The entire Moon Theater was abuzz with excitement as the Christmas season approached quickly.
The cast had just finished their latest show, The Polar Express which proved to be more difficult then Buster first figured, depsite the fact that a majority of the film was shown in a train. With Buster at the helm, playing the Conductor, the cast played their roles beautifully as always.
The final show would be a retelling of the greatest story ever told.
With Rosita lined up to play the mother of Jesus himself, Mary, Gunter playing Joseph and the rest of the group playing a category of characters.
Buster adjusted his green striped bow and straightened his red blazer as he hummed Deck the Halls and made his way downstairs.
His cast had already arrived and were chattering excitedly.
All but one.
"Where's Rosita?" Buster asked when he did not see her.
Gunter glanced around for his partner. "She might have gone to her dressing room." He said.
The Theater Director frowned. Rosita was normally out and about, mingling with her friends.
Concerned, he made his way backstage where Rosita's dressing room was located.
Concern turned to surprise when he noticed her door was closed.
Rosita's door was never shut.
Worried, Buster knocked.
His sharp ears picked up movement before he heard his friend's familiar voice. "Come in!"
"Rosita? You okay?" Buster asked, entering.
Rosita stood from a chair and smiled, but Buster could tell it was forced. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing! Why would anything be wrong?" Rosita smiled.
"Rosita, I can tell when you're lying cause your voice gets high. Now, out with it."
The dancer sighed. "It's December 20th and I still haven't managed to take the kids to see Santa."
Buster huffed. He wasn't surprised. Managing to get 25 kids organized to see Santa would be a hassel. Last year, they all pitched in to help, each taking a group of five. Even then it was chaotic.
An idea struck him and he smiled.
"I know! What if we set up the stage to look like Santa's workshop?"
Rosita looked at him in surprise as he continued. "I'll call Clay Calloway and ask if he'd mind playing Santa! What do you think?"
The only answer Buster recieved was a tight embrace by Rosita as she scooped him up.
"You're the best boss ever!"
Buster chuckled before she set him down, looking worried again. "But what about the show? It takes place Christmas Eve!" She said.
Buster waved away her concern. "We have plenty of time to set up. Now, come on! We have work to do!"
Perhaps it was the magic of the holiday, for it didn't take long to set up the stage to look like the North Pole. After some convincing, Clay finally agreed to play Santa and promised to be there the next morning. "But I ain't doing this for free, Moon." He had said. "I want Miss Meena to bake me a batch of her famous snickerdoodles."
Meena, of course agreed.
So, December 21st, Norman and Rosita arrived with their 25 piglets and were met with a beautiful sight. Fake snow felt was laid on the stage and a magnificent chair sat in the center with garland and tinsel and a beautiful tree to the side, gifts all around it.
The piglets stared in awe before they started excitedly pushing one another, eager to get to the stage.
Johnny quickly ran up, dressed in a green elf costume with a bright red hat and matching pointing shoes. "Whoa-ho-ho! Hello, kids! Welcome to the North Pole!"
"Hi, Johnny!" The kids cried.
"Are you ready to meet Santa?" He asked, cheerfully. He was met with enthusiastic cries.
"Well, then! Put your hands together for the Keeper of Christmas, Santa Clause!"
Buster and Ash pulled the lever and the curtain opened and Clay, aka Santa stepped out. He was in a traditional Santa suit with a large black belt, a full white beard and a twinkle in his eye.
"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!" He said, spreading his arms in welcome.
Meena smiled as she walked on stage, wearing a bright red sweater. "Okay, kids! Line up, you'll each get to sit with Santa!"
Ash, in a Santa hat and red scarf joined Buster by his side as they herded the kids into a line. "Uncle Buster! I didn't know you knew Santa!" Casper cried.
Buster chuckled nervously. "Oh you know-"
Gail tugged on Ash's shirt. "Hey, Aunt Ash! Guess what I'm gonna ask for!"
"What's that?"
"A bubble gun! It shoots bubbles!"
"Sounds great!" Ash smiled.
"Hey, kids! After you meet Santa, join Miss Crawley in the break room for cocoa!" Gunter cried.
"Now, son, what would you like for Christmas?" Clay asked Rory.
"I want a toy action figure!"
"I will see what my elves can do!" Clay smiled.
Behind him, Amelia Holmes wrote down their names and the gift they wanted. She had traveled from England to spend the Christmas holiday with her friends.
Rosita and Norman smiled as they watched the festivities take place before them, completely warmed by the joy their children were receiving and grateful for the wonderful group of friends they had made.
By the time the last piglet had leapt from Clay's lap, it was nearing evening. Clay stretched and winked at Buster. "Mission accomplished." He whispered.
"You were amazing!" Buster smiled.
"Eh, I've played a few Christmas songs here and there."
"I don't suppose you'd be interested in performing a few for our Christmas play?" Buster asked.
Clay rubbed his fake beard and nodded. "Sure. It's Christmas Eve, isn't it?"
"Yep and you can join us for the party afterwards. You're still coming Christmas day, right?"
"Yep, if you'll have me. Been a while since I've been around others for Christmas. I'm looking forward to it."
"Fantastic!"
"I can't believe you're waiting till last minute to finish your Christmas shopping." Johnny groaned as he sat behind the wheel to Rosita's minivan.
Normally he would take his truck, but as Meena, Nooshy and Porsha wanted to tag along, he asked Mama Rosita if he could borrow her car.
Ash sat shot gun, going over her list again. "It's not last minute." She argued.
"It's the bloody 22nd of December!" Johnny snapoed.
Nooshy huffed from Johnny. "I suppose you already have your gifts bought and wrapped?"
"Yes! I got my shopping done in November!" Johnny said.
"Lookit you, being an overachiever!" Porsha teased. "I had mine ordered so they all got here the 2nd week of December."
"I just got mine done." Meena said. "What'd you get Mr. Moon, Johnny?"
"A bicycle!" The teen gorilla answered proudly.
"Good, I got him a bicycle care kit." Meena replied.
"I already got yall's gifts, plus Rosita and Gunter's. I'm just missing Buster, Mia and Clay."
"You forgot to get your own father a gift!?" Nooshy cried, dramatically.
"He's practically impossible to buy for! I already got him a coffee mug that says World's Best Dad for Father's Day!"
"Look, let's just do some window shopping and we'll see what catches our eyes." Meena said.
The mall store parking lot was, of course, crowded when the group arrived. Johnny grumbled to himself as he was forced to park the farthest from the entrance.
A sharp wind hit them immediately as they tightened their scarves and began the trek to the doors. They were half way when the snow began fo fall, it was then that they picked up the pace. By the time they got inside, their clothes were covered in snow.
"Looks like it's gonna be a white Christmas." Nooshy joked.
"Right, let's get going. I don't fancy being here too late. It's snowing pretty hard and I don't want to get snow bound."
"Let's go with Buster's gift first!" Porsha said. "I need to get one for him too."
The group stayed together as they walked deeper into the stores, marveling at the Christmas decorations that hung high on the ceiling and the giant ornaments that hung from the second floor banisters. They entered a music store where Ash immediately set her eyes on a record player. "It's perfect!" She cried.
Porsha and Nooshy looked through the records before they found several musicals.
"We can get these and you can get the record!" Nooshy said.
With that plan, they made their purchases and exitied the store.
"So, Mia is next on the list." Johnny said.
Ash nodded. "I'm getting her a new trench coat. She said that winters in England are usually freezing."
"Awesome, she'll love it." Meena smiled.
"I know the perfect place! Furlington's!" Nooshy said pointing to a store above them.
They rode the escalator up and entered the store, gasping at the coats that hung on display.
Immediately, a tan trench coat caught their attention and Ash quickly swiped it and took it to the check out counter.
Johnny checked his watch and glanced up the skylight. The sky had grown darker, despite that fact it was only one in the afternoon and the snow flurries were larger then they were.
"Alright, let's get something for Mr. Calloway and get back to the theatre!" He said.
They headed back downstairs and began window shopping, hoping something would catch their eye again. As they walked, Johnny wasn't pay attention and yelped as he ran into a large animal dressed in red.
"Blimey, I'm sorry!" He said.
"Ho, ho, ho! It's alright, son. No harm done."
The group stared at him. He was a large polar bear with a thick white beard that Johnny could swear was real. His eyes twinkled a sapphire blue and he was dressed as Santa Claus.
"You must be this year's mall Santa." Porsha smiled. "Awesome costume."
The polar chuckled. "Thank you, Porsha. I suspect you kids are doing some last minute shopping?" He asked, amused.
"Yes, sir." They said in unison.
"Well, I hope you all find what you're looking for, kids and have a Merry Christmas. And, Johnny, make sure you're paying attention." He laughed a deep belly laugh as he patted Johnny's shoulder and walked off, disappearing into the crowd.
"Okay, where were we?" Ash asked, looking at his list.
"Er, Johnny?" Porsha asked.
"Yeah?"
"How'd he know our names? We didn't tell him...?"
The group stared at each other.
Ash was first to break the silence. "We are pretty popular with the Moon Theater. Right now, we have bigger things to worry about, like what I'm getting Clay!"
The stranger in red was forgotten as they resumed their search.
Suddenly Meena grabbed Ash's shoulder. "I think I found you the perfect gift for Mr. Calloway!" She said, pointing.
Ash followed her finger and her eyes widened in triumph at the leather motorcycle bag sitting proudly on display.
"You're absolutely right!" Ash agreed.
Gifts in paw, the group exited the store where they were greeted by an angry wind and new thick blanket of snow. Johnny groaned as they trekked to the car.
"Well, I think we did pretty good." Ash smiled. "Who's up for cocoa?"
"Count me in!"
"Let's go!"
Johnny smiled as they pulled into a Star-Buck's drice through to order. "Let's pick up some for the others too, they'll be ready to rehearse by the time we get back."
Amelia blew into her paws to warm them up as she and the rest of the group approached the ice skating rink. "I haven't done this in ages." She laughed.
Gunter, who was considered the best in the group at ice skating, happily appeared at her side. "There's, like, nothing to worry about! I'll hold your paw!"
Buster smiled as he tightned his laces and stepped onto the ice. "Come on, guys! Water's fine!"
Gunter wasted no time and did a perfect toe-loop spin onto the ice. Rosita followed behind, somewhat clumsy before Meena took her hand and helped her along.
Ash, Mia and Johnny took each other's paws and forced themselves onto the ice.
Buster smiled as he bumped into Ash and with a shared look of mischief, they stopped side by side before bolting to the other side of the rink.
"It's Mr. Moon in the lead with Ash closing in!" Johnny was saying. "It's gonna be close! Oooh! It's Ash for the win!"
Buster and Ash were laughing by the time they returned to their group.
Gunter smiled as he took his phone and put on his Christmas mix and suddenly music was blasting from the speakers. "I know the DJ here!" He smiled.
Mia chuckled before he took her paws and tugged her into a dance. The group then joined the crowd in a fast paced circle around the rink.
Suddenly a bear in a green sweater stepped onto the ice and right in Mia's path. The fox yelped as she collided into him and fell back on the ice.
Rosita was first by her side, taking her arm. "Are you okay, honey?"
The polar bear leaned down as well. "I'm sorry, my dear. I forget my size sometimes. Are you alright, Amelia?"
Mia shook her head and smiled as she took his out stretched paw, allowing him to pull her up from the ice. "No harm done. I didn't know how to stop, I'm sorry."
The bear chuckled. "Ah, yes. It's the going that's easy, but stopping? That's another story."
"You're telling me."
Back on her own paws, Amelia shook his paw in thanks.
"Well, I'm going to try my own paw at skating. Merry Christmas, Miss Amelia and Miss Rosita."
"Merry Christmas!" Mia and Rosita said together.
"Are you sure you're okay? You landed pretty hard." Rosita said, wiping some snow from the fox's cheek.
"Relax, Rosita. I'm sure my back will be yelling tomorrow, but tonight I'm fine."
"Hey, you two!" Johnny called. "Let's get some cocoa!"
Rosita and Amelia joined the group at a vacant table where Buster had already ordered the cups of cocoa.
"Saw you hit that polar bear." Ash chuckled as they sat down. Buster lightly hit the back of her head. "Who was he? Did you know him?"
The fox and pig exchanged looks. "Uh... no, but he evidently knew us." Mia shrugged.
"Weird, he-" Buster didn't have a chance to finish his sentence for at that moment he was hit with a snowball which knocked him off his seat. He shook his head as he sat up from the snow and glared as he saw the pitcher.
"Gotcha, Moon!" Marcus laughed as he, Berry and Stan approached, each with an arm full of ready-made snowballs.
"Oh, it is on! Moon Team!" Buster began gathering snow and packing it. "ATTACK!"
Like soldiers in battle, the group followed the order given and ducked behind a snowbank, packing snowballs as they did.
Marcus, Berry, and Stan ducked behind their own bank and launched ball after ball.
Meena packed one and launched it, hitting Berry in the face, knocking him over.
"Gah! Foiled by my niece!" Berry cried dramatically as he went down.
Buster threw one past Stan who laughed. "You miss -"
WHAM!
The second snowball caught him square in the nose.
Rosita grabbed three at a time and smirked. "Normally, I wouldn't allow this, but EAT SNOW, YOU FROSTBITTEN SCROOGES!"
Marcus yelped as he and his group were hit.
Johnny packed one and hit his father, who gave his son a defeated look.
"Betrayed by my own son!" He cried.
Mia grabbed an arm full of snow and packed it into a large ball. Meena saw her, and the two exchanged a look of silent agreement.
Using her trunk, Meena sucked up the ball and launched it.
Marcus, Berry, and Stan gasped as the giant ball of snow came crashing down on top of them.
"Give up!?" Gunter cried.
A hand shot from the snow and waved a white napkin and Buster and his team high fived in triumph.
"Alright, places everyone!" Buster said as they all gathered on stage. "It's a full house tonight, guys! Who's ready for the final show of the year!"
Rosita adjusted her Mary costume and smiled. "We're ready, Mr. Moon!"
"Jà, like, totally!" Gunter, aka Joseph said.
Johnny gave one last adjustment to his angel wings before giving a thumbs up.
Mia and Ash, who were playing two of the wisemen, winked at Buster and smiled through their thick beards.
Clay was asked to play the third wiseman after the original one played him accidentally got into the eggnog a little earlier then expected.
A few of the piglets, who were playing Away in the Manger, were happily chattering amongst themselves.
Buster smiled at his group. "As soon as everyone is gone, we'll clean up the stage and set up the sleeping bags."
Casper tugged on his coat and he leaned down. "Is Santa coming tonight?" He asked.
"Yep, it's Christmas Eve! It's the night Santa makes his rounds!" Buster smiled.
"But remember, he won't come unless you're sound asleep." Mia said.
"Yes, Aunt Mia! I'm gonna go to sleep early!"
Rosita giggled. "That'll be the day."
"Okay, everyone, showtime!"
The group went their separate ways and found their spots.
The curtains opened to reveal Buster, standing proudly on the moon with a microphone. "Merry Christmas, one and all and welcome to the New Moon Theater! On this holliest of nights, we give you the greatest story ever told!"
The moon was lifted from sight and several piglets rushed to the stage where they performed The First Noel.
Rosita watched proudly from back stage whilst Norman sat with the rest of their kids in the audience.
Once the song was over, Rosita and Gunter took the stage.
The play went on flawlessly.
Johnny was lowered gently down and a spot light was cast upon him as he delivered his messege to Mary. "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have been chosen by God!"
The scene carried on to where Mia, Ash and Clay were met by the same angel who told them of a great gift that was to be born.
The piglets then came out to sing "Silent Night", followed by Clay taking the stage to perform "Mary did You Know".
Buster watched, cheerfully grinning as Gunter and Rosita arrived at the stable where the blessed babe was to be born.
Whilst this scene played out, the piglets performed "Away in the Manger."
Miss Crawley stood with her telescope, watching the audience. There was not a single dry eye in the theater, her own included were also teary.
Then, for the finale, the cast joined pawd together and took to the stage where they performed "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
The audience erupted in applause with a standing ovation as the cast bowed the curtains closed. Buster took the stage once more.
"Thank you all for coming! I wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Drive safe and don't forget to leave those cookies for Santa!"
As the crowd began exiting the theater, eager to begin their own festivities, Buster noticed a bear in the audience wearing a sharp red suit and a green tie decorated in little white Christmas trees. His eye caught Buster and he approached the stage. "I wanted to congratulate you on that magnificent show, Buster. Truly amazing."
"Oh! Well, thank you! But my crew are the real deal."
"Indeed they are, son. Well, I must be heading off."
"Looking forward to spending Christmas with your family?"
"Oh yes, my wife, Carol, has prepared a wonderful feast. That will be enjoyed tomorrow, for tonight, I must work."
Buster frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I love my job. Merry Christmas to you." The bear said and left the theater, leaving Buster somewhat puzzled, but happy too.
Once the theater was empty, the little family quickly went to work in clearing off the stage and laying down sleeping bags and air mattresses for their big Christmas sleep over.
Miss Crawley came out with a glass of cold milk with Meena behind her, carrying a plate of various cookies.
"Are those the cookies for Santa?" Casper asked running to meet them.
"Aren't you supposed to be bed?" Rosita asked, her hands on her hips.
"But mom-"
"No buts. Santa won't come unless you're all in bed asleep."
"She's right, sport." Mia said, walking up. In her paws she held a book.
"Blimey, is that the Night Before Christmas? I loved that as a kid!" Johnny said.
"Yep, I figured Buster could do us the honor of reading it. What do you say, Bust?" She asked the koala.
Buster beamed brightly. "It would be my pleasure!"
Meena took the chair that they had used for Clay and placed in beside the stage. Buster took the book and hopped onto it. Clearing his throat, he began.
The group listened with interest as his words brought magic to the story. Casper climbed into Buster's lap at some point, completely engulfed in the tale.
The story went on, the lights were dimmed and soon the only light was coming from the beautiful tree. By the time Buster had finished, the piglets had fallen into a deep sleep.
Buster carefully took Casper and laid him in his sleeping bag before going to his own. Clay stretched and fluffed his pillow.
"Good night." He said and turned over in his bed.
Buster nodded and turned to face his crew.
Rosita and Norman shared a kiss before curling up together.
Nooshy and Porsha, who were sharing an air mattress were already asleep.
Johnny was curled up, clutching his pillow, smile plastered on his face. Buster could swear he was dreaming of sugar plums.
Meena was finishing a text to her boyfriend, Alfonso who had promised to visit that morning, before she went to sleep.
Ash was already out, and Buster chuckled as he took the Santa hat that was still on her head and put it to the side.
Gunter was closest to the tree, wearing a face nask that read "wake me when it's Christmas" and sawing logs.
The only ones who remained awake were Buster and Mia.
The Detective was sitting on her own bag, her tail wrapped around her legs with her elbows propped.
Buster followed her gaze which was on the tree.
"You okay?"
It was a second before the fox replied. "Hmm? Oh, yeah. It's just... been a while since I've actually enjoyed Christmas on the 25th."
Buster raised an eyebrow, beckening her to continue.
She sighed. "When you have my type of job, Christmas is rarely spent on the 25th. The last 5 years, I've usually spent Christmas either on patrol or on a case."
"Must be lonely." Buster said. He then glanced at his friends. "Before I met these guys, I spent a few Christmases alone myself. Thank goodness I had Miss Crawley. She'd fix us a great dinner ans we'd exchanged gifts. It was nice, but still kinda lonely, just us two, especially after my dad passed."
"My parents are still alive, and we'll meet up a few days before Christmas and exchange gifts. But they live several hours away so it makes it hard to be there for the holidays."
"I'm very blessed to have the friends I have now. They've accepted me and I them."
Mia smiled. "Marcus, his wife and Johnny were the closest friends I had. When they left, I had no one. I do have one now, kinda one of those co-worker turned best friend thing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, his name is Basil, he's a new Detective. Sweet guy."
Buster smiled. "You know, when I say I'm grateful for my friends, i mean you too."
Mia smiled back as Buster walked over and gave her a hug. "Merry Christmas, Mia."
"Happy Christmas, Bust."
Their sharp ears then picked up the sound of a clock reaching 11 o'clock.
Mia yelped, softly. "Geez, if we don't get to sleep now, Santa won't come." She teased.
The Theater Director yawned. "Sleep sounds like a good idea to me. Good night, Mia."
"Night, Bust."
The clock outside struck 1 in the morning, but it was not the clock that awoke Casper.
It was the ringing bells of a sleigh.
Sleepily, Casper opened his eyes and gasped when he saw a tall figure placing gifts under the tree. He was a large polar bear with sparkling blue eyes and a beautiful red coat.
"Santa...?" He asked.
The figure turned and smiled before putting a finger to his mouth, to quiet him and winked.
Casper nodded and closed his eyes again. When he opened them again, the figure was gone.
And so were the milk and cookies.
"Wow..."
Part 2 aka Christmas Day will be posted closer to Christmas, but I hope you guys enjoyed this piece.