Summary: Maria has proposed to Georg. While they still have a lot of demons to overcome, they have realized that the fear of the other leaving is one of their biggest issues. Georg is stunned by her question, having just been in a fit of rage, and remains silent for a few moments before answering. The children finally return home with Frau Schmidt, and some happiness is brought back to the Von Trapp villa, after a very heated exchange.
Disclaimer: I do not own TSOM or any of the characters.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Queen Maria?
"Georg?" Maria asked. They had been standing in her old bedroom, mere inches from each other for the last few moments. As the question he never thought he'd hear from her, lingered in the air between them, he found himself unable to respond. It was so like her to find the way to calm his anger, throwing him off of his game just when he was in a fit of rage. While it was true he had similar intentions when he had entered the house searching for her, it felt strangely erotic to hear the question coming out of her mouth. To see her standing there so vulnerable, awaiting the response to the question he already knew the answer to, was euphoric.
As he opened his mouth to speak he was overcome with the desire to touch her. Stepping forward slowly he looked into her eyes, as they widened slightly, anticipating his moves. Leaning in further, he grabbed her by her arm that was still bandaged, delicately, wrapping it around his wait. Then, taking her other arm he pulled her thrush against his body roughly, and began kissing her passionately. Opening her mouth for him immediately, they allowed their tongues to articulate the love they held for one another. A love that seemed so distant in the angered outbursts they found it difficult to endure mere hours ago.
His mouth left her, as she whimpered softly, missing the contact. But he immediately repositioned it towards her neck, causing her to cry out carelessly, lost in the heat of the moment.
"Yes… Yes." He replied, kissing her repeatedly down her jaw, across her next and back up to her cheeks; pulling away only to murmur his response in a repetitive like fashion that brought her to her knees. She pulled him closer to her body, his lips closer to her skin, as she intertwined her fingers in her hair, gripping the nape of his neck firmly.
"You're sure? You're sure that you could do this forever?"
He moved his lips back to her mouth, providing his response.
"Could you continue to endure battles and the anger? The outbursts and the fights?" she asked fearsome, breaking from his mouth reluctantly; afraid mentioning the reality of their situation would ruin the passion of the moment. But he kissed her again softly, bringing his hands to her cheeks.
"It would be the greatest honor," he replied, pulling back from her to gaze into her eyes, as he held her face close.
The sound of the children trampling through the foyer, accompanied by the shushing of Frau Schmidt's voice caused them both to smile.
"Should we tell the children it's official?" she asked.
"Not yet," he replied, fiddling in his pocket. Maria's eyebrows furrowed together, but before she could question his actions he pulled her ring out of his pocket, and was reaching for her hand.
"I'm rather glad you didn't throw this at me earlier," she chuckled, remembering the look in his eyes when she had removed it.
"Oh, I considered it." He said lightly, as he looked up smirking at her quickly, and than focused his attention back to her hand. Sliding the ring gently back onto her finger, he pulled her hand down to admire the way it looked. He had wanted to place that ring on her finger for months, and though it had been there for a while, having him be the one to place it, made it all the more special.
"Now, let's go tell the children." He said.
As she went to walk past him towards the doorway he grabbed her arm, twirling her back towards him and scooped her up off of the ground effortlessly. She giggled trying to break free, but he silenced her laughter with answer soft kiss on her lips.
"Don't you think this is rather inappropriate?" she asked. Though deep down she was elated at the gesture.
"Yes, I agree, very inappropriate of me." He replied, mocking her earlier words. She blushed, gazing her eyes towards his chest and looked down bashfully.
Walking through the threshold, they headed down the corridor together. Maria still in his arms wrapped her hands around his neck, securely. Their seven children were now gathered below, looking up at their parents curiously.
The last thing they had heard before they left, were the sounds of their father and Maria arguing. However, upon returning home they saw them completely immersed in one another, almost unaware they were even there. The anxiety they had felt previous to leaving the villa was immediately forgotten and replaced with a more familiar feeling of joy.
"Father, what are you doing?" Marta asked.
"Oh, your mother here was very tired, far too tired to walk, so I'm assisting her." He chuckled, looking at Maria.
"Oh yes. It was my request to be escorted around the house like royalty," Maria replied, throwing her hands up dramatically to motion towards her lack of control of the situation.
"Hm, Queen Maria. It does feels quite suiting doesn't it? However, I was just becoming accustomed to everyone calling you Baroness" Georg joked.
When they reached the end of the staircase the children gathered around waiting for Maria to be placed on the ground. Then Gretl and Marta ran to her immediately, as the older ones gathered closer to wait their turn.
"Are you going to leave?" Kurt asked, shuffling his feet while looking down at the marble floor.
"Why on earth would you think that?" Maria asked. The concern on his face was now matched by each of the other children, and she looked at Georg confused.
"Well, we heard you fighting and we-" Kurt began, but Louisa cut him off.
"I told you to mind your own business!" Louisa scolded rolling her eyes. Now they were all going to be in trouble.
"Louisa, it's quite all right." Maria began, looking to Georg again for support. He gave her an encouraging nod and she leaned down to Gretl and Marta's eye level before speaking. "Were all of you concerned I was going to be leaving?" she asked gently.
A uniformed nod from each of the children told her that her suspicions had been right. Perhaps knowing that she was going to be officially marrying their father would help to assuage their fears. The fear that apparently both Georg and all of the children shared.
"Maria is not going to be leaving us, ever again." Georg began, motioning for Maria to come to him. All of the children looked up, their expression of melancholy changing to one of both shock and elation.
"You're not?" Liesl asked.
"No, because I'm going to become your official mother, and marry your father. If, that's still all right with all of you?" she offered, waiting for their response.
"When?" They asked.
It was a detail that even Georg and Maria had yet to work out. But it was one that she knew was important. When would they be getting married? They had such little time before he would be leaving again, and she didn't know if they could manage it in time.
"As soon as possible." Georg stated, matter of fact.
"Really?" Gretl asked joyously, as Maria scooped her up into her arms, and touched her on the nose.
"Really," Maria laughed. "Children sometimes your father and I are going to fight, and I apologize that we did it in front of you all. But that doesn't mean that we don't love one another, and it definitely does not mean that either of us is going to leave. We love each other so much that sometimes we have a hard time expressing ourselves. We fight, just as you children do, but it doesn't mean we stopped loving one another, and it surely doesn't mean we stopped loving you. Do you understand?"
"We understand." Liesl responded for them, smiling at her father. Her answer reminded Maria that she still needed to speak with her.
"Now why don't you children run along and wash up before dinner. Liesl, I'd like to speak with you alone for a moment,"
"ooohhh," Fredrich mocked, heading up the staircase towards his room.
"Fredrich!" Georg threatened lightly.
"Sorry father." He replied, bowing his head as he continued up the stairs.
Georg stood in the foyer but when Maria didn't immediately start talking he took his cue, and excused himself. It had been an exciting turn of events, and he wanted to inquire about marrying her immediately.
"What is it mother?" Liesl asked.
Note: I was busy away at a writing conference this weekend. I had actually written this before I left, and meant to post it. However, I haven't had the chance to write anything new, since I've been working on another assignment. I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting. Thank you for your patience, and reviews thus far!