Kurt stood and watched his family in their joy as he stood at the bar of the restaurant. He had actually done it. He had a mother and everything was perfect. The ceremony was beautiful. Georg and Maria both cried through the entire thing and afterwards took their wedding pictures along the lakeside and out by the old gazebo in the back yard. Now as he stood merely observing his family, he still could not believe what his eyes showed him. Sitting at the small quaint restaurant where the reception was being held were his six siblings, Max, Frau Schmidt, and his parents. The last time Kurt was able to even fathom that thought, he had barely been an adolescent. The day was perfect and he didn't want it to end. He wanted to freeze frame the moment and make it last forever.
Maria was caught in the moment. She was a bride, his bride. Yes, she would miss teaching in her little classroom in Austria, but she knew that a wonderful and new life awaited her in America. Maria happened to glance over in the direction of the bar and saw Kurt staring back in a total fog. Just knowing what he had gone through in order to get her to marry his father, Maria's heart melted. When she met Kurt seven years ago for the first time, he appeared to be a quiet, shy boy. But over the past few weeks that she had spent with him, she got to know a completely different side of him. And at last she was his mother and he her beloved son. Her life was now complete.
Kurt was brought back to reality as the bartender nudged him so he could take his glass. He then walked back over to the table to rejoin his family. At that moment, Freidrich stood up and asked for everyone's attention.
"Um….you all know what my younger brother had to go through to get these two people here today," he gestured towards Maria and Georg and went on. "I know I speak for my siblings when I saw this, but we are so blessed to finally have a mother again. And now that our father is happy once again, our family is finally that, a true family."
"I want to share something with you all. I can remember every day that the seven of us spent with Maria here in Austria roaming about the streets causing chaos. Maria was the first governess we all liked. She taught us how to sing away our problems and she taught our father how to love us again." Freidrich cleared his throat and paused for a moment to look around at everyone. He had the attention of all ten people sitting at the table.
"For years the seven of us were forced to answer to whistles and march around wearing sailor suits that father made us wear." Everyone broke into laughter upon hearing this. "And Maria, it was you who freed us from both of those things. Thank you." This time hysterics occurred all around the table, including the bride and groom. "Father, mother, I know that you both love each other. Anyone off the street could tell the same. The seven of us will always be your little children, regardless of how old we get, or how old you get. I wish you all the best in the world and good luck. So let us all now raise our glasses to Captain Georg Von Trapp and to Baroness Maria Von Trapp…Cheers!"
All eleven glasses clinked together in unison as Freidrich sat down. Kurt patted his brother on the back in approval. Max decided it was his turn to speak so he let his voice be known, "I personally would like to hear from my nephew, Kurt who is responsible for this glorious occasion." Everyone turned their attention towards Kurt's end of the table and encourage him to stand up and say something.
"Well I'm sure that everyone is tired of hearing about me when we really should be talking about this two wonderful people here. I don't plan on making a long speech like Freidrich did, but do I have a question to ask my new mother." He turned towards Maria and extended his hand. "I ask you for this dance that we both started so many years ago. I've grown since that night and think I can manage the turns now." The small band that had played at the ceremony now began to play the Landler and Maria's face was filled with an expression of bewilderment once again.
"And to think that I had you figured out. More surprises?" Maria glanced at Kurt with tears in her eyes yet again.
"Does that mean yes? I assure you that I'm not half as bad as I once was." Maria looked at Kurt and had to laugh. Deep down inside he truly was the same boy she met seven years ago. She stood up and took Kurt's hand as he led her to the small dance floor.
The two started to glide through the music and Maria was really impressed with how skilled Kurt had gotten, but then again he was only eleven years old when she had tried to teach him the dance. The music ended and Maria placed a tender kiss on Kurt's cheek. But he motioned for the band to re-play the song. Maria gave him a suspicious look and was about to question her son when she felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Excuse me baroness, but my I have the pleasure of a dance too?" Georg asked and didn't wait for an answer. Instead he took his wife in his arms and they danced just as they had the night of the party, but this time they finished it.
Well how did I do? This is officially the end of my first piece so let me know how I did and if I should start another one soon?!?!?!!? Thanx for all your comments and suggestions along the way---believe me I took all of them into consideration.