Maria barely felt the movement beside her in the bed as the dull glow of the sunrise fell upon her face. Squinting her eyes in protest against returning consciousness, she flopped her arm over her head, blocking the sunlight.
Suddenly, she felt the bed droop and a strong presence next to her. Refusing to open her eyes, she smiled coyly.
"Happy anniversary," a deep voice whispered above her.
Forgetting her pretence, Maria's eyes drifted open and she stared up at her husband in confusion. "Anniversary?"
He nodded, smiling. "Yes, it's our anniversary," he repeated.
"Darling," she mumbled, hoping she looked somewhat decent after such a deep sleep, "I hate to tell you this, but we were married in August."
"Yes, we were, but today is our anniversary," he insisted, shifting his position so he was lying next to her. Leaning on his hand as he lay on his side to face her, his free hand stroked her cheek. "It was one year ago today that we met."
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly as she reminisced. "You remembered?"
Looking a little sheepish, he smiled at her. "Well, I knew it was around this time," he admitted. "But Brigitta was the one who said it last night."
"Where was I?"
"You went to bed early, remember?" he answered.
"Oh yes," she nodded her head and then looked up at the ceiling in thought. "I knew I was coming here for a new life, but I never expected this."
He gave a low laugh. "I say it's been a change for the better," he stated and looked into her eyes. He reached down and caressed her slightly rounded stomach lovingly.
It was that gesture, combined with the sudden movement below it that filled Maria with raw sensation. She gave a soft moan and reached up to take his face in her hands, pulling him down to her. Capturing his lips with hers, she kissed him deeply, and she felt a low growl come from his throat.
He broke away and gasped for air, surprised at his wife's sudden and passionate display of affection. He was about to comment on it, but the intense look in her eyes took his breath away. Shifting so he covered her, but careful not to put too much weight on her stomach, he smiled at her.
"Happy anniversary," she whispered as he leaned down to her, and they properly celebrated the occasion.
***
"Do you know what time it is?" Maria asked a little while later.
"I don't want to know," was the blunt response.
"Okay," she murmured and snuggled closer to him. "Can we get room service?"
"This isn't Paris, my love," he said. "Although you could have fooled me a few moments ago."
Maria laughed huskily and looked up at him. "I wish every day was our anniversary," she confessed as she reached up to trace his lips with her fingers.
"Well, tomorrow is the anniversary of the second day we knew each other," he said thoughtfully, wiping some hair away from her face.
"Yes, but you were gone at that point," she reminded him. "You whisked away to Vienna."
Giving a half smile that never failed to melt her heart, he moved his hand down to cup her cheek. "A bleak two weeks, if I remember correctly."
"Not for me!" she stated, smiling. "I was too busy making clothing out of drapes."
He laughed and pulled her even closer. "I must admit," he said "that I was half expecting you to come out of the bathroom on our wedding night wearing something that was once covering a window."
She shot her head up. "You did not!"
He laughed aloud. "You really are very trusting," he observed and gently returned her head to rest against his shoulder.
"It's part of my charm."
"I wouldn't have you any other way, darling," he said.
Quiet for a moment, they relaxed in the warm mood created by their closeness. Maria sighed and wrapped her arms around his chest. "You don't think Frau Schmidt would mind bringing up a tray of something?"
"You're still thinking about food?" he asked. "I must not be doing something right."
"Oh, no," she laughed. "That's not what I meant at all. It's just that I suddenly have this urge for-"
Georg groaned.
"What?" she asked surprised.
"It's starting," he said.
"What's starting?"
"Cravings."
Maria paused to think about what he was talking about. "Well, then," she said as she shrugged her shoulders. "I guess the rumors are true. Yes, I'm having cravings."
"I'll say," he said lowly and shifted down so they were eye level. "I hope you get cravings more often, Fräulein."
He finally succeeded in making her blush, something he always found amusing. "What will curb your appetite this morning, Baroness von Trapp?"
She stared into his eyes and returned his grin. "Well, for one thing, I wouldn't mind a massage."
"That is something I can do," he said. She turned over to her other side, exposing her back to him, and he hoisted himself up so both his arms were free.
Maria sighed in contentment as Georg gently rubbed any tension out of her body. Georg marveled at how soft and warm she felt beneath his fingers. As he kneaded delicately, he became fascinated by the way her shoulders joined her back and with the rise and fall of her torso as she breathed. Every so often, he would stop his task and run his hand down her side, causing her to exhale loudly and move towards his touch. He wasn't sure who was more entranced, Maria with the massage, or he with her. The gentle slope of her hip to her waist captivated him, and after a long moment, he ceased with the massage and laid his hand to rest on her side. He leaned over and kissed the nape of her neck.
She barely gave an audible reply as a peaceful sleep started to claim her. He smiled and lay down behind her, molding his position to match hers. Placing his arm around her waist, he reached over and caressed her stomach, reveling in the sensation of his child stirring from his touch.
"I love you, Maria," he whispered into her ear and could barely see her slight smile in response before he, too, fell into a light morning doze.
***
Maria wiped the sweat from her forehead as she walked around the shop. Georg sighed in annoyance as the shopkeeper vanished again to his private stock, trying to fix whatever the matter was with the von Trapp's purchase.
After a few moments, the Captain looked over at Maria, a tight smile on his face. "He's taking his time," he commented as he cocked his head towards the backroom.
She nodded and returned to join in him at the counter. "They told me it was ready to be picked up. I can't imagine what the problem is."
"The problem is," he repeated and rested his hands against the glass of the counter, "that they were perhaps a little presumptuous in their promise."
She sighed and rubbed her neck. "Is it hot in here?" she asked.
He studied her. "Not that much," he answered. "Are you alright?"
"I think I'm going to sit outside," she said and looked at him apologetically. "Will you forgive me?"
He reached down and grabbed her hand. Giving it a light squeeze, he smiled. "Let me escort you out," he offered.
Just then, the shopkeeper returned, carrying his record books. The Captain inhaled sharply. "I'll be right back, sir," he said as he and Maria exited the shop.
The cool spring air wrapped around her, and Maria felt instantly more comfortable. She nodded to her husband as she walked over to an empty bench. "I'll be waiting," she said and kissed his cheek. He smiled and rubbed her shoulder.
"I won't be long," he told her.
Alone for the moment, Maria closed her eyes and rubbed her stomach. "It was rather stuffy in there, wasn't it?" she murmured to the life inside. Georg had commented on her tendency to talk to her child, a child she hadn't even met yet. It never ceased to amaze her; becoming a mother was never something she had planned on.
A wave of nervousness came upon her. Her own mother had died when she was very young, and she had had mediocre substitutes growing up. How could she possibly be a good mother, with nothing to base her actions on? Her experience with Georg's children, her children now, was different, she had decided. They were older. She had never really dealt with babies before, and now, she was about to be completely responsible for a new life in just five short months. The thought terrified her.
She looked up into the sky. The warm sun soothed her nerves, and she exhaled calmly. God had a plan for her, and that plan apparently meant children; this child. His plan had seemed to work so far, she mused. Feeling comforted, she rubbed her stomach again.
"We'll just have to make it up as we go along, right?" she asked her baby. Confident that her child agreed with her, she looked around the slightly populated square.
The sight of the pretzel stand appealed to her, and she glanced at the store in which her husband still remained. Deciding he was going to be busy for a little while, she stood and walked over to investigate.
The vendor, an attractive man about her age, grinned at the sight of her. "Ah! You must be hungry, Madame," he exclaimed and opened the barrel, letting Maria see the assortment. "After all, you're not just eating for yourself!"
She laughed and peered into the barrel. "Oh, my," she murmured, suddenly overcome with hunger. "Even if it was just me, I'd have to get two."
"Which kind would you like, Madame?" he asked, preparing a small paper bag.
"Well," Maria thought aloud, taking great pains to make her choice. "I know that I want an apple pretzel for dessert, but what to have before hand…"
"I've gotten many compliments with the garlic ones," he offered. "They're a newer addition.
"Oh, if I ate one of those, my husband would never forgive me!" she said and the two laughed. "Maybe just a plain one-"
"They're never just plain, Madame," the vendor corrected her, a twinkle in his eye.
"Forgive me," she said, returning his smile. "I think I'll have a regular pretzel and an apple one to look forward to."
"An excellent choice," he said as he pulled the snacks from the barrel and placed them into the bag.
Maria was fishing for her money when she felt someone come up beside her.
"Maria," Georg's voice asked her. "We're going to lunch, aren't we?"
She looked up at him sheepishly. "It's only ten thirty, Georg!" she said. "We have to go to the opera house before we go to lunch, and the pretzels looked so good, and-"
He laughed and silenced her explanation by gently kissing her. "I see that my observation about cravings has been proven correct."
She blushed. "You can help me eat them," she suggested, and handed the vendor the money for the two pretzels.
"The apple is on me," the vendor said, taking only money for the one. "Enjoy it, Madame."
"Oh, no, I couldn't!" Maria protested.
"Please," he said and shook his head. "I insist. Enjoy them. It was a pleasure serving you."
"That's very kind of you, Sir," she said.
"It's the least I could do for you two," he replied and then looked at the Captain. "I mean, you three."
Georg raised his eyebrows and stared at the vendor while Maria took the bag and smiled.
"Have a lovely day, sir," Maria said as she and Georg turned to walk away.
"It will be now," the vendor said, and Georg quickly put his hand on the small of Maria's back, guiding her as far from the vendor as he could without so much as a word.
"Georg," Maria said as they sat down. "Oh, you really must try this." She looked over at him, only to find him deep in thought. "What is it?"
"He was flirting with you," Georg said, placing Marta's wrapped present beneath his legs.
"Who?"
"The vendor."
Maria's mouth dropped open. "He was not!"
"Oh, yes he was," he insisted.
"He was just being friendly, Georg," Maria reasoned, tearing the pretzel in two.
"He wasn't very friendly to me when I arrived," Georg challenged, unsure whether to be amused or annoyed.
"Are you serious?" she asked, the corners of her mouth turning up at the expression on his face.
He nodded. "He has some gall."
Maria shook her head and popped a piece of dough into her mouth. "Heaven forbid someone be nice to a hungry, pregnant lady," she commented.
Georg scowled and looked in the direction of the vendor and then at the offending snack in her hand. "I just don't think it was appropriate for him to act like that with my wife-"
"Your wife?" she repeated, anger in her voice. "Georg, I am not your territory that you need to stand guard over."
"I didn't mean it like that," he retorted. He offered a guilty smile. "Forgive me."
She stared at him. "I really don't see what you were talking about."
"Because you're so good, you only see the best in people," he said. "It's one of the things I love about you and that I try to emulate."
Her mouth dropped again. "Emulate?" she repeated softly.
He nodded. "Yes," he said. "It's much healthier than my cynical view of the world."
"Emulate," she said again, and her eyes filled suddenly. "That's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me," she confessed, her throat tightening.
He laughed. "I can think of better things to say to you," he said and leaned to her ear, whispering.
Her cheeks reddened. "Again?" she asked, drawing back and staring into his eyes.
He shrugged. "I'm a simple man with simple needs," he declared.
She laughed. "I think we should finish our business here, first," she said and placed a piece of pretzel in his mouth. She watched him for a moment. "You're very handsome when you're jealous."
"I wasn't jealous!" he retorted. "I just thought he shouldn't have acted like that with a married woman."
"You mean with the woman married to you," she pointed out.
He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped when he saw the twinkle in her eyes. He cocked his head in defeat. "I can't help it. I'm a man. I get that way."
She shrugged, not about to admit that she inwardly liked his protective nature at times. She offered him the final piece of the pretzel. "Let's go to the opera house and then go to lunch. I'm starving."
He laughed. "But you haven't even touched the apple pretzel yet!"
She licked her lips. "Oh, that's for dessert, my love," she said lowly and gave him a pointed look. "Besides, I don't think you've apologized completely yet."
He studied her expression, and a smile slowly spread across his face. "Can't I just telephone the opera house from home?"
***
"Maria," Georg said as he placed his glass of water back onto the table. "I thought you said you were hungry."
He gestured to her half-eaten lunch. She offered a weak smile and picked at her food.
"So much for cravings," he teased and her smile widened. "I had suggested that we go back to the house, but you were quite adamant that we stay in town."
"Georg," she exclaimed lowly, glancing anxiously around.
He studied her. "What is it, Maria?"
She shook her head. "I'm just, oh, I don't know," she trailed, searching the crowded outdoor café.
Georg watched her struggle for the words, and nodded in encouragement. "Yes?"
She returned her gaze to meet his. "I'm scared," she admitted.
"About the party?" he asked with knowing innocence.
"No!" she said, giving a nervous laugh. "About, the… the…"
"The eighth von Trapp?" he finished for her, reaching across the table to take her hand.
She nodded mutely. "I've never been a mother before, Georg," she said.
He dropped his brow in mock confusion. "What about those seven people back at the villa? Am I the only one who thinks they're children?"
Despite herself, Maria laughed. "But they were different," she insisted.
"How?"
"Gretl was five when I met them," she said. "Not a baby."
He nodded and squeezed her hand.
She leaned her head in towards him. "I'm grateful that you've done this seven times already," she confessed.
"You don't give yourself enough credit, Maria," he told her. "I believe that you're going to be a wonderful mother to an infant."
"I never thought I would be having a baby, Georg," she said, looking down at the table.
He reached his hand up to raise her chin and his eyes locked with hers. "This child is lucky to have you as his mother. He is going to love you more than anything, believe me. You have this incredible gift of faith to handle anything."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"And we'll do it all together, Maria," he insisted, dropping his hand down to cover hers again. "I'll be there every moment. I promise you."
She blinked quickly. He sighed, thinking of their child.
"I can't wait to see you holding our child in your arms," he said and watched as the tears spilled out onto her cheeks. "I can't wait to meet him. I hope he looks like you."
"If you mean 'he' darling, I would hope he looks like you," she said. "I hope the baby has your eyes."
"And your laugh."
"And your hair."
"And your energy."
She laughed. "I think we're even in the energy department, Captain," she said lowly.
A conspicuous smile lit his face. "Cravings again, Fräulein?"
"You're impossible!" she said, laughing.
He reached up and brushed a stray tear away from her face. "To tell you the truth, Maria, I'm relieved that you're nervous."
"Relieved?" she repeated, surprised.
"Yes," he said and nodded. "If you weren't nervous, I would start getting scared."
She didn't look convinced.
He smiled. "I was nervous with each of the children."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
He nodded. "Oh, yes," he told her, leaning back into his chair. "Even with Gretl, I was apprehensive. What would she be like? Would the delivery be safe for both Agathe and the baby? How long would it take before the baby slept through the night?"
"How long does it take before they sleep through the night?" Maria asked.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "As long as it takes, Fräulein," he said and laughed at the blank look her eyes took at his remark.
"Together, Maria," he assured her. "We're in this together. I promise you that it's not as bad as you fear it is. And as soon as they place that child in your arms, you will fall in love with him. Everything will come naturally to you. Especially to you, since everything seems to come naturally to you."
She blushed. "I hope you're right, Captain."
"Do you trust me?"
She nodded.
"Then believe me," he continued. "You will be a wonderful mother. You already are."
She seemed to exhale. "Thank you, Georg," she whispered, reaching out for his hand. They sat in a quiet peace for a moment, each lost in visions of their future and thinking of their growing family.
"Which delivery was the easiest?" Maria finally broke the easy silence.
Georg sighed, remembering. "Brigitta," he answered. "It was as if she was meant to be. She just came into the world as peacefully and sweetly as an angel."
"She hasn't changed much," Maria added and the two smiled. She cleared her throat. "And, uh, the most, uh-"
"Challenging?" he suggested and she nodded. "Kurt."
"No second guessing on that one!" Maria exclaimed.
"After seven hours of labor, no."
"Seven hours?" Maria asked and paled considerably.
"He was the only one who just took his time," the Captain said, feeling bad to have scared her. "All the others were more normal amounts of time. Especially Louisa. She practically flew into the world. I also remember her being the crankiest."
Maria laughed. "Poor girl."
He scowled. "You mean poor us," he corrected and was relieved to see her smile return.
"I wonder how this one will be," Maria thought aloud.
"I personally can't wait," he said, a glow to his eyes.
She looked down. "I'm so happy that you're excited about this baby, Georg," she said. "I was afraid, when I found out, that you…"
"That I what?" he asked, alarmed at the seriousness of her tone.
"Well," she stammered. "that you might not have wanted another baby. I mean, seven is-"
"Maria," he interrupted, taking her hands and staring into her eyes. "When you told me that you were pregnant, I think I was the happiest I have been in my life. All of my children are a blessing. And this one… well, this one is a true sign from God that our lives are truly blessed."
A sweet smile lit her face.
"I can't believe you would think that," he said.
She shook her head. "It was only when I first found out," she insisted. "I knew that you were elated when I told you. All the doubts vanished from my mind when I saw the expression on your face when I told you I was pregnant."
He squeezed her hands. "I love you," he said, raising her hand to his lips.
"And I you," she whispered.
He smiled at her. "Have you thought of any names yet?"
She laughed. "Oh, good lord, no!" she exclaimed. "With all this party planning, I haven't even had time to think about a name."
"You must have given it some thought," he insisted.
She shook her head. "No I haven't. Have you?"
"A few names have crossed my mind," he admitted.
Her brows shot up. "Really? Such as?"
He shook his head. "We can discuss it later," he said and then gestured to her plate. "But I must insist that you finish your lunch first."
"That's not fair, Georg!" she said, smiling.
"I insist," he repeated. "You have to keep up your strength."
"Not even a hint?"
"Nope," he shook his head and crossed his arms, a twinkle in his eye.
She sighed in mock exasperation. "Can I guess?"
"Go right ahead, Fräulein," he said, looking up at the sky. "As long as you eat."
"It's cold," she said.
"It's a salad," he noted and laughed.
She joined in his laughter and stuck her fork into a tomato. "Well, if I need to keep up my energy, I guess I had better start," she said and plopped it into her mouth. "But I want a full list when we get home."
He saluted her. "Aye, aye, ma'am!"
To be continued…