Chapter 5

Fraulein Maria quickly went down the stairs to let the Captain know that

they were going to go on a picnic. She knocked on the door to his study.

"Come in." She heard him say. Gently, she opened the door and peeked

inside. "Oh fraulein!" The Captain said, smiling. "Come on in." Maria

smiled and went inside. She walked to the Captain's desk, where he was

sitting. "I was wondering if it would be alright with you if I took the children

up to the mountains for a picnic. They tend to enjoy it." "I have no problem

with that. In fact, I think that I might want to join you. If you don't mind."

The Captain questioned. "That would be wonderful! The children would like

that so much!" Maria exclaimed. Chuckling, the Captain said, "Well then its

settled. When did you want to leave?" "Well," Maria said. "I was

hoping…right after the children finished their lessons." Nodding, the captain

said, "That's fine. I'll get ready now. Shall I meet you in half an hour?"

"Sounds good." Maria said, turning to go. "Oh Fraulein." "Yes Captain?"

"Thank you for allowing me to come along. I'm curious to see what is so fun

about all these picnics you all go to." Captain said grinning. Smiling

mysteriously, Maria said, "No problem! And really, you'll find out soon

enough." With that, she left the study.

Half an hour later…. "Is everyone ready to go?" Maria asked. "YEA!"

Everyone yelled. Laughing, they left for the mountains.

Up on the mountain top… "Who wants to play tag?" Yelled Frederick.

"ME!" The other children yelled back. While the children played tag, the

governess and the naval captain sat down to talk. Maria loved talking to the

Captain, as the captain loved talking to Maria. They seemed to understand

each other so well. "This is a wonderful place to be." Said the Captain. 'Yes,

it is, isn't it?" Maria said, smiling. "Its so calm and peaceful, like the villa."

Laughing, the Captain said, "oh I don't find it too peaceful back at the villa.

The children tend to take all the peacefulness away." "Oh! Don't be so hard

on them!" Scolded Maria teasingly. "Well, you shouldn't be too easy on

them!" The Captain teased back. They laughed together. When it quieted

down, a sudden peace settled between the two. Maria began weaving

together flowers. The captain just watched the children play with a peaceful

look on his face. They look so happy. He thought. Thank goodness Maria

came when she did. He turned to her, intending on thanking her. But for

some reason, he couldn't. He was too startled by her beauty. In the sunlight,

with a peaceful look on her face, she looked beautiful. Stunning. Gorgeous.

Her skin glowed, her blue eyes shining, golden hair gleaming. Why didn't I

notice it before? He wondered.

There it is! Hope it was good ) Tell me what I can improve on! Thanks!