Author's Note: Um yeah... don't get mad, this is kinda fluffy kinda... yeah
don't get mad. That's all I'm gonna say. Oh and welcome Starr Light1 and
um... everyone reply! And um... don't kill the messenger!
Chapter Twenty – I Did It My Way
"Save me two seats," Gracie said pulling Molly aside before she entered the bar.
"I thought you were going to New York with your mom?" Molly asked surprised to see Gracie standing there in front of her.
"She left without me."
"Bummer," Molly said sadly.
"Not really," Gracie shrugged. "I mean I get to be here with you guys."
"Yeah, but you're not going to be in New York tomorrow night."
"What does tomorrow night have to do with anything?"
"I'm going to New York tomorrow night," Molly responded with a sad smile. "I'll be there for ten days, I have a show to prep for and stuff and I was going to surprise you guys and we were gonna do touristy things."
Gracie frowned.
"Aw Mol, I'm sorry."
Molly sighed.
"Yeah me too, I was looking forward to it."
"Well maybe I can still come and just stay with you."
Molly smiled.
"It might be boring, I mean I'm gonna be busy, are you sure?"
Gracie smiled back.
"I have nothing else to do, why not."
Molly clasped her hands together excited.
"Great! We can make plans tonight. I'll come back with you. Even if you don't come with me tomorrow you can meet me."
"I just gotta clear it with my dad," Gracie responded equally excited. Since she'd gotten back she hadn't been spending nearly enough time with Molly.
"So why aren't you coming in right now?" Molly asked confused.
"I've got to wait for Evan," Gracie replied shaking her head.
"He's coming?"
Gracie smiled.
"Yeah."
"Cool!" Molly said smiling back. "I'll see you inside."
Gracie nodded, more for her benefit than anyone else's as she stood outside the entrance of Jimmy's with her secret service entourage. Molly was the last one to arrive, having rode in a car with CJ and Toby. Sam, Huck, Zoey, Charlie, Gracie, Donna, Josh and Ryan had arrived just moments earlier after the secret service had staked the place out and explained to the five other bar occupants what was happening. It was nearly eleven o'clock at night.
Gracie smiled as she saw Evan jogging towards her.
"I had to park like eight blocks away," he said grinning as he caught his breath. Gracie smirked.
"Yeah, they had to close off a couple of blocks."
"Why?" Evan asked confused as he opened the door for her and they entered.
"My dad's here," Gracie said simply. Evan stopped dead in his tracks.
"Excuse me?"
Gracie couldn't help but laugh.
"Evan, its NOT a big deal."
"Does he sing?" Evan asked regaining his composure.
"Yes," Gracie smiled proudly.
"And you sing?" he asked as they neared the table.
"Yes."
"I don't sing."
"That's quite alright," she smiled as they found their party. "Everyone remembers Evan?" Gracie asked as they took the last two seats on the end of the table right next to Molly. Evan and the rest of the crew exchanged pleasantries.
"You singing Gracie?" Huck asked, looking down as he scribbled onto a song request slip.
"Yeah."
Huck looked up and smiled.
"Give me the slip and I'll bring it up for you."
Gracie smiled back. She took a piece of paper from the middle of the table and wrote down her song choice quickly, before folding the piece of paper and handing it to Huck.
"Anyone else?" Huck asked standing up.
"Me," Sam called out, lifting his paper into the air so that Huck could grab it.
"And me," Josh intervened slipping his paper in too.
"I'll be right back," Huck said with a nod.
Ten minutes later the table was covered in popcorn, pitchers of beer, and laughter. The DJ, Mike, the guy from the last time they were there, came onto the stage and everyone cheered.
"First and foremost," Mike began into the microphone. "I'd like to welcome our special guest this evening, President Sam Seaborn," everyone cheered. "It's not everyday we find out that the White House Senior Staff frequents karaoke bars, let alone my own. I'm sure the owner of this joint, good ol' Jimmy himself would be pleased. And without further ado, I present to you all, The President, Sam Seaborn, singing a Frank Sinatra classic, 'My Way.'"
The table cheered as Sam took the stage. Sam lacked all rhythm, but he sure could croon a tune. He grabbed the microphone from its stand, sat back on the stool that had been provided and waited for his intro.
"And now," Sam smiled. "The end is near."
"Do you want to dance?" Evan asked immediately.
"And so I face," Sam continued in the background. "The final curtain."
"I'd love to," Gracie responded quickly.
"My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain," Sam smiled as he saw Gracie and Evan walk onto the floor in front of the stage and begin to sway together to the music. "I've lived, a life that's full. I've traveled each and every highway. But more, much more than this, I did it my way."
"What do you say Sis?" Huck asked standing and extending his hand to Molly. Molly blushed slightly.
"Regrets, I've had a few," Sam continued. "But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do, and saw it through, without exemption."
"Why Huck," Molly said with a smile. "I thought you'd never ask," she took his hand and he quickly pulled her to the dance floor beside Gracie and Evan.
"I planned each charted course; each careful step, along the by way," Sam began attempting to sway with the music. "But more, much more than this, I did it my way."
CJ hooted from her spot at the table and Toby, Zoey and Charlie joined in with laughter.
"Let's go show the kids how it's done," Josh winked at Donna.
"Yes there were times, I'm sure I knew. When I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt," Sam stepped to the edge of the stage and continued with his best Sinatra impression. "I ate it up, and spit it out."
"Twenty years and he's still bringing the woo folks," Donna said to laughs at the table before she and Josh hit the dance floor.
"I faced it all," Sam sang with pride, these particular words, always hitting home. "And I stood tall and did it my way."
"He's great," Evan whispered into Gracie's ear as he held her close. Gracie looked up at him smiling as proudly as possible.
"I know," she gushed.
"I've loved," Sam sang, bringing his free hand to his heart. "I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill, my share of losing. And now, as the tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way, no, oh no not me, I did it my way."
CJ and Toby began cheering from the table as Sam began to hammer it home.
"For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself then he had naught. To say the things he truly feels," Sam stepped back towards the microphone stand so that he could sing freely, using his hands to guide him. "And not the words of the one who kneels. The record shows, I took the blows, and did it," Sam paused and smiled at the group gathered around. "Myyyyyyyyy Way!"
The crowd erupted in applause. Even the table in the back, the spectators who usually just watched, taking in the strange scenery, stood and cheered. When Sam got off the stage he was greeted immediately by Gracie who hugged him fiercely and kissed him on the cheek.
"My dad everybody!" she shouted lifting his hand in the air victoriously. Sam smiled wide and made his way, after much more fanfare, back to the table with CJ, Toby, Zoey, Charlie, and Ryan. Gracie, Evan, Huck, Molly, Josh and Donna remained standing, awaiting the next act.
Mike the DJ strolled across the stage, still clapping as he approached the microphone.
"Let's give it up one more time," he shouted. "For President Seaborn!"
The bar then erupted into another fit of applause.
"And next," Mike continued once the crowed had died down. "We welcome Chief of Staff, Joshua Lyman singing an Aaron Nevil classic, 'Crazy Love' take it away Josh."
Josh smiled to Donna before taking the stage.
"I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles," Josh began smoothly. "And the heavens open up each time she smiles," he continued looking purposefully at Donna. "And when I come to her, that's where I belong. Yet I'm running to her like a rivers song," he took a seat before breaking into the chorus. "She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love. She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love."
"Look at her," Evan said motioning to Donna, as he pulled Gracie back into his arms. "She's so happy just staring at him. Its like they were meant to be together."
Gracie smiled before responding, remembering her conversation with Donna earlier.
"They were," she replied simply then stole a glance over at Huck. Huck was standing next to Molly and they were both watching Donna in wonder.
"She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down," Josh sang, never breaking eye contact with a very content Donna. "And when I come to her when the sun goes down..."
"Talk to me little brother," Molly said looking up at Huck.
"Three minutes and forty seven seconds," he replied naturally then smiled. "It should be me," he finished simply.
"Take away my troubles, take away my grief," Josh continued simultaneously. "Take away my heartache in the night, like a thief," he winked at Donna as she smiled wide.
"Let's dance," CJ said, nuzzled into Toby's neck. Toby grinned, a rare occurrence.
"Yes," Toby said simply. "Let's," he added taking her hand. They proceeded past Molly and Huck, stopping for a moment to glance at Donna, before Toby pulled CJ as close to him as possible and they began to sway.
"You're right," Molly whispered to Huck as they continued to watch Gracie and Evan.
"She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love," Josh closed his eyes as he sang. "She gives me love, love, love, love crazy love."
"We should dance too," Charlie said turning to Zoey. Zoey shrugged.
"Will you take a rain check?" she asked, snuggling closer to him. "I just wanna sit."
Charlie nodded and they sat back, continuing to enjoy Josh.
"Yes I need her in the daytime," Josh jumped off of the stage. "Yes I need her in the night," he took Donna's hand and continued. "Yes I want to throw my arms around her," he resisted the urge to do just that. "Kiss her, hug her, kiss her, hug her tight..." he paused and took a breath. "And when I'm returning from so far away. She gives me some sweet lovin', brighten up my day. Yes it makes me righteous, Yes it makes me feel whole. Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul."
Toby couldn't help but laugh as he heard Josh refer to himself as mellow.
"She gives me love, love, love, love crazy love," Josh spun Donna around. "She gives me love, love, love, love," he paused before finishing. "Crazy love..." before the song even finished Donna had Josh wrapped around her finger. She pulled him into her arms, and kissed him, not caring who was around.
The crowd cheered, more for Josh and Donna's kiss than the song. CJ whistled and everyone watched as Donna blushed, even though most of her face was hidden by her falling hair.
When the kiss finally broke Josh and Donna took a bow then headed back to the table and a bit of laughter. CJ and Toby remained dancing, despite the lack of music, and Huck, Molly, Gracie, and Evan all stood waiting who would be announced next.
Mike, grinning, wishing he could advertise the senior staff of the white house night at Jimmy's Joint, by inviting the press, announced the next singer.
"That's going to be a tough act to follow," Mike said with a laugh. "But next up we have Huck," Mike paused. "Is your real name Huckelberry?"
Gracie and Molly both laughed as Huck shook his head and rolled his eyes, making his way to the stage.
"No," Huck said flatly. Mike laughed again.
"Sorry buddy, anyway," Mike continued. "Here's Huck singing Sir Elton John's 'Your Song.'"
Gracie looked up at Evan.
"He's really good," she said with a smile.
"I bet," Evan replied smugly then turned his head and rolled his eyes, so that she couldn't see.
"It's a little bit funny," Huck began, sitting on the stool. "This feeling inside. I'm not one of those who can, easily hide. I don't have much money but boy if I did. I'd buy a big house where, we both could live," Huck looked down at Gracie and smiled. He knew it was one of her favorite songs. He'd never admit it too anyone that night, but that's why he choose it.
Gracie and Evan had stopped dancing and were now just standing next to each other, with Molly at Gracie's other side.
"May I have this dance?" Sam asked coming up being the small group and placing his hand on his daughters shoulder. Gracie turned towards him with a wide smile.
"It would be my pleasure," she responded taking his hand.
"If I was a sculptor, but then again, no," Huck continued with the next verse, all the while, keeping a close eye on Gracie. He was practically overjoyed to see her dancing with Sam and not Evan. "Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show. I know it's not much but it's the best I can do. My gift is my song and," he pointed to Molly, and raised an eyebrow. "This one's for you."
Sam spun Gracie around and they began to waltz, both having learned, along with some others, just before Inauguration, from lessons that Mallory had insisted on.
"And you can tell everybody this is your song," Huck sang mimicking Elton John almost perfectly. "It may be quite simple but now that it's done. I hope you don't mind. I hope you don't mind. That I put down in words," he looked over at Gracie and Sam. "How wonderful life is, now you're in the world."
"Dance with me darling," Josh said coming up behind Molly. Molly took his hand and laughed as they began waltzing also. "We've got to show them up," he finished with a dimpled grin.
"I sat on a roof top, and kicked off the moss," Huck stood. "Well a few of the verses, well they've got me quite cross. But the sun's been quite kind while, I wrote this song. Its for people like you that, keep it turned on," he smiled again as he caught Gracie's eye. She smiled back. "So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do. You see I've forgotten if they're green or if they're blue. Anyway, the thing is what I really mean. Yours are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen," Huck looked away quickly when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Evan was staring at him. "And you can tell everybody, that this is your song. It may be quite simple but now that it's done. I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words," Huck paused. He didn't care who was looking. He turned to Gracie. "How wonderful life is," their eyes met. "Now you're in the world," he finished winked at her then exited the stage and took a seat at the table before anyone could say anything. There was the usual fanfare, with clapping and of course CJ whistled but he didn't care, he'd made his point.
Mike strolled across the stage moments later, it was just past one in the morning and they were coming up on their last performance of the night.
"And last but definitely not least," he said into the microphone. "Let's give a big welcome back to Gracie singing the standard, 'Smile.'"
Evan cheered and Sam clapped. Together they stood with Molly and Josh watching from the dance floor.
Gracie took the stage, and like the song, smiled, before she started to sing.
"Smile," her voice was soft and perfectly on pitch. "Though your heart is aching. Smile," she took the microphone off of the stand and sat down on the edge of the stage. "Even though it's breaking," she looked over at Huck, being sure to make quick eye contact before looking away. "When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by..."
"She's beautiful," Evan whispered in awe, to no one in particular.
"We know," Josh responded nodding slowly.
"If you smile," Gracie began to sway. "Through your fear and sorrow. Smile, and maybe tomorrow, you'll see the sun come shining through... for you..." she closed her eyes. "Light up your face with gladness," then opened them. "Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near. That's the time, you must keep on trying," she looked over at Sam and smiled once more. "Smile, what's the use of crying?" then she turned to Evan. "You'll find that life is still worth while," she focused back on her family sitting at the table and noticed out of the corner of her eye, Zoey was standing, phone to her ear, shaking her head violently. "If you just..." she took a deep breath and for a moment she could almost hear what sounded like someone crying in the background. "Smiiiiiiiile..." she finished sweetly.
Instead of the usual eruption of applause there was clapping, but no laughter and Gracie knew immediately why. She watched as Charlie escorted an obviously shaken Zoey out of the bar. Gracie ran to the table, almost forgetting to put the microphone down.
"It's Jed," Donna said pulling her purse over her shoulder as she grabbed Josh's hand. "He... he's gone..."
Post Chapter Note: I know right now you want to kill me. I know and I'm sorry. As for the singing, I had to do it again. I'm sorry for those of you who don't like my sudden urges to burst into song, but sometimes I can't help myself. Old habits die hard. At any rate, must give credit where credit is due. Sam sang one of my favorite songs of all time "My Way" by the late great Frank Sinatra. It can be found on most of his "best of" albums I'm assuming and at the jukebox at the shed, incase anyone is interested... sorry private joke. Anyway, Josh's song was "Crazy Love" by Aaron Nevil (and covered by many other's including Brian McKnight I'm pretty sure), it can be found on his album "Phenomenon." Huck's song, "Your Song" by the great Sir Elton John, can also be found on many a "best of" album and, incase anyone was wondering is sampled in, one of my favorite movies, "Moulin Rouge" and last but not least, Gracie's song, "Smile" as I know it, is sang by Natalie Cole and can be found on her album "Unforgettable" although it is also a standard that has been around since the beginning of time.
Chapter Twenty – I Did It My Way
"Save me two seats," Gracie said pulling Molly aside before she entered the bar.
"I thought you were going to New York with your mom?" Molly asked surprised to see Gracie standing there in front of her.
"She left without me."
"Bummer," Molly said sadly.
"Not really," Gracie shrugged. "I mean I get to be here with you guys."
"Yeah, but you're not going to be in New York tomorrow night."
"What does tomorrow night have to do with anything?"
"I'm going to New York tomorrow night," Molly responded with a sad smile. "I'll be there for ten days, I have a show to prep for and stuff and I was going to surprise you guys and we were gonna do touristy things."
Gracie frowned.
"Aw Mol, I'm sorry."
Molly sighed.
"Yeah me too, I was looking forward to it."
"Well maybe I can still come and just stay with you."
Molly smiled.
"It might be boring, I mean I'm gonna be busy, are you sure?"
Gracie smiled back.
"I have nothing else to do, why not."
Molly clasped her hands together excited.
"Great! We can make plans tonight. I'll come back with you. Even if you don't come with me tomorrow you can meet me."
"I just gotta clear it with my dad," Gracie responded equally excited. Since she'd gotten back she hadn't been spending nearly enough time with Molly.
"So why aren't you coming in right now?" Molly asked confused.
"I've got to wait for Evan," Gracie replied shaking her head.
"He's coming?"
Gracie smiled.
"Yeah."
"Cool!" Molly said smiling back. "I'll see you inside."
Gracie nodded, more for her benefit than anyone else's as she stood outside the entrance of Jimmy's with her secret service entourage. Molly was the last one to arrive, having rode in a car with CJ and Toby. Sam, Huck, Zoey, Charlie, Gracie, Donna, Josh and Ryan had arrived just moments earlier after the secret service had staked the place out and explained to the five other bar occupants what was happening. It was nearly eleven o'clock at night.
Gracie smiled as she saw Evan jogging towards her.
"I had to park like eight blocks away," he said grinning as he caught his breath. Gracie smirked.
"Yeah, they had to close off a couple of blocks."
"Why?" Evan asked confused as he opened the door for her and they entered.
"My dad's here," Gracie said simply. Evan stopped dead in his tracks.
"Excuse me?"
Gracie couldn't help but laugh.
"Evan, its NOT a big deal."
"Does he sing?" Evan asked regaining his composure.
"Yes," Gracie smiled proudly.
"And you sing?" he asked as they neared the table.
"Yes."
"I don't sing."
"That's quite alright," she smiled as they found their party. "Everyone remembers Evan?" Gracie asked as they took the last two seats on the end of the table right next to Molly. Evan and the rest of the crew exchanged pleasantries.
"You singing Gracie?" Huck asked, looking down as he scribbled onto a song request slip.
"Yeah."
Huck looked up and smiled.
"Give me the slip and I'll bring it up for you."
Gracie smiled back. She took a piece of paper from the middle of the table and wrote down her song choice quickly, before folding the piece of paper and handing it to Huck.
"Anyone else?" Huck asked standing up.
"Me," Sam called out, lifting his paper into the air so that Huck could grab it.
"And me," Josh intervened slipping his paper in too.
"I'll be right back," Huck said with a nod.
Ten minutes later the table was covered in popcorn, pitchers of beer, and laughter. The DJ, Mike, the guy from the last time they were there, came onto the stage and everyone cheered.
"First and foremost," Mike began into the microphone. "I'd like to welcome our special guest this evening, President Sam Seaborn," everyone cheered. "It's not everyday we find out that the White House Senior Staff frequents karaoke bars, let alone my own. I'm sure the owner of this joint, good ol' Jimmy himself would be pleased. And without further ado, I present to you all, The President, Sam Seaborn, singing a Frank Sinatra classic, 'My Way.'"
The table cheered as Sam took the stage. Sam lacked all rhythm, but he sure could croon a tune. He grabbed the microphone from its stand, sat back on the stool that had been provided and waited for his intro.
"And now," Sam smiled. "The end is near."
"Do you want to dance?" Evan asked immediately.
"And so I face," Sam continued in the background. "The final curtain."
"I'd love to," Gracie responded quickly.
"My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain," Sam smiled as he saw Gracie and Evan walk onto the floor in front of the stage and begin to sway together to the music. "I've lived, a life that's full. I've traveled each and every highway. But more, much more than this, I did it my way."
"What do you say Sis?" Huck asked standing and extending his hand to Molly. Molly blushed slightly.
"Regrets, I've had a few," Sam continued. "But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do, and saw it through, without exemption."
"Why Huck," Molly said with a smile. "I thought you'd never ask," she took his hand and he quickly pulled her to the dance floor beside Gracie and Evan.
"I planned each charted course; each careful step, along the by way," Sam began attempting to sway with the music. "But more, much more than this, I did it my way."
CJ hooted from her spot at the table and Toby, Zoey and Charlie joined in with laughter.
"Let's go show the kids how it's done," Josh winked at Donna.
"Yes there were times, I'm sure I knew. When I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt," Sam stepped to the edge of the stage and continued with his best Sinatra impression. "I ate it up, and spit it out."
"Twenty years and he's still bringing the woo folks," Donna said to laughs at the table before she and Josh hit the dance floor.
"I faced it all," Sam sang with pride, these particular words, always hitting home. "And I stood tall and did it my way."
"He's great," Evan whispered into Gracie's ear as he held her close. Gracie looked up at him smiling as proudly as possible.
"I know," she gushed.
"I've loved," Sam sang, bringing his free hand to his heart. "I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill, my share of losing. And now, as the tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way, no, oh no not me, I did it my way."
CJ and Toby began cheering from the table as Sam began to hammer it home.
"For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself then he had naught. To say the things he truly feels," Sam stepped back towards the microphone stand so that he could sing freely, using his hands to guide him. "And not the words of the one who kneels. The record shows, I took the blows, and did it," Sam paused and smiled at the group gathered around. "Myyyyyyyyy Way!"
The crowd erupted in applause. Even the table in the back, the spectators who usually just watched, taking in the strange scenery, stood and cheered. When Sam got off the stage he was greeted immediately by Gracie who hugged him fiercely and kissed him on the cheek.
"My dad everybody!" she shouted lifting his hand in the air victoriously. Sam smiled wide and made his way, after much more fanfare, back to the table with CJ, Toby, Zoey, Charlie, and Ryan. Gracie, Evan, Huck, Molly, Josh and Donna remained standing, awaiting the next act.
Mike the DJ strolled across the stage, still clapping as he approached the microphone.
"Let's give it up one more time," he shouted. "For President Seaborn!"
The bar then erupted into another fit of applause.
"And next," Mike continued once the crowed had died down. "We welcome Chief of Staff, Joshua Lyman singing an Aaron Nevil classic, 'Crazy Love' take it away Josh."
Josh smiled to Donna before taking the stage.
"I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles," Josh began smoothly. "And the heavens open up each time she smiles," he continued looking purposefully at Donna. "And when I come to her, that's where I belong. Yet I'm running to her like a rivers song," he took a seat before breaking into the chorus. "She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love. She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love."
"Look at her," Evan said motioning to Donna, as he pulled Gracie back into his arms. "She's so happy just staring at him. Its like they were meant to be together."
Gracie smiled before responding, remembering her conversation with Donna earlier.
"They were," she replied simply then stole a glance over at Huck. Huck was standing next to Molly and they were both watching Donna in wonder.
"She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down," Josh sang, never breaking eye contact with a very content Donna. "And when I come to her when the sun goes down..."
"Talk to me little brother," Molly said looking up at Huck.
"Three minutes and forty seven seconds," he replied naturally then smiled. "It should be me," he finished simply.
"Take away my troubles, take away my grief," Josh continued simultaneously. "Take away my heartache in the night, like a thief," he winked at Donna as she smiled wide.
"Let's dance," CJ said, nuzzled into Toby's neck. Toby grinned, a rare occurrence.
"Yes," Toby said simply. "Let's," he added taking her hand. They proceeded past Molly and Huck, stopping for a moment to glance at Donna, before Toby pulled CJ as close to him as possible and they began to sway.
"You're right," Molly whispered to Huck as they continued to watch Gracie and Evan.
"She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love," Josh closed his eyes as he sang. "She gives me love, love, love, love crazy love."
"We should dance too," Charlie said turning to Zoey. Zoey shrugged.
"Will you take a rain check?" she asked, snuggling closer to him. "I just wanna sit."
Charlie nodded and they sat back, continuing to enjoy Josh.
"Yes I need her in the daytime," Josh jumped off of the stage. "Yes I need her in the night," he took Donna's hand and continued. "Yes I want to throw my arms around her," he resisted the urge to do just that. "Kiss her, hug her, kiss her, hug her tight..." he paused and took a breath. "And when I'm returning from so far away. She gives me some sweet lovin', brighten up my day. Yes it makes me righteous, Yes it makes me feel whole. Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul."
Toby couldn't help but laugh as he heard Josh refer to himself as mellow.
"She gives me love, love, love, love crazy love," Josh spun Donna around. "She gives me love, love, love, love," he paused before finishing. "Crazy love..." before the song even finished Donna had Josh wrapped around her finger. She pulled him into her arms, and kissed him, not caring who was around.
The crowd cheered, more for Josh and Donna's kiss than the song. CJ whistled and everyone watched as Donna blushed, even though most of her face was hidden by her falling hair.
When the kiss finally broke Josh and Donna took a bow then headed back to the table and a bit of laughter. CJ and Toby remained dancing, despite the lack of music, and Huck, Molly, Gracie, and Evan all stood waiting who would be announced next.
Mike, grinning, wishing he could advertise the senior staff of the white house night at Jimmy's Joint, by inviting the press, announced the next singer.
"That's going to be a tough act to follow," Mike said with a laugh. "But next up we have Huck," Mike paused. "Is your real name Huckelberry?"
Gracie and Molly both laughed as Huck shook his head and rolled his eyes, making his way to the stage.
"No," Huck said flatly. Mike laughed again.
"Sorry buddy, anyway," Mike continued. "Here's Huck singing Sir Elton John's 'Your Song.'"
Gracie looked up at Evan.
"He's really good," she said with a smile.
"I bet," Evan replied smugly then turned his head and rolled his eyes, so that she couldn't see.
"It's a little bit funny," Huck began, sitting on the stool. "This feeling inside. I'm not one of those who can, easily hide. I don't have much money but boy if I did. I'd buy a big house where, we both could live," Huck looked down at Gracie and smiled. He knew it was one of her favorite songs. He'd never admit it too anyone that night, but that's why he choose it.
Gracie and Evan had stopped dancing and were now just standing next to each other, with Molly at Gracie's other side.
"May I have this dance?" Sam asked coming up being the small group and placing his hand on his daughters shoulder. Gracie turned towards him with a wide smile.
"It would be my pleasure," she responded taking his hand.
"If I was a sculptor, but then again, no," Huck continued with the next verse, all the while, keeping a close eye on Gracie. He was practically overjoyed to see her dancing with Sam and not Evan. "Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show. I know it's not much but it's the best I can do. My gift is my song and," he pointed to Molly, and raised an eyebrow. "This one's for you."
Sam spun Gracie around and they began to waltz, both having learned, along with some others, just before Inauguration, from lessons that Mallory had insisted on.
"And you can tell everybody this is your song," Huck sang mimicking Elton John almost perfectly. "It may be quite simple but now that it's done. I hope you don't mind. I hope you don't mind. That I put down in words," he looked over at Gracie and Sam. "How wonderful life is, now you're in the world."
"Dance with me darling," Josh said coming up behind Molly. Molly took his hand and laughed as they began waltzing also. "We've got to show them up," he finished with a dimpled grin.
"I sat on a roof top, and kicked off the moss," Huck stood. "Well a few of the verses, well they've got me quite cross. But the sun's been quite kind while, I wrote this song. Its for people like you that, keep it turned on," he smiled again as he caught Gracie's eye. She smiled back. "So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do. You see I've forgotten if they're green or if they're blue. Anyway, the thing is what I really mean. Yours are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen," Huck looked away quickly when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Evan was staring at him. "And you can tell everybody, that this is your song. It may be quite simple but now that it's done. I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words," Huck paused. He didn't care who was looking. He turned to Gracie. "How wonderful life is," their eyes met. "Now you're in the world," he finished winked at her then exited the stage and took a seat at the table before anyone could say anything. There was the usual fanfare, with clapping and of course CJ whistled but he didn't care, he'd made his point.
Mike strolled across the stage moments later, it was just past one in the morning and they were coming up on their last performance of the night.
"And last but definitely not least," he said into the microphone. "Let's give a big welcome back to Gracie singing the standard, 'Smile.'"
Evan cheered and Sam clapped. Together they stood with Molly and Josh watching from the dance floor.
Gracie took the stage, and like the song, smiled, before she started to sing.
"Smile," her voice was soft and perfectly on pitch. "Though your heart is aching. Smile," she took the microphone off of the stand and sat down on the edge of the stage. "Even though it's breaking," she looked over at Huck, being sure to make quick eye contact before looking away. "When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by..."
"She's beautiful," Evan whispered in awe, to no one in particular.
"We know," Josh responded nodding slowly.
"If you smile," Gracie began to sway. "Through your fear and sorrow. Smile, and maybe tomorrow, you'll see the sun come shining through... for you..." she closed her eyes. "Light up your face with gladness," then opened them. "Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near. That's the time, you must keep on trying," she looked over at Sam and smiled once more. "Smile, what's the use of crying?" then she turned to Evan. "You'll find that life is still worth while," she focused back on her family sitting at the table and noticed out of the corner of her eye, Zoey was standing, phone to her ear, shaking her head violently. "If you just..." she took a deep breath and for a moment she could almost hear what sounded like someone crying in the background. "Smiiiiiiiile..." she finished sweetly.
Instead of the usual eruption of applause there was clapping, but no laughter and Gracie knew immediately why. She watched as Charlie escorted an obviously shaken Zoey out of the bar. Gracie ran to the table, almost forgetting to put the microphone down.
"It's Jed," Donna said pulling her purse over her shoulder as she grabbed Josh's hand. "He... he's gone..."
Post Chapter Note: I know right now you want to kill me. I know and I'm sorry. As for the singing, I had to do it again. I'm sorry for those of you who don't like my sudden urges to burst into song, but sometimes I can't help myself. Old habits die hard. At any rate, must give credit where credit is due. Sam sang one of my favorite songs of all time "My Way" by the late great Frank Sinatra. It can be found on most of his "best of" albums I'm assuming and at the jukebox at the shed, incase anyone is interested... sorry private joke. Anyway, Josh's song was "Crazy Love" by Aaron Nevil (and covered by many other's including Brian McKnight I'm pretty sure), it can be found on his album "Phenomenon." Huck's song, "Your Song" by the great Sir Elton John, can also be found on many a "best of" album and, incase anyone was wondering is sampled in, one of my favorite movies, "Moulin Rouge" and last but not least, Gracie's song, "Smile" as I know it, is sang by Natalie Cole and can be found on her album "Unforgettable" although it is also a standard that has been around since the beginning of time.