Quite honestly Maria didn't really believe she would be able to sleep! There were far to many thoughts that kept swirling around in her head.

Her nutcracker was a prince! A real genuine prince! though Maria's heart also twisted when she thought of all those years he had spend all alone with any maid tending to him wearing a blindfold.

She thought about the Mouse Queen and her son whom was now the Mouse King, about all that had transpired.

And deep down… secretly. Maria couldn't help herself but be giddy by the thought of the pink gloves that might be in store!

Of course Drosselmeyer didn't owe her any pink gloves, and gloves of any color would be nice to they didn't have to be pink or anything.

But she wanted pink gloves! And maybe even… a pink hat that matched! And a long scarf! Maria shook her head, she was becoming greedy now but she really really wanted it! All the things in Drosselmeyers house were so wonderful that she was willing to bet a pair of gloves given by him would be extra wonderful! Even if they weren't pink…. He did though say he had just to thing right?

And Maria got nervous, maybe she had understood him wrong and he wouldn't get her pink gloves, he had already done so much for her. Was she being unfair? …. She really wanted pink gloves though… And she even started to get sad by the thought of not getting them.

In spite of herself though, Maria soon fell a sleep, her still healing foot and the long story had apparently taken more out of her than she thought and she had a long dreamless sleep, finally as she woke up she sat up and rubbed her eyes as she stretched her body, she glanced towards the table next to her and then her eyes widened and she let out a scream in pure delight!

Because right there in front of her were a pair of beautiful pink woolen gloves! Even with white fur alongside the trimming! That was not all though, for the gloves were just at the top of a whole pile of clothes! There was a matching hat, also in pink with white fur and a long scarf! Then there was a long white winter coat with golden buttons and a pair of warm pink boots that seemed to be lined with the soft white fur.

Maria was genuinely crying as she picked up the coat, tears were streaming down her face as she tried to take it all in and that's when Drosselmeyer and Nutcracker came running.

"lady Maria!" The Nutcracker asked. "Are you okay? You didn't have bad dreams about the mouse king did you?"

"No-no." Maria stammered. "I just… Can I really have this?" she asked. "It's so beautiful! I never owned anything as nice as just one of these things!"

Drosselmeyer smiled amused. "Well I see you appreciate the gift, so yes you can have them. I believe they will serve you well to in this weather, you needed warmer clothes anyhow."

"Oh Sir Drosselmeyer." Maria cried. "Thank you! I don't know what to say! How did you get this?" she had to ask.

"Well, I am not the only one selling the most items here so close to the light ball and so I have a buisness deal with the seamstress in town." Drosselmeyer admitted. "I receive some of her wares to sell here and in return she has some of my clocks and machines on display in her shop to sell. Then I give her the profit of what-ever I sell of hers and virsa versa."

"So they are her wares?" Maria asked. "But then…"

"I can pay." Drosselmeyer assured. "Perhaps even with a clock, she always lamented she couldn't afford one out of her own pocket."

"Then give her a really nice clock wont you?" Maria asked as she hugged the coat close. Then she couldn't help herself as she put down the coat and slipped on the pink gloves instead, wiggling her fingers inside. "Ooh they are so soft! They are not even scratchy at all!" she remarked. And then she put on the rest! The coat, the hat, the scarf and she stuck her small feet's down into the boots before she ran around and laughed. "Hihihi! Nutcracker look at me! Now I feel like a real lady to!" she beamed as she twirled around on the spot. "I could even go to a christmas party! I am dressed up for the occasion! Oh i'm sorry, in this world it's a light party I assume. HAHAHAHA! Either way I would be able to go now wouldn't I?" she asked.

"Absolutely." The Nutcracker agreed as he smiled. "You look wonderful, it's like this was all made for you!"

"Yes indeed, it is quite remarkable." Drosselmeyer had to agree. "I was unsure about the seize, but it seems just right."

"It's perfect!" Maria beamed happily. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" she cried and then ran over to Drosselmeyer though as she stopped in front of him she halted.

Drosselmeyer as well looked confused. "What now?" he asked.

"I…. I wanted to give you a hug, but i'm not sure if i'm allowed." Maria admitted.

"Oh." Drosselmeyer realised. "Well, if you must." he commented and Maria smiled as she wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him close.

"Thank you so much Sir Drosselmeyer!" Maria cried loudly and let go again. "And thank you Nutcracker." she beamed.

The Nutcracker as well smiled as he tilted his head. "You like it here don't you? With Drosselmeyer?"

"I like it very much, this place is so wonderful." Maria beamed.

"Then you wont mind staying here for a bit?" The Nutcracker asked.

"What?" Maria asked.

"I…. I have some buisness to do." The Nutcracker admitted. "So i'll be gone for a while, not long though I promise! I'll try to be back before the light ball! Before the door to your world closes so you can go home!"

Maria blinked. "You're going?" she asked. "But…. Then let me go with you!" she asked. "I have warm clothes now look! It's perfect for snowy weather like now!"

"Maria no!" The nutcracker exclaimed and then exhaled. "Stay here, Drosselmeyer will keep you safe and take care of you!"

"But I want to go with you!" Maria exclaimed.

"That's a stupid idea! Isn't it Uncle Drosselmeyer?" The Nutcracker asked.

"Why?" Drosselmeyer asked. "If you intend to go you might as well take her with you." he commented. "Afterall you brought her here, so she is your responsibility."

"But Uncle Drosselmeyer!" The nutcracker exclaimed.

"You brought her here did you not?" Drosselmeyer asked.

"Well yes, but." The Nutcracker tried.

"Then she is your responsibility, don't dry her off on me! You already brought me enough trouble as it is!" Drosselmeyer snapped at the poor nutcracker whom stood back rather shocked.

The Nutcracker gaped then hung his head. "I see, fine then."

Maria hesitated. "Will it really be so bad if i'm there?" she asked. "I mean…. I thought. We are friends right?"

"Yes of course we are!" The nutcracker exclaimed. "I just… What I mean is… argh." he hissed. "I'm a soldier and you're a lady! Lady's shouldn't have to bother with a soldiers duty!"

"I thought you were a prince." Maria blinked.

"A prince can be a soldier." The Nutcracker huffed annoyed as he crossed his arms. "Soldiers are brave and live by their strict code! That code includes always to treat ladies well and stand proud in the face of danger! It would be very suitable for prince to aspire to be a soldier wouldn't it?" he asked.

"I suppose that's true." Maria smiled amused. "And indeed, you really were a brave soldier when the mouse king attacked us!" she beamed. "I'm sorry I doubted you!"

"Well then!" Drosselmeyer smiled satisfied as he clasped his hands together. "You'll both be out of my hair by tomorrow and i'll be able to work in peace! Now this arrangements I can agree with!"

"But uncle Drosselmeyer." The nutcracker blinked. "You don't even have hair." he pointed out referring to the glass wig on Drosselmeyers head.

That though made Drosselmeyes head turn quite red as he hissed. "See this! This is why I dislike putting up with children! People are dumb but children are the worst!" he exclaimed. "Now make sure to be out of my house by tomorrow or i'll throw you out myself!" he stated stomping towards the door and slammed it close.

Stunned did Maria and the Nutcracker look after him, only for Drosselmeyer to come back looking through the opened door. "I'm afraid I don't have much food, but at least I can pack some bread and spreads for you so you wont go hungry."

"Oh, Thank you sir Drosselmeyer." Maria blinked. "That's very kind of you, I would appreciate it."

And Drosselmeyer nodded and then disappeared again.

Blinking both Maria and the Nutcracker looked at the closed door, then they looked at each other and they both burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry." The Nutcracker chukled. "I did tell you he was a bit odd though didn't I?"

"You did." Maria laughed as well as she wiped away an amused tear and then she looked up. "I like him though." she said. "He's very kind."

"I don't think that's how most will describe him. Unce Drosselmeyer is well known for how much he dislikes people." The Nutcracker admitted. "He cares more for his clocks and machines than people, everyone knows that."

"I don't think that's true." Maria commented. "He cares for you doesn't he? Kept coming back to talk to you for all this time, and even allowed you to stay in his house."

"Yes, you're right about that." The Nutcracker smiled. "He never had to visit me at the castle, but he still did… Not very often, sometimes only ones every several months. But it still meant a lot to me, I remember it." he admitted. "I always looked forward to see Uncle Drosselmeyer."

And Maria smiled to looking up at the Nutcracker, then reached out and took his hand smiling up at him. No more needed to be said, sometimes when you care for someone. You really don't need to say anything at all, it just was is in the air.

"Well, if we are to be going. I suppose we should prepare ourselves." The nutcracker commented. "Erhm, you did come here very suddenly so erh… Is there something you need to take with you?" he asked.

Maria blinked. "Even if we did leave from my home… I don't have anything." she pointed out.

"Oh." The Nutcracker realized. "Well… "

Maria though smiled as she gathered the coat around her. "Well I wont be freezing that much is for sure!" she beamed. "And sir Drosselmayer is packing provisions for us, we'll be fine." she beamed. "I don't eat much I promise! I wont drag you down!"

And the nutcracker exhaled deeply. "I'll go find my robe." he then said.

"Your what?" Maria blinked.


Turned out the nutcracker really did mean a robe, a huge one with a hood that could cover his entire wooden body in its dark brown cloth.

"Oh." Maria realized. "You're using that?" she asked.

"Well, I am not very nice to look at." The Nutcracker pointed out. "My mother and father had me hidden for a reason right? So well… It's better this way." he stated pulling the head all the way down over his face which made Maria laugh out loud.

"What?" The nutcracker asked with the hood still covering his entire face.

"You look ridicules like that!" Maria laughed out loud. "Can you even see like that?"

"I can see just fine!" The nutcracker stated. "That is… I can see my feet and nothing else." he admitted and Maria burst out laughing. "It's not that funny." he mumbled.

"I.. I'm sorry." Maria laughed out loud. "I just… With that shape you look so conspicuous like that to! There's no way this is helping you blend it!"

"Then what else can I do?!" The nutcracker asked annoyed.

At that Maria simply grabbed the hood and pulled it out. "Pretend you wear a mask or something, in celebration of the holiday. Just don't do this." she asked amused. "Beside you don't look so bad, the king and queen were definitely overreacting." she stated.

"I don't know." The nutcracker muttered looking down but as he looked up what he saw was Maria's genuine smile and he couldn't help but smile as well just as Drosselmeyer entered.

"Maria, can I speak to you for a moment?" Drosselmeyer asked.

"Me?" Maria asked surprised.

"That was what I said wasn't it?" Drosselmeyer asked. "Are you deaf?"

"Ah, i'm sorry! I'm coming!" Maria exclaimed as she dashed towards Drosselmeyer and followed him into the kitchen the Nutcracker looking wondering after them.

The kitchen was just as messy as the living room, and of course in here there were clocks on the wall to as well as even more mechanical contraptions, there was also a big shelf reserved solely to different blends of tea and open cupboard showing how it was overflowing with different teacops, plates, sugar bowls and all its like. Every room in Drosselmeyers house seemed to be rather fascinating.

Drosselmeyer himself was standing at the counter putting items in a backpack. "The baker boy comes out here ones a week with my bread, that's three days ago now though so i'm afraid this bread is a little old. Strawberry jam can last for-ever though." he pointed out putting the promised glass down in the backpack. "The golden coins are for food. You got that? Don't you waste them on silly toys or anything like that!"

"I wont. Thank you Sir Drosselmeyer, you truly are very kind." Maria stated and Drosselmeyer exhaled deeply.

"No, i'm just ridden with guilt." Drosselmeyer admitted as he turned to Maria holding the backpack. "I build the traps that allowed the king to capture all those mice, without my help he would never have gotten to them and he wouldn't have killed the mouse Queen sons, he couldn't have. So much misfortune happened because I was to much of a coward to say no. I feared for my own head, and thusly didn't even consider the consequences of my actions." he exhaled deeply.

"Sir Drosselmeyer you don't need to lie, I know you care for the nutcracker like he cares for you." Maria commented.

"Do I?" Drosselmeyer asked. "I don't know, maybe I really have grown sentimental in my old age." he finally admitted then looked up. "Listen, Maria. The Nutcracker told you about the crackertak, that if it is offered to him by a pure hearted maiden it would break his curse." Drosselmeyer commented.

"Yes, he said that." Maria nodded thoughtfully.

"How-ever, he left out one part." Drosselmeyer stated in a important voice. "It must be a pure hearted maiden whom has it in her heart to love him in spite of his looks." he stated. "And my friend the astronomer told the Nutcracker would find something important in your world, something that was essential in helping him. And well, even if he doesn't realize it. I think he found that something he needs." he smiled as he walked to Maria and then gave her the backpack which Maria accepted, now holding it in her hands.

"You think… I am that maiden?" Maria asked astounded.

"Of course I do, who else would it be?" Drosselmeyer asked. "Any idiot whom got two eyes would be able to see how you love him. You Maria, you must offer him the crackertak." he stated. "Only then can he be human again. And I will no longer have to feel such guilt." he sighed deeply.

"I don't think you have any reason to feel guilt." Maria said. "Unlike the king and Queen, you've done your best to make it up to the nutcracker."

"It's not much i've been able to do i'm afraid." Drosselmeyer admitted.

"Yes it is!" Maria stated. "Nutcracker is lucky to have an uncle like you! Why if I could have you for an uncle I would be a very happy girl!"

Drosselmeyer shook his head. "You don't want a grumpy old shut in like me as an uncle."

"Yes I would!" Maria stated promptly. "You're kind and you make wonders come to life! I'm so glad I got to meet you!" she beamed.

Drosselmeyer smiled amused. "Then, I suppose you'll have to call me uncle to."

"You really mean it?" Maria gaped.

"If you like." Drosselmeyer commented and Maria beamed as she ran to him and hugged him again for the second time that day.

"Thank you Uncle Drosselmeyer!" Maria beamed as she let go. "I'll make sure Nutcracker I will make it back very soon. And i'll make sure we'll both be safe! So don't worry!"

Amused but also a little sadly did Drosselmeyer looked at Maria then ruffled up her hair. "You are a good kid." he remarked. "Okay then, i'll be waiting for you two." And Maria beamed.

Soon thereafter Maria and the Nutcracker was on their way in the snow, Maria in her new winther clothes and the nutcracker in his robe though with the hood down.

"Goodbye!" Maria happily waved at Drosselmeyer who stood in the door. "I'll see you soon I promise! We'll be back even before you know it! I'll miss you already Uncle Drosselmeyer!" she beamed waving with her arm stretched up as high as she could.

The old man as well lifted his hand and returned the wave as he smiled at them, his eyes though looking weirdly sad and a little bit anxious.

"You're sure you don't want to stay with uncle Drosselmeyer?" Nutcracker asked.

Maria shook her head. "I made up my mind, I want to stay with you!" she beamed. "It'll be fine! We'll find the crackertak together!"

"Oh… yes… The Crackertak." The Nutcracker remembered. "I suppose we should get going then." he commented and Maria nodded happily as she stepped forward with a big broad smile on her face.