CHAPTER 11: Making memories
Georg had left Maria in her room to get ready for dinner while he went to his to do the same. Around ten minutes later he was heading back down the hallway towards her bedroom again, and he couldn't help the excitement that started bubbling up inside him at the thought of what had taken place over the course of the day. He started to quicken his pace, unable to wait another second to look upon her face and into those beautiful blue eyes.
Maria meanwhile had been sitting in her room twisting her hands in her lap and barely refraining from dragging herself on her hands and knees down the hallway to Georg's room. She too was excited to see him again after only a few short minutes, and when he appeared at her door she couldn't stop her excited gasp from escaping her lips. Georg gave her a knowing look when he heard this and practically sprinted across the room to take her in his arms and kiss her soundly on the lips, crushing her to his chest in his haste to have her close to him.
Their kiss had become frenzied and Georg pulled away suddenly, worried he had scared her. But as he looked into her eyes he could see the desire and need in her as well. He gave her a knowing smile and chuckle, but kept holding her away from him by her shoulders, not wanting to get to the point where he did scare her…'or to the point of no return', he thought to himself.
Maria's expression began to change into one of concern. 'Oh my goodness. What have I done? I've been to forward and now he probably thinks I am brash and improper.' Maria dropped her eyes to her lap and tried to hide the shame she was feeling and the blush that was creeping up her neck and cheeks. But Georg sensed her sudden change in emotions and knew he had to reassure her that she had done nothing wrong, that he fell in love with her…ALL of her.
"Maria darling, look at me."
Maria kept her eyes downcast until Georg gently lifted her head by placing a finger under her chin. She hesitantly looked up, avoiding eye contact. Georg knew he had to stop the inner turmoil she was causing herself.
"Maria you have done nothing wrong. I'm the one who should be sorry. I put you in this position where you had no choice of saying no. Now that I know you share my feelings I cannot resist having you close to me. But I want you to know that I will never put you in a compromising position, and we will take this at whatever speed you feel comfortable with. I'm here with you, every step of the way my darling."
Maria looked into his eyes as he was saying this, and saw the love that she felt for him reflected back at her in his own blue eyes. Georg had made Maria feel much less guilty about her actions and had reassured her about her hidden concerns about them taking things slow and waiting, because Maria knew nothing of love and romance, and what was seen as wrong and right.
When she expressed these concerns to Georg he just held her hands securely in his against his chest and looked her directly in the eyes and said "Maria I too have concerns of my own."
Maria looked at him with a shocked and confused look on her face, until he continued with his explanation.
"I may have experience with relationships and marriage, but Maria I have no experience with love and romance with you. We will both learn through our love for each other, with each other. I love you and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life learning from and loving you."
With that said they both shared a shy but understanding smile and Georg stood up, placed a gentle kiss of Maria's cheek and scooped her up in his arms to carry her downstairs to share dinner with the rest of their family.
With dinner over and done with, which had now become a loud but enjoyable affair, the family had made their way into the sitting room for some entertainment. Georg had placed Maria on the two seater sofa and then sat down next to her, taking her hand in his, while Max sat in one of the armchairs across the room, and the children all sat around on the floor circling the adults.
The children were all excitedly chatting, trying to decide whether they would do a puppet show or sing some songs. Max meanwhile was watching the very happy couple from across the room. He had immediately approved of the union, stating that he had known for quite some time of their obvious feelings for one another, but was just biding his time until they themselves came to the same realisation. He smiled as he watched how comfortable they were in one another's presence and at how his old friend seemed to have gotten some of his old romantic spark back that he had once had when he first met Agathe.
Georg could hear his children having their friendly debate but he was not focused on keeping them from having a full on war of opinions at this point. The only thing he was focused on at that moment was the beautiful young woman sitting beside him and the sensations he was feeling coursing through his body at the simple contact of their hands.
Maria had been watching the children but could suddenly feel Georg's gaze on her, and so turned to look at him. She only just successfully hid her gasp this time, as she was not expecting the closeness of his face nor the seductive look in his eyes. She couldn't help the burning desire that she got in the pit of her stomach when he looked at her this way, and in that moment she wished that the children were already in bed and Max was occupied with one of his long distance phone calls. Because all she wanted to do was be taken into Georg's arms and be kissed until the world around them just melted away.
Georg was also having very similar thoughts, although maybe not of such an innocent nature as just kissing, but he too was having yearning feelings to be alone with the person he loved.
They were both quickly bought out of their reverie by the children calling to get their attention, obviously having come to a decision on an agreeable activity and wanting the adults to join in. They were quickly pulled into singing songs with the children and listening as the seven of them sang amongst themselves.
"My offer still stands Georg." Max spoke up at one point after listening to the children singing one of the songs Maria had taught them over the summer. Georg looked over at his old friend with a confused looked on his face.
"They would be a hit at the festival if you would allow it" Max clarified. Georg's look of confusion turned into a knowing glare, but not an unfriendly one.
"Maaaaax. You know my feelings on this."
Max knew better than to argue with his friend on matters involving his children, because he knew, unlike nearly everything else he ever went after, he would not win this one. So instead, Max just raised his hands in mock surrender and turned towards the children and said "Should we hear from your Father and Fraulein children?"
There was no need for argument amongst the children on this decision, their agreement was unanimous and excited. Georg looked at Maria, asking her acceptance of their request, before taking the guitar from Liesl and strumming out some familiar tunes. The children enjoyed listening to their favourite adults sing a few melodies together, before Georg noticed two or three of his children try and hide simultaneous yawns, and so it was decided it was time for bed. Although this was not met with much enthusiasm, it was quickly decided that their Father was right, especially when Kurt tried to protest just as a yawn escaped his mouth and cut his words short.
Giggles were shared and then goodnights and kisses were given. Georg told the older three children they could stay up a little longer, but all agreed that they had big plans for the weekend tomorrow and so they wanted to get a good night sleep also. Georg bid his children goodnight and stated that he would be up shortly to tuck them in. Maria couldn't help but feel a little saddened that she couldn't do the same, but gave each child a warm and loving hug and kiss before they went upstairs to their rooms.
Max too had suddenly decided that he was also feeling the strains of the day and would be retiring also, but Georg caught the sideways glance he gave the pair and knew that it was just his way of giving them some time alone. Georg thought his friend very kind and understanding in their need to have some privacy, until his next comment, which caused him to send him a daggering stare and stern word.
"Now I trust that there is no need for me to send Frau Schmidt or Franz to come and sit in my place to watch over the two of you…" Max gave Georg a wink.
Maria couldn't help but blush profusely at his meaning, while Georg gave a stretched out and warning "Maaaaaax!"
Once again Max just raised his hands in mock surrender and left the sitting room. Georg could see that Maria had been made feel uncomfortable by his comment and so moved to reassure her once again by cupping her cheek in his hand and turning her head gently to look at him.
"I meant what I said earlier. I will never do anything that you are not ready for or want to do Maria. I am placing myself in your hands, not the other way around. I love you with all my heart."
He said this with such conviction that there was no doubt left in Maria's mind or heart that he would always put her first, and take things slow. She leaned up and kissed him gently on the cheek, showing her appreciation and understanding at his words.
Georg then reluctantly extracted Maria from his arms to go and tuck the children in and promised he would be back as fast as possible…'As fast as seven excited children will allow' he thought to himself. Maria asked him to give them each an extra kiss from her, before letting go of his hand.
Georg returned to the sitting room from tucking in the children around twenty minutes later, only to find a sleeping Maria on the sofa. He stood in the doorway for a few minutes just wanting to look at her, to take in every beautiful and endearing feature of her sleeping. He so hated to wake her but he knew that she would be quite sore in the morning if she were left to sleep on the small sofa…'I should know! I have done it time enough in the past.'
Georg quietly walked towards her and knelt down on the floor beside the sofa. He gently stroked her cheek in an attempt to wake her gently, but when she didn't stir he suddenly had an idea that he was sure would wake her in a most pleasant way. Georg leant down towards her and placed the sweetest of kisses upon her lips. As soon as their lips touched Maria stirred at the sensation and opened her eyes to see a very close Captain with a very amused but loving look upon his face.
"Why Captain, what seems to be so amusing about waking a sleeping lady?"
She tried to say in what she hoped portrayed annoyance. But Georg knew better and decided to play along with her charade of mocking him.
"Well it was not the waking you part I found amusing, it was more the thoughts I had leading up to the idea of how to wake you that I find most amusing."
Maria looked at him with a questioning glance, before he clarified what he was meaning.
"Watching you sleeping I suddenly had a picture pop into my head of a scene from one of the girls old fairytale books, where the prince kisses the sleeping beauty and she wakes from her deep sleep…I never thought it would happen exactly the way I imagined it though."
Maria began to giggle along with him, and it wasn't long before they were both sharing in a good round of laughter for a few minutes.
As they began to compose themselves, Maria couldn't help but take another jibe at her beloved, and said "So you think of yourself as a Prince do you?"
Georg looked at her with mock offence saying "You wound me my dear. I thought all women in love thought of their men as Princes?"
Maria gave another giggle, but put him out of his misery.
"No I don't see you as my Prince…I see you as much more than that Georg."
He instantly dropped his look of feigned annoyance and took on one of utter adoration and love, not only at her use of his first name, but also at her sincerity and certainty. He leant down again at that moment and placed another kiss upon her lips, but with a little more passion this time, and Maria was happy to respond in kind.
After a few more minutes of sharing soft kisses and whispered loving words, Georg pulled back slightly and helped Maria into a sitting position on the sofa once again before stating "Well I think my dear, it is time I got my Princess to bed so that she is well rested for everything that our little royals have planned for us tomorrow…as well as a new attempt at walking again?!"
Maria didn't miss his use of the word our when referring to the children, and felt so completely humbled. She looked up at him and gave him a loving look and nodded her head in agreement to everything he had said, then allowed him to once again lift her safely into his arms and carry her upstairs to the solace of her room.
They would both have very restful sleeps and happy dreams tonight.
To be continued...
