Maria and Kurt were now traveling in a taxi cab to the Von Trapp Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. The trip had been a fun, but long one. They had had to take a ship into New York City from Europe and from there another train that would take them into Vermont. Now, sitting together in the cab, the rain was pouring down and thunder could be heard in the distance. Kurt had grown quiet over the past few days and Maria could tell that he was thinking about how his siblings and his father would react to seeing Maria once again. The truth was, that was all Maria could think about too. And in being so observant to Kurt she didn't realize his hand soothingly cover hers on the seat of the cab.
She must be thinking the same thing as me. Kurt could tell by Fraulein Maria's facial expressions and by the lack of her talking that she was deep in thought. Sure, he figured that everyone would be surprised to see her. But he hadn't thought about how she would feel amongst all the action that would soon take place at the lodge.
The cab pulled up along a road that ran through the tall trees and Maria knew that they were almost there. Just as she was thinking this, a beautiful brown lodge came into view and the cab stopped in front of it. The driver helped Kurt get the luggage out of the trunk and then Kurt paid the man. He looked at Maria, took a deep breath and motioned for her to follow him inside.
The inside of the lodge was just as breathtaking as the outside was. As soon as she and Kurt entered she could see a long staircase that led upstairs to the bedrooms. Straight ahead of them was a very spacious sitting room, foyer type room. Down the hall from that Maria could hear the rattling of pots and pans so she figured that the kitchen was close by as well.
Kurt took her things and dropped them at the bottom of the stairs with his. Then he put his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly.
"Hello! Where is everyone? I'm home!" It took several minutes, but shortly after, a young man and woman came hurdling down the stairs to greet Kurt. Maria stood off to the side of the room and observed what was about to happen. Kurt flung the young woman into his arms as she was about to reach the last step and put her into a bear hug. It took Maria a moment, but she soon realized that it was Marta. But it didn't look like her at all, at first. This girl was slightly tall, had shoulder length brown hair, and was beautiful.
When Kurt and Marta finished hugging, Kurt turned his attention to the man standing next to him.
"So how was your trip, little brother? Eat the whole time did we?"
"Freidreich you know me all too well." And with that the two brothers shook hands and embraced each other firmly. When Freidreich pulled away his eyes landed on his sister.
"Marta, what is it?" He turned to see his sister staring at Fraulein Maria.
"Oh my God! It can't be." Freidreich's mouth almost hit the ground in disbelief and Marta began to cry as she and Maria hugged deeply. Tears were soon forming in her eyes as well. Freidreich couldn't contain himself and he wrapped his arms around his sister and his former governess. Maria bent upwards and gave Freidreich a kiss on his cheek and he did the same in return.
After what seemed like hours, the three broke apart and Marta was the first to speak.
"I don't believe it. How did you…I mean, it can't be…"
"I think what she means is that it's great to see you, Fraulein Maria," Freidreich jumped in and made the situation more comfortable for them all.
Maria could only stand there and look at the three of them in shock. She had come to the realization that Kurt reminded her so much of the Captain, but that was before she had seen Freidreich. Now looking at him was like looking at the Captain's reflection in a mirror. The only difference was the color of his hair was blond instead of brown.
"Where is everyone else? Surely the other four are around here somewhere." Kurt was about to call upstairs for his four other sisters when his brother stopped him.
"Liesl had to go into town with Charles to look at a facility for the wedding and Lousia insisted on going to help pick it out since she's going to be the maid of honor. And naturally Brigitta and Gretl had to tag along."
"Well why didn't you two go with them into town?" Kurt was a little curious as to why Freidreich and Marta had stayed home instead of joining the others.
"Actually I have been home all day awaiting the return of my favorite brother and he had to go to Dr. Clavel's office for his internship that started today." Marta filled Kurt in with a smile. All the while clasping her hand with Maria's.
"That started today?!? Well congrats on that, Freid! I didn't think you'd start something like that till your final year of school at least." Freidreich smiled at his brother's praise. "Nope, started today and let me tell you that it wasn't what I expected at all."
"Why do you say that?" Freidreich was about to respond when he remembered that Marta and Maria were still in the room. "Actually, Kurt, I don't want to bore these fine ladies with all the details so I'll tell you all about it at dinner later on."
Kurt was about to ask where the Captain was when he suddenly entered into the sitting room from the hallway that lead into the kitchen and dining room.
"Well, Kurt, it looks like you're back home safe and sound. How was the trip?" There was no sign of compassion in the Captain's voice and Maria was grateful that he hadn't seen here yet.
"Hello to you too, father. The trip went very well. It's still a shame that you didn't want to tag along. I'm sure that you would have liked to see Austria again."
"I highly doubt that, son. But I see that you've come home empty-handed…so I guess it's safe to assume that I was right all along in saying that there really is nothing left for anyone in Austria these days." A smirk crossed the Captain's face, but it soon disappeared when he realized one had formed on Kurt's as well.
Maria felt that this was the opportune time to make her presence known. "On the contrary, Captain, I think that Kurt's trip was a magnificent success, wouldn't you agree?" And now it was the Captain's turn to don a look of disbelief and awe.
"Fraulien Maria….well I'll be damned."
To be continued…..
Here it is, chapter numero cinco! Please keep the reviews coming. You all have been so wonderful with them so far! ;)
(by the way…I thought that Kurt calling Freidreich 'Freid' would make the scene a little at east for everyone! tell me what you think of it, too!)