Thank you for the lovely reviews. This is chapter 2.
The following day was filled with excitement and anticipation of what the evening would bring. Georg agreed with all of his family members that they show up at the restaurant at 6 p.m. and by 6.30 p.m. he would arrive there together with Maria. In the morning of the gala dinner he called the restaurant in order to secure all the reservation and to discuss with them the details one more time.
Maria was filled with anxiety over the conspiracy she sensed among her family members in the last few weeks. Up to this day it made her only smile, but today a little fear started consuming her mind. "I hope I won't find any pinecone on my chair or a frog in my pocket." She thought with a smile.
"Maria darling, are you ready?" Georg softly knocked on the door to the bathroom. In the next moment the bathroom door opened widely and Georg was almost breathless upon seeing his wife in her cream colored evening gown. With a smile Maria walked to her husband and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Yes, my love. We can go." Maria whispered a bit nervously.
"What, are you nervous?" Georg asked while cupping her face.
"I know it's silly, but I am." Maria responded with a smile.
"You are beautiful, and your outfit is almost perfect." Georg stated with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Almost???" Maria asked in a shock.
"Yes, but I think I have the necessary little addition to make you look perfect tonight." Georg stated in a loving voice while reaching behind his wife's neck. Maria felt him lightly caressing her neck and a piece of cold metal landing on her skin. She reached upwards to touch the necklace Georg was fixing around her neck.
"Oh, gosh...." She gasped while turning to see herself in the mirror. "Georg.... This is beautiful." She exclaimed. Georg wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.
"Maria, you have made me the happiest man on earth. I cannot be grateful enough to you for all what you have done for me and for my family. I love you with all my heart and I always will." Georg whispered into her ears. Maria turned around in his embrace to face him. After gazing into each other's eyes for a long moment Georg took his wife's hand and the couple headed for their 25th wedding anniversary gala dinner.
By 6 p.m. all the other family members had gathered in the restaurant's function room, the musicians have already started playing a few soft tunes, while the occupants of the room were anxiously awaiting the couple's arrival. The younger children were playing tag and laughing out aloud enjoying the cozy atmosphere. The older children tried to remain sitting next to their parents while chatting softly with each other.
"Friedrich, did you give the envelop to the musicians? Liesl asked her brother.
"Yes, I think they know what they'll have to do tonight. I have just gone through the details with them." Friedrich replied.
"I hope that Kurt also knows what he has to do." Liesl stated while giving a sideward glance towards Kurt. Kurt softly nodded in affirmation.
"Everyone, please return to your seats. Mother and father should arrive in any minute now." Friedrich motioned to the large group of people in the room. Little Georg climbed up into Annie's lap and asked his sister with his eyes open wide. "Where is Mommy?" Annie gently stroked her little brother's head and whispered to him. "She should be here together with Papa anytime, very soon, my little one."
Just in the moment when the anxiety reached its peak Maria and the Captain entered the restaurant and Maria was hit with suprise. She knew that something like this had been under preparation but seeing her family and friends together brought a few tears to her eyes especially when the people in the room stood up to greet them in a big applause. Georg led his wife to their seats. After making sure that everyone was settled Georg motioned the musicians to stop playing. Holding a glass of champagne in his hand he stood up and softly cleared his throat to get everyone's attention in the room.
"My dear children, grandchildren, family members and friends. As I stand here tonight and although I have tried to do my best to collect my thoughts on what to say, on how to express my love and gratitude to my wonderful wife, I have to confess that I'm having a hard time finding the right words. Maria, before you came into my life, I was a distant and depressed man. I had broken all the connection with my children out of sorrow. But you opened my eyes." Georg looked down lovingly at his wife whose eyes were in tears.
"More than 25 years ago when I wrote a letter to the Nonnberg Abbey to send us a postulant who could take after my children and could stay with us at the Villa. The very next day our butler announced the new governess' arrival. I went downstairs to see her but I caught a young woman dancing and curtsying around in the ballroom. When she noticed me, with a startled look she ran out of the ballroom." Georg chuckled. "She was young and vibrant, but her outfit was rather taken out of a comic book." Georg laughed and so did the others including Maria.
"She looked at me so curiously, and when I asked her why she was doing so, she only said that I didn't look like a sea captain, oh well she didn't look like a governess either. She was way too pretty, way too young and vibrant to be a governess, and especially way too cheerful and alive to be a nun in training. After our first meeting we had a few fights, because she was the only one who dared to contradict me. Thank God that she did. This way, she opened my eyes and I found the way back to my children and my family. I couldn't help but fall in love with this charming woman. All I can say my darling Maria, that thank you, thank you for loving me, for marrying me and for being beside me throughout the years of our marriage." Georg reached down and gently stroked Maria's face whose eyes were still in tears. "I love you" Maria mouthed to Georg.
All the members of the family and friends started a big applause after Georg's speech. One by one they approached the couple to bomb them with a storm of hugs and kisses. When everyone was settled the waiters started serving dinner. During dinner the musicians kept on playing some soft tunes to create a cozy and romantic mood in the room. After the 3-course meal Georg nodded to the musicians who according to Georg's instructions went into the tunes of Edelweiss. All the lights went out and two waiters were pushing a cart next to Maria with a huge cake on it lit by a firework. She looked up at Georg with full astonishment in her eyes. One of the waiters handed a cream colored envelop to Maria along with a red rose.
"Open it up, darling." Georg whispered to her. With trembling hands Maria slowly opened the envelope and unfolded the papers in it.
"Oh, I cannot believe it. "She sighed when she saw the content of the envelope that beheld two flight tickets to Europe issued to her and Georg's name as well vouchers to the Salzburg Bristol Hotel and Hotel Ritz in Paris.
"I would like to take you to a second honeymoon, and I thought Paris and Salzburg would be perfect." Georg smiled at Maria. "That's why I told you to block off these two weeks on your calendar." Georg whispered into Maria's ears.
"Perfect." Maria whispered in disbelief and leaned to place a light kiss on Georg's lips. Everyone in the room burst out in a loud applause. The couple maintained eye contact for a long moment before the lights went on again. Maria turned around and started slicing the cake for everyone's joy. After dessert the band started playing their music in an invitation for all the guests to the dancing floor.
"May I have this dance, Madame?" Georg extended his hand to Maria as the first tunes of the Blue Danube Waltz were being played. Maria took her husband's hand and the guests were watching with full astonishment as the couple was twirling around the floor graciously. When the music came to an end Georg stepped aside but didn't let Maria follow him as the soft tunes of the Landler were on program. As Maria looked around she saw Kurt standing next to her offering her his arm.
"Will you show me how to dance it, Mother please!" Kurt asked her mother with begging eyes.
"I haven't danced this since... "Maria replied with a huge smile.
"I'm sure you remember it, please." Kurt went on begging.
"Alright..." Maria said with a grin and somehow she sensed what was coming next. After a few steps with Kurt, she saw her husband stand next to her extending his hand the way he had done on the evening of the party. Maria took Georg's hand with a smile and the couple danced in synchrony with the tunes of the music once again forgetting the world around them and getting lost in each other's eyes as the dance came to its end.
As the evening proceeded more people joined the couple on the dancing floor. All the boys including Friedrich, Kurt and Daniel took their turns to dance with their mother before Maria's son-in-laws approached her to share a dance with her. Georg danced with his daughters and daughter-in- laws while the little ones shared a few dances with each other. Georg noticed Maria sitting at the table seemingly trying to get some rest from the dances and the events of the evening.
"I think the last dance is ours. Will you give me the honor?" Georg gently squeezed Maria's hand.
"I would be delighted." Maria responded and the two of them went once again to the floor to share the final dance of the evening.
To be continued.....
Thank you for reading my story. Please review!
The following day was filled with excitement and anticipation of what the evening would bring. Georg agreed with all of his family members that they show up at the restaurant at 6 p.m. and by 6.30 p.m. he would arrive there together with Maria. In the morning of the gala dinner he called the restaurant in order to secure all the reservation and to discuss with them the details one more time.
Maria was filled with anxiety over the conspiracy she sensed among her family members in the last few weeks. Up to this day it made her only smile, but today a little fear started consuming her mind. "I hope I won't find any pinecone on my chair or a frog in my pocket." She thought with a smile.
"Maria darling, are you ready?" Georg softly knocked on the door to the bathroom. In the next moment the bathroom door opened widely and Georg was almost breathless upon seeing his wife in her cream colored evening gown. With a smile Maria walked to her husband and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Yes, my love. We can go." Maria whispered a bit nervously.
"What, are you nervous?" Georg asked while cupping her face.
"I know it's silly, but I am." Maria responded with a smile.
"You are beautiful, and your outfit is almost perfect." Georg stated with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Almost???" Maria asked in a shock.
"Yes, but I think I have the necessary little addition to make you look perfect tonight." Georg stated in a loving voice while reaching behind his wife's neck. Maria felt him lightly caressing her neck and a piece of cold metal landing on her skin. She reached upwards to touch the necklace Georg was fixing around her neck.
"Oh, gosh...." She gasped while turning to see herself in the mirror. "Georg.... This is beautiful." She exclaimed. Georg wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.
"Maria, you have made me the happiest man on earth. I cannot be grateful enough to you for all what you have done for me and for my family. I love you with all my heart and I always will." Georg whispered into her ears. Maria turned around in his embrace to face him. After gazing into each other's eyes for a long moment Georg took his wife's hand and the couple headed for their 25th wedding anniversary gala dinner.
By 6 p.m. all the other family members had gathered in the restaurant's function room, the musicians have already started playing a few soft tunes, while the occupants of the room were anxiously awaiting the couple's arrival. The younger children were playing tag and laughing out aloud enjoying the cozy atmosphere. The older children tried to remain sitting next to their parents while chatting softly with each other.
"Friedrich, did you give the envelop to the musicians? Liesl asked her brother.
"Yes, I think they know what they'll have to do tonight. I have just gone through the details with them." Friedrich replied.
"I hope that Kurt also knows what he has to do." Liesl stated while giving a sideward glance towards Kurt. Kurt softly nodded in affirmation.
"Everyone, please return to your seats. Mother and father should arrive in any minute now." Friedrich motioned to the large group of people in the room. Little Georg climbed up into Annie's lap and asked his sister with his eyes open wide. "Where is Mommy?" Annie gently stroked her little brother's head and whispered to him. "She should be here together with Papa anytime, very soon, my little one."
Just in the moment when the anxiety reached its peak Maria and the Captain entered the restaurant and Maria was hit with suprise. She knew that something like this had been under preparation but seeing her family and friends together brought a few tears to her eyes especially when the people in the room stood up to greet them in a big applause. Georg led his wife to their seats. After making sure that everyone was settled Georg motioned the musicians to stop playing. Holding a glass of champagne in his hand he stood up and softly cleared his throat to get everyone's attention in the room.
"My dear children, grandchildren, family members and friends. As I stand here tonight and although I have tried to do my best to collect my thoughts on what to say, on how to express my love and gratitude to my wonderful wife, I have to confess that I'm having a hard time finding the right words. Maria, before you came into my life, I was a distant and depressed man. I had broken all the connection with my children out of sorrow. But you opened my eyes." Georg looked down lovingly at his wife whose eyes were in tears.
"More than 25 years ago when I wrote a letter to the Nonnberg Abbey to send us a postulant who could take after my children and could stay with us at the Villa. The very next day our butler announced the new governess' arrival. I went downstairs to see her but I caught a young woman dancing and curtsying around in the ballroom. When she noticed me, with a startled look she ran out of the ballroom." Georg chuckled. "She was young and vibrant, but her outfit was rather taken out of a comic book." Georg laughed and so did the others including Maria.
"She looked at me so curiously, and when I asked her why she was doing so, she only said that I didn't look like a sea captain, oh well she didn't look like a governess either. She was way too pretty, way too young and vibrant to be a governess, and especially way too cheerful and alive to be a nun in training. After our first meeting we had a few fights, because she was the only one who dared to contradict me. Thank God that she did. This way, she opened my eyes and I found the way back to my children and my family. I couldn't help but fall in love with this charming woman. All I can say my darling Maria, that thank you, thank you for loving me, for marrying me and for being beside me throughout the years of our marriage." Georg reached down and gently stroked Maria's face whose eyes were still in tears. "I love you" Maria mouthed to Georg.
All the members of the family and friends started a big applause after Georg's speech. One by one they approached the couple to bomb them with a storm of hugs and kisses. When everyone was settled the waiters started serving dinner. During dinner the musicians kept on playing some soft tunes to create a cozy and romantic mood in the room. After the 3-course meal Georg nodded to the musicians who according to Georg's instructions went into the tunes of Edelweiss. All the lights went out and two waiters were pushing a cart next to Maria with a huge cake on it lit by a firework. She looked up at Georg with full astonishment in her eyes. One of the waiters handed a cream colored envelop to Maria along with a red rose.
"Open it up, darling." Georg whispered to her. With trembling hands Maria slowly opened the envelope and unfolded the papers in it.
"Oh, I cannot believe it. "She sighed when she saw the content of the envelope that beheld two flight tickets to Europe issued to her and Georg's name as well vouchers to the Salzburg Bristol Hotel and Hotel Ritz in Paris.
"I would like to take you to a second honeymoon, and I thought Paris and Salzburg would be perfect." Georg smiled at Maria. "That's why I told you to block off these two weeks on your calendar." Georg whispered into Maria's ears.
"Perfect." Maria whispered in disbelief and leaned to place a light kiss on Georg's lips. Everyone in the room burst out in a loud applause. The couple maintained eye contact for a long moment before the lights went on again. Maria turned around and started slicing the cake for everyone's joy. After dessert the band started playing their music in an invitation for all the guests to the dancing floor.
"May I have this dance, Madame?" Georg extended his hand to Maria as the first tunes of the Blue Danube Waltz were being played. Maria took her husband's hand and the guests were watching with full astonishment as the couple was twirling around the floor graciously. When the music came to an end Georg stepped aside but didn't let Maria follow him as the soft tunes of the Landler were on program. As Maria looked around she saw Kurt standing next to her offering her his arm.
"Will you show me how to dance it, Mother please!" Kurt asked her mother with begging eyes.
"I haven't danced this since... "Maria replied with a huge smile.
"I'm sure you remember it, please." Kurt went on begging.
"Alright..." Maria said with a grin and somehow she sensed what was coming next. After a few steps with Kurt, she saw her husband stand next to her extending his hand the way he had done on the evening of the party. Maria took Georg's hand with a smile and the couple danced in synchrony with the tunes of the music once again forgetting the world around them and getting lost in each other's eyes as the dance came to its end.
As the evening proceeded more people joined the couple on the dancing floor. All the boys including Friedrich, Kurt and Daniel took their turns to dance with their mother before Maria's son-in-laws approached her to share a dance with her. Georg danced with his daughters and daughter-in- laws while the little ones shared a few dances with each other. Georg noticed Maria sitting at the table seemingly trying to get some rest from the dances and the events of the evening.
"I think the last dance is ours. Will you give me the honor?" Georg gently squeezed Maria's hand.
"I would be delighted." Maria responded and the two of them went once again to the floor to share the final dance of the evening.
To be continued.....
Thank you for reading my story. Please review!