I tried to do my best to make those 20 days fly by for them, so that they can reunite soon.

Enjoy Chapter 11.: -)

Chapter 11.

The next 20 days flew by quickly and Maria found herself being in the position of an excited bride again. Her two seamstresses and friends were eager to prepare her the most magnificent wedding gown.

"Girls, stop please. The date isn't set yet." Maria laughed as the four women were going through various designs.

"Look Maria, this one would look great on you." Jane showed a drawing.

"Oh, no, it's not my style. I mean not anymore. Look I'm 30 years old, how would I wear something like this? It's for a 20 year old bride, but not for me... and I don't think I could wear pure white either. After all I'm marrying my child's father and that color...you know......" Maria felt a bit embarrassed.

"But still you should wear something white. Then maybe.... do we have other designs here?" Jane started to grab for another design. "Here, what about this?" She asked Maria, pointing at another piece of drawing on the table.

"Much better." Maria admitted upon seeing the design of a more simple white dress with a little train at the back with a simple and straight skirt part.

"What about your hairstyle? And a veil?" Helena asked interrupting the others.

"A veil? Oh no, I was only thinking of few petals of flowers to fix into my hair. After all it won't be the wedding of the year, just a small ceremony in the circle of family and friends. If I think of the list of invitees of 7 years ago... can you believe it, we had about 400 guests on the list most of them from the Austrian aristocracy?" Maria said while realizing the three other women whispering something to each other and giggling.

"What? What are you laughing at?" Maria asked confused.

"Nothing "Jane answered, still trying to hide her giggle.

"What are you laughing at?" Maria's eyes grew stern.

"We were just trying to find a good design for a nice nightgown for your wedding night." The three of them burst out in laughter while Maria couldn't hide her embarrassment.

"You are impossible" Maria laughed and playfully threw a folded piece of paper right to them, an action that made four of them laugh harder.

Georg was impatiently standing at the Grand Station in New York, waiting for the train from Waterbury. Nervously he walked from one end to the other of the platform. At home everything had been prepared, the guest room had been rearranged and all his children were at home excitedly waiting for Maria and Alexandra's arrival. He hardly had been able to sleep last night. After so many years of being alone he finally would marry the woman he loved. While pondering his situation the sharp sound of the nearing train caught his ears. His heart skipped a beat when he finally saw the train pull in at the station. His eyes moved like radar to recognize Maria and Alexandra when the crowd started getting off. He was already at the point of being worried when he saw Maria and their little daughter come into vision. Maria's eyes were equally surveying the platform area in search for Georg. When the eye contact was finally established they both started moving quicker in order to reach each other. Alexandra was faster while Maria still struggled with some luggage in her hand.

"Daddy!" Alexandra happily cried when she reached Georg.

"Hello, my little one. I have missed you." He said while scooping her up. Alexandra hugged him close.

"I missed you, too." She whispered. Georg gently put down his daughter and ran to his fiancé. Maria dropped her luggage and immediately flew into his arms. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, both of them being overwhelmed with joy.

"Hello Maria. How was your trip? Was everything alright?" Georg asked.

"Yes. It has been a long trip, but we are fine. Right honey?" Maria asked while gently touching her daughter on the head. Alexandra looked up at the two adults and nodded happily.

"Okay ladies, let's go." Georg said and gathered their luggage. Maria took Alexandra's hand and followed Georg to his car.

The excitement in the von Trapp house was over the top by the time Georg's car pulled in at the driveway. 7 young people were nervously sitting in the living room filled with anticipation. When they heard the car on the driveway, they jumped up simultaneously to run to the door. Brigitta quickly looked out of the window to notice that their father had really arrived together with a woman sitting next to him in the car.

"Yes. They are here!" She cried excitedly and ran out to be the first one to greet them. Georg was helping Maria and Alexandra get out the car when the children gathered outside. Maria saw them stand there, and for a moment she wondered and tried to recognize each of them. They had grown a lot, and for a long moment she didn't know how to approach them again. Feeling a lump in her throat and tears welling in her eyes she slowly walked to the line of young people, her children, standing in the doorway. Alexandra stayed behind with her father, holding his hand tightly.

"Hello children." Maria said hesitantly not knowing exactly what to say. They recognized her immediately; it was the same Maria, the same charming woman they had loved so much. Maria smiled at them still feeling tears in her eyes.

"Friedrich?" She softly spoke to the young man, obviously the older one standing in front of her.

"Yes." He answered and hugged her. The ice was broken and the children one by one hugged Maria, she hugged them tightly in return while her tears fell down her cheek. They were her children, and she felt the same connection again.

"Children, you have grown a lot. You are wonderful young people." She said with a smile while her eyes were still shining with tears. Alexandra didn't understand the whole situation and was more than surprised to see her mother be so full of emotions. So were the children, the girls couldn't hide their feelings either. Tears of joy were running down everyone's faces.

"Why is Mommy crying?" She whispered to her father. "Maybe we should go and comfort her." She added.

"Your Mommy is only happy. But come, you should meet your brothers and sisters." Georg suggested and pulled the girl with him to meet the children. Alexandra looked at the circle of people with a slight reserve. Were they her brothers and sisters? They were almost grown ups. She automatically stepped to stand next to her mother while taking a hold of Maria's hand. The children recognized the scared look on Alexandra's face as she looked around one more time to see the circle of her siblings.

"Alexandra." Maria softly spoke. "They are your brothers and sisters. Say hello to them." Maria gently instructed her.

"Hello." Alexandra whispered. Maria smiled at the children for understanding.

"So you are my little sister, you know until now I have been the youngest one, but now I'm so happy that I have a little sister." Gretl bent down to talk to Alexandra. "I'm Gretl." She said and gently stroked the little girl's face. Alexandra smiled in response feeling an instant connection between her and one of her sisters. The other children one by one introduced themselves and when the last introduction was done, Alexandra seemed to be less nervous.

"Why don't we go inside?" Liesl suggested. "Dinner will be ready soon." The large group of people entered the house, the boys carrying the luggage inside.

"Let me show you to your room." Georg suggested and scooped up Alexandra to bring her upstairs to the guestroom. Maria followed them.

"So ladies, this is it." Georg said as he opened the door to the guestroom. "I hope you both will find it comfortable enough." He gently put down his daughter.

"Georg, this is beautiful." Maria exclaimed noticing the decoration and the freshly cut flowers in the vase. Alexandra jumped on one of the beds immediately, an action that made both her parents smile.

"Look, my little daughter." Georg said and pointed at the little gifts scattered on the bed. "This is all yours." He said. Alexandra excitedly opened each little package to find a little surprise especially for her prepared by her brothers and sisters. Her eyes lit up with wonderment. "I have to go and say thank you to them." She jumped up and ran out of the room. Maria and Georg exchanged a reassuring look before he touched her face gently.

"Everything alright, Maria?" He asked.

"Yes, everything is perfect. This room is splendid, it's just so unbelievable.... a year ago if someone had told me that I would be standing here with you, I surely would have thought the person to be crazy." She laughed.

"I know darling. But life is unpredictable." He said before he kissed her gently on the lips.

"Please make yourselves at home, after all this is your home now." Georg said while gently caressing her face.

"I'm so happy Georg, but also worried a bit. Everything happened so quickly." Maria sighed while wrapping her arms around his back. He in response pulled her closer until her head was resting against his chest. His hand gently stroked her hair, while his other hand traveled down on her back. She deepened the embrace by holding him tighter in her arms.

"I know, it's amazing, but everything will be alright. Now just get some rest darling, make yourself comfortable here and then dinner will be ready soon. Oh, Liesl's fiancé is joining us tonight. I hope you don't mind." Georg said while slowly releasing her from his arms.

"Oh no, not at all. After all we are family now." Maria replied, reaching up with one hand to gently stroke his face.

Georg left her alone in the room in order to enable her to get settled. While Maria was unpacking the bags Alexandra returned to the room.

"This place is so nice Mommy. And Gretl showed me the garden. Oh Mommy it's so beautiful." Alexandra exclaimed.

"Come here darling." Maria motioned for her daughter to sit on her lap. The girl obliged immediately by climbing up on the bed and sat on her mother's lap. Maria gently stroked her face.

"Alexandra, would you be happy if we lived here?" Maria asked, her heart beating rapidly.

"To live here? In this house? Together with Daddy and my siblings?" Alexandra asked her eyes growing wide. Maria nodded.

"Yes, in this house after your father and I get married." Maria answered.

"You are getting married, Mommy? Oh, then will there be a wedding?" Alexandra's voice sounded excited. "When?"

"We don't know the date yet, but very soon now." Maria smiled.

"Yes, Mommy. I want to live here." Alexandra hugged her mother. "And Mommy, does that also mean that I will have a little brother or sister?" Alexandra got even more excited.

"Maybe later Alexandra. If God presents us with a baby, then yes my darling, you won't be the youngest one anymore." Maria smiled as she had her youngest daughter's blessing as well. She took the girl by the hand they headed downstairs to join the family's dinner. Alexandra released Maria's hand and ran to her sisters immediately. Maria smiled at the connection she had established with them already. She took a deep sigh of relief and saw Georg near her. He took her hand in his while leading her into the dinning room.

"Maria, father..." Liesl exclaimed. "Come John, you have to meet Maria." She pulled her fiancé's hand.

"Darling, this is Maria." She softly spoke. "Maria this is my fiancé."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you." Maria said and reached for John's hand. "Hello, it's my pleasure to meet you, I have heard so much about you over the years, and not only from Liesl. You know you are the star in this family." John complimented, but his compliment made Maria blush.

"Thank you. Let me congratulate you on your wedding." Maria said and placed a little kiss on Liesl's and John's face

"Let me congratulate you and you too Captain. I'm very happy for you." John added. The four of them smiled at each other before entering the dinning room.

After dinner the family gathered in the living room and no sooner had they taken their seats, before the old stories had come up. Liesl surveyed Maria from the corner of her eyes and kept on wondering what all she had gone through. Knowing every detail of the story she couldn't help but admire this woman, how she had survived the pain of loneliness, giving birth to and raising a child on her own all the while establishing a new life in America. Liesl wondered about her own reaction if she had had to face a situation like this. The more she thought, the more she admired Maria for her strength and her faith in life.

Maria felt as if she had always belonged there, to that very house. The wonderful feeling of security entered her mind and soul. She watched the children talking and laughing happily, their joyful faces brought back all the beautiful memories. Her gaze wandered over to Georg and her heart melted seeing him with Alexandra sitting in his lap. Georg gave him a twinkle in his eyes, and a spark flew across the room as the two of them established eye contact.

For long hours the family was just talking and laughing at the memories before Georg pulled out his guitar.

"Maria, it's your turn." He handed the guitar to Maria who gladly accepted it. Her fingers gently caressed the strings while her eyes shone with tears. She looked at him questionably wondering if the musical instrument in her hands had been hers. He nodded to let her know that it used to be hers, the one she had left at the von Trapp villa many years ago. She started playing an old tune, a familiar sound. All the children, including Alexandra as well as Georg joined in when Maria started playing Edelweiss.

"Mommy, you used to sing to me this song when I was a little child." Alexandra said proudly. Maria nodded and gently kissed her on the cheek.

"Maria, do you remember the Do-Re-Mi song, the one we used to sing?" Louisa asked curiously. Maria nodded and long before they all were singing that song too. Looking at Alexandra Maria noticed the exhaustion on the little girl's face; she had almost fallen asleep on the floor.

"Children, can you excuse me for a few minutes? She is exhausted I have to put her to bed. It's past her bedtime, and today has been very tiring for her, too." Maria whispered. The other children smiled at the affection and love they saw on Maria's face. Georg gently picked up the little girl and carried her upstairs to the guestroom. Maria and Georg stood long at the girl's bedside, arranging the blanket around her before hand in hand they joined the rest of the family downstairs. The old family stories went on, as well as the questions the children asked Maria about the last 7 years they had missed in each others' lives. As much as they enjoyed this family time together, Maria and Georg longed for some time alone. The older children noticed the loving look on their faces and the way their entwined hands were gently resting on the couch between them.

"I think it's getting late for me, too. So if you will excuse me..." Louisa started, but all the other children understood her initiatives and followed her upstairs.

"We are alone finally." Georg sighed. "What about a little walk in the garden, but if you are tired... "He started, but couldn't finish because Maria gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Yes, a little walk would do good. Besides, Alexandra told me stories about the garden, so I really would like to see it." Maria answered. They stood up; Georg put her arm around Maria's shoulder and the couple slowly took a walk around the garden. It was a mild summer night; only a light breeze touched their faces.

"It's really nice out here, Georg." Maria sighed as the two of them sat down on a bench.

"I'm glad you are finally here. I have been counting the days." Georg confessed.

"So have I darling, and so has Alexandra. She seems to be happy here." Maria said before their lips met in a passionate kiss. The world around her ceased to exist, all she could feel was Georg's body close to her, all her senses enjoying fully the romantic moment. She felt him deepening the kiss as his hands traveled up and down her back. His lips left hers to place kisses along her neck all the way down to her shoulders. She didn't want him to stop, but knew that they had to before things ran out of control. Reluctantly Maria broke the embrace between them, smiling she indicated the agreement they had made.

"Oh yes, please forgive me." Georg said while looking into her eyes.

"No problem. We just have to be patient until we are married." Maria said and gently stroked his face. He nodded in agreement and pulled her close to rest against his chest.

"Maria, tomorrow we can go to the church to set the date of our wedding. The girls would surely be happy to look after Alexandra. And then we could have a nice lunch together, just the two of us. How does that sound?" He asked while wrapping his arms around her.

"Perfect." She sighed in contentment.

"Also darling, you should pick a destination for our honeymoon." Georg said while gently rubbing her arms.

"Honeymoon? Oh Georg, I don't necessarily insist on that. Being your wife is my only dream, and if that comes true..." Maria couldn't finish her sentence because Georg put his finger on her lips to silence her.

"No Maria. We'll go on a honeymoon. Maybe not for 6 weeks as we had planned, and seeing the situation in Europe, Paris cannot be done either, but something here in this country I'm sure would do. I want to spoil you, pamper you and be alone with you." He whispered into her ears.

"Okay, I'll think about it. But no matter where you take me, I'll be happy. I love you." Maria said while turning in his arms to face him.

"I love you, too. I cannot wait until we are married, and you are mine forever." He said and pulled her close to him again.

To be concluded....

Okay, as I said there is only one chapter left! Please review and the wedding chapter will be up VERY SOON! ;-)