AN: Happy Valentines Day! For tomorrow.
You must have all thought I'd forgotten about this story or something. Well sort of. I actually wrote this ages ago, and yeah kind of forgot about it. But then I had this dream last week about the Sound of Music. I just remember waking up and thinking, I should post that story up. So now here is the end. And it's kind of mushy in places. I changed the end of the last chapter but I can't edit it now, so just pretend it's not there.
And I could do an epilogue if you wanted that I would make sure would only be a week at the most. You guys deserve better and I haven't given you that, so if you want an epilogue let me know, and let me know what you want in it; marriage, baby, or singing or something. Thanks for your patience. Hope you like it :)
He gently kissed her lips. 'Will you be here when I wake up tomorrow?' He asked.
'You bet I will.' With a final kiss, Maria opened the door and walked in the room, only to come out five seconds later. 'I left my bag somewhere outside.' She gave a sheepish grin.
'I'll go and get it.' Georg offered. 'But I'm not sure I like being alone out there. Perhaps you would like to accompany me in finding it, Fraulein.' He offered his arm out which she took. 'I'd be glad to,' she hesitated, 'Georg'.
He smiled fondly at her. 'I like hearing you use that name, my dear.' Georg said taking her hand and kissing it while they walked back down the hall and out of the house.
Maria had some trouble remembering exactly where she had put it after all that had happened and the light from the porch was not so helpful this time.
Walking in the darkness in the cool summer night was sufficiently pleasant and it allowed them to enjoy each others intimate company without interruption. Just holding hands and talking was enough to make Maria positively warm inside, and she glowed at the though of being his wife, being with him for the rest of their lives.
So much had happened today. All the pain of the earlier morning she had half forgotten. No sorrow or guilt washed over her as he stroked her cheek, but complete happiness. She thanked her Father in Heaven for giving her such a man.
'There it is.' Georg gave a sudden exclamation which jolted her out of her contemplations. There were her bags, left neatly at the foot of the wall. Georg bent down to pick them up but Maria stopped him. He gave her a questioning look as she took both his hands, and he turned to face her, his eyes intently gazing on her flushed features. 'Are you well, Maria?' She shushed him, putting a finger on his lips.
'Georg', she began, 'I love you so much. You have given me so much to live for. I thought it was God's Will that I be at the abbey, but it seems that I was wrong.' She leant forward and kissed him on the cheek. 'God has a plan for us, of that I know. And I know I shall take delight in discovering that plan with you… and I'm most grateful that I have you with me.' Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke. She left the part about the pending Anschuluss unspoken. 'Whatever happens in the future, I will always love you.'
Georg smiled and pulled her close to him. 'Thankyou, Maria. You've given my life meaning again. I love you.' He gently stroked her cheek and they stood there, their noses nearly touching, just holding each other.
(Extreme high wide shot, looking down; sweeping, majestic music, bah bah bam!)
Liesl had gone to bed, but did not sleep. She was talking excitedly with her siblings.
She hadn't told them immediately that Maria was back, but from the excited look on her face they all knew that she knew something. She goaded them and danced around the subject until she finally told them who their visitor was.
Before Liesl could say or do anything, her brothers and sisters had already made their way to the governess room only to find no one there.
'Perhaps she's taking a moonlight stroll with father', Brigitta slyly remarked. Hopeful chatter ensued on the relationship of their father and their former governess right there on the balcony.
Little Marta had already run downstairs to see if they were outside. When she saw the light of the porch on she came back. 'The light's on outside! Let's go see!' The yell caught her brothers and sisters attention and they followed her.
They ran quietly this time, and Marta, who happened to be in the lead, flung the courtyard doors open and spotted the pair walking closely, side by side. Her father carrying a suitcase, and Maria, her guitar.
She ran as fast as she could to them and threw her arms around the surprised Maria. All she could do was hug her back.
The other children came next, nearly knocking her over. Georg steadied her by putting an arm around her waist and joining the group in the hug.
The multitude of questions that Liesl had promised to come burst forth, but was quickly silenced by Maria's loud voice.
'Let me answer your questions. I came back because I missed you and love you and your father. I'm back for good and have no plans on leaving ever, and with your approval, I'm going to be your new mother, and your father's wife. Does that answer them all?' She shocked them into silence, except for Brigitta. 'Just one you missed. When are we going to have a new sister?' There was a mixture of groans and giggles and the father and the already mother like Maria drew them closer.
The seven children, the man and the woman continued to stay there, hugging each other, all ready, all of them family.