Disclaimer: I ownith nothing…ith.

Author's Note: "In honor of the death of Bohemia.."…..and the last day of school, I am updating! So here it goes.


Chapter Six

The Captain checked the time, 2:55. The children would be home any minute. Deciding to greet them at the huge iron gates of the house, the Captain stood and walked out the front door.

The sun was high and there was a slight breeze (that constantly moved through the trees). Georg took in a deep breath. Today, for some reason was a good day, and he didn't know why. He felt happier, he knew that upon seeing his children his life would once again be filled. But why? It's not like the children had been gone a life time. Nor had he been distant from them. So why? Had he really missed his children that much today? Well, what ever it was, he knew something was about to change.

2:58. He could see the children at the end of the road. Chatting happily with one another. As they neared he realized that there was some one else with the children. He couldn't tell who it was. But who ever it was, was surrounded on all sides by his seven children.

He couldn't make out the face yet, but he knew that he knew who ever it was. It appeared that Leisl, was it Leisl..yes. That Leisl had said something and the mysterious person let out a loud laugh.

Georg felt his breath. It couldn't be. No, not here. Not now. After so many weeks gone, it was not possible that She was once again accompanying his children. The Captain had to tell himself to breathe again as Gretl's voice filled the happy air.

"FATHER!" she yelled, running towards Georg.

"Hello, sweetheart. How was school?" he asked, as he bent down to hug his youngest daughter.

"OH, it was wonderful Father! And guess what Father, guess what! Fraulein Maria is my teacher." she said, not even letting her father guess. As soon as the words left her mouth Gretl went running to give Maria hug, as she and the rest of the children. Maria bent down as Gretl clung to her waist, picking her up.

"Hello, Captain."

It was then that Georg realized what this young woman had over him, the effect that never left him. It was her hair, her smile, her eyes, the was she laughed, the way she interacted with the children, it was just….her. It was something he hadn't felt in years. Something he had wanted to feel for so long. Something he felt, but knew he shouldn't. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was it, and her. It was love.

All those thoughts ran through his mind in mere seconds, but to him (and Maria) it seemed like a life time. Finally he found his voice, "Hello Fraulein."


Georg watched in awe as he, Maria, and the children sat in the sitting room, awaiting dinner. He was amazed how she so easily handled to children. How she acted as if she were their mother.

How had he not seen it before? Seen that he loved her. Was he blinded by the fact of it, or was it that he had, deep down, known and refused to believe it. Was it because he was in a relationship with Elsa when Maria had entered his life? Quickly, Georg looked heavenward and gave a prayer of thanks. If he had not broken it off with Elsa before tonight, things would be so much more complicated than they already were.

What was he to do now, tell Maria of his feelings? Was it wise to do that? After all, she was his former employee, love was hardly a thing that an employer felt for his employee. Besides, she was a postulant, she was to be a nun. But then, how was that possible? She was Gretl's teacher.

"Dinner's ready." came Franz, short and somewhat cold remark.

"Thank you Franz." The children immediately ran from the room, all wanting the good meal.

Maria rose to her feet, but slightly stumbled. She suddenly two gentle hands grab hold of her shoulders to steady her body.

"Easy there Fraulein." The Captain said, with a small laugh and a smile.

"Thank you Captain." she replied, feeling her cheeks beginning to turn red.

They walked a couple of steps in an uncomfortable, yet comfortable silence.

"So you are Gretl's teacher?"

"Hm, oh yes. I was so excited when I saw her and the rest of the children standing in the class room door this morning."

"Yes, so, if you'll excuse my noisiness, you didn't return to the abbey?"

Maria gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, I did, but I uh, I realized that the abbey wasn't really my place."

"And you didn't come back?" the Captain could tell that his voice was about toe break with emotion. Maria stopped walking right when the reached the entry way to the dinning room. Her eyes turned distant and were filled with some fear, but he could tell that something lay beneath that fear. Something that wanted to break out, but she wasn't allowing it.

She turned her head from his. "I-I. Well, I, uh."

He placed a hand on her now shivering shoulder. "Please allow me to apologize Fraulein. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry." She gave him a half smile. "Now, how about some dinner." He said, motioning towards the room. Maria's smile grew even wider as she headed to her old spot at the table.


"Father?"

"Yes, Marta?"

"May we sing some songs before we go to bed?"

The Captain looked at all of the children who were nodding in a agreement and smiling broadly. Finally his gaze landed on Maria. "Of course we can."


"Now, I believe that it is time for bed." the Captain said, as the children and Maria finished their fifth song of the night.

"Father, won't you sing us a song, before we go to bed? Please…" Brigitta said, "You've hardly sung at all tonight."

"I don't know..."

"Please Father."

"Oh yes, Father, please."

"Yes, Captain, won't you?" The last plea he heard, and really the only one since there were so many, was the most distinct to the Captain. He looked up to find the eyes of Maria looking at him with a sparkling smile plastered on her face.

"Well, alright. What shall I sing?"

"Edelweiss," Gretl said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Edelweiss it is then, but only if Fraulein Maria agrees to sing with me." he said, a twinkle in his eyes, and a smile on his face.

At first Maria looked taken aback, not expecting him to request her accompaniment. But then her usual bright smile filled her face as she nodded her head.

Picking up the guitar, the Captain began the song.


As the song finished Maria and Georg locked eyes. Everything else in the room and world ceased to exist. Nothing else in the world mattered except their love, which neither knew that the other shared.

A small happy sigh from Louisa broke their moment. "Now, it is time for bed. You have school tomorrow."

The children rose and murmured incoherent nothings as everyone left the room.


Maria paused at the foot of the stairs as the Captain and the children began to ascend them. The Captain, aware that some one had stopped, turned to see why. She looked up at him, "You know, I'm sure the children would love if you helped put them to bed." Maria nodded with a smile bigger than ever and followed.

"Fraulein, I insist that you stay here for the night." Georg said as the two descended the stairs.

"Oh no Captain, I couldn't"

"But it's far to dark out for you to be going home."

"Really Captain, I'll be fine. I don't mind."

"If you insist, but I insist that I give you a ride home."

"Oh no! I couldn't ask you to do that Captain."

"Ah, but you didn't Fraulein, I offered." he said with a smile of satisfaction that somewhat resembled a smirk.


The car ride was spent in a nice silence, only being broken as Maria told the Captain which roads to take. Finally they reached her apartments.

"Thank you for dinner and the rise Captain."

"It was no problem Fraulein. Feel free to come over anytime you wish."

"I'll keep it in mind." she said, smiling. "Well, good night." She turned and opened the door of the car.

"Eh, Fraulein?"

"Yes Captain." she turned back around.

"I was just, well you see, thinking, wondering eh-" how to put this.

"Yes Captain?"

"Eh." he sighed in defeat and shook his head. "Good night, Fraulein." She gave him a puzzling smile and left the car.

He watched as she entered the building, making sure she got in safely. When she was out of sight, the Captain sighed once again and reluctantly drove home.


Author's Note: There it is. You can now expect the updates to be more frequent now that school is how, but I can't make any promises. I'll do the best I can.

singoncemore: Thanks for the great review!

StKiara: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thanks for uh, showing me what my bio says, really appreciate it. And thanks for the review!