A Muppet Family Gathering.

[Katzi428]

Awwww...it's GREAT Ed!I liked the presents I got for Christmas in the story.

 

[The Count]

Thanks guys... Yes, I know an update's due... Will try to get it as soon as I can.
Though to be honest... I'm in one of those funks again.
Not sure what I want, and when that happens I tend not to know where to stretch my stories after a certain point.

Will take some time off... If only I got something to... Heh, don't worry, I'll figure something out.
Like the master once said: Gotta start somewhere... So this looks like a good spot to start.
Just having troubles with the follow-through when it comes time to writing down everything I want that's gathered up in my mind.

No worries though... Happy times ahead with the next chapter. Peace and thanks for hanging in there guys.

 

[The Count]

Chapter 27.

The time came for the last two gifts still left underneath the tree. There was one last little ribbon-topped white box. The Count opened it up to find a batty miss 250, with a bright Christmas star pinned to her earpiece, adding to the cuteness factor. Of course, most onlookers were a smidge surprised that the box simply floated into the Count's hands as noone there could lay claim to having brought that particular present. "So who got him that one?" most everybody asked anyone next to them.

"Ah... A fine finish to my lovely cute counting collection" the Count mused.
Big Bird peered down at the box, reading off the name written on its outer label.
"Mr. Looper?" the oversized canary said, barely audible to those in his immediate vecinity.
"That's Hooper, Big Bird... Hooper" a voice from the shadows corrected, fading back into nothingness before anyone else could see who had spoken. This would have to remain an unsolved mystery, the others simply meandering off to play with their own figures.

"But vhat about your gift Ed?" the castle's master suddenly queried.
"Huh? Oh, you mean that big parcel there?"
"Mmmhm" chimed in Kermit, replying as Herry and Sweetums helped bring it over to the table for him to open.
After the bat-plastered wrapping paper had been opened, the oohs and aahs were heard echoing through the eerie walls of the master study. This box contained two large boxes inside... The first, was a replica of the 1-2-3 brownstone apartment, the second was a replica of Big Bird's nesting area. Additional pieces like the lamppost, Sesame Street sign, mailbox, bus stop sign, crates for Oscar's trashcan, and interior furniture for the apartment were included in smaller bags. This was truly a sight to behold... Ed was examining all the ins and outs of both sets, as several of the Street's residents marveled at the details gathered round the table.
"Hey, you want me to take some pics for your album?" asked Olivia.
"Yes, thanks... But first... Let me set up..."
Ed went over to his friend's collection, asking for some help in selecting the figures he needed. The Muppet Backstage was placed next to these two sets, and various alphabet cast photos were then snapped. They had fun interchanging the arrangements, though Kermit was almost always in all of them either behind his desk or just standing or seated on the brownstone apartment's stoop.


Time passed, everybody satisfied with themselves, gathered in familial splendor here at the Count's castle.
"Hey Ed..." Kermit uttered, approaching one of his two generous hosts.
"Yes Kermit?"
"Thanks for everything."
"No worries Kermit. It's been my pleasure."
"Oh good... Listen, we wanted to get you something from each of us, but the lady at the store said she knew your likes... She said they'd get to your shop by the beginning of the coming year... For some reason, she thought that'd be best."
"Mmm, yes... Don't worry, we know each other well. And trust me, it's for the best. But I'll show them to you guys, if I can when I get back home and they end up at my doorstep."
"OK... Oh, and the gang wanted to know..."
"When to start the caroll sing?"
"In a word... Yes."
"Then by all means... Go fright ahead."
"Thanks Ed" the master of Muppet ceremonies replied, giving him a froggy hug.

Kermit took his place on the couch, next to Piggy, Maureen, and his nephew Robin who were awaiting his return. The Count simply sat back down in his comfy armchair, the music tinkling in the air, filling the chambers with warmth in every direction.
"Hit it Rowlf" their froggy leader instructed, before they all broke into merry song.

Rowlf: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Kermit: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Miss Piggy: May the calendar keep bringing.
Maureen: Happy holidays to you.

Big Bird: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Mokey and Red: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Gobo and Wembley: May the merry bells keep ringing.
Boober: May your every wish come true.

Scooter: Ding dong merrily on high, in heaven the bells are ringing!
Ding dong verily the skies are rift with angels singing!
Skeeter and Sadie: Gloooriaaaa~ hossana in exchelious!

The Christmas Toys felt something tugging at their inner workings... A feeling that they were connected to this gaggle of colorful characters, even the humans, and they had nothing to fear from integrating themselves into their choir.
Apple: What's that?
Mew: It's pretty!
Balthazar: Let's go find out...
Rugby: Last one there is a Ditz!
Toys: Rugby!!

Count: I saw three ships come sailing in.
Sesame Street: On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
Count: I saw three ships come sailing in.
On Christmas Day in the morning!
Countess Dahling von Dahling: And what was in those ships all three.
Sesame Street: On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
The Count and Countess: And what was in those ships all three.
Sesame Street: On Christmas Day in the morning!

Gonzo, with Camilla clucking in time: Good King Wenceslaus looked out, on the Feast of Stephen.
when the snow laid round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, o' the frost was cruel.
Ghosts of Christmas: when a poor man came inside, gathering winter fuuuuuel!

Janice: The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown.
Floyd: of all the trees that are in the wood.
Floyd and Janice, harmonizing: the holly bears the crown.
Trash Heap: O' the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer.
Minstrels: The playing of the merry horn...
Doc: Is too singing in the choir.

Alice Otter: When the mountain touches the valley.
All the clouds are taught to fly.
As our souls will leave this land most peacefully.
Emmett Otter: Though our minds be filled with questions.
In our hearts we'll understand.
Alice and Emmett: When the river meets the sea.

FozzieBear : I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Emily Bear: You'll have snow... And mistletoe...
And presents on the tree.

Sesame Street Grownups: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Sesame Street Grownups: Happy Holidays.
Everybody: Happy Holidays!
Uncle Deadly: May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you.

Ernie: Here we are, as in olden days, happy golden days of yore! Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us, once more.
"Bert?" nudged the Street's irrepressible joker, leading his ol' buddy to follow the song.
Bert: Have yourself a merry little christmas.
Let your heart be light.
Bert and Ernie: From now on our troubles will be out of sight.
Big Bird: Through the years, we'll always be together.
Snuffy: If the fates allow.
Little Bird: Hang a shining star upon the highest bough!
Big and Little Bird and Snuffy: And have yourself a merry little christmas now.

Johnny Fiama: Chestnuts roastin' on an open fiah.
Rizzo, chewing on a few roasted nuts.
Sal Manilla: Jack Frost nippin' at yer nosebud.
Johnny Fiama: Everybodah knows... Just how to rub yer nose...
Just like those crazy Eskaaaamohs.

Big Blue House: Caroling, caroling now we go, Christmas bells are ringing.
Caroling, caroling through the snow, Christmas bells are ringing.
Snowman: Joyous voices sweet and clear.
Penguins: Sing the sad of heart to cheer.
Penguins and Snowman: Ding dong, ding dong, Christmas bells are ringing!
Big Blue House: Ding dong, ding dong, Christmas bells are ringing!

Faffner Hall: Caroling, caroling near and far.
Following, following yonder star.
Bunsen: Mark thee well the song we sing.
Phil van Neuter and Mulch: Gladsome tidings now we bring.
Beaker: Mee, mee, mee, mee.
Faffner Hall: Christmas bells are ringing!

Waldorf: I heard the bells on christmas day.
Their old familiar carol play.
Statler: and wild and sweet... The words repeat...
Statler and Waldorf: Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Pepe and Rosita: Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad, prospero año, y felicidad!
Rosita: A-ha!
Pepe: I wanna wish ju a merry Krismus.
I wanna wish ju a merry Krismus.
Rosita: Si, I want to wish you a merry Crismas.
Rosita and Pepe: From the bottom of owehr hearts!

Robin: It's in every one of us.
Robin and Grover: To be wise...
Rowlf and Wanda the Cat: Find your heart...
Cookie Monster: Open up both your eyes.
Fraggle Five with Gillis directing: We can all know everything, without ever knowing why, it's in every one of us.
Electric Mayhem, softly yet raising their voices gradually in harmony: By and by...
Robin: It's in every one of us...
Robin, Grover and Kermit: By and by...

Kermit: Old friends, new friends.
Felicia, looking at Rowlf and Wanda at the piano: Home with the family.
Auntie Eleanor, holding Uncle Deadly's clawed hand: We'll be together at Christmas time.
Apple: Snowflakes, sleighbells.
Rugby and Mew: Bringing back memories.
Meteora: We'll be together at Christmas time!
Don Music: Something's changed with passing years.
Kermit and Piggy: Let this feeling stay.
At that moment, different couples embraced or held hands, exchanging glances...
Gonzo had Camilla nestled up next to his chest, Scooter and Sara were in a tight embrace, Skeeter and Clifford danced a little, the two ghouls had their claws clasped together, Snuffy had his snuffle on Big Bird's shoulder in a show of friendship, Bob and Linda signed along the words in full sync with each other, Lou gave Wembley a quick peck on the cheek as they were busily passing around their Fraggle pebbles, Ma and Pa Gorg held hands from their posts at the far corners...
Everyone: Old friends, new friends...
Hoping we'll always be...
Here with each other together on Christmas Day!!!

 

[redBoobergurl]

Wow! That was great and well worth the wait. In fact, you almost brought a tear to my eye when Kermit was singing Old Friends, New Friends and Felicia looked at Rowlf and Wanda and all the other new characters were there and all the couples were snuggling up together. Gosh, it just warms my heart! And Mr. Hooper...chills... I don't know if there's more to come or not, because you didn't say "the end" yet, but you've done an amazing job up to this point! Christmas in July. I love it!

 

[BEAR]

That was a beautiful chapter all the way through. Great Big Bird/Hooper moment. I got goosebumps. I hope this isn't the very end. Hope we get a bit more or atleast a little tag at the end. Either way, I have enjoyed it.

 

[The Count]

Oh trust me... There's more to come.
Let's see... What can I divulge...
One classic Sesame Street holiday song that brings a tear to my own eyes.
An ending that might seem familiar, though a bit changed around.
And I want to get this to New Year's Day, if you remember I hinted at the countdown near the first third of the story, and to get to one of my own family's traditions.

More when I think of how to put it together though.

 

[BEAR]

Its great that you've included some familiar Sesame Street humans that we don't see much anymore but are still easily part of our lives, such as Linda and Olivia. What about folks like Savion and Ruthie? Savion could do a little tap accompaniment. Haha! Still love it and I am excited that there's more!!

 

[redBoobergurl]

Yea! There's more! I'm excited to read the rest of it now, especially to see the classic Sesame Street song, New Years and how you re-worked the familiar ending.

 

[ReneeLouvier]

Man, Ed...you got me crying over here! That was so wonderfully sweet!! *dabs eyes* I love it so much, I can't wait for more!

 

[theprawncracker]

Wow!!! ED!!! THAT WAS AMAZING!! I loved it, loved it, loved it!!