I wake and blink my eyes as the sun shines through the window. I sit up and I hear a knock at my door.
" Come in" I say. The door opens and I see Gretl peek around the corner. I smile and reach out to her. She jumps on the bed and hugs me.
" Good Morning. I say. " What are you doing up?"
" Everyone is up" Gretl says. " Liesl is in the bathtub and Marta is eating breakfast. The boys are outside and Louisa is busy fixing her hair".
" My goodness you all have been busy this morning" I say. " Whats the special occasion? I ask her.
" Now father don't you remember we are marrying Fraulein Maria today" she says sounding slightly annoyed.
" We, I thought I was the one getting married" I said laughing.
" We decided that because she is marrying you and you have all of us that she would have to marry us too" she said. I hug her and smile. She hops down and runs down the hall. I decide to get up and dress. I go downstairs and people are everywhere. They are preparing for the reception. I go in the dining room and read the paper and have breakfast.
" Good morning Georg, ready for today" Max says as he sits down. I watch as he fills his plate and pours coffee.
" I wish the wedding was right now" I say. "I miss her Max" I want us together".
"Patience Georg it won't be long until you see her" said Max . I get up and look out the window. I ask myself why the hours are going so slow.
" Georg why don't you go upstairs and take a long bath . "It will relax you" says Max. I nod my head in agreement and go to my room. I draw my bath and relax. My mind relaxes and I am feeling better. Franz knocks on the door and says I should get ready. I dry off and put my uniform on. I slide my sword in the sheath and head downstairs.
I see the children at the bottom of the stairs. They look so grown up. I walk down to greet them.
" Father how handsome you are" Liesl says as she gives me a kiss on my cheek. "It's been a long time since you were in your uniform." I smile and we all leave for the abbey. We pull up to the front and get out. Liesl, Gretl, and Marta stay at the front to wait for Maria. The rest of us take our places in front. I wait anxiously for the start of the wedding. I hear the organ begin and my focus is on the back of the church. I look and finally I see her. the gate opens and she enters. Liesl hands her the bouquet of roses. I watch as Gretl and Marta start up the aisle. Next is Liesl. I watch as Maria looks up. My eyes lock on her and I smile at her. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Her eyes burn into mine. It seems like forever until she finally walks up the stairs and I reach out my hand to hers. Our eyes never move from each other. We walk hand in hand up to the bishop. We kneel and the Bishop begins the ceremony.
We each say our vows and I place the ring on Marias finger. I take her hand and kiss the ring. She looks at me and I see a tear start to roll down her cheek. I brush it away nd the Bishop declares us husband and wife.
I take her and slowly bring her towards me. Our lips meet and I kiss her deeply wrapping her in my arms. I feel her deepen the kiss and the feeling sends a shiver down my spine. I decide to break the kiss realizing that the whole church is watching. I smile at her and we turn and hand in hand walk down the aisle. Once outside UI take her once again in my arms and kiss her again. The children run to us. I scoop up Gretl as she hugs my neck. I look over at Maria and see Liesl with her. The children surround us. We all get into the cars and head to the house.
We form a reception line and I find myself having a hard time remembering all the guests names.
I laugh as Maria says" Georg I hope you don't think I will remember all their names.
I whisper in her about me not remembering who they are. The last guest greets us and we go in for dinner. I delight in watching the children, they are having a wonderful time. Dinner ends and Maria and I start the first dance. I hold her close and whisper in her ear" I love you". The dance end and I watch as Friedrich asks Maria to dance. I then ask Liesl to dance. The evening progresses and I find Maria and rescue her from a distant relative. I tell her it is time to go. We drive to the train station and wave goodbye to the children and Max. I a couple hours we are in Paris. I register at the hotel and we go to the suite. The bellboy opens the door and we go in. I look at Maria and sense that she is a little nervous and perhaps scared. I tip the bellboy and he leaves. I watch her go to the balcony. I decide to take things slow so that she won't be scared. I know she has never been with a man. She spent most of her life with nuns. She knows nothing of being intimate with a man. I want our first night to be pleasurable and loving. I walk up behind her and ask" Maria are you all right" She turns to me and looks scared. This is the last thing I want. I love her and I want to show her. My body aches for her. I just look at her and I want to take her and make love to her. I decide instead to try a slower approach.