The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Caroling Duets
After spending the majority of the day outside, building snowmen again, we came in because almost everyone wanted hot cocoa. I was slightly exhausted from all of the fun, so I laid down in my bedroom for a nap.
I don't know how long I had been asleep when I heard a knock on my door, but I decided it wasn't long enough, so I didn't answer…
Of course, why should that stop anyone? I heard the doorknob turn, followed by the creak of hinges… My eyes were still shut, but I assumed that whoever it was had merely peeked their head in, as I hadn't heard any footsteps.
"Max?"
I sighed and opened my eyes, for some reason relieved that the quiet voice seeking me belonged to Fang…
"Angel wanted to sing some Christmas songs from a CD that Nudge found. She wanted to wait for you, though," he told me.
"Oh. Okay, just give me a minute."
Fang nodded and I waited for him to leave and close the door before I crawled out of my blanket cocoon… He didn't need to know that I'd taken off my jeans and climbed straight into bed, too lazy to search for more comfortable sleepwear.
I pulled on a pair of sweatpants and headed out into the living room, where Angel was hovering over a small gray CD player.
"Finally, Max!" Nudge shouted, standing next to Angel with the red and white jewel case of a CD I didn't recognize. "Sit down. Angel and I are going to sing We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
I smiled at her enthusiasm, then took a glimpse around for my seating options. The larger couch was occupied by Gazzy, Iggy, and Ella, who I guess was feeling a bit better. I saw Fang sitting on the smaller couch with a very bored Total. He sent me a cute little half-smile and I took him up on the invite, walking over and plopping down next to him.
Before my brain had time to think 'What!?' and process the fact that I had just thought of Fang with a 'cute little half-smile,' the sound of tinkling bells distractedly poured out of the speakers…
Together, Nudge and Angel began singing in their sweet, girly voices…
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish yo–
"Wait. Hold on… Does anyone know what figgy pudding is?" Nudge asked, interrupting the song. Angel looked annoyed and stopped singing as well.
"Good question. It must be quite a taste sensation if those carolers won't go until they get some," Total said, suddenly looking very interested now that food was being discussed.
"It's Iggy's special pudding recipe," Fang chortled.
"You're very funny, Fnick," Iggy said dryly.
We sat in silence then and looked around at each other.
"Wow. You guys really don't know what it is?" Ella finally asked, clearly unaware of just how sheltered we had been for pretty much our entire lives. I mean, honestly, when you're a bird-kid on the run, you don't have time to stop and learn about pudding…
She took the hint to move on and explain it when she noticed that we were all staring at her blankly. "Well, it's really more of a cake than a pudding, kinda like a carrot cake blended with a custard, but it has figs, dates, and some spices in it… And when my mom makes it, she adds rum."
"Mmm… Could you make that for us, Iggy?" Angel asked energetically.
He thought about it for a moment… "I guess if we could find all of the ingredients."
Angel smiled broadly at the blind bird-kid and I had no doubt that she would find a way to get everything he needed for the figgy pudding.
The song started to fade in the background and Gazzy asked, "So, who's going to sing next?"
"Oh! Let's do Baby, It's Cold Outside! That's my favorite one… I need one of the boys to sing with me, though," Ella said, glancing around the room. "Hey, Iggy? Do you want to sing the song with me?"
"Uhh… I don't… Um… Yeah, sure," he decided. I stifled a laugh as I watched his pale cheeks flush. I turned my head slightly and caught Fang's eye. He was smirking.
Angel was bouncing around with excitement as she poked at the buttons on the CD player, trying to find the right song. "Okay, get ready!" she finally shouted.
Ella hopped lazily off the couch and went to stand by Iggy, who looked like he was going to be sick. I didn't really understand why he had agreed to sing with Ella at all… She touched his arm lightly, letting him know she was standing there, and I couldn't help but notice that he visibly relaxed, if only just a little…
The music rang out and Ella started to sway in tune…
"I really can't stay," she sang…
…
"Iggy, that's your part," she whispered after he missed his cue. "I've got to go away…"
"Baby it's cold outside," he crooned, very quietly…
Ella smiled brightly and continued, "This evening has been…"
"Been hoping that you'd drop in," Iggy sang, a bit more audibly this time.
"So very nice…"
"I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice…"
Soon, they were singing as if they owned the song. I had never realized Iggy had a voice like that…
My mother will start to worry
Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry
Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well, maybe just a half a drink more
Put some music on while I pour
The neighbors might think
Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink
No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how
Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell
I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
Mind if I move a little closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
What's the sense in hurting my pride
I really can't stay
Baby, don't hold out
"Ahh, but it's cooold outsiiiide," they belted out together, harmonizing perfectly. However, holding the long note at the end sent Ella into a coughing fit, concluding their duet prematurely.
"Ella?" Iggy reached his hand out, finding her shoulder and resting his fingers there gently.
"I'm fine," she choked out. "But I think maybe I should just go lie down again."
Iggy nodded and slid his hand to her back. "Come on. I'll make you some soup first," he offered, leading her to the kitchen.
"Ohhh… I wanted them to sing All I Want For Christmas Is You next. They sounded so good together!" Nudge complained.
Everyone was quiet for a moment before Angel leaned up and whispered something to Nudge, making her giggle.
"What's so funny?" Gazzy asked.
"Oh, nothing," an innocent smile playing on her lips. "We just think that Max and Fang should sing it," she clarified.
"Hah! Yeah, that's a real thigh-slapper, Angel," I said, entertained by the thought.
And then I realized she was serious…
"No way," Fang said.
"Pleeease?" the girls begged, plastering on shamelessly pleading expressions.
"Nope," I said, trying to sound firm in my decision, but the looks on their faces…
I turned to Fang and raised an eyebrow, asking for backup.
"It's not gonna happen," he told them. I smiled to myself. Good job, Fang. At least one of us can resist.
But then I felt the sudden urge to say 'Oh, all right. I'll sing it.'
"Angel!" I shrieked, realizing that she was using her mind-controlling abilities on me.
"Sorry, Max," she said, her voice denoting a slight whimper, making me feel guilty, as she had probably intended.
"Ugh… Fine, I will sing this one song, but you have to promise me you won't try to control my mind ever again." She nodded fervently in agreement to my terms, pressing the 'play' button…
Trying to ignore the fact that I was about to mortally embarrass myself, I started singing…
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I glared at Fang and elbowed him lightly in the ribs. "Sing," I ordered.
He scowled at me, but amazingly, he opened his mouth… and out came the lyrics…
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You
I couldn't stop grinning… Fang was singing!
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
I tried not to dwell on how awkward it was for us to be singing this song to each other… Surely, I should not be feeling a twinge of heartache knowing that the lyrics he's singing could never be his real feelings… Oh, jeez. Stupid, stupid Max. Why am I even thinking like that?
I pushed away my lamebrain, irrational thoughts as we started singing the next verse together…
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeers click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I doooo–
"Please stop. My sensitive ears are bleeding…" Iggy complained, waving his hands in disgust as he strolled into the living room again.
"Hey! We don't sound that bad," I protested. "And we didn't tease you."
"Well, Ella and I sounded magnificent together," he said with a cheeky smile.
Fang snorted in response.
Iggy added, "It sounded like puppies and kittens were being eaten alive by morphed Erasers in here…"
Nudge gasped and everyone froze for a moment…
"Run, Iggy! Run!" Gazzy warned as he watched Fang and I exchange a glance before we sprang off the couch.
Big thanks to the following people who suggested this chapter:
ShyNotScared13 – up and coming writer
Review, please?
And if you are reading this and haven't been reading my other fic, Solace, you should... I think it's better than this... It has a real plot (and Fax, of course). :-)