A/N: This is a story of scenes that I imagine happened that lead up to Maria and Georg falling for one another. I have tried to keep it as close to their characters as possible, but of course, this is a romance.

Disappointment, that is what she felt. Disappointment in the fact that she tried to reason with the Captain- really, she did! - but it seemed, as stubborn as she was, he was just as stubborn. She hoped that she would have gotten through to him, just a little! Shaking her head slowly and sighing, she made her way inside.

Walking in from outside, she heard a melodic, deeper voice singing the tail end of the song she had taught the children. Maria stood watching from the doorway, a small smile on her face, as she realized who was singing. The Captain finished and slowly walked up to the children who all ran into his arms. Small laughter came from all of them as they were relieved he wasn't angry with them.

Gretl looked to Maria and she motioned the little girl with a small wave of her hand to give the edelweiss she had picked to give to the baroness. Still watching the captain with his children, she saw as he turned to face her, and their eyes met briefly. She backed away from the door as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing and began to walk to her room so she could begin packing for her leave.

"Fräulein." she heard him call out to her and she turned to face him. He paused to gather his thoughts. "I behaved badly. I apologize."

"I'm far too outspoken. It's one of my worst faults!"

"You were right." He took a small step towards the stairs. "I don't know my children."

"There's still time, Captain. They want so much to be close to you."

"You brought music back into the house. I'd forgotten." Maria noticed a small flash of sadness in his eyes and a faraway look. Seeing it made her heart skip a beat and she turned to continue going up the stairs.

"Fräulein." He called to her, the smallest hint of- something she wasn't sure, in his voice. She turned back to face him. "I want you to stay. I- uh, ask you to stay," he said quietly, the smallest smile on his face.

She smiled. "If I could be of any help-"

"You already have. More than you know." He spoke softly, a warmth in his eyes she had not expected, which made her heart swell. He looked as though he had something else he wanted to say to her but must have thought against it. He gave her a quick glance, replaced his mask, and turned to walk back into the drawing room.

Maria excitedly clapped her hands together and ran up to her room to change out of her wet dress.

Oh, how the mood had shifted when he heard his children sing, and shocking her when he joined them in song. She was glad to see the stony and stoic sea captain had become a little warmer and she wanted to say receptive to his children. And how she hoped that this version of him would stick around for the children's sake.

She joined them back in the drawing room around 10 minutes later. When she walked into the room, he met her eyes, gave her a thankful smile, and turned his attention back to the group. Gretl was now sitting in his lap on the settee, her little arm draped around his neck, as the others were gathered around him telling him about everything their governess had been doing with them.

"We even went to the market and got items for a picnic in the mountains!" said Kurt. Maria smiled at the boy, who seemed to always think of food.

"Well, it seems that you all have had a lot of wonderful adventures!" he said with a hearty laugh, ruffling Kurt's hair. The boy gave him back a large grin. "And how are your studies going?"

"Oh just fine, father," Leisl spoke. "Fräulein Maria is a wonderful teacher."

"Is that so?" He looked over to where Maria was sitting, amusement on his face. She responded with a small shrug and a light blush forming across her cheeks from the compliment from Leisl.

"Excuse me, Captain." Frau Schmidt clapped from the doorway. "Dinner is ready to be served."

"Alright, everyone! Go get washed up!" He set Gretl on her feet and watched as they all ran happily from the room. Max and the baroness, who were engrossed in their gossip, both stood and made their way out the room. Maria stood and turned to leave to follow up with the children.

"Uh- Fräulein." she heard him call out to her. She turned around to face him. "I would like to discuss the children's studies with you." He said as he walked across the room. "If you could meet me in my study after dinner."

"Yes, Captain." she turned and she felt him grab her arm, softly. His touch on her arm was warm and made her heart start to beat wildly.

"I am grateful that you have brought happiness to them. Thank you." There was a softness in his eyes, which were a wonderful shade of blue, much like Leisl's she noticed.

"Of course, sir. They really are wonderful."

"Yes, they are." he smiled, dimples appearing on his cheeks. He let go of her, not entirely realizing he was still holding on to her and held out his hand to allow her to exit the room first. She walked to find all the children to gather them, and he closed the doors to the drawing room softly behind him, a smile spreading across his face.

Silently he thanked Mother Abbess for sending her to him.

Short chapter, just to set the stage! Others will be much longer, and I will be updating at least once, if not twice a week.

Reviews are appreciated!

:)