Season's greetings, fellow Sing fanatic!
Apologies that this took so long, who'd have figured that writing a song from scratch was so difficult, am I right? Usually my poetry skills are practically non-existent, but by some Christmas miracle, maybe this actually turned out okay.
Hope you all like it!
Regardless of final rehearsals, the Moon Theatre Troupe always made time for a birthday.
As soon as Steff arrived at rehearsal Sunday the 3rd, the whole Moon Theatre Troupe had showered her with happy birthday wishes, even standing a large glitter-coated card on her dressing room table. Once again, it had been crafted by Rosita's kids and signed by everyone at the theatre. When it came to her special day, the skunk truthfully preferred a small get-together over a grandiose surprise party. So in-between musical numbers, those who weren't practicing onstage secretly helped to prepare the lounge room for a casual birthday gathering.
The entire troupe had just struck the final pose for the last number of the show, allowing Eddie to make some adjustments to the lighting.
"Alright! Looks good, Buster!" He called from his booth to the koala in the wings opposite. Everyone immediately relaxed as all the spotlights came back on.
"Great job today, everybody!" Buster cried, racing onto the stage excitedly. "Just over a week to go before showtime and it's all looking fantastic! I cannot stress enough how much all your hard work has paid off!"
"Thanks, Mr. Moon." Rosita said with a smile, giving Gunter a high five.
"I'll admit, I was kinda nervous about being given the lead role but I'm really excited for it now." Meena said as she removed her royal tiara with her trunk.
"Now before we all go home..." Buster raised his hands, prompting silence from everybody. "I believe we have a very special birthday to celebrate!" All eyes turned toward Steff who immediately blushed under her fur.
"Aw, you guys..." She muttered modestly as the troupe gave her a round of applause. Right on cue, a familiar porcupine and skunk came onstage to her left.
"There's our special girl!" Andrea exclaimed.
"Moms?" Steff asked, surprised but nonetheless running over to hug them both. "What are you doing at rehearsal?"
"Why, finishing preparations for your intimate get-together, of course." Cassie replied.
"Speaking of which, Steff, could you follow us to the lounge room please?" Buster gestured to the backstage door.
"Of course, Mr. Moon." The skunk responded with a giggle as Ash took her hand. She, her parents and the whole Moon Theatre Troupe guided Steff through the door and past the dressing rooms to the lounge. Opening the door, everyone stepped aside to allow her to take in the sight. Strung across the back wall was a purple letter banner reading 'HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY'. On each of the three tables were a buffet of party food and drinks, a shining stack of presents and her moms' freshly-baked cake with a 1 and 9 candle on top.
"Oh, wow!" The skunk exclaimed, gazing at all the decorations. "This all looks great!"
"We can't take all the credit." Andrea smiled at her daughter's reaction. "Your friends played a part in getting it ready in-between musical numbers."
Ash leaned over to give her girlfriend a peck on the cheek. "We all contributed to the buffet table too."
"I can't wait for you to try mein Pfeffernüsse!" Gunter said, pointing excitedly at an enticing plate of cookies with a white glaze among the other foods.
"So, Steff, where do you want to start?" Rosita asked. Steff's eyes darted back and forth between the three tables eagerly.
"Well that pile of gifts looks pretty tempting." She decided at last.
The first gift the skunk opened was an envelope from her parents. Opening it up, her eyes lit up at the voucher in her hand for a day at the local spa.
"No way, that's awesome!"
"After everything you've done this year, your ma and I agreed you've earned some relaxation." Cassie replied.
The next one to have its wrapping torn was a collaboration between Eddie and Gunter. Ash had brought it to their attention that she occasionally liked to play a few go-kart and sports video games on her family's Bintendo Wii. Thus they had chosen for Steff the latest dancing game.
"Yeah, a little something to get the blood pumping!" The sheep said, flexing his skinny arms as Gunter struck one of his signature poses.
"You know, guys, if you ever wanna come over to try this game out with me, you only have to ask." Steff giggled.
Meena's present was a blank recipe book so Steff could fill in the pages with any desserts she liked to bake. Rosita's kids Carla and Tess had heard about the skunk's Rapunzel costume for Halloween, so they had given their mom the idea to get a Rapunzel diary and pen for her. And the surprises kept on coming; she received a CD with a compilation of the most famous pop ballads from Johnny. a pair of sparkling white shoes from Miss Crawly, and a trio set of berry scented candles from Buster.
"What are you trying to say about our daughter, Moon?" Andrea raised an eyebrow, pretending to look insulted.
"Oh, no, no, I wasn't..." The koala stammered. "That's not what I... I just thought..."
"Ma, leave him alone." Steff laughed. "I think it's a lovely gift, Mr. Moon. They'll go great in my room." Reaching her hand back to the gift table instinctively, her brow furrowed as it came to her attention there were no other presents left. Kneeling down to look underneath just in case, she looked over at her girlfriend, puzzled. Surely she wouldn't have forgotten to get her something?
"Um, Ash, I don't see your gift here?"
"Oh, don't worry, Steff." The porcupine reassured her with a grin. "I've got you a really special gift. If you're willing to wait a couple of minutes after the party, I'll give it to you then."
Steff's interest was certainly peaked. "Well, uh... okay. Sure."
"Until then, who's up for some cake and karaoke?" Cassie asked, producing a box of matches from her pocket.
"As long as Mr. Moon doesn't sing, I am!" The young skunk's arm shot up like a rocket. Buster looked taken aback at that comment.
"Wh-hold on a minute, my voice isn't that bad."
"Well no, but those dance moves you do while singing are ridiculous." Johnny replied, smirking playfully.
"Your cover of Call Me Maybe still haunts my dreams." Ash added.
"Ja, sorry. No one wants to see your poo-poo dancing."
"Rosita? Meena?" Buster glanced at his two other members for some form of support. "You guys don't think that, do you?"
"Well..." The elephant said hesitantly. "It's not terrible..."
"You're honestly worse than how I started out." Came Rosita's blunt response. Cassie and Andrea tried not to let their sniggers blow out the candles as they lit them, the koala looking desperate now.
"Miss Crawly, Eddie, back me up here. Is my dancing good?"
"Oh, yes, Mr. Moon." The elderly lizard gave him a nod. "You dance just like my Great-Aunt Ethel when she twisted her ankle."
It was Eddie's turn to be blunt now. "It sucks, Buster."
"Oh, come on!"
As soon as the laughter had died down, the rest of the party went off without a hitch. After she had blown out her candles, the troupe each had a slice of Steff's birthday cake. Then one by one, they each took a turn on the karaoke machine while helping themselves to the refreshments laid out. It was a very cozy evening for Steff, made even better surrounded by such wonderful friends and family. And the entire party, her intrigue about what Ash's gift could possibly be only grew.
The sunset was just peeking over the top of Calatonia's tallest buildings when the festivities came to an end. The 19-year-old waved goodbye to the last Moon Theatre Troupe member to take their leave.
"Thanks again for the CD, Johnny." She said, giving the gorilla a fist bump.
"No problem, Steff." Johnny replied, smiling down at her. "Have a good evening. See you later!"
"See ya!" The skunk waved to Johnny as he hopped onto his skateboard and sped off down the street. Ash joined her side soon after.
"Good party, huh?" The porcupine bumped her gently with her shoulder.
"Yeah, it was really nice." Steff responded in bliss. "I loved every moment of it, especially with everybody there."
"Well then, you ready for your last present?" Ash asked, removing her hand from her jacket pocket to take her girlfriend's own.
"Yeah, I'm really excited now!" The skunk nodded, turning her attention to her parents behind her. "I'll, uh, meet you in the car soon, Moms."
"Sure thing, sweetheart." Cassie said, the two of them stepping out the doorway. With that, the porcupine led Steff back into the theatre all the way to her dressing room. At the pace she was going, Steff could tell she was quite excited as well. The table lights cast the whole room in a warm glow.
Closing the door, Ash pointed at the white couch to the side. "Take a seat."
Steff plumped herself down on the right of the couch, placing her hands on her lap and gazing around the room curiously. She couldn't see any glint of wrapping paper in the light.
"Is, uh, my gift hidden or something?" She asked, adjusting her glasses as she gave one last sweep of the room just to be sure. Ash gave a light chuckle at the sight.
"No." Reaching across, she grabbed the acoustic guitar propped up on its stand next to the couch. The porcupine sat herself down beside Steff, adjusting one of the tuning pegs ever so slightly. She then produced from her pocket the same guitar pick that her girlfriend had gifted her.
"What I wanted to give you... was this."
Steff went silent as Ash began to strum the instrument, opening with a tender melody of chords before starting to sing:
First day of class, I wore just a frown
Until I looked and saw her smile
Then we were friends, nothing kept us down
The laughs we shared made it worthwhile
And I treasure that day we both met
Wish I'd seen it in her eyes
'Cause although I didn't know it yet
I'd met an angel in disguise
That lyric made Steff freeze in realisation as Ash began the chorus; this wasn't a cover of a pre-existing love song. It was about her.
I want to fly with her
And never come down to Earth
I'll hold on tight to her
So I always know my worth
So let me fly with her
Thanks to her, my fire burns
Should I ever wander
To her, I'll always return
Opening her eyes during the instrumental, Ash felt her heart flutter at her girlfriend's eyes already glistening. With a grin, she carried on into the second verse:
Got with a guy who seemed to be swell
But filled my mind with seeds of doubt
Under his hold, I fell into hell
'Til the angel lifted me out
After saving me, I finally knew
She was the one for me all along
Told her I loved her, she loved me too
Now life's a more beautiful song
And I can fly with her
And never come down to Earth
I'll hold on tight to her
So I always know my worth
Please let me fly with her
Thanks to her, my fire burns
Should I ever wander
To her, I'll always return
The skunk was completely enchanted by Ash's song. The amount of work she'd poured into this, all for her birthday, was astounding. Closing her eyes once more as she got into the zone, the porcupine sang the bridge:
When her lips touch mine
And she holds me near
It's a comforting sign
I have nothing to fear
When I meet her gaze
And she sings my name
It sets my heart ablaze
Like a spark to my flame
And so I'll fly with her
And never come down to Earth
I'll hold on tight to her
So I always know my worth
Oh, let me fly with her
Thanks to her, my fire burns
Should I ever wander
To her, I'll always return
At last, the song concluded with a tender strum. When the final chord faded, Steff's eyes were welled up with tears.
"Oh, my gosh..." She barely spoke above a whisper as she brought her hands to her mouth. Ash's smile only grew.
"I'm guessing you liked it?" Barely holding back a sob, the skunk managed to muster up a high-pitched 'mm-hm' along with a tiny nod.
"Have you been working on that all month?" She finally asked, removing her glasses to wipe her eyes with her sleeve.
"Actually... I've been writing it since our first kiss. I decided to save it for your birthday, so I had more than enough time to make some tweaks and get it just right." Setting the guitar aside, Ash lifted a hand so her fingertips were lightly caressing her girlfriend's cheek. "And don't expect to hear me play this song at any of Moon's shows or our gigs. I made it for you and you alone."
The corners of Steff's trembling mouth curled up into a heartfelt smile. Gently clasping the porcupine's cheeks, she leaned forward to give her a deep and passionate kiss. Surprised at first, Ash's eyes slowly slipped closed and she happily melted into Steff's lips. Both were in too much of a state of bliss to care how much time had passed before they finally pulled away.
"Ash... I love you so much. This is the nicest birthday present I've ever gotten." The 19-year-old gazed into her girlfriend's eyes with nothing but pure adoration before pulling her into a hug. "What did I do to deserve you?"
Ash smiled as she gladly returned Steff's embrace. "Happy birthday, angel."
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Fly With Her - ItNeedsMoreGays
The movie Sing belongs to Illumination Entertainment. I only own my OC, Steff Pearce, and my song.
