[Gift] The sound of the holidays

Elise was helping out with cleaning. She hummed a quiet tune while she dusted the shelves, unaware of Ludwig entering the room with a mop and bucket. 

“You seem happy,” he put down the tools and wiped his forehead with the back of his paw.

She whirled around, skipped over to him and looked up at the ceiling with dreamy eyes. Her paws clutched the feather duster like it was a cherished love letter. “Oh, Ludwig! Winter is one of the most romantic times of the year.” Elise did a twirl, her bow waving gently with her. “There will be delicious food, decorations and presents!”

Ludwig turned up his nose. “And there is a lot of cleaning before and after it.” He made a sour face and grabbed the mop and dunked it into the bucket of soap. “It’s going to come and go.”

“But while it’s here, you can make wonderful memories. So many wonderful memories. Memories that will last a lifetime.” Elise sighed happily. “And just think of the music. Oh the music is going to be so wonderful and romantic.”

He rolled his eyes. “People will be late to parties and making a mess.” The moneybag bao started to scrub the wooden floor. “So much to do….”

She watched him clean for a few moments. Then she leaned in close to him which made Ludwig pause. “Let’s write a song together.”

“W-what?” He pulled away, cheeks turning red. “I-I have so much to do, and you want to write a song?”

“Pleeeeaase,” pleaded Elise. “It will get you in the holiday spirit, I promise!” She batted her eyes at him.

He stared at her. At first, he was going to say no, but Elise was too adorable. “Fine.” He sulked and put the mop down. Together, they walked towards the grand piano in the room. “Any ideas?”

“Something…dreamy, and hopeful.” Elise nodded eagerly. She sat next to him on the piano chair. 

Ludwig sighed again, stretched his paws and stared at the piano keys. It only took a few moments of thinking before he started to play. 

Once he did, the piano responded in all its grandeur. The notes were cheery and happy, like a deer skipping through the winter forest. The tune turned from quick to slow, and Ludwig incorporated the lower notes in. The song had become expressive, full of emotion and passion. Elise was envisioning two deers who met by chance, fell in love and were traversing the forest together. All the animals within the forest celebrated their love with joy. She started to sway with the slow romantic tunes. Ludwig, a master composure, played beautifully all the way until the last note.

As the song came to its end with one final note, Elise had slowly opened her eyes and sighed. “That was lovely.” She turned towards Ludwig, “And how do you feel?”

He looked like he was deep in thought. “I should probably make the crescendo longer…,” he was in his composing mind.

She giggled to herself as she watched him. Memories that last a lifetime, she thought.