While Maria was getting dressed she thought back to her conversation with the captain. What did he mean when he was sorry for what Gretl said earlier? Did that mean he wasn't-isn't interested? She sure got that impression, but when walking back to town, they held hands…originally initiated by him.
This was so confusing.
She'll just have to see how dinner tonight went. Then she can formulate her reaction.
Hours passed, the children and Georg making it back into town after the kids went to school. While the children were at school, Georg made a stop to pick up something. They walked into the music shop and Georg told the children to go look around a pick out one guitar that they want. He went in search for Maria. He spotted her a minute later at the cash register, ringing up a middle-aged woman's things. Maria and the lady were making polite conversation, the lady even making a slight joke to which Maria chucked at. Maria looked up, still laughing, and caught Georg's eyes on her. She immediately bushes.
The children rushed up to him and present him with the guitar they picked out. The children were beaming with joy, thrilled to no end that they were finally getting the guitar they had been bothering their father about. The middle-aged woman took her bag from Maria and walked out the door. The children walked up and placed the guitar on the counter.
"Oh, children! You did a great job picking this one out. It's the prettiest one we have!" Maria said kindly and rang them up.
"Maria, what time can you come back with us?" Marta asked.
"Well…" Maria looked at her wristwatch and pondered. Her face brightened. "Oh, only about 10 minutes! Today went by really fast. I was so excited to come back to your house
I forgot about everything else!"
The children chuckled.
Georg paid Maria and picked up the guitar and started to tune it. He hummed along.
All Maria could do was stare.
The 10 minutes passed quickly. Maria went to the back room to gather her things and walked back out to where the von Trapps were sitting around the fountain in the middle of the street. The children ran up to Maria when they saw her leaving the store. Georg just smiled. He couldn't wait to see her reaction.
They started back towards the von Trapp house. The children, once again, rushed ahead, leaving Georg and Maria alone. She wasn't sure if this was the best thing. As she went to call for Gretl, or one of the other kids, Georg spoke.
"Maria, I'm really glad that you decided to come back for dinner today. Hopefully you'll come back very often. You're always welcome."
He paused.
"You know, things just weren't right when you were away."
Maria had no idea where this was leading. She looked down at the ground, fiddling with her hands.
"You know, the children just adore you-"
He paused. She smiled.
"As do I."
She shot her glance up quickly to Georg, who was just staring straight ahead.
"Well, Captain. You know very well that I also adore the children…"
She looked down again.
"And you."
Now it was Georg's turn to look stunned. Sure, they obviously had feelings toward each other, but acknowledge them so early. Well, he knew he shouldn't be surprised. Maria was a woman of words, saying exactly what she thought.
They walked in silence for a little while longer. Georg was holding the guitar in his hands. He lifted one arm from the guitar and started to fish around in his pocket. He was having a little difficulty with this task, and Maria kindly asked if he needed any help. He nodded and handed the guitar to her. He once again put his hand in his pocket and felt around. He pulled something out. He played with it in his fingers for a second.
"Ma-Maria." He coughed.
Maria looked at him and nodded.
"Well, you…you know how much we all care for you now, and I was…well, I was wondering if you would like to be a more permanent role in their-our lives." Georg said cautiously.
Maria eyed him with a confused expression. Then it clicked. "Well, sure, Captain. I'd love it, but I already have a job." She stated, looking back down at the guitar.
Georg laughed.
"No, no, no. What I meant is-." He looked down at the object in his hand, which somehow gave him the courage to ask.
"Maria? Would you…I mean, will you do me the honor of-"
Maria stopped walking, finally understanding what he was getting at.
"becoming my wife?" Georg said, still walking. He stopped and turned around to see
Maria staring at him, mouth open, eyes big.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Maria dropped the guitar and ran into his arms. She gave him a big kiss.
"Oh, captain. Of COURSE I will!" He lifted her off the ground and spun her around. He set her back on the ground and placed the ring on her finger. She was just beaming, along with the Captain. This had truly been the best day of her life. She'd never been this happy, let alone think that should could be this happy. These past couple of days had been a complete whirlwind…but she wouldn't have it any other way. Georg picked up the guitar and laughed. It was all dusty.
"Oh my goodness! Captain! I am so sorry for dropping your band new guitar! It was so careless of me!" She said still, tears in her eyes.
The Captain just laughed. "You can make it up to me later." He said. She looked up at him quickly, a doe-in-the-headlights expression on her face.
He just smiled and laughed even harder.
He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little push along to keep walking.
Up ahead, the children kept on walking, having no idea how drastically their lives had just changed.
FIN
Hope you all liked it!