It is the middle of the night and I find myself not being able to sleep. I decide to get up and go downstairs. I close the door to my room and I head down the hallway. I go downstairs and head outside. I go to the gazebo and my mind goes back to a few hours before. I close my eyes and I can feel her touch. I remember the touch of her skin and the feel of her body in my arms. It has been so long since I have felt this way.
The last time I felt this good Agathe was alive. My mind goes to the day she died and how I felt that I died too. I came alive again when Maria came into my life. I think about our wedding day and how she will soon be with me day and night. I think about holding her in my arms and how it will be waking up beside her. How I wish we were getting married tomorrow. I want her so much my body aches for her. I remind myself she had never kissed a man before she met me. I must go slow and be gentle on our first night together. I decide that today we will set the date and the sooner the better. I see the sun coming up and decide to go in and make some coffee.
I am sitting at the dining room table reading the paper when I hear someone coming into the room. I put the paper down and I see that it is Maria. I get up and go to her. I take her hand and pull her to me and cover her lips with mine. She responds with a eagerness that surprises me. Our kiss deepens as I hold her closer to me. I hear someone enter the room but I am too absorbed with our embrace that I don't hear her at first. I reluctantly part our lips and realize Frau Schmidt has come in the room.
"Excuse me captain and ahhhh Maria!" She gasps. I'm sorry I didn't realize".
" That is all right Maria and I are getting married. I asked her last night" I said as we pulled apart Frau Schmidt congratulated us and went back to the kitchen. I looked at Maria and couldn't help but laugh at her red face.
" You should see your face" I smiled. I haven't seen it that red since that night we danced.
I can't help it. I get embarrassed easily. she said. I take my hand and touch her cheek. she put her hand over mine. I suggest we go for a walk.
We walk down to the lake and I put my arm around her. I decide to go to the gazebo. We go to the bench and sit down.
" Did you sleep well" I ask her.
" I was glad to be back in my room" she says. " I also had a visitor." I look at her rather puzzled.
She continues. " Gretl came to my room. She told me she had a dream about our wedding. Georg she was so sweet. She asked if she could call Mother" I told her I would love to."
I took her hands in mine and smiled " I am so glad she asked to call you Mother I t has been hard on her. She was young when her Mother died and I was not around. The children love you so much and they need a mother again.
I look at her and she looks troubled about something.
" Is there something wrong Maria" I ask.
" Georg you have seven children and I consider them my children now. I was wondering if you want more children. I want as many as God will allow" she says. I see the apprehension in her eyes. I hadn't thought about this yet as we have just declared our love for one another. I look in her eyes and the answer is so simple. I smile and say " I love you Maria and there is no more greater expression of that love than for us to have children.
I take her in my arms and kiss her deeply. My lips burn with desire for her. Her kisses only deepen my desire for her as we get lost in our mutual passion together.