The Christmas Call. A story for Christmas Eve.

Once upon a twinkling Eve of Christmas, when the snow drifted gently past the windows and the world smelled of pine and cinnamon, Enzo Goes To Titowood was finishing a soft piano melody in his little music studio at the edge of town.

The lights on his Christmas tree blinked in sleepy colors. Candles glowed like tiny suns. And just as Enzo closed with a soft click the lid of his piano, the telephone on the desk rang.

Riiiiing… riiiiiing…

Enzo blinked.

“Who could that be on a night like this?” he wondered.

He picked up the phone – and a warm, silky voice floated into his ears.

“Good evening, Enzo,” said the voice.

“This is Nat King Cole.”

“Nat King Cole! The legendary singer whose voice could melt icicles and warm even the frostiest Christmas night!”

Nat chuckled. “Now, I’ve been hearing about all your marvelous collaborations this year. Duets here, trios there… Seems like everyone in the music world has had a chance to play with Enzo Goes To Titowood.”

He paused.

“And I thought,” he said kindly, “that I’d feel awfully left out if we didn’t make something together… something special… something Christmassy.”

Enzo gasped with delight. “A Christmas collaboration?! With you?!”

“Yes,” Nat said warmly. “Just you on the piano… and me and my voice. A simple, magical melody to fill dreams with snowflakes and starlight.”

And so, on that magical Christmas Eve, Enzo hurried to his piano. Mr King Cole’s voice shimmered down the phone as Enzo began to play. Together they made music so soft and glowing that even the stars outside slowed their twinkling just to listen.

They sang about chestnuts roasting…

About Jack Frost nipping…

About families gathered close…

And about the quiet, gentle joy that only Christmas can bring.

When they finished, Nat smiled.

“Thank you, Enzo. I think we’ve created something that will be in our dreams for years and years. Something we will never forget.”

And Enzo, heart full, fingers warm, spirit glowing, agreed.

As he hung up the phone, the Christmas tree lights shimmered brighter, the snowflakes danced a little slower, and the whole world seemed to whisper.

“All is calm. All is bright.”

And somewhere far away, maybe on a snowy cloud or a warm Christmas star, Mr King Cole hummed as Enzo continued played some festive jazz on his piano, the notes drifting across the cold dark night.

As Enzo closed the studio for the night, ready to slip into his soft slippers and warm blanket, a sip of sweet sherry and a nibble of a mince pie, he heard a gentle rustling outside, like snow being brushed aside by something… musical.

He opened the door just a crack.

There, standing in the snowy moonlight, was the Trans-Siberian Orchestra choir, bundled in shimmering winter cloaks, their breath floating like tiny clouds.

“We heard your new Christmas melody,” they whispered.

“It was so beautiful, we thought we’d stop by… just to add a little sparkle.”

“We brought our luggage.” said the choir. “We packed a bell and a cannon…”

“What do you think we could sing?” they asked.

“Hmmm…?” pondered Enzo. “There must be something…”

And before Enzo could even play his first note, the choir began to sing – not loudly, but softly, sweetly, like wind chimes made from snowflakes. Their harmonies drifting around the trees, over the rooftops, and up into the sky where Nat King Cole’s warm voice seemed to hum from afar.

The music wrapped the world in a glowing blanket of peace, of hope. The stars seemed to join the choir for a few shining notes.

When the final piano chord faded into the night, the choir bowed and whispered.

“Merry Christmas, Enzo. And goodnight.”

Then, just as magically as they had arrived, they vanished into the snowy sparkle of Christmas Eve.

Enzo smiled, closed the door, and let the soft silence settle.

The world was calm.

The world was bright.

And all across the world, we all drifted into dreams filled with music, with starlight… and the warm glow of Christmas magic.

Merry Christmas, and a goodnight.