Georg and I sat talking out by the gazebo. We started discussing wedding dates.
" I don't know about you but I would like to get married as soon as possible" Georg said as he took my hand in his.
" Well what about a month from this Saturday. "I say as he kisses my hand. That will give us time to plan everything. I want to ask Liesl to be my maid of honor and Marta and Gretl can be flower girls."
" A month" he says sounding slightly disappointed. I don't know if I can wait that long." I look at him and kiss him on the cheek.
" I promise it will go fast," I say. " I want the day to be special. " The children are looking forward to a big wedding.
He smiles at me and says" This is going to be your day and I want it to be perfect" He takes me in his arms and kisses me. His hands slide from my back to my waist and I tremble from his touch. He slowly pulls away and takes my hand. We start to walk towards the house when I see Max. He waves at us and walks toward us. "Well when is the wedding you two" Max says.
"A month from this Saturday" Georg answers. Max looks at me and says" Congratulations Maria, Georg is a lucky man to be getting you for a wife." Georg puts his arms around me and says " Yes, I am the luckiest man in the world." We all go into the house and go into the dining room. Georg asks Max to be his best man. Just as we sit down we hear the children. Its hard not to hear them as they sound like a heard of elephants when they come down the stairs. They come running around the corner and Kurt almost falls as he slips.
" Careful Kurt" Georg laughs as he gets up " We don't need to be having any broken bones."
" We were discussing the wedding" I say as I get up and go to Liesl. " Liesl I would like to ask you to be my maid of honor."
" Oh yes Fraul-- I mean Mother, I would love to" she says as she hugs me. I ask Gretl and Marta to be flower girls. I look at Brigitta and Louisa and not wanting to leave them out I tell them I will need them to help me shop for my dress.
" When is the wedding?" asks Liesl.
" A month from this Saturday" I say. Georg motions for everyone to sit down so we can discuss everything over breakfast. We decide the wedding will be at Nonberg. The reception will be back at the house. Frau Schmidt will help me with the invitations and guest list. I would have liked a smaller wedding but because of Georgs standing in the community certain people should be invited. I am a little nervous at the thought of meeting all these titled people. Georg is used to it but I am not.
" Georg rises and comes over to me and tells me has to make some business calls and he and Max retire to his study. The other children excuse themselves and decide to go outside to play. Liesl stays to talk to me. We decide to go into the living room and sit." Mother you love father very much I can tell you do" she says.
" Yes Liesl more than anything" I say . She looks troubled and I want to ask what is wrong but I decide to let her tell me.
" Mother when did you know that you loved father" she asked. I looked at her and realized what was wrong. I had to be careful how I explained it .I took her hand in mine.
"I knew I loved your Father when I would look at him and my heart skipped a beat. I could think of nothing else but him. She smiled hugged me and ran out of the room. I shook my head and laughed. Whoever the boy is I hope he loves her as much as she loves him.
Georg enters the room looks at me then looks past him. " What's wrong with Liesl" he asks. I just saw her run out of her and up the stairs".
" She's just excited about the wedding" I say, knowing if I told him about our conversation he would say that Liesl is too young to be in love. Georg walks over to me and takes my hand.
" Come sit on the sofa with me" he says. We walk over and sit.
" I have something for you, close your eyes" he says. I close my eyes and I feel him slide something on my finger. "Open your eyes". I open my eyes and look down at my finger. I gasp and start to cry.
" This ring belonged to my grandmother" he says. "I want it to be your engagement ring. My grandmother was beautiful ,kind, had a voice like an angel and had blue eyes just like yours. My grandfather told me he had fallen in love with her the first time he saw her." I wrapped my arms around Georg and kissed him. He responded by kissing me deeply. His hands were roaming over my body causing me to moan with pleasure.
His lips went to my neck and then to my shoulder. I didn't want him to stop but someone entered the room and we pulled apart. " Sorry Georg but you have a phone call" said Max. Georg smiles at me and tells me he will be right back . I feel my face getting red as Max smiles and excuses himself.