AN: - Written for the Proboards June writing prompt. So, it seems that I haven't quite reached the end of this story as there will be one further chapter after this. Thank you for all the lovely reviews I've had. I hope you are still enjoying it.
Disclaimer: - Written for pleasure not profit… I own nothing!
Rating: - T
Chapter 6
"Maria, my child. You look remarkably well," the Mother Abbess glided across to Maria and held out her hand which Maria immediately kissed.
"Thank you, Reverend Mother. I feel better every day." Maria's smile was so vibrant that it even defied the brightness of the sun's rays that streamed through the panes of the elderly nun's window.
"The Captain has obviously looked after you well, it would seem that he cares a great deal about you." Turning to look out of the leaded window behind her desk, the Reverend Mother addressed Maria once again, her voice quietly sombre. "We have been worried about you here at the Abbey, Maria."
Maria dropped her head and glanced towards her lap where her fingers were busy picking at the loose pieces of thread on her skirt. She had come here for this very conversation, but it didn't make her any less nervous about the prospect.
"What made you leave Aigen in the middle of the night in a raging storm. Is everything alright, Maria? Tell me, why were you running away?"
"Oh Mother, I didn't think that I could face him again," Maria brought her hands up to her face, ashamed of her impetuous actions.
"Face who, Maria… Captain von Trapp? Did he hurt you…" the Reverend Mother gasped," did he do something to you?"
"Oh no, no not at all. He would never do anything to hurt me. You see… he loves me… with all of his heart."
"Are you in love with him, Maria?"
Maria gripped the arms of the wheelchair, uncertain what the Reverend Mother would make of her next confession.
"Yes, I love him more than I have loved anything else in this world… and that is why I was running away. I was there on God's errand. He didn't send me there to fall in love with my employer. He sent me to love his children and to nurture the poor souls. I have failed God and I'm not worthy of His love."
"Maria… the love that can exist between a man and a woman is holy too. You have a great capacity to love."
Maria felt the confusion and shame begin to constrict her chest as she fought to understand her feelings once again. "But I pledged my life to God, I pledged my life to his service. Before I left the Abbey I was ready to take my vows."
"My daughter, if you love this man, it doesn't mean that you love God less."
"Georg said the very same thing," finally relaxing in the chair, Maria sighed and sat back.
The Mother Abbess smiled as Maria used the Captains name, knowing then that Maria had already found her path in life, if only she would let go of the guilt that was threatening to consume her.
"Then he is indeed as wise as he is brave and honourable. Don't feel guilty, Maria, it is the will of God. You have found your true path in life and now you must embrace it with open arms. You were made for a life outside the Abbey. There is so much you can do Maria, the love that you have for Captain von Trapp and his children is a blessing and you must see it as such."
It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from Maria's shoulders. No longer would she have to bear the guilt and shame of her failed dedication to God. He had indeed had other plans for her and she knew that she would never fail where it came to the Captain and his children. The Abbey had provided her sanctuary when she had needed it but if she were being truthful to herself she knew deep down that she would never be suited to the cloistered life. For the first time in her life she had a sense of purpose and she felt as free as the birds that soared atop the Untersberg.
"Thank you, Reverend Mother. I knew that if I spoke to you I would finally see things clearly. If I could ask one more thing of you?"
"Of course, my child."
"May I stay here for a few days? I think the peace and tranquillity of the Abbey may see my recovery through to its completion and I still feel as if I need to be close to God."
"Maria, God will always be with you but you may stay for as long as you wish. But I insist that you let Captain von Trapp know that you are safe and well."
Maria nodded and the Reverend Mother gestured for Sister Margaretta to enter and wheel Maria back to her room.
xXx
"Max… if I have to listen to your incessant droning on about the Salzburg Music Festival for one minute more, then I swear I will not be held responsible for my actions." Georg sat at his desk with his head buried in his hands, nursing the hangover of all hangovers.
"Well… you're certainly the proverbial bear with a sore head this morning… aren't you?" Max finally stopped pacing the room and flopped down into the nearest chair.
"I did try and warn you that you were indulging a little too much last night, dear fellow."
Georg grunted as he had to begrudgingly admit that for once his old friend had been right. They had spent the evening putting the world to rights, or at least Georg had and Max had sat back enjoying every juicy little detail that his inebriated friend had revealed to him. Most of it had been about Maria and how much he loved and missed her. Whilst Max had still not completely forgiven Georg for the way he had treated Elsa, he did realise that his friend was totally and utterly in love with his pretty little Governess and that pleased him, it pleased him very much. If anyone deserved some happiness, then Georg did.
"Yes, you did Max and you were right. There, are you happy now?" Georg wearily pushed himself up from the desk and turned to the window where he opened it just enough to let a fresh breeze drift in through the slight gap, easing the wave of nausea that was currently sweeping over him.
"No, not really, Georg. I'm not sure why you feel the need to drown your sorrows in drink. Maria is only staying at the Abbey for a few days more and at least she's kept in contact with you since she's been away."
"I miss her, Max. Is it so hard to believe?"
"At one time it would have been, but no, not now. She's changed you… and for the better may I just say. I'm happy for you Georg but you really have to stop wallowing in self-pity, it really isn't befitting a man of your social standing."
"Max, you are the biggest snob I have ever had the misfortune to know," Georg laughed.
"Thank goodness… I thought I was losing my touch," the Impresario twiddled his moustache between his fingertips and smirked.
"What if she decides not to come back. The longer she stays there the more she's likely to decide to take her vows. I'm not sure I can live without her, Max and nor can the children."
"For heaven's sake, there you go again." Max threw his hands down and slapped the arms of the chair. "I've had enough. I'm going to find your children and see if they'll sing one of their wonderful songs for me. They have to keep practising after all if they are to sing at the…"
"MAX!"
"Alright, alright… but you can't blame a man for trying," Max slinked away quietly to find some breakfast and a newspaper, leaving Georg to nurse his headache.
xXx
Having made it through the morning and now feeling much brighter, Georg decided to join his children in the garden for the afternoon. The boys were swimming and the girls were gathering flowers to make posies for each other.
"Father, father," the little ones tumbled towards him and he scooped Gretl up into his arms and squeezed her tightly.
"When is Fraulein Maria coming back, Father?" Marta asked as she swung on his free hand.
"Yes, Father, when is she coming back. We miss her," Brigitta added.
"Oh, very soon I'm sure and in the meantime you'll just have to put up with me!"
Placing Gretl down, the three girls all ran off giggling to each other. He spotted his eldest daughter sitting on the grass, she was sketching, leaning her back against a tree.
"I would love to see what you're drawing," he asked, putting his hand down to steady himself as he settled on the lawn beside her.
Tilting the book towards her Father, Liesl blushed, "It's not very good. I might be able to sing but I can't really draw."
"Hmmm…" Georg squinted as he tilted his head trying to fathom out the lines and scribblings on the page, "what exactly is it?"
"See, I told you," Liesl sighed and closed the sketch book, throwing it down on the grass beside her in disgust.
"None of us are perfect. You can't be good at everything, Liesl. You are beautiful, clever and you have a voice like an angel. You have to leave some talents for the others… mustn't be greedy!" he laughed and gave his eldest daughter a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"Fraulein Maria's perfect; isn't she Father? She can do anything," Liesl studied her father's face carefully and she could see that his mind had drifted to somewhere far away.
Georg looked at his daughter and knew that it was time for him to explain things to her. She was old enough to understand that he had decided to live life again, instead of hiding away from emotions and relationships.
"She is perfect, Liesl," he sighed, his heart aching to see her again.
"Are you and Fraulein Maria… " Liesl looked away, fearing that her father would erupt in fury at her intrusive questions, "Do you love her, Father?"
Georg took his daughters hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing the palm softly.
"You know that I will never forget your Mother, don't you, Liesl?" the pretty young girl nodded as tears began to prick her eyes. "How could I ever forget her when she gave me seven of the most beautiful and precious memories a man could ever ask for…" Georg's voice began to waiver as he saw that a solitary tear had started to trickle down his daughter's cheek, "… but I need to move on and only since Fraulein Maria came into our lives have I believed that I can do that."
Liesl leaned against Georg's shoulder and he lifted his arm so that she could nestle against him.
"I love your Fraulein very much, Liesl. I hope that you can understand?" he kissed his daughter's temple and pulled her closer to him.
"I think you forget sometimes how old I am, Father. I probably knew before you did how much you loved each other. Do you realise how frustrating it was seeing you both fall in love with each other, neither of you really knowing?"
Georg laughed as Liesl sat up and turned to face him. "I'm happy for you, for both of you and I know that the others will be over the moon as well."
After kissing her Father's forehead, Liesl stood up and looked down at him.
"Father, could I go into Salzburg with Uncle Max tomorrow? I have one or two things I would like to get for Fraulein Maria's room before she comes back."
"Yes, of course, but make sure that Max drives safely. I know what he's like when he goes off on his own in one of my cars."
"Don't worry, I will." Liesl skipped away smiling to herself. It had been remarkably easy getting her father to agree and she was relieved. Since Fraulein Maria had sent a message asking if she could visit to discuss something very important and very secret, Liesl had been beside herself wondering how she would ever convince him to allow her to go.
xXx
Chapter Square was bustling with people on what was a warm and pleasant morning. The fountain looked majestic as Neptune, god of the sea, mounted on a seahorse and holding his trident and crown was spurting water in which rainbows glistened and shone like a thousand precious gems.
Max looked on as Liesl shut the car door and made her way over to the fountain, where Maria waited patiently for her. The young postulant who had accompanied Maria smiled when Liesl approached and then made her way over to one of the nearby shops.
"Liesl, you look even more grown up in only the few short days that I've been away," she reached up and kissed Liesl tenderly.
"It's so lovely to see you, Fraulein Maria."
"Your Father didn't mind you coming into Salzburg?" Maria enquired, concerned that Liesl might have got into trouble trying to fulfill her request.
"No, not at all and he doesn't know that I've come to meet you, so don't worry," Liesl settled beside Maria on a small stone bench.
"I'm glad you came," Maria smiled warmly. "There's something that I needed to talk to you about and I also want to ask a favour of you." Liesl nodded in silent acknowledgement of Maria's request.
"Somehow, I think you probably know what I'm about to tell you," Maria shifted uncomfortably in the chair. Liesl held out her hand and Maria took it onto her lap giving it a small squeeze.
"You are in love with Father and he loves you… yes, I know and I am so happy for you," Liesl said in a matter of fact tone as if it was something that she heard every day of week.
"Oh, thank heavens!" Maria sighed in relief. "I was dreading telling you more than I was of telling the Reverend Mother. But I had to tell you myself."
"Actually, I had a similar conversation with Father yesterday. What neither of you even knew though was that I was already aware of how you felt about each other. It was actually quite plain to see for those of us who understand matters of the heart," the young girl held her head proudly, exuding an air of maturity that Maria found incredibly endearing.
"Well… I wish you had told us earlier, perhaps all we needed was your expertise and a push in the right direction!" After a moment of shared laughter, Maria looked earnestly towards Liesl.
"I will never try and replace your Mother and I know that it may take some time for you all to accept me but please, never doubt how much I love you or your Father. I very much want to be a part of your life for as long as you'll all have me."
"I do hope that you will become my Mother, do you think Father will ask you to marry him, oh I so hope he does," Liesl clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Slow down," Maria laughed at the young girl's giddiness, "Let's take it one step at a time, in fact, that's exactly why I asked you to come here. There's something very important that I need you to do for me."
Liesl sat forward giving Maria her full attention, as she listened with excited squeals to Maria's plans.
xXx
Thank you for making it this far. I know that there was a lot of conversation in this chapter. I hope that it flowed okay.
Just when I think it will be the last one I find that I've written more than I expected. The next one definitely will be the last and after that I may have a short break from writing.