Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda Series or its characters. I also do not own "Beauty and the Beast", "Les Miserables", or any other musical or piece of music mentioned in this story. This story is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Hello, everyone! Thank you again for your continued support! As always, please leave a review! I'd love to hear what you think! Enjoy chapter 36! ~Opal

Chapter 36: Caroling

The next morning I got up early and rode Epona to Castle Town. Today I am going to buy Sally's engagement ring. Last night before I went to sleep I thought about the different types of rings I have looked at in preparation, and I've finally decided on the right one. I'm ready. After I get the ring, I'm going to work on how I'm going to ask her. I hitched Epona up at the stables and walked towards the jewelry store. I opened the door and walked inside. "Hello!" The storekeeper shouted from his desk.

"Hello." I responded from the door.

The storekeeper looked up from working on a crystal bracelet. He took off his magnifying glasses. "Oh, Link!" He stood up from his desk as I approached him. We shook hands. "Have you decided which ring you would like to get?"

"Yes." I replied. He and I grinned at each other.

"I am excited for you, Link." He opened a glass door behind the counter and pulled out a beautiful satin-lined tray that had the rings, each on their own little matching satin pillow. "Asking the woman you love to spend the rest of her life with you is a joyous and very important occasion."

"Joyous, indeed! I am very excited." I replied.

"I have down in my records from the last time we met that since you're going for the more expensive option, we'll be incorporating the engagement ring with her wedding band?"

"Correct." I said, taking a gander at each one again. I pointed at the silver set that had a large single diamond as the engagement ring and two smaller silver rings attached by strings, each with diamonds studding the entire circumference. The way the set was arranged, one of the diamond studded rings would go above the engagement ring and the other below; that is, after they get soldered onto the engagement ring.

"Alright." He took one of his quill pens and started writing in his store records. He placed the quill pen down when he was finished writing the transaction. "That will be 9,800 rupees." I counted out the rupees I had with me and gave him exactly that. He counted it once more and then nodded. "I'll package this up for you." He grabbed a green box lined with red satin and put one of the matching satin pillows inside. He then placed the set of rings on the pillow and gently closed the box, and he next grabbed some red ribbon and tied the small box shut. He handed it to me with both hands. I took it thankfully and gently tucked it away into my pocket. "Best of luck to the both of you." He said genuinely.

"Thank you very much, sir." We bid each other adieu and I left the store, feeling accomplished with the purchase of the precious cargo in my pocket. As soon as I stepped outside, a young newsboy approached me, asking why I had been in the jewelry store. "I decline to answer." I spoke dryly.

"Is it perhaps...a token of your love for Miss Sally, Sir Link?" He seemed to freeze in place, awaiting my answer.

My cheeks burned bright red. "That is none of your business."

"So it is!" He laughed with pride.

"Please. Do not disclose it to the paper yet." He looked at me. "If you must know, I will be asking for her hand on Christmas day." He smiled big at this. "However," I continued. "I want to keep it a secret until I ask her."

He bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I understand. Not a word of this will be mentioned."

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Thank you." I let go and he smirked as I turned to leave, but I turned once more to him. "Take care."

"You as well, Sir Link." He walked away and I went to the horse stables to unhitch Epona and headed back to Ordon Village.

On my way there, I kept on thinking about how I was going to ask Sally. It has to be done right, I can't mess up...what do I do...? I looked up at the gray sky and then at the snow surrounding me in Hyrule field. I began to play the scene out in my head:

I could ask Curtis if I could sneak into the house dressed as Santa and try to wake her up in the morning...yeah! I can take some soot from the fireplace and cover myself with it to make it seem more convincing! And then when I try to wake her up...she's totally going to think there's a stalker in her house!

I slapped myself in the face. "That isn't romantic in the slightest!" I mumbled. "Okay, Link...a different idea." I tried to play another scene out in my head:

I could just scrap the whole Santa idea and sneak into her house early in the morning and surprise her by gently waking her up and telling her that there are gifts under the tree. I could get her all excited and open gifts with her and her dad, and then the last gift would be to her from me, and then I'll propose! That sounds great! Wait...do I really want to do it immediately in the morning? I don't want to come off as self-centered. Christmas is about everyone, not just me and my desire to propose to her! I can't do that!

I need to figure out a plan that is more sweet and gentle...but what? I grunted loudly with dissatisfaction. "Relax, Link...you'll come up with the right idea eventually..." I said to myself. I decided to give up for now and revisit it later. I was coming into Ordon woods at this point, anyway.

I arrived at my house a couple of minutes later. It was around a half hour before noon, but Colin was already there! Crap! I have to hide the ring! I got off Epona and froze in my tracks when he saw me. "Link! Hey!" He shouted, a big smile on his face. He started running towards me. I waved to him as he ran up to me and I looked around...at least Talo isn't here yet...

"Hi Colin." I smiled at him. "You're early."

"I hope you don't mind." He stopped in front of me and put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. I shook my head. "Good!" He held up a fist. He uncurled his fist and looked at me with curiosity. "Did you take care of the important thing you needed to do this morning?"

"Y-yeah." I stuttered, my face flushed at the thought. "I just need to uh...take care of...putting some stuff away..."

He noticed my bashfulness, but didn't acknowledge it. "Can I help you put stuff away?"

I placed my hand over the pocket with the box in it, hoping he hadn't noticed it. I stammered. "Uh, um...no...I-I'm okay."

"Did you hurt yourself?" He looked at my hand that was placed over the box in my pocket. "Are you alright?"

I removed my hand from the box in my pocket and waved both hands in front of me, smiling with embarrassment. "No, I'm not hurt."

"What is that sticking out in your tunic?" He asked with peculiarity. I had hoped that he wasn't talking about it and asked what he was talking about. He pointed to the box in my pocket to confirm what I had feared.

"Oh," I said nervously. "Uh...it's...um...it's nothing, really...just a...um..."

He looked confused. "What's the matter?"

I sighed and turned to Epona. "Stay here, girl." She obeyed and I turned to Colin once more. "I'm obviously failing at hiding it from you." I pointed to my front door. "Let's talk inside."

This only raised his suspicion more. "What?" He softly said as I walked over to my house and climbed up the ladder.

He stood at the bottom of the ladder while I stood at the top. "If you want to know, come inside." I said matter-of-factly. He climbed up the ladder and I opened my front door with my keys. We both walked inside and I shut the door, looking around to make sure there was no one spying, and then took the box out of my pocket and showed it to him. "It's a Christmas gift."

"Oh." He said, lowering his head. "I'm sorry...I was just curious..."

"Don't be sorry...it's not a big deal...as long as who it's meant for doesn't know about it." I blushed.

He looked up at me and seemed to understand the gravity of what I just said. "...Sally...?" I nodded. I placed the box in his hand and he looked sweetly at it, turning it to look at its details. He looked at me again. "I promise not to ruin the surprise." I heaved a sigh of relief and he looked at me with wonder. "What is it, if you don't mind me asking?"

I held out my hand and he handed it back to me. I untied the ribbon and opened it, showing him the brilliant diamond wedding set. His mouth was open in awe. I looked at him. "I'm going to propose to her."

"Really?!" He asked with amazement.

"Yes." I replied. "I want her to open it on Christmas day. When she's busy looking at it I'm going to get down on one knee and ask her if she'll marry me."

"That's so awesome!" He exclaimed, clenching his fists and squinting his eyes with joy. I put the box down and he hugged me. "I'm excited for you both! I can't believe it's really happening!"

"It is!" I grinned as he stopped hugging me. "I have never been this happy in my entire life...it's all thanks to her coming into it."

"You two are perfect for each other." He smiled with his lips. "I can't wait to see her reaction! It's going to be an extra special day for us all!"

"Thank you. It will be." I said to him, thankful for his words, for now I had an idea for how I was going to ask her. I closed the box with the rings in it and tied the ribbon the way it was before. He watched me as I put the box in one of my dresser drawers.

With that there was a knock at the door. "Link! Colin! You guys in there?" Talo shouted from outside.

"Yes, we are." I spoke up. "We'll be out in a second." I could hear Talo climb back down the ladder. I turned to Colin and placed my finger to my lips. "Shhhh." I laughed as he held out his pinky for a pinky promise. We interlaced our pinkies and shook up and down in oath.

We walked outside and embraced the afternoon chill. He and I descended the ladder and faced Talo. "Sorry to keep you waiting." Colin smiled. "I was just helping Link take care of something."

"No prob." Talo grabbed his wooden sword from where it was tied behind his back. We all walked out to the center of the meadow. "Spar with me, Colin!" His expression turned into a cocky smile.

"Bring it on!" Colin took his wooden sword from behind his back and they crossed swords, creating an X between the two of them.

They looked to me to start. I chuckled exuberantly, "And start!"

They both started to jog backwards with their swords until there was a good 20 feet between the two of them. "Hyah!" They both screamed as they dashed towards each other with their wooden swords in hand. Thwack! The two poles popped when colliding with each other. Talo jumped back a couple of feet and dashed around Colin in a semicircle, trying to hit his shoulder on the other side using a "blind-spot" method. Colin was too smart for this, though, and he grinned as he angled his sword over his shoulder to buffer the blow from Talo.

"Nice one, Colin!" I shouted. "Good try, Talo! Try something less predictable! Let's go back to the beginning stance, boys!"

Colin nodded and Talo smirked. "M'kay!" The two faced each other again and crossed swords, once again making an X with their wooden blades.

They looked at me again to start the duel. "GO!" I yelled.

"Ahhhh!" They hollered while hustling forward to the other. Suddenly, fast as a bullet, Talo crouched on his knees for leverage and managed to hurdle over Colin. Before Colin could realize Talo was behind him, Talo hit him swiftly on the back.

"OOF!" Colin grunted.

"End of duel!" I called out with a crack of the mouth, placing my hands on my hips. Both boys smiled at me as I looked at Talo. "Good strategy, Talo!"

He swiped his nose with his finger in pride. "Thanks!"

"Good job, Colin." I patted him on the head.

"Thanks, Link." He beamed.

"That was AMAZING, Talo!" Beth shouted from a distance, running up to the three of us. Amy was lagging behind.

Talo reddened intensely. "You-you really think so, B-Beth?"

She caught up to us and faced him. "Yes! Your strategy was perfect!"

He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess it was pretty cool!"

"Why are they playing with swords?" Amy cried with concern, looking at me.

"They aren't." I crouched down in front of her to meet her at eye-level. "I am teaching them real sword fighting skills." She cocked her head to the side in perplexity as I talked to her. "They're old enough now that I've decided to show them what I know."

"Oh." She replied plainly, losing interest quickly. She tugged on Beth's jacket. "Let's go to Sally's house! Let's see if she wants to rehearse our music!"

"Hold on a second, Amy." Beth placed her hand on top of Amy's head. "We can't go by ourselves, remember?" She looked at me. "Could you take us, Link?"

Before I could answer Talo shouted at me. "Can I, Link? It'll be good practice for me to work on protecting them!"

I nodded. "Okay, but if there are any issues, call me on your communication orb."

"'Kay!" He said, waving his hands at Beth and Amy to lead the way to Eldinaire Village.

"Better yet," I stopped them. "Call me when you're at Sally's house. I'll pick you up when I'm finished training Colin."

"Gotcha!" Talo responded. He, Beth, and Amy walked off into the woods in the direction of Eldinaire Village.

When they were out of sight, I winked at Colin. "I think Talo likes Beth!"

He laughed. "I think so too!" He stood his wooden sword in the snow. "I mean, he was so insistent on practicing today, and then as soon as she showed up he was ready to get up and leave!"

"That's a crush for ya!" I smirked. "Wait until you fall in love! It gets worse from there!"

"You don't mean that!" He chortled.

"Of course not!" I pointed to my house. "As you've seen, it does eventually make you crazy enough to get her a ring, though!"

"Haha! I'll remember to check you into the Looney Bin Inn later!" We punched each other playfully.

"It really is a wonderful feeling." I said, looking up at the sky.

He looked up at the sky with me. "What do you see? I don't see anything but gray clouds."

"Oh, that's all I see, too." I answered. "I'm just daydreaming. I can't wait to ask her to marry me." There was a moment of silence. "You'll understand when you're older." I continued to stare at the sky, the clouds looking a dark shade of gray. "...Hmmm...I wonder if it's going to snow?"

"Maybe..." He put his wooden sword over my line of vision. "...So...are we gonna spar together?"

He lowered his sword and I faced him. "I'll go get my old wooden sword from inside."

"Yeah!" He jumped with elation. I went inside and grabbed my old wooden sword and soon he and I were facing each other, ready to duel.

Two hours later it was 3pm. I taught him the Ending Blow technique that I learned from the Hero's Shade. We both fell into the snow in exhaustion. "Good work today, Colin!" I panted.

"Thanks Link!" He raised a fist in the air. "Now I know one of the Hidden Skills! Booyah!" His voice trailed off to a whisper and he let his arm drop with a thud. We snickered together.

I sat up and looked at him still lying flat in the snow. "Your skills are really improving! You have a lot of potential!"

"Do you really think so?" He asked, dazzled at the thought. I slightly dipped my head in acquiesce. He took in a breath of surprise. "Cool!"

I stood up from the snow and held out my hand to pull him up. He grabbed my hand and I brought him up from the snow. "Should we go to Sally's house?"

"Sounds good to me!" He said.

We walked over to Eldinaire village and up towards Sally's house. I could hear her playing the piano inside, so the kids must have convinced her to practice, after all. I could faintly hear the kids singing "Jingle Bells." We waited for the song to finish and then knocked on the door.

"Got it!" Amy screeched. She opened the door to see us both. "Link and Colin are here!" She announced satisfactorily. She let us in and Sally turned to us from the piano bench and smiled. I walked over to Sally and lightly kissed her on the lips. "EWW!" Amy screamed. We all laughed.

"Practicing Christmas music?" I asked Sally as she continued to sit on the piano bench.

"Yes." Her eyes gleamed. "We were just going to look at 'Spirit of the Season.'" She held up the sheet music. ("Spirit of the Season" is from the movie "The Polar Express.") "The kids are going to sing it with the church choir during the Christmas Eve church session."

"Oh, good." I beamed at them all. "Can Colin and I join?" Sally and everyone else nodded. I noticed Talo standing near the piano too. "You're singing too?"

"Yeah." He said directly.

I gave him a thumbs up. "I'm glad!" He gave me a thumbs up in return.

Colin and I looked at the sheet music for a moment and then told Sally that we were ready to rehearse. She started the intro and everyone in the room sang in harmony, Curtis joining in with the lower bass notes. We finished and Sally clapped. "Excellent, everyone! We sounded fantastic!" We all whooped and hollered.

We rehearsed for a couple more hours together and then had dinner at Sally's house. Afterwards I took the kids to their homes and we all turned in for the night. It was a fun day!

4 days later Sally and I headed to the House of the Arts to rehearse Christmas music with our Caroling group. She wanted to go early to rehearse other music too, so we arrived there around 11am. We greeted Mr. Cathbird and headed into the theatre. She and I rehearsed some of the classics, like "White Christmas" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful." She then worked on an instrumental piece and I stood at the side of the piano, fingering through the pages of sheet music she brought with her. She finished and looked at me. "Which one should we practice next?"

"Is there a piece where the soprano and tenor make out?" I winked at her.

"Link!" She reddened and giggled, banging a bunch of keys and making a horrible sound. She wore her hair down today, so some of her hair jerked forward.

I sat next to her on the bench and tucked some of her hair back behind her ear and leaned towards it. "Well?" I whispered and gently kissed her ear.

She laughed again. "Christmas music isn't about making out." She kissed me on the lips. "And we probably shouldn't make out here."

I hugged her tight. "I'll be quiet."

She looked me in the eyes. "Okay..." A goofy smile came on her face as I picked her up in my arms and took her up onto the stage. I laid her down and laid on top of her. We kissed passionately as I played with her hair, running it through my fingers. We both opened our mouths slightly while kissing, and I got a little carried away. I licked her lips with my tongue and she gasped, both of our faces glowing red. "Hmmm..." She hummed flirtatiously and tenderly bit my lip. My eyes widened in giddy astonishment. I responded by grabbing her by the side and pulling her towards me, rolling us both over and rubbing her back while we continued to kiss. I longingly bit her lip too and squeezed her tight. The heat I felt on that stage while kissing her was like nothing I've ever felt before. I wanted to do so much more with her than what we were doing, but I knew that would be inappropriate. We continued for a couple of minutes, rolling around and chuckling. We were both breathing heavily when she spoke up. "I love you so much, but we should probably stop." She smiled.

"Yeah." I sighed, getting up off of her and standing up. "Can I carry you back to the piano?" I held out my hand to pick her up.

"Absolutely." She took my hand and I helped her stand up and lifted her once again into my arms. I walked her over to the piano bench and sat her down and sat next to her. "I feel kind of naughty!" She put her head on my shoulder.

"I guess Santa's going to bring you coal this year, then!" I teased her.

She picked up her head and looked at me with her mouth wide open. She closed her mouth and her lips curled into a smile. "You're the one who wanted to make out in the first place!" She poked me on the cheek.

"You didn't object, now did you?" We both laughed, and then I caressed her cheek. Her eyes closed and she gently pressed her face against my hand. "I love you, and I'll make out with you anytime!" I pressed my nose against hers.

"I love you too, and I'd be more than happy to make out with you anytime too!" She tittered and pulled away from my face. "It was a lot of fun...maybe a little too much fun." She winked and we kissed.

I got up and thumbed through her sheet music again. "What should we look at next?" I looked at her.

"I'd like to look at some music from the 'Wicked' Musical."

"Alrighty." I grabbed the book of sheet music with "Wicked" written on it. I handed it to her and she kissed me on the cheek in thanks.

"Thank you." She took it and started to turn the pages to look for the song she wanted.

"Who are you going to audition for this time?" I asked her, looking at the sheet music with her as she went through it.

"Elphaba." She said with fervor.

"Tell me about Elphaba." I asked, my interest growing with her enthusiasm.

"She's the witch in the story." She replied. I looked at her with puzzlement. She grinned. "I know that sounds crazy, but she isn't really evil. She's misunderstood." She stopped at one song titled "As Long As You're Mine," and spoke again. "I really like the story, so I'd love to play her character."

"It sounds intriguing." I said, looking at the song she had opened to. I smiled playfully at her. "A love song?"

"Want to sing it with me?" She batted her eyelashes.

I took her hand and kissed it. "Sure." We both looked through it before starting, and then she began to play the intro. In this song, the character Elphaba and another character named Fiyero confess their feelings to each other. After Sally sang Elphaba's part in the beginning, I sang Fiyero's part, and when I sang the part where he admits to changing his feelings towards her, I playfully poked her nose with my index finger.

We finished singing the song and hugged. "STOP THE PRESSES!" A woman shouted. "I have found my Elphaba and Fiyero!" We both stopped hugging and looked up in shock.

"Pretty sure we're supposed to make that decision together?" Mr. Cathbird spoke to the woman. "That's why I'm having you join me during the auditions in two days..."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, these two have the parts!" She laughed heartily. She was a short woman with a very bombastic personality. She had straight black hair and rounded glasses. "So, Cathbird...do you agree with my decision or not?"

"Uh...we really should hold the audi-" He started.

"I mean, your performances were stupendous!" She clasped her hands together and beamed at the two of us. "It's as if you two really are a couple!"

"They are." Mr. Cathbird rolled his eyes.

She blew him off again and scampered up to us. She got down on her knees. "Will you play the parts of Elphaba and Fiyero?"

I grabbed Sally's hand. "Sally would like to play Elphaba, so I think you should definitely pick her!"

She looked at me like I was stupid. "Did you not hear me say that I found Elphaba and Fiyero?" She stood up and came closer to us, particularly me. "I want you to play Fiyero!" She pointed her finger at me.

"I don't know if I should..." I laughed and smiled shyly.

"But the chemistry between the two of you is EXACTLY what we need for this production!" She cried in despair. "Really though, you two may want to date each other...you seem like a good fit!"

"Um...Miss..." I began to address her, but I didn't know what to call her.

"Petersen." She said flatly.

"Right...Miss Petersen...I am dating Sally." I grabbed Sally's hand and held it, rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb as I spoke to Miss Petersen.

"Oh." She blinked twice, realizing her ignorance from before. "Even better!"

"I just don't know if I'm the right fit for this, ma'am. I don't really have any acting experience." I shook my head.

"You know that if she gets the part of Elphaba and someone else gets the part of Fiyero that another man will be kissing and holding her, right? You're okay with that?" She said proudly, satisfied with her slyness. She raised a brow in curiosity.

"Oh...they kiss...?" I stammered.

"Yes, it's a lot of PDA, just saying..." She cackled.

"I know that Sally will be faithful to me. It's okay. It's just an act, anyway." I replied coolly. I really do trust her, it shouldn't be a big deal.

"Call me selfish, Link...but I want that to be you." She looked at me earnestly, and I met her gaze. "No one else." She looked at Miss Petersen, my eyes still fixed on her. "If he doesn't want to, I won't either, because I wouldn't want to have that moment with anyone else. On stage or real life." She squeezed my hand and put her head on my shoulder.

I kissed the top of her head. "Sally..." I whispered. She looked at me. I rubbed her shoulder. "I love you so much...I'm a lucky man to have such a wonderful woman by my side..." I put both of my hands on her shoulders and faced her. "I don't want you to give up your desire to play Elphaba, though. That's something that you want, and I want what you want...please don't quit for my sake..."

"I'm not kissing another man." She said, looking into my eyes and placing a hand on my chest. My heart fluttered as she spoke resolutely. "You're the man I love." She smiled sweetly at me.

I smiled back at her. "I may not have the experience, but I'm willing to learn." Her eyes widened. I looked at Miss Petersen. "I accept the part of Fiyero if it is still an offer."

"Really, Link?" Sally queried, a grin forming on her face.

"Absolutely." I put my hands on the small of her back and pulled her close to me, kissing her tenderly. Her eyes were glued to mine, searching for an answer to my forwardness in affection in front of Mr. Cathbird and Miss Petersen. I shut my eyes first and then she gave up, shutting her eyes and sighing quietly through her nose.

"Ahem!" Miss Petersen cleared her throat. We stopped as she huffed in a kidding manner. "Save it for the stage, 'Elphaba' and 'Fiyero'." She winked.

"B-but Miss Petersen!" Mr. Cathbird protested.

She held up her hand. "You told me you wanted my opinion." She began to walk towards the entrance.

Sally was so excited I thought she was going to explode. She hugged me tight and tucked her head under my chin. "This is going to be great!" We came out of our embrace and she admired my face looking back at hers. "I will help you learn acting in any way that I can. I'm so glad you're joining me!"

"I'm glad to be joining you too." I said. "It will be a cool experience!" I flashed my teeth at her.

Miss Petersen stopped in her tracks momentarily. "The first rehearsal is on the 28th of December. Don't be late!"

"Okay!" Sally shouted to her.

"Gotcha!" I echoed.

"What a pompous bitch..." Mr. Cathbird uttered under his breath.

Miss Petersen held up her index finger and whirled around to look at Mr. Cathbird. "I heard that." She refuted. "And I'll have you know that this 'bitch' is going to put on a damn good production!" She walked out and slammed the door.

Sally and I stared in bafflement at the door that Miss Petersen had just slammed. "I guess she was mad." Sally muttered.

"She's my ex-wife." Mr. Cathbird grunted. "You can see why our marriage didn't last."

"Apparently..." I said quietly.

"Mr. Cathbird...if you want Link and I to still audition in two days, I totally underst-" Sally said to him.

He interrupted her. "No. Her word is final." He exhaled. "We may not get along, but I highly value her opinion. She used to direct shows in London, after all."

"She did?" Sally said with curiosity.

"Yes." He returned, finally turning around and looking at Sally and me. "And so you two are to be Elphaba and Fiyero." He looked at the clock on the wall. "It's almost time for caroling rehearsal. Enjoy, you two." He started to walk towards the doors, presumably to his office near the lobby. "See you on the 28th." He walked out.

Sally faced me and laughed happily. "I'm looking forward to doing 'Wicked' with you." I nodded at her and smiled. "We have a bit of a wait for that, though." She looked at the clock. "Yep. Cathbird was right. It's almost time." She looked back at me. "Are you ready for caroling?"

"Yeah." I held up both of my hands and she slapped them with her own, stopping to lace her fingers between mine and holding our arms up in the air momentarily. We unlaced our hands upon hearing the door to the theatre open again.

Tilanya, Martha, and a couple of other men and women walked in, equaling 7 others total. Okay, so with Sally and I, that makes 9 of us. The door shut and then immediately opened again to reveal Colin and Rusl. Tilanya ran up to Sally and me. "Group hug!" She yelled, her voice echoing throughout the theatre along with her pounding footsteps. The force of her bear hug nearly knocked Sally and I over. The three of us chuckled. She took a moment to look us both square in the eyes. "Ready for today?" She asked. We both nodded.

Rusl raised a hand while looking at me. "Hey, Link!" When he and Colin were close to us, he continued to speak. "Colin decided to join this group, too...so I'm going to watch you guys."

"That's fantastic, Colin!" Sally put her hand on Colin's shoulder.

"Awesome, Colin!" I patted him on the back.

"I heard you guys needed another alto." He grinned. "My voice hasn't completely dropped yet, so I thought I'd help out."

Rusl sat in one of the seats as we all got acquainted with each other. Martha was quiet...but looked like she needed to speak to someone. Another woman, whom I soon learned was the group leader, asked us all to take out the song "That's Christmas To Me." (This song is also by Pentatonix). Martha stood by Sally with her music in her hand. The group leader was about to signal for us to start and give us a visual countoff, for this was to be sung acapella, but then Martha spoke up. "Wait..." We all looked at her, and she met eyes only with Sally. "...I want to apologize to you for all of my wrongdoings towards you." Sally's eyes blinked twice in surprise. Martha put the sheet music in one hand and let it rest at her side. "When you spoke up to me and defended yourself when I was ridiculing you over Link's health and how it was affecting you, it made me think long and hard afterwards about how I treat others." She smiled bitter-sweetly. "To be honest, I'm jealous of you...you have this way of making people happy with your kindness and resilience. No matter how much I tried to beat you down," She shook her head. "You still held on to what you believed in." Sally smiled benevolently at her, and she did the same in return. "I am sorry for the way I have treated you...and the way I have treated your relationship with Sir Link." She looked at me for a second. "I truly believe that part of the reason she has blossomed with confidence is due to your compassion and affection for her." She looked at both of us. "I'm happy to see it, and now that I have found someone to love myself," She looked lovingly at a young man with red hair and grayish-blue eyes, who gave her a devoting gaze in return. "I have come to realize how important love and altruism really is." She held her hand out to Sally. "Can we be friends, not enemies?"

Sally beamed. "I'd like that!" They shook hands and smiled at each other. She stood at her side again and everyone clapped and smiled. The group leader gave us the countoff and we all sang "That's Christmas To Me" in harmony, our voices ringing throughout the large theatre.