A/N : Hello and sorry for the long absence! I missed this story and finally found the inspiration/energy to continue writing it. Please enjoy!
The very next day Frau Schmidt was back, her usual order ringing through online. Maria was a little surprised to see it come through. After all, the children had just gotten their weekly treat the day before. Nevertheless, she dutifully prepared the drinks to order, setting Frau Schmidt's tea out just as the older woman walks through the door.
"Good morning, Maria!"
"Good morning, Frau Schmidt! I'm a little surprised to see you today!"
"Well it is Wednesday, isn't it?"
"Yes, but….only I didn't think that you would be ordering again so soon. You see, the Captain was in just yesterday, buying drinks for Marta's birthday."
"He was? He never said a word. Just let me place the order as usual. However...Marta did ask me to give you this." She reaches into her black satchel, and pulls out a pink envelope, covered in glittering stickers. Maria took it, turning it over in her hands, sliding a finger under the flap to open it gently.
"So, you've finally met Captain Von Trapp, have you?" Frau Schmidt stops, takes a single well-timed sip of her tea. "And what did you think of him?"
"Well, he asked me to call him Georg. Oh, is your tea too hot?"
Frau Schmidt sputters, but waves Maria off, a faint smile on her lips. "It's perfect, as always Maria. I'm curious about the card. Will you open it?
Maria flips open the flap, pulling out the folded paper inside. It's covered in glue, glitter, and even more stickers. Unfolding it, she is delighted to see a child's drawing of what could be a horse...or cat or dog, and a scrawl in crayon that reads "Miss Maria- Thank you for the birthday hot chocolate! - Marta." The word chocolate is started twice, crossed out both times, and then in painstakingly precise printing on a full line across the page. Maria brings a hand to her mouth, smiling at the sweetness of the gesture.
"What an adorable thank you card. Please tell her it was very sweet of her to think of me."
"I will. Maria, I shouldn't ask you this - I mean, I don't know you that well. But what was your impression of Captain Von Trapp?"
Maria's customer service smile shifted into a more private one, and she realizes she's holding onto said gentleman's espresso a little tighter than she might have otherwise. She sets it down. "Oh, he gave me a fright when he barged in. He didn't seem very comfortable being here at all. Does he get out much?"
"He's madly active, but not in a normal person's way of thinking it. I'm sure you've figured out by now that he's very rich, so his activities lean to things like polo, and going to the opera, and hosting cotillions with people he pretends to like. I don't know if he's ever been to a coffee shop!"
Maria laughs softly. "He warmed up just fine. Even said he might return himself! And he told me some stories of the children while he waited. He really dotes on them, I could tell."
Frau Schmit sighed into her tea.
"He used to be even more full of joy, singing, playing with them every chance he could get. But when his wife passed five years ago, it took him a long time to grieve. He loves his children, but he has high standards for them. Sometimes I think he's pushing the young ones to grow up too fast, while keeping the older ones sheltered from the world. Ah, well. It isn't easy with seven of them!" She finishes the rest of her tea, and starts to grab the travel cup holders. "Is that the Captain's espresso you have there?"
Maria looked down to see that she was still holding the cup. Oh, Lord, she hoped Frau Schmidt hadn't noticed her blush.
"I wouldn't want to forget that! Here you are." She tucked it in amongst the hot chocolates, and bade Frau Schmidt farewell.
The morning customers kept Maria busy, but her shop was her favorite place to be. The rhythmic pulse of the grinder, the front door bell chiming with each new visitor, the students laughing and joking in the corner over lattes and pastries, even her own cheerful singing all brought her small cafe to life with a strange sort of music, making her feel like she was part of something larger. She really loved this, seeing the smiles on people's faces, making them feel welcomed and cared for. Even as the last few morning customers filed out in the late morning, she was still energized and smiling, wiping down counters and getting ready for her afternoon patrons.
At noon, her assistant, Sophia, bustled through the door. Sophia was a longtime friend, and even though she made most of her living as a pastry chef for one of Saltzburg's finest restaurants, she still found the time to come in and make sweets for Maria's cafe as well as teach her a thing or two about making them. Maria paid her well, but there just wasn't enough work at the small shop to hire her full time. However, it was the best part of Sophia's week, baking with her friend and enjoying the charming atmosphere and camaraderie.
"Sophia, am I glad to see you!" Maria called from across the counter. "I've had a nice busy morning, and we almost sold out! Also….something very interesting happened yesterday."
"Oh Maria, you're not in trouble again, are you?"
Maria grinned at her tone, sticking her tongue out cheekily.
"For once, no! Remember that large family that orders so much first thing in the morning?"
"You mean, the family that singlehandedly keeps the lights on here?"
"That's the one. I met the father yesterday."
"And?"
Maria shut her lips together, but the sparkle of mischief in her eyes was there.
Sophia wrapped her black kitchen cap around her long blond hair, tucking it in thoroughly.
"Maria….what aren't you telling me?"
"He's very handsome."
"He was a Captain, right?"
"He asked me to call him Georg"
"What a name!" Sophia laughed as she washed her hands.
"I think he was flirting with me."
"Maria, he has seven children."
They looked at each other in mock horror, mouthing "Seven children!" and then dissolving into laughter. It had become somewhat of an inside joke between them, as it was hard for either of them to believe anybody would have that many all at once.
"Are you volunteering to provide number 8?"
"Sophia! I mean...I wouldn't mind the attempt."
"Maria, you're just as bad!"
"He really was very attractive. A little standoffish at first, but once I started talking to him about the children he warmed up right away."
"And you think he was flirting with you?"
"He said he'd be back. To….have my espresso again."
"Only your espresso?"
"You're the worst! He's intimidating, and brusque, and has almost no social skills. I don't know if I'm even ready to flirt, much less date."
"You're asking for dating advice from me, Maria? That's rich. About a man, no less. From the only single lesbian in the entire city. Thank you so much."
"But what do I do if he comes back?"
"Maria, sometimes in the kitchen when I'm getting absolutely hammered with orders and everyone is yelling and shouting at me, and it's absolutely chaotic, do you know what I do?"
"Tell me."
"I pretend i'm here with you at your little shop, and everyone is patient, and you're singing. I think about all the delicious kinds of coffee you make me, and how fun it is making pastries with you, and then I don't feel so stressed. So I think if you just think of something you enjoy doing, you'll be able to just relax and roll with it."
"I like making espresso."
"For Georg?"
Maria throws an oven mitt at Sophia, who slaps it aside, laughing.
"You should definitely write your number on his cup."
"How AWFULLY rom com"
"You're already a cute barista. You should lean into that."
"I am a business owner, manager, and technically your BOSS. Shut up and teach me pastry now. We're done talking about my love life"
"A day ago he was a customer, now he's your love life. VERY interesting."
Despite the teasing, they fell into their tasks, Sophia showing Maria how to laminate the dough for their latest new pastry, a crisp apple strudel. Maria caught herself wondering if Georg would like them, and privately groaned. Maybe he wouldn't come back, she thought Then she wouldn't have to deal with it at all. She'd be safe. But she realized she liked that thought even less. Oh, help. She thought. What have I gotten myself into now?