Had some fun writing this. This is nearly finished, so I will post regularly.
If you are following me... YES, I am still working on my Pride and Prejudice story, I'm trying to tie the story line together and fill in the holes. I had a bad case of writers block after writing the next 1/2 chapter... But as soon as this story is posted, I hope to start posting that story again.

Hope you enjoy and please review! ;)
-Stephanie

Becoming One Prologue

It felt so good to laugh, it felt like ages since they had laughed, and now they could, together. The darkness drank in their laughter and the sounds of the night creatures around the lake seemed to sing in tune to the music of their vocals.

After a moment of holding each other, Georg pulled away slightly to search Maria's eyes, which glistened and reflected the light from the lamp outside the gazebo. "Maria, Daring, is this what you want?" He needed to hear her say it, after all, he was older and already had seven children; perhaps he was being selfish.

She raised her hand to cup his face. He was so dear to her, how could he not know it? "Georg," She breathed his name for the first time and smiled, "I do. I want us. I came out here not knowing if I could stay, but afraid to leave. And now, I feel at home." He closed his eyes in relief, opening them when he felt her soft lips lightly touch his. "I love you, Georg von Trapp."

His smile took her breath away even before he pulled her close, lifted her feet from the ground to swing her around the gazebo. Around and around they went. They laughed again in carefree abandon.

Soon they had calmed and stood simply enjoying the comfort of each other's bodies. "It is getting late. I should take you back inside." He murmured, not wanting to break their solitude.

Her reply came after she had snuggled closer to his heart, her head just under his, "Soon." He silently agreed and held her closer kissing her head and caressing her back.

There was much to discuss. They needed to communicate what had happened that day. They needed to get to know one another. They had planning to do. All these discussions could wait for another day.

Georg was glad that she did not yet want answers to questions that she must be thinking. He hardly knew how to tell her about the Baroness, a woman he was engaged to only an hour ago. He felt disgusted with himself, what kind of a man proposes to two women in a week? He had been in such a state with Maria gone and his denied feelings that he had given into Elsa's pressure and suggested marriage to her. He thanked G-d that he had come to his senses; that Elsa had released him; that Maria was now in his arms, where she was always meant to be.

Basking in their togetherness and newfound love seemed infinitely more important than talking just then, until a thought broke through Maria's bliss, "Do you think the children will be happy?"

He couldn't help his chuckle, "Oh Maria, they already consider you their mother and more than a friend. They were so unhappy thinking they would be stuck with Elsa. The way they moped about when you were gone, nothing lifted their spirits, and though I tried to help; I was so forlorn myself. I don't think you should worry about their reactions." He briefly kissed her parted lips and moved a strand of hair away from her eyes before continuing, "They love you as I do. You are already a part of this family, don't you see?"

She nodded. "Kiss me again," she requested threading her fingers through the hair behind his ears. Georg rather liked this new demanding side of his fraulein. He readily complied, tasting her courage, love and passion in the movements of her lips and caresses of her hands.

Soft words were whispered between kisses and touches. This feeling of being cherished was so new to Maria, and so craved by Georg, that time went by too quickly. He eventually realized that it had gotten late and, still holding Maria to his side, lead them down the path home.