Hi everyone, I'm really sorry it took so long, I was having some troubles
with this chapter. I wrote most of it late at night when I was supposed to
be sleeping and in school. So it isn't a good chapter either. Please
forgive me.
----- ----- -----
Although the children had been having a blast, it had been some time since the others had left.
"Uncle Max, when will father and Fraulein Maria return?"
He had been sitting at the shore of the lake, watching the children having fun. Frequently he would be asking himself what Georg was doing alone with Maria for so long. Maria seemed to be very close with Chris, perhaps they were even more than just friends. Though the way she was acting every time Georg was near her, or every time he spoke to her. It was quite obvious for Max to know there was something going on. Maria wasn't the only one. Georg had looked much more happier with her around. And when Chris had come, he became much more quiet, like if he was thinking about something all the time. Max loved Elsa and Georg. Them together would be very nice. But Max knew Georg didn't feel the same for Elsa as he did for Maria. And to see his best friend happy again was everything he ever wished for since Agathe had died. 'Poor Elsa.' Responding to Marta, he got up.
"I don't know dear. I think they won't be long anymore."
-----
"Thanks Maria. I'm really having a great day."
"Me too."
They were walking slowly, not wanting the day to end.
"Captain ..."
He lifted his eyes from the ground to her face.
"Hm?"
"I was wondering about your governesses."
He stopped for a minute, surprised by her question, but walked on seconds later.
"Exactly what were you wondering?"
"Well, you said you always got those Frauleins away in a short time. How short precise? Your children managed to get one away after only 2 hours."
The sun shined brightly upon the 2. Maria was looking at him too.
"Yes, they broke my record. If I remember right, the shortest any governess ever stayed was 6 hours I think. But I was alone, my children are with 7."
"Poor Frauleins."
"I was quite a nasty kid, you know."
"Seems hard to believe."
Maria couldn't believe she just said that.
"Did I say that out loud?"
Once again Maria made him smile. He never had thought he would be enjoying life again the way he was enjoying it now.
-----
Frankly, Max was getting bored. Since Maria and Georg had gone away, he had just been sitting there, watching the children. It was time to do something too. Louisa, Brigitta and Friedrich were tossing the ball, while Kurt, Marta, Gretl and Liesl were playing tag. He didn't think he was in good shape to be running, even though they weren't going that fast for the little ones, but yet that would be too much for him. He walked over to the other 3. Friedrich knew he was there to join them, so he immediately threw the ball at him, a bit to hard. Well, so hard that Max, who was standing in front of the lake, was pushed back and landed into the water. Louisa and Brigitta were laughing of course. Max was soaking wet.
"I'm sorry, uncle Max! I didn't mean to--"
"It's alright, it's my fault actually, I should've known not to stand this close at the water."
Friedrich was already helping him out. He truly was sorry. Luckily Max started to laugh too, causing to ease up the guilt of Friedrich.
"My my, what has happened to you, my dear Max."
Everyone turned around to the sound of their father's voice.
"I felt like swimming."
Friedrich had stopped helping Max up as soon as he had heard his father. So Georg walked into the water and pulled him up. Then he turned himself back to the children.
"Well, we can go back to the house and keep us busy in the garden, or we can stay here a little longer. It's all up to you."
Max noticed how uncomfortable it was to walk.
"Anything is fine by us, father. It would be nice though to go back."
Georg looked at Friedrich and just about to say they could leave then, but hadn't had the chance to say anything.
"If it's alright with you, I'd rather stay here and dry first. The sun is shining brightly. I don't think it will take that long."
The children could understand Max, so they went on playing. Meanwhile Max chose a nice spot in the open sun to dry. He laid down on the grass with his eyes closed. Leaving Maria and Georg back on the blanket underneath the tree.
"I guess you'll be stuck with me for a while."
He had a grin on his face and was waiting for the reaction of Maria. She smiled at his saying.
"I'm afraid that goes for you too."
"Don't be silly Maria, your presence makes my day lighten up!"
'Hmm, was that a bit too honest?' Silence fell once more. Maria didn't take it too serious. After all they had been through today, she assumed he saw her as a good friend and nothing more. Maria was watching the children play. She felt so happy just staring at them, enjoying themselves. Thoughts popped into her mind, how nice it would be to have a family of her own. Nonetheless, soon those thoughts were interfered by thoughts of her becoming a nun. A family would be out of the question then. Yet these persons had become her family. How she wished she could be a part of it too. Her gaze drifted to Max, who seemed to have fallen asleep. She smiled and softly pushed Georg.
"Look."
As she pointed at the 'sleeping beauty', Georg got a mischievous smile on his face.
"I have an idea, although I think it isn't nice of me to do, but still it's worth a shot."
A curious Maria looked at Georg, wondering what kind of prank he had thought of.
"Tell me."
Even though she had to give the right example to the children, she old instincts started to come back. She just couldn't help it. He moved closer to whisper his idea into her ear.
"We could always try."
Maria responded, thinking the trick might work.
"I'll get the children."
-----
Max woke up due a cool summer breeze. His clothes had dried and he was ready to leave with the others. As he sat up, he noticed how quiet everything around him was. 'Something isn't right ...' He looked around. Then he found out he was the only one there. No sign of the children, Maria and Georg. He stood up, still checking everything around him to be sure they were gone. As hard he searched, no one as there. Yet he couldn't believe he was alone. He laid his eyes on the place underneath the tree where Maria and Georg had sat. The blanket was gone, as were the picnic basket and the toys of the children.
"Oh that's just great! They left already without me! Nice friends I have! Damn!!!"
Of course the others hadn't left. Georg, Maria, Louisa and Kurt were sitting as quiet as they could in the tree they had been sitting underneath a while ago. Georg had the basket in his left hand, while holding himself tightly to the branches with the other hand. The 4 of them had trouble not to laugh, but still managed to control themselves.
Liesl, Marta, Gretl, Brigitta and Friedrich had climbed into another tree. One that was easier for the younger ones. Maria had insisted she would stay with them, but Marta and Gretl exclaimed they would be just fine with Liesl, Brigitta and Friedrich. What Maria didn't know was that the children had been seeing further than the end of their noses. All of them were hoping Maria would stay ... as their mother, not that awful baroness who thought going up in the hills was silly. They too had seen their father and their governess get different whenever they where near to each other. Not to forget the time Friedrich and Louisa had heard Georg talking in his sleep about Maria. So to move things along, they tried to get the 2 as much together as possible. In this case, letting Maria and Georg sit down in the same tree.
Max was visibly upset. He knew they teased and joked around a lot, so did he, but to be left behind did hurt him in a way. Mocking, he let his hands lean on his hips. The others had been watching him. Then he sat back down.
"Ok, it's enough now, we'd better show up again. Remember part 2?"
Maria nodded when the captain finished speaking. Georg was the first one who climbed back down, followed by Maria. Both remained very silent. Max was sitting with his back at them, so he didn't see them coming. Meanwhile the children all knew to stay where they were. Slowly and carefully, Georg and Maria made their way to Max. Once there, they both bended till their heads were close to Max'. And Max still hadn't heard a thing.
"Poor Max, all alone?" George said.
"Shall I give you hug to make you feel better?" Maria playfully added.
Surprised he turned around and found himself looking at 2 smiling faces.
"You rotten bastards! I thought for sure you had left me here."
In a second he was standing up.
"Come on Max, you know we wouldn't do such a thing."
Georg felt to pleased his trick had worked to hold his laughing.
"Where are the children?"
Just now he had noticed only Maria and Georg were there. He looked at their faces that didn't reveal anything.
"You did leave! But then guilt came over you and you decided to come back! I knew it! I knew it all along!"
"I'm afraid you've got us ..."
Georg answered, desperate to look serious and caught.
"I've got some really great friends here!"
"Now now Max, calm down."
Maria still couldn't keep a straight face, but did her best to reassure him.
"Of course we didn't leave you. You know I wouldn't do that."
He looked at Maria, almost convinced she wouldn't dare to do something like that. In the meantime Maria moved closer, laying her hand on his shoulder, making the last doubts disappear.
"I guess you're right. I mean, from him I would expect such a thing ..."
Jokingly he looked at Georg.
"But not you ... So where are the children then?"
Georg put his 2 fingers in his mouth and whistled. That was the children's cue. Louisa and Kurt were down in no time. Next thing they went to help Friedrich and Liesl with the little ones.
"You see?"
As the children joined them, he could see a smile on each and every one of their faces. Proud of his father, Friedrich gave the honor to him.
"It was dad's idea."
"Oh it was, was it?"
Accusing, yet not serious, his eyes turned to Georg.
"Well what do you expect? When you were sleeping there ... It was really hard not to do something! We just couldn't resist."
"Alright, you've made your point. Let's go."
"Are we all ready to leave?" Georg asked. "Everybody has got everything?"
Everyone nodded. This time the children stayed close to Maria while walking a few foot in front of Max and Georg, despite their efforts to let Maria and Georg together. They wanted to know what the 2 had been doing while they were away.
"Where did you go, Fraulein? You and father were gone all of the sudden."
Maria laid her arm around Brigitta's shoulder and the other around Louisa's.
"We just went for a walk."
She sighed thinking back of their wonderful moments together. How she had let her head lean on his shoulder. She could still feel his hand caressing her arm.
"Just for a walk? I don't believe that."
She frowned at Louisa's remark.
"Personally I don't think it's your business."
Her voice kept gentle, cause she was used to get questions like these.
"Oh please tell us? Please?"
"There's not much to tell. We went to my tree house and talked some more about our pasts."
"That's it?" Brigitta asked.
"That's it."
The children kept looking suspicious. They didn't want to believe her. 'Nothing happened?' Louisa was very disappointed. And she wasn't alone, only Marta and Gretl didn't quite know what was going on. They knew it had something to do with Georg and Maria, but what was it that was wrong?
"Did you and daddy kiss?" Marta asked innocently.
Startled by her question, she gasped.
"Marta, you shouldn't ask a thing like that! It's Fraulein Maria's and father's business if they kiss or not." Friedrich stated.
Now Maria was even more thrown off. And the thing that surprised her the most, was that none of the children were really shocked by Marta's question. They even seemed anxious for an answer, even Friedrich, although he said himself it was none of their business.
"Kiss? What on earth made you think we would kiss?"
-----
"I guess you 2 had a pretty good time today."
Georg looked at Max, knowing what he meant.
"Yes we had."
"Mhm."
"Nothing happened if that's what you mean."
"Who said I did mean that?"
"Come now, I know you well enough Max."
Max turned his head back forwards into the direction of the children and Maria.
"Really, we went to her tree house ..."
Max pulled his eyebrows up by the word tree house. Georg knew he was thinking the same as he did when Chris and Maria had spent the day together.
"... and we talked."
"Talked?"
"Yes, we had an intimate conversation."
When he saw Max was waiting for him to continue he added:
"I'm not intending to tell you what it was about! She took me in confidence and I did the same with her."
"Did I say something?"
"No, but you had that look on your face!"
Their heads turned back to the other 8 walking so closely together.
----- ----- -----
Although the children had been having a blast, it had been some time since the others had left.
"Uncle Max, when will father and Fraulein Maria return?"
He had been sitting at the shore of the lake, watching the children having fun. Frequently he would be asking himself what Georg was doing alone with Maria for so long. Maria seemed to be very close with Chris, perhaps they were even more than just friends. Though the way she was acting every time Georg was near her, or every time he spoke to her. It was quite obvious for Max to know there was something going on. Maria wasn't the only one. Georg had looked much more happier with her around. And when Chris had come, he became much more quiet, like if he was thinking about something all the time. Max loved Elsa and Georg. Them together would be very nice. But Max knew Georg didn't feel the same for Elsa as he did for Maria. And to see his best friend happy again was everything he ever wished for since Agathe had died. 'Poor Elsa.' Responding to Marta, he got up.
"I don't know dear. I think they won't be long anymore."
-----
"Thanks Maria. I'm really having a great day."
"Me too."
They were walking slowly, not wanting the day to end.
"Captain ..."
He lifted his eyes from the ground to her face.
"Hm?"
"I was wondering about your governesses."
He stopped for a minute, surprised by her question, but walked on seconds later.
"Exactly what were you wondering?"
"Well, you said you always got those Frauleins away in a short time. How short precise? Your children managed to get one away after only 2 hours."
The sun shined brightly upon the 2. Maria was looking at him too.
"Yes, they broke my record. If I remember right, the shortest any governess ever stayed was 6 hours I think. But I was alone, my children are with 7."
"Poor Frauleins."
"I was quite a nasty kid, you know."
"Seems hard to believe."
Maria couldn't believe she just said that.
"Did I say that out loud?"
Once again Maria made him smile. He never had thought he would be enjoying life again the way he was enjoying it now.
-----
Frankly, Max was getting bored. Since Maria and Georg had gone away, he had just been sitting there, watching the children. It was time to do something too. Louisa, Brigitta and Friedrich were tossing the ball, while Kurt, Marta, Gretl and Liesl were playing tag. He didn't think he was in good shape to be running, even though they weren't going that fast for the little ones, but yet that would be too much for him. He walked over to the other 3. Friedrich knew he was there to join them, so he immediately threw the ball at him, a bit to hard. Well, so hard that Max, who was standing in front of the lake, was pushed back and landed into the water. Louisa and Brigitta were laughing of course. Max was soaking wet.
"I'm sorry, uncle Max! I didn't mean to--"
"It's alright, it's my fault actually, I should've known not to stand this close at the water."
Friedrich was already helping him out. He truly was sorry. Luckily Max started to laugh too, causing to ease up the guilt of Friedrich.
"My my, what has happened to you, my dear Max."
Everyone turned around to the sound of their father's voice.
"I felt like swimming."
Friedrich had stopped helping Max up as soon as he had heard his father. So Georg walked into the water and pulled him up. Then he turned himself back to the children.
"Well, we can go back to the house and keep us busy in the garden, or we can stay here a little longer. It's all up to you."
Max noticed how uncomfortable it was to walk.
"Anything is fine by us, father. It would be nice though to go back."
Georg looked at Friedrich and just about to say they could leave then, but hadn't had the chance to say anything.
"If it's alright with you, I'd rather stay here and dry first. The sun is shining brightly. I don't think it will take that long."
The children could understand Max, so they went on playing. Meanwhile Max chose a nice spot in the open sun to dry. He laid down on the grass with his eyes closed. Leaving Maria and Georg back on the blanket underneath the tree.
"I guess you'll be stuck with me for a while."
He had a grin on his face and was waiting for the reaction of Maria. She smiled at his saying.
"I'm afraid that goes for you too."
"Don't be silly Maria, your presence makes my day lighten up!"
'Hmm, was that a bit too honest?' Silence fell once more. Maria didn't take it too serious. After all they had been through today, she assumed he saw her as a good friend and nothing more. Maria was watching the children play. She felt so happy just staring at them, enjoying themselves. Thoughts popped into her mind, how nice it would be to have a family of her own. Nonetheless, soon those thoughts were interfered by thoughts of her becoming a nun. A family would be out of the question then. Yet these persons had become her family. How she wished she could be a part of it too. Her gaze drifted to Max, who seemed to have fallen asleep. She smiled and softly pushed Georg.
"Look."
As she pointed at the 'sleeping beauty', Georg got a mischievous smile on his face.
"I have an idea, although I think it isn't nice of me to do, but still it's worth a shot."
A curious Maria looked at Georg, wondering what kind of prank he had thought of.
"Tell me."
Even though she had to give the right example to the children, she old instincts started to come back. She just couldn't help it. He moved closer to whisper his idea into her ear.
"We could always try."
Maria responded, thinking the trick might work.
"I'll get the children."
-----
Max woke up due a cool summer breeze. His clothes had dried and he was ready to leave with the others. As he sat up, he noticed how quiet everything around him was. 'Something isn't right ...' He looked around. Then he found out he was the only one there. No sign of the children, Maria and Georg. He stood up, still checking everything around him to be sure they were gone. As hard he searched, no one as there. Yet he couldn't believe he was alone. He laid his eyes on the place underneath the tree where Maria and Georg had sat. The blanket was gone, as were the picnic basket and the toys of the children.
"Oh that's just great! They left already without me! Nice friends I have! Damn!!!"
Of course the others hadn't left. Georg, Maria, Louisa and Kurt were sitting as quiet as they could in the tree they had been sitting underneath a while ago. Georg had the basket in his left hand, while holding himself tightly to the branches with the other hand. The 4 of them had trouble not to laugh, but still managed to control themselves.
Liesl, Marta, Gretl, Brigitta and Friedrich had climbed into another tree. One that was easier for the younger ones. Maria had insisted she would stay with them, but Marta and Gretl exclaimed they would be just fine with Liesl, Brigitta and Friedrich. What Maria didn't know was that the children had been seeing further than the end of their noses. All of them were hoping Maria would stay ... as their mother, not that awful baroness who thought going up in the hills was silly. They too had seen their father and their governess get different whenever they where near to each other. Not to forget the time Friedrich and Louisa had heard Georg talking in his sleep about Maria. So to move things along, they tried to get the 2 as much together as possible. In this case, letting Maria and Georg sit down in the same tree.
Max was visibly upset. He knew they teased and joked around a lot, so did he, but to be left behind did hurt him in a way. Mocking, he let his hands lean on his hips. The others had been watching him. Then he sat back down.
"Ok, it's enough now, we'd better show up again. Remember part 2?"
Maria nodded when the captain finished speaking. Georg was the first one who climbed back down, followed by Maria. Both remained very silent. Max was sitting with his back at them, so he didn't see them coming. Meanwhile the children all knew to stay where they were. Slowly and carefully, Georg and Maria made their way to Max. Once there, they both bended till their heads were close to Max'. And Max still hadn't heard a thing.
"Poor Max, all alone?" George said.
"Shall I give you hug to make you feel better?" Maria playfully added.
Surprised he turned around and found himself looking at 2 smiling faces.
"You rotten bastards! I thought for sure you had left me here."
In a second he was standing up.
"Come on Max, you know we wouldn't do such a thing."
Georg felt to pleased his trick had worked to hold his laughing.
"Where are the children?"
Just now he had noticed only Maria and Georg were there. He looked at their faces that didn't reveal anything.
"You did leave! But then guilt came over you and you decided to come back! I knew it! I knew it all along!"
"I'm afraid you've got us ..."
Georg answered, desperate to look serious and caught.
"I've got some really great friends here!"
"Now now Max, calm down."
Maria still couldn't keep a straight face, but did her best to reassure him.
"Of course we didn't leave you. You know I wouldn't do that."
He looked at Maria, almost convinced she wouldn't dare to do something like that. In the meantime Maria moved closer, laying her hand on his shoulder, making the last doubts disappear.
"I guess you're right. I mean, from him I would expect such a thing ..."
Jokingly he looked at Georg.
"But not you ... So where are the children then?"
Georg put his 2 fingers in his mouth and whistled. That was the children's cue. Louisa and Kurt were down in no time. Next thing they went to help Friedrich and Liesl with the little ones.
"You see?"
As the children joined them, he could see a smile on each and every one of their faces. Proud of his father, Friedrich gave the honor to him.
"It was dad's idea."
"Oh it was, was it?"
Accusing, yet not serious, his eyes turned to Georg.
"Well what do you expect? When you were sleeping there ... It was really hard not to do something! We just couldn't resist."
"Alright, you've made your point. Let's go."
"Are we all ready to leave?" Georg asked. "Everybody has got everything?"
Everyone nodded. This time the children stayed close to Maria while walking a few foot in front of Max and Georg, despite their efforts to let Maria and Georg together. They wanted to know what the 2 had been doing while they were away.
"Where did you go, Fraulein? You and father were gone all of the sudden."
Maria laid her arm around Brigitta's shoulder and the other around Louisa's.
"We just went for a walk."
She sighed thinking back of their wonderful moments together. How she had let her head lean on his shoulder. She could still feel his hand caressing her arm.
"Just for a walk? I don't believe that."
She frowned at Louisa's remark.
"Personally I don't think it's your business."
Her voice kept gentle, cause she was used to get questions like these.
"Oh please tell us? Please?"
"There's not much to tell. We went to my tree house and talked some more about our pasts."
"That's it?" Brigitta asked.
"That's it."
The children kept looking suspicious. They didn't want to believe her. 'Nothing happened?' Louisa was very disappointed. And she wasn't alone, only Marta and Gretl didn't quite know what was going on. They knew it had something to do with Georg and Maria, but what was it that was wrong?
"Did you and daddy kiss?" Marta asked innocently.
Startled by her question, she gasped.
"Marta, you shouldn't ask a thing like that! It's Fraulein Maria's and father's business if they kiss or not." Friedrich stated.
Now Maria was even more thrown off. And the thing that surprised her the most, was that none of the children were really shocked by Marta's question. They even seemed anxious for an answer, even Friedrich, although he said himself it was none of their business.
"Kiss? What on earth made you think we would kiss?"
-----
"I guess you 2 had a pretty good time today."
Georg looked at Max, knowing what he meant.
"Yes we had."
"Mhm."
"Nothing happened if that's what you mean."
"Who said I did mean that?"
"Come now, I know you well enough Max."
Max turned his head back forwards into the direction of the children and Maria.
"Really, we went to her tree house ..."
Max pulled his eyebrows up by the word tree house. Georg knew he was thinking the same as he did when Chris and Maria had spent the day together.
"... and we talked."
"Talked?"
"Yes, we had an intimate conversation."
When he saw Max was waiting for him to continue he added:
"I'm not intending to tell you what it was about! She took me in confidence and I did the same with her."
"Did I say something?"
"No, but you had that look on your face!"
Their heads turned back to the other 8 walking so closely together.