Remember Me: A Nutcracker Story | ✔

I. Home

Snow was slowly raining down the streets of Vienna, and the air smelled crisp and cold. Around her the houses seemed a bit more subdued since the last time she was there, but despite that she could easily see and feel the familiar Christmas aura all around her. The tree in the middle of the town square was lit up with colorful lights, as it would always be every year.

Mary dug her hands into her winter coat and smiled. She had missed going home; what with everything she had to do in the city and in university, there was hardly any time to do so. But it was Christmastime, and she just had to see her parents again after a long while. She missed them terribly.

When she got to their house along the street corner, she was greeted immediately at the door by her mother. She looked older now, much more like a stern queen, but her face lit up when she saw her daughter.

"Mary, darling, you came! This is lovely," she exclaimed, and hurriedly ushered Mary in. Frau Eva was at their side at once, taking Mary's snow-laden coat from her.

"Shall a get you a cup of tea, Mary?" Frau Eva asked. The household maid since she was a child looked older than ever, but she still held that kind, wistful smile Mary had always been so familiar with.

Mary beamed at her and said, "Yes please; and thank you for still being here after all these years, Eva."

Frau Eva smiled at Mary. "I owe it to your family, dear. Now, excuse me, and I'll return with your tea."

While Frau Eva was busy with their tea, Mother took her arm, and they walked and talked together. They found themselves going into Father's study, but it was empty. There was a fire going in the hearth though, so Mary assumed that her mother had been sitting there just before she arrived home.

"Where's Father?" she asked.

"He's still at work, sweetheart," replied her mother. "He'll be along soon. He's got to see his lovely daughter come home. My, you've grown a lot." As she talked, Mother let her hands wander along Mary's face. She has grown a lot indeed.

The golden hair she used to tie up in a tight bun over her head was now braided down her back. Her denim blue eyes were brighter and wiser. She was taller as well; she was almost as tall as her mother now. But her smile was still the same: warm and gentle, like when she was still a little girl.

Mary held her mother's hand lightly. "Has Max come home?" she asked.

Mother's face became a little sad. "I'm afraid not, darling. You're the first one to come home after all these years. It's very saddening, really. But I do hope he comes for Christmas this year."

"How horrid of us," sighed Mary as she hugged her mother. "I'm terribly sorry, Mother, for having kept you alone. But I've been so busy, with university and all."

Mother only hugged her tight. "Of course I understand." 

Just then, the doorbell rung loudly, followed by the sound of the door opening. Mother smiled and gripped Mary's shoulders. "That must be your father. Come, he'll want to see you immediately."

Father stood at the threshold of the house, impatiently stomping his snow-coated shoes on the floor as Frau Eva retrieved his coat from him. When he looked up and met eyes with Mary, his face broke out in a wide smile.

"Mary, darling!" he called, and Mary ran straight into his arms. Mary buried her face into her father's clothes, inhaling his familiar smell.

"Father, I've missed you," she said, her voice muffled against her father's suit.

Father kissed his daughter's head and said, "So have I, dearest."

"Well, I'd appreciate it very much if you lot would move out of the doorway so I could pass through."