Disclaimer: As I watched Narnia (go see it!) I realized that I don't own The Sound of Music…sigh…

Wow, I can't believe this is already chapter ten!

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Ten: Strange

"No." Maria flung the picture across the dining table. "No." another. "Nope. Definitely not. Never. No, no, no, no," picture after picture flew across the table.

"What about this one, Fraulein Maira?" Liesl asked, handing Maria a picture.

Maria looked at it, and shook her head. "OH! This is no use." she said, letting her head thump onto the table, she groaned.

"Don't worry Fraulein, I'm sure you'll find the perfect dress." Liesl said, comfortingly. She had agreed to help Maria pick out wedding dress. Truth be told, Liesl didn't mind it at all, it really wasn't that bad. It was quite fun, and she was learning a lot about Maria in the process. They had been at the three days now, ever since the day after Gretl's party. Maria was getting farther away from picking a dress the more they looked.

Maria snorted. "I don't think so Liesl. I'll be better off making my own dress." she said, not even lifting her head off the table.

Liesl gasped. "That's a wonderful idea, Fraulein!"

"What is?" Maria asked, raising her head off the table and look at the girl.

"Making your own dress."

"Liesl I was just joking-"

"That doesn't matter, you should!" Liesl cut her off just as Maria finished her sentence.

"I don't know, I'm really not that good."

"OH but you are! All those dresses you made when you first got her are wonderful! Not to mention the clothes that you made for us." Liesl said, excitedly.

Maria thought about it for a moment, eyeing the eager girl. It would be easier than picking one. She could get it just perfect, and she wouldn't have to make all those trips to the tailors, which she had been loathing. Making her own dress would be easier, more convenient and not to mention it would make the dress even more special.

"Alright, I think I will."

"These are beautiful Fraulein Maria!" Brigitta said, picking up a bundle of flowers in the florist shop, the next day.

"What do you think Louisa?" Brigitta asked, "for the tables."

Louisa eyed them. Shopping for flowers for a wedding wasn't exactly her idea of fun…actually, shopping wasn't her idea of fun. But Fraulein Maria seemed to make the experience not so painful. "I like em." was all she said.

"These Fraulein Maria."

"Those are beautiful girls, good choice."

They quickly went to work looking at every choice the store had to offer. Quickly picking out all the different types of flowers they needed for the wedding. Placing their order as the went along. "And last, but not least, my bouquet. What do you think they should be?" Maria asked the girls."

"You should pick them, Fraulein." Brigitta said, while Louisa nodded.

"Yes, but I would love your opinion." Maria said, watching as both of their faces grew smiles.

After a moment Louisa said one, clear answer. "Edelweiss."

"Well boys, let's here the answer." Maria said, walking into the dining room, the day after she and Louisa, and Brigitta picked out the flowers for the wedding.

"I think this selection would be the best choice for the main course, Fraulein." Friedrich said, holding out a card with a number of food items on it.

Maria scanned it.

"And I agree." Kurt said, wanting to put his two cents in.

Maria laughed. "Good choice boys, I knew I could count on you to pick out the food." the two boys beamed. "And what did you decide about the cake, Kurt."

Kurt was quick with his answer. "Chocolate, with a mousse filling and white frosting!" he said.

"Sounds delicious."

"Can we wear this material, Fraulein?" Marta asked from the dining room as she and Gretl picked out the material for the flower girl and maid of honor dress. Maria had decided on making those three dresses as well, allowing Marta and Gretl to choose the material. But making sure they wouldn't choose something the Maid of honor didn't like, even though the maid of honor didn't know she had that job, yet. Maria knew what she would like.

"It's beautiful girls." Maria said, surprised that the two hadn't picked something pink and frilly. "And you'll look beautiful in them, real ladies!" the two girls giggled.

"Liesl can I talk to you?" Maria asked as she walked out of Gretl and Marta's room, having just tucked them in.

Liesl was on her way to her own room to get ready for bed when she was stopped. "Of course, Fraulein."

Without another word, Maria led Liesl to her bedroom. Liesl sat on Maria's bed, as Maria shut the door, she turned towards the girl, looking shy.

Maria sat down next to Liesl. "I was wondering, would you like to be my Maid of Honor?' Maria asked quietly, knowing how Liesl (and the rest of the children) usually reacted when approached about the wedding. Even though they had all helped in planning it, Maria readied herself for disappointment.

"Really, Fraulein!" Excitement edged Liesl's voice.

Maria smiled. "Really, really."

Liesl enveloped Maria in a hug. "Of course!"

"Wonderful!" Maria said, beaming.

"This is so exciting!"

Maria laughed. "Yes, but now it's time you get to bed." she said, guiding Liesl to the door. Liesl hugged Maria again and went to her room, beaming.

"There you are." Georg's voice cause Maria to jumped. She turned to see him leaning on the wall next to her door.

Maria smiled at him. "Looking for me?" she asked.

"Yes."

"What for?"

"This." he said, before leaning in and kissing her.

"Darling?" Georg asked, as he approached Maria the next morning. She was sitting on the terrace, reading a book as the children played tag below. She had a flimsy sun hat on, and she had to tilt her head just to see him. He laughed. "I'll be going to visit an old sea friend of mine who lives in Hallein. I haven't seen him in a while and he invited me for a visit. I'll be back shortly after dinner."

"Oh." her face fell.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes! Of course, and it's wonderful that you get to see your old friend again. But I was hoping to go into town today and get the material for my dress and the girls'. If I don't start them today they won't be finished in time."

"I can drive into town on my way."

"When are you leaving?"

"As soon as I tell the children."

"Oh. No, the shop doesn't open until eleven."

"Allow me to help?" a voice from the door way said. Both turned to see Ubel standing there, walking towards them. "I'll be going into town in a little bit, I have business to attend to. I could drop you off at the shop and pick you up once I'm done." he said.

"Would you!" Maria asked.

"Of course."

"Thank you, Ubel!"

"Yes, it appears to be all settled then." Georg said, eyeing Ubel who smiled at him. He shook his head. "Well, I should get going. I'll be back after dinner so don't wait." he said, bending and kissing Maria before going to tell the children that he would be gone for the day.

"Why don't we meet at that small café for lunch after your done?" Ubel said, as he pulled up on the street next to the fabric shop. Maria looked at him, a knot in her stomach. She didn't know what to say. She didn't really know Ubel, sure he was a friend of Georg's, but the only time she had really talked to him was when she had been sitting by the lake last week. She had a feeling it would be awkward. And what would Georg think? But then again, he was a friend of Georg's which means she would be seeing a lot of him after she and Georg got married, so she should get to know him, shouldn't she?

"Its nearly lunch time now, and by the time I'm done I'll be starved, and I'm sure you'll be too."

He had a point. "Well, oh, alright." she said. He smiled and she stepped out of the car.

"I'll meet you there in a half hour?"

"Sure, I shouldn't take longer than that." with a nod Ubel drove off.

Maria walked into the shop and quickly told the man at the desk what she was here for. She waited while he retrieved the material. He then asked how much of each kind, and she told him. Within twenty minutes the material she needed for four dresses was packed tightly under her arm as she crossed the street and made her way towards the café.

She saw Ubel sitting at a table outside, waiting for her. "Mind if I put these in the car?" she asked, referring to the material.

"Not at all." they put the material away and before long they were sitting down, looking at the menus.

"You play the piano!" Maria exclaimed.

"Yes."

"And you've lived at the house for three weeks and you haven't said anything about it?"

"Well no, I didn't want to ruin all of your beautiful voices with my playing." he said sarcastically.

Maria laughed. "Still. You have to play with us the next time we all sing." she paused. "How long have you been playing?"

"Since I was five. My mother felt it was good for me, I on the other hand didn't." he paused and changed is voice so it was higher and squeakier "'You'll thank me someday, boy. Men who play the piano go far!' she used to say to me."

Maria laughed. She didn't know that talking to anyone, other then Georg, could be this easy. Ubel was funny, kind, and very, very easy to talk to. Maria saw herself becoming good friends with him.

"I don't mean to be rude, Ubel, but I was wondering how long you'll be staying at the house." Maria said, sounding very truthful when she said she didn't mean to be rude.

Ubel appeared to think a moment. "I think I'll stay until the wedding if it's alright with Georg...and you.

Maria smiled. "It's alright with me, and I'm sure it will be fine with Georg."

And there were four weeks left until the wedding.

Author's Note: There you have it! Chapter ten! Sorry if this isn't long enough but I'm rather tired and I wanted to post something before tomorrow. I don't know if I'll be posting within the next couple of days. School starts Monday and I have homework to do.

Usually I thank you all personally, but I really I'm tired and I do need to get rest. I have to get up early tomorrow. So here's one big thanks:

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and for taking time out of your lives to read my story. I truly appreciate it.

Until next time friends,
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd