Epilogue

…And so the family was reunited and whole once more. The seven children did not leave the Mountain Girl's presence all day; the little ones especially clinged to her. Making sure that his fiancée did not overstrain herself, the Sea Captain kept them all in the house for the day. After dinner, the Mountain Girl retired to her bed, but remained awake. The children and the Sea Captain stayed in her room with her.

Before sending them off to bed, the Mountain Girl and the Sea Captain finally sated their children's curiosity and told them what had happened in Vienna. The girls especially were thrilled about the ball, and the boys' admiration of the Mountain Girl rose to new heights after hearing how she had escaped the burning building.

When the Mountain Girl described the gown her friends had made for her, the second youngest daughter suddenly gasped and ran out of the room. Before anybody could go and check on her, she came back in holding a storybook. She resumed her place on the bed beside the Mountain Girl and showed her the book. On the cover was the picture of a beautiful young women in a pale-pale blue gown and a sparkling tiara. She was standing on the palace steps, and behind her, a clock tower showed midnight.

The Mountain Girl and the Sea Captain looked at the cover for a few moments, and then began to laugh. Soon they were clutching each other because their laughter was so strong. Looking at the book, the children soon understood as well.

The storybook was titled "Cinderella."

A month later, the Mountain Girl and the Sea Captain were married. And with their children, they lived happily ever after…

"The End," finished Maria softly, looking down at Marta, who was half asleep. She sat on the side of Marta's bed. The seven-year-old smiled up at her mother.

"You never get tired of that story, do you?" asked Maria playfully, stroking Marta's cheek.

Marta shook her head. "It's just like Cinderella."

Maria smiled, and bent down to kiss Marta's cheek. "Goodnight, sweetheart," she whispered.

"Goodnight, Mother," breathed Marta before sleep took it's captive.

As Maria stood up and turned, she saw her husband leaning against the open doorway, smiling at her. She smiled back, wondering vaguely how long he had been watching and listening there.

When she reached him, Georg took her hand in his before flipping off the lights. He closed the door to their little daughters' room as quietly as he could before he and his wife walked leisurely to the master bedroom.

But when Maria slipped her hand out of his in favor of wrapping her arm around his waist – under his robe – their paces quickened a bit. Georg was never a man to turn down being close with his wife.

Later – much later – when husband and wife were lying in their bed perfectly sated, Maria caught her husband's gaze and held it. Georg was awed by the expression and emotion in them. But before he could form the words to ask, she had taken one of his hands and pressed his palm to the bare skin of her stomach.

When Georg's mind registered what his wife was trying to tell him, a rush of joy swept through him, and he pulled Maria into a tight embrace, thanking God.

He thanked God for giving him this second chance, this new life, this new happiness, this new love: Maria. And Maria prayed a very similar thanks as tears of happiness escaped her eyes.

It's moments like this when fairy tales just can't compare.

THE END