The children sat about the carpet around their father, in a similar fashion as they had when he had sung Edelweiss to them. They were captivated by his playful demeanor, and reveled in receiving such love from him.
The older children were singing. It was a silly tune, something they used to sing when they were younger. They had always held a contest to see who could hold the final note the longest. When they were younger, it was quite the challenge, as the note was rather high.
Liesl and Friedrich had lost their ranges due to their ages and changes in their vocal chords; as a result, Louisa was the victor. Out of breath with her efforts, she leaned over on the floor, her face red with laughter.
The Captain applauded loudly. "Brava, Louisa!" he exclaimed, joining in his daughter's laughter. "Your lungs must be huge!"
Maria, sitting next to Klauss on the settee, felt a genuine smile form on her face for the first time since dinner. She loved watching the Captain interact with his children. It was a scene she'd never experienced as a child: a happy household with a warm parental figure. Seeing the glow to the children's faces as they regarded their father and his charmed smile as he sang and spoke with them filled Maria's heart.
She looked at Klauss, and he turned to face her. The warmth of the family's melodic antics had made her forget the tense dinner they had shared, and she smiled at him. He smiled in return, but Maria noticed something new in his eyes. He looked almost hesitant, unsure what he could and could not say or do.
Gretl walked over to her governess. "Will you sing, Fräulein Maria?"
Maria laughed. "Oh, but I am so enjoying listening for once!" she protested.
"Please?" the girl persisted, her eyes wide.
Maria looked up over Gretl's head to see the other children also watching her expectantly. Behind them, the Captain winked at her.
"Perhaps we can all sing something together," he suggested.
Gretl pulled on Maria's arm. "Please, Fräulein Maria?" she said, using all of her weight to pull her governess off the settee.
Laughing, Maria rose and held on to Gretl's arm to prevent the girl from toppling over. Together, they walked to the center of the floor. Kurt and Marta scooted over to allow room for Maria to sit. Once they were all situated, Maria looked around at the children.
"Anything but The Lonely Goatherd," she announced, and the Captain laughed.
"How about this?" he said and plucked a few playful staccato notes on the guitar. The children laughed and started to sing a familiar song. Maria shook her head before joining in. She looked around at the children, feeling an inner glow by being included in the family moment. As the notes went higher and higher up the scale, the children faded away, and Maria's lone voice filled the room. She looked up and saw the Captain smiling down at her, clearly impressed.
As the song ended, Maria exhaled dramatically. From the other side of the room, she heard Max's enthusiastic applause.
"My dear, how many octaves can you reach?" he asked
Maria blushed and glanced up at Klauss, who smiled warmly at her.
"You really don't give yourself enough credit, Maria," he said.
She brightened. "Thank you," she said and turned to the children again who all nodded.
"Sing it again!" Gretl exclaimed.
Maria laughed. "No, I think it's time we said good-night," she announced, standing up. "We'll wear our voices out if we keep singing at night like this."
The children muttered their protests as Maria tried to urge Brigitta and Kurt to stand.
The Captain laughed. "Perhaps one more song, Fräulein?" he suggested. "I don't mean to undermine your authority, but if you'll permit…"
Maria laughed, flattered. "Well, when you put it that way, Captain," she said, staring around at the children. "If you all can decide on which song you'd like to sing, of course."
"You're a tricky player, Fräulein," the Captain said, winking at her again.
A plethora of song titles rang out. Maria shook her head and looked at the Captain with her eyebrows raised, all but saying I told you so to him.
He laughed, looking over at Klauss, who was watching the scene with an amused smile. "Let's let your Uncle Klauss decide," he suggested.
The other met his gaze and pursed his lips in thought. After a few moments, Klauss shook his head. "I can't think of anything," he confessed.
The children resumed their suggestions, but no songs appealed to everyone. A thoughtful silence fell upon the room. The Captain smiled and began to strum idly on the guitar. Softly, he began to sing a lullaby.
Maria was enchanted by this song, its gentle melody was something she'd had never heard before. She returned to her seat on the floor, pulling Gretl onto her lap and rocking the girl. Glancing around at each of the children, her heart warmed at the peaceful expressions on their faces, and she hugged Gretl closer to her. She closed her eyes, letting the peaceful melody lull her into a serene reverie.
The Captain's voice faded away, and she opened her eyes to find him gazing down at her, a wistful expression on his face as he saw her hugging his youngest child to her. She smiled up at him, silently thanking him for such a lovely end to the evening. He smiled in return, and Maria had never felt such contentment before in her life as she held Gretl in her arms and stared up at the Captain.
"On that note, literally, it's time the children said good-night," he said softly.
Maria blinked, looking around the room in slight confusion. After a moment, she nodded. "Yes, let's go upstairs," she said. More willingly this time, the children stood and bid their father and his guests good-night.
As she ushered the little ones by the door, Maria paused when she passed Klauss, who was watching her. Smiling somewhat breathlessly at him, she cocked her head to the children. "I'll be right back," she said. "They won't put up much resistance."
Klauss continued to stare at her a moment, as if trying to find the right thing to say, but then smiled and nodded. "Take your time, Maria," he said.
Maria turned to nod to the Captain. "Unless, the gentlemen would prefer to have some time for brandy and cigars," she said, grinning.
He laughed. "Your company is always welcome, Maria," he said softly.
Nodding again, she guided the children into the foyer. She all but carried Gretl upstairs, glancing down at the three men who had moved to stand in the entrance to the parlor. She laughed in exaggerated exertion before disappearing behind the doors leading to the children's rooms.
Max stood between Georg and Klauss, glancing at each and clearing his throat to break the sudden ice in the room. "Well, since Fräulein Maria doesn't seem to be offended by some spirits, I don't mind fixing us a few drinks. Brandy, anyone?"
Georg turned to regard his two friends. "I'm not thirsty, Max," he replied. "Klauss, please feel free…"
The other narrowed his eyes for a moment, but shook his head. "No, thank you, Georg."
The trio returned to the parlor. Max was the last to enter, and he smiled amicably. "Fräulein Maria is wonderful with those children, isn't she?" he asked.
The two men glanced quickly at one another before nodding at Max, who tried to hide his sheer amusement. "Her voice always surprises me," he continued. "She would make a wonderful addition to the Von Trapp Family Singers!"
"Max," Georg said, a bit too harshly. "That was both inappropriate and impertinent."
"I'm just saying, musically…"
"Max," Georg said again, giving Klauss an apologetic smile. "Persistence is his greatest weakness."
Klauss failed to return the expression. Clearing his throat, he looked over at Max quickly. He looked back at Georg and stared at him in the eye. "You seem to have enjoyed yourself yesterday," he said, his voice flat.
Georg cocked his head, somehow prepared for a polite sparring. "Yes," he said. "It was nice to spend the day with the children and to experience why they love going up to the mountains."
"I never knew you to be a dancer," Klauss said, sounding almost accusatory.
Georg looked overhead to where the children's rooms were. "As I said earlier, the children wanted to learn how to do the Laendler. Also, Maria didn't get a chance to dance it during the ball, and she had seemed rather disappointed."
Klauss stiffened. "It's a shame she couldn't remember the ending."
"I'm sure she would have remembered it if we kept trying," Georg replied.
"I'm sure she would have," Klauss said thinly. "She seems to be able to do anything when she decides to."
Georg forced a smile. "I always respect her decisions," he said, "in any matter."
Klauss narrowed his eyes, and the two men regarded one another for a long moment.
Max clasped his hands together and exhaled loudly. "How is business, Klauss?" he asked.
The other looked over quickly at him. "It keeps me occupied," he answered. Looking back to Georg, his eyebrows rose. "You know how it is."
Max's laughter surprised both men, and they turned to regard him. "Georg's affairs in Vienna seemed to have disappeared."
Klauss cleared his throat. "Oh, please excuse my rudeness," he started, "but I do want to convey my sorrow that Elsa has left. The two of you seemed to be getting on so well."
The Captain's eyes widened a little. "It was for the best that she returned to Vienna," he said.
"Best for whom?" Klauss asked. Georg opened his mouth to reply, but Klauss waved his hand to prevent any rebuke. "Forgive me; that was out of line. I'm just a little weary from the extensive hours stuck in meetings. If you'll give Maria my apologies, I think I'm going to leave."
Georg nodded and remained still as Klauss rushed out of the room. As they heard the front door close, Max whistled.
"You are quite the host, Georg," he commented. The Captain turned and glared at him. Raising his hands in neutrality, Max smiled. "I think I'll refrain from that brandy for the evening. If you'll excuse me, I shall follow everyone else's lead and retire."
He started to exit, when Maria entered, a little breathless, as she had run down the steps when she'd heard the door close.
She looked around. "Where's Klauss?"
The Captain smiled tightly. "He decided to call it an evening."
"Oh," she murmured, and Georg thought he saw a mixture of disappointment and relief on her face.
"He gives you his apologies," Max added, looking at Georg and then back to Maria. Debating his next course of action, he decided his presence was probably unwanted by both. "And if you'll forgive me, Fräulein, I, too, am going to bed."
Maria opened her mouth to protest, but he was gone before she could say anything. Alone with the Captain, Maria felt instantly alert. She had been unprepared to be alone with either the Captain or Klauss and debated going upstairs herself.
The Captain must have sensed her sudden turmoil and smiled at her. "Perhaps we shall call it an evening ourselves?"
The kindness in his eyes set her instantly at ease, and she exhaled. "I'm not that tired," she said. She walked over to the chair upon which he had been sitting earlier. She looked at the guitar placed next to it. "That was a lovely lullaby, Captain."
He smiled. "It was a song Aga…my wife used to sing to the children when they were infants."
Maria nodded as she fiddled with the tuning pegs of the instrument. "Liesl did look rather reflective when you sang it," she said.
Georg nodded and walked over to her. The soft lighting of the room was a strong contrast to the bright sun of the day before, but Maria seemed to be glowing. She turned to face him, and he saw how she, too, bore a wistful smile. Her eyes were shining with a peaceful emotion, and her skin looked so soft in the dull light. It took all of Georg's strength not to take her into his arms.
She inhaled sharply and brought her hands together, twisting them nervously. "I'm so happy, Captain," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "that you have reconnected with your children so wonderfully. Seeing you this evening…"
Her voice trailed. He smiled at her and reached out to take her hand in a comforting and grateful gesture. "I have you to thank, Fräulein," he said. "It is because of you I have my relationship with my children again."
She blushed, flattered. "I was merely doing God's will," she said.
He nodded. "God's never had a lovelier servant," he whispered. He took her other hand in his and squeezed them gently.
Their eyes met, and Maria felt her surroundings blur away from her. Just as she had when they danced on the mountain, the only things she could see were the Captain's eyes and the strong yet tender expression on his face. He stepped closer to her, and she could feel his breath on her mouth, and her lips tingled with anticipation.
But the Captain didn't kiss her. He stood there, staring at her, drowning himself in her eyes, in the lines of her face, in the texture of her hair. He was completely captivated with her, and there was no doubt in his mind that she was all he would ever need or want.
Maria stepped back, confused by her reaction. She had wanted nothing more than the Captain to kiss her, and the thought startled her. Why did she need to feel his lips press against hers? Why did she have the sudden desire to wrap her arms around him?
He released her hands, allowing her the space she needed. She backed further away and turned away from him, trying to regulate her breathing. As she stood there, she realized that the Captain had once again ignited more passion and emotion in her by just standing in front of her than she had ever felt before.
Georg stared at her back, feeling an urge sweep up within him. The sensation was so strong, it nearly floored him. He glanced down at her guitar, and felt a rush of energy run through him. He looked at her again and stood up straighter.
"Maria, I love you."
She turned slowly and stared at him, a mixture of disbelief, joy, and fear on her face. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.
"From the moment you fell into that lake and opened my eyes to my family, I've loved you," he continued, his voice getting stronger. "I love the way you love my children as if they are your own. I love watching you as you sing. I love the sound of your voice. I love being near you, speaking with you, holding you, touching you. I love my life now that you're in it."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she remained silent.
He stepped towards her. "I don't know if I have the right to tell you this," he said. "I don't know what Klauss means to you—"
Maria gasped at the mention of Klauss's name. She exhaled slowly, meeting his gaze and unable to say a thing.
He stepped closer to her again, and reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've made me happier than I have been in years, Maria," he said lowly. Seeing the confusion on her face, he smiled. "And all I'll ever want is for you to be happy. But I needed to tell you. I couldn't waste another second without telling you how much you mean to me."
She finally found her voice. "I'm so confused," she whispered. "I don't know what to…"
He stared down at her, his arms needing to hold her, his lips aching to kiss her. But he knew now was not the time. She needed her space. Using every ounce of strength he possessed, he stepped away from her. Again taking her hands in his, he smiled at her, trying to ease the confused pain he saw in her eyes.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. Just know that I will be happy for you, no matter what you decide," he said truthfully. "As long as you follow God's path for you, just as you've shown His path for me."
He released her hands, but his eyes remained locked with hers as he stepped further away. "If you want, Maria, I will never mention this again," he said carefully. "Your happiness is all I care about. If you chose to be with Klauss or with neither of us, I will be happy for you."
He started to walk out of the room.
"Captain!" Maria called softly. He turned to see her opening her mouth to say something, but was once again speechless. Exhaling, she just smiled at him.
"Good-night, Maria," he said softly before exiting the room, both relieved and terrified that he had finally told her his feelings.
To be continued…
A/N - I have changed a few personal preference items of this chapter since its original posting. For some reason, I cannot indent the beginning of paragraphs, and it irks me to no end to have it look this way. But I rather the error be in something I cannot control than in something I can. - INAC