Christmas Talent Show

A/N - These are the standings after Christmas Trivia Night:

Andrea & Philip: 32 points

Michonne & Rick: 29 points

Sasha & Shane: 29 points

Juanita & Mercer: 20 points

Connie & Daryl: 19 points

Beth & Noah: 19 points

All other teams: 15 points

Michonne stood on the far side of the banquet hall stage, watching Rick, completely captivated by him. He stood center stage with a spotlight shining on him, singing a commanding rendition "O Holy Night" in soprano. The audience was just as captivated as she was, if not more so. Michonne saw tears in the eyes of all three judges.

She wasn't surprised by the reaction. Rick was a classically trained singer, but he only sang soprano on special occasions. When people heard the beauty and purity of his voice, they were moved.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn…"

Rick turned in Michonne's direction and gracefully reached an arm out, cueing her to join him on stage. The spotlight widened as she sauntered to him, and the audience let out a soft gasp of delight. Rick understood why they did. His breath hitched as well. Michonne looked like a real-life angel.

The twinkle in Rick's eyes made Michonne feel like she was the brightest, shiniest star on top of a Christmas tree. She was overjoyed by his reaction. Since she'd gotten ready in the banquet hall dressing room, this was his first time seeing how she'd styled her locs in an intricate updo, how she'd applied her makeup to create a soft glam look and how her shimmer lotion made her body glow. It was also his first time seeing her in the wispy, flowing white dress that complemented his white satin dress shirt and slacks.

Michonne felt fortunate to have found such a beautiful dress on short notice. She bought it earlier that day to replace the dress she'd planned on wearing because that dress no longer fit.

She placed her hand in Rick's, and they turned to the audience to sing together.

"Fall on your knees…"

The lower register of Michonne's voice blended perfectly with the high-pitched tone of Rick's.

"O hear the angels'—"

Michonne couldn't get "voices" out.

She gagged. She tried to run off the stage. She gagged again. She threw up.

The audience gasped loudly in shock, and the spotlight was immediately turned off. They were spared from witnessing Michonne throwing up a second time.

Rick watched the Christmas train travel the tracks around the living room with his phone to his ear. He was trying to reach Michonne's dad after not being able to reach his own parents or Michonne's mom. He wanted to fill them in on what happened at the talent show before they heard the gossip version of what happened. The gossip would probably say Michonne threw up over everything and everyone and that the Christmas Talent Show was ruined. In reality, Michonne had thrown up mostly on her beautiful dress and the talent show resumed after an hourlong delay.

Rick also wanted their parents to know Dr. Carson was examining Michonne to make sure she was okay. Michonne insisted she didn't need any medical attention, but Rick insisted she did. He found Dr. Carson in the banquet hall crowd before he drove Michonne home and asked him to make a house call after the talent show was over. Dr. Carson arrived a while ago and was with Michonne in their bedroom. Rick respected her request for privacy with the doctor.

"I wish you a Merry Christmas!

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Now leave me a voicemail message.

Oh, leave me a voicemail message.

Oh, leave me a voicemail message, and I'll call you back soon!"

Rick ended the call without leaving his father-in-law a message. He had no idea where the parents were or why he couldn't seem to get ahold of them. He knew they were fine because they'd just updated their Facebook pages with the same gif of Carlton Banks dancing.

"Rick, you can come in!" Michonne called out.

Michonne and Dr. Carson were laughing when he opened the bedroom door. He went straight to Michonne, who was sitting up in bed and looking especially adorable in her plush red and white-striped robe and fuzzy mismatched Christmas socks. He wondered if she put more of her shimmery body lotion on because she was glowing.

"And then Philip starts yodeling 'Blue Christmas' and Andrea starts tap-dancing to it, but she's staring daggers at him the whole time," Dr. Carson told Michonne. He was standing at the foot of the bed, putting the strap of his doctor's bag on his shoulder. "I don't think that was the song he was supposed to yodel. She couldn't stay on beat."

Michonne giggled and took Rick's hand as he sat on the side of the bed. "Dr. Carson was telling me about some of the talent show acts we missed."

They were the first act to perform in the talent show, so they missed all the other performances. But Rick wanted to discuss something much more important. "How's Michonne?"

"She's just fine," Dr. Carson reported. "I'd say Michonne was afflicted with a case of stage fright."

Rick stared at Dr. Carson in absolute disbelief. Michonne was on debate clubs and dance squads throughout high school and college. He'd never known her to have stage fright.

"I know what you're thinking, but I'm the people doctor in the room, Rick. Trust me. Stage fright happens to even the best of us."

Rick looked at Michonne, who gave him a little smile and a little shrug.

"And what about how tired she's been lately?" Rick asked Dr. Carson.

"I haven't been that tired," Michonne interjected.

Rick quirked an eyebrow at her. Just a month ago, she was able to function without missing a beat after they stayed up all night watching The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday. Just a few days ago, she slept away most of the day after she ate breakfast on her day of pampering.

"Michonne and I discussed her recent tiredness, and I'll tell you what I told her. Last year, I treated three patients suffering from Christmas Extravaganza fatigue. The year before that, I treated five patients. Christmas Extravaganza fatigue is to be expected this time of the year."

Rick looked at Michonne, who gave him another little smile and another little shrug. He looked at Dr. Carson and tilted his head slightly. "Your explanation for how Michonne's been feeling is Christmas Extravaganza fatigue… and stage fright?"

"I'm fine, sweetface. Really, I am," Michonne quickly insisted. "And Dr. Carson has to get going. Thank you for stopping by, Dr. Carson. Rick, walk him out," Michonne said, practically pushing Rick off the bed.

As Rick stood, Dr. Carson gave Michonne a wink.

"I guess I'm walking you out," Rick murmured, directing Dr. Carson out the room.

When he returned, there was an open box of Christmas Tree Cakes on the bed and Michonne was popping one of the treats in her mouth. She covered her mouth to hold in a laugh after attempting to smile at Rick with her mouth full.

Warmth blossomed in Rick's chest. He got in bed next to his beloved and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Stop being so adorable," he said, giving her a kiss on the side of her forehead.

She swallowed the Christmas Tree Cake and smiled broadly. "Dr. Carson said we missed some good acts tonight. Some bad ones, too." She picked up the Christmas Tree Cake box and held it out to him. "Want one?"

Rick shook his head. He decided not to dwell on Dr. Carson's visit and said, "Hard to believe we still came in third tonight."

Once the results talent show was over, Shane texted him the results.

"I don't think it's hard to believe at all." Michonne put the box of Christmas Tree Cakes on her nightstand and snuggled into Rick. She was very happy he didn't want to talk about Dr. Carson's visit. "Think about it… we only got through a quarter of the song before I tossed my cookies. We came in third because of your brilliant voice. I've always told you it's the loveliest voice I've ever heard."

Rick blushed from her praise.

"Will you sing soprano to me, sweetface?"

"Of course, I will, sugarplum. What would you like to hear?"

"Anything. Anything you sing will sound like magic."

Rick grinned as the thought about which Christmas song to sing. "Ok, I have one...

'Come they told me

Pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see,

Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

Pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King

Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum

Rum pum pum pum…'"

Michonne joined in and sang the rest of the song with him.

"We definitely would've placed first if I hadn't tossed my cookies," she whispered with tears in her eyes. Rick's voice was so beautiful. The song was so glorious.

Rick didn't mind the third-place finish. Win or lose, he finally believed this was going to be the best Christmas ever.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Your comments are appreciated. Two chapters to go!