Going on and on and on asked about this song from Elena of Avalor, so enjoy your request! I thought it would be fun if, as a deleted opening scene from my story The Rise and Fall of Eze Gray, the royal family threw a party for James to celebrate his return to singing in public. While they had a celebration at the end of The Secret Love Song, they also had a party to mark the six-month anniversary of his decision. Thanks to Going on and on and on for helping with the story. Elena of Avalor is not mine.
Everyone in the royal family was happy. James had been singing around the castle again for six months now, following the death of his birth mother three and a half years earlier, when he had lost his voice at the funeral when he was supposed to sing with Amber. He had sung the song while he was in a disguise, and despite someone unmasking him, and a momentary period of despair, James had been encouraged to keep doing what he loved. He agreed, unmasked himself at the talent show the next night, then that weekend, he had promised the family that he'd never sing behind a closed door again, unless Roland was busy, or someone needed quiet.
"This was brilliant, but you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble," James said as they finished dinner.
"James, it was no trouble at all! We're all happy that you decided to sing in public again," Amber smiled.
"I know, but did it have to include a big fancy dinner?" James asked. "I'm surprised we're the only ones here! I keep expecting to see another kingdom show up!"
"Bigger is better, dear brother," Amber smiled, "But just be glad that I only planned this dinner for the family, and not everyone in the Tri-Kingdom area!"
"That's right," Roland agreed, "Nobody in the Tri-Kingdom area needs to know that you weren't singing in public."
James tried to look embarrassed at the attention he was getting, but he couldn't help but smile. He remembered when he had sung with his door open after the karaoke party. He had been getting ready for bed, and he had been singing with his door open when he heard Marcy, Suzette, and Violet crying. At first he thought something was wrong, but when they hugged him, he knew that they were all happy to hear him singing with the door open.
"And let's not forget what Amber said about it!" Sofia smiled.
"Well, wouldn't you be happy about that too?" Amber asked. When she heard James singing with his door open, she got so excited that she was running down the hall, yelling for Roland and Miranda. They had come running out of Roland's study, thinking that something terrible was going on, but they soon saw that Amber was just excited about being able to hear James singing again.
"I guess you're right, and how often do we get to see Amber run down the hall screaming?" James smirked.
"Okay, you two," Miranda smiled. "Now that dinner's over, we've got something special for you in the sitting room, James!"
"What is it?" James asked.
"You'll see," Roland grinned as he led the way to the sitting room.
When they entered the room, James saw his karaoke machine all set up, along with a box of tapes and CDs. "What's this for?"
"A family karaoke night," Roland grinned. "Surprise!"
"That's wonderful, Daddy! And now we'll be able to hear James sing with us again!" Amber smiled.
"He did sing with us, Amber, don't you remember?" Sofia asked.
"Yes, but that was only because we sang with him in his room with the door open a crack," Amber protested.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore," James smirked as he started looking through the songs. "Now I'll only sing with my door closed when Dad's concentrating on royal business or if anyone, not just Dad, needs quiet."
"That's all right, since you're trying to be considerate," Miranda smiled.
"Yes, but everyone's going to love hearing you sing around the castle now," Amber smiled. "Did you find a song, James?"
"No, but I think Sof did, and we'd better let her go first!" James smirked, seeing Sofia's excited grin when she pulled out a song.
"Thank you, James!" Sofia smiled, "But I'll sing this only if you and Amber join me!"
"Okay!" James grinned, with Amber nodding beside him.
Sofia smiled as she took the microphone and began the song, How long I have fought for this day to arrive
I spent years on alert,
Yes, I kept moving on till the danger was gone
So no one would get hurt
Amber smiled as she joined in, But now all the darkness is part of the past
And the sun's shining through
Now I'm gazing upon a blazing new dawn
So long overdue
James also smiled as he joined in, And suddenly I'm filled with an
Emotion I barely recognize
They sang together, So grateful to feel so free
So happy to be alive
I'm happy, so happy
To be alive
"It's wonderful to hear James singing outside his room again," Miranda smiled.
"Indeed it is," Roland agreed.
James grinned as he continued, Can't wait to partake in this singalong party
And celebrate with the family
Sofia smiled as she joined in, Since we all know the song, when we all sing along
It's okay to get loud
Sofia's smile widened as Roland and Miranda spun her.
Amber spun Sofia again as she joined in, It's been way too long since we had so much fun
But now this is our chance
We can finally move on, play music till dawn
And let loose and dance
As Roland and Miranda spun him and Amber, James joined in again, And suddenly I'm filled with an
Emotion I barely recognize
So grateful to feel so free
So happy to be alive
I'm happy, so happy
"Mom, Dad, join us!" Amber smiled.
"All right, we will!" Miranda smiled.
"We'd love to!" Roland agreed.
He and Miranda each took a microphone and joined in the song, Now suddenly we've filled with an
Emotion we barely recognize
Sofia joined in, So grateful to feel so free
James and Amber echoed, Grateful to feel so free
James started, So happy to be alive
Amber joined in, Happy to be so
Roland and Miranda echoed, Happy, so happy
To be alive
Sofia and Amber sang back, We're happy, so happy
James finished the song, To be alive
Alive
So happy to be alive
"This was brilliant!" he smiled when the song was done. "And maybe I'll revise my promise. I'll sing with my door closed when Dad's concentrating on royal business, of course, but I'll also sing with it closed when anyone, not just Dad, needs quiet."
"That's all right, since you want to be considerate," Miranda smiled.
"But for now, you don't have to worry about that," Roland smiled. "Let's just be happy you're singing in public again!"
"Okay!" James agreed.
"That's nice of you to think like that, James, but now, let's have another song, shall we?" Amber suggested. "And you can sing this with me!"
"Okay!" James grinned as she gave him a song.
