A/N: Okay I am putting this out here in hopes that I will get reviews on how to improve this story. Please tell me how it is and ways to improve!
Heil'ge Nacht
A cool crisp air blew through the streets. Snowflakes fell from the heavens lightly onto tightly packed snow on the ground. The soft sunrays shown through the clouds and illuminated the sky as it set for the night.
The streets of New York were uncharacteristically quiet that night. Usually during the holiday season they were bustling with crowds. One could sense something was going on that Christmas Eve.
In a large outdoor theatre there stood a family of nine waiting in the cold air to sing. They had sung very much so far in concerts just to make enough money to live. That night they were not doing it for money however. This night was something special.
***
The von Trapps had arrived in New York around the end of fall, just as snow was beginning to fall in New York. Maria and Georg had gained US visitor's rights and were able to afford a small apartment for their family. Money was scarce for the family. Georg and Maria had both tried to find jobs, but had not succeeded. It appeared that everyone in New York was trying to get the same job.
Georg knew he had to do something for the family to earn money so as a last resort they began to sing. A manager gave them a contract and they became known as the Trapp Family Singers. Still the money they had was scarce and they had very little to spend on extras that the family once had so many of.
Maria did not mind at all since she was used to living in hard lower middle class conditions. The concern she had was for the children. They were used to living with riches that many people could only dream of. As Christmas drew nearer she sensed the sprite and excitement filling everyone. She grew more and more frightened because she knew this Christmas would be different then the children had ever experienced before. This year they did not have enough money for presents.
Georg had managed to buy some old lights for their house at a low cost. Maria found some old ornaments to buy because the children loved the idea of a Christmas tree. They had heard about it from their schools how Americans put a tree in their corner with a manger at the bottom of it. The children thought it was an excellent idea and it was similar to what they did in Austria so Maria and Georg agreed. Maria was happy the children had not mentioned how on Christmas there are presents under the tree.
***
"Mother hang it more to the left," Marta yelled cheerfully at her Mother. "Oh a little to the right. Oh stop Mother that is perfect! Stop!" Maria laughed at her child and bent down to give her a hug.
"Now Marta, darling, when did you become Miss Ordainment Queen, hmm?" Maria asked giving her a squeeze. Her exhausted brothers and sisters laughed a little. The family had gotten a dark green tree from the woods and was decorating it with their cheep ornaments and their homemade ones. Marta had however become the dictator of decorating. She had given out orders so the tree would look perfect. Maria finished the tree by hanging the last popcorn strand and attaching a candle to it.
"There!" She proclaimed as the family stepped back to look at their finished product. The tall green tree did not have fancy ornaments on it like some, but it was beautiful in its own way. Paper chains of green and red hung from it with popcorn strands covering it. Small white candles hung from silver platters, illuminating the house. It was simple, but Maria thought it was definitely gorgeous.
"Isn't it lovely, children?" Maria asked smiling. The children met her smile with fake ones of there own. "What is wrong children?" They tried to look happy, but could not hide their disappointment.
"Well it is pretty, Mother…" Louisa trailed off.
"Yes? So if it is beautiful then what is wrong?" Maria asked her again.
"Mother, we are just used to having a beautiful tree with many pretty ornaments. This one is so plain and natural." Liesl told her.
"Well children I am afraid there is not much we can do about that this year. Just look at the tree though. Its beauty it found not on the outside, but within." Maria sighed. Georg walked in whipping his eyes.
"You all decorated the tree without me?" He asked astonished.
"Darling I am sorry, but the children were very eager to do it and I didn't have the heart to wake you. You were so tired." She told him.
"You should have woken me up anyways." He said sitting down on the sofa.
"I knew you must have been tired because of all that hiking we did to search for a tree. It must be difficult for someone so old." Maria told him smiling. Georg glared at her jokingly.
"For your information I was not tired I was just hoping you would be tired and come in with me." Georg told her placing his hand on her back and giving her a long kiss. "Next year we will get two tress and you and I will decorate one together…alone. Sound good?" Maria nodded laughing at him. The family decided to sing some carols and practice for their Christmas concert.
Maria and Georg watched the children practice a few songs as they talked about what to do for the children's presents. They both knew that it was quite impossible for them to get very much for any of the children. Maria and Georg just did not know how to break it to the children.
"They are such great children. They deserve better. They don't deserve coal." Georg whispered to Maria.
"Georg they aren't going to get coal. Anyways they will understand we are in a tough situation." Maria told him.
"I don't know Maria…" His voice trailed off as they watched as the children sat down in a circle and began talking.
"Now we told you all of our favorite gifts we have received, Brigitta. You must tell us yours now." Louisa told her. Maria cringed at the thought of gifts.
"Well honestly I think my favorite was the journal Father gave me last Christmas. I have used it so much to write and draw in." She told them. The children looked at her with disgust.
"Brigitta that was one of the most inexpensive gifts you have received. What about that one necklace? Or the dress Mother gave you that year…" Liesl trailed off.
"No the journal was my favorite. Even if it was cheep, it was a thoughtful present that had more meaning than any expensive gifts." Brigitta told them. The children shook their heads not comprehending what she meant. They turned to their parents.
"What was your favorite gift you ever received Mother?" Asked Gretl.
"Well does it have to be during Christmas?" Maria said looking a bit nervous.
"Well I suppose it does since that is what we are talking about." Kurt told her sarcastically. Maria smiled at them.
"I don't think you children will appreciate this answer. To tell you the truth though I never have received a Christmas present." Maria told them. The children stared at her with shock. Georg sat up in apparent confusion. He knew her life had been hard, but really no presents? "Well at least not any that I can remember. My uncle that I lived with didn't believe in God so we didn't really celebrate Christmas. Well we would celebrate with presents for his family, which excluded me. They would usually find some excuse, some reason as to why I could not have a present that year. They would always tell me: "No Maria Santa must have thought you were bad this year. Look he gave you coal in your stocking this year too." Maria stopped and looked at the children.
"They gave you coal Mother?" Asked Marta sadly. Maria nodded.
"Yes they would show me my red torn up stocking full of dark charcoal. We never got a very good dinner that night either. When I was in college and a nun I never had enough money and was never with anyone who had enough money to celebrate Christmas. We celebrated without presents and went to church." She told them.
"Without presents? Without Christmas goodies?" Louisa asked wide-eyed. The other children sat there in disbelief as well.
"Yes I have learned to celebrate Christmas without presents. I hate to break it to you children, but that is what we must do this year. We just do not have enough money." Maria stated gravely. The children's eyes shot up with horror on their faces.
"Christmas without presents?" Gretl cried sadly. The look on her face broke Maria's heart.
"Yes but can I tell you children a story?" Maria asked.
"We really don't feel like a story now Mother." Liesl told her. The children shook there heads no and walked into their bedrooms. Maria slumped over to the couch.
"Well that went well, didn't it?" She said sarcastically.
"Don't worry Maria, they will live." Georg told her wrapping his arms around her. "They will feel better soon. Just a few versus of My Favorite Things and they will be fine."
"Maybe they will be, but I won't." Maria told him honestly.
"Well then do you want me to make you feel better?" He asked her. Maria smiled and nodded as he began to kiss her fervently.