Rewrote chapter 2due to some text in later chapters. Something got screwed up and the chapter did not go back to where it should have.
The party was progressing as it should. She went in search of the children and found them on the terrace outside the ballroom. She was surprised to see them dancing. They informed her they could indeed dance. Maria then heard a familiar song. She looked toward the ballroom and saw the guests dancing The Laendler.
The children asked what kind of dance the guests were doing. Maria explained it was a folk dance and that's when Kurt asked her to show him how to do the dance. Maria was reluctant at first but then after Kurt pleaded with her she relented. They started slowly as Maria explained how the dance starts. The turns were difficult due to Kurts size. As they started the next turn Maria heard a familiar voice. She turned as the Captain offered his hand. She hesitated but then something made her reach to him. They started the dance and she felt as if she was floating. Their eyes never left each other. She turned in his arms and she found they were inches apart. Their lips so close she could feel his warm breath. His eyes looked into her soul as if he could tell what she was thinking. What is this emotion that she is feeling? Her stomach is fluttering and she feels as if her knees will give way. She stepped back and she could feel the bond between them.
Brigitta interrupted and asked why she was red. Maria put her hands to her cheeks and she could feel them burning. She told Brigitta that she wasn't used to dancing. Maria looked at the Captain and they both smiled at each other.
" Georg, there you are. Oh hello Maria , children" she said sounding rather insincere.
" I apologize Elsa I was spending some time with the children. I was teaching them how to do the Laendler" Georg said smiling at Maria.
" I think it is time the children say goodnight" the Captain said to Maria.
" Yes Captain but first we have a surprise for you" she said as they left the terrace. Georg and Elsa walked back into the ballroom. Maria announced that the children wanted to wish the guests goodnight. Georg watched with pride as his children sang for the guests. If it had not been for Maria he would never had known his children could sing. He looked over to where she was standing. She is beautiful. Young. vibrant. Dancing with her on the terrace he has never felt so alive, so complete. She has done so much in the short time she has been here. She gave him back his children. She made him realize that his children need him and that he needs them. He was in love with her. He realized this as his children were singing. Elsa never made him feel this way. She was a good friend that's all. She kept him from going insane after Agathe died, but he was not in love with her. But did Maria love him. They would look at each other at times and he thought he saw it in her eyes. Tonight when they were dancing he wanted to kiss her and he could swear she wanted it too. He knows what he has to do. He has to break it off with Elsa and tell Maria his feelings and hope she feels the same. The song finishes and Maria starts up the stairs.
" Young lady I want you to join me for dinner you will be my partner" Max said as he touched her shoulder. Elsa looking quite unhappy glared at Max.
Max whispers in Elsa ear that he wants Maria to convince Georg to have the children sing in the Festival.
Maria protests at first but then relents . She goes to change. She comes down and sits next to Max. Georg can't help but stare at her. He decides to tell Elsa tomorrow.
Maria at first feels out of place at the dinner but then her natural charm and wit shines through.
At one point in the dinner the subject of Germany merging with Austria comes up. A German named Zeller believes Austria should become part of Germany. Maria sees the Captain getting very angry. She gives some insight into her beliefs as the Captain listens . Her views are the same as his. She in as much states that the Nazis are a bunch of bullies who want everyone to believe what they do. They even believe religion is wrong.
" Captain you allow your servants to speak to your guests in this matter" Zeller said .
" I allow my staff to speak their beliefs something the Nazis do not do" the Captain states glaring at Zeller.
" I will not stay here and be insulted" Zeller says raising his voice. Zeller stands and heads for the door as Franz retrieves his coat. Georg hears the door slam.
" I apologize for the interruption. Please lets finish" Georg says as he looks over at Maria smiling.
Max tries without success to convince him to allow the children to sing in public even with Maria saying how much the children would love it. Dinner is over and Maria bids goodnight to the Captain and his guests. She goes to her room and tries to get some sleep.
She is awakened by a soft cry. Gretl comes into her room and has had a nightmare. Maria takes the girl and wipes her tears. The Captain was alarmed by the sounds of his daughter crying. As he approached the bedroom door he stood watching Maria sing to Gretl. Sensing some one there she looked up to find him standing there. He slowly walked to her and took Gretl in his arms. They both walked to her room where Maria helped the Captain settle her into bed. They walk out and as she heads back to her room the Captain asks her" Fraulein would you care for some tea".
" Yes, in fact I was having a hard time sleeping. Let me get dressed and I will be right down" Maria answers.
They both walk down to the kitchen where the Captain makes some tea and they sit and talk. They talked about the children and the confrontation with Zeller.
" I must say you took a chance by talking that way about the Nazis. I was very impressed. You and I feel very similar about the things that are important. Faith, family and our country" he said touching her hand. They looked into each others eyes and Maria could feel the Captain gently stroking her hand with his. This was his chance he thought to himself.
"Fraulein would you care to go for a walk. I still am not tired, maybe some fresh air will do me good"
"Yes I will I am still not tired either". They head out the back door. The night is warm as they walk toward the lake. Neither one of them says a word. They reach the bench outside the gazebo. He motions for her to sit and then sits next to her. He smiles at her and she nervously looks away.
" Fraulein when we danced tonight you stopped because you could not remember anymore, would you mind if I show you the rest? He asked her as he stood up. Maria looked up at him. Her heart began to pound and she found herself saying yes though she didn't know why. He escorted her into the gazebo
" Excuse me Captain we have no music" she said looking around.
Smiling he just held out his hand and said "Trust me. With that he started humming softly. They did the dance the same as before but when they got to the part where they had stopped before Maria continued the dance. Georg turned their bodies again so close that she again could feel his breath on her lips. This time though Georg did not let her step away. He took her hands in his and pulled her gently to him. He softly touched her lips with his. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. She didn't know if she was dreaming but if she was she hoped she wouldn't wake up.
" Maria" he softly said her name before again kissing her. This time she answered him back as they savored each others lips. Her arms embraced him as she felt him hold her tighter. She felt his hands roam her back as he deepened the kiss. Breaking their kiss his lips went to her ear.
" I love you " he softly whispered to her. She felt her legs begin to give way as his lips traveled down her neck. She gasped as he slowly pulled herdress away from her shoulder. Her mind was spinning. Feelings surging inside her. She never felt like this before. His hands slowly roamed her all ready heated body and she felt him grasp her waist. His head was telling him to slow down but the passion rising inside him made him do the opposite. Suddenly realizing where they were he pulled away from her. He was breathing heavy as was she.
" Maria I'm sorry maybe we should stop before we get carried away " he said touching her cheek with his hand. She looked at him, her face was flushed and her eyes filled with desire.
" Yes I think we should" she said. They slowly walked back to the house and up the stairs. As they walked they could not help but look into each others eyes. He wanted her to be his. It had been so long since he had felt this kind of passion for a woman Whether by accident or subconsciously they found themselves not at Maria's bedroom door but the Captains. Realizing where they were he started to walk back but something made Maria stop and lead him back to his room.
" Maria, are you sure? He asked. Instead of saying anything she reached up to him and kissed him with a desire and passion he could not mistake. Opening his door they silently walked in. The moon was the only light in the room. He went to her and kissed her gently then passionately. She felt his hands reach for her buttons of her dress. Once it had been removed he picked her up and carried her to the bed. He took off his shirt so that all he wore were his pants. He laid down beside her and again began to kiss her. She closed her eyes as she felt him unbutton her slip. With the last button undone he gently took the slip off her. Georg took off his pants as he covered them both with the blanket.
" I love you " she said looking up at him. He kissed her deeply and she moaned as she felt his hands on her body. He kissed her neck then the hollow of her throat. Every touch, every kiss made her more aroused. She felt his hands on her breasts and moaned with anticipation as she felt him move closer to her upper thigh.
Georg could hold out no longer. He placed himself gently on top of her and made love to her. He watched her eyes as she became more aroused. Her pleasure came in waves washing over body . He cried out her name as his own body reached its peak. They laid there holding onto each other until their hearts slowly went back to normal. They fell asleep in each others arms.