A/N: This is the continuation of Stopped at the Door, although you don't need to read that story first in order to follow this one. Reviews are encouraged and will be gratefully received.

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Chapter 1: Start of a New Family

"Fraulein Maria, when did you know you loved each other? Did you see fireworks? Did your heart stop beating until you were a breath away from death?" asked Louisa. At 13, her ideas of romance were rather melodramatic.

Maria smiled, holding back her laughter. The children had been thrilled to learn that she and their father had fallen in love and were going to be married. As always, she felt their love and acceptance, knowing that they were a family and would only grow closer. Now that the idea of Maria and Georg being in love had begun to settle in their minds, the children had grown curious and were asking all sorts of questions. Maria had decided to picnic with the children on the lawn at the back of the house. Maria was doing her best to answer their questions and make the children feel part of everything good and new that was happening.

"Well, Louisa, your father and I discovered we loved each other during the time I was away at the abbey. We found that we missed each other and didn't want to be apart. And, of course, I don't want to be away from any of you either. I love each of you with all of my heart. In answer to your final question, I can't say I was close to death. Quite the opposite; I'd have to say I've never felt more alive."

The answer seemed to satisfy Louisa, who sighed contentedly. Gretl was rocking back and forth in eagerness, ready to ask a question, but Kurt blurted his out before she could speak.

"Fraulein Maria, when you're no longer our governess, will you still be able to play with us, or will you have to be a wicked step-mother?"

'Apparently Kurt has been reading too many fairy tales,' thought Maria.

"Don't be silly, Kurt," broke in Friedrich in a superior tone. "Fraulein Maria will be too busy being Father's wife to play with us all of the time. Isn't that so, Fraulein Maria?" The words may have been spoken in a superior tone, but Maria could see the anxiety in Friedrich's eyes. She saw some of the same anxiety in all of the children's eyes. They were worried that their relationship with her would change.

"Now, Kurt, do you really believe that I would be a wicked step-mother?" Maria challenged.

"No, I suppose not. But a man's got to be sure about these things," replied Kurt with an impish grin.

"And as for playing with you and spending time with you, let me say this," Maria continued with another smile, looking first at Friedrich, and then at each of the children as she spoke. "I could no sooner stop enjoying the time I spend with all of you as I could stop the sun from shining."

The children beamed at her. Maria's heart leapt at the happiness she saw before her, and she was moved to pray. 'Thank you, Lord, for all of the blessings you have granted me, and most especially for these precious children. I promise that I will take care of them and love them to the best of my ability.'

Maria turned to Gretl, noticing that she was about to explode with her question. "Yes, Gretl?"

Gretl looked relieved at having finally gained Maria's attention and stood to speak.

"Fraulein Maria, may I call you Mother and give you a big kiss?"

Maria's heart melted at the girl's simple yet genuine love. She smiled warmly and opened her arms.

"Oh, yes, Gretl, nothing would make me happier. And that goes for all of you as well." The children rushed to her embrace. By the time they had each had a chance to kiss and hug their new mother, Maria had tears in her eyes. She felt completely loved.

"Children, I hate to interrupt this lovely moment, but Frau Schmidt has dessert ready for you in the kitchen." Maria had not noticed Georg's presence and wondered how long he'd been standing at the edge of the lawn watching them. As usual, she was taken with how handsome he looked. She grinned at him and he smiled back, his eyes holding promises she looked forward to him keeping.

"I hope she's made some strawberry strudel; that's my favorite!" shouted Marta in delight.

Liesl shared a final word with Maria before leaving. "Fraulein Maria…I mean, Mother," she started with a smile, "may I speak with you later, privately? I'd like to ask your advice about something." Liesl glanced quickly at her father. Maria knew instantly that she wanted to talk about Rolf.

"Of course, Liesl. Perhaps we could meet in my room after supper."

"Yes, thank you, Mother. I'll see you at supper, Father." Liesl gave her father a quick kiss before going inside of the house. Georg looked a bit surprised, frowned, and then smiled. Maria thought that he must also be thinking of Rolf; she knew he had mixed feelings about Liesl's relationship with the boy. She also knew he appreciated having his daughter feel close to him.

"Well, Maria, from all of those hugs and kisses I saw when I walked out here, it would appear that the children have accepted our engagement without any objections." Georg had known that the children loved Maria, but he was still grateful to see how eagerly they were accepting her as their new mother.

"I love them as much as they love me. Oh, Georg, I'm so happy!" Maria's face radiated joy. Georg wanted nothing more than for Maria to be this happy always.

"You know, Maria, we've spent precious little time alone with each other since we made our announcement to the children. I think I'm almost jealous that the children are receiving more hugs and kisses than I am," joked Georg. Joke though it was, it was also the truth. With seven children and a house full of staff and visitors, there wasn't a lot of time to be alone with each other. Georg decided to take advantage of the present moment.

"Would you walk over with me to the shade of that tree, Maria?" Georg took her hand and led her away from the immediate view of the house.

"Is there something you wanted to discuss, Georg?" Maria asked, her heart fluttering. She suspected what Georg had on his mind from the expression in his eyes. The thought of that look sometimes kept her up at night, preventing her from sleeping or even staying still in her bed.

Georg responded by pushing her back gently against the tree and covering her with his body. He pressed close to her and rubbed his cheek against hers, his hands moving along her waist. Her stomach tightened instinctively. Maria found her own hands moving to wrap around his neck, her fingers playing with the hair along his neckline. Georg lips began a slow trail along her cheek, down to her jaw and finally to her mouth.

"Georg," Maria exhaled, and his tongue entered to stroke the inside of her mouth. His fingers were matching the strokes of his tongue, moving along her sides and her stomach, making her quiver inside. She held him tighter and moved her hips involuntarily against his. Georg groaned deeply and broke away suddenly, breathing harshly. Maria blinked, slightly dazed, working to catch her own breath. Had she done something wrong?

"Georg?"

He looked at her and reached to grip her hands, leaning back in to rest his forehead against hers. Gradually they both calmed their breathing, and Georg pulled back to look into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Maria. Sometimes my…desires get the best of me." Maria felt herself blushing as she understood what he was saying. "You've done nothing wrong. But perhaps it's best that we have so many people around us. It is getting harder for me to restrain myself when we're alone." Georg's voice was low and deep, deeper than she'd ever heard it before. Her cheeks reddened even more, not because of what she knew he was feeling, but because she was feeling the same way.

"Georg, you know that I love you, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. But there are so many things I don't know. I don't want to disappoint you. I find myself feeling things that I've never felt before, and I don't know what it all means." Maria was having difficulty looking Georg in the eye. She was embarrassed, but she wanted to be honest with her future husband.

Georg lifted her chin gently with his fingers. "Maria, you could never disappoint me. In fact, I've been happily surprised at your passion. I suppose I shouldn't have been. You have a passion for life in general; it shouldn't have surprised me that you would be as passionate with me." He smiled as she lowered her eyes; he could still see the traces of her blush.

"You never have to be afraid with me, Maria. I will never hurt you. You never have to worry about being inadequate with me. You are already everything I want and need. And whatever needs to be learned, we'll learn together."

Maria looked back up at Georg, saw the love in his eyes, and knew that she could trust this man with her heart, with her body, and with her life. She embraced him, putting her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, Georg."

"And I love you."

With a final kiss, they walked back to the house hand in hand.