Reaching us and teaching us and making us into one.

Now I’m going to spend Christmas

With you

And all my next Christmases,

Too.

Because the snow fell.

Micah relaxed back on the sofa in his friend’s house and waited for Steve’s response. It was late. Steve’s wife and kid were in bed, and it was just the two of them in the quiet.

His friend picked up his beer and took a sip. “It’s good.”

“Yeah?”

“You know it’s a hit. Does Claiborne know?”

Claiborne was Micah’s agent and the one who would negotiate any sale of the song.

“No. I told him I needed time to think and that I would see him when I go to LA for the Christmas special. He’s been respecting my space.”

“You should give him a heads-up about the song. He’s going to want you to record it right away. They can get the single out in time to get a few sales before Christmas.” Steve waved his beer. “You should sing it at the special. The network would do a backflip.”

Micah strummed a few chords. “I’m not sure about singing it at the special,” he said. That felt too public, somehow. “I was thinking of going old school.”

“Acoustic?” Steve shook his head. “You need an orchestra, man. That’s the way to debut the song. Then go into the studio and cut the acoustic version. Release the live and the studio recordings. The fans will go wild.”

Micah couldn’t write a score for an orchestra, but he had a friend who could. Someone he trusted.

“Electra’s expecting me to sing ‘Moonlight for Christmas.’ She’s counting on the royalties.”

“Dude, the song is what, fifteen years old? The people want something new.” Steve tapped the sheet music on the kitchen table. “Forget Electra.”

“I don’t care about her. I just feel responsible for her.”

“I know you do. You always have. But you don’t owe her anything.”

Micah knew that was true. Maybe he could offer to release a new version next year. A duet or something, so he could sing “Because the Snow Fell” this year.

“If I go the orchestra route, I’ll need to let Claiborne know. They’ll have to be hired. That’s not cheap.”

Steve chuckled. “You know you’re Micah Ruiz, right? If you needed the moon for your performance, the network would get it.”

“The moon’s kind of big,” Micah joked. “Where would we put it?”

“Play the song again.”

Micah did as his friend requested. After struggling for so long, he felt good knowing he’d finally found the words and melody. He let the song sink in and become a part of him.

When he’d finished, Steve toasted him with his beer.