Since the famous musical Rent is going to be on television tonight (Sunday at 8/7 Central on Fox), I thought it would be nice if Sofia and her friends sang one of their favorite songs from the musical. As a way to round out the evening at James' Music Appreciation class concert, he suggests to the teacher that they have an audience participation sing-along. Amber especially enjoys the surprise, since James is not only singing in public again, but this song is one of Queen Melinda's favorites that she used to sing to them. Thanks to Sofia2017 planning for helping with the story. The Lily used in this story is not the same as Lucinda's good witch friend. Rent is not mine.

"That was the best song I've ever heard!" Amber smiled as the Music Appreciation class's song ended.

"Amber, you've said that about every song they've done!" Miranda smiled. "But I don't blame you; they do sound wonderful. And it's so nice hearing James sing with them, in addition to accompanying them on the piano."

"I still can't believe this is the first concert where James is singing with them, and not just accompanying them," Sofia agreed.

"I did enjoy hearing him practice the songs," Roland agreed. "He let us sing with him, and for this, he told us that there's going to be a special surprise for the audience."

Sofia smiled. "I wonder what the surprise could be!"

"We'll soon find out," Miranda smiled.

When the applause had died down, the Music Appreciation teacher, Professor Paul Blumberg, stepped up to the microphone. Beside him was one of the older students in the class. The girl waved her wand, and soon everyone was holding a microphone. "What's this for?" Miranda wondered.

"It looks like we get to sing something too," Roland smiled.

Professor Blumberg also smiled. "Thank you for attending tonight's concert. All of you were just given microphones, which goes along with our surprise for the evening. If my assistant here will wave her wand again, we'll get the surprise underway."

"What's going on?" Sofia asked. She suddenly realized that her words had echoed around the room. Looking down, she saw that she had spoken into the microphone as she looked it over, but before she could look embarrassed, Professor Blumberg gave her a sympathetic smile.

"You'll see, Princess," Professor Blumberg smiled, "And yes, all of your microphones are on!" He smiled as a few people chuckled along with him, having found that out for themselves, "But if any of you know this song, you're more than welcome to join in."

"Sorry," Sofia whispered, keeping the microphone away from her mouth this time.

"We were all surprised, Sofia," Roland assured her, being careful to keep his own microphone down as he patted her hand. "Melinda used to do that too. She'd always say about that, 'Don't you just love these unintended solos?'"

"She'd use that joke with me and James, too, when she was teaching us to sing," Amber smiled, keeping her own microphone down. "Especially during an instrumental part when we forgot to stop!" A few moments later, after everyone had settled down after a few 'unintended solos' of their own, she smiled when she heard James start playing the piano again. "I know this song!"

"Then go for it, Amber," Sofia smiled.

"As long as you sing with me, Sofia," Amber smiled.

Everyone watched as the student waved her wand and made lyrics appear. "This was probably James' idea," Miranda whispered, "He's always loved karaoke, and from what I remember from watching him, as well as doing it myself, a person has to follow along with the lyrics when they sing."

"This idea was thanks to our class pianist, Prince James," Professor Blumberg continued, "Let's give him a round of applause."

"Thanks, everyone," James smiled. "I hope you like the song I picked, and feel free to join us."

He and the Music Appreciation class started together, 525,600 minutes
525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

"Daddy, forgive me for my impromptu 'Who am I' when it's not Family Game Night, but guess who I'm quoting when I say, I love this song!" Amber smiled when she heard James play the opening notes.

Hearing Amber use one of his own well-known phrases, James smiled as he sang with the rest of the class and the audience, In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In 525,600 minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?

"We all do, Amber," Roland smiled. "Your mother loved this song too. She'd sometimes use it as a lullaby when you and James were younger. And what better way to honor her memory than to sing one of her favorite songs?"

Amber smiled. "Okay. And if James can do that when he sings as the Secret Singer, so can I."

Sofia nodded as she squeezed her hand. "Okay, now go on, Amber! And I'll sing with you too!"

She and Amber joined in, How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Amber smiled as she took a solo. She remembered singing it with James when he was singing behind a closed door, especially on their mother's birthday. She had even managed to open the door a crack so everyone could hear them.

525,600 minutes
525,000 journeys to plan
525,600 minutes
How do you measure the life of a woman or man?

"It's so wonderful to sing this outside a closed door," she added.

Roland hugged her. "Melinda would be so proud."

Meanwhile, James was singing, In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died

As he watched Amber, James also had a teary smile. He remembered singing this with Amber the day after the karaoke party when he promised never to sing behind a closed door again.

As he watched his family singing along with the audience, James asked, "Sofia, care to sing along?"

"I think we all know the answer to that, James!" Sofia nodded as she joined in.

She smiled as she sang with James, Amber, and the rest of his class, It's time now to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let's celebrate, remember a year
In the life of friends

"I used to play this around the shop when Sofia was younger," Miranda smiled. "I sang it with her, and we got extra coins from customers since they liked hearing us."

"Shall we, Miranda?" Roland smiled.

"Yes we shall, Rollie!" Miranda grinned back.

She and Roland sang as Sofia, James, and Amber sang backup for them, Remember the love
You got to, you got to remember the love
Remember the love
You know that love is a gift from up above
Remember the love
Share love, give love, spread love
Measure, measure in your life in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Measure your life, measure your life in love

"That was very well done, everyone!" Roland smiled as James came back down to them over the applause and the concert ended.

"Thanks, Dad! And Sof, I forgot that the microphones were on when Professor Blumberg had Lily cast that spell," James admitted. "But if it makes you feel better, some of the guys in class do that too, when we have Karaoke Day."

"They sing or speak when the microphones are on before a song starts?" Miranda asked. When James nodded, she smiled. "Don't worry about it. They're probably just excited about the song."

"Professor Blumberg says that too," James agreed. He grinned as he added, "And yes, Dad and Amber, I remember Mom's 'unintended solos' too!"

"And we're excited about having you sing in public and with your door open again," Sofia smiled as she hugged him.

"As I said before, Sof, except for when Dad's concentrating on some kind of royal business, or if he needs quiet, I'm never singing behind a closed door again," James smiled.