ISMKPG: twenty

written by: jxnnyl

"I haven't seen Maria like this before," Berthe said as she and Margaretta shared a nice drink at the porch, watching the Martha sing an infamous song she honestly got tired of hearing while Maria wore a blindfold, trying to catch her as her cousins sing along and confuses their aunt more, "I was quite surprised she gave me the manor back."

"She didn't give it to you, Dominik did." Margaretta grunted as she refilled her glass, "And knowing Maria. Always full of surprises."

"It's strange. She seems happy to be back here," Berthe smiled as she clinked the ice to the glass, ",and yet she's unhappy too."

"The country's so restful, isn't it?" Margaretta asked as she saw Max making his way from the sitting room, "Hello, Max."

"Hello, shug." Max smiled as he kissed Margaretta.

"Now here I am missing Helena's company." Berthe grunted as she sighed, "I should have dragged her out of that bloody summer camp."

"Yes I agree," Max said as he sat beside Margaretta, "I'm quite missing Elsa and Georg."

"Darling, have some lemonade." Margaretta smiled as she poured Max some of the drink.

Maria approached them as she let out a heavy sigh, "Hallo Max!" she greeted as she looked at Margaretta and Berthe, "I should have worn that white summer dress instead."

"If you wore that, it'll be gray in a second, dearie." Berthe said as she shook her head, "Now what's with you?"

"Yes, I suppose it's true." Maria nodded, ignoring the question as she sat between her mother-in-law and Margaretta, "What have we got here?"

"Pink lemonade," Margaretta said as she poured Maria some, "Not too sweet. Not too sour."

"Just too pink." Max said as he looked at his glass with distaste, "I bet my tongue is pink."

"It complements your green top and gray bottom," Berthe mumbled as she sighed and watched the children throw balls at each other, "A man entered your life, hasn't it?"

"I'm married Berthe. Of course someone di-"

"No-no- no!" Berthe snapped as she looked at Maria, "I'm talking to you, young lady."

"Not that young anymore actually." Maria chuckled as she met Dominik's mother's famous eagle eye, "Alright… someone did."

"And?"

"Gosh Berthe! You haven't been this cheeky with me when I told you I'm dating somebody." Margaretta teased as she watched the children, "Nor with your own son."

"That's because Maria is my successor and the daughter I never had." Berthe spoke as she looked at Maria, who's sitting uncomfortably between the two, "And she also happens to give me three wonderful grandchildren."

"Proves you're old," Margaretta mumbled as Max almost sputtered on his drink, causing Maria to smirk as Berthe shook her head and stood up.

"I'm gonna play with those three pumpkins and I'll show you what's old."

Margaretta and Max made eye contact as Maria watched her mother in law approach Martha and spoke to her. The three burst into snorts and chuckles when Berthe carried Martha on her back, attacking Gretel, Louie and Kate as Margaretta clapped and rolled her eyes.

"Keep doing that and I'll sympathize with Sophia later." she chuckled as Max patted Maria's back, taking her attention out to the sunny side for a moment.

"You're fine though, aren't you?" he asked. Maria smiled at him and gave a slight nod as he sighs and whispers to her, "You know I've known Georg since he's Frederick's age and he's always intrigued by nature and everything."

"He's a very passionate person," Maria mumbled as she hid her eyes away from him, "I don't think he'll think much about me if he's around harmless things he loves. Especially after I've given him false hopes and missed his birthday."

"You haven't," Max whispered as he watch Maria's blue orbs rose from her shadows of self-deprecating to the bold hopefulness, "Look I didn't want to give you any false hopes, but I want you to know that a true man's mind will never forget the woman he loves no matter how angry he think he is to her."

Maria was about to respond when Brigitte, another one of her daughter's second cousins, entered her sight with Frederick and Elisabeth.

"Ah! You three," Maria said, going on full mother mode, "Where have you been?"

Frederick and Elisabeth exchanged glances as Elisabeth said, "We were… roaming around Linlithgow, mother."

"Now, it's not like my children to be secretive," Maria mumbled as she noted Elisabeth's use of 'mother' instead of 'mom' or 'mommy' as how she used to.

"They were not being secretive, Aunt Maria." Brigitte said as she looked at Frederick and Elisabeth's

"Very well," Maria said, "What took your attention that you missed lunch?"

"We lost track of the time." Frederick said as Maria nodded, "I see."

"Now, who's going to be the first one to tell me the truth since I've seen all your stories on Instagram which means time is clearly visible in your eyes with the help of your phones." Maria raised her eyebrows, her arms folded to her chest as she looked at her daughter, "Elisabeth."

"Where do you think we were, mom?" Elisabeth asked, "If you don't believe us, you must have some idea of where you think we were."

"Frederick."

"Yes, mothe- mommy?" he asked, as if there's a lump on his throat.

"You tell me."

Frederick looked at Elisabeth and Brigitte before his eyes found his Uncle Max's and he saie, "Didn't Uncle Max tell you, mom? We were picking seeds."

"Oh I forgot!" Max exclaimed as he stood up, standing beside Maria, "My apologies. Maria- uh- Frederick chatted me hours and hours ago. He asked me to tell you that they were picking these… er- delicious sunflower seeds."

"Yes! We do love them." Frederick smiled

"All noontide?"

Frederick nodded, "We picked thousands." he said.

"Thousands?" Maria asked as she looked at the fake enthusiasm of her daughter and niece, "Very well. Show me the seeds."

"Sh-show you the what, mommy?"

"The sunflower seeds. You said you picked thousands." Maria smiled.

"We don't have them." he said as Elisabeth rolled her eyes, almost unnoticeable to their mother.

"Unfortunately, Aunt Maria." Brigitte said, looking at Frederick as she also discreetly rolled her eyes, "Frederick ate all of them during the ride back home."

"He's quite addicted to it," Elisabeth added.

Frederick looked appalled as he said, "They were so good. Delicious."

"Very well." Maria smiled as she looked at Max then back to the three, "Since you've obviously stuffed yourselves on thousands of berries, you can't be hungry anymore, so I'll tell Mrs. Higgins that your piece to the cake she's making will be given to her instead."

Looking at the table where the moistening cold lemonade stood, she looked back to the three, "Now hydrate yourself. Max, I would like a word."

"I'd rather speak for his sake, Maria." Margaretta said as she handed Max her phone, "Helena's calling."

The teenagers sat down to the chairs as they watched their mother disappear with their Aunt.

"Yes- yes. I know. I'll be there at eight, don't expect me to drag Mr. Seaboy to the stage, only he can drag himself. No- I doubt a nice number will bless the children this year. I'll be there to make sure Sasha won't steal my beloved club, he's giving us the jealous eye since regionals." Max said through his phone as he winked at the three, "Yes- well the two have been thinking of- okay I'll tell Berthe-"

"Tell me what?" Berthe asked as she set Martha down, "Here little schnitzel, have some juice."

"Naw," Martha said as she looked at the pitcher, "Yon keek lik' bevvy, grandma."

"Awww Noo, yir gren won't haver. It's naw bevvy, wee Martha." Berthe smiled as Elisabeth and Frederick exchanged looks.

"Was that Scottish?" Max asked as he slipped the phone to his pocket.

"Ah dinnae ken, Uncle Max." Frederick groaned, "Ah almost forgot ah spoke yon, eh, Lis?"

"Why is it keek lik' bevvy, Martha?" Elisabeth asked as Martha looked at the pitcher again.

"It looks pure clatty." Martha said.

Brigitte looked at it also and nodded, "Och aye,"

She and Frederick carried Martha as they said some incoherent things and left, leaving Elisabeth, Max and Berthe at the table.

"Now, Elise. Where have you, your brother and Brigitte been lurking?" she asked, "I believe no sunflower seed picking dearie. You should have said cherries or peaches, they look more easier to eat and much more realistic."

"Grams, I can't-"

"-because you think I would tell yer mother? Oh-ho no my spätzle, ah wouldn't. I'm just curious about the new guy yer diabolic mother would enchant with her sweet wee poison." Berthe said as she refilled a glass with the lemonade, "Quite interested actually, yer mother locked you three and suddenly she's everywhere with the 'New and Suspicious Glow' in every fashion magazine this year."

"You can't possibly believe those papers, grams, can't you?" Elisabeth asked.

"Oh why should ah not?" Berthe asked, raising her eyebrows, "It's a good thing though. A man taming a woman like yer mother, whom my own son, yer father, can't tame. If he's the reason for the 'glow' and the freedom of my grandchildren, then he deserves my utmost respect."

"Max, Gary's on the door asking for you. Give me my phone, I need to call Elsa plus Georg needs to make a move or else Maria will drive herself mad shit knowing her drama and every unnecessary burden she threw at herself.." Margaretta said as Max quickly stood up and gave her the cell, "No progress gal?"

Elisabeth shook her head as Margaretta sat beside her and sighed, "Run along. I'll speak to your grams."

"That'll better be what's happening around, Margaretta or else-"

"Or else what?"

"I'll tell Maria you gave Elisabeth and Frederick sleeping pills when they're toddlers so they will sleep easier and faster." Berthe said.

Margaretta looked at the door where Elisabeth disappeared and sighed when the young lady didn't hear whatever her grandmother just said, "She knew I did it but anyways, your curiosity will never cease to amaze me."

"You know, you're slowly killing me with that voice, my darling." his voice purred as Maria chuckled and looked at her watch.

"I can't possibly do that, dear. I'm-"

"Mrs. Rainiers?" Brigitta, her assistant, knocked on the door as Maria groaned and rested the phone at her neck.

"Yes?"

"Vogue's here to do an interview about the Snow Collection." Brigitta said as gave her an apologetic look, "Should I send them in?"

"I think the sitting room would do. Send in some tea or anything to fill them in. Let me have some five uninterrupted minutes." Maria firmly said as Brigitta nodded and left.

"Georg, are you there?" she asked.

"I thought you were not working?" Georg asked from the other line. His voice sends shivers down Maria's spine as her heart swells with the heaviness of his words.

"I was not. The week is over and naturally we clean up and deal with interviews or something like our designs being used or anything. It's quite fine with me until now that I realized how exciting and frustrating it can be at the same time." Maria mumbled as she let out a sigh, "I can't have a proper one hour with you nor with the children. And our schedules don't get along well."

"You'd better not let Vogue waiting," Georg said as he also let out a sigh, "Lunch time is almost over here anyways. Don't forget to eat something, darling."

"Same to you too, dear." Maria said as she stood up, "I love you."

"I love you too, my Maria." he answered from the other line as Maria's smile turned into a frown when he hung up.

.

Maria sighed as the memory played again and again in her mind. She and Georg had been dating for five months and not once she used her low voice. Not the one that she knew could drive anyone mad with cravings but the one she knew would make anyone think she's crossed.

"You are such a shitheel." she groaned to herself as she stared at the ceiling. Letting out a heavy sigh, she reminisce of the past six months of her life.

Georg entered her life in a very cramped outfit with matching tenable and obstinate attitude. Giving her the first impression of his stubbornness, and perseverance when he survived the first pranks. Then she tried stifling her giggles when he endured the second pranks, the fart machines and water bucket. She found him quite irritating but she also found another thing every time she looked at him.

Happiness.

However, she's too blinded to realize it is happiness then. Her grief and burden, it's also him who lifted that up.

He showed her children merriment and tagged her along. Being the glue to hold the four of them together.

.

"You know what I saw the moment you and Georg taught Martha how to make a snowman?" Margaretta asked.

"Aish Margaretta not now~"

"A family." her best friend/ mother/ sister said, "It's very adorable, whoever sees the three of you would mistaken Georg to be your husband."

.

That's because the moment he mended me back, he became a part of this family, Maria thought as she smiled.

Spending holidays with the ones you love is incredibly refreshing for Maria who hasn't enjoyed them for five years. Falling in love during the holidays makes her almost forget reality and wishes the days of December will never be over.

Once January strikes, Maria already enrolled the twins at Wilhelmine High while Martha planned to spend her days with Margaretta when Maria is away.

Georg paid his debts in Austria and continued teaching at Grand Mountain High in the subject of Biology. And rented an apartment at Norwich near the villa, much to Maria's disapproval.

Their relationship blooms and grows as he mostly sets up dates for them whenever they have a chance. He's very supportive of her career and she's supportive of him as well, both making sure every single day is enjoyable despite the hardships.

For five months, she's been touring for Fashion Weeks. Showing her latest collections and getting praises and sometimes getting asked for successful collabs.

For five months, Georg got a position as a teacher in charge of the debate club, which Maria found very suitable for him. The club gained success the moment it won sectionals and of course, added to Georg's profile that's already full of positive comments.

Despite all his busy work, Maria doesn't know how he managed to pull off being the male figure to her children and giving her a great time once she got back from all the business stuff with the hotels and boutiques.

She can still remember his first moves. She just got back from consequential business meetings from Paris to New York to Korea and Brazil and he gave her the most pleasurable night she had in years.

He gave her a full body massage and fed her, his apartment being their hideaway. Then the next day he took her on a date and the next morning she's lying beside him, naked on her bed.

She's glad the children are enjoying sleepovers at the time as she knew the Villa is exactly a very hot place despite the cold weather.

Those were followed by more dates, and more flowers and chocolate as well. As her birthday passed, three anniversaries passed and summer started.

That's where everything started getting saggy.

Georg sat on his bunky bed and sighed.

The five months of this year are the most exhausting, exciting and elevating moments of his life. For the first time, he loved working really hard. So hard even in summer he opted for summer camp than real vacation.

Maria's been busy too and he admires her energy and success to be everywhere at any time. He knows she's working too hard but she's also at that climax part of business life where she doesn't exactly know what she wants but her mind summons a lot of energy to perform perfectly at the best in her field.

Yup, you know how that feels when you're still at the navy, he thought as his smile turned into a frown, And yet you still said what you said you stupid wreck.

.

"It's not about the birthday Maria-"

"Yes it is!" Maria snapped and groaned, "I told you, I am sorry! Okay? I didn't plan those things to eat up the day of your birth. I sent you a birthday card, an apology and I apologize."

"Yes I know you are sorry but what I'm talking about is that you made me hope too much-"

"Georg I gave you signals. I told you I might be late because the crime happened inside of the hotel. I have to be there to make sure none of my employees are dragged because of a witty lawyer or misunderstood shits. I told you I am going to be late and I told you I might not get in time." Maria interjected as she sighed and tied her hair up, "I warned you about emergencies and you reassured your understanding."

"I do understand it. You are busy and business call but that's ridiculous thing that a hotel needs-"

"You are ridiculous," she interjected, "One of our customers died and that's ridiculous? There's a gunshot heard to the lobby and that's ridiculous? Georg you're thirty something and you whine about your girlfriend missing your birthday. Grow up, love."

.

A knock at the door sent Georg sitting up erect as he looked at Max standing there.

"I am not going, Max. I told you that~"

"Helena's asking for you to see her in her office." Max interrupted as he shrugged, "Something about a kid from your group that burned her hair. I don't really get what she said, she's trying to be Scottish with some lame accent."

Georg raised his eyebrows as he stood up and made his way to Helena's office. He knew Max is lying about her having a lame accent so probably the burnt hair is also a lie.

Yes it is, he thought, All of the kids in my group have short hairs.

He opened the door and found her talking to someone, looks like a female girl scout.

"Ah Georg~ come in! Gretchen, you know what to do." Helena smiled as Georg entered and the strange woman named Gretchen left.

"Who was that?"

"Sit down first."

Georg did so and let out a heavy breath.

"Tell me what happened," Helena said, "Don't you dare deny something's not up."

"Stop pretending you know nothing. Max already told you, didn't he? And asked you to convince me to come." he said.

The headmistress shook her head, "I am not pretending, Georg. You suck at the last three weeks in school and it all started on the day of your birthday. It's pretty obvious you have a quarrel with Maria but was it really that bad that you locked yourself away?"

Georg didn't answer as he sighed. Helena already the answer with his body language so she asked:

"Your fault or hers?"

Georg looked at her and slowly nodded as she stood up and went to lean in to her desk, "Have you ever heard of apologizing?"

"She's having fun and doesn't know the camping trip is even here. I'll do it once we get back." he mumbled.

"Her twins knew you're here. I'm sure she knew as well." Helena said as he sighed, "What is it, you cuntface?"

"Her." he groaned, "I can't face her. She won't forgive me. I'm such an immature-"

"Have you apologized yet?" Helena asked.

"No." he mumbled.

Helen rolled her eyes, "Then you must find out. You must go back."

"You can't ask me to do that," he mumbled, looking at her expression as she shook her head.

"Georg," she breathed, "Work was not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. Be a fucking man and face her. Tell her you are sorry and you love her. Damn it Georg Ludwig! You're a bloody Von Trapp and Von Trapps don't laze around! They march!"

"Stop telling me what to do and stop making fun of my name just because my mother thinks it's funny to make it exactly as the captain in the movie-"

"I am not. Now, I'm not telling you what to do, I'm forbidding you to do the most shitty thing you'll do in your life. Probably would surpass your mishaps back in the navy," she smiled and patted his head, "The camp will do fine with less man arms. Chase your woman Captain G."

"I am hardly a captain here, Helena." he said and stood up, "You won't really stop until I get married, don't you?"

"What? Like it's a crime? Georg, you're like a son to me after eight years of nice friendship and co-workership. I can see a future with you and Maria. The moment she asked me for a tutor, I already know you're the most capable man for the job and for her life. Her mother-in-law thinks so too."

"Her mother-in-law?"

"Oh didn't Max tell you? Berthe Rainier showed up at their manor here. She's Dominik's mother's, and she called me five minutes ago about you. Apparently she's very well aware of everything. Margaretta must have filled her in."

"Wait- I thought Maria's husband's last name is Johanson?" Georg asked.

"Go find out why. Don't you dare show your bloody face if you're not good with Maria." she said as Georg nodded and let out a heavy breath.

"Thank you-"

"Yes and your welcome. Now stop talking and just go!"

A/N: I AM VERY SORRY FOR THE SUPER LATE UPDATE! It's really just a busy goddamn week cuz of projects that idk why they're still giving outputs when we already have projects but nvm. Anyways! it's my birthday so I thought of updating and I'm in a mood so yah! I hope you enjoy! Please r&r! Last chapter might follow soon!

Also, idk how scott people speak or if they have some language *idrk i'm just a teenage filipina* so if you are a scott person or someone who have knowledge about their dialect, please correct me if I'm wrong. tysm!