Thx all for the reviews! I was amazed when I saw how many I had gotten,
again thx! Here's chapter 18. I wanted to post it yesterday but I had
difficulties with the site. Again, I had troubles with this chapter, so
this might not be as good ... Anyway, enjoy!
----- ----- -----
It had cooled down during the night and to keep themselves warm, Maria and Georg had laid in each others arms all night. Maria was laying on her side, with her head on Georg's chest and her left hand on the right side of his upper body. Georg's left arm was around Maria's side, holding her tightly, while his head was resting on her thin jacket, which he had used as a pillow. Both were still peacefully asleep when the first sunbeams shined down on the field filled with dew. Very slowly, the sun moved higher into the sky as the time passed by. Around 5:30, the sun shined in through a window on Georg's face, gradually waking him up. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a deep-blue sky through the green leaves of the branches. He felt Maria laying on him. It had been a night he would never forget. Because even though nothing had happened, he still had had his love in his arms all night. And that was about the most wonderful thing he had ever felt in his whole life, being with the woman he loved. He looked down at a still sleeping Maria. How she was laying so comfortable with her head on his chest. He moved his right hand up and placed it on Maria's, which was still resting on the other side of his chest. They still had some time to stay where they were, and Georg was enjoying each moment of it.
---
Maria lay in the same meadow as before. Her parents again behind her. She felt she already had been here. As she was gazing up in the sky, she knew everything was perfect. She wasn't scared she would loose her parents again, like before. She felt utterly safe and happy. Probably because of the presence of a 4th person. 2 Arms were wrapped around her upper body and she lay with her head against his chin. Maria's own arms reached up to rest on his arms. A smile took place on her face. She couldn't see who was holding her so tightly, but she knew who it was.
"I love you." A gentle voice whispered to her.
Even though it felt like nothing could go wrong, Maria expected dark clouds to appear any moment, but they never came. It seemed time didn't exist and the fantastic moment wouldn't end.
---
Georg woke up after having dozed off. The sun was standing higher in the sky and it was high time to return to the house. Again he looked down and found Maria hadn't woken up in the mean time. The hand Georg had laying on Maria's, he used to softly caress her cheek, hoping it would wake her up.
"Maria."
It didn't take long before she opened her eyes. She felt the warmth of his hand against her cheek, making butterflies appear in her stomach. She turned her head so she could face Georg, leaning with her chin on his chest.
"Good morning Maria."
"Good morning." She replied, cheeriness present in her voice.
She lay her head back down, slowly closing and opening her eyes attempting to become fully awake, but it didn't have much effect.
"I guess we better should get back."
"Do we really have to?"
Both were laying much to comfortable, but knew they had to be going soon as they wanted to be in time for breakfast. Maria sat up, smiling at Georg who came up too.
"Thank you for being there last night."
"It was my pleasure."
Carefully they both climbed down as they still weren't entirely awake yet. Maria wore her thin jacket now that it was a lot chillier without someone's arms around her. They walked back via the place Maria had bumped with a sleigh into a tree. Neither of them saying much, just thinking back of what had happened. Maria especially thought back of her dream, of the person so closely to her, while Georg had decided today he was gonna do some shopping, with Max by his side. It took them a bit longer than 2 hours to arrive home. It was exactly 8:45 as Georg rang the doorbell. Franz opened the door, wondering who it could be in the early morning. His shock was big when his employer and the children's governess were standing in front of him.
"Good morning Franz."
"Good morning sir."
He said while letting them in.
"There's nothing better than a early walk on a sunny day."
Georg blinked at Maria without getting seen by Franz, which she returned with a kind smile. Once Franz had walked away, leaving Maria and Georg alone, Maria remembered she had her responsibilities as a governess.
"I guess I'd better get refreshed a bit before wakening the children."
"Oh wait for me to wake them, I want to help you."
Maria understood he wanted to do more fatherly things. Therefore she was happy to do what he asked.
"Sure. So I guess we'll meet upstairs in 10 minutes then."
"10 minutes." He repeated, before both retreated to their bedrooms.
Exactly 10 minutes later Maria was waiting in the hallway when she saw Georg walking towards her.
"Hi again." He said optimistically.
When he was getting changed in his bedroom, he had given it some further thoughts. And now he was absolutely determined. Today would be a marvellous day, now only to persuade Max to come with him without telling him too much while still in the house. But that would be worries for later, now it was time to wake his beloved children.
"Well, we have 3 options. Either we will each take a room or you can wake them alone or we can go in together." Maria told him not knowing how he wanted to do this. Of course Georg knew immediately which one it was going to be.
"Together of course."
While Georg was smiling at her in that familiar way, Maria felt she was blushing a bit. Georg went to Liesl's, Louisa's and Brigitta's room first. He knocked as firmly as Maria always did and then walked in. Maria followed him. Once inside she walked to the windows to open the curtains while bidding the children good morning.
"Good morning girls."
"Good morning Fraulein." All 3 of them muttered wearily. They sat up, rubbing their eyes.
"Good morning." Another voice came.
Louisa's eyes opened the first, looking with disbelief at her father, followed closely by the other 2.
"Good morning father."
Maria was still standing at a window, looking at the scene in front of her. Georg walked first towards Liesl, giving her a good morning kiss on her forehead. Then he walked to Louisa, next Brigitta to do the same.
"I'll see you girls in a while at breakfast."
Then he left their room. Maria went to the door as well. Before leaving, she glanced back at the girls, giving them a smile. Georg was waiting outside Marta's and Gretl's room for Maria. As soon as Maria was standing next to him, again he knocked and walked in. Same as previous happened. Maria said good morning, while opening the curtains. Georg watched how his little girls said good morning back, but remained laying in bed with their eyes closed. Quietly he walked between the 2 beds till he stood next t their little heads.
"Good morning darlings."
He said in a fatherly and gentle way. The same effect as in the other room: both girls opened their eyes not believing their father was there to wake them up. He gave them both a kiss on the forehead and moved to the boys their room, but kept waiting for Maria who was still in the little ones' room.
"Fraulein Maria, father woke us up!" Gretl told her excitingly.
"I know darling."
Gretl stood up on her bed and flew Maria in her arms. Marta quickly got out of her bed, so she could run to Gretl's bed too. She also wanted to hug her governess.
"Will he do that every day?" Marta asked while holding Maria tightly and looking into her eyes.
"That I don't know. I'll ask him in a while, ok?"
"Ok." Both girls cheered.
Maria held them both tightly. She was so glad had been of any help.
Georg found it odd that Maria still hadn't left their room, so he walked back and peeked in. The sight he witnessed was breathtaking. As he saw his daughters holding her so tightly, he was even more determined about what he was going to do.
"Alright girls, your father is waiting for me. I'll be back to help you in a couple of minutes."
She gave them both a quick kiss on their forehead as Georg had done, and walked then out of their room. Georg waited until she was with him, before doing the same as he had done before. Once more Maria opened the curtains while saying them good morning. The boys were already sitting up with their eyes opened and all, therefore seeing their father at once.
"Good morning Fraulein, father." Friedrich said while a smile formed on his face.
"Waw this is a good morning." Kurt added.
"No water?" Georg's oldest son asked.
"Not today, there isn't."
He wondered if he should give them a kiss too, after all, they were boys and as he remembered himself, he didn't like it whenever his parents gave him a kiss. Maria saw his expression and she knew what he was thinking. When Georg looked at her to ask for help, Maria nodded. She was sure his boys wouldn't mind at all since they had to miss their father for quite some years. So he walked towards them, giving them a kiss on their foreheads as well. Friedrich couldn't care less about what he did next. He embraced Georg, showing him how much his children had missed him. Kurt did the same. Again Maria was watching them. She mouthed a quick thank you up, then walked out. She was just about to return to the little ones, when Georg run back out into the hallway.
"Maria. Thank you."
That was all he could say. She only replied with a smile, which he took as 'my pleasure'. Maria wanted to proceed her way to the nursery, but she just thought of Marta's question.
"Oh sir, Marta asked me if you will be doing this every day now, I told her I'd ask you."
He thought for a minute. 'Why not? I'm up every day at this hour.'
"Tell her I'll be happy to do so. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take care of something."
Maria walked into the nursery, where Marta and Gretl were waiting. Both were already dressed and only needed help with their hair.
"Did you ask him?"
Marta was practically jumping through the room.
"Yes I did. And guess what ..."
"What?"
"He asked me to tell you he would be happy to do so."
Once again the 2 flew into Maria's arms.
-----
Georg went into the kitchen, where Frau Schmidt and Fraulein Hendrika were preparing breakfast.
"Good morning ladies. Breakfast will be eaten outside today on the patio."
Frau Schmidt nodded. After that Georg made his way back upstairs, now to Max's room. He knocked, not as firm as before and stepped in. Max, snoring as always, didn't have a clue Georg was in his room as he was still sound asleep. Georg chuckled. He had heard him snore before in the old days, but it seemed to have gotten worse. He pushed Max till he was awake. Not knowing it was Georg waking him, Max said unconsciously:
"Can't I have a decent sleep for just once?"
Georg frowned. 'Hadn't he slept peacefully the other nights?' Max saw now it was Georg who had woken him and not the children.
"What do you mean, Max?"
"Oh n-nothing special. The kids couldn't sleep the other day, so when they went to your study to get some reading material, they had woken me up." He quickly improvised.
Georg found it hard to believe the children had woken them by just passing his room, while it took him so much trouble to wake him as well. He kept looking suspicious at Max. But he dropped that topic, because he had more important things to talk about.
"Listen, you have to come with me today."
"To what?"
"To the city, I have to do something there and you have to come too. I can't explain right now, but be ready at let's say 12:30 PM."
Georg left the room without waiting for an answer.
-----
Maria and the children arrived into the dining room. Big was their surprise when they saw that the table wasn't made. No plates, no knives, nothing. Hastily Georg came in the room.
"Breakfast is outside."
Georg went first outside, the others right behind. Once out on the patio they saw their breakfast on the table. And it was hardly cold anymore. Perfect weather to eat cosy outside.
"Can we choose where we sit?" Gretl asked.
"Yes darling, you can sit anywhere you like."
"Then I want to sit in between of father and Fraulein Maria!" Gretl nearly shouted, followed with a lot of disappointed aws by the others.
They took place. As said, Gretl in between of Maria and Georg. Next to Georg, Friedrich sat, and Louisa had taken the seat next to Maria. The others sat down on the still open seats.
"Why are we eating outside, father?"
"Well Liesl, it's a lovely weather and I was in the mood for it."
"This is nice, we should do this more often!" Brigitta told them.
Everyone ate their breakfast and went back inside. The children and Maria returned to the nursery, where they first would study a bit, before playing. Even though Maria had gotten some sleep last night, it hadn't been enough. First she had slept in in her bedroom, not long after that being awaken by her nightmare. It took an hour or more to arrive in the tree house where she and the captain had fallen asleep after a while. But this day both of them had to wake up early to get back in time. Wearily she sat down, watching the children study. Maria knew that if she was going to stay there, she would fall most definitely asleep. Yet she couldn't stand up anymore.
"Fraulein, are you tired?" Kurt asked her, just before dozing off.
"Yes, I guess I am."
"Then you should get back in bed."
"No, I have to stay here."
"Listen, what if we make an arrangement?"
"What kind of arrangement Louisa?"
"We'll study until 11:30 as always, and then we'll wake you up."
Georg had been standing in the door opening for a little while, to make sure his children were studying. He had seen how Maria practically had fallen asleep.
"I think your bed is much more comfortable than this sofa." He said.
Maria turned around to see Georg.
"You see, now go on."
Maria stood up with much trouble. She couldn't believe how weary she had become in these last minutes.
"Alright, but wake me up at 11:30!"
Maria closed the door behind her, making her way to her own room, accompanied by Georg.
"Look at me now, I shouldn't have done that last night!"
"Yes you had. Believe me. It was to calm down a bit, and it had worked, hadn't it?"
"Yes, but--"
"No buts, just lay back down in bed. I'll be doing the same thing in 10 minutes." Georg yawned.
"But first I will make sure you take the advice of the children."
They walked in Maria's room. The minute she lay down in bed, she felt like a huge burden had fallen off her shoulders. Georg made his way back outside, to his own room. After all, he had to be fully awake later that day.
A few hours later Louisa walked into Maria's room to wake her up. She had suggested she would be the one who'd do that, and was more than happy to do so. Once inside she sat down on the side of the bed, gently waking her.
"Maria ... It's time."
It was out before she knew it. The first time she ever had named her governess without Fraulein. Maria was up in no time. Then both returned to the nursery, but Maria was soon stopped by Max.
"Have you seen Georg somewhere? I can't find him."
"The last time we spoke he said he was going to sleep some more. So I think he's still in his bedroom."
"Thanks."
He gave her a smile, before heading to the other side of the house. And Maria stepped into the nursery.
-----
As Georg didn't have anyone to wake him up, it took him till a quarter after 12 to get up. He opened his eyes, since he was no longer in a deep sleep. 'I might as well get up now.' 10 minutes later he sat downstairs, waiting for Max. For once Max arrived in time.
"So, where are we going?" Max asked while they left the house.
"You'll see when we get there."
An hour later, Max still didn't have a clue where Georg was taking him to, when finally they stopped in front of a jeweller. Georg walked inside, Max following him. Once inside Georg stopped by the rings, studying each and every one of them. In a mocking tone, Max went on.
"You're gonna propose to me? Oh, how flattering!"
Georg not paying attention to his friend, found a beautiful ring. Silver with on a big diamond in the middle, on each side a more smaller one, ending with a yet smaller rock on the outside.
"Look Max, this one."
Max took a very close look at it.
"My you certainly picked a pearl. It's captivating!"
"I know, this is going to be it."
He looked at Georg, who still was admiring that ring.
"I assume you've got Maria in mind."
"Yes, who else?"
"I don't want to spoil your thoughts, but what about Elsa?"
'Elsa ...' Georg hadn't seen Elsa all day. Frankly, he had forgotten all about her since he had left the house to follow Maria the night before.
"I hadn't thought about her anymore."
Georg stared in front of him, thinking he had to tell Elsa about all this. A salesman walked towards them. Georg still lost in his thoughts, hadn't seen him. So Max pointed at the ring Georg wanted.
"That one please."
This last thing made Georg come back. He looked surprised at Max.
"Listen, I'm not blind and neither is Elsa. We both know you're in love with her. So buy the ring and do what you're so anxious about! I know you and Maria belong together. And even though Elsa hates to admit it, deep down she knows too. Now show Maria you love her before Chris takes her away."
"Chris?"
"Yes, you've been to blinded by love, so is Chris. He haven't noticed you're in love with the same woman. And if you aren't careful, Maria will be away soon."
Georg kept quiet, thinking about what just had been said. Once the ring had been bought, they walked back outside.
"I thought they were in love, but lately I haven't noticed it anymore." Georg told Max.
"Yes, that's because you've gotten to know her even more. You're completely smitten, my friend."
"But what if Maria isn't in love with me? What if she's actually crazy about Chris? Or what if I propose to her, and she gets scared and returns to the abbey?"
It was like he just realized that things could go different than what he had hoped for.
"Personally, I think she loves you too. But you'll never know a 100% sure unless you ask her."
'Ask her ...' When Georg had thought of buying the ring, and proposing to her the next time they had such a moment together as before, he hadn't thought of what would happen if something went wrong. Now all he was doing was praying that she felt the same as he did.
----- ----- -----
Please another 6 reviews at least :)
----- ----- -----
It had cooled down during the night and to keep themselves warm, Maria and Georg had laid in each others arms all night. Maria was laying on her side, with her head on Georg's chest and her left hand on the right side of his upper body. Georg's left arm was around Maria's side, holding her tightly, while his head was resting on her thin jacket, which he had used as a pillow. Both were still peacefully asleep when the first sunbeams shined down on the field filled with dew. Very slowly, the sun moved higher into the sky as the time passed by. Around 5:30, the sun shined in through a window on Georg's face, gradually waking him up. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a deep-blue sky through the green leaves of the branches. He felt Maria laying on him. It had been a night he would never forget. Because even though nothing had happened, he still had had his love in his arms all night. And that was about the most wonderful thing he had ever felt in his whole life, being with the woman he loved. He looked down at a still sleeping Maria. How she was laying so comfortable with her head on his chest. He moved his right hand up and placed it on Maria's, which was still resting on the other side of his chest. They still had some time to stay where they were, and Georg was enjoying each moment of it.
---
Maria lay in the same meadow as before. Her parents again behind her. She felt she already had been here. As she was gazing up in the sky, she knew everything was perfect. She wasn't scared she would loose her parents again, like before. She felt utterly safe and happy. Probably because of the presence of a 4th person. 2 Arms were wrapped around her upper body and she lay with her head against his chin. Maria's own arms reached up to rest on his arms. A smile took place on her face. She couldn't see who was holding her so tightly, but she knew who it was.
"I love you." A gentle voice whispered to her.
Even though it felt like nothing could go wrong, Maria expected dark clouds to appear any moment, but they never came. It seemed time didn't exist and the fantastic moment wouldn't end.
---
Georg woke up after having dozed off. The sun was standing higher in the sky and it was high time to return to the house. Again he looked down and found Maria hadn't woken up in the mean time. The hand Georg had laying on Maria's, he used to softly caress her cheek, hoping it would wake her up.
"Maria."
It didn't take long before she opened her eyes. She felt the warmth of his hand against her cheek, making butterflies appear in her stomach. She turned her head so she could face Georg, leaning with her chin on his chest.
"Good morning Maria."
"Good morning." She replied, cheeriness present in her voice.
She lay her head back down, slowly closing and opening her eyes attempting to become fully awake, but it didn't have much effect.
"I guess we better should get back."
"Do we really have to?"
Both were laying much to comfortable, but knew they had to be going soon as they wanted to be in time for breakfast. Maria sat up, smiling at Georg who came up too.
"Thank you for being there last night."
"It was my pleasure."
Carefully they both climbed down as they still weren't entirely awake yet. Maria wore her thin jacket now that it was a lot chillier without someone's arms around her. They walked back via the place Maria had bumped with a sleigh into a tree. Neither of them saying much, just thinking back of what had happened. Maria especially thought back of her dream, of the person so closely to her, while Georg had decided today he was gonna do some shopping, with Max by his side. It took them a bit longer than 2 hours to arrive home. It was exactly 8:45 as Georg rang the doorbell. Franz opened the door, wondering who it could be in the early morning. His shock was big when his employer and the children's governess were standing in front of him.
"Good morning Franz."
"Good morning sir."
He said while letting them in.
"There's nothing better than a early walk on a sunny day."
Georg blinked at Maria without getting seen by Franz, which she returned with a kind smile. Once Franz had walked away, leaving Maria and Georg alone, Maria remembered she had her responsibilities as a governess.
"I guess I'd better get refreshed a bit before wakening the children."
"Oh wait for me to wake them, I want to help you."
Maria understood he wanted to do more fatherly things. Therefore she was happy to do what he asked.
"Sure. So I guess we'll meet upstairs in 10 minutes then."
"10 minutes." He repeated, before both retreated to their bedrooms.
Exactly 10 minutes later Maria was waiting in the hallway when she saw Georg walking towards her.
"Hi again." He said optimistically.
When he was getting changed in his bedroom, he had given it some further thoughts. And now he was absolutely determined. Today would be a marvellous day, now only to persuade Max to come with him without telling him too much while still in the house. But that would be worries for later, now it was time to wake his beloved children.
"Well, we have 3 options. Either we will each take a room or you can wake them alone or we can go in together." Maria told him not knowing how he wanted to do this. Of course Georg knew immediately which one it was going to be.
"Together of course."
While Georg was smiling at her in that familiar way, Maria felt she was blushing a bit. Georg went to Liesl's, Louisa's and Brigitta's room first. He knocked as firmly as Maria always did and then walked in. Maria followed him. Once inside she walked to the windows to open the curtains while bidding the children good morning.
"Good morning girls."
"Good morning Fraulein." All 3 of them muttered wearily. They sat up, rubbing their eyes.
"Good morning." Another voice came.
Louisa's eyes opened the first, looking with disbelief at her father, followed closely by the other 2.
"Good morning father."
Maria was still standing at a window, looking at the scene in front of her. Georg walked first towards Liesl, giving her a good morning kiss on her forehead. Then he walked to Louisa, next Brigitta to do the same.
"I'll see you girls in a while at breakfast."
Then he left their room. Maria went to the door as well. Before leaving, she glanced back at the girls, giving them a smile. Georg was waiting outside Marta's and Gretl's room for Maria. As soon as Maria was standing next to him, again he knocked and walked in. Same as previous happened. Maria said good morning, while opening the curtains. Georg watched how his little girls said good morning back, but remained laying in bed with their eyes closed. Quietly he walked between the 2 beds till he stood next t their little heads.
"Good morning darlings."
He said in a fatherly and gentle way. The same effect as in the other room: both girls opened their eyes not believing their father was there to wake them up. He gave them both a kiss on the forehead and moved to the boys their room, but kept waiting for Maria who was still in the little ones' room.
"Fraulein Maria, father woke us up!" Gretl told her excitingly.
"I know darling."
Gretl stood up on her bed and flew Maria in her arms. Marta quickly got out of her bed, so she could run to Gretl's bed too. She also wanted to hug her governess.
"Will he do that every day?" Marta asked while holding Maria tightly and looking into her eyes.
"That I don't know. I'll ask him in a while, ok?"
"Ok." Both girls cheered.
Maria held them both tightly. She was so glad had been of any help.
Georg found it odd that Maria still hadn't left their room, so he walked back and peeked in. The sight he witnessed was breathtaking. As he saw his daughters holding her so tightly, he was even more determined about what he was going to do.
"Alright girls, your father is waiting for me. I'll be back to help you in a couple of minutes."
She gave them both a quick kiss on their forehead as Georg had done, and walked then out of their room. Georg waited until she was with him, before doing the same as he had done before. Once more Maria opened the curtains while saying them good morning. The boys were already sitting up with their eyes opened and all, therefore seeing their father at once.
"Good morning Fraulein, father." Friedrich said while a smile formed on his face.
"Waw this is a good morning." Kurt added.
"No water?" Georg's oldest son asked.
"Not today, there isn't."
He wondered if he should give them a kiss too, after all, they were boys and as he remembered himself, he didn't like it whenever his parents gave him a kiss. Maria saw his expression and she knew what he was thinking. When Georg looked at her to ask for help, Maria nodded. She was sure his boys wouldn't mind at all since they had to miss their father for quite some years. So he walked towards them, giving them a kiss on their foreheads as well. Friedrich couldn't care less about what he did next. He embraced Georg, showing him how much his children had missed him. Kurt did the same. Again Maria was watching them. She mouthed a quick thank you up, then walked out. She was just about to return to the little ones, when Georg run back out into the hallway.
"Maria. Thank you."
That was all he could say. She only replied with a smile, which he took as 'my pleasure'. Maria wanted to proceed her way to the nursery, but she just thought of Marta's question.
"Oh sir, Marta asked me if you will be doing this every day now, I told her I'd ask you."
He thought for a minute. 'Why not? I'm up every day at this hour.'
"Tell her I'll be happy to do so. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take care of something."
Maria walked into the nursery, where Marta and Gretl were waiting. Both were already dressed and only needed help with their hair.
"Did you ask him?"
Marta was practically jumping through the room.
"Yes I did. And guess what ..."
"What?"
"He asked me to tell you he would be happy to do so."
Once again the 2 flew into Maria's arms.
-----
Georg went into the kitchen, where Frau Schmidt and Fraulein Hendrika were preparing breakfast.
"Good morning ladies. Breakfast will be eaten outside today on the patio."
Frau Schmidt nodded. After that Georg made his way back upstairs, now to Max's room. He knocked, not as firm as before and stepped in. Max, snoring as always, didn't have a clue Georg was in his room as he was still sound asleep. Georg chuckled. He had heard him snore before in the old days, but it seemed to have gotten worse. He pushed Max till he was awake. Not knowing it was Georg waking him, Max said unconsciously:
"Can't I have a decent sleep for just once?"
Georg frowned. 'Hadn't he slept peacefully the other nights?' Max saw now it was Georg who had woken him and not the children.
"What do you mean, Max?"
"Oh n-nothing special. The kids couldn't sleep the other day, so when they went to your study to get some reading material, they had woken me up." He quickly improvised.
Georg found it hard to believe the children had woken them by just passing his room, while it took him so much trouble to wake him as well. He kept looking suspicious at Max. But he dropped that topic, because he had more important things to talk about.
"Listen, you have to come with me today."
"To what?"
"To the city, I have to do something there and you have to come too. I can't explain right now, but be ready at let's say 12:30 PM."
Georg left the room without waiting for an answer.
-----
Maria and the children arrived into the dining room. Big was their surprise when they saw that the table wasn't made. No plates, no knives, nothing. Hastily Georg came in the room.
"Breakfast is outside."
Georg went first outside, the others right behind. Once out on the patio they saw their breakfast on the table. And it was hardly cold anymore. Perfect weather to eat cosy outside.
"Can we choose where we sit?" Gretl asked.
"Yes darling, you can sit anywhere you like."
"Then I want to sit in between of father and Fraulein Maria!" Gretl nearly shouted, followed with a lot of disappointed aws by the others.
They took place. As said, Gretl in between of Maria and Georg. Next to Georg, Friedrich sat, and Louisa had taken the seat next to Maria. The others sat down on the still open seats.
"Why are we eating outside, father?"
"Well Liesl, it's a lovely weather and I was in the mood for it."
"This is nice, we should do this more often!" Brigitta told them.
Everyone ate their breakfast and went back inside. The children and Maria returned to the nursery, where they first would study a bit, before playing. Even though Maria had gotten some sleep last night, it hadn't been enough. First she had slept in in her bedroom, not long after that being awaken by her nightmare. It took an hour or more to arrive in the tree house where she and the captain had fallen asleep after a while. But this day both of them had to wake up early to get back in time. Wearily she sat down, watching the children study. Maria knew that if she was going to stay there, she would fall most definitely asleep. Yet she couldn't stand up anymore.
"Fraulein, are you tired?" Kurt asked her, just before dozing off.
"Yes, I guess I am."
"Then you should get back in bed."
"No, I have to stay here."
"Listen, what if we make an arrangement?"
"What kind of arrangement Louisa?"
"We'll study until 11:30 as always, and then we'll wake you up."
Georg had been standing in the door opening for a little while, to make sure his children were studying. He had seen how Maria practically had fallen asleep.
"I think your bed is much more comfortable than this sofa." He said.
Maria turned around to see Georg.
"You see, now go on."
Maria stood up with much trouble. She couldn't believe how weary she had become in these last minutes.
"Alright, but wake me up at 11:30!"
Maria closed the door behind her, making her way to her own room, accompanied by Georg.
"Look at me now, I shouldn't have done that last night!"
"Yes you had. Believe me. It was to calm down a bit, and it had worked, hadn't it?"
"Yes, but--"
"No buts, just lay back down in bed. I'll be doing the same thing in 10 minutes." Georg yawned.
"But first I will make sure you take the advice of the children."
They walked in Maria's room. The minute she lay down in bed, she felt like a huge burden had fallen off her shoulders. Georg made his way back outside, to his own room. After all, he had to be fully awake later that day.
A few hours later Louisa walked into Maria's room to wake her up. She had suggested she would be the one who'd do that, and was more than happy to do so. Once inside she sat down on the side of the bed, gently waking her.
"Maria ... It's time."
It was out before she knew it. The first time she ever had named her governess without Fraulein. Maria was up in no time. Then both returned to the nursery, but Maria was soon stopped by Max.
"Have you seen Georg somewhere? I can't find him."
"The last time we spoke he said he was going to sleep some more. So I think he's still in his bedroom."
"Thanks."
He gave her a smile, before heading to the other side of the house. And Maria stepped into the nursery.
-----
As Georg didn't have anyone to wake him up, it took him till a quarter after 12 to get up. He opened his eyes, since he was no longer in a deep sleep. 'I might as well get up now.' 10 minutes later he sat downstairs, waiting for Max. For once Max arrived in time.
"So, where are we going?" Max asked while they left the house.
"You'll see when we get there."
An hour later, Max still didn't have a clue where Georg was taking him to, when finally they stopped in front of a jeweller. Georg walked inside, Max following him. Once inside Georg stopped by the rings, studying each and every one of them. In a mocking tone, Max went on.
"You're gonna propose to me? Oh, how flattering!"
Georg not paying attention to his friend, found a beautiful ring. Silver with on a big diamond in the middle, on each side a more smaller one, ending with a yet smaller rock on the outside.
"Look Max, this one."
Max took a very close look at it.
"My you certainly picked a pearl. It's captivating!"
"I know, this is going to be it."
He looked at Georg, who still was admiring that ring.
"I assume you've got Maria in mind."
"Yes, who else?"
"I don't want to spoil your thoughts, but what about Elsa?"
'Elsa ...' Georg hadn't seen Elsa all day. Frankly, he had forgotten all about her since he had left the house to follow Maria the night before.
"I hadn't thought about her anymore."
Georg stared in front of him, thinking he had to tell Elsa about all this. A salesman walked towards them. Georg still lost in his thoughts, hadn't seen him. So Max pointed at the ring Georg wanted.
"That one please."
This last thing made Georg come back. He looked surprised at Max.
"Listen, I'm not blind and neither is Elsa. We both know you're in love with her. So buy the ring and do what you're so anxious about! I know you and Maria belong together. And even though Elsa hates to admit it, deep down she knows too. Now show Maria you love her before Chris takes her away."
"Chris?"
"Yes, you've been to blinded by love, so is Chris. He haven't noticed you're in love with the same woman. And if you aren't careful, Maria will be away soon."
Georg kept quiet, thinking about what just had been said. Once the ring had been bought, they walked back outside.
"I thought they were in love, but lately I haven't noticed it anymore." Georg told Max.
"Yes, that's because you've gotten to know her even more. You're completely smitten, my friend."
"But what if Maria isn't in love with me? What if she's actually crazy about Chris? Or what if I propose to her, and she gets scared and returns to the abbey?"
It was like he just realized that things could go different than what he had hoped for.
"Personally, I think she loves you too. But you'll never know a 100% sure unless you ask her."
'Ask her ...' When Georg had thought of buying the ring, and proposing to her the next time they had such a moment together as before, he hadn't thought of what would happen if something went wrong. Now all he was doing was praying that she felt the same as he did.
----- ----- -----
Please another 6 reviews at least :)