Again sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes…

Imagine the captain's study is next to his bedroom.

Waw, I've gotten a lot of reviews for this chapter, thx all! To respond to one's message, I have plans with this story, sorry if it's slow for you but there's gonna be more and I have it all worked out…

And I've written some new things in this chapter, so I replaced the old chapter 8.

Chapter 8: Don't worry, dad

The captain saw his children constantly with Chris and Maria. Maria he didn't mind, but he began to worry that the children would see Chris more as a father figure. Well, not the older ones, it was especially Marta and Gretl he was concerned about. And things only seemed to get worse. The last few nights he had these nightmares. He dreamed that Chris and Maria were getting married. The couple never seemed happier. They even asked his daughters to be their bridesmaids. And of course he was invited too. The church was completely filled with people, each and every one of them whispering that they always had seen it coming, that it only had been a matter of time. Then Maria walked down the aisle and looked absolutely captivating in her wedding gown. Georg wanted to be happy for her, for the both of them, but tears filled his eyes as he knew that he'd lost her. Then the ceremony had ended, and the happy couple walked outside where everyone was cheering for them, everyone but Georg… He saw his beloved leave in the car, with Chris by her side, and when it was out of view, every other person around Georg disappeared and in only a few seconds he was standing there all alone.

"I've lost you, Maria…" He fell on his knees, failing to hold his tears back. "Don't leave… I'm lost without you…" he whispered.

Every night he woke up, covered in sweat, relieved it was all a nightmare. But then Maria and Chris crossed his mind and he knew his nightmare soon would be reality, it was only a matter of time… Somehow he felt a bit vulnerable, something he hadn't felt since Agathe died. Maria had changed him so much, he was back the man he used to be before his terrible loss and now he had his family back. From the start he had felt different in Maria's presence, even though he didn't like to admit so. She came into his life, disobeying him, as if she had no respect for him, now he knew that it was for the best. But ever since Chris had come into their lives, he felt he had to be careful and also jealousy had started to come up. In the week that Chris had been here, when he saw the two of them together, he wished he could be the one so close to her… Silly perhaps, but that was in fact how he felt. And already he was wondering when Chris would leave, and hopefully get things back to the way they were, although he knew he then was being dishonest to Maria. How much he hated it, Chris was part of Maria's life and he simply had to cope with that.

The day had flown by, and not once was he allowed into the ballroom. Max's puppet show had arrived some days ago and since then he had hardly seen his children. When he had passed the ballroom a couple of times earlier that day, he heard yodelling every time. It made him very curious about what was to happen, especially because no one gave him even one clue. Of course he knew it had to do with a puppet show, but that's all he got out of his children.

For once it made him think about something else, but when Maria and Chris stepped out of the ballroom, enjoying themselves thoroughly, he needed some time alone, away from the children, away from Elsa and Max, and especially away from Maria and Chris. So not long after he found himself in the gazebo, the perfect place to just calm down a bit.

It was growing dark and he just sighed deeply, gazing at his surroundings. For the first in a long time he relaxed again. The silence with every now and then the chirping of crickets was ever so soothing and it definitely helped him to gather his thoughts for a minute. Nearly twenty minutes he sat there, when suddenly he saw two figures walking towards him. He saw from far that it were Louisa and Friedrich, and watched how they first just stood at the opening of the gazebo, and then slowly entered. Louisa took place next to her father, as Friedrich kept standing in front of him. Both of them had noticed their father's behaviour these last few days, and going outside to think was certainly not something he did often, at least not anymore since Agathe. Carefully and rather quietly, Louisa began, hoping Georg would trust it them to talk about whatever was bothering him, even though they had an idea what that was.

"Father… Is something wrong?"

"No." Georg replied, trying to sound at least a bit jolly, "What would there be wrong?" He tried to hide his misery, but his children could see right through him.

"Perhaps you're feeling intimidated by Chris." Friedrich continued, pretty sure it was one of his dad's worries.

Georg knew they were right. He felt extremely unsettled by Chris and it showed too. When both Louisa and Friedrich saw the look on his face, they were determined to help their father.

"Dad, you should know that you're our father and we love you a thousand times more! Sure he's a nice guy, but he could never replace you if that's what you're thinking!" Louisa said as she took his hand in hers. In a way it felt strange to both of them, yet that feeling disappeared as their looks crossed. But the most surprising thing was that Louisa had called him dad, in such a way, in such a warm glow, that it seemed as if these past few years never had taken place. Georg smiled faintly and placed his hand on Louisa's knee as if to say thank you. "I know… I love you too, never forget that."

"We won't." Both choired as finally Friedrich went to sit down as well on the other side of his father. Georg turned to him, cast a little smile and placed his other hand on Friedrich's knee. He regretted so much that he had missed those years… So now was his time, and he swore he wouldn't let anything get by from now on. Gently he laid his arms around his children, both letting their head rest against his shoulders. The silence was gone now, yet he could smile again, it only required the presence of his two children.

"It bothers you that Fraulein Maria and Chris are getting along so well, doesn't it?" He heard Louisa say and for a moment, his smile disappeared. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you have been kind of absent lately… and whenever you see Chris and Fraulein Maria together, you just seem… hurt."

"And that isn't everything." Friedrich hesitated, he wasn't sure whether he should tell this too, but both he and Louisa knew it was for the better. "Last night, Louisa and I couldn't sleep. I went out into the hallway, when Louisa joined me"

"I'd heard some noise in the hallway, so when I went to see what it was, we found out we both couldn't sleep." Louisa filled in, after having heard how strange that must've sounded to their father.

"We were searching for that book you used to read to us when we were little. When we couldn't find it downstairs, we went to your study. We thought it might be there, but when we passed your room, we heard you talking in your sleep."

"You were saying you had lost Fraulein Maria."

"We thought it was strange. So we kept an eye on you the whole day," Friedrich went on.

"You're right," he said as he tightened the embrace for a brief moment, "It does bother me."

Louisa turned her head a bit to face Georg. "If there is anything you want to talk about, we're here for you, dad."

"I appreciate that," he replied before he kissed her forehead.

Meanwhile, the darkness had overcome and the night air was chilly, especially for Louisa and Friedrich who sat out there in their summer clothes. Not long after Louisa started shivering a bit and Georg of course had felt it.

"Are you cold Louisa?"

"No, not at all." She was enjoying being so close to her father, but she knew that he would send her inside if she found it chilly, thus stayed brave, this was far more important she thought. Georg, however, knew his daughter long enough to tell when she wasn't telling the truth. Even Friedrich started to shiver, so he pulled them both closer to him, hoping it would warm them up a bit. They just sat there, close to each other, saying nothing. Georg had missed them so and he wasn't intending to let them go soon.

Everyone was laughing and having so much fun with the puppets and learning the song. Chris had helped Maria when it had arrived with setting everything up. Now finally they were finished with the practise and ready to start the show. She told everyone it was time, but as Maria was glancing through the ballroom she noticed two persons were missing. 'I wonder where they are.'

"Ok, hold on a minute. We're missing Louisa and Friedrich. Prepare yourselves, we'll start as soon as I've found them. Meanwhile, put some chairs here for the captain, the baroness and Max."

The children obeyed and were already busy putting everything on place, while Chris was laying the puppets behind, where it would be easy to reach them for the show as Maria walked out of the ballroom. She soon found Elsa and Max sitting in the sitting room, but there was no sign of the captain.

"You can join the others in the ballroom now. But I can't find Louisa and Friedrich, so it will take a minute before things start."

"Oh, I believe I saw them go outside, Fraulein," Max filled in to Maria's relief, and now she had an idea where to look. "Thanks. I'll go check right away."

Maria left the sitting room and made her way to the door. Once outside she found it rather cool, so she hurried up to the gazebo. Though she slowed down not long after that, because she saw three figures sitting in the gazebo, all snuggled up to each other. Quietly she went further, not wanting to disturb the others. It was quite dark, and she hoped they would not see her. Then she came to a tree, not far from it, and she stayed behind just enough to see the beautiful scene in front of her, and yet not to be discovered. Seeing the captain reunited with his children, being so different than in the beginning, it simply made her smile.

Georg had seen someone moving closer, and he could see of her silhouette that it was Maria. He was sure Louisa and Friedrich hadn't seen her, because they still lay against him, saying nothing, otherwise they would have definitely asked her to come closer. He saw her behind the tree, watching them sit there. In a way he felt thankful that she didn't interrupt this moment. Yet he felt she should be there with him, after all, it was all thanks to her…

Maria could look at them forever, but she remembered people were waiting for them inside, so she gathered all her courage to break up this moment, and stepped from behind the tree. The moonlight that was shining on her made her look even more angelic and breathtaking than normal and Georg simply couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"Hello," she said in the same cheerful tone as always. The captain thought he was dreaming, a wonderful dream for a change. Nevertheless, as she walked into the gazebo, not far away from them, the children were responding to her. "Is it time already, Fraulein?"

"I'm afraid so."

They got up, leaving Georg behind, sitting alone on the bench. Maria wanted to follow the two, who were already at the gate by the lake, but was stopped as she heard the captain's voice calling her.

"Fraulein?"

She turned back to face Georg and was much closer to him than she had expected, since he too was now standing, closing the gap between them with every step he took until he was so close that Maria became light headed. "I just wanted to say thank you. You've done a marvellous job here and I'll always be grateful to you."

She merely blushed a little by getting this compliment. "I merely did my job, sir."

He could not help thinking she was so captivating, even though he did his best not to think of her that way, but standing so close to her, his mind seemed to live a life of its own. Almost he couldn't resist it, looking into her deep blue eyes, to kiss her so tenderly… However, he could control himself just in time.

Maria too didn't quite remember how to walk as she was looking into his eyes, to have him so close… It frightened her a bit. She never before had had feelings like this and told herself that it would be wrong to ask for his love. She backed away a little, ready to head back for the house, but once again Georg held her back.

"Today the children and I had been talking about going on an outing together and we were wondering if you'd like to come too. We're going to a spot I know up in the hills." Knowing it would be suspicious if he didn't ask Chris, he had no other choice than to invite him too. "Chris is more than welcome as well."

"I'd love too," Maria was able to say, "But Chris won't be able to come. He has to go to the city tomorrow."

"So it will be just us then."

He felt utterly happy when he heard that Chris wasn't coming and the thought of having some time alone with her then simply made him smile. Of course the children would be there too, but they always were away, exploring the neighbourhood, or just playing games, it would be perfect!

"What about baroness Schraeder, sir?"

He was a bit surprised by her question, and the conversation between Elsa and him that afternoon came back to him.

"Elsa, the children and I are goingout tomorrow, to this lovely place in the hills…"

After hearing these words, Elsa was already imagining herself a quiet afternoon, without those children bugging her the whole day… "What a nice idea, Georg."

"Will you be coming too?" Georg asked, even though he knew what her answer was going to be.

There went her quiet afternoon. 'Unless I just say no.'

"Oh no dear, this should be your day alone with the children. Besides, I never liked the hills anyway, oh I love to watch them, but I'm just not cut out to be doing silly things up there. No Georg, I'm sure you'll have just as much fun without me."

It didn't bother him at all. After all, Elsa in the hills walking in high heels and those designer clothes. No, he had someone else in mind… Someone who did these things nearly every day.

His mind snapped back to Maria, who was patiently waiting for an answer.

"She didn't want to come, she says she's not cut out for the hills."

Already he was thinking of the next day, how he would have a chance to talk to her and be in each other's presence without any person who would spoil the moment, namely two persons… Chris and Elsa.

Maria looked a bit down, facing the ground because she simply couldn't look into his eyes any longer. She was afraid she might do something stupid if she did. "Oh I see," she didn't know that the fact the baroness wasn't going whether was a good or a bad thing, however she couldn't wait for the next day… "Well, shall we go back? The others are waiting for us."

He reached out his arm to let her go first. Then they walked together to the house. Nobody could change Georg's mood, he felt stronger than he had felt in weeks. Little did he know, someone was going to change that very soon…