*Hey hey! So this next short is going to be set during the holidays, shortly after Bo Peep was given away. Woody and Rose are missing her, and Woody tells Rosetta stories about the first Christmasand new years he ever spent with Bo, and then dedicates a Christmassong to her. Hope you enjoy.*
It was the start of winter break and Andy was outside everyday, sledding with his friends, having snowball fights and going skiing with his mom and Molly. After his fun outside, he would warm up in his room, racing around, playing with his toys. This made them happy, but also weary since Andy was twelve now, and they didn't know how many play times they would have. But it didn't stop them from enjoying them while they lasted. On the morning of the 22nd, the toys were woken up to a car starting outside. Up on the dresser, Hamm looked out the window.
"Andy and family are on the move!" The pig said.
"They're leaving? Jessie asked. Where are they going?"
"Probably to his aunt and uncle's house. Woody said. Andy always spends Christmas and New Year's there every year."
"Yeah, but he normally takes us." Slinky said.
"He forgot us! Rex cried. It's happening! And so soon!"
"Calm down, Rex." Buzz said.
"Hey, the dyno is right, Buzzy boy. Potato Head. Andy is gonna be a teenager in six months. Soon he will completely forget about us and our butts will be placed in the toy box."
"You're wrong, Andy won't forget about us. Right dad?" Rosetta asked.
"Of course he won't, sweetie. Woody said. Now come on, guys, let's not freak out. If you all remember last year, cousin Stanley had gotten that new puppy and it tried to eat Potato head and the aliens."
"Oh that's right. Mrs. Potato Head cried. That was horrifying!"
"Exactly, thus Andy having put us in the guest room during the duration of the visit so the dog wouldn't attack anyone else. He probably wanted to avoid that from happening again, so he chose not to take us."
"Sure, or he forgot." Potato Head snapped. His wife hit him with her purse.
"Hey now, we can still have a good Christmas." Buzz said.
"Yeah, we can have our own celebration. Jessie said. We can decorate the room, make presents, and sing some carols. Oh it will be so much fun!" Woody smiled at his sister, but quickly noticed a change in his daughter's facial expression. Rosetta wore a sad look on her face that concerned him.
TSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTS
The rest of the day was spent figuring out music and getting decorations made. Rosetta was nowhere to be found. Woody snuck away from the room and found her in Molly's room on her dresser, in the exact spot where Bo's lamp once sat only a short time ago. Woody watched his little girl closely as she stared out the window at the fallen snow. He was about to turn away when his ears perked up to the soft sad sound of singing.
Where are you, Christmas? Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away?
My world is changing, I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too?
The song was so sad that Woody couldn't help but feel for his daughter. He climbed up the side of the desk as Rosetta sang the next verse.
Where are you Christmas? Do you remember
The one you used to know
You and I were so carefree, no nothing's easy
Did Christmas change, or just...me?
"Beautiful song, sweet pea." Rosetta turned and saw her father standing a few inches away.
"Thanks daddy. I was thinking of mom." She said as he sat down.
I figured as such. I miss her too. Here, come sit." He motioned for her to sit in his lap. She did and pulled his arms around her. Together they watched the snow.
"Mama loved Christmas. She would tell me stories about the Christmases you spent together."
"She did, did she? Well did she tell you about the very first Christmas, right after we met?" Rose thought for a moment.
"No, I don't believe she did. Would you tell me, pretty please?" Woody chuckled.
"Of course. Now let's see. Molly had been born in April, so we had already known each other for almost a year. Your mother arrived in the room a few in late January as a gift from Andy's grandmother. I was infatuated with her from the moment I first saw her. I had planned to kiss her around the holidays. During Christmas, Andy and the rest of the family had gone to grandmas to celebrate the holidays, so I took the chance to give your mother the perfect snow day. Now that just happened to be on Christmas eve. We spent the entire day together, making snow angels, building tons of snowmen, catching snowflakes on our tongues, and of course, engaging in a good ol fashioned snowball fight."
"Let me guess, she destroyed you, didn't she?" Rose laughed.
"She did not destroy me. She played fair and had a bit of an advantage since I was clumsy and slipped a few times." Rose laughed again, making him laugh too. 'Anyway, after all the fun, we warmed up inside, snuggled by the fire, talking. Day turned to night and I took her out onto the roof to look at the neighborhood which was all aglow in lights. Your mother thought it was such a beautiful sight. Soon we heard music far off in the distance. I took her hand, and we danced along. Soon it started to snow lightly."
"What song were you dancing to?"
"What are you doing, New Year's Eve'' by Ella Fitzgerald."
"Oh my god, seriously? That's a joke, right? Cause if I know what's coming next, that is a total cliche."
"Hey, watch it, little lady. Woody said, chuckling. Okay yes, it's true, that exact song was playing, and I ever so casually asked your mom what she was doing on new years. She looked up at me and said and I kid you not, 'whatever you're doing, sheriff.'"
"Awe, okay that's kind of sweet!"
"It sure was. And soon enough, New years came, and I was so ready to kiss mom, yet right at midnight, I freaked out and gave a quick kiss on the cheek instead. I felt so stupid and embarrassed, but your mom pulled me back, flicked my hat up, and kissed me on the lips. Ah, it was one of the best Christmases I've ever had, the second was when I married mom last year."
"That was a really romantic story, dad. Thank you for telling me."
"Of course, sweetheart." Rosetta rested against his chest, gripping his arm. They watched the snow a few minutes more until Woody pulled her up onto her feet. "Come on, whirlwind, let's go see if the others need help getting ready for the party.
TSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTS
Soon Christmas morning came and everyone passed around gifts and then spent the morning outside in the snow. In the evening, the bedroom became a party zone with music pumping and everybody dancing. Jessie and Buzz had already sung a song and now Slinky was crooning to Bing Crosby's I'll be home for Christmas. Jessie looks over at her brother, who is watching everyone from the sidelines. She walked over to him.
"Hey bro, how are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm okay, Jess. He said back. Just not in a dancing mood. Or a Christmas mood for that matter." Jessie looked at him and knew what he was thinking. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I remember our last room Christmas party. It was the year I arrived. There was so much laughter, dancing, yet above it all came the voice of an old cowboy. You were quite the singer, especially around the holidays. And standing in the crowd was Bo, watching you. I bet if she were here now, you would be rocking that stage with one of your favorites."
"I know what you're doing, Jess, but I don't feel like singing tonight."
"Okay, I'm just simply reminding you how much Bo loved to hear you sing, and now a young girl does too." They both looked at Rosetta dancing with Buzz. "Bo will always be with us, Woody, even if she isn't here physically. That little girl is missing her just as much as you are. Maybe a song is something both of you need right now." She hugged him tight and then left him to his thoughts. The night continued and soon there was only time for one last song.
"Alright, last song of the night. Hamm said. Now I think I speak for everyone when I say this, cause I know all of us would like to hear a song from our esteemed leader, what do you say guys?"
"Woody! Woody! Woody!" Jessie began to chant. Soon everyone was chanting the cowboy's name. Soon Woody laughed and held up his hands.
"Alright, alright. I'll do it." He said. The gang cheered as Woody got onto the stage. "Ugh, I didn't really plan for this. However, there is a song that I'd like to dedicate to the woman I love, who I know would love to be here celebrating with us right now. This one's for you, Bo." Woody took a step back, took a deep breath, and then a track started to play. Woody looked up and saw Buzz at the computer, nodding at him. Woody smiled and began to sing.
It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees
they're putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on.
The gang gathered closer, Rose right up front, listening to the sad, but beautiful song. They all felt what Woody was feeling, both sadness and joy, for they were all sad that Bo wasn't with them this Christmas, yet they knew wherever she was, she was happy and safe, and so they were happy for her. Then Woody got to the middle of the song and started to get choked up.
I tried hard to help her
Tried to put her at ease
She loved me so badly
got me weak in the knees
I wish i had a River
I could skate away on
My baby cried so bad
I had to say goodbye
But I wish I had a river
that I could skate away on
Woody finished the song and touched the ring on his finger. Turning around, he saw a bright star shining into the room. He felt arms wrap around him and looked down to see his daughter. He held her tight. Soon all of his friends gathered around him. Buzz patted him on the back and Jessie hugged him on the other side. They all looked outside and made a wish.
"Merry Christmas Bo." Woody said, with his eyes still closed.
"Merry Christmas, Bo Peep." The gang said. They opened their eyes and one by one, went to their sleeping spots. Soon it was just Woody and Rosetta. Woody picked her up and smiled at her.
"What did you wish for, little one?"
"Same as you. To have mom back. Do you think it will come true?" Woody kissed her forehead.
"Yes, I do. One day. Let's hold onto that wish, deal?" Rosetta nodded and kissed her father's cheek. Taking one last look at the star, the two walked off to bed, dreaming of better days ahead.
*So I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I'll be honest, work has been keeping me busier than normal. Also, last week, I've been a bit depressed, so I haven't really felt like writing. I will have another short up when I can, as well as the next chapter of 'Family reposted'. Thanks for sticking with me everyone!*
