YES! I have the coveted 200th story:)

Ok, sorry. I'm just excited.

This is my first story, and I hope you enjoy it. There WILL be more to come.

First, (and I know I'm probably boring you, the story will start soon. This is just important.) I am changing history. The Anschluss never happened. The von Trapps are still in their lovely villa. This is assuming that Maria and the Captain were married, came home from their honeymoon, and that was that. Toquote imnotacommittee (and i sincerely hope she doesn't mind and my memory has served me well enough to quote her correctly, because i remember it made me smile...): It's all utopia for the von Trapps.

Little Gretl bounded down the stairs, "It's Christmas EVE!" She happily shouted, just in case anyone shared in her enthusiasm, and wanted to know the date.

Maria rolled over groggily in her bed, opening her eyes just barely enough to read the bedside clock. Six o'clock! Ugh…

Maria went to get up to stop Gretl from awakening the rest of the household, when she found a "mysterious" weight tugging at her waist and slowly pulling her towards it. She turned around, finding herself face to face with her dear husband, and gently met her lips with his.

"Darling, you don't need to get up just because Gretl feels the need," the Captain whispered in his wife's ear.

"Yes, but from Brigitta up will be cranky for the rest of the day if they get up this early," Maria replied, lightly pulling away from Georg and moving to get up as she said it, to which he replied with a moan. "I'll see you at breakfast," Maria said, heading towards her armoire to pick out clothing for the day.

A short while later Maria quietly walked down the steps into the entrance room of the house, looking for Gretl.

The villa was gorgeous; all dressed up for the season. Deep red and smooth cream colored poinsettias were placed on every step, with fragrant greens cascading down the banisters, but Gretl wasn't to be found.

The ballroom was closed up, with a wreath in between the two doors, patiently waiting for the Christ Child's visit. Gretl wouldn't be in there.

Maria tried the dining room next. There were more poinsettias placed all about the room, with a mixed bouquet of edelweiss and, what else, poinsettias as centerpiece. The chandelier had somehow been replaced with an enormous advent wreath. Three of the large candles were already half melted with the appearance of wax dripping down the sides, although they were really hardened and dry.

Again, no Gretl.

Maria thought for a moment, before deciding to search in the gazebo – where Gretl and Marta had been playing quite often recently.

Grabbing her coat as she walked by the door, Maria headed out towards the gazebo via the shoveled path.

There were about four inches of snow on the ground, and the lake was frozen over. A very large portion was shoveled off where the von Trapps had enjoyed afternoon's skating.

The gazebo was trimmed with furry greens, red berries highlighting them every so often. The windows were frosted over at the edges, leaving large ovals of clear glass. Finally, Maria had found Gretl.

As she neared the child's bower, Maria realized she was trying to read a book. Maria was only a few yards away, and could easily read the large print title; A Christmas Carol, most likely borrowed from Brigitta. She wondered how well Gretl was doing, since she couldn't read very well yet.

"Mother, what does garret mean?" Gretl asked as Maria entered.

"An attic," Maria replied with a smile.

"Why don't they just say attic then?" Gretl replied innocently and without sarcasm, not being quite old enough to understand the wonderful word of irony yet, just like any other five-year-old.

"I don't know darling." Maria replied. "Why don't we go into the library, and I can read to you and translate the difficult parts?"

"Would you, Mother?" The five-year-old responded eagerly.

"Of course!" Maria said, taking Gretl's hand and walking towards the house with her.

I hope you enjoyed it...Just wanted to let you know that reviews motivate me. ;-)