Chapter 3
~ At the Villa ~
" Father, where is Fraulein Maria? " said Marta
" She'll be down in a minute. Liesl, where are the boys at? " asked the Captain.
" Their upstairs. Did you need them? " said Liesl, looking at her father as she spoke.
" Yes, you all should be here when this is said. " said the Captain.
" Father, your not going to fire Fraulein Maria are you? " said Brigitta.
" No, Fraulein Maria is not going anywhere. And just wait till all your brothers and sisters are here. " said the Captain.
" You haven't told them yet? " said Maria, entering the room, realizing that nothing had been said to the children as to what was going on.
" Now we're all here. Now will you tell us what is going on? " said Kurt, thinking either Fraulein Maria was leaving them or the Baroness was returning.
" How would you feel if we made Fraulein Maria a part of our family? " said the Captain, looking at all of his children for a reaction.
" But she already is a part of our family, father. " said Marta.
" That's not quite what I meant. What I meant was, how would you feel about having a new mother around? " said the Captain.
" You mean Fraulein Maria? " smiled Liesl, catching on to what her father was asking.
" Yes. How would you feel if I asked Maria to marry me and she were to accept? said the Captain, looking at his children for approval.
" What took so long, father? " joked Brigitta, looking at her father,
" Someone has been reading too many books again. " said Maria, as she was quickly embraced by all seven children.
" Brigitta, how many times have I told you, only two books a day? " smiled the Captain, realizing that his children had caught on long before he had.
Knock: Knock
" I'll get it, sir. " said Frau Schmidt as she headed for the door, with Marta and Gretl close in foot.
" Don't you two want to be in the dinning room, right now? " laughed Frau Schmidt, answering the front door.
" We want to see who is at the front door. " answered and giggled Marta, playing with her dress.
" Oh alright. " said Frau Schmidt, as she opened the front door.
" Something exciting must be going on at Von Trapp Villa, I see Marta and Gretl at the door for a change. " said Max.
" Herr Detweiller, this is a change for you. I thought you weren't coming till next month? " said Frau Schmidt.
" Change of plans. I was hoping to talk to Georg before I showed up but the phone seemed to be busy. " said Max.
" Oh, It probably was. The Captain was probably on it again. Do come in. Their in the dinning room, just finishing up breakfast. " said Frau Schmidt.
" And how are my favorite two youngest nieces? " said Max.
" Guess what Uncle Max? said an excited Gretl.
" What? You lost another tooth? " laughed Max.
" Father is going to be married. " said Marta.
" To who? " said Max.
" To Fraulein Maria. " smiled Marta.
" Isn't that wonderful, Uncle Max? " said Gretl.
" That is wonderful news. And it is about time. " laughed Max.
" Max? You weren't suppose to be here for another month. Change of plans again. " laughed Maria, as she was embraced by a hug from Max.
" What took you so long, Georg? " smiled Max, who was obviously referring to the engagement.
" Marta and Gretl obviously already told you didn't they? " smiled Georg.
" Who else? Everyone else around here knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. Elsa even knew it. Why do you think she bowed out graciously. " said Max.
" Children, won't don't we go outside for awhile Uncle Max and your father talk things out. " said Maria, getting up from the table but was quickly stopped by the Captain as he gently grabbed her hand to let her know everything was okay.
" Max, if this is why you came here, then I highly suggest you leaving. " said Georg, rising from his chair and starting to move around the room.
" Georg, you now I don't want to see anything more then to see you and Maria happily married. But you can't sit here and not tell me that you were not fully aware of the fact that the night Maria came back, the same night you and Elsa called of your engagement, Elsa bowed out graciously, because she knew how you felt about Maria. She saw every time you looked at Maria, every change you got, when you danced with her the night of the party, the evening you sang. Do I need to go on? " said Max
" Damn it, no. You don't think I don't know that, Max. But at the same very time Max, you making Elsa out to be a perfect Angel and she's not. She's the very same reason that Maria left without saying goodbye in the first place, remember? You want to talk to me about Elsa bowing out graciously, fine she did that night but she also did some nasty and hurtful things, that are just unforgivable. " said Georg.
" I think some fresh air would do me some good. How about you Georg? " said Max.
" Not right now. Maybe later. I need to take of something. " said Georg, heading off to his study as Max headed off outside to the terrace.
~ Outside on the terrace ~
" Max, where is Georg? " asked Maria.
" In his study, I believe. But he said he had to take care of something. " said Max.
" Oh, I see. " said Maria, with a worried look on her face.
" Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Maria. Georg loves you and no one else and nothing is going to change that. " said Max.
" Maria? Can we go on a boat ride on the lake? asked Friedrich.
" Lets wait till your father joins us out her and then we can ask him. " said Maria.
" Georg loves you and the children love you. Just like I know you love Georg as much you love the children and that's all that matters. Go find him and tell him to get out her already. I'll watch the darlings. " said Max.
" Max, are you sure? " said Maria.
" Yes, I'm sure. " said Max.
" Max? " said Maria, before heading in.
" Yes. " said Max.
" Thank you. " said Maria, as she disappeared into the Villa.
" Your welcome, my dear. " said Max, smiling.