Epilogue:

The next day, I woke up, after finding a few fitful hours of sleep, to Georg snoring softly next to me. I loved watching him in the mornings. He always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders but when he was sleeping, all of that was washed away. I gently moved some hair off his forehead and traced his features with my finger. God, I love him so.

Unwilling to wake him up, I slipped out of his grasp and made my way into our bathroom. Our bathroom was my favourite place in the whole house. It was so light and airy and the daylight that filtered through the huge windows always lifted my spirits. Just what I needed after last night.

Looking at myself in the huge mirror, I found that for the first time in ten years, I was able to look myself in the eye. Feeling confident in the love of my Captain, I now realised it wasn't my fault that Johanna had died, it was just an awful accident. I was just a child trying to protect someone I loved the best way I knew how.

Feeling sure that I was on the journey to healing, I knew what I had to do next.

Grabbing my silk robe (a wedding present) from behind the bathroom door, I slipped it on and made my way to the youngest girl's nursery.

Peering around the tall white doors, I saw both von Trapp girls sleeping softly in their beds.

Making sure to be quiet, I tiptoed into the room and sat by Marta's bed. I took a few moments to really examine her face, it was true that she was very similar to Johanna, but I had to realise that this little girl was not Johanna. This little girl was Marta, my daughter, she is living and well and I will protect her for the rest of my life. I am no longer a child; I am a mother.

Slowly raising my hand, I brushed her dark hair back off the porcelain skin of her forehead and whispered her name into the room to gently rouse her.

"Marta, darling?" I leaned down and kissed her forehead sweetly before sitting back in the small chair next to her bed.

Slowly her eyes began to blink, dark lashes fluttering on her plump, rosy cheeks. As her chocolate eyes met my blue ones, a sleepy smile stretched across her face, "Good Morning, Mother".

I smiled back, my heart overflowing with love for my daughter, "Good morning, little one! Let's go for a little chat, Hmmm?".

Slowly nodding, Marta stretched out her arms to be carried. She was really getting too big for this, but I couldn't deny her anything. Holding her close to me, we began our journey to my old suite.

ooo

Finally, arriving, I gently sat her on the fluffy bed before joining her. Sitting in silence for a few uncomfortable moments.

I began firmly, "Marta, the way I spoke to you last night was not acceptable and I need you to know that!" Marta, looked down at her lap, clearly still upset, and twisted her nightgown in her little fists.

"I was scared, Mother! You were so angry" she said gently, probably fearing that I would shout at her again. My heart broke. I never want any of my children to feel that way. I always had to fear the wrath of the adults in my life and it wasn't any way to live.

"I am so sorry, my darling, I was extremely tired, and I had just had a bad dream. It was not your fault and you do not need to fear me." I promised lifted her chin up so our eyes could meet.

Marta looked up from her nightgown and smiled hesitantly, "I know mother, I get tired after nightmares too" she giggled, and I joined her.

"Can I please have a hug?" she asked, clearly unsure of my answer.

Relief washing through me, I smiled, "Of course, my little love! You don't need to ask!"

I scooped her up in a huge embrace and squeezed her gently, "Please forgive me, Marta" I whispered into her hair.

"I forgive you!" she whispered into my neck, before I began to tickle her sides, happy that our bond wasn't as damaged as I had assumed.

"How about we head back to bed, and I can read you a story, hmm?" her face lit up and I knew I had hit the jackpot. "Let's go then".

We walked back to the nursery hand in hand before both squeezing into her bed.

"Ahh your favourite I see!" I observed, as she handed me the tattered copy of Cinderella!

Just as I was about to start reading, I caught a faint name written in pencil, that read M. J. von Trapp. It was usually night-time when we read stories, so I had missed the inscription in the lamp light.

"Darling?" I said gaining Marta's attention, "Is this you?" I said pointing to the name.

Marta smiled up at me and nodded in affirmation.

"I see and what does the J stand for?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Why don't you guess, mother?" she giggled, showing that mischievous streak I loved.

I played along, "hmmmm, Jabba?

"No, silly!"

"Jemmy?" I pretended to think hard.

"Try again" she giggled.

"Jelly?"

"Nope" she shook her head vigorously.

"Oh! Well, I give up!" I said with and overly dramatic sigh, smiling.

"It's Johanna!" she giggled, snuggling into me.

I immediately tensed, my body going numb. Marta must have noticed because she pushed off me with an anxious expression on her face.

"Do you not like it, mother?" She asked, her bottom lip starting to wobble.

That caused me to snap out of my trance, pulling Marta back into my embrace.

"I love it, little one! It just reminds me of someone I loved very much" I said, wiping the stray tear trying to roll down my cheek.

"Oh!" Marta said, clearly relieved, "Well, I love you very much, Mother".

She always knew what to say to heal my wounds, my perfect little girl.

"And I love you, Marta, more than you will ever know".

THE END.

I hope you enjoyed my first ever fic.

I was so stressed writing it.

It was originally just a one shot but then I decided to try and do a full fic.

It's so hard, I couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen next.

Please give me loadssssss of feedback – as it was my first fic, I know it could use work.

Thanks for reading – Love you guys!