ISMKPG: seventeen
written by: jxnnylIf there's one thing Georg Von Trapp can do at a party with mixed people of mixed ages, it's just to stay near people he knows, drink some punch and watch other people have fun or make fun of themselves.
This party, in particular, completely goes against to what Georg intend to enjoy because there are two annoying children-like-adults pushing him into every corner of the room and teasing him about 'god knows what' while there are so many conversationalist that bugs him to death about his job on teaching the Rainier twins.
For shit sake people… I am teaching the kids not their mother, he thought.
But what distracts him the most is her presence, Maria's presence. She literally lits up every room she enters and you could recognize that voice, that face and that hair anywhere. She's wearing something that's practical but elegant as she smiles, talks and gives handshakes to whoever's in front of her.
Georg wondered how can she be so attentive to many people at the same time. There are, like, seven women asking her right now and he quietly admires the way she answered the questions either jokingly or with sheer seriousness that they still think it's a joke.
"You're incredibly glowing today! What's your skin care routine?"
"Ah- er.. good night sleep and good nutrition." Maria smiled
"You've finally made an appearance! How's New York?"
"Same as always." She shrugged
"How are you coping with the hotels, the children and the boutique? I mean- I'm sure you must be having more work than fun."
"Oh well work can be fun at most times." she mumbled.
"Have you found Dominik's lost mother? I heard she's lurking around the Arctic Circle."
"Well I'll tell the investigators about that.." she plainly said nodding.
"You haven't changed one bit! What's the secret?"
"My skin care routine…" she said and took a sip on her drink.
"Have you got laid? You're glowing!"
"Laid in bed indeed." she chuckled.
"Is it that bad? To be a window?"
"Well first I'm not a window and even if I am.. I am plainly sure it's so hard to be one." she reprimanded.
"Is there some guy around? Rumors are you're dating one of your employees.."
That last question made her stare at the one who asked and laughed, "Where on earth did that come from? But- none… no guys, or girls, around. I'm enjoying the taste of motherhood at the moment."
"Hey!" Elsa's voice made him slightly jump as he looked at her with full annoyance, "Not making a move yet?"
"Shut up and let me enjoy the silence, Elsa." he said as he took a sip on his already empty cup.
Damn it… he mused.
"This…" Elsa motioned to the crowded room with eating, chatting, walking, laughing and many more people as she snapped her fingers in front of him, "...is hardly called silence. That silence is either in the garden or the bathroom."
Rolling his eyes and Elsa laughed and playfully smacked his arm, "Don't tell me you're planning to brood all afternoon in the bathroom because you can't have a moment with your Mariaaa."
"First, the silence I'm talking about is my peaceful mind. Second, I don't brood and third…" letting out a sigh, Georg looked around, "Where the hell is Max?"
"Trying to find a hooker 'cause you're no fun." Elsa smirked as Georg rolled his eyes again, "Come one Georg! It's a party! Mingle and shingle!"
"I am not planning to be a disease, a tile, a stone nor a mad person Elsa. Nor I'm planning to end up sick tomorrow." he mumbled as he took a bite on a pie.
"Oh so you're planning to end up bloated like Max while staring at your dear Mariaa.." Elsa teased as she patted his back, "Let me give you an advice, Georgie. A woman wouldn't make a move to a man who had a history with military unless he gave her a hint!"
"Elsa.." Georg groaned, "I am not planning to romance her."
"And I. am. not planning on comforting your dumb ass once you realized I'm right. So…. I'm gonna save Max 'cause I saw his ginger fling stalking." she sang as she playfully patted his cheeks, a gesture that made Georg scoffed, and made her way to Max who Georg saw talking to someone he's sure will be on their ride back to the hotel.
Finishing the pie, he looked to the empty cup on his hands and threw it on the bin as he made his way to the gardens.
I need air… he thought.
Maria watched Georg interact with Elsa as she tried to be in the conversation with these ladies around her.
I thought I went to a party… not a presscon, she mused bitterly as she smiled and excused herself and went straight to the other room, quickly regretting it as she bumped into someone she clearly had no idea was invited.
"Oof! What are- the heck.. Maria Johanson! How very…. surprising to see you!" Patricia Harris exclaimed as she gave Maria a hug, one that both women clearly don't like, "I didn't know you'd be here! I should have brought my husband."
"Yeah.. well I'm not really into business mode right now. And I'm sure-"
"Is it true that you locked your kids to the Villa? What a pity they miss this party! Well I'm sure they turned just like their nerd father!" Patricia said louder as Maria forced herself to chuckle.
"Well… Ms. Harris," Maria said in a low serious tone, "I do hope that's meant for a laugh thing even if it's not funny."
Some of the guests around them listened as Patricia laughed, "Well I'm sure I must speak of the truth. Even I would turn nerd if I was locked in a home. Either that or spoiled or clueless."
"Well I'm pretty sure you haven't met my youngest yet. I'm sure that'll add disciplined to your list." Maria casually said as she looked around the room to see Martha and her new friend place some traps around the corner, "And mischievous too."
"I'm sure your youngest is missing a lot on this world." Patricia said as she took a sip on her cup.
Maria smirked as she shook her head, "I doubt that actually. I'm pretty sure she knows more things about this world than I thought she knew. Actually your kid is learning things from her." She pointed to her daughter helping Patricia's six year-old son put a horn under an office chair, "See?"
"What on earth are they doing?" Patricia asked.
Maria shrugged, "You'll see."
Fifty seconds passed and someone sat on the chair, causing the horn to honk as all eyes in the room, and some from the other room, automatically set to the person sitting on the chair.
Five seconds passed and everyone burst out laughing as the chair was sent around while whoever wants to sit there and have a good laugh.
"I don't get it how people find it amusing." Patricia mumbled.
"Proves you don't have to be locked in your house to be clueless." Maria shrugged as she patted Patricia's shoulders and walked to see her kids.
Elisabeth is catching up with her friend Heather while Frederick and Markian eat and look around while talking to each other.
"Where's Martha?" Maria asked as she saw the twins quickly stood up and look around.
"Uh- she's in the bathroom!" Frederick smiled as Maria raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze to the food table where her youngest daughter was sneaking toothpaste as a sandwich spread.
"Must be why she's holding a toothpaste." Maria sighed as she looked at the twins and smiled, "I can see you two are enjoying. Avoid troubles.. I'll be in the garden if you need me."
Elisabeth and Frederick exchanged glances and shrugged as they sat down continuing their activities while their mother made her way to the doors, only to be bumped with another unpleasant encounter, "Well well.. Mrs. Johnson. Or should I say… Maria. You know- I'll let you pass through this door if you accept my proposition."
"And the answer is still 'no', Mr. Zeller. I am loyal to my security people." Maria smiled as she made her way to the other door.
"But my offer is much more practical!" the man said as he blocked her way again.
Maria can hear Hannah calling everyone's attention and asking for volunteers as Maria shook her head to Zeller and grabbed his arm, "Mr. Zeller volunteered to lead!" she exclaimed as the people near them took the man to the center.
Satisfied, Maria quietly slipped out of the room as she inhaled the cold humid air.
Peace…. she thought.
She sat on the cold bench after minutes of swiping off the snow as she looked at the snowy grounds and the frozen grounds nearby and-
"MARIA!" Margaretta's voice sent her back to reality as she looked at her.
"What?"
"Cory called you to play. It's a trip to Father Christmas' lap." Margaretta said, "You can't refuse 'cause I told you so."
Groaning, Maria stood up, "Who's lap am I supposed to seat?"
"Zeller, Greg, Cory, Robert, Samuel, Müller or Georg." Margaretta said as she took out some snow that fell on Maria's hair, "I suggest you sit on Georg. We knew he won't hit on you."
"Who picked him?"
"His friend Mûller.. Don't sit on that sponge, he's far too charming." Margaretta said as Maria looked at her and sighed, "You'll be fine. Your kids are looking forward to it."
Making her way to the center, Maria smiled as she saw her opponents.
Harris, Harris number two, Heidi and four women I don't know- oh wait no- three.. she thought, The other one is Elsa.
Looking at Georg as he sat on the chairs, Maria gave him a sympathetic smile.
This is embarrassing…. she thought.
Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn you Max! Georg thought, This is an embarrassment.
"Okay players! Here's the deal! We play music while you ladies go in circles and please dance for lord's sake! When the music gets off, you should sit on the lap of a Father Christmas. Now if you don't get on somebody's lap, you're out!" Hannah explained, "For the twist, since all of our Father Christmases are fit. For their part, while the music is on, they'll wander around the room. Once it goes off, sit wherever you are and wait for a lady to sit on your lap! Once seated, you choose.. either you carry her back here or you two run. Last one to get here will be out on the next round!"
Maria can't help but to look at Georg who also looked at her as they exchanged an awkward look.
Seeing his friend beside him elbowed him, Maria averted to gaze somewhere landing at Elsa who's making eye contact with Georg and his friend.
"Losers will get a set of pajama pants while the winning pair will win a set of brand new mattresses. Goodluck ladies and gentlemen!" the hostess said as an unfamiliar tune played.
The women started to go in circles while keeping an eye on the men that went around the room.
"Ladies! Dance for pete's sake! Robert Potts! Don't you dare go to the bathroom! Samuel Howard! Feet of the couch!" the hostess said as some ladies started to wiggle with the beat.
Maria swayed her hips with the beat as she also kept her eyes on some men.
Actually just one man.
Georg kept on walking, mixing with the crowd and Maria surprised herself by being able to see him.
You can recognize his fashion taste everywhere… she thought, Darn it! Even in my thoughts I'm defending myself…
Thinking about Georg, Maria knew she should thank him later. He's visible presence keeps her calm and sane around the party and she's sure he also didn't want to be in his game.
Actually I'm sure he's ready to punch his friend for choosing him… she thought, Like I'm also ready to do with Margaretta for finding me.
The music stopped and Maria blinked as she found herself running towards Georg, Better show my kids how to be competitive..
From the background, she can hear Martha jumping and cheering with Elisabeth while Frederick laughed along the crowd by something happening behind her.
Before she knew it, Maria saw Janice Harris, Patricia Harris's equally spiteful sister, throw herself at Georg as the poor man collapsed on his bum.
Maria felt her nerves go mad when she saw them land on a compromising position and almost got herself slapping and dragging the woman out of her man when she heard someone shouting her name.
"MARIA!" Cory Kay shouted while waving his arms as Maria's legs automatically went to him.
Margaretta watched with interest as she saw Maria about to launch an attack towards Harris number two but goes against it and let herself be lifted and carried by Cory. Suppressing a smirk as she saw Maria's gaze didn't leave Georg and Janice as the two ran back to the center with tangled hands.
Knowing Georg, always the gentleman. Elsa thought as she watched things happen from her point of view as she and Max sat in the center, He can just push the bloody bitch out and carry Maria instead.
"I can see that we have one loser yet. MRS. HALLEY OUT! Now let's see our pairs. Maximilian and Elsa, why didn't I feel so surprised. Oh! Greg and Heidi! Samuel and Gina, still like an old married couple! Robert and Fiona, our newlywed! Gosh have I congratulated you two yet? And speaking of wed, here we have two widows! Cory and Maria! Here we go! And I can see Janice forcing another man on her hands, poor Monsieur Georg!" Hannah commented as she looked at the opposite side, "Oh! And our second ba-bye! Monsieur Zeller who clearly put all his effort to carry Patricia! Poor Monsieur Zeller. Anyways, HE'S OUT! And now we're on our second round! Ladies please DANCE! And to our gentlemen around, FEET OUT THE BLOODY COUCH!"
The other guests laughed as the music started and Maria felt herself calming down when Georg forcefully, but not harshly, slid his hands out of Harris number two's grip. As she circles and sway with the beat, she can't help but realize how possessive she felt.
Get a grip, Maria! He's not even yours… she thought, remembering herself addressed Georg as her man, Damn it you've been here like for an hour and you already got yourself tipsy… nicely done Maria.
Blinking as she remembered where she is and what on earth is she doing, Maria groaned in frustration when she can't find him. But the moment the music stopped, she quickly saw him by the couch as she felt herself running towards him again, only now that someone's beside her.
Janice Harris.
Damn this woman… she mused as she avoided the attempts to trip her, You're not even half as good as Martha.
Seeing Elsa grab Georg's hands, Maria saw Cory's shoes at the bottom of the table as she smirked when Janice went the other way.
Knocking the table, Maria frowned when the man she thought was below the table is actually someone else. She looked around and saw Janice looking around too.
I won't lose on her… she thought, Anyone but her.
From the background as she made her hunt, she can hear Hannah giving new comments, "Samuel and Fiona first! Followed by Maximilian and Gina and Monsieur Georg and Elsa, wow what a very likely couple-"
Maria stopped listening as she ran near the lavatories where she spotted Greg hidden with his cap.
"Whoa! Didn't expect you there, Maria!" he said with his remarkable unrecognizable-country accent as they walked side by side towards the center.
"You walked in with that hat that I sent you. Seems you already took a liking to it." she smirked.
Greg chuckled as he put the hat on again, "Are you sick? I love this! Completely goes with any of my wardrobe. I can see that you still have that great stamina."
"I have three overy-energetic kids. What can I say?" Maria shrugged as they reached the center.
"-and here we have two fashion buddies! Maria and Greg! Though I hate to say this-"
"YAH I KNOW!" Greg shouted as he made a comical turn and blew a kiss to Maria, "Gregoria OUT!"
Everyone chuckled as Hannah continued, "Still the same old Greg! Anyways, third round!"
Maria, like in the second round but also like in the first round, thought about her possessiveness while watching Georg go with the crowd. And like the previous rounds, she found herself running towards him after the music ended but other opponents seemed to find a faster way to get to him.
"HEIDI OUT! Now we have Robert and Gina! Monsieur Georg and Fiona, ooh! Both are new to the gang! Maximilian and Maria, oh lord please don't have Max steal our only brain cell! Cory and Patricia! What a very unlikely couple! And finally! Samuel and Elsa! SAMMY OUT! ROUND FOUR!" Hannah commented as she started the music again.
Maria didn't know where to think right now, for being called as the only brain cell or for hearing from Max talk about Georg's unfortunate incidents with women at this game. She didn't know if she deserves the title of the last brain cell of she's losing her own brain cells by just seeing other women throw themselves at Georg.
The music stops again and like the other rounds, Maria finds herself paired with Cory again as Patricia and Gina fight each other for Georg. They are the first to reach the center and watch the whole situation happen.
Max is carrying Elsa but just stood there watching two women fight for Georg while Robert and Fiona landed on their bum beside Cory and Maria.
"Ooh! Look what we have here! Now in the center we have our brain cells; Cory and Maria. Our newlyweds; Robert and Fiona! And back to the outer stage! Oh- Max! Looks like one is willing to sacrifice! Now on the other end, we can see… Georg! And two wrestling women- oh! Look!" Hannah laughed as the crowd watched Elsa get off Max's back and sneakily took Georg's hand.
Maria glared at the women as she tried to contain her rage. If it's not for the crowd, for Cory holding her hands and for her children watching, she would have already dragged those women away to Georg.
"Maria.." Cory's whisper made her blink and mask her glare as she looked at him, raising her eyebrows while giving him a genuine smile, or half-genuine.
"Yes?"
"Are you jealous?" he asked.
Blinking and shaking her head, Maria wore a confused look as she said, "No.. I mean- where?"
"Oh Maria.." Cory chuckled, "You're denying it aren't you?"
"Denying what?" Maria asked chuckling nervously as she raised her eyebrows, "Cory.. I'm merely…. enjoying the moment. Please stop suggesting such things."
Elsa and Georg sat beside them as Max and Gina stumbled.
"He would really sacrifice himself so that you'll get to be mattresses." Elsa smirked as Georg caught his breath.
"You mean suffer?" Georg asked as he tidied up his hair, "Damn him."
His eyes caught Maria as she gave him a smile. Giving her a smile back, his eyes lowered to her hands that are tangled with Cory Jackson.
Cory Jackson.
"Oooh.. your dear Maria is so close to Mr. Jackson. I know he's a single father… widowed too." Elsa whispered to him as he sighed and shook his head.
"They do make a very wonderful pair, haven't they?" Georg said as he watched Max finally walk in the center with Gina.
"PATRICIA HARRIS OUT! And here we have the charming Music Director proving the reason why he shouldn't go teaching Physical Education! MAXIMILIAN OUT! Three more rounds! ROUND FIVE!" Hannah commented as the music started again.
Georg walked around, watching Maria look at Mr. Jackson and sway with the music. For four previous rounds, he refrained himself from looking at her, for fear that he might fall deeper to the hole that he denied digging by himself.
Now that he saw her look at someone else, he wondered if she even considered running to him, or even looked at him while there's music. Everytime the music stopped, his head was on a spin as the room was filled with cheers and laughter and just noise. He saw her running but it always seems that other women get to him faster.
The music stopped and Georg watched Maria run towards Mr. Jackson's direction. Somehow that brought a pang of something spreading from his chest to his stomach. The emotion remained and crawled up to his throat as he found himself unable to keep a steady breath.
Fiona, as he recalled her being named, grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the center where Maria and Cory also headed.
"You are Maria Johanson's kid's private teacher, right?" Fiona asked.
Nodding, Georg avoided Maria and Cory as he put his attention full to the woman beside him, "Is that really the most interesting thing about me these days?"
"Oh well. Yeah! I mean- she's known for being a dragoness at business, surely a lot of people would imagine how it is to live with her." Fiona smiled.
Looking as he saw the children exchanging 'high fives' with each other, Georg mumbled, "There's nothing much to say about that actually.. She's close to her children and the house is full of joy, laughter… music and anything else."
"Does she still grieve? I heard late Mr. Johanson's death hit her hard. She must have loved him so much. Of course she should I mean- after all they got married when she was nineteen and lasted without any scandals, problems…. just his death. She's very brave to face the demise of her soulmate." Fiona sighed.
Georg was about to ask if he heard her right when the hostess commented.
The words didn't exactly rung to his ears as his thoughts are filled with curiosity and bewilderment.
Married when she was nineteen? he thought, Brave to face the demise of her soulmate…
Looking at her as she casually talked to a fellow widow, Georg finally wondered if she's planning to find love.
His mother got married at a young age too and got widowed right before his sister was born. He can clearly remember the permanent scar his father's death left on her mother that made her unable to love another man again.
Does the same scar goes with Maria as well? Looking at her, she seems so fine with everything. If he approached her? Would things change?
"Do you still live with them?" Fiona asked, sending him back to reality.
Nodding, Georg mumbled, "I was planning to stay until the end of the year."
"Well what are you? A nanny?" Fiona blurted then covered her mouth, "I'm very sorry.. it's just- well… no one's gonna teach something for the remaining five days of the year right?"
Before Georg could speak, Hannah spoke as she clapped her hands, "And that's how you fight for a man, folks! A round of rock, papers, scissors will do! Now we have Maria and Cory! Fiona and Georg! And Elsa's here as Robert's OUT! ROUND SIX!"
Georg was in a daze as he walked around again. Somehow Fiona's right. There's no more reason for him to stay until New Year. He's not teaching anyways. And furthermore, he knew he wouldn't have a chance with Maria.
She's still in love with her deceased husband… he thought bitterly as he fought the pain that spreads from his chest. This one is different for it made him feel like he wants to be swallowed by the floor and cry.
Somehow he found it more painful than the moment Agathe died. Maybe it's because he admitted that he loves her while he also knew she's still not over to the death of her beloved.
He feel so stupid for falling that easily. For almost eight years, he thought he's over on making stupid decisions. It seems that the trait would never leave his side.
Letting out a sigh, he heard the music go off as he looked at Maria run towards Cory again.
For once he wished he's a widow too.
Maria watched Georg carry Elsa as he lowered her and placed his hands up in defeat.
"GEORG OUT! Now we have a male winner already! It's time to find our right lady… Maria versus Elsa! ROUND SEVEN!" Hannah exclaimed as the music started again.
Maria felt her chest heavy as she saw Georg with the crowd, not as a part of the game but as part of the audience. She doesn't know why she felt like this. Maybe because she wanted to play with him.
For once, she felt so tedious with the game. Maybe because it's ending but deep inside she knew it's because Georg is not playing anymore.
She looked at Elsa and smiled.
This woman and Georg are a match made in heaven. Not only that but she knew Georg enjoyed spending his time with her.
Just their smiles while Georg carries her gives Maria a hint that the two are very close, probably closer than anyone could ever imagine.
Looking at Cory as she saw him lurking around the corner, Maria can see that he's coping well with his loss and having fun with life again.
I suppose I should start doing that, she thought, I should have done that years ago…
Hearing the music stop, Maria caught a glimpse of Georg and held her breath. She knew she should run and win but sometimes, she just wanted to stare at him and walk. Something's bothering him, she can say. Was it because he lost in the game?
Blinking as she looked around again, she tried to catch up with Elsa who was toward Cory too. Only that now Maria needs to be ahead of her. A task of which she failed when Elsa reached Cory.
The crowd cheered as Hannah announced the winner while Maria congratulated them with a smile on her face. She shook Elsa's hand and smiled.
"You're very fast.." she mumbled, "Congrats."
For winning and for capturing Georg… she thought.
Elsa smiled in disbelief as she shook Maria's hand, "Thanks, Mrs. Rainier… Though I can't believe it.. I- well.. Thank you."
Catching her breath as Maria let out a heavy sigh, she patted Cory's shoulders, "Enjoy your mattress, Cor."
"I will.. Now think about what I told you-"
"Nope.." Maria smiled, raising her hand, "I'll do good to be a single mom. He's off to somewhere sooner or later and maybe I should too."
Turning around as she knew she wanted to hear no more, Maria lifted Martha up as she met her with a hug.
"Mommy!" Martha exclaimed, "You're very good! But you didn't run so fast in the last round. You could have won the prize!"
Chuckling, Maria fixed her hair as she said, "It's not the prize that counts when playing the game, Martha. It's the fun. Anyways, I have fun there. How are the toothpaste sandwiches?"
"Frederick is a victim," Elisabeth chuckled as she and her twin also hugged their mother, "Along with some other men. I'm sure you missed his reaction mom. He quickly asked for a drink."
"I didn't expect the toothpaste to be mint. It's so hot and cold at the same time." Frederick frowned as he drank more from his cup, "I can still taste it in my mouth. Yuck!"
Chuckling, Maria caught Georg talking with Max as they helped Elsa carry her new mattress.
"Hey you!" Margaretta exclaimed, Making Maria almost drop Martha as she let out a heavy sigh while playfully slapping Margaretta's arm.
"Where have you been?"
"Oh just around! Too bad you didn't pair yourself with Georg." Margaretta chuckled.
Maria gave her a death glare as Martha voiced her agreement, along with her siblings who gave their mother a funny look and just nodded.
"Others found a faster way to get to him. So I figured out, why not the others? Anyways, who's hungry? I saw them serving pepperoni pizza.." Maria said as Martha quickly got off her hug and followed the twins who were already looking around.
"That's smooth." Margaretta chuckled, "How long do you intend to stay?"
"Until it's respectable to leave. Now I'm famished so let's get some pizza.." Maria mumbled, turning around to go to the food tables.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of Elsa giving both Georg and Max a kiss on the cheeks as she quickly looked the other way, feeling a heavy pit on her stomach that suddenly took away her appetite.
"On second thought, you may look after the children while I find peace in the gardens. Please don't put me in any more games.. One is enough." She said and hastened her way to the doors.
Swallowing her sense to cry, Maria doesn't know why she felt the longing to cry. Shaking her head as she reached the gardens, she let out a heavy sigh as she brushed the snowy bench and sat on it.
Not feeling the comfort anymore, she suddenly felt so cold and hurt.
The way Georg interacts with Elsa will never be the same as how he does with her. She knew the way she felt was wrong. She shouldn't be possessive over something she knew she didn't and will never have.
Letting him go is the right thing… she thought, But why does it feel so wrong?
A/N: THANK YOU! So much for the updates! I am very sorry for the constant delays, it's just that school started again, YES IT STARTED SO EARLY AND I JUST WANNA GOOOO!
And I might slow down updating but I would really try to update more since I really want to get myself in the mood and I am in the mood! Motivation hits me rarely these days, maybe cuz I'm so damn lazy every start up of the year and I'm lazy to get into my classes *I'm not really a good student*.
Anyways, THANK YOU FOR THE FEEDBACKS! I'm so glad you enjoy and appreciate it! I hope you enjoy this chapter and please r&r! Be safe, healthy, well and happy! Thankie! (⊙-⊙)