She couldn't believe she and Georg were on the train to Paris to begin their honeymoon. The past couple of months went by in a whirlwind, and she could hardly remember anything that happened aside from their wedding itself. The preparation had been a bit more extensive than she had hoped; dress fittings, food, cakes, the guest list...well, Georg's guest list. She had no family to invite, other than her friends from the Abbey.

She had quickly realized that the big wedding was for show, involving nothing that she found terribly important to her, other than the marriage itself. Really she would have been happy with a small church wedding, just the kids and a few closer friends in attendance. But she knew there would be some adjustments to be made for her new life. She would simply have to learn to accept the grandeur involved with marrying Georg, and she loved him enough that she would do just that.

He took her hand, causing her to turn from her gaze out the window of the train and smile at him. He looked relieved as well that they were finally past the excitement of the wedding. They had barely had a moment alone aside from the occasional nights neither could sleep, and they had found one another in the kitchen or on the veranda. Max had taken his chaperone duties very seriously, and he stuck to them like glue throughout the duration of their engagement.

Maria knew she did not want to consummate their relationship before they were married, and she knew she would have had the will power to stop anything before it got too far. But, apparently, nobody else was confident in that. They could have done it a million times before he proposed, she mused to Georg one night that found them sleeplessly wandering outside. He only laughed, admitting that Max's attentions were a little more than he had bargained for himself.

Nevertheless, they were finally married with no chaperone or children in sight. Her mind felt at ease and excited about seeing Paris together. She wondered what he had planned for their adventures, as he would not give her any details at all when she asked. They were scheduled to be there for three weeks, which seemed like a long time to be away from the children, but sufficient time to explore their surroundings.

"You're quiet." She shrugged, certain there would be a lot of silence after the weeks of being constantly surrounded by others.

"I'm just happy."

"And relieved?"

"Oh, yes. Our wedding was beautiful, but I'm so glad to be alone." He laughed, wrapping an arm around her and placing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Me too. I can't believe I've managed to keep my hands off you for this long." His whisper tickled her ear and made her stomach do a flip.

"Well it would certainly be inappropriate to do so on the train." He placed a quick kiss upon her lips and smiled, pulling her close to cuddle a bit. She liked when he did that, it made her feel safe and secure.

She placed her head upon his shoulder and sighed in contentment, feeling herself relax enough to begin nodding off. Her body was in such a desperate need of relaxation that the moment she sat down she felt exhausted. She must have slept longer than she intended, for when she awoke they were already hours into their trip.

"You're beautiful when you sleep." She began to laugh, rubbing her face with her hands to try waking herself up a bit. He chuckled as well. "Don't laugh, I was being serious!"

"I just can't imagine it's true."

"I never say things that aren't true."

"If you say so."

"Well, if you don't believe me, I do plan to show you how beautiful I think you are when we arrive."

"Oh really? How do you..." She caught his raised eyebrows and immediately understood. "Oh."

"Oh? That's all?" She shrugged, unsure of what to say.

"I'm not sure how I'm supposed to react." He laughed, taking her hand in his as a form of comfort.

"You could seem excited or at least intrigued?"

"Of course I am." She could tell he didn't believe her in the slightest, and she hoped she wasn't hurting his feelings. She simply hadn't allowed herself to think that far ahead out of nerves. Though she was becoming vastly aware of how soon they would become one.

"Given the little time alone we've had lately, I suppose we haven't had the chance to properly talk about these kinds of things."

"What's there to talk about?"

"Are you nervous?" She thought for a moment, knowing they would eventually talk about such things, but still feeling unprepared. She thought it was more likely that they would talk after the fact, and it would somehow be easier.

"Yes and no. You're my husband, and I love you, and I'm comfortable with you. I just...well, I suppose I don't know what I don't know."

"Have you ever done more with another man than you have with me?" Her face flushed, and she quickly met his eyes.

"Honestly, what if someone hears us talking?"

"There's nobody to hear us. And it's quite a long trip. We have to talk about something." She sighed, calming herself. It was only a conversation, after all.

"No. I had a couple boyfriends in high school and teaching school, but nothing much came of that."

"You mean I'm not your first kiss?" She laughed, glad he was keeping the mood light at least. She desperately wanted to share all he wanted to know, but she was also afraid that her lack of experience would be disappointing.

"I'm sorry, darling. If it makes you feel better, kissing you has been the best." He laughed, placing a kiss to her hand that was still in his. She pondered for a moment before speaking again. "You've had many women, haven't you?"

"Maria..."

"I'm not upset by it, as long as I'll be your last." He met her eyes, and they shared a smile. She didn't want him to feel awkward either, but she did want to know what she would be up against.

"You will most definitely be my last. I've...had many women, yes. None since Agathe, however."

"Really?" She was surprised, assuming that he had at the very least been with the Baroness, but thankful he apparently hadn't been.

"I was young and foolish, and there were a lot of women around when I was in the Navy. It wasn't uncommon."

"Were any of them virgins?"

"I can't imagine they would have been, barely knowing me and all." He shrugged and thought for a moment, then he looked at her in question. "Are you afraid I won't be gentle enough with you?"

"Not at all. I'm afraid perhaps I won't be exciting enough for you." He laughed, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into a hug.

"You are exciting in ways that no other woman has excited me before. I promise, it will be nothing short of amazing between us." She wasn't so sure, but she tried to take his word for it. He did say he never lied, after all.