ISMKPG: nineteen

written by: jxnnyl

"So let me get this straight…. he kissed you and you kissed him then chatted a bit until you reached the time to switch to your depressing twin again and suddenly begs him to stay?" Margaretta mumbled as she chuckled, "Then in the middle of a making-out session, you burst into a song…. that Beyoncé song. Oh- How romantic, Maria.."

"Words of someone who romantically caught the heart of someone by hooking up on a bathroom cubicle. Enough about me, I see you have that plaything around your fingers. Do I hear wedding bells?" Maria smirked as she fixed her hair, her eyes glued to the aesthetically pleasing necklace hanging on her neck.

Margaretta laughed as she showed Maria her new ring, "First of all, young lady, I never hook up in a bathroom cubicle. And for the record, I caught his heart with my charm to reject extra-audiences unless they're psychos willing to enter a boring world of normality. In his case, he's an immature person pretending to be unaware of the cruelty in this world."

"~and you love him that way," Maria taunted as she looked at her friend, one of her hands playing with the pendant, "You've found your match. You're a brutally honest, matured twit and he's a child man who's intellectually aware of everything."

"And you're this smug bitch with humble love and everything, falling deeper in love with an ex-marine guy who shared your passion into knowledge, arts, parenthood and stubbornness." Margaretta teased back as she smiled, "Sounds like a nice basis to a love life."

Letting out a sigh, Maria mumbled, "Does that really always feel that way? Like after you confess that you need him in your life, he'll reciprocate everything you've said and it all feels so… slow, warm and… you know everything that's very opposite to how it happened to me and Dom."

"Love is always not the same for every person, Maria. In Dom's case, you're childhood sweethearts who got in love and decided to have a shotgun marriage then your motherhood, college life and his business career drew you two nowhere around each other, which brings you two closer in your hearts," Margaretta said, "While in Georg's case, mutual understanding and sympathy brought you two together and time is generous to make you experience new things in a slow pace... in a month."

Listening intently, Maria nodded as she looked at the mirror and played with her pendant once more, "Do you think everything's getting fast? What if everything went so wrong? What if I'm wrong? I don't want to hurt him but I can't afford to hurt myself either."

"Aish- Maria…" the older woman hissed as she walked and stood behind Maria, "Stop being so eggy, okay? Enjoy the new year with your boyfriend and children and after that, just let the water flow."

Maria smiled as she echoed, "Boyfriend and children." Holding Margaretta's hand that's resting on her shoulders, "I don't know what's odder to an outsider, that or the fact that a widow asked for an unmarried woman's opinion about love."

"Not unmarried anymore," Margaretta sung, "Let's say by the end of this day, I'll be Margaretta Müller."

Turning her head, Maria's eyebrows furrowed, "What does that suppose to mean?"

"Poor Margaretta," Georg mumbled, "Not only she's marrying an overrated sponge, she's also bound to control your rakish attitude."

"Oh don't worry, she knows how I've become a mess since I jumped from Salzburg to Zürich to Oxford. And she's the only one who can mend me." Max mumbled, "And it's not only that. The wedding is today so give me your phone and I'll call our dear Elsa."

"What?" the younger man mumbled as Max took his phone and dialed Elsa's number.

"Hello, Elsa? Wake up I'm getting married today."

From his position sitting on the bed, Georg can hear Elsa laugh and say, "Who will marry you? You don't even have a girlfriend."

"An ex-girlfriend, that's what I have and with all seriousness, Elsa… I am getting married today at three in the afternoon." Max seriously said as he looked at the clock, "Be ready at seven, it's a long- yes I'll give you details later when you're here… wait what? Oh you're at Cambridge? What the fuck are you doing there?"

Losing interest in their conversation, Georg stood up and left the bathroom. Seeing Annalise rush at the stairs, he helped her carry the tea tray as she caught her breath and thanked him before rushing to Maria's room.

He looked at the door and stared at it, digging his hands to his pocket, he took the pick out and stared at it. Smiling at the playful message.

raWr

His bedroom door opened and Max approached him, "Hey lover boy,"

Hiding the pick on his friend's gaze, he failed as he took the phone on Max's hand.

Max reached to take the pick from his pocket., Now what do we have here?" he mumbled as he looked at the material and laughed, "This is from your Maria. Correct me if I'm wrong?"

Taking the pick from his hands, Georg placed it on his pocket with the phone, "Yes it's from her and now stop nagging about it."

"Yah. I'll stop. Though I must say, you have a very lovely girlfriend." Max mumbled as he made his way back to the bedroom, only to be stopped by Georg.

"I haven't told you a thing yet? How did you know?" he asked.

Max smirked and raised his eyebrows, "How else? Of course, I heard about it. Quite a clever way to hide it Georg, early this morning down the kitchens." he taunted, whispering the last sentence as Georg let out a sigh.

"So it's you," Georg mumbled, "The one who saw us down there."

"Who told you I saw? If that was me, I would gladly show myself and taunt you right there," Max chuckled, "And again, I heard it from a birdie."

"And who is this birdie?"

"I can't tell you," Max smiled, "I don't gossip, remember Georgie? And I swore to secrecy just like her."

"So it's a her? You likely just gave her a way, Max." Georg smiled back, "Who is she?"

"There are tons of women in the room, Georgie. I still can't tell." Max said, "Don't worry, she swore to not gossip as well… and I swore I won't tell anyone what she saw. And that includes who she is."

"Max-"

"Oh and before I forgot, Elsa's going to hop on the train from Cambridge to here by seven something. She'll call you once she reaches the station." Max cutted as the door of Maria's bedroom opened, revealing Margaretta as she left and turned to the two.

"Hello boys," she smiled.

"Good morning, my flower!" Max smiled as Margaretta rolled her eyes, "Ouch.. that's cold."

"Oh shut up," Margaretta chuckled as she looked at Georg, "Here goes the lucky guy. Good morning, Georg!"

"Good morning, Margaretta." Georg smiled, "And congratulations by the way."

"Oh- you impress me quite well Max. Have you told Elsa yet?"

"She won't miss this old man's wedding," Max said as he raised a smugful eyebrow at her, "Told you… my memory is still sharp as the end of the knife."

"Depends which end he's talking about," Georg mumbled, as Margaretta nodded at him, "Anyways, is Maria-"

"She's so awake and alive, already at her office. I suggested no one's to interrupt her." Margaretta frowned, "Business problems, poor dear."

"Who works during holidays...," Georg whispered to himself as he cleared his throat, "I hope she slept well… Anyways, I won't interrupt."

He left the two and made his way to her office where the door is very open, revealing Maria on a phone call.

Through her face, he can see that she's bursting in glee as she looked at him and smiled.

"-of course! I would be glad to meet up one of these days." Maria said as she motioned him to enter and close the door, "It's a great honor. Of course! I'll make my team aware."

After a few more words, Georg watched her nod and jot down some stuff as the call finally ended.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Maria smiled as she stood up and went to hug Georg, "Dior is interested in a collab for the upcoming fashion week. And….. Greta Gerwig asked me if I could work with Jaqueline Durran for one of the upcoming films that they're planning to make. Can't you believe it! I'm gonna dress up someone for a movie!"

She straddled his lap and kissed him as she smiled and rested her head on his shoulders.

"Good morning to you too, my darling." Georg smiled as Maria snapped her head up:

"Oh gosh! I'm so sorry. I just got so excited," she whispered, blushing as Georg smirked and placed his hands on her waist.

"Apology accepted," he whispered back as he placed one of his hands up to caress her cheeks, "Have you slept well?"

Maria hummed as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, "The best that I had for years." Fumbling with the smoothness of his arms with one of her hands while the other caressed his hand on her waist, she opened her eyes and asked, "How about you?"

"With you occupying my dreams? Yes I did," he slowly mumbled as their lips met.

The kiss, however, halted with a knock on the door as Maria quickly stood up and fixed herself before muttering a quick but calm "Come in."

Anna, one of the maid, showed up with a tray of tea and breakfast, "Oh! My apologies, Mrs. Rainier…. I don't know you're with company."

Looking from Georg to the breakfast on the tray, smiling as she saw two plates.

Margaretta….. she thought.

"It's no problem really," Maria mumbled, "Mr. Von Trapp is just here to discuss some…. things."

Looking at her, Georg watched Maria hide the uneasiness with the maid as Anna placed down the tray to the coffee table and started to make the tea.

"Ah- I'll make the tea." Maria smiled as Anna stopped and nodded, leaving the room in a hurry as Maria let out a sigh of relief. Looking at Georg, she smiled, "Have breakfast with me?"

"Now here I am thinking that breakfast times are supposed to be at strict times," Georg smirked as he followed Maria to the couch, "A question though-"

"Later with the questions, darling. I want to celebrate with you before I go run to the boutique to fetch some things for the wedding." Maria quickly said as she set aside the tea and took two wine glasses and a bottle of champagne."

"Don't you think it's too early to drink, darling?" Georg asked as Maria nodded and smiled at him.

"Uh-huh… But with every good things happening around… I would make an exception for today." Opening the bottle, she poured some to the glasses, "It's non-alcoholic.. trust me."

"No need to tell if it is," Georg said as he took the glass and sat beside her, "Here's to your career, my darling. May it continue rising."

Maria looked at him at awe as she raised her glass and met it with his, "Here's to us, my dear. May our relationship bloom... and go persevere."

"You, Ms. Rainier, is a terribly good poet," Geog said as he counted syllables at his hands, "Five-seven-five… a nicely made haiku."

Blushing as she swallowed her drink, she gave him the other plate and shook her head, "And you, Mr. Von Trapp… flatters me so much."

Taking the other plate as they both started eating Georg and Maria both feel silly for feeding each other and comparing their food even if they're just the same dish made by the same chef.

"There's something that made me so curious, Maria." Georg muttered as Maria looked at him and raised her eyebrows, "It's the 'Mrs. Rainier' actually… as far as I know you're to be addressed as 'Mrs.' with your husband's last name and not your maiden name."

Looking at him, Maria swallowed her food and let out a sigh, "I'll tell you sometime… right now, here- try this."

Offering a spoon of yogurt he nodded and opened his mouth. Looking at her eyes, he swallowed and leaned in to kiss her lips.

Down at the dining table, Margaretta and Max tell the children their news as they tried distracting the three with the absence of their mother and professor.

Little did they know, the three already have ideas of their own as Martha masked their knowing glances with her bright aura for the upcoming wedding.

"Does that mean I'm to call you Uncle Max now, Mr. Max?" Martha asked as Max smiled at the girl and nodded.

"Actually, you can start calling me that by now, Mr. Max makes me feel so terribly old and crotchety." Max chuckled as Martha smiled and nodded.

"Okie.. Uncle Max!"

Margaretta cleared her throat as she looked at Elisabeth, "If you mind, Elisabeth… you can be my bridesmaid."

"And Frederick here can be my groomsman while dear Martha is the flower girl." Max added as his bride hummed in agreement.

"What about mommy and Professor Georg?" Frederick asked, smiling at the thought of him being a part of a wedding that's more than just a guest,

"What about them?" both adults said in unison as Max chuckled and Margaretta smiled.

"Your mommy will be my maid of honor while Professor Georg will be your Uncle Max's best man." Margaretta said as she took a sip on her water, "While we can have all of the staff as the guests and witnesses. That's all I need for my wedding actually, I don't care for fancy details."

"Me either," Max said, "Just the two cracks in my life, you and those people you cared about."

The two held hands below the table as they smiled at each other.

Elisabeth and Frederick exchanged looks as they both shivered at random thoughts on their heads. Martha continued eating as she suddenly asked, "What about your friend, Uncle Max? You know- Ms. Elsa?"

Max and Margaretta then exchanged looks as Margaretta spoke, "I was actually thinking of her to be the one to walk me down the aisle." Seeing the confused looks from the children and Max, she shrugged, "She's like a daughter to Max anyways… and if there's any consolation, she's the only successor I currently have."

"You're not even a guidance counselor yourself.." Max smirked.

"But a psychologist with a legit Phd, that's who I am," Margaretta smiled as she winked at Elisabeth who's getting interested in the subject herself.

Who knows… if I can't indulge Maria into this path then maybe in her daughter I could. she thought as Max rolled his eyes and made a face that sent the children into fits of laughter.

"That's a very silly face, Uncle Max," Martha chuckled as Margaretta rolled her eyes and chuckled herself.

Once breakfast is done, the children run upstairs to do their things as Max and Margaretta break the news to the staff.

Georg left his bedroom after some small thinking, his mind swelling with curiosity as he realized how little he knew of his girlfriend. He slammed the door and let out a heavy sigh. Feeling holes in his back, he turned to see Martha approaching him.

"Good morning Professor Georg!" she greeted, "Are you with mommy during breakfast?"

Surprised and unsure, Georg smiled back at her and said, "Good morning to you too, Martha!"

The twins watched Martha wait for the answer, both unable to keep a straight eye to their professor. Not after what one of them saw this morning anyway.

"Uh- er. I was with her earlier this morning. She mentioned something about some errands to do at the boutique." Georg mumbled.

Martha nodded and looked at him curiously, "What's an erround?"

"It's like- uhm… how do I say this- ah! It's like a small adventure," Georg said and quickly added, "A task!"

"Ooh…" Martha cooed, "Mommy's on work?"

"She just left to get some proper outfits for the wedding," Georg blurted, "I take it that your aunt already told you?"

Martha hummed and smiled, "And Uncle Max too! They're so sweet, you know… like you and mommy, Professor Georg."

Georg's eyes widened as the twins quickly gave Martha some silent scoldings, also trying to give a proper explanation to what the youngest meant.

"She- uh… she's meant to say they're very close, Professor Georg!" Frederick said.

"Yes! Yes! Like uh- you know like friends but… like more and… well more than friends but still have that same… same… vibe with you and mommy. Yah- like your friendship with mommy!" Elisabeth stammered, making Frederick and Martha look at her with confused looks.

Georg raised his eyebrows and suddenly felt so overwhelmed. Is it possible that they already know what happened down the kitchens merely four hours ago? After all, the possibilities are very… likely.

Mustering a nod, his eyebrows lowering as he slowly formed words, "Okay.." looking at Martha who's starting to chew her lips, he sighed and smiled, "Okay… Now I asked your mother's permission earlier. I thought that I might take you three with me to fetch a friend to the train station."

"Is it Ms. Elsa?" Martha asked, "I like her. She's kind and she gave me some candy cane yesterday."

"Oh so that's where it came from," Frederick said, "It's not some, Professor Georg… it's many… one bag of candy canes and chocolate chip cookies."

"Her cuteness makes people want to spoil her," Elisabeth chuckled, "Your collection of legos, McDonald's toys and candy wrappers are the proof you got into that stage either."

"You collect candy wrappers, Freddie?" Martha asked.

"Used to," Frederick shrugged and looked at Elisabeth, "I buy my own McDonald's toys for your information."

"Yeah whatever," Elisabeth rolled her eyes then turned to their professor, "Did mommy agree, professor?"

Nodding Georg stood up, "We'll leave at nine. Now, I'll leave you three be for a moment. I need to speak to the love birds."

Maria dialed and let out a frustrated groan when Margaretta missed the call again. For sure she'll not take an early honeymoon before her wedding, not in her house with three children anyway.

Dialing Georg's number, Maria sighed in relief when he answered.

"Hello?" a female voice spoke as she stiffened. Looking at her phone to see if she dialed the right number, she swallowed nervously. Her eyes turning to the dress that's displayed in front of her.

There must be a reason why a woman answered Georg's phone.

From the background, she can hear a familiar voice ask, "Why are you holding Professor Georg's phone, Ms. Elsa?"

Elsa.

Maria gaped as she forgot to breathe for a moment.

She knew it is silly to feel that way towards the woman she knew Georg only saw as a friend, moreover to the woman who once saved Georg's sanity,

"Your mother's calling." Elsa's voice said as she called in again, "Hello? Ms. Rainier? This is me, Elsa Laurels. Georg is uhm- where is he again, darling?"

Elisabeth's voice was heard as Maria detected some chewing on her tone, "He's buying gifts for Aunt Margaretta and Uncle Max. He's taking a lot of time though."

Elsa laughed and turned back to the phone, "Hello? Ms. Rainier? Yoo-hoo are you there?"

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Maria ended the call and looked back at the dress prepared for Margaretta. Her mind filled with anxiety as she remembered how close Georg is to Elsa. It's very silly actually, because she knew she's not the type of person to be easily overwhelmed. Anxiety never creeped that hard on her and she can't help but feel every inch of her being jealous and self conscious right now.

Feeling herself get so uncomfortably hot, she fan herself with her hands as she blinked away the forming tears around her eyes. Realizing how much everything in her life is changing in a slow-mo lightning pace.

How much she changed in a span of three weeks?

"Mrs. Rainier?" her assistant, Kurt, knocked on the door as Maria quickly regained her composure.

"Hallo there, Kurt." she smiled and looked back at the dress, "This will do. Margaretta used to eye this from top to bottom and admire the simplicity, I'm sure she'll love it."

Kurt smiled and nodded as he started taking the dress out and putting it on a box. Maria felt her phone vibrate as she looked and saw that it's a message from Georg.

Von Trapp: Hi! Just got back from the station. Sorry cuz Elsa answered the call…. I accidentally left the phone in the car. {received: 9:43 a.m.}

Maria nodded and typed her reply, walking to sit on her desk.

Me: Helllo! It's fine.

Maria looked at her reply and erased all of it. Unsure of how to respond. Another message reached her and it's from Margaretta.

Smart-ass: MARIAAAA I'M SORRY I MISSED THOSE 16 CALLS [crying emoji] [crying emoji] [crying emoji] {received: 9:45 a.m.]}

Smart-ass: whut r they abt? {received: 9:45 a.m.}

Me: Nothing. Just gonna make sure you're not spending honeymoon at my house already [unamused emoji] {sent: 9:46 a.m.}

Turning back to her conversation with Georg, she bit her bottom lip, swiveled on the chair while resting her head on her first as she stared to the message. Unsure how to answer.

Her phone vibrated again and Margaretta sent another message.

Smart-ass: Ah don't worry abt that. I was just teasing Max, I won't touch him here {received: 9:48 a.m.}

Smart-ass: not with the children around of course [angel face] [angel face] [angel face] {received: 9:48 a.m.}

Me: Yah. Btw help me. {sent: 9:50 a.m.}

Me: Georg texted me. Idk how to respond [expressionless face] {sent: 9:51 a.m.}

Smart-ass: YOU CAN'T RESPOND TO UR BOYFRIEND'S TEXT [rolling on the floor laughing emoji] {received: 9:53 a.m.}

Smart-ass: okay just flirt with him [winking emoji] {received: 9:53 a.m.}

Me: it's not that {sent: 9:53 a.m.}

Me: i called him, then Elsa answered the phone and I freaked out a little so I hung up. He's apologizing and idk how to respond damn it [face w/out mouth emoji] {sent: 9:54 a.m.}

Smart-ass: tell him it's fine and that you're just a bit overwhelmed [upside down emoji] [upside down emoji] {received: 9:56 a.m.}

Me: nah please help me in a better way [neutral emoji] {sent: 9:57 a.m.}

Me: i can't tell him I'm overwhelmed! [Zipper mouth emoji] {sent: 9:57 a.m.}

Smart-ass: tell him anything just don't lie [smirking emoji] [smirking emoji] {received: 9:59 a.m.}

Maria sighed and looked back to her chatbox with Georg, starting to type again.

Me: Hello! It's totally fine.

Looking at the message, Maria shook her head and erased it. How can she say it's fine when she knew deep inside it's not and she knew it's ridiculous to say it's not because Elsa is just Georg's friend!?

Me: Hi! It's no problem actually, just don't make that happen again [smiley face] [smiley face]

Groaning in frustration, Maria erased it again and typed whatever comes in her mind.

Me: Hello! How's the trip? Did the children enjoy it?

Me: Hi! Slr I can't find a way to respo

Me: Hello darling! It's fine rlly. How's the trip?

Staring at her response, Maria was about to delete it when she accidentally tapped the send button.

Me: Hello darling! It's fine rlly. How's the trip? {sent: 10:04 a.m.}

Banging her head to her table, Maria groaned in cringe and disappointment as she closed her eyes and continued lightly banging her head to the wooden desk.

Her phone vibrated as she snapped her head up and rubbed her temple as she read Georg's reply.

Georg: The children enjoyed the trip. Elsa spoiled them with candy floss, hope you don't mind [candy emoji] [candy emoji] {received: 10:06 a.m.}

Georg: I didn't fully enjoy it though. How's your trip? {received: 10:07 a.m.}

Me: Oh why didn't you? Have the children exhaust you? Mine's a bit dull. [neutral face] {sent: 10:08 a.m.}

Georg: The children didn't exhaust me. My imaginations did by thinking about you. [blowing kiss emoji] {received: 10:09 a.m.}

Maria smiled and blushed and silently screamed to herself as she bit her bottom lip and responded.

Me: Oh did it? How flattering [smiling/blushing emoji] {sent: 10:10 a.m.}

Me: What are you doing now? {sent: 10:11 a.m.}

Georg: Still thinking about my girlfriend. What about you? {received: 10:13 a.m.}

Me: Smiling like an idiot, wishing you're right next to me. [blowing kiss emoji] {sent: 10:15 a.m.}

Georg: Oh really? Then why don't we do something about that? {received: 10:15 a.m.}

Georg: I'm coming over, wait for me. [heart emoji] {received: 10:17 a.m.}

Me: Wait what? Georg, you don't know

Maria stopped typing and smiled, erasing the typed message and replaced it with the boutique address.

Me: I'm gonna wait for you right here in my office. Just pass the guards, they'll let you in [winking emoji] {sent: 10:20 a.m}

Maria smiled and leaned down to her chair, closing her eyes as she remembered her making-out session with Georg to the kitchen and to her office. Gasping as butterflies remained fluttering wildly down her stomach.

Opening her eyes, she looked around to see Kurt outside her office, talking to Brigitta who's her other assistant. They're preparing the other outfits and rejoicing for the upcoming projects she told them an hour ago.

She stood up and went to tell them that she's expecting somebody. Going back to her seat, her phone violently vibrated.

"I told you to flirt with him! Not fuck him in the boutique." Margaretta said as the background was filled with laughs and chatter of the voices she can recognize as her children's, "Don't tell me you're on the intimacy stage now."

"I have no idea of what you're talking about." Maria smiled as she smirked at Margaretta's forehead, "Fix your camera. I can't see your face."

"My forehead is enough. I'm just here to remind you to use protection." Margaretta chuckled.

"MARGARETTA!" Maria exclaimed, "My children are around. Don't insinuate such things."

"They're in the living room, playing charades." Margaretta said and then turned serious, "But seriously, Maria. Are you in that stage with Georg?"

"Not yet." Maria shook her head, "Margaretta, we're only been together for hours. What makes you think of me that way?"

"Well I don't know," Margaretta shrugged, "One has to know. Why would he go rush to the boutique anyway?"

"I got flat tire," Maria reasoned, "And I don't think it's healthy for a relationship to be in that stage already."

"Why not? It's not like you lost your needs. I'm sure Georg is being patient." Margaretta teased, "And there's no malice in that. We're all adults here, Maria. I'm just reminding you to use protection… or maybe not if you don't want to."

Maria blushed and looked around to see Kurt and Brigitta peeking on her. Looking back to her screen, she asked, "Let's not talk about that. Why don't you join Max and Elsa to the charades, my children must be winning by now."

"That's what they're laughing about cause dear Elsa and Max can't get a single point." Margaretta smiled, "Can't you believe that Elsa is the same college girl we saw drunk in a pub fifteen years ago? It's a small world!"

Maria looked pensievely to Margaretta before asking, "That's Elsa? I thought her name was Eleanor?"

Margaretta laughed and shook her head, "That's her pub name. You know- like yours is Julie and mine's Anna." Clearing her throat, Margaretta smiled, "Anyways I know what happened, Maria. Your reaction to Elsa is quite amusing, I haven't seen you that jealous… not even to Dom."

"No I haven't," Maria sighed, "It's maddening actually. I know Elsa's just a friend to him but- I don't know I just feel it. And now that you mentioned it, it goes back."

"So it disappeared?"

"Look, Margaretta… I'm smiling at Georg's replies and I really enjoyed seeing that cheeky side. There's something in him that makes all my worries go poof and gone." Maria said, "Not even Dom can do that. That's normal right?"

"Awe of course it is!" Margaretta smiled, "You two passed the awkward stage of a relationship! You're now on that…. affectionate stage where you see his good qualities."

"Do you think I have a good quality?" Maria asked, "What is I'm just on this phase and he's still on the-"

"Oh tush! You two literally ate breakfast together and sucked each other's lip. You two became comfortable with each other to the awkward phase." Margaretta smiled, "And if there's any consolation, your fortune is actually and obviously… a good quality."

"That's not what I meant," Maria sighed and looked at the door as Georg appeared. She smiled and looked at Margaretta, "My boyfriend's here. Don't tell anything to anyone, expect us to be back at lunch."

Hanging up, she set her phone on silent mode and placed it on her desk. Standing up, she smiled at Georg, "Hello there handsome. What's on the back?"

Georg wet his lips as Maria smiled and pushed a button on her desk that closes the windows and locks the door.

"Some flowers for my beautiful darling." he smiled and showed her a small bouquet of carnations in a deep shade of scarlet, with one in a light shade of pink in the middle.

Maria gaped as she took the bouquet and smiled at him, smelling the flowers as she chuckled, "These are not from my garden."

"I'll never lay a hand on your garden," Georg said as he watched her sway her way to him, with the flowers still angled to her face, "I learned a long time ago that picking a lady's flowers from her garden is actually quite disamusing."

"And whoever told you that is actually right." Maria smiled as she wrapped one arm around his neck, automatically feeling his hands on her waist, "I don't get how most women want flowers always from her garden. Anyways, I'm quite impressed you knew."

"I'm a bit disappointed when edelweiss are unavailable this season." Georg smiled as their lips met, "Miss me?"

Maria smiled as she set down the flowers, "So much."

The two enveloped in a warm hug as Maria led him to the couch, sitting at his lap, "Georg, can I ask you a question?"

"Anything for you," Georg smiled.

"Do I…" Maria started as she let out a shaky breath, "...have any good qualities?"

Georg looked at her confused as he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Look… it's just- you're so great. You have this…. affect on me that makes me feel so certain about something." Maria sighed as she looked at him, "It makes me feel so unworthy after every bullshit I've done."

She saw Georg switch from confusion to amusement as he chuckled as leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "You know, my darling, you have no idea what you did to me."

"Would you care to elaborate, Mr. Von Trapp?" Maria playfully as she looked at him in the eye, "Please."

Georg smiled and pressed his pointing finger to the tip of her nose, "First, you helped me change my prospects and insights. I'm not proud to say that the main reason why I took the job is because of the pay but I found myself becoming more genuine and…. truthful to the people around me, truly happy and satisfied."

Tracing her cheeks as his hand cupped it, caressing her soft skin, Georg looked at her eyes and continued, "Second, you cut that tie that bound me to a never ending burden of self-deprecating experience. How? Many things considered to be part of the process such as your voice, your attitude, your fire and…. the just you. You listened and you freed me from those chains of my past that I kept for no acceptable reason. And for that, I'm so glad you did."

Kissing her lips, Georg traced the swell as he caught his breath, "And of course third… you made me a very happy man. I can never achieve such happiness, I can never imagine having such happiness."

Maria smiled and rested her head to his shoulder, entwining their hands as she closed her eyes and studied his scent.

No perfume or any cologne makes her feel so peaceful.

Darn it! Even his smell makes me feel so safe…. she thought as she remembered what happened earlier the morning. Feeling her nerves surrounded by a suffocating amount of guilt for her over-thinking.

"Georg," Maria mumbled, "I'm sorry."

"Whatever for, Maria?" Georg asked, not moving an inch as he's growing to love their position.

"You deserve an explanation," Maria exhaled, "..to why I tried to hide our relationship from Anna earlier this morning."

Georg opened his eyes and caressed her hair with his other hand, "If you're not ready for others to know what we are, I'm fine with it."

"Look Georg, it's not that." Maria said as she turned her head to look at him without lifting her head, "It's about… you see earlier this morning, six something to be precise, Annalise went to my room, in a hurry if I must say. She never move with such pace unless it's fashion week, meaning I'm on a paper or a blog. You see, gossip blogs can reach both the fashion and business world and even in a cheap shot, they can manage to make people believe in lies."

"In this case, it's about my love life. They are speculating that I'm seeing somebody because I attended an exclusive party, I participated in the party and I looked so happy. The same thing happened years ago when Dom was still alive, they speculated that I was having an affair with Dom's business partners, Robert. He's a very wise guy with this very great financial service. Anyways, so this blog… they wrote a story and others became crazy for it so they dug on his background, studied him and eventually wrote a whole damn paper that screams lies about him, to the point that he went bankrupt for withdrawal of his clients and…. now he's restarting everything in Russia." Maria sighed and wrapped her hands around him, "I'm sorry I wasn't brave enough to face it. I have no idea why I'm hiding this…. us…. It's not like our… relationship is a crime."

Georg wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, "It's okay, Maria.. I understand."

"You do?"

He hummed and caressed her arms, "Imagining it already pains me, to see that people used to treat you that way before you grasp that success. But I have to reassure you, my darling, that I care for no papers whatever they may say to me."

Maria smiled and planted a sweet, soft kiss on his lips. Caressing his jaw as she familiarized the structure of his face.

His hand found her hair, loving the softness of it against his touch as he fell into deep intoxication for her.

Both gasping out for air, Maria smiled and leaned her head back to his chest, listening to his heart beat as she closed her eyes, "You know what Maria?"

"What?" she asked, leaning to the arm rest so she could see his eyes. Her hands caressing his arm as she used it as leverage to lift her legs to the opposite arm rest.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Maria smiled and kissed his lips, "And I always have ever since you showed up soaking wet at the dinner table."

"Whaaat?" Georg chuckled as he lifted his hands to trace her wet lips, "I knew the first time I laid eyes on you."

"Oh you flatterer." Maria chuckled as she licked his fingers and leaned in to kiss him, "Oh dear… can this be happening to me?"

"Mhmm… I should be asking that myself," Georg smiled, "I don't even know if I deserve you."

"Oh darling, you do.. You deserve more than what I can offer." Maria said.

Georg smiled and kissed her again, "Well, I'm contented enough to what you can offer."

"And I'm content with what I already have," Maria smiled and kissed him back.

"Okay Max, the two of us always work well with cooperation so this is not a time to destroy such a wonderful bond." Elsa said as she blocked the doorway, "You. are. not. to. see. the. bride. until. you. reached. the. altar!"

"But that's two hours away! Damn it! We should have opted for eloping instead." he groaned as Elsa rolled her eyes.

"Look, love. I don't want to destroy a wonderful tux, nor do I want to destroy this wonderful dress Maria gave me so if you don't want me to call Steve to tie you up, you'd better behave." Elsa said as she watched Max sighed and sat back on Georg's bed.

"Wait- who's Steve?" he asked.

"One of those delicious men in black working for Maria. He's quite dashing, I wonder if he's around my age." Elsa smiled.

"Here we go again," Max rolled his eyes, "Age doesn't matter Elsa. Who knew maybe someday you'll get laid with an older guy."

"Nuh-uh. I'll only date an older guy when I'm serious. You know I never was." Elsa said as Georg opened the door and let out a sigh of relief.

"Good thing he's still here. Maria will have my head if he showed up knocking on Margaretta's door," he said as Elsa smirked, dragged him inside and closed the door, "What the- Elsa!"

"Shhh. Now you're here, I need an explanation." she said, pushing him to his bed, "You said you two were just going to a pub for a drink, how on earth did all of this happened?"

"It's a long complicated story," Max said.

"Yes I know. I went to the pub because I heard there's a lunatic who shot a gun, and who knows maybe one of you were dead then, so I checked and realized that you two left for Norwich to, quote, find Margaretta because I've always love her since she took my virginity, unquote." Elsa said, "And then I wake up in the morning, you're getting married and you're finally getting laid!"

"You missed a detail, Elsa. What on bullshit sake are you doing in Cambridge?" Max asked.

"I tried to chase you two of course! I can't miss all the fun!" Elsa said, "But your damn car lacks gas and I have to seduce a damn man to get myself a free night stay at a hotel. He's drunk though, so I ended up sleeping on a damn couch."

"Whoa you get in all that trouble just to 'not miss the fun'?" Georg asked.

Max sat gaping as he asked, "What happened to my damn car?"

"I left it on a gas station, told that nerd guy to keep it there unless he wants his balls displayed on my door steps. I think I scared him though, I was a bit tipsy at the time." Elsa shrugged, "Now answer me assholes, how did this happened?"

"Ask Max, I don't know he even knew Margaretta until he started talking about his college years." Georg said.

"Years which we both believe to be hundred years ago," Elsa remarked as Max rolled his eyes.

"Fine! Fine! I'll tell you two," he exclaimed, "It can quicken time I guess."

Clearing his throat, he looked at the two and started, "You see, I am seventeen years older than you Georg, and sixteen to Elsa. I was in college the time you two crackheads were born so I guess this feels like story telling to me. Anyways, it was my first year when I met Margaretta. She's not like other psychology students, she's…. well she loves liquor and got me into that addiction after my first semester. She's a senior and god knows I'm onto older ladies then, actually I never dated a young one. Back to the story, we started getting closer and closer until she took my… you know… when I was in my third year..."

"How many years does someone study for a Phd?" Elsa asked.

"Seven for psychology I believe," Georg answered, "Or eight? I don't know. I recall Margaretta saying she stayed in college for ten years."

"She stayed to practice by being a campus psychologist. I don't know how she managed that but we kept in touch, literally in touch." Max smiled remembering the old days and snapped back when Elsa cleared her throat, "Okay, moving on… I finished my bachelor's degree and as both of you know I went to the navy."

"Quite peculiar for someone just finishing a teaching course," Elsa snorted, "Something must have happened. Stop cutting out the juicy parts, Max! Eleven years ago I told you a detailed description of my deflowering!"

"Well I didn't asked for that!" Max exclaimed.

"Well you said tell me everything so I did!" Elsa exclaimed back.

"That's not what I meant…" Max groaned, "Anyways, my last year is the most… stressful and you see Margaretta was no help at the time."

"What happened?" Georg asked.

"Why on earth would you do that!" Maria asked as she fixed the hem on the skirt.

"You see it's a stressful year for him! I can't just be a horny bitch to fuck him every minute I laid eyes on him!" Margaretta said, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Thirty-five years of knowing you doesn't convince me that nothing happened," Maria said, hissing when the needle made contact to her skin.

"Okay fine! I was pregnant."

"You have a child?"

"Okay just trigger alert, Maria… don't go soft on me after this..." Margaretta hissed, "You see, I lost it. I can't face him so I distance myself. He seemed to read things differently and didn't talk to me until he said he's off to the navy and you see he's going to ships, not love boat."

"Wait- what the- so he didn't know?"

"Not until we saw each other again two decades after that," Margaretta said, "He found me drunk, we fuck again and we fight and I accidentally spat it out. The morning after that I left him sleeping. Didn't see him until we saw Elsa months after and turns out he used his bachelor's degree to get a teaching post. I was not surprised he ended up being the music director after a decade of teaching."

"Why the fuck did you left him that night?"

"You called me, remember? You need a baby-sitter because you suddenly decided to start on your thesis," Margaretta sighed, "But honestly? I was frightened."

"You realized you're in love," Maria corrected.

"For the first time, I am annoyed at how you can see right through me and impressed to say that you are right and wrong," Margaretta said, "I was confused. My heart says yes but my mind says no. For years, I dated younger men, finding them easier to be deceived than those matured ones. Turns out, Max is more mature than any of them, he just has a funny way to show it."

Maria chuckled and finished the last knot as she kept the needle and straightened the dress, "This will do.

"Yes it will.. now it's your turn to talk." Margaretta smiled, "What happened to the boutique?"

"You see, yesterday I played hard to get on her… tried to convince myself that if I laid a hand on her, I'll fuck every stability I built for decades." Max sighed, "Turns out I'll fuck my life out if I don't laid that finger on the bathrook cubicle yesterday."

"Don't tell me you fucked her right there?" Elsa asked.

"No, not there." Max shook his head, "Anyways, I have no idea how that happened but as far as I currently know, I love Margaretta and I can't fuck things up by avoiding a great chance. She turned soft to me yesterday and that gave me hope. I fucked that hope up and I know if I didn't arrive here last night, there will be no more second chances."

"You mean… 1,2,3,4- 5th chance." Georg mumbled.

"Yah whatever. Anyways that's the story. You see she's the reason how I met Georg and how you ended up working with me, Elsa. I don't know if she incidentally gave that reference to the same school where I teach but either way she's a reason how I mostly live my life." Max said, "Heck I even stole some of her quotes to straighten you two."

"That's one of a heck story. Your turn Georg!" Elsa said as she turned to Georg who's rolling his eyes.

"There's nothing much to say about it," he said.

Groaning at her best friend's discretion, Elsa huffed, "Why don't we start on how you ended up kissing her in the kitchens?"

"Argh- it started with- wait I didn't tell you about that." Georg mumbled as he glared at Max.

"Oh well I didn't either!"

"The children did," Elsa chuckled, "Now continue…"

"Wait the children?"

"I said continue!"

"Okay! Okay! So you see I was wide awake, mildly because Max snored so much, so I got myself down to prepare myself some tea. And at 3 in the morning, Maria is also up so we saw each other down the kitchens, talked and she kinda burned herself, my fault. Anyways, we talked more and it's mainly about why are we up and I told her that I'm making plans to go back to Austria, I thanked her and we touched then withdrew and for a mere second I felt my life on how it was going to be when I left. She's trembling too and she's cold and I tried on comforting her-"

"Wait- wait- wait- damn you Georg! Why would you tell her that you're leaving! That'll scare the shit of her, especially if she reciprocates your feelings." Elsa smirked.

"She did! She… I don't know- I don't want to brag but it looks like I'm almost to make her cry that moment and I don't know whatever comfort I can give. Then I thought of this crazy thing of kissing her and my body just moved and…. the rest is up to your imagination." Georg said, letting out a sigh, "Then we talk, she told me to not leave, I told her I don't want to… and we're together."

"Have you already said the…. 'L' word?" Max asked, giving him that cheeky smile.

Remembering what happened to the boutique before lunch, Georg smiled, "When we're at the boutique, I did…"

"And what does she say?" Elsa asked.

"I told him I love him too," Maria smiled, "And…. then we snog and-"

"Fuck?"

"Not yet," Maria shook her head as she looked at herself in the mirror, "Though we almost did… right there at my desk. If not only Kurt knocked on the bloody door."

Margaretta chuckled, "I can't imagine you doing that anywhere other than a bedroom."

"Don't lie. You caught me and Dom once in the gazebo." Maria blushed, "Gosh… I've never been so aroused in my life. He's driving me mad."

"That's a former sailor we're talking about," Margaretta chuckled, "I don't know what's with the sea but sailors are good at it."

"Don't tell me you fucked another sailor other than Max?" Maria asked, chuckling.

"He grew better after his ventures to the sea," Margaretta smiled, "And he's not even a sailor like your dear Georgie."

"Georg is not a sailor, Margaretta."

"He still works at the sea… or under the sea rather."

"Yah- whatever." Maria shrugged as a knock came to the door.

"If that's you Max," Maria warned as she approached the door, taking the candle-holder at the side table, "I'll have you know that I have a weapon on my hands."

"And I guess that weapon is something that's supposed to hold a candle." A familiar voice said as Maria smiled, put back the item back to its place before opening the door and wrapping her arms around Georg.

Georg was surprised at the impact as he held Maria's waist to keep the two of them in balance.

"Goodness, I missed you." Maria smiled and planted a kiss on his lips.

"I missed you too," Georg smiled and kissed her back, "Now we need to talk."

"About what?" Maria asked as they entered her bedroom and closed the door, "Did something happen?"

"The children know," he blurted, "They knew what happened down the kitchens."

"What?" Maria asked, "How?"

"It appears Martha seemed to see us down there…" Georg mumbled, "Kinda explains how he and Margaretta know."

Maria looked at Margaretta and sighed, "You knew that the children know and you didn't tell me."

"Max and I swore we wouldn't tell anyone as long as they kept quiet. It seems they can't keep a vow because they told Elsa." Margaretta shrugged.

"And Elsa is the one who told me the children knew," Georg said and looked at Maria, "It looks like everyone in this house already knows."

"Not everyone. Nobody spreads gossip in this house," Margaretta chuckled, "Which makes this a safe but boring place."

Maria sighed and shrugged, "I won't care if anyone from the outside knows… Tomorrow we'll talk to those three... They deserve to know anyway."

"Why not now?" Margaretta asked.

"'Cause it's your day and one surprise is enough for the day," Maria and as she looked at Georg, "You're with me on this right?"

Georg held her hands and kissed it, "Always, my love."

A/N: AAAAAaaaaa I'm very sorry for the delays! It's actually a very long chapter and a lot of ideas sparked in my mind that I have to jot down all of them to make sure I'll not make any rash updates. Anyways, this book is nearing to end! I'm planning on ending this with one or two more chapters! Please lemme know your thoughts! Thank youuuuu very much to those who left such motivating reviews and I'm so happy, kinda jumpy like happy, when I saw one. I'm a bit high so I'll keep this a.n short. The text sequences are inspired from 's 'Abby's Mart' text scene *check that story out as well cuz it's effing great!*. I hope you enjoy! Please r&r and Thank you very much! (⊙-⊙)