Hi all, Sorry for the long wait, life suddenly got in the way haha.

This is just a short chapter, a transition that allows me to get into the Georg and Maria stuff quicker. So I hope you like it and get excited for what is going to come.

I don't own anything but the idea for this story, please review. Xx

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Chapter Six

As Maria sat on the bus heading into Salzburg, she tried over and over again to come up with some way of starting the conversation with the Reverend Mother. She couldn't help but laugh inwardly at herself, this was absurd.

The bus ride seemed to last an eternity, still not enough time for her to come up with any idea of what she would say. Standing outside the gates of Nonnberg Maria breathed deeply and rang the bell.

Within seconds Sister Margaretta was at the door a confused and concerned look on her face,

"Maria is that you?"

"Sister please let me in! I need to speak to the Reverend Mother." Maria did not intend to sound quite so desperate, but her heart was racing and her voice shaking a the sheer weight of the questions she was about to ask.

Sister Margaretta did not hesitate in opening the gate, indicating for Maria to follow her. The sister knew that if Maria wanted to see the Reverend Mother then she had no place to pry into Maria's business however concerned she was for the younger woman that she loved so dearly.

It took only a matter of minutes to end up outside the Reverend Mothers door, Sister Margaretta knocked and waited.

"Ave"

Opening the door the Sister stepped just inside.

"Reverend Mother, Maria is here to see you, she arrived just now" The same concern and feeling of dread that had taken hold of sister Margaretta, cast a shadow on the Reverend Mother's face.

"Send her in"

Sister Margaretta stepped aside and Maria walked in, to her everything was just a little blurry and she wasn't sure she could say what she needed to say. Sensing Maria's hesitation the Reverend Mother turned to the sister still standing in the doorway.

"Thank you Sister Margaretta" indicating for her to leave.

Maria barely even noticed the sound of the door closing behind her and only just registered the Reverend Mothers gently probing voice.

"Maria, my child, something bothers you. Won't you tell me what it is?" Knowing Maria was in no mindset to be aware of the fact she had not done what was traditionally expected when entering her presence; the Reverend Mother let it slide and led Maria to sit down in front of her desk.

"Maria?" She spoke gently as if Maria was the most delicate of flowers.

"Oh Reverend Mother I'm so confused" Maria looked at the older woman. "You sent me to the Von Trap Family on God's errand and I feel that I may not… That I… That the situation may have changed."

It was obvious that for Maria this was an awkward conversation, and Maria was barely ever lost for words. This could only mean one thing, that Maria was experiencing something that the Reverend Mother had prayed for since the day she had met this rebellious young woman.

Yes is was true that women of all ages joined the convent and dedicated their lives to solitude in the presence of God. But it is also true that the Abbey was not the place for everyone that was seeking God. When the Reverend Mother had met Maria she had seen a spirit so wild and free that she could not have imagined it locked up in this Abbey for the rest of her life. Maria had a spirit that longed to sour, a soul that was desperate to sing and a heart that contained too much love for her not to be able to share it with the outside world.

So when this position had come up the Reverend Mother had jumped at the opportunity. Praying that God was going to show her beloved Maria that there were more options for a life of faith than she had realised.

"How so?" She asked.

"I feel I may not be the same woman that left here just a matter of weeks ago."

"Go on" the Reverend Mother encouraged

"Reverend Mother, is it possible to fall in love with someone that you detested?"

Smiling inwardly the Reverend Mother stood.

"Love comes in many different forms Maria, and people change and develop just as much as the world around them"

"But I have dedicated my life to God"

"Loving a man does not mean you love God less Maria. God was made you with a heart that bursts for others, you must find out how he wants you to use that"

Maria's cheeks began to burn.

"How will I know" Maria almost begged wishing that the Reverend Mother didn't always talk so diplomatically.

And then completely out of character the Reverend Mother crouched in front of Maria and looked her in the eyes.

"Maria listen to me, you have a conscious in tune to what you know to be right. So trust it, if you feel your heart needs to love then I truly believe that is what you should do." She stood taking Maria's hand and pulling her up. "Love the Captain, and love him with everything you have."

Maria's jaw dropped, how on earth did she know. But the Reverend Mother just smiled and walked Maria to the door, opening it to let her out, just as Maria was leaving the Reverend Mother stopped her.

"Maria, you are welcome her always. But do not run away from your hearts calling just because it is something unknown. You have a great capacity to love. May God bless you and your family"

Instantly Maria knew she had the answer she was looking for, she knew where her belonged and could not wait to get it home.