Georg and Maria re-entered the villa as the last party guest had been picked up by her parents. He sighed and draped his arm around her shoulder, hugging her close to him.
"It was a wonderful party, Georg," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Everyone had a lovely time."
"Yes," he said, holding her tighter. "I think you've got a career ahead of you as a party planner."
She laughed. "With seven children, one on the way, you, Christmas, and Easter, I think I've got enough on my plate."
"Brigitta is next, I believe."
Maria nodded. "End of July," she announced, stifling a yawn.
They walked into the ball room, which had been transformed into gift storage. Friedrich and Liesl were gathering items together, preparing to transfer the gifts up to Marta's room.
"That can wait until tomorrow," Maria said, walking over to them.
"Yes and when Marta can help you," Georg said pointedly. "Where is she?"
Friedrich cocked his head towards the garden. "She's out there."
The Captain went outside in search of the girl.
Maria put her arm around Liesl. "Thank you for your help today," she said to both of them. "Both of you are lovely young adults."
Liesl squeezed her mother's shoulders. "Thank you," she said. "How are you feeling, Mother?"
"A little tired, but happy," Maria answered and looked out towards the garden. "I hope she didn't go out too far."
"She took her music box with her," Friedrich said, putting a stuffed unicorn into a box. "She hasn't let go of it since she opened it."
"I just hope she's careful," Maria mused and walked over to the door. "Georg?" she called softly.
The trio walked out into the garden and found Georg cradling a sleeping Marta in his arms. He nodded his head, indicating the music box on the ground behind him. Friedrich instantly went over to pick it up.
Maria smiled and rubbed a few stray strands of hair away from Marta's face. She looked down and found the ballet tickets clutched in the girl's hand. Gently prying them away, she looked up and saw Georg watching her, a warm smile on his face.
"Taking her to the ballet was a wonderful idea, Darling," she murmured.
"I get them from time to time," he said. The group entered the house, and Liesl closed the doors leading out to the garden.
"I think that's everything," Friedrich said. "It was a nice day. Marta loved it. It was definitely better than her last birthday."
Maria stole a quick glance at her husband, who looked guilty for a moment before meeting her gaze. He winked at her. "Yes, it was," he agreed.
Liesl also caught the expression on her father's face and smiled at him. She gave Friedrich a pointed look. "Let's see where everyone else is," she half suggested, half commanded. Confused, he knotted his eyebrows at her as she practically dragged him away, leaving their parents alone with Marta.
"Let's get her to bed," Maria said.
***
Georg draped the blanket over his eight-year-old and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Good night, Marta," he whispered to her, who was snuggling a new teddy bear next to her. He straightened and saw Maria standing in the doorway, smiling at him.
"Come on, Papa," she whispered, extending her hand to him. He stroked Marta's forehead again and walked over to Gretl, who had been placed there by Liesl a few moments earlier. He leaned over and kissed his daughter's forehead.
"She's such a character," he mused.
Maria's smile grew broader. "She was the first one who said she liked me," she told him.
"Oh, really?" he asked, walking over to her. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "She always has been an excellent judge of character. And who was the next one to say they liked you?"
"I believe it was Liesl," she said, knotting her eyebrows in thought.
His brow rose. "Somehow, I would think it would have been her," he said and cocked his head over to Marta.
"No, Liesl was the first one who said she needed me," she said as they quietly exited the room.
He smiled and put his arm around her. "I'm so happy that the two of you are so close," he said and looked down the hallway. All of the doors were closed, and the silence was, for their household, disconcerting. "They can't all be that tired," he thought aloud.
Maria laughed. "The light to the boys' room is still on," she said, gesturing to the door on the far right. "I bet the older ones are still awake."
He turned to her. "Ready for bed?"
"Oh, yes," she said as she yawned grandly. She turned towards the corridor leading to their bedroom. "I've been ready for hours."
"Hours, huh?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes, my feet are swollen," she said and laughed at his reaction.
"You really know how to create a mood, Fräulein," he said, joining in her laughter.
As they entered their room, he paused. "Who was the last one to tell you that they needed you?"
She paused, thinking. "You," she answered, meeting his eyes.
"And when did I tell you that?" he asked lowly, stepping closer to her. He took her hands in his and gently massaged them.
"When you asked me to stay," she whispered.
"And when was that?"
"Oh, I don't know," she said. "You were in Vienna for two weeks, and it was on the very day of your return."
"So, that would mean, it will be a year next Saturday," he concluded.
She raised her eyebrows. "Yes, I guess so," she said and nodded.
"Good," he said. "So that's another anniversary we can celebrate."
She laughed aloud. "I don't know if I can wait that long, Captain," she said and pulled him towards her, all thoughts of fatigue completely forgotten.
Fin
A/N: I said this thing had no plot! Thank you all for your comments; they're greatly appreciated. ~ imnotacommittee