To you, my Suzette! Because I know TSOM is one of your favourite things and ... when you're feeling sad, simply remember your favourite things and then you won't feel so bad! Thinking of you every second xXx

Ever since she had come back to the abbey, she had not been able to stop thinking about the children. The way she left, without saying goodbye. And, she had to admit, she had been thinking about the Captain too. He probably got very mad when discovering she had ran away, and had only left a simple letter:

Dear children, Dear Captain,

I am truly sorry, but this life doesn't seem to be made for me. I have been missing the abbey too much, so I have decided to leave.

Sincerely,

Fraulein Maria

Sincerely? She could have said "with love". Because she did loved them. What those children had been through reminded her of her own childhood. When she was 6 and lost her mother, she was devastated. And instead of helping her get through, her father left her to some cousin and left the country. Having to cope with everything alone is something she didn't want to happen to anyone. So when she saw how sad and lonely those children were, she felt it was her duty to help them enjoy life again. And to make their father care about them again, too. It was not easy at first. The Captain hated her lack of discipline, and the children didn't feel like welcoming another governess. But after a few tricks, they found out they could have a great time all together. She taught them music: they had a gift! They learned so fast, even little Gretl, she was so proud of them.

She had been walking around her tiny room for hours. On her second day back at the abbey, she had told the Reverend Mother that she wished to be in seclusion. Even though she was aware that it wouldn't last for long. The Reverend Mother knew her too well, it was just a matter of hours before she discovered what was wrong.

It was not easy at first, but Maria eventually faced the fact that indeed something was wrong. Not at all with the children, she loved them so much. But something was wrong – or maybe too right – between her and the captain. She couldn't really explain it, even to herself, but when dancing with him, she felt something she had never felt before. It was a wonderful and breathtaking feeling. She felt so happy, and yet it scared her. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable, especially when she noticed that the Baroness Shraeder was looking at them. And how stupid she felt when Brigitta made her realise that she was blushing.

She slowly walked out of her room, and went down to the church. She feared the Reverend Mother's reaction if she told her about her dilemma. After all, she was meant to be a nun and her love for a man would be a sin. She was not certain that it was love that she was feeling, simply because she did not know what it was like to be in love. But she knew she was sad, and missed the life at the Von Trapp villa. So, it was better to avoid the Reverend Mother. There were only a couple of nuns in the church at this time of the day, and it was probably the most peaceful place to go to ease her mind. And it is inside that church that she would find the only one able to answer all her questions: God.

She prayed with all her heart, and after a while:

"Maria?"

"Yes, Sister Margareta?"

"Sorry to interrupt, but the Reverend Mother has been looking for you."

The Reverend Mother? Looking for her? Maria thought she would find out soon enough, but not SO soon.

"We couldn't find you, so I remembered what the Reverend Mother once said about you: that we should look where you don't usually go. That's why I came here, because most of the time when you feel like praying you don't come to the church, you just wander around some hills."

She made her way to the Reverend Mother's office. She was there, obviously waiting for her.

"Maria my child, I still don't know what made you come back. And the Captain Von Trapp doesn't seem to know either. He is waiting in the backyard, and wishes to talk to you."