Georg's POV

Georg came out of his study holding a telegram from the baroness he got over a week ago, apologizing for Maria's departure. Georg couldn't understand though, the telegram said Elsa made her leave but it didn't say why or how.

Max asked "Georg Lord you look depressed".

Georg said "I've just got a lot on my mind".

Max said "Enlighten me".

Georg and Max went in the study and closed the door. Georg showed Max the letter.

After Max finished reading it, Georg said "And I still can't figure out how she made Maria leave. I mean Maria's note said she missed her life at the abbey".

Max said "Well maybe Maria didn't want to drive a bridge between you and Elsa after all you were practically engaged".

Georg said "But then why would she lie? Why would Maria say she missed the abbey when Elsa made her leave? Or why would Elsa lie and say she made Maria leave when Maria really missed the abbey? I mean what could Elsa say or do to make Maria leave without a goodbye?"

Max said "Elsa probably told her the truth".

Georg asked "The truth?"

Max said "Yes. The whole time Elsa was here you spent time with Maria and the children. Elsa probably found it just as obvious as I found it".

Georg asked "Found what obvious?"

Max chuckled "You're joking?"

Max's eyes got big and Max said "Oh you're you're not joking?!"

Georg said "Max I'm not in the mood for one of your little riddles".

Max said "Well Georg you were in love with that lovely fraulien, I found it obvious and Elsa obviously found it obvious and decided to tell Maria".

Georg hadn't realized he pretty much abandoned Elsa since he brought her here and he hadn't realized he fell for his children's governess in the meantime. Georg thought over since he came back with Elsa and realized he hardly seen Elsa and all he saw were his children and Maria.

Max said "Georg!"

Georg said "Huh".

Max asked "What are you going to do about it?"

Georg asked "Do about what?"

Max said "Maria. I mean now you know why she really left. Are you going to confront her or not?"

Georg said "I don't know. I spent so much time burying those feelings for all I know if I saw her again, I might end up getting my heart broken".

The door opened and there stood Georg's eldest daughter who is now almost 18.

Liesl asked "Father did you say we were going to see fraulien Maria?"

Max said "Yes indeed he did. Now get ready and tell your brothers and sisters".

Liesl said "Okay".

Georg said "Max what did you do? I just said I might get my heart broken if I saw her again".

Max said "Exactly might, not definitely".

Georg was both dreading and looking forward to seeing Maria again for the first time in a little over 9 months.

Marta ran in the room with Gretl behind her. Marta asked "Is it true? Are we really going to see fraulien Maria?"

Georg said "Yes".

When Georg and the children arrived in front the abbey, Gretl asked "Do you think fraulien Maria would remember me?"

Georg said "Sure she will. Liesl ring the doorbell".

A nun answered the door "Good evening How may I help you?"

Georg said "I'm Georg von Trapp and these are my children".

The nun said "I'm sister Katherine. Come in please".

Sister Katherine said "Well I see you've all grown".

Sister Katherine asked "What can I do for you?"

Louisa said "We'd like to see fraulien Maria".

Sister Katherine said "Oh I'm sorry I can't let you do that. The last time you children came to visit her she refused to leave her room for over a month".

Brigitta said "But this is an emergency".

Sister Katherine said "Well it may be an emergency but Maria's at the abbey orphanage with the children for the day".

Maria's POV

Maria was in the orphanage's garden with the children. Andrian asked "Frau Maria what's that song you keep humming".

Laura said "Frau Maria hums a lot of songs Adrian".

Maria said "The Austrian National Anthem Edelweiss".

Laura asked "Why do you hum it so often?"

Maria thought about it and remembered how the captain had looked at her when he sang it, like he wanted her to know he was singing to her and no one else.

Henri asked "Can you teach us?"

Maria said "Alright". Maria took out her guitar and started playing and soon her voice joined in.

{Maria}

Edelweiss Edelweiss

Every morning you greet me

Small and white

Clean and bright

You look happy to meet me

Blossom-

Maria stopped singing when she saw the last 8 figures she'd expected to see again.

Erik asked "Frau Maria are you alright?"

Maria asked "Do you see anyone?"

Erik said "I see you".

Maria said "A bit further away from us".

Erik said "There's a man over there with his wife and children coming".

Maria had no idea what she would say or what she would do and they were getting closer and closer.

Gretl yelled "Fraulien!"

The orphans backed away as Gretl leaped into Maria's arms. Maria knew she couldn't resist Gretl even if she wanted to so Maria just embraced Gretl.

Maria was also surprised that it was just the captain and his children and no wife no baroness.

Soon the children crowded around Maria asking questions all at once. Maria and the captain's eyes connected just like they used to when they were in the same room.

Maria asked "What are you all doing here?!"

Liesl said "Father took us to see you at the abbey and sister Katherine told us you were here so here we are".

Maria noticed the captain looked bashful which made him look like a school boy with a crush.

The captain said "Hi fraulien".

Maria said "Hi captain".

The captain asked "Could I talk to you for a moment?"

Maria said "Oh I can't I'm watching the children".

Liesl chimed "I'll watch them for you. I'll even teach them the notes to sing".

While Maria was looking at her feet she could feel the captain's eyes watching her.

Maria said "Okay 5 minutes".

Georg's POV

Georg and Maria walked further down the garden and stood in an awkward silence.

Maria said "So you said you wanted to talk to me. So... talk".

Georg said "Well first off how've you been?"

Maria said "Good. How've you and the children been?"

Georg said "Good we're good not as good as we once were".

Maria said "Yeah well we've all been there right".

Georg said "Right. I've got some questions about that night you left".

Maria said "It's all in the letter I left, didn't you see it?"

Georg said "Yeah I saw it but I didn't get that you had to leave in the middle of the night without saying goodbye".

Maria said "I know it was terribly wrong of me. Forgive".

Georg asked "Why did you?"

Maria said "Please don't ask me".

Georg said "Then tell me".

Maria said "Because one look from the children would've changed my mind".

Georg asked "Maria do you love me?"

Maria's eyes got big and her heart began to race. Maria asked "What?"

Georg asked "Do you love me?"

Maria said "Why why would you ask me that?"

Georg said "I got a letter from Elsa last week apologizing for making you leave".

Maria said she'd tell the captain the truth on why she left if she ever saw him again but this was too soon for her.

Maria said "The baroness didn't make me leave the decision was my own she just gave me a reason to want to".

Georg said "I thought you missing the abbey was why you left?"

Maria said "It is it was".

Georg knew he was getting somewhere he didn't know where. Maria said "The five minutes are up".

Maria walked pass Georg but Georg knew he was close to finding out the truth and grabbed Maria's wrist.

Maria looked at him completely and utterly shocked. Before Maria had a chance to say anything, Georg pulled Maria closer until their lips collided and he put all the love and admiration he felt for her into that kiss.

Maria didn't know what she was doing when she wrapped her arms around Georg's neck and pulled him closer.

When Maria and Georg separated, Georg could still feel the softness of her lips, Maria could taste the whiskey on his lips.

Maria got into focus and slapped Georg and ran out the garden. Georg brought his hand not to his cheek that was stinging but to his lips Maria had kissed just a moment ago.