AUTHOR'S NOTES: Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!
The good thing about living in Japan is that I can upload this at 4am on the 26th an it's still Christmas day for most of you lovely readers :P
Anyway, I think this is probably going to be the last Christmas one-shot in this collection, I know there was a suggestion about me writing them after Christmas, but I may not have enough to do that, and honestly, I feel a bit odd about writing Christmas stories when it's not Christmas...but I will probably still reuse the ideas and just pass them off as winter themed rather than Christmas themed.
I'm sorry that I only wrote three one-shots for this collection, I really wanted to write more, but I have just been so busy. But I really hope you have enjoyed them and I hope that you enjoy this one too!
This idea was given to me by the wonderful juliee_andrewss on Instagram, so thank you, my dear!
Fairytale of Salzburg
Chapter Three - A magical flurry
It had been snowing when she'd given birth to their daughter, a rich, hearty snowfall that seemed to make the whole of Vermont glow with the brightness of the flurry. And whilst she and Georg had barely been able to tear their eyes away from little Rosemarie for longer than a few seconds, one thing Maria will never forget was the incredible sensation of lying in their bed – incredibly exhausted, yet wonderfully awake – as she gave their daughter her feed and gazed out the window at the beauty of the free-falling flakes. They cushioned themselves atop the bare trees and spiralled through the air in their own unique dance, and with the glorious combination of the weather, her husband and firstborn child, Maria was quite sure there had never been a more magical day.
"She's perfect, Maria" Georg had whispered to her that very same day.
They both gazed down at the now sleeping bundle, she was wrapped in soft blankets and whimpering ever so slightly as she rested. They couldn't be seen, but she had inherited her mother's dazzling blue eyes, but her father's hair colour, for when she had first been placed in her arms, one of the first things that Maria had found extraordinary was the dusting of dark brown hair that graced her head. The rest of the world always seemed to melt away for them whenever they looked at their child, Maria would forget about the exhaustion and the hours of pain she just had endured, for looking down at her daughter made her realise that it had all been worthwhile. She never thought she could ever love anyone as much as she loved her.
"Oh, she is…maybe I only think that because she's ours…but I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful"
Her voiced faded out as she ran the back of her index finger down her daughter's cheek, instantly feeling so connected with the life and she and her husband had created.
"You have no idea how proud I am of you" Georg told her, and it would be the first of many times for him to say it. She looked up at him for just a moment and felt her heart swell when she saw tears building in the corners of his eyes.
"I couldn't have done any of it without you" she admitted, "I was so scared"
"And you were so brave" he kissed her cheek before looking back down at Rosemarie, "You would think that after eight children I would be somewhat used to days like this, but each time a new life comes along, it touches me in a way that makes it feel like it's the very first time. The strength of the love never softens…" he trailed off.
It was the first time in a long time that Georg had allowed a tear to fall onto his cheek; he hadn't even cried when they'd fled Austria, but now, with his wife in his arms and holding their child that she had so bravely brought into the world, well, it was just so overwhelming. He knew from his first marriage that having a child often changed the dynamic of a marriage – strengthening the bond of husband and wife – but he never thought he could love Maria more than he already had…but the moment he'd seen her with their daughter, he knew that his love for her had soared to a whole new level. It was astounding to him, and he knew it was a love that would never die out.
From that day onwards, Maria had always adored snow.
Time passed quickly after that, the winter months came and went, making way for the glorious arrival of spring and all the new life it had to offer; and as time continued its methodical passing, their daughter continued to grow. Maria adored watching her flourish, and never tired of the sight of her husband interreacting with her; she had known long before her pregnancy that Georg was a marvellous father to their children, but seeing him cradle and care for a child that was so young was entirely new to her, and it was something that always seemed to make her heart flutter.
She had never cared for a child younger than little Gretl, and when the reality had finally sunk in Maria found herself more than a little apprehensive about caring for a baby, but Georg had been by her side ever step of the way; he had encouraged her, showed her what to do and always gave her help or took over whenever she needed him too. He was always there. And the children, ecstatic to have a new sibling, always wanted to help out their mother with caring for little Rosemary. She blossomed into such a wonderful little girl as the months continued to come and go, and each new milestone only heightened the pure, unbridled love and fidelity that Maria felt for her family, entering her into something truly unique and unbreakable. What she ever did to become so blessed she never knew. Everything from Rosemary's first unstable steps to her first mumbled German word seemed like miracles in themselves – it was truly amazing.
But there was one memory that, for whatever reason, solidified itself in her mind as one of her favourites – one of the most truly heart-warming encounters that she'd ever known…
It was almost exactly a year after Rosemary's birth and whilst December had once again graced Vermont with its usual icy air and prickling winds, a single snowflake had yet to fall – something that served well in disappointing all of their children. But one morning, just as the early light was beginning to bleed through the curtains, Marta and Gretl burst through the door of their parents' bedroom – which they'd left unlocked in their exhaustion – and launched themselves onto their bed, waking them immediately. The couple both grunted at the surprise of the noise and extra weight that was now crushing their sleepy frames; Maria had tried to sit up and calm the girls – lest they wake up Rosemary, who was only in the next room – but it was to no avail…
"Mother! Father! It snowed last night!" Gretl announced excitedly.
"And there's so much! Enough for us to go sledging on the hill!"
"Oh…mmm…well that's wonderful, girls…" Maria groaned sleepy as she tried to prevent the girls from jumping on their bed and crushing her or Georg even more, "…but it's barely morning, please go back to bed"
"We're too excited!" Marta cheered.
"Please, girls" Georg groaned.
"It's not nice to wake people up so early in the morning, I'm sure your brothers and sisters wouldn't appreciate it, and I certainly don't want you to wake Rosemary up" Maria kept her voice soft, but even the little ones could detect the stern undercurrent in her tone.
"We really want to go and play in the snow, mother" Gretl pleaded.
"And you will, but after breakfast and at a more sensible hour, okay?" Georg reasoned.
"Okay" the girls replied with some dismay.
"Go back to bed and try and get some rest, then you'll have plenty of energy to go sledging" Maria told them, and it seemed to work, for the two girls nodded and hopped off the bed excitedly before running back to their rooms.
"Well done" Georg murmured with genuine appreciation.
"I appreciate that, but I don't think that was my best negotiation" she giggled.
"Well, it got us at least another hour of peace, so I'm not complaining…and the nursery is still quiet"
"Thank goodness, she just wouldn't go down last night"
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help" he apologised.
"As you once told me, teething is teething and there is little that can be done to help it"
"What a wise husband you have, Mrs von Trapp" he chuckled.
"Seven children prior comes with its advantages"
"Not when there's been a heavy snowfall it doesn't"
"We knew this would happen eventually, at least they didn't wake us until…" she craned her neck to look at the clock, "…six" she announced.
"The last hour of sleep happens to be my favourite" he semi-joked.
"Well, now you can be awake to appreciate it"
"So, will you be sledging with the girls?"
"You know my weak spots too well" she mused, "perhaps, if the opportunity presents itself"
"I'll happily stay on the side lines with Rosie, I think I'm too old for sledging"
"Oh, you're anything but old, Captain" she chuckled, "but we'll figure out today's parenting rota later"
"After an extra hour of sleep?"
"Naturally" she smiled.
But just as the pair had settled down in preparation for grasping the final few strands of sleep, the inevitable cry of an infant came echoing from the nursery next door.
"Guess, that's our sleep finished" Maria laughed sleepily.
Most of the children had gotten themselves up and dressed well before breakfast, and they had all wolfed it down like it was some Olympic sport; and no matter how much Maria and Georg had tried to calm them, there was still a lingering urgency within all of their actions. But, sooner or later the parents could stall no longer, and they finally allowed the children to go outside, and the resulting response could only be likened to a stampede of wild animals, for they had left the house within mere seconds of the words leaving Maria's mouth.
After dressing Rosemary and handing her over to her father, she had insisted that Georg take her outside whilst she cleared up in the kitchen, naturally he had protested over her suggestion, but Maria had humorously stood firm announcing that she could easily get it done if there were no children to worry about. And so, after only a short debate, Georg had taken his youngest child out into the snow, and whilst the other children raced up to the neighbouring hill to try out their sledges, he had stayed near the bottom and delighted in how his youngest looked upon the weather change with eyes filled with awe.
Maria had been excited to finally be able to enjoy the snow this Christmas and her husband knew that more than anyone, and whilst the thought of indulging in sled races and snowball fights awoke that joyous, carefree spirit of hers, it was actually something completely different that ended up taking her breath away. After clearing the kitchen and finally dressing herself in some appropriate outdoor attire, Maria had wandered out to join her family and eventually stumbled upon one of the most beautiful sights she'd ever seen.
She found her husband, on his knees in the snow – an unbridled smile painted across his face – and laughing mirthfully as little Rosemary discovered her first snowfall. The little girl pottered about in the soft cushioning, stumbling awkwardly as she adjusted to the new surface; at some point she lost her footing and stumbled bottom-first into the snow, only to laugh musically about it and attempted to bury herself in it further.
"Whoops!" Georg cooed as he laughed along with the almost one-year-old, "Good thing it's a soft landing, sweetheart"
Rosemary laughed again and began to thrash her arms and legs around, adoring the new sensation of the soft snow around her and the powdery flakes that splashed above ground from her ministrations.
"Is this your version of a snow angel?" Georg laughed.
A joyful 'Papa!' was all he got in response.
"Come on, let's get you back up" Georg said before lifting Rosemary back to her feet and brushing the snow off her back, "So what do you think of the snow, Rosie? Do you like it?" he smiled.
In response, Rosemary bent down to pick up two fistfuls of snow before awkwardly throwing the flakes into the air and making them rain down upon her – squealing gleefully as they fell.
"I'll take that as a firm 'yes'" Georg laughed.
Rosemary continued to throw a few more handfuls of snow around before deciding that it was all too exciting, and she bounded merrily towards her father and into his awaiting embrace; Georg pulled her in tight and held her close to him, his entire body warming with unbridled love. He could scarcely believe that his little girl was almost a year old, it seemed like mere moments ago that she was born, the day when he had been so unbelievably proud of his wife and moved beyond words in response to the gift that she had given him. It was a truly incredibly feeling, one that he knew he'd never be able to fully explain and do it justice.
Only a few steps away, Maria was in a similar state. She just couldn't stop herself from smiling at what she had observed, her husband so in love with their youngest child, playing with her as if she were the only other person to exist in his life; and to see such fidelity in his eyes, to see a smile brighter than the sun itself, well, it was truly indescribable. She knew then that her life truly was perfect. Unable to resist any longer, Maria took the final few steps and joined her husband and daughter down in the snow.
"And here's Mama" Georg announced with a smile.
"Hello, you two" she looked endearingly at her husband before brushing her daughter's cheek, "You look like you're enjoying yourself" Maria cooed as she fussed with Rosie's coat.
"Oh, she certainly is" Georg released his daughter then and watched carefully as she stepped away just a little bit and once again began to playfully investigate the snow, "How long were you watching us for?" he smirked.
"Long enough" Maria sighed lovingly, "I love you, you know"
"I love you too"
Yes, snow was definitely one of her favourite things.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: So, there you go! That's the (very probable) end of my Christmas one-shots. Over the next few weeks I will be studying a lot for my exams in January, so I'm not sure how much time I will get to write, but I will do my best to get some done. I also think I will try and focus more on finishing my multi-chapter stories as I think they have been unfinished for too long.
Anyway, as always, I have spoken too much. So, I hope you've had a wonderful holiday and I'll see you soon! xxx