As they walk into the gazebo Georg pulls her closer to him. She places her head on his chest and sighs. Georg holds her tighter. They just hold each other enjoying the closeness. Georg gently releases her just enough to place a soft kiss to her lips. Maria slides her arms up his chest and around his neck. Georg slowly runs his tongue against her lips and she opens them slightly. His tongue slowly enters her mouth searching for hers. When they touch Maria moans at the contact. Hearing her moan Georg pulls her closer to him. She feels the heat from his body as it transfers to hers. Her body is reacting to him in strange ways she cannot explain. Her heart pounds in her chest causing the adrenaline to rush through her veins. Her legs become almost jellylike as he deepens the kiss even more. Her skin is electrified everywhere he touches her. She feels a strange pull in her stomach that suddenly becomes an overwhelming need to have him closer if that's possible. While she can't quite understand what this feeling is she never wants it to end.

Georg slows the kiss as he is finding it difficult to hide his desire for her. Releasing her slightly from his arms he smiles as she tries to pull him back.

Looking into her eyes he almost becomes undone. He recognizes the beginning look of desire staring back at him. Knowing that he is the first to cause this look in her eyes gives him a sense of pride but also a sense of duty. He pulls her close to him, resting her head on his chest. She feels his chest rise and fall quickly. Her breathing matches his as she can hear his heart beating wildly. Her arms wrap around his back as she sighs. They stand in the gazebo just holding onto one another, neither one speaks as their breathing slows to normal.

"Maria" he says as he slowly caresses her back.

"Yes" she answers softly

"Earlier today you told me that you had found your life, here with the children and I and then tonight at dinner you told Gretl that you would be staying on as the governess" he says as he gently lifts her head so he can look at her.

"I meant what I said this afternoon. My life is here with you and the children. As far as being the children's governess I said that because it was the only thing I could think of, after all we have not told the children of our feelings" she says smiling up at him.

Suddenly he begins to get nervous "Maria I don't want you to be the children's governess, I want you to be my wife and their mother. I am asking you to marry me. I know this will be a big change for you and if you want to wait"

Before he is able to finish Maria answers his question "Marry you, oh Georg, yes a thousand times yes"

He pulls the small box out of his jacket. She looks down as he slowly opens the box. He takes the ring and gently put it on her finger.

Maria looks at the ring shining brightly on her finger. Georg brings her hand up to his lips and kisses the ring as if to seal the bond they now have.

She touches his cheek with her hand as she tries to convey what she is feeling "It's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I love you so much" She says as she initiates a kiss. Georg can no longer suppress his desire for her as he responds by pulling her to him and deepens the kiss further. His lips leave hers and travel to her neck where he gently kisses her there. She responds with soft moans as he leaves a trail of kisses from her neck, across her collarbone and then to the hollow of her throat. His hands travel from her back to her sides. She feels the heat emanating from his hands as they travel up her sides and as his fingers brush against the sides of her breasts she lets out a gasp.

Realizing where he had just touched her Georg pulls back worried that his actions may have frightened her "Maria, darling I'm sorry; I didn't mean to frighten you"

Putting her hand to his cheek "No Georg, you didn't frighten me. I just didn't expect the pleasure I felt when you touched me there" Even in the moonlight Georg could see the blush to her cheeks.

"I forget that this is all new to you" he says taking her hands in his, "I want you to know that if I ever do something to make you uncomfortable, please tell me"

"Georg I love and trust you and know that you would never make me feel uncomfortable. Yes this is all new to me but I am beginning to understand that all of these feelings are normal when you love the other person as much as I love you. Please don't ever be afraid to show me how much you love me" she says as she wraps her arms around him.

Georg kisses the top of her head as she holds him. He vows to himself to always be her protector. He doesn't know why God has allowed him to find love a second time but he says a silent thank you to him. His thoughts revert back to the talk he had with Max concerning the impending joining of Austria with Germany. He decides to tell her of his plans to leave Austria when it happens.

"Maria, I want to get married as soon as we are able. The current political situation in Austria is growing more dangerous and we may have to leave quickly if the Germans take over Austria. I am certain they will want me to join them and that would be unthinkable. If I refuse them they would put me in jail for treason and I shudder to think what would happen to you and the children. Hitler is a madman; I have been hearing things, horrible things about what they are doing not just to the Jews in Germany but anyone who defies them. We can go to the abbey tomorrow and talk to the Reverend Mother and the Bishop in regards to a wedding date I will explain the need to marry quickly I will also have the dressmaker in town come out to the house. She will design whatever wedding dress you want and also dresses for the girls" He looks down at her and worries that she is becoming overwhelmed with everything he just said. He breathes a sigh of relief when he feels her warm hand caress his cheek.

"Do you really think it will happen soon? She asks him

"My business associates in Germany say it's inevitable. Hitler is an extremely powerful man who has the entire German military at his disposal. If Austria doesn't acquiesce he will surely use his forces to make them. Either way Maria, we will have to leave and quickly. That is why we must get married as soon as possible" he says as he takes her hand in his.

"No matter what happens I will go with you married or not" she says rather forcefully

Surprised by her admission he pulls her closer to him "Than it's settled. We will tell the children our news at breakfast and then we will go into town. Now as much as I would like to stay out here with you all night, I think it is time for us to go back into the house."

He put her arm around her as they slowly walk back to the house. Once inside they walk arm in arm to her room. He pulls her close as she wraps her arms around him. He closes the gap between them as he lightly kisses her. He means it to be a quick goodnight kiss but as his lips touch hers he can't help to deepen it especially when he hears her moan. Crushing her to him his tongue begins to slowly encircle hers. He feels her respond and his desire for her increases. His body begins to act on its own as he can't help the physical consequences of his desire. He reluctantly pulls back slowing and then stopping the kiss. She looks up at him and he tenderly kisses her forehead.

"I love you" she whispers as she puts her head on his chest.

" I love you too, now please darling get some sleep as tomorrow will be a long day" he reluctantly releases his hold on her and she opens the door.

Turning towards him once more she quickly kisses him and goes inside, she turns and slowly closes the door as she peeks through the opening saying goodnight to him. He watches her until he hears the click of the door. Leaning against her door he quietly says "the wedding can't come soon enough for me"

Unbeknownst to him she was still close to her door and could hear his words, answering back she says "for me either"

They both laugh and again say goodnight through the safety of the door.

Maria undresses for bed, kneels and begins her nightly prayers "Thank you for showing me my path in life. Whatever happens in the future I know we will get through it. God bless the Cap- I mean Georg, Leisl, Friedrich, Louisa. Brigitta, Kurt, Marta, and Gretl. God bless the Reverend Mother and all the sisters at Nonnberg Abbey"

Georg closes the door to his room. He looks over at the picture of Agathe on his dresser. He goes over and picks up the frame. Looking at her he says " My darling Agathe, I know when you told me to marry again I couldn't even think of such a thing especially knowing that you were dying, but today I asked Maria to marry me. I know you are watching over me and the children and I think or at least I hope you sent her here to make me see that I could love again. I will never forget you as I have wonderful memories and seven reminders of the love we shared." Looking at the wedding band on his finger he slowly removes it and places it in a small box in is top drawer. "Our children love her very much as she does them. Maria is very special and I hope you can see how she has changed me." He takes the picture of her and puts it in a small box. In the morning he plans to put it in the girl's room so that they have a picture of their mother. He readies himself for bed and finds that he is suddenly exhausted. He falls asleep quickly.