Chris got close to the screen, bending at the waist at an odd angle, as he peered at the video I had just put in the player.
After having just a moment ago teased me for still having a VHS player.
“Mom sends me home videos like this one. How else can I play them?”
Chris got even closer to the screen.
I shook my head affectionately. “Need your glasses, Christopher?”
“No. I just can’t believe this is you. Wow.”
But it was, of course. Well, thirteen year old me. I did go to Catholic school after all. And I was standing on a choir stage, wearing a choir robe, red for Christmas, singing in a Christmas pageant. The song was in Latin, In Dulci Jubilo.
“I didn’t know you knew Latin.”
I snorted. “I don’t. I learned the song. I don’t speak it.”
“Look at those pink cheeks!”
“Christopher.”
Chris laughed. “I can’t help it. You were so damn cute. Oh. My. God.”
“Do you want a glass of this eggnog or what?”
He straightened, but instead of walking away from the TV screen, he dropped down to his haunches in front of it. “You sound good.”
“You can’t possibly pick out my voice out of all of us.”
Chris laughed again. “No. I meant all of you together. I don’t think you’ll beat the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or anything, but you’re good. Really good.”
“Eggnog?”
“Uh-huh.”
I went over to the table where I’d left the carton of eggnog and poured some in two frosted holiday glasses. I picked up the brandy bottle.
“Brandy?”
“Of course.” He rose, finally turned away from the TV. The beat up T-shirt he wore rose up to expose some of his belly. Chris absently scratched at it. “Let’s hear it.”
I arched a brow, giving my Spock character a run for his money. “Hear what?”
“In Dulci Jubilo? Do you remember it?”
“Sure, I remember it. But I was a kid with my voice having not changed yet. Now I’d sound like a frog trying to croak it. Just listen to kid me singing.”
“Spoil sport.” But he was smiling as he took the drink from me. “I love that your mom recorded that kind of stuff and sends it to you to see. That’s so sweet.”
“That’s the Quintos. Sweet as can be,” I said, dryly.
“Well, I know you are.” He took a big swallow of eggnog and then put down the glass, coming into my arms. He took my glass and put it down beside his, then looped his arms around my neck. “Thanks for coming here.”
“You came here, remember? This is my house.”
“I know. I meant here. For Christmas. Instead of staying in New York. Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you.”
I snorted. “Lord, you’re corny. Quoting from songs now.” But I kissed him, long and slow.
“So. In sweet rejoicing, right?”
“Yep. That’s the translation. Dates back to medieval times in some forms. It’s been popularized and modernized since those days.”
“Well, I like to rejoice at how sweet you are,” Chris cracked.
“Try not to be quite so much of an ass.” I kissed him to soften the words.
“I do try, honest,” he murmured against my lips. “How about we cuddle on the couch with our eggnog and watch little Zach sing and then watch corny Christmas movies together all night until we fall into bed and ravish each other?”
“Sounds like the perfect night to me,” I agreed. “Love
you.”
He smiled, bright and beautiful. “Love you, too.”
Comments
11 responses to “In Dulci Jubilo”
Awwwwwwww
So cute!
Loved the 1st POV Pinto today 🙂
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s!
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Ha! Oh I loved the adorableness! And it always gets me when he calls him Christopher. Every time.
Absolutely charming!
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Me too! That’s why I continue to write it that way! ❤
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oh my goodness! So cute!
Loved the 1st pov Pinto fic today! Loved it!
Can’t wait for tomorrows fic 🙂
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thanks 😀
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Well.
If that doesn’t just warm the cockles of my heart. Christopher being a singer, appreciating young Zach giving of himself in song.
Having taught choir guys that age, I know what courage it takes to sing in a group, because it’s not just other guys who can be mocking and cruel. The worst I ever saw was from male coaches. It was horrible, physically mocking the guys behind the director’s back, but in full view of those guys who were giving it their best efforts and doing a great job.
They forgot there was an adult sitting at the piano, who could see them.
Never was I so pleased as when the principal took care of it and made the coaches come to a private concert for those coaches and other faculty, the year those guys (and the girls in mixed choir with them) were chosen the best in the state. And that’s a HUGE music- and football-centered state.
(It was NOT a winning year for their football team. But it would just be mean of me to point that out, so I won’t.)
And I was so proud that the guys just beamed with pride, in spite of those neanderthals. Especially when they performed at the state convention.
Back to our guys.
Musicians know. Chris and Zach get it.
Nothing feels like being surrounded by your friends, making those gorgeous sounds. Nothing. It charges the very air around you.
And Christopher gets it. And appreciates it.
I just LOVE LOVE this.
I don’t miss the long, long, cold hours and hard work with kids at this time of year, so many songs and parts and words to learn, so many concerts. But I do miss the audiences/families/friends/shoppers (depending on where we were performing) and how much they appreciate and enjoy being lifted by the blending, joyous holiday sounds.
Chris appreciating young Zach, and now appreciating and loving grown-up Zach.
I love them too!
Thank you so much! Another gorgeous gift opened from you!
🎄🎅🎁👨🎤👨🎤👨🎤👨🎤👨🎤🕯️🔔👨❤️💋👨
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Thank you my friend. Are those little angel emojis? Cute! yeah I figured Catholic Zach would be forced to perform in concerts at his school. I wasn’t even in Catholic school but we still had to do holiday concerts for parents etc. Nothing fancy like singing this song, of course. ❤
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No. I wish they were. I can’t find little angel emojis that just c/p on html.
They don’t have a choir emoji either, so it’s 5 boys singing, a candle, bell, and two boys loving/kissing.
I also love how you worked in the Latin with a Catholic boys choir. That’s beyond perfect use of the song!
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This is so cute! Zach’s mother sending the videos over and then Chris fascinated by it! I just want to hug little Zach. Well and big Zach and Chris too!
Love this story! ❤
Funny thing- just before reading the story, I watched the video of the high school senior choir’s Christmas concert, that my friend posted on Instagram. Her daughter is a senior in the public high school my girls used to go to. The music program at our high school is quite big and has won awards. I miss going to the high school concerts and watching my kids perform either playing the violin in the orchestra or singing.
);
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Awe, that’s too bad, empty-nest syndrome I guess!
Thanks, I think they are pretty cute myself 🙂
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Yep the nest is currently empty. All three are in college, so my pockets are empty too! 😬
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