Disclaimer: As I realize that 13 is an unlucky number I realize that I still don't own the Sound of Music…
Author's Note: Ok, so here's the next chapter.
I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Thirteen: Things That Happen
There was two weeks and one day until the wedding.
In the last six days the last minute wedding plans began as the wedding began to come together. Because of it Maria was being driven to near insanity. First the children needed tending too, and thankfully Liesl saw that she needed help and would take her siblings to play whenever possible. Then there was all the responses to the invitations: people saying they were coming, people saying they weren't. Letting the caterers and florist no when everything needed to be done and ready by. And then there was the phone.
That blasted phone. It seemed to ring none stop. If the call wasn't for her about the wedding; it was for Georg, about the wedding or a call from some man (who Georg refused to tell her about). It had been just yesterday evening when Maria had tried, once again, to find out who the man was, for he constantly called.
"Who was that, darling?" she said, walking into Georg's study as he hung up the phone.
"Hm, oh just a friend."
'The one that keeps calling?"
"Yes."
"What's his name?"
Georg shook his head, more to himself than her. "Are the children in bed?"
Truth be told, Maria didn't even know if it was a man. For all she knew it could be a woman. But what difference did it make? The phone was still ringing and the result was a constant ring in Maria's mind. She would kill that phone before the wedding was over with.
She needed air. Fresh air. And not just the kind you got from walking onto the back terrace. She needed mountain air. And she knew just how to cure that hunger.
"Children!" she called, bounding into the ball room, where they were playing with the puppet show.
"Yes, Fraulein?" they enquired simultaneously.
"How would you like to go on a picnic?"
"YES!"
"Wonderful!"
"Of course!"
Maria smiled at their blatant enthusiasm. "Good, you get yourselves ready and I'll go find your father." she said. The children ran past her, eager to go on the trip.
Maria went to Georg's study, but he wasn't there. She checked outside, he wasn't there either. She searched all the other rooms she could imagine him being on an afternoon and found him no where. There was only one place she hadn't looked: his bedroom. He cheeks flushed at the thought, she had never been there before. But looking for him couldn't hurt.
Quickly she walked up the stairs and towards his room. Just as she was about to reach his door, Frau Schmidt came out of a room. Maria sighed in relief. Imagine if Georg had been in his room and someone had seen them walking out of it together, only fuel for more rumors. She shrugged the thought off.
"Frau Schmidt?"
"Yes, Fraulein?"
"I was wondering, have you seen the Captain anywhere?" Maria still felt uncomfortable using Georg's name to address him when she talked to the old house keeper.
"He left for town shortly after lunch-" Maria's face fell. Why didn't he tell me? "-and said he would be back before dinner."
Maria nodded, "Thank you." she left to get the children.
Why hadn't he told her that he was leaving? Sure, they weren't joined at the hip, and he could go where he pleased, but it would have been nice to know that he was leaving. In the past six days, ever since their date, Maria felt herself growing away from Georg. They hardly had alone time, and barely talked. It frightened her. And now this, going into town without him telling her.
She put on a smile as she saw the children at the foot of the stairs, waiting by the door.
"Where's father?" Friedrich asked.
"Your father won't be joining us today."
"Why?"
"Is he sick?"
"No, he's in town at the moment."
Liesl opened her mouth the say something, but then closed it.
"Come on, lets not waist another moment, we've got a mountain to climb!" Maria said, taking her hat from Brigitta and ushering the children outside.
"Fraulein Maria?" Liesl asked as she approached Maria who was the only one sitting on the blanket while the rest of her siblings played tag.
"Yes, Liesl?"
"Did Father tell you he was going into town?" Liesl asked, quietly.
Maria looked at her, startled. That girl was far to observant and could put two and two together faster than lighting. "Yes, he did. Why do you ask?" Maria lied.
"Well, then why did you go looking for him to ask him to join in on the picnic if you knew he was gone?"
"Oh, you know me Liesl. Always forgetting things. The excitement of getting up here just clouded my mind!" she said brightly.
Liesl looked at her governess and laughed a little, "That's true."
Maria laughed. "Now, it looks like Grelt could use some help being it, why don't we go to the rescue." Maria said. Liesl helped Maria stand and the two ran towards the rest of the group.
Maria looked at the clock on the wall. Dinner had just begun. Georg was no where in sight. He'll be home before dinner. Frau Schmidt's words rang in Maria's ears.
"Fraulein, I thought you said Father would be home before dinner. Do you think he's alright?" Louisa asked.
"Did I?" she said, thinking of something to cover up Georg's missing persona. "I'm sorry children, I meant after dinner." she hoped they would believe her. They looked convinced enough, but still uneasy. "Hold hands please." the children obliged and they thanked the Lord.
Maria walked down the stairs after putting the children too bed, just as the front door closed. She stopped in her walk to see Georg coming in and taking off his coat.
"Georg!" she nearly yelled, going down the stairs two at a time and grabbing him in a fierce hug.
"Hello, darling."
"You said you'd be home before dinner. And it's well passed that time now!" she said, calmly but with a clear edge in her voice.
"I'm sorry, but it took longer than expected."
"And you couldn't call to tell us you were going to be late?"
"I couldn't get away to use a phone."
"What couldn't you get away from?"
"It's nothing."
Maria couldn't believe him! "Georg, what's going on? And why didn't you tell me you were going into town! Then you don't call to say you would be later than expected. I was worried sick! Not to mention the worry of the children. I had to lie to them to ensure them everything was ok. I don't lie, Georg."
Georg winced. He had only seen Maria like this once before. It was when she and the children had fallen into the lake. He was surprised that she had become this angry so fast. But then again, her temper did come on quickly, and there was the stress of the wedding to add to it, not to mention he had been keeping things secret from her for quite some time.
"I didn't tell you I was going into town because you were on the phone at the time and I didn't want to disturb."
"You should have. It would have been better than worrying about you!"
"You're right, I made a mistake. Forgive me." he said, kissing her forehead.
She didn't move. She wanted answers. "And what was this thing that you couldn't get away from?"
"Just a meeting with a friend."
"Who?"
"It's not important."
There he went again! "Yes, it is Georg! I don't understand this. You're keeping something from me. I'm not saying you have to tell me everything about you and your life and seek permission from me, but honestly. You get phone calls from someone constantly! And you're always going into town to see this person!" a thought suddenly hit Maria, but no. He would never do that to her. Never. Her voice got smaller, "It's as if your-your havin-" she stopped there for she felt stupid for even saying it. No, he would never do that.
"Oh God Maria no!" he said, taking her by the elbows and rubbing her arms. "I would never even consider doing that."
She sighed, "then what has been going on that you have had to keep a secret about?"
Georg sighed. "I suppose I should have told you from the beginning."
"Georg?"
"It has to do with what we'll do if the Anchluss happens and I'm offered a spot in their navy."
Maria sighed, but she was a little hurt. Why hadn't he come to her for help with this? "And that would be?"
"And that would be?"
"Leave the country." he said simply and Maria asked.
"But to where? And when?"
He shook his head. "Oh no, I don't want to worry you with anything more than you have to at the moment." he said, referring to the wedding.
Maria felt something well inside her. "Georg! This is something I'm going to worry about whether I'm planning a wedding or not! Escaping the country isn't exactly a bowl full of cherries!" she said, whispering loudly.
"Maria-"
RING! RING! RING! The phone rang.
Georg could have sworn he heard Maria saw something a long the lines of "Damn phone." but he shook his head at the thought, she would never say something like that.
The ringing stopped, and Franz entered the room. "The phone is for you sir. They, once again, wouldn't give me their name."
"Tell him I'm busy." Georg said, not taking his eyes off of Maria.
"He's says it's a matter of urgency, Sir."
Georg sighed. "Take the call." Maria said, "He probably knows more of the matter than I do. I'll be outside." with that she turned and walked towards the back terrace.
Georg shook his head as regret swelled in his body before going to take the call.
Maria walked to the Gazebo, kicking the ground as she did. She was probably overreacting, in fact, she knew she was overreacting. But she couldn't help it. She was tired, and she wanted the truth. Maria wasn't one for false pretenses.
She hated letting her emotions get the best of her. She sat on the bench in the Gazebo and sighed.
There was a deep laughed from the entrance to the Gazebo. Maria looked to see Ubel standing in the door way. "Trouble in paradise?" he asked.
"How did you kno-"
"Arguing voices, no matter how quiet, travel far in a quiet house." Maria sighed. "May I?" Ubel asked, gesturing to the spot next to Maria.
She nodded and he sat. In the past six days her lack of communication with Georg had been filled with Ubel. Where she and Geord used to walk and talk or sit and converse was now done so with Ubel. Bringing the two of them to be better friends.
"May I ask the problem?"
"Oh, just a silly little fight. Rather childish really." she said, laughing at the irony.
They were silent. "I can't imagine someone who was going to become a nun with a temper like yours." she looked at him, shocked by what he said. "Oh, I heard the tone of your voice. Hardly one a nun uses." he was joking in the slightest way.
"That's why I never fit in at the abbey."
"Ah, that would explain it." he paused. "Might I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"If you didn't fit in at the abbey, why did you join in the first place?"
Maria laughed. "Well, before I entered the abbey I was really more of an atheist." Ubel raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I speak the truth." she said, making them laugh. "Anyways, one day I was walking by the abbey. I had always seen the sisters singing in the garden, and was compelled to see what it was like. While I was there a priest, somehow, convinced me to do a confession." she paused. "well, I was in there for hours. Three or four I think."
"Four hours?"
Maria nodded. "And I cam out feeling a million times better about everything. And I thought, if God could make me feel better in just a few hours imagine what he could do in a life time, so I joined the abbey."
Ubel laughed, "And you never fit in."
"No, so the Reverend Mother sent me here. And I believe you know the rest of the story."
"Oh, yes. Georg opened your world to a life beyond the abbey." he said, mimicking a gossiping girl.
Maria laughed. "More or less, yes."
Suddenly, Ubel turned serious. "Tell me, Maria, do you think now that Georg has shown you what lies beyond the life at the abbey you could love anyone else?" his voice was quiet.
Maria turned to him, shocked at what he had said. "What?" she was taken aback.. As she looked at him, staring deeply at her, she realized for the first time just how close he was.
"You heard me."
"Ubel, I-"
"Do you think you could ever love someone besides Georg. Someone younger, someone smarter, trustworthy-someone like me?" he was steadily moving closer to her.
"Ubel, what do you think-" her back hit the gazebo glass, she was trapped.
"I'm not a retired Sea Captain Maria, I'm always there to be yours." he was moving so close.
Maria never knew Ubel had that many freckles on his nose-
Georg walked towards the gazebo where he knew Maria would be. He should have known that not telling her about the plans to leave the country would only lead to disaster. He knew she had wanted to help, he had seen it in her eyes when she was questioning him just minutes before. Why hadn't he told her? To protect her no doubt. He shook his head. How could he have been so stupid?
Just as he was about to reach the Gazebo Georg saw that Maria's silhouette was not the only one sitting in it. No, Ubel's was there as well, there was no mistaking that. But what bothered Georg most was how close they were sitting, to close. Anger welled in him. He was about to take a step forward, and give Ubel a piece of his mind when the unthinkable happened. They kissed. Georg felt his entire body freeze. They were kissing, and she didn't pull away. She didn't even pull away.
Without another glance Georg walked inside.
It took a while for Maria to realize what was happening. She was being kissed, but these cold lips were not the warm ones of Georgs. Reality hit, and she pushed Ubel away, standing and slapping him across the face.
"How dare you!" she yelled.
"Maria, please-" he was begging. "I can give you a life Georg couldn't."
"You know how strongly I feel for Georg-"
"But look at the attention he's given you in the last week. I'm giving you more attention this moment than he has in six days! Imagine what I could give in a life!" he said, slightly quoting her words of a minute before.
He took her elbows and kissed her again. Maria pushed away harder this time, and slapped him with all her might. Her hand throbbed and there was a healthy red mark on Ubel's cheek.
"Don't ever touch me again." she said, shock covering the anger he felt. "And I think it wise for you to leave. Tomorrow, if possible." she turned and left towards the house, without a sorry. After what he pulled, he didn't deserve one.
Ubel rubbed his cheek and watched her leave, a big smirk filling his face.
Georg sat at his desk, rubbing his temples. She hadn't pulled away! He should have known something like this would happen. The two had become very close in Ubel's time at the house. But this was his, Georg's, Maria! She would never do a thing like that! But she had…she didn't even pull away.
There was a knock on his door. "Come in." he said, grumpily. He looked to see Maria come in a close the door behind her.
"Georg,"
"Yes?" his voice was short.
"I need to talk to you about Ubel." she said, her voice was shaking. She walked over to him, and was standing right by him. Her body was shaking as well.
"Talking isn't necessary, I saw all I need to know." he said grimly.
"You did?" he nodded, and Maria's stomach seemed to release the knots it held. "Then what are you going to do? Tell him to leave?" she asked, she started pacing slightly.
Georg looked at her, she was completely leaving herself out of this, as if she had done nothing. "What do you think should be done with both of y-"
"Both of us?" she stopped pacing, and was staring at him, eyes wide. He nodded. She looked at him quizzically. "How much did you see?" she asked.
"More than enough."
"Which was what, Georg!"
"I saw you kissing him" anger was beginning to fill his words.
"He kissed me-"
"That doesn't stop the fact that you kissed him back!"
"Kissed him back!" she paused. "How much did you see?" her voice was dangerously calm.
"I saw him kiss you, you not do anything about it, then I came in here."
"Well, if you would have stayed any longer then you would have seen me push him away and slap him! Twice, after he tried his feat again!"
Georg huffed. "How do I know this isn't the first time something like this has happened? How am I to be so sure that this has been going on longer?"
Maria was at a loss of words. How could he possible think that? "Georg," she kneeled before him, taking his hands in hers. "I love you more than anything, you know that! I would never dream of kissing another man!" he huffed again. "don't you believe me, my love?"
Georg sighed, took his hands from hers and rubbed his tired eyes, with his palms. "I don't know what to believe anymore." he said, quietly.
Maria stood, looking at him in shock, and backed away a few steps. How could he even think that? He must be going crazy! "Well, neither do I." she said. It was the only thing that was able to come out of her mouth. Why was he acting this way? Was he so stressed that he wasn't even able to think straight?
He sighed again. "Maybe they're right."
"Maybe who's right?" her words were slow, and scared.
"Them," he gestured around, "people of this town. Maybe we really aren't meant to get married.
Dear Lord, he couldn't be serious. Maria grasped the desk for support. Sure they had had two fights today. But those two had only been their first fights. Were they really enough to end something Maria would die for?
"After all, 'I'm a retired Sea Captain, and you're just a governess'"
His words hit Maria like ice water. Maria couldn't remember a time when someone's words had been more hurtful.
Georg instantly regretted saying what he did. "I didn't mean it like that-"
"No, you did. Or you wouldn't have said it."
There was a deadly silence that filled the room.
"It's just-" he didn't even know what to say, or what he was thinking.
Maria fidgeted with the engagement ring on her finger. Slowly, she pulled it off and let it drop on the desk. It spun in place before falling still, it's noise filling the dead air.
"I'll go and pack my bags, then. I'll leave in the morning. The children deserve a proper good bye." she turned and walked towards the door.
She opened the door slightly, and turned. "You know," she laughed bitterly. "I always thought that love could withstand anything. But then again, what do I know? I'm just the governess." and she was gone.
Georg grabbed Maria's ring and held it in his open palm, staring at it until the dark night turned to dawn.
The children stood in a group in front of Maria. Gretl and Marta were clutching to her waist, Liesl was at her side (Maria's arm was around her shoulder), Louisa was at the other side, holding her arm. Brigitta, Kurt, and Friedrich all stood in front of her.
"Oh darling," Maria said, kneeling in front of Gretl. The little girl thought it was her and her siblings fault that Maria was leaving. "It's not your fault at all, don't you think of that for a minute."
"Then why are you leaving?" Brigitta asked, her voice shaking.
Maria looked up, with a small smile on her face. "Your father and I realized we have less in common then we thought."
"But I don't want you to go." Marta said.
"None of us do." Kurt added.
"I really wanted you to be my Mother." Gretl said, tears threatening to fall. Maria smiled softly.
"We all did." Liesl said, Maria looked up at the girl and smiled.
"And I wanted to be your Mother very much. But some things aren't meant to be." she said, standing.
There was a silence and Maria looked at them all. "I don't want to say good bye" Louisa said, quietly. Maria smiled.
"This isn't good bye, darling."
"It's not?" Marta asked.
"Of course not!" Maria tried to sound cheerful. "This is merely a 'I'll see you later'. Once I move into my new apartment I'll send you a telegram with the address and you can come visit me as often as you like!"
"You'll visit us, too, won't you Fraulein." Gretl asked.
Maria smiled, "All you have to do is call."
Just then Georg walked into the room. Silence filled the air.
"Can I talk to you?" Georg asked Maria, quietly.
She nodded and walked over to where he was standing, away from the children.
Tell her you were being stupid. Tell her you don't know what you were thinking. Take her in your arms and beg her to forgive you. Never let her go. Georg thought. "Where will you be going?" Damn his pride.
"The abbey, I'm sure there's a spare room I can stay in until I find some place to stay of my own."
He nodded. "Can I-can I give you a ride into town?"
She shook her head. "I'll be fine." they stood in an awkward silence. "Well, good bye Captain." she hadn't called him Captain in a long time, and it burned a whole in him.
"Good bye," he said, quietly.
Maria walked back to where the children were standing. "Well, this is it." she said. She hugged all of them, whispering words of comfort as she did.
The family, including the Captain, stood in the door way as Maria stepped out onto the front steps.
"I'll write as soon as I can. Don't wait to visit." she said. "I'll see you all later." she smiled at the children, who gave her a weak smile in return. When her eyes fell on the Captain her face lost it's smile and she nodded, curtly.
She turned and left, disappearing through the front gates.
And there would have been two weeks until the wedding.
Author's Note: TAH DAH! What do you think? To sudden? What? Let me know! Oh, and I"ve been meaning to say that a main part of my story is based on the movie Au Pair II. So I don't own that either..
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL REVIEWS! I DON"T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT THEM!
Until next time,
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd