Her eyes flutter open and for a moment she thinks she must be dreaming. Her eyes slowly wander around the room as she remembers that it is not a dream. She smiles as she looks down at ring on her finger. She closes her eyes and sighs. He awakens as he feels her begin to stir. Maria feels him shift closer to her as he drapes his arm over her body pulling her closer. She moans as she feels the warmth of his body on hers. Her body shudders as his lips go to her ear.
" Good morning" he whispers softly in her ear. She turns her body so that she is now facing him. She smiles and kisses him softly on the lips.
" Good morning" she answers back. Not being satisfied with a small kiss Georg wraps his arms around her and quickly positions himself on top of her. She begins to laugh but is quickly silenced by his lips. She moans as his hands caress her sides. His lips leave hers and descend downwards. He slowly moves his body so that his lips can touch every part of her. Her body reacts with each soft sensual kiss. Maria closes her eyes as Georg continues. Her pulse races as her heart pounds faster. He watches as her body reacts to his touch. He feels her hands run through his hair as she moans with desire. He is surprised when she suddenly turns so that she is now on top of him. He watches as her hands lightly touch his chest. Her lips slowly find his upper chest. She watches as he closes his eyes. She wants nothing more to please him. She smiles as he moans, her hands exploring his body. Without intention Marias hand brushes his lower body. He jumps as he feels her touch him . Seeing his reaction she pulls her hand away ,thinking she did something wrong.
He smiles sweetly at her. This is all so new to her he thinks to himself. His hands gently cup her face as he whispers softly to her.
"Don't be afraid to touch me. I want you to feel comfortable with me. I know this is all new to you" he says smiling at her.
"I'm sorry, I thought with the way you jumped I had done something wrong."
" Now I'm the one who is sorry. When you touched me I jumped not because I was upset but because that is what you do to me. Every time you touch me I am filled with a passion that consumes me. Since the day I met you I have felt this. You consume not only my body but also my soul. Now not only our we connected mentally but also physically"
Georg pulls her face closer to his and slowly kisses her. He rolls her over and deepens their kiss.
Lying in his arms she softly speaks" I hate to say this but I think we need to get up. In case you have forgotten today is the big party"
Georg sighs "I remember its just that you know darn well that as soon as we go downstairs and tell the children about us I won't get near you for the rest of the day"
Maria laughs" I suppose you are right but they might have me during the day but I am all yours at night."
" I guess that's fair" he says as he pulls her tighter and gives her a kiss.
They both rise and it is then that Maria realizes " Oh no. All my clothes are in my old room. I can't very well go out into the hallway like this".
Georg laughs" no, I don't think that would be a good idea. Not to worry, I had Frau Schmidt bring your clothes into here while we were in town."
He goes to the armoire and shows her. She shakes her head and proceeds to get dressed. They head downstairs. As they head towards the dining room they see Frau Schmidt.
" Good morning Captain ,Baroness. The children have been asking for you both. Gretl went to her governesses room this morning and didn't find her there. They were asking where you were. I said I didn't know. I had to get out of there before they asked anymore questions. You should be the ones to tell them the wonderful news"
" I apologize for putting you in that position. I guess we overslept" Georg says smiling at Maria." We plan on telling them right now"
Frau Schmidt nods her head and heads toward the kitchen.
" Maria stay out here until I come and get you" he says as he kisses her hand. Maria starts to protest but she agrees.
" Trust me" he says as he goes into the dining room.
" Good morning, sorry I am late" Georg says as he enters the dining room.
Gretl leaves her seat and goes to him " Father where is Fraulein Maria? I went to her room this morning and she wasn't there. I told the others and we looked all over the house and the grounds for her. When we asked Frau Schmidt if she knew where she was she didn't say a word"
Georg goes to his seat. Standing he looks at all seven children.
" Last night after all of you went to bed I took Maria back to the abbey"
" Back to the abbey, but father I thought You and Fraulein Maria were getting married" Gretl interrupts as tears start to fall from her eyes.
" Father go back and get her, tell her we want her back, we want her to be our mother" Brigitta says as she also starts to cry.
Georg shakes his head as he starts to go toward the hall.
" If you would let me finish maybe there would be no need for all these tears. Yes I took Maria back to the abbey but not so that she could stay there. I decided last night to make Maria your new mother and my wife"
He walks into the hall and walks back in with Maria.
" We were married at the abbey last night." he says as he watches the children's faces go from sadness to pure joy.
Gretl is the first to fly into Marias arms as the others soon follow. Frau Schmidt walks in on the happy moment. She smiles as she sees how happy the children are. They all sit down and Gretl says grace.
"God thank you for the food we are about to eat and most of all thank you for our new mother."
They finish breakfast and start to ready the house for the party. Soon Gretls guests begin to arrive.
Gretl takes each one of them to meet her new mother. Georg watches as each guest is brought over to Maria. He smiles at how proud Gretl is to have Maria as her new mother.
Maria has arranged for Liesl to supervise the party game Georg and Maria delight as they watch the guests try to pin the tail on the donkey. He laughs even harder when Maria is asked to join in.
Soon Frau Schmidt announces that the cake is ready. All the guests and family go to the large table in the ballroom. They all gasp as the cake is brought out. They all join in a chorus of Happy Birthday. " Make a wish" Maria says before Gretl blows the candles out. Gretl thinks for a moment then looks at Maria and Georg. " I know what my wish will be" and with that she blows all the candles out. Once everyone was done it was time for presents. Gretl cannot contain her excitement as she opens each gift. When Gretl opens the last gift Georg motions for Maria to get every ones coats so they can go onto the terrace. With everyone outside Georg motions for Maria to have Gretl close her eyes. Georg goes down the steps and around the corner.
" What is it" Gretl asks Maria.
" It's a surprise" Maria says as she watches Georg come back around with the pony in hand. Maria uncovers Gretls eyes and is almost rendered deaf by the scream gretl lets out.
" A pony, you bought me a pony" she yells.
She runs down the steps and to her father. She rubs her eyes as if she was dreaming. Maria laughs as she watches Gretl. Gretl hugs Georg and then runs to Maria.
" Thank you, this is the best birthday I ever had" she says as she squeezes Maria tighter. Georg gives the pony's reins top Kurt and joins them.
" Thank you Father. Thank you for my pony but most of all thank you for my new mother" she says as she puts her arms around both of them.
Maria and Georg say goodbye to the last of the party guests. Gretl and the other children are saying goodnight to the pony. Georg closes the front door and turns to see the children coming in the back door.
" Gretl it is too cold to sleep in the barn" Liesl says as she helps her off with her coat.
" But my pony will be lonely" Gretl says sadly. Maria walks over to her.
" No he won't. The other animals will keep him company besides it is late and you need to get some sleep" Maria says as she takes her hand and starts up the stairs. Georg follows them taking Gretl other hand in his.
" I'm not tired" she says trying to stop a yawn. Georg and Maria smile at each other.
" I tell you what tomorrow morning I will give you a riding lesson" Maria says as they go into Gretls room.
" You will? I better get to bed right now " she says as Maria helps her on with her nightgown. Gretl kneels down and says her prayers. Marta also says hers but a little quieter.
" God bless Liesl. Friedrich, Louisa. Brigitta, Kurt, Marta, Father, Fraul I mean Mother and my new pony. Oh I almost forgot please don't forget about my wish. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Georg and Maria kiss her goodnight and she gets into bed. They go to Marta and kiss her goodnight also. Georg and Maria shut the light out and start to leave.
" Mother? Gretl asks.
" Yes" Maria asks.
" How long does it take for a baby to be born? Gretl asks.
Maria stops and turns the light back on
" What did you say? Maria asks not quite sure she heard her correctly.
" I said How long does it take for a baby to be born? She asks again.
" I guess around nine months. Why do you ask? Maria questions.
" I just want to know" Gretl answers smiling at Maria.
"Your not getting away with asking me that and then not telling me why" Maria says walking over to her
" I can't tell you or it won't come true" Gretl pleads. Maria looks at her and then at Georg.
" What won't come true? Maria asks her sitting next to her on the bed.
" Her wish" Marta says. "When she blew out the candles on her cake she made a wish. That wish was that….
" Marta! You can't tell my wish it won't come true" Gretl says looking rather cross with Marta.
" Oh Gretl it will be all right I am telling what your wish is not you." Marta says getting off her bed and going to Gretls.
" Would someone please tell me what is going on" Georg says.
" You know how Gretl hates being the youngest. Well her wish is that you and mother have a baby. The sooner the better" Marta says.
" Oh no my wish won't come true" Gretl says as she looks at Maria sadly. Maria pulls Gretl into her lap and hugs her.
" Gretl its all right. That is a very nice wish. One I hope does come true" she says as she looks up at Georg.
" Now you both need to go to bed" Maria says as she and Georg kiss both of them goodnight.
Maria closes the bedroom door and they both walk to their room. Once inside their room Maria begins to laugh .
" What's so funny? Georg asks as he takes his shoes off. Maria removes her shoes and sits down on the bed next to him.
" Gretl is so precious. She really dislikes being the youngest as" she says as she turns her back to him so that he can unbutton her dress. Georg smiles as one by one he slowly undoes her dress. He begins to massage her muscles and she moans as his hands go lower down her back. She gasps as his lips touch her already hot skin.
" Well maybe we should do something about that" Georg says as he slowly takes her dress off. She turns and smiles at him.
" Well what are you waiting for" she whispers as she lays down on the bed and he gets up to turn off the light.
