Welcome to the sequel.

If you haven't already, please read "What Came Before" first as it will give some more context for this story.

I am having so much fun writing fics, I hope you're all enjoying reading them. Please let me know by reviewing 3

Special thanks to Ficwriter82 for being an absolutely amazing proof reader.

Six months post "What Came Before".

After Maria told Georg the truth about her past, their relationship had become stronger. Georg understood that his wife had faced some terrible things in the past and he would do everything he could to ease her pain – the first thing being not getting her pregnant. He didn't think Maria would turn into a monster as her mother had – it just wasn't on her nature – but it was her decision and Georg supported her 100%. There was a mutual understanding between them that they would not try to get pregnant, and the children were aware that they wouldn't be gaining any new siblings. Of course, Georg had mixed feelings about this, but at the end of the day the love he had for Maria trumped any desire he had for future children.

All the children were back at school and thriving. Georg was working from home, corresponding with naval bases all over the world, offering his expertise. This meant he had a lot of free time to dote on his wife. He was obsessed with her, and he tended to her every whim. If she was hungry, he would drive them to her favourite café. If she was cold when they were in the garden, her would light a fire in his study where they would remain for the rest of the evening. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her.

Maria felt so much lighter now that the closeness between her and Georg had been restored. She hadn't noticed at the time, but the secret of her past had been eating away at the foundations of their relationship. Nowadays, Maria spent a lot of time with Baroness Hauser, since her confession, Ottie had become Maria's closest friend - like sisters. They would go shopping, have lunch, go for walks, anything to spend time together. Life was simply perfect.

Today was a huge day for the family, Liesl was graduating, and Georg and Maria were hosting a party. All Liesl's classmates would be there along with all their family friends. She was 18 years old and extremely focused and mature. She decided that she wanted to focus on herself rather than boys and her parents were relieved to say the least.

In their light and airy bedroom, Maria woke up to the sounds of birds chirping and a beam of white sunlight filtering in through the window. Watching Georg as he slept, Maria felt her heart flip at the sight. Unlike when he was awake, as he slept his jaw was relaxed, all the tension of life released. His hair flopped over his forehead and his long lashes brushed his cheeks. Maria decided she couldn't wait any longer to see his beautiful blue eyes, she pounced.

"Wake up, Darling! It's a big day!" Maria said excitedly from her side of the bed, playfully shaking Georg's shoulders.

He only replied with a groan, burying himself under the covers. It was unusual for Georg to sleep in after her, but Maria recognised today would be hard for him. Straddling his waist, wrapping her arms and legs around him, she asked, "What is wrong, Captain Grumpy?" bringing her face millimetres from his she playfully pecked his lips.

Laughing at his wife's antics, he wrapped his arms around her back and gave her a tight squeeze.

"I just feel so old, Darling!" he grumbled, stretching his knotted muscles.

Rolling off his chest, Maria sat up against the pillows and huffed in annoyance. Georg hated the fact that he was getting older, but Maria loved it about him. He was so dignified and mature. He knew what he wanted and had a strong sense of self. Above all else, he made her feel safe. She still felt like a child pretending to be an adult, but he always had the answers she was looking for. He was also a lot more attractive with grey flecks in his hair and deep laughter lines around his eyes than he was in the photos from 20 years ago.

"And…what is your point exactly?" Maria deadpanned, loving Georg's shocked look when she didn't immediately try and soothe him.

"Maria!" he said indignantly, "You're supposed to make me feel better, Darling" he continued, grabbing her around the waist and tickling her.

Gasping for breath through her laughter, Maria finally freed herself and said "My love, I'm not going to lie to you. You are getting older, but you are not old yet. You can't be miserable every time you find a new line on your face or one of the children graduates. We do have seven you know…" She softly stroked his cheek, tracing the lines crinkling his forehead.

"My love, it only felt like yesterday that I was waking up in the middle of the night to feed newborn Liesl and now she is a grown woman ready to take on the world" he sighed, feeling terribly sad suddenly. "It's only a matter of time before Gretl moves out and then I will truly be an old man. Old and alone".

Maria abruptly stood up and began getting ready for the day. Her husband's pitiful mood was beginning to dampen her spirit and she was getting annoyed. This day should be about their oldest daughter becoming a woman and heading out into the world, not about Georg's issues with age.

"Darling, I'm sorry..." he began, getting out of bed and making his way over to his wife. He knew that he wouldn't be alone really, but he couldn't help but feel that way. In 13 years he would be 60 and Maria would only be 36, that is over a decade younger than he is now. She would probably still want to be going out all the time and he would likely want to stay in the house. They would be at completely different stages in life.

"You should be sorry! Just where on earth do you think I am going?" she spat angrily.

"I know, I know" he said regretfully.

"I hate that you just brush me aside as if I don't exist, sometimes. I will still be here, the children will all still be close by. We don't know what the future holds." She had stopped getting ready and was now facing her husband, anger poisoning her features, "You maybe 24 years older than me, Darling, but we are a team, my love…just think about all the fun we could get up to with no children in the house…" Maria winked suggestively hoping to lighten the mood and wanting to salvage what should be a happy day.

Hesitating he began, "It's just that you don't have children, most of the children we share are too old to be yours biologically. It was only five years ago that you graduated yourself, Maria." he said angrily. "You can't know what it's like. You'll never know what it's like." He knew that was a low blow, but he couldn't take it back now.

The angry mask melted from Maria's face and all that remained was sorrow. She knew that Georg had said he had accepted that they would never have children, that he loved her too much to put her through all that mental trauma, but sometimes when their discussions got heated, he would say something that made her feel so guilty for not allowing him to be a father for the eighth time.

"I'm sorry, Darling you're right!" she said timidly. "I can't know your pain in this. I'm sorry.'

Now Georg knew he had gone too far. His wife was only ever quiet and timid if she was thinking about the incident. He continued to make remarks about possible children knowing it would hurt her and he hated himself for it every time. He would never push her to have children, he loved her far too much but, in his heart, he knew that she would be a brilliant mother.

"Don't apologise, my love, I'm being an ogre. Forget everything I said and let's start the day again, hmm?" He said pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her on the cheek. Maria still had a frown, firmly on her face.

"Can you forgive your grumpy husband, who loves you more than anything in this world?".

She knew that she had two choices. She could stay mad at him all day for dredging up the past or she could forgive him for the things he said in the heat of the moment and enjoy the surprise party they were throwing for Liesl later.

Turning around in his arms, a smile spreading across her angelic face, she reached her hands up to play with the hair at Georg's temples and whispered, "You're lucky that I love you, Darling!" she gave him a sweet lingering kiss, "Now let's get ready for Liesl's big day."

Thank you for reading chapter one.

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