, they feel for you more than they do me, they find it disgusting for what your uncle did, but not as much as I with my parents, selling's one thing…but buying someone is another"

Maria got a touch of deja vu; she remembered saying the same thing to herself when she first arrived. She felt a new feeling coming over one she liked, one she couldn't explain. Georg opened the door waving Maria to enter first, she thanked him. They exchanged there goodnights and went their separate ways. When Maria was back in her room she thought about her list she started when she first arrived, what she thought of the captain, she squashed it. She Started to think of a new one, while getting ready for bed; kind gentle, honest, thoughtful, understanding, loving, hansom, "oh god it's still there… yes he is hansom you fool", she told herself "but there's no way I'm telling him that, he may of change with his children, but he still had an ego…a big one, and there's no way I'm going to feed it". She said her prays, jumping into bed for sleep to hit, and it did.

OK THANK YOU ALL FOR MY REVIEWS, AND MESSAGING ME.

I NO THIS CHAPTER SEEMS TO HAVE JUMP A BIT, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO STAY ON IT TO LONG, SO I COULD GET TO THE NEXT ONE QUICKLY, WHICH YES WILL BE THE BALL, SO ANY IDEAS YOU WANT ADDING PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW AND I TRY AND GET THEM IN. IT WON'T BE TILL NEXT WEEK TILL I GET THE NEXT CHAPTER UP, CAUSE THEIR IS GOING TO BE A LOT HAPPENING, BUT AS I SAID DO SEND YOU IDEAS AND I WILL GET THEM IN, I'LL GIVE YOU SOME OF MY IDEAS SO YOU CAN SEE IF YOU LIKE OR EVEN PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER;

HERR ZELLER COMES INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER,

MARIA STAND BY THE CAPTAIN,

MARIA TRIES TO TALK TO ELIZABETH,

MARIA AND THE CAPTAIN KISS,

MARIA TELLS LIESL ALL,

LIESL TAKES ON HER GRANDPARENTS

THANK YOU, AND DO REVIEW.