Chapter 7-

The Wedding

***6 months later***

The view from the backdoor of our new house, is simply breath taking…

The leaf's of the hundred's of tress that surround us are starting to turn for fall, painting the sides of the mountains fully in different shades of fall.The sun has just disappeared behind the Alps, and the first stars of the night are beginning to dance in the sky.

I adjust the bottom of my heavenly silk dress, and Liesl fixes my train, as we wait for the wedding march to start.

I can't get over how beautifully decorated the garden is. I think it's even more beautiful then the chapel in Nonnberg…

The sides of the pathway play host to dozens of beautifully lit candles and bouquets of white roses and Edelweiss. How my darling fiancé managed to find Edelweiss and white roses in September is beyond me. The pathway leads to a gazebo at the end of the garden. The candles in the gazebo are reflecting off the glass, giving the whole setting an amazingly romantic glow.I find it only fitting that, we are getting married in the doorway of a gazebo. We had wanted to marry in Nonnberg, but for obvious reasons that's out of the question. Even a church wedding would have posed an unwelcome threat. So we decided that getting married in a gazebo, sadly not the same one, is only fitting. And because it's unsafe to invite any guests, the wedding is a small, intimate affair, just the two of us, and the children.

The first few strains of the wedding march begin, and I watch Liesl and Gretl walk down the aisle.

My right rests on soft material that covers my stomach, as I say a one last thank you to God, for the tiny miracle nestled safely inside me. He or she has yet to make its presence known, allowing me to give Georg the greatest of all wedding presents. I move my hand, and take a deep breath before I start down the aisle.

I walk slowly, savoring every possible moment…

I look to my left to see the children who are all smiles watching me intently.

Brigitta offers me a wink, and Louisa gives me a quick nod. Marta and Gretl look at me with knowing smiles. Kurt and Friedrich despite their smiles seem rather bored. I imagine this sort thing, no matter how beautiful or how happy they are, must not be very entertaining for two teenage boys.

And then my eyes fall to my darling Ellie. I almost laugh at the sight of her bouncing happily in Liesl's arms, as Liesl struggles to hold onto her. As I walk past them, Ellie and her chubby little cheeks flash me a mostly toothless grin. I smile back at her, and then turn my head to him.

His eyes meet mine, as he extends his hand. I take it and we close the distance that separate us from the man who will join us together forever. We stand hand in hand as the ceremony begins with a few prayers that bless us and our life together.

A few minutes later, and I'm face to face with Georg, looking deep into his eyes as he says his vows. The depth of his words, and the love I hear in his voice and see in his eyes, takes my breath away. I take a moment to compose myself, before beginning my vows.

The ceremony continues on, with the Father saying a quick prayer as we exchange rings. I slip the ring onto Georg's finger, and we smile at each other, before turning to face the children. The Priest asks for their blessing and they say 7 enthusiastic "Yes's", even Ellie manages to get in a couple of happy babbles. We smile back at them, before turning to back to the Preist.

The Priest finishes up the ceremony, and blesses us one final time, before I hear the words I have dreamt of since the day Georg and I met, " I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

His hands gently cup my face, as he leans in to kiss me. Our lips touch for the first time as husband and wife and I lean into him, wanting this kiss to last forever…

It's like no other kiss I've ever experienced. It's full of the usual love and passion, but there's also a feeling of completeness to this kiss…a feeling that I have finally found the dream the Reverend Mother sent me in search of.

Fin

At least for now....

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Notes:

* I set a 6 month time frame because I figured, they needed time to get settled, and then plan the wedding.

* I had planned another chapter, to give them their happily ever after. But, I changed my mind and decided to write a SEQUEL...so look for it soon.

* I know, I Americanized the wedding, but I think it worked.

*** I was going for less is more. I'm not one for big, long, draw out, wedding scenes.

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A few thank yous:

* First to Maria's Georg, the idea for this fic was her's.

** Next to my beta Vanessa. Without you, this fic wouldn't have been anything near what it turned out to be.

*** And next to Jelpy, for her great feedback.

***** Last but not least, thank you all my readers. I hope that you all enjoyed reading this as much as I loved writing it.