A/N: I am using the movie version of Beauty and the Beast due to the fact that I have only seen the original movie (the French one) once and have read the book, but the movie is more fun and more romantic (don't worry though, no mention of talking clocks, and candlesticks!) Please please review!
Ch. 5: Ever a Surprise
Dinner was wonderful and Maria was amazed at how lovely the house was. She really did not expect when the children told her that the Captain wanted her to eat a nice dinner with her it would have turned out this lovely.
Soft music played in the background as they finished their meal. Amidst their cheerful conversation the Captain managed to ask Maria if she would like to dance. Maria shook her head happily as he led her out into the ballroom.
"Is it still as dusty as it was before?" Maria asked. Georg smirked.
"Close your eyes."
"Why?" She asked.
"Just close them. Trust me." He told her as he opened the drapes from the ballroom revealing the starry moonlight sky up above. He took Maria's hands and led her into the center of the golden room. "Okay now open them." He instructed.
Here blue eyes popped open and she was in awe of the beautiful room.
"It is lovely…" She trailed off.
"Yes it is rather lovely isn't it? The children did a rather marvelous job I would say with opening this place up."
"The children did all of this?" She asked in shock. He smiled at her.
"Yes everything. They made it look even more lovely than before."
"Really?" Maria asked happily.
"Well yes. You are the real reason why everything is just lovely Maria. If it wasn't for you…I don't know where we would be." He stammered. "Thank you."
"I should be the one saying thanks for allowing me to be a part of your family for a little while." She laughed. Georg wanted to tell her how he wanted her in his family forever, but instead took her hand as the music started and began to dance.
They danced the night away, just the two of them. Both felt an overwhelming sense of the love for the other. For the first time in Maria's life she was sure she was in love.
Georg whirled around the ballroom with Maria. He loved every second of it. He knew though it would most likely come to a bitter end. He had to let her go eventually. He felt a little like a character in one of his favorite stories when he was growing up. He loved her, but had to let her go.
"I feel like we are in Beauty and the Beast." He murmured in her ear.
"Beauty and the what?" She asked confused.
"Don't tell me you, of all people have never read Beauty and the Beast."
"Sorry to disappoint you Captain, but I am afraid I never have heard of it." She told him. "I thought you didn't like to read all that much."
"I didn't for awhile after Agathe died. I started reading when I met you." He told her as they stopped dancing. "Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite stories growing up."
"What's it about?" She asked.
"Well a prince that is selfish and greedy gets transformed into a beast. Then this lovely girl comes to his castle and teaches him how to love people. It's a love story I suppose. You could borrow it if you would like."
"Oh really I would love to read it! I adore love stories." She told him. He took her hand and led her into his study.
"Here it is!" He exclaimed handing her an old blue book from the dusty shelf.
"Thanks Captain." She told him. From what he told her of the book it did sound like they were both in that story. She changed him just like the girl did to the prince.
"Shall we dance some more?" He asked. She nodded and took his hand. Franz, the Captain's butler, stopped them.
"Georg, before you two dance there is a telegram that you might want to read."
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" Georg asked hopefully.
"Well they say it is urgent." Franz told him as Georg took the telegram and read it to himself with Maria at his side. His face fell as he read the note.
"What is it?" Maria asked concerned.
"It is your Father Maria. He is very sick. They don't think there is much hope that he will live much longer." Maria's skin turned white.
"But he was fine before I left! He couldn't…"
"Maria, they want you to go over there as soon as possible. Franz will gather your things while you go and change…if that is what you want." He told her. Maria was torn she did not want to leave the person who had given her so much joy so much to live for, and children that she had come to love just as their Mother.
"Yes, I guess I must go…" She trailed off as tears started falling from her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Maria. Thank you for everything…" He told her wrapping her in a comforting hug.
Maria went upstairs and got her stuff and changed quickly. She ran into the children's rooms and quietly told them each goodbye hoping they would understand. She made her way down the stairs where the Captain was waiting for her. She heard Franz calling to the Captain, telling him the car was ready to go.
"I guess this is goodbye." Maria stammered. She handed him the blue book. Georg pushed it back in her hands.
"No, take that and read it. Hopefully it will remind you of me. I will never forget you Maria." He told her mesmerized by her beauty. "I wish you didn't have to leave."
"Thank you Captain." She told him as she slowly walked to the door. She turned around to go when she stopped.
"Captain?" She asked.
"Yes?" He answered hopefully. Nerves seemed to get the best of Maria as she froze and stumbled on her words.
"I…I…well I love…" Georg looked at her hopefully. Hoping that he would be able to take her in his arms and kiss her within the next minute. "I loved meting you and your children. You were so kind. I will never forget you either." She told him as she glance back once more before leaving.
"Maria…wait…" He stammered.
"Yes?" Maria asked hopefully glancing his way as he had done moments earlier.
"I…well…thank you again. Goodbye, Maria." He told her. She glanced up disappointed by what he said.
"Goodbye Captain." She mumbled as she left.
Georg sat down at his desk in his study. He could not believe that she had left. She was supposed to be married, he knew that. It was hopeless. He wondered why he had even thought that she really loved him. Wouldn't she have said something about it if she did? He sighed as a tear ran down his cheek. He really didn't want the children to grow up with a curse, but what could he do? After this night there would be one more day and one night left until Gretl's birthday. The person he loved just left to be with her Father and she was engaged to Lukas, someone who Maria had once described as a hateful person who would most likely join the Nazis.
***
"Father? Did you and Maria have a good time last night?" Brigitta asked at the breakfast table. Kurt giggled at Brigitta's use in wording.
"Well yes we did…but" He trailed off.
"But what Father?" Liesl asked cringing.
"But, Maria is gone." He finished.
"Gone?" Louisa asked.
"Father I thought you loved her…I thought…" Liesl trailed off.
"I know. Her Father was sick. I had to let her go, because I love her. I am sorry children."
"What are we going to do now? I turn six tomorrow." Gretl said.
"I guess we will just have to live with the curse." He replied. The children's heads hung low as they walked out of the dining room. 'How could have it gone so wrong?' They thought. Maria seemed perfect.
Georg walked outside trying to get fresh air. He was upset that tomorrow was the deadline and also with the Nazis taking over Austria. He had just received a letter asking him to report to the Navy the next day. He knew that he had to get out fast because he did not want to join the Nazis. So he began to make plans for the families departure the next night. He didn't know where to go at first, at last he made the decision to go to Switzerland and then eventually head to America and out of Europe.