Chapter 6: Fleeing to Freedom

Part I- Into the Night…

I stand motionless for a few moments, trying desperately to collect myself. But despite my best efforts my tears refuse to stop.

I pull Ellie closer to me, careful not wake her. I have to will my legs to move, and after a few moments of trying I find myself going nowhere.

The day's events rush through my mind, over and over again like a broken record;

-My reunion with the children...

-Ellie's paternity being revealed...

-The baroness calling off their engagement...

-My all to brief reunion with the captain...

-The telegram...

I'm startled out of my thoughts, and nearly scared out of my mind when I hear my name come from behind me.

" Maria." His voice is a whisper.

I don't move. I know that if I turn around I'll follow my heart back into his arms, and out of Austria.

" You can't leave. I won't lose you again." I know his tone. I know that he is not going to let me leave the villa.

" Maria you're safe here. You've always been safe here." His tone is soft, but brutally honest at the same time.

I look down at Ellie sleeping peacefully in my arms, before slowly turning to face him.

My eyes instantly lock with his and neither of us speaks, as he opens his arms. I shift Ellie so she doesn't get hurt, and then practically fall into his arms.

He holds me close, Ellie nestled safely between us, as I sob yet again into his dinner jacket.

" It'll be all right, Maria." I nod, my head still resting on his chest. " It's cold out here, lets get Ellie inside."

The love I hear in his voice makes my heart skip a beat.

I slowly back out of his arms, our eyes locking on each other again. " Alright." It's the only coherent thought I have at the moment.

He nods before slipping his arm around my waist. I inhale sharply. Feeling his touch again, breathes new life into my heart and soul.

We walk into the house and he closes the door behind us. We proceed a ways in to the living room before he turns to me, his gorgeous eyes meeting mine, " We'll leave just after midnight. I think, that if anyone is watching the house they'll be gone by then."

I stare back at him, completely motionless. " What about Ellie, and the children?" I manage to get out.

" We'll help them pack, but only things at are absolutely necessary. We have to travel light."

" I packed engouh to last Ellie through the night."

" Of course, I hadn't thought of that your things are at the abbey." His voice is almost a whisper.

I suddenly find myself unable to read his eyes for the second time tonight, " The abbey..." The way he says it makes it sound as though it's a sudden revelation on his part. " Maria, I need you to help the children pack. Don't say anything to make them worry, just get them ready."

I nod, not feeling the need for any more questions. In the last few minutes I have come to realize that I trust him with my life.

I turn to leave, but stop when I feel his hand on my shoulder, " Leave her with me?"

I nod happily as I gently place Ellie in his arms.

Once I woke the children it took me ten minutes to convince them that I had not woken them to say goodbye. I told them that something had come up, and we had to leave the villa. Perhaps it's the late hour, or maybe they know more then we thought, because they had very few questions. They went about packing quietly, and have now joined me at the top of the stairs. Gretl takes my left hand, and Marta my right and we start down the stairs.

" The Nazis want to force father to command a fleet in their navy, don't they?" I hear Liesl asks from behind me.

I simply nod, unable to find any words.

" That's why we're running?" Kurt asks. I find myself truly shocked by the calmness in his voice.

" Yes."

" You and Ellie are coming with us?" Gretl asks looking up at me.

" Yes." I see her smile, and can't help but smile back at her.

" Fraulein Maria, will we be coming back here?" Louisa asks as we near the bottom of the stairs.

" Someday, Louisa, I do hope someday."

We reach the bottom of the stairs, just as he comes out from his study, Ellie still sleeping peacefully in his arms.

" Are you all packed?" His voice is firm lacking the softness it had earlier.

The children nod quickly, " All right, good. I want you all to partner up, Liesl you keep watch over Marta. Fredrich, Louisa you keep watch over Gretl. Kurt, Brigitta you watch out for each other. Make sure that you're all together, never separate."

" Yes father." They all say in unison.

" I know that you're probably scared, but you have nothing to fear. We'll be fine, all of us." His eyes lock with mine, and I nod reassuringly to them. He gives Ellie a tender kiss on the forehead and then gently places her in my arms. " We have to be very quiet as we get into the car."

Five minutes later and we're all in the car, driving through the gates of the von Trapp Villa. We sit in silence, all of us fighting our tears. I hear a few soft sobs coming from the backseat, as the villa disappears from our view. Ellie sleeps peacefully on my lap, as we continue on our way.

" Where are we going?" I whisper quickly.

" Nonnberg." His tone is confident.

" Nonnberg..." I repeat trying to understand why we would need to go to the abbey. I open my mouth to ask, when I hear a commotion from the backseat.

" Father, I think we're being followed." Friedrich says.

I move Ellie slightly, so that I can turn around. I look through the back window, about a hundred yards behind us I see a car moving very slowly, with it lights turned off.

" Good, they're right on time." I look at him, stunned by his words.

He offers me a quick nod as we turn down a small-unpaved road...

To be continued...

************************************************************************************************ Why is the Captain happy that the Nazis are following them? Find out in the next chapter...