Chapter 7: Girl Meets Christmas
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or settings of Girl Meets World. I do, however, own the character of Remigius "Remy" Bellamy. I seek no profit from this act of fiction, merely recognition from the community of readers. Thanks to all who have followed and favorited this. The reviews of chapter 6 and the story over all were greatly appreciated! This chapter is a little bit of filler. It will progress certain storylines, but not by much.
The snow that had been threatening to fall for weeks had finally coated the Big Apple in a layer of ivory powder, and it hadn't stopped for nearly four days. The parks had become a marshmallow world, children rolling up snowmen or fanning out angels in the frosty powder and icicles hanging from the leafless branches of the various trees. It was a unique year for New York.
It had been one week. Seven days had passed since the winter formal and all the changes that it brought about. Cory and Topanga now knew of their daughter's relationship and had a chat with Lucas about everything. The Minkus clan had the Smackles over for a dinner to celebrate the newest development in their children's lives. Katy and Shawn both were ecstatic for Maya...though she wasn't quite sure what her and Remy were. They hadn't made anything official like everyone else, but she did wear his pick necklace every day since, only removing it to shower.
The group hadn't all been together since the dance, though the girls had gone on a Christmas shopping date to find gifts for everyone. Remy and the boys had made their own trek to the mall, picking one another's brains about what everyone would like. That, however, was three days earlier...and now Christmas Eve was upon them.
In the live in wing of the hospital, Remy stood face to face with his mother's primary doctor and sighed. "So there's no way she could go anywhere for Christmas doc? That's what you're telling me behind all the tests and medical jargon, right?" he questioned as he looked into Dr. Singh's eyes.
"Regrettably...yes. I would not be comfortable with her being away from the machines and medication for any length of time. I am so sorry Remigius." the older man said, placing a comforting yet forlorn hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah...not as sorry as I am." with a shrug of his shoulder he turned away and retreated to his room. At least, the room that he had been assigned. The longer you stay somewhere, you tend to grow into it. You started to truly feel like it is a home. You grow to embrace it...but not here. Not this roo. Not Remy. The longer he looked around the four blank walls, the more he grew disengaged from it. This was not his home. He resented it.
His hands were clenched into fists, knuckles white with tension and rage that grew the longer he looked at the near emptiness of the room. Back in Shreveport port, there would have been lights hanging from his ceiling, painting the floor in technicolor. A small tree in the corner would be frosted and covered in ornaments. His closet would be shut tight, hiding the gifts he had spent all the money he made busking to buy for his mother. He couldn't even imagine this...cell...looking like that. His rage threatened to boil over, until his eyes fell to his nightstand.
The black and white picture of he and his mother caught his eye, and he took a deep breath. He remembered that old guitar that he was clutching to his chest in the photo. He remembered how that first song book his momma gave him was of old holiday classics. He must've played those songs so many times the strings on that old guitar wore thin...but she smiled every time she heard them.
He looked around the room once more, his eyes resting on the one constant of these past months...his guitar. From behind he heard the pitter patter of tiny feet running up the hall and he turned to look. He saw a young boy running toward the elevator and recognized him as little James Horace. He thought about James and the other little ones who were here with their parents too, and it started a snowball rolling in his mind that turned into an avalanche. He leaned out the door and hollered for Doctor Singh. The physician walked over to his door with a quizzical look about his face.
"Get anyone who can and wants to enjoy Christmas Eve out to floor five. Patients and family members alike. I know I have no authority, and you can choose not to listen if you want, but if these people are gonna be stranded here during the 'most wonderful time of the year', then I'm gonna do everything I can to make it a little bit brighter for them. My mother included. If you'll let me." he said, walking over to his guitar and strapping it over his shoulder. "With a little help, some holiday magic, and approval, we're gonna still have a rockin' Christmas Eve."
A short while and one very impassioned speech later, Remy had a plan in motion and was working on making sure the cold halls of the hospital would be filled with warmth and love that evening. Nurses and staffers alike jumped to his aide in his heartfelt mission.
In the midst of decorating, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his buzzing phone. A text, from Riley, scrolled across his screen. "Hey! Are you coming to the Christmas party tonight?" he read and felt a pang of sorrow hit him in the heart
"Can't. Doc says mom can't leave the hospital. Sorry." he replied, shoving the phone back into his jeans.
At the Matthews household, Riley read the text and frowned. "That sucks!" she exclaimed, not realizing that her father was standing in her doorway.
"What?" Cory questioned as he approached her, putting his arm around her shoulders in a tight hug.
"Oh, hey Daddy. It's nothing, just...Remy can't make the party tonight. The doctor says his Mom can't leave the hospital." she sighed as she hung her head in defeat. "I wanted everyone to be able to be together tonight. Tomorrow is a big family holiday, but tonight we were all supposed to be together."
Cory nodded with a frown. "I know sweetheart. I'm sorry he's going to miss the party."
"Well, is he though?" Came an all too familiar voice as Eric Matthews stood where his younger brother did just moments ago. The senator from New York clapped his hands together as he spoke and pulled his niece and brother into a wide armed embrace. "If he can't come to the party, then maybe the partaaaay has gotta go to him! We'll make this right, my nieche." the loveable goofball smiled at his own brilliance.
"Now, who is he?" Eric questioned. "Scarecrow, Robot, and Marinara are all out in the living room, so who are we missing? You're not allowed to have new friends! He didn't fill out the paperwork." With a stomp of his foot and a faux disgruntled sigh Eric turned back toward the door frame.
"His name is Remy and he's been my friend for a while now Uncle Eric." Riley answered, pulling on her coat as she spoke. "But...can we Daddy? Can we take the party to him?"
"Well, we'll have to talk to your mother, and your grandparents, then of course there's Shawn and Katy, the Minkuses, Josh…" Cory started rattling off as they walked toward the living room.
"Talk to us about what?" Came a nearly stereophonic response from everyone standing in the Matthews' living room.
"What's going on honey?" Maya said, walking up to her best friend, linking arms.
"Well peaches...Remy's Mom can't leave the hospital, so he's going to have to miss the party...unless" she said, pausing as her uncle Eric stepped forward with an enormous, dorky smile.
"Unless we deliver a Christmas Eve miracle!" he declared proudly as he ushered toward the door. "This party is going mobile! We have to go see...what's his name again?"
"REMY!" all of the teens shouted at the eccentric politician.
"That guy!" he replied with equal intensity, continuing to usher everyone out...until he noticed no one was moving. "Uh...what's that hold up here people? Ya know, new friend, stranded on big gathering night, this is textbook christmas story miracle stuff here!"
"Eric, while I think we all can appreciate the sentiment behind the idea...it's snowing pretty bad out there." Alan brought up the logical point.
"Mr. Matthews, and I mean this with all do respect, but we can find a way I'm sure." Shawn said to the older gentleman. "We all get to spend this great night with our friends and family...but across town there is a good kid who is spending Christmas Eve in a hospital room listening to beeps and hisses of medical equipment instead of carols and laughter of his friends. That's just not right."
"It's kind of heart breaking actually." Katy chimed in as she put on her coat.
"It's demoralizing." Stuart added.
"They're right Alan...time for some good will to man." Amy said, patting her husband on the shoulder. The teens were uncharacteristically quiet throughout the entire exchange, admiring all of the adults banding together.
"Yeah Dad, a little snow can't freeze out the warmth in our hearts for our fellow man. A 'blizzard' can't be why we let a good kid be miserable." Cory said as he looked out the window at the falling flurry. "It doesn't stop Santa or the post office, so it ain't stoppin' us!"
"Alright alright. You're right. I'm wrong. But we do have to pack some things up, so let's get started." Alan said, accepting defeat with a chuckle. He was truly proud of both of his older boys for being so determined, not to mention Shawn who he had seen grow from a lost boy into a fine man.
With a renewed sense of determination, the entire group made their way through the cold and snow to the hospital across town. The look of the nurses as they filed in was a beautiful mixture of confusion and joy as Cory said they were there to see Maribeth and Remigius Bellamy.
"You really shouldn't have come." Came the familiar voice of the southern musician. "Not fair to everyone else, us all having some kind of party while they wallow through another holiday spent in the hospital." He said as he stood at the edge of the reception desk on the first floor. "But I know you lot too well. You're not goin' nowhere as long as you know I'm here." He said as he went and pushed the elevator button, filing everyone in.
The usual number of floors seemed off as Remy pressed the number five. When the doors opened for the groups, what lay before them was a wide open space. Various patients and family members were seated about, talking amongst themselves while kids scrambled about with various toys. At the far end of the room was Maribeth. She sat in an electronic wheelchair next to the fireplace, a mug of hot cocoa in her hands.
"This floor is usually used for conferences...but if you all know me as well as I know you, then you knew I couldn't let kids and parents wallow away on Christmas Eve. Tonight I fought tooth and nail to get them to open it up for everyone to get together with their families. The sentiment has always been that home is where the heart is...but being stuck in a place like this during the holidays almost breaks your heart." Remy said as he walked ahead of everyone, leading them to the center of the large conference room that had been transformed into a hearth. Some of the patients were in mobile beds, iv stands next to them and dripping slowly, while others sat in wheelchairs or stood with canes and walkers.
Wood burned and crackled in the large fireplace set into the interior wall, radiating a festive warmth into the room. Kids, some younger than Auggie, laughed and scuttled around the room or sat with pokers near the flame to roast marshmallows.
"Wait...you organized this in less than a day?" Cory said as he looked around the room, eyes widening to take it all in. In the corner stood a large, lively green pine tree decorated to the nines with glowing lights and ornaments, the base covered in a crimson tree skirt accented by a white hem. The windows were lined with lights that only made the frost caused by the weather outside seem more beautiful than ever. A table with crockpots of hot cocoa and cider, various cookies and cakes, and other finger foods sat on the wall opposite the fireplace.
"Well, I had some help…" Remy said, ushering toward some of the hospital staff that bustled around the room as well. "The RAs, CNAs, and other staff helped with the food and drinks. The tree was already here, we just added a few more ornaments." he said, walking to his mother's side and putting a hand on her shoulder. "And this bunch brought the holiday spirit."
"Wow...all your friends showed up son. That's wonderful. First we gather in this gorgeous room, and the tree glows so softly, the kids are all playing and laughing, and now these new and important people in your life show up...it's almost like-" she spoke softly and found herself cut off by Eric reaching forward and shaking her hand.
"A Christmas miracle! Hi, I'm Eric Matthews." he smiled as he vigorously shook her hand.
"Wait...the senator?!" Maribeth said in shocked disbelief. Her son knew the senator? The senator was related to his teacher?!
"That's what the tag on my undapants says!" He declared proudly, hands on his hips.
"Wh...ho...ya know what? I dontwannaknow." Cory said of his brother's declaration. "Forgive my brother Maribeth, he is a lovable oaf. We just thought, since you were here and Remy should be with you for the holidays, we would bring the festivities to him." Cory interjected, gently taking Maribeth's hand after nudging his big brother out of the way. "These are my parents, Alan and Amy," he ushered toward them as they waved. "my younger brother Josh," he pointed to the young man that stood back a ways and gave a smile and nod. "and my best friend Shawn and Maya's mother Katy."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Remy has told me about you. Thank you all for coming here. I'm sure he'll put up some bravado act about how you shouldn't have, but I know it means the world to him." Maribeth said as he lightly shoved her son's shoulder.
Remy excused himself from the group as he walked around the room and smiled at the young boys and girls that seemed to just radiate with the joy of the holidays. He wished that he could bring himself to have that same feeling, that overabundance of joy...but this place still felt off. As happy as everyone else was, and even with his friends here now, it didn't feel like home. It didn't sing to him like Shreveport did when he was young. As he sighed at the lack of holiday cheer in his heart, he felt a small tug at his pant leg and looked down. A young boy, no older than five, looked up at him. The same young boy he saw running down the hall who made him think of this gathering to begin with. Little James Horace, the son of a patient that was roomed just down the hall from Maribeth.
" 'scuse me Misser Remy, but do you think Santa will know we're here? I writted him a letter, but I don't know if he'll know I'm here with Momma…" he said, looking at the ground and twisting his foot about in a grinding motion.
"Jimmy, I promise you that Santa will know exactly where to gi. But, just to be sure that he gets the right stuff here, what did you ask him for?" Remy asked, kneeling down to be eye level with the little boy.
"I just want a guitar so I can learn to play like you do, Misser Remy. My Momma loves when she hears you down the hall." He said softly, bashfulness lacing his words. He smiled at the ground as he spoke until he felt Remy's hand on his chin. He looked at the older boy who smiled wide at him now.
"Funny thing about Santa, he always knows just what to get you when you need it most." Remy answered, standing up and rustling Jimmy's hair. He gave the room another once over and smiled again. It wasn't home...but it was warm, and there was laughter, and the sweet smell of cider...and there was her.
His gaze fell upon Maya Hart as he looked about, her golden locks glowing against the lighting coming off of the crackling logs in the fireplace. She stood with her mother and Shawn while everyone talked about things with Maribeth. He cracked a small smile, but frowned when he saw Jimmy walk away out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't the act of leaving that made him frown but what he saw the boy walk over to; his mother stood with a cane by the tree, but his father was nowhere to be seen.
"He'll be here...right Momma?" the little boy said as he looked at her.
"He's certainly trying honey…" she answered half-heartedly. The last she had heard from her husband was that his car was stalling in the garage of his law firm, nearly thirty miles from the hospital.
"He'll be here. I know he will." Remy said, putting a reassuring hand onto her shoulder. He leaned in and the two whispered about the situation. With a couple nods and 'mmhms' Remy patted her on the back softly. "He'll be here."
He had a renewed purpose for this party, and he knew exactly who could help him with his, at least he hoped so.
With a determined stride, the musician made his way back over to the group that was in a semi circle around his mother. The joy and wonder that radiated off of everyone was palpable, but Remy couldn't let himself get caught up in it. No time for pleasantries he told himself. He smiled at his mother and turned around the group, his eyes resting on Farkle, and then shooting slightly upward to Stuart Minkus. "Mr. Minkus, I'm sorry to interrupt the festivities, but can I speak with you privately for just a minute?" He said, stepping out into the hallway as he waited for the businessman to follow.
"What's on your mind, Remigius?" Minkus said, standing a few feet from the musician, both occupying space in the doorframe. Remy's eyes were turned in, looking toward the tree.
"You see the little boy playing with a couple cars near the tree? That's James Horace. Jimmy if you're friends. His Mom is being treated for a hole in her heart that went undiagnosed for just a bit too long. His father is a civil defense attorney working downtown at the law firm of Gamble and Folley. He was trying to get here, to be here with his wife and son at the holidays...but his car completely stalled out. He called for assistance, but due to the icy conditions and other accidents they can't get there for several hours. You run Minkus International." He said, turning his eyes to look at him with a glimmer of hope and mischief shining through them.
"Yes. And...I own a helicopter." Stuart said, reaching his arm out to hold onto Remy's shoulder. "And James wants his father here for the holidays. Let's make another Christmas wish come true then." A smile stretched across both of their faces as Stuart reached for his cell phone and began dialing. "You know, I can see now more than ever what Farkle sees in you. Why he says you're like the brother he never had. You're a good kid, Remigius. You're growing up to be a great man."
"Thank you, Mr. Minkus. That...it means a whole lot." Remy's eyes lit up as he heard Stuart begin talking to who he assumed was the pilot for his helicopter. Now for the harder part. He thought to himself as Jimmy's worry of Santa not showing up ran through his mind. He just had to make him believe that it was possible...but how could he pull of this scheme? He lacked key components such as time, costumes, gifts, and an entrance and exit strategy.
As the young musician stood with his hands behind his head, pacing and plotting, he was stopped by a gingerly touch upon his back. The contact shaking him from his thoughts, he turned back to see Topanga and Amy Matthews looking at him with caring, concerned eyes.
Topanga was the first to speak, sweetness lacing her words. "Remy...anything you want to talk about? Everyone is here, having fun and laughing, telling stories and jokes, Cory just lost an entire marshmallow in the fireplace while trying to make a s'more...for Shawn. Everyone is having a great night at something that couldn't have happened with you, but you seem so distracted."
"Is it something we can help with? I know this time of year must be difficult." Amy added, a gentleness and understanding to her tone. Remy glanced between them, the group and his mother, and Jimmy. The little boy had moved, looking out the large window that overlooked the cityscape.
"Not unless you have a way to get a really believable Santa here…" He half heartedly said, a small smirk curling the corner of his lips. He shook his head softly. "I'm fine, really. Just trying to make this cold medical building feel like a home. No kid should feel like Christmas isn't happening because he's not at home with his chimney and tree. He shouldn't worry about if Santa is going to forget about him." He pointed toward where Jimmy stood.
"O...oh...I see." Topanga said, put a consoling arm over the young man's shoulders.
"Well now, wait a minute. I think Alan still has the Santa outfit he wore for the elementary school assembly in the trunk of the car." Amy said softly as she walked over to her husband began to whisper to him. With a smile and a nod toward Remy the two walked toward the elevator.
"Wow. Where there's a will there's a way I guess." Remy mumbled, his eyes wide at the unexpected turn of events.
"Son...why not play us some music? While the conversations have been wonderful, it just doesn't feel like Christmas for me until you've played." Maribeth called from her chair.
"For you, anyting Momma." he said, walking down the hall and returning with his guitar slung over his shoulder. With a couple strums of the strings, he felt at peace, and he began to sing.
"All through the year we waited. Waited through spring and fall, to hear silver bells ringing and wintertime bringing the happiest season of all." He belted out as he walked into the bustling party room. The Christmas Song in the style of Sammy Davis Jr was a song his father loved when he was growing up, and he always kicked off the holiday festivities with it. Back in Shreveport, he would perform a whole set, usually for a charity event.
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe will help to make the season bright. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight." He ruffled Jimmy's hair as he sang, walking around the room with a smile on his face. It may not be home...but it sure is somethin'.
"They know that Santa's on his way. He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh, and every mother's child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly." He made his way back to his group, still looking to see if Amy and Alan were on their way back in full Santa garb. He smiled as he nudged up to his mother and kissed her cheek.
"And so I'm offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it's been said many times many ways Merry Christmas to you." he finished the song with a grand gesture to everyone in the room.
"Ho ho ho! I would've expected Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, but that was pretty spectacular!" bellowed an unfamiliar voice from the doorway. Standing there, as real as you or me, was a jolly old man in a suit of crimson. His beard was as white as new fallen snow, and his eyes twinkled with wonder and whimsy. Small patches of soot covered the red robes, and a large sack was slung over his shoulder. He was the perfect image of Father Christmas. When he laughed, his belly jiggled and shook like a jello mold.
"Santa!" exclaimed every little boy and girl in the room as they ran toward the holiday figure. Jimmy was frozen in place until he felt Remy's hand on his head.
"I told you he wouldn't forget...didn't I?"
"U...uhuh…" Jimmy barely stammered out as he finally ran toward Saint Nick. He wrapped his arms around him as tight as he could. "Oh Santa, I thought you wouldn't know where I was since it's not home. Our stockings aren't hung by the chimney 'cause we doesn't have one. The only tree we have is that one over there. But Misser Remy said you'd come. He knowed. He always knows." Jimmy rambled out, his words mushing together at some points, but the sentiment holding strong.
"Oh James, I never forget you kids. You know, I check my list twice. But, something tells me that what you asked for in your letter isn't what you want anymore this year...what's wrong?" The jolly old elf said, kneeling down to look at the young man and boop the other children's noses or ruffle their locks.
"Well...my daddy still isn't here…" Jimmy said with a small frown. "It doesn't feel right without him here to laugh and hug mommy and say Merry Christmas."
"I see...well, you keep your chin up Jimmy. I think you'll be surprised by the powers of Christmas magic." Santa said, walking to the tree and emptying out part of the sack of presents under the tree. "And you, Remigius Bartholomew Bellamy. You...were at the top of my nice list this year, but I did not get any letter from you."
"Oh. Well, Santa, the only gifts I want...are right here." Remy said, putting his arms out over his mother on his right and Maya on his left and gesturing to the whole group. "Friends, family, warmth, food, and love. That's what Christmas means to me...and I'm here with my Momma. That's the greatest gift of all." he said with a smile toward Papa Noel.
"Ho ho ho...that's just what I expected you to say. Merry Christmas Remy. And Merry Christmas to all!" he said as he backed out the door, walking down the hall quickly.
"Wow...your dad did a great job Mr. Matthews. How did he know my middle name was Bartholomew?" Remy whispered softly.
"Um...I don't know. I want to know how he changed out of that so quickly." Cory replied, pointing toward the doorway where his father and mother stood, sorrowful looks on their faces.
"I'm so sorry Remy, I turned that trunk inside out and couldn't find my suit anywhere. I know how much you wanted to show that little boy Santa." Alan whispered once they rejoined the group.
"Wait...if that wasn't you...who wa...how...huh?" Remy stumbled through his thoughts as he bolted down the hall. By the time he turned the corner, there was no sign of the holiday herald. "It couldn't have been…" He thought aloud. The ringing of jingle bells rang throughout the floor and he heard in the distance one final "ho ho ho".
"Mommy, Santa said not to give up. He said Christmas magic can bring Daddy here!" Jimmy said as he hugged her tight and looked out the window.
As Remy was walking passed the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Mr. Minkus and Mr. Horace. As the attorney exited the elevator, he pulled the musician into a tight embrace. "Remy...thank you so much. If you hadn't spoken to Stuart here, I'd be spending Christmas Eve in my office. And thank you again Stuart. You went well out of your way to make my little boy's Christmas wish come true. You got me home for the holiday."
Home...Mr. Horace was able to call this place home. Because the people he cares about are here. His son and his wife...his whole heart is here. Maybe that is what it really boils down to, huh? Home isn't the walls and roof, the hearth and chimney...home truly is where the heart is. Remy thought to himself as he held his guitar close to him. He stopped Mr. Horace before he walked into the room with everyone. "Please, Mr. Horace, let me play you in." he strummed a few notes before smiling and making an innocent inquiry. "Do you sing?"
"Why, as a matter of fact I do, Remy. What were you thinking?" He answered as he gave the young man a quizzical look.
"Well..." Remy leaned in and whispered, receiving a chuckle and a nod from the attorney.
With a gentle guitar melody playing, Remy walked back into the room to silence from the audience...and then a gasp could be heard as Mr. Horace began to sing and stroll through the door.
" I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do, and although I know it's a long way back...I promise you." He sweetly crooned, smiling as Jimmy screamed "Daddy!" and jumped into his waiting arms.
"I'll be home for Christmas. You can plan on 't you please have snow...and mistletoe...and presents by the tree?" He softly sang as he slow danced with his teary-eyed wife and beaming little boy, pointing to Remy to finish out the little number.
The musician happily obliged, looking at the smiling faces that surrounded him. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews gave one another eskimo kisses, Cory and Topanga held hands beside the tree, Eric poked at the logs in the fireplace as Auggie made another s'more, and Katy and Shawn swayed softly, his arms around her waist and her head nestled gently in his chest. His friends all laughed and carried on, Lucas and Riley holding hands as Farkle and Smackle took the same pose as Katy and Shawn. Maya and Josh seemed deep in a conversation a few feet away...and then Remy saw his mother. In the past 5 months, he hadn't seen a smile like the one she wore in that moment. It only grew bigger and brighter as he made his way over to her.
"Christmas Eve will find me...where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams. Iiiiiii will be hoo-ooo-oome for Christmaaa-aaaaas...if ooooo-oooo-only iiiiiii-iiin myyyyy...dreams." he hugged his momma tight as he finished singing, whispering softly to her as he spoke. "I've gotta take care of one last thing...but that smile was the best gift I could ask for. Merry Christmas Momma…" his words were soft and loving as he turned toward Jimmy and his parents. He slowly took the strap off his shoulder and held the beautiful, polished wood guitar by the neck.
"You were right Misser. Remy! He's here...my Daddy's here…"Jimmy said, sniffling as he held back tears.
"I see that...and you get the one thing you really wanted." he said with a smile, pushing the instrument toward the little boy. "Merry Christmas, James. I expect lots of great music from you, ya? Maybe I'll even be able to teach you some."
"Oh my. Remy, you don't have to do that. That's your greatest treasure…" Mrs. Horace said as she saw him hand over the wooden relic to her son.
"A treasure only has value if it's worth can be shared with others. Jimmy has a passion to make others smile. He wanted a guitar because he knows that every time you hear me play down the hall, you light up a little bit. He wants to do that for you. Believe me...it's my honor to give him the opportunity." Remy answered, patting the young man on the head.
"But...what'll you play then Misser Remy?" Jimmy said, hugging the guitar close.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll make due." came a voice from behind the small group. Standing there, a guitar shaped gift wrapping in hand, was Cory Matthews. Behind him was the group of teenagers, Topanga, Katy, Shawn, and Maribeth in her chair. Following shortly after were Alan, Auggie, Eric, and Amy."Your mother told me that you were always a fan of mahogany builds...so Shawn here went hunting in his travels." Cory announced.
"I'm sure you know this already, but they are quite popular. They are sought after for a variety of reasons." Topanga added.
"For example, the classics such as the Gibson Les Paul Jr., Les Paul Special, and SG were made of solid mahogany." Farkle chimed in as he stepped forward.
"The wood is fairly dense and yields a wide range of guitar-body weights." Smackle said, joining her boyfriend.
"Its characteristic tone is warm and somewhat soft." Riley beamed.
"But well balanced with good grind and bite." Lucas's accent cut in as he tipped his imaginary hat to his wouldbe brother.
"There is usually good depth to the sound, with full but not especially tight lows…" Katy said with a smile.
"And appealing if unpronounced highs." Shawn said, grabbing the guitar handing it to the last person to speak.
"So basically...it's you, if you were a guitar. Merry Christmas, Music Man." Maya sweetly mused as she handed the musician his new instrument.
As the paper was gentle ripped away, he gasped. The body was deep and dark, the metallic strings gentle catching the light of the fireplace. In his hands, to a normal person, Remy held a vintage Gibson LG-0. To the young man in question, however, it was so much more. The only people who ever bought him guitars were his father and his mother. The only people who fueled his passion for music were his parents...until now. These people that stood before him did what only his family had done before. This...this was home.
"I...you...I can't acc-" He was cut short by everyone in unison.
"Merry Christmas, Remy." The love echoed through the room. His heart filled to overflowing,Remy felt a small tug at his pant leg once more. There stood Jimmy.
"Can you automagraph my guitar Misser Remy? I wanna have it for when you're famous. Do ya think ya can play one more song before everybody gots ta go?" The little boy said as he held up a sharpie with a smile.
A small tear rolled down the teenager's cheek as he leaned down and signed. "Ya know...I think I can buddy. I think I can." he chuckled as he strummed the new guitar, tuning it slowly and gently to exactly where he needed it.
"There's no place like home for the holidays, 'Cause no matter how far away you roam, when you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can't beat home...sweet... hooooome." he softly and slowly sang as he stood up from kneeling at Jimmy's level. A smile spread from ear to ear as the musician looked around the group. His group. His family. The ones that made a place home. Whether it was this hospital, or Topanga's, or Thomas Jefferson High School, or even a subway car...if they were there then it was home.
"I met a man who lives in Tennessee and he was heading for, Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie! From Pennsylvania folks are travellin' down the Dixie sunny shore. From Atlantic to Pacific," He pointed to Shawn.
"Gee the traffic is terrific!" Hunter chimed in with a chuckle.
"Oh! There's no place like home for the holidays 'Cause no matter how far away you roam." Cory picked up before pointing to Eric and Auggie who "sang" in unison.
"If you wanna be happy in a million ways, for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!" The duo warbled and wailed out before Topanga, Katy, Riley, and Amy all jumped in front of them.
"Take a bus!" Topanga sang as she did a small kick-ball-chain
"Take a train!" Katy followed suit
"Go and hop an aeroplane!" Riley laughed her part out as she did a pirouette.
"Put the wife an' kiddies in the family car!" Amy said while shaking a finger at Alan jokingly.
"For the pleasure that you bring when you make that doorbell ring, no trip could be too far!" Josh sang as he put both of his parents into side hugs.
"I met a man who lives in Tennessee, he was headin' for, Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie!" Remy took the song back for a moment, only for Jimmy to jump in front of him
"Some homemade punkin pie!" the little boy half screamed and half sang, with the teen behind him busting a gut in laughter, almost losing the composure to strum the guitar.
"From Pennsylvania folks are travellin' down the Dixie sunny shore." Farkle sang, keeping the performance going before elbowing Lucas to sing the next line.
"From Atlantic to Pacific, gee the traffic is terrific!" the cowboy warbled out before having his voice swallowed up by the entire room, children and all, singing the last verse.
"Oh! There's no place like home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam, If you wanna be happy in a million ways, for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!" the room exploded in a roar of jovial voices ringing in the holiday cheer. Maribeth pulled her son into a tight embrace as the roar slowed and quieted, whispering softly to him
'Your daddy would be so proud of what you did here tonight, boy. You gave all these lost and sad souls a light to follow to the place in their hearts that they call home, at least for the holidays. You're the real Santa here. The spirit of the season. Merry Christmas son." she said, a gentle kiss on his cheek and her hand on his heart.
End of Ch.7 Author's Note: And so he exclaimed as he wrote out of sight, merry Christmas to all, and to all a good a good night. Haha. I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas chapter. Chapter 8 deals with a New Year's open mic night and should be fun. I'm hoping to have it out by New Year's Eve, so we shall see. Beyond that, sorry for the delay. Lots of life stuff gettin' in the way. Thanks for sticking by me.
