There was a time
I was everything and nothing all in one
When you found me
I was feeling like a cloud across the sun…

And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

With a smile
You pull the deepest secrets from my heart
In all honesty
I'm speechless and I don't know where to start

And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

"Something About The Way You Look Tonight" Elton John "The Big Picture" (1997)

Maria couldn't help but smile as she wiped her hands on the damp tea towel. It had been another perfect day. As she watched the children putting away the last of the dinner dishes, she wondered what she'd done to be so blessed.

After feeling horribly lost and alone since leaving the villa at the end of the summer, it now seemed like she was in the middle of the most amazing dream. If it was a dream, she didn't want to wake up. Looking around the kitchen amongst the din and mayhem, she marvelled that not only was she soon to become the stepmother of these wonderful children, she was soon to become the wife of their father. Her heart fluttered a little at the thought of Georg. It always did. In fact, it always had.

Earlier, it had started snowing heavily again, sending them all scurrying inside. After warming themselves up with hot cocoa and some more of Cook's delicious Christmas biscuits in front of the fire in the salon, they'd decided to have an early dinner. The children had been hungry after running around in the snow and hadn't needed any encouragement. They'd all helped Maria prepare a feast with the fresh vegetables from the pantry and the leftover roast meats from yesterday's Christmas lunch.

Smiling as she watched the children cleaning up, she wasn't sure whether she heard Georg first. Perhaps it was just that sixth sense she'd developed over summer. Even before he'd appear, she always seemed to know if he was nearby. The air would grow a little heavier with expectation. Her senses more alert, somehow she'd feel more alive. Holding herself a little tighter, she felt him approaching from behind.

"Everything under control, Fraulein?" Georg asked, but quickly realised what a ridiculous question it was. His own control had been slipping throughout the day. Hadn't he just been out into the cold night air to double check that the front gates were locked? Of course they were. In this weather, no one could venture too far and no one had come or gone all day.

"Under control…?" Maria stumbled over her words. Why couldn't she think when he was so near? Still not daring to look at him, she tried to pull herself together, and responded over her shoulder with a hurried "I think so, Captain." He was standing so close to her now, her head was swimming with his musky scent.

Remembering their earlier lapse in his study, she looked around the kitchen, desperate to find a distraction. Something. Anything. Picking up the tin of biscuits from the bench beside her, she thrust them towards Georg.

"Actually, can you put these away?" she was already walking into the enormous pantry. "Put them up there where I can't reach them," she stood in the middle of the room lined with shelves and all kinds of packets and tins, nodding towards an empty space.

"They're far too…" she said softly turning to smile at him, but instantly regretting it. Georg wasn't paying attention to anything in the pantry except her. Seeing that look in his eyes, she immediately lost her train of thought. She lowered her eyes and found herself staring at his lips. "They're far too…" she began again, but stopped as she noticed a grin tugging at his lips. Oh, dear. "Far too delicious…" she finally managed, still staring at his lips.

Seeing how rattled she was, he gave her a wicked smile. "Not nearly as delicious as you, Fraulein…" Georg bent and whispered dangerously in her ear as he drew her earlobe into his mouth.

Maria spun around. "Captain! Behave yourself!" she whispered as she hit his arm, the shock of him daring to take advantage of her in the pantry, especially with the children so close, suddenly bringing her to her senses. "Just up there on the top shelf," she waved her hand before bustling back out into the kitchen, hoping the children wouldn't notice how flustered she was. But it was impossible to hide the effect he had on her. Deciding to busy herself with some invisible crumbs on one of the benches, she tried to ignore that he was back in the kitchen, standing behind her.

"Friedrich! Kurt! Let's make sure we've got enough wood for the fires," Georg called out to the two boys. Kurt flicked his older brother with a tea towel, then raced across the kitchen to their father.

"Take it easy!" Georg chuckled at them as he ruffled Kurt's hair. "It's not a race," he walked out of the kitchen with an arm around Friedrich's shoulders. Maria was still looking at the doorway long after they'd left the kitchen. She loved seeing Georg and the boys together. When she'd first arrived, Georg didn't seem to notice how much his sons looked up to him. How much they just wanted some of his time. They craved for even just a moment with him. It had been the same with the girls.

"Thank you, Fraulein Maria," Maria's thoughts were interrupted as Liesl walked up and linked arms with her. "It's been so special sharing Christmas with you and father."

"It has been wonderful, hasn't it?" Maria turned and kissed Liesl's cheek. "I missed you all so much."

"Well, it's not over yet!" Liesl turned to her with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

"What on earth have you children been planning?" Maria looked around at the girls who seemed to be bursting with excitement. Marta couldn't stop a giggle escaping, while Louisa gave Brigitta a nudge. "I would have thought you'd all be too tired tonight for anything," she added, despite knowing only too well how much energy the children had.

"You'll see soon enough!" Liesl said as she steered Maria out of the kitchen. "Come with me!" she added mysteriously as she turned back and nodded to her sisters.

"Surely you can give me a hint?" Maria begged Liesl, the laughter from the younger girls fading as they made their way across the foyer to the stairs.

ooooXXXXoooo

Georg looked in the mirror and straightened his tie. He still didn't know what the children were up to. After they'd brought in some more firewood, he'd let Friedrich talk him into changing into a suit. He'd rather enjoyed wearing something more casual than what he would normally wear. But he was intrigued to see what the children had planned. Of course, he'd put up a little resistance. Just a bit of teasing, really. He was always going to give in. He loved that the children felt so at ease with him these days that they included him in their games. Knowing that there was a time when they feared him, made it all the more special. It was all thanks to Maria.

He smiled back at himself. The children had loved having Maria spend Christmas with them. He knew they would. They adored her as much as he did. Why, just earlier, Kurt had asked if she could stay forever. He knew the children would be beside themselves when they announced their engagement.

Reaching for his cufflinks, he imagined they'd share their news with the children when the snow storm finally passed. Not that he was in any hurry. Alone at the villa with Maria and the children, he would happily sit out the storm for another week. Once the weather cleared, he would arrange for Maria's belongings to be picked up from the house of her friend's parents. And, of course, he sighed, he would have to arrange for Max to return as chaperone. He would speak to Maria later tonight after the children were in bed. Tonight. He could hardly wait to have Maria all to himself.

Bending down, he splashed his face with cool water. Reaching for the towel, he knew it wasn't enough. He probably needed a cold shower. Hell, standing out in the freezing snow hadn't helped. Although this thing had been simmering away all day, he'd somehow managed to keep it under control. Well, most of the time. Staring back at himself, he wondered who he was fooling.

Now that he was back in his bedroom, surrounded by the memories of last night, his resolve was certainly being tested. He could feel the last remaining threads starting to unravel. God, he needed her. Desperately.

Running a smoothing hand through his hair, he swept his fringe back in place. Taking one last look in the mirror, he squared his shoulders and told himself he just needed to hold himself in check a little longer. He walked from the bathroom and went to retrieve the jacket he'd left lying on the bed. He stopped. For a moment, all he could see was the vision of Maria. Naked. On the bed, holding her hand out for him. Wanting him. Desperate for more. Oh, dear God….

Snatching his jacket off the bed, he quickly made his escape, determined to leave the images of last night's lovemaking firmly behind the bedroom door.

ooooXXXXoooo

Georg stood in the foyer facing the staircase with his hands clasped behind his back. He wondered what was keeping Friedrich. He'd been told to meet him here. At least it had given him time to regather his thoughts. Growing impatient, he turned towards the large mirror hanging on the wall. Checking his reflection, he tugged at the cuffs of his crisp white shirt.

Glancing at his watch, he decided to give them five more minutes. If no one made an appearance by then, he would go upstairs and find out what the hell the children were up to. He'd been trying not to think about her, but he wondered if Maria had been more successful extracting any information from the girls.

Smoothing the sides of his hair with the palms of his hands, he stopped suddenly as he heard a noise on the stairs. Flicking his eyes up to the corner of the mirror, he felt the air being sucked from his lungs. "Maria…" It was hardly a whisper. He wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or his desperate reflection staring back at him. God, he could hardly draw breath, let alone think.

Holding himself tight, he turned slowly and looked to the top of the stairs. There she was. All alone. Looking down at him. Oh God, she was breathtaking! She smiled at him. Not a shy smile. There were no nerves. There was nothing self-conscious about the woman who was walking down the stairs towards him. She was confident, assured. And he was spellbound.

Maria smiled down at Georg. He looked so handsome in his dark navy suit. She was wearing her blue dress. The blue dress. She'd first worn it the night of the puppet show. The night she'd first heard him sing Edelweiss. That was the night their two worlds collided. Oh, they'd both tried desperately to ignore it. Stupidly, they'd tried to bury what they felt, not daring to believe that it was shared. Convincing themselves that the heated looks were innocent. Pretending that the accidental touches had no effect.

Now, making her way down the stairs, she understood that look in his eyes. He wasn't even trying to hide how much he wanted her. She nodded to him. She understood. She felt it too.

His eyes never leaving her, Georg made his way to the bottom of the stairs. She seemed to be floating towards him. She'd always seemed to float whenever she wore that dress. Like one of God's own angels sent to him from heaven. What had he done to deserve her, he wondered. He flexed his fingers impatiently, as she glided down towards him.

With only a few stairs between them, he reached out and offered her his hand. Feeling her fingers wrap around his, he squeezed her hand affectionately. As she came to a stop on the last step, he captured her other hand in his.

"This is hardly playing fair, Fraulein," he scolded her, but his eyes danced with anticipation and need.

"Whatever do you mean, Captain?" she looked down at him.

"You know I could never resist you in your blue dress," he whispered as he looked her up and down. It was a relief looking at her without having to be guarded. "You're so beautiful…" he added vaguely, lost somewhere between her blue eyes and the smile tugging at her lips.

"I really didn't have a choice," she smiled sweetly at him. "Your eldest daughter insisted I wear it," she added when she saw his frown.

"Hmm…you too?" Georg glanced down at his suit. "What are our children up to?"

"Our children?" Maria whispered, her heart skipping a beat.

"Yes, Fraulein, our children," he said it more firmly this time, as he leaned in closer. "Oh, didn't I explain?" he asked innocently.

"Explain what?"

"I come with baggage," he teased as he let go of her hand and reach up to run the back of his forefinger down her cheek. "Lots of baggage…" he whispered.

"Oh, you can't call the children…" Maria's laugh was cut off by a door slamming from the children's wing.

"Sshh…let's play along and see what they have in store for us, shall we?" Georg ran a reassuring thumb across the back of her hand before letting go and stepping away from the staircase.

As Maria stepped off the last step to stand beside him, they both turned towards the children's rooms. They could hear the children hurrying along the upper landing, laughing and chatting amongst themselves.

When they rounded the top of the staircase, Maria and Georg could see that the children had also changed into their best outfits.

"Oh, don't you all look smart!" Maria exclaimed as they came down the stairs.

The two young girls raced down the stairs ahead of the rest of the children and threw themselves at Maria.

"You don't look anything like the children who were running around in the snow!" Maria reached over and straightened the bow in Marta's hair, which brought a fit of the giggles.

"Alright everybody!" Georg's voice rang out, bringing an abrupt end to the chatter and laughter. "Can one of you please explain why we're standing here all dressed up?"

The children turned to Liesl, who gave her father the sweetest look. "Well, you'll just have to follow me," she told him mysteriously as she turned on her heel.

Georg looked across the children to Maria, who arched a brow his way before turning to follow the rest of the children, who were falling in behind Liesl.

Liesl stopped in front of the ballroom doors and reached down to open one of the double doors. She turned around to everyone who had stopped and were now milling around. Looking from Fraulein Maria to her father she smiled. "We thought it would be fun to have our own party!" she declared as she opened the door to reveal the grandeur of the ballroom bathed in the warm light of the chandeliers.

"Oh, what a wonderful idea!" Maria clapped her hands together. She shot a sideways glance at Georg. Although he was holding himself tightly, she could see a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Liesl, I hate to point out the obvious, but we don't have an orchestra," Georg followed everyone into the ballroom.

"We don't need an orchestra, Father!" Liesl turned to him. "We've got the gramophone!"

"Well, I guess that settles it then," Georg mumbled. But he smiled to himself as he watched Maria. She was already in the corner of the room shuffling through the pile of records on the table beside the gramophone. She was worse than his daughters.

"This is perfect!" Maria spun around. "There's so many wonderful waltzes and polkas!" she gasped as she worked her way through the records. "What a perfect idea!" she exclaimed turning to hug Liesl. "Put this one on, please," she passed the record across to Liesl, who was beaming.

Liesl took the record from Fraulein Maria and shot her father a victorious smile.

Georg stood back with his arm folded across him, his elbow rested on his folded arm as he tried to hide his amusement behind his hand. So, this was the children's plan? This was what they had been scheming? His eyes were still on Maria, but Liesl was beside her now putting the record on the gramophone. He smiled at his eldest daughter and her romantic, matchmaking notions.

If only she knew that he'd fallen in love with Maria long ago. Oh, God, perhaps she'd seen something. Had she realised before he even admitted it to himself? Honestly, he'd found Maria irresistible from the beginning. Looking at her now, even as she busied herself in the corner, he was smitten. She was adorable. Normally, he detested parties and dancing, but her enthusiasm was infectious. God, she was more excited than the children! As usual, she was thawing his reluctance and misgivings.

After the initial crackling, the ballroom was soon filled with Strauss' opening bars of "A Thousand and One Nights." Maria had taken Kurt's hand and led him out to the middle of the room. After a bow and curtsey, Kurt awkwardly took the waltz stance with Maria's reassurance and she was soon encouraging him around the room. Friedrich and Louisa quickly joined them, much to the delight of the younger girls who watched on in their pretty party dresses.

Georg walked over to Liesl and held out his hand, "May I have the pleasure of this dance, young Lady," he smiled.

"Of course, kind Sir," Liesl beamed back at her father as she took his hand and curtseyed.

She felt his strong arms around her as she held on to him and he was soon leading her around the room. "I hope you don't mind, Father, I know you never really liked parties," she apologised. "I thought it might be fun," she added with an innocent shrug.

"A party without a room full of strangers seems a great idea," Georg bent down and kissed the top of his daughter's head as he turned her around. "Who knows? I might even enjoy myself…" he added as stopped suddenly and dipped Liesl towards the floor, causing her to squeal in surprise.

Maria looked over and caught his eye, nodding her appreciation that he was playing along. He felt his heart skip a beat at her approval.

Liesl beamed at her father. She hadn't danced with him at the party he'd held last summer for Baroness Schraeder. In the days before the party and even on the night, she'd secretly hoped that he'd ask her for a dance. Although she was disappointed that he never did, she quickly forgave him. She'd actually felt sorry for him after seeing so many guests jostling for his attention that night. She'd wondered if it was like that for him at every party. And then there was the Baroness, who'd made it clear that she didn't want the children there at all. But that was all in past!

Tonight, she was going to enjoy their own special party. And if her father finally came to his senses and realised that he was in love with Fraulein Maria, then all the better! She glanced across to her old governess who was laughing with Kurt as they moved around the room. Looking back at her father, she noticed that his gaze had also strayed across to Fraulein Maria, who was now counting waltz steps for Kurt. She smiled as she watched his eyes follow her. They always did. They always had…

Maria had lost count how many times they'd changed the record on the gramophone. She hadn't had so much fun in a long time. Gretl was in her arms and they were dancing a silly, exaggerated polka, struggling to keep in time with the music. The young girl was giggling away, despite trying to fight off the sleepiness that had been creeping up on her.

"I think we'll have to get you to bed soon, Sweetheart," Maria came to a stop against one of the ornate walls. Catching her breath, she rested her forehead against Gretl's, who tightened her arms around Maria's neck and buried her head against her.

Georg was dancing with Louisa and looked across her to Maria. His heart clenched as he watched her with his youngest daughter. The children loved her so much. As she looked up and caught his eye, he winked at her. God he loved her.

As the music came to an end, the only sound from the gramophone was the telltale hissing and clicking sound. With Liels's help, Brigitta was looking through the pile of records.

"Time for one more, girls," he called out as he watched Maria place a very sleepy Gretl back down on the floor. He was met by protests from all the children. Checking his watch, he looked around at them, "It's getting late, it's well past everyone's bedtime."

"Father, can you and Fraulein Maria show us this dance?" Liesl turned around to her father as she hugged one of the records to her.

"Hmmm…which dance…?" Georg asked vaguely as he flexed his fingers. So far, he'd avoided dancing with Maria. God knows, he'd wanted to pull her into his arms the minute he saw her on the staircase. But he'd realised that he needed to keep his distance if they were to keep their secret to themselves a little longer, so he'd busied himself dancing with his daughters.

"I think it's called the Laendler, Father," Brigitta was already placing the record Liesl handed her onto the gramophone.

"The Laendler?!" both Maria and Georg said as one as they turned and looked at Brigitta.

"Oh, Liesl, I'm sure you children would rather have one last dance for the night instead of watching your Father and I try to remember the steps to that old folk dance," Maria protested. But she was met with howls from the children, all begging their father to dance with her.

"But you danced it so beautifully the night of the party," Liesl reminded them.

Georg shot a look towards Maria, who gave him the tiniest nod. "I suppose we could dance the first part…" he tugged at his ear.

Maria lifted her brow in question.

"Well, if I recall Fraulein, you can't remember all the steps, can you?" he gave his shoulders a shrug, deciding that there would be no harm if they only danced the first innocent steps.

"Hmmm…let's see, Captain," Maria squared her chin. Perhaps she could pretend to forget the steps earlier this time.

The children all clapped and cheered as they gathered around the gramophone and watch on as Maria turned on her heel and made her way to the middle of the ballroom. She turned towards Georg and gave him a determined look.

Swallowing hard, Georg walked slowly to the middle of the room and came to a stop. He was in front of Maria. Facing her. She smiled at him. As he stood waiting, he could barely hear the din of the children above the blood pounding in his ears. God, did she have any idea what she did to him? He needed to concentrate, but she made it impossible. Waiting for the first familiar bars, he tried to breathe deeply as he willed himself to calm down.

They stood staring at each other for what seemed an eternity. Forgetting himself, unable to resist, he reached out and caught her hand in his. "You're beautiful…" he mouthed as he ran his thumb across the back of her hand. She held his eyes, but her cheeks seemed a little flushed.

Trying to ignore the air around them growing heavy, Maria smiled back at Georg. He was so handsome. She wasn't sure how she was going to remember anything now that he was tracing lazy circles across the back of her hand. As he gave her a reassuring nod, she wondered if he was sensing that she was growing restless. It seemed to be getting warmer.

Letting go of her hand at the sound of the gramophone crackling to life, Georg took a step back. As the music began, their eyes still locked on each other, he bowed and Maria curtseyed. Reaching out to take her hand, they turned away from the French doors at the end of the ballroom and stepped down towards the children, who were smiling back at them.

Coming to a stop, they turned towards each other and Georg took her other hand in his. His hands had been burning all night with the need to touch her, now here he was, finally holding her. It was such a relief. He squeezed her hands as they hop-stepped back towards the middle of the ballroom.

Turning under Georg's arm, they hop-stepped back towards the children, both gave them a smile. He turned her under again, before taking her hand. As they turned towards each other, Maria met his eyes. There was that look again. She could feel her breathing coming a little faster. And now, there was that half grin of his. She couldn't think of anything except how much she loved him.

Taking hold of her hand, he led her down to the far end of the ballroom. He was reminded of their first dance together, that warm summer evening out in the courtyard. But tonight, it was different. There were no undeclared feelings, no questions, no doubts. Tonight, she was his, and he was forever hers.

Reaching the end of the ballroom, they turned towards each other. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was coming faster now. God, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to take her in his arms. Willing himself to concentrate, he smiled and nodded reassuringly as he took her other hand in his.

Holding both hands now, they faced each other and stepped back down towards the centre of the ballroom. As he lifted their arms above their heads and turned in underneath, Georg was reminded how beautifully Maria danced. But now, with her body almost touching his, he was reminded how beautiful her body was too. He needed to feel her against him. His body was aching for hers. Being so close, yet not touching, it was starting to drive him mad with need. God, it was torture.

Letting go of one of her hands, Georg held her other hand above their heads as she twirled beside him while he stepped beside her and led them back away from the children. He was aware of her skirt brushing against his leg. He needed to think of something else. Anything but her. But how could he?

Spinning her around, he took hold of her free hand as they linked arms across their bodies and swept in a circle around the room. Georg looked across at Maria and smiled as she tilted her head to the side away from him. He thought he could see a pulse thundering in her exposed neck. Or was he imaging it?

Now that he knew how sweet she tasted, he wanted to tease that pulse with his mouth, follow its path down her neck. He longed to trace a line of kisses along her collarbone, knowing only too well the path that his mouth wanted to take, pulling and tugging at her skin as he slowly revealed more of her…. Realising where his stray thoughts were taking him, he forced his mind back to the steps of the Laendler.

As they came to the end of their circle around the ballroom, Maria turned in his arms and was now smiling at him. He held her hands up between them and pulled her gently towards him. Somehow resisting the temptation to pull her against him, he gazed at her, still struggling to control his thoughts. As she looked away and stepped either side of him, Georg checked himself again. She was so close now, almost in his arms.

As she came back to stand in front of him, he nodded and smiled at her. She rewarded him with the most gorgeous smile. God, he loved her!

Turning, he lifted their hands overhead, sweeping them down as he brought both hands to rest on Maria's waist. As she held his gaze, once again it took all his restraint not to pull her to him.

Still holding her by the waist, he turned her around in an arc before letting go. With her back to him, Maria twirled around in a wide circle, out of reach, kicking her heels, happiness written all over her face. Georg turned with her on the spot, clapping in time. His eyes never left her. Although, he lowered his eyes momentarily to catch a glimpse of her shapely legs, exposed when she lifted her skirt as she skipped around him. He quickly moved his eyes back up her body as he remembered the feel of her legs arounds him. Dear God, he needed to concentrate.

Maria stopped and turned to face him and his heart leapt as he saw the look in her eye. She wanted him too! It was his turn to step around her. Wondering when he'd last had so much fun, he couldn't stop himself from smiling at her. They both turned to face the children, not that either of them noticed them. For some time, they'd become the only two people in the world. Nothing else existed. As they took a few small steps, Georg reached over his shoulder, catching her outstretched hand in his. He smiled to himself knowing that she was still there with him. At that moment, he realised that she always would be.

Taking her hand, Georg led Maria around, turning her to stand in front of him. He took hold of her hands and held them between them, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Holding one of her hands above them, Maria gasped as she felt Georg pull her around the waist with his other hand. She was now flush against him as they turned. There was no mistaking the heat of his body against hers. The memories of last night came flooding back. She was reminded of the feel of his body moving as one with hers. How their steady rhythm had grown more desperate, more urgent, as they declared their love, as they both let go, drawing out their release.

Spinning together as one, Maria was struggling to think as the air grew heavier with his natural, musky scent. She was drowning in him, completely lost in him. She held the intensity of his gaze. It was impossible to ignore the desire in his eyes. He wanted her as desperately as she wanted him.

They were moving in unison now. The images that he thought he'd left back in his bedroom were invading his mind. Staring into her eyes, he could see how much she needed him. The heat of her body was driving him wild. He needed to feel her skin against him. All of him. Moving as one, his breathing was shallow. Oh God, he needed to stop these stray thoughts…

Bringing their arms down, he turned her in the opposite direction, before raising her other arm above their heads. This time, Georg pulled Maria even closer to him. His control was slipping. He could feel her, all of her, through his suit. And he knew she could feel him. Her chest moved against his as she tried to catch her breath. It was such a delicious distraction. He needed to see her, to feel her, against him. God, they needed to shed these clothes.

He continued gazing into her eyes, they were only inches apart. Their breathing was ragged now as they both fought through their basic, instinctive need for each other. He glanced down at her lips. They were parted, ever so slightly. He needed a taste. He fought to hold himself back from her lips, that sweet mouth of hers was teasing him. Tempting him. They were so close now. They were sharing the same air. God, he had to kiss her.

And then suddenly they stopped turning. Maria was looking up at him through darkened eyes, and there was no mistaking her need. He knew he was far beyond masking his own.

He slowly let go of her hands, and they dropped to her sides. But neither of them moved. They hardly blinked, they needed each other. Their bodies were close, still touching, his lips were only barely an inch from hers.

The only thing Maria was aware of was Georg. Everything else had disappeared long ago. She could only think about the feel of his body against her. The taste of the air they were both struggling to share, as they fought to breathe.

He brought his hand to her cheek, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. He bent down and brushed her lips with his. Lifting his head, he watched her eyes flutter, they were heavy with desire.

Then he heard a giggle. Oh God, the children! He'd forgotten all about the children. Taking a moment, trying to catch his breath, he took both her hands in his. Somehow, he managed to wink at her as he cleared his throat. "Marry me, Fraulein," he asked loud enough for the children to hear.

All Maria could manage was a nod. "Yes..." she barely whispered.

Before they knew what was happening, the children were cheering and squealing their way across the ballroom towards them.

Thank you so much for continuing to read and review.

Apologies that this chapter was so long. I really lost track of the word count this time!

Please check out "Something About The Way You Look Tonight." As always, Elton has taken the poetry of Bernie Taupin and turned it into a gorgeous song.

I don't own TSOM, still just having a lend!