Let's Start At The Very Beginning

Chapter 17

"Like you wouldn't believe, Max and Elsa have already been gone for over an hour." Georg turned from his seat to look up at her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world

"Sounds like a busy bunch, although I have to ask about Louisa-" Maria began as she took a seat next to Georg.

Georg took an uncomfortable breath "She, uh, had an event last night for the first time. She's been glued to Liesl's side all morning."

Maria nodded in understanding and made a mental note to talk to Louisa later, not that she didn't trust Liesl, but to show her support.

"Where are Max and Elsa already off to this morning?" She leaned back comfortably, a small smile spread as she heard Kurt call out, he was ready to find the others.

"I sent Elsa out with Max; they were going to a gallery I believe. Max says there are all sorts of cultured people there." Georg rolled his eyes.

Maria felt an uneasy pit grow in her stomach. Why would he purposely send Elsa away? "Does this have to do with what you wish to discuss?" She asked a bit quieter

Georg set his cup down and nodded before sitting up straighter in his chair. "The children have been wonderful, and I owe it to you. I've gotten to reconnect with them in a time where the world can seem so crazy. They've gone through quite a bit the past few years."

"You raised them to be resilient Georg, and they have Agathe's compassion." Maria assured.

"I want to give them everything, love, affection, stability. I hate to say this, it sounds selfish of me, but I need stability as well. Without some sense of control, I tend to get a little rash."

Maria thought that was the understatement of the year, that's how he ended up in the Navy in the first place.

"Maria," he began and took his hand in hers. Maria noted how comforting it felt.

"I wish to propose to Elsa."

It was a day like any other. It was during that rather uncomfortable season of Maria being in University, Georg courting Agathe and Max spending too much time at the Villa for Hede's opinion.

Maria and Hede had grown quite close during that time, and not very often, but on occasion when the schedules aligned Hede would have Maria over to tea. They would have scandalous chats and laugh uncontrollably. It was during one of these is An-Teas as they called them Georg surprisingly interrupted the women in the sitting room.

"Oh Georg, you're in your 20's can you please not burst in like a child anymore?" Hede sharply put her cup down. Maria was still calming down after a laughing fit, of what she couldn't remember.

"Sorry Hede." He spat but his eyes softened when he turned to Maria. Hede seemed to sense the tension "Do you need something?" Hede asked.

"Um I need to talk to Maria," Georg cleared his throat and Maria noticed the siblings sharing a glance. Hede knew what he was going to say. Was it good? Was it bad? Was he okay? Lord she still worried over him, it's because she never stopped loving him for the year or two before. But she had accepted fate by that point. He was happy with Agathe, and she was doing well in her studies.

"I'll leave you to it then." Hede calmly relented, which was rather out of character for her. Georg took her spot at the table as Maria watched on and the door closed softly.

"Maria, I have to ask you something, I know it's rather untraditional, but you're my best friend and I know you'll be honest with me." Georg looked down at his hands. Why was he so nervous?

"You know you can tell me anything," Maria shook her head. He was being silly.

"I want to ask Agathe to marry me."

Maria stood up abruptly, the settings on the table rattled from the jolt.

"You want to marry her? That's wonderful." she composed herself a little "It's just surprising is all, you haven't been courting that long."

"I know Ria," he stood across from her. "But I love her, I love her blonde hair, I love her smile, I love her heart. I know this is right Maria, but I don't want to be blinded by emotion. I need to know. What do you think?"

Maria let her fingertips rest on the table "I think...I think you should. If you love her like you say you do then yes." she couldn't help but be happy for him, this was a momentous occasion after all.

She began to smile as she stepped away from the table and he walked to join her

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"You've never been one to lie?" Georg smirked

"I'm not." and she was being honest,

He enveloped her in the tightest hug she could muster, and she returned it "thank you so much Maria, thank you thank you thank you."

"Of course, you're stuck with me no matter what." Maria stepped out of the hug, and he abruptly left, he claimed in search of Hede.

"You want my opinion?" She asked quizzically. "When are you going to make the choice on your own?" Maria couldn't help but jab.

He pondered this, while it hurt initially. She had a point, but then he realized it wasn't that he was incapable, he just wanted, valued, craved her opinion. He respected no one more than her, except maybe his father.

"I don't need your opinion, but I value it more than anything in the world."

Maria immediately thought "Then why don't you marry me instead". She was glad she didn't say it out loud and was quite frankly a bit confused about where the notion came from. She had gotten over Georg, she had Charlie, she had Jane and Michael and Georg had Liesl and Louisa Friedrich and the little ones. A blush immediately crept up her neck, but after years of practice she was able to control it.

"Well, my opinion is..." What was she to say? The children disliked Elsa, but she also knew how much Georg craved stability. "My opinion is that you should do what you think is best. I'm not influencing this decision."

She said the last part a bit loud and both she and Georg noticed Liesl, and Louisa turn around and look at them before turning back and continuing to talk to each other.

"Well then, the party will be an engagement party. I won't tell the children or Elsa, just the staff, you and Max." Georg sat up straight.

"Not Liesl?" Maria defended the girl. "She's old enough and I think Friedrich is as well-"

"I'll tell them closer to time. No need to get them excited." Georg shook his head. There was a bit of a pause where they sat in silence and watched the children continue to look for each other. Kurt had found Jane and Marta and they were approaching Brigitta.

"Do you really think I should?" Georg asked Maria once again, but this time there was something in his eyes that was different, not so much as a 'do you think I should' but a 'do you want me to'.

"I want you to be happy, Georg. I know how much Agathe meant to you, I want to see you happy again." She leaned towards him. "But I expect an invitation to the wedding" She quipped.

Georg chuckled and leaned towards her "I'll make Michael one of my groomsmen."

They laughed a little and when it faded, they realized how close they were. Somehow their chairs had moved closer together and now they were mere inches from each other.

Maria couldn't help but say it "I want you to be happy, Georg, I love you too much to see you sad and alone."

Georg took one of Maria's hands and sandwiched in between both of his "And me to you as well my dear." 

Hey y'all. Hope you enjoyed this little update. The party isn't going to be the next chapter but the one following that, and trust me it's a whomper. How are you guys liking this story so far? 

Thanks for reading!