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Chapter Text

Maria opened the front door of her apartment to a wall of smoke. Somewhere in the haze, Tony muttered a series of swears. Well, she assumed it was him. Between the smoke itself and hoe much it already made her eyes water, it was hard to make out anything.
She hesitantly took a step inside. "Tony?" Any further questions went unasked as the smoke sent her into a coughing fit.
She was guided further into the room until she felt a cold breeze across her face. "You ok?"
Tony looked down at her sheepishly, bright light reflecting across his face and flowing hair, both courtesy of the open window he had led her toward.
"What's happening?" Maria managed to wheeze eventually.
"I, uh, started to think about these Christmas cookies I used to make with my ma. Back before, y'know. I thought I'd surprise you and get all the stuff on my way home. But I guess the timer didn't go off..." his voice trailed off. As the smoke cleared, the disaster that was their small, but up until now, at least, functional kitchen became more apparent. "Or our smoke detector either. We might have to check about that."
"Also," he said after a pause, "in a few minutes one of us should probably go get our baking pan off the front lawn."
Maria looked at him quizzically. It had been a long day for her and surely she was misunderstanding something.
"By the time I got the cookies from the oven they were smoking real bad and I thought they were gonna burst into flames so I threw them out the window before the smoke got any worse."
"Tony!" She didn't know if she was exasperated or amused by this idiot of a man she had chosen to run away with.
She surveyed the room. The kitchen was covered in flour, the oven was only now beginning to stop smoking, and various ingredients were strewn across the kitchen next to the leftover dough.
The wind from outside made her shiver and she stepped away from the window, picking at a small piece of cookie dough as she passed.
"Good thing I only ruined a batch," Tony said from behind her.
Maria did her best to hide her face. "Where is the recipe?"
Tony passed her a cookbook he must have acquired during his shopping today. Maria had certainly never seen it before.
Skimming, she asked, "Tony, have you tried the dough?"
"No. Why?"
"Is it possible you forgot the sugar?"
"Are you serious?" He took a pinch of dough himself. His face said it all: disgust followed by a deep disappointment.
"It's fine! We will try again. Together. I will even set the timer." She grinned mischievously.
Perhaps she deserved the handful of flour Tony flung at her in response. Good thing she could give as good as she got there too.

Chapter Text

Maria hummed to the Bing Crosby song on the radio as she cleaned. As it was, she was currently quite proud of how much she'd accomplished for a Saturday morning. The remnants of Tony's attempt at baking, the flour fight that ensued, and their final batch of cookies were almost cleaned up as if they never happened. She'd found containers for the cookies that had turned out, made a spot for Tony's new cookbook and cookie cutters, and was almost done sweeping for a final time. A wipe of the counters and maybe she could find a minute to sit before Tony got home from his Saturday morning shift.
A series of thumps and curses interrupted her so far peaceful morning. Just as she began to wonder what her neighbors were up to, there was a knock on her door.
She was greeted by green foliage blocking any attempt at figuring out what was going on.
"Sorry, no hands for the door!" Tony pushed his way in, hands full of an evergreen he was half carrying, half dragging.
Depositing it carefully on the floor, a treestand and bag of decorations tumble out of his arms.
Maria was rooted to the floor, speechless.
"What? It wouldn't be Christmas without a tree."

Two hours, a trip to the store for lights, and a broken lamp later, Tony had the tree standing, albeit crooked and already touching the ceiling without the star.
Maria examined a red ornament with already chipping paint. She turned it to Tony.
"Ah. Should've expected that. Got them second hand. You want to start the decorating?"
Maria nodded. Decorating took much less time than setting up the tree had. Even though they hardly had enough ornaments, by the time the garland and tinsel went on, the tree almost looked like one from the movies. Almost. If they tilted their heads.
"Ready for the lights?" Tony called eagerly. He had insisted they wait until the end to light them. He was as giddy as a child as he flipped off the overhead light.
When he plugged in the tree lights, Maria gasped, finally taking in the tree as a whole. Tony's joy was infectious.
"Y'know, it's been a long time since I've had a tree." Maria hadn't realized Tony had moved behind her until he spoke.
"Me either," Maria said simply. "And I've never seen one like this."
Tony laughed and pulled her with him onto the couch.

Chapter Text

Maria was grateful Tony was a heavy sleeper. He looked so peaceful and she hated the idea of disturbing him as she got up from the couch. She and Tony must have fallen asleep admiring the tree and talking. He'd told her about seeing the Rockefeller tree and sneaking into the theater with the Jets to see White Christmas. She'd spoken of midnight mass and Three Kings Day. Now, she didn't know what time it was but the darkness outside suggested it was late.
She stretched and tiptoed to the kitchen for some water.
There was a big window just in front of the kitchen sink. Maria often gazed out while doing the dishes. Tonight, something caught her eye. The ground was white. Big flakes fell from the sky, illuminated by a nearby streetlamp. It was snowing.
She'd never gotten to see snow before. It was mesmerizing how white and clean everything looked. Not bothering with a coat, Maria slipped our of her apartment and into the snow. The cold against her bare skin stung, but it didn't matter. Outside, the snow sparkled. It was so quiet, the snow dampening everything. She swept up a handful and packed it together into a ball.
Bernardo had told her about snow in one of his letters when she was still in Puerto Rico. He had told her how much she'd love it, even promise to show her her first snowball fight.
But it hadn't happened. He was dead and she was far from New York. She tried not to think about why as cold tears poured down her face. Some days it was easier to pretend than others, but, while she'd forgiven Tony, she missed Bernardo and everything she'd given up when she left New York.
None of it should have happened. If the Jets and Sharks hadn't kept letting things escalate, her brother would still be here. There was no use to dwelling in it, though. Nothing to do but keep going on.
Bernardo had been right. She loved the snow. She let herself roll in it, making a snow angel, tossing snow up in the air, even throwing a snowball or two at a tree.
She stayed out maybe ten minutes before trudging in cold and wet but smiling.
She changed her clothes quietly then grabbed a blanket and curled up in a chair by the window. She wanted to watch the still falling snow.
She must have dozed, as she woke to bright sun in her face and Tony trying to coax her up and into their bedroom.
"Let's go back to bed. Don't think we could make it to church if we wanted to."

Chapter Text

Tony and Maria's apartment did not have the best or most reliable heating. Before her alarm went off, Maria was awake, too cold to fall back asleep, as much as she wanted to. Yesterday had been a good, but exhausting, day.
After she'd officially woken up in her own bed at a reasonable hour, Tony had insisted on getting a sled and finding the best hill in town. Overall, they'd spent most of the day outside having what Tony considered "the best snow day", complete with a snowman and hot chocolate before the day was over. By the time they made it home Maria was cold to the bone and throughly wrung out.
The feeling had apparently lasted into today. She burrowed closer to Tony, burying her face in his shoulder in an attempt to warm up. It almost worked.
Just as she started to drift off, Tony's alarm sounded. He groaned and attempted to turn away, eyes opening anyhow. She stared back.
"Morning," She whispered sleepily, reaching out to touch his face. Tony flinched.
"Your hands are cold," he said and covered her hands with his own.
She let out a small laugh as she shivered. "Yours too."
"Well, we can't have that."
Tony pulled Maria toward him, enveloping her small frame.
Tony himself was warm. "I could stay like this forever," she said quietly after a few moments.
"Then let's."
Maria moved far enough to look Tony in the eye. "But work?"
"Surely we can miss a day?"
"Tony we can't."
Tony sighed and pressed his lips to her forehead. "You're right."
He started to push back the comforter. Maria shivered and pulled Tony back into the warmth of their bed. "It has to be a snow day. Those are real, yes? It snowed so much yesterday."
Tony chuckled sadly. "Maria, the roads were pretty much cleared by last night. No way that'll happen."
Maria let out a squeak of disapproval. "But it's so cold."
"I think I know how to warm you up."
Neither Maria or Tony made it to work on time.

Chapter Text

The next morning Tony and Maria both managed to be up and out of bed at a reasonable time. Dressed and ready for the day, there was even time for a leisurely breakfast.
Tony sipped at his coffee while reading through the Sunday paper. It may be Tuesday, but Tony never managed to read the whole thing in one sitting. He chuckled softly.
"What?"
"The paper published a bunch of the school kids letters to Santa. Listen to this one:
"Dear Santa,
I like candy canes. The are hot on your tongue. If you lick them a lot they get sharp. If you poke someone it will hurt. It would be nice if I found a big candy cane in my stocking."
He watched Maria grin. "Maybe we should make our own letters to Santa," he suggested.
Maria got up to put her breakfast dishes in the sink. "Tony, Santa is for children."
"I know, but I wanna get you something nice and some suggestions couldn't hurt."
"I don't need anything."
"C'mon, nothing? Warmer gloves? A new dress? A record player?"
"No one needs a record player," Maria laughed.
"Not the point. It's Christmas! A time of giving!" Tony grapped a paper and pen and pushed them in front of Maria.
"A letter to Santa is about being as impractical and indulgent as you want. Go crazy."
Maria sighed. "Alright. I will."
She wrote:
Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is you.
She beamed at Tony. He grinned back.

Chapter Text

The following night was quiet. Tony was supposed to beat her home tonight, yet Maria walked in with a stack of mail (bills) she preferred to ignore to an empty apartment.
She tried to think nothing of it. Mostly, she hoped Tony wasn't out picking up and coming home with some new crazy Christmas thing to do or make or put up. Just last night he'd come home with a new Christmas storybook (despite the lack of anyone to read it to) and the idea of going to see a movie. She loved him dearly, but it was too much. After talking him out of the movie, they'd enjoyed a nice night at home. She'd been hoping for more of the same.
But no matter, she refused to worry and ruin the quiet while it lasted. She plugged in the Christmas tree, stole a cookie, and turned on the radio to play quietly. Curling up on the couch with a blanket, she flipped through the book Tony had brought home.
She was too tired to read, but the illustrations were really very well done. She flipped through pages of warm lighted houses covered in snow, fireplaces lined with stockings, and Santa all in red with a big full of presents. She liked the idea of it. It was warm, cozy, peaceful. With all that had been going on, especially since she met Tony, especially especially in the last month, it was hard to feel those things, but maybe, just maybe, this book could show her how. She sighed contentedly.
At some point the quiet of the room must have lulled her to sleep. She dreamed of a snowy house in the country with glittering lights, a crackling fire, and a big tree. In her dream, she'd somehow made a big Christmas ham and had a room full of people to share it. When she came to, she could only remember one of the people at the table, the man currently attempting to slip quietly through the door.
"Did I wake you?" Tony whispered as she shifted.
"Where have you been?"
"Sorry if I worried you," Tony replied. "Boss insisted on taking a bunch of us out for a little company Christmas party thing. One of the guys is taking off to see family for Christmas tomorrow. You do ok here?'
Maria nodded sleepily. "It was a nice, quiet night. I missed you, though. It was a little too quiet. Was the party nice?"
"Sure, I'll tell you in the morning. Let's go to bed."

Chapter Text

"I'm picking you up and we're going out tonight." That's what Tony had told Maria that morning. She, in turn, had spent all trying to figure out what was going to happen. It wasn't unusual for Tony to swing by her place of work to see her, but it wasn't usual either. Working at a pharmacy much like Doc's, Tony's schedule didn't always align with Maria's.
Besides, they didn't have a car and while their apartment building wasn't too far from the center of town and their jobs, they worked in opposite directions of each other. It simply wasn't practical for him to come for her, or take her out, especially at random on a Thursday.
They would have to remedy the car situation at some point in the future. They certainly weren't in New York with its public transportation any more. But, that was just one thing on the long list of things she and Tony needed to buy or save for with what very little money they had available at the end of the week. Mainly, they were only slowly accumulating enough to get by on their own. Having left New York with little more than a suitcase, the simplest of things-plates, pans, more than two pairs of pants- added up in cost and need quickly.
As the day closed, Tony appeared with warm drinks in hand. "Ready?"
Maria nodded, taking a cup. "What is this?"
"Cider. It felt festive."
Maria took a sip, more appreciative of it as something to keep her hands warm than as a festive drink. The streets were cold, the sunlight dwindling, and the wind was picking up. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to this bone-chilling cold.
"We should be just in time," Tony announced, leading her toward Main Street.
Sure enough, just as Main Street came into view every Christmas light on the street blinked on, one by one.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Tony grinned. "Saw it last night and had to show you."
"Yes," Maria agreed. It wasn't often she was out late. She certainly had yet to see this. It really was pretty.
"Just wait until you see the window displays."
They walked circles around the street, admiring windows full of Santas and reindeer, snowman and tiny Christmas villlages, dotted with tiny snowflakes, well-dressed mannequins, and other store merchandise. Maria huddled next to Tony while scanning rows of colorful wool scarves and displays of cosmetics she'd never been allowed. A particularly bright red lipstick left her hearing echoes of Bernardo's old lectures. This time, she refused to be upset by it.
Tony, ever caught up in the spirit, flitted between the displays, eyes carching on all the decorations. "What'd'ya think of-"
Nearby, a bell began to ring. A man with a red pail stood making the sound. Tony fished out a dollar from his pocket and gave it to the man.
"What was that?" Maria asked.
"Charity collecting money. They do it every year. When I was a kid- Oh, look!"
A toy store had an elaborate train track weaving between wrapped boxes, dolls, and rocking horses.
"Speaking of kids, Maybe next Christmas we'll have our own to spoil with stuff like this," he commented.
"Next year! We... will have to talk about that," Maria spluttered in surprise. Part of her wanted to consider it. Tony would be a good father and she had always wanted children. Eventually. Now, though, seemed too sudden and ill-timed. They had enough going on. How could they possibly make things work with a baby? No, she couldn't dwell on it.
She began to shake (more from the cold than surprise or anything) and Tony noticed. "Hey, maybe we should head home?"
Maria nodded gratefully. She wouldn't say it to Tony, but her toes were starting to go numb.
The encountered not one but two more bell ringers with red buckets on their way home. Again and again, Tony threw in money.
Curled up next to Tony in bed that night, she could still hear the bells in her head.

Chapter Text

While she coollked dinner, Maria tried to remind herself she actually did like her coworkers. Even as they were stressing her out. With less than five days until Christmas, all the chatter among the girls at work that day had turned to Christmas and the gifts they were buying. Toy guns for their sons, flashy watches for their husbands, aprons for their mother-in-law, doll clothes for their nieces. It all ran together in her head now, reminding her jointly that she had no family to buy for but that she did have Tony.
Tony, who was working late tonight, deserved something nice, and would probably light up to find something under the Christmas tree, surely couldn't expect her to buy anything, right? A gift was something special and fun. She and Tony didn't have money to burn on special and fun things. Not when she was pulling out their only second-hand, spent-the-night-on-the-lawn-and-still-had-bits-of-burnt-cookie-on-it baking sheet out of the oven with the edge of their skirt because they had yet to buy dish towels or oven mits.
She supposed, if nothing else, she could get him a nice shirt for Christmas. He did not own much clothing and could use one. But was that appropriate? Should she get him something else? More? This was her first Christmas in America, and despite the ads everywhere and Tony's eagerness, she really wasn't sure what she was doing. But, she needed to think of something. Right?
It made her miss Anita. Maria had found people to talk to here, but no one she was close to. No one anywhere like Anita. Anita would know what to do. She would have ideas.
Maria had entertained ideas of writing to her, even started a few on scraps of paper. She wanted to know Anita was ok and assure her that she was fine as well. In the end, she never sent anything. It felt too risky to reveal where she and Tony were to anyone in New York. Even if that didn't stop her, Maria had no way of knowing where Anita was. Had their apartment building been torn down? Had Anita been forced to move without her and Bernardo helping with rent? These were things Maria tried to push to the corners of her mind, but it was not easy, particularly when she was alone.
It came as a relief when Tony flung open the door. Maria embraced him, ignoring how cold his hands and face were.
Unfortunately, the moment didn't last as long as Maria would've liked. Tony slipped off to their room to change into something more comfortable and Maria was forced back to the kitchen as her timer, that she had remembered to set, announced supper was ready.
Tony sat down at the table humming.
"Here Comes Santa Clause?" Maria ventured.
"Yeah. Have ya heard Elvis sing it? Came on at the shop today and this girl in there shrieked. Guy's got it, I guess."
"Well, he is handsome."
Tony raised his hand to his heart in mock offense.
"Not like that!" Maria corrected. "You are prettier and more important to me than 100 Elvises."
Tony was satisfied. "I can sing better too. I dunno what he thought he was doing with 'Here Comes Santa Clause' but it sound like he was trying to sing with a mouthful of peanutbutter."
Maria laughed, then, trying to breach the subject that had been bothering her, attempted to switch the conversation. "As long as Santa is the only one bringing gifts to this house, I do not care who announces he is coming."
"Ya don't want me to get you anything?"
Maria shook her head. " I told you, having you is enough."
It was true. Maria looked around their tiny apartment with its Christmas tree and hardly working heater and she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Because Tony was with her here.
Tony nodded. However, hidden deep in their bedroom closet lied a new brown package wrapped in ribbon.

Chapter Text

The alarm blared and Maria groaned. "Tony? Why is your alarm set? It is Saturday yes?"
"Sorry, Maria," Tony replied, kissing her on the forehead. "But we've got places to be."
"Places?"
"Yeah! Town Christmas parade is this morning. Haven't you heard?"
Maria didn't reply, but did start to pull herself out of bed. She knew better than trying to talk Tony out of the two of them going to see the parade. Besides, she did happen to be curious and one of her coworkers had been talking nonstop about her son in the marching band.
They ended up making it to Main Street with plenty of time before the start of the parade, but only just in time to nab a good spot to watch. The whole town was out and a festive mood permeated the air. Vendors were selling, carolers sang on the corner (Tony may have thrown money in the hat they passed around) and Maria couldn't count how many people had wished her a Merry Christmas. Tony disappeared almost immediately, returning this time with warm coffees for the two of them. It helped a little to stave off the cold.
Maria was, however, starting to shiver as the first float came into view. It was easy to ignore, though, as people cheered, decorated floats rolled by, and brightly dressed men and women threw candy to children darting around the crowd. The marching band was loud and made her smile as they came into view. For some reason their music reminded her of the dance where she met Tony. Perhaps he thought the same thing, as their eyes met just as the brass section marched through. Then, he looked over her shoulder and his expression changed to pure wonderment. "Look!" He called to her over the noise of the band, his voice joining in with all the small children making the same discovery, yelling, "Santa!"
The jolly old man with his white beard sat on a reindeer- drawn sleigh balanced on the roof of a float shaped like a house, waving and laughing as he was pulled along. When he passed by, Maria could almost swear he winked at her.
It was the grand finale float, much to Maria's disappointment. It was a lovely parade and the energy of it was infectious. The crowd started to disperse, except one little girl who tugged at Maria's skirt. "You're very pretty," the little girl said, staring up at Maria with big brown eyes.
Maria smiled, a little taken aback at the girl's compliment. "What is your name?"
"Susan."
"Well Susan, thank you. You are very pretty too."
The little girl's mother appeared and looked slightly embarrassed about her daughter randomly approaching strangers. Sensing the need to end the conversation, Maria wished the little girl a Merry Christmas and returned her attention Tony.
"That Susan is right you know. You are very pretty."
Maria paid little mind and began walking.
"Hey!" Tony called out, catching up. "Where are you even headed? Shall we do some more window shopping? Check out the vendors? Go ice-skating in the park?"
Maria shook her head and grinned devilishly. "Oh no, this was very nice, but you interrupted my Saturday morning in bed and I plan to make it up. We are going home and I think, just maybe, you will like it."

Chapter Text

"Candle of love. It's kind of romantic isn't it?" Tony asked, throwing an arm around Maria.
"Tony, it is church! You know that is not what it means!"
Maria and Tony were just leaving Sunday mass at the Catholic church Maria had insisted they attend every Sunday since they arrived in town. This Sunday, the fourth and last Advent candle, the candle symbolizing love, had been lit.
"I know, I know. I heard the homily. It's all about God's love for humanity and all that." Tony waved to a coworker who also attended Saint Joseph's. "But, I think it can work for us too. You know. Goodwill towards men and all that."
It felt like a stretch to Maria, but she did not bother to argue the point. It was not worth it, particularly when all she wanted was to get home for a good Sunday brunch.
It was a good thing most of town was closed on Sundays. Tony did not insist on any stops or sidetrack to the two of them and they made it home out of the cold quickly, much to Maria's relief.
"We should do something together this afternoon," Tony suggested as they ate.
"Like clean the apartment?" Maria suggested.
"I meant something fun, romantic even."
"Oh no," Maria disagreed. "I think we had enough romance yesterday and nothing got done here. It has been so busy this week the apartment is a mess and right before Christmas."
"That's what you want to spend today doing?"
Maria shrugged. "It has to be done."
She wasn't wrong. As Tony looked around he noticed the dishes piled in the sink, clothes strewn everywhere, and muddy footprints all through the living room."Alright, alright."
"I think we can make it fun." Maria turned on the radio. "I'll be Home for Christmas" crackled to life as Maria twirled around Tony to steal his empty dishes.
With him joining in, it was almost fun. He managed to find one last hold-out from their cooking baking escapades: a pile of flour in a hard to reach corner and proved he was capable of a shockingly decent Elvis impression when "Blue Christmas" came on, their broom making do in place of a microphone.
She stole the broom to sweep their bedroom while Tony finished dishes. Her broom hit something hard under the beds, something that shouldn't have been there. So, really it wasn't her fault for snooping. There shouldn't have been anything to snoop for. But, there they were, not two, but three wrapped packages under the bed. Of course he'd done it, even though she'd said not to. She tried to stay calm.
One of the presents was ill-wrapped, the tape on one end already peeling up. Curiosity got the better of her and she unfolded the wrapping to peak. If she could just get a sense of what it was, maybe it would put her at ease. It did not. Though she couldn't tell from this side of the box what the gift was, there, clear as day, was a price and it was high.
She tried to take a deep breath as she smoothed the wrapping and placed it, with the other two gifts, back under the bed, but the damage was done. She may have loved Tony but right now wanted to kill him.
Oblivious in the other room, Tony sung along unabashedly to "Santa Baby" as he wiped the counter. Maria could hear him and made the executive decision then not to say anything until she calmed down, or, at least, until Tony finished cleaning the kitchen.

Chapter Text

"Mmm, Merry Christmas Eve Eve," Tony said rolling over in bed.
Maria, having not had the opportunity to bring up yesterday's discovery, gave no response as she also woke up and stretched.
"C'mon," Tony cajoled. "The eve of Christmas Eve, so Christmas Eve Eve?"
Tony certainly had a way with words. Maria made a noise of half-hearted understanding.
"And us with the next three days off. What should we do with ourselves? Go see that movie I mentioned the other day? Go ice-skating?"
"Let's stay here."
"Aw, Maria! It's right before Christmas! We should go out, soak up all that Christmas cheer!"
Maria shook her head.
Taking no notice, Tony jumped up and started to get dressed. "Come on, we can start with a walk through the park, get something to drink, see if-"
"Tony! Stop it!" Maria shouted. "Will you listen to me for once? This is too much! Can we not have one day at home without having to do something?"
Tony was taken aback. "I guess so. You wanna stay? Fine." He dropped the shirt he had been about to put on. He started to walk away, then thought better of it, but felt awkward returning to bed except there was nowhere else to sit so he turned away again. Then, it hit him. "Wait. Since when don't I listen to you?"
"Since when? I keep telling you I do not want to go places and you keep insisting and then you keep spending money without asking me about it and-"
"I keep spending money? What have I bought that's been such a big deal to you?"
"Everything! The stuff for the cookies and that tree and the books and the money you just gave away to the red bucket people and the drinks and I cannot do it anymore!"
"You can't seriously be mad I gave money to charity. Maria, that's insane."
"Now I'm crazy? You are the one spending money we do not have! And on things we do not need and I do not want. I even told you I did not want a present and you got me three anyway!"
Tony went silent for a minute. "So that's what this is about? You're mad I got you a present? You do know how nuts that is right? It's fucking Christmas Maria! I dunno how you celebrated in Puerto Rico but that's how Christmas works here. You bake cookies, you get a tree, you go to parades and you read Christmas stories. I try to do something nice, show you the best of it all, and this is the thanks I get?"
"I did not ask for that! All I wanted was to spend Christmas with you and you had to go crazy with it, not me! Over ten dollars on one present Tony? How could you possible think I would like that?"
"How did you-"
"I found it while cleaning and I saw the price peaking out," Maria accused.
Tony looked ready to punch his hand through the wall. "You know what? I can't do this right now."
He walked out, door slamming behind him.
It took almost two hours for him to come back. Maria looked up from the spot she had taken up at the kitchen table. She didn't know what to say.
"Don't worry, I didn't buy anything while I was out," Tony remarked.
"I did not think you had." She got up to get herself a cup of coffee she had been roasting and wordlessly passed a mug to Tony.
"Sorry," Tony said, breaking the terse silence. "Can we have a civil conversation about this morning?"
Maria nodded.
"I guess I might've gone a little overboard," Tony started as they sat down. "I just. It's our first Christmas together and I wanted it to be special."
"It did not need to be so special."
"Yeah, it did. You gave up everything, your family, your friends, your home, everything to be with me and I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you. The least I could do is make Christmas special. And what if this is the only one like it we have? What if we do have a baby next year or I get arrested and we aren't together next Christmas? I needed this one to be perfect."
"Tony," Maria softened. "It is perfect. Because we are together. Not because of the tree or the cookies or any of it."
"I know that. I think I just got a little over excited because it's the first time in a long time I've gotten to do all that stuff. I haven't made cookie with my ma since I was real little and I've never had money for gifts. Hell, I've got more memories of helping decorate a tree for Doc's than my own house. And, I ain't proud of it, but the Salvation Army bell ringers, or the, uh red bucket people as you called 'em? I remember going with the Jets and stealing the buckets and splitting the cash we got for ourselves. I get guilty when I hear them, but now that I have the money..." his voice trailed off.
"And that gift you found? The expensive one? You should know I got it secondhand. Guy practically gave it to me."
"Oh Tony!" Maria wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry I got angry. You've been so crazy about everything and it got to me. I should have known how much this all means to you."
"Thanks, Maria. I promise I'll try and tone it down."
With that, Maria grabbed her coat and headed toward the door.
"Hey!" Tony called. "Where do you think you're going?"
Maria smiled. "I think it is time I spend some money. You stay here."

Chapter Text

Christmas Eve was here and everything was ready. Except Maria. The perfect gift for Tony was wrapped and under the tree, Christmas dinner was prepped and ready to go in the oven tomorrow morning, and all was calm. Except Maria who needed to finish getting ready. Midnight mass was less than hour away and promised to be packed. Which means they needed to leave now if they wanted a seat.
"Maria, you ready?"
"Almost!"
She took the last curler from her hair and molded it into place. A swipe of red lipstick and she was ready. She couldn't wait to see the look on Tony's face.
It was made for summer, not winter, but Maria had made the proper compensations. Warm underclothes, tights, and a red sweater, and she stepped out of their room wearing the dress she had worn when she met Tony. Tony's face split into a wide grin.
"Is that-" He was speechless.
Maria smiled. "I thought you would like it."
"I do," he replied, pulling Maria in.
"Tony! We're already running late."
Out the door they went.

An hour later Maria and Tony joined the crowd pouring out of church as the last notes of "Joy to the World" echoed through the air. The cold was sharp, but a light snow made the Christmas lights through the town sparkle extra brightly and cheerful chatter was all around.
"Merry Christmas, Maria."
"Merry Christmas, Tony," Maria replied. "Can we go home?"
"Sure, but there's something we gotta do when we get there."
The "something" was a story. Once they were warm and settled for the night, Tony picked up the storybook he'd bought days earlier. "My ma used to read me this on Christmas Eve after church." He cracked it open. Maria snuggled in close as Tony began, "Twas the night before Christmas..."

Chapter Text

"Merry Christmas!"
Maria woke up to Tony standing over her with two mugs of coffee. She took one gratefully. "Merry Christmas, Tony."
She took a sip then set it to the side. "You want me to get up and open presents, don't you?"
Tony flopped on the bed in response. "Nah. We got all day. If you wanna stay in this nice warm bed and drink your coffee, maybe do some other stuff," he waggled his eyebrows. "Well, I'm real okay with that."
Maria shoved Tony. It wasn't a hard shove, but he was not expecting it and landed on the floor. The two went silent. Then Tony began to laugh.
Maria slid out of bed. Just as she was about to ask Tony if he was ok, he got up. "Present time?"
Tony followed her out to the living room. The tree sparkled. Warm morning light, brightly reflecting off the snow that had fallen overnight, lit the kitchen. A plate full of cookies, that Tony had jokingly insisted on leaving out for Santa, sat invitingly on the table, and there, under the tree, was a small pile of presents.
Maria settled with Tony in front of tree. She handed him a small box. Inside, Tony discovered a small wooden ornament of two figures sledding.
"It reminded me of seeing snow with you for the first time," Maria explained. "I thought you would like it, for our first Christmas."
Tony grinned. "I love it."
"Open this one." He handed her the first of her packages. This one held a hat and scarf, things Maria desperately need.
She apologized as she handed Tony his second gift. "We cannot really use them until next year, but it was the one thing you forgot this Christmas."
"Christmas stockings! With our names?"
Maria nodded. "I added them myself. I saw some like these in the book you bought. That you read last night. And we did not have any."
"Thanks, Maria."
Only two gifts remained under the tree, the expensive one and one Maria did not recognize. Tony handed her both. "They go together," he explained.
Maria opened the first. "Oh Tony, we cannot afford this! Where did you get it?"
"Told ya, a guy I know gave it to me for practically nothing. I think he got a newer one or something and I figured we could use it. Finally have a photo of the two of us."
Maria examined the camera in her hands. "I think it is perfect. And this goes with it?" She asked as she began to open the second. A photo album.
"For capturing and saving all the memories, Christmases, birthdays, all of it. I want to fill this book up with you."
"Me too. Can we- Now-" She fumbled with the camera. "How do you work this?"
"Here." Tony examined it and two accidental photos later, one of his foot, the other of the tree, he seemed to understand what he was doing. Leaning close to Maria, holding the camera out, lens faced toward him, he proceeded to take a photo of him and Maria together.
"Yeah, I think we'll want to remember this."