KissKissHugHug to all my reviewers! You all are very helpful. ;D

I think this is the last chapter! Time to move on to other stories... Besides, seven is the most powerful magic number...oh wait, wrong fiction world...

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Chapter 7

Maria rubbed her eyes tiredly. She sat alone in her darkened classroom, grading essays for her sixth years. The day had been most taxing, she thought as she stifled a yawn. It must be very late; I should get back home. The words before her eyes blurred as she slumped forward and dozed off.

Georg had first gone to her flat, and, upon finding it quiet, decided the school was his next bet. He pushed open her door to find her fast asleep, her head lying on a stack of papers. He smiled. She looked so peaceful in her slumber. Georg walked quietly towards her desk and stood watching her. A pen was still in her slack fingers, poised to mark a helpful comment in red ink on the essay before her. His fingers brushed a stray piece of hair away from her closed eyes. He didn't want to wake her just yet, he wanted to watch her sleeping a little while longer. The captain turned and sat at a desk that was too small for him, watching her all the while.

Maria's eyes fluttered open. She realized that she was still at school and jerked her head up, sighing at the pile of essays still to be graded. Then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye, someone else was in the room with her. She froze, not daring to look up. The figure didn't move, however, but keep stock still, watching her. Overwhelming suspense caused her eyes to slowly flicker up.

"Captain!" She gasp and leapt up. "You scared me! Don't...don't do that again, please, just say something next time." She clutched her chest as her heartbeat steadied again.

The man across from her only smiled warmly at her. Maria peered at him inquiringly. There was something peculiar in his eyes, something sparkling. He looked like a child who had been told that Christmas came early. His smile was full of anticipation, his eyes glittering.

"Hello, Maria."

"Captain, why – why are you here?" Did she not make herself clear this afternoon? "I don't think we have anything else to discuss."

"Maria, please let me speak, and reserve judgment until I'm finished." He took a deep, shuttering breath, and began. "When I came to you today, this afternoon, I was confused beyond words. I didn't know which direction my life was taking. Yes, I was engaged to a beautiful woman who loved me, but I was lost. Wandering aimlessly. I saw you that day in the marketplace, and the only coherent thought I had was to see you again. I found you, thankfully. Seeing you again, I didn't know what to expect. Not this, surely, definitely not. But here we are..." He glanced at her. Maria's face was blank, betraying no emotion, waiting for him to continue.

Georg cleared his throat nervously. "And then, the rain, the blessed rain. If not for Mother Nature, that probably would've never happened. Oh don't look at me like that," he said hastily, "and don't tell me that didn't send fireworks up your spine," he added slyly. "But then, your damned nobility got the better of you, as did mine. And we parted once more. I went back to my life and you went back to your's, and there was peace in the world. Until about 30 minutes after I stepped into the door." He stood up and walked to the window. "You know, Maria, Elsa is an incredible woman. You two would have made wonderful friends." He smiled sadly and paced back and forth. "I had told her that morning that I was having luncheon with an old friend from the navy. However, she...guessed that I had come to see you." His eyes focused on a spot on the floor. "Bless her," he whispered. "I had excused myself from dinner, being in no condition to act civil toward anyone. She came to see me, and...she broke our engagement. She said she loved me but was not in love with me. Then she offered to come see you herself, but I told her that wouldn't be necessary."

Maria stared at him. She couldn't believe her ears. The Baroness had broken their engagement? But why? Exactly how much did she know of their relationship?

Georg drew nearer to her. "Maria, what I'm trying to say is that I love you. I've loved you a long time, ever since you sat on that silly pine cone." He smiled as he drew closer. "Maria, how can I make you see? Please tell me how."

Maria finally found her voice, "Captain, I – I'm so confused." She started backing away from his approaching figure. "I – I don't understand. Do you mean, you're not engaged anymore?"

Georg suddenly closed the distance, "No my darling. Will you forgive me for being so stupid, so damn idiotic for not realizing my love for you?" His hands reached up and cupped her face. "I love Maria, more than you know. And I believe I am not mistaken in saying that you love me too." He raised his eyebrows at her, "But I want to hear it from your own blessed lips. Say it, won't you Maria? Say it and make my life complete."

Maria gazed into his eyes, eyes radiating warmth and love, for her. She could hardly believe where she was currently standing; it had all happened so quickly. She had no time to think. So she did the one thing that felt right.

She smiled and said with conviction, "I love you, Captain. I always have, and I always will." It was a phrase she knew well, had said over and over in her sleep and dreams. And now, finally, she was able to say it aloud.

Georg's face split into a boyish grin that made him look ten years younger. And without further ado, he kissed her. He kissed her as he had never kissed a woman before. A kiss filled with the passion of unrequited love. He kissed her as though she would disappear the moment his lips left hers, as though she were merely a figment of his imagination. He wanted never to let her go again.

"I don't know what to say, Captain." Maria looked down, not daring to believe reality.

"First of all, if we're to be married, you simply must stop calling me 'Captain'." He titled her chin back up to meet his eyes.

Maria gasped, "The children! Do they know?" She looked alarmed. What would the children say? Perhaps they were happy with the Baroness as their new mother, perhaps they didn't love her that way.

"Not yet, their away at a show with Max. We'll tell them first thing tomorrow. Don't look so apprehensive, they love you, you know that." He glanced at his watch. "Elsa's train will have left by now. May I help you pack your things? Just a few necessities now, I'll send for the rest of your belongings in the morning. Will that be alright?"

"It sounds wonderful. Oh, Cap – Georg," she smiled shyly at him, "I'm so happy." She sighed contently and rested her head on his shoulder, and together, they walked out of the school and into the deep night.

The End

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That's it! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this! It really makes the writing of it worthwhile.