"How could you not tell me? After all your talk about having difficulty trusting me, I never thought there would be a day that you were the one being dishonest." He paced back and forth in front of her as she stood in her living room, arms crossed over her chest.
There hadn't been much conversation between him and Elsa, as he had nothing to say to her. She chatted about how she needed a dress for a party that evening, one she knew he was invited to as well, and she could think of no one better to go to for a dress while she was in Salzburg. She had obviously come to cause trouble, or perhaps out of pure curiosity for the woman she had damaged so badly all those years ago. No matter the reason, he was furious that Maria thought she needed to hide such a thing from him.
"I told you I'm sorry…"
"But why? She clearly came to you for more than just a dress, Maria."
"Yes, I'm well aware of that." She sighed, sweat prickling upon her neck as she tried to ignore her nausea.
"Why was she here then?"
"I don't know. I suppose she meant to finish her plan and let me know tonight, but didn't get the chance. How should I know what she wanted?"
"Did she say anything about us?"
"Only that she heard we've been seeing one another. Georg, I've told you everything now, I promise." She ran a hand through her hair, sighing in frustration. He paced a bit more before meeting her eyes.
"How do I know she hasn't been filling your head with nonsense?" She scoffed, eyebrows raised at his condescending tone.
"Oh, because I'm so impressionable that I would believe anything she said to me? I'm so weak that I need your protecting?" She rolled her eyes, trying her best not to ask why he thought she needed protecting now when he couldn't have stepped up and done the same years ago. She needed to let go of the past.
"That's not what I meant…"
"It's exactly what you meant. Someone like her does not have the power to change the way I feel about you, I can assure you that." She sighed, stepping forward to place her hands upon his shoulders. "Georg, I didn't tell you because I knew you would overreact. She's done nothing but talk down to me a bit. There was no reason to upset you about it."
"Nothing is so small that you need to keep it from me."
"You want to know every detail of my entire life? That does sound quite possessive." He gave her a look of frustration, but she saw some humor behind it that she hoped to bring out.
"Possessive, I want you to fully let me in."
"You're in, I swear. I told you, it won't happen again. No more secrets from you."
"Are you secretive to others about me? I also want everyone to know you are mine." She smiled, shaking her head as she placed a small kiss upon his lips.
"Well, thanks to her and whatever party she was off to this evening, everyone in your circle will know, I'm sure. You don't have to worry." She suddenly thought back to the last look she shared with the Baroness through the mirror and wondered what else would be said at the party. "Actually, I'm afraid Ann may have given something away about the baby."
"How so?"
"The way the Baroness looked into my eyes…I had to step away to get sick, and when I returned they were talking." He began his pacing again, dropping her hands to her sides as he stepped away. "It may have been my imagination."
"I suppose we'll know soon enough. She won't be able to keep her mouth shut." He paced for a moment, sighing. He at least wanted them to be engaged to marry before the news spread, if not actually married. He needed to pull together his courage once and for all. He had been trying for weeks with little success on his part. "Maria, I need to ask you a serious question."
"Now? I think we've said enough serious things for tonight."
"One more thing."
"I honestly just want to go to bed, Georg. Can we talk more tomorrow?"
"Damn it, I've been trying to do this for weeks now." He stepped close and shoved a small, velvet box into the palm of her hand. "Put on this fucking ring and marry me."
"That's your proposal?" She was out of breath, her heart pounding with surprise, eyes wide in question. She had certainly not expected that after the argument they were having. In fact, she was certain she was still a bit angry with him.
"You won't give me a chance to do it properly."
"'Put on this fucking ring' you said." She shook her head, unsure what exactly she should have thought of his proposal. It certainly wasn't how she had ever imagined it would be.
"And marry me." His heart leapt with joy at hearing her swear, even more so that she hadn't immediately said no. She swallowed hard, uncertain.
"You don't have to marry me just because I'm pregnant."
"Christ, Maria, I've had that ring in my pocket far before I knew you were pregnant. I love you, and I want you to be my wife, the mother of my children." She shook her head, afraid to say anything at all in the moment. She was certain she wasn't ready to be a wife, but she was even more certain she wanted to say yes. It was all so confusing.
"I will make a terrible wife."
"You will make a perfect wife. Don't you feel so happy when you're at the villa with us? When you sleep over?" She smiled, looking to the still closed box in her hands. She did feel happy at the villa, as if she were in a whole other world completely. It was when she returned to her apartment and her job that the happiness faded. For the first time in years she realized just how much she didn't care for her current lifestyle. She knew there was so much more she could be doing, so much more that could make her feel fulfilled.
"I really do love you, Georg." She opened the box slowly, eyes widening when she saw a gorgeous diamond ring staring back at her. It would have easily been the most expensive thing she could ever imagine owning, let alone holding in her hand. "My God…"
"Is it too much?"
"A bit. I'm speechless." He took the box from her and removed the ring, taking her hand in his.
"Say yes so I can put it on you." She met his eyes, opening her mouth to speak, but unable to find the proper words to express how she felt.
"I…Georg…" She sighed, laughing a bit at how unexpected it all was. "Yes, of course, yes."
"Yes?" He smiled brightly, and she nodded as tears began to fall from her eyes. He quickly pushed the ring onto her finger, and it couldn't have fit her more perfectly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her impossibly close as the relief of her answer washed over him.
