AN: Since this show wasn't planned by the troupe, we're just going to do simple singing on a gorgeous holiday set. It wouldn't make sense for them to have something more elaborate when they've had a mere hours to create this show.

I just realized, Ryan is basically my Atticus Aldridge while Johnny is Rose McClare. In Downton Abbey, Atticus marries Rose against his father's wishes. His father and he are both Jewish while Rose is Protestant. Atticus' mother had to make an even worse threat against her high ranking husband to avoid him stopping the wedding. I think I want to watch that episode now. But his father is similarly flawed. But in his way, he does love Atticus. Just as Jackson does love Ryan.

Part 48

In their small apartment, all they could afford now that they no longer had Nana's money at their disposal, Adelaide and Frederick were watching the live broadcast of the Christmas pageant.

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The stage looked like a winter wonderland. The original cast had clearly planned something special. Rosita felt bad that they wouldn't be able to achieve their original vision. There was a castle made of "ice" and a blanket of white to simulate snow covered the floor.

The guests were already filling the seats. Suki gave their loved ones her own box since all of the paid seats were sold.

The cast gathered backstage and Eddie addressed the group. "Okay everyone, I know we haven't had any time to rehearse or anything but you guys got this. Just go out there and sing your favorite Christmas song." He looked at Johnny. "Are you ready? You and Ryan are up first. But remember you're still not allowed to dance until the doctor clears it." The doctor wanted him to take it easy until he saw his primary doctor back in Calatonia.

Johnny nodded. "Don't worry, Eddie, I'll be careful." He smiled at Ryan. "Sorry, your parents won't get to see what we can really do."

Ryan kissed him. "I just wish I knew what you said to my dad to get him to come back."

"I said the words Tecmo Bowl," Johnny laughed. "He just needed to be reminded that you don't have to agree with everything someone does to be respectful or to have something in common. And we happen to have one big thing in common." He kissed him back more passionately. "You."

Ryan smiled at him. "You're so wonderful, you know. How did I get so lucky?" He played with his hair.

The lights went down and Eddie did the introduction while Johnny and Ryan went to the piano.

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Adelaide jabbed a finger at the tv set. "Frederick, that's our son! Ohhh… they've completely corrupted him and left us here to rot. We can't just let this go."

The white sheep looked up at her. "And we will be arrested again if we go near him." He reminded her.

She shook her head. "Frederick, I think it's time we face facts. He's a disgrace to this family. And yet he's the one who's going to inherit everything from your mother. She's completely cut us off." She began. "I don't like it but there's only one thing we can do to protect the honor and integrity of the Noodleman name."

He sat up. "Adelaide, what are you suggesting?"

She glared at the set. "There's still one way to make sure we are the ones who inherit. But we will need to be delicate…" There was only one way to deal with traitors.

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The curtain rose and the audience clapped lightly before Johnny began to sing with Ryan standing at the upright piano. "I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree…"

Ryan smiled at the tune and sang back. "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…"

Johnny began riffing the piano a little harder, jamming out the notes of his favorite song. It held so much more meaning now.

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From the box, Katherine smiled at her son. "He does look so happy. Don't you think, Jack?"

He nodded shortly. He didn't want to admit it but he never saw his son smile that way when he was on the field, even when they won the game. When he was offered full ride scholarships, he just withdrew. He didn't understand it. He loved playing football. He'd be a pro-player today if it wasn't for his back. Ryan was his last chance to achieve those dreams.

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Marcus watched the performance beside Suki from their place in the control booth. He held her hand. His eyes were filled with pride and love. She loved how much he loved, how deeply he felt, almost any emotion. He was such a strong gorilla but he was willing to be vulnerable around her, to let her take care of him when he needed her.

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Johnny and Ryan sang the last lines together with Johnny pulling Ryan into his lap at the end before sharing a kiss. The guests applauded as they bowed and walked off the stage as the curtain fell.

Eddie clapped. "Good job guys! Rosita, are you and Gunter ready?"

She nodded and addressed her piglets. "Kids, do you remember last year's Christmas show? Wanna do that again?" She looked at Caspar. She hoped that performing on stage might help.

The piglets cheered and Rosita looked at Johnny. "Can you play the accompaniment?"

Johnny nodded and squeezed Ryan's hand before returning to his instrument. Rosita got the piglets in place. "Lance, would your kids like to join in?" She indicated the smallish choir of piglets. "They don't need to know the words." She smiled.

He grinned at his kids being included. "Thank you. Raquelle, Lil Lance, go stand with your friends." He encouraged them.

Rosita and Gunter went on stage with them. "Alright, Raquelle, you stand here with the girls and sing with them. Lance, with my boys."

The curtain came up and the crowd cooed when they saw the little family choir. A synthesizer played while Gunter and Rosita began to sing.

"The mood is right. The spirits up. We're here tonight. And that's enough. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time"

Part way through the first verse, Rosita turned to the kids. "A choir of children sing their song, they practiced all year long…"

The voices of the children rose together. "Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong." The first song began to flow into a legato tone.

Caspar came forward and sang while his siblings sang harmony. His young, tenor voice rose above the rest. "Hark, how the bells. Sweet silver bells. All seem to say "Throw cares away." Hannah stepped up and repeated his first lines while he continued. "Bringing good cheer. To young and old. Meek and the bold."

The guests were impressed with how well the children sang together until they reached the momentous resolution. "On, on they send. On without end. Their joyful tone. To every home."

Caspar finished it with a final chorus. "On, on they send. On without end. Their joyful tone. To every home. Ding dong, ding… Dong!"

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Jackson had to cover his ears when Norman screamed with pride and joy at his wife and kids on the stage. "Really? In my ear?!"

The father pig laughed. "Sorry, Mr. Hunter, but those are my kids! And that's my wife! I'm so proud. I love seeing my wife so happy."

Katherine smiled back at him. "Ignore him. You should be proud, Mr. Suarez. Your children are too adorable."

Norman nodded. "Thank you. The theater has become like a second home to them and I'm glad. Mr. Moon was almost like an uncle or a big brother to them."

She listened. While Johnny had been dealing with her husband, she heard the story from Clay and his wife. "It sounds like he was very loved."

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After Rosita and Gunter got the children off the stage, Nooshy and Porsha were ready.

Nooshy groaned at her outfit. "Porsha, are you sure about this? I feel like a fool."

"Come on, it'll be fun. And it's from my favorite Christmas movie so it counts!" Porsha declared as they went on stage.

The curtain rose on the wolf and the lynx wearing matching blue gowns and large blue fans. The music began.

Together they began to sing. "Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters." Nooshy followed Porsha's lead since she was more familiar with the routine.

"Never had to have a chaperone, no sir," Nooshy sang.

Porsha followed with "I'm here to keep my eye on her." It was a very simple routine, easy to pick up in a quick pinch.

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Marcus laughed heartily at his daughters. They twirled around the stage, fanning themselves. He heard Suki beside him. "They've really gotten close. This is what Porsha needs. A sister." She leaned against him and he held her close.

"She's going to be alright, Suki. She's healing and finding out who she really is," he reassured her. "And she has us to help her. Us and Nooshy."

"Lord, help the mister who comes between me and my sister. And Lord, help the sister who comes between me and my man!" The girls finished their number and bowed while the crowd cheered.

They hurried off stage with the falling of the curtain. Marcus and Suki hugged both girls. "That was great you two."

Nooshy nodded. "Thanks, excuse me, I need to change." She ran off to the dressing rooms. "Good luck, Ash." She wished the porcupine when they passed by each other.

Ash held her guitar and went out on stage, the curtain rising again. She played the first chords and began belting out Jingle Bell Rock.

Lance watched Ash from the wings, holding his kids by the hand. He wanted to take the next step. He just wasn't sure if it was the right time. With a custody battle looming, his kids needed him to focus on them.

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Meena wore a red and gold ball gown adorned with green holly leaves with the little red berries. She admired Alphonso in his shimmering green tailcoat. "It's almost our turn."

"I'm ready, Your Majesty," he kissed her. Since singing with her in the big show, his anxiety wasn't as bad. As long as he was with her, he could do it.

Ash accepted her well-earned adulations and exited the stage so they could take their places.

"Do you hear what I hear?" Meena sang the question. "Said the night wind to the little lamb, "Do you see what I see?" Way up in the sky, little lamb. Do you see what I see? A star, a star dancing in the night. With a tale as big as a kite. With a tale as big as a kite."

Alphonso answered her. "Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy. Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy. Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea. With a voice as big as the sea."

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Katherine tilted her head back. "Your daughter has a beautiful voice, Mrs. Calloway."

Sitara smiled. "I know. She's always loved to sing. She belongs up there."

"You got that right! My grandbaby has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard," Mr. Gupta agreed.

Jackson sighed. "Yes but aren't you concerned about her limited earning potential?"

"What? You mean like a pro football player's?" He challenged the tiger. "She has just as much of a chance to earn a solid living as a singer as any pro sports player. Possibly more since there's less chance of injury. Why don't you open up your mind just a little bit. I think it could use some fresh air."

Katherine giggled. Jackson was trying, thanks to whatever Johnny said. She was surprised that the gorilla had been able to bring him back. It helped confirm her suspicions. At least her son had chosen someone respectable.

"And now, it's time for our last act tonight," Eddie said from the microphone. "Clay Calloway!" The crowd stood and clapped as the lion stepped into the spotlight.

Sitara cheered loudly and he waved up at her before he began singing. "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."

"Now, I'm sorry but I have to ask… I thought he was already married." Katherine asked curiously.

"His previous wife, Ruby, passed away well, 16 years ago at this point. My husband died right after Meena was born so I understood the pain he felt. So we started talking and became friends and you know how it goes," she explained. "He's so sweet once you get to know him. He's really taken on a fatherly role with the troupe. Or grandfatherly. And we just decided we loved each other and we were tired of being alone. My daughter got married and it was just me and her grandparents."

Katherine nodded. "And my son is truly happy? He's cared for?" She asked. "I know the world can be most unkind."

"He is," Sitara assured her. "He makes a decent wage and Johnny can provide for him anyway. The New Moon Theatre is a safe haven for them. And we're all just a big family. We'll always take care of them. For as long as we can. And that includes Ryan. He is a part of this family now."

The tigress smiled. "Thank you for allowing my husband another chance."

"That was Johnny," Sitara assured her. "Believe me, my father wanted to drop kick him out of here."

"Please don't judge him too harshly. He's very old school and rather struggles with this shift into the future. He wanted to play football but he injured him in college," she explained softly. "It doesn't make it right but… he does love Ryan. And he's missed him so much. He regretted kicking him out only days later but by then Kickenklober had taken our son away and Ryan was 18. And we had no idea where to even start looking. And he was too proud to call."

Sitara smiled. "What will you both do now? I think we're leaving Monday. Alphonso wants to go to church while he's here."

Katherine thought about it. "I'm going to try and convince my husband that we should consider a move. He's retired now."

"Start with phone calls first," Mr. Gupta advised. "You don't want to rush things."

Lakshmi gestured. "Shush and pay attention!"

"Sorry Mom," Sitara said sheepishly.

The cast was coming back out with Rosita pulling Eddie along. Singing along with Clay. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas Card I write. May your days be merry and bright." The children got in front of them. "And may all your Christmases be white."

AN: So we've had Christmas. Yeah, I can see Ryan and Johnny just honeymooning at home since they've been in Redshore for a month longer than they intended.

Upcoming: New Years Eve is approaching in Calatonia and the Noodlemans are back.