"Absolutely disgraceful!" She heard Hedwig arguing with Georg all the way from downstairs as she painted the walls in his bedroom.

"I will allow anything I damn well please in my own home!" She felt nervous, the way she always did when there was confrontation she was not necessarily supposed to hear.

It was raining, so Hedwig had taken to walking the halls of the villa to occupy her time when she came across Maria painting Georg's bedroom. She nearly had a fit, much like a child, at the idea that her future daughter-in-law was taking such liberties. Maria became the victim of quite a few harsh words before Georg had come to her rescue. He had been very quick to anger lately, but she supposed it worked to her advantage at the moment.

She had finished painting two walls and was on her third, sweating a bit as she worked to get the first coat of paint completed in time to dry by nighttime. Frau Schmidt had offered to call a painter for her, but she really felt that was a silly waste of money when she could do it herself. The maid always looked at her in a peculiar way when she said such things. As if saving money had never before crossed anyone's mind at the villa. Suddenly, she jumped as the bedroom door slammed closed. She turned to find Georg pacing the room, angry and muttering to himself. She simply continued painting, allowing him a moment to gather his thoughts.

"You shouldn't be on that ladder." She reached up to delicately paint against the line of the ceiling, careful not to make a mess.

"I only need it for the top here. I'm being careful."

"You should have hired a painter."

"I'm quite capable, I assure you."

"I do like when certain parts of you are directly in my line of vision." He came closer, and she felt his hands upon her ankles, one sneaking up the inside of her leg. He began pulling down her stockings, leaning beneath her dress to kiss the skin he was exposing as she accidentally painted a spot upon the ceiling.

"What are you doing, Captain?"

"You know." His hand slid between her thighs, and she braced herself upon the ladder, placing her paintbrush on her dish as he reached up and began touching her through her panties, sliding a finger along her to push the fabric aside. She could feel his warm tongue slipping along the tender skin behind her knee; she had no idea that part of her body was so sensitive.

"Quite the distraction. Oh!" She jumped a bit as he unexpectedly thrust a fingertip inside of her from behind, gently at first before pressing deeper, and she felt the familiar heat rising between her legs. He rubbed the wetness he found all over her, his finger slipping about as she held tightly to the ladder for balance. She sighed as he moved, biting her lip to keep quiet as he thrust a second finger into her welcoming center. "Get me down."

He removed his hand and lifted her from the ladder, and she immediately turned to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he brought her to stand upon the floor. His tongue touched her own, and she sighed into his mouth. With the stresses in their lives at the moment, the wedding, the baby, the houseguests, the endless parties, the list could go on, it had been difficult to find the time or the energy to spend the nights together that they used to. She tried to remember the last time they shared a bed other than for sleep, and she found that she couldn't.

"I've missed you." He kissed down the side of her neck, his hands caressing her breasts before he reached for the buttons on her dress.

"How long has it been?" Her words were breathless, her body already feeling weak, as she ran a hand over the front of his pants.

"So long." She smiled at the desperation in his voice and began unbuttoning his pants, pushing her hand inside his underwear to stroke him. He groaned, biting into her shoulder. "I'll explode before we even make it to the bed."

"Oh dear. Should I stop then?" She pulled back to meet his eyes, an innocent look upon her face, but she didn't remove her hand from him.

"Fraulein, if you stop now, I will become violent." She laughed, feeling his teeth graze her neck as he moved to kiss just below her ear. She ran her unoccupied hand through his hair, pulling a bit until she brought him to her lips, kissing him with all the love she felt for him.

He pushed his jacket to the floor before removing her hand from him. As he rushed to unbutton his shirt, she began to step out of her dress, lips still connected in a heated kiss. He backed her to the bed, her bare legs touching the side of the mattress as he pressed his body against her.

They quickly removed their remaining clothes, and he pushed her onto the bed, settling himself between her legs quickly and making their connection. Synchronistic sighs escaped their lips as he began to thrust, her legs wrapping tightly around him to pull him deep. It truly had been too long, their bodies were responding like it was their first time, trembling and surging with sensations.

She rolled them over, grinding her hips atop his pelvis as she sped up the pace, her hands pressed against his chest for balance. He gripped one of her thighs while his other hand moved through her hair, his thumb trailing over her lips, where she took it in her mouth for a fraction of a second, just enough to make him groan in delight. His hand trailed down her chest, fingers tickling her skin as she moved harder, their bodies nearing their climax faster than intended, but the need for one another had been too strong to slow down.

His hand finally reached their connection, and as soon as he pressed his thumb and moved it against her, she felt herself let go completely. A breathy moan escaped her mouth as she nearly doubled over from the force, doing her best to continue moving him to his own pleasure. Upon gaining better control of herself, she sat up further and rocked her hips hard against him, leaning to place her hands atop his thighs so he could view her entire body, his eyes drifting quickly to their connection as he watched himself disappear into her body over and over.

Finally he gasped, his hips thrusting upward as he spilled into her, his fingers digging into her thighs as she continued to move. She watched him come undone beneath her, biting her lip at the way his eyes closed tightly, and his mouth tensed in pleasure. She flexed her muscles around him, causing his body to jolt as he began to come down from his high. She loved to watch him come, all because of her. She leaned down and placed a kiss upon his trembling lips, feeling his warm arms wrap around her.

"You are so wonderful, Georg." He smiled at the sincerity in her voice, holding her tightly.

"I would say the same about you."

"I'm serious. I love you so much it nearly hurts sometimes." He placed his fingers beneath her chin, pulling her to him for a tender kiss.

"I know what you mean. It's hard to explain." She nodded, kissing him once more.

"I can't believe we've neglected each other like this."

"Well, I have already impregnated you, so my job is done." She laughed, moving so he could pull out. Her body fell next to his upon the bed, their naked skin pressing together as he held her close. She kissed his chest before lying her cheek against it, taking in the warmth of his body.

"It doesn't harm the baby when we're together?"

"No, not at all."

"Oh good. It didn't mention it in the book I'm reading. It's really not a very informative book." He chuckled, placing a kiss upon her head.

"You would be better off asking my sister for advice. If you want honesty, that's where you'll find it." She laughed, snuggling closer to him and closing her eyes.

"Yes, if I want to be mortified, she's the first person I'll ask." He laughed again, moving a bit to pull a blanket over them. "Oh, I can't get comfortable. I have to finish painting so you can sleep in here tonight."

"I'll help paint when we wake up, and then I'll sleep in your room tonight."

"Oh you will? And wake up? Are we napping?"

"Yes. You need plenty of rest right now." She laughed, cuddling closer to him.

"Well, if you insist. It is ten o'clock; almost a full day already." He laughed as he closed his eyes and leaned against the pillow, taking her hand in his as it rested upon his stomach.

It had been years since she had taken a nap, always feeling like she had enough energy not to need one, but pregnancy was certainly beginning to take its toll on her. She was exhausted by lunchtime most days, and it took a lot for her to push herself with the children and pretend she was fine. She certainly didn't need them asking questions, even though she already knew they would be smart enough to do the math when they finally did find out.

After a wonderful nap that felt like it had lasted for hours, the door of the bedroom opened and a loud gasp of surprise met their ears. Maria felt Georg jolt upright, bringing her with him quickly. She felt sick at the movement, swallowing hard and trying to take a deep breath as she covered her chest with the blanket. Her morning sickness, if that's what it could even be called, was always worse after she had been lying down.

"And here I thought painting the room was disgraceful! I'm absolutely appalled." Hedwig's voice seemed to raise a couple of octaves as she yelled, full surprise taking over her features.

"Mother..."

"This is outrageous! Suppose what would happen if people found out you're living an immoral lifestyle." Georg laughed, running a hand over his face. "And you're laughing about it."

"Mother, this is my bedroom and my business. How dare you enter without knocking?"

"I knew Maria was painting, it seemed perfectly safe to let you know it's lunchtime. Clearly, I was mistaken." Maria couldn't calm the churning in her stomach and brought her hand to cover her mouth. She looked around for something to put on as the argument continued, but their clothes were scattered about, and Georg's robe was on the other side of the room. She knew what she was getting ready to do was more than improper, but she was going to be sick immediately.

"I'm so sorry." She quickly moved over Georg's body and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She didn't even have to look to know Hedwig's eyes were likely popping out of her face at the sight, but she couldn't much help it as she rushed to empty the contents of her stomach.

She heard shouting for a bit longer before the bedroom door slammed, presumably upon Hedwig's exit. Her stomach lurched again, and she found herself dry heaving for lack of anything else to throw up. She knew it would get better eventually, but she found herself feeling desperate to stop vomiting each day.

After she was certain she was finished, she cleaned up a bit, finding Georg's mouthwash beneath the sink and using some. She peaked her head out of the bathroom to find him adjusting his tie, fully dressed and bed made as if it hadn't been occupied only moments before. She stepped into the bedroom, a bit embarrassed for the next time she would see Hedwig, and she began gathering her clothes.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." Her voice sounded hoarse, and she cleared her throat as she stepped into her panties, quickly pulling on her bra and looking around for her slip. "I suppose your mother knows about the baby, then?"

"She didn't say anything, just that you're a loose woman, and I'm a weak man." Maria rolled her eyes as he stepped forward to help her button her dress.

"With the things she's said to us since she arrived, I suppose that's not so bad." He chuckled, wrapping her in an embrace from behind once her dress was fully buttoned. He kissed the side of her head before letting her go, and she sat upon the edge of the bed

"Will you be able to go down for lunch?"

"Oh yes, I need to eat so I can have something to throw up." She rolled her eyes as she slipped on her stockings, finding her shoes quickly afterward. She began to walk toward the door, but stopped and brought her hands to her cheeks. "I can't believe your mother has seen me naked."

"No, don't let yourself think about it." He brought a hand to her back, chuckling at her embarrassment. "That will not be the worst part about your next conversation with her, I can assure you."

Lunch was unsurprisingly awkward, everyone remaining silent as they ate. Even Hede knew when there was too much tension to speak, and all that could be heard were the sounds of silverware against plates. Maria met Georg's eyes, her brow furrowed in emotional pain, but he shook his head, giving her a wink of his eye in encouragement. Only two more weeks until the wedding.