A/N: I hope you enjoy reading my fluff. We have enough suspense and doom and gloom stories right now. I know everyone's tastes are different and I've had a little of that in my other stories but I also enjoy writing about Maria and Georg as a real family.

Dinner

It didn't take long for Paul and Charlie to take the Captain up on his offer; they stopped by his office late one afternoon.

Good afternoon Paul, glad you came by."

"Captain, please meet my friend Charlie Madison, he was in the British Navy for three years."

"Nice to meet you sir," Charlie put out his hand.

"Why did you leave the Navy Charlie?"

"I was hurt during a training exercise; but I could still perform as a radio operator on a cruise vessel."

"Were you on duty when my children talked to my wife and me?"

"I probably was. You weren't the first or last family that traveled on separate ships. It occurred many times."

"Paul, I inquired; your dialect of German may be useful in the Intelligence Department. Here's the name of the Lieutenant Cornel in charge here on base. Charlie I'm almost certain the Navy could use you skills; if your injury doesn't hinder you. You may be assigned a desk job."

"Thank you sir," they turned to leave the office.

"Before you go, would you both like to come to dinner Friday night?"

"Thank you Captain. What time?"

"Around six; here's the address. We are in one of the few large homes on base; with the baby we needed some extra space."

"See you Friday sir."

Georg followed them out the door, waving as he passed them; he was always in a hurry to get home. The base shuttle was waiting; once he boarded, it was only a ten minute ride.

Georg went upstairs to change into more comfortable clothes. Maria was there feeding Karl. He came and looked over her shoulder, "he eats well Maria."

"Yes, he does. You're such a sweet boy; your siblings and your Father are trying to spoil you." She smiled up at Georg. "I'm teasing darling. Do you want to hold him when he's finished?"

"I'd love to Maria, you know that."

After a good burp; she wrapped him in a blanket and handed him to Georg. He sat down in the rocking chair Maria had vacated; and waited for her to freshen up for dinner. "I invited Louisa's friend Paul and his buddy to dinner Friday night. Is that alright?"

"Of course darling; can't wait to see Louisa's reaction to the news." They walked down the stairs together; Karl asleep in his arms. He placed him in his cradle and joined the children in the dining room.

"Is Karl asleep, Mother?"

"For now Marta, it's your turn to say grace." With folded hands she recited:

"Bless our friends,
Bless our food,
Come, O Lord and sit with us.
Come and let your love to surround us.
Bless us all forever. Amen" And everyone added, "Amen."

"That's lovely Marta. Where did you learn it?"

"From Father Gabe, at church school; he was tired of hearing us recite the same one all the time."

Georg made his announcement as soon as everyone was served. "On Friday we are having guests for dinner."

"Who Father?"

"Someone I think you want to see again Louisa."

"Paul?"

Kurt snickered. "What's so funny Kurt?"

"Oh, I was remembering all the times I saw the two of them together on the ship."

"Is that right Louisa?"

"We only talked; he was very nice and interesting. His family lives in London. I hope they are alright."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because of all the bombs that have been dropped, Mother."

"Yes, that is worrisome."

"His friend Charlie is coming too. He's a few years older than Paul." Maria's ears perked up. "Do I hear Kurt, Jr.?"

"Mother, why do you call him Kurt Jr.?"

"Well, your father told me you ate often as a baby and you can still pack it in."

"I'm growing Mother. I'm not fat. I need all that food if I'm going to make the soccer team at school."

"I'm teasing Kurt." She kissed his head as she passed him on her way to feed Karl.

Katia had noticed Maria was missing when she served dessert. "Maria, here's a large piece of cake; a glass of milk and some juice for later. I was afraid Kurt would claim it." They giggled together.

All the children had matured after their frightful escape from Austria; but none more than Louisa. Gone were her tomboy days of spiders and frogs and playing boy games; she wasn't quite "all girl," but almost. She and her father did enjoy a good game of tennis.

On Friday, Franz put an extra leaf in the table and added two chairs; their guests would sit between Liesl and Louisa.

Louisa hadn't sat still all afternoon. "Louisa, why are you flitting around like a butterfly? Are you nervous?"

"More excited than nervous, Liesl."

"Be yourself; don't try to be any different. What are you going to wear?

"Come look at my choices, I want to wear one of my American dresses."

Her choices were a simple shirtwaist dress in an oatmeal color with a checkered navy blue and red collar and belt; piping down the blouse like top with red trimmed buttons or a jumper in a bubble print in shades of turquoise and blue with a pleated front blouse in white with matching fabric print cuffs. She had small heeled pumps which would go with either one.

"Definitely the shirtwaist dress; it's very dressy but not over the top."

The doorbell rang; before Franz could answer it he heard, "I'll get it." Louisa was already at the door; when she opened it Paul was standing right there.

"Hi Louisa, your dress is lovely."

"Thank you Paul, it's so nice to see you again. It was quite a surprise when my Father told me he had met you and your friend."

"Louisa, this is Charlie Madison."

"Come in, everyone's in the family room. My mother has the baby, he's eating again." Louisa played the perfect hostess. "Let me refresh your memory – my brother, Kurt."

"I remember you Paul; you kept us busy so we wouldn't worry so much."

"My oldest brother, Friedrich."

"You've grown a lot; I don't remember you being that tall; you're as tall as your father."

Louisa went on to introduce all her sisters. They seemed to say together, "hi Paul," in that voice that teases.

"Nice to meet everyone; this is my good friend, Charlie."

"Hi Charlie," And then from Liesl, "welcome to our home."

Katia served their favorite non-alcoholic drink the family always enjoyed. They took this time to mingle and talk with their guests. "Paul, why are you here in America?"

The US Navy told the ship's owners that German U2 boats have been seen roaming the Atlantic; fully armed. They cancelled all their cruises; we were given money to stay here and the US government accepted us as legal refuges."

"What about your parents Paul?"

"I tell you about them later. I still can't believe I met your father."

"Why did you come to New London?"

"Charlie thought we would have more opportunities for employment. Your Father gave us some good leads."

Maria came into the room; Karl safely tucked in his cradle at the end of the room. She was hoping he would sleep through dinner. She couldn't help but notice, Louisa was monopolizing Paul and Liesl was talking with Charlie.

"I see our wee son is asleep." Putting his arms around his wife; nibbling on her ear.

"Georg, stop, we have company."

"I know. They're not watching us; our daughters have them occupied."

"Yes, I see."

"Let me introduce you."

Louisa saw them coming and took the words right out of Georg's mouth. "I'd like you to meet my Mother."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. von Trapp."

"Thank you; I've heard nothing but good things about you both from my husband."

"Now where's that baby boy who makes the Captain's face light up when he speaks of him?"

"He's in his cradle," pointing to it, "but let's leave him there in hopes that he will sleep through dinner; I have no doubt he will wake up before you leave."

Katia got everyone's attention, "dinner is ready."

"Paul, you and Charlie get to sit between me and Liesl."

"Thank you Louisa."

"Captain, I want to tell you, Lieutenant Cornel Brock is introducing me to the Vice Chair of German-Austrian Intelligence. He seems to think they have an intercepted communication that no one can read. And Charlie was offered a civilian post to teach his radio skills to new recruits."

"That's excellent. So you men will be here in New London for quite a while."

"Yes sir, we will."

"Georg noticed smiles on both Louisa and Liesl; it seems she and Charlie had enjoyed their conversation.

Almost like an alarm clock; as soon as Maria finished her dessert, Karl began to stir. "I'll get him," everyone heard from Brigitta.

"Mother, he needs to be changed. I'll do it; be back down in a minute."

"I see you have a helper Mrs. von Trapp."

"More than one; sometimes they need to take numbers to decide who gets him next." Both of the young men chuckled.

Brigitta did return; "now he's a happy baby, I even got a smile." Liesl asked for him.

"Paul, Charlie, please meet Karl Georg."

"He looks big. How old is he?"

"Seven weeks; he weighed seven and a half pounds at birth; I'm sure he weighs close to nine pounds now. He's sees the doctor next week."

Georg took him from Liesl. She and Louisa got up to walk the guys to the door.

"Tell your cook the food was excellent; we need to go; we both have early morning appointments. Enjoy your son, Captain, the girls can show us out."

"Goodnight gentlemen."

Louisa and Liesl walked upstairs, talking as they went. "You seemed to enjoy being with Charlie."

"Yes, he's so mature; much different from anyone I've met. Is everything alright between you and Paul?"

He's just like Charlie; he's so mature and now he's going to be doing important things for the government. I'm glad they will be here; hopefully for a long time."

"Me too."