Duty To Love

SUMMARY: After returning to find Georg and Elsa engaged Maria isn't so sure she can keep her emotions in check and Elsa isn't going anywhere with the news she has to tell Georg. Will love stay strong or will duty prevail?

Part 1

Elsa closed her eyes and her heart sank as she watched him staring at her from the balcony. A blind man could see the love between them, the caring gestures and longing looks. Oh why did they have to be so careless? If anything in this past week she had learned how to love, learned to accept that titles and money weren't enough, that one had to search and find what they needed. And she had certainly gotten that.

It was last week that it had all really started to dawn on her. The cravings, the upset stomachs the tiredness and the most important give away the morning sickness. Pinching the bridge of her nose she suppressed her groan, knowing if her mother were here she would be chaste and most likely kicked out onto the street. She hadn't meant for this to happen, hadn't meant to be so careless. But she had thought it most unlikely, for the past 15years she had managed to have sex without falling pregnant, she had thought it impossible for her. But here she was at 36, pregnant to a man she didn't even love.

Sure she had thought she had loved Georg, but now, looking back over this past week she had been a fool if she had truly thought anything lay between them. Admittedly they had had a few good tumbles but it was hardly love. No, it was Maria who had captured his heart and now she was about to tear it all down. She had thought about just leaving and raising the child on her own or even giving it away, but Georg, dear Georg he would never forgive her if she did. She wanted to give Maria and him a chance, let them love and live, but now? Oh what a scandal!

She knew she had been wrong to trick Maria into leaving the night of the party, but what was she to do? She hadn't expected the girl to come back, hadn't expected to be pregnant either she thought inwardly

Sighing and smoothing out her dress she walked outside "There you are" she said as she saw him shift her gaze shifting to the figure below with a knowing smile, oh how her heart broke for them both, why did she have to screw up so utterly?

"I really must talk to cook about the vine schnitzel, its entirely too delicious for my figure" she teased as she rubbed over her stomach knowing that in nine months they were sure to guess that it wasn't the food that was making her so big. Oh and her figure! She had worked so hard for her slender figure, now to be snatched away for what? A few nights of pleasure?

"And it makes you much too quite at the dinner table. Was it the wine?" she asked gently.

"Oh undoubtedly the wine" he murmured not really paying attention to her.

She sighed trying to find a way to broach the subject, but should she? "You have no idea of the trouble I am having trying to find you a wedding present… oh I know I'm enough" she teased trying coax him to say his true feelings tell him she wasn't enough tell her to go, leave.

"But I still want to get you some little trifle for the occasion" she smiled "At first I thought of a fountain pen but you've already got one, and then I thought of a villa in the south of France but they are so difficult to giftwrap!" she said looking at him "Oh Georg how do you feel about yots, a long sleek one for the Mediterranean and a tiny one for your bathtub"

Georg laughed as he looked at her "Elsa…"

There! "Yes?" she said a little too urgently.

He looked at her sadly barely able to look at her without feeling the heavy guilt that lay on his heart "It's no use, you and I" he paused and she waited, finding the right moment "I'm being dishonest to both of us, and utterly unfair to you. When two people talk of marriage…"

Tell him! Tell him now!... no she couldn't, she definitely couldn't … I'm so sorry Georg she thought, she couldn't ruin his chance to live, not now, not after all he had been through, please forgive me lord!

"No don't, don't say another word Georg, please" she paused with a laugh "You see ugh , there are other things I've been thinking of and as find as I am of you I really don't think you are the right man for me you're ah, you are much too independent and I, I need someone who needs me desperately or at least needs my money desperately… I've enjoyed every moment we've had together, I do thank you for that and now if you'll forgive I'll go inside and pack my little bags and return to Vienna where I belong" pausing she look out towards the garden with a smile "And somewhere out there there's a young lady who I think… will never be a nun" she said almost laughing as she saw his eyebrows go up in shock.

"Auwierdersehn darling" she said with a kiss, leaving him on the veranda. Yes this was for the best she thought.

-SOM-

Maria sat down on the bench, her heart heavy as she knelt forward thinking over the past 24 hours. She had been foolish that is what she had been, foolish to think that he could feel something more for her, foolish to think that he would not ask the baroness to marry him and ask her instead. Foolish.

Why did the reverend mother have to send her here? All those beautiful days on the hills with the children, all the games they had played together not to mention the captain. The way he would watch them, his eyes scouring over them, protecting them and how their eyes would occasionally meet in a passionate caress only to be broken with quick look away as blush would creep up both of their necks. How could she live without that? Without seeing him and the children every day? It seemed most impossible to her.

If she had thought about the possibility of not becoming a nun a few months ago she would have thought herself mad, yet here she sat, those very thoughts rushing through her head with no avail and no solution. Could she really stay here knowing that the Baroness and him were to be married? Could she live here knowing her heart would always belong to him where as his lay somewhere else?

She felt sick, like her heart had shattered and was now falling into oblivion, alone and so utterly crushed. What she wouldn't give to relive these past few months with him, their joyful conversations their fights, their disagreements all of it and more she would relive just to feel that love once more.

"Stay"

Looking to her left she forced a smile as she saw Leisl walk forward "Pardon?" she asked gently.

Leisl sighed as she neared the woman she thought of as a sister and mother, the person she could confide everything to "Stay with us"

Maria's heart broke as she looked away "You know I can't" she replied quietly.

"Why?"

"Leisl" she sighed.

"Because you love father?" Leisl asked biting the bullet with one sharp lash of the tongue.

"Leisl!" Maria snapped as she looked at the girl in shock.

The girl who looked so much like her mother stood defiantly determined to make her governess stay. For the few days she had left the whole family had fallen apart, how could she do that again? Leaving them to crumble as they had done so before, no, she would not let it happen.

"You don't deny it" Leisl said as she watched Maria look at her with shock, her usually bright blue eyes, holding such pain and sorrow despite her joyful return.

"Leisl of what you speak is none of your business. What I think or feel has nothing to do with whether I stay or not" Maria said trying not to lash out. Why did all of his children have to be so smart and perceptive?

"It has everything do with it!" Leisl insisted "You must stay with us Fraulien, please without you this family will crumble!" she pleaded looking down at the woman on the bench.

Maria shook her head as she kept back her tears "Leisl, I love you and the children so very much…"

"Then stay"

"You ask the impossible, I can't"

"You can"

"Leisl!"

"Tell me why not; tell me why you cannot stay?"

Maria getting more infuriated by the second looked at the young girl with her mouth open "A… a woman… a woman cannot be a governess forever"

"Lies, you know as very well as I Fraulien that some women stay as a governess to a family for their whole lives"

Maria shook her head as she looked away "Then you should not be as stupid to know that they are more to that family than what is said. A mistress Leisl, I will not be that to your father, I will never stoop that low!" she snapped as she stood.

Leisl felt guilt wash over as she realized what she had implied "I, forgive me, I didn't mean to imply that you should…"

Maria shook her head as she came over to the girl, stroking her face with such motherly care, tired of fighting, tired of hurting "I know and I did not mean to snap" she said as she looked over her "Oh Leisl" she sighed "You know if I could I would never leave you children but your fa… you are smart Leisl I'm sure you understand my reasoning"

Leisl sighed and nodded "I do but…"

"Forgive me but I don't" another deep voice came, Maria's heart lurching into her throat as she refused to look at him refused to accept that he was here, that he had probably heard all she had said and subtly confessed.

Leisl's eyes widened in shock as she turned around to look at her father, not sure whether to run at the fact that she had been caught outside after dark or that he had heard her and Maria's conversation, uh oh she thought silently.

When no one said anything after that, no one moving only the sound of the night surrounding them Maria turned to Leisl "Leisl give us a moment will you please" she said quietly.

Looking between her and her father she nodded but not before kissing her on the cheek and her father "Goodnight" she whispered before walking back to the house.

Georg waited watching as Maria walked away from him, her hands twiddling with the skirt of her dress nervously.

"There, there is nothing for you to understand Captain" she said as she turned to look at him.

Walking forward with more courage and hope than he realized he had he spoke "Isn't there? Why did you return?" he asked as Maria watched him, her eyes so vulnerable, showing every weakness yet the strength that he knew lay beneath simmering under it all like a passionate fire waiting to be released.

Maria breathed in nervously almost afraid of herself, afraid of her actions around him, the need to be near him tugging at her "Well I had an obligation to fulfill and I, I came back to fulfill it"

"Is that all?" he asked nearing her still.

"I missed the children"

"Only the children?" he pressed still, trying to get her to open up, to reveal it all and complete his hope that she felt something for him, felt something more than friendship.

"No, yes!" she said back immediately trying to hide her slip up "Isn't it right I should have missed them?"

"Oh yes, yes, of course" he chuckled hoping filling even more at her small slip up "I just hoped…"

Maria looked at him her heart thundering waiting praying for him to finish that sentence, yes, what did he want? Did he want her? What? "Yes?"

Sighing he smiled trying to find the right words without scaring her, after all she hadn't even kissed a man before "Walk with me?" he asked suddenly.

Maria's eyebrows lifted at the sudden request but just as she would do anything for him she nodded following him and soon enough was walking slowly beside him back towards the house.

"When you left nothing was the same" he started as they walked leisurely "And it will all be wrong again after you leave, I was just wondering if you might, change your mind?" he asked as they came to a stop"

Maria stopped her breaths becoming short as she fort the urge to say yes, to proclaim to him her every thought and emotion, to stay here with this beautiful family, but god forgive her she could not "Captain you know that I can't…"

"Maria he said quietly stepping forward so close.

"I'm sure the baro…" she stopped as his hand caressed her cheek, her heart stopping "Captain please!" she begged as she forced herself to step away from him "You are to be married!" she said walking away from, needing to find space and to breathe.

"Maria there isn't going to be any baroness"

Once again Maria stopped, spinning around to look at him with such utter confusion "I I don't, I don't understand" she stuttered barely able to believe what she was hearing. What did he mean there wasn't going to be any baroness? She was here; they were engaged were they not? Oh how her heart and head ached.

Georg smiled a brief smiled at her confused features but then the seriousness of the situation took over and the heat between them flourished with that one gaze "We call of our engagement you see"

Maria looked at the floor before looking at him "But you… I, why?" she asked almost slapping herself for her forthright question.

And then there it was, you couldn't miss it. The smile she adored the one he kept so under wraps, hidden and locked away only creeping out from time to time slowly etching its way onto his mouth as he walked so devastatingly slowly towards her "Well you can't marry someone when your, in love with someone else now… can you?" he said as he looked down at her all the care in the world emanating in just that one look as she was held speechless.

Her throat dry and her voice gone she shook her head as his hand came up ever so slowly, caressing her cheek once again till her eye lids fell shut, his other hand sliding its way onto her hip and drawing her close as her own hands found their way to his chest, sliding up and up, relishing in the feel of the firm planes of his chest.

His lips descended on her face; kissing so sensually slowly towards her lips until finally they touched with that one sweet gentle caress, his lips so soft and inviting as she breathed into the kiss, her hands tightening on his shirt, almost pulling him closer.

Georg smiled as they parted from the gentle kiss, resisting the urge to kiss her again as he let her get her she sighed with suppressed relief she fell gladly into his arms as he pulled her close his lips pressing her hair as they made small comforting circles on each other bodies.

"The mother always said when god closes a door, somewhere he opens a window" she whispered as he gently made her look up at him.

"Is that why you came back?" he asked with a small smile.

Slowly knowing with all her heart she trusted him she slowly nodded "You have to look for your life" her eyes boring into his, into his soul, so deep like an ocean.

Georg's small smile widened subtly as he started down at the woman he loved "And have you found it?"

"I think I have…" she stopped as she felt her heartbeat skip, the love he poured into that one gaze finalizing the blatant truth "… I know I have" she whispered as he came to kiss her again, this time her hesitant shy lips moving softly with his, testing the unknown waters with such sweet love it made Georg's heart burst.

When they parted they shared a small chuckle Maria's head ducking in shyness before he gently took her hand, leading them around the garden a little more, both of them falling into a comfortable relaxed pace, often chatting idly until they reached the terrace.

Both of them stopped looking up at the house before Maria let go of his hand and started walking up the steps, expecting him to follow. But when she did not hear his footsteps behind her she stopped, looking down at him in the moonlight, the soft glow he had from the moon and the few golden lights from inside the house making him look almost dreamlike and so utterly handsome.

Smiling softly she held out her hand "Aren't you coming?" she said quietly, her softly velvet voice washing over his skin like silk.

He smiled and took a few steps up till he was just a few steps below her his heart beating furiously and more than a little nervously at the question that was on the tip of his tongue "Who, who would I have to go to, to ask for permission to marry you?" he said quietly watching as her face contorted into one of such utter shock but a small smile etching its way onto her lips as he stood before her, his heart and soul on such utter display to her.

"Well, we, we could ask 'the childr..."

"Father! Maria!" a scream sounded from the house breaking the beautiful moment as Liesl piercings screams ran through the house to the garden.

Turning the both quickly ran the rest of the way up the stairs and into the house, the proposal forgotten as they ram as fast as they could to find their child.

"Leisl!" Maria shouted her heart unsure what to feel at that moment mixed emotions cursing through her veins just hoping Leisl was alright.

"UP HERE! PLEASE! HELP ME!" she screamed from the stair case both of their heads snapping to the stairs their hearts lurching into their throats as they saw Leisl sprawled over the stairs over.. the baroness?

"Oh my…" Maria whispered as they rushed up to them, Georg heavily on her heels as she kneeled down to look at the woman, praying she was alright and well despite their disagreements towards each other.

"What happened?" Georg asked Liesl as Maria motioned him over "Pick her up and take her to my room" she said as they all started to stand.

"I don't, I don't know. I came in and just as I saw her coming down the stairs with suitcases she just, wavered and fell, I don't know, I don't know, all I did was run to her so she didn't fall down the stairs, I barely managed to stop her" Liesl sobbed as she followed them anxiously into Maria's room.

Maria offered her a small reassuring smile "You did fine" she whispered as she pulled her into a soft hug before kissing her onto of her head.

Georg laid Elsa on the bed carefully watching as her eyes started to flutter from the movement "She's coming round" he said and immediately Maria separated herself from the young girl sitting herself on the side of the bed, smiling warmly down at the baroness.

The baroness obviously panicking sat up quickly "What…"

"Shhh" Maria coaxed gently, making her lie back down softly "It's alright, your fine, or so we think. We think you fainted…"she said as he looked towards Georg "Water" she said before he busied himself, leaving the room for a moment "How are you feeling?" she asked.

The baroness, who was biting her lips nervously, knew why she had fainted, there could be no other explanation, she had obviously not taken as good enough care with herself, how could she? She had known barely a week "I feel fine thank you Maria, please don't worry yourself with me"

"You collapsed on the stairs" Maria persisted

"I am fine"

"Well obviously something is not right or you would not have fainted. Please baroness, I only wish to help"

"Really, I am perfectly well, if you would just let me lea…"

Maria rolled her eyes "Baroness, I may be from a convent but I know a lie when I see one"

The baroness ground her teeth together getting more irritated by the moment why did she have to be so damn helpful and caring? "Stop being so nice Maria, gloating doesn't suit you" she snapped as she started to get off the bed.

Maria's eyes widened in shock as she watched her "Excuse me? Gloating, I was not…"

"I'm not stupid Maria, I know you don't like me and I can't say I feel much for you either, you got what you wanted you got him, so stop being so sickeningly nice and let me be" she said as she straightened herself out in the mirror, facing her with a cold steely glare.

Maria who was dumbfounded and frankly more than a little hurt stood her ground "I am not gloating baroness I merely trying to be helpful. You fell on the stairs, of course I care, just because we don't get along particularly well does not mean I would wish you any ill health. I just want to know why, so you don't faint again" Maria persisted.

Elsa scoffed and rolled her eyes turning to leave when Georg came in frowning at her "Elsa?" he asked wanting to know why she was out of bed and why the tension in the room had risen beyond belief.

"Let me be Georg" she said as she tried to move past him, all of them forgetting that Leisl was in the room, stood in the corner as she watched with petrified eyes, realizing just how young she was.

"You just fainted I think you should sit down" he commanded as he put the water down on the bedside table.

"I think you know nothing, so just let me leave!" she said Georg still blocking the door.

Maria shook her head in confusion "Why must you leave? We want to help you, take care of you…"

Georg interrupted Maria "Stay here…"

Elsa scoffed "Here? With you two while… no! I gave you my blessing Georg, I can't…." She stopped trying not to finish her sentence trying to reveal anything, truth was she needed them, needed them to take care of her, she needed a doctor, just to make sure everything was okay but how could she? With them here? With her here? No she needed to leave.

"just stay till tomorrow, rest, recuperate…"

"NO!" she screamed "I will not stay here while you sleep with her, I will not stay whilst carrying your chi…" she stopped her hurried words feeling almost sick as she barely stopped herself from revealing her true nature ebfore running to the toilets and emptying the contents of her stomach as she cried

Georg's heart stopped as he stared at her… carrying what? … no please no, not now not while he and Maria had just… NO!

Maria felt light headed as tears sprung at the back of her eyes, but despite this she was the one who stepped forward she was the one to take the truth when it was she who would get the full force hit of pain through this as she held back the baroness's hair as she threw up waiting for her to finish as she fetched the water, watching as she rinsed out her mouth, a fine sweat beaded on her forehead…"What are you carrying Elsa?" she said quietly as she took the woman's hands, her heart breaking as tears streamed down her face "Carrying what?" she whispered.

Elsa opened her eyes as she looked at the smaller woman a tear tumbling down her cheek "I never meant… I wanted you and him to be happy you have to believe me" she pleaded, Georg almost forgotten as he stood there in shock.

Maria nodded forcing a smile "I know, I know. Just tell me, we will help you… Georg will help you…"

Elsa shook her head "No"

"Baroness…"

"No, if I tell you, you must stay."

Maria's lips trembled "No, I can't, Elsa" Maria couldn't stand it, they knew, she knew, so how could this woman ask her this? How could she ask her to stay? Now? How inside felt like they were being torn out, limb from limb, just when she had found herself, just when she had found him, he had to be so brutally ripped away from her.

"Promise me" Maria shook her head "Promise me!" Elsa shouted.

Looking at her with tear filled eyes she frowned. Why did she need this? Why did she want her to stay? Couldn't she see that this would tear them apart? This child… this gift from god, no matter how conceived would be a part of his life, they would have a child together. Not him and Maria like she had dreamed for the past few months, no, him and Elsa. She felt a fury like no other, her heart shattering as the ache settled itself firmly in her chest but good gracious, she would never wish it out of this world… nevertheless, from now on, she and Georg could never be. But looking into the baroness's piercing eyes she saw what every mother held from the day they conceived, vulnerability. She was scared and frightened and Maria knew that feeling more than anyone… "… I promise" she whispered.

Elsa smiled her lips trembling as her gaze shifted to Georg's "I'm, I'm carrying your… your child Georg" she whispered barely containing her sons as she broke down crying knowing with the ut most pain she had just inexplicably changed this family's future forever…

Silence crashed down upon them, engulfing them as those words soaked into his skin, the consequences and actions that would now have to be taken. All if this and more caused because of his careless and brash actions because he could not keep it in his trousers. The hopes he had had, the small yet significant hope he had had at Marias return. He had seen the hurt that lay beneath those piercing blue eyes as he had watched his children announce his marriage, the way she had looked so lost and the way she had refused his question to stay. Now there was never any hope, all of it dashed with those three words. What had he done?

Georg looked away and closed his eyes running his hands over his face only just noticing the teary eyed Leisl in the corner of the room. So much like her mother he thought as he watched her trying to remain strong, she was just a child and now because of his rash and stupid actions he was about to welcome another into the world, but not with the woman he wished to.

"Go back to bed" he whispered. Watching as she quickly nodded before running out.

"Elsa…" Georg sighed

"No please listen" she interrupted needing him to hear her "I understand, I do, truly. I would leave this instant if I knew it would bring you happiness and give you a chance to be with her" her eyes flickering towards Maria "But Georg I, I can't…" she said desperately.

Georg shook his head as he looked at her, leaning against the toilet while the woman he loved sat next to her. How could she remain so strong? How could she sit there with Elsa, taking care of her when she knew that he had just dashed any hope of them being together? "This was my fault Elsa, not yours, I brought you here only to ignore you and treat you wrongly and now you…"

Elsa smiled sadly "Only because you fell in love" Maria blushing as she listened to the conversation, she shouldn't be here she thought and went to stand "I willk give you both some time to disc…"

"No!" both of them shouted immediately Maria freezing as she wiped her teary face.

"I can't, I I can't be here while you discuss this, I" a tear fell from her eye as she pleaded to Georg "Please" she whispered.

Georg nodded and Maria quickly went to leave but his hand on her wrist stopped her. Looking up at him, his heartbreaking gaze my her own heart shatter with his. He loved her and they couldn't be together, when god closes a door somewhere he opens a window… where was that window now she thought as he laced his fingers through hers and bring them to his lips, kissing the softly "Don't leave, please" he whispered pleadingly.

Maria tilted her head to the sad as she gave him a sad smile "I wont, I promise" she whispered before sliding her hand out of his and leaving the room quietly.

Turning back around Georg watched as Elsa stood, leaning against the sink as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Looking at her he tried to find his voice "I.." he paused trying to get his head around it all "I, I thought you couldn't…"

"Neither did I" she admitted as she looked at his confused features, knowing she had just shattered his entire future. Yes they were engaged but as soon as Maria had set foot back into this house earlier today she had stamped his heart as hers.

Elsa bit her lip and turned out towards the sink gripping the edge "Georg, I am so sorry" she whispered as she peered at him "If you wish it I will leave but I promise you our child will…"

"No" Georg said sternly stepping forward and turning her towards him. A tear fell from her eyes and with no hesitation Georg gently wiped it away before pulling her forward and kissing her on the forehead "No, no matter what, despite the fact that we do not love each other, I will keep my word and marry you. We will marry and love this child" he said gently as Elsa hesitantly wrapped her arms around him in return, both finding the strength they needed.

Georg's heart was sinking as he thought about what Maria's reaction would be when she found out, no doubt she already knew that with this baby they would have to be married. But what could he do? He couldn't ask her to stay and be his mistress; she was too special, worth too much to him to be his mere piece on the side. No, he would not tarnish her down to that for he knew as much as it would break him and as much as this new life Elsa carried inside of her would bring him joy he would let Maria go. He would let her live.

Elsa stroked his back as they held each other "If I could turn back time and change this I would, for you, for Maria" she whispered.

Georg shook his head as he looked down at her, separating himself from her a little so he could lift up her chin "I wouldn't. I know this changes everything, I know my heart will once again break but this time I won't ignore my children, I won't ignore this child. This child will bring more joy and happiness to our lives and a life no matter how they have been made is a gift, a gift from god that should be treasured" he said smiling trying to reassure them both.

Elsa looked at him trying to see past the façade that Maria seemed to get passed so well "We don't have to do this Georg, just one word and I'll go, ill pack my little bags and return to Vienna where I belong" she said gently giving him the option as she repeated her words from earlier.

Georg shook his head once again "You and this child belong here now, we are in this together Elsa"

Smiling she leant up and kissed his cheek before looking at him seriously "I think you should talk to her, maybe if you…"

"Elsa please, no, in a month she will leave and we will get married and this child will be born" he said his eyes emotionless.

Elsa closed her eyes for a moment as she shook her head "No, I want her to stay, I need her to"

"Elsa this will break her"

Elsa looked at him "She knows more about children than anyone I know, I want her to stay, at least for the pregnancy, I need her to teach me…" Elsa paused trying to explain "I have never been mother material Georg, you should know better than anyone, but Maria, she was made for this, I just want her help for the pregnancy and it will give you both time to sort things, I won't have her leaving like this, if she left now her heart surely would shatter"

Nodding slowly he forced a smile before stroking her arm "Alright" silence coming over them as they stood silently in the bathroom

Think positive he thought as he looked at the perfectly chiseled woman before him "We are going to be parents" he stated quietly.

Elsa nodded "Yes"

Georg shook his head as he looked out towards the window and then to her stomach, his forehead frowning with confusion "You're pregnant"

Elsa chuckled "So it seems darling"

Georg chuckled despite himself "Oh what are we like ey?" he said drawing her to his side.

Elsa smiled and stroked the hand that lay on her hip "Two peas in a pod my dear. We just have to take this one step at a time"

Georg nodded as he looked down at her "I may not love you Elsa but I consider a very dear friend and that is how we shall get through this, as friends"

Elsa smiled genuinely "I wouldn't have it any other way"

-SOM-

Maria stood on the landing, gripping the rails tightly as she willed her tears not to fall, willed herself not to feel the pain. So close they had been, so close to attaining more and then for all of it to be snatched away in the blink of an eye. She almost laughed at the situation, had she really thought this would work? A Baron and a postulant, how foolish could she be, they were from two different worlds, completely different life styles and they that they could… stupid stupid stupid girl her mind whispered over and over.

But no matter how much her reality tortured her it was her mind that tortured her most images of her and Georg kissing in the garden, the faint feel of his hands on her waist as arms. How could she forget that touch, she couldn't, she simply couldn't she knew from this day forward no one else would ever occupy her heart… no one.

Suddenly she felt two arms wrap around her waist and a head lying against her back, she smiled when she noticed Leisl's pink dress swishing against her own "You're supposed to be asleep" she whispered, as she patted the younger girls arm, Leisl releasing her grip so she could turn to look at her.

"Why?" Leisl said tearily, her shoulders sagging and Maria felt lost, what was she supposed to tell her? That she was happy? That everything would turn out alright?

She looked at her sadly, tears glistening in her eyes as she tried desperately not to break in front of the girl. So often she had watched as Leisl took care of her siblings, seeming so much older and taking on so much more responsibility, but now, watching as she fidgeted barely managing to hold herself together she remembered just how young she was, the innocence and vulnerability reflecting in her young eyes "You, you should be happy... you're gaining a sister or brother" she replied trying to cheer her up and make her look on the bright side.

Leisl rose her eyebrows "Happy? Happy that this child will be the reason you leave us?"

"Leisl..."

"Happy that all this is happening because my father could not do one thing right and keep hi..."

Leisl!" Maria snapped, stopping the girl from going too far "Don't" she whispered as she lifted up the girls chin making her look at her "Don't you ever blame this on your father... things that don't necessarily go to plan... they happen for a reason, god wouldn't bless this family with another child if he didn't think it was right to do so" she said gently but her own heart not even really believing the words she spoke.

Leisl shook her head as she wiped away her tears "No, if god wanted us to be happy, he would let you stay" she whispered earnestly.

Maria swallowed as she bit her lips; oh she wished she could... "Come on, to bed, now" she said ushering her down the landing, no longer wanting to discuss this.

Authors note:Hello dear readers! I know i havent been around in a long while and i know i keep writting storys and not finishing them but my muse keeps leaving me! Its horrid! Anways hopefully i shall be back for a while now and i hope you enjoy this story, i have not abandoned my other storys and am working on a few chapters for each story lol.I know this first chapter was a little sad but trust me this is a Maria and Georg fanfic, just stick with me here! Please please reveiw and tell us what you think and if i should continueee! Thanks x