A few days after Will, Emma and the glee club returned to Lima from Europe, the group settled back into the regular groove at McKinley High. But there were differences from when the club first started to now – very few of the glee kids were getting slushie facials. Were things starting to turn around for the group? It almost seemed as if the club was sort of rising up the social ladder of the school, but there was still a ways to go.
"Schue, Emma, welcome back," said Principal Figgins after he called the couple to his office for a chat. "I trust you had a good time in Europe?"
"It was amazing," said Will. "Everything we saw, everything we did, we're never going to forget all this. And the concerts were incredible, the kids performed their hearts out and I'm so proud of them all."
"As he should be," added Emma. "The crowds at each of the tour stops just loved them."
"And from what I received from the reports you gave me, Will," said the principal, "the press in each of the five cities on the tour couldn't stop raving about the glee club and how brilliantly they performed. It has given huge amounts of international publicity to the school, and for that I'm truly grateful."
"We're very grateful too, sir," said Will. "Both Emma and I knew you would be pleased with the publicity the tour has brought to McKinley High. Evan Stewart, the representative from the performing arts federation who traveled with us throughout the tour, told me that he would have DVD copies of the concerts sent before Christmas which would include all the finales – each of the kids as well as the two of us are getting their own copy. Since we'd only need one copy to share between me and Emma, we're going to donate our extra copy to the school."
"Fabulous," said Figgins. "I also understand you have sectionals coming up for the glee club. As a reward for your success, I will grant you whatever funds you need to make it through your competition year."
"We don't know what to say," said Emma. "What about Sue? You know she'll do anything to get more money for the Cheerios."
"The Cheerios have enough money as it is," the principal confided. "Besides, this is a more important cause right now. Most of the glee club is scheduled to graduate this year, and I've already received word that each and every member is being considered for arts scholarships to major universities across the country. We should send them off with a bang."
"You're absolutely right," Will said with a smile on his face. "The kids have worked so hard over the years. If there's one thing they deserve when they leave McKinley High, it's another national championship."
"Positive thinking works," Figgins said. "Now go and make this school proud, good luck at sectionals." He dismissed the two, and together they left the office.
"Emma," Will said as they walked down the hallway, "I wanted to ask you this for so long. You've been the glee club's biggest supporter and fan, it's like you're our lucky charm. I was wondering, would you co-direct the club with me?"
"Yes, I'd love to," Emma replied, "anything to help those kids." The two shared an embrace as they went off towards the teachers' lounge.
"So Emma, I mean, Mrs. Schuester, has agreed to be the glee club's official co-director," Will told the kids at the next glee practice. "We've also decided to have a Christmas party at our apartment on Christmas Day, and you're all invited."
"That's terrific," exclaimed Finn, happy that Emma was now the co-director of New Directions. Now they really were glee's parental figures, and the entire group couldn't have been happier with the news. Everyone was all smiles as they congratulated her on her new position.
"So now that we have that news out of the way," Emma went on, "we should keep working on our set for sectionals. We've got our closer down, so we need an opener and a ballad. Anyone have any suggestions?" Tina raised her hand.
"If nobody minds, I would like to do the ballad," she said. "There's a song I've been listening to recently that I thought would be perfect, it's slow tempo and would compliment our finale well." Getting up from her chair, she handed the sheet music she had found online to the pianist and faced the rest of the group.
Give me time to reason,
Give me time to think it through
Passing through the season,
where I cheated you
I will always have a cross to wear,
but the bolt reminds me I was there
So give me strength,
to face this test tonight
If only I could turn back time
If only I had said what I still hide
If only I could turn back time
I would stay for the night.
For the night...
Claim your right to science
Claim your right to see the truth
Though my pangs of conscience,
Will drill a hole in you
I seen it coming like a thief in the night,
I seen it coming from the flash of your light
So give me strength,
to face this test tonight
If only I could turn back time
If only I had said what I still hide
If only I could turn back time..
I would stay for the night
The bolt reminds me I was there
the bolt reminds me I was there
If only I could turn back time
If only I had said what I still hide
If only I could turn back time
I would stay for the night
If only I could
If only I could…
When the last notes of the music faded away, the entire room burst into applause. Even Rachel seemed impressed.
"I think we've found our ballad, Mr. Schue," she said, looking at Tina with a smile. Will agreed, Tina had done a heck of a job with that song. They had also decided to do "I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)" from Footloose with Finn on lead, and Mike and Brittany offered to do a dance routine during "Waterloo" to make the number more appealing. Rachel and Quinn decided to take the lead female vocals on the song with the rest of the group singing together on the chorus.
"All right, we've got our set for sectionals," said Will, a huge smile on his face. "Now let's get to work, we've got a lot to do in a few days."
Finally, sectionals came around at last. For New Directions, it was the first step towards defending their national championship title. They were the heavy favorites going into the competition, but even they were unaware of that status. The two groups that had performed before them had both done well, but Emma had noticed that they lacked the spark and determination that the McKinley group had.
"Okay guys," Will said to the kids assembled in the green room, giving them a pep talk. The glee club were all dressed in costumes Emma had chosen for them – the girls in smoky gray dresses with black Capri tights underneath, the guys in black pants and gray dress shirts. "We've worked really hard over the last few days, so let's go out there and give it all we've got. Channel your energy from the European tour we just did into an incredible performance today, I know you'll make us proud." Just then, he heard the chime signaling the end of the second break.
"Showtime!" he exclaimed happily, and the kids rushed out of the green room towards the stage.
Will and Emma had just taken their seats when the emcee introduced New Directions. They watched as the curtain came up and the group went into their first performance, and they were dead on. Finn's voice was right on form, and the touches they had done on the choreography for the song really made it work. It ended in thunderous applause, then the lights changed and Tina stood center stage to sing the ballad, as if she were born to do it – her voice really suited the melody. When the song finished, she received loud cheers.
At last, it was time for their closer. The familiar music boomed over the sound system as Mike and Brittany ran forward to do the high-energy dance routine they had been working on, and Rachel and Quinn took the lead.
(R/Q) My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself
(All)Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you forever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
(R/Q)My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
(All)Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you forever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
(R/Q)So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose -
(All)Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
Oooh, Waterloo – Knowing my fate is to be with you
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Waterloo – Finally facing my Waterloo
The audience was dancing in the aisles through the entire song, and applauding wildly each time Mike lifted Brittany in the air. At the end of the song, the whole crowd was on its feet cheering. It was obvious to them who had won, but that would be left up to the judges.
All too soon, the three groups were standing in front of the closed curtain on stage. The trophies were set on a table to one side and the head judge was now standing in front of the competitors. Emma took Will's hand and held on tight.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for. But first, let's give a round of applause to all the groups who competed today and gave exceptional performances." The entire theater burst into applause. When the applause died down, the head judge announced the results, beginning with third place, which went to the group from Dayton who had performed just before the McKinley team. They had seemed pleased with themselves as they received the third place trophy.
"And now, let's get to what we're still waiting for," said the head judge as he tore open the envelope that was in his hand and looked at the card inside. "This year's West Central Ohio sectionals champions, who will go on to represent us in Columbus at the Mid-Ohio Regional competition in February are, by a unanimous decision… New Directions!"
The applause in the auditorium was deafening as the kids celebrated and Will and Emma embraced each other. The head judge then came over to give Will the first-place trophy, and he hoisted it in the air to the delight of the students and the continued cheers of the crowd.
Step one of their road to nationals was complete, but there was still a ways to go.
"Will honey, wake up," Emma cooed, gently nudging her husband who was still fast asleep. A light snow was falling outside their bedroom window and she had been up for the last ten minutes making sure the last of the presents was under the tree, she was usually up and out of bed before him. Much time had passed since the glee club's win at sectionals, and now it was Christmas morning.
"Merry Christmas, my angel," said Will when he finally opened his eyes and saw his wife standing nearby in her red flannel nightgown, her pregnancy showing more than ever. She gave him a kiss as he sat up, then felt the tug of his hand in hers as she gently eased him out of bed. He put his slippers on, then followed Emma into the living room. A fire was going in the fireplace, and a pile of brightly wrapped presents was waiting under the tree. Emma reached down and picked up the first gift.
"Here you go," she said, passing the gift to Will. "I figured you might need this to help you with glee club." He tore off the wrapping to reveal a brand new iPod Touch and an iTunes gift card. She knew that he wanted this more than anything.
"Thank you, Em, I love it," he said with a smile, then reached down to get another gift. "And this is for you." Passing it over to Emma, he watched as she unwrapped a small black box. Opening it, she saw a gold necklace with a music note and a heart pendant lying on a bed of white satin. Will carefully lifted it out of the box and fastened it around her neck.
"Oh, it's beautiful," she said breathlessly. "Thank you so much, Will." They continued to exchange presents, then opened gifts they had received from some of the other McKinley teachers as well as their families. The last presents left under the tree were the ones they had bought for the glee club, which they would present to them that afternoon during the party.
"I'm really happy with my gifts," said Emma as she cuddled close to Will.
"Me too," Will replied.
The entire glee club came by in the afternoon, wishing their teachers merry Christmas. Quinn and Puck each held a large present in their hands, the club had all chipped in to buy both Emma and Will each a gift. And so the party was under way. They laughed, they talked, they had their fill of snacks and Will sat at the digital piano and led the group in some Christmas songs. Emma then gave the kids their gifts, the girls got a silver charm bracelet with a custom-made New Directions charm and a charm that showed how each girl was special to them, and the boys received key rings with a similar theme to the girls' bracelets.
"Mr. Schue," said Quinn, "the glee club all pitched in and got you and Mrs. Schue each a gift. We chose them with both of you in mind and we hope you like them." She and Puck handed the gifts to Will and Emma, who opened them quickly as smiles lit up their faces. Emma had received a basket of scented bath products along with a pack of pocket-sized hand sanitizers, and Will had received a set of music books.
"Thank you everyone," said Emma, "these are incredible gifts."
"There's one more thing," said Rachel, and she passed an envelope over to Will. "Should we get the honor of going to nationals in New York, I think this would be great for you while we're there." Will had tore open the envelope and his eyes grew wide at what he was now holding.
"Front row seats to 'Phantom of the Opera' on Broadway?" he said. "This is incredible! How on Earth did you manage this?"
"My dads helped," Rachel explained. "They know all about you two and our goal of making it to nationals, so they pitched in and bought the tickets. Do you like them?"
"We love them, I've always wanted to see that show," said Emma. "I feel more motivated to help you all get to nationals now." She smiled at everyone and held Will close to her.
This truly was the merriest Christmas ever.
Notes: Songs are "Turn Back Time" by Aqua and "Waterloo" by ABBA (ESC'74)
Merry Christmas, everyone...may it be filled with Glee!
