I'm sorry I didn't update earlier but my beta has been really busy. Please remember that english is not my native language and I'd be very happy if you'd R&R:)

Chapter 2

The performance of "The lonely goatherd" was going smoothly and Maria, along with the children, was really having a good time. Baroness Schräder, uncle Max and the Captain were laughing at the jokes and applauded enthusiastically. The Captain couldn't stop thinking about Maria however and found himself lost in thought several times. 'What a wonderful person she is, loving the children as if they were her own and they simply adore her... Like I do.' He raised his eyebrows, surprised at his own thoughts about the governess and continued to watch the puppet show, forcing himself not to think about the lovely fräulein entertaining himself and his children. When the show was ended seven excited children and one tired young woman bowed and curtseyed to their three persons audience who, in return, were clapping hands and cheering at the puppet masters.

"Can we really keep the puppeteer uncle Max?" a very happy Gretl almost screamed at her relative.

"Why else would I have sent the bill to your father?" Max and the children left the room, leaving the remaining three adults alone.

The Captain could not have kept his eyes from Maria even if he had wanted to, she was far too beautiful for that to ever happen. Maria felt his eyes upon her and fidgeted, unable to meet his gaze.

"Bravo fräulein."

"Thank you Captain, but they're your children." He smiled at her and prepared to take her to the sitting room when Elsa spoke, making the Captain discreetly turn to her to guide her out of the room. 'That could have been embarrassing.' he thought as they proceeded towards the door. Maria lingered before she decided to follow them and walked slowly behind them into the adjoining room.

"My dear, is there anything you can't do?" the Baroness asked Maria coolly.

"I don't think I will be a very good nun."

"If you have any problem I will be happy to help you." They went to join the others, the Baroness linking her arm with the Captains.

"Fräulein Maria." Max addressed her with a grin.

"Yes, Herr Detweiler?" She looked at him curiously and the two of them rapidly got everyones attention.

"You and the children sang beautifully tonight. I was thinking, would you all mind if I put you in as an entry to the folk festival?" The children gasped and got very excited.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that Herr Detweiler. It would certainly be lovely but the Captain has to decide since they're his children."

"Oh please father!" all of the seven children pleaded, looking at their father with puppy eyes.

"No Max. My children will not sing in public."

"Fräulein, please talk some sense into the man." At Maxs words Maria blushed but the Baroness fumed. 'How could he even consider that without talking to ME first!'

"I'm sorry Max, the Captain has spoken his will."

"Alright, I know when I am defeated." Maria, trying to lighten everybodys spirits, addressed the children.

"Who shall we hear from next?" She took her guitar while listening to the suggestion. Her cheeks flushed when she heard who they agreed on and immediately the butterflies started flying around in her stomach. Not wanting to disappoint the children she walked forward with the guitar held out before her.

"The vote is unanimous. You, Captain." Elsa had to grip the elbow rest to not fall off the couch when Maria gave the Captain her guitar, and he took it gently, never letting his eyes leave hers. He sat down and played "Edelweiss", a lovely hymn to Austria, glancing at Maria from time to time. 'She looks so beautiful standing there. I am the luckiest man on earth to have her here with me. She has everything I want in a woman.' His gaze lingered on her delicious body and then met her eyes. Her face went beat red but she couldn't look away and those same insects that flew through her belly before instantly returned. 'Why am I feeling like this? What does it mean? I haven't even felt this connected to God and I really should have.' The song ended but the gazing didn't until Elsa got up to get everyones attention.

"Why don't we really fill this house with music Georg?"

The party was glorious and all of the well bred society were there. In the ballroom people were dancing and drinking Champagne, everyone looking like a million bucks. All of the children were watching from the veranda, trying to decide which one of the women looked the most beautiful. Liesl started dreaming of Rolf and her dancing and she imagined him standing before her with a straight back, broad shoulders and dressed up in a dress suit with his blue eyes fixed on her. She started dancing with herself but soon got interrupted by Friedrich, he looked like a man more than ever today, who asked her for a dance.

"I'd be delighted young man." She curtseyed and he bowed before starting to waltz around as if they were inside with all the grown ups. Maria found them like this and smiled at the sight.

"Why didn't you say you could dance as well?" Kurt started to speak but was interrupted by the orchestra playing a new song.

"What's that they're playing?" asked Gretl, who now had completely forgotten about all the handsome men she'd been commenting on earlier, and Maria answered.

"It's the Ländler, an Austrian folkdance." Kurt stepped forward towards Maria.

"Show me fräulein Maria." he prompted and Maria looked skeptical.

"I haven't done that in years." she replied truthfully.

"Please! I want to learn."

"Oh alright." Maria started to explain the dance and showed him all the movements with a little difficulty due to Kurts rather modest height.

The Captain couldn't stop thinking about Maria and the way she had looked when he sang "Edelweiss" to her. Yes, to her. His heart ached whenever they were in the same room and lately he had even started to dream about her. He walked towards the veranda, in need of some fresh air, and watched Maria dancing with his youngest son, feeling mixed emotions building up inside. Unable to contain himself any longer the Captain tapped Kurts shoulder, ready to take over.

"Would you mind dancing with me instead fräulein? Not that the two of you didn't match perfectly." He grinned at Kurt who laughed at his father and the look upon Marias face. It was as red as it could be.

"I wouldn't mind at all Captain." With her mind screaming NO she accepted his hand and started dancing. Their bodies seemed to respond to the closeness immediately and Maria felt like she was dancing in heaven. When the Captain guided her firmly she couldn't help but lean in to him. As he noticed Marias lack of distrust he gently pulled her closer than the dance required while suppressing a moan, barely able to keep it at least somewhat professional. Maria took his hand from behind him, holding it over his shoulder before they were to face each other. This was the part of the dance she had dreaded all along. They turned and finally stood face to face, their eyes locking before the world ceased to exist. The Captain leaned in slowly to kiss Maria and she couldn't move an inch. This was exactly what she had longed for to happen. Suddenly an icy voice disturbed their dreams and they parted swiftly.

"That was beautifully danced darling. Care to join ME for a dance as well? Inside preferably." The Baroness turned on her heels and walked inside, furious at Georg for dancing so lovely with that youngster instead of her. Still outside and still uncomfortably close to the Captain, Maria felt her face flush again. The situation was awkward but despite that she was relaxed and she could sense the Captain having similar feelings.

"Your face is all red." Brigitta interrupted and saw Maria putting her palms to her cheeks.

"It is? I guess I'm not used to dancing." The Captain cleared his throat and looked at Maria but avoided looking into her enticing eyes.

"I should get back inside. To dance with Elsa..." There was sadness in his eyes as he spoke of that.

"The children should go to bed now fräulein." Maria nodded and smiled.

"Yes, we've got something very special prepared." She ran away with the children, getting ready to surprise the Captain and his guests. He moved inside to dance with Elsa but luckily found himself sort of saved by the bell. Maria entered and bid the guests to the entrance where the children said good night by singing "So long, farewell". When the seven of them were in their rooms Maria decided it was time for her to leave as well, to tuck them in properly, and started to climb the stairs when she suddenly heard the Captains soft voice in her ear.

"Fräulein?" Marias knees almost gave way when she turned around to look at the Captains pleading eyes.

"May I help you get ready for bed?" Maria grabbed the banister quickly not to fall and her eyes grew wide with astonishment. The Captain looked down and closed his eyes for a second 'stupid!' before correcting himself.

"I meant help you with the children that is." He looked into her eyes again and she shyly smiled at him.

"Of course you may help me. With the children I mean." He gestured for her to take the lead before the situation got too awkward. To anyone who would have seen the two of them it might have looked as if the Captain was courting his governess. Luckily no one spotted them, except for the children.

Liesl, Louisa and Brigitta had been peeking at their father and fräulein from behind the door to their room and quickly bounced into bed before they got caught spying.

"Did you see them right now?" Louisa asked, thoroughly excited about it all.

"And when they danced together before... They truly looked like they were in love then. This is so romantic!"

"Yes it is Liesl. Just like one of my favorite books." Brigitta answered her older sister. Louisa spoke again.

"What if they are secretly in love without us knowing it? Or maybe even without them knowing it! Perhaps we should spy on them?" she said with mischief written all across her face.

"Oh yes." The other girls agreed with Louisa but were then interrupted by the Captain and Maria coming inside to say good night.

"Do you girls promise to sleep now?" Maria asked, trying to sound stern but failed completely. The Captain was way too close for her to be able to think or speak properly.

"We don't want you out of bed, running around disturbing the guests." he said with a smile. Why he smiled he didn't know but figured it might have something to do with Maria. The two adults turned and started walking towards the door.

"Father?" Liesl asked, making the Captain and Maria face the girls again.

"Yes Liesl?"

"Would you mind if we slept in tomorrow? It's rather late and I'm sure even you two would prefer a good nights sleep?" Maria and the Captain looked at each other and Maria nodded slightly to him. Without breaking the eye contact with Maria, the Captain answered his daughter.

"I guess we all need to rest a little. It's ok. That is if your fräulein also approves." Maria could barely breath, let alone speak, but she managed to say one word.

"Yes." She looked away from the Captain to the girls, who had weird but happy expressions on their faces.

"Good night then girls." Georg said as he motioned for Maria to take the lead out of the room.

"Good night father. Good night fräulein Maria." The Captain put his hand at the small of Marias back and she at once felt lightheaded.

"Good night." she managed to whisper to the three children before exiting their room.

"That went well. Two more rooms to go. Are you ready fräulein?" he asked as he closed the door before putting his hand at her back again.

"Of course Captain. I do this every night, remember?" she whispered to not let her overwhelming emotions reflect in her voice. 'How can his touch affect me like this?' They walked to check on the already sleeping boys and then proceeded to the two smallest children who were still up playing in their room. When they saw their father and Maria they ran to hug him and then hugged Maria as well. She smiled at them.

"It's time for you to sleep now ladies."

"But fräulein Maria!"

"No buts Marta. You don't want to upset your father do you?" Maria answered the girl and, without thinking, flashed the Captain a radiant smile. He could actually feel his cheeks get a little hotter and quickly gestured for the children to get into their beds. Maria kissed them while she tucked them in and the Captain followed suit.

"Father?"

"Yes Gretl?"

"Why can't fräulein Maria be our mother?" The Captain sighed and started to explain to his youngest child.

"Well you see, a child can only have one real mother. Fräulein Maria does what a mother is supposed to do and I know she is like a mother to you but since she didn't give birth to you she can never truly be your mother. I'm sure she loves you as if you were her children though." He looked at Maria and felt his stomach knot and turned back to Gretl.

"Does this make any sense to you darling?"

"No, but it's ok."

"Father?"

"Yes Marta?"

"What if you and fräulein Maria got married, then would she be our mother?" Marias face flushed and the Captain started fidgeting at his daughters question.

"I suppose she would." he answered, his voice uncertain because of the slight amount of nervousness he started feeling.

"Then I think you two should get married." Marta stated but then furrowed her brows in thought.

"Father?" The Captain sighed.

"Yes Marta." he said, silently wondering what she could want now.

"Are you in love with fräulein Maria?" The question startled both the Captain and Maria, whose eyes nearly popped out of her head, and she quickly spoke to ease off the tension in the room.

"It's time for you to go to sleep now." Marta and Gretl fell asleep fast, too exhausted to ask any more questions. The two adults quietely left the room and the Captain closed the door behind him.

"Interesting..." he mumbled, causing Maria to halt.

"Excuse me Captain?"

"Hm? No, nothing. I was just thinking aloud."

"Oh." They slowly walked towards Marias room, neither of them wanting this beautiful moment to end.

"Fräulein?" She turned around to face the Captain and, even though she tried not to look at his face, her eyes found his and she lost all sense of time and place. The Captain eventually cleared his throat to speak.

"Would you like to stay at the party? Unfortunately you can't be my dinner partner since Elsa made me hers but I'm sure Max wouldn't mind having your company." Maria blushed profoundly and answered politely.

"It sounds really wonderful Captain but I'm afraid I'm much too tired and therefore I shall have to decline."

"Oh." The Captains face fell involuntarily and Maria couldn't stop her reflexes to take her hand to his cheek and stroke it gently before she remembered where she was and what she was doing.

"I'm sorry Captain, but I'm sure you, and Max of course, will have a splendid time without me."

"I doubt that..." Marias face heated up again but she remained calm.

"Are you sure fräulein?"

"Absolutely. Good night Captain."

"Good night." He watched her leave and sullenly walked downstairs to force himself to be a good host at the party. His mind was constantly absent though as he could think of nothing but his lovely fräulein and how she had touched his cheek, and most of all his heart, tonight.