Getting to know you

Maria woke after a horrible night sleep even though she enjoyed her time with Liesl the night before, talking about her romance, her siblings and her father, Maria asked these questions to help her break the ice a bit with the girl, she felt relieved, when it did and to have made a friend at last. One of the questions she did ask, was why her father treated them all like he did, Liesl explained making her feel sorry for her and her siblings, their father Maria was unsure of, he was a different man in front of his children he was strict and distant, but she noticed when the children were not around, he had a scene of humour and not the kind of man who would treat his children like this. There was something about him she couldn't place but she still didn't feel sorry for him, after all because of him, she was now stuck in this situation. She was still hurting after what her uncle had done, and this was not going to go away, but she would never turn on anyone especially children. Maria saw the hurt with them all, even the captain, even though he covered it up very well, this just added another name to her list pig-headed.

After breakfast the children faced their father, with his punishment before he left, they were told they would have no allowance for a month, to do extra studies, fruit dessert only after meals, and they were also banned from going their friend's birthday party down the road, which was tomorrow. Leaving his children and walking out to the car, what was now packed and waiting for his trip, he stopped when his father shouted to him coming back from his morning walk, asking Georg, if he had a word with the children about their behaviour last night and about Maria, Georg laugh at this and told him a quick yes and then no, before getting into his car and driving off.

Alfred watched his son drive though the gates without a look back, Alfred turned to go back into the house, as closing the door he was greeted by Maria coming down the stairs, slow in her pace and not very cheery, well who could blame her, he thought to himself. They exchange a quick look and smile, they carried down the stairs to the foyer, with Alfred asking how she slept, and her answering with a fine, now walking towards the children which were still in the same spot their father had just left them, their grandfather noticed their gloomy face's, and tried to cheer them up with one of his bad jokes, but it didn't work. At least not with the children, Maria on the other hand, came out with a giggle, and leaving Alfred to comment; well at least someone likes my bad jocks around here, Alfred noticed he was wasting his time, trying to cheer them up so he left it at that. Alfred then turned to Maria and asked if she was ready for town and that he would get Franz to give her a lift. She was ready, but she really wanted to walk it being a lovely day again, she felt like she still needed to adjust, Maria took a look at the children and then their grandfather suggesting to him if the children may accompany her it town, with a look of shock from all bar Liesl, who knew after last night she would enjoy a shopping trip in town with her new friend. Alfred walked Maria to the other end of the room out of earshot of the children and whispering to her if she was sure, Maria turned and looked at them all, then back to Alfred, smiled and said; "yes I'm quite sure".

Maria sent the children up to their rooms, telling them to change out of their uniforms, with it being way too hot to wear them, and put on some simple cloths. So they did, but Friedrich and Louisa needed to talk with their eldest sister and now, they knocked on Liesl door and with a come in, they entered;

Liesl; "what's wrong I thought we were all meeting back down stairs when ready?"

Friedrich; "we need to talk to you"

Louisa; "yes to ask, what our next plan of action is"

Liesl; "plan of action, oh I see, well… I been thinking… maybe Maria's not so bad after all"

Friedrich and Louisa; "MARIA"

Louisa; "since when has she been known as Maria, Liesl, mm"

With Friedrich; nodding his head wanting an answer too".

Liesl; "well… last night we talked …and well… you know she really is a nice person when you get to know her"

Louisa; "I don't want to get to know her…she not taking my mother place and that's finale"

Friedrich; still nodding his head agreeing with Louisa

Liesl; "I don't think she wants to, all last night we talked about everything and anything, she gave me some advice too, which is exactly what I've needed sin…

since mother died"

Louisa "you see…she's already done it"

Liesl; "done what?"

Louisa; "taken mother place, your already taking advice from her, as if she was your mother"

Liesl; "don't talk stupid, it wasn't anything like that, it was more… sisterly advice."

Louisa; "you have sisters to go too"

Liesl; "I mean an older sister"

Louisa; "I don't care, I still don't like her"

Friedrich still watching he knew this argument was about to get out of control.

Liesl; "well I do…. And if you do anything to make her leave… when I'V finely got someone to talk to… I'll..."

Louisa; "you'll what?"

That was it the girls ended up in a scarp, Friedrich trying to separate them gave up and went to get help; returning with his grandfather and Maria, Friedrich standing with his other siblings in the doorway, watching in horror at their sister's fighting, Alfred went for Louisa knowing she's the worst of the two, being in a lot of fights at school when anyone would start on her or sibling, even down to boys, she'd always be the first on scene, but not the first to get hurt. As Maria grabbed Liesl and tried to calm her down asking what caused it, both girls would not answer, Maria knowing that these two were not going to hang each other, she turned to Freidrich, and asked him to explain, but he wouldn't. Alfred knowing that none of them was going to tell, he then suggested that the girls will stay with him, but the others could go along, but Maria was 'not having any of it, it was all or none. Only after the girls were made too promised no more fighting, and if they step out of line one more time today, that they will have chores as long as their arm for a month, they be able to go to town . Even though he also knew about Georg punishment towards the children, he still thought this was a nice way for them all to get to know one another, and it might stop the children's behaviour, so overlooking last night, and his sons punishment, plus the fact Maria being very persistent he Watched them leave, he had to smile to him when he saw the two little one's quickly grab hold of Maria hands, and were very excited about their outing.

After Maria was kitted out with a few new cloths, more to her style of likening and with Liesl help, they were done, noticing it was time for lunch they all stopped off at a café, this was really were Maria was able to get to get to know the children, she listened to what their interest are, and what they would love to do while on their school holidays. Maria noticed that Louisa had no intension to get involved with the conversation's, so she just left her be. After lunch and knowing they had a long walk back to the villa they set off. While Maria was still unsettled about Louisa, she asked Liesl to walk a head with the others, so she could have a talk with Louisa, with Liesl understanding that her sister also needed someone to talk, she did.

Maria holding back so that Louisa would come a long side her, started to talk:

Maria; "we'll have you enjoyed today"

Louisa; "it was all right"

Maria; "yes… much better then to be in doors all day"

Maria; "Louisa… would you like to tell me what's bothering you"

Louisa; "you"

Maria; "me... we'll… err… what exactly"

Louisa; "I don'twant you to be our new mother"

Maria; "what gives you the idea that I will be" knowing the children do not know the situation.

Louisa; "father, he introduced you yesterday as a friend"

Maria; "yes he did"

Louisa; "he never introduces his friends to us especially women"

Maria; "oh, I see… we'll the thing is… I'm a niece to a friend of your grandparents… and err… we'll I'm just staying here for a while, just visiting really."

sort of lying, but trying to put Louisa at ease

Louisa; "so… you're not really a friend of father's?"

Maria; "no, not really"

Louisa; "so you two are not an item"

Maria; "no, were not," Maria knowing she is to marry him against her own will and his too, by the sound of his quick conversation with his mother yesterday,

Maria couldn't really call them that, not even a friend, with them not even knowing one another.

Louisa; "so… you're not trying to take my mother's place"

Maria; "Louisa, listen to me, no matter what happens, no one will ever take the place of your mother, that I do understand… but if your father was ever to marry again, that woman would be become your new mother… but only though marriage, no one can ever take away a bonded between a birth mother and her child, no matter what happens."

Louisa; "I understand, it's just with hearing what fathers been up to these last few years, I thought that… maybe he wanted to… we'll forget her."

Maria; "Louisa, you should never listen to rumours, I wouldn't believe everything you hear, and I doubt your father will ever want to replace her." putting her hand on Louisa shoulder and turning her towards her, Maria gave Louisa a comforting smile, just to show that she too understands and that Louisa could go to Maria whenever she needed to. Maria looking up to see how far the others were said:

Maria; "I err… think we'd best catch the others up, what do you say to a race?"

Louisa; "a race… you"

Maria; "and: why not me"?

Louisa; "well you're not really err… a kid are you?"

Maria; "oh really, well I have news for you young lady, it's not just a kid… who knows how to run you know,"

making Louisa giggle and getting ready to take off,

with Maria shouting, "GO".

After returning to the villa, having dinner and telling their grandparents about their day, with Louisa finishing off telling them about her race with Maria. This upsetting their grandmother, because of Maria not acting very ladylike, she gave Maria a look that was to sat she is not amused, it was time for bed so they started to head up, but not before Marta asked Maria to come and tuck her in, and maybe read them a story, which she expected. After saying goodnight to the children, she was ready for bed herself, so she went to wish Georg parents good night and headed for her bed. Maria lay in bed thinking of the day she had with the children, she felt great knowing she become friends with them, but still knew she had a long way to go to get their trust. Lying their thinking about Louisa telling her about her mother, she felt her own pain again losing her parents was terrible, but having know one to share this with was worst, she never had anyone to talk too after her parents death and so wanted to, 'but who', she thought. Then came a knock on the door, and with a come in, it opened she saw Liesl standing there, Liesl wanting to know if they could talk some more, and Maria being happy to do so, told the girl to come in and get comfy.

I would like to thank you for the reviews, I'm really happy you like how it's going, thank you so much. Thanks to my reader toons27 for some new ideas you given me i will get them in soon, maybe the next chapter, and thank to lovejulie35 for correcting me in my last chapter, which yes i have now corrected. also thank you to those who have added me to their alerts, i never thought i get that,lol.

please keep reviewing, and let me no if their is anything at all i should do or any ideas to put in, it means a lot to get the story go the way you would like. :) :)