She was walking on air. She should have been exhausted from the little amount of sleep she had the night before, but she was so high on life that her energy levels were through the roof. After they professed their love, the Captain had walked her back to her bedroom, kissed her once more, and left her with a breathtaking smile; a smile that was burned into her eyelids as she slept.

She and the children were working on the new puppet show when suddenly the Captain appeared in the doorway. She met his eyes and smiled, glad to see him at such an unexpected time. Normally she didn't see him at all between breakfast and lunch, and it made her heart sing.

"Hello Captain." The children looked up to where he stood, greeting him with excitement about the progress they were making with the puppet show.

"Fraulein, may I have a word with you, please?" She nodded and stood from the floor where she sat sewing puppet costumes, following him out the door of the ballroom. Before she had a chance to ask what he needed, he pressed a kiss to her lips, pulling her close by her waist. She sighed, immediately responding to his lips.

"Someone will see." She pulled away, only to have him pull her closer and finish what he started. When he was satisfied, he released her lips with a small 'pop' and stepped away to straighten his tie.

"It's my house, let them all see." His words came in a whisper, and she felt a chill run down her spine at the knowledge that he didn't care at all if he was caught kissing her. She gave him a soft smile. "I'm going into town for a few things. Would you like to accompany me?"

"Just you and me? What about the children?"

"Frau Schmidt agreed to watch them while we're away. Besides, I thought you would want to say goodbye to your Reverend Mother before she expects you to return." Her heart dropped. She knew she had to speak to Reverend Mother, but she hadn't yet felt the inclination to actually make the plan to do so.

"Are you afraid I'll change my mind?" She smiled, trying to make a joke of it, but he could easily see her nerves.

"No, I think you meant what you said last night. It's best to solidify it so I can profess my love for you to the whole world." He kissed her once more, and she smiled.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

"Wonderful. Go get yourself ready, and I'll tell the children." She nodded and rushed upstairs to change into a more appropriate dress.

As he drove them into town, she couldn't help but look at him with a silly smile on her face. His hand grasped hers between them, and she couldn't believe the reality of what was happening to her. The top of the car down, her hair blowing in the warm breeze, she could not think of a more perfect moment.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" She laughed, of course he would notice.

"Honestly, I can't believe any of this is real." He chuckled, bringing her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time, actually. Ever since the moment I saw you."

"Such a lie! You were very displeased with me the first time you saw me." He smiled, looked to her quickly before focusing his eyes back to the road.

"Yes I was, but your eyes haunted my dreams that night. I'm afraid you've been on my mind every day since." She felt herself melting a bit at his confession, even though she still had trouble believing him.

"You mean to tell me that a poorly dressed, plain-looking postulant has been driving you mad this whole time?" She laughed a bit.

"The dress was terrible, I must agree. But you've always been breathtakingly beautiful to me." She looked out the window at his words, not sure how to respond. "Maria, have I upset you?"

"Oh no, of course not, it's very nice to hear. I've just never been called that before."

"Never?"

"Well, no. Not a lot of compliments thrown around in my life, I'm afraid. Besides, vanity is frowned upon at the Abbey." She attempted a joke, but it fell flat. She didn't want to have a serious conversation with him, she wanted to enjoy the day together.

"Brigitta tells me your parents died when you were very young. What was your childhood like?"

"Oh, my uncle and aunt took me in. He very much didn't want to, but I lived with them on their farm until I was old enough to be on my own. I was quite happy to leave."

"You were happy to leave. Was he cruel to you?" She moved uncomfortably, turning to look at him once more. His fingers were still gently holding her own.

"This is what we're doing, then?" He seemed surprised. Looking over to her.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You've realized that we don't know each other's pasts very well, and you've chosen now to dig in. We could be enjoying a lovely time together." She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms, looking out the window again. She didn't mean to push him away like that, she simply did not want to talk about her life before the Abbey. It had been a difficult road getting to where she was, and looking back always made her feel too much darkness.

"I'm so sorry. I had no intention of upsetting you. I really am just trying to know you better." She sighed, trying to stop herself from putting up her walls completely. It was obviously a sore subject for her, but she knew there was no way for him to know that. Silence filled the air, and she knew it was her fault.

"Yes, he was incredibly cruel. I...clearly have trouble talking about that part of my life."

"We don't have to right now, I will never push you." She smiled, her love for him outweighing the memories.

"I apologize."

"Thank you, but you never have to apologize with me either." He offered his hand to her once more, and she took it, smiling.

"What about you?"

"I'm afraid my life story isn't any more lovely. Im sure the children have told you what they know of my war days and their mother." She nodded, remembering the day that Freidrick had opened up to her about his aspiration to be like his father. "My father died when I was four, my brother died in the World War, and my mother and sister, Hede, live in Korneuburg. I don't see them often."

"Why so much distance?"

"When Agathe passed away, I moved to Aigen. I shut everyone out, and I'm afraid the relationship with my mother and Hede suffered as well. We do still write often enough."

They continued speaking about their lives, sharing bits and pieces of things that otherwise would've been left unspoken. She told him about how she went to school to be a teacher, and he told her of some of his experiences in war. It wasn't until they pulled up outside the Abbey that she realized the ride into town was over. Though it got off to a rocky start, she wasn't ready for their conversation to end.

"I'm nervous about what she'll say." She looked toward the Abbey, wishing she had rehearsed the conversation a little more.

"You think she'll disapprove?"

"No, not necessarily. I almost feel like she'll be relieved to get me out of her hair, honestly." He laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders for a moment of comfort.

"You'll do fine, Maria." He pulled her in for a quick kiss, lingering just for a moment, before giving her a gentle smile. "I love you."

And with his words, she found all the confidence she didn't think she had.