Meanwhile, the ceremony had lasted six hours, just under an hour in Heaven. Alex and Sam thought it had been enough. They wanted the kids to go to bed for a while before the garden party that afternoon. Jo had already taken Elise to Heaven after about two hours. The honeybee had just about received an overload of attention and desperately needed to go back to her bed for a while. The rest of the kids were not much better off after six hours in Dis. At Alexander's prompting, the throne room quickly became quiet. He said:
"Friends, unfortunately we must leave and make our final preparations. We promise you that we will return after our trip and that we will organize a gigantic banquet as before and that as before everyone will be welcome again. However, we also want to hold smaller parties just for the little ones from Dis because we would really like to get to know your children as well."
This intention was met with applause. Alex spoke further:
"Children of Dis, ladies and gentlemen it is an honor to serve you as your Queen and King. We will see each other again in thirty days."
Under thunderous applause, the company made their way to the courtyard. David and Sarah saw to their relief that they were far from the only ones who let out a deep sigh now that this coronation was over. They saw for themselves that their father, the rock in their lives, was letting out a deep sigh too. Alexander had seen very clearly in the study that the two had plopped down on the couch with big eyes and visible relief that they were away from the throne room for a while. Little did the two know that their father's deep sigh had been played. Samantha, her parents, and his parents knew exactly what he was doing and got a warm smile.
In the courtyard, Eloch, Kasha and Arbus were waiting for them. It was Kasha who spoke for all three of them:
"Milady, Mylord the items you ordered from us are already at the palace in Heaven. We wanted to take a moment to say goodbye to you and wish you and your traveling companion's good luck."
Samantha hugged Kasha to the Demon's great surprise and said:
"Thank you friends for all that you have done for us. We will definitely see each other again when our trip is over, and we look forward to collaborating with you on the council."
Alex snapped his fingers and the whole company stood before the Palace in Heaven. Argo had been there several times but for his wife and son it was the first time and a real revelation. Alex spoke:
"Okay folks it is now ten o'clock. Our party starts at one o'clock. Everyone knows you are welcome to bring a guest, even very welcome to do so."
He looked Rae Rae in the eyes with a smile:
"Darling, how about for once not taking a soul to hell but picking up a Demon?"
She got a wide smile and nodded after which he said:
"In fifteen minutes, would you bring our new friend Samar and his luggage here? A room has been prepared for him on the second floor."
"Will do Alex, with pleasure."
"Okay folks see you later."
The family accompanied by Argo and his family made their way to the suite. Daniel en Laila had taken the opportunity to find some privacy in Leila's home for this last day in this universe. Once in the living-room of the suite, Sam said played sternly:
"You kids you all go to your rooms and for two hours in your beds and eyes shut. I don't want to hear a squeak coming from your rooms. David in your room there is a second bed for Rob and from your room I absolutely don't want to hear a squeak young men. Understood?"
The children nodded and disappeared towards their bedrooms.
The adults plopped down in the sitting area and Argo almost had to pull his wife onto the couch. Sam made their favorite drinks appear and sat with Alex eagerly waiting for Argo to ask his first question. They had resolved to get as much pleasure out of the situation as possible. The latter first took a sip or two, sighed deeply and asked:
"Okay Sam I will ask you because you are the more mature of the two, what did that half-witted husband, King and God of yours get into his head this time?"
She looked at Alex and asked:
"Did you not inform our friend my beautiful King?"
"Well now that you mention it my Divine Queen it could be that I was a little absent-minded and forgot to mention this little thing. Do you think I should still do so?"
"I don't know if the general would want to know Love."
Argo who was more than used to their word games said gruffly:
"Sam, Alex knock it off and spill it!"
The two sat chuckling for a moment and Alex replied with undisguised pleasure:
"Oh not so much really. You must have heard since the unification that my universe is imploding. So, my mom and dad quickly created a completely new universe, and we are simply going back in time, about five hundred years. We are going to prepare a completely new Heaven, new Hell, and new Earth. Then we are going to evacuate eighty to one hundred billion souls from the old Heaven to the new Heaven, take two and a half billion souls from the old Hell and then evacuate them through the new Hell to the new Heaven. Not to mention transfer as many people as possible from the old Earth and Sam's Earth to the new Earth. And when that's done we are going to kind of connect them a bit so that we have one universe but about double the size of the old ones. A walk in the park..."
For a moment, Argo didn't know what he was hearing, and it looked like he was staring at the blue screen of death. Samantha said:
"I think you broke poor Argo Love."
"Oh well, he'll be back online soon dear."
The general blinked his eyes for a moment, said nothing, chugged his glass, filled a new glass and chugged that too in one go. His mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish. Only after shaking his head a few times did, he get anything out again. He asked in disbelief:
"Are you guys completely off the rails now. You are already the Gods in two universes and now a third one is coming? And you are going to do what now? Kind of glue them all together? How is that even possible? Oh, no let me retract that last question before you give me a damn headache with some explanation in a way that I wish I was anywhere but listening to you! What the fuck!"
Alex said dryly:
"Well now, if you're not interested then you can always go back to Dis and start preparing the council."
Argo looked him sternly in the eyes and said:
"Jeez, of course we'll go with you, what do you think! Even if only to see how you guys' plan to get this madness done! But I tell you here and now that if you have another idea so utterly insane that you better provide some information ahead of time. Gods or King and Queen, I don't give a crap! I swear I'm gonna organizing a revolt and boot you two out of Dis for the next few centuries!"
Sasha sat watching and listening to it all uneasily and as the three bursts into laughter together it suddenly dawned on her how deep the friendship was between her husband and the Gods. And she relaxed completely. Argo emptied his glass and said:
"Damn, I missed you Alex, this is gonna be a gas!"
The four continued talking in the living room for a while after which they went to their rooms to freshen up and rest a bit. Alex and Sam were barely in their bedroom when he snapped his fingers to soundproof the room. He more or less threw her on the bed and growled as she giggled. The next hour was just for them, and they very easily lost themselves in their passion.
Around 12:30 Sam and Alex walked into the garden still in a bit of a bliss. The children, of course, were already there with Jo and Anna. It was usually quite a struggle for Jo and Anna to get them out of the garden. To his surprise, Alex saw not only a couple of large grills but also a stage and dance floor. On the stage was a grand piano waiting for Lucifer. However, there was also something that was covered with a black cloth. He asked:
"Do we sent B&B to Earth so they can kill Nickelback, drag them up here and provide some background music?"
Sam laughed for a moment and said:
"Nop, come with me."
They stepped onto the stage, and she preceded him to what was covered. On the black cloth was a blue T-shirt with the inscription; Alexander the Great. Sam asked with a playful look in her eyes:
"Do you remember your very first manifestation?"
"How could I forget. I must confess that bathrobe with that print was meant to impress you Red."
She laughed:
"I figured that out very quickly love. I want you to put this on now!"
He took off his own T-shirt and put on the one she had given him. Then with a jerk she pulled the cloth away and heard him gasp. He looked at his own guitars. A classic acoustic one, a 1956 Fender Stratocaster sunburst, a black Schecter Hellraiser and his bass guitar a Rickenbacker. Sam moved close to him, he wrapped his arm around her. She spoke softly:
"The kids found them when our stuff was being prepared to be packed into a container. When they got curious, I told them they were yours and that we used to have a lot of fun and nice quiet moments. How long has it been since you played Alex?"
He thought for a moment and spoke almost inaudibly:
"I think it will be a couple of years since I actually really played. Before that in Hell I had very regular relaxing moments in my suite with Celine, Anna, Bearus and Belios. Just like we used to have with Argo, Celine, Cas and Molly."
He laughed softly for a moment:
"But also, often enough just purely silly just for the fun of it. The closer we got to the coup the less it became. The playing became some fiddling and then even that faded away. The stress and pressure became more and more intense. I think for a moment we lost our sense of humor and didn't know how to relax anymore. That the immensity of what we had in front of us polluted our thinking and feelings until we were only occupied with the coup."
She smiled slyly just as he did so oft, snapped her fingers. Suddenly, instruments and a whole bunch of microphone stands appeared on stage. With a jerk, he looked around at the other instruments and recognized them immediately. Bearus' drum kit, Belios' Fender and his bass, Argo's Fender, and Celine's gorgeous Les Paul. She saw his mood change as he stared into the void. She knew that this time he was not looking to the future as she was used to from him. Now he was looking at the past and a sad look appeared in his eyes as two tears ran down his cheeks. He said softly:
"Red I may be home as I said in Fuzzie's garden on our wedding day but sometimes I am not quite myself yet. I must keep myself strong so that the rest don't start doubting what awaits us. I am sometimes afraid Red. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming. That all this is not real, that I am still on the road, separated from you and that our beautiful children are a fantasy. Sometimes I literally get nauseous, afraid that I'm going to wake up and all this will be gone."
"I know love, but this is real, we are real, I am really with you, I am really married to you, our children are real, and we all love you."
He nodded slowly:
"It's so hard sometimes Red, so damn hard. I thought that once Godfry was driven from the throne I could be at peace. That the only misery would be the Hell Project and we had that prepared to the last detail. I was not prepared for the rest of what landed on our plate babe. Sometimes it feels like there are more holes in the dike than I have fingers."
She gave him a gentle kiss and whispered:
"Maybe you should play Alex. Just for fun like in the old days just get completely absorbed in the music. Lose yourself in the music love."
The sadness disappeared from his eyes and a mischievous smile appeared:
"You set me up sneaky Red. Bearus, Belios, Celine's and Argo's instruments are here. Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Yep, just turn everything up to 11 and blow everyone away."
That caused a roar of laughter, and only then did he notice that Celine, Bearus, Belios and Argo had silently walked onto the stage. He received a soft kiss on his cheek from Celine:
"What do you think little brat?"
He took the Rickenbacker off the stand, the bass felt so familiar in his hands, he shouldered the bass with its raucous sound as if it were a rifle. He got his famous smirk on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and said:
"Yep, it's time. Time to shake this Heaven to its foundations with something other than my short fuse. Crank it up to eleven and let's party, our style, hard and loud!"
He placed the bass back. Along with the rest he stepped off the stage. As conspirators, they stood in a huddle away from the guests already arriving. Alexander said something to his co-conspirators, and they burst into a roar of laughter.
Ella and Lucifer stood on their balcony looking at the garden and ready to go downstairs. She noticed that he suddenly had a rather wide smile on his face.
"What's so funny Lu?"
He pointed to the stage where Samantha, Alex and the rest were talking:
"If I'm not mistaken those kids are up to something again. And I know exactly what. This is definitely not the time to bother him with our little Eve problem darling, not today. He needs this day, this outlet. If Sam were to catch us bothering Alex now, I fear that we will spend the next few centuries in the doghouse."
Ella nodded that she understood. After which he manifested a set of earplugs and handed them to her. She looked at him not understanding. He laughed:
"That boy of mine may have inherited his musical talent from me. His taste certainly not. What's going to happen on that stage is going to start pretty softly. Judging by the piano, I'll be the first, then along with Alex. And believe me love after that the volume is going to go up more and more until everything is at eleven and a lot of people are going to be quite deaf. Trust me this is not gonna be Bieber..."
Her eyes began to twinkle:
"Hmmm just as well I went with Sam and Celine and a few more girls to that tailor in Dis. I think you should go downstairs alone for a while love."
Now it was he who looked at her uncomprehendingly. With a very mischievous look she said:
" It's a girl among each other thing Lu you'll have to wait nicely and behave obediently. Just be a good little Devil..."
She closed her eyes and shot off a prayer to Sam, Celine, Muriel, Anna, Jo, Laila, Cas and Rae Rae."
Lucifer saw the ladies stand up and say something to their partners after which the little group left the garden. Ella said:
"See you later my dear handsome husband."
She gave him a catchy kiss on the lips and made her way towards Samantha's suite. Lucifer squeezed his eyes shut and just before she was out the door he said:
"You little sneak, you knew exactly what was going to happen! Sam, Cas, and you set this up!"
She turned around.
"I don't know what you're talking about Lu. See you later babe..."
And away she was.
Alex and Lucifer sat with their intimate circle, minus a few ladies, at a large round table enjoying their drinks. Linda, who was immediately pulled into that circle, was watching everything. Alexander who saw it asked with a smile while echoing his best imitation of Bugs Bunny:
"What's up doc?"
She shook her head for a moment and said with audible pleasure:
"I imagined Heaven differently Alex. This party with stage and all is so much like what happens on Earth."
"So, what did you expect doc? Angels floating around on a cloud playing a harp?"
With those words she burst out laughing. His parents and Sam's parents sat at another table along with the children and Maximus for they simply could not be moved away from the kids and the kids not from them. The garden had slowly filled up and to his delight, most of their guests had indeed shown up with their plus one. Cas, it seems, had shot back into her role as master of ceremonies because he didn't just see all the department heads. He estimated that about three hundred guests had poured into the garden by now and many with what looked like a plus one. He suddenly heard Sam's voice in his head:
"If you continue like this love your father and you are going to have to bless a lot of marriages."
"Yep, and that's at least one part of my job I'd love to work overtime for. Our guests do start looking around to see where their Goddess may have gone."
"We'll be right there love."
Samar who had taken a seat at the table of the intimate circle at Alex's request was wide-eyed. Everywhere he looked he saw Archangels, a few Arch-Celestials, an Archdemon, Generals, four Gods and two former Gods. Everyone was relaxed and nowhere was there a trace of protocol. He wondered for the umpteenth time what he had gotten himself into anyway. Five minutes later the nine ladies in question entered the garden, silence fell, and everyone watched the group with wide eyes. They were dressed from head to toe in a tight leather outfit that didn't really leave much to the imagination. They stepped confidently toward the table very much aware that all eyes were on them. Samantha enjoyed every second of it. It brought her back to the wonderful times she had experienced with Alex in both Heaven and Dis. The group had prepared everything perfectly and they would make the most of this last night and their companions. Alex had to swallow very audibly and had grown wide-eyed. To him, it seemed like the group was approaching the table in slow motion, and he couldn't take his eyes off his Goddess. His Samantha stepped up to him in tight black leather pants, knee-high laced boots with a stiletto heel and a black leather top with some white lace which tried to hide most of her breasts but didn't fully succeed. Immediately his brain went offline, and he couldn't help but watch as she stepped agonizingly slow toward him. Once she was at the table he jumped up and had to force himself to breathe again. She put her arms around his neck stood up on her tips and whispered in his ear:
"Hmmmm, do you see something you like love?"
He had to swallow a few more times before he got a couple of words out:
"My little wicked witch of the west.... You'll be the end of me one day. A very enjoyable end..."
He pulled her into a firm embrace and they took no notice at all of the rest of those present as they kissed each other quite passionately. Lucifer wasn't much better off when he saw Ella coming towards him in her leather outfit and he was almost drooling. Michael, Micky, Frank, Gabe, Molly, Belios and Bearus also stood there as if their brains had suddenly lost all desire to work. Sam and Alex's parents sat there and watched it all with great amusement. The kids, on the other hand, saw a whole new side of their parents and it would not be the last surprise of the day. It took a while for the group to sit down again. Sam heard his voice in her head:
"Did you steal that pin from Celine?"
Mischief was in her eyes as she answered:
"Don't know love, maybe I did, maybe I didn't..."
He growled clearly audible and no one at the table had to doubt why.
Meanwhile, Lewit had stepped onto the stage with a cello. As he began to play the Bach Suite N° 1, the garden became very quiet very quickly. Samantha knew that this piece could touch Alex's heart again and again and she herself could enjoy it whenever she was near her Alex. When Lewit played the last notes, Alex stood up and began applauding, which was soon followed by the rest of those present. As Lewit played the rest of the suites everyone began to enjoy the cookout in an upbeat mood. Samantha and Alex sat quietly watching everything with warm smiles. What was taking place in the garden was their dream and it was getting closer one step at a time toward full completion.
The Celestial sun slowly began to set, Alexander looked into the eyes of his father who held his gaze. At the same moment they got a wide smile and Alexander nodded. Lucifer stood up and walked onto the stage. He took a seat on the bench by the piano and said into the microphone:
"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen and of course our Heavenly children who are sitting there neatly with the competition of grandma El and myself."
There was soft laughter for a moment as the Devil struck a few keys and noticed to his satisfaction that the piano was perfectly tuned. He continued:
"If there is one thing Alex and I have in common it is our love for music. I must say that his taste is ninety percent below par. Fortunately, I am not responsible for that. You'll notice that in a moment. A piece of advice before we get to the actual party. Grandparent's manifest earplugs for the kids and all of you for that matter because this is going to be, to use his own words, BOOM!"
He played a few notes and said:
" This is for all the beautiful women present, that means all of you ladies. But especially for my beautiful wife Ella."
Rod Stewart Have I told you
Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
For the morning sun and all it's glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort, too
You fill my life with laughter
And somehow, you make it better
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
Like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, to the one
Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
Like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, to the one
And have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
Take away all my sadness, fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
As the last notes died away, they suddenly heard applause rising in the garden from all over Paradise City. It was immediately obvious that Casiel and Haniel had made sure that the screens in Dis and Paradise City had been turned back on. Alex looked at Cas and said:
"You little brat!"
The young, always infectiously enthusiastic Angel had a wide smile and, in her eyes, one could just about see fireworks. Ella had gotten tears in her eyes from what Lucifer was playing for her. She received a tissue from Sam and a gentle kiss on the cheek. On stage, the Devil said:
"I think it's time we get our gargantuan God, as he christened himself, on stage and test to see if he still has it in his fingers and pipes."
Again, applause could be heard everywhere as Alex stood up and walked onto the stage. Inaudibly, he said to his father:
"How about a duet Dad, what do you think of Better Man?"
The latter nodded. Alex grabbed a microphone, sat down up on the piano with his father. Lucifer put in the first notes and Alex soon fell in:
"To all the men here present, in Paradise City and Dis. This is something we should all strive for, every day."
It was as if father and son where soon feeding off each other while playing and singing.
Robin Williams Better man
Send someone to love me
I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe from harm
In pouring rain
Give me endless summer
Lord, I fear the cold
Feel I'm getting old
Before my time
As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord, I'm doing all I can
To be a better man
Go easy on my conscience
'Cause it's not my fault
I know I've been taught
To take the blame
Rest assured my angels
Will catch my tears
Walk me out of here
I'm in pain
As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord, I'm doing all I can
To be a better man
Once you've found that lover
You're homeward bound
Love is all around
Love is all around
I know some have fallen
On stony ground
But love is all around
Send someone to love me
I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe from harm
In pouring rain
Give me endless summer
Lord, I fear the cold
Feel I'm getting old
Before my time
As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord, I'm doing all I can
To be a better man
Of course, when the song ended, applause could be heard again in the garden and the town because everyone was enjoying what was happening. Lucifer said:
"How about I play, and you sing son?"
"That's one of your better ideas dad, how about Women? For those beautiful women of ours, here in the garden and everywhere."
Lucifer began to play, and Alex just stood on the piano this time as he was getting more and more comfortable with it.
John Lennon Women
For the other half of the sky
Woman, I can hardly express
My mixed emotions at my thoughtlessness
After all, I'm forever in your debt
And, woman, I will try express
My inner feeling and thankfulness
For showing me the meaning of success
Ooh-ooh, well, well
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Ooh-ooh, well, well
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Woman, I know you understand
The little child inside the man
Please remember my life is in your hands
And, woman, hold me close to your heart
However distant, don't keep us apart
After all, it is written in the stars
Ooh-ooh, well, well
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Ooh-ooh, well, well
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo, well
Woman, please let me explain
I never meant to cause you sorrow or pain
So let me tell you again and again and again
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
Alexander jumped off the piano and hugged his father. As Lucifer made his way to step off the stage, Alex yelled:
"That's my father, my dear Devil! Come on, that applause of yours can be much louder!"
This encouragement from Alex was enough to make everyone in the garden stand up and welcome Lucifer to an ovation. He was very visibly affected by this applause and Ella fell into his arms. For Lucifer, who was used to applause from the patrons of Lux this felt different. This was not because of what he could do for people, give them, grant their wishes. This applause and recognition was pure, it was about him. People, family, friends appreciating him just for being him and not for what he could do. It felt liberating to the Devil and he realized for the first time, for real, that he was home with these people surrounding him and on his way to healing. Meanwhile, on stage, Alex had sat down on a barstool with his acoustic guitar.
"I think the following will be very much appreciated by my wonderful son because if I'm not mistaken it's about him, it seems that he wrote the song. I actually have no idea at all. He is mentioned, it says so in the song and as your God, I have decided it is about him and about my new goal of teaching him and our other wonderful kids the wonder of music."
He winked at David who was blushing at his father's words.
Jeff Buckly Hallelujah
I heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Baby, I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
You know, I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Well, there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
But remember, when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath, we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Maybe there's a God above
But, all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you?
And it's not a cry, that you hear at night
It's not somebody, who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
With a loving smile, he looked at Samantha and said:
"I hope no one minds. But if you should anyway then you are shit out of luck. The following is just for my wife, my beautiful Goddess. The mother of our children, the woman of my existence. Sam, darling, I have been in love with you since I first looked into your eyes. We are Celestials, eternally, therefore I can worship you forever. The reason I love getting up so early is so I can see the miracle of Dad's greatest creation come to life again, bask in its light and warmed and to thank Sol for giving me another day to worship you."
Queen Your my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the first one when things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend, oh
Ooh, you make me live, live, live, live
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, you're my best friend
"Ladies and Gentlemen and of course the kiddos, it's time for me to call the first of my conspirators to the stage. Normally he plays one of the instruments you can see on stage but for what is to come no instrument is needed. For Bearus is an instrument in his own right."
The broad Demon came on stage, and he had the honeybee on his arm. In the middle he remained in front of a microphone. After the first words, just about everyone stood with big eyes and wide open mouths.
Pavarotti Puccini, Nessum Dorma
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o Principessa
NElla tua fredda stanza
Guardi le stelle che tremano
D'amore e di speranza!
Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me
Il nome mio nessun saprà!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
Quando la luce splenderà!
Ed il mio bacio scioglierà
Il silenzio che ti fa mia!
ll nome suo nessun saprà
E noi dovrem, ahimè! Morir! Morir!
Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò!
Vincerò! Vincerò!
It was silent for a few seconds, everyone had to recover from what they had heard after which a huge applause erupted. Jo came to pick up Elise because Bearus would remain on stage for quite some time. Their men were far from finished. Belios, Argo, Celine and Samantha stepped onto the stage. Alex took his Goddess in his arms and again they danced for a moment to music only they could hear. He asked:
"Well honey what are you in the mood for?"
"I thought we could do one of mine for you. Sit down on that chair over there. I don't really want to bring up any bad memories, especially not today. But with all the business, all the stress and all the craziness, I haven't been able to tell you how I felt in the past five years for me, the past six thousand years for you. It is so hard to put to words but this comes close my love."
Belios had taken the acoustic guitar from Alex and began to play softly after which Bearus, Celine and Argo later filled in.
Avril Lavigne I'm with you
I'm standing on a bridge
I'm waitin' in the dark
I thought that you'd be here by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but there's no sound
Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand?
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
'Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone
Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand?
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you, yeah, yeah
Oh, why is everything so confusing?
Maybe I'm just out of my mind
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand?
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm with you
Alex had come down from his barstool and took his Samantha in an embrace. Both had tears in their eyes for a moment and took a few seconds to come back to themselves. After which she said cheerfully:
"I think we should also include the grandparents in this party. That now you know that your pipes are warmed up you should urgently warm up that delicious body of yours too love."
He nodded:
"Yes, I think all the grandmas and all the grandpas here present have earned a nice quiet song for all they have done for us."
Terence Trent D'Arby Dance little sister
Get up outta your rocking chair Grandma!
Or rather would you
Care to dance Grandmother
Do do do do a-do do do
Do do do do do do a-do do do
Hey you give up the ghost
That's haunting you now hoo!
Shout it out (huh)
Don't let it stay inside and eat you alive
Now dig it!
Make up your mind huh
Don't you want to stay this side of the line
I can assure you when you're my age
You'll learn from all you've left behind You got to dance little sister
Don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow
I don't wanna hear you're late
You've got to dance little sister
Don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow
Don't give up your stay
Do do do do a-do do do
Do do do do do do a-do do do
Say say say now share the weight
And lay your cross down ha
And let the long reaching arm
Of hope bring you around
Say well said it ain't easy ha but giving up
Is the easy thing to do ooh
Time is on your side
But you just watch the clock
And let it tick for you ha hoo
"Isn't it getting time to pick up the pace and the beat love?"
"Red, that's the best idea I've heard today!"
He turned to the mixing-table at the edge of the stage and said:
"Hanni, I think it could be a little louder because I don't really hear myself very well."
Alex thought something else would be played but Bearus began to put in the rhythm of a song he knew all too well. This would be a slightly rougher version, and with Sam, he knew it would definitely be sultrier. On the edge of erotic and he felt his heart rate shoot up. When she looked with her entrancing blue eyes into his, he saw the promise of a very passionate night indeed. Her leather outfit did nothing to bring his blood pressure and heart rate down either. And he clearly noticed that there was also another body part making itself known. He took out his Rickenbacker and let the bass growl.
Black Velvet Alannah Myles
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmie Rodgers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with a baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Up in Memphis, the music's like a heatwave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every schoolgirl
"Love Me Tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash, he was gone, it happened so soon
What could you do?
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
If you please
If you please
If you please
He very quickly put away the bass and grabbed her, bent her backward until she was lying with her back on his thigh and the kiss that followed amid deafening applause was anything but chaste. Meanwhile, the eight other ladies had walked onto the stage and stood behind a series of microphones. Everyone on stage knew that what would follow would be spectacular because Alexander was clearly more than up for it, now that he was fully warmed up. He was dispelling some ghosts of the past through music, and he needed it loud and hard to drive out his own Demons. He stood in front of his microphone again and said:
"Dad, your wife is apparently already with us, and we could really use your help at the piano to throw a party!"
He looked at his children and said:
"Kiddos this is the time for you to put in your earplugs. Mom Honeybee."
The Goddess quickly manifested a pair of ear protectors that fit the little girl's head and put them on. Lucifer rushed onto the stage and sat down behind the piano. Alex walked up to him and whispered something in the Devil's ear, and he burst out laughing and nodded. Alex looked at him and said with undisguised pleasure:
"Dad this first one is where you sit quietly and don't touch the keys because this one is especially for you."
He took the Hellraiser and Winked at Bearus and he softly began a slow rhythm on the drums, a little rhythm made famous by the drummer of ZZ Top, A Texas , giving Alex some more time. Alexander called out to Haniel:
"Hey Hannie, crank this shit up to 11 and let's have a party!"
The Angel very happily pushed the sound up full throttle.
"People if you haven't seen it yet or are blind there is a dance floor in front of the stage, I want to see you all in front of us dammit, right now!"
Those present in the garden rushed to the stage with gusto. The children were wide-eyed watching their parents on stage, but it really didn't take long for them to get into the rhythm as well. The party was really starting to get going now. They had had the appetizer; this was the main course.
Rolling Stones Sympathy For The Devil
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long years
Stole million man's soul an faith
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed Tsar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
I rode a tank
Held a general's rank
When the blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
I shouted out
Who killed the Kennedys?
When after all
It was you and me
Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reached Bombay
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste
Use all your well-learned politnesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, mm yeah
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mm yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mm mean it, get down
Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Aah yeah
Tell me baby, what's my name?
Tell me honey, can ya guess my name?
Tell me baby, what's my name?
I tell you one time, you're to blame
What's my name
Tell me, baby, what's my name?
Tell me, sweetie, what's my name?
Without missing a beat, this opened into the slightly rougher.
AC/DC Highway to Hell
Livin' easy
Lovin' free
Season ticket on a one way ride
Askin' nothin'
Leave me be
Takin' everythin' in my stride
Don't need reason
Don't need rhyme
Ain't nothin' that I'd rather do
Goin' down
Party time
My friends are gonna be there too
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs
Speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel
Gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me around
Hey satan
Payin' my dues
Playin' in a rockin' band
Hey mumma
Look at me
I'm on the way to the promised land
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell
Don't stop me
I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell
(Highway to hell) I'm on the highway to hell
(Highway to hell) highway to hell
(Highway to hell) highway to hell
(Highway to hell)
And I'm goin' down
All the way
I'm on the highway to hell
Bearus started to play a Texas shuffle again and Alex spoke:
"Okay, for those who don't know, may I introduce my band and I want to fucking hear you all! At the piano the Devil, my friend, my dad, LUCIFER!"
The Garden, the city and Dis was now starting to get very much into its stride and the applause was deafening.
"On the drums my general, my friend, my brother, BEARUS! Come on, it can be fucking louder!"
Alex pretended not to hear the applause for a moment, and everyone slowly began to go wild.
"On bass my general, my friend, my brother, BELIOS! Lead guitar my general from Dis, my friend, my brother ARGO! And the lady with that brilliant Les Paul in her hands, my left hand, my confidante, without this lady I would never have stood here! CELINE!"
Alex whipped up the crowd a little more and said:
"And these divine ladies, these oh so sexy eye candy, are our background singers tonight!"
He hung his Rickenbacker around his neck and said:
"As the perfect gentlemen, of course, we always let the ladies go first. Okay honey what will it be?"
Instead of answering, everyone on stage burst out at the same time.
Pink get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Get this party started on a saturday night
Everybody's waitin' for me to arrive
Sendin' out the message to all of my friends
We'll be lookin' flashy in my mercedes benz
I got lotsa style, got my gold diamond rings
I can go for miles if you know what I mean
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Pumpin up the volume, breakin down' to the beat
Cruisin' through the west side
We'll be checkin' the scene
Boulevard is freakin' as I'm comin' up fast
I'll be burnin' rubber, you'll be kissin' my ass
Pull up to the bumper, get out of the car
License plate says stunner #1 superstar
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Makin' my connection as I enter the room
Everybody's chillin' as I set up the groove
Pumpin' up the volume with this brand new beat
Everybody's dancin' and their dancin' for me
I'm your operator, you can call anytime
I'll be your connection to the party line
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
Get this party started
Get this party started right now
Get this party started
Get this party started
Get this party started right now
Everyone noticed that Alex was now completely loose. This was going to be something everyone would be talking about for a very long time. He put the bass away and spoke:
"I think it's time we kick it up a notch. People this one you're gonna feel..."
He got his smirk on his face and finished his sentence:
"well everywhere..."
Everyone on stage put their full strength and energy into what they were playing. Samantha saw that the light in Alexander was increasing, that he was becoming more and more his old self, and she couldn't be happier. On stage, it had suddenly become completely silent except for Alexander's voice:
Alex stood in the center of the stage and raised his arms to shoulder height. He manifested all over the sound of sirens and suddenly fireworks went off everywhere and his father began to play the first notes. After which the party really broke loose.
"I want Paradise City and Dis to fucking rock! COME ON LOUDER... I CAN'T HEAR YOU... I STILL CAN'T FUCKING HEAR YOU! JUMP... JUMP... JUMP..."
Robbie Williams Let me enterain you
Hell is gone and heaven's here
There's nothing left for you to fear
Shake your arse come over here
Now scream
I'm a burning effigy
Of everything I used to be
You're my rock of empathy, my dear
So come on let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Life's too short for you to die
So grab yourself an alibi
Heaven knows your mother lied
Mon cher
Separate your right from wrongs
Come and sing a different song
The kettle's on so don't be long
Mon cher
So come on let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Look me up in the yellow pages
I will be your rock of ages
Your see through fads and your crazy phases yeah
Little Bo Peep has lost his sheep
He popped a pill and fell asleep
The dew is wet but the grass is sweet, my dear
Your mind gets burned with the habits you've learned
But we're the generation that's got to be heard
You're tired of your teachers and your school's a drag
You're not going to end up like your mum and dad
So come on let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
He may be good he may be outta sight
But he can't be here so come around tonight
Here is the place where the feeling grows
You gotta get high before you taste the lows
So come on
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
So come on let me entertain me
Let me entertain you
Come on come on come on come on
Come on come on come on come on
Come on come on come on come on
Come on come on come on come on
Come on come on come on come on
Come on come on come on come on
Let me entertain you...
Alex looked like he was getting serious when he said:
"And now that we've warmed up a little bit I think it might be time to give all these beautiful people on the dance floor here in front of us a slow number so they can recover themselves a little bit."
When he grabbed his Hellraiser again, everyone knew immediately that it was going to be anything but slow.
Nickelback Burn it to the ground
Well, it's midnight, damn right
We're wound up too tight
I've got a fist full of whiskey
The bottle just bit me
Oh, that shit makes me bat shit crazy
We've got no fear, no doubt
All in balls out
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
We're screaming like demons
Swinging from the ceiling
I got a fist full of fifties
Tequila just hit me
Oh, we got no class, no taste
No shirt, and shit faced
We got it lined up, shot down
Firing back straight crown
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ticking like a time bomb
Drinking till the nights gone
Well, get your hands off of this glass
Last call my ass
Well, no chain, no lock
And this train won't stop
We got no fear, no doubt
All in balls out
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight
Ooh, ooh, ooh
We're going off tonight
To kick out every light
Take anything we want
Drink everything in sight
We're going till the world stops turning
While we burn it to the ground tonight