I finish questioning the children on where they have been. As I walk into the house I look back and smile knowing they were not telling me the truth. Something tells me it has something to do with Maria. My thoughts go back to the night of the party. It started as just a dance. She felt good in my arms and as the dance progressed my feelings toward her were clear to me. She was more than just a governess. She had brought my children back to me. She showed me that I could feel again. As I held her closer I realized I had fallen in love with her. We stopped dancing and we looked into each others eyes. She stepped back and told me she didn't remember anymore of the dance.
Elsa interrupted and the moment between us was broken. I planned on telling her that I loved her but then she was gone. I was so sure she loved me too. Having lost her I turned to Elsa. She was a good woman and we would be happy I guess. The children would learn to love her as they loved Maria. My memories were jolted back to reality by shouting. I went to the back of the house and went outside. My heart leapt when I saw her. I was looking at her wanting to run to her and take her and tell her I love her. But not knowing her feelings for me I just stood there.
" Father Fraulein Maria has come back" Friedrich shouts to me. I look at her and she looks pale and I wonder if she is ill.
She looks at me and says "Good evening".
I answer back "Good evening Fraulein." I tell the children to go in. The children gather her belongings and rush past me.
I stare at her and ask the question I have been wanting to ask since she left" You left without saying goodbye-even to the children.
She answered " it was wrong please forgive me. I step down going towards her.
I ask her "Why did you"
She tells me "Please don't ask me -anyway the reason no longer exists." I want to question her more. I can tell she is not telling me everything. I am about to when Elsa walks out and says " Fraulein Maria you have returned. Isn't it wonderful Georg. I see Maria look at Elsa. What I see in her eyes is sadness and hurt.
Maria says she wishes us happiness and that the children have told her that Elsa and I are to be married. I now realize why she looks the way she does. She thinks I don't love her anymore. How I want to tell her I do love her. She practically runs by me. I stop her with one last question" You are back to stay?
I am not surprised at her answer. She tells me only until another governess is hired. I stare at her as she runs into the house. I look at Elsa pat her hand and we walk into the house.
The children are so glad to have Maria back. I go upstairs and find them talking about her. They ask me to make sure she never goes away again. I look at their faces. They love her so much-I love her so much. I tell them I will try. I go back downstairs and go to my study. I go to my desk and open my bottom drawer. I pull out a picture that I have not looked at since she left.
"Agathe please help me. I love Maria and I don't know what to do. I stare at her. I loved Agathe more than anything in the world and when she died I thought I could never love anyone that much again. that was until Maria came into my life. I tried to convince myself after Maria left that I could love Elsa but now I know that isn't true. Franz knocks on my door and informs me that dinner is ready. I put Agathe's picture back and realize I must tell Elsa I can't marry her. I decide to talk to her after dinner.
I walk into the dining room and Elsa and most of the children are seated. Gretl asks if Maria can sit next to her. I smile and say yes. I hear footsteps and turn to see Friedrich and Maria enter the room. Friedrich pulls the chair out next to mine so she can sit. Maria suggests she sit by Liesl but I tell Maria that Gretl wanted to sit by her. She agrees and is seated. I look at her and can see she has been crying. I want to take her in my arms but that will have to wait.
We both reach for our napkins and my hand touches hers. She pulls her hand away and I look at her. I ask who will say Grace and then I ask her. She looks at me and agrees.
She bows her head and says "Thank you Lord for the food we are about to eat, Amen.