It's true that James has loved music from a young age. And he's always there to play something for any occasion. But when he's first starting out after some of his birth mother's first lessons, he thinks he's ready to do a solo for her. Little does he know that Roland and Melinda have other plans for him. Thanks to Niagra14301 for helping on some of the details. Gordon Lightfoot's music is not mine.

Roland and Melinda's wedding anniversary was coming up soon, and seven-year-old James couldn't decide on what to get them. He knew Amber was going to paint a new portrait for them, but he wanted to do something different. True, they'd teamed up before, but now Amber wanted to do something by herself. He'd said that was okay, since he wanted to do something by himself too, but now he was running out of ideas. Suddenly, after a few minutes, he thought of something.

"I think I'll surprise Mom and Dad and play one of their favorite songs at the party next week," James decided. He remembered one of the songs Melinda had sung with her friends once when she was younger, and how much Roland loved folk music. He grinned as he found the music, and he remembered that this was one of the songs they used to sing to him and Amber when they were younger. He knew it was a new song to him since he'd never played it before, but if there was one thing he and Melinda liked, it was taking on a musical challenge.

Back in his room, James smiled as he started the music. He remembered her lessons on keeping time, and tapped his fingers on the bed to the beat. "Tap your fingers on something first, then on the piano when you're ready," she'd said.

Just like birds of a feather
We too have followed the golden sun
It feels so good,
Knowin' the watchman's gone

Roland and Melinda heard the song, and smiled as they slipped inside.

If I give you a rose, buddy
Would you please bury it in the fields?
I seen a rose
Watchin' it all fold out

James looked up when he felt something tapping his shoulder. "I see you paid attention to my lessons," Melinda smiled. "And Roland, this is one of our favorite songs!"

She softly joined in, There's a train down at the station
It's come to carry my bones away
Two engines on
Twenty-one coaches long

"So it is, Melinda," Roland smiled as he sat on James' other side and saw the music sheets, "I think he wants to learn to play this."

Melinda smiled as she and James sang together, End to end
Twenty-one coaches bend
The watchman's out
Kickin' the bums about

Roland started tapping his fingers on James' ribs in time to the music as he joined in, If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before
I know I can do it in my sleep

As she heard James laughing, Melinda smiled as she joined in, The watchman's out
Kickin' the bums about
The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about

"But in all seriousness, Roland, how is James supposed to learn this song if you do that?" she added.

Roland looked up from where he was tickling James' sides. "You mean this isn't part of your lesson?"

He smiled as he sang with James, As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothin' I'd like to say
"You don't know me
A son of the sea am I"

Melinda rolled her eyes and smirked as she felt James squirming under her. "No, and besides, the tempo you're using is too fast. It's more like this!"

She slowly tapped her fingers on James' ribs with Roland as she continued, As I say to you, my brother
If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there

By now, James was laughing and trying to push their hands away as he tried to sing, If you find me feedin' daisies
Please turn my face up to the sky
And leave me be
Watchin' the moon roll by

"Wait a minute; the piano's not supposed to fight back!" Roland grinned, pinning James on the bed.

As Melinda gave up on the lesson and tickled James along with him, Roland grinned as he continued the verse, Whatever I was
You know it was all because
I've been on the town
Washin' the bullslark down

Melinda smirked. "Roland, little pitchers!"

Roland leaned over and kissed her. "As long as he sings this in his room, it's fine!"

He and Melinda finished the song, since by now, James was laughing too hard to finish, The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about
It feels so good
Knowin' the watchman's gone
It's like a song
Knowin' the watchman's gone

"And how is he supposed to learn to play this song or sing it when he's laughing so hard? Oh, well…what do you say I teach you how to play this song later, James?" Melinda grinned, kissing him on the cheek.

"Okay!" James laughed under them.