Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Four years ago, the curse of the Mouse Queen, which turned Hans Drosselmeier into a nutcracker and earned him the title "Prince of the Dolls", was broken by the generous and beautiful young Clara Stahlbaum. Hans was now 18 years old, his dearest Clara 17. Shortly after the journey to the Land of the Dolls, Uncle Drosselmeier introduced his nephew to Clara's family, and with her father's permission and blessing, Hans could begin courting Clara when they both had come of age. It was 2 years ago that Hans began courting Clara as promised.

Currently, Hans and his eccentric uncle were attending another one of Dr. Karl Stahlbaum's frivolous parties. Hans didn't mind such events, but far too often, they reminded him too much of his endeavors with the beautiful but incredibly vain Princess Perlipat. He couldn't even remember now why he ever desired her. Her beauty, if he had to guess. That seemed to be what drew in most of her suitors.

But with Clara, there was much more to her than just her beauty. She was kind, clever, and brave. She had loved him even as an inanimate, "hideously ugly" nutcracker. Clara was truly one of a kind in Hans' eyes, and he knew if he wished to have her completely to himself, he would have to propose marriage before any other suitors came forward for her hand as well.

Hans was currently watching Clara silently as she wandered around the ballroom to many guests before pausing next to her older sister, Louise, and her brother-in-law, Erik. She was clad in a beautiful teal-colored dress that complimented her skin tone wonderfully and her red- tinted brown hair, which had grown out considerably in the past four years, was partially swept up a small bun in the back on top of her head while the rest flowed down to below her shoulders like a waterfall. Of course, it didn't matter to Hans what she wore or how she had fixed her hair. To him, she was the epitome of beauty no matter what.

"Hans? What is on your mind, dear nephew?"

His uncle's voice coming from beside him shook him from his thoughts and entrancement to Clara. He sighed deeply before turning to his uncle.

"Clara gets more beautiful everyday. Wouldn't you agree, Uncle?"

"Oh, yes," Elias Christian Drosselmeier agreed with a nod. "Getting to be as tall as her dear sister and just as beautiful. Why do you ask, Hans?"

Hans closed his eyes for a moment, then returned his gaze to his uncle with a serious expression.

"Uncle, I don't wish to lose Clara to some other suitor. But on the other hand, what does a poor clockmaker like me have to offer a young lady of high status like her? I should consider myself lucky her father allowed us to court in the first place. What would he say now if I were to approach him for Clara's hand in marriage?"

"What's this I hear?"

Hans froze. It was not his uncle who had spoken. He slowly turned around to find Clara's father, Dr. Karl Stahlbaum, standing just behind him.

"Ah! Just the man we were about to go find!" Uncle Drosselmeier greeted him. Hans paled.

"Uncle, what are you doing?" he hissed.

"Fret not, dear boy," Dr. Stahlbaum answered instead. "I happened to hear enough of your conversation with your uncle. Let us move this discussion to my office, shall we, gentlemen?"

Uncle Drosselmeier nodded and he and Hans followed Dr. Stahlbaum out of the ballroom and down the hall to his office. Once the doors were shut, Dr. Stahlbaum turned to his companions.

"Now then, perhaps we shall start over from the beginning. You mentioned something about my Sugar Plum's hand in marriage?" he asked, addressing Hans immediately.

Hans shifted uncomfortably, casting a quick glance at his uncle, who nodded in encouragement. Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, he looked Dr. Stahlbaum in the eye and nodded.

"Yes, sir. I realize I'm not much of a noble and there isn't much I have to offer Clara, but I love your daughter with every breath I breathe. I thought I was in love only once before, but eventually I realized it was only more of an infatuation. With Clara, it's different from before. She's kind, clever, and brave. Of course, she also gets more and more beautiful with every day that passes. I truly believe that with everything I have that I could never love another as much as I love Clara."

Hans paused, taking a big breath after pouring his very heart out to his beloved's father. Dr. Stahlbaum was quiet, his eyes closed and his chin resting in his interlaced hands as he seemed to take in Hans' words. Finally, he looked up at Drosselmeier.

"You aren't a friend to my family for nothing. What are your feelings about this?"

Hans turned to his uncle, also curious about his standing on the situation.

Drosselmeier chuckled.

"I don't think I have to tell you what sort of lady Clara is becoming. Like you and Ingrid have raised all your children, Clara has a good head on her shoulders and a heart of pure gold. Hans lost his parents when he was still quite a young boy. A sickness, I believe. His mother died in childbirth and his father was lost when he was 5. He was entrusted to my care since then and I've taken special care to see he grew into a man his dear late parents would be proud of. I couldn't be any prouder of him myself, so I'm quite certain they are as well. I see no truer man to take care of Clara in married life than my nephew."

Hans' eyes brimmed with tears at his uncle's generous words. He strived to be a good-hearted, hard working man people could be proud of, no matter where he came from. To hear his uncle say how proud he was of him and that his late parents would be as well had moved him.

Dr. Stahlbaum nodded in thought before returning his attention to Hans.

"Young man, your uncle has been a good friend to my wife and I for many years. Eccentric and bizarre as he may be, he is a good man nonetheless, and I've seen enough when you are with Clara to know that the two of you share a special sort of bond. With our close friendship with your uncle in mind, I grant my blessing to you for Clara's hand."

Hans couldn't believe his ears. Was he hearing correctly? Dr. Stahlbaum had blessed his potential union with Clara? Surely, he had to be dreaming.

"You-I mean, we can-really?" he stuttered.

Dr. Stahlbaum chuckled.

"Humble as you are, you make my Sugar Plum happy beyond compare. No other suitor will ever make her feel that way. All I wish for is to see my children happy, whatever they decide. If Clara's decision is you, Hans, I approve the union."

As it finally began to sink in that he had permission to marry Clara, Hans grinned so big it threatened to split his face in half. He stood from his seat and bowed out of habit to Dr. Stahlbaum.

"Thank you so much, sir! I swear, you won't regret your decision!"

Hans then left the office in a brisk walk, not before discreetly accepting a small box from his uncle. He quickly studied the contents, which was a simple but beautiful ring just fit for his Clara, before returning to the ballroom where Clara appeared to be searching for him. Her eyes lit up upon spotting him and she gave him a smile before easing through the crowd to his side.

"There you are! I was wondering where you had disappeared to."

"My apologies, Clara. My uncle and I were speaking to your father."

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh, yes. Of course. No need to be concerned, my love."

Her bright blue eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she didn't press the matter any further, to his relief.

They then realized the Waltz of the Flowers had begun playing. Hans smiled and habitually bowed to her, offering his hand.

"May I have this dance, Clara?"

She giggled and took his hand, curtsying in return.

"Oh, yes, please!"

He lead her out onto the dance floor, where they began a graceful waltz. To his surprise, she began to sing in tune to the music as they danced, her voice soft so that only he could hear.

"If you could hear me now

If I could only get through

I'd open my heart, whisper my dreams

Share all my secrets with you

If you could see me now

Waiting for someone to hold

Someone so brave, who's never afraid

Someone who's strong like the knights of old

I save this dance for you

I hope it lasts forever

So let one star shine through

And make my wish come true

If you could hear this song

This dance would last forever

I'd carry us along

To a place where we belong"

It was a beautiful little tune, and to hear her sing of her feelings to him only made his love for her grow even more in return.

At the end of the night, as the many guests were leaving, Hans pulled Clara off to the side to speak with her privately.

"I wish to see you tomorrow as soon as possible. I have something important to tell you, but it can wait since tonight has been rather busy. Come to Uncle's shop tomorrow the moment you can."

Clara nodded in agreement and Hans quickly kissed her goodnight before leaving with his uncle.

'Could it have anything to do with them talking to my father earlier tonight?' Clara wondered as she retired to her room for the night. Taking her hair down and changing into a nightgown, she slipped into bed and allowed herself to drift into slumber, excitedly wondering what it was her love would speak to her about the next day.