Chapter 22

Christmas Eve

Final Night

By the time Sam had finished applying the last touches of makeup to Mike’s face, Mike was a mess.

“I’m gonna fuck it up,” he murmured. “I just know it.”

Sam paused and tilted Mike’s chin with his fingertips. “You know no such thing,” he said quietly. “You’ve got this.”

“What he said,” Ashley added. “You look fantastic, you’ve got all your moves down, and the song is perfect. You know every word.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “You’ll knock ’em dead.”

“And if I thought it would soothe your nerves, I’d kiss you, except I’d smudge this awesome lip job that I just spent five minutes getting perfect,” Sam said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Mike chuckled. “Ooh, that sounds dirty . Kiss me anyway. I can always reapply.” He paused. “I am the last act, aren’t I?”

Sam nodded. “No Mean Girls number tonight. The stage will belong to you.” He grinned. “Still not going to tell us what you’re doing?”

“You’ll see it when everyone else does.”

“But Ashley knows, apparently.” Sam pouted.

“That’s because I’m in charge of his music. Duh.” She rolled her eyes.

“I don’t even get boyfriend privileges?” Sam batted his lashes.

Mike laughed. “There is one thing you could do for me, all of you. When I get near the end of my song, I’d love it if you all joined me on stage.”

“As Cheap Trix’s backing singers? Sure, we can do that.” Sam stood. “Besides, you’re not the only surprise in the show. Ant is up to something too. He won’t let any of us in his room. And there’s no music cued up for him either. All these secrets…”

“It wouldn’t be Christmas without secrets.” Mike smiled. “He seems happy. Then again, so do Elliott and Jim.”

Sam bent low to whisper, “You just nailed it. It’s Christmas, and you know what that means.” He kissed Mike’s ear. “’Tis the season—to fall in love.”

“Apparently, seeing as I find myself in the same state.”

“Yeah?” Sam grinned. “Me too. What a coincidence.”

A soft sigh had both of them turning their heads.

Ashley gazed at them, wearing a gooey smile. “Oh, don’t mind me.”

Mike gave a mock glare. “Don’t you have something to do? Checking the spotlights or something?”

She chuckled. “I know when I’m not wanted.” She scooted out of the room.

“And now I have to go too.” Sam stood. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there to help you put the wig on. And the nerves will vanish once you’re under the lights, I promise.” He paused. “By the way, I had an idea what to make you for Christmas.”

“ Make me? Is it going to be a do-it-yourself Christmas? Because I need to tell you right now, I am not that creative. So what are you planning?” He narrowed his gaze. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope.” Sam’s eyes gleamed. “And now you know how I feel.”

With that, he walked out of the room, humming.

Mike had to smile.

I couldn’t have found a more perfect man.

Mike stood in the wings, his heart pounding. There was just Miss Dixx’s final number—whatever that was—and then it would be him. He peered through the curtains.

There seems to be even more people out there than last night. How is that even possible? Phil was playing during what was supposed to be a costume change.

Cherry joined him. “Have you seen Anthony?” she whispered. “Her costume’s still on the hanger, and no one’s seen her since her last number.”

Mike shook his head, then cocked his head as applause broke when Phil came to the end of his piece. “Maybe she’s already out there.”

“We’d know about it if she was,” Candy said as she joined them, Luscious behind her.

“Honored guests,” Phil began. “Please join me in welcoming… Michelle Fluffer!” The girls glanced at one another with wide eyes as the applause erupted.

Mike stared at Sam. “ Who did he say?” He peeked once more—and stilled.

What the hell?

He grinned. “Oh, you need to see this.” Mike pulled back the curtain as Phil helped Michelle to climb onto the piano, wearing a figure-hugging red halter-neck dress and matching stilettos. Sparkly earrings dangled, catching the light, as did the long blonde wig she wore. She reclined, moving as sinuously as a cat, the thigh-length split in the dress revealing long, toned legs encased in sheer stockings. She propped herself up on one elbow, holding her mic in the other.

Phil moved his fingers over the keys, and a familiar melody filled the air.

Mike shook his head. ““Makin’ Whoopee”. Perfect.”

“Wait a minute.” Candy gaped. “She’s not going to…”

“She freakin’ is ,” Cherry said with a gasp. “Oh my God.” The next moment, rich, full tones filled the air, every word clear as a bell. One look at the faces of the occupants of the front rows showed they were captivated by her, their mouths open.

Mike remembered the scene from the movie. He also recalled his dad commenting at the time that Michelle Pfeiffer was one beautiful woman.

Michelle Fluffer was a stunner.

Her voice filled the room. She focused her gaze on Phil as she crawled toward him, as though she was stalking him. Phil appeared equally mesmerized by her performance, and at one point he mistook his fingering, quickly getting himself back on track. As the song drew to a close, he stood and held out his hand to aid her descent as she climbed down from the piano. Then he played a few more bars and she sat beside him, repeating the final three lines before leaning back against him, her head on his shoulder.

She brought the house down.

Mike clapped until his hands stung and hollered until his throat was raw, his cries mingling with those from the audience. Candy, Cherry, Luscious, and Ashley stood with him, all of them grinning when Phil stood and Michelle put her arms around his neck, drawing him closer to kiss him on the lips. That only served to ramp up the cries from the crowd to fever pitch.

Then it hit him.

How the hell can I follow that?

When the applause died down, Michelle held the mic up to her full red lips. “Now for our last number, we’ve got something special for ya. Would you all put your hands together and give a huge P-town welcome to someone making her debut here tonight… Cheap Trix!”

Ashley positioned herself at the tablet and gave him the thumbs up.

Candy handed him a mic. “You’re going to be astounding.”

Lord, right then he’d settle for his lips being in sync with the lyrics.

Mike took a deep breath and sauntered out onto the middle of the stage. The spots focused on him, and the sudden explosion of applause took him by surprise. He raised his hand to wave at the audience, and noticed who filled the front row: Phil, Kris, Stephan, Gabe, Harry, and so many others that he’d met since his arrival in P-town, standing there with upturned faces. Mike managed a grin.

Then the music started, for which he was profoundly grateful. The crowd reacted instantly with a delighted roar when he gripped the mic and launched into “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. They began to clap along as he moved across the stage, and it wasn’t long before everyone joined in, singing their hearts out.

Candy, Cherry, Michelle, and Luscious all had mics, and they backed him, dancing in time to the music. When he got to the last chorus, Mike turned to face them, and as he uttered the final you , he pointed at Candy, who beamed at him.

The audience went wild, and Mike was officially done. He stood there while they called for more, his legs trembling, hands shaking. Then he held his hand up for quiet. When he could hear his own voice again, Mike cleared his throat.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for being here tonight, to watch me step into my uncle’s shoes.” He glanced down and chuckled. “Literally.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Mike swallowed, his throat tight. “None of what we’ve achieved here would be possible without some very special people. If I had to name you all, we’d be here until tomorrow morning, and as it’s Christmas Eve, I’m sure you all want to be home in your beds before Santa arrives.” That raised a few chuckles. “Like Cherry said on the first night, you know who you are, and we love you.” Mike paused. “But right now I have five awesome people to thank.” He turned to face the others. “Come on out here, all of you. And yes, Ashley, that means you too. You’re part of this family.”

The clapping started again as five figures walked onto the stage, and the loudest applause came from the front row. Patrick had joined them, whistling loudly.

They stood in a line behind him, and Mike moved aside for them to step forward and take a bow, to enthusiastic clapping and cheering.

“Aren’t they amazing?” he declared, smiling at the audience. He took another calming breath, then waited for quiet once more. “Little did I realize when I came to P-town that I was about to find a new home.” He paused. “And a new love. Because waiting for me was someone who’s come to be the most important person in my life.”

Candy’s breathing hitched, and Mike walked over to her. In a moment of sheer comic timing, all the others took a step back, leaving Candy to stand alone.

He gazed into her eyes, his mic clasped in both hands.

“In case I forgot to tell you today… I love you.”

Candy’s eyes glistened.

The call began at the front of the stage, growing louder as it came from all sides, until one word filled the air, repeated over and over again.

Kiss! Kiss!

Candy laughed. “You’re about to smudge my lipstick, aren’t you?”

“Oh yeah,” he said with a smile. “But it’s okay. I’ll help you clean it off later.” He grinned. “When we lose the audience.” And as the crowd laughed and clapped, he took Candy in his arms and kissed her. Candy threw her arm around his neck, and on impulse, he grabbed hold of her waist, slid his hand to the middle of her upper back, and dipped her, surrounded by whoops and hollers.

At last it was all over. He stood with his new family on the stage, everyone taking their final bows. Mike gazed out at the audience, and his heart stuttered.

By the door, a single figure stood, wearing a long trench coat. He gazed at Mike, his chin held high, shoulders back, and a gleam in his eyes as he gave a knowing smile. He clapped his hands, his chest thrust out. Then, to Mike’s utter shock, he turned and walked through the door.

The closed door.

Holy fuck.

“Are you okay?” Candy whispered. “Because you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

He smiled. “Don’t they say Christmas Eve is a good time for ghost stories?”

And this one had a happy ending.