I'm sorry I can't please you all but this is what this story is like (OOC). Many of you seem to like it though and that's good enough for me. : ) Spelling still bad? I promise I will update at least once a week now, 4-5 chapters to go.

Thanks for all the reviews, they are always pleasant to read! D

Chapter 9

The children, Maria and Georg were all heading for the small lake just outside of town. They were all riding bikes except for Gretl, who sat behind Georg, and were looking forward to cool off in the water. When finally arriving, the children ran towards the path that led to the water. Maria leaned the bikes to a tree and then went to Georg, who stood with a smile on his face, waiting for her to follow him. He held out his hand and she took it, blushing slightly.

"Is this wise? What if the children see? At least Liesl and Louisa are old enough to notice these things."

"Would that be a problem?" he asked with worry in his voice. He was sick of hiding his love for Maria and the children would find out sooner or later anyway, if they didn't know already. Maria grinned when she heard his concern.

"No, not a problem at all." They walked hand in hand to the grass next to the lake and put a large blanket out to sit on.

Louisa could hardly believe her eyes when she saw her fathers and fräuleins entwined hands. She dragged Brigitta towards her and they immediately started whispering and gossiping about the lovely couple.

Maria and Georg had eyes only for each other and just sat relaxed beside the lake making small talk. Soon the sounds of the children were overwhelming and Georg looked curiously at Maria.

"So fräulein, are you any good at swimming?"

"Me? Please, I'm the best." Georg laughed and pulled Maria up.

"Prove it." They went to change and then headed for the lake.

"Oh look, father and fräulein are going for a swim as well!" Marta happily exclaimed. Maria dipped her foot in the lake and immediately drew it back, looking at Georg.

"Rather cold don't you think? I'll just wait until I'm really hot."

"Oh no, you won't" Georg said firmly with a mischievous look in his eyes. He walked briskly to her and scoped her up, causing Maria to giggle and swat his on his shoulder.

"Don't even think about doing what you have in mind." He bent over a little to whisper in her ear.

"Do you even have the faintest idea of what I have in mind?" Maria went crimson and a grin spread across Georgs face.

"Oh and by the way, you look quite hot already." With that he ran towards the water, a struggling and laughing Maria in his arms as he threw himself into the water. Maria surfaced a second later, looking like a drenched cat. The children stood bent over from laughter at their fathers trick and laughed even harder when they saw the look on Marias face.

"That was not funny." Georg swam in front of her and splashed her lightly.

"This means war Captain!"

"Yeah, water fight!" the children exclaimed while starting to run towards the two adults. They were soon throwing water at whomever nearest and Georg and Maria were the worst of them all. Suddenly Georg dove and Maria looked around, not seeing him anywhere. He silently stood, right behind her, and then pulled her down under the water with him. Maria resurfaced gasping for air while giggling hard.

"You deserve to be punished for that."

"And what would you have me do Maria?" he said, with his left eyebrow lifted.

"A race. To, and around, those cliffs and back. What do you say?" He looked at the rounded, but tall, cliffs and noticed that you could not see what was behind them.

"Fair enough. Liesl?"

"Yes father?"

"Can you take care of your sibling for awhile? I need Maria to do something else." Liesl lifted her eyebrows but smiled.

"No problem father."

"Are you ready Maria?"

"Yes, I am." They stood beside each other, eager to start.

"On three then. One, two, three." Both dashed forward and started to swim as fast as they could. Georg was fast but, to his dismay, Maria was faster. The rocks were only metres away now and Georg was breathing heavily. When they were behind the cliffs Georg called for Maria.

"Maria, wait!" I need to catch my breath." He felt his way on the bottom, finding that the water was rather shallow, and stood, with his upper body out of the water.

"Does that mean I win?"

"Yes, you win. I admit it Maria, you are a better swimmer than me." She smiled and swam by him to get up and lean on the smooth rock. 'Oh my, she looks very sexy like that.' Georg leaned in to kiss her and she responded at once, deepening the kiss. It got more passionate and Marias face flushed as she was filled with lust. Georg pulled her to him and let their lower bodies be covered by the water as they leaned against the rock again. Maria couldn't stop from moaning as Georg caught one of her breasts in his hand.

"Oh. Georg. We. Can't" she said between kisses and then dropped her head back and bit her tongue to keep from screaming his name out loud.

"Can't do what darling?" he whispered while kissing her belly and downwards.

"What if the children come? This is highly inappropriate you know."

"I'm sure you don't mind" he stated huskily.

"You bad boy" Maria said, her eyes sparkling with lust. Georg pressed his lips to hers again as he almost crushed her to the rock. Maria didn't mind though since other thought were flying around in her head. The couple made love swiftly but not without feelings put on display for the other to see and feel. Afterwards they lay spent for a few minutes before swimming back in high speed.

"There you are!" Brigitta exclaimed when she saw them nearing the children.

"Where did you go?" Louisa asked suspiciously.

"We just swam around that rock" Georg stated.

"That rock? It's not far, what took you so long?" Louisa wished she hadn't said that the second it slipped out of her mouth, thinking of a thousand things they could have been doing. Their reaction was quite interesting; Marias face flushed a deep red and she looked down at her hands. Georg tried to explain, his words coming out in a stutter.

"We… I… Got tired and… we stopped to breathe…"

"And?" Brigitta prompted, getting irritated with the two adults.

"And we talked a little and then swam back" he managed to say before anyone else questioned them.

"Let's get out of the water now children, I do not want you to get cold" Maria said firmly and they happily obeyed since it was getting rather chilly. They quickly changed and sat down to enjoy their picnic.

After lunch they rested for a while and Maria changed back to her, now almost dry, bathing suit before lying down in the sun. She soon fell asleep and Georgs heart pounded when he watched her secretly, her body lying there all relaxed and beautiful.

An hour later the children got restless and wanted to play in the water again.

"Let's wake fräulein Maria up" Brigitta said while walking towards the still sleeping governess.

"Wait" Georg answered, an idea forming in his mind. He grinned and summoned the children to tell them of his plan. Georg, Friedrich and Liesl walked silently to the object of their surprise. Georg positioned himself at her arms and Liesl and Friedrich at her legs. When Georg nodded they suddenly lifted her up.

"What the…!" Maria woke up, immediately knowing what was going to happen.

"You wouldn't dare! Liesl, Friedrich you will be punished for this!" She giggled and tried to wriggle free while they carried her to the water. They started swinging her back and forth and the other children roared with laughter.

"One, two, three!" Maria splashed into the cold water and could feel the goose bumps prickling her body in an instant. She jumped out of the water at once with a mortified expression on her face but couldn't help a smile from breaking through the cold façade, making the children cheer.

"Ha ha, very funny. Now, I'm going to get changed; no more swimming for me today." With that she turned around and started walking towards her clothes. The Captain followed her with his eyes and then turned to Liesl.

"Would you mind looking after your siblings for awhile?"

"Not at all father" Liesl answered with bright eyes, knowing her fathers trail of thoughts as if they were written across his forehead. As she suspected, he went to Maria.

"Are you ok?" he chuckled.

"I am now that you are here. It would be wise if the children didn't catch you watching me when I change so maybe you should follow my example?"

"Yes, that would be the best thing to do. I don't feel like swimming without you anyway." They both quickly changed and went to sit at the blanket again. Maria shivered and Georg pulled her into his arms.

"Do you really want your children to see us like this? They're not stupid you know."

"I know. That's why I think it wouldn't matter to them if I hold you, they already know what's going on I suspect."

"Oh. In that case…" she snuggled close to him and just enjoyed them being together like this. 'I love you Georg. Why can't I ever get to say those words to you?' Soon the children returned to them and they decided to head back to the villa as it was almost time for dinner. Walking side by side on the way home, Maria worked up her courage and put her hand in Georgs. He beamed of happiness at her gesture and didn't let go until they entered the house.