Disclaimer: Nothing…..
Author's Note: Sorry I didn't update sooner. It's been a combination of being busy, laziness, and writer's block. But here it is….Chapter six!
Chapter Six
No sooner did Maria turn after hearing her name being called was she knocked to the ground by a happy Marta and Gretl, clinging to her waist.
"Marta? Gretl?"
"Fraulein Maria!" Looking around she saw the rest of the children standing around her, trying to contain their laughter of seeing her knocked down and smiling brightly.
Marta and Gretl were now standing, allowing Maria room to stand, but as soon as she did she was bombarded by hugs from all of the children, each talking excitedly.
"We can't believe it."
"It's really you!"
"We've missed you!"
"I thought you went back to the abbey." Question after question comment after comment came, until Maria held up her hands for quiet. The children immediately obeyed.
"Children, I am so happy to see you but what are you doing here?"
"We went on a picnic! It was wonderful." Came Marta's happy voice.
"We where just on our way back to the house." Louisa finished.
"Fraulein Maria?"
"Yes, Leisl?"
"We thought you went back to the abbey."
"Well, I did, but I just left."
"Why?" Gretl asked, getting a nudge from Fredriech for being nosey.
"Well, I was on my way back to your house."
"REALLY!" All seven children asked excitedly.
"Well, that is, if I am still welcome."
"And why wouldn't you be Fraulein?"
Maria shot her head up quickly after hearing a new voice. Subconsciously her cheeks turned read. "Oh, hello Captain."
The group of nine was walking along the dirt road that led to the von Trapp villa. In the back Leisl, Brigitta, and Louisa were talking happily about their governess' return. Kurt and Fredrich were in the middle, carrying Maria's guitar case and carpet bag. While the Captain, Maria, Marta and Gretl led the group. Marta and Gertl clinging to their governess' hands as they had their father's minutes before.
The Captain had been smiling for the past five minutes and he hadn't a clue why. Ever since he saw Maria standing there on the side of the street he couldn't stop smiling. He felt happier than he had the past few weeks. It was almost like a piece of him returned. Georg almost stopped dead in his tracks and his smile threatened to turn into a frown, but it didn't. The thought of a piece of him returning bothered him. Why was it that this governess made him feel complete….why?
Max and Elsa had gone into town for the day, and as Fraul Schmidt informed the family, they wouldn't be back until after dinner. The children where outside playing, while Maria got herself resituated in her room. She was so happy to be back, she felt like she was finally home. Suddenly a knock broke Maria from her thoughts.
"Hello Fraulein." The Captain said with a broad smile.
Blushing she replied: "Hello Captain, was there anything you wanted?"
"Hm?" Georg couldn't properly respond, he was lost, staring at her. Trying to find her beautiful blue eyes as she was looking at the floor. Lifting her head their eyes met.
"Uh, C-captain. I sai-id is there anything you wanted." She stammered out.
They stood staring at each other for a while. Neither knowing what to do, realizing where he was the Captain blinked, gaining back reality.
"Actually. I, uh, just wanted to see if everything was alright, that is here in your room."
"It's as if I never left!" She smiled, brightly.
"Good, good. And, um, I would like a word with you, after dinner, in my study."
"Of course Captain."
Dinner was filled with talking that seemed to have been missing in ages. The only one who seemed to be quiet was the Captain. All he could do was focus and his food and the young woman sitting across from him. And he didn't know why. But with a crash he was suddenly brought back to reality, after hearing the conversation at the table.
"Fraulein Maria?"
"Yes, Brigitta?"
"You won't ever leave, will you. Um, you, uh, are here to stay. ?" She asked timidly.
Maria was dumb struck. She had made up her mind to go back to the villa, but she didn't know what to do next. Giving the ten-year-old a smile, "For now, Brigitta. For now." Was all she could manage.
"Fraulein, would you mind?" Georg said, beginning to stand from the table.
"Oh, yes, Captain, you wanted to speak to me."
"You're not going to make her leave, are you?" Marta asked for the Captain's side.
"Now why would I do that?" he replied, giving her nose a tap.
Marai couldn't believe the beauty of the Captain's study. Everything was a dark, rich, earthy color. Book upon book lined the wall. Books from around the world. First editions, second editions and so forth. The list went on and on. At the back of the room stood the Captain's desk and chair. To the left, a comfortable sitting area with around a welcoming fire.
"Please, sit." Georg said, motioning to the couch by the fire.
Sitting down on the opposite side of the couch from Maria the Captain was suddenly intoxicated. The warm glow of the fire hid the governess in the shadows but at the same time showed off her features beautifully.
"Would you like, uh, something to drink?"
Chuckling at his formality, Maria the nausea she had been feeling subside. "No thank you."
"Right. Well I asked you hear because I was wondering why you came back."
Forget her nausea going away, it was back. "Well, I came back because I-I missed the children."
"Only the children?" He subconsciously kicked himself, why did he care.
"No, yes! Isn't it right that I missed them!"
He smiled at her, what seemed like, defensive response. "Of course, of course. But, uh, Fraulein, why did you leave in the first place." Subconsciously he moved closer.
Oh, dear God why did he mover closer to her. She felt her breathe quicken as she tried to move away from him on the couch. Was she ready to tell him. More importantly, could tell him. "Well, I-I-I, uh, I."
"Yes?"
She couldn't answer as the door of the study flew open revealing a smiling Baroness whose smile suddenly dropped.
"Fraulein Maria. You've returned. Isn't it wonderful Georg?" She said, putting on a fake smile.
"Of course it is Elsa."
"The children told me and I couldn't believe it, I had to come and see it for myself." Then turning her attention to the Captain she continued. "I hope you didn't miss me terribly Georg. I hope you had a wonderful day, I did. Max took me into town to start looking at wedding dresses."
Maria's heart stopped. Wedding dresses? And before she could stop herself, her thought, left her lips. "Wedding dresses? Are you and the Baroness engaged, Captain?"
Georg felt his heart break as he saw the expression on Maria's face. All he could do was nod.
"You didn't tell her Georg?"
"No, I-I didn't"
"Congratulations, I wish you both every happiness. Now if you'll excuse me, it is time the children should be getting to bed. Good night." And with that she left, going to get the children, holding in her tears until she was out of the presence. No one in the house would see her cry, non of them.
Author's Note: Well, there it is. Chapter six. Hope you liked it. I know I haven't really shown a lot of what the Captain was feeling and I thought now would be the perfect time to show more. More to come soon! Thanks to all those who updated. )
