OK, so here's part three! I decided the ending I'd written before was a bit
too steamy. so I rewrote it to be PG-13 and I think it's better this way
(don't worry, I didn't take EVERYTHING out.. LOL)
Also, if you're interested in the rather more eh, racy version of this,
please just let me know and I'll put it up here as an 'alternative ending'
or something.
Thank you guys for your positive reviews! I have another story, which is still 'under construction' and your wonderful feedback had really inspired me to hurry up on that. It's an already finished story that I'm making major changes to, and I'd love to have a beta-reader to help me. Anybody out there who'd like to be my beta? I'd be really grateful. Also I wonder about my English occasionally, as I'm Dutch so writing in a language that's not my own can be difficult sometimes.
Anyway, enough talk, enjoy part 3!
THE WEDDING NIGHT
With a small gesture of pride, Georg opened the door to the bridal suite, pushed it open completely, and then swooped Maria up in his arms to carry her over the threshold. Once inside, he gave her a soft kiss and set her to her feet in the middle of the room. Or, room? That was too small a word to describe the honeymoon suite. Maria gasped in admiration as she looked around. The suite had a sitting area with a fireplace, in which a cosy fire was already crackling. Next to two glasses, a bottle of champagne sat waiting in a cooler on a table in front of the sofa, by the fire. She turned and saw that behind her, there were steps leading upward to a higher area, where a large four-poster bed stood. It was made of dark wood, with cream coloured curtains, which were bundled at the posts and were more for decoration purposes than anything else. She also saw a high door on her right, which she thought would probably lead to the bathroom.
"Oh Georg, it's beautiful," she exclaimed, putting her hands to her face in joy. "And that's not all," he said. He opened the double doors to the balcony, then took her by the hand and led her outside. He stepped away to stand behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist, as they looked out onto the gorgeous sight spread out before them.
The Altstadt Hotel was on the south bank of the river Salzach. And as the bridal suite was on the top floor, it offered a splendid view of the river, the Old City just across from it, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which towered over the city as if standing guard over it. For a while they just stood still, contently looking at the fairy tale at their feet. Maria noticed all the familiar sites, the Cathedral, the Palace at the Mirabell Gardens, and let her look linger long on the bell tower of Nonnberg Abbey. She was struck again at how life could have changed so dramatically in just a few months. In May, she had thought she would be a nun. but by August, she was a married woman, standing in the arms of her new husband on their wedding night. At that thought, Maria felt the nervousness rise inside of her again. What was to happen now? How did one behave on a wedding night? She'd quipped to Georg earlier today about how they needed to be patient for just a while, but the light-heartedness she'd felt then was gone now. She thought of all the people downstairs, who might still be enjoying a last glass of champagne, and who knew that at this very moment she was alone with her husband for the first time. She felt her stomach cringe. For a second she wished that she and Georg had given in yesterday, or last week, or any other time when they had had trouble pulling themselves out of a fiery embrace. It might have been easier and certainly more spontaneous if they'd just let their desire take over. This was such an artificial moment, she suddenly felt. No matter what they did now, what it would lead to would always be on her mind, making her nervous.
Georg felt her stiffen in his arms a bit. He took her shoulders and gently turned her round. "What is it," he whispered softly. Maria tried to smile at him, but he could see her eyes weren't with it. So when she whispered 'nothing' back at him, he didn't believe her. Georg looked at her closely. She didn't look at his face, but kept her eyes locked on his chest. "Are you nervous," he asked. Pushing her face into his chest, she nodded. But his answer surprised her. "Would it make you feel better if you knew, that I am too?" Now, Maria did lift up her face to him in surprise. "Are you? Really?" Disbelief was on her face. "Why?" She had thought that Georg, with the experience from bringing forth seven children, could never be nervous for his wedding night. "Maria, I love you. I just want everything to be perfect for you and I am worried I will not turn out to be what you expect me to be."
Oh, how could he not! Of course it would be perfect, Maria felt suddenly. His honesty melted her heart. It was such a relief that he could feel just as nervous as she. With a glad sigh they smiled at each other and the nervousness just seemed to evaporate into a loving embrace.
For a while they stood kissing, then broke off the kiss to just stand close to each other. Georg stroked her hair, and felt her shiver a bit. He didn't know whether it was out of enjoyment or from the cold, but he noticed that it was getting rather chilly out on the balcony anyway. Maria must be freezing in her thin gown. "Come," he whispered, and led her back inside and onto the couch. He poured two glasses of champagne, and pulled Maria close to him. She snuggled into his arms with a satisfied sigh and they just sat like they had done so many nights before in the past weeks, staring into the flames of the fire and simply enjoying being in each other's arms.
Maria slowly sipped her champagne. She had only drunk alcohol a few times since her engagement, and she wasn't used to the effect it had on her yet. It made her giggly. and somehow, she didn't feel giggly would be the right mood for tonight. So, she only took careful sips, mainly playing around with her glass a bit and relishing in the feeling of Georg so close to her.
After a while, Maria felt Georg moving his head toward hers, and when he whispered into her ear, she almost felt it more that actually heard it. "Thank you for making me whole again." She felt a shiver shoot down her spine, as much caused by his words as his warm breath on her skin. She turned around to face him. "And thank you. For showing me the life I was born to live." For a moment, they just looked into each other's eyes. Then their heads moved slowly together, and a small moan escaped from Maria when she felt Georg's soft lips on hers. His lips never leaving hers, he took her champagne glass out of her hand and put it on the table. Kissing, they sank back into the pillows of the couch. Georg held Maria in a tight embrace with one hand on her back, while the other hand explored the soft skin on her neck. He let his fingers travel along the neckline of her dress, and felt her heartbeat fasten as she felt him on her sensitive skin. Then, Georg stood up from the couch and extended a hand to Maria. "Come," he whispered, and she took his hand and got up as well. He led her up the steps toward the bed. When they reached the bed, Maria stood still, looking down at her gown. Putting his arms around her, Georg smiled, "Your gown is beautiful. but don't you think you'll be more comfortable without it?" He looked at her face, and was glad to see he didn't encounter any of the apprehension she'd felt before anymore. On the contrary, her face broke into a shy, but also slightly excited smile. Rightly, he took that as a sign to go on, and his hands roamed her back, finding the buttons of her dress. Carefully, he opened them all, while she just stood still, her hands on his chest. When his was finished, he tilted his head at her, silently asking for her affirmation. At Maria's smile, he pushed the material of the dress of her shoulders, sliding his hands all the way down her arms to get the sleeves off her. With a rushing sound, the dress fell down to her feet in a cloud of silk. Georg breathed deeply for a moment when he saw her standing there, smiling, in her thin silk slip, her arms and shoulders bare. "You look absolutely beautiful," he told her, and helped her step out of the dress and out of her shoes. While standing close to him and looking at his face, Maria let her hands fumble the buttons of his coat, which soon joined her gown on the floor. When Georg's vest had also found a place with the other discarded clothes, they moved to the bed, trying to lie down while not wanting to stop kissing. When Maria was momentarily distracted, fidgeting with her slip a bit to get comfortable, Georg got up on one elbow and looked at her. When she turned her attention back to him again, her eyes were wide open, darker blue than he'd ever seen them, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. The thin silk of her slip didn't hide much, and he admired her beautiful frame, the soft curve of her hips, her flat stomach, the rounding of her breasts. He felt his own excitement rise and he took a deep breath, promising silently to take it slow. He bent over her and his mouth found hers. Their hands were soon all over each other and their kisses became deeper. And while the last items of clothing dropped to the floor around the bed, they could finally give in and truly become one.
The following morning, Georg woke up to the wonderful sensation of holding his new wife in his arms. She was still sleeping, and he enjoyed the opportunity to study her for a moment. She was beautiful, and silently, he wondered what he had done to deserve her. A ray of sunlight peeked through the curtains and gave a golden glow to her hair. Her lips were moist and red, still baring the traces of his kisses. The skin of her neck and her bare shoulders glowed, and practically seemed to beg him to kiss her. Maria seemed to feel him staring at her and opened her eyes. She turned around in his arms and snuggled her face into his neck. "Good morning," she mumbled softly. He kissed her hair and replied, "Good morning, Baroness." He felt her lips broaden into a smile on the skin of his neck. "I still have to get used to that," she said. "There might be more to being married to me that you'll have to get used to," he said, with a grin, but also half serious. "But I'm sure that you'll be able to handle all of it with skill!" Maria lifted up her head to be able to look at him. She stroked his chest with her hand, making tiny patterns on his skin with her finger. "So far I love everything about being married," she said, and kissed him. And then, softer: "Everything." She remained silent for a few seconds, and then continued: "I want to thank you for yesterday. It was beautiful.. The ceremony, the reception, this room. and you." He saw her face redden and knew what she meant. He pulled her even tighter.
Then, with mock seriousness, he said: "Well dear, I think I should tell you something. I'm sorry to have to disappoint you for the first time during our marriage, but we won't be able to get on the 10 o'clock train to Paris this morning." "What," gasped Maria in surprise, not noticing the twinkle in his eyes. "No.." he went on. "Because the train that we've got tickets for, doesn't leave until 3 p.m." "Oh!" she exclaimed, and, noticing his mouth curving into a smile, punched him in the side. "You shouldn't upset me like that!" Georg laughed at her insulted look. With one swift move, he turned her onto her back and covered her mouth with his kisses. And from what followed, it seemed obvious that Maria was neither upset nor disappointed about their belated departure.
Thank you guys for your positive reviews! I have another story, which is still 'under construction' and your wonderful feedback had really inspired me to hurry up on that. It's an already finished story that I'm making major changes to, and I'd love to have a beta-reader to help me. Anybody out there who'd like to be my beta? I'd be really grateful. Also I wonder about my English occasionally, as I'm Dutch so writing in a language that's not my own can be difficult sometimes.
Anyway, enough talk, enjoy part 3!
THE WEDDING NIGHT
With a small gesture of pride, Georg opened the door to the bridal suite, pushed it open completely, and then swooped Maria up in his arms to carry her over the threshold. Once inside, he gave her a soft kiss and set her to her feet in the middle of the room. Or, room? That was too small a word to describe the honeymoon suite. Maria gasped in admiration as she looked around. The suite had a sitting area with a fireplace, in which a cosy fire was already crackling. Next to two glasses, a bottle of champagne sat waiting in a cooler on a table in front of the sofa, by the fire. She turned and saw that behind her, there were steps leading upward to a higher area, where a large four-poster bed stood. It was made of dark wood, with cream coloured curtains, which were bundled at the posts and were more for decoration purposes than anything else. She also saw a high door on her right, which she thought would probably lead to the bathroom.
"Oh Georg, it's beautiful," she exclaimed, putting her hands to her face in joy. "And that's not all," he said. He opened the double doors to the balcony, then took her by the hand and led her outside. He stepped away to stand behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist, as they looked out onto the gorgeous sight spread out before them.
The Altstadt Hotel was on the south bank of the river Salzach. And as the bridal suite was on the top floor, it offered a splendid view of the river, the Old City just across from it, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress, which towered over the city as if standing guard over it. For a while they just stood still, contently looking at the fairy tale at their feet. Maria noticed all the familiar sites, the Cathedral, the Palace at the Mirabell Gardens, and let her look linger long on the bell tower of Nonnberg Abbey. She was struck again at how life could have changed so dramatically in just a few months. In May, she had thought she would be a nun. but by August, she was a married woman, standing in the arms of her new husband on their wedding night. At that thought, Maria felt the nervousness rise inside of her again. What was to happen now? How did one behave on a wedding night? She'd quipped to Georg earlier today about how they needed to be patient for just a while, but the light-heartedness she'd felt then was gone now. She thought of all the people downstairs, who might still be enjoying a last glass of champagne, and who knew that at this very moment she was alone with her husband for the first time. She felt her stomach cringe. For a second she wished that she and Georg had given in yesterday, or last week, or any other time when they had had trouble pulling themselves out of a fiery embrace. It might have been easier and certainly more spontaneous if they'd just let their desire take over. This was such an artificial moment, she suddenly felt. No matter what they did now, what it would lead to would always be on her mind, making her nervous.
Georg felt her stiffen in his arms a bit. He took her shoulders and gently turned her round. "What is it," he whispered softly. Maria tried to smile at him, but he could see her eyes weren't with it. So when she whispered 'nothing' back at him, he didn't believe her. Georg looked at her closely. She didn't look at his face, but kept her eyes locked on his chest. "Are you nervous," he asked. Pushing her face into his chest, she nodded. But his answer surprised her. "Would it make you feel better if you knew, that I am too?" Now, Maria did lift up her face to him in surprise. "Are you? Really?" Disbelief was on her face. "Why?" She had thought that Georg, with the experience from bringing forth seven children, could never be nervous for his wedding night. "Maria, I love you. I just want everything to be perfect for you and I am worried I will not turn out to be what you expect me to be."
Oh, how could he not! Of course it would be perfect, Maria felt suddenly. His honesty melted her heart. It was such a relief that he could feel just as nervous as she. With a glad sigh they smiled at each other and the nervousness just seemed to evaporate into a loving embrace.
For a while they stood kissing, then broke off the kiss to just stand close to each other. Georg stroked her hair, and felt her shiver a bit. He didn't know whether it was out of enjoyment or from the cold, but he noticed that it was getting rather chilly out on the balcony anyway. Maria must be freezing in her thin gown. "Come," he whispered, and led her back inside and onto the couch. He poured two glasses of champagne, and pulled Maria close to him. She snuggled into his arms with a satisfied sigh and they just sat like they had done so many nights before in the past weeks, staring into the flames of the fire and simply enjoying being in each other's arms.
Maria slowly sipped her champagne. She had only drunk alcohol a few times since her engagement, and she wasn't used to the effect it had on her yet. It made her giggly. and somehow, she didn't feel giggly would be the right mood for tonight. So, she only took careful sips, mainly playing around with her glass a bit and relishing in the feeling of Georg so close to her.
After a while, Maria felt Georg moving his head toward hers, and when he whispered into her ear, she almost felt it more that actually heard it. "Thank you for making me whole again." She felt a shiver shoot down her spine, as much caused by his words as his warm breath on her skin. She turned around to face him. "And thank you. For showing me the life I was born to live." For a moment, they just looked into each other's eyes. Then their heads moved slowly together, and a small moan escaped from Maria when she felt Georg's soft lips on hers. His lips never leaving hers, he took her champagne glass out of her hand and put it on the table. Kissing, they sank back into the pillows of the couch. Georg held Maria in a tight embrace with one hand on her back, while the other hand explored the soft skin on her neck. He let his fingers travel along the neckline of her dress, and felt her heartbeat fasten as she felt him on her sensitive skin. Then, Georg stood up from the couch and extended a hand to Maria. "Come," he whispered, and she took his hand and got up as well. He led her up the steps toward the bed. When they reached the bed, Maria stood still, looking down at her gown. Putting his arms around her, Georg smiled, "Your gown is beautiful. but don't you think you'll be more comfortable without it?" He looked at her face, and was glad to see he didn't encounter any of the apprehension she'd felt before anymore. On the contrary, her face broke into a shy, but also slightly excited smile. Rightly, he took that as a sign to go on, and his hands roamed her back, finding the buttons of her dress. Carefully, he opened them all, while she just stood still, her hands on his chest. When his was finished, he tilted his head at her, silently asking for her affirmation. At Maria's smile, he pushed the material of the dress of her shoulders, sliding his hands all the way down her arms to get the sleeves off her. With a rushing sound, the dress fell down to her feet in a cloud of silk. Georg breathed deeply for a moment when he saw her standing there, smiling, in her thin silk slip, her arms and shoulders bare. "You look absolutely beautiful," he told her, and helped her step out of the dress and out of her shoes. While standing close to him and looking at his face, Maria let her hands fumble the buttons of his coat, which soon joined her gown on the floor. When Georg's vest had also found a place with the other discarded clothes, they moved to the bed, trying to lie down while not wanting to stop kissing. When Maria was momentarily distracted, fidgeting with her slip a bit to get comfortable, Georg got up on one elbow and looked at her. When she turned her attention back to him again, her eyes were wide open, darker blue than he'd ever seen them, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. The thin silk of her slip didn't hide much, and he admired her beautiful frame, the soft curve of her hips, her flat stomach, the rounding of her breasts. He felt his own excitement rise and he took a deep breath, promising silently to take it slow. He bent over her and his mouth found hers. Their hands were soon all over each other and their kisses became deeper. And while the last items of clothing dropped to the floor around the bed, they could finally give in and truly become one.
The following morning, Georg woke up to the wonderful sensation of holding his new wife in his arms. She was still sleeping, and he enjoyed the opportunity to study her for a moment. She was beautiful, and silently, he wondered what he had done to deserve her. A ray of sunlight peeked through the curtains and gave a golden glow to her hair. Her lips were moist and red, still baring the traces of his kisses. The skin of her neck and her bare shoulders glowed, and practically seemed to beg him to kiss her. Maria seemed to feel him staring at her and opened her eyes. She turned around in his arms and snuggled her face into his neck. "Good morning," she mumbled softly. He kissed her hair and replied, "Good morning, Baroness." He felt her lips broaden into a smile on the skin of his neck. "I still have to get used to that," she said. "There might be more to being married to me that you'll have to get used to," he said, with a grin, but also half serious. "But I'm sure that you'll be able to handle all of it with skill!" Maria lifted up her head to be able to look at him. She stroked his chest with her hand, making tiny patterns on his skin with her finger. "So far I love everything about being married," she said, and kissed him. And then, softer: "Everything." She remained silent for a few seconds, and then continued: "I want to thank you for yesterday. It was beautiful.. The ceremony, the reception, this room. and you." He saw her face redden and knew what she meant. He pulled her even tighter.
Then, with mock seriousness, he said: "Well dear, I think I should tell you something. I'm sorry to have to disappoint you for the first time during our marriage, but we won't be able to get on the 10 o'clock train to Paris this morning." "What," gasped Maria in surprise, not noticing the twinkle in his eyes. "No.." he went on. "Because the train that we've got tickets for, doesn't leave until 3 p.m." "Oh!" she exclaimed, and, noticing his mouth curving into a smile, punched him in the side. "You shouldn't upset me like that!" Georg laughed at her insulted look. With one swift move, he turned her onto her back and covered her mouth with his kisses. And from what followed, it seemed obvious that Maria was neither upset nor disappointed about their belated departure.