A/N: well it's been awhile... sorry... summer time that's all I can give as an excuse :/ and had to find a new beta... thanks to MaryAnne741 for stepping in, she did a great job... :) Thanks...

Hope you enjoy this... it might be slightly M, but don't think I crossed the line all that much... do enjoy, and let me know what you think on this... ;)

Chapter 5

Three weeks later:

Maria emerged from the bathroom dressed in one of her camisoles that had recently been purchased in a small boutique near their hotel. It had been a spur of the moment thing after a rather long day of shopping for the children. Maria had blushed profoundly at first, but they had been greeted by an elderly lady who soon had put Maria's feelings at ease while showing her different styles and colours. Throughout the whole event Georg had been sitting in an armchair silently admiring his wife's face changing into different colours.

The purchased piece of clothing now hugged Maria's slim figure in a way that made Georg lose all his interest in the morning newspaper he had been reading. When he heard the door open he smiled to himself over the fact that his wife now seemed to be so at ease around him that she had no reservation or fear over walking around wearing only her underwear. Remembering their first couple of weeks alone in the hotel room, Maria had demurely wrapped robes, blankets, covers or what ever huge piece of fabric she could find, around her slim figure when scurrying out to the bathroom in the morning.

Counting back on the days and weeks they had spend in Paris, Georg figured that it must have taken her at least 1½-2 weeks before she had surprised him by raising from their bed one morning clad only in her underpants. When she had returned from the bathroom she had seen his smouldering eyes and knew that he had been pleased with her new openness.

-"What are you reading darling?" Georg was pulled out of his reverie when his wife now stood right next to him craning her neck, trying to see the headlines. He shook his head in order to try to clear his mind from images of him taking off the tiny garment of his wife' body.

-"Nothing important." He smiled and reached for her hand giving it a tender kiss. Maria gave him a radiant smile in return. Still smiling she leaned down to capture his lip in a sweet kiss. The kiss turned out to be longer than Maria had planned, feeling Georg's hand reaching up to hold her face close to his.

-"Hmm, this is a nice way to start a day, the sight of my beautiful wife dressed in minimum amount of clothes kissing me." Georg mussed against her lips, his hand travelled down her body, finally resting on her hip.

-"Oh Georg… I…" Maria was suddenly lost for words. She was still not used to hear him talk endearment like this. She looked into his smouldering eyes and knew that he was hoping for them to start the day with something more than just the half eaten croissant still lying on his plate. Maria had been a fast learner in the fines arts of reading her husband's silent signals as to when he desired for them to be alone. Maria remembered one evening a couple of day ago:

They had just had a wonderful experience of listening to "The Phantom of the opera". Her head had still been filled with the heartfelt music and singing and felt she had been on an emotional rollercoaster ride of feelings. She had scarcely paid notice of them walking back to their hotel. Suddenly she had felt Georg's hand on her lower back, which brought her back from her musings over what she had experienced in the opera. They had an unspoken agreement to not show too much public display of affection, other than holding hands when walking around the city. Now in the darkness of the streets Georg had thrown caution to the winds and silently tried to tell his wife something.

Maria felt his warm hand gently sliding over her lower back and lightly caressing her side, his thumb making slow circles over her dress. This shot sparks of heat waves through her body, and suddenly she had had no other thought in mind other than how wonderful his hand felt on her hip. She raised her head trying to read his expression, and what she saw made her realize just where he wanted them to be at that moment. His eyes spoke volumes on just how much he desired for them to be alone this very instant. Her breath got caught in her throat and she felt her face heat up. She only hoped that the dimness of the night would hide her telltale blush. But seeing one of his half smiles starting to play around his mouth she knew that he knew what was on her mind also.

Still feeling slightly lightheaded from this new turn of events, she unconsciously began to walk a bit faster. She heard Georg slightly chuckle and stopped to look at him once more. Georg turned her around so they now were standing face to face. Maria felt her heartbeat rise while she looked up at her husband. She did a mental check of their surroundings and was relieved that they had stopped in a rather dark part of the street and due to the lateness of the evening they were also pretty much alone. Save for an elderly man walking his dog on the other side of the street.

With his half smile still present he gently placed his hands on her face pulling her mouth closer to his. Maria felt her breath hitch in her throat, her heart beating wildly, but also felt exhilaration running through her body. She held on to the lapels of his jacket, just to have something to hold onto. When his lips finally found their destination Maria forgot about altogether just where they were standing.

Afterwards none of them would have been able to tell just how long they had been standing there, time was lost on them, while they had both expressed their inner feelings and passion for the other.

-"Maria, darling?" Georg's voice pulled her out of her reverie and she shook her head slightly trying to clear her mind. Georg smiled warmly at her. He had seen her dreamy eyes and wondered just what his lovely wife was mussing over. "Where did you go? You drifted off there for a second." Georg pulled her closer to him, guiding her to sit on his legs, Maria let herself rest against his body and relished in the feeling of his arms circling her waist.

-"Oh it was nothing, just thinking back on one of our many experiences here in Paris" Maria placed her arms around his neck, gently caressing his neck just behind his ear. She held a secretive smile on her lips and Georg still wondered just what memory she had been revelling in.

-"Hmm we sure have experienced quite a lot in the past 3 weeks." His mind ran over a couple of his favourites, both out in the city but defiantly also the ones within this hotel room. "You know, we only have about 2 weeks left of this glorious honeymoon."

Maria had been thinking of the exact same thing while taking a shower this morning. It saddened her to know that in about 2 weeks time this blissful adventure, that their honeymoon had been, would soon end. She was looking forward to seeing the children again, but their honeymoon had been filled with so many new and wonderful experiences that she didn't want it to end.

Raking her fingers through his well combed hair, she smiled warmly at her husband.

-"Well then we might as well get the best out of the time we still have left, won't we?" Her voice was edged with some new tones of banter that he had learned was her attempt to sound suave and seducing. He smiled affectionately and knew that his wife was still eager to learn all there was to know of the ways of pleasing her husband.

Tightening his grip around her waist he pulled her closer to his hungry mouth. He captured her lips in a passion filled kiss that took her breath away. It appeared that she had been right in her earlier assumption of just how Georg wanted to begin the day. Releasing her very soul into the kiss she let her hands roam over his neck, sliding just under the robe he was wearing, feeling his hot skin against her fingers.

Georg felt Maria doing more than simply responding to his kiss. He relished in the way her body curved and moulded itself closer to his, as if she wanted to be with him now. Back in his mind he was overjoyed by this new side of herself she was showing. Suddenly he felt her shift around and when he pulled away he saw the fierce passion burning in her eyes. Within seconds she had somehow managed to move one of her legs over his, so she now sad astride his lap. With a wicked grin and twinkle in his eyes he showed her in every way that he was pleased by this turn of events. Maria felt her growing confidence rise to a new height, when she looked back into his deep blue eyes.

Maria moved her hands up into his now tousled hair, amazed how her body responded to their heated kisses. She leaned in to steal yet another kiss from her husband's warm lips. When she heard his low growl in the back of his throat she felt a new powerful confidence rise within her. Her hands roamed over his shoulders, sliding under his robe holding on to his shoulders.

Georg let his hands slide over her back, pulling her closer while he let his mouth travel away from her lips. Maria let out a small moan of disappointment when she felt his mouth stopping kissing her, but the next second she felt her breath hitch in her throat when she felt those amazing lips start kissing her neck and shoulders. Her camisole had thin straps, leaving him with free access to her now hot skin.

Maria moved her head to one side, giving him full access to her skin. She felt her body respond on its own to his hot kisses, fire rose from the pit of her stomach filling her whole being with an intense heat. All that existed in her world was her husband and what tantalizing things his mouth evoked in her body.

Georg felt her hands move restless over his shoulders, his rope now hung loose around his shoulders, giving her free access to his upper body and shoulders. At one point while he gave special attention to her pulse point he felt her fingers grip his shoulders fiercely causing him to gasp out in pain. Somehow his muscles where pained in just the area she had held on to.

When Maria heard his pain filled outburst she pulled away from him, looking guilt stricken for her to cause him pain.

-"It's okay darling, think I might have a sore muscle or something. You did nothing wrong." He assured her, when he saw her horrified expression. Maria sighed in relief and then gave him a smile that bore some form of mischief. Georg was on the brink of asking her what was on her mind, when she beat him to it: "Oh good, you had me worried there for a second, that I had hurt the old Captain, not knowing I had such strength." Maria giggled and caressed his face lovingly with her hand.

-"I'm not old!" Was his short reply, huffing out a pretended puff of annoyance.

Maria laughed merrily and leaned in to kiss his cheek, then whispered into his ear: "Uhm that might be… but you know… I'm not getting any younger just sitting here… why don't we move this to the…"

-"..bed." Georg finished for her, smiling broadly at her less than subtle attempt to move their morning interlude to a more comfortable place. Maria felt her cheeks turn slightly red and she hid her face in his neck, trying to calm her nerves. Suddenly she felt Georg's hand stray down to the hem of her camisole, gently easing it up her back as if he tried to remove it from her body. She raised her head looking at him with questions in her eyes. He smiled deviously at her, tugging gently at her camisole letting her know that he wanted the piece of fabric to be removed.

-"Umm someone is impatient, why the big rush, Captain?" Maria whispered into his ear, her breath feeling hot on his oversensitive skin. Georg growled in return and took a firm hold around her waist lifting them both of the chair. Maria hugged him tightly around his neck, holding on for dear life, she knew where they were heading while her eyes fell on the huge hotel bed.

When Georg moved them both towards the waiting bed, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder muscles, he winched in pain. Maria felt him tense up and looked at him and asked: "what's wrong darling?" Her voice was filled with concern.

-"Ah it's nothing, not to worry, this old sea Captain are still capable of loving his beautiful wife in every way possible." He whispered into her ear and walked a few more steps, but then he realized that his muscles ached too much for him to move with his wife still in his arms. He let out a frustrated sigh and gently placed Maria on the floor.

Maria saw his misery and gently hugged him tightly letting him know that she was there for him. She suddenly remembered something they had used a week ago, or rather Georg had used, to make her feel relaxed and all together fully satisfied in the terms of loving. Her eyes swept over to the nightstand next to the bed, and sure enough on it was a small bottle of oil that Georg had purchased as a surprise for her. That night turned out to be one of the most amazing nights they had shared on their honeymoon. Her body tingled with anticipation by the mere memory of what had transpired during their lovemaking that special night. Until then, she had never imagined a "small massage", as Georg had phrased it, would give her such an intense experience together with her husband.

Making a quick and bold decision she took his hand and gently tucked him closer to the bed. Georg looked at her quizzically. Smiling secretly, she gave him no hint what she had in mind. When they were standing next to the bed Maria reached up to slide his robe of his shoulder.

-"Let's get rid of this, shall we." Maria said gently, and pulled the robe away from his body, then threw it casually on the floor. Georg was still puzzled. Having no idea what she wanted to do he just decided to let her make the decisions on what should happen. It thrilled him to see this new open and adventuress side of his wife, and he felt his body start to respond to the special attention she was giving him.

-"Please lay down on the bed for me, face down." When Maria saw his puzzled eyes she added with a shy smile: "I only want to treat your ailments my dear Captain, so you're fit and well for the remaining time of our honeymoon." She ended her thoughts there but she saw the twinkle in his eyes and she knew that he knew just why she wanted him "fit and well" their last weeks in Paris.

Georg chuckled slightly and asked with mirth in his voice: "and how are you going to do that, Fraulein?" Raising a questioning eyebrow, he saw her blush a tiny bit under his scrutiny, her inexperience still lurked beneath this new and flirtatious side of her.

-"I'm going to use this," Maria picked up the small bottle of oil from the nightstand, "and hopefully my massage will remove the pain from your muscles." She smiled warmly at him, and when she saw his wide grin she knew that he too remembered the night when he had given her a massage.

Giving her a quick wink he quickly pulled his underwear down and when he saw her startled look he reached over and gave her a small kiss on her check, then whispered in her ear: "Oh I'm sure that will do the trick and much more." He let his mouth linger by her ear, feeling her warmth close to his body. She was still wearing her camisole, but he knew that the clothing would eventually come off. Grinning for himself he moved to the bed and lay down on his stomach just as she had instructed.

Maria let out a breath of air she had been holding, hearing him speak so passionately and feeling him so close had her almost forgetting what her plan was. Shaking her head, she gingerly positioned herself next to her husband's now very nude body. This fact was also one of the reasons why she had a hard time focusing.

She poured out some of the oil from the flask into her hands. When it was warm enough she placed her hands on his broad shoulders. Gently probing her fingers over his muscles she soon found his sore spot, when she heard him hiss out in pain. She soon realized that she had to reposition herself so she could work out the kinks and pain in his shoulder. With butterflies fluttering in her stomach she rose up and straddled his waist. He gave out a small satisfied sigh when she moved over him. Maria felt heat spreading throughout her body when she heard his outburst. Taking a long steady breath she started to work on his shoulders.

Georg groaned in agony when she hit a particularly painful spot but as she worked more and more on his shoulders he started to fully enjoy the attention his wife gave him.

-"Ah that feels wonderful darling, you sure have done some magic with your hands." Georg mussed out, sighing in contentment. Maria paused her kneading and let her fingertips run ever so gently over his back, caressing his spine and shoulder blades. She felt him shudder by her gentle touch and she knew what she wanted to do now that his "ailments" have been treated. With a secretive smile on her lips she leaned over to whisper in his ear: "so your pain is gone now Captain?" when he nodded his head she let her lips gently graze his earlobe, and when she again felt his body respond to her gentle touch she spoke in a husky voice: "oh I'm so pleased that I could be of assistance to your recovery…" when she felt him move under her she gently laid her hands on his shoulders, "… oh no my darling I'm by no means done with you."

Georg gasped in surprise by his wife's blunt words and just thinking of what her mind might have conjured of amazing ideas for this glorious morning, made him shudder in anticipation. Smiling broadly he rested his head back on the pillow, showing her that she had his full permission to go on in whatever plan she might have.

Maria saw his pleased expression and she felt her confidence soaring to new heights, knowing that she could take the lead and please her husband, gave her courage to move on with her plan. Pouring some more oil in her hands she warmed it between her palms, then rested her warm hands on his shoulders. Then she moved her hands in slow circles over his broad shoulders taking her time caressing every inch of his backside. Georg let out a small sigh of contentment when he felt her gentle fingers gently massage his neck. When she ever so lightly let her fingers rub over his sensitive spot behind his ear she could feel him shudder under her touch.

-"Good grief woman are you trying to kill me?" Georg mumbled when he felt her fingers linger behind his ear, drawing small circles on his sensitive skin, and occasionally letting her fingers run through his hair.

-"Hmm, why would I want to kill you, my darling, then I wouldn't have someone to share this with." Maria's voice was low and a little raspy, a fact that even surprised herself. She had leaned her body over his, letting her breath tickle over his ear. When she heard Georg groan into the pillow she smiled to herself, relishing in the fact that she seemed to be able to make her husband lose his self-control.

Feeling her confidence rising from within, she let her lips linger over his ear, gently caressing his skin with her soft lips. Then she let her lips travel around his neck and further down his shoulders, giving small and gentle kisses to his heated skin.

Her hands drew feather light circles and patterns over his back before easing further down his back letting her mouth follow the path of his spine. When she reached half way down his spine she paused, contemplating her next move.

Georg felt his whole body wait in anticipation as to what she would do now, secretly he hoped that her mouth would continue to do the amazing and mind-melting things it had done. When she hadn't moved on he gently rose and turned his head downwards trying to get a glimpse of her face.

Maria felt him move under her and looked up at his face, and when her eyes meet his dark eyes, filled with passion and lust she smiled meekly at him. Her eyes travelled over his face and finally rested on his lips. Feeling herself drawn to him she raised her body up slightly, and moved up towards his face. In doing so she made just enough room for him to turn around so he now lay on his back while his hands found her hips pulling her up to his waiting lips.

The kiss was fierce and passionate in every way after Georg had been keeping his own desire at bay during her massage. When he finally was granted permission to do what he had wanted all morning he didn't hesitate one bit, his lips moved over hers in a way that took her breath away. At first Maria was rather shocked by his onslaught but feeling her own body responding in kind she let her own emotions run wild. She buried her hands in his thick hair holding him close, never wanting him to stop. Gradually the kiss did subside and they both went up for air, Maria rested her forehead against his while looking into his intense burning eyes. She felt her own body shudder in anticipation of what would happen next. From the depth of his eyes she saw her own desire mirrored, and she felt elated that she had been able to evoke such powerful emotions from within them both.

A small smile graced Maria's lips while she lay there trying to regain her breathing, but she felt the heat in her body coil into something more powerful that needed to be released. She felt Georg move his hands to the hem of her camisole pulling on it, and she knew he wanted to get rid of the last pieces of clothing that lay between them.

Still smiling she rose from his body, giving him free access to remove the offending piece of clothing. Georg gave her a grateful smile and pulled her camisole over her head, then placed his hands on her underwear, letting her know that he wanted those out of the equations as well.

Maria lifted herself up from his body and lay next to him so he could remove her last piece of clothing. Within seconds the small piece of fabric ended somewhere on the floor and now Georg turned his full attention to the temptress lying beside him. Maria reached her hands out for him and he moved into her arms in a heartbeat. He leaned over her body, gave her a short kiss and moved his mouth to her ear: "you have a way off baffling me with everything you do, Fraulein, you sure know how to surprise your husband. Thank you." His breath tickled her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

Maria smiled warmly at him, feeling rather satisfied that she could surprise him this way, and secretly she hoped she would be able to do it again at least a few more times in the last weeks of their honeymoon.

-"Now let me show what it is you do to me." He proclaimed and let his mouth travel down her jaw line. Maria felt her skin heat up and she sighed in pleasure when she felt his mouth continue its journey to her shoulder and further down her body.

Their lovemaking was intense and urgent, something that had rarely happened in the past 3 weeks. It was a new sensation for Maria, but she felt content and safe in his passionate embrace. Her body acted by pure instinct and she marvelled at how well they could read each other and bring them both to the fullest of their passion.

Maria lay nestled securely in Georg's arms, her head rested on his shoulder and her arm was wrapped around his torso, wanting to be as close to him as possible. She still felt the aftermath of their passionate lovemaking curse through her body and she was finding it hard to focus on anything else but her husband in this moment.

Georg was still amazed about what had happened this morning. Every day he would see a new side of his wife, and this morning had been no exception. His hand was drawing lazy circles on her arm, and shoulder. He heard her sigh in contentment, and he couldn't help but smile, the whole world could turn upside down, and he wouldn't care. Holding his wife and being able to show her his love was all that mattered.

While they still lay in peaceful silence, Maria let her hands move over his torso in a slow motion. Her mind still filled with thoughts and wonderment over the intense lovemaking they just shared. She felt his abdomen muscles tighten slightly when her finger tips brushed over his skin. Curiously she looked down and let her fingers caress his skin once more, she noticed small shivers run through his muscles. A small smile of wonder formed on her lips and she now let her fingers dance over his heated skin.

Georg felt her exploring fingers and looked down, only to find his wife looking down. He craned his neck trying to get a better look on her expression. What he saw made him smile in amusement, and couldn't help chuckle a little. Maria raised her head and stilled her fingers, letting her hand rest on his abdomen.

-"What's so funny Georg?" She raised her eyebrow and smiled herself.

-"Oh I'm just dying to know what's going on in that head of yours, you seemed so faraway just now, whatever have you been thinking of?" He reached up and brushed his hand over her cheek, letting it rest on her face. He noticed the tiniest bit of a blush creep up her neck, even though she had come a long way in the terms of the intimacy between them, she could still blush. Grinning down at her he raised his eyebrows, urging her on to answer.

-"Oh well it's nothing really, nothing… nothing important that is…" Maria sighed and looked down. She could almost feel his intense gaze on her. How could she tell him something like this, what would he think?

Georg only let his hand guide her face to look at him again, then gave her a huge smile of encouragement.

-"Oh if you must know, I was merely thinking on how you stay so fit for a… a man in your…" Maria bit down on her tong, not wanting to say anything else.

Georg laughed out and finished her sentence: "… for a man in my age?!" Maria felt the heat in her face intensify, she was embarrassed to say the least on her outspokenness, oh when would she ever learn to just keep quiet.

-"Oh Georg I'm not saying you are old, just think you're actually looking quite fit for someone with your… eh… life experience…" Maria hid her head on his chest hoping that he would just drop the whole matter.

Georg leaned down and kissed her head then let his hand caress her back reassuringly. His inner male pride was pleased by what he heard but he dared not telling her this, so he decided to give her some form of explanation.

-"Well I have kept my old habits from my navy time, like waking up early and if the weather allows it, I'll take a swim in the lake, and if not then I'll run. So for an old man like me I guess I'm keeping myself fairly fit." Georg explained with a laugh.

When Maria heard the word "old" she looked up and started to shake her head, and when he finished she proclaimed: "you're not old, I shouldn't have said that earlier, I'm sorry."

Georg hugged her close to him and whispered into her hair: "It's okay darling, you have not offended me at all, I know I'm slightly older than you but I don't think much about it myself, and neither should you."

Maria nodded her head quietly while she thought back on what he had said, suddenly something occurred to her, she whipped her head up and asked without thinking: "you mean to say that you wake up every day and go out to swim or run?" Georg nodded his head, wondering where she was going with this question, "I've never noticed this, and… and you never said anything when we got engaged… why?"

Georg laughed out while shrugging his shoulders, then said: "well for one it just never came up, and second, when we got engaged I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to sneak out and spy on me." He winked mischievously at her, and he knew she would blush when hearing this. Sure enough the second his words registered in her mind her face turned slightly red.

Maria was startled by this, and within seconds she had conjured images of her husband diving into the lake in only a pair of bathing shorts. "It's such a shame we are not close to a lake." Maria mused. She was startled when she heard him laugh, had he heard this, it was only supposed to be inside her head. But when she saw his happy and pleased expression she relaxed again.

"Thank you for being so wonderful my darling, don't ever change that." He smiled at her, then let his hand caress her face, pulling her closer to his mouth. "I won't" she whispered just as his lips started to kiss her in a slow and sensual way. Maria let her whole soul into the kiss and she reached up and pulled his head closer to her, deepening the kiss in a way that had Georg groan out in passion.

When they finally pulled apart Georg just held her close and relished in how close they had come during their honeymoon. Then he thought on the last 2 weeks they had left and what adventures they would find around the next corner, suddenly he thought of something.

-"If I'm not mistaken there will be a lake out by the château we're going to in two days." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and grinned when he saw her blush. The next second he was startled by the sincerity that came to her eyes.

-"Oh that would be wonderful, then we could both take a swim." She crooked her head sideways looking sweetly at him, and she tried to hide her bashful smile when he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

-"Hmm that sure would be a marvellous idea, but we have to go shopping before we leave, I for one have not brought my swim trunks and I don't suppose you have anything appropriate to wear for swimming." Georg mussed and gave her his lopsided grin, and when he saw her smile, he pulled her in for another kiss.

The kiss lasted a few minutes and when they both pulled away to get a breath of air Maria started to plan ahead on their shopping trip: "Oh I've never owned anything like a swimsuit, can't wait…" her voice was filled with excitement, and Georg only smiled while her mussing continued down a path he had not expected: "… you don't suppose they have some with no zippers?" Her question made him chuckle and he shook his head.

-"Why don't you want one with a zipper?" He asked in wonder.

-"Well you do seem to hate whenever I wear a dress with a zipper…" Her voice faltered a little and she looked down, she hoped that he would understand her hidden meaning. When she dared to look at him again she saw the mirth in his eyes and she knew he understood her implication.

Georg had a hard time trying to stop himself laughing loudly by her seemingly innocent question, still chuckling to himself he rolled them over so he was now hovering over her body.

-"Oh my dear beautiful, amazing wife, you do know how to brighten a man's day." Georg proclaimed with his lips only millimetres from her inviting lips. Giving her a short passion filled kiss he lifted his head and looked into her large blue eyes, giving her a small wink he added: "I'll make sure we find something with no zippers, or buttons for that matter, in either mine or your swimwear."

Maria felt bubbles of laughter fill her up and she smiled warmly at his reference to zippers and buttons, as it had seemed to be something they both had a dislike of. She laughed out and smiled invitingly at her husband, who saw the invitation and moved in for yet another kiss.

The rest of the morning they spend in bed, resting and sharing passionate kisses now and then, both feeling content and relaxed like they never had been before. When noon arrived they reluctantly pulled themselves out of their cocoon of shared love and passion, and ventured down for a light lunch. After lunch they started to look for shops that were selling swimwear, for their next adventure on their honeymoon. And sure enough they did find something sans buttons or zippers.

End notes: I know that "Phantom of the opera" had NOT been made an opera show in the timeline of TSOM... just one of my favorite shows... so don't flame me for this one... thanks... :)

I give credits for the "I'm not getting younger..." line to "lemacd"... ;)

And a HUGE thanks to the wonderful and inspiring ladies on our TSOM forum... join us on facebook if you want to... pm me to if you want to know more...

Finally please remember to review... I really would love to know what you think about this...ehm... rather different Maria we meet in this chapter... is she believable in her development as a married and passionate woman.

BY the way... I have an epilogue in plan... not sure when it will be done... hope you have patience... ;)