Chapter 12

Sunlight shown through the curtains the next morning. Maria was still in her Captain's arms. He woke first and then glanced down at his beautiful wife. He leaned to kiss her awake. She stirred.

"Morning, gorgeous," he whispered. "I love you."

"Morning, Captain," she replied, grinning.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I did." She snuggled closer to him. "Once we actually fell asleep, I slept well." She giggled.

"And how do you feel?"

"So many things," she said. "Love, security, freedom, passion, understanding, wonderful…And I'm all yours, forever." She smiled and kissed him.

"All mine," he hugged her tighter. "You're so beautiful, angel. And you were wonderful last night." She blushed. He leaned to kiss her. "I suppose we should be getting up and getting ready. We have to pack and spend time with the children before we catch our train."

They rose out of bed, dressed, and went downstairs to meet the children, who were already sitting at the table with Max.

"Morning, children," the newlyweds said.

"Morning, Mother, Father," they replied.

It was so nice hearing them call her mother. The family ate breakfast, and then sent the children to play so they could pack. Then Maria and Georg joined their family outside, where they sang and played. Georg never left Maria's side, and rarely let her hand fall from his own. If the children turned away, he snuck a kiss.

Marta came up to her. "Mother, I don't want you to be away so long. I'm going to miss you."

Maria hugged her daughter. "I'm going to miss you too, darling. Just remember to sing every day and pretend I'm there singing with you. I'm going to miss kissing you goodnight. I'll miss all of you."

"I'll miss you too, dear," Georg piped in.

"Must you go?" Brigitta asked.

Georg laughed. "Yes. Maria and I need some time to spend together alone. It's a wedding tradition." He squeezed Maria's hand.

After dinner, Max drove the entire family to the train station.

"So, your train leaves at eight o'clock tonight? That means you'll get there around eight in the morning," Max said, handing the tickets to Georg. "That's a long train ride."

Maria nodded. "But at least if we fall asleep on the train, when we wake up, we'll be almost to Paris!"

"Yes, and we'll check into the hotel and begin our sightseeing."

"I can't wait to go to the Louvre," Maria said. "All that beautiful art…"

"Children, I want you to behave for your Uncle Max. Max will surely tell me if any of you misbehaved. Understood?" The children mumbled a yes, and then Georg softened. "Now give your mother and me a hug and a kiss."

"I love you all," Maria told them as she kissed and hugged them. "Goodbye, children."

The children waved as their parents took their suitcases and boarded the train. Maria blew them kisses, and then she and Georg found their car. They had a private room with a bed and bathroom and a table and chairs. They would be served breakfast on the train.

They immediately changed into their nightclothes and climbed into bed. Georg wrapped his arms and Maria and drew her close. "That nightgown is really beautiful on you, my dear."

"You have good taste and you knew what I'd like."

"Marta told me your favorite color is pink," he confessed.

Maria laughed. "One of the things we have in common."

"She loves you," he said. "They all do. But Marta is so attached to you."

She smiled. "I noticed. She's a sweetheart. I love them; I'm going to miss them."

"Maria, we're going to have a wonderful time. We're spending our first weeks as husband and wife in the most romantic city in the world." He kissed her. "Goodnight, my dear."

"Goodnight, darling. I love you."

"I love you, too."

They fell asleep in each other's arms, and woke up in Paris.

THE END

Author's Note

Well, that's it. I'm so grateful to everyone who has read and reviewed my first fanfic. Thanks to everyone. I might even post more!