I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gifts you left on the website! I wasn't expecting to get such kind reviews! This chapter is really long, it's 19 hand-written pages, so I might have to split it up into two chapters. As of now, chapter 2 and most of chapter 3 are finished, I just need to type them. So you have to be patient with this one! This chapter is really… romantic. Just to warn you. The next one is really funny though, I couldn't stop laughing as I was writing it! Well I'll be quiet now and start writing.
Disclaimer (seeing as I forgot one earlier): I do not own The Sound of Music, unfortunately. All I own is the DVD, the 40th anniversary edition, the soundtrack, and an intense obsession with it. So please don't sue me, you won't get much money!
Captain's POV
As I was making my way up to bed, I noticed a faint voice coming from one of the children's bedrooms. I inched closer to the door with light coming out from under the crack, careful not to wake the other children. I silently opened the door just enough to let my head squeeze in. My eyes found Brigitta lying in bed with her eyes closed. Fräulien Maria was lying on her stomach on the floor, reading aloud from Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Her voice was melodious and was slowly lulling my middle daughter to sleep.
"What's that word mean?" Brigitta suddenly asked.
"Magistrate? Oh, a magistrate is a judge."
"Oh. Go on, please." Maria continued reading. I couldn't help but notice her perfectly articulated words, the voices she used for separate characters, even the slight rise and fall of her tone as the sentences started and stopped. I took in the way her feet stood upright on the floor, her muscular legs wonderful for climbing up a mountain, but still perfect looking. I raptly gazed at her tiny waist that I longed to put my arms around, those shoulders I wanted so much to caress, that long, graceful neck that supported her head. Oh, that beautiful head. That chin that stuck out just the right amount, those lips that were mouthing words I could no longer hear. All I knew was that she was speaking, her lovely voice washing over me like the ocean waves. The lips that mouthed the words. Oh, those lips, oh how pink, and plump, and luscious, how I craved them! To know if they tasted as sweet as they looked. To just kiss her, and hold her, if I could, I would have my heart's content. My eyes moved upwards to her nose, how perfectly shaped, with a slight upturn at the end. Suddenly Fräulien Maria rolled over onto her back, holding the book up above her. I smiled and so did she. Obviously she had gotten to a funny part in the story. My children's governess sat up, looking at the bed which contained a now sleeping Brigitta. Maria (Fräulien Maria, I reminded myself) smiled and lay down again, closing her eyes. My own eyes swept over her once more, gathering every detail of her perfect figure, the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the hands clasped together on her stomach, the perfectly rounded breasts, the slightly parted lips, her eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, that I knew when open would be pools of aquamarine I cold get lost in forever. Her forehead, arching into her hair. Oh, that thick, golden blonde hair, how I wanted to feel it, stroke it, twine my fingers through it. How I wanted to kiss those lips, feel her heart beat against mine as I held her close, caress her shoulders, back, waist. Then I stopped myself. I should not be thinking those thoughts, feeling those feelings, feelings I hadn't felt since Agathe… But wait. Maria (Fräulien Maria) was my children's governess! I should not be thinking this about her! Oh, it was tearing me up inside…
Maria's POV
I was lying on the floor in Brigitta's room, reading to her from a book of Mark Twain's. Occasionally, she would ask what a word meant, but not very often. Brigitta is a very bright ten-year-old. When I got to the part where Hank (the Connecticut Yankee) is comforting Sandy (his wife from King Arthur's court), I couldn't help but pause and imagine myself as Sandy and the Captain as Hank. What I would give to be held by the Captain! To simply be in his arms! To be hugged, to be kissed, to cry upon his shoulder even! Oh, but I mustn't think that. He was my employer, for heaven's sake! I rolled over onto my back and continued reading. I smiled when I read the name 'Hello-Central,' which is what Sandy and Hank (well, mostly Sandy) named their child. I couldn't prevent myself from daydreaming… I sat up suddenly, hoping Brigitta was asleep so she wouldn't notice I had stopped reading. She was. I smiled, thankful, lay down again, and closed my eyes. I couldn't help but let my mind wander to the Captain. Georg. What a wonderful name for a wonderful person. He had to be the most handsome man I had ever seen. The way he half-smiled at me while singing Edelweiss earlier that evening, his sharp nose, his strong jaw and clean-shaven face, and his eyes. The eyes I had seen fill with so much love as he sang with Liesl, the blank, empty look I thought I had imagined as he looked at the Baroness, and when he looked at me… I couldn't break his gaze, and much as I tried to. I thought afterwards that I had surely been blushing furiously, but I didn't care. Right then, as he was gazing at me, I found myself staring back. Drowning in those turquoise wonders that were his eyes. I wanted to keep that moment in my mind forever.
I started daydreaming then. Daydreaming about… Him. To be held by him, to kiss him, to run my fingers over his back, shoulders, neck… to run them through his hair… so soft, silky, dark, it just made him even more perfect. Perfect. The best-no, the only- word to describe him. Perfect.
Captain's POV
As I gazed at Maria (there it was again, no Fräulien before it!), it hit me full force. I was in love. Not with Elsa, but with Maria. The children's governess. I sighed and leaned my head against the doorframe. The angel (yes, that's what she was, and angel) opened her eyes and sat up.
"Captain!" she exclaimed, then glanced over at Brigitta's bed and its sleeping owner.
"Captain," she said, softly this time. "Was there something you wanted?" she asked, standing up.
"Er, no, I don't think so," I lied, opening the door fully so she could get out. Maria (I didn't bother correcting myself this time) flicked off the light and closed the door after taking a last look at the sleeping Brigitta.
"Are you sure?" She looked at me like she didn't believe me. Heck, I didn't believe me!
"Ummm…. No, actually."
"Well tell then!" She laughed, her eyes meeting mine. We were both rendered speechless and held the gaze. The smile slowly worked its way off her face. Finally, I shook off the tingly feeling that had built up inside of me as I looked into her eyes.
"Want to talk?" I asked simply, hoping she would say yes.
Maria's POV
"Want to talk?"
His voice bored inside me like a knife. A wonderfully perfect knife. I couldn't speak, so I nodded instead. He led me downstairs to what I assumed was his private study. He opened the door for me (such a gentleman, like always) and I walked in. I had never been in here before, so I stood shyly off to one side, blushing as he examined me. He noticed my obvious uncomfortable-ness and asked, "Would you like anything to drink?" I shook my head, still mute. I was afraid that my hand would shake too much out of nervousness for me to hold anything. The Captain motioned for me to sit on the couch in front of the fireplace., I did, tucking my feet and skirt under me. He sat on the opposite side, still quite close. It was a small couch, after all.
Captain's POV
As I sat down next to Maria, I was captivated by the way the firelight danced across her face, keeping half of it in shadow. I could still see her eyes, sparkling, reflecting the fire. I could also see her teeth gleaming while she bit her bottom lip, as she did whenever she was nervous. I wondered why. Certainly it couldn't be me! I didn't want to make her uncomfortable in any way. I tried not to notice the way she looked. Oh, she was amazing! I noticed the way she was staring into the fireplace, like she was thinking. Hard. I inconspicuously scootched closer to her, needing to be near. I hoped she wouldn't notice. She did.
Maria's POV
I moved even closer to the arm of the sofa, uncomfortable by being so close to the man I had so many inappropriate thoughts about. As much as I wanted to be near to him, I felt that as soon as he or I said something, my emotions would get out of control, all the fiery passion burning inside me would get let out, and he would know. He, Captain/Baron Georg Emmanuel von Trapp, would know I was in love with him. I think I might have gasped just then, for I could feel his eyes on me. I hoped the dimness of the room would hide my blush. Then I thought about what I had just admitted. Was I really in love with the Captain? Or was it just his good looks getting to me? Would he love me back? Or would he think I was just some silly young governess? I desperately hoped he loved my back, but I couldn't help but remember that I was a postulant. I was going to be a nun! I sighed. Oh, Dear Lord, help me to find my place in life, I prayed silently.
Captain's POV
I think Maria might've sighed just then. She was looking to the heavens with a hopeful look on her face. I wondered if she way praying. Then, as suddenly as if she had gotten some message from above, Maria turned to me.
"Captain, was there something you wanted to talk about?" she asked.
"Yes, actually," I cleared my throat, "I was wondering when you'll be- leaving?" As much as I hated to know when my beloved Maria was going to leave me (us, I reminded myself, my family and me), I just had to know. I wanted her last days here to be special.
"In September," she said, her face downcast, her eyes sparkling less than before.
"Er, when, exactly, in September?" I needed to know. I needed to let her know how I felt about her, so that if she said she hated me, I could live my (miserable) life in peace without her. But, if she said she loved me back, maybe I could convince her to stay.
Maria's POV
"I'm not quite sure. Perhaps whenever school starts for the children, and you don't need me anymore?" I was waiting for him to say that he loved me, that he would always need me to be by his side, but I knew I had to leave. Maybe if I left as soon as I wasn't needed, I could go back to the abbey, become a nun, and get all these unholy thoughts about Him out of my head.
Captain's POV
"When school starts? That's September 12th," I said, and realized that it was only two weeks away. Two weeks! Two weeks to work up my courage and confess my feelings to her? Only two more weeks I could spend with her and the children on the mountains? Only two more weeks when I could see her every day? Oh, those damn two weeks… I'd have to explain to Maria exactly how I felt. There's no time like the present, so I decided to do it sooner rather than later.
"Er- Mar- Fräulien Maria, sorry- I was wondering- do you really want to leave us and become a nun?" How hard it was to say 'us' instead of 'me'! How hard it was to watch the battle going on in her mind! I certainly hoped it was a battle between her brain, which wanted to go back to the Abbey, and her heart, which needed to stay with me as much as I needed to stay with her.
Maria's POV
Did he really just ask me that question? Do I want to stay with him (them, I reminded myself), or do I want to become a nun? Did I want to give in to my brain and be miserable for the rest of my life, or did I want to stay with him and be happy forever? For me, the choice was easy. It was just the telling him part that would be hard.
Captain's POV
I could tell the internal struggle going on inside Maria was drawing to a close. There was a determined look on her face, directly followed by a hopeless one. There was something wrong, I knew it. I reached out and touched her shoulder.
Maria's POV
The Captain touched my shoulder. I jumped, a bolt of electricity going through my body from where he had touched me. He obviously noticed my discomfort, as he removed his hand.
Captain's POV
"Fräulien? Is there something wrong?" I asked her. I needed to know what was wrong. My darling Maria couldn't be unhappy for long.
"Yes, actually," she replied in a whisper. "I- I don't want to leave you."
Maria's POV
No! Yes! No! I had done it! I had told him I didn't want to leave him! Was this a good thing or a bad thing? I couldn't make up my mind. I might as well get it over with and leave as soon as possible.
"Captain, earlier today when you sang 'Edelweiss'-" he stopped me from continuing any farther.
"Was it that bad?" he asked, a frown marring his handsome features.
"Oh no! It was wonderful! It's just… um… you don't have to answer this if it'll make you uncomfortable, but…. Do you really love Baroness Schraeder?"
Captain's POV
I hadn't been expecting that question. The immediate answer was-
Maria's POV
"No," he said firmly.
"You're not supposed to marry someone you're not in love with," I said gently, trying not to hurt his feelings.
"You're right!" he exclaimed, and jumped up. "Please excuse me, I'll only be a few minutes," he said hurriedly and backed out of the room. I sighed and sank back against the cushions, instantly less nervous now that the object of my affection was gone.
Captain's POV
I hurried out of my study and jogged along the hallway to the sitting room, where I knew Elsa and Max would be. I started walking slowly as I got nearer to the door.
"Elsa?" I said as I entered the room. "Excuse us, Max." My would-be fiancée got up from the sofa where she had been lounging and sent Max a funny look, while Max only smiled at her. "We need to talk," I said as soon as we were alone in the hallway. We need to talk. The words every woman dreads hearing. I could tell by the look on her face that she knew what was coming. "Elsa, this just isn't working out-" I started, but she cut me off, obviously wanting to be the one breaking up with me.
"Georg, I don't think we were- meant for each other," she began. "You need someone more- we both need- someone more our… our opposite. I need someone who need me desperately- or at least needs my money desperately." She gave a mirthless laugh. "You, on the other hand, need someone carefree, outgoing, young, blonde, you get the point. I just don't think we're right for each other. So, I'll just pack my bags and return to Vienna, where I belong. Auf Weiderschein, darling," she finished, kissing my cheek. I gave her retreating back a half-smile and returned to my study…and Maria.
Maria's POV
The Captain had been gone a long time. I wondered how the Baroness was taking this. Would she be heartbroken, or would she think it for the best, too? I was lost in my thoughts when the Captain returned, so I didn't notice him fiddling with a picture on the wall. I did notice, however, when he sat down beside me once more, a lot closer than he had been five minutes ago.
"Maria," he said, taking one of my hands in his. A spark of electricity ran through my body again. "Maria, I need to tell you something. This evening when I was watching you read to Brigitta, my feelings- feelings towards you- overcame me. Maria, you are possibly the best thing that's ever happened to me or my family. I couldn't marry the Baroness because my heart doesn't like with her. It lies with you. Maria, I love you."
It's funny how three simple words when said apart can mean so much when said together. As the Captain looked into my eyes, still holing my hand, my heartbeat quickened and my eyes filled up with tears. I tried to tell him exactly what I felt, but my voice wasn't working. He must've noticed something, for he took my chin in his remaining hand, lifted my face up to his, and kissed me.
Captain's POV
It was heaven on earth. I was finally kissing the woman of my dreams something I had wanted to do since she had emerged from behind the puppet show earlier that day. Her lips under mine were soft and just as sweet as I had imagined. I could feel her surprise at my sudden action, so I broke away from her reluctantly. She looked deep into my eyes, I looked into hers. I felt myself drowning in them, never to come out again, until she broke out gaze and looked down at out now entwined hands. She raised her free hand to my cheek, softly caressing it.
"Oh, Captain," she sighed. "I love you too."
Maria's POV
I couldn't believe myself! I had just told him I loved him! My lips were longing to touch his again, so I pulled his fact closer to mine. Our eyes close, our heads tilted, our lips parted, all at the exact same moment. As his lips met mine, I couldn't do anything but get lost in the moment. I had never been kissed before, so this new experience was arousing feelings I never thought could exist. As the Captain and I kissed, I knew I could never be a nun.
Captain's POV
This time it was Maria who initiated the kiss. The second time was even more wonderful than the first. Maria dropped her hand from my cheek to the back of my neck. I pulled her closer with my free hand, letting go of her other hand and wrapping both of mine around her waist. She clasped her hands behind my neck, eagerly pulling me closer. I broke away for a breath of air and she rested her head on my chest.
"Captain," she said softly. "I love you."
"Oh, Maria, darling," I said, pulling her chin up so I could get lost in her eyes once again. "I love you too. And there's no reason to call me Captain anymore." Maria smiled and laid her head on my shoulder. I slid one of my arms under her legs and pulled her onto my lap. She looked surprised for a moment, then relaxed into my arms. I ran my hand over her back, making her shudder. I remembered that she had never been held or kissed by a man before, so I stopped.
"Georg," she said suddenly, looking up at me.
"Yes darling?" I asked gently.
"Why me?"
"Why you? Because I love you," I said, and captured her lips with mine.
Maria's POV
I could feel the warmth of his lips on mine, feel the passion burning inside him, feel every shiver he made as I ran my fingers through his hair. I could feel my own body shudder as he let his hands roam all over my waist, back, shoulders, neck, finally stopping to get tangled in my hair. I moaned with pleasure as his tongue ran over my lips and I eagerly opened them. He himself moaned as our tongues got tangled in a dance of love. He broke away, gasping for breath. He looked in my eyes and the only ting I could see in his was raw emotion.
"Oh, Maria," Georg groaned, and bent to kiss me again. I gladly consented.
Much to my protest, he pulled away after a while. He smiled at the look of obvious love and desire on my face. Then he leaned down and softly kissed my lips. He placed feather-light kissed all along my jaw line, finally reaching my ear. I gasped as I felt his deep voice murmuring "I love you," then, placing kisses all down my neck. When he got to the place where my neck connected with my shoulder, I leaned my head back to allow him better access. I moaned as he kissed the hollow of my throat, his lips creating hop patches wherever they touched my skin. When he slid back my dress to expose my nearly-bare shoulder, I shivered under his touch. Georg's lips found their way along my collarbone, to my shoulder, then back to my neck.
"Georg," I moaned.
"Mmmmm…" he moaned back, pulling the neck of my dress down even farther.
"Georg, don't!" I gasped as his lips touched the thin fabric of my slip. I could feel the heat from him as he continued pressing his burning hot lips wherever they could reach. I pulled his head up so I could look at him. "Don't," I breathed. He only gave me a sheepish smile and kissed my lips again.
Georg's POV
I have not felt this good since… well, it's been a while. I could see the passion burning in Maria's eyes and knew that if we continued our little… escapade, we might not be able to stop. So I re-adjusted her on my lap and reached into my pocket.
"Maria," I said lowly, pulling out a dark blue velvet box, "I love you more than anything else in the world. I would be the happiest man on earth if you would- be my wife?"
Her eyes traveled from mine down to the box in my hand. I popped it open, exposing a beautiful diamond ring, encased in gold.
"Oh Georg! Of course I'll marry you!" she whispered, throwing her arms around me once more. I picked up her chin in my hand and kissed her sweetly. She broke off the kiss after a moment and laid her head on my shoulder. "I love you," she whispered in my ear, and kissed my neck. I held her even tighter to me and sighed in contentment. She snuggled her head deep into my chest and kissed my shirt.
"I love you too," I told her.
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I certainly hope that nearly 4000 words is enough for you! Read and review please!