The entire family were gathered in the living room, many generations of the shambolic family were sat around it. Some on chairs and sofas, some on tables, some on the floor and other's leaning on walls and such likes. They were having a get together and many family friends were also dotted about. Nomsa, the loyal housemaid was wandering around trying to get everyone to eat more buffet than they already had.
"Karaoke!" Olivia beamed carrying through a machine as Thabo followed behind with a few microphones. Some groaned and others cheered as they began to set the equipment up.
"Choose your songs." Thabo shouted, "It's the law we all sing!"
"I ain't singing." Ed grumbled, throwing another sausage roll in his mouth. He and Danny still weren't on the best of terms but Caroline had insisted it was childish not to invite him before he and his wife moved into Mara the next day.
"Yes you are, don't be a spoil sport." Fiona grinned, "It'll be fun."
Rosie and Max had already decided upon their song and were laughing away, their hands entwined as they began to whisper to one another. Danny and Alice were also talking amongst themselves, obviously decided upon their song.
"Who's up first?" Thabo asked looking around the room.
"YOU!" Alice called, "Go on!"
"Liv... what song?" Thabo asked her, nodding in agreement with Alice who clapped excitedly.
Liv winked and began to whisper in his ear. He chuckled and nodded in agreement. Liv quickly typed the song in on her laptop and was happy when it came up. She handed Thabo a microphone before quickly grabbing her own and pressing play.
"Invisible Touch for you ladies and gentlemen!" Thabo beamed, bowing before breaking into a beatbox. Everyone began to clap excitedly as he kept the beat perfectly. Even Ed and Dup seemed to be enjoying it. Suddenly, both he and Liv burst into song. Although Thabo didn't have the most fantastic voice he seemed to be having fun as was Liv, who with her slightly more tuneful voice sang back at him. As they reached an instrumental break, Thabo broke into a rap about Liv. He winked at her as he ended and both began to sing again. Soon the song was over, and tired and breathless, Liv and Thabo fell into a hug, kissing quickly as all the family cheered and clapped.
"I didn't know you could beatbox or rap Thabo." Caroline commented,
"He's awesome." Alice nodded, swallowing a mouthful of food, "Wouldn't believe me, Liv or Danny though when we told him so."
"Ah guys, it's nothing... I'm not good." Thabo mumbled shyly, obviously embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his neck and shuffled his feet nervously, "Anyway, Alice... why don't you and Danny give us a beautiful song?"
"Yeh, Alice you can sing! And Danny... well you're not totally tone-deaf, you pass." Liv winked as and Thabo began to mess with the karaoke stuff.
"I can't sing." Alice protested, "Not unless you like the sound of cats in pain."
"Shut up Mum, we know you can." Charlotte drawled as Danny and Alice made their way past everyone to the front near the tree.
"What song?" Thabo asked.
"Close to you..." Danny said, "Alice has done nothing but singing it all morning..."
"Ok guys... 3, 2, 1..." Thabo beamed and pressed play before wrapping is arm around Liv.
"This is well embarrassing." Danny grumbled as Alice began to sing, humour through her voice. He watched her with love in his eyes, although she'd never admit it, she had a fantastic voice and did enjoy singing. She was signing the song to him... nodding at him to continue the second verse.
They soon reached the chorus, completely caught up in the song, singing to one another as the family kept them going with cheering, clapping and quite a few 'awws'.
"On the day that you were born, the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true, so they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue." The pair sang together. Alice stroking his what used to 'golden hair' as he cupped her cheek in his hand trying to dodgily signal to her 'blue eyes'.
As they finished everyone was clapping and shouting for them. Danny laughed as he and Alice put their microphones down. Alice reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck as the pair kissed before hugging tightly.
"You were great." Danny whispered in her ear as they remained locked in their embrace.
"You were better." Alice murmured back before pulling away, "Ok, who do we choose Danny to go next?"
"Dup!" Danny laughed, "Where is he?"
"Beers." Max replied, "Rosie and I will go!"
Danny and Alice nodded as they sat back down, all wrapped up in one another. Rosie and Max were soon ready and began
"Anything you can do, I can do better." Rosie beamed, sticking her tongue as they continued. Soon the whole family were in hysterics.
"Anything you can say, I can say faster." Max began,
"I can say anything faster than you!" Rosie continued, both were completely serious as they got caught up in the song.
"That's their song." Alice whispered in Danny's ear through giggles. "So true!"
"I know." Danny laughed, as he clapped.
As Rosie and Max finished, they continued their banter.
"Can too." Rosie announced,
"CAN'T!" Max argued, "We established this in the song, you can't!"
"We actually established I CAN!" Rosie growled.
"Guys... can I have your microphones?" Thabo asked, "Kinda need em."
"Oh sure!" Rosie beamed, "I can hand a microphone back better than you."
"I can hand any microphone back better than you!" Max replied.
"THAT SONG CHOICE WAS PERFECTION!" Everyone chorused as Rosie and Max sat back down laughing between themselves.
Everyone was in hysterics as the evening went on. Plenty of food was consumed, many alcoholic drinks were downed and terrible singing rang out through the halls of Leopards Den. However, it was Christmas. Leopards Den Christmas – perfect.
(x)
Later that evening when most had retired to bed, two couples remained awake. Rosie and Max were out on the veranda. Rosie was leant on the veranda looking out over the beautiful African veldt, admiring the full moon and grinning as she saw a elephant's silhouette occupy it for a few moments. Max had his arms around her, his chest pressed to her back as he kept his head close to hers. Both were savouring the company of one another. They had each other back and never wanted to let go.
"It's beautiful." Rosie sighed, "It puts everything back into perspective."
"It does." Max murmured back, kissing her neck, "We were stupid huh?"
"Yep." Rosie replied, "Come on... let's get in. We're gonna be later than Dup at this rate."
"He's in bed... well passed out across it... poor Caroline." Max laughed, "Danny and Alice are round the back though... all loved up as usual. I think they're appreciating a bit of quiet alone time too... and this beautiful night sky."
Rosie smiled and grabbed his hand, dragging him into the house, both giggling.