Maria slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she realized she wasn't dreaming. She was in Georgs arms. She felt more complete than she had ever felt in her life. She looked over at the clock and realized they better get up. She needed to go back to her room before anyone realized she was missing.

" Georg" she softly whispered in his ear. Georg slowly opened his eyes and pulled her to him.

" Good morning" he softly said as he held her tight. He hadn't felt this wonderful in years. He had finally found someone to share his life with. He would always love Agathe but it was time for him to love again. His children need a mother and Maria is wonderful with them

" I think I need to go back to my room. I don't think it would be a good idea for anyone to see us together like this" she said as she got out of bed and began to dress.

Georg also got out of bed. He went to her and took her once more in his arms. Wrapping her in his arms he kissed her. She returned his kiss. She broke away first. He said I love you before she left. He finished dressing and headed downstairs. He had to talk to Elsa. This was going to be hard for him. He didn't want to hurt her but he had to break it off. He went to his study to figure out how to let her down gently.

Maria went to the childrens rooms to get them up. Once they were all awake she helped the youngest ones get dressed.

"Fraulein why do you keep smiling? Gretl asked as Maria helped her get dressed.

Maria laughed "well the sun is shining and it's a beautiful day. Gretl hugged Maria and told her she loved her. Maria hugged her tighter and swung the little girl around as Gretl giggled. They all headed down for breakfast.

The Captain and Maria couldn't stop looking at each other Maria hardly ate anything. Only Leisl noticed the looks they kept giving each other. Once breakfast was over Georg went back to his study. He went to the safe and pulled out a small blue velvet box. He opened it and smiled. Inside was his grandmothers engagement ring. She had passed away just after Marta was born.

He didn't hear the knock as Max looked into the study.

Elsa had gone to Georgs study also but before she made herself known she overheard Max talking to Georg.

Georg what a beautiful ring, are you finally going to ask Elsa to marry you? Elsa will be so thrilled. You two will be the wealthiest couple in all of Austria" said Max.

Elsa smiled to herself as overheard the conversation. She decided to slowly go back to the living room. She didn't want Georgs surprise to be ruined.

Maria walked into the living room and saw Gretl looking under the couch.

" Gretl what are you looking for" Maria asked her as she knelt down beside her.

"Louisa took my doll and hid it " she said as she looked under the chair.

" Are you sure she hid it in here? Maria asked.

" I don't know. I also saw her in the ballroom" Gretl said as she stood up.

" Why don't you look in the ballroom and I will finish in here" Maria said as she started looking under the other chair. Gretl ran to the ballroom as Maria started looking behind the curtains. Maria heard someone come in the room. She looked from behind the curtains and saw the Baroness pick up the phone. She heard the Baroness talking.

" Anna darling how are you. I have wonderful news. Georg is finally going to ask me to marry him. I saw the ring. It's beautiful. He told Max how much he loves me. Oh the children will be thrilled besides once we marry I am sure Georg will agree to send them to boarding school. Well I have to go now . Make sure you look for the invitation in the mail. Bye darling.

Elsa hung up the phone and left the living room. Maria was too stunned to move from behind the curtains. She kept hearing Elsa say that Georg had asked her to marry him. How could he do that she wondered. After what they shared last night Maria thought Georg was in love with her. He told her that he loved her. She ran up the stairs and to her room. Through teary eyes she started to pack her things. She stopped remembering their night together. Elsa must have misunderstood. She had to know for sure. She left her room and headed to Georgs study. She heard Max and Georg talking.

"So Georg when are you going to ask her" Max she heard Max say.

" I thought I would have Frau Schmidt make us a special dinner just her and I" Georg says.

" Does Elsa have any idea of your plans?" Max asks.

" No its going to be a quite an evening don't you think" Georg answers. That is all Maria has to hear. She goes back to her room and finishes packing. She writes a letter to Georg and leaves it on her pillow. She quietly slips out the front door.

Gretl goes looking for Maria and finds her room empty. She sees the envelope with her fathers name on it and decides to bring it to him.

" Father I went to Fraulein Marias room to see if she was there and I found this on her pillow". Gretl hands Georg the note.

Dear Captain,

I thought we shared something last night that we were going to build on. I now realize it was a lie. I thought you loved me as much as I love you. You have made your choice but you must realize that I can't stay here anymore. I just can't bear the thought of the Baroness and you living as man and wife. I am returning to the abbey where I hope to find peace and tranquility. I will always love you.

Maria

Georg stood holding the letter in his hand. He could not believe her words. How could she think he did not love her. Why does she think he is going to marry Elsa?

" Gretl how long ago did you see Maria" he asked sounding somewhat alarmed.

" The last time I saw her she was in the living room helping me find my doll. That was around two hours ago. I went to her room to tell her I found my doll and that is when I found the letter."

Georg wasted no time. He ran to the car and sped off to town. He had to talk to her. He had to clear everything. He only hoped she would see him. He rang the abbey bell and a nun answered. He explained who he was and that he had to talk to Maria. She escorted him to the Reverend Mother office. Georg explained that he was in love with Maria and that there had been a big misunderstanding. He told the Reverend Mother he wanted to marry Maria.

She informed him that Maria had left. Reverend Mother said that Maria told her shehad to leave Salzburg and did not say where she was going.

Reverend Mother tells Georg that she will call him if she hears from Maria. He thanked her and headed home.