A/N: The song I use in this fic was performed by Dolly Parton in Smokey
Mountain Christmas. I thought it was appropriate for our singing family.
No money is being made. I also know that Austria they don't have "Santa
Claus" but the German would not fit in with the song and I really wanted to
use it. Thanks for understanding.
Six Weeks Later
Dr. Kreiger placed Maria on a light but healthy diet and removed the bedrest restriction she'd been placed under in favor of a regimen of light exercise. Maria distrusted the Nazi doctor, but his plan seemed to work and her health returned and the baby flourished. Under his care, she regained the weight she'd lost plus five additional pounds, and her normally flat stomach was beginning to round with maternity.
Maria had not heard from Georg again since he left her that night, and she had not gotten a letter from him since. She had not received any word at all, Maria took it as a good sign.
The autumn days slipped towards winter, and Christmas holidays were fast approaching. It would not be the merriest of Christmases for the family with the Captain gone, but Maria vowed that she would make it as happy as possible.
It was just a week until Christmas now and Maria had gathered the children together in the salon to select names for the Secret Santa's. It would be easier than having each child by a gift for every sibling, especially with the events going on in the town, the fewer trips into Salzburg, the better.
"What are we doing, Mother?" Marta asked when all the children except Frederich were gathered in the salon.
"We're drawing out Secret Santa's," replied Maria. "Each of us will pick a name and buy a gift for the person whose name you picked. There are only three rules, you cannot pick yourself, you cannot tell whose name you picked, and you cannot give a gift that is or at one time was alive," Maria cheerfully explained with a look at Louisa, as she passed around her old straw hat filled with little slips of paper.
"Mother," Gretl asked, "Is Father coming home for Christmas?"
The forlorn look in the little girls eyes made Maria's heart ache, "I don't know, Gretl. I hope so."
After Gretl's question, the mood of the room changed and six faces fell as they started back at her.
"Well all we can do is hope and pray your father can be with us for Christmas, but now let's play a game. Let's pretend we're at the North Pole. What would you do if we were at the North Pole? Marta, what would you do?" "I've never been anywhere but here. I just like to go to the North Pole," the seven year old replied.
"Okay, what about you, Brigitta?" Maria asked.
"I'd like to meet Santa's wife," she replied.
"That sounds like fun. Kurt?" Maria smiled and pointed at her eleven year old.
"I'd like to meet all the elves," he replied mischievously.
"Ooh, that's exciting. Gretl?"
"I'd like to wish Father a Merry Christmas," the littlest one said.
"You can't," Louisa gently told her as she gave her a little hug.
"I know," Gretl answered.
"Well, I know on thing. Your father would be pretty sad if he saw us sitting around her like a bunch of gloom peddlers. Liesl get the guitar, and sit by your sisters and brothers. We're going to make up something," Maria encouraged and began strumming a lively tune.
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
I'd like to go to the North Pole Though I know, it's awfully cold But I wouldn't care, how much it snowed I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
And I'd like to meet Santa's wife I just know she'd be real nice I wonder if they live in a house of ice I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
And I'd like to see all the elves Load toys for Santa they made themselves Who knows they might eve let me help I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
All the children were laughing when Maria strummed the last chord and the mood seemed lifted for the time being. A quick glance at the clock told Maria the children it was time for bed.
"Goodnight, Darlings," she replied hugging them all.
Frederich von Trapp lay up in his room listening to the joyous singing coming from downstairs. What did they have to be joyous about? Father was out in the war fighting, Maria was having a kid, adding another member to the all ready too large family and he did not see any of those things as reasons to be glad.
Finally, the music stopped and Frederich could hear the familiar sounds of his siblings going up to bed. Kurt, the sniveling little brat, would be up soon, humming some stupid folk song.
When the bedroom door opened however, it wasnot Kurt who was on the other side, it was Maria.
"Friederich," she began, standing in the doorway, her pregnancy more obvious in her silhouette than in her actual frame, "we missed you downstairs. We're not much without our tenor." She tried to smile.
"I don't like singing. Singing is for girls," Frederich bit.
"Your brother sings with us. And your father..." Maria remembered Georg's gentle deep voice.
"Yeah," Frederich retorted, "but Kurt is a sissy and Father is a coward." Maria's face grew dark with anger. "How dare you!" Maria hissed, "Your brother may be younger than you, but he is still a member of this family and deserves your respect. And your Father, God bless him, is doing what he is doing for the sake of the family. It takes courage to sacrifice yourself as he had done to abandon your principle and conviction for your loved ones."
"If that's true, then he's also a traitor," Frederich countered, "I should let Lieutenant von Klopper know about this."
Maria struggled to keep her temper under control. Never had she wanted to strike on of Gerog's children, one of her children, as she did now. Since Georg left and Frederich assimilated himself into the Hitler Youth, he'd become very difficult to deal with, but his words and attitude now were simply too harsh.
"Frederich, you're father and I always wanted you to have your own ideas, be your own person, but Darling, the Nazis are not our friends, they are not helping Germany or Austria, they are only hurting people. They're lying to us, you must see that," Maria implored her eldest son to see what she saw what his siblings saw, but all that registered in his cold eyes was distrust, distrust and another emotion Maria was afraid to name.
"They aren't lying," Frederich almost shouted, "You're the liar."
Maria fought tears at his words, breathing deeply, "I'm not Frederich, and someday, I know you'll realize that." With that, she left the room, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
Somewhere in the Adriatic Sea
Captain von Trapp marked another day off his calendar. December 18, 1938; one week until Christmas and six weeks since he'd last seen his beloved Maria and family. Thankfully, this reconnaissance mission was nearly completed and with luck he would be granted a shore leave for the holidays.
Each day he prayed Dr. Kreiger's plan had worked and that Maria and the baby were fine. He prayed all of his children were happy and healthy. He especially prayed for Frederich, so that his eldest son might see his way through these confusing times. How he longed to be there to help him.
Each night Captain von Trapp held a meeting with his men about the assignments for the following day. Usually, he had a good crew, responsive, trustworthy, especially one young sailor, Johannes Schreiner. Today, though, the Captain noticed Johannes was off his game and very sullen. After the meeting broke, the Captain called out to him.
"Schreiner," he called and the young sailor jumped, "I want to see you in my quarters."
The young sailor looked absolutely sick as he followed the Captain to his quarters, "Yes, Sir?"
"Have a seat, Sailor," the Captain invited, "would you care for a drink?"
"No, Sir. Sir, did I do something wrong," Schreiner asked nervously.
"No, no. Not at all," the Captain assured him, "In fact, you are one of the most promising young men aboard this submarine. But, lately you seem a bit down, distracted, even preoccupied and I was wondering why that might be?"
Schreiner was surprised at Captain von Trapp's demeanor. The seasoned Captain had a reputation of being a cold, detached leader, but this man seemed almost fatherly.
"No, Sir. It's just I miss my bride, Sir. It's almost Christmas, and well, it's starting to sting a bit. She's expecting our first child," the young man said proudly.
"I understand, Son. I'm a newly married man myself, my Maria, is expecting our first baby too," the Captain told him, "I know how much it hurts, but you have to stay on the game, that's the only chance any of us have to make it through this thing. Understand?" the Captain asked.
"Yes, Sir," Schreiner nodded, "Thank you, Sir."
"No problem, Sailor. You need to talk about them, come see me, sometimes reminiscing keeps you from missing them too much."
"Thank you, Sir," the young man smiled and rose with the Captain. The young sailor snapped a quick salute as the Captain commanded, "Dismissed."
On December 23, 1938, Captain von Trapp's submarine surfaced and docked at Bremmehaven Naval Base. He was greeted when he left his boat, by Admiral von Schriver.
"Captain, we've heard the reports. Excellent work, Sir, excellent work," the admiral praised, "You are a wonderful asset to the Navy and an honor to your uniform, Sir."
"Thank you, Admiral, Sir," the Captain replied blushing at the praise in spite of himself.
"You've earned your title, Captain, and you leave. Enjoy the holidays with your family."
Six Weeks Later
Dr. Kreiger placed Maria on a light but healthy diet and removed the bedrest restriction she'd been placed under in favor of a regimen of light exercise. Maria distrusted the Nazi doctor, but his plan seemed to work and her health returned and the baby flourished. Under his care, she regained the weight she'd lost plus five additional pounds, and her normally flat stomach was beginning to round with maternity.
Maria had not heard from Georg again since he left her that night, and she had not gotten a letter from him since. She had not received any word at all, Maria took it as a good sign.
The autumn days slipped towards winter, and Christmas holidays were fast approaching. It would not be the merriest of Christmases for the family with the Captain gone, but Maria vowed that she would make it as happy as possible.
It was just a week until Christmas now and Maria had gathered the children together in the salon to select names for the Secret Santa's. It would be easier than having each child by a gift for every sibling, especially with the events going on in the town, the fewer trips into Salzburg, the better.
"What are we doing, Mother?" Marta asked when all the children except Frederich were gathered in the salon.
"We're drawing out Secret Santa's," replied Maria. "Each of us will pick a name and buy a gift for the person whose name you picked. There are only three rules, you cannot pick yourself, you cannot tell whose name you picked, and you cannot give a gift that is or at one time was alive," Maria cheerfully explained with a look at Louisa, as she passed around her old straw hat filled with little slips of paper.
"Mother," Gretl asked, "Is Father coming home for Christmas?"
The forlorn look in the little girls eyes made Maria's heart ache, "I don't know, Gretl. I hope so."
After Gretl's question, the mood of the room changed and six faces fell as they started back at her.
"Well all we can do is hope and pray your father can be with us for Christmas, but now let's play a game. Let's pretend we're at the North Pole. What would you do if we were at the North Pole? Marta, what would you do?" "I've never been anywhere but here. I just like to go to the North Pole," the seven year old replied.
"Okay, what about you, Brigitta?" Maria asked.
"I'd like to meet Santa's wife," she replied.
"That sounds like fun. Kurt?" Maria smiled and pointed at her eleven year old.
"I'd like to meet all the elves," he replied mischievously.
"Ooh, that's exciting. Gretl?"
"I'd like to wish Father a Merry Christmas," the littlest one said.
"You can't," Louisa gently told her as she gave her a little hug.
"I know," Gretl answered.
"Well, I know on thing. Your father would be pretty sad if he saw us sitting around her like a bunch of gloom peddlers. Liesl get the guitar, and sit by your sisters and brothers. We're going to make up something," Maria encouraged and began strumming a lively tune.
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
I'd like to go to the North Pole Though I know, it's awfully cold But I wouldn't care, how much it snowed I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
And I'd like to meet Santa's wife I just know she'd be real nice I wonder if they live in a house of ice I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
And I'd like to see all the elves Load toys for Santa they made themselves Who knows they might eve let me help I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa this year Help him bring joy and cheer To everyone, everywhere Oh, I'd like to spend Christmas with Santa
All the children were laughing when Maria strummed the last chord and the mood seemed lifted for the time being. A quick glance at the clock told Maria the children it was time for bed.
"Goodnight, Darlings," she replied hugging them all.
Frederich von Trapp lay up in his room listening to the joyous singing coming from downstairs. What did they have to be joyous about? Father was out in the war fighting, Maria was having a kid, adding another member to the all ready too large family and he did not see any of those things as reasons to be glad.
Finally, the music stopped and Frederich could hear the familiar sounds of his siblings going up to bed. Kurt, the sniveling little brat, would be up soon, humming some stupid folk song.
When the bedroom door opened however, it wasnot Kurt who was on the other side, it was Maria.
"Friederich," she began, standing in the doorway, her pregnancy more obvious in her silhouette than in her actual frame, "we missed you downstairs. We're not much without our tenor." She tried to smile.
"I don't like singing. Singing is for girls," Frederich bit.
"Your brother sings with us. And your father..." Maria remembered Georg's gentle deep voice.
"Yeah," Frederich retorted, "but Kurt is a sissy and Father is a coward." Maria's face grew dark with anger. "How dare you!" Maria hissed, "Your brother may be younger than you, but he is still a member of this family and deserves your respect. And your Father, God bless him, is doing what he is doing for the sake of the family. It takes courage to sacrifice yourself as he had done to abandon your principle and conviction for your loved ones."
"If that's true, then he's also a traitor," Frederich countered, "I should let Lieutenant von Klopper know about this."
Maria struggled to keep her temper under control. Never had she wanted to strike on of Gerog's children, one of her children, as she did now. Since Georg left and Frederich assimilated himself into the Hitler Youth, he'd become very difficult to deal with, but his words and attitude now were simply too harsh.
"Frederich, you're father and I always wanted you to have your own ideas, be your own person, but Darling, the Nazis are not our friends, they are not helping Germany or Austria, they are only hurting people. They're lying to us, you must see that," Maria implored her eldest son to see what she saw what his siblings saw, but all that registered in his cold eyes was distrust, distrust and another emotion Maria was afraid to name.
"They aren't lying," Frederich almost shouted, "You're the liar."
Maria fought tears at his words, breathing deeply, "I'm not Frederich, and someday, I know you'll realize that." With that, she left the room, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
Somewhere in the Adriatic Sea
Captain von Trapp marked another day off his calendar. December 18, 1938; one week until Christmas and six weeks since he'd last seen his beloved Maria and family. Thankfully, this reconnaissance mission was nearly completed and with luck he would be granted a shore leave for the holidays.
Each day he prayed Dr. Kreiger's plan had worked and that Maria and the baby were fine. He prayed all of his children were happy and healthy. He especially prayed for Frederich, so that his eldest son might see his way through these confusing times. How he longed to be there to help him.
Each night Captain von Trapp held a meeting with his men about the assignments for the following day. Usually, he had a good crew, responsive, trustworthy, especially one young sailor, Johannes Schreiner. Today, though, the Captain noticed Johannes was off his game and very sullen. After the meeting broke, the Captain called out to him.
"Schreiner," he called and the young sailor jumped, "I want to see you in my quarters."
The young sailor looked absolutely sick as he followed the Captain to his quarters, "Yes, Sir?"
"Have a seat, Sailor," the Captain invited, "would you care for a drink?"
"No, Sir. Sir, did I do something wrong," Schreiner asked nervously.
"No, no. Not at all," the Captain assured him, "In fact, you are one of the most promising young men aboard this submarine. But, lately you seem a bit down, distracted, even preoccupied and I was wondering why that might be?"
Schreiner was surprised at Captain von Trapp's demeanor. The seasoned Captain had a reputation of being a cold, detached leader, but this man seemed almost fatherly.
"No, Sir. It's just I miss my bride, Sir. It's almost Christmas, and well, it's starting to sting a bit. She's expecting our first child," the young man said proudly.
"I understand, Son. I'm a newly married man myself, my Maria, is expecting our first baby too," the Captain told him, "I know how much it hurts, but you have to stay on the game, that's the only chance any of us have to make it through this thing. Understand?" the Captain asked.
"Yes, Sir," Schreiner nodded, "Thank you, Sir."
"No problem, Sailor. You need to talk about them, come see me, sometimes reminiscing keeps you from missing them too much."
"Thank you, Sir," the young man smiled and rose with the Captain. The young sailor snapped a quick salute as the Captain commanded, "Dismissed."
On December 23, 1938, Captain von Trapp's submarine surfaced and docked at Bremmehaven Naval Base. He was greeted when he left his boat, by Admiral von Schriver.
"Captain, we've heard the reports. Excellent work, Sir, excellent work," the admiral praised, "You are a wonderful asset to the Navy and an honor to your uniform, Sir."
"Thank you, Admiral, Sir," the Captain replied blushing at the praise in spite of himself.
"You've earned your title, Captain, and you leave. Enjoy the holidays with your family."
