Maria woke up to the sounds of the train's steady heartbeat as it moved along. She also became aware that she was alone in the unfamiliar bed. Rolling over, she felt the spot where her husband had lain, so close to her, last night. It was still warm. How long had he been up? And what time was it now?
Sitting up, Maria looked at the small clock on the wall after rubbing her eyes: half past seven. She yawned and stretched her body, arching her back and reveling in the sensation. Georg hadn't told her when the train would arrive in Paris, but they must be relatively close. After all, the train had been moving all night.
The sounds coming from the bathroom could be heard from the doorway that was open a crack. A faucet running and a humming. She smiled; Maria would know that voice anywhere. The tune he was humming was familiar. "Edelweiss…" she murmured. As quiet as a mouse, Maria tiptoed to the bathroom door, contemplating to go inside and wishing him good morning. She came to the small opening in the doorway and took a peak.
Georg was standing at the sink, cleaning his face with a towel. She saw a razor and shaving cream right by the still running faucet, and assumed he had just shaved. She then watched as he took a comb, wet it under the downpour, and began to comb his hair. Her gaze fell to his attire: all he was wearing was a navy blue robe, tied loosely around his waist. It opened a bit at the chest . . .
Maria scampered back from her peaking and sat on the bed, her cheeks flushing and her mind racing. The thought that had flashed through her mind when she saw her husband's neck, collarbone, and a small part of his chest was this: I want to see more. Once, the thought would have shamed her, even after their love had been confessed. But now, remembering the previous night, it felt . . . natural, in a way. It certainly didn't frighten her anymore, but she was still a bit guarded. The feelings she felt for Georg were all so new to her, especially feelings like this. And the fact that she was no longer scared of these feelings helped a great deal.
Yes, she desired him, that much was sure. She wanted to see him as only a wife could. What would happen if she just went in the bathroom now and . . . What? She honestly had no idea what she would do, or even say. Her lack of experience creped up on her again.
Either way, now was not the time for this. They would be in Paris very soon, and Maria did not want her first time a hasty one on a train before it stops. No, she needed time, security, and stability. God knows she was nervous enough.
Needing a task to do after thinking about this for a while, Maria got up and made the bed, singing to herself absently in sheer joy:
All the sounds of the earth are like music.
All the sounds of the earth are like music.
The breeze is so busy it don't miss a tree,
And an old weeping willow is laughing at me . . .
Oh, what a beautiful morning!
Oh, what a beautiful day!
I've got a beautiful feeling
Everything's going my way . . .
Oh, what a beautiful day . . .
The sound of someone clapping made her turn to the doorway to see Georg standing there, leaning against the now open bathroom doorway. He had changed out of his robe and into the grey pants of his suit and a crisp white shirt, minus the suit and tie.
Her face lit up in a radiant smile at the sight of her husband, her Georg, real and smiling with amusement and tenderness. Without further ado, Maria went to him and he opened his arms. She embraced him and buried her face in the space where his shoulder met his neck. "Good mooring," she murmured.
"It is indeed," he murmured back, giving her neck a tender kiss. "I'm so happy you're here with me."
Maria sighed, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "I am, too."
"How did you sleep, love?"
"Wonderfully. And you?"
"The best sleep I've had in a long time." He looked down at her face, eyes closed and still smiling, resting on his shoulder. He ran his fingers through her short hair, her lovely hair. "The happiness I felt waking up with you in my arms . . . is indescribable."
Maria opened her eyes to look into his eyes, where all of those feelings could be expressed. Wordlessly, Maria cupped his cheek and kissed his other cheek.
After a moment, she asked. "What time does the train arrive in Paris?"
"Nine o'clock," Georg replied. "So we still have a bit of time. Why don't you go change and I'll order our breakfast?" She nodded in agreement.
After Maria came out of the bathroom, again dressed in her ivory traveling suit, she saw Georg tipping the waiter who had set up breakfast at the small table for two. It smelled delicious. Georg's manner with the young man was so naturally polite and charming, nothing about it was forced. Maria suddenly felt a surge of pride that this was her husband, and remembering the night before, complete love.
When the waiter had gone, Maria stepped up to her husband and took him by surprise by cupping his face with her hands and kissing him powerfully. He got over his momentary shock and pulled her flush against his body, wrapping his arms around her back. When they parted for breath, Georg looked at her flushed face and bright eyes.
"And what, Baroness, was that for?" he asked, not at all displeased with her actions.
"For last night," said Maria, her tone and eyes serious and full of love. She pressed her forehead to his, and whispered, "I love you."
Georg gave her a kiss of his own before he responded. "And I you, with all my heart." He pulled them towards the table, smiling. "Let's eat."
From the moment the train stopped in the station of Paris, France, Maria wished she had about eight more eyes. In the train station, she had to try her best not to stare, so she focused on the sounds, many people speaking in a language she hardly knew. Even listening to her husband speak in French effortlessly was fascinating as he hailed a taxi.
As she and Georg rode in the car towards the hotel, she kept her eyes out the window, craning her neck occasionally, wanting to look at everything. The day was absolutely beautiful, and not too hot either. The perfect light in which to first see Paris.
Georg, who had been to Paris before, did not look out the window as much; he was enjoying watching his wife too much. He knew that this was her first time outside of Austria, or even the area around Salzburg. It would be a wonderful experience to see Paris fresh again, through her eyes. When Maria turned to him with a glowing smile, letting her gratitude and excitement show, he lifted her hand and kissed it.
Their suite in the hotel was on the top floor, and faced the Seine, offering an absolutely beautiful view. First the two bellhops entered, bringing their trunks and luggage with them. While they were occupied in taking those further into the suite, Georg surprised Maria by again picking her up and carrying her through the door.
Before she could laugh or reprimand him for startling her, her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the suite. Georg smiled proudly while he set her down on the cream-carpeted floor.
The living room area was beautifully spacious: a lounge sofa set in front of a fireplace, a dining table for two, and long French windows that looked out onto the city. The colors were light and fresh, refreshing and comforting at the same time.
To the left, the two bellhops came out of an open doorway that must lead to the bedroom area, Maria went to explore the bedroom area. The colors were a bit more dark and intimate in this area, but warm and comforting. A magnificent four-poster, king-sized bed stood at the end of a room, on an area elevated by one step in the carpet. Last night, the sight would have terrified her; now she only felt a few nerves.
Deciding to focus on other things, Maria looked around, seeing a feminine bureau with a mirror and seat for her, and got excited. A spacious closet on one side of the wall had enough room for both of their clothes, along with a dresser by her bureau. Their trunks and luggage had been placed at the foot of the bed.
The bathroom, which was adjoined to the bedroom, really made her gasp; she'd never seen a more luxurious bathroom. The colors were light blues and turquoise, with a huge white marble bath and a shower big enough for two to stand in, in her opinion. Blushing, she exited the bathroom and went to the part of the suite she was most eager to see.
A pair of glass doors led from the bedroom onto a balcony overlooking the river and the city. The sight took her breath away in the mid-morning light.
It wasn't long until Maria felt a strong, warm arm wrap around her waist, and a strong warm body pressed against her back. His preceding footsteps had been enough to alert her, so she was not surprised. Instead, she smiled and leaned back, enjoying the kisses he was planting on her neck.
"What do you think?" he whispered in her ear.
"Oh, Georg, it's so wonderful!" she sighed, her eyes drinking in the view of Paris before her. "I can't believe we're here."
"We're finally here," he said, now wrapping both arms around her, his chin resting beside her temple, looking at the view with her. "Sometimes I thought yesterday and today would never come."
"I'm so glad it has," murmured Maria, and he hugged her tighter. "And this suite is amazing! I mean, the bathroom alone is bigger than my postulant's room at the abbey!"
Georg laughed, but stopped when she saw her face flush and her eyes lower as if in shame. At the feeling of her body stiffening, he gently turned her around and lifted her chin. "Maria, what is it?"
She turned her eyes away as she answered in a quiet voice. "I imagine it is funny . . . I'm not used to this kind of grandeur at all . . ."
"Maria, look at me, please," said Georg in a serious voice. She hesitantly met his intense gaze. "I wasn't making fun of you."
"I know," she replied softly. "I'm just embarrassed . . ."
"You have no reason to be," said Georg firmly. "I laughed because I delight in the fresh way you look at everything. You teach me never to take anything for granted, which is something I did for a long time, even before Agathe died. And I am so looking forward to experiencing, not only Paris, but life with you, through your eyes."
There was no lie in his eyes, and Maria believed him. The lump in her throat made it impossible for her to speak plainly, so she embraced him until that and her blush faded completely. He seemed to understand, and rubbed her back soothingly as she calmed down.
Finally, she sighed, pulled back and gave a small but genuine smile. "Thank you."
He kissed her forehead and they headed back inside. "Why don't we get least favorite part of the arrival over with and unpack?" Georg proposed, and Maria nodded.
As they unpacked and put everything away, any tension left just melted away. Georg was very sweet in his patience, knowing she had never shared so much of her life with a man. There was equal room for everything.
When she was finished with her own things, Maria went to the open balcony doors but just stood in the doorway, pulled to the outside air as if by a gravitational force. When Georg had finished, he joined his wife and took her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist tenderly. "All finished."
Maria smiled. "Well, what shall we do now? You know Paris much better than I do, after all."
"You decide, love," said Georg. "Today, it makes no difference today what we do as long as we are together."
The young bride looked outside again and said, "Well, I would like to . . ."
"Yes?"
She looked at him, her eyes shining with the question. "The day is so beautiful. All I can say is I want to be outside today."
Georg smiled and kissed her lips sweetly. "Your wish is my command, Baroness."
A/N: The song is from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma".