Maria and Georg head into the Griedestrasse. They pass by a chocolate shop.
" Can we go in here? Georg asks.
" No we need to eat lunch first" Maria says as she smiles down at him. They walk some more and they reach another square where there is a small orchestra playing. There are tables set at a café nearby.
" How about here?" Maria points to the tables. Georg looks around and nods his head. They find a seat near the orchestra. Maria orders for them and they listen to the orchestra.
" Look Mother, Austrian folk dancers" Georg says pointing to an open area. Maria watches as they start to dance. They are dressed in traditional Austrian dress. Maria watches as they twirl and move in perfect harmony. Their food comes and they start to eat.
Georg walks through the streets his eyes greedily searching for his son and the woman who holds his heart. Turning a corner he sees another square. Looking around he doesn't see them. He decides to walk around the square looking at each table.
Finishing their meal Maria sits enjoying the warm sun. Her ears suddenly hear a familiar waltz. Georg watches as the couple sitting next to them gets up and starts to dance.
" Mother what are they doing? He asks pointing to the couple as they start to dance. Maria doesn't hear him as her mind goes back to the night of the party. She is in his arms again. His warm breathe on her face. She can almost feel his arms around her.
" Mother?
Maria feels Georg touching her arm.
Shaking her head Maria answers" I'm sorry Georg. They are doing The Laendler. It's an Austrian folk dance. They watch as other couples around them get up to join the folk dancers.
" Can you show me, please" Georg looks up into her eyes. Maria looks down at him. She can't resist. She takes his hand and leads him over to the area where the other dancers are. They form a circle and start the dance. Maria slowly shows and tells Georg what to do. As they laugh together they don't notice a tall man approaching the dancers.
Georg watches the folk dancers. He remembers the dance from the night of the party. He watches as each couple dances in perfect synchronization. He watches each couple turn in unison. Out of the corner of his eye he sees a much smaller dancer. Turning his head he sees the boy. Dancing with him is a young woman. Closing his eyes for a split second he prays. He opens his eyes and he sees her face.
"Maria" he whispers to himself. They do not see him as they turn. He watches as they laugh. " God she's so beautiful. He stands not able to move. He wonders how to approach her and……..his son.
He smiles as he figures out what to do. As they come around again he slowly comes behind his son. Her back is turned so she can not see him.
Tapping his son on the shoulder he quietly says " May I?
The younger Georg turns to him as Maria turns her body so that she is now facing him.
Georg pats the boy on the head and gently takes Marias hand in his. She wonders if this is a dream. She feels his hand in hers as they start to dance. Georgs eyes never leave hers as they continue the dance. They do not speak.His heart is pounding as he feels the warmth of her hands. The world ceases around them. They do not notice that the other dancers stop dancing. They along with the rest of the crowd watch the couple as they twirl effortlessly around the square.
Meanwhile Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta and Sister Berthe come into the square looking for Maria and the younger Georg. They see Georg and go to where he is standing.
" Where's your mother Georg?" Reverend Mother asks. Georg points to Maria and Georg.
Reverend Mother gasps as she sees who Maria is dancing with.
Georg turns Maria in his arms as their bodies come closer to touching. He looks into her eyes and he can't hold back anymore. He has been dreaming of this moment since losing her. Reaching down he touches his lips to hers. She closes her eyes as she feels him pull her closer. Maria suddenly realizes where she is. Pulling back she steps away from Georg.
Georg reaches for her hand "Maria, I found you , it's a miracle.
" What … How" Maria suddenly feels lightheaded. The last thing she sees is Georg before everything goes black.
"Maria! Georg gasps as he catches her in his arms. Picking her up he walks to a nearby bench. Little Georg, Reverend Mother and the other sisters come running over to them.
" What did you to my mother! Little Georg yells as he pushes Georg. Reverend Mother pulls little Georg away.
" Georg your mothers going to be fine. She just fainted" Reverend Mother says as they watch as Georg tries to wake Maria.
" Sister Margaretta why don't you take Georg to get some ice cream" Reverend Mother says as she takes Georg by the hand. Sister. Protesting all the way little Georg goes with Sister Margaretta.
Georg tries to wake Maria. A man emerges from the crowd.
" Excuse me, may I be of some help. My name is Dr. Dieterman.
" Yes thank you. I think she has only fainted, but I'm not sure" Georg says as he caresses Marias head.
" Not too worry sir I'm sure your wife will be just fine" the doctor says as he pats Georg on the back.
" Doctor she is not….. Reverend Mother stops him before he continues. Georg moves away as the doctor tends to Maria. The doctor takes some smelling salts and waves it in front of Marias nose. Georg watches as her eyes open and she coughs from the smell.
" What happened? She asks still somewhat confused.
" Maria you fainted. How are you feeling now" Reverend Mother asks.
" My head is still spinning. I must have been hallucinating. I thought .. No that's impossible" She says trying to clear her head.
" What's impossible Maria? Reverend Mother asks. Looking around Maria scans the crowd.
" It must have been a dream" she says softly to herself.
Stepping out from the crowd Georg kneels in front of her. Looking into her eyes he softly speaks to her.
" Maria it wasn't a dream. I'm real, here touch my face" Georg says as he takes her hand and brings it to his cheek. Maria stares at him.
" Georg" she whispers his name. He smiles at her as they can't take their eyes off one another.
The doctor, assured that Maria is all right taps Georg on the shoulder " I leave her in your good hands" Turning to the crowd the doctor says "Excitement is over ladies and gentlemen" as he waves his hand. The people go back to their tables as the orchestra begins playing
Maria slowly sits up. Georg is still kneeling before her. "Georg what are you doing here? How did you find me?
" Maria if you are feeling all right I suggest you and the Captain go somewhere quiet so you can talk" Reverend Mother says as she puts her hand on Marias shoulder.
" That's if you want to" Georg adds.
Maria looks at Reverend Mother "what about Georg? Where is he?
" Don't worry, he's fine, he was upset when you fainted so Sister Margaretta took him to get some ice cream. We will take him back to the abbey" Reverend Mother says.
" Maria please we need to talk" Georg says as he holds onto her hand.
" All right Georg. Reverend Mother please tell Georg I'm fine and I will see him at dinner" Maria says as she slowly stands up.
" Captain I'm glad to see you again" Reverend Mother says as she takes his hand in hers. Georg smiles at her.
" Thank you Mother" He says clasping her hand.
" Where are we going to go? She asks him as they start to walk.
" I have the perfect place" He says as they reach his car.
He helps Maria in and begins to drive. Neither of them speak. Georgs eyes dart between her and the road. Maria looks down at her hands as they drive. The car slows and she looks up. She recognizes the iron gate immediately. Georg gets out and goes to her door. He holds his hand out for her as she tentatively takes it.
Looking up at the villa her heart breaks as she sees what the war has done to it. Georg sees her looking at the house
" Horrible isn't it. I can't bring myself to go inside. I found out the Nazis used it as a headquarters for the Gestapo." Georg says as they walk toward the back of the house.
They walk through the gardens and reach the back terrace. They continue to walk. Maria continues to look at the ground.
"Maria look up" Georg softly says as he moves closer to her.
Maria looks up and gasps as she sees it. The gazebo. It's still there. Untouched as if preserved in time.
They walk over to the bench and sit down. Neither of them speaks.
Maria looks at her hands. She wonders if she should start or if she should wait for him. She decides to go first.
" Georg how did you know I was in Salzburg? She asks him.
Georg explains how he had seen the magazine and read the article. The boy was the exact image of him as a boy. The article mentioned how old he was. Once he found out the boys name he knew it was his son.
" Maria I knew I had to find him. I hoped that in finding him he might lead me to you. It's a miracle Maria" Georg says as he takes her hands. Maria pulls her hands from his.
"Georg you think you can come back into my life and I would forget what you did. Why didn't you marry the Baroness. You told Max that you were going to ask her, you even had a ring. I overheard you talking in the study. I also heard Elsa on the phone" Maria says as she gets up and turns away from him.
" Maria you misunderstood. I was talking to Max about you not Elsa. I had Frau Schmidt make a special dinner. As far as Elsa was concerned I called off our relationship that morning. I thought you were upstairs so I told her . She left that afternoon. It was only then that I read your note. My God I searched for you everywhere. I never gave up. Then Germany invaded and I had to escape." Georg says as he comes up behind her.
"Maria I've never stopped loving you. Please look at me" Georg puts his hands on her shoulders. Maria turns and he sees the tears flowing down her cheeks. She looks into his eyes as he pulls her into his arms. Her body shakes as she continues to cry.
" Ssh its all right. I'm never going to let you go. You and our son.