A/N: By far my favorite chapter yet! Enjoy!
Sleigh Ride
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Judy Garland
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee
White Christmas, Bing Crosby
Mistletoe, Justin Beiber
Grown Up Christmas List, Michael Buble
Carol of the Bells, Celtic Women
01x11: Merry Little Christmas
"Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too ..." Bailey sang prettily while placing garland around the large Glee club Christmas tree. She grinned as Oliver reached around her, grabbing her waist.
"Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you..." Oliver sang, smiling.
"Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, 'Yoo-hoo!'" Dawn laughed, Lorhin plopping a Santa hat on her head.
"Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!" Lorhin sang, Spencer winking at her from across the room.
"Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go, let's look at the show..." Bailey and Oliver sang in perfect harmony, watching as the Glee club put up various decorations.
"We're riding in a wonderland of snow..." Dawn trilled, grinning as Spencer knocked Lorhin and Hadleigh into the box of ornaments.
"Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand, just holding your hand..." Bailey and Oliver harmonized.
"We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland!" The Glee club chorused.
"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we..." Bailey sang sweetly, supervising the decorations.
"We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be..." Oliver riffed, his tenor voice suiting the song.
"Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two..." The two sang together.
"Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!" The Glee club sang together.
"Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go," James sang, "Let's look at the show..."
"We're riding in a wonderland of snow..." Jordana sang, rolling her eyes and James reached to put the star on the top of the tree. Neal protested and grabbed the star from him.
"Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand," James grinned, grabbing Jordana's hand, "Just holding your hand..."
"We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland!" The whole club belted.
"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we..." All of the girls sang.
"We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be!" The guys sang out, placing candy canes on the tree.
"Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two!" The girls belted.
"Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!" Everyone finished.
Mr. Schue grinned when he walked in the choir room to see all of the Glee club members decorating the tree, even Hannah. Everyone, wearing heavy winter coats, had contributed in decorating the choir room. "Great job you guys!" He said, clapping Theo in the back. Neal smiled and handed him the gold star. "I saved it for you, Mr. Schuester!"
Will grabbed the star and, on his tip toes, placed it on the tree.
"Perfect," Bailey said, wrapped up in Oliver's arms.
(line break)
"Glee club Christmas party in the choir room!" Hadleigh smiled, handing out invitations to everyone. Lorhin nodded. "Dress code is formal! And be classy! Plus, we're drawing for secret Santa!"
Everyone looked excited at the prospect of a fancy Christmas party. Dawn began talking with Bailey about dress options and the guys even looked mildly enthused. Neal looked to Hannah, hoping she'd be his date. But her face had fallen, and she was silent. Neal nudged her. "What's wrong?"
"Does it have to be formal?" Hannah muttered.
"Yes," Lorhin said. "Everyone loves dressing up."
"Um..." Hannah said, flushing just a little. "I can't exactly afford a new dress. I only have one nice dress, really...but it's one that I-"
"It'll be fine," Lorhin reassured. "I'll even do your hair and make up for you!"
Relief flooded her face, and for once Hannah actually looked excited for something. "Alright," she smiled softly. "Thanks."
It was the first time he had seen her smile in a while. Neal wished he could be the one to make her smile like that. Everyone resumed talking about the great Christmas party taking place in a few nights. But he could only think about Hannah.
(line break)
Hannah took one last dismal look at the calendar on her phone and wandered aimlessly into the auditorium. A lone black grand piano sat on the stage, black curtains behind it. Her dress she had on brought back a lot of memories. It was black, had short sleeves and was tight fitted at the bodice but flared out at the waist. It was a little too short. She had grown since the last time she put it on.
Lorhin let her borrow a pair of sleek black heels, and she could care less about them. She was walking fine. Her hair was loosely curled and pulled back into a loose updo, courtesy of Lorhin Alton. Hannah clicked her tongue and walked up to the stage.
She was silent for a moment before someone cleared their throat. "I noticed you disappeared from the party," Neal said, looking at her curiously.
"Yeah, I needed time to think," Hannah said honestly.
"About?"
She sighed. "Around a year ago, my father died. This is my first Christmas without him. And I'm just..." Hannah sniffled. "I miss him, a lot. It hurts. Like there's this huge chasm in my heart that isn't closing." Hannah looked down. "He was my hero. I still remember his favorite Christmas song." She laughed and looked out at Neal. "My mom sang it every year at our church Christmas program. She doesn't sing it anymore."
Neal smiled. "Why don't you sing it?"
Hannah laughed. "I'm not as good as my mom was, trust me."
"Maybe, maybe not," Neal smiled, sitting, his black vest and red tie crinkling.
Hannah cleared her throat and began playing a simple yet familiar tune on the piano, face brightening a little. She smiled and sang out,
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light..."
She closed her eyes and belted,
"Next year all our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay..."
She smiled bitterly and sang out,
"Next year all our troubles will be miles away
Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore..."
Hannah's eyes opened and looked into Neal's, and she sang,
"Faithful friends who were dear to us
Will be near to us once more
Someday soon we all will be together
If the fates allow..."
She let a tear fall down her cheeks as she belted out as powerfully as she could,
"Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now..."
Neal stood and gave her a slow clap, choking up at her performance. "That was truly amazing, Hannah, really."
She smiled and curtsied cheesily.
"Now," Neal smiled, "Will you go with me back to the party?"
"I'd be honored," she smiled.
She hopped off of the stage as well as she could in the short dress and grabbed Neal's arm, grinning happily as he escorted her back into the choir room, though it looked so amazing and festive it didn't even look like a choir room. On one table was tons of sweets and desserts, and on another was the secret Santa gifts. Some were big, some were small, but all were prettily wrapped in red and green.
Music was playing and everyone was dancing. Cody had asked Dawn to dance, and she laughingly agreed. The two made a funny pair, Dawn in her flowy knee length emerald dress and black flats, and Cody in his black button up and red bowtie. Bailey, who was rocking a one shoulder gray modest A-line dress and red heels, was dancing sweetly with Oliver.
Jordana, looking stunning in a silver strapless dress and black wedges, was talking with James by the Christmas tree. Theo and Cortney, who was sporting a black tulle and combat boot combination, and Hadleigh, who looked great in a tight fitting red one shoulder dress and sky high black heels, were standing awkwardly by the presents. Lorhin, in a gold dress and white heels, looked angelic dancing with Spencer.
Hannah felt a warm bubble of pride for her friends. They were so nice to her, and they had no right to be. She was so grateful for everything they've done for her. The current song ended and Lorhin took the mic beside the DJ (wait, when did he get there?) and said, "Hey you guys! This party has been great so far but it's about to get even better!" She smiled. "In a little bit, we'll give out the secret Santa gifts. But for now enjoy the music!"
She cleared her throat and sang out huskily,
"Rocking around the Christmas Tree
at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Ev'ry couple tries to stop..."
Lorhin watched as everyone assembled on the dance floor and sang louder,
"Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Let the Christmas Spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
and we'll do some caroling..."
Belting out the words, Lorhin winked at Hannah,
"You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear voices singing
"Let's be jolly! Deck the halls with boughs of holly!"
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In a new old fashioned way!"
She finished spectacularly and everyone clapped. Stepping away from the mic, she let the DJ put on another song, and went over to the table of presents, picking up the first one. "Jordana?" she said, handing the medium sized package to her.
She opened it to reveal a pretty light blue cashmere sweater in her size. It wasn't anything she would wear, but Jordana was touched nevertheless.
"Cody?" His present turned out to be a book- 'High School Survival Guide' by Kurt Hummel-Anderson. "I heard that this is a must read for all gay teens in high school," Cody said, smiling widely.
"Lorhin?" Lorhin laughed. "It's me!" She opened the silver wrapped package. It was a set of earring shaped like infinity signs. She smiled sweetly and thanked the person for gave them to her.
"Neal?" Hadleigh looked on expectantly as Neal opened it. It was a gift card to a local sports store. Neal grinned widely and Hadleigh breathed a sigh of relief.
The gifts continue, until at last, there was one tiny red box on the table. "Hannah," the tag read.
She opened the small box. Inside was a necklace: the word 'strength' on a chain. Hannah smiled and out it on. "It's beautiful," she breathed.
Across the room, Neal smiled.
(line break)
At Dalton Academy, Michael was pouring over his history homework. He smiled when Caleb walked in with an old fashioned boom box, smiling.
"Good, a distraction from my homework," Michael grinned.
"Actually, I'm Marley's ghost, telling you to stop studying so much," Caleb conceded. "Just kidding. I got a gig singing White Christmas at a coffee shop, and I wanted to practice. Maybe you could help me?"
"I'd love to," Michael smiled. Caleb pressed play on the boom box and a familiar tune played out. He took a deep breath and sang,
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow..."
Michael smiled and sang,
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow..."
The two joined together, dancing around each other,
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white..."
Caleb sang out, leaning against the fireplace,
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white..."
Michael smiled and sang back,
"I'm dreaming of a white christmas,
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white..."
The two joined in perfect harmony, faces inching closer together,
"May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your christmases be white..."
The two boys stood face to face, breathing a little too heavily.
"Um..." Michael said, "We should probably practice."
"I thought we were," Caleb smiled, leaning in and kissing Michael.
As Caleb's lips left his, he pulled him, leading him to dance in the song that had just come on next. The cheesy Christmas duet echoed in Michael's ears. He leaned his head in Caleb's shoulder
"But baby it's cold outside..." Caleb hummed in his ear.
(insert line)
"What's going on with you and Cortney?" Hadleigh asked.
"I don't know," Theo admitted on his way to first period. "But all I know is that I want to get to know you better."
Hadleigh blushed and bit her lip. "Follow me..." she said, leading Theo back outside to where the heavy snow was falling. She could see Spencer and Lorhin walking to the stadium, but instead turned to Theo.
Meanwhile...
"Meet me in the choir room!" Aaron texted Hannah as she walked into McKinley. It ass two days before they got out for Christmas break, and Aaron had texted Hannah to meet him there. She was very confused but she went with it. When she reached the choir room, Aaron wasn't there. But a note taped to the Christmas tree was.
"107," Hannah read aloud. That was her lock number. She grinned and ran to her locker, finding another note taped to it. It told her to go to the lunchroom. The hunt continued, and Hannah, following the clues, got frustrated, until she reached the auditorium.
On stage, Aaron was in a simple white button up, holding a plain white rose, and smiling. "Surprise," he grinned, white teeth perfect.
She ran onstage to hug him. "I've missed you," Hannah said.
Aaron hugged her tighter and pulled something out of his back pocket and held it above her head. "Oh, look at this," he said, grinning, "Mistletoe."
Hannah rolled her eyes. "How did that get there?" she asked pointedly.
Aaron laughed. "Magic!"
Hannah leaned up and kissed him. His eyes widened, but closed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he kissed her deeper. When they pulled apart, Aaron stepped back and snapped a few times, before grinning and saying, "I'm also going to sing to you."
Hannah laughed as Aaron began to sing,
"It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
Outside, Theo was throwing a snowball straight at Hadleigh, who ducked and threw one at him. Theo sang out,
"I don't wanna miss out on the holiday
But I can't stop staring at your face
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
Back in the auditorium, Hannah and Aaron, walking through the rows of seats together, grinning slyly, sang in harmony,
"With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you under the mistletoe..."
At the stadium, Spencer helped Lorhin onto the skateboard. She grinned and struggled to keep her balance, singing out,
"Everyone's gathering around the fire
Chestnuts roasting like a hot July
I should be chilling with my folks, I know
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
Hannah grinned at Aaron as he grabbed her waist, pulling her down the row of seats,
"Word on the street Santa's coming tonight,
Reindeer's flying through the sky so high
I should be making a list, I know
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
Hadleigh, Theo, Lorhin, and Spencer sang in harmony,
"With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you under the mistletoe
With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you under the mistletoe!"
Aaron smiled and sang to Hannah,
"Aye, love, the wise men followed the star
The way I followed my heart
And it led me to a miracle!"
Hadleigh sang to Theo sweetly,
"Aye, love, don't you buy me nothing
'cause I am feeling one thing, your lips on my lips
That's a merry, merry Christmas!"
Spencer sang,
"It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
All of the couples sang out in harmony,
"I don't wanna miss out on the holiday
But I can't stop staring at your face
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'mma be under the mistletoe!"
Hannah and Aaron sang in harmony,
"With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you under the mistletoe!"
Lorhin and Spencer sang in harmony,
"With you, shawty with you
With you, shawty with you
With you, under the mistletoe, under the mistletoe!"
Hadleigh and Theo, in a huge snowball fight, sang out,
"Kiss me underneath the mistletoe
Show me baby that you love me so-oh-oh
Oh, oh..."
Aaron sang to Hannah, finishing up the song,
"Kiss me underneath the mistletoe,
Show me baby that you love me so-oh-oh
Oh, oh, ohhh..."
Neal looked on sadly as Hannah and Aaron kissed again, dropping the Christmas card he made for her.
(insert line)
Neal sat alone in the choir room, looking out at the empty seats. It was the last day before Christmas break. He heard the door open, and in walked Cody, wearing red skinny jeans. Festive, he thought bitterly.
"You okay?" Cody asked, sitting at the piano.
"No," He said. "Hannah wants to be with someone else."
Cody shrugged. "Isn't that always how it is?" He said, looking at Neal searchingly, his blue eyes bright, his dark brown hair falling across his forehead.
"Guess so," Neal said, meeting Cody's eyes.
There was a weird silence, but Cody broke it by saying, "What kind of Christmas song are you feeling? I'll play it on the piano."
"Do you know the song Grown Up Christmas List?" He asked.
Cody nodded and began to play. Neal cleared his throat and sang out,
"Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream..."
Neal sat down beside Cody on the piano bench, and sang out,
"So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need..."
Cody smiled encouragingly as Neal sang out the chorus,
"No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list..."
He sang out powerfully,
"What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth..."
Neal belted out,
"No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end!"
He thought of Hannah, and sang out,
"This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list..."
Cody looked up at Neal. "That was really great."
Neal smiled back, "Thanks."
Cody watched him leave.
(insert line)
Four girls stood on stage, all in white dresses. Dawn and Lorhin sang out the first few notes,
"Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding
Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding..."
Hadleigh and Hannah joined in with harmony.
"Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong, dong, ding, ding, dong..."
Hannah sang out,
"Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
Throw cares away!"
Lorhin sang out,
"Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold!"
Dawn began doing extremely high harmony as the other three girls sang,
"Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling!"
The four girls sang in perfect four part harmony,
"One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air!
Ding, ding dong, ding, ding, dong..."
Lorhin sang alone,
"Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale!"
Dawn sang out,
"Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here!"
All four girls sang in perfect harmony,
"Merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas!"
Hannah sang out,
"Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
Throw cares away!"
Lorhin sang out,
"Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold!"
Dawn began doing extremely high harmony as the other three girls sang,
"Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling!"
The four girls sang in perfect four part harmony,
"One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air!
Ding, ding dong, ding, ding, dong..."
Lorhin sang alone,
"Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale!"
Dawn sang out,
"Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here!"
They became quiet, then resumed singing vigorously,
"On on they send
On without end,
Their joyful tone
to every home!"
The girls belted out,
"Ding, dong, ding, dong, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring...
Dong Ding dong ding, dong dong!"
The whole Glee club stood up, clapping manically. It was by far the most amazing performance the girls had ever done.
"Merry Christmas," Neal whispered bitterly.
"You too," Cody muttered behind him, out of sight.
(insert line)
A/N: I loved this chapter! I just love Christmas. What is your reaction to this chapter? Review!