Chapter 2

~ Maria's Bedroom ~

Maria continued to cry as she laid across her bed. She was so shaken up by what had just happened that she was taken aback by the surprise visitor climbing up her trellis outside her bedroom window.

" Now who is out there? " said Maria, reaching for a pillow, as she got up from her bed and walked to the window to find the Captain outside.

" Maria, before you shut that door in my face again, let me explain why I did what I did. " said the Captain.

" How on earth did you get up here? " said Maria, still confused as to how the Captain got up there.

" I climbed the trellis, how else. " said the Captain.

" You've been talking to Louisa again, haven't you? " said Maria, letting the Captain come in from the terrace.

" How else would I have gotten up here." said the Captain.

" Maria, I only did it because I wanted to see how you felt. I wasn't expecting you to get angry. " said the Captain.

" Well, you could have done it some other way. You scared the day lights out of me. Not to mention if that had actually happened, who would be here to take care ot the children? You had me so angry, I wanted to quit. " said Maria, walking back out on the terrace fro some fresh air.

" Well, I guess it's a good think that you didn't quit after all, now isn't it. " said the Captain, wrapping his arms around Maria.

" Maybe we could and talk somewhere else. This room seems to be a little too inviting right now. " said Maria.

" And where did you have in mind, exactly? " asked the Captain, remembering that his arms were still wrapped around Maria's waist.

" How about the Gazebo. " said Maria, pulling away from his embrace but at the same time inviting him to come along and follow her.

" After you. " said the Captain, as he followed behind Maria.

" Shouldn't someone tell the children where we're going and that we will be right back? " said Maria

" I'll meet you in the Gazebo then/ " said the Captain as he went to tell the children of what was going on.

~ Later in the Gazebo ~

" That was fast. You must not have told them much. " smiled Maria, for the first time since the morning.

" You know that is the first time since early the morning that I have seen you smile. Maria, I am very sorry for playing that joke but I thought it was the only way I could get your feelings out of you. " said the Captain.

" And what feelings might that be, Captain? " said Maria, who knew very well what he was hinting at. He was doing exactly the same thing to her that she was to him.

" You know what I'm getting at Maria. At least you must have some idea. Otherwise, you would not have slammed that door in my face so hard and cried on your bed like you did. Just like it is the same reason you left us without saying goodbye, back when Baroness Schraeder was still around. Maria, I know you have feelings, just like I do. " said the Captain, drawing closer to Maria

" So? You have feelings and so do I . Everyone has feelings. That doesn't mean anything. Is that all this was about. ? " said Maria, moving a little closer to the bench.

" Maria, I love you. and I have since the first day you came here to work for me. And I know you feel something too. I see it in your eyes. Look me straight in the eyes and tell me you don't feel it. " said the Captain.

" I believe every word coming out of your mouth. I do feel it too. I'll do one better then that. " said Maria pulling the Captain over to her and kissing him, only to deepen the kiss.

" That was unexpected, Fraulein. Anything else you care to do or share? " laughed the Captain, who did not plan to let Maria go any time soon.

" No. I can't think of anything right now. Unless you having something better. " said Maria, laying her head on his shoulder.

" Actually I can think of something better. How about you marrying me? That way you will always be a part of this family. That and I won't have to let go anytime soon. " said the Captain.

" Shouldn't this be something to talk about with the children and not something we spring on them? " said Maria.

" Is that a No then? " said the Captain, looking at Maria.

" No, I was just asking. " said Maria, looking back at the Captain.

" Maria, do you really feel that this is something that should be talked about with the children? Do you really think that the children would object? I don't. They love having you around to much and they love you too much. Besides, Gretl is always running into your room whenever its raining anyway. " said the Captain.

" How did you know about that? The only way you could have known about that is if you were still up when she comes running out and when I close the door....Captain. Well I guess then my answer is yes then. " said Maria, as her arms flew around his neck and he kissed her, deepening the kiss.

" I guess we better go in and tell the children then. Or at least before it rains, Fraulein. " said the Captain.

" I guess we should. And I guess you should stop calling me Fraulein around the children. " smiled Maria.

" And I guess you would have to stop calling me Captain then. " laughed the Captain.

" Yes, but remember. That is only around the children. " smiled Maria as they walked back to the villa, holding hands.