Disclaimer :

Alas, I do not own The Sound of Music. It belongs to Twentieth Century Fox and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. Oh, how I wish it was mine though.

Author's Note:

Dear Readers, today is my birthday. I felt like doing something different today, so I'm posting my first fanfic ever on . I've been writing since I can remember, and this is the first Sound of Music fanfic I've ever attempted. I love Maria/Georg, so this story will be very fluffy and romantic. Please read and don't hesitate to review. =)

Chapter 1

Maria knew what she had to do. The Mother Abbess gave her directions to go back to the Von Trapp household. She wasn't sure how, but she had to go back.

"Follow your dreams, look for the life you're born to live, Maria," Reverend Mother told her.

The love of a man and a woman is holy too. You have a great capacity to love. What you must find out is how God wants you to spend your love.

The Reverend Mother's words echoed in her mind as she walked the familiar path back to the Von Trapp villa. She hoped she was right. She hoped it wasn't too late –

I shouldn't be saying this -- not to you, I mean I don't know you that well -- but if you ask me, the Captain's thinking very seriously of marrying the woman before the summer's over.

Frau Schmidt had told her this the very first day she'd arrived as governess to those seven children. The Captain would marry the Baroness. At the time, this sounded wonderful. The grieving family would have happiness again. Now the words seemed like a nightmare.

Oh, Captain, please don't have done anything drastic. It had only been three days. Maria knew that her departure would hurt the children, but she'd tried not to think of that while she was at the abbey. Until this moment, she was sure she couldn't go back; even to see those children that she'd grown to love with all her heart, even one more time.

If Elsa's words – the words that had scared her so much – were true, and that the Captain was indeed in love with her, Maria would be happy. She knew how much she loved the entire Von Trapp family, yes, she finally admitted, even their strict father. She had finally accepted that she was in love with him. If Elsa's words were true, then the Captain would want to be with Maria. He couldn't have proposed to Elsa already, could he?

But if he had, Maria didn't know what she could do. She could go back to the abbey, yes, but to live a life in sadness while trying to serve God. She couldn't do that, she knew it already. She would have to leave the abbey to live her life brokenhearted, but where? She had no skills to enter the workplace, plus the impending Anschluss was always a threat. She felt she would need protection in the real world – protection would only come from living in the Von Trapp household, surrounded by people she loved – or in the abbey.

There was only one option. Stay with them, stay with him. Maria didn't want to think of the alternative.

So, she knew what she had to do, but she didn't know what would happen, or if her plan, her dream, didn't work out. She still didn't know if she could face him again. Especially if she was still there.

She didn't want to hate the Baroness. She knew hatred was wrong. She knew that Elsa was probably a very kind woman, and deserved happiness like all other human souls. But at the same time, Maria knew that Elsa was the one who had made her so afraid, who opened her eyes to her true feelings. And she was her competition. Elsa saw Maria as competition as well, Maria knew, and that's why she scared her away. Maria was sure that Elsa was proud of herself for eliminating the woman who threatened her future with Georg.

Georg. That was the first time Maria actually thought of him as Georg instead of Captain.

God, please give me the strength I need to face him again. I'm not asking for him, I'm asking for strength. What is meant to happen between us will. If he loves me, I will stay and be with him. If he doesn't I will find a way to live in this world without that family. I just need strength, Maria prayed.

She was close to the house now. She was walking by the gate of the massive villa. She felt a surge of confidence as she heard heavenly voices singing from within the property. The children. They sounded wonderful but so sad. Maria had taught them to sing this song when they were feeling bad.

Maria, what have you done? She knew they were singing for her.

"…Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things…"

Maria went through the gate and didn't bother going through the house first. She rounded the house and ran to the children, her children.

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes…"

Maria found her voice as her children came into view. Liesl was hugging Gretl. Marta was close to tears. The other children were huddled together, trying to find happiness in the memory of the song.

"Snow flakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes…"

The children looked up, hearing Maria's strong, beautiful, clear voice.

"Silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favorite things," Maria sang to them. Finally they saw her. And they ran to her with open arms. She dropped her guitar and bag. Louisa was the first of the children to reach her. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Oh, how she loved these children. Oh, how she'd missed them. And they loved her.

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad – I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad!" They all sang together. Maria continued to hug and kiss each child.

"Oh, children, I'm so glad to see you!" she finally said.

"We missed you," Marta told her.

"Oh, I missed you," Maria told her. Marta grinned. This girl was one the most affectionate children she'd ever met, and probably loved Maria the most. She clutched Maria around the waist, ever wanting to let go of her governess.

"Kurt, how are you?"

"Hungry," he said simply. Of course. Maria smiled. Why she'd expected the children to be any different now that things had changed for her, she didn't know. But they were the same.

Gretl held up her finger. "Gretl, what happened to your finger?"

"It caught caught," she said.

"Caught in what?"

"Friedrich's teeth." Maria laughed. Sweet little child. She kissed Gretl's finger. The boys grabbed Maria's suitcase and guitar, and Maria held hands with the little ones as they walked toward the patio.

"Liesl, you alright?"

"Just fair," she replied.

"Any telegrams been delivered here lately?" Maria asked.

"None at all, Fräulein, but I'm learning to accept it. I'll be glad when school begins."

"Oh, Liesl, you can't use school to escape your problems. You have to face them," Maria said. She wished she could be more confident in her own advice for this girl. "Oh, I have so much to tell you all."

"We have things to tell you, too," Louisa began. Maria smiled.

"The most important thing is that father is going to be married," Brigitta said.

"Married?" Maria asked.

"Yes, to Baroness Schraeder."

This changed things. She'd have to come up with an alternate plan. Her heart felt like it had been shattered instantly. She couldn't blame the children for giving her the news. The children tensed up and could see that she wasn't happy about the news, but she also noticed that they weren't exactly thrilled at the idea of their father marrying the Baroness. She wished she could do something to comfort them, but she needed comforting herself.

The children's attention was pulled away from her suddenly.

"Oh, Father, look!"

"Father, Fräulein Maria's back!"

He was there on the patio, staring at them. She couldn't read his expression. Was he happy she was back? Did he even care?

"Good evening, Captain," she broke the silence.

"Good evening," he finally said. Then he smiled, but not at her, at his children. "Alright everyone, go and get your dinner."

The children rushed to their house. She smiled at them, even though they were leaving her alone with him. Was everything about to spill out? She felt tears forming in her eyes. You cannot cry now. Wait til you're in your room. Please.

He began walking slowly walking toward her. She suddenly felt afraid.

"You left without saying goodbye," he said finally. His eyes never left hers. "Even to the children."

Maria felt like she was going to crack. "Well, it was wrong of me. Forgive me."

"Why did you?" he asked.

He would ask that. But she couldn't answer him. Not like this, not now. "Please don't ask me. Anyway, the reason no longer exists."

Then she came out. She looked elegant and happy. "Fräulein Maria, you've returned. Isn't it wonderful, Georg?"

Wonderful, indeed. Maria was sure how wonderful Elsa thought about Maria being back. But it was Maria's time to step aside. Elsa was his, he was hers.

"May I wish you ever happiness, Baroness, and you too, Captain. The children tell me you're to be married."

Elsa smirked. "Thank you, my dear."

Maria felt her tears forming again and ran up the stairs. She had to get away.

"You are back to – uh – stay?" she heard him ask.

She paused. "Only til arrangements can be made for another governess."

Maria realized as soon as she said it that there would never be another governess – unless he kept her around just for the children. But why would be do that? And she wasn't sure she could stand to see him married to Elsa, even if she had the children. Her heart might break even more. The Von Trapps didn't need her anymore.

She ran to her room, fighting tears. She knew she shouldn't cry. She had to be downstairs for dinner in a few minutes. She let herself lean against the door to her room and allowed her emotions to take over. This is ridiculous, Maria, she told herself. She shouldn't cry over a man and a family that she wasn't meant to be with. This was God's will. She shouldn't be upset with God for not allowing this. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath.