Georg gave Maria another gentle kiss on her forehead and then let his rest on hers.

"I do believe, fraulein, that for the second time today you have rendered me completely breathless," he said as he exhaled and closed his eyes. He was in ecstasy.

Maria could only smile into his shoulder, her face beaming.

"I should say the same for you, my love." She lifted her head so that they were both looking into each other's eyes once more. Maria ran her hand across his cheek and let it linger there; Georg allowed it to rest in place. He was beyond happy. After what seemed like an eternity of the two just staring lovingly at each other, Georg finally broke the silence.

"How long do you think it will be until we're found again, Maria?"

"Oh I hope not any time soon," she said teasingly. Her lips came crashing down upon his, locking them into another passionate embrace. Her hands couldn't be pried away from Georg's hair, raking her fingers through it as he pressed her body closer to his. Their heads tilted back and forth, hungrily devouring the others. Georg was on the brink of losing all control. He carefully backed Maria up to the wall and leaned into her, his body still contorted against hers. She gasped feeling his growing desire, but continued to kiss him anyway. Feeling a little more bold, Maria slipped her hands from Georg's hair to inside his jacket. Her hands roamed his well defined back. Georg was doing some exploring of his own. He had one hand comfortably rubbing Maria's left hip and his right one was traveling from her stomach all the way up to her throat where he finally rested it, cupping her slender neck. Maria knew they should stop and was all but ready to give herself to Georg when a loud thud broke their concentration.

The pair pulled back slightly and looked off, waiting to hear another loud bang or to see if someone was about to bound in on them. After a few moments, the noise didn't repeat and Georg looked back down at a flushed Maria and smiled.

"I'd say that was a sign to put things on hold for a bit." Maria only nodded back in response and returned his loving gaze. She guided him so that they both sat comfortably across one another on the floor of the pantry, legs outstretched resting against the others. Maria absentmindedly rubbed her hand up and down Georg's leg while he did the same.

"I had every intention of staying with you in here, you know, but I'd hate to be...in the middle of something and have one of the children burst in on us."

"I completely agree. Besides, there will be plenty of time for us to be alone once we're married, Georg."

He chuckled at her remark. "I must say, you are a very fast learner when it comes to the ways of romance, Maria." Of course he was teasing her, but he was very much impressed at how passionate she had become over the past day. Then again, he really should have expected it...there wasn't anything she couldn't seem to master.

Maria smiled and looked down at his compliment. "I've only been able to do so because you've been so patient and gracious with me up until now."

"I won't ever force you into doing anything with which you're not comfortable, I hope you know that, Maria," he said seriously.

Her head shot up. "Oh I know that! I only meant that I feel so safe and warm in your arms. It seems unimaginable that things could get any better, uh, physically between us," again she looked down somewhat embarrassed by her own undertone of her phrasing.

Georg only smiled warmly at her and scooted closer so that he was sitting beside her.

"I can assure you that things will get better," he said. He took her chin in his hands, looking at her with more passion than ever before. "If you'll allow me I promise to show you that and continue to show you how deeply I care for you until the breath leaves my lungs for good."

She looked up at him, eyes on the brink of tears and placed her hand softly over his on her face. "In all my life I never expected to feel any of this, and now that I have I won't ever let go of it...I trust you with my life, Georg and know that anything I experience with you will be wonderful." Again, she closed the distance between them. This time, however, their kiss was soft and very short. Maria rested her head on her fiancee's shoulder, fingers entwined.

Georg kissed the top of her head and took in her glorious aroma. "I love you, Maria."

"I love you too," she replied back, a smile appearing over her face again, eyes closed peacefully. "And I cannot wait until you're my husband."

Proudly and satisfied, Georg closed his eyes too as they sat there together on the floor of the pantry, thrilled at the prospect of marrying the woman who made him whole again.

END

*** Alas, another end to another fanfic. Thank you for all the kind words! And please be on the look out for a few more upcoming stories hopefully to be posted within the next week or so...until then I'm you're humble author! ***