Epilogue

Mina Gruber was woken from her sleep by a gentle but insistent hand shaking her shoulder. When she opened her eyes and cleared her vision, she saw Friedrich kneeling by her bed, a finger before his excited smile to keep her quiet. "Come on," he whispered. "The sun is about to rise."

She smiled, glad that he had remembered their plan made before getting on the ship. She nodded, and Friedrich left the girls' room so she could change. She was sharing a room with both Marta and Gretl on the ship; during their month in London, the little ones had grown very attached to her. In the absence of their beloved governess, she had been the one to read to them and sing lullabies before they fell asleep. She washed and dressed as quietly as she could, so as not to wake them. Knowing that Marta would most likely wake up soon, Mina scribbled a little note letting her know not to fear, and that Mina would be back to dress them both for breakfast.

After quietly exiting the room, she found Friedrich waiting for her in the hallway. The fourteen-year-old took her hand and led her up the stairs, careful to keep their balance on the vessel. They quickly made their way up to the deck, each wrapped up in the pre-dawn chill, even in August, and the strong sea winds. They quickly made their way to the stern of the boat, for it faced the east and therefore offered the best view of the sunrise.

But when they arrived there, they were surprised to find that they would not be alone. For there, too, waiting for the sunrise, were Rolf and Liesl. The former had his arm wrapped around the smaller figure, and they started when they heard footsteps approaching them.

All four, however, smiled at each other and stood by each other to wait for the sunrise.

"So that's why you weren't in bed when I woke up," said Friedrich to Rolf.

"Seems you two had the same idea we did," Liesl said, smiling at Mina. "Or did you just overhear us make this plan yesterday as we got on the ship?"

"No," said Friedrich defiantly. "We wanted to see the sun rise over the sea! Father once told me it was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen, and since Mina wanted to see it, I thought it would be a good idea."

Liesl looked between the two younger ones with a kind eye. She had watched their bond become very strong in the last month, and so had Rolf. They had become best friends and confidants, as people of the same age so often do. Rolf sometimes watched this with a wary eye, since Friedrich was a boy and this was his little sister. But their relationship was innocent and platonic – at least for now – and Liesl eased his fears, reassuring him that he didn't have to protect his little sister so fiercely anymore.

As for the sixteen and seventeen year old, they were the definition of "young love, first love." They were not as demonstrative as other young couples (staying with Liesl's maternal grandmother, who had eyes like a hawk, had to do with that), but they had no real desire to be. In their looks and innocent touches were all of the assurances they needed.

In the next week, they would reach America. Rolf and Mina would join their maternal aunt in the great city of New York, where she owned a successful bakery. They would make a home there, a true home that they had been so long denied. As for the Von Trapps, they would go to the capital, and await what position the government would give Georg, who would help them oppose Hitler's threatening shadow across the sea. So, the future was still a bit uncertain, in terms of how often they would see each other after arriving in America.

But wisely, the young people did not think about that right now. They just wanted to watch the sunrise. And they did.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" exclaimed Mina as the sun broke the horizon little by little.

"I'm glad we got up in time to see it," said Friedrich. He was still holding Mina's hand, having not let go of it since first taking it.

"Well, we all went to bed pretty early last night," said Liesl thoughtfully. "We were all pretty tired, after that wonderful evening." She smiled. "She looked so happy at Father's surprise, thank goodness."

Rolf nodded, remembering the evening before, and how happy it had been. The Von Trapp family had finally been healed in every way, in the best way. The four of them had been happy to agree to look after the others for a while today, as Maria and her Captain asked them. It was understandable that they would want to steal a few hours of daylight to keep for themselves.

The sun rose very slowly over the water, each second more breathtaking than the one before. At one point, Liesl and Rolf shared a kiss; Mina and Friedrich had discreetly hidden their giggles, though their hands did not let go of each other's.

So the four young people watched the beautiful sunrise that represented a new and cleansing beginning: out of danger, away from abuse, in a new country, to make a new home, and new families forging ahead together.

However, as happy and hopeful as those four young people, the happiest place on that ship was the bedroom of Captain Von Trapp and his new wife. They lay side by side under the white sheets, awake and bare before each other. Sleepy smiles lit up their faces as they touched, caressed, and learned each other lazily.

"I'm glad you're not angry," admitted Georg with a chuckle. "I didn't know if it would be too soon, but I wanted us together completely before arriving in America."

Maria smiled and snuggled closer to him. "How could I be angry? I told you that night in the garden I would marry you that moment if I could, and I meant it. The ceremony was such a wonderful surprise, Georg, and I'm so happy that the ship's captain and chaplain agreed to officiate it."

"I asked the favor from one seaman to another," said Georg with a shrug and a satisfied smile. He cupped her cheek. "I'm glad you wore that blue dress…you were so lovely, darling."

"And you looked very dashing, my Captain" Maria said.

He traced her lips with his fingers. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, and she knew what he was referring to.

She smiled. "I'm wonderful. You were so gentle and loving with me…thank you so much, Georg."

Georg kissed her. "You are perfect," he said simply, and they held each other for a while. Finally, Georg spoke again: "Well, Baroness, you're really stuck with me now. I hope you don't grow to regret it."

Maria shook her head and kept her gaze fixed with his. "I couldn't, after all that's happened and no matter what comes. It's with you I belong, Georg, with you and our family."

"Even though I'm not worthy of you, angel, I'm glad that's true," said Georg, brushing his lips along her jaw line. "So how shall we spend our morning, Madame Von Trapp? Read another of those Sherlock Holmes stories you fell so in love with in London?"

Maria giggled, but moaned when his lips found a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. "I think whatever it is you have in mind right now would be perfect," she breathed shyly.

Georg raised his head and looked at his new bride. His face lit up in a loving smile, looking at her in the light of the rising sun. Then he lowered his head to meet her lips, and they lost themselves in each other, two becoming one.

Yes, they was very blessed indeed.

THE END

A/N: Well, there it is. My last SoM fic for a while, unless immediate inspiration takes place. Please review with some love!

I purposely inserted my Anna/Bates cameos and my little Sherlock reference here on purpose, to show that I am in their clutches now. Please watch them – not only will you understand that I am in safe hands, but they're damn good TV. If you love Georg and Maria, you will love Anna and Bates just as much (you can see from my story that they have some good things in common). As for Sherlock…well, watch it and you will see why Benedict Cumberbatch has such a powerful hold on me.

Hope to see you all reviewing my new stories! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.