I've corrected some of the spelling errors, that's the reason for the update.

I'm sooooooo sorry I haven't been updating for ages but I have had a lot to do, both at work and at home. I just want to tell you that the story is finished; I just have to type it up on the computer. Well, here is chapter 6 anyway. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

During the last couple of days Georg had been feeling rather annoyed and somewhat sad. 'Because of a simple governess? Hey! She's not a simple governess to you, she's your angel.'

"My angel..." he mumbled, his mind still contemplating Maria.

"What was that darling?" the Baroness asked, her voice edged with jealousy because she knew he was distraught because of her, the blasted nun.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud I guess."

"Come on Georg. Tell me. I know something is bothering you because you've been grumpy for several days now."

"It's really nothing Elsa." 'At least not something she should know about.'

"Please?" Georg finally lost his temper and looked sternly at her.

"No! I don't want to talk about it and that's that. End of story!"

"You're always leaving me out of the loop! Are you sure you really want to marry me? These past few days we have been arguing constantly and I'm getting quite sick of it Georg." The children heard the agitated voices coming from their fathers study and walked over there. The door was open and when they entered they found their father and the Baroness arguing.

"Why are we having this argument at all Elsa? Is it because my mood isn't all that cheerful right now?"

"You know damn well what this is all about!"

"Do not swear in this house!"

"Why not?"

"Because Maria..." he grew silent.

"What about her!" The Baroness was close to fuming at this point, you could almost see the smoke coming out of her ears.

"Because she has taught the children, and me, to be thankful to God."

"I don't care what that little rat has done. She's out of here and is never coming back. Will you get that into your head? Never!"

"Don't you dare talk about Maria like that!"

"Why not? She's just a governess for Christs sake."

"She might be a governess but she's also warm, funny, colourful and annoyingly beautiful!" At their fathers words the children gasped and Marta and Gretl hugged Liesls legs, not quite understanding what he just said but getting the feeling that perhaps he liked Maria more than he would admit. Hope welled up in them all when thinking that perhaps they would have their governess back.

"She ripped my dress when we collided the other day, she's not at all careful about things, God I really hate her!"

"What! Maria might be a little thoughtless at times but that's just who she is."

"She dislikes me!"

"Well, who wouldn't if they were treated like you've treated her?" They were now screaming at the top of their lungs, rage obvious on both since neither even tried to hide it.

"Why do you always have to defend her? I'm the one you're going to marry damn it!"

"BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" The room went dead silent, the tension so obvious you could touch it. Suddenly someone sniffled by the door making everybody turning their heads towards it, only to see Maria with tears in her eyes.

"What did you just say?" she whispered. She could hardly breathe because of her pondering heart. No one had noticed when she entered and now she stood there looking at them, with her bags still in her hands. When she came walking towards the Villa she heard the argument even outside on the road and decided to let herself in, her nosy gene making her legs take her to the study to see what the commotion was all about.

"I believe that is my cue" the Baroness said while collecting her things. She walked to the door and then turned to face Georg.

"It's been a pleasure to know you dear, but I fear you and I don't have that much in common anymore. Now I'll go upstairs, pack my bags and return to Vienna where I belong." Elsa graciously exited and glared at Maria while walking past her. Maria was chocked and just gaped at the Baroness, rather resembling a gold fish. Eventually everyones shocks did wear off and the children started fidgeting.

"Father?" Liesl hesitantly voiced, wondering what was going to happen now. Georg had followed Elsa out with only his eyes and was now staring at Maria, who was still positioned in the doorway. She looked him straight in the eyes and he could see that she was fighting some inner demons. Her hands started to tremble and suddenly she turned and fled the room.

"No, Maria wait!" the Captain yelled and went after her in a second. Despite the fact that Maria had all of her belongings with her and was free to leave, her feet took her to her old bedroom. She closed the door carefully and threw herself at the bed, tears streaming down her face. 'Why did he just say that? Why does he have to destroy what we had? I am merely a servant and I know he would only be using me but, oh, if those words were true! My poor heart would be forever grateful for his love.' She wiped the tears away and tried to stealth herself for the inevitable confrontation with the Captain. 'Come on Maria, you know what's going to happen. He's going to make some excuses and explain that he just blurted those things out in the heat of the moment, then you'll get back to where you were because, face it Maria, you're in love with him. Your sins are beyond repair when it comes to being a nun and you know you can never have a normal life if Georg is not a part of it.' The tears welled up in her eyes once again and she started to sob violently.

"Oh crap!" she exclaimed when suddenly there was a hesitant knock on the door.

"Maria? Are you ok? Can I come in?" she heard the Captains faint voice say and she tried once more to wipe her face dry. Her voice was raspy and no more than a whisper when she finally managed to speak.

"It's ok, I'm decent." The Captain slowly opened the door and when his eyes found Maria sprawled out on the bed his heart almost fell through the floor. Her eyes were red and brimmed with unshed tears, tears caused by him, and he could see all the emotions and hormones going faster than a racehorse inside her fragile body. 'Oh God, what have I done? Why couldn't I be blessed with timing? I do love you Maria and I promise that this was NOT the way I meant to tell you.' He walked over and sat on her bed, trying to figure out a way to speak the thoughts swirling about in his head.

"Maria... I'm so sorry you had to witness that argument. I know you are upset with me and that you may never forgive me but please, the children and I are tremendously happy that you decided to come back. I beg you, please don't let this affect your decision whether to stay here or not. The chil... No, I would love to have you back here." He put his hand on her back and started to stroke it softly. At the mere touch, and from the affection she could feel from his gaze and through his hands, Maria started to tremble and soon found herself in tears once more. Georg hugged her and she leaned into him while crying her heart out.

"Please don't cry Maria." He lifted her chin with his hand and looked her straight in the eyes, eyes filled with hurt, confusion and love. 'Love? Does she really love me? No, that's got to be meant for the children.' He lifted his thumb to wipe away her now ceasing tears and an enormous surge filled him instantly. While closing the distance between them he shut his eyes and then gently kissed away her tears. He could feel her eyelashes, her cheek, her nose and her chin before his lips gently brushed hers. He could feel her tense, but as soon as she knew he wasn't going to back out of it she relaxed and returned the kiss. What started so gently soon got more passionate and Georg kissed along Marias throat to her collarbone while moving up to lie next to her on the bed. She responded immediately and threw her arms around him while pressing her body as close to him as possible. They both started to breath heavy and Maria could feel the pleasure coursing through her veins. 'You are about to make the worst mistake ever Maria! You're not even close to marriage with this man, think of the sins!' Georgs hand lightly touched her breast and she gulped, the nunnery long since forgotten. 'Ah well, I'm not doing anything else with my life anyway so what the heck!' She started to roam his body with her hands while her heart was beating so hard it threatened to come right through her ribcage. She was just about to moan loudly when the door opened.

"Father? FRÄULEIN! What the hell are you doing?"