"So, Maria Rainer, will you give me the greatest honor of marrying you?"

-X-

Maria just stared at him, her hands on her cheeks, letting the tears fall freely. After a moment or two passed, Georg began to get nervous. Was it too soon? Was this even what she wanted? Was he too old for her? Just as he was about to stand back up and apologize for making her uncomfortable, he finally heard Maria's soft voice.

"You.. you want to marry me? Truly?"

This time he did stand up, giving her that half grin he knew she loved. "More than anything, darling". He watched as the cloud of doubt finally faded from her eyes and was replaced with the most glorious expression.

Nodding frantically, Maria exclaimed "YES! Oh! Yes, Georg!" before leaping into his arms and wrapping herself around him.

Georg caught his fiancé in his arms with little trouble and held her tightly against him, peppering every inch of her skin he could reach with sweet kisses. "Maria, you've just made me the happiest man in the entire world!".

Reluctantly, he put her back down on the floor and reached for her hand. From the velvet black box he was holding, he produced a brilliant solitaire diamond ring that was flanked on either side by tiny deep blue sapphires. Delicately, he slid the ring onto Maria's finger and raised her hand to place a kiss next to the symbol of his eternal love.

"Georg, it's… it's beautiful. You shouldn't have, I don't deserve this. Getting to become your wife is more than enough" she said sincerely.

"Yes I should have. You deserve this and so much more. This ring is nothing compared to the tremendous joy and love you've brought back to my life. I promise to protect you, provide for you and love you for all the days of our lives" he promised her as he pulled her back into his arms, marvelling at how perfect she felt against him.

When he felt her tense in his arms, he pulled back slightly to look at her and tuck a piece of her silky blonde hair behind her ear.

"Ge-Georg? Do you think the children will be happy with… us?" Maria asked tentatively. "I read all of their letters at work today and I was so touched at their words of love and forgiveness but… becoming your wife, and their… mother… will they approve?"

He lovingly tucked her head into his chest and smiled against her hair. "Darling, the children will be absolutely thrilled with our news…. Liesl may have also subtly given us their blessing and permission before I left" he assured her.

Maria led them towards her small couch and sat down next to him, nuzzling into his side. Placing her head softly on his chest, she took a moment to think about how magnificent this moment was. Since running away to Paris she had spent so many lonely nights on this very couch crying herself to sleep.

Tonight, she sat on the same couch and was once again slowly falling asleep, only now, she sat upon it in love, engaged, and wholly happy.

-X-

The next morning, Georg woke up feeling happier than he had in years. As he blinked away the sleep from his eyes, he become acutely aware of something soft and warm lying on top of him. Looking down at the bundle in his arms, he smiled to himself and watched his fiancé, God, his fiancé, sleep contently in his arms. They must have fallen asleep together on her couch after staying up half the night talking about everything and nothing at all.

She had talked about her lonely past and her fears of being accepted into his social circle. He had shared stories about the children with her and reassured her that he didn't care about anything other than her and their family. And they had talked about their plans for the future. After discussing it, they had both agreed that they would return to Austria together. He would pay for the outstanding rent on her Parisian flat and promised that they would return to the city of light soon, perhaps for their honeymoon, he had idly thought.

Just as he was daydreaming about spending a long, thorough honeymoon in some sort of paradise with his young bride, he felt the object of his affections shift against him. "Good morning, sleeping beauty" he whispered lovingly.

Maria turned to face him with a look filled with love. Shyly, she pressed a kiss to his chest before sitting up next to him. "Well, Captain, it looks like we did sleep together last night after all" she teased him.

He returned her smile but then turned serious, remembering her advances from last night. "Maria... you must know that I, erm, want you darling. Very much. You have no idea…" he trailed. "But you deserve our first time to be special, on our honeymoon, after we are safely wed". He gently stroked her cheek and hoped she wouldn't think that he was rejecting her.

Maria blushed furiously, there was so much that she wanted to ask him, so much that she wanted to say but for the first time in her life, she felt at a loss of words. This man was so considerate of her! Whatever did she do to deserve him? "Thank you Georg" she said softly, reaching for one of his hands and entangling their fingers.

After sharing a quick pot of tea, Georg suggested that he begin to help her pack her things, although that didn't take them more than ten minutes. Then, he left a large sum of money and a note on the counter for her landlord and reluctantly kissed his love goodbye. Georg agreed to take her things with him back to his hotel where he would settle his bill and then meet her at her shop. To an outsider, it might seem as if they were moving far too quickly, but to the two of them, it had already been far too long. He simply couldn't wait to get Maria home and married.

Last night they had both agreed that they didn't want a lavish wedding. Georg had already had one, and Maria simply didn't want one. Given the rising political tensions, and their blatant desire and love for one another, they had decided to get married as soon as possible at the Abbey chapel with just the children and Max as a witness.

-X-

A couple of hours later, Maria found herself walking arm in arm with her fiancé into Clara's shop. Georg had hired a car to take them to the train station after Maria said her goodbyes and had left their things with their waiting driver.

"Maria! I wasn't so sure I would be seeing you today dear" the older lady teased, before her eyes dropped to Maria's hand. "Is that what I think it is?" she asked excitedly, garnering the attention of Lena who had come out from the backroom.

Before Lena could deafen them all with her squeals, Maria smiled at her friends and tugged a suddenly shy Georg, over to properly meet them.

"Ladies, I'd like to introduce Captain Georg von Trapp… he's my fiancé" she said warmly, squeezing Georg's hand in the process.

"I JUST KNEW IT!" Lena screamed as she began jumping up and down like a child and pulling Maria away from Georg and into a giant hug. "Didn't I tell you Clara? Didn't I?"

"Yes you did Lena" Clara appeased. "It's nice to officially meet you Captain. I have to say, I never thought this day would come" she said honestly.

"Yes, do forgive me ladies. I've been amiss in failing to come sooner. But I'm here now. In fact, I'm here to take Maria home. It's true, we're going to be married" he said proudly but slowly, waiting to gage their reactions. He hadn't meant to just blurt out their pending departure, but he also absolutely did not want these ladies to think he was some lecherous old man hiding his mistress away in Paris.

It was, unfortunately, a common scenario amongst men of his status and he was adamant about showing the world that he was not like them. He was damn proud to claim Maria as his own and he would be happy to proclaim his love for her to all to hear, if his humble fiancé would only let him. But Maria was not like other women. She did not like a lot of attention and had insisted that she did not need an elaborate engagement announcement or lavish party to assure her of his love. Especially not when she was wearing his ring on her finger.

Before Clara could offer her congratulations, the group turned towards the door that had just been opened. Lo and behold it was Louis, ever the persistent Parisian, presumably back to ask Maria out again. This time, he had brought with him a box of chocolates and what looked like an expensive bottle of wine.

"Ah, good morning all" he nodded to the group. Then he turned his attentions to Maria. Like yesterday he let his eyes wander up and down her incredible figure. "Ma Cherie! My goodness you're even more beautiful in person than in my dreams!" he flirted. "Perhaps when you're done with this customer" he nodded vaguely in Georg's direction misreading the nature of their relationship, "I could treat you to the most extravagant lunch you've ever had! And then who knows, maybe… dessert too" he winked at Maria, licking his lips and paying no attention to the dangerously darkening glare he was receiving from the other man.

Before Georg could pounce on the man, he felt Maria slipping one of her arms through his and laying one of her small hands delicately on his chest.

"Louis, once again I'm afraid I'll have to decline. In fact my fiancé and I were just leaving We're going home today. Oh forgive me, allow me to introduce him. This is Captain von Trapp, my fiancé" Maria asked shyly, still not used to getting to call this wonderful sea captain, hers. She felt Georg tighten his grip on her waist and looked up at him with all the love in the world.

Georg smiled back at his fiancé and then grinned smugly at the French-man,. He had loathed the way the other man dared to leer at Maria and had even chuckled inwardly at the way Louis had propositioned her. Even if Georg hadn't come to Paris, even if Maria hadn't just agreed to marry him, this man would not have stood a chance with Maria if he thought the way to her heart was crude come-ons and fancy outings. He had been ready to deck the other man right there and then, but had instantly calmed upon Maria's possessive gesture. Hearing her claim him as her own made his insides melt.

With a look of defeat and mild disbelief Louis' hands, which were holding the wine and chocolate, dropped to his side. "Fiancé? No. No, I don't believe I've had the… pleasure" he managed, politely shaking the Captain's hand.

"It's nice to meet you Lewis" Georg said purposefully fumbling the man's name.

"It's Louis, actually. I didn't know she was already spoken for. Perhaps I should be leaving. I'll be back tomorrow to pick up the rest of my garments Clara" Louis answered in frustration before stalking out of the shop and disappearing down the street.

Clara just shook her head in amusement and turned her attentions back to the couple in front of her. "Well, now that that's finally been settled, let me finally congratulate you properly my dear. I'm sure you'll be very happy now" she said sincerely, reaching for the young woman.

Maria accepted Clara's hug eagerly. "Oh Clara thank you so much for your support and friendship! You too Lena. I will miss you both, but Georg is right. It's time for us to go home. I hope you can understand" Maria said, feeling slightly guilty for leaving without much notice.

But Clara just waved her hand, "Of course we can dear. Truth be told, I wasn't sure how much longer I would have been able to keep on a third seamstress" Clara answered with a wink.

With a look of appreciation, Maria turned to her Parisian friends, " Please come visit us in Salzburg one day" she said, handing Lena the address of the villa.

Georg smiled and nodded in agreement. "We would be happy to have you and introduce you to our children. Now, if you'll excuse us, we do have a train to catch" he said taking Maria's hand in his. Looking between the two seamstresses, he added "thank you for watching over my love I do appreciate it".

After a final hug between friends, Maria took Georg's hand and they walked out into the street towards their waiting town car.

-X-

The next morning, Georg and Maria found themselves driving back to the villa after a long overnight journey home. After pulling the car in to the driveway, Georg excitedly went around the car to open the door for Maria.

"I'm so glad to be back" Maria said as she walked arm in arm with Georg into the villa. "It feels like I'm coming home" she added shyly.

"That's because you are home, darling. From the very first day you walked through these very doors, this place has been yours. Now, if only we could find the children. Where are they? I was hoping they would be here" he answered, seeing Frau Schmidt and Franz round a corner.

"Welcome home Captain. Oh! Maria! You've returned too! How splendid!" the housekeeper exclaimed, while Franz remained silent, simply moving to take the bags into the house.

Maria smiled at the housekeeper, "thank you Frau Schmidt. It's nice to be back. Um, where are the children?" she asked while looking around the foyer, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. It seemed strange that she couldn't even here their ruckus.

Frau Schmidt, nodded towards the back doors, "it was such a lovely morning that the children decided to go and play outside after breakfast".

Both Georg and Maria thanked the older woman and eagerly made their way to the terrace. Stopping just outside the glass doors, Fredrich caught Maria's eye and the chaos began.

"Father! Fraulein Maria!"

"You're back!"

"We missed you!"

"Can we be a family now?"

"Will you get married already?'

"How was Paris?"

"Can I call you mother?"

The children screamed out all at once, as they began sprinting towards the patio from their scattered positions across the vast yard.

Maria and Georg had called the children from the train station in Paris to let them know that they were coming home. While he had hoped to share the news of their engagement with the children in person over a warm meal, he couldn't seem to wait long enough and had shared the news with the children over the telephone. After passing the phone back and forth until their train arrived, Maria had felt reassured of the children's happiness and was even more excited to go home and hold them.

Now standing on the precipice of their new life, Georg squeezed Maria's hand and turned to face her, "are you ready to face our seven children my love?" he whispered to her.

Maria looked back at her Captain, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness, "I will be ready for anything for the rest of my life as long as you're by my side"

As they watched the children scramble towards them, he chuckled, "well then… together?" he asked Maria, gesturing towards the terrace steps.

With a sigh of contentment, Maria nodded eagerly and followed Georg down the steps opening their arms to their children. While hugging their brood, Maria found Georg's gaze above the heads of the little ones in her arms, and whispered, "together".

Fin.

We belong together like the sun in the summertime

Disclaimer: I do not own Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, nor do I retain any rights over Mariah Carey's We Belong Together/We Belong Together (Desert Storm Remix). I profit in no way from this work of fiction and all properties belong to respective owners. This work is for recreation purposes only and is not to be copied or reproduced in any way.

AN: Thank you to all those who took the time to follow along, read, and review this story. I very much appreciate the continued support and encouragement! x