Authors notes, disclaimer and rating as previous chapter.

Chapter 2

Waking the following morning, it took Maria a few minutes before she felt able to sit up. Her head was throbbing and her arms and legs felt like they were made of lead. She sat on the side of the bed with her head in her hands for several minutes before she realised that she was in fact only dressed in her underwear. The previous evening was somewhat of a blur. Gradually, piece by piece she remembered more and more.

The Champagne.

Max's terrible flirting.

And Georg… he had come home.

But how had she managed to negotiate the stairs and then take off her dress before getting into bed. She remembered closing her eyes in his study and the next thing she could recall was standing in her bedroom with her arms around his neck and then…

Oh no!... NO, it couldn't be!

Realisation dawned, Georg had undressed her.

xXx

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Max slinked into the Dining Room looking very much the worse for wear. Maria was predictably late, that in itself was not unusual, however, she didn't skip into the room as she normally would and she seemed to be doing everything she could to avoid his stare.

Georg dropped his newspaper and greeted the pair, "Good morning, Max… Maria!" in an unnecessarily loud tone. They both groaned and the children looked questioningly towards their father.

"Oh, don't worry children, it seems your Uncle Max and your future mother took it upon themselves to…"

"REALLY…" Maria shouted and instantly winced as a pain shot across her forehead as she realised that her tone was a little too loud for both her and Max's delicate dispositions. "I really don't think the children need to be involved in this." She shot Georg one of her fiercest glances and he disappeared back behind his newspaper with a chuckle.

Only Georg and the children left clean plates behind them. It seemed that Maria and his old friend had little appetite that morning. Maria left the table without even speaking to Georg and she ushered the children away to do some very quiet reading for the next couple of hours. Max had already decided it was better to stay out of his friend's way. He had been the recipient of Georg's temper before (when he wasn't suffering from the beast of all hangovers), so it was the last thing he wanted to have to endure. Happily he retired to the cool, darkness of his room.

xXx

Frau Schmidt could see that something was ailing Maria that morning so she kindly suggested that Maria take a stroll by the lake to clear her head whilst she looked after the children for a short while.

Grateful to accept the Housekeepers offer, Maria took her leave of the children and walked slowly toward the lake. The fresh air had indeed helped but she couldn't shift the thoughts that had been plaguing her all morning and making her feel more and more ashamed by the hour.

He had unbuttoned her dress, seen her in her underwear, her less than flattering underwear and he had undressed her. She should be grateful she mused that he had decided not to go any further, at least she had some modicum of dignity left. She wasn't angry with him, she was ashamed of herself. What must he actually have thought of her in such a state? Unable to climb the stairs, unable to undress and even more alarming was the fact that she distinctly recalled making unladylike advances toward him.

Yes, they had allowed themselves to become somewhat intimate since their engagement but it hadn't gone beyond the odd kiss here and there and whenever the situation verged upon the improper, Max had always turned up, thus rescuing their reputations. But last night…

"Maria," she heard a whisper from behind her and turned to see Georg standing very close to her. She felt the flush of embarrassment colour her cheeks, she took a step back and brought her hands to her face as if to hide it from him.

"Please darling, don't be ashamed. I feel sure that Max had an awful lot to do with the reason you feel so delicate this morning." His voice was calm and soothing and she found herself drawn into his embrace. She rested her head against his chest in silence for a few moments before she looked up into his eyes as he spoke again.

"Perhaps we should be grateful," Maria gave him a puzzled look before he continued, "Max has gone back to bed, so at least we can spend some time together without the risk of him lurking behind every tree!"

Maria laughed weakly at the thought of Max suffering more than she was.

"There, that's better," he purred as he stroked her cheek softly with the back of the fingers of his left hand.

"I'm sorry, Georg, I should never have allowed myself to get into such a predicament. It's just…" she let her eyes drop from his in shame, "I was so worried about you last night, I thought…" Georg lifted her chin gently once more and she gazed into his eyes. "I thought that something terrible had happened to you and then when we found out that everything was alright, well… I didn't think there was any harm in just having one glass of champagne with Herr Detweiler, but then I started to feel strange and he poured me another glass and I felt so happy and then…"

Georg leaned in and silenced her with a soft, sweet kiss. He pulled away slightly to see that Maria's eyes were sparkling with tears that threatened to cascade down her delicate cheeks.

"I do love you, my Sleeping Beauty," he chuckled softly.

Maria gave him a quizzical look, "You're not cross with me then, you're not disappointed?"

"How could I possibly be cross with someone as beautiful as you are, my darling?" he answered, pulling her close to him once again.

"Well, I suppose I thought that you might decide that I wasn't fit to look after the children anymore."

"Maria, I knew from the moment that you sat on that ridiculous pinecone that you were the only person that I would ever trust to look after my children."

"And then last night, you… you undressed me and you saw… well, I thought perhaps, seeing me there like that, maybe you were disappointed. I mean, I'm not elegant or stylish or…"

"Please, Maria, you really have no idea just how stunningly beautiful you are… do you?" She began to blush once again but this time he caught her hands as they were about to cover her face and he brought them together to his lips. He turned each hand and kissed her palms.

"Besides, I think I like it when you lose your inhibitions, you really are quite amusing!" he winked and gave her a wicked grin so she swatted his arm with the back of her hand. Oh you will pay for that, Georg Von Trapp, she mused.

"Shall we walk," he gestured toward the gazebo and she nodded in quiet agreement.

"If I tell you something about last night, will you promise not to be cross with me?" he asked her tentatively as they reached the marble seat outside the elaborate glass building and he gestured for her to sit.

"Oh, I'm sure that there is nothing that you could have done last night that would make me cross."

"O-ho, I assure you that there is," and it was Georg's turn to feel ashamed. "In fact, I even asked the good Lord for his forgiveness."

Maria was now incredibly curious.

"Well, you see, last night I tried my hardest to resist you. Even when you were trying your hardest to seduce me!" he chuckled. "But then you started running your fingers through my hair and I couldn't stand it any longer. I kissed you, harder than I've ever kissed you before and I could so easily have…" his eyes grew dark and Maria saw the desire and frustration in them. "What I'm trying to say is that I wanted you so much, Maria. More than I have ever wanted any woman before."

She couldn't quite believe how much she loved this man who sat before her, baring his soul to her.

"You are an honourable man, Georg Von Trapp and I would trust you with my life, let alone my virtue." It was her turn to take his hands but as she did so she realised for the first time that his right hand was not as it should have been. Looking down she saw the bandage.

"Your hand… you've hurt yourself." It was more of a statement than a question. "So, something did happen to you yesterday. Why didn't you say so when you sent the message?"

Georg sighed. He had hoped that she wouldn't ask him for the details. How could he admit that his injury was entirely self-inflicted, all because he had a juvenile tantrum when he thought he wasn't going to get his own way. She had seen his hot temper before but he didn't want her to think that it was a regular occurrence.

"Really, it will be perfectly fine. One of the Sisters looked at it for me and she decided that it was just badly bruised. To be perfectly honest, it's my pride that is hurt more than anything else. You see I had intended that we would have dinner together last night. Just you and me. I wanted to spend some time with you, without nosey children and irritatingly efficient chaperones!"

"Oh, I see." His voice mesmerised her and she moved closer to him on the cold marble seat. Her hand found his and their fingers slid together with a familiar ease.

"Maria… will you do me the honour of dining with me tonight? I would very much like to spend the evening with you."

"I would very much like to spend the night with you", she thought she had whispered under her breath.

"Pardon! What did you just say…?"

Maria coughed as she realised that perhaps she had spoken a little more audibly than she intended.

"Erm… I said it would be a delight. Thank you, darling," and she leaned forward and gently rested her forehead against his. Georg had heard her perfectly clearly and he groaned as he imagined how their evening could end if they were both prepared to take that step.

His lips found hers in a deep and passionate kiss and she pressed her body against his so that they fitted together perfectly. He pulled her even closer and his hands wandered across her back. The fabric of her dress was so flimsy that he could feel every perfect curve of her body. He imagined what it would be like when there were no material barriers between them. A time when then would be skin to skin. How his hands would explore her then, finding each and every sensitive spot that would send her mind and her body spiralling out of control.

She swept her fingers through his hair and he began to lose himself between dreams and reality. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt his body reacting to her touch, much more than it should do in such a public place.

Breathlessly they pulled apart and stared at each other with a frightening intensity.

Gasping, he said the words that neither of them wanted to hear but that both of them knew they must adhere to.

"Maria, we must stop this now before I fear we will lose control. I care nothing for my reputation but I will not risk sullying yours. Know this though, that as soon as we are married I will show you just how much I love you."

Catching her breath, Maria placed a final fleeting kiss on his brow and whispered in his ear, "I love you, Captain. Until tonight, my love."

They walked back to the Villa in a comfortable silence, hand in hand. Georg didn't care who saw them. Right at that moment all that mattered to him was the beautiful young Governess who had stumbled into their lives and rescued him from the abyss of misery and self-loathing that had threatened to destroy him. Never had he thought that there would ever be a time again when he would feel so young and so alive. He had so much to thank her for and he intended to spend the rest of their lives together doing just that. He would start that evening by granting her the proposal that she so rightfully deserved.

xXx

Max had been easily persuaded that his presence was not required that evening. So later that afternoon he had taken the opportunity to borrow Georg's car to visit a small singing group that he was hoping would be the answer to all his prayers.

The children dined early with Maria who was merely there to make sure that they refrained from bickering and that they went to their rooms early.

The evening was pleasantly warm and Georg had instructed Frau Schmidt to set them a table on the balcony. The scene was idyllic. Whilst he waited for Maria, who would undoubtedly be late, he rested against the stone balustrade looking out across the lake where the mountains were reflected like shimmering liquid silver. The last time he had been here his life was in turmoil. He had been about to make the biggest mistake of his life and he hadn't quite know what he could do about it. Thankfully, Elsa Schraeder had been far more understanding than even he could have anticipated. She had even given him the spur that he needed to act upon his true feelings. Dear Elsa, she truly had been the one to bring some meaning back into his life but it was Maria who had shown him how to love again.

He took a deep breath before bending over and leaning heavily on his forearms.

Maria stepped onto the Balcony and gasped as she saw how beautifully the table had been arranged. In the middle was a stunning bouquet of Edelweiss and by the side of the table stood an ice bucket with yet another bottle of champagne. Delicate crystal champagne flutes nestled among the shiny silver cutlery and there, oblivious to her presence was her future husband. She quietly tiptoed up behind him and bravely wrapped her arms around his waist. He tensed slightly but then slid his hands over hers and pulled her arms around him even tighter as he relaxed into her embrace. Maria rested her cheek against his back, "Good evening, Captain. I thought I - just – might - find you here," she purred, as he gently pulled her around to face him and took her hands in his.

"Good evening, Fräulein!" his smile was intoxicating, more so even than the bottle of champagne that they would no doubt consume that evening. "You are being very bold this evening, I often wonder how the Reverend Mother ever thought you would make a good nun!" he chuckled. Maria pretended to be mortally offended and slapped him playfully on the arm.

"You'll never know just how close I came to actually taking my vows," she fired back indignantly.

"So why didn't you?"

"Well… the Reverend Mother…"

"A-ha! There you go… see, I knew it. She cast you out didn't she?"

"No! She most certainly did not, anyway, you already know why I didn't take my vows, don't be so irritating, Georg."

"I'm sorry darling, I'm only joking. There was someone else who didn't believe you would ever become a nun," he teased.

"Was there? I don't understand." Maria was somewhat puzzled as she wasn't aware that he had spoken to anyone else about their relationship.

"I didn't tell you but before I came to you at the gazebo it was Elsa who had encouraged me to follow my heart. I was standing in this very spot as a matter of fact when she told me that somewhere amid the darkness was a young lady who would never be a nun!"

"Would you have looked for me if she hadn't have said those words?"

"I think so." Maria tilted her head as if to question his indecisiveness. "I know so."

"Well, who would have thought that it was Baroness Schraeder that I would have to thank for your proposal!" They both laughed and Maria sank into his outstretched arms.

"Maria," he brushed his lips against her forehead, "you deserve far more than I was able to give you that night." She opened her mouth as if to disagree with him but he placed his finger against her lips, "Please, let me continue." Maria smiled and nodded in silence.

"Although I may not have known it at first, when you came into our lives you brought with you a love that I had never experienced before. As each day passed I grew to slowly realise that I could not live without you. When you left for the Abbey it was as if my heart had been ripped in two. I was in mourning again, grieving for something, for someone that I thought was beyond my reach. I could never have believed that only a few short weeks later, I would be standing here feeling like the luckiest man in the world." Georg reached into his inside pocket and locating the small blue velvet box he took Maria's hand and then dropped to one knee.

"Maria…" he took a deep breath to compose himself, "there was a time when I thought I would never love again but you have brought such a light and warmth into my life that I cannot imagine ever being without you. I love you with all that my heart can give. I want to spend every single day of what remains of my life with you…. Please… Maria, will you marry me?"

On bended knee Georg kissed her hand tenderly and then opened the dainty little blue box to reveal the most exquisite diamond ring. He looked up to see Maria's eyes sparkling like the most beautiful deep, blue sapphires. He felt as if his heart could almost burst as Maria nodded and in doing so the tears of joy started to trickle down her gorgeous cheeks. He slowly slid the ring onto her finger as she crouched to join him and they fell into each other's arms.

xXx

The evening passed far too quickly for either Georg or Maria's liking. All too soon they found themselves having to say goodnight. This would probably be the final time until their wedding day that they would manage to spend any time together. They had stayed up talking and kissing in his study until very late and they both knew that the other inhabitants of the Villa would have retired to bed long ago, so they took the chance to go up the stairs together. Georg guided Maria to the door of his room. He had consumed far more of the champagne than Maria had dared to and so he was feeling rather bold. They slipped into his room without anyone seeing them.

Once inside, Maria took several minutes just looking around at the Master Suite. A room that she would soon become very familiar with. Every inch of it oozed masculinity, from the dark blue drapes to the naval memorabilia that Georg kept on various walls of the room. She would have to do something about that, she thought, when they were married.

Georg had already shrugged off his jacket with some difficulty because of his still heavily bandaged hand. His tie was even more of a challenge. Maria glanced over and saw how much trouble he was having so she walked over to where he was standing beside the chair.

"Would you like a little help with that, darling," she smirked.

"Hmmm, I suppose I would," he mused.

Seeing the opportunity to get her own back for the previous evening, Maria decided to have a little fun. She pulled the tie from his collar far slower than was actually necessary and she then took great pleasure in sliding it through her fingers several times. She undid the top button of his shirt, making sure that her thumb deliberately grazed the soft skin of his neck. Georg groaned as he began to feel aroused by the mere touch of her fingers on his skin. Maria searched his dark glossy eyes for his approval to continue and she could see his unspoken answer all too clearly.

Her fingers slid beneath the collar of his shirt and she slowly undid the buttons until she got to his belt. Then she pulled the shirt out from the waist band of his trousers and completed her task. Georg shrugged the shirt from his shoulders and it fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. This was the first time that Maria had seen his bare chest. For several minutes she couldn't stop herself from just savouring the sight that she found before her. Then, ever so tentatively she reached out and touched him with her fingertips. Oh, he was so firm, so toned and Maria felt a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach and her heart began to beat a little faster. She was about to take her hands away when Georg took them in his and guided her to his belt buckle. Maria resisted him at first but after seeing the reassurance in his eyes she undid the buckle and drew the belt out from around his waist. Without breaking the intensity of their stare she let her fingers undo the button of his trousers and slowly slide the zipper down. Unintentionally, her fingers brushed against his arousal and he gasped and closed his eyes as his hands then flew to cover hers. Maria looked at him questioningly, not knowing if she had done something wrong. All of this was new to her and she couldn't quite believe what she was doing.

"Maria, I – I think I should finish off undressing myself now," he stuttered, flustered by his intense emotions and worried that if they carried on he might do something that they would both regret.

"I've upset you, haven't I? I only meant to tease you, after what happened yesterday evening." She dropped her head in embarrassment. Not quite knowing what had just happened.

Georg lifted her chin gently, "Oh no, no! Please, don't ever think that anything you could do in here would upset me. Believe me when I say this, Maria. There is nothing that I want more in this world than to take you to my bed and make love to you."

With that he took her hands in his once more and guided her to the waist band of his trousers encouraging her to slide them down his legs. She did so. He stood before her in his tight undershorts and her breath caught in her chest. How could this man be so absolutely perfect?

"Now… We have both seen each other in a state of undress. Tell me, Maria… do I disappoint you?

She mimicked his words from earlier that day, "You really have no idea just how stunningly handsome you are, do you?"

Taking her hand he pulled her towards him and Maria wished that just at that moment she matched him in his state of undress. How she would have loved to have felt her skin against his. She could feel how aroused he was as their bodies moulded to each other and he made no attempt to hide it from her. He wanted her to know exactly what it was that she did to him.

Their lips crashed together as he captured her mouth with his. Her swollen lips parted and his tongue slowly tasted them before exploring every inch of her mouth. She was consumed with desire as they desperately fought with their emotions.

They parted breathlessly and rested their foreheads against each other. Their hot breath mingled as they composed their breathing and pounding hearts.

"I shall cherish this evening for as long as I live. I feel closer to you now than I have ever done before. In a few short weeks we will say our vows and then perhaps you will realise just how much I love you," Georg whispered before placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Then if it were possible to change weeks to minutes I would do it in an instant," she replied, kissing his cheek.

Without need of words, Maria caressed his cheek and then left his bedroom silently.

Georg exhaled heavily as if letting out all of the pent up desire that he held within himself. If only she could find a song that would indeed change the weeks to minutes, he would encourage the whole of Salzburg to sing it with him.

He laughed at the thought and then looked at his hand wistfully and shrugged. Perhaps there had been some advantages to a badly bruised hand. He shook his head as he bid farewell to yet another eventful day in the Von Trapp Villa!

~X~

This story was written for TheBeestings from ProBoards as part of the Christmas Gift Exchange, hope you enjoy it and Merry Christmas!

As always, your comments are gratefully received.