A/N: So sorry about the long delay. I can't tell you how grateful I am if you are still reading this story.

This chapter is set the day after Maria wins the Festival. The wedding is in one week's time.

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Chapter 26: Journeys

Georg sat in his study before breakfast, staring grimly at the newspaper, a fierce scowl furrowing his brow. Two starkly contrasting headlines battled for prominence on the front page. The bold print seemed to bellow from the page. He read the first one.

Chancellor von Schuschnigg intimidated into major concessions to Reich Fuhrer: Government on brink of collapse!

Georg read the article, fighting his instincts to hurl the newspaper across the room. Bitter helpless rage, as corrosive as acid, ate into his stomach. If only the Chancellor had held his nerve in the face of Hitler's terrifying tantrums. But no, von Schuschnigg had agreed to free high-ranking Austrian Nazis from prison, and worse, had been forced to give them key posts in the government.

In the privacy of his study, Georg allowed the surge of despair to overwhelm him for a moment. He held his head in his hands as the crushing weight of duty dragged him down. It was only a matter of time now. Would the Chancellor issue the call to arms to defend Austria when the time came? Nothing was certain any more.

With a sigh, he forced himself to push those thoughts aside. He looked at the second headline, allowing a smile of tenderness to break through.

Austria's 'Blossom of Snow' wins Festival!

A picture of Maria holding her award and flowers shone from the page. Radiant and lovely, her smile was like a beam of sunlight. He traced a finger lovingly along her photo. Soon she would his. The thought drove the heaviness out of his chest.

Glancing at his watch he headed to breakfast which was being held out on the terrace to take advantage of the bright summer morning. Max was there, gleefully pouring over more newspapers, as the children pushed and shoved each other to read over Max's shoulder. Of Maria there was no sign. No doubt she was still asleep after her momentous evening.

"Look, there's a picture of us," Gretl squealed excitedly.

"And there's even a small picture of Father when he was in the navy. Look how young and thin he looked." Kurt's observations made Max chortle with delight.

"But why is he in the paper?" Brigitta asked, puzzled.

Max stroked his moustache with a grin. "The article has a profile of Fraulein Maria and it mentions her current job as governess to all of you. No doubt they dug up an old navy picture of your father. You're right, Kurt, he wasn't bad looking back then. Mind you, it was a long, long time ago, back in the olden days.

"Thank you, Max," Georg said dryly as he took his place.

The children chorused their greetings to their father but immediately went back to looking at the newspapers as he poured his coffee. Their excited chatter was a balm to his aching heart and he allowed himself to bask in their euphoria over their mother-to-be's achievement.

Minutes later, Maria herself appeared, and the children abandoned the newspapers to rush over to her.

"Hallo," she smiled at them all, tenderly cupping their faces as they all seemed to want to show their affection for her. The little ones clung to her possessively as Georg rose to take her hand and give it a kiss before helping her into her seat.

"Fraulein Maria – you're famous now!" Marta was glowing with pride.

"Now that you've won the Festival that means you're the best singer in the whole world," Gretl declared emphatically.

Maria laughed. "Heavens no. Anyway, I think all of you stole the judges' hearts with your wonderful performance. That's why they gave me the prize."

"Nonsense," Max interrupted, gloatingly. "It wasn't just the children, marvelous as they were. You sang like an angel. What a spectacular career awaits you now." He sighed with satisfaction, his imagination in full throttle. "The world is at your feet. A voice as pure as yours should be shared as God intended."

"Max," Georg growled in warning.

Maria shook her head. "I really don't think that I want a music career on stage. I had terrible stage fright last night."

"Oh that's perfectly normal," Max dismissed complacently. "All musical artists get stage fright. It just adds to their brilliant performances."

"Maaax!" Georg's tone was growing more ominous.

Finally noticing Georg's dangerous glower, Max hastily changed the subject, smart enough to know when a tactical retreat was called for.

"So what are you going to do today? There must be so much to do to plan for the wedding. It's only a week away."

"Later this morning we have the first of our spiritual counselling with Sister Berthe, for our Pre-Cana course."

At the children's puzzled looks, Maria explained the importance of gaining guidance from the Church before a couple marry. "Everyone in the Catholic faith is required to take pre-marriage counseling. It's based on Jesus' teachings at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. The Reverend Mother very kindly allowed us to rush through the course even though it is supposed to take a couple of months."

"But why are you getting married so quickly?" Louisa asked. "Isn't that unusual?"

Georg answered carefully. "It is most unusual, but then I am sure you all know that there is a lot of uncertainty in Austria right now. So, once we are married, your new mother will take you to England for a holiday with your grandparents until things settle down here."

"Will you come too?" Friedrich asked dubiously.

Georg hedged the question with a reassuring smile. "Not straight away, no. I'll have to see to some business here first, then we'll see what happens. I'll be here to welcome you all back."

Most of the children took this at face value but the older ones looked uneasily at each other, knowing more about the Anschluss. They knew that as a military man, their father might be called upon to fight for Austria.

Exchanging a swift look with Georg, Maria changed the subject to distract them. "You know, in all the excitement, I haven't even thought about a wedding dress yet. There won't be time to get one made. Maybe you girls can come shopping with me later today?"

Gretl piped up, "Why can't you wear what you wore to the Festival? You looked like a beautiful princess."

Maria shook her head. "I'll need something more modest for church." With a mischievous glint in her eyes she added, "Why don't I wear that dress that I arrived in, the one the poor didn't want?"

She burst into peals of laughter at the forcefully shouted "No's" from everyone. The loudest one seemed to have come from her fiancé.

"I know," Liesl said with a flare of inspiration. "Mama had catalogued the wedding dresses of all the von Trapp brides for the last hundred years. Why don't you choose one of them? I remember some of them were so beautiful and delicate it was if they were made of cobwebs." She had a dreamy look in her eyes, and studiously ignored the snorts from her less than romantically-inclined brothers.

Maria glanced at Georg who shrugged his approval. "It sounds like a charming idea, but if there isn't one that you like, Max can take you into town to buy one. You will be breathtaking even in a sackcloth," he added gallantly. Maria met his eyes, gleaming with suppressed humour and they both laughed, remembering how he had had a quite different reaction when they first met.

After breakfast Maria and the girls went up the attic. They spent the next couple of hours gasping in wonder at the enchanting gowns. The bridal dresses had been carefully preserved in layers of tissue paper and placed in camphor chests to protect them from moths. Nevertheless, some of them were so old that the wisps of lace and embroidery had disintegrated, and in others the white fabrics had yellowed with time. Fortunately, some were still in good condition.

Poignantly, Louisa found her mother's wedding dress and the girls gazed at it in silence, touching the satin reverently, almost as if they were trying to reach back through the mists of time to connect with her.

"It's so pretty and graceful," Brigitta whispered. Liesl nodded, tearfully, while the little ones marveled at it with wide eyes.

Louisa was still, as if frozen with anguish.

Knowing how much she hated to show pain, Maria gently squeezed her arm and spoke softly. "I've seen your parents' wedding photograph. Your mother was so perfectly beautiful. They both looked blissfully happy together. All of you are the result of that deep, abiding love. Perhaps one of you girls might choose this dress for your own wedding one day? It would be wonderful way to honour her."

Louisa nodded gratefully, not wanting to speak and betray the raw emotions in her voice. She secretly wiped tears from her eyes with her sleeve when she thought no-one was looking. Maria noticed she would often reach back to lovingly caress the material of her mother's gown. Like her father, she was capable of deep, powerful feelings but was intensely private about showing them.

"What about this one?" Liesl suggested, awestruck. "It's so beautiful." She held up a frothy lacey concoction which time had softened to the texture of gossamer. Despite its age the ivory silk had retained its lustrous sheen, glowing brightly even in the dull light of the attic. Flowers had been embroidered all over the bodice and skirt of the dress, inlaid with tiny shimmering pearls. The other girls nodded eagerly as Maria gazed at the exquisite gown. Liesl read out what her mother had written many years before.

"Bridal gown of Annika von Graff. Married Augustus Ritter von Trapp, Vienna, 1859."

"It's perfect, Fraulein Maria, it even has flowers in it, and that's your new name after all – blossom of snow," Brigitta giggled.

Maria smiled at the bit of nonsense that Max had cooked up to promote her at the Festival. "That's just your incorrigible Uncle Max and his vivid imagination," she said wryly. "But oh my, this is utterly gorgeous."

She held it carefully against herself, impressed by the work that must have gone into creating something so entrancing. She was sure she could alter it slightly to fit her without ruining it.

She remembered seeing a portrait of Annika von Trapp in the library. Although her expression had been solemn, as required by all portraits, her eyes had seemed to dance with mischief, and there had been the slightest quirk to her mouth that hinted at laughter and warmth.

"Well girls, I think we have found the gown. Next we'll have to organize new dresses for all of you. But heavens, look at the time. If your father and I are late for Sister Berthe she will make us both kiss the floor." The girls fell into fits of giggles at the thought of their stern, commanding father in such a position.

ooooOOOOoooo

"Damn, damn, damn," Georg muttered as he reversed the car hurriedly away from the entrance to Nonnberg Abbey, where two reporters could be seen peering through the gates.

"You're famous now, darling," he said wryly. "Franz said the phone has been ringing all morning and he had to shoo some reporters away who were hovering near the gate. I would rather not publicise our wedding. I much prefer to keep our love private."

Maria agreed fervently. All the public attention last night had been overwhelming and intrusive.

She bit her lip. "I hope we're not late. Sister Berthe can be crotchety. Discipline, punctuality, orderliness and decorum are very important for her. Oh wait a minute, that sounds familiar." She smiled ruefully. "You're probably going to get along famously with her."

Georg chuckled teasingly. "She does sound rather marvelous."

They went through the back entrance, where an exuberant gaggle of young postulants waited to greet Maria, thrilled with her success. The Reverend Mother also came out for a moment and Maria rejoiced in the serenity of her expression as she too offered her congratulations. The Reverend Mother smiled at them with eyes full of faintly amused wisdom, almost as if she somehow knew that all that had happened had been pre-ordained. She wished them both well for the Pre-Cana course as she departed.

Sister Berthe however, was not so easy to win over. She strode over to them, her black nun's habit billowing dramatically in the breeze. Maria took a moment to reflect on the fact that her robes made her look severe and intimidating, yet the same robes on Sister Margarette and the Reverend Mother gave them an air of warmth and kindliness. Maria could feel the familiar weight of guilt settle in her chest as Sister Berthe approached, even though, for the moment at least, she had done nothing wrong.

Sister Berthe's dark eyebrows were beetled together in a sour look of disapproval at the noisy young novices. With one quelling glance and a few sharp words she scattered them. Like terrified chicks they fled in different directions.

She acknowledged Maria's introductions with a brusque nod to Georg "How do you do?" Then she stood looking broodingly at him for a moment. Maria was sure she was wondering what such a man was doing with an impulsive, flibberty gibbert like herself. No doubt she was thinking that God works in mysterious ways.

"This way please." She led them through a heavy oak door. The small room was dark with ancient wooden beams, though mullioned, lead-paneled windows let some light in. The very air seemed to be suffused with tranquility. In glorious colours, pictures of the Holy Family and the Disciples lined the walls. From somewhere outside, probably from one of the smaller chapels, Maria could hear the solemn, high notes of a hymn, echoing in almost unearthly beauty around the stone walls and rising up to the heavens.

Maria breathed in the hushed, soothing atmosphere; the moment lending itself to quiet contemplation and prayer. It was all so familiar to her. She felt a little pang as she thought wistfully of her previous dreams of becoming a nun.

A single glance at her beloved fiancé however, and she knew without a shred of doubt that marriage to Georg was the life she was born to live. She was surprised to see that he was looking at her intently and that his eyes held uncertainty. It was almost as if he needed reassurance that despite being here in the Abbey again, she was sure her place was with him. She allowed her own eyes to fill with the elation she always felt at the thought of their marriage. She saw the answering relief and love in his eyes as he gave her a subtle nod.

They turned their attention to Sister Berthe, who was still looking formidable. Maria took a breath and braced herself, wishing that the Reverend Mother had assigned their counselling to Sister Margarette. Instantly regretting the uncharitable thought, she silently asked for Divine forgiveness. Who was she to question the wisdom of the Reverend Mother? And it was generous of Sister Berthe to devote her time to them.

But Sister Berthe seemed to be in an especially grumpy mood today.

"Congratulations on your win, Maria," she began grudgingly, as if reluctant to mention something as frivolous as a music festival. She dampened her further by reminding Maria that pride was a deadly sin.

"Yes Sister, thank you Sister," Maria said meekly though her eyes sparkled at the hidden wink that Georg gave her.

Sister Berthe went on querulously, her voice full of indignation. "We have had so many reporters ringing the bell this morning wanting to find out about you. Some of them even demanded to interview the Reverend Mother and take photographs of her!" Outraged, she glared at Maria, as if that were her fault. For a moment Maria wondered whether she should drop to the floor.

"I'm sorry Sister Berthe. I really didn't mean to cause problems for the Abbey."

Sister Berthe sniffed. "Well there's not much we can do about it now," she said waspishly. "But let's get started, we have very little time. The Reverend Mother said we only have a week to get through two months of guidance." Her censorious expression indicated that if it had been up to her, she would never have allowed such a scandalously short betrothal.

She turned to Georg. "Captain, I know what you are thinking," she began in a brisk, no-nonsense tone.

Georg gave a start of guilty surprise. He sincerely hoped not because his mind had wandered into illicit places. Distracted by how silky smooth Maria's skin looked in the sunlight streaming in from a window, his thoughts had drifted unconscionably. One of his favourite dreams was of Maria wrapped up alluringly in nothing but her luxuriant velvet opera cape, lying by a blazing fireplace, waiting for him.

Banishing the captivating vision from his mind, he cleared his throat and put on an expression of polite enquiry. He was immensely relieved by her next words.

"You're thinking that since you have already been married it's unnecessary that you should undergo a Pre-Cana course too."

"I assure you Sister, that I am open to all the teachings of the Church. Maria and I are committed to making the very best success for our marriage with your guidance. We both realise the importance of doing the Pre-Cana course together."

Sister Berthe thawed a bit, as if recognizing a fellow disciplinarian. "Yes, marriage requires a great deal of counselling and training, much like becoming a nun," She looked pointedly at Maria as if remembering how woefully unprepared Maria had been for the rigours of Abbey life.

Used to Sister Berthe's scolding and too full of happiness to be brought down by the Sister's stern demeanour, Maria merely smiled back sunnily. "I promise this time I will be completely dedicated to the training because I am so sure that this is God's path for me."

Sister Berthe looked at her sceptically. "That's good Maria, because you must know that marriage also requires a great deal of self-discipline. And your vows will require that you honour your husband." She glanced at Georg ironically, as if wishing him luck with that one. Probably to her, it seemed as likely as Maria attending Vespers on time.

"But what if he's wrong?" Maria blurted out, remembering a certain Captain who had been obsessed with rules, whistles, discipline and very little else.

Beside her, Georg shifted uncomfortably, struck by similar memories. "I am sure that we can discuss any problems, and I will do my best to be reasonable, and to take your guidance. After all, if not for you, the children would have been lost to me forever. For that I am eternally grateful. I think what Sister Berthe means is that we must communicate well with each other in whatever challenges we have."

Sister Berthe gave him an approving nod, and Maria almost smiled at the way that Georg and Sister Berthe seemed to be kindred spirits. She should have known! Fondly remembering Georg's initial surly rudeness when they met, she started to view Sister Berthe's intimidating manner as almost endearing.

Sister Berthe began her lecture. "According to Holy Scripture a man and a woman are created for one another. A woman is 'flesh of his flesh', his equal, given to him by God as a helpmate."

'Flesh of his flesh.' Maria felt the beauty of the words resonate deeply within her soul. That was exactly the way she felt, she realized with a profound sense of joy. It perfectly described the deep, unbreakable bond she felt between herself and Georg. She listened attentively as Sister Berthe spoke of a couple becoming 'one flesh' after being joined by God, and that the purpose of marriage was "procreation and the education of children."

Thoughts of 'procreation' were still too heady, and a little too daunting, for Maria to dwell on. She tried to grapple with the word itself. It seemed like such an unappealing term to capture something as rapturous as what Georg had hinted it would be. She felt her cheeks flush hotly as she thought about it. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach filling her with a giddy mix of anticipation, delight and apprehension at the thought of their union in conjugal bliss.

Her mind still shied away from thinking about what it might involve in practical terms. She had vague ideas of a complicated act, though she was limited by the boundaries of her imagination. With no books to read on the topic, no sisters or a mother to explain things to her, it all seemed terribly mysterious.

But at least she had the reassurance that her intense feelings of desire for her future husband were as natural and pure as the Lord had intended for a married couple. They were a gift from God. And she trusted Georg implicitly to guide her on her journey of discovery, or rather on their journey together.

Filled with reverence, she listened as Sister Berthe discussed the various Sacraments of Marriage, mulling over the things she was explaining. Maria already knew that the prevention of conception was unacceptable in the Catholic faith, and she wondered with a little thrill of happiness, if they would be blessed with children together. The thought of a rosy-cheeked, tousle-haired little boy or girl to add to their family filled her with joy.

By the time their session was over for the day Maria's mind was spinning with all that she had learned. She and Georg went to Confession with Father Wassner afterwards, as the Reverend Mother had instructed. She felt a little starburst of pleasure that Georg looked considerably less burdened after his Confession. Perhaps he was taking tentative steps back to his faith. But it was too soon to talk to him about it.

On the car ride back he seemed lighter and more relaxed than she had seen in some time, if ever. Laughing and joking, she teased him about how similar he was to Sister Berthe. He merely chuckled, admiringly.

"She's far more formidable than I am, that's for sure. We could have done with several battalions of Sister Berthes during the Great War. It would have terrified the life out of the enemy."

Over the next days Sister Berthe gave them very little rest, with full sessions during the day and hours of reading material for the evenings. Although Maria still quailed under her steely gaze and sharp tongue, Sister Berthe seemed to unbend a little as Maria proved her dedication to keeping up with the lessons.

Soon enough the advice that Maria was learning about building trust and understanding was put to the test. She was so used to having to fend for herself and making her own decisions, that it was difficult to take another person's perspective into account. She could also be hot-headed when sufficiently provoked, she acknowledged, ruefully.

Two nights before their wedding, their argument started over their honeymoon, or rather, whether they should have one at all, given that time was running out. Georg was adamant they should have one, and Maria was dismayed to see the set, unyielding look in his eyes that she recognized from their earlier disagreements.

"But surely we should spend time together as a family first, if you are insisting on sending us away soon? We need to be together with the children," she pleaded.

"No Maria, we will still have time to be a family for a few days, a week if are lucky, after we return. But we also need time on our own, even if it is only for a few days." Georg's tone was hard and implacable.

Maria didn't know what to do with her feelings of anger that boiled and seethed inside her, at what she felt was his unreasonableness. There was so little time, surely the children should take precedence over their needs as adults? How could she 'honour' him over something she felt was so fundamentally wrong? Didn't being a parent mean being selfless?

"But…"

He cut in curtly. "Maria, we are not starting our marriage in a house full of people. I can't explain why this is so important and I know it's hard for you to understand, but we need some time together as man and wife first."

"Couldn't we have time together later, after this is all over? We could go for a long honeymoon then."

He shook his head, his expression was inflexible, and there was an edge of anger in his eyes at her refusal to agree.

Maria felt lost and upset. No doubt his first wife, Agathe, had known how to find that tricky balance between meeting the needs of her husband and the needs of all their children. Perhaps far more experienced and wiser wives than Maria would know what to do, but she felt cut adrift, not to mention heart-sick that they were arguing already.

Their last ferocious argument had been weeks ago, over whether the older girls should be sent to Finishing school in Switzerland and the boys to the Maria Therese Military Academy. She had been right to argue that it wasn't what the children needed, but she had been wrong in her understanding of why he had felt the need to do it.

With her mind in turmoil, she finally thought about what they had learned from Sister Berthe. She had emphasised the importance of preventing disagreements from escalating into conflicts, and reaching out to each other with loving grace.

With difficulty Maria put aside her own feelings for the moment and quietly asked Georg why it was so important. She had to speak to his back because he had turned away to stare bleakly into the darkness of the night.

There was a long silence when she almost thought he would refuse to answer. But then he spoke equally quietly, wearily. He glanced at her before turning away again. The anger had been defused but she glimpsed something far worse. His eyes were desolate and his mouth was a slash of pain.

"Maria, I don't know what I am going to face when the time comes. I need to have this time with you to fortify myself to face all that. I have never needed anything more in my life." He paused for a moment, reflecting soberly.

"In the Great War, I was young and foolhardy. With all the arrogance of youth, perhaps I felt invincible. Even though there were terrible casualties I somehow seemed to have led a charmed life. It was only after the war ended that I fully understood how extremely lucky I had been."

He rubbed his forehead with an exhausted hand before giving a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. "Now however, I know exactly what I have to lose. This time it feels different. It feels as if…."

He stopped, not going on. Maria was suddenly seized with a feeling of terror. Chill fingers of dread stroked down her spine. She didn't want him to articulate his fears over what might happen, making it real. Please God, protect him, she prayed desperately. If spending a short honeymoon would give him the strength he needed to face what was ahead, then she would whole-heartedly give him that. How could she refuse, when his need was so much greater?

Wrapping her arms around him, she held him tightly, too overwrought to speak, helpless with fear. It was a long time before she felt she could speak without breaking down with anguish.

"Where should we go?" she asked softly.

She felt the rigidity of his stance ease and the tension drain out of him.

"It will only be for three or four days so we won't go far. I have hired a small chalet near the little church where we will be married on the Untersberg. It's very quiet and private, somewhere we can be completely alone."

"It sounds perfect," she whispered tremulously, blinking away tears and sniffing inelegantly.

She attempted a weak joke. "I suppose I won't need my opera cape then." But was astonished at the glimmer of a grin that broke out.

"Oh, you'll definitely need that," he said, enigmatically, his voice low and husky.

As she wondered why on earth she would need an opera cape in the mountains, he merely smiled, his eyes full of passionate promise. "It will make sense later." She shivered at the sensual tone he adopted in such moments. His voice always turned rich and dark and seductive, like molten chocolate. It never failed to thrill her.

He said gravely, "Thank you, my darling. You don't know what this means for me."

She smiled back tearfully, attempting to lighten the mood some more. "Sister Berthe will be proud of us. Do you think she might even smile?"

They both shook their heads, chuckling. Despite thawing somewhat, the good Sister had maintained her grim visage over the last days. The most praise she had given Maria had been a grudging nod.

ooooOOOOoooo

On their last day of counselling, Maria felt calm. She felt as if she had completed her journey with the Abbey and was ready to embark on a new one with Georg and the children. There was one more lesson in humility to learn however.

While Georg was in his last Confession, she had tea with the Reverend Mother.

"This is for you, Maria, with all our love and good wishes for your future."

Eyes twinkling, the Reverend Mother held out a brown paper package tied up with string.

Maria opened it and stared, stunned, at the exquisite lace wedding veil that was revealed. It was intricately woven with delicate swirls of edelweiss. Speechless, she gazed at the Reverend Mother. She knew lacemaking had been a specialty of the Abbey for centuries but she never dreamed she would receive something so precious.

"Each of the Sisters spent every evening this week making pieces of lace, which were carefully stitched together, deep into the night, by Sister Berthe."

Maria remembered that when she first began her short journey as a postulant, Sister Berthe had insisted she learn lacemaking, telling her brusquely that "otherwise the devil will find a use for idle hands." But Maria never had the patience for such fragile work and had been easily frustrated. More often than not, she had abandoned her attempts in order to escape to her mountain, before returning shamefacedly to pick it up again.

The Reverend Mother looked at her warmly as Maria's chest felt squeezed by emotions she couldn't contain.

Maria thought of the work that each of the Sisters must have done to painstakingly make this stunning creation in a short time. She knew that even dear Sister Agnes, one of the oldest nuns, must have worked on it. Sister Agnes had a beautiful face deeply lined with wisdom and tranquility, but her eyes were rheumy and her fingers were gnarled with arthritis. Despite her failing sight and her pain, her fingers were deft. Maria had always found peace when she had been a postulant, watching the lovely lace emerge like magic from the elderly Sister's hands.

Maria could feel the tears coursing down her cheeks, unbearably touched by the gift.

"You are so dear to our hearts, Maria, and most especially to Sister Berthe. I know you have always felt she was hard on you and too gruff, but I think you know already that she has a hugely generous heart which she guards fiercely."

She smiled, chiding Maria gently.

"It was Sister Berthe who insisted that we all tune into the wireless to listen to the live broadcast of your performance, even though it was against our rules. It was she who clapped loudest and had the most tears of joy in her eyes when you won, though of course she denied it. It was she who insisted we make this veil for you as a parting gift. And it was also Sister Berthe who organized special prayers among the Sisters for you and your future husband's safety. I entrusted your marriage preparations to her because I knew you would learn the most from her."

Maria wept openly, astounded and moved by the revelations.

The Reverend Mother clasped her hand. The skin of her hand felt very soft and delicately thin with age, but the grasp was firm. Maria felt as if her comforting touch had reached out and etched itself on her soul.

"Among the things you have learned from us Maria, I hope that you will always remember that you can find the most extraordinary beauty in very unexpected places. God be with you on your new journey, my child."

ooooOOOOoooo

A/N: Thank you for reading and I would love to know your thoughts. Next up will be the wedding.

IDon'tKnowYourSignal sent me a fascinating link on Youtube. If you type in 'Julie Andrews wed' you can find newsreel footage of her first wedding in 1959. She was already considered a superstar at that time because of her long stage run on Broadway and in the West End, for My Fair Lady. The huge throngs of fans and press at her wedding made it difficult for her father to escort her into the church. If you look carefully you can spot some of her MFL co-stars at the reception.

Don't worry, I promise the wedding in the next chapter will be completely different.

May I wish each of you much peace and hope and safety as this terrible year draws to a close. Let's hope that 2021 will be much better.

Stay safe and keep strong everyone. xx