This is chapter eight revised once again! My goodness, I hope I've got it right this time. Thanks for all your input!
I'm also a liar. I told you one more chapter but thanks to my reviewers (and my friend Megan) there are more chapters to come. I just couldn't decide if you would be interested in reading about what happens after Elsa and Charley are married but there is definitely a story there.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Sound of Music, Maria, Georg, the Baroness, the real von Trapp's or any of the other brilliant Rogers and Hammerstein characters.
Maria:
"I don't believe it," Georg said with a hand on his head. Maria and the rest of the children looked up from their food to stare at him.
"What is it father?" Brigitta asked, softly setting her fork down.
Georg barely broke his gaze from the white paper telegram in his hands. Maria tried to look around the paper to catch her husband's expression and figure out what had caused his alarm.
"Of all the unbelievable…" he trailed off and broke his gaze from the note as if noticing his family was staring at him with blank expressions for the first time. Slowly Georg put his hands down on each side of his plate and took a deep breath.
"It's from Max," he said, and the children eyes filled with fear. Maria even felt her heart speed up a bit. Surely the Austrian government could not affect them in Switzerland.
"Uncle Max? What does it say?" Kurt ask excitedly. Maria's heart was put a little as ease when she saw Georg smile and shake his head from side to side.
"It seems he wants us all to stay with him in Zurich as he's already booked us at the Opera house for a number of months," Georg explained.
Maria was sure the children were truly excited by the news because they smiled and giggled amongst themselves.
"When dose he want us to come?" Maria asked, and she heard Marta whisper something about Maria convincing their father to let them go.
Georg picked up the note again and pulled his glasses out of his suit pocket. He used them as a magnifying glass in front of the paper.
"It doesn't specify, but the month's we are booked for are not until the fall," he replied.
Maria looked down at her food plate and used her fork to stab some more peas.
"We have to wait until Elsa gets back at the very least," Maria replied without thinking and quickly ate the peas.
"Elsa?" Louisa questioned.
"Has she gone somewhere? She was at the party just last night," Georg added. Maria swallowed hard and remembered she had promised not to tell. She looked at Georg and her children and then shrugged. They would find out sooner or later.
"Yes, that's true," Maria responded slowly, "But I believe she left today."
"Left for where?" Marta asked.
"To marry Charles Jackson," Maria said very quickly.
There was a moment of silence before the words sunk into the ears of her children. Then there was a great cheer and chattering of excitement around the dinner table. Maria looked at Georg from across the large array of food and he winked at her before putting out his hands in an attempt to quite the children. The children obeyed except for Kurt and Louisa who spoke simultaneously.
"Uncle Max will laugh so hard."
"Isn't it romantic?"
"Well," Georg began, "I suppose we will have to wait until they return. It would be quite rude of us to leave without saying goodbye."
"Goodbye?" Marta questioned again.
"Yes," Georg said looking at Maria, "Elsa will most likely live here on Charley's plantation, and we'll be all the way in Zurich."
Silence again fell over the children. The thought of going home had excited them, but Maria could see the fact they would have to leave Charley and Elsa was a disappointment.
"Come now children," Maria began with a confidant air, "We will not be that far away and we'll visit so often it will be like we never left at all."
The words seemed to lift the spirits of the children, but Maria herself felt a little saddened by the fact she probably would no longer have Thursday tea with the Baroness.
"Then it's settled," Georg said, "We go to perform like puppets for Max once Elsa and Charley return from their honeymoon."
The children all nodded and the rest of dinner was spent dreaming about Uncle Max and performing for a large audience each night in a big city. Maria's heart leapt at the thought of singing with her children and teaching them so new songs for the show.
A month went by before Maria heard any word from Elsa or Charley. A telegram finally came near the end of the summer asking not only Georg and Maria, but also all of the children, including Liesl and Jeof, to dinner at the Jackson plantation. Maria happily accepted the invitation on behalf of her family. She could hardly wait to talk to Elsa after such a long time, and to see how her friend was settling into married life.
On the drive to Charley's plantation Maria was a little apprehensive about how Elsa would take the news of the departure of the family to Zurich. Liesl and Jeof had decided to remain nearby with Katrina and the fact Elsa would still have Liesl put Maria's worries at ease if only a little. On contemplating the topic further Maria realized that she was upset by the fact she would not see Elsa so often. Elsa had become like anyone of the nuns Maria had been so close to at the Abby in Austria. She would miss Elsa in like she missed the Abby.
The family finally arrived at their destination and the children filtered out of the two cars excitedly talking amongst themselves. Although fall was approaching, the hedges and trees leading up to the main entrance of the Jackson home were still green. The smell of pine danced on the light wind that swept through the air as Georg and Maria lead the way to the front door.
Georg was about to ring the doorbell, but as he reached for it the door swung open and Charley greeted them all with a booming welcome and wide smile. The children all giggled at his behavior and they entered the house. Elsa appeared in the doorway of the adjoining room and Maria was pleased with how content she looked. Maria and Liesl both broke away from the arms of their husbands and greeted Elsa with excited hugs which she happily returned.
"I'm so glad you could come," Elsa said, looking beyond Maria and Liesl to the rest of the group.
"Thank you for inviting us Baroness," Gretl said and walked up to Elsa with a hand full of flowers. Elsa took them and beamed down at the girl.
"Thank you, my dear, they are lovely," Elsa said and lightly touched the tip of Gretl's nose with her forefinger before smelling the flowers. Gretl giggled with delight and Maria was pleased to see her children finally behaving themselves in the presence of the Baroness…and vise versa.
"I can't believe you got married," Kurt said a little disgust for Charley lacing his voice. Maria knew Kurt was at the age in which girls had kooties and the boy idolized Charley for being a bachelor. Charley bent down and put a steady hand on Kurt's shoulder.
"Take a look at my wife, and say that again," Charley replied.
Kurt brought his eyes around to Elsa and then crinkled his nose and shook his head. Everyone in the room laughed, no one louder than Charley, as Kurt lifted his eyebrows in bewilderment. Maria saw Elsa smiled fondly at her husband, a smile Maria often gave Georg.
"Shall we adjourn to the patio, it is such a nice day out," Elsa suggested as she began to usher everyone through the house. Once outside the children went to their favorite play spots at Charley's plantation as Maria, Georg, Liesl, Jeof and the Jackson's pulled up chairs around the patio table.
"So how does it feel to be Baroness Jackson now, Elsa," Liesl asked, as she took Katrina from Jeof's outstretched arms.
Georg put an arm around Maria shoulder and winked at her before Elsa gave an answer. Maria ducted her head, as she found Georg absolutely irresistible when showed his love for her in such simple yet endearing ways.
"The Baroness Jackson," Elsa began, her hand taking Charley's, "Is the worst possible name I could have ended up with. Baroness Shraeder is much more refined and elegant. Jackson sounds like the name of a mule."
Maria caught the quick slyly playful look that Elsa sent in Charley's direction. Charley turned his gaze on Elsa.
"Heaven help you with the trials you must endure," Charley said and received a laugh from his wife.
"Elsa, what do you think of the name Baroness von Trapp, is it elegant and refined? You know, that is what most people call Maria, since the first day we were married." Georg said.
Maria tensed up at the subject. She had hoped she could avoid the topic entirely and bask in the happiness Charley and Elsa had found. Maria knew Georg had always been bothered by the fact that Elsa refused to acknowledge Maria's title.
Elsa laughed at Georg's question but then eyed him cautious as if to tell whether he was serious.
"The von Trapp name has always been elegant and refined," Elsa replied. Maria knew she was choosing her words carefully.
"Well," Georg continued, putting his hand on Maria's under the table as if to steady her nerves, "There is a Baroness von Trapp and I think it's high time to recognized it."
Maria watched Elsa's reaction carefully, as did the rest of the people sitting around the table. Elsa lifted an eyebrow and glanced from Georg to Maria, over to Liesl and Jeof and back to Charley. Everyone waited silently for her reply. To the surprise of all Elsa began to laugh. She laughed and laughed and laughed as everyone, except Charley, exchanged confused expressions.
"What is so funny Elsa?" Maria asked, her voice as strained as her nerves. The Baroness took a moment to compose herself as she used a napkin to brush away her tears of laughter.
"Oh, Maria," Elsa said, stifling a few more chuckles, "The entire situation is funny, after all is said and done."
Maria was still not sure what to make of Elsa's reaction. Was she mocking Maria or was she simply laughing at the irony of it all? Elsa's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Of course," she began looking directly at Maria, "I must have been a demon to you. I will accept you are Baroness von Trapp. It's the least I can do after all you've done for me."
Elsa began to laugh again.
"Georg, your scolding serves me right for treating Maria the way I did. I should have known better. You are such a bright shinning light Maria as bright as any Baroness I have ever met."
With an immense sigh of relief Maria finally felt herself smile again. Georg released her hand from under the table and gave her a reassuring look as if he knew all along things would work out.
"What is not so good, Elsa," Liesl piped up, "Is that mother and father are moving to Zurich to perform for Max at the Opera house."
Maria saw the smiles on both Elsa and Charley's faces fade away.
"You must visit more than you have in the past, Georg," Charley commanded. Georg smiled devilishly with a nod at the women around the table.
"Do you think we could keep them away from each other even if we tried?" He questioned. Laughter again filled the fresh pine air.
"Jeof and I are staying, Baroness," Liesl said. Maria saw Elsa looked at the oldest von Trapp daughter with excitement.
"That is wonderful Liesl," Elsa responded, "We will have to continue Thursday tea even with out your mother." The two smiled and Maria sat up a little.
"I can see it is I who will be missing out," Maria sulked.
"I wouldn't feel to badly, Baroness von Trapp," Elsa replied, "You still have five lovely children to keep you entertained while you are entertaining."
Maria thought she heard a hint of sadness in Elsa voice, but she shrugged it off as her imagination.
"Mr. Jackson," Jeof said, his voice a little shy, "I've never been to your plantation and I was wondering if I might have a tour?"
"Please, call me Charley—"
"Charles," Elsa corrected and received a smirk from her husband.
"Of course I'll give you a tour, if the Mrs. will allow me," Charley continued ignoring Elsa's correction. Elsa lifted her chin and her features turned to playful ice.
"Only if you never refer to me as 'the Mrs.' again," Elsa stated. Charley kissed her hand and Georg and Jeof excused themselves to follow their host.
No sooner had they left than Maria and Liesl began quizzing Elsa about her honeymoon, the wedding, and the other girly details of Elsa's trip. Maria noticed that while Elsa told each story with flair something was bothering her. They had been friends long enough for Maria to know when Elsa had something she needed to talk about.
"The Acropolis was nothing but a bunch of old dusty rocks. Charley found them fascinating but I found the dinning much more entertaining," Elsa stated with an air of elitism. Liesl was looking on, completely entertained by the story of the Grecian islands, but Maria knew it was getting late and that the men would be back soon.
"What is bothering you Elsa?" Maria asked.
Liesl and Elsa both seemed surprised by the suddenness of the question.
"Whatever do you mean?" Elsa responded.
Maria knew they had no time for Elsa's evasive ways. Maria sighed irritably and gave Elsa a hard stare. The Baroness' features became solemn as she inhaled deeply.
"I can't keep things from you, can I Maria?" Elsa said. Maria smiled and the Baroness seemed to cheer up a little.
"I'm afraid not," Maria replied.
Elsa leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands together on the table in front of her.
"Well," she began, looking from Maria to Liesl, "I'm not sure you can help me with this but…There is a subject that Charles and I have yet to discuss and I'm not very sure how to bring it up."
"What is it?" Liesl questioned.
Maria could tell her daughter was intent on offering what advice she could. Elsa hesitated before answering. She fidgeted in her chair, which Maria had only ever seen her do once before, that day when Charley had gazed longingly at her over tea.
"Charles told me, before we were married, that he wanted to have children. He said he didn't mind if we adopted but…well, I'm not sure how to…" Elsa trailed off.
Liesl's face took on a smug look of indignant annoyance.
"If you can't talk to us about it you most certainly won't be able to talk to him," Liesl informed.
Maria could tell by Elsa's dropping mouth she was a bit alarmed. In spite of Elsa's reaction Maria smiled. She may be moving back to Austria, but Maria knew Elsa would be in good hands with Liesl.
"What would you suggest?" Elsa questioned Liesl.
"I would suggest," Liesl began putting a hand under her chin, "Walking up to your husband and saying, I want to have a baby, what do you think about that?"
Elsa smiled sadly.
"I can't say that," she told Liesl.
"Why not?" Liesl demanded dropping her hand to the table as if Elsa had said the most ridiculous thing the girl had ever heard.
"Because it is not proper for a lady to talk of such things."
"He is your husband, Elsa, if you can't talk to him who else is there?" Maria questioned. Liesl and Maria both looked at Elsa with stern eyes.
"I suppose you're right," Elsa said, giving in reluctantly. Elsa seemed to mellow during the rest of the conversation and it was not long before the children began wandering back to the house from their various activities.
Dinner was served and Maria and the rest of her family said goodbye to the Jackson's with full stomachs and happy smiles. On the drive home Maria reflected that, aside from leaving her friends and moving to Zurich, this was one of the few moments in life when everyone and everything was perfect.