Title: Quitting Time
Summary: For fifteen years, she had a job and not one raise in pay. Now she's in the typing pool at minimum wage. (Inspired by 1990s hit songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter.)
Brigitta's failing marriage and her controversial decision is the backdrop for exposing a secret Maria has kept for years.
Setting: In and around Stowe, Vermont Fall 1948 through Spring 1963
October 1948
"You look beautiful," Maria praised Brigitta as she fixed the wedding veil over her luscious nearly black hair.
"It's the dress," Brigitta replied. "I'm so glad we were able to copy your dress. It means so much to have your veil, Mother."
Maria kissed Brigitta's cheek. "It made me feel beautiful when I wore it. I'm just glad I thought to bring it with us. I had to leave a few other things behind for it to fit."
"Well, I'm glad," Brigitta smiled. "We all were, so you could give it to us."
Maria gave Brigitta another kiss. "Do you have any questions for me? About anything?"
Brigitta shook her head, "I think the books I used to sneak out of Father's study covered it."
Maria put her arm around Brigitta, "Oh, Darling, not even the half of it. Trust me. It's a little scary at first, but if Peter is a patient lover, you will come to relax and learn. Trust me."
Brigitta blushed a little bit, "Father, he was patient?"
Maria nodded, "Very much so, my girl. He was also kind, giving, and skilled, something I hope Peter is not given he is only four years older than you are. If you are also kind, patient, and giving then the rest will fall into place soon enough."
Georg cleared his throat as he entered the master bedroom where Brigitta had been getting ready. When Brigitta turned around to face Georg he gasped a little. "Do I look all right, Father?"
"Classic," Georg replied. "You look so much…You really did go and grow up on me, didn't you?"
Brigitta gave Georg sheepish shrug as if to say, "Sorry."
"Maria, the first car is ready to go to the church. You Friedrich, and Liels go in the first car, I'll follow with Brigitta. Kurt drove the others over already to make sure they are in place."
Over the last five years, Georg had proven to be quite the wedding planner. Liesl was the first wedding of the Von Trapp family and that ceremony and reception plan had a few kinks, not the least of which were caused by Liesl herself. During a particularly rough argument with Maria over appetizers, Georg stepped in. First, he admonished Liesl for her disrespect, then demonstrated to both Liesl and Maria they were going about the wedding all wrong.
"You are thinking about this like a bride, Liesl," Georg gently scolded. "You need to start thinking like a Captain. Now, the head table, that will be what?"
Liesl didn't reply so Georg coached her, "Base of operations, right? The bar that's the fueling station. Bridesmaids…"
"Allies?" Liesl offered, earning her a nod.
"Groom's family…"
"Enemies," Maria laughed. She did not get along with her counterpart on the groom's side.
Since then, the three weddings thus far had been planned like a battle strategy and all three had been successful.
Maria gave Georg a quick once over and fixed his lapel. "You look very handsome," she whispered.
Georg raised his eyebrows at her, "If I told you how beautiful you looked we would have a very jealous bride. I'll see you at the church."
Maria grabbed her purse and headed off to the first car while Georg looked at Brigitta one more time. He reached into his pocket and produced a lace handkerchief. "When your birth mother and I were on our honeymoon, she purchased six lace handkerchiefs and had her monogram embroidered on each one. She told me as we walked, "Georg, we are going to have a lot of children, so I hope I bought enough. She wanted each of her daughters to have such a handkerchief on their wedding day. When I had 5 daughters, I chose to bury her with one of these and kept the other five safe. When we fled Austria, Maria insisted these come too. I asked Liesl and Louisa not to share that I had them, so you each have the same moment on your wedding day."
Georg handed the handkerchief to Brigitta. She fingered the light blue and gold embroidery. AWvT. "I love it," she whispered. "And I love you very much, Father."
Georg gave Brigitta a hug the scolded, "Don't start crying or you will mess your face. Are you ready?"
Brigitta nodded, "Let's do this."
Georg took her arm and led her to the car.
"Are you absolutely sure about this, Darling?" Georg asked as they drove toward the church.
"Even if I wasn't, isn't it a little late?" Brigitta laughed.
"Not at all," Georg replied. "Not at all. I can have the car turned around and take you home. You put on some pajamas and I'll fix you a tuna sandwich."
Georg learned how to make three things living without servants in America, a tuna sandwich, oatmeal, and hamburgers. Any other cooking was left for Maria. There was no end to the blessings that came from their marriage. Maria was strong and resourceful and gave 100% of herself to him and the family every day.
"I think I'll go and get married instead" Brigitta laughed. "But thank you for the offer."
They were silent for a few moments, then as they pulled up to the church, Georg sighed. "There is one piece of advice I want to give you before you become Mrs. Hamilton. You will hear especially over here in America that marriage is a partnership, 50/50, yes? Well, it's not. Marriage is not 50/50 Brigitta, it is 100/100 every day, working every day. Your number one job as a wife is to make Peter happy, keep his heart safe. That's his number one job as well. Remember that and you will be fine."
Brigitta gave Georg a kiss then waited while the car doors were opened. In her mother's lace, Brigitta ascended the church steps on her father's arm. Friedrich was ready to seat Maria, and Liesl, Louisa, Marta and Gretl were proudly serving as bridesmaids. Kurt was a groomsman, and the Littles, nine-year-old Rose, seven-year-old Ella, and four-year-old Johnny, properly Johannes, served as flower girls and ring bearer. There was some question as to whether or not little Johnny would go down the aisle, so Maria planned to stand just inside his line of sight to prompt him.
Maria met Georg and Brigitta at the back.of the church and with Liesl fixed the long, flowing veil. "You look so beautiful," Maria gushed. "I'm so proud of you."
The music began to play only moments after the arrival of the bride. Peter and his best man, his older brother, Matthew stepped out of the sacristy and took their places. The church was decorated with sprays of flowers in Brigitta's chosen colors navy blue, white, and gold and a long white carpet was laid out along the aisle.
The bridesmaids and flower girls were dressed in elegant navy blue gowns with floral combs in their up-styled hair. They carried bouquets of yellow roses and baby's breath.
Peter, his groomsmen, Friedrich, and Georg, wore black tuxedos, black bow ties, and gold cummerbunds to offset the yellow floral in the bouquets and the bridesmaids' hair. Every detail was carefully planned and efficiently executed.
Maria's gown was emerald, bringing out the hints of green that were scattered through the florals. Georg loved that color on her. Most of what Georg would choose for Maria would be in some shade of green. Maria wore a comb in her hair, though it was more ornamental than serviceable with her trademark shorter cut.
At two pm exactly, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring began to play. Friedrich took Maria's arms and began the slow walk down the long aisle.
The music shifted to Trumpet Voluntary, one of Georg's favorite pieces that had been used at Liesl and Louisa's weddings for the bridesmaid processional.
The little ones followed their older siblings down the aisle. Even little Johnny did his job successfully though he ran the last couple steps when he saw his Mama.
Finally, it was time. The chords changed again to the traditional bridal match. The entire congregation stood up for Brigitta as she and Georg slowly began to journey down the aisle.
The priest began the ceremony with Georg still holding onto Brigitta's arm. Georg hated this part. He hated the part where the priest asked him "Who presents this woman in marriage?" because, to him, all of his girls were still playing house. Still, he knew it was time to let go.
"Her mother and I do," Georg replied then took his seat next to Maria for the rest of the ceremony.
The older couple sat, arms entwined, and listened as Brigitta said forever with a smile upon her face.
A/N: Welcome to my new work. This story is based off of two of my favorite songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Quittin Time and He Think He'll Keep her. Totally different experience for a SOM fic but I love the contrast in generation and culture that these stories can bring.