"Okay, this is a Harrison family tradition—Christmas Carol Karaoke" Jude said gleefully to the group before her, "Now, we're going to take turns, drawing a piece of paper out of the hat, and then singing the song—some of them are duets, so you get to choose your partner," surveying the group, she chose the first singer, "Wally, why don't you go first?

"God Harrison, you really know how to ruin a guy's buzz," Wally groaned, setting down his eggnog on the table in front of him before getting up from the floor to draw from the hat. Rifling through the slips, he finally pulled one out, unfolding the white slip and reading it before cursing under his breath, "You're got to be kidding me."

Rolling his eyes, he moved to the karaoke machine Jude had set up by the tree, selected the right song, cringing as the synthesizers began to pour from the speakers.

Last night I took a walk in the snow
Couples holding hands, places to go
Seems like everyone but me is in love
Santa can you hear me

I signed my letter that's sealed with a kiss
I sent it off, and just said this
I know exactly what I want this year
Santa can you hear me

I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me
And someone to hold
Maybe, maybe (maybe, maybe)
I'll be on my own and I'll be thankful

Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year

The group laughed as Wally sang his way through the Britney Spears song, watching as he gyrated to the music, barely singing through his own laughter.

After Wally, his girlfriend Laura went, singing a modest "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." Sadie followed her, belting out an off key version of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" that had even Kwest struggling to keep a grin on his face.

Soon Kyle was up, having drawn the first duet, and his girlfriend Becky was proving to be quite the match for one of the prankster boys of SME, as the two belted out "White Trash Christmas."

When it was Kwest's turn to go, he pulled his slip, then looked at Jude, a bit confused, "I thought this was a Christmas Karaoke thing, Jude?"

"Whatever—I wanted to be politically correct—I figured someone might be Jewish, so I included that," Jude said earnestly.

Laughing at her sincere expression, Kwest tried to regain his composure as he began his song.

Put on your yarmulke
Here comes Hanukkah
So much funukah
To celebrate Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the festival of lights
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights

After Jamie performed a rousing rendition of "Santa Baby" with Patsy as his Santa figure, it was her turn to step up to the mic.

"And now," she said dramatically, clearing her throat, as the soft strains of string music began to filter through the room, everyone looking on in amusement to see what would happen, "I'll grace you all, with a Patsy Sewer Christmas Song."

Chipmunks roasting on an open fire
Hot sauce dripping from their toes
Yuletide squirrels fresh filleted by the choir
They poked hot skewers through their nose

"Patsy!' Jude yelled, glowering as she yanked the microphone away from the girl, oblivious to the laughter filling the room, "Not funny!"

Turning to Tommy, Jude held out the hat, smiling as she spoke, "Your turn hon."

Wearily, he reached into the hat, lifting out the last remaining piece of paper.

"Guess I'm singing it with you," he said, stopping to read the title to the group, "'Baby It's Cold Outside'—appropriate I guess."

The group looked out the window, watching as the snow swirled through the air. The storm had picked up since the party had started, and the snow on the ground was almost six inches deep.

"We should probably head out pretty soon," Jamie said, looking worriedly at the sky, "It's not looking very good."

"Yeah," Wally echoed, "It's not getting any better—I think we're going to take off."

"You guys can't stay for one last song," Jude begged, pleading with them and giving them her puppy dog face, "Please?"
"One song Avril," Patsy said, "but make it snappy."

Bouncing gleefully, Jude grabbed Tommy's hand, leading him over to the karaoke machine and picking up the mics as the music began.

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
well Maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move a little closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

The group watched, entranced as the pair began to croon the old holiday standby back and forth to each other, so obviously in love. Even Patsy let a smile sneak across her face as the music filled the room.

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm -- Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look so delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips look delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your comb - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - Your eyes are like starlight now
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Making my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that old out
Ahh, baby it's cold outside

Tommy and Jude stood there, the last notes fading on their lips, lost in each others eyes, forgetting they weren't alone, until they were brought back to reality by the thunderous applause from their closest friends.

"Now THAT is why you were the first Instant Star," Jamie said, "You're wonderful Jude. But we've got to get going if we're going to beat the storm—thanks for having us!"

The rest of the guests echoed the sentiments, heading for their coats, stopping to hug their hosts before heading out into the cold to get safely home. Soon, all there were left were Jude, Tommy, Sadie and Kwest.

"Well, I guess we'll be going," Sadie said, leaning in to give her sister a hug.

"Don't be silly," Jude said, stopping her, "You and Kwest stay in the guest room tonight. It's a mess out there—I don't want you guys getting in to a wreck, and you live on the opposite end of town from everyone."

"Are you sure?" Kwest asked, looking at both of them seriously, "It's really no problem for us to drive, and I mean, I know it's your first holiday together, I'm sure you guys want to be able to spend it by yourselves-"

"Nope," Jude said, cutting him off. "No buts. That's my niece you've got in there," she said, gesturing to Sadie's stomach, "I don't want anything happening to her if I can help it."