On October 6, singer Johnny Nash passed away at age 80.
Following his triumphant return to singing in public after the karaoke party, James is asked to do one final song before turning in for the night. And it becomes even more special to him when Queen Melinda joins him, then it turns into a family sing-along. Since he learned that she never held him to what he said about never singing in public again, James decides to start one of his favorite pastimes again, and everyone will be there to sing with him as well. Johnny Nash's music is not mine, and on a more serious note, rest in peace, Johnny Nash.
After the karaoke party, James was getting ready for bed. He had been singing with his door open for the first time in three years, and he had heard three of the maids start crying when they heard him start singing with one of his tapes. James had thought that something was wrong, but after assuring him that they were happy that he was going to be singing with his door open again, and singing outside his room, Violet, Marcy, and Suzette left to do some work before retiring for the night.
Roland, Miranda, Sofia, and Amber came in his room after a few minutes, and James told them about what had happened.
"Can you blame them, James? We missed hearing you sing around the castle for so long," Amber scolded gently. "Mother said she never held you to what you said about never singing in public again, and that losing your voice was an accident."
"I know," James admitted. "I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize that."
"We understand," Roland smiled. "We'd probably think the same thing if it happened to us."
"But you don't have to worry about that anymore," Miranda smiled. "We're all so happy to hear you sing now."
"And since you're going to be singing around the castle more often now, we can all join in too!" Sofia said as she started looking through his box of CDs, "In fact, I just found a good one you can do for us now!"
"What am I, Sof, the castle juke box?" James smirked.
"Yes, and we'll be calling you that from now on!" Roland grinned, pulling him into a hug and mussing his hair.
"Oh, Rollie," Miranda smirked, but she leaned over and kissed James as he tried to squirm out of his grip.
"Please, James, just one more song before you go to bed?" Amber smiled, giving him her 'I'm-the-cutest-person-in-the-world' look that she used to give Roland when she got in trouble when she was younger.
"Where have I heard that before?" they heard a new voice. Roland let James go, everyone looked up, and they saw the ghost of Queen Melinda appear before them.
"That's right," Roland smirked. "James could never go to sleep until you sang something with him!"
"Well, even from a young age, he knew what he liked," Melinda smiled. "James, you sounded wonderful tonight! Don't get me wrong; all of you were wonderful!"
"Thank you, Queen Melinda," Miranda smiled. "It's going to be wonderful to hear James singing around the castle again!"
"It certainly is," Melinda smiled. "And please, just call me Melinda."
"I will, and please, just call me Miranda," Miranda smiled back.
"Mom, do you want to sing this with me?" James suggested.
Melinda smiled. "I thought you'd never ask!"
When he started the music, James sang, I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (Melinda joined in, Bright)
Bright (Melinda sang back, Bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (Melinda echoed, Bright) sunshiny day
"We sang this with the Buttercups all the time!" Sofia smiled.
"If you know the song, and you like it, join us," Melinda invited. "And of course, that goes for everyone!"
"That's a wonderful idea," Miranda smiled.
"Yeah!" Sofia smiled as she took the next verse.
I think I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (Miranda echoed her, Bright)
Bright (Miranda sang back, Bright) sunshiny day
"I remember singing this every time it rained or James or I had a bad day," Amber agreed.
She smiled as she joined in, Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies
"And the song always cheered you up," Roland smiled as he hugged her.
"Roland, you know music makes everything better," Melinda smirked as she squeezed Amber's hand.
"Indeed it does," Roland smiled as the family finished the song, I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (James echoed, Bright)
Bright (Roland sang back, Bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Amber joined in, Bright)
Bright (Miranda joined in, Bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (Sofia sang back, Bright)
Bright (Melinda joined in, Bright) sunshiny day
Oh what a bright (Amber sang back, Bright)
Bright (James joined in, Bright) sunshiny day
"And we'll have many bright sunshiny days now that I'm going to sing around the castle again!" James agreed.
"You're absolutely right, James," Melinda smiled as she and the family hugged him.
