The snow had long started to fall over Parappa Town, Christmas was fast approaching. The people were all dressed up and out and about, preparing for the culmination of the holidays. Lammy the Lamb couldn’t be happier really, Milk Can was going to have a concert for Christmas and she was all about herself with excitement. “Pre-concert jitters getting to ya?” Katy the Kat came up behind her carrying a speaker. “Oh yeah, but not for the reason you think…” She blushed and her feline friend and bandmate knew all too well what was on this sheeps mind. “Heh, your guys' duet?” Lammy almost squealed, a far cry from her anxiety ridden early days before she and Parappa started going out. “Yes!! It’s our first time singing together on stage and I’m so excited and nervous at the same time!” She danced in place a little during and after her little ramble. Ma-san, the ever present voice of blunt truth came behind them with a replacement bass for her set. “You guys have been practicing for months now. You’ve mastered the song and can sing plenty more well enough. You will be fine.” She continued onto the stage with little effort, eliciting both of her fellow bandmates to say, “How does she do that?” Katy and Lammy looked at each other and laughed, they were all a bunch of ridiculous goofs.
Across town a familiar dog trudged along through the snow, though having fur, Parappa still shrunk into his overcoat and shivered as the frosty breeze blew. The streets were sparsely filled as most of the inhabitants were already making their way to the concert. Parappa sighed, it had been five months since he had asked Lammy out, and they’d been going steady since then. He gave a sad smile, Lammy had come so far out of her shell since they’d started. He couldn’t deny that he was happy about that, but this was Christmas and he hadn’t found the right gift. While Christmas was a great time to begin with, Parappa considered it the unofficial anniversary of their dating. He searched every shop in town the whole month, whenever he had the time he would window shop, and still he found nothing. The pup’s shoulders slumped, he was just about to turn around and head to the concert when a glint of light caught his eye. Without hesitation he bolted in a beeline, slipping in the street before sliding into the window. He groaned as the shop owner came out, “Goodness boy are you alright?” With no lapse in effort the plastered puppy pointed directly at what he sought, tapping the glass before the owner managed to peel him off. The merchant looked into the window and smiled brightly, the locket he had his eyes on was truly one of a kind, A silver heart with a gold inlay, and the tiny addition of a finely cut ruby in the center. “Got your eyes on a gift for the lady do ya?” The Goat owner smiled as Parappa shook his senses back into his head. “You got that right homes.” The dog smiled brightly as he entered the shop. “It’s our five month anniversary… well sort of, and since it’s Christmas I-”
“Say no more m’lad, I was once a young billy too, let me just get that rung up for you.” Parappa blinked, ‘Oh Jeez! Do I have enough on me? What if it’s too expensive? Please let me have enough!’ The panicked thoughts raced through his head like a runaway train. He almost began chewing his fingernails before he saw the final price. He breathed a huge sigh of relief, “You gotta believe!” He froze before looking at the rather bewildered shopkeep.
“Y-yes, w-will that be cash or….” Parappa laughed a bit sheepishly, “I think I have just enough on me.” He nodded to himself and fished his wallet out. He counted the bills he had prepared in advance. He knew he would spend a lot on her gift, though he hated carrying so much. The shopkeep rang him up with practiced ease and soon his gift was boxed up and wrapped. “Oh, you didn’t have to wrap it pops.” The goat was having none of it.
“My boy! I have seen you on the telly, you and that sheep have something even I didn’t have back in my day. True love like that doesn’t come around willy-nilly.” The little wrapped present was handed to the pup with a smile. “Now go, you have somewhere to be and that storm looks like a big’un.” Parappa looked and gasped. The snow outside was coming down a lot harder than it had been. “Yikes! Thanks Mister, Merry Christmas!” Without another word Parappa bolted out the door and into the cold blizzard. The wind hit him and already sent him off his feet. He held the box close to his chest as he grabbed a hold of a light pole. The wind died down for a moment and he used this to make his way in the direction of the concert. Another block and the wind blew him flat against a wall. ‘Jeez! If this keeps up I’ll be a pancake by the time I get there.” Getting Peeled off the wall once again, Parappa’s rescuer was a familiar face he was happy to see. “PJ! Thanks a lot bro.”
“No problem, but what are you doing out here, shouldn’t you be getting to the concert?” Parappa blushed a little, though maybe that was from the cold. The large bear crossed his arms with a knowing smirk, “Ahhh I see how it is. Well we better get moving if we want to get you there before the concert starts.” Parappa looked at him incredulously. “How?! The venue is on the other side of town and this weather doesn't want to let up.” PJ was not about to let his friend miss this concert, especially if Lammy was waiting for him. With surprising speed PJ hoisted Parappa up on his shoulders, “Whoa!”
“Hold On!” With a shout PJ barrelled forward, almost sending his poor passenger flying as he held on for dear life. His eyes widened as Pj drove forward under a sign, the resulting whack almost knocked the wrapped gift out of Parappa’s hands. He yelped and flapped like a flag in the wind before pulling himself back, he stuffed the gift into his coat before more signs came through and Parappa grimaced. “PJ can we ‘Whack’ run on the ‘bonk’ side away from the ‘pow’ Signs!”
“Whoops, sorry buddy.” The bear course appeared in the distance. A road stood in their way and PJ wasn’t slowing down. “Pee-jaaaay, you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking?” PJ smirked. “Here we gooo” Parappa screamed and covered his eyes as cars honked their horns and PJ moved quite deftly for one his size. With a running leap that almost sent Parappa off his shoulders, PJ completely cleared a car that they would’ve hit before reaching the other side. The bear panted, “Man I’m out of shape.”
“Out of shape?! You’re like a parkour master dude!” Parappa couldn’t hold in his excitement at the bear’s feat and PJ chuckled, “Well I can’t just eat and sleep all day then DJ all night can I?” The bear’s usually indifferent expression had broken into a smile and the two were already closing in on the Concert. Parappa beamed wildly and patted the gift box in his coat, before realizing something. “Stop!!!” PJ skidded to a halt, finally sending Parappa flying into a mailbox. With a roll Parappa got back to his feet and looked around. “I just realized I have to do something first.”
“Parappa… We’re gonna be late.”
“I know, but believe me when I say that I, Need, to do this.”
PJ sighed and shook his head before hoisting the dog on his shoulders. “Where to?”
Milk Can as a whole was getting worried, they had already gotten through most of their set and Parappa still hadn’t arrived. They wrapped up the final song and were taking a break before what they had announced would be a special duet performed by Parappa and Lammy. Lammy was already nervous as it is and now her boyfriend hadn’t shown up. She looked up from her moping and saw the digital clock strike the appointed time and she frowned, maybe Parappa had gotten caught up with something. It was like him to get caught up in things, but of all days why did it have to be today? A hand patted her shoulder and Katy’s smile, while somber, was welcome. “Let’s go, the crowd is waiting…” The pain was evident and Lammy stood up slowly, not wanting to do this but knowing they couldn’t keep the crowd waiting.
The cheers and applause had mellowed out, and though the noise picked up as they took to the stage, the absence of a certain rapping dog soured the mood. Katy took to the mic and opened her mouth to speak, but Lammy placed a hand on her arm and took the mic herself. “Hello everyone, I know we promised an awesome duet to close out the night, unfortunately the second half of this duet has-”
“YOU GOTTA BELIEVE” The shout almost shook the place, and Parappa didn’t even have a microphone. The accompanying crash knocked Katy and Lammy off their feet, with Ma-san standing as if nothing was happening, scrolling through her phone with barely a glance up at the dog. With a snatch the dog had his mic and punched up to the crowd, “Are you ready to Rock???” The resulting cheer shook the stadium again and Parrappa grinned, helping Lammy off the floor. “Sorry I’m late, had to run an errand and it took longer than I thought it would… say, where’s-” A familiar bear jumped through the doorway and came skidding to a stop on stage, snoozing away from exhaustion. “There he is.” He chuckled, “Did you know he can do parkour?” Lammy was still recovering from the blast of an entry that Parappa had made, “I have many questions…. But for now, apology accepted.” The sheep girl shook her head and went to retrieve a free hand mic. “This one seems more your style.” They traded as Katy got up and The four took their places. The crowd was now cheering steadily. “Y’all ready?” Ma-san twirled her sticks as the rest of them turned to nod. “One! Two! Three! Four!”
The reaction to the duet was one of absolute awe. The crowd had never seen the two sing together and almost immediately the chemistry between them was imprinted in the minds of all who saw them. Katy and even Ma-san took pause at the climax of the first song, it was nothing like their jam sessions together. Parappa and Lammy sang together like two lovebirds, like the sun and the blue sky, or as PJ put it, (once he woke up) like peanut butter and jelly. As the first song ended and they flowed into some of their lesser practiced ones, the crowd's enthusiasm barely wavered, even a mistake here or a slip up there didn’t curb the excitement. As the concert neared its end, Parappa knew that if he wanted to give her the gift, and really cement it for the both of them and everyone around them, now was the time. “Well everyone, it’s been a fun time, but it’s about time we all settle down, and head out for the holidays.” His face began to redden as he patted his coat, he had forgotten to take it off but it hadn’t bothered him until now. “But before we do…. I uuuh. I’ve got something to say, and something to do.” The bandmates all looked at him, Lammy was confused, but Katy, Ma-san and PJ all smirked or smiled knowingly. “As you all know, and if ya don’t I can’t help you.” Laughter replied to his joke as Lammy began to blush. “Me and this lovely lady have been going out for five months, and it has been some of the best times of my life, and I’m praying that it’ll be even better from here on out.” He turned to face the nervous sheep who was smiling nonetheless. “Lammy, I was late, because I was getting this for you… Happy five month anniversary.” He pulled a hastily wrapped box and moved to give it to her, already the crowd was ooing and awing with happiness. With a bow and his hand extended he held it. “Awww… Parappa… is this why you were late?” Parappa blushed and stood up straight. “Heheh, yeah, I had a hard time finding the perfect gift.” Lammy smiled and began unwrapping, softly shaking her head, ‘Of all the times…’ The box lid came off and in shock she immediately dropped it. “Parappa…..” Cameras were out and several people gasped as they got zoomed in. Once again the concert goers released their noises of adoration for the couple as Lammy lifted the locket from the box, mesmerized by it when a moment ago she was a little embarrassed by Parappa reminding everyone of their relationship. As they stood, Katy moved over to the now conscious PJ and whispered something in his ear. He gave a small smile and a nod before moving closer to the two lovebirds. “That’s not even the best part… Open it.” Parappa’s encouragement goaded Lammy on and she gently pressed the locket open, revealing one of the very first photos they had taken together. They stood with their cheeks gently pressed against each other with soft but joyful smiles plastered across their faces. The words, “Together Forever” were printed on the bottom. Lammy’s felt tears coming to her eyes as she looked between the dog and the locket and then back again. She sniffled and actually let a joyful sob escape her before she lunged forward to embrace the dog, “I LOVE IT” She cried and the crowd began cheering once again, though not as wild as when the music was playing, the excitement was just as palpable as before. However the crowd fell silent as they noticed something, Katy sat on PJ’s shoulders and hung something over the two with a small pole. Parappa laughed and blushed hard at the same time and Lammy herself looked up to see a sprig of mistletoe hung between them. She froze up a bit before moving some hair out of her face, looking away nervously until Parappa gently directed her back to face him. “Merry Christmas Lammy.”
The sheep girl giggled and smiled once again, “It’s still early silly.” They both chuckled before she pulled him closer. “Merry Christmas Parappa.” They leaned forward, their lips touched on stage, and the roar of the crowd was so intense, even by New Years some ears were ringing.
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Hey everyone, it was quite the holiday and writer’s block hit me hard, thankfully Firefang3074 (Warning NSFW) had this really cute idea for a holiday sequel to Healing the Hurt and I spent way too long on it. So let this be the marking of my return to regular uploads.
Parappa the Rapper and UmJammerLammy belong to Rodney Alan Greenblatt
Commissions as always are open, send me a note and let's discuss.
Thank You and Blessings of the Father upon you.
(I really love this couple!!!!)
