Since my last story ("Journey to the Past") contained a few references to Maria and Georg's 25th wedding anniversary and also you guys missed Georg so "badly" (so did I) I decided to compensate you a bit. So this story takes place 25 years after the wedding and the escape from Austria. The von Trapps still live on the east coast of the United States.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters; they all belong to 20th Century Fox.

Gratitude: A huge THANK YOU to my wonderful beta Jessica for her support and helpful suggestions.

Please read and review!

While the summer of 1963 was slowly fading into fall all the members of the von Trapp family were excitedly anticipating the big festive of Maria and Georg's 25th wedding anniversary. Everyone was eager to be a part of the preparations including their youngest grandchildren as well as Maria and the Captain's 4-year-old son, little Georg. The Captain wanted to grant a very special suprise to her beloved Maria, the woman who had been always beside him throughout the years of their marriage through thick and thin, as well as in good and bad times.

Georg was deep in his thoughts while driving home from town with Maria's present. The thought of his wife brought a slight smile to his face in an anticipation of what her reaction would be. "This special woman deserves the most special gift" he reassured himself of the choice he had made on the present and his heart skipped a beat upon the thought of spending some time with his wife alone again. Before going home Georg stopped at Friedrich's house to ask his son a little favor.

"Friedrich, can I ask you a favor?" Georg said and pulled out the flight tickets and the hotel vouchers from his pocket.

"Yes, father. I assume you want me to keep these tickets until tomorrow night." Friedrich said with a smile and took the papers from his father.

"This should be a suprise for your mother and I'm afraid I would show her the tickets before the gala. I don't think it's a good idea." Georg laughed. "I hope everything will be alright tomorrow. The restaurant has confirmed everything according to the details I have given them. So let's hope for the best. As for me I cannot wait until our plane takes off on Tuesday." Georg sighed happily.

"How much does she know about your plans?" Friedrich asked.

"Just as much as I thought to be enough to tell her. I told her that I had plans for these two weeks, but she has no idea where I'm going to take her." Georg answered.

"I think you made the right choice. Paris and Salzburg are the perfect destinations for a second honeymoon. You both deserve some time alone, father." Friedrich said with a smile. "Who are the kids going to stay with while you are away?" He asked his father.

"Actually, the girls promised to stay at our house and take turns watching the children. I'm only a bit worried about our little Georg. He has never been away from his mother for more than a day, but he will be fine with all his playmates." Georg said.

The Captain bid farewell to his eldest son and headed home.

"Papa!" Little Georg flew directly into his father's arms in the moment the Captain entered the house. Georg bent down to pick him up. After placing a little kiss on his cheek Georg asked his son.

"Now tell your Papa, what has my little son been up to?"

"Mommy and I were drawing a picture especially for you." The little boy said with enthusiasm in his voice. "I love you Papa." He added and put his head on the Captain's shoulder. Georg's heart almost melted at his son's declaration.

"Where is Mommy?" Georg asked.

"On the terrace, I think she is finishing her part on the picture." The little boy answered.

Without putting down his son Georg slowly walked to the terrace. His face lit up in a smile when seeing his wife sit at the table with papers and pencils scattered all around. Seeing the duo entering the terrace Maria stood up and gently reached for her son.

"I couldn't finish it without you, honey." She said with a smile and the little boy looked up at his father with pride in his eyes. Sitting in his mother's lap little Georg quickly did a few more scratches on the paper and looked upwards with pride.

"I'm done. It's yours, Papa." He trailed off and handed the paper to his father.

"Wow! And did you do it on your own?" Tears welled in Georg's eyes upon seeing the picture that beheld a ship with all the family members standing on board.

"When I grow up I'll be the captain to this ship and take all of you on a long cruise around the world." The little boy said with determination and climbed down from his mother's lap.

"Where are you going?" Maria and the Captain asked in unison.

"I want to show the drawing to Christine." The little boy took the drawing and headed upstairs to his sister's room. This action made both Maria and Georg laugh at their son.

"Come here." Georg took Maria's hand and pulled her out of the chair before kissing her on the lips. Maria's fingers lightly caressed his neck.

"Where have you been all day long, my love?" Maria asked her husband suspiciously.

"I had to tend some business in town and I didn't know it would take so long." Georg answered while gently stroking Maria's face.

"You are a bad liar, darling. I know you like the back of my palm. I wonder with whom you had that business meeting. A charming young woman maybe? I require a confession from you." Maria said teasingly with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Oh, well now that you have caught me I think I have to confess that I'm madly in love with the most charming woman in the world." Georg responded playing along with Maria's joke.

"I'm not suprized at all. I'm an old, worn out woman. You, my Sea Captain, are still the most handsome man I have ever seen. I'm sure other women recognize it, as well." Maria laughed.

"Maria, you won't start being jealous after 25 years of marriage, will you? Georg chuckled. "While I have all the reasons for doing so. You are still very beautiful Maria." Georg said while hugging his wife close to him.

"You are all that I need, Georg. You have made me happier than you think possible." Maria said before kissing her husband passionately on the lips.

To be continued....

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