I owe many thanks to Ernest Lehman's brilliant screenplay for the next chapter and a half. I debated changing the verbiage or basically alluding to it in my story, but felt that I really would not change anything about either scene and that leaving it out created a gap in my story that I did not want to have. I have put my own spin on both scenes (I think you can guess which!), so enjoy! Thank you for all of the lovely reviews so far :) -emartin
Georg sat upstairs in his study deep in thought. He had excused himself from Max and Elsa a few moments earlier, saying that he had a phone call he needed to make in private. He hated to lie to them, but he needed some time alone to think; the word 'alone' didn't seem to be part of either's vocabulary.
He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, expelling some of his anxiety in knowing that soon he would return downstairs and possibly break Elsa's heart. But it was what needed to be done. He had never been more certain of anything.But why then, was it such a difficult thing to do?
Getting up from his chair and walking towards the balcony, Georg absently moved outside and looked out over the lake. He stared off into the night, a million thoughts running through his head, and the answer to his question suddenly obvious.
He knew why this was so hard. Elsa was beautiful, charming, sophisticated, the perfect woman for a wealthy aristocrat like himself. She had an approachable air about her that had drawn him to her when he was at the peak of his loneliness. He had needed a friend, a distraction, something to take his mind off of his problems and to keep him from wallowing in his own sorrow. And Elsa had come along at exactly the right time, helping him to live again.
Yet, as much as he had tried to tell himself that he was in love with her, he knew in the back of his mind that he was fooling himself and her. He loved her as a friend, yes. But over time, they had come to value different things in life, to expect different things out of life. As lovely as she was, Elsa just did not have that joie de vie that Georg needed. That lighhearted joy that—
'Maria had,' he murmured out loud when, as if in a dream, Maria instantly appeared down by the lake.
She strolled through the moonlight in her pale blue dress and Georg could not keep his eyes off of her.
Quickly, he turned around to find Elsa standing next to him in a bold red dress that exemplified her sophistication as much as Maria's blue dress epitomized her innocence. He had not been expecting anyone to interrupt his privacy and his surprise caused him to stiffen.
He smiled at her, partially out of respect, partially out of habit, and partially out of guilt for the conversation he was about to initiate. Absently, he glanced again in Maria's direction and felt a sense of peace come over him as he watched her.
Following Georg's gaze, Elsa glanced downward and took a deep breath at the realization that had just hit her full force; Georg was truly in love with Maria. She had suspected it for weeks, but had tried to deny it, labeling it an infatuation and telling herself that he would get over it. But as she watched him now, she knew that this would never happen. His love for the young girl was clearly written across his face.
"I really must speak to cook about the Weiner Schnitzel. It is entirely too delicious for my figure and it makes you much too quiet at the dinner table. Or was it the wine?" Elsa said with a flirtatious front, in an attempt to hide her own emotions.
"Uh... undoubtedly the wine, " Georg answered distantly.
"You have no idea what trouble I'm having trying to decide what to give you for a wedding present, Oh of course I know that I'm enough," Elsa said with a light chuckle, feeling an unfamiliar sense of nervousness consume her.
She smiled coyly at Georg. "But I do want to give you some little trifle for the occasion. At first I thought of a fountain pen, but you've already got one. And then I thought perhaps a villa in the south of France, but they are so difficult to gift-wrap. Oh, Georg, how do you feel about yachts? A long, sleek one for the Mediterranean and a tiny one for your bathtub, hmm?"
"Elsa," Georg said lowly with an air of seriousness to his voice, knowing that the sooner he told her his feelings, the easier it would be on both of them.
"And where to go on our honeymoon? Now that is the real problem. At first I thought a trip around the world would be lovely. Then I said 'Oh Elsa, there must be someplace better to go?' Don't worry, darling, " she rambled on.
Her heart was beating rapidly as she tried to prepare herself for the rejection that she knew was coming. She was used to men fawning over her, just wishing that she would bat her eyelashes in their direction or give them the honor of one dance. Yet, she knew that the one man who could have her needed more than that, and the thought brought forth insecurities that she did not even know existed within her.
"Look, Elsa," Georg interrupted.
He looked her in the eyes, having finally caught her attention. "It's no use, you and I. I'm being dishonest to both of us, and utterly unfair to you. When two people speak of marriage--" he trailed.
Elsa knew this tone of voice well. For weeks she had feared this moment, but in the back of her mind she never really thought that it would occur. Yet as she stood here with Georg, she realized that even if they were to marry, deep down she would never have him fully. She could become his wife and seemingly appear to have everything. And she would have anything that money could buy. But all the money in the world could never give her Georg's heart. She knew now as she watched him that his heart would always belong to Maria.
"No don't. Don't say another word, Georg. Please. You see there are other things I've been thinking of. Fond as I am of you, I really don't think that you're the right man for me. You're much too independent and I need someone who needs me desperately. Or at least needs my money desperately. I've enjoyed every moment we've had together. I do thank you for that. Now if you'll forgive me, I'll go inside, pack my little bags, and return to Vienna where I belong," she told him with a forced smile.
She felt tears welling in her eyes, but wanted to assure him that she understood his motives and approved of him following his heart. She did, after all, care for him and wanted to see him happy. Turning towards him one last time, Elsa looked Georg in the eyes. She moved her gaze to Maria down below before once again locking eyes with him. "And somewhere out there is a young lady who I think will never be a nun."
Upon hearing Elsa's subtle blessing, Georg instantly felt a wave of relief and could not help but smile slightly. A sense of peace came over him as he felt Elsa give him one last kiss on the cheek, and he knew that he had made the right decision.
"Auf Wiedersehen, darling, " she whispered before turning and walking out of his home and his life forever.