Chapter 12.

The next 2 summer months were the busiest for the von Trapp family. Everyone was eager to participate in the preparation of the wedding of Maria and Georg. The date was set for August 12. They went through the guest list, and final number came to 30, only friends and family members were invited. This time they thought the house's garden would just do fine as the location of the wedding. The flowers had been ordered, and also they chose a caterer company as well. As for the honeymoon destination Georg came up with the idea of the two of them going to Virginia Beach for 10 days where they could have some time only for themselves. Maria thought this duration a bit too long at first, but then Georg easily managed to convince her.

There were many things to be done, not only the family's attire had to be ordered, but also Maria had to find a new school for Alexandra, as well as some duties back in Vermont awaited her before she could start her life as Mrs. Maria von Trapp. First she thought of selling her house, but then realized that the little house had really grown close to her heart and the little tailor shop was also something she couldn't see let go either. After considering her situation, and consulting with Georg and her friends, she decided to keep it, but she handed over the management to the girls who had been working for her. On one of those errands Liesl and Louisa accompanied her to Vermont, because she was in need of their help, she had too many things at her house that needed to be transferred to New York. Also, her two friends were making her wedding gown, and she had to be there for fitting.

"So what do you think?" Maria came out of the fitting room, swinging around in her gown. The simple white gown perfectly fitted to her slim figure making her look like a heavenly creature. She took a look at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile at what she saw. Her heart started beating rapidly at the thought of Georg's reaction seeing her in it. She gently stroked the bodice part of the dress before turning around to see the girls' reaction. The sight of Maria amazed them all.

"You look absolutely fabulous, Maria." They said almost in unison.

"What do you plan to do with your hair?" Liesl asked.

"Oh, I was only thinking of a bun with a few petals of flowers. I don't want to have a veil, I'm too old for that." Maria replied with a smile on her face hiding her own embarrassment.

"No matter what you are going to wear, father will be the happiest person in the world on that day. We all will be happy, Maria, this is what we have been dreaming about for 7 years. Right Louisa?" Liesl asked turning her head to Louisa, who nodded in agreement.

"Come here." Maria whispered and opened her arms. The two girls were gladly accepting it, and the three of them went into a big hug.

The day of the wedding arrived sooner than expected and Maria was excitedly preparing in the guest room. Still wearing her dressing gown she looked out of the window to see people arranging the seats and flowers in the garden. Her hair had already been done, even her make up was on her face, and the only thing she had left was to put on her wedding gown. She was in a nervous state mixed with happy excitement and anticipation. Her bags were packed for the honeymoon, and it was beyond her belief that today she was going to finally become Mrs. Maria von Trapp, the waiting was over. The girls were using another room to get dressed and Alexandra joined her sisters, so that Maria didn't have to care about anything else, but herself only. Maria sat on the bed trying to relax a bit when she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Maria, it's me, Helena. Can I come in?" She heard Helena's voice. Pulling the robe together on her, she went to answer the door.

"Yes, come in please. I will need someone to help with the gown anyway." She answered. Helena entered the room and immediately noticed the tension on Maria's face.

"Maria, is everything alright with you?" She asked.

"Yes, I think so. I'm only a bit nervous. Isn't it silly?" Maria asked in response while taking a seat on the bed.

"No Maria, it's not silly at all. Although I don't see any reason for being nervous. What are you afraid of?" Helena softly laughed.

"Oh nothing actually. It's just my wedding day and everything." Maria slightly smiled.

"You will be fine." She started. "Maria, I wanted to talk to you." Helena finished. Maria gave her a questioning look. "Please don't take this the wrong way; I'm just a silly old woman..." She stopped for a moment. "But you are getting married today. I want to give you something that I got from my mother when I was going to get married." She said and reached into her bag. "Here. This used to belong to my mother and also I wore it on my wedding day. I want you to wear this pearl necklace today." Helena said with teary eyes and took a hold of Maria's hand. "You are my daughter Maria. I know we met under circumstances when life was hard on you, and now my heart is filled with joy to see your happiness. Also please know that no matter what happens, I will be always here for you as a friend and a mother." Helena said while her eyes were shining with tears.

"Oh, Helena." Maria said equally with shining eyes. "Thank you for everything. I never knew my real mother, but I have met you and you were really a mother to me. You have taught me so much and I don't know what I would have done without you throughout the years. Helena, you saved my life." Maria said her eyes welling with tears.

"Please don't cry Maria. You will ruin your make up." Helena smiled. "Now, I think it's time for you to put on your gown. Come, I will help you." Maria stood up and with Helena's help she put on her wedding gown as well as Helena fixed the necklace around Maria's neck. Again, swinging in front of the mirror she was surprised to see her reflection.

"You look gorgeous Maria and the necklace goes perfectly with your gown. Your Sea Captain won't be able to take his eyes off you." Helena whispered. Maria turned around and gave a big hug to her. The soft tunes of the wedding procession were heard from the garden and Maria knew that it was time to start her journey. Liesl voice from behind the door also told her to go. She took a deep breath and after exchanging a reassuring look with Helena she started walking downstairs.

Liesl gave her the bunch of roses that she raised to feel their scent. She lifted her head to establish eye contact with Georg waiting for her at the end of the aisle. As the orchestra began to play the music Maria slowly walked down the aisle. Georg just stood there and looked at her with wonderment. She was gorgeous, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. For a moment he was afraid of waking up from a dream, but after realizing that it was the reality, his face reflected nothing but true happiness. While walking down the aisle for an instance Maria looked around to see her friends and family members gathered in the garden but then again she fixed her gaze on her fiancé. Georg smiled at her and reached out for her hand when she finally reached the little gate at the end of the aisle. Together facing the priest, they stated their vows to each other. Maria felt tears welling in her eyes as she looked into Georg's loving gaze.

"Now I pronounce you husband and wife." The priest said out "You may kiss the bride."

Georg gently cupped her face with his hands and their heads started moving towards each other. Maria closed her eyes before she finally felt his lips touching hers as they kissed each other for the first time as a married couple.

The End.

A/N: This was the longest story and maybe the hardest one I have ever written. At first I wasn't sure if I should post it because of the touchy subject and the strange plot it explored. But then my wonderful beta, Jessica did some prereading and she encouraged me to go ahead with posting. So I did, and the tons of reviews (being positive or critical) helped me keep going. Thank you to all of you (those who reviewed and those who didn't) for reading my story and for the feedbacks telling me what you really thought of this piece of fanfiction. Also, last but not least I again want to say a big thank you to Jessica. Without her help this story would have not turned out the way it finally did!

So again thank you for taking the time to read my story, and since you were so good at reviewing, I think I have a little surprise for you... Enjoy the little Epilogue!

Epilogue

6 months later...

Standing by the window and watching the snowflakes gently falling down in the moonlight Maria did not hear her husband slowly approach her from behind. She startled when his arms went around her waist, finding their rest on her slightly expanded stomach. Covering his hands with hers, she leaned back against his chest.

"How are you, Darling?" Maria asked.

"It has been a long day, but otherwise I'm fine. And what about you and my youngest child?" He asked while gently rubbing her stomach.

"We are both fine. I had an appointment with Dr. Kramer this morning; he says that everything is alright." Maria answered while turning in his arms to face him. They had been married for 6 months now, and she had never felt happier in her entire life. Finally her life was complete, expecting their second child made her feel overwhelmed with joy. Looking into her eyes Georg slowly placed his lips on hers and they shared a deep, long lasting kiss. Their lips parted when Maria suddenly gasped in surprise. A familiar but still a new sensation coming from inside made her stop for a moment while her hand automatically went to her stomach.

"Maria, are you alright? What happened, Darling?" Georg asked in concern.

"Nothing.. it's just.." Tears were welling in her eyes while gently guiding her husband's hand to rest on her stomach. Together, they felt it again as the little pulse repeated. Georg couldn't contain his tears either, guiding Maria to sit on the bed. He saw Maria's face overwhelmed with emotions. Her eyes still shining with tears she put her head on Georg's shoulder. Her memory went back to another time when she first had felt the sensation of soft baby kicks coming from inside. Seeing the tears on her face, Georg gently wiped them away with his fingers.

"Oh Darling, I love you." He whispered into her ear, an action that brought more tears to her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Georg. I know I'm too emotional now...I cannot help but remember the time when I was expecting Alexandra, and the evening I first felt her and how I longed for you to be there... and now we can share this. I'm just happy..." She finished, her eyes still shining with tears.

"I'm happy too. And I have been just thinking about the same thing. How I wish I had been there, but I'm here now and this precious moment is only ours." He said softly, his hand caressing Maria's rounded stomach. His gaze locked with hers their lips met again in a passionate kiss.

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