A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update! I am just a busy, busy person now that I'm back in school, and didn't have any time! I would like to warn everybody now that there will be more spread apart updates (like this one) because of my hectic schedule! I am SO sorry about that...

Oh, and I just wanted to brag that I received Cinderella, Darling Lili, The Americanization of Emily, and Hawaii as late Christmas presents.
And for the Doris Day people, I also got The Man Who Knew Too Much andMidnight Lace (I love Rex Harrison! So talented...too many wives (8!) maybe...)

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Mother, open our gift to you!" Liesl suggested. All the children, except Brigitta who was nearly done, had finished opening their presents. Maria and Georg were yet to touch theirs.

Upon hearing Liesl, Friedrich stood up and skimpered around the tree, finally grabbing a flat wrapped package, resembling a calander in size. He brought it over to where his mother was sitting, excitement apparent in his eyes.

Maria smiled as she took the package, holding it gingerly least it be something fragile. She watched the children's expressions as she carefully tore the wrapping paper, savoring the unwrapping of her first real Christmas gift. She had been given a few gifts for Christmas as a child, but had never received one out of love before. She found it immensly exciting. Definately a new favorite thing.

From the package Maria revealed a cardboard sleeve with a twelve inch, unmarked record inside of it. At least, Maria was pretty sure it was a record. She had never seen one before. "Children, you'll think me horribly out of date, but we didn't have them at the abbey...Is this a record?"

The children all beamed and Friedrich said, "Yes, play it!"

Maria smiled, handing it to Kurt's outstretched hand, "You put it in the phonograph, please, dear. I'd mess it all up considering I hadn't even seen a record before today."

Kurt went over to set up the machine, turning the crank with vigor.

"Kurt, don't break the machine!" Lousia reprimanded.

"I won't! I know how to work it!" Kurt said indignantely, gently placing the needle upon the record.

There were a few seconds of silence before the children came on singing My Favorite Things.

Maria thoroughly enjoyed hearing the children's voices captured on something she could listen to when ever she wanted. "Oh, children, that was marvelous!" She said when the song had ended, her face illuminating.

"Wait, there's more. Records can hold up to four minutes, that was about two." Friedrich informed her.

The next song was a medley, with The First Noel, O Holy Night (which was, debatably, Maria's favorite carol), ending with Silent Night.

"Oh, children, that was gorgeous! I love it!" Maria said, standing up to kiss or hug each of her children respectively. "Thank you, dears, that's was so sweet of you." She then sidled up to her husband to give him a quick kiss, "And thank you, darling, for helping the children."

Georg smiled, "It's the work of Kriskindl."

Kurt, bored from all the "mushy-ness," piped up, "Why don't we go out and play?"

"I can find something to try to wittle with my jack knife!" Was Friedrich's way of agreeing.

"But I haven't finished with my presents yet!" Brigitta protested.

"Well, hurry up, then!" Kurt said, Louisa nodding in agreement.

About ten minutes later, when Brigitta had finished opening her presents, and Maria and Georg were beginning to look at theirs, the children all headed upstairs to get dressed and go outside.

Georg sighed contentedly. "I love Christmas."

"So do I." Maria replied with a slight smile.

"I love you more," Georg stated, his voice much lower than before, as he sidled himself to be closer to her.

"I'm quite glad, Captain." Maria managed to get out before their lips met passionately.

"Maria...How...well, How was...Oh, never mind." Georg stammered.

Maria and Georg had just started unwrapping their presents. Maria was in the midst of opening a new dress.

"What did you want to ask me?"

"I don't want to upset you."

Maria thought for a moment. "What was Christmas like for me as a child?"

Georg nodded, looking curious, but also slightly ashamed.

"Darling, you know you can ask me anything." Maria said, in a more reassurring than angry tone.

"I didn't want to upset you." Georg repeated.

Maria smiled lovingly at him. "That's sweet of you, darling. Well, let's see...Childhood Christmas memories...Before or after my father's death?"

"Either. I want to know everything about you."

"Well, I guess I should start with before. You know, chronological order and all of that good stuff...As you know, I lived with my uncle and aunt after my mother died, and I was two at the time. My father used to come visit on Christmas, Easter, my birthday, and a couple other days of the year. Not too frequently. Christmas was awkward. My aunt would try to include me in the celebrations with their family. My uncle always used to mess that up though. And I didn't know my father well. He didn't know me well...I suppose he didn't really care too much for me. He loved my mother..." Maria paused for a moment, her eyes glazing over slightly.

The Captain, immediately noticing this, moved closer to her, putting his arms around her for support and nuzzling her ear. Maria smiled to say she was glad for his comforting, and moved a little closer to him.

"You don't have to continue."

Maria thought it over for a moment. She wanted to tell Georg. She really did. But some things are more difficult than they first seem.

"How about I finish telling you tonight?"

"It's a date."

There we go! Another chapter down...

Oh, and I almost forgot: Records and phonographs were invented. I looked it up.It would only have been available to the rich though, and records could only hold four minutes of song. I think they were next updated to hold about twenty minutes in the late forties...

I luv Julie Andrews - Lol. I actually did get an A on my last paper for LA...and I hope I get a good grade on the Julie Andrews one...I called it A Lovely Night after the song from Cinderella...Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for reviewing!

megs: I completely agree that is how a young child should act...I would be scared if one didn't...Thanks for being a faithful reviewer:)

The Lonely Goatherd -I did get Cinderella! And it was amazing! I especially liked her godmother. She was cool.I think I would scare poor Julie half to death with my enthusiasum if I found her sitting under my tree. Thank you for reviewing!

cremated affection - I'm so glad! Thank you!

TheMarauder1- I completely understand. I myself am an obsessive person. I guess I'm the only one crazy enough about the SoM to know Austrian Chrismas Traditions off the top of myhead. I must admidt I am a little scared of myself for knowing so much. Oh, and I'm glad you liked it! I totally don't mind if you use that in your story, probably 50 people before me have used it in their SoM story. And it is a justified belief, because the real Maria was raised by her abusive uncle who was later put in an insane asylum. So it's totally cool it you use it.

Amy - Thank you! I rather like the new title myself...

TSOM fan - Oh, I'm so glad that's your favorite story line! I have lots planned for Adelaide. Actually, I have been researching Austrian New Year's customs already, and I found it quite easily, but you'll have to wait to see what they are...Unless you personally find them online...I'm honored that you would look it up to give me ideas!

Thank you to all my readers! Hopefully I will update soon, and I'm sorry if I dont!