The days go by too slowly for me. It seems like forever until she will be my wife. We spend every day together and I fall deeper in love with her as time goes by. One of my favorite parts of our evenings is spent listening to the children sing. Max is still determined to change my mind about the children singing at the festival. I know Maria thinks it would be wonderful but I can't see them performing in public. It is five days until the wedding. My mind is filled with thoughts of Maria. I can't imagine my life without her and thank God everyday for sending her to us.
Maria and I head into town to meet with the Bishop and pick up the girls dresses .The Bishop explains the ceremony. He also tells us of the responsibilities of marriage. As he talks I watch her. She turns to me and I look into her eyes. People say ones eyes are the windows to their soul. I look into hers and I see nothing but love in them. I see the Bishop watching us.
" I can see you both love one another very much. This is the most important ingredient in a good marriage. I can see this will be a good marriage" he says smiling at both of us. I take her hand and gently kiss it. We go and pick up the dresses and head home. As we are driving home I look at her and I can see she is thinking about something.
" Well four more days" I say. "Are you getting nervous?
" I guess a little" she says smiling. I keep thinking about walking down that aisle with all those people staring at me."
I take her hand and say" all you have to do is look up at the altar where I will be standing and never take your eyes off me. Her eyes lock with mine and she smiles and kisses my cheek.
The next couple of days crawl by. Will this wedding ever get here I wonder. Tonight we decide to have a special dinner. The children are so excited about the wedding that they hardly eat any dinner. Maria and I ask the children what they would like to do after dinner. They whisper amongst themselves.
"We want you and Mother to sing Edelweiss" says Liesl.
I look at Maria smile and we both nod yes. We all go into the living room. I take Marias guitar and I sit on the sofa. The children sit on the floor. Maria joins me. I sing the first verse and then Maria joins in. I look at the children and then at Maria. We finish the song and my eyes are focused only on her . The children clap and we smile at each other and look at the children.
" Time for bed" I say. Despite some complaining they kiss us goodnight and go up to bed.
" Let's go for a walk" I say taking her hand. I decide to walk down to the lake. As we both look at the lake and the moon reflecting in the water.
My gaze goes to her. I put my arms around her waist and say" What are you thinking"
She begins by telling me "When I came her I thought I would only be here for a short while. Then I came to love the children and fell in love with you. When I came back I thought I had lost you." She said "I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you".You occupy my thoughts. I never want you to let me go when I am in your arms"
I look at her and say" When you came here you awakened emotions in me that I have not had since my first wife. The day we argued you showed me what I was missing. I thought I loved Elsa but each day I found myself falling more in love with you . When you left I thought you were gone for good. When you came back I knew I could never marry Elsa. If I had told you I loved you before you left we would be married now and you could be in my arms all night. I took my hand and held her face . I brought my lips to hers and kissed her. I pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around my neck. Our bodies were so close that I could feel her heart pounding. her hands find my chest and I moan from the feel of her touch. My lips leave hers and I whisper her name in her ear" Maria" My lips cover hers and my hands slide up her sides. My hands find her upper body and I hear her moan my name. I could easily take her and make love to her but I decide instead to pull away despite her protests.
" Maria as much as I want to make love to you we have to wait" I say. I want you to be free to give yourself to me without reservation. I want our wedding night to be something you remember forever. She smiles and we walk back to the house. I kiss her goodnight and watch her walk up to her room. It takes every ounce of willpower for me not to follow her. Two more days and we will never be apart I say to myself as I go to my room. I lay there and look at the pillow next to me and think soon every morning I will see her sweet face there.