Maria and I sat and talked. We start to talk about a date for the wedding. I look at her and I want to get married right now but I know that is impossible.
" I want to marry you as soon as possible" I say to her. I watch her face and all I want to do take her in my arms and kiss her. Instead I take her hand and kiss it.
She smiles and says" I was thinking a month from this Saturday. That will give us time to plan. I would like to ask Liesl to be my maid of honor. Marta and Gretl will be the flower girls" I can see she wants to involve the children and that means time.
" A month, I don't think I can wait that long" I say disappointed. It is going to take a lot of willpower on my part. I don't think she realizes the feelings she brings out in me. I am like a young man when I am with her. Every time she touches me I want to take her in my arms and kiss her. She sees my disappointment and leans over and kisses my cheek." It will go fast I promise. I want the day to be special besides the children want a big wedding.
I smile and say" This is to be your day and I want it to be perfect" I look at her and take her in my arms. My lips go to hers and I pull her tight to me. My hands go from caressing her back to her waist. I slowly pull away. My love for her deepens every moment I am with her. I take her hand and we start for the house.
I see Max approaching. He telephoned late last night. He said he was coming back from Vienna in the morning. I told him about Maria and I. He only laughed and said it was about time." Well when is the wedding" he says.
Georg answers" a month from this Saturday. Max turns to Maria and says" congratulations Georg is a lucky man.
I put my arms around Maria and say" Yes I am the luckiest man in the world" I say as I put my arms around Maria. We go to the house and enter the dining room. I ask Max to be my best man and he agrees wholeheartedly. We are just sit down when I hear this thunderous noise. I laugh and realize it's the children coming down the stairs. It sounds like a stampede. They come around the corner and Kurt almost falls as he slides on the floor.
"Careful Kurt we don't want any broken bones" I laugh as I get up.
" We were discussing the wedding" Maria says as she gets up. She walks to Liesl and asks "Would you be maid of honor." Oh yes Fraul- I mean Mother" Liesl says as she gets up and hugs Maria. I watch Marias face and I see how she much she loves Liesl. Maria asks the little ones to be her flower girls and not wanting to leave Louisa and Brigitta out she asks them to help her. I watch her with them and see the love they have for her. They have missed having a mother. Especially the older girls." When is the wedding "asks Liesl. " A month from Saturday" Maria answers.
We all sit down and start planning. The wedding will be at Nonberg and the reception back at the house. I watch as she talks about the wedding. I would like to have a small wedding but I know people may say I had to marry her. Besides I want to show her off to the world. I decide to surprise her with a gift for our engagement. I tell her I have to make phone calls so I can go to my study. I excuse myself. I motion for Max to come with. We enter the study and I close the door.
" What's going on Georg. You have a sneaky look on your face" Max says as he looks at me. I laugh and tell him about the gift. I go to my safe and take out a small box. I open the box and smile. My grandmothers ring. I look at the blue sapphire as it sparkles. When my Grandmother died it was given to my Mother who then gave it to me. My mother gave it to me about a year after Agathe died. She told me I would find love again and to give it that person. She died about a month later. I had forgotten about it until Maria. Her blue vibrant eyes reminded me of the ring.
I went in search of her and as I entered the entry to the living room Liesl went running past. I walked into the living room and saw Maria. " Is Liesl all right" I ask. Maria tells me she is just excited about the wedding. I take Marias hand and we sit on the sofa.
" I have a surprise for you " Close your eyes" I ask. I take the ring and slide it slowly on her finger. " Open your eyes. She gasps and starts to cry when she sees it. I tell her how much I loved my grandmother and how Maria reminded me of her. She wraps her arms around me and kisses me. The feeling of her mouth on mine causes me to kiss her deeply. My hands move to caress her body. I can hear her moan as I slide my hands up and down her sides. My lips found her neck and I moved her dress off her shoulder and tenderly placed my lips against her shoulder. I hear someone. I stop and turn to see Max." Sorry Georg you have a phone call. I look at her and smile to see that she is blushing " I will be right back" I say as I walk past Max and give him a frown. I go into the study and reluctantly take my phone call. The voice on the other end is muffled and I strain to hear him. He warns me that I better watch what I say about the Germans and that I am being watched. I ask who it is but he hangs up. I slam the phone down.