He knew he should have been able to better resist as he noiselessly made his way into her room, path unerringly carrying him to her side. The soft glow that ensconced her skin only further enhanced this vision of heavenly purity, and he couldn't bring himself to look away. He slowly leaned over, bending his head toward hers through the softly shimmering moonlight, feeling her instantly awaken as their lips met, as their embrace steadily deepened, as they both drowned in another whirlpool of evolving passion, as the heat seeped from her face to his, suffusing his cheeks with a steady warmth ...
It was with a groan that the Captain returned to consciousness, unwillingly cracking open an eye to behold the stream of bright light that cascaded into his chamber through the clear windowpanes. It was all a dream, he realized with another yearning sigh, automatically lifting a hand to his cheek. Surprisingly, it still seemed to retain a bit of the warmth from his dream; it was with great effort that he attempted to shake off the still-vivid images as he propelled himself into an upright position.
He wouldn't be able to contain himself from allowing their expressions of affection to grow into something more, something that would consume their bodies in raging flames and allow neither to escape its grasp. But he had to. Just a little while longer, he thought, trying to resign himself to the vigil he must keep.
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"Fraulein Maria!"
The insistent, pleading little voice near her ear refused to cease its banter of repeatedly calling her name, and Maria groaned a little as she blinked open her eyes, staring at Gretl for the longest time with a limpid, drowsy gaze.
"Gretl? Why are you up so early?" she began, then instantly sat straight up as her eyes automatically turned toward the nearest window. The sun shone fairly high in the sky, marking the time as steadily approaching noon. Another glance toward her bedside clock told her the fearful truth: She had overslept 'till ten!
"Why didn't you come wake us up?" Gretl demanded, a trifle petulantly. "Now we'll miss breakfast!"
Maria smiled, despite her private dismay, and leaned over to ruffle the little girl's hair playfully, which elicited a lilting giggle from the child.
"Well, now, I'm sure Frau Schmidt will have something prepared, " she assured Gretl, even as she hastily covered her mouth with the other hand to stifle a yawn. "Why don't you go and wake up your brothers and sisters? I'll be in to help you dress in a moment, okay?"
Gretl liked the idea of getting to rouse her siblings from their restful slumbers, and happily dashed out of the room with all of her youthful exuberance, leaving Maria alone with her thoughts.
As she slowly stood up from the bed, and stretched a little, her feet seemed to involuntarily take her toward the nearest window. Her hands gently pulled away the drapes, revealing the grounds of the villa alight with sunshine. The heat that came through the glass warmed her instantly, causing a soft sigh to escape her lips. She had felt that gentle warmth in her dream, as she had melted into his arms, lost in his eyes, his kiss, his ...
The hands that slipped gracefully around her waist startled her; she whirled around, wide eyes beholding the twinkling ones of the Captain with bemusement.
"You're up a little late this morning, aren't you?" he asked teasingly, even as he leaned forward to peck her cheek. "The children have been up for quite some time, you know; they're all dressed and waiting for you downstairs in the dining room." He chuckled at her somewhat surprised, somewhat guilty expression. "Your punctuality has been perfect since the first evening you were here, so needless to say, the children - and I - were beginning to be a bit concerned."
Maria permitted herself a small giggle at his words, relaxing gradually, although still very much aware of his arms embracing her.
"I had a little trouble sleeping, last night, " she admitted, a soft flush beginning to creep up her neck, spilling onto her cheeks in a flood of pale rose.
A low laugh escaped his lips as he drew her closer to his side. "Coincidentally, my love, so did I." Glancing down at her clothing for the first time, his eyebrows lifted in distinct amusement. "Perhaps you should get dressed, " he suggested with another twinkle in his dark eyes, "and then come down for some breakfast, hm?"
Maria couldn't help but grin; a silly, melting sort of grin that had never before had a reason - or the stimulus - to appear upon her expressive visage before. After waiting for a few moments, certain that he had made his way downstairs once more, she crossed her room toward the armoire, and selected the dress she had worn during the children's first boat ride.
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"Fraulein Maria, it isn't like you to be late for breakfast, " Brigitta observed as Maria noiselessly made her way into the dining room with a cheerful, "Good morning!"
"Why didn't you come to help us dress?" Gretl asked, not long after Brigitta's query.
An amused little smile worked its way over Maria's countenance as she slipped into her seat. "Well, I would have, dear, but you were already gone by the time I got to your rooms." She took the liberty of sharing a half-guilty smile with the Captain, who arched a brow in feigned confusion, even as he permitted himself to smile back.
Saying grace today with the von Trapps felt different, somehow, than it had several months ago. It wasn't just merely the fact that the Captain had changed, or that the children were much more receptive and accepting of her. No, there was more of a distinct feeling of belonging, of being part of one large, happy family. Something within her leapt at the thought. Yes, she said to herself, I can think of them that way, now. They are my family.
"Father? Where are Uncle Max and Baroness Schraeder?"
Brigitta's query drew Maria out of her thoughts, causing the young woman to casually lower her gaze to her plate, even as she speared another bit of sausage with her fork and glanced sideways toward Georg as he put down his glass, placing his hands on the table.
"Well, darling, he's driving back from Vienna, at the moment, although I did hope he'd be here in time for -- "
"Georg, I must say that I had hoped that you, of all people, wouldn't begin a proper meal without me!" Max chuckled in a jocular manner, meandering easily toward the long table.
Everyone laughed at this, with the children glancing betwixt Max and their father with more than just mere puzzlement written across their visages.
"Father?"
The Captain suppressed a chuckle at his daughter, turning his dark gaze from Max to Brigitta, while allowing his eyes to linger on Maria momentarily before responding. "Yes, Brigitta?"
"If Uncle Max took Baroness Schraeder back to Vienna, are we going to have a governess again?"
Exhaling slowly, Georg lifted his glass to his lips, deliberately taking his time swallowing and savoring the cool liquid. The corners of his mouth twitched, however briefly, when Maria chanced a glance in his direction. He was going to enjoy this.
"Well, " he began, aware that he suddenly had the full attention of all nine people at the table, "you're still not going to have a governess anymore; I see no need to hire one at this time." Pausing again for effect, his gaze slowly roved about the diners, settling on Maria intently. "However, what would you children say if I told you that Fraulein Maria could be your new mother?"
Maria couldn't help but smile as all of the children erupted into a joyous clamor. That was answer enough. The sight struck a poignant chord deep within her, causing her expressive eyes and face to fill with happiness.
Georg, glancing proudly at her, soon wasn't able to tear his gaze away. The luminous quality of her face and eyes only enhanced her gentle beauty, and he permitted himself a tender smile before reluctantly tearing his gaze away to beam paternally at the still joyously shouting children. Their children.