There was a quiet tapping on the door.
"Ave," Mother Abbess called gently, happy to have a break from the abbey's never-ending list of practical matters to deal with.
"Reverend Mother," It was Sister Margaretta's gentle voice. But there was a tinge of something else in her tone. It made the older woman's head shoot up.
"Yes?"
Sister Margaretta smiled. "Maria has returned…again."
That was quick. The Reverend Mother closed her book and sighed. "Very well, bring her in."
Sister Margaretta paused. "Well, she's not alone," she said and stepped aside. She smiled at someone outside and gestured toward the office.
Mother Abbess's eyes widened as Maria entered, followed closely by a handsome man who looked to be about forty. A man with a dignified air and a strong sense of self. A man who had been decorated by the Emperor and was a highly esteemed member of Salzburg society. A man who was gazing at her postulant with complete devotion.
Captain von Trapp.
"Reverend Mother," Maria said, smiling as she released the Captain's hand and practically skipped to Mother Abbess. The young woman knelt before her and kissed her ring. The older woman looked over at the Captain; his smile was soft.
She placed her hand atop Maria's head. "You've returned, my child. Again," she said.
Rising, Maria stepped back and looked at her companion and then back to Mother Abbess. "Reverend Mother, this is Captain von Trapp," she said, her voice breathless.
A bit of nervousness fell over the man as he stepped forward. He seemed unsure of the proper way to greet her.
She extended her hand. "It is an honor to meet you, Captain," she said.
He smiled and shook her hand. "Likewise. I thank you for agreeing to see us with no notice."
She waved for them to sit. "My door is open to my postulants." Her eyes flickered between the two. "What brings you back to us, Maria?"
Maria's cheeks flushed, and she practically fell into her chair. "I…I did as you instructed, Reverend Mother."
"And did you get your answer, my child?"
The young woman turned to the Captain, her smile radiant. "Yes."
The Reverend Mother's chest tightened, and she remained silent.
The Captain cleared his throat and turned to face her. "I should thank you for answering my request for a governess," he began, and his hands started to fidget. "And I must ask your permission, Madam."
Mother Abbess's eyes widened. "Permission?"
He stood up straighter. "I request your blessing on my proposal of marriage to Maria." Next to him, Maria's eyes brightened, and she held her breath.
The Reverend Mother sat back, smiling. "Of course," she said softly. "I am delighted."
"Oh Mother!" Maria exclaimed.
"My daughter, did you think I would disapprove?"
"Well, no, but…"
Mother Abbess shook her head. "You have been searching for a long time, Maria. And I have been praying that you find the life you are born to live." She looked at the Captain, who met her gaze directly. He gave a slight nod, and the older woman's lips curved upward as she turned back to her former postulant. "I could not be happier for you."
Maria exhaled and exchanged a quick smile with the Captain before turning back. "May I…"
"Yes, my child?"
The Captain reached over and took his fiancée's hand. Maria took another breath. "May I stay here at the abbey? Until the wedding?"
A twinge tugged at Mother Abbess's heart. She knew Maria's past. "Of course, my dear."
"I can wake up early again, and join everyone for Lauds…. Well maybe not Lauds but Prime….maybe," Maria offered. "And I can resume my duties as - "
The Reverend Mother waved her hand. "My daughter, you are our guest now," she assured her. "You may join us for prayers, of course." She nodded at the Captain. "But I believe your days will be filled with planning your wedding. And also… getting adjusted to your new society."
Maria's eyes widened. She hadn't thought of that. "Oh… yes."
The Captain squeezed her hand. "I assure you, Maria, this will be a joyous time for you."
Mother Abbess nodded. "As it should be," she said. Her gaze lingered on the Captain, knowing Maria was about to enter not only into a new vocation, but an entirely new social sphere. Maria, who had grown up humbly and brokenly, was about to become a Baroness. She was going to be thrust into a world that could be just as cruel as the one she'd been raised in, although in different ways. While the Reverend Mother had no doubt Maria was meant to be part of the Von Trapp family, she knew the young woman was about to face some very new challenges.
But as she studied the Captain, a man whose reputation was well known even to her in the cloistered abbey, she knew by the way he was gazing at Maria, that he was going to be at her side at every step of this new journey. And if anyone could conquer the world of high society, it would be Maria Rainer.
She exhaled and closed her hands together. "Where will you exchange your vows?"
The couple exchanged a look. "We were hoping here, Reverend Mother," Maria said.
"Your chapel is important to Maria, and therefore, I cannot imagine getting married anywhere else," the Captain added.
Mother Abbess smiled. "Then it will be at your disposal," she said. "And Maria, you may stay as long as you need. You are always welcome here."
She stood, and the couple did as well. Maria walked over to her again. The older woman took Maria's hands in hers. "My child, nothing makes me happier than knowing someone is leading the life she is born to live," she said and kissed the girl's cheek. When she pulled back, Maria's eyes were bright.
"How did you know, back in the spring, that I…" Maria's voice trailed.
Reverend Mother shook her head. "I was only following a nudge I had from the Holy Spirit," she said and winked. Her attention turned to the Captain, who stood straighter.
"Maria has brought such joy to my family," he said, his voice soft. "And I will cherish her for the rest of my days."
The Reverend Mother reached out and took one of the Captain's hands. She joined it to Maria's and placed her own atop them. She smiled at the couple. "May God bless your betrothal and your marriage," she said.
Maria smiled as she leaned closer to the Captain, who nodded at Mother Abbess. "Thank you, Madam, for sending Maria to us."
Mother Abbess's eyes brightened. She released the couple's hands and stepped back. "God will always guide you," she said and gestured to the door. "Let's get you situated, Maria."
The trio walked to the door, Maria and the Captain's hands entwined as they headed towards their shared future.
A/N: thank you all for your lovely comments! It's nice to offer a little something to this fandom again. I'm sorry for not writing asking the children's permission. That's a lot of characters and I didn't quite feel the scene as I did this one.