7 AM. Louisa, Brigitta and Liesl were the only ones awake to carry out
their plan. Perhaps it was even better the boys hadn't woken up. 5 children
sneaking through the house would be a bit to striking. Carefully they
tiptoed their way into the hall. Luckily they didn't have to pass Maria's
room. Without a sound they walked further, looking out for Frau Schmidt and
Franz. As they didn't see either of them, they continued to walk to the
other side of the house. When they were almost in the hallway where Max's
room was, they all were just about to get a heart attack.
"Children? What are you doing here?"
A confused Frau Schmidt asked.
"Oh eh ... w-we were ... you see we ... we couldn't sleep anymore--"
Brigitta backed her sister up.
"So we ... we were going to look for a book in father's study."
She kept watching the 3 sisters in a very suspicious way, but she thought it might have been the truth, so she stepped on going downstairs.
"That was a close one."
Brigitta and Liesl agreed with Louisa. Almost they had been caught. Quickly before anything else would happen, they slipped into Max's room. Once inside a noise filled the whole area. Apparently Max snored. Pretty loud too.
"Oh boy, how in earth will we get him awake?"
Brigitta could talk normally, as the sound of her voice was drown out by Max. They stepped to his bed, then started pushing him softly.
"Uncle Max?"
One huge snore came from his face, making the 3 freeze up for a minute. After pushing him some more, he finally opened his eyes.
"Wha...?"
"Uncle Max, you have to help us."
Max only realized now that the 3 sisters were standing near his bed, in his room. As he sat up, he wondered what in heavens name they were doing there.
"Help you? With what?"
"Okay, I know this sounds completely foolish, but hear us out first, please?"
The 3 sat down on his bed, starting to explain the whole thing.
"You've seen how those 2 are whenever they're near! Please uncle Max, we want them to be happy! And they can't be happy if baroness Schraeder will keep coming in-between."
He knew what they meant. It would be an awful thing to do to Elsa, but the girls were right, it was Maria and Georg who had to be together.
"Alright, I'll help."
"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The girls cheered in choir.
"What is it that I have to do?"
"Can you keep baroness Schraeder away from father?"
"How am I going to do that?"
"Take her away, go to the city, something like that ..."
"But girls, it's raining!"
They noticed the sound of the raindrops against the window too now. It would make everything a whole lot more difficult, since they couldn't go outside. Now they would have to entertain themselves inside, while making sure not to involve Maria or their father.
"Isn't there anything you can go to?"
Max thought everything over for a minute. No way he was going to spend the whole day shopping! 'What about the theater? That way I can always sleep if it's boring.'
"Yes I know a place! The theater."
"Splendid!" Liesl stated. "Thanks so much! We owe you!"
"No no, it's to make your father happy again. You don't owe me anything! Now, you better get back into bed. Bye girls."
His eyes were already closed again by his last words, as hid head laid down on his soft pillow.
"Bye." They replied while warily going outside.
-----
Maria woke up with the sound of rain, fiercely clashing to her windows. Although she wasn't really in a good mood, she tried to make the best of it. She got up and started her usual routine: Getting dressed, washing her face, brushing her teeth, and then she made her way to the children's rooms. First the boys. She knocked firmly, knowing that otherwise they wouldn't wake up, and then walked in.
"Rise and shine, boys."
After opening the curtains, she looked drowsy outside. 'What a day ...' Both brothers hadn't moved a muscle. They weren't fast asleep anymore, Maria's knocking always helped. But they didn't want to get up, so they pretended they were still asleep.
"Come on, I know you're awake."
Still no movements. She walked to them and pulled their blankets off. Even though it was pleasantly warm in the room, so it didn't really matter. Maria knew she was loosing to much time, thus she decided to wake the others first.
"I'll be back!"
She nearly shouted, hoping to wake them, as she walked out of their room. Next on the list were the older girls. Same happened here. The knocking was customary, and the girls all sat up as soon as Maria walked in.
"Good morning girls."
"Good morning Fraulein." Louisa replied after she couldn't held a yawn back.
"Good morning." The other 2 followed.
Even though she was still as tired as could be, Louisa felt wonderful. She did dream about Maria and it was the most wonderful dream she had ever had. Immediately she jumped out of bed and chose out a dress to wear that day, while whistling a cheerful tune.
"My, aren't we in a good mood today."
Maria grinned as she was opening the curtains.
"Yes we are."
Louisa had chosen a dress and laid it down on her bed, the smile never leaving her face.
"Okay, I'm going to wake the little ones now. If you need my help with something, just call me and I'll be there."
"Ok."
She heard the 2 less cheery girls say when she had left their room. 'Still no sign of the boys.' On her way to the little ones their room, she practically got run over by the 2.
"Hoo, slow down you 2."
She ducked and looked at them.
"How come you're up already?"
"We couldn't sleep anymore, Fraulein." Gretl answered.
"Alright, well now you can get dressed."
She smiled as she was looking at their nightgowns.
"I'll be in a minute to help you with your hair."
As soon as Maria had stood up, the 2 were running again, now to their own bedroom. Maria proceeded her way back to the boy's room. And of course, they had ignored their governess completely.
"Don't make me come with a glass of water."
Maria said with a warning look on her face, while having her hands on her hips.
"You wouldn't dare!"
Friedrich said, still laying exactly as before.
"Oh I would, and if you don't believe me, ask Chris. He has been through it quite some times."
"We still don't believe you."
Kurt replied in the same tone as Friedrich. The captain was looking amused in the door opening. He didn't doubt Maria was able to do a thing like that.
"Psst."
Maria looked back at the door, where Georg gestured her to come to him. As she walked towards him, the boys were even to lazy to check if she was gone or not, since it had became extremely quiet. The captain walked a bit back into the hallway with Maria close to his foot. He held his voice down, so that his sons wouldn't hear him. Georg had the most mischievous smile forming on his lips.
"I like your plan. We'll both take a glass of water and on the exact same time we pour it on them. You take Kurt, I'll take Friedrich."
Maria nodded in agreement. A grin took place on her face. Then they both walked for a glass of water in the girls their bathroom, and quietly stepped back to the lazy children in bed. Maria stood next to Kurt with a full glass in her hand, looking at the captain who was standing next to Friedrich, waiting to give her the signal. He reached his free hand up and with his fingers he counted down from 3 .. 2 .. 1 Both turned the glass and let the water fall with as results 2 soaking wet heads and pillows, causing Kurt and Friedrich to jump up instantly.
"I can't believe you just did that!"
Kurt yelled in disbelief while trying to dry his face with the sleeves of his pajama. Then he saw his father standing with an empty glass next to Friedrich, which made him burst out into laughing. He hadn't seen his father do something like that since ... well ever!
"Father, what did you do that for?"
Friedrich asked him after his shock had disappeared that it wasn't his governess who had made him wet, but his own father.
"You boys needed a lesson, I expect you'll listen to your governess next time."
He just couldn't hold back his smile. Then he looked at Maria.
"They're all yours now."
Maria nodded, still with that grin on her face.
"We'll never ignore you again!"
"That's good. Now dry yourselves off and get ready. Breakfast will be served in 20 minutes. Be on time ..."
"Oh we will, god knows what you'll do when we'll be late." Friedrich joked.
"You've got that right!" She retorted while winking at them.
Next she made her way to the nursery where Marta and Gretl were waiting for her like every other morning. After all had been done, there were only 5 minutes left for breakfast. When Maria and the girls got in the dining room, the captain was already sitting there in the company of his 2 sons.
"We said we wouldn't be late."
"Well done!"
The rest of them took place.
"So, what are the plans for today?"
Georg asked, wondering what they possibly could do when it was raining like that.
"Well, we haven't really planned anything particular. There isn't much to do in this weather."
Liesl, Brigitta and Louisa smiled secretively at each other, as they did have plans. Now only finding a way how to carry it out.
"Yes I do agree. Such dreadful weather!"
Maria noticed how quickly most of the children were eating. She supposed they could be hungry, but she had a feeling that wasn't the actual reason. While avoiding to be seen by Georg and Maria, Liesl mouthed at Gretl and Marta they had to come with the rest too. As soon as the children's breakfast had ended, they left the dining room without even asking if they could be excused. Both Maria and Georg weren't finished yet, so when the children left, Maria intended to go after them. After all, they hadn't been quite polite. But the minute she shoved her chair back to stand up, Georg held his hand up, meaning to say stop. He waited until his mouth was empty before speaking.
"Let them go, Maria." He said in the same friendly tone Maria had heard a lot lately. "For once it won't do any harm. Besides, I'm sure they have a good reason ..."
He grinned by the somewhat astonished look at her face.
-----
Liesl guided all of them into the sitting room, where she closed the doors after everyone had walked in. She was sure she wouldn't be heard by anyone but her siblings.
"So, will he do it?"
"Yes Friedrich. He is going to take the baroness to the theater."
"Who is going to take the baroness to the theater, Liesl?"
The others hadn't told Marta and Gretl yet, therefore leaving them a bit confused. Liesl, Louisa and Kurt sat down in the couch, while Brigitta and Friedrich took place on the floor in front of the others. Liesl patted on her lap, to show Marta she could sit on it. As she walked to Liesl and sat down on her lap, Gretl followed her. Next Louisa lifted up her little sister and placed her on her own knee.
"Remember that day, when you asked Fraulein Maria if she and father had kissed?"
Marta nodded.
"And you both want her to be our new mother, right?"
This time Gretl shook her head in agreement too.
"Well yesterday we all talked about it--"
"Why didn't we know you talked about it?" Marta asked. She felt sad she just knew about this, while the others had already known it since the day before.
"Because you were both so tired, we thought it would be better if we told you today."
"Oh ..." Gretl understood it too now.
Liesl continued to tell their plans to the little ones.
"Everyone agreed we should let Fraulein Maria and father as much together as possible ... alone! Therefore we asked uncle Max if he could keep the baroness away, so she can't ruin things. And we have to keep Chris busy all day with games and stuff like that. But Fraulein Maria mustn't come with us ... Ok?"
"Ok."
Then she turned back to the group.
"Chris won't be awake for a couple of hours. Neither will uncle Max and the baroness. So for now we'll have to keep ourselves busy, thus Fraulein Maria is forced to do something on her own. And we have to do something so father will be keeping her company. Now, if you need any help with something, don't go to her, come to me. Everyone agrees?"
The other 6 replied with a cheerful yes, because who knows, maybe their plan would work ...
"Children? What are you doing here?"
A confused Frau Schmidt asked.
"Oh eh ... w-we were ... you see we ... we couldn't sleep anymore--"
Brigitta backed her sister up.
"So we ... we were going to look for a book in father's study."
She kept watching the 3 sisters in a very suspicious way, but she thought it might have been the truth, so she stepped on going downstairs.
"That was a close one."
Brigitta and Liesl agreed with Louisa. Almost they had been caught. Quickly before anything else would happen, they slipped into Max's room. Once inside a noise filled the whole area. Apparently Max snored. Pretty loud too.
"Oh boy, how in earth will we get him awake?"
Brigitta could talk normally, as the sound of her voice was drown out by Max. They stepped to his bed, then started pushing him softly.
"Uncle Max?"
One huge snore came from his face, making the 3 freeze up for a minute. After pushing him some more, he finally opened his eyes.
"Wha...?"
"Uncle Max, you have to help us."
Max only realized now that the 3 sisters were standing near his bed, in his room. As he sat up, he wondered what in heavens name they were doing there.
"Help you? With what?"
"Okay, I know this sounds completely foolish, but hear us out first, please?"
The 3 sat down on his bed, starting to explain the whole thing.
"You've seen how those 2 are whenever they're near! Please uncle Max, we want them to be happy! And they can't be happy if baroness Schraeder will keep coming in-between."
He knew what they meant. It would be an awful thing to do to Elsa, but the girls were right, it was Maria and Georg who had to be together.
"Alright, I'll help."
"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The girls cheered in choir.
"What is it that I have to do?"
"Can you keep baroness Schraeder away from father?"
"How am I going to do that?"
"Take her away, go to the city, something like that ..."
"But girls, it's raining!"
They noticed the sound of the raindrops against the window too now. It would make everything a whole lot more difficult, since they couldn't go outside. Now they would have to entertain themselves inside, while making sure not to involve Maria or their father.
"Isn't there anything you can go to?"
Max thought everything over for a minute. No way he was going to spend the whole day shopping! 'What about the theater? That way I can always sleep if it's boring.'
"Yes I know a place! The theater."
"Splendid!" Liesl stated. "Thanks so much! We owe you!"
"No no, it's to make your father happy again. You don't owe me anything! Now, you better get back into bed. Bye girls."
His eyes were already closed again by his last words, as hid head laid down on his soft pillow.
"Bye." They replied while warily going outside.
-----
Maria woke up with the sound of rain, fiercely clashing to her windows. Although she wasn't really in a good mood, she tried to make the best of it. She got up and started her usual routine: Getting dressed, washing her face, brushing her teeth, and then she made her way to the children's rooms. First the boys. She knocked firmly, knowing that otherwise they wouldn't wake up, and then walked in.
"Rise and shine, boys."
After opening the curtains, she looked drowsy outside. 'What a day ...' Both brothers hadn't moved a muscle. They weren't fast asleep anymore, Maria's knocking always helped. But they didn't want to get up, so they pretended they were still asleep.
"Come on, I know you're awake."
Still no movements. She walked to them and pulled their blankets off. Even though it was pleasantly warm in the room, so it didn't really matter. Maria knew she was loosing to much time, thus she decided to wake the others first.
"I'll be back!"
She nearly shouted, hoping to wake them, as she walked out of their room. Next on the list were the older girls. Same happened here. The knocking was customary, and the girls all sat up as soon as Maria walked in.
"Good morning girls."
"Good morning Fraulein." Louisa replied after she couldn't held a yawn back.
"Good morning." The other 2 followed.
Even though she was still as tired as could be, Louisa felt wonderful. She did dream about Maria and it was the most wonderful dream she had ever had. Immediately she jumped out of bed and chose out a dress to wear that day, while whistling a cheerful tune.
"My, aren't we in a good mood today."
Maria grinned as she was opening the curtains.
"Yes we are."
Louisa had chosen a dress and laid it down on her bed, the smile never leaving her face.
"Okay, I'm going to wake the little ones now. If you need my help with something, just call me and I'll be there."
"Ok."
She heard the 2 less cheery girls say when she had left their room. 'Still no sign of the boys.' On her way to the little ones their room, she practically got run over by the 2.
"Hoo, slow down you 2."
She ducked and looked at them.
"How come you're up already?"
"We couldn't sleep anymore, Fraulein." Gretl answered.
"Alright, well now you can get dressed."
She smiled as she was looking at their nightgowns.
"I'll be in a minute to help you with your hair."
As soon as Maria had stood up, the 2 were running again, now to their own bedroom. Maria proceeded her way back to the boy's room. And of course, they had ignored their governess completely.
"Don't make me come with a glass of water."
Maria said with a warning look on her face, while having her hands on her hips.
"You wouldn't dare!"
Friedrich said, still laying exactly as before.
"Oh I would, and if you don't believe me, ask Chris. He has been through it quite some times."
"We still don't believe you."
Kurt replied in the same tone as Friedrich. The captain was looking amused in the door opening. He didn't doubt Maria was able to do a thing like that.
"Psst."
Maria looked back at the door, where Georg gestured her to come to him. As she walked towards him, the boys were even to lazy to check if she was gone or not, since it had became extremely quiet. The captain walked a bit back into the hallway with Maria close to his foot. He held his voice down, so that his sons wouldn't hear him. Georg had the most mischievous smile forming on his lips.
"I like your plan. We'll both take a glass of water and on the exact same time we pour it on them. You take Kurt, I'll take Friedrich."
Maria nodded in agreement. A grin took place on her face. Then they both walked for a glass of water in the girls their bathroom, and quietly stepped back to the lazy children in bed. Maria stood next to Kurt with a full glass in her hand, looking at the captain who was standing next to Friedrich, waiting to give her the signal. He reached his free hand up and with his fingers he counted down from 3 .. 2 .. 1 Both turned the glass and let the water fall with as results 2 soaking wet heads and pillows, causing Kurt and Friedrich to jump up instantly.
"I can't believe you just did that!"
Kurt yelled in disbelief while trying to dry his face with the sleeves of his pajama. Then he saw his father standing with an empty glass next to Friedrich, which made him burst out into laughing. He hadn't seen his father do something like that since ... well ever!
"Father, what did you do that for?"
Friedrich asked him after his shock had disappeared that it wasn't his governess who had made him wet, but his own father.
"You boys needed a lesson, I expect you'll listen to your governess next time."
He just couldn't hold back his smile. Then he looked at Maria.
"They're all yours now."
Maria nodded, still with that grin on her face.
"We'll never ignore you again!"
"That's good. Now dry yourselves off and get ready. Breakfast will be served in 20 minutes. Be on time ..."
"Oh we will, god knows what you'll do when we'll be late." Friedrich joked.
"You've got that right!" She retorted while winking at them.
Next she made her way to the nursery where Marta and Gretl were waiting for her like every other morning. After all had been done, there were only 5 minutes left for breakfast. When Maria and the girls got in the dining room, the captain was already sitting there in the company of his 2 sons.
"We said we wouldn't be late."
"Well done!"
The rest of them took place.
"So, what are the plans for today?"
Georg asked, wondering what they possibly could do when it was raining like that.
"Well, we haven't really planned anything particular. There isn't much to do in this weather."
Liesl, Brigitta and Louisa smiled secretively at each other, as they did have plans. Now only finding a way how to carry it out.
"Yes I do agree. Such dreadful weather!"
Maria noticed how quickly most of the children were eating. She supposed they could be hungry, but she had a feeling that wasn't the actual reason. While avoiding to be seen by Georg and Maria, Liesl mouthed at Gretl and Marta they had to come with the rest too. As soon as the children's breakfast had ended, they left the dining room without even asking if they could be excused. Both Maria and Georg weren't finished yet, so when the children left, Maria intended to go after them. After all, they hadn't been quite polite. But the minute she shoved her chair back to stand up, Georg held his hand up, meaning to say stop. He waited until his mouth was empty before speaking.
"Let them go, Maria." He said in the same friendly tone Maria had heard a lot lately. "For once it won't do any harm. Besides, I'm sure they have a good reason ..."
He grinned by the somewhat astonished look at her face.
-----
Liesl guided all of them into the sitting room, where she closed the doors after everyone had walked in. She was sure she wouldn't be heard by anyone but her siblings.
"So, will he do it?"
"Yes Friedrich. He is going to take the baroness to the theater."
"Who is going to take the baroness to the theater, Liesl?"
The others hadn't told Marta and Gretl yet, therefore leaving them a bit confused. Liesl, Louisa and Kurt sat down in the couch, while Brigitta and Friedrich took place on the floor in front of the others. Liesl patted on her lap, to show Marta she could sit on it. As she walked to Liesl and sat down on her lap, Gretl followed her. Next Louisa lifted up her little sister and placed her on her own knee.
"Remember that day, when you asked Fraulein Maria if she and father had kissed?"
Marta nodded.
"And you both want her to be our new mother, right?"
This time Gretl shook her head in agreement too.
"Well yesterday we all talked about it--"
"Why didn't we know you talked about it?" Marta asked. She felt sad she just knew about this, while the others had already known it since the day before.
"Because you were both so tired, we thought it would be better if we told you today."
"Oh ..." Gretl understood it too now.
Liesl continued to tell their plans to the little ones.
"Everyone agreed we should let Fraulein Maria and father as much together as possible ... alone! Therefore we asked uncle Max if he could keep the baroness away, so she can't ruin things. And we have to keep Chris busy all day with games and stuff like that. But Fraulein Maria mustn't come with us ... Ok?"
"Ok."
Then she turned back to the group.
"Chris won't be awake for a couple of hours. Neither will uncle Max and the baroness. So for now we'll have to keep ourselves busy, thus Fraulein Maria is forced to do something on her own. And we have to do something so father will be keeping her company. Now, if you need any help with something, don't go to her, come to me. Everyone agrees?"
The other 6 replied with a cheerful yes, because who knows, maybe their plan would work ...