Part 10

Not long after all the guests had arrived the children went to bed but not before performing the sweetest little song Maria had ever seen, she had recognised the song and after Leisl had explained that she had found it in her draw after she had left. Together she and the children had come up with the perfect little routine to perform for her and the rest of the guests. The compliments Georg received after about his children made Maria's heart swell. To know that he finally understood and loved his children completely, oh what a feeling of accomplishment it gave her she thought as she stood watching him.

Dinner was announced and everyone filled in apart from her as she waited for Georg, she didn't know why but she felt the need to be beside him and have his strong and comforting body near hers. Love.

Georg smiled when he saw her waiting, her petite slender form leaning against the door frame to the large dining room "Waiting for someone?" he teased.

Maria tried supress the smile that she knew was forming on her mouth as he walked towards her "I don't think so" she bantered back.

"You don't think so?" he said with a cheeky smile as he stood in front of her, their bodies barely inches away from each other.

Maria smiled "Well there was this one man I was looking for but I can't seem to find him"

Georg faked a disappointed face for her "No?"

Maria kept in her smile and shook her head.

Sliding his hand discreetly onto her hip, vaguely hidden by the door frame he stepped a little closer "Would you mind terribly if I substituted for him? We can't have my children's favourite Fraulien without a date now could we?" he said seductively as he traced circles with his thumb on her slender hip.

His voice and touch sent shivers down Maria's spine and once again she shook her head too afraid that if she tried to speak she would not be able to find her voice.

Stepping away a little Georg let his hand fall away from her hip and smiled, relishing in the way he could render her helpless with just one touch and a few words "Just follow me, I made sure your seat was next to mine" he said quietly before walking into the room and finding his seat at the head of the table, Maria's seat on his left.

Maria followed and smiled when she found Leisl sat in the seat left to hers, Max and Margaretta sitting opposite them.

"Hello" Maria whispered to Leisl when she sat down "I wonder who arranged the seating" Maria teased knowing it was probably her and her father who had arranged it she thought as she pried off her gloves and placed them on the side of the table.

Leisl smiled "Of course I have to sit next to you. Who else could i?"

Maria frowned teasingly "I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not" she said making Leisl chuckle as she put her napkin on her lap, Leisl doing the same before Georg poured her some wine. Maria lifted an eyebrow and Georg laughed quietly.

"Considering how you and Elsa drank all my vodka the other evening I didn't think you would object to a little wine"

Maria blushed and ducked her head for a second, she was about to say her thanks when a pristine voice which sent a sickness through her body came through.

"Darling though little Maria here helped me, you know as well as I that it was I who drank most of that lovely spirit" Elsa said as she walked up to them. Turning to Maria she smiled "Maria, it's lovely to see you I'm glad you were able to join us" she said sincerely.

Sitting there shocked to the bone Maria nodded. She couldn't believe it. Well she didn't know what to believe for that fact. Maria didn't know what confused her more, that she was here? Or that she had actually sounded sincere? "I ah, thank you Baroness. It's lovely to see you too" she said with a forced smile.

But then to her shock she bent down and whispered something in Georg's ear before sliding something into his hands and kissing him, more than a little friendly, on the cheek. She averted her gaze trying not to run out of there crying as her heart broke. What had she expected? For him to tell the truth? To actually believe that maybe just maybe her dream could come true? That she could actually stay with these beautiful children and love the man seated next to her with everything in her?

Holding back her tears she whispered to herself so quietly it was barely audible "How could I be so stupid?"

Leisl saw Maria's torment and took one of the hands that was fisted in her lap. Maria looked up with confusion and Leisl smiled at her gently "It's not what you think" she whispered.

Looking at Leisl apprehensively she leaned in "And what exactly is it?" she whispered back stressfully.

The younger woman shook her head "I can't say, but please trust me" she said sincerely, then squeezing her hand she whispered "Please mother"

Maria's heart pounded with confusion, elation, love, pain. Oh what a beautiful mess this was all becoming, her heart and soul being tugged in every different direction. Looking over the table at Margaretta she shook her head but it was quickly countered by a shake of the head from her friend as she mouthed 'Stay' at her.

She knew this dinner would be a long one and all she really wanted was answers, plain and simple, but to her distress things kept dragging out, prolonging the excruciating agony and the ache within her chest. But she had to stay, for her sake, for Leisl's and though she could not fully admit it, Georg's. She knew if she left now she would shatter whatever feeling he felt for her, whether it were big or small, she knew he felt something. Maria breathed out knowing she was most likely jumping to conclusions and nodded earning her a smile from the sister.

Georg whom had been watching the exchange with apt curiosity slid his hand under the table cloth and placed his hand on her knee, rubbing it slightly, needing to know if she was alright.

Maria jumped as his hand came in contact with her silk covered flesh, the sensations running through her body as his hand caressed her knee indescribable. She needed him to stop yet her heart and body wanting the exact opposite she thought and she tried to suppress the blush she knew was surfacing on her cheeks.

"Are you alright?" he asked squeezing her knee.

Maria smiled and nodded before busying herself with moving her glass to help the waitresses put her starter down.

Realising that she may feel uncomfortable at such an intimacy, just beneath a table full of hundreds of people he removed his hand hoping he had not offended her but In the corner of her eye Maria saw the worry creased across his face and just as his hand started to move she grabbed it, giving it a squeeze before looking at him longingly with a small smile. She was trying.

"Soon" he said quietly, knowing all she really wanted was explanations before their hands disconnected underneath the table.

Maria looked through his eyes and once she was reassured. It was an odd concept to feel every doubt vanish by just looking into his eyes but as she picked up her spoon and started to eat she smiled inside, this was love, that was it, that was love, to read the other with just one look, no words even needed.

Dinner past pleasantly, jokes passing across the table, old and new story's being told and Leisl couldn't help but notice the heated looks and small forbidden touches her father and Maria kept stealing throughout the whole dinner. They puzzled her thoroughly how at times they could be at each others necks and then next they were fawning over each other and trying stay as close to each other as they could without anybody noticing. She smirked as she caught a glimpse of her fathers hand going to Maria's thigh once again only for her to swat it away but catch his fingers within hers before letting go. This routine had been going on all night and Leisl was only just resisting the urge to tell them, as Gretl put it, to 'sing' already. Leisl was young but was certainly not stupid.

"Anyone would think you're married already" she muttered under her breath and smirking as maria's head whipped round immediately, her eyes widening with shock.

"Leis..."

Ignoring her Leisl stood as it was the end of the meal and tapped her glass like her father had shown her and cleared her throat slightly, drawing everyone's attention to her "Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for coming here tonight to share my first dinner and party. You have made it a pleasant one and I sincerely hope you have enjoyed yourselves. Now if you would like to adjourn back to the ball room or make you way home I would like to thank you all again" and with that she dipped her head before everyone clapped.

Maria smiled and slowly got out of her seat before hugging her "You did wonderfully" she said before everyone started getting out of their seats, some gathering their coats and others going to the ball room for a another dance or drink.

Leisl was soon snatched away as people said their goodbyes or simply wanted a mere chat, so no one noticed when Georg pulled Maria out of a door that lead to the garden and backed her up against the wall.

Though the action quite intimate and seductive Georg made no further move and simply just stood there watching her as her chest rose and fell rapidly.

"Hello" she whispered.

Smiling back he fiddled with the ends of his jacket "Hi"

Swallowing she tried to find her voice "You read...?"

"Yes"

Maria nodded "I read yours" she confirmed.

Georg smiled "I figured as much" he said quietly, once again silence falling between them for a moment "Forgive me for my interaction with the Baroness before"

Maria shook her head "No I overreacted"

"You had every right to"

"Did i?" Maria asked confused.

Georg bit his lips realising what he had implied "That is not what I meant"

Maria sighed just wanting to hear the truth, to stop skirting around each other "Then what did you mean Captain? Are you with the Baroness or not?" she asked gently.

Georg smiled weakly "No, I'm not with her, we called off our… well our relationship"

Maria nodded, feeling guilty that she had never been so ecstatic about hearing what should have been sad news "I'm sorry" she said automatically.

Georg smiled "It's me Maria; you can tell me the truth. Are you really sorry that the Baroness and I are no longer together?" he asked trying to look into her eyes which seemed fixed on the ground at that moment.

Finally looking into his eyes she shook her head "I should be I know I should be, but what feel, what runs through me is so far from sadness" she confessed "Is that an awful thing?" she asked confused by her feelings.

Georg chuckled lightly "Well I don't feel sad so no I don't think it's an awful thing at all" he said as happiness surged within him, the fact that they now both had a chance, a chance to love each other unconditionally overwhelming him "Can I... may I touch you?" he asked hesitantly, so unlike his usual strong bravado.

Finding strength within his earlier word's she smiled "Why ask? You have been all night" she said quietly as she stared into his eyes, the faint sound of music and people talking flowing out through the open door.

Smiling back Georg moved closer their chests almost touching "That was different, this is…" he trailed off as his eyes skimmed over her flawless skin.

"This is what?" Maria asked, urging him to finish the sentence she so desperately needed to be answered.

"More, this means so much more" he said firmly looking into her glistening eyes.

Maria met his gaze with equal resolve, wanting this, knowing she could no longer run from him. She tried oh how she had tried, every small doubt she had tried to make huge when really it was a mere stone blocking the path between them, but now, she couldn't stop herself, she was falling and wanted it, she wanted to fall "Then touch me" she whispered.

Georg's blood rushed through his body at an alarming rate, every sense on high alert for this woman. After Agathe never did he think he could find such a woman who could ignite these feelings yet here she was, the feelings and sensation's bursting, pressing to be released "There's no going back, no more Baroness, No more Captain, no more Fraulien" he said as he trailed his hand lightly up her arm and back down again, Maria's eyes closing automatically "Just you and i. Maria and Georg and…"

"The children" they said together, laughing lightly after.

Georg breathed in her scent as she stepped closer, her hand going up and down the length of his arms as her nose and lips grazed his neck "Can you handle that Maria? You and i?" he whispered as his hands found her silk covered waist.

Maria looked at him and nodded "I, I don't think just handling it's an option… living without you, seems quite impossible" she whispered shyly and Georg couldn't help but smile.

He stroked her cheek with such tender care as the hand on her waist squeezed her hip lightly "Does that mean you're staying?"

Breathing in Maria tried to find her strength and slipped her arms inside his jacket, her hands trailing up the firm planes of his shirt covered back "Tell me" she whispered.

Georg frowned as his hand trailed down her collar bone "Tell you what?" he asked gently.

"I can't stay if you don't tell me, the whole reason for all of this, I feel it but I need you to because if you don't I don't think, well it's barely possible that…"

"I love you" he whispered and the whole world seemed to stop.

Maria searched his eyes, finding all she had ever wanted, passion, want, need but most of all love, the thing she could no longer live without from him "Yes"

"Yes that you don't love me?" Georg teased.

Maria smiled "No, goodness no. So far the opposite" she whispered as he drew her closer his lips skimming across her cheek and neck "I love you so much Georg that it hurts" she breathed out as he kissed down her collar bone, her hands clutching his back beneath his jacket.

"I'm sorry if I ever hurt you and lead you to believe that I did not love you" he mumbled against her neck.

Maria shook her head "Don't, it's in the past now" she gasped, feeling him pressing her harder against the wall he had her against. She needed him and couldn't take it any longer, she needed to feel his lips moving against hers as she tasted him "Why don't you kiss my lips?" she breathed out unsteadily, her nerves taking over her in waves. Though feelings of such intimate nature overwhelmed her she was still so inexperienced that, though her body most of the time instinctively lead her, speaking and asking him to kiss her and touch her made her nervous.

Georg's hand trailed up her rib cage carefully, only touching the underside of her breast as he understood that she was still inexperienced and didn't want to press the boundaries she was not yet ready for "To kiss your lips would be to claim you fully, you would be mine, will be mine" he said as he kissed and nibbled her neck and earlobe.

"Then why don't you take them?"

She supressed a groan when she raked her nail down his back "I want your permission Maria, I want you to tell me to kiss your lips, tell me you're mine" he said gently, yet the possessive tone of a lover underlying his words.

Maria's breath hitched and she couldn't understand how she could feel such pleasure from just his hands stroking and his lips kissing her skin lightly, she wanted more. When his kisses finally found their way to her cheek she looked him in the eyes, his usual blue eyes dark and filled with love and passion. Taking a hand away from his back she touched his cheek, love and care filling that one touch "Kiss me" she asked nervously "Make me yours… please"

Georg smiled and knew he had already put her through enough, she was shy, he needed to take control now so gently he leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly to hers, his mouth and tongue caressing her soft lips so so gently.

When they parted Maria's eye fluttered open slowly her heart racing. When she said nothing Georg pressed his lips to hers again but this time going over her lips once and the a second time, urging her to respond. Maria's hand tightened on his back as she made her lips move with his, her breath hitching as his tongue swept more firmly over her lips.

He parted from her, wanting to let her get her bearings when she pulled him back lightly, this time her lips covering his and her hesitant tongue sweeping over his lips only for her to gasp when he opened his mouth and caressed her tongue with his. He drew away and kissed her lips softly before looking at her for a reaction.

He smiled when he clearly saw the lust in her dark eyes and leaned forward kissing her forehead all the way down to her neck.

"Your tongue" Maria whispered, so overwhelmed by the new sensations and actions. She couldn't describe the euphoria that was starting to overtake her, a longing and burning ache forming between her legs as her caressed her body gently with his lips and hands. She felt so good and her heart fell when she realised she didn't know how to make him happy "I don't… I don't know how to…" she moaned when his lips hit a sensitive spot on her neck and her hands went to the bottom of his shirt, all thoughts forgotten as she untucked the white cotton and ran her hands instinctively up his chest, needing to feel his skin.

Georg breathed hitched and his lips automatically sought hers needing to taste her as her fingers grazed his nipple. Breaking away he tried to supress a groan and though at first Maria thought she had hurt him she smiled when she could feel the opposite of that reaction pressing against her stomach.

Their breathing was laboured as they held each other, their kisses becoming long and languid, Maria stroking Georg's head as they tried to calm themselves "We should, should stop, shouldn't we?" Maria mumbled against his warm lips.

Georg nodded as he pulled away from her lips "I don't want to you should know but I will not ravish you against a wall my love" he said gently as he looked into her eyes.

Maria smiled "Ravishing doesn't sound so bad, but I understand" she said before kissing him softly on the lips once more.

Stepping away slightly Georg smiled "I saw your confusion earlier at Elsa's action but it was because I asked her to get something for me" he explained.

Maria tilted her head, no longer feeling threatened by the woman "Oh?"

Georg nodded as his hand went into his pocket, his hand coming out put enveloping the object from her eyes.

"What have you got my dear Captain?" She asked as he stepped a little closer to her again.

"Maria, my lovely Maria. I don't think I can live life without you, I have you to thank for so many things and I wish to thank you for the rest of my life so will you please marry me?" he asked tenderly his palm opening out to reveal and dark blue velvet box.

Maria's pulse was racing and beating against her skin as she looked to and fro from him and the box. She was supposed to say yes, supposed to fall into his arms and live happily ever after with him, then why did she feel like she was falling too fast? "I ah, i… Georg" her words would not form and Goosebumps sprinkled across her bare shoulders and chest.

Georg's heart started to fall when she did not answer, had he done something wrong? Gone to fast? Pushed her? "Maria…"

She shook her head and held up her hand before running back through the door and into the dining room, Georg swearing as he shoved the box into his pocket before going after her.

Maria couldn't breathe, couldn't see, couldn't comprehend what had just happened. She loved him of course she loved him but to just jump straight into marriage? Yes these were times when most women did that, to secure herself, secure her life but Maria was no ordinary women. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man yes but what if things went wrong? What if differences started to occur now they were intimate? Maria pushed her way through the crowds of people ignoring the voices that called her name in worry.

Air, why couldn't she find the air! Maria stumbled as she got out into the hall, reaching out she went to grab the banister that lead up the steps but just as she touched it , her legs left her, crumbling beneath her as her vision started to blur and then there, in the distance she heard her name being screamed as her world tumbled into the abyss…

Authors note: Oh my goodness I've never been so nervous about posting a chapter in my liffeeeee! I hope this was all up to your expectations and I'm sorry it's not as long as my last chapter, but you know me, always love a good cliff hanger! :D Pleaseeeee please comment and tell us what you think on this chapter I really want to know if it was to your liking and I'm really not too sure if I like this chapter! Anyway thanks and hopefully I shall have the next chapter up ASAP! :D