Chapter 9.
When the following day Maria told Alexandra that Georg was going to spend the whole afternoon with them the little girl got very excited and came up with all kinds of plans what they should do or where they should go. Maria was excited, too and she felt a happiness she had not experienced in the last 7 years. Georg arrived just as agreed around 2 p.m. and the three of them were heading for the woods and the hills of Vermont. The little girl was the most talkative most of the time, telling stories and entertaining her parents.
"I must admit that Vermont reminds me a lot of Austria. These hills and green meadows make it feel like home." Georg confessed.
"That's what I felt when I first arrived here about 6 years ago." Maria sighed. "It was not easy at the beginning, but I must admit that I rather grew to like living here." She added.
"Yes, it was the same with us Maria. We had some hard days at the beginning, but now we are all happy to live here. And if you look at Europe, all the ruins and this terrible war, I'm glad that our children are able to live in safety and freedom." Georg said.
They roamed about in the countryside for a few more hours before they returned to Maria's house.
"Wash your hands and I'll prepare some light dinner." Maria suggested and smiled at the situation.
After dinner all the three of them were sitting in the living room talking, laughing and sharing stories with Alexandra about the old Austria. The conversations went into the late evening hours when it was again the little girl's bedtime. She obliged fully and was ready to hear another bedtime story by her father. The same routine was done like the evening before and the girl fell asleep in an instant. Georg arranged the blanket around her and watched her beautiful face so peacefully resting on the pillow.
"She is sleeping" He sighed as he joined Maria in the living room.
"A cup of tea, darling?" Maria asked as she handed him a cup of hot drink. He took and sat down next to Maria. Without saying a word he kissed her fully on the lips.
"This is what I have wanted to do all day long." He said as he looked into his eyes.
"Why did you wait for this long to do it?" Maria asked flirtatiously and kissed him back passionately on his lips. When they parted Maria put her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. He studied her face; it reflected nothing but true happiness.
"Georg." She started and turned in his arms to face him." "Were the children angry with me when I left? How did they react?" Maria asked.
"Maria" He swallowed. "They were very sad and so was I. You left so suddenly and first none of us understood why. Only when I found the telegram in your room, I started understanding that it was someone else who made you go. I thought I would go insane. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I searched for you; I didn't want to give it up. I knew I owed you an explanation." Georg finished.
"I missed you so terribly and the children as well. For days I would lie in my bed and thinking about you, what you were doing. On the other hand I was hurt and in a way I was angry with you, but I couldn't expel you from my thoughts and the love I felt for you was getting stronger day by day. There were days when I wanted to write you a letter or take the next train to Salzburg." A few tears ran down her cheeks.
"Wish you had done all those things... then at least I could have explained everything to you." Georg said and gently wiped off the tears.
"I know, but you how stubborn I am." Maria laughed.
"I love you no matter what and I don't want to lose you one more time." Georg confessed while he reached into his pocket. Looking into her blue eyes he went into the words he had longed to say out for many years.
"Maria, I think God has given us a second chance by guiding us together. I never want to let you go. Will you be my wife?" By the time he finished his words he felt his eyes welling with tears. Maria was speechless as the words she had longed to hear were spoken. Her eyes were fixed on his face when she felt a cold piece of metal touching her finger. She looked down and saw her old engagement ring resting on her finger.
"Oh!" She exclaimed while fighting with tears. "Yes, Georg I will marry you." She answered and the two of them shared a deep long lasting kiss to seal their unbreakable and ever lasting love. Georg held her close in his arms after they parted. She felt safe again, the same secure feeling came over her, the one she had not felt for years. Her arms were draped across his chest preventing him from leaving. His hand gently caressed her face and these gentle touches of his carried her into another world, back to the life where she thought she belonged. They didn't notice the hours passing by nor did they realise that they simply fell asleep in each other's arms. Only when the first rays of the rising sun entered the room Georg reluctantly opened his eyes and looked down at Maria who was still peacefully sleeping in his arms. Gently he stroked her cheek and placed a little kiss on her head. Maria started shifting and slowly she opened her eyes. When her eyes caught daylight she sat up immediately realising that they had fallen asleep on the couch.
"What time is it?" She asked stifling a yawn.
"It's 6.30 a.m.... maybe I should go before other people see that I have spent the night here at your house." Georg started to stand up.
"No, please don't go. We have about 30 minutes before I have to wake up Alexandra. She will be excited to see you here. Have breakfast with us. Please!" Maria begged. He couldn't refuse the invitation.
"Maria, as much as I like the idea, I still don't want to ruin your reputation. It's a small town and I don't want people to talk about you. I should have left...." Georg couldn't finish his words because Maria put her fingers on his lips.
"Georg, I couldn't care less what people think and say. And besides we didn't do anything inappropriate, I mean, not tonight at least." Maria said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"I love you." Georg said and kissed Maria gently on the lips. She in response tenderly caressed his face while looking into his eyes. They were lost in each other's eyes and didn't hear the tapping of little feet timidly entering the living room. Alexandra's eyes grew wide when seeing her parents interacting with each other on a more intimate level than she had ever seen.
"Mommy? Daddy?" She asked a bit shyly. Both of them turned to see their daughter stand in the doorway.
"Good morning princess." Georg greeted her. Maria smiled at her daughter. "Good morning Honey, why don't you sit here with us?" She invited her daughter to join them on the couch. There was no need to tell her twice; the little girl sat between her two parents as the trio cuddled close together.
"Daddy, will you now stay with us forever? Maybe you could move here." Alexandra looked up at her father. Maria and Georg exchanged a proud and loving look.
"Alexandra, no I cannot stay here forever. In fact, my train will take me back to New York this afternoon. But soon you and Mommy will come to visit me and your siblings at our home. Until that of course you can write me, or call me." Georg gently stroked her head.
"When will we go to New York Mommy?" Alexandra turned to her mother.
"As soon as your school year finishes, darling." Maria said and looked at Georg who gave her an understanding nod. "But now, I think it's time to do your morning duties if you don't want to be late for school." Maria gently instructed her daughter.
After breakfast Georg said goodbye to his daughter. Hugging her close to him he placed a little kiss on her cheek. Alexandra held him tight and didn't want to let him go.
"I love you Daddy. And please tell my brothers and sisters that I love them, too." Alexandra honestly confessed.
"I love you Alexandra. Please be good to your mother and don't forget we'll see each other soon." Georg said and put down her daughter.
"Take care, sweetheart" Maria waved her hand to the girl when the school bus stopped to pick her up.
"Maria, I should be going, too. My train is leaving in a few hours and I don't want to keep you away from your work either." Georg said in a disappointed voice and gently caressed Maria's face. She leaned into his palm and enjoyed the moment so full of love. Just when they were standing there and their lips were about to meet Helena arrived at the house. Her eyes grew wide as witnessing the situation of Maria and Georg embracing each other. A huge grin crossed her face; her happiness was beyond any control. She silently waited until the two lovers parted before approaching them. When Maria realized that they had not been alone, her cheeks turned red.
"Hello Helena" She said after arranging herself. "Please meet Georg von Trapp" She introduced her fiancé. Helena reached out her hand that Georg accepted.
"It's my pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you." Georg said politely.
"Captain von Trapp. What a pleasure to finally meet you and I'm also glad that the two of you managed to sort out your issues." She gave a sideward glance to Maria. "But now, if you excuse me, I'll go and open up the workshop." Helena left with a smile leaving the couple alone.
"She is a nice woman. Maybe I should ask for her permission to marry you. After all she is like your mother." Georg asked.
"Oh, no.. just ask the children." Maria laughed.
"Maria my love, I really have to go now. We'll stay in touch and we'll discuss the further details later when you come to visit us in the summer." Georg said while gently caressing Maria's arms. In response she threw herself right into his arms and held him tightly. Seeing him leave was the last thing she wanted, but knew that this time their goodbye will be only for a short time. While in the midst of his embrace Maria couldn't help a few tears falling down her cheeks, which partly were out of happiness but also out of sadness. Breaking the embrace she gazed into his eyes and nodded.
"Goodbye. Take care and give my love to the children." She said and placed a little kiss on his face.
"Don't say goodbye Maria, say see you soon. I will call you tomorrow after I've talked to the children." Georg kissed her one more time before making himself on the way back to his hotel.
Maria walked back to the house and headed downstairs to have a word with Helena before her two employees arrived. Helena immediately noticed the glow in Maria's eyes.
"Maria, tell me what happened!" She said a bit suspiciously.
"What do you mean? We spent a lovely afternoon together, and then we had dinner." Maria answered.
"Dinner? That lasted until the morning?" Helena laughed and Maria's face blushed.
"Oh, no... we only.. I mean.... "Maria's words failed while she raised her hand to show the ring to Helena.
"Oh my child!" Helena exclaimed while taking a hold of Maria's hand to get a closer look at the ring. "This is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I have ever seen." She felt tears in her eyes.
"This ring used to be mine; this was my engagement ring he gave me 7 years ago, and now...." Maria's words failed as she felt her heart beating rapidly "He proposed to me again." She finished her words with a smile on her face. "And I said yes." She added.
"Maria! That's great news. Oh my God, I'm so happy for you. Let me be the first who congratulates you." She said and gave a big hug to Maria.
"I have followed my heart just as you told me." Maria said with a smile.
To be continued....
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