Chapter 3
Maria sat on the soft sofa in the dwindling firelight, a colorful Afghan covering her folded legs. Lida was finally able to sleep peacefully after a tepid bath for her fever and the onion poultice for her chest. For the last three days, the poor baby had been ill with her first respiratory virus. She cried and fussed nearly non-stop, exhausting both her parents. Georg rocked her and walked the floor with her as much as Maria had, but even her Papa's tender touch couldn't settle Lida down.
Georg had the doctor out, a kind, proper lady who prescribed aspirin for the fever aling with menthol rubs for the cough and sniffles, though neither remedy settled the tot. Finally, Maria's home remedies proved the proper treatment. Perhaps now they all could sleep.
Tomorrow was Saturday, so Liesl, bless her heart, took her siblings for the night before they helped paint and prepare the nursery for the impending June due date. It would give Maria, Georg, and little Lida a chance to rest.
Georg woke and reached out for Maria. That was always his first move if he woke in the night. He found her space empty and cool; he sighed. Georg's tuned his ears to listen for Lida, but it was quiet. Perhaps Maria fell asleep in the nursery. She would wake up stiff if she was left there.
Georg slid out of bed and pulled his robe over his pajama pants and bare chest. He hadn't slept in a pajama top since January when he and Maria reached the next level of intimacy in their marriage. She liked to be held and cuddled with her head over his heart, her hands combing through the hairs on his chest.
Georg's peeked in the nursery and saw his precious Lida Rose sleeping peacefully in her crib. Georg looked down at her in the dim light and smiled. There was some color in her chubby cheeks now and her tiny nose was no longer blocked. She was on the mend. He gently kissed her cool forehead then went to continue his search for Maria.
When Georg found Maria he simply paused and looked at her. The fire was crackling. The glow of the dying embers reflected off of Maria's golden hair in the dark. The warmth from the fire had flushed Maria's cheeks adding to her natural radiance. She was breathtaking.
Maria felt Georg's eyes on her as she sat. She turned and smiled at him. He was the handsomest when he was fresh from sleep, his hair disheveled, no shirt, open robe. Maria licked her lips unconsciously.
"You're beautiful," Georg murmured as he slowly moved closer. "I missed you in our bed. Was the baby crying?"
"I rocked her out here then put her down," Maria replied. "She is so tired, I'm glad she can sleep peacefully. Did we wake you?"
Georg sat beside Maria on the sofa and gently stroked her cheek, "No. As I said, I missed you in our bed and worried you fell asleep and that old rocker. I was going to carry you back to bed so that you didn't get sore."
Maria raised her hands to envelope Georg's and gently kissed his palm. "You are so sweet. You've been so wonderful through Lida's sickness, tending her and keeping me calm. I couldn't do this without you, Georg. I need you so much it scares me sometimes."
Georg slid his arm around Maria's shoulders and pulled her closer. "I'm here, my love. I'll never leave you, you're safe with me, my sweet Maria."
The overwhelming urge to love his wife in the physical sense came over Georg as he held Maria close. He wasn't sure where it came from, but somehow he knew this was the moment.
Georg gently took the Afghan covering Maria's lap, pulled it away from her, and dropped it on the floor. Georg shifted so that he was kneeling in front of Maria. "God only knows how much I love you and need you, Maria. How much I ache for you, whenever you aren't near me. God only knows."
Very gently, Georg slid his hands under the hem of Maria's nightgown softly caressing her leg, beginning at her delicate ankles. With a slightly firmer touch, Georg pulled Maria's legs out of their tucked position, straightening them, then pushing them slightly apart so that he could crawl between her thighs.
Maria took a deep, shuddering breath.
"I want to touch you, Maria," Georg whispered. "I want to make love with you. Are you ready for that, my love?"
Maria licked her lips. She wanted this, for so long, needed it, but was she ready? How could she know? Georg would know the answer.
"How?" Maria's voice faltered. "How would I know? I mean, how can I tell?"
"Your body will tell you. Your heart will tell you," Georg whispered. "Are your nipples hard?"
Maria could barely speak. "I don't know."
"Allow me to see," Georg said, his hands ran all the way up her body, under her nightgown, his fingertips caressing her breasts.
Until he touched her, Maria hadn't realized how desperate she had been for this. She moaned aloud at the relief, the pleasure. Her nipples stabbed Georg's palms. He rubbed his thumbs over them and laughed softly. "I do believe they are," he whispered. "I remember the way they taste, the way they feel. I remember so much about you, everything we've tried, everything we've done. How far you have come, how far I have."
Maria's breasts lifted into Geoeg's hands with every quick breath. desire was coiling in her loins, loosening her up, turning her flesh warm and open to Georg's touch.
Georg lifted the nightgown up and over Maria's head, pulling it away and dropping it to the floor as he had the afghan. Maria was now naked before him on a huge sofa, her slender body dwarfed by its bulk. Georg's breath hissed in his teeth, his broad chest expanding. Slowly he drew his hands up her legs, pushing her thighs wider apart so he could get closer to her. Slowly, he leaned forward, letting his body touch her and press down on her. Georg's mouth closed over Maria's with a sweetness, a tenderness that was his and his alone. The kiss was as gentle as any kiss ever could be, as leisurely as a stroll in the mountains. Georg cherished Maria with his mouth, lingering in the kiss. At the same time his fingers move boldly from her thighs to her hips, gently pressing them open, revealing the secret folds that protected her soft body.
Georg kept on kissing Maria, the sweetness of his mouth gentling her and relaxing her. When his lips left her mouth, he slid them hotly to her throat and then to her breasts. He sucked delicately, then sucked hard, Maria was sent into a whirling storm of pleasure and desire, her whole body beginning to tremble with need, not fear. Georg knew the difference. Maria put her hands on Georg's head, feeling the thick, cool silk of his hair between her fingers. She was dizzy with arousal, with the heated skin scent of his skin. Georg was so hot with desire his body heat burned through his robe.
"Are you sure about this Maria?" Georg whispered as he continued to run his hands up over her legs and between her parted thighs. "You feel ready, but are you?"
The last thing Georg wanted to do was frighten Maria, scare her away. She had been telling him for months now verbally and physically he was ready to be his wife in every sense of the word. He had his own reservations, battled his own fears, but those were now replaced with a deep burning desire to make her his forever.
Maria answered Georg's question by taking his lips with her own. She cupped his face between both of her hands and delicately slipped her tongue to meet his. This was her wordless acquiescence, her silent permission. She was ready to give herself over to him.
Georg scooped Maria up into his arms and carried her to their bed. never breaking the contact between their mouths.
With tender care, Georg laid Maria on their bed. He then flipped his robe off of his shoulders and undid the clasp on his pajama pants. He once again felt the urge to fully reveal his desire to his wife so that she would not be startled or frightened by the depth of his need for her.
Georg you knew he would have to take charge of this, in all the ways that mattered his Maria was a virgin. She had never given her love to another man, her virtue had been taken, but not her heart.
Even after all this time, Georg could still see Maria was nervous. Her entire body was telling him she was ready for this, ready for him, except for that tension he saw in her shoulders and her wide piercing blue eyes.
"There's no need to be afraid, Maria. I know you've been deeply hurt, but I'm never going to hurt you. I promise." A tender smile touched Georg's mouth. "I promise I'm not going to do anything you don't ask me for. Now why don't you relax and roll over?"
Maria wasn't sure exactly what Georg planned to do, but she knew one thing: she did trust him, she did want him, and she loved him more than she could ever express with words.
Maria did as asked, and Georg slid his arms around her, drawing her closen to the curve of his body. Maria's breath caught at the contact. She could feel Georg's muscled body at her back, hard yet somehow gentle. She could feel his heartbeat. Georg held her that way for a long while, cradling her silently in the darkness. Maria was relaxed in his arms but flinched when his hand moved ever so slowly beneath the sheets to cover her bare midriff.
Georg's hands began to gently caress her skin. He pressed closer and nuzzled the nape of her neck. He slid his hand upward then cupped her breasts. Maria could feel her nipples throb against his palm. "Does this is hurt? "
"No, it doesn't hurt."
"Good. I don't want it to hurt, I want it to feel good"
Georg held her for a long time, and slowly Maria started to completely relax. Georg moved over her and gently pressed Maria's shoulder urging her onto her back. Maria made no protest even when he drew the sheets down and bore both of their bodies. Maria held her breath as Georg moved over her as his lips found the soft underside of her throat, but when he moved lower to close his mouth over a tightly-budded nipple she gasped.
"I want you to see," Georg murmured against the fullness of her breast "Just how much pleasure your body can give you. How much pleasure my body can give you."
Maria understood that from the times they had been more intimate just never made it to the final line. One or the other would get nervous and call things off, but she knew tonight was the night they would become one.
Maria could scarcely bear the incredible sensation streaking through her at the feel of Georg'sbhard, hot mouth softly suckling her breasts. She shifted restlessly at the heat that burned inside of her. Never before had she realized how sensitive her breasts actually were. She felt a fierce pulsating ache deep in the pit of her stomach and knew that was the depths of her own arousal.
Georg drew back, his eyes touching her more intimately than his hands and mouth. His emotions were so fiery and so intense, his raw sensuality was potent, yet he was infinitely gentle. His hands were tender, delicate, yet deliberate, as he stroked her with gentle rhythms.
Maria's gaze locked with Georg's as the mesmerizing caresses moved lower. Then slowly his fingers brushed the curls crowning her thighs. her body shivered as he gently parted her thighs. "Open for me, sweetheart."
With his fingers Georg caressed Maria, stroking her until he felt her soft folds grow moist and slick; until her embarrassment gave way to a vibrating sensation that grew and built. When Georg settled his body between her parted thighs, Maria went ridig again for a moment
Georg considered stopping and letting her pull away, but her hands grasped his shoulders and pulled him closer. "Easy now, easy" Georg whispered gentle, calming words until Maria warmed and softened against him again. All the while his manhood pulsed between her legs. He remained unmoving letting her become accustomed to the feel of his arousal allowing her to respond at her own pace.
Maria quivered as the heat and power of Georg's chest pressed down on her, his flesh smooth and hot. Deep, primal urges inside Maria pulled her to him, her woman's body craved the maleness of him on the most basic human level. Maria closed her eyes and strained upward shamelessly seeking out Georg 's touch.
Georg grit his teeth, fighting the throbbing sensation of his flesh; it had been a long time since he had buried himself deep inside a woman, especially one that he loved so much he ached. Georg wasn't entirely sure what to do. If he asked her permission, there was a chance however slight, Maria would freeze, but if he just took her quickly, it might breech her trust beyond repair. Finally, he decided on the middle road, "I'm going inside of you now, Love," Georg whispered. He forced himself to go slowly as he lowered his weight and arched his hips, pressing himself into her tight, hot, wet center, not quite taking her by surprise but now giving fear a chance to win out over desire.
Maria's eyes went wide. Georg saw a flash of panic there, but before he could even react it was gone. He pushed on taking Maria's lips in a deep kiss as he sheathed himself in her body. He held himself completely still, waiting for her body to grow accustomed to his, waiting for her to feel the pleasure of a man's body stretching hers.
Maria's breath was coming in shallow pants, yet gradually it slowed and her rigid body relaxed. Georg was staring down at her, his eyes intensely blue and tender. Maria shifted her hips tentatively and saw him flinch. " I don't know what to do," she whispered.
"Wrap your legs around me." It was no surprise to Georg that he had to explain what Maria needed to do. Even given the fact that she had been known by another man, and given birth, her body was still very unaccustomed to this kind of contact, and her heart completely so.
Maria obeyed and Georg gave her some encouragement. "That's right, Sweetheart. Let me feel you." Georg arched over Maria, probing deeply.
Maria moaned, clutching at him. Any fear was gone now, leaving nothing but a searing pleasure. Georg was taking her some place she'd never been before, somewhere brilliant, somewhere new.
"Don't fight it," Georg whispered in her ear as he arched against him. "Let it happen."
Maria whimpered, colors and blinding light blurring before her eyes. The first tiny convulsions swelled to until Maria.nearly exploded. She strained against Georg, burning, pulsating, fully engulfed in heat.
Maria's intense responses nearly shattered Georg's fragile control. He clenched his teeth at the powerful hunger streaking through him when Maria let go and splintered into ecstasy. He groaned with a savage need, his hard won self-discipline barely intact. At the rhythmic clenching of her loins, desire shot through his own, hot and explosive.
Georg wasn't able to restrain himself anymore. He sank deep into the tight, wet welcoming of his wife's body, even the thought of it pushing him even further into the breech. With a final moan, he thrust into her fiercely one last time, before shuddering with his own orgasm before collapsing against her, his body still pulsing inside hers.
For a long moment, while Georg 's ragged breathing slowed, he held Maria's trembling form. He shut his eyes, and inhaled her scent, never wanting to forget how he felt here and now.
Georg didn't speak. He didn't dare lest he shatter this precious moment in time. Absently, he stroked Maria's arm and back as he fell to one side and pulled out of her. "Are you all right?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.
Georg chuckled, "Oh, I passed alright a long time ago, Darling. I am incredible. I should be asking you that question. Are you? All right?"
Maria leaned up on her elbow and looked down to meet Georg's eyes. With a genuine smile on her face, she nodded. "Yes," she replied. "For the first time in a long time, yes."
Georg reached up and cupped her cheek. "I love you so much. Every time I feel I couldn't possibly be happier, you surprise me."
Maria blushed a little bit then returned to where she always felt the best, nestled against her husband's chest. "I know of a way we could be happier," Maria said after a few moments.
"Oh, do you now?" Georg replied with a laugh rumbling in his chest.
"We could do it again," Maria suggested, having found love making with her husband a much more agreeable activity than she imagined it would be.
Georg sighed, "For that, my Dear, you would need a slightly younger husband, but give me a couple hours, I'll be happy to oblige."
Georg gave Maria a heated kiss filled with promise of things to come. Maria ran her finger down Georg's cheek and smiled, "We have the rest of our lives ahead of us," Maria whispered. "The rest of our lives."
That night in March 1940 marked the first of hundreds of similar encounters between the couple. They had their struggles, their hills and valleys, but with the firmest of foundations, they weathered their storms, always full of faith, hope, love, and the strongest bond of all, an unbreakable, abiding trust.
A/N: And there you have it. My first m rated story and the bridge between the final chapter and the epilogue of Building Trust. Hope you had a much fun reading this as I did writing it. There is one more story in this universe, maybe two, and many more in the Snapshots Universe to come.
Drop me a note in how or if you liked it. Till next time…
Quick side note -aspirin was given to babies in the 1940s. It wasn't until 1963 Reyes Syndrome was even discovered and was 1980 before the developed of said syndrome and use of aspirin in children to treat virus was first reported