Disclaimer: As the new year roles around I still don't own The Sound of Music…

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Eleven:

Three days later Maria walked into Georg's study. The day was warm and bright, and just beginning. Georg sat at his desk reading the paper. He didn't seem to hear her come in, his face was focused on the print, his brow furrowed. She walked up behind him, her heels clicking on the floor, he didn't move. She could tell he was tense. Without startling him, she slipped her arm around his chest, hugging him from behind. As they made contact Georg immediately relaxed, just the slightest touch from his love was enough to make him calm down.

"Something wrong?" she asked, grabbing an empty chair and pulling it next to his.

"I'm afraid so." His voice was bitter. Maria placed her small hand on top of his larger one.

"What?"

"The Anchluss." Maria's grip tightened on his hand as he spoke the word. "It's coming nearer." He continued on. Maria sighed, a sudden thought coming to her that made her shudder.

"Georg?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, darling?"

"Do you-well-do you think that if it does happen that they'll invite you to join their army?" she said, looking at their entwined hands. It would be more of a request than an invitation.

He sighed. "I wouldn't doubt it."

Maria felt her blood turn cold.

"I would never join them you know." he said, stroking her hand with his thumb.

"Oh, I have no doubt in my mind about that." they laughed. "What will we do if that happens?"

Georg looked at her. He knew exactly what they would do, but he didn't want to worry her any more than she already was, with the wedding coming and everything. "We will deal with that when the time comes." he said, placing a tap on her nose. She laughed.

"I better go wake the children." she said, standing."

"Maria." he called, grabbing her wrist before she was entirely out of reach. "If the Anchluss does happen and I am offered a position in their navy.." his voice trailed. "What ever we have to do. You would trust me? Wouldn't you?" he asked, quietly.

Maria gave him a small smile, yet it was full of love. She bent down and kissed him, pulling away only inches so she could look him in the eye she said: "I would trust you with my life." She stoked the side of his face, kissed him again, and went to wake the children.

The invitations were sent out the next day, and an announcement was made in the paper. And these two things certainly did not stop the rumors from flying throughout the town. When Maria had caught wind of another wave of rumors she nearly broke down again….nearly. She had kept herself composed, but she was filled with anger.

However, Georg was there to make the anger go away. "They are only rumors, nothing more." he would whisper into her ear, calming her immediately.

Maria walked into Georg's study a day after the invitations had been sent. "Darling, I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk. We've hardly had time alone." she said. And she was right. With the wedding plans Maria was always occupied, for she was either doing that or with the children. When she and Georg did talk it was with others around, like Max and Ubel as the four talked after the children were in bed. And Georg always seemed to be busy himself, planning stuff for the wedding or meeting old friends who came into town, or making phone calls. But it had been so long since she had been able to talk to Georg alone. And she longed for that alone time. She knew it would help take the stress away. She longed for the feeling of his hand holding hers, or his arm around her waist.

Georg looked up from the telegram he had been reading, "That's a wonderful idea, Darling." he said, standing and putting his hand on the small of her back, guiding her out of the room and towards the back doors. When they were half way to the doors the phone rang. Maria stopped, waiting for Georg to go answer it.

"Let someone else get it." he said, making her beam. Perhaps he needed her just as she needed him. When they reached the doors Franz came into the entrance hall.

"The phone is for you, Sir." he said. "The man on the other end wouldn't give me his name, but says it's of the utmost importance that he speaks to you." as the butler spoke Georg's face filled with understanding. Apparently he knew exactly who the man on the other line was.

"I have to take this, darling. I'm sorry." he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry." and with that he disappeared into his study, closing the door and locking it.

If Maria hadn't been living in a convent for the past couple of years a string of very strong profanity would have flowed from her mouth at that very moment. She hated that phone. It always seemed to be ringing, pulling Georg away. It was either and old friend calling or some nameless man!

There was a laugh to her right. "Welcome to the life of living with a Sea Captain." Ubel said, stepping out of the sitting room.

Maria sighed. Ubel had a way of knowing what she was thinking, whether it was because they had become friends, or because he was good at reading people, or because she wore her heart on her sleeve, Maria didn't know. She sighed.

"I'll take you up on that offer for a walk if you'd like." Ubel said. Maria looked at him, when Georg couldn't cheer her up, Ubel could.

"Alright, why not."

In the four days since they had gone to town together Maria and Ubel had become very good friends. Maria had never had a friend like this before in her life, save for one person: George (and no one could top him, of course). But Ubel was a dear friend. He was different that was for sure, he was calm and composed yet there was an edge that she couldn't quite place.

Ubel walked with his hands in his evening coat pocket, and Maria with hers behind her back. She said something made him howl with laughter. He had a peculiar laugh, it was almost like a coyote, wild and free and somewhat mysterious. Once he quieted down he became serious. "You know, Georg is a lucky man to have found you."

Maria blushed. "Oh, I mean it." he continued on. "Your charming, sweet, kind, you have a beautiful voice. So full of life. Just the slightest bit cute." he said, pinching her cheek as his voice got squeaky. She laughed despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach and the blush on her cheeks. "Very lucky man indeed. I wish someone like you would graciously cross my path." he said, sincerity in his voice.

Maria's tension eased. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure someone will. And a lucky girl she'll be. I'm sure you would make her a wonderful husband."

Ubel laughed. "Me? Married? Highly unlikely."

"I don't think so."

"Oh?"

She nodded. "There's someone out there for everyone."

"Your insane."

Maria laughed. "I can see it now. Tons of little Ubels running around." she said, running her fingers in the air, like little people, making both of them laugh.

Georg watched the scene below him from the terrace. Maria's laughter filled the night air before she moved her fingers in the air, and then they both laughed. His face fell. Something about the scene of them walking along the lake coming towards the terrace made his insides boil. And this wasn't the first time he had seen them talking in the past few days.

"Hello Darling!" Maria said as she and Ubel came up the terrace, noticing him.

"Hello."

Ubel looked at Georg and his smile seemed to grow. "If you'll excuse me, I'm rather tired. Goodnight to both of you." with a nod he was gone.

"Did you have a good walk?" Georg asked.

Maria looked at him. There was an edge to his voice, something that had never been there before. "Yes, I suppose."

"Are you alright?"

"Fine, fine. You and Ubel have become close, haven't you?" he turned her back to her, looking out at the lake and leaning on the stone railing.

Maria felt like she had a spot light on her and she was being interrogated by the police. Or worse, she was a prisoner of war and the Captain of the ship were she was being held was interrogating her. "You could say that. He's become a good friend of mine. He's ver-" realization dawned on Maria. "Are you jealous?" she asked, slight amusement in her voice. He didn't answer. She stepped up behind him, and tried to peer over his shoulder and meet his eyes, but he kept turning.

She stood next to him, and forced herself in front of him. "Georg, are you?" she asked, touching his cheek to her palm.

He sighed. "And if I am?"

Maria giggled slightly. "Then I ask why?"

"You spend so much time with him, and a lot of the time your alone." Maria's eyebrows raised. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just."

"Georg, I love you more than anything in this world, more than life it's self." she smiled and stroked his cheek again. "And nothing in this world is ever going to change that." Georg leaned forward and kissed her.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. No, I think I'm glad your jealous."

"Oh?" he had never heard that one before.

"It means you truly do care for me."

Georg laughed and kissed her again, "I still want you to be careful."

"Careful?"

He sighed. "Maria. I've known Ubel for a long time, he was a one of my charges on a ship. He is, is like Max in a way."

Maria laughed. "And."

"You know Max and how he is when it comes to finding a new talent to exploit." Maria nodded. "Well, Ubel is that way as well. Except with," he paused not exactly sure how to explain this. "except with woman."

Maria giggled. That's why Ubel didn't see himself getting married. "Oh, I see."

"Just promise me you'll watch yourself around him."

Maria laughed again. "I've already told you darling, you needn't worry. I love you and always will." she kissed him.

Georg lay awake that night. Staring at his ceiling. Maria had made him feel better about her time with Ubel, but he was still uneasy. Ubel was younger than he, but still older than Maria, by about seven years. And Georg knew that ladies found him attractive. He completely trusted Maria, but Ubel that was another story. He was tricky and when he was up to something his eyes held a certain glow. And that glow seemed to have a permanent spot as of late.

But Maria would never betray Georg, no, she loved him and always would.

And there was three weeks and three days until the wedding.

Author's Note: Thought I would bring in the new year with another chapter!

I luv Julie Andrews: Glad you like it so much! Thanks bunches!

Megslife: Glad Ubel is kinda of growing on you! Lol..thanks a lot!

Cremated affection: Perhaps your right…tee hee…thanks a lot!

Writrfreak15: lol…thanks for understanding. Thanks for reviewing!

The Marauders3: Perhaps your right about Ubel, and your right…I do know what's going on…lol. You really think they're in character? I tend to think they aren't…and thanks for the compliment! And the review!

Well everyone, I was successful in not doing any homework today, so I will be spending tomorrow doing just that. Joy!

I hope you all have a Happy New Year! Stay safe! I'll update again next year!

Your humble author,

The Lonely Goatherd