I'm so grateful for the support I've had already, what a great community of people to write for and with.

So here's another chapter, again I do not own the sound of music or the characters, this is purely for fun. Please keep sending me your feedback and reviews. I can't gauruntee that chapters will always go up this quickly but I'm enjoying it too much to stop at the moment.

I hope you enjoy this next chapter xx

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Chapter Three

How long she had stared at the closed door after Georg had left, Maria was not sure. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, in fact she wasn't sure if she could even breathe. It had happened so fast, so suddenly; she could easily believe that it hadn't happened at all. She'd have thought she'd dreamt it, except that even in her wildest dreams she could not have imagined the way that kiss would feel.

She let out a soft but shaky sigh and shivered. 'Oh yes' she thought, 'another wet dress to soak'. Maria smiled to herself remembering the first night she had really started bonding with the children. Liesl climbing through her bedroom window soaked to the skin after her late night rendezvous. 'That girl!' Maria took a towel from inside the wardrobe and walked into her bathroom 'such a character.' Maria took off her wet dress and placed it into the bath tub, she leant over and turned on the hot water before climbing in herself to wash off the lake water. She thought about each of the children, how much she loved every one of them and had enjoyed getting to know them. How she wished Georg could see what precious individuals they were. He must have been through so much pain to close himself off like that, she could never imagine closing herself off from the people that she loved…

She paused, suddenly realising what she had just thought. 'Closing myself off from people I love? I was going to be a nun, shut away from the world.' It had never mattered to her before, had never even crossed her mind. She had no family outside of Nonnberg Abbey, it was one of the reasons Maria had loved the idea so much; watching the sisters together going to mass and singing, she'd felt like she could have a family there.

But it hadn't really ended up like that, and she was only just beginning to see. Maria knew she should have noticed the signs, leaving the abbey without permission to go up her mountain, singing all the time even when she wasn't supposed to. The amount of times she had been kissing the floor for Sister Berthe. As many times as she had said that was where she belonged, that was her home; Maria had never really felt like herself at Nonnberg but here she was free.

After washing and drying, Maria left the dress to soak and went to pick out a new one. She had been gifted with so much beautiful material, she was now spoilt for choice. Blue had always been her favourite colour, but now, after staring into his ocean deep eyes she loved it even more. So Maria picked out the bluest dress she had made, with beautiful flowing chiffon. She'd wanted to save it for a special occasion and given the series of events that had just unfolded Maria felt it was the perfect time.

Standing in front of the mirror Maria sighed, what was she to do now? She had no idea how she should act, they had barely said anything to each other. They hadn't even discussed the situation other than saying neither wanted to forget what had happened. Was she supposed to go down stairs and pretend everything was as it had been? Did she seek Georg out and ask him what he expected from her?

She was so confused! Mind racing, Maria reached for the chair to steady herself. Gently she lowered herself into it, leant back and closed her eyes.

'Please Lord help me, I don't know what I'm doing. You have guided me so many times before and I know your will is what's best for me. Your timing is endlessly perfect but I need to know, am I doing what is right? Is this why you sent me here? Was I not made for life at the Abbey? I have so many questions, and none of the answers. Please help me. Amen'

Just as she finished Maria heard a light knock on her door and opened her eyes to see an envelope slide underneath. She blinked a few times, making sure she had not imagined it, but it was definitely there. Carefully she got up and went to the door to pick up this mysterious letter. Her name was written on the front and so she eagerly opened it.

'Maria, My love.

I know you must be more than a little confused right now, and there are things which need to be said for both of us. The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable.

So I have sent Max and Elsa into town, with the children to show them round. And have given them strict instructions not to return until they have worn out the entirety of it.

So whenever you are ready, come down and meet me in my study. Do not worry my love.

Yours

Georg.'

Maria smiled, her heart swelling. A glimpse of the man she knew had to be inside. She folded up the letter and placed it on her night stand.

One deep breath and she was ready. Ready to see more of the man she longed to love.