Title: When My Heart Is…
Rating: T
Summary: An alternate universe story about how the Captain and Maria could have gotten together if he didn't seek her out at the gazebo.
Set in Austria, 1938. I have delayed the Anschluss a bit and removed the Baroness early.
Chapter One
"Is Father going to come and tuck us in tonight?" Marta asked as Maria set her and Gretl into their beds.
"I don't think so, my love," Maria replied. "Your Father has been tired lately and is retiring early."
It was a lie. It wasn't only a fib, it was a bold face lie. Maria knew where the Captain was spending his nights since she had returned to the villa and the Baroness had left their company. In his study in the bottom of a bottle of whiskey.
The Captain was wonderfully involved with his children during the daylight. He sang, he played, he tutored. He did everything right, everything a good parent did. After supper and family hour, however, he took an early leave of his family and went to be alone to drink.
Maria wasn't sure what changed inside of him. She knew that he was not in love with the Baroness, so why did he appear to be in so much turmoil? The Captain made it clear he didn't love her the night of the party. He dismissed her after their dance with a flip of his hand, he proposed to the Baroness even though he didn't love her, and he didn't come after her when she was at the abbey, the children did. If he had any feelings for her, he wouldn't have done those things. He would have spoken up the night the Baroness left, but he didn't.
"I miss when he would cuddle us before sleep," Gretl replied. "He only did it for a little while."
Maria nodded, "He is a busy man, sweetheart. He needs his rest, too. You'll see him in the morning."
Maria tucked the blankets around the girls and kissed them softly. "Goodnight, my loves. Sleep well."
Maria stepped out and sighed. She wanted to confront the Captain about his new habit but she didn't know how she could do that. He was her employer, her social better, and the man of this house. If he wanted to spend his nights smoking cigarettes and drowning in whiskey, who was she to say anything to him about that?
Maria went to kiss the other children goodnight before retiring herself. When she scolded Brigitta to get herself to sleep instead of reading by moonlight the young girl asked,"Is Father drinking again?" The child didn't miss a trick.
"Your Father's retired for the evening, Dear," Maria replied.
"Yes, but sometimes…" Brigitta sighed. "Sometimes I go and look for a book when I can't sleep and I see Father. He smells like the liquor Uncle Max drinks."
"I think your Father has a lot to think about and a lot to do; he needs to relax. He is a grown up and he knows what is best. Not to worry. Go to bed. Lights out."
Maria shut off the lamp and sighed. If the children were noticing this too she had to speak to the Captain about this. Tomorrow, tomorrow was her day off. She planned to go into town and pick up something for Frau Schmidt's birthday. When she got home, after supper, she would see about speaking to the Captain. If the time was right, she would tell him that ge needed to stop his whiskey habit, if not, she would select another time, but she had to call him out in this. It was decided.
The next afternoon, Maria took the bus into Salzburg and started to browse the shops. It was unseasonably warm for October, but she knew in the mountains that could change on a dime so she took her shawl along in case.
As Maria walked the sun scorched down on her delicate skin. She pulled into the shade of the trees to cool off when she heard the distinctive blare of a car horn. "Fraulein Maria!" Max greeted.
"Good afternoon, Herr Detweiler. I didn't know you had a car."
"Well, I don't," Max replied. "This is one of Georg's, that is to say, the Captain's vehicles. I used it for my elongated stay in Vienna and I am now returning it and the pleasure of my company to the villa von Trapp."
Maria smiled, "The children will be glad to see you."
"Ah, yes, and I do hope you have another delicious little bit of entertainment cooked up for us soon. I still cannot believe Georg didn't allow the children to sing in the festival."
Maria shrugged and started to walk again. Max pulled the car over and got out. "It is terribly warm today, and you look flushed. Perhaps a glass of lemonade and I will give you a lift wherever you would like."
Maria knew that to accept would be deemed by many as highly inappropriate, but it was dreadfully warm and it was Herr Detweiler, her employer's best friend. Surely, that would be acceptable enough.
Maria nodded, "That does sound very nice, Herr Detweiler. I thank you."
Maria and Max found a shady table at a sidewalk Cafe. Max held the chair for her and ordered their drinks and snacks. "So what brings you into town all by yourself?"
"My day off," Maria replied. "I wanted to pick up a little something for Frau Schmidt's birthday and I started window shopping. The boutiques have such beautiful clothes."
"Yes, but none more beautiful than some of the dresses you have made yourself," Max complimented, causing Maria to blush. "Even still, I am surprised Georg found it safe and well, that he permitted you to be on your own."
"The Captain has been a bit distracted lately," Maria replied. "I am unsure what has been causing the change in him."
Max bit his lip. He knew. He knew all too well what had his friend brooding and probably drinking enough to choke a fish. "He has phases," Max replied. "He'll sort himself out in time. Did you select a gift for Helen yet?"
"Helen? Is that her name? I don't believe I have ever heard anyone call her anything besides Frau Schmidt," Maria laughed. "But not yet. I found a few things I liked but I'm not sure she will."
Max stood up after billing their lunch check to one of Georg's accounts. "Very well, Herr Detweiler," the maitre D replied as Max signed the bill.
"I am a killer shopper, a talent I picked up from friends in Vienna. In fact, I selected or helped select every gift Georg gave to Agathe during their marriage, I'm sure we can find something."
Maria smiled and hesitated when Max offered her his arm. Was that okay? Was that proper? Certainly Max would know more about that than she, so Maria took the kind gesture for what it was and placed her hand in the crook of his elbow as they headed toward the shops.
Georg was enjoying lunch with the children when Franz approached him, "Captain, phone call for you, Sir. From the manager of the Mirabell Cafe."
Georg knitted his brow, "Why on earth would he…Tell him I am at luncheon with the family. I will call him later."
Franz nodded only to return a few moments later. "He is being quite insistent, Sir," Franz lowered his voice and whispered in Georg's ear.
Georg sighed then got up, "Excuse me, children. I'll be right back."
"Father is certainly in a bad mood, today," Louisa observed.
"He has been in a bad mood for a long time," Brigitta replied. "He just isn't trying to be nice to us today because Fraulein Maria isn't here to scold him if he isn't."
"Father isn't only kind to us because Fraulein Maria makes him. Is he Liesl?" Marta asked, wide eyed.
"Of course not," Liels comforted. "Father loves all of us very much. I think it is just easier for him to be happy when Fraulein Maria is around. Aren't you always happy when Fraulein Maria is around?'
Liesl glared at Brigitta when she opened her mouth again and the younger girl wisely held her tongue.
Georg couldn't believe his ears. He was so shocked that he couldn't even reply to the manager for nearly a minute. Max and Maria. His best friend and his Fraulein? That couldn't be. It just could not be. Georg gave his consent on the charge in the next few seconds, the downed a mouthful of whiskey to dull the pain rising in his chest.
Who was he to feel such betrayal though? He hadn't declared his feelings for Maria to her or even to Max. He presumed that Max knew the reasoning behind Elsa's departure, but there was no certainty in that. The age factor wasn't fair game either, Max was only three years older than he was. Georg shook his head and took a steadying breath. There was no relief. Even the amber liquid that had been his guide and salvation through so much loss and pain did nothing to dull the ache.
Georg rejoined the children and forced himself to smile. None of this was their fault. He had fouled this up all on his own, and now it was too late. How was it that it was always too damn late?
A/N: Hello fellow fans! No, I'm not back with my next Lida story just yet, it is in drafting stages but this little idea wouldn't go away and now it has grown. This is not a super long story, it is another alternative to how the Captain and Maria might have come to one another. Plan to update again by Friday unless I finish then I will update more quickly.
Enjoy!