Weakness and strength

As Max and Alfred arrived back at the villa, they were bombarded with questions from Elsa and the children about Maria and their father, and also uncle's Max nose. They answered some things leaving out the dramatic advents while leading them back into the house; Liesl didn't believe any of it. Alfred told the children to go and play, while the adults relax for a bit, they did. Alfred, Max, Elsa and Liesl all headed for the sitting room, upon entering Alfred wasn't at all shocked to see his wife there, in all the years he known her, she would never do what anyone said. He walked towards the drinks cabinet pouring a drink, and waited till everyone was seated to explain, about Maria, Georg and their whereabouts. Elizabeth started to speak:

Elizabeth: "how is she?" concerned for Maria

Alfred: "why do you care?" in a low but angry voice

Elizabeth: "Alfred, please, tell me" she snapped

Alfred: "why should I tell you?" he snapped back

Elizabeth: "I care for the girl" with sympathy in her voice

Alfred: "care… you only care for yourself Elizabeth" raising his voice

Elizabeth: "I deserved that" lowering her head in shame

Alfred: "you deserve a lot more" walking towards her

Liesl interrupted the two, walking between them and with a "please", then turning to her grandfather, asking him to explain. He and Max started to explain everything, right up to when they left the hospital, they said, the doctor wanted to keep an eye on Maria for a couple of days, due to her injures and her being very weak. Georg was saying her, along with her aunt, but what they all didn't know was outside the door, were Liesl's siblings, they heard everything, and were now scared of losing Maria, the little ones were in tears. The children quickly made their way to Liesl's room, and waited for her to comfort them, like she always did before Maria arrived, which wasn't long and as she entered and saw her siblings, she walked over to the bed which three were already on, waved for the others to join, and then they all curled up together on the bed, just as they did when their mother had died, not speaking just holding each other tight, waiting for news.

At the hospital, Georg sat at the side of Maria's bed; she'd been waking and falling back off to sleep. She had some bruises on her face, but not as bad as on her stomach and back. She hadn't got any broken bones, but these were still painful, the doctors wanted to keep an eye on her, with her being weak and going through a terrible deal, physically and mentally. Aderline sat on the other side of the bed, looking completely guilty.

Aderline: "I'd never forgive myself, if anything had happened to her" she said out of the blue, Georg looked at her, then back at Maria. Aderline continued;

Aderline: "Maria has always been like a daughter to me, but one I couldn't protect, as much as I wanted"

Georg: "why didn't you leave him, when all this started?"

Aderline: "and where would I have gone? I had nothing, no friends, no family, no money, nothing, he would have found us anyway, brought us back, or worse"

Georg: "why didn't you go to the police?"

Aderline: "because, they would never listen, Hans had friends there, and on top of that he was known for looking after his family well"

Georg: "you could have shown them the marks"

Aderline: "I was scared"

Georg left it at that, understanding that the woman was afraid, and also alone. Maria started to wake, tossing and trying to get comfortable, Georg and her aunt got from their seats quickly to try and help, Maria asked for a drink of water and Aderline went to get it. Maria tried to ask some questions, but the captain just kept saying not to worry and that she was safe. Maria now sitting halfway up against the pillows, noticed Georg face- he had a split lip and a bruise on his cheek bone, he was now sitting on the side of the bed, but still fussing with the pillows and blankets. Maria raised her hand to his cheek and asked what had happened, Georg took her hand from his cheek, and tenderly kissed the palm, saying he had an argument with a door, but smiling. Maria knowing she wasn't going get any sense out of him, shook her head, looking up at the ceiling and then back at Georg with a smile. Aderline returned with the water and asked Maria how she felt, Maria said: "sore, with a bit of pain." The painkillers the doctor had given her had helped a lot.

The three sat for a while in silence, Maria not feeling like going back to sleep, sat thinking, she wanted some question answered and now.

Maria: "where are they?" grabbing Georg and her aunt's attention

Georg "who?" knowing who she was talking about, but trying to avoid the subject, he thought she'd been though enough for one day instead of worrying over Hans and Danny. Maria knowing full well what Georg was playing, turned to her aunt.

Maria: "well?"

Aderline looked at Maria and then at Georg not knowing what to do or even say, she agreed with the captain, she too didn't want Maria worrying over them, but she also understood that if it was her, she wanted to know.

Aderline: "back at the farm"

Maria: "mmm" she lay back, with now the look of worry all the way across her face, as if scared that they might come back and finish the job. Georg took hold of Maria's hand, she looked towards him, and looking into each other's eye's Georg said:

Georg "don't you worry about them, I promise you, no one… is ever going to hurt you again" giving her hand a squeeze.

Aderline watched the two, she could tell there was something between the two, and hoped that what ever happened, the two would be very happy.

In the couple of days that passed, Georg stayed with Maria all the time while at the hospital refusing to leave, so Max or Alfred brought him a new change of clothes, and also picked Aderline up at night taking her to the villa to rest, but bringing her back in the morning. One morning Aderline walked in with her hands fall along with Max, there were flowers, balloons, chocolates, get well cards from everyone at the villa, but the one thing that really hit Maria's heart was the children, they all made their own get-well cards, pictures and even clay modals of the Untersberg, one of the things she loved very much. Maria ended up with tears in her eyes, but with a comforting hug and a few words from Georg they were soon gone.

Maria have been in hospital for five days that morning when the doctor came to check her over, he was happy to give her the good news, the news that she'd been begging for since she first woke, he discharged her, but under conditions she is to take it very easy, and with a nod from Maria, and firm answer from the captain saying "I can guarantee she will, even if I have to lock her in her room" which now caused Maria to look at the captain wide eyed to see if he was joking, this caused the doctor to laugh and then left the room. Georg watched the doctor leave and then turned back to Maria, who was still staring at him, Georg gave her a smile, and then said,

Georg: "I won't… as long as you are good" winking at her

Maria: "you wouldn't dare" crossing her arms in front of her playfully

Georg: "don't bet on that. I don't intend ending with you coming back here, so you will do what you're told, do you understand ,Fraulein?" serious but also playfully back.

Maria: "yes sir" she saluted him, with a smile.

Georg; "mm"

They started collecting the things,to be ready to leave as soon as Max and Aderline arrived. When they did, they were very happy that Maria had been discharged, so they headed back to the villa happily. As soon as they arrived, Maria was helped out of the car by Georg. She heard singing and she knew straight away who it was. The children. They were round the back singing "My favourite things". Maria couldn't help it she needed to see them and quick; she walked as quickly as she could to the front doors, down the stairs, through the foyer and out the back door, being followed by Georg, Max and Aderline. When Maria got on the terrace she watched the children for a moment, noticing how sad they looked and sounded. Elsa, Alfred and Elizabeth had not noticed Maria yet, not till she started to join the children in song, and started to walk towards them. The children saw her, and ran towards Maria, still singing they all embraced, laughing, pulling faces, Maria tickling the little ones, and all still singing.

Everybody had made their way around the table now on the terrace. Alfred and Elsa had raised quick from their seats to welcome Maria back, Elizabeth didn't dare to move or even speak, she could see the faded bruises still on Maria's face, and it made her sick to think this was all her fault. Maria noticed Elizabeth staring at her, and Georg too engrossed with the children didn't even know his mother was there till Maria spoke:

Maria: "is there something wrong baroness?" Georg now moving towards Maria speaking;

Georg; "I thought I told you to leave" Maria turned to Georg as he was just about to pass her grabbing his upper arm to stop him going any further.

Elizabeth: "yes you did… I just wanted to apologise to Maria… for everything I did and said to you" while rising from her seat and walking towards Maria standing in front of her, with tears now forming in her eyes.

Georg: "I told you the other day…" Maria stopped him by squeezing his hand

Maria: "apology accepted, baroness" but saying it, standing tall, and with grace.

Maria: "now, who wants to have some.." turning towards the children, but now she was stopped by someone grabbing her arm and turning her round;

Georg: "you… are supposed to be taking it easy" putting his hands on her shoulders

Maria: "oh captain… I've taken it easy for five days…I don't think I need any more rest" Maria looking up playfully like she did back in the hospital, the children all catching on quick, with knowing her game, it was what she always used to get her own way.

Georg: "are you disobeying me… again, Faurlein"? Saying firm; also trying to hold back a smile; that was creeping up on his face.

Maria: "me? Never" now mocking him

Georg: "good… because I still stick to what I said back in that hospital, and if I have to lock you up, till I know you are fit and healthy… I will do just that" standing in front of her now very close, raising his hand and touching the end of her nose with his finger, causing them to smile and the children to giggle. Maria knew that this time she'd lost, but it wouldn't last long.

WELL ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU ALL FOR MY REVIEWS, LOVE THEM

THANK YOU TO MY PEN PA,L WHO HAS CHANGE THE NAME ON HER,E TO INDIGIGIRL FOR CORRECTING ME ONCE AGAIN :) :) :) :)

I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE THIS ONE, :) :)

AND PLEASE DO KEEP REVIEWING AND GIVING ME YOUR IDEAS, I'LL TRY AND MAKE THEM GOOD. :) :) :) :)