The dinner had gone on without a hitch. The children rushed around the table taking all the dishes into the kitchen to clean. Maria had felt awkward sitting in the dining room alone with the cap-Georg. She'd have to get used to saying 'Georg' instead of "the Captain'. Wait? What was she talking about getting used to it? She was officially losing her mind. She thought now was a good time to bring up her question…
"Is the Baroness out tonight?" Maria treaded cautiously.
Georg had torn his eyes away from the window and looked at her confused.
"Wha-oh. The children must have not told you when they visited you last. Elsa and I went our separate ways. I just couldn't marry her-for various reasons." Georg said
"Oh." Maria didn't want to know those 'various' reasons. "I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's alright. We weren't meant to be." Georg said and once again glanced out the window.
"How has everything been going?" Maria spoke, once again tearing Georg's eyes away from the window.
"Oh, really good, thank you. A year ago, I was living in a Villa, not speaking to my children, them making trouble just to try and get my attention. They were on what, the 16 governess?"
"Yes." Maria said.
"The Anschluss has been a blessing in disguise. It has brought back my children, and brought you back to us." Georg said smiling, looking in her eyes.
The gaze caught Maria off guard, and looked away quickly.
"Yes, it has." An awkward pause passed between them. Maria quickly stood up, putting her cloth napkin on the table, and announced that she was going to find out how the children were doing.
Why was it that she could never be alone in a room with him? Honestly. How old was she? She couldn't stand to be in the room with a perfectly handsome man. That was the problem. The 'perfectly handsome' man, whom she loved-and could never have.
Georg watched her get up and walk into the kitchen to the sound of clamor and clangor of the plates. How had she possibly not known that he and the Baroness had gone their separate ways? How had the children not told her when they went to visit her? With her back, the house had finally felt like a home. A real home, one the children were desperately missing.
Before Maria had come in, the children were discussing how they would get their father and Maria together, so she wouldn't have to leave them ever again. Gretl was keeping a lookout for when Maria or their father wandered into the kitchen. She started coughing loudly and the children ceased talking about the situation at hand. They started talking about school.
"Maria, what are you doing in here?" Louisa asked.
"I came to check up on how you children were doing with the dishes. I thought I might lend a hand." Maria said.
"No, no. Get back out there and keep father company! He despises sitting by himself. Something about not wanting to be alone with his thoughts for too long or something." Liesel said pushing Maria back into the kitchen.
The children just giggled to themselves.
The Captain noticed how Maria practically jumped back into the room. She walked back to her seat and sat down, looking back at the captain.
"Back so soon?" the captain questioned.
"It seemed that they didn't need any help from me. They have it all under control. They truly are your children, cap-Georg." Maria stumbled.
Georg just smiled. Maria suddenly found her fingers the most fascinating thing in the entire world. She was wringing her hands when the captain began to speak.
"You know Maria, the children really missed you." Maria smiles as a slight pause passed between them. "As did I." Georg added, looking down, bashful.
Maria looked up quickly and her cheeks immediately reddened. "And I them…and you."
The captain whipped his head up and they shared a sweet smile.
The children then rushed into the dining room, claiming they were done with their chores. Maria and the family then moved into the drawing room to spend the rest of the evening singing and talking about what they had been doing while they were separated. It had gotten late-later than anybody had suspected. The captain stood up and told the children it was time to go to bed. Maria wanted to put the kids to bed, just like old times. The captain accompanied her making the rounds. She tucked each one of them in and gave them a gentle kiss on the cheek, wishing them a goodnight. The captain followed suit. They walked silently down the staircase to the study.
"Maria, would you care for a drink?" Georg asked hesitantly.
"Oh, I would love to, but really, it's late. I must go." Maria said going over to pick up her things. Georg's voice stopped her.
"Maria. You must not think that I'll allow you to walk back into town all by yourself at this time of night. No. I insist you must stay the night."
Maria stopped and wondered why this was happening to her.
"Oh, really Captain. I am a full grown woman. I can walk back to town. It's not really that big of a deal." Maria laughed.
"Maria. First of all, do you remember how I told you to call me by my name, Georg?
Second of all you are going to stay tonight, no if's, and's, or but's. We have a guest bedroom, right next to the girls room. That is where you will stay."
"But really, Georg-"
"Maria…"
Maria thought for a second.
"Where's that drink you offered earlier?"
If she was going to get through this night, she needed a drink.
A strong one.