A/N:

What if the Captain, after breaking up with Elsa, waited another day or two to talk to Maria in the gazebo?

Disclaimer: I still do not own anything.

"Everything has a cause and the cause of anything is everything." Walter James Redfern Turner.

Maria did not attend dinner that night. And she did not dare to ask the children if the Captain had indeed made any announcements. They did not tell her either, it seemed that they were unsure of what to do, trying to act like nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but failing miserably.

Liesl, in particular, was behaving quite strangely. She went to look for Maria right after the meal was over, and did not leave her side for a second. Even when Maria went to the bathroom, she stayed outside, glued to the door. Much later that evening, Maria would learn that the girl had only been obeying her father's orders – to keep an eye on her, in order to keep her from running away to Nonnberg again.

The feeling was one of absolute helplessness, something that Maria was not used to. She had always been able to stand up for herself, to defend herself tooth and nail if she needed to. Not knowing what to do had never been a problem before.

After that last altercation with the Captain, she had left his studio firmly decided to leave for the Abbey as soon as possible. But she was half way up the stairs when she thought: What about the children? Her feelings were not the only ones to be considered. Those children, whom she learned to love, had already lost too much, had already known too much grief and sadness in their short lives. It was heartbreaking, but Maria realized that no matter what she did, the children would be hurt again – there was nothing she could do to prevent that. Even if she stayed.

If she stayed…

The Captain would marry the Baroness, and Maria was fairly certain that the only thing that would be able to help the children to accept their new mother would be her presence there. The Captain knew that as well, and that was probably what he had been trying to talk to her about today, and so bent keeping her from leaving. But would she, Maria, be able to survive? Knowing now what she felt about him, would she be able to watch them happy together, day by day, as a married couple? The children would heal, they would move on, but would she?

Later that night, with Liesl always following her and watching her like a hawk, she went to say good night to the children. After tucking Gretl and Martha in bed, she found Louisa, Friedrich and Brigitta gathered together, in front of her bedroom.

"What are you all doing here? You should be in your own rooms by now." She entered the room, and they followed her.

"We missed you at dinner," said Friedrich. "We were worried."

"I was not feeling myself tonight, and asked to be excused," explained Maria. "I am sorry if I made you all worried, I didn't mean it."

"Martha and Gretl thought you had left again. And Kurt hardly ate anything. Kurt!"

"I´m hungry now," he boy said, rubbing his stomach.

"I feel terrible," Maria sat, sitting on the bed, after ruffling Kurt´s hair. "I wish I could go back in time and change a few things but... I cannot!"

"Fraülein Maria?"

"Yes, Brigitta?"

"We all love you; you know that, don't you?"

"Of course I do, darling."

"No, I mean, we all love you."

"What she is trying to say is that father loves you too. Very much," Liesl said, a bit uncertainly.

No, he doesn't! Maria thought. Regardless of what the Baroness said, he loves her and not I. She is perfect for him, in every possible manner. He just wants me around because of the children.

"The trouble is that we don't know if he knows it…"

"He does not, because there is nothing to know or not to know, Friedrich. The Captain may love the fact that I made you children happy again, that I taught you how to sing, that he learned how to deal with you a little better, that you are back to being a true family again. That does not mean he loves me, Maria It's completely absurd."

"Yes, he does!" They all said in unison.

"I can't believe how blind and stupid adults can be at times," Louisa added, punching a pillow.

"That is preposterous, children. He – your father does not even like me. He… thinks that I am too much trouble, and… oh well, maybe he is right, I am."

"But…"

"My darlings, your father is going to marry Baroness Schraeder, and you will all be very happy. I know that. In good time you'll learn to love your new mother."

"In good time he will learn how to get rid of her," Louisa said, punching Maria´s pillow again, this time repeatedly.

"Torturing my pillow won´t solve anything, Louisa."

But the girl ignored her comment. "I can't believe I will have to start hunting for bugs and frogs again! And how on earth am I supposed to get another snake now? I thought those days were over."

"If he marries her, he will be so unhappy, and he will want you back one day," said Brigitta.

"And he will find you wherever you are," added Louisa.

"Even if he has to fire a torpedo to the Abbey!" Kurt added dramatically. "He is very good at that, you know!"

"I don't think the good nuns would be thrilled about that possibility, Kurt. And you, girls, you've been reading too many fairy tales. I mean, it is all right to read them, I adore those stories myself, but such things just don't happen real life. We already discussed this yesterday, and you promised me you all would at least try."

Louisa went to the window, and gazed outside, frowning. "Why don't you go outside to clear your head, Fraülein? It is such a beautiful night." There was a mischievous glint in her eyes, but Maria was too distressed to notice it.

"I think I might do just that. Meanwhile, you children should think about what I said and promise never to speak again about such things.."

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It took all of Maria's powers of persuasion, but she finally convinced the four children to go to bed. She was left alone with Liesl, and followed her back to her room.

"Well, then, good night to you too, Liesl!"

"Not yet, Fraülein. Now I can stay up longer, remember? Father's orders," she grinned.

"Oh, that's right, you can." Maria sighed. "Oh well, have fun!"

"But what about your promise?"

"What promise, Liesl?"

"Last night. You said you would sing some Lieder for us, with father playing the piano."

"Did I? Oh, yes, that's right, I did!" Oh God, what am I going to do now? It seemed so long ago, she had completely forgotten about it. "Is this why you have been following me all evening?"

"It could be," was her enigmatic answer.

"Liesl, I know I did promise, but first – are you sure the Baroness would not mind? She may wish to spend time with your father, and we would get in the way." Liesl was shaking her head vigorously. "What is it?"

"Baroness Schrader is not here tonight."

"Not here? Where is she?"

"Vienna, I would think."

"But… how, when, why?"

"Father drove her to the train station this morning."

"This morning? But he never said a think to me. Not that he was under the obligation to say anything, but… why?" Maria repeated the question, absolutely aghast. She had been the last to know, but that should not surprise her, considering the fact that she was an employee. But it was only a painful little reminder that she should not long for things she should not have.

"We don't know. He is being very secretive about it. And so is Uncle Max. I suspect they are going to surprise us with something, but I don't know what yet. Louisa and Friedrich nearly went crackers trying to figure it out right after dinner. And Brigitta went as far as asking Franz if he had heard anything."

"And what did he say?"

"Nothing. He never says anything, not to us."

"Well, then, when will the Baroness be back?"

"I have no idea. But it will have to be soon, if the wedding is going to happen in September."

"So soon! I see."

"So… Schubert awaits!"

"Oh yes, Schubert," mumbled Maria, somewhat desolate, following Liesl downstairs.