A Time of Reception
To say that the married couple was in a state of bliss would be an understatement.
Georg and Maria walked away from the ruins of the church with smiles on their faces; Georg's arm was securely around Maria's waist, and Maria's head rested on his shoulder. They didn't need to talk – each shared in the happiness of the other. Neither was in any hurry, and both of them were in too blissful a state to realize that storm clouds were approaching from the mountains.
Coming back into Montamare, the first shop they saw was a flower shop. Georg immediately went inside and bought his bride a simple bouquet of red and white roses. Maria decided that protests of modesty would fall on deaf ears, so she merely took the bouquet, smelled it, and gave Georg a grateful kiss on his cheek.
As they continued to walk down the cobblestone street, Georg kissed Maria's hair and asked, "Are you hungry, Maria?"
His question made Maria realize just how hungry she was. Neither had eaten anything since their tea together after she'd arrived. "Actually, very."
"Me, too," he said. He pointed to a little but beautiful restaurant that was just up the road. Most of the tables were outside, and lovely lamps were hung from strings beneath the trees. Merry voices and lovely music could be heard from there as they came closer. "I ate there my first night here. The food is excellent, and the staff is very friendly."
"Is it very fancy?" asked Maria anxiously; though she had been to two balls and an occasional restaurant, Maria preferred not to eat a meal that required more than one fork.
Georg shook his head. "No, don't worry."
"Good," said Maria, wrapping her arm around his waist. "Let's go."
The two arrived at the restaurant hand-in-hand. The head server greeted them with a merry buongiorno. After the newlyweds greeted him back in their native tongue, he spotted Maria's white dress and bouquet, and exclaimed in German, "Have you two just been married?"
Maria suddenly blushed and became tongue-tied, but Georg merely beamed and said, "Si, and it is my wife's birthday, as well."
Now Maria blushed harder than ever, suddenly being put on the spot. The server gave a joyous exclamation and clapped, giving blessings in loud Italian. He then escorted the newlyweds to a table for two, and almost pulled out Maria's chair for her had Georg not gotten there first.
"Thank you," Maria murmured, feeling like she was landing in a safe spot now, just her and Georg.
She was wrong. The head server immediately called for the rest of the diners attention, and announced something in the same joyous tone. Though he spoke in Italian, the way he indicated towards the couple – Maria in particular – made the message clear to the newlyweds, especially after the loud round of applause and many blessings in Italian. Now Maria blushed worse than ever but managed to smile and look around at everyone, nodding and mouthing "thank you."
Maria then turned her gaze to her husband, who was holding her hand on the table and smiling at her in a fond way. Seeing a sparkle of satisfaction in his eyes as he silently chuckled, Maria pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose at him, making a face. "Do you just like putting me on the spot or do you just like to see my face change to the color of a tomato?" She was not angry or annoyed, just a little embarassed and not used to being in such a positive spotlight.
Georg gave her a mock offended look that lost none of its playfulness before leaning in to whisper in her ear, "I'm just guaranteeing my bride her deserved moment of being adored by all, though it is seven months late. And a tomato? Not nearly an accurate metaphor. I'd prefer 'roses in your cheeks,' which, by the way, I find very pretty." He kissed her flaming cheek to make his point before pulling back again.
Maria could think of nothing to do but smile at him.
Within the next minute, another server approached them and gave them menus. The choices baffled Maria, having had no real experience with Italian food, let alone what the Italian words meant on the menu. Thankfully, both Georg and several diners close to them were glad to help her (German really was a second language in this town, and Maria found she loved their lilting accents). Quite a few of the diners came over during the course of their meal to offer blessings to the couple, either shaking Georg's hand or kissing Maria's cheeks. Two middle-aged women even made Maria a wreath of the tiny, delicate flowers in their table's vase. The tiny white blossoms of baby's breath was perfect on her. Not as perfect as edelweiss would be on her, but still beautiful. She is always so beautiful.
As a result of many suggestions and learning the ingredients, Maria and Georg selected their traditional three-course Italian meal. For their antipasti, or starter course, Georg ordered them mussels cooked in white wine with fennel and parsley ciabatta bread. Maria had never eaten seafood before, but decided to be adventurous, for Georg seemed to be very excited for the dish. Obviously, with his years at sea, must have gotten a lot of sea food. To her relief and delight, the mussels and the bread, when dipped in the white wine, were delicious. Georg, too, was happy to have one of his favorite dishes again, and was glad she enjoyed it. She equally enjoyed the primi – or pasta – course of fresh tortellini, and the secondi – or meat – course of roasted chicken and vegetables sprinkled with spices she'd never tasted before.
By the time the desert course came around, quite a few of the diners has moved their tables to the newlyweds' and made one big long table. Maria and Georg did not mind in the slightest; the people were very friendly and the conversation was funny and cheerful. Maria found it amazing how, even when people were complete strangers to each other, a happy occasion brought out the good qualities all humans shared.
When the chefs came out with a beautiful chocolate cake with fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream, everyone cheered and the newlyweds looked shocked, especially when the chef said it was a wedding gift to them. The good news was there would be enough for everyone at the now big table.
Maria reached toward the cake with the knife, intending to cut out a big piece for Georg – who had a sweet tooth – but when he covered her hands holding the knife and helped her cut a piece, a giddy smile crossed her face as she realized he was following a tradition. Georg kissed her temple in response to her smile. They then fed each other cake with their fingers in a playful way, causing everyone else watching to just smile fondly at love.
But the sweetest moment of the evening was when everyone was relaxing at the table after the cake had been devoured.
Georg's arm was around Maria's shoulders and she was resting against him. Some of the diners called for a song from the musicians, and the conductor stepped up to the microphone with a smile.
"What we all expected was a normal, beautiful evening," he began. "Instead, it has become one of great joy. Thank you, signor and signora, for letting us celebrate this twice happy day with you. We have a song we would like to dedicate to the newlyweds. And if I may suggest, signor, this song can be easily danced to, and a bride deserves to dance on her wedding and birthday."
Both smiling, Georg and Maria walked hand in hand to the big space cleared for dancing, hand in hand. Georg wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her to rest against his body. She brought a hand to rest on his shoulder, one of his fingers stroking his neck. Putting their joined hands against his heart, they began swaying to the music as the singer began in English:
Oh, this is the night, it's a beautiful night,
And we call it "bella notte."
Look at the skies! They have stars in their eyes
On this lovely bella notte.
"There are stars in your eyes, too," Georg murmured to her. Maria's smile widened, and moved her hand so she could rest her head on his shoulder, facing his neck.
Side by side with your loved one,
You'll find enchantment here.
The night will weave its magic spell
When the one you love is near.
Oh, this is the night, and the heavens are right
On this lovely bella notte.
Maria and Georg slowly danced, close together, as the music continued to play. They didn't notice when the other diners paired off and came to dance around them. They were in their own happy world, away from the pain of their pasts and the war threatening their future.
After a long orchestral interlude, the singer resumed to conclude the song.
So take the love of your loved one.
You'll need it about this time
To keep from falling like a star
When you make that dizzy climb.
Oh, this is the night, and the heavens are right
On this lovely bella notte…
On this lovely bella notte.
As the song ended, Maria lifted her head off Georg's shoulder a bit so she could look at him. "Georg?"
"Mm?" he replied, caressing her nose with his.
The look in her eyes was blazing. "Kiss me."
He made no verbal reply.
He kissed her with everything he had, his arm tightening around her as he lowered her into a dip. She giggled into his mouth but both did not stop the kiss. The other diners around them applauded and whistled.
Only the need for oxygen caused their lips to part, and both smiled radiantly as the held each other in joy.
Not long after, Maria and Georg were walking away from the restaurant and towards the path they had walked earlier by the sea. The sun had set long ago, and the full moon and stars cast a lovely light on the ever-moving sea. Again, neither of them saw how the storm clouds had covered half the sky by now; all they could see was the half that made the sea so beautiful.
If it weren't for Georg holding her hand, Maria would be practically dancing and running in the wind along the path. "Oh, why hadn't God given me wings?" she exclaimed, twirling under Georg's arm as he chuckled. "I want to sing as beautifully as a nightingale and as loudly as a lark! I just want the wind to pick me up and help me soar as high and fast as my heart is in happiness right now!"
Georg surprised her by pulling her to him by their joined hands and caressed her cheek with his free one. "You wish to fly away from me?" he said in a teasing yet tender tone.
Maria's smile softened. "Never," she replied. "You know I didn't mean it like that." Deciding to play along with the metaphor, she teased, "You wish to keep me caged?"
Georg wrapped his arm around her shoulders – hers came around his waist – and they began to walk again. Maria waited for him to speak, which he soon did.
"Do you ever think about the show we saw in Vienna?" he asked.
Surprised, Maria looked out at the sea as she answered. "Yes, a lot, actually. Partly because it was my first experiece of professional theatre, partly because the music was so beautiful, and partly because…wait, why are you asking me?"
"From the majority of people I've talked to about this book in my life, they all seem to wish Christine had stayed with the Phantom after he gave her the choice to go. I never really understood that opinion until I saw the show with you. In the final scene, as he's weeping while Christine and Raoul escape, I looked at you…and I finally understood and completely sympathized with him. Because, when I looked at you, I realized how it felt to love someone…and know you wouldn't be loved back."
Maria's steps slowed and stopped. Georg looked at her and immediately cupped her face when he saw tears sparkling in her eyes. "Georg…" she breathed in a soft, agonized voice.
"Shh," he shushed, kissing her forehead and pulling her in for a hug. He spoke before she could cry. "Do not torture yourself, my love. It's all in the past, and knowing you love me is the best knowledge I have. I'm not trying to make you feel unnecessary and false guilt, but trying to answer your question.
As I said, for the first time I truly sympathized with the Phantom. But I also learned that, though I sympathized, I would never do what he did in order to try and win Christine. Forget the fact that he killed and tried to kill quite a few times; it was what he did to her that truly bothered me. He used the grief she had over her father's death in order to get her affections. He lured her down to his layer through deception, not to mention he kidnapped her later. Even if she had chosen him in the end, he couldn't keep her underground forever or on the run from the law for his crimes. He did everything he could to try and force her love except hold a gun to her head."
Maria listend to all of this while he held her. This made her look at the story in an entirely new way. Before she could ask where he was getting at with this, he had put a hand under her chin to lift her gaze to his.
"Though Raoul is a bit boring character-wise, he did not force her hand and Christine went to him, chose him, freely, even though it could mean her freedom, even her life. And why? There is a quote from the book I am fond of: 'The Phantom had captured her mind, but Raoul had always held her heart.'" Georg kissed her eyelids, which had closed briefly. "So, my love, in answer to your teasing question, no, I do not want you caged. I want my lovely songbird to fly to me of her own free will…which I still can't believe she did."
Maria looked at him with glittering eyes. "Do you know why I came?"
"Because you love me."
"Yes…and because I want to…ask you for something…is that all right?"
"Well, seeing as how it's your birthday, I suppose it's all right," he replied teasingly, but the look in his eyes showed his seriousness – he would do whatever she wanted him to do. A distant rumble of thunder made them both jump a little, but not enough to break them apart or distract them; the moment between them was too intense.
Maria took a deep breath. "I came because I want…I need you to…I…" Oh, why am I so nervous now? Why can't you just be your normal outspoken self and just spit it out? Finally, Maria seemed to find the words she needed, and said them in a tiny, soft, sure voice. "I want us to have a wedding night. A real wedding night, and everything that goes with it."
Georg looked into his bride's eyes, and saw that she meant it. Though she was nervous, she seemed ready, and he knew their love had everything to do with her decision.
But before he could make any kind of reply, wolf whistles and leers caused them both to jump out of each other's arms and look towards the pub they were passing. Four young men in messy uniform and obviously drunk, were leaning against the wall looking at the two of them. Maria didn't know them, but by the way Georg had stiffened and his face suddenly filled with rage, she deduced these were men in his regiment. The red glow of the swastika band almost burned her eyes. They began to speak in slurred, leering tones at Georg.
"Well, looky-looky!"
"Mr. Stoic knows where to get a good piece of ass!"
"And here we actually thought you were a family man!"
"Don't worry, we won't tell, if you let us get a piece too!"
"Run." Maria looked at Georg with wide eyes when she realized he had hissed it under his breath. She sensed a threat to her and her husband, and she didn't want to leave him. But before she could protest, he looked at her from the corner of his eyes, with eyes like blue steel and his jaw set tight. "Run now."
Her gut told her to not question and just follow her husband's advice; he would be fine – she knew how alcohol made people weak more than most. Another louder burst of thunder awakened her muscles and she ran, her shawl again wrapped tightly around her.
Maria could hear no sounds of what she was running from as she gained distance, the wind picked up, and the thunder became louder and more frequent as lightning lit the ever-darkening sky. Along with the adrenaline, Maria felt terror and anticipation course through her veins.
Terror for what could happen to Georg, and terror at the thought of watching him sail away in the morning. Anticipation for reaching the point of no return tonight – and crossing it.
A/N: Guess who's done with her semester and has more time to write now? :D Please review!
