Happy Anniversary Part 1

“But, you must want to do something!” Felicia protested. “It’s your anniversary!”

“No, no, we want to keep it simple. Your father and I love each other everyday.” Natalie smiled.

“Your mother’s right, Felicia,” Mason supported.

Felicia was left defeated by the joined union of her parents, but she did not drop the subject matter in her mind. To Felicia, a couple’s anniversary was special. It was a day that marked when they joined to be husband and wife. She was determined to make her parents’ special day special.

Felicia thought long and hard. Her parents did not want a fancy night in town or a meal at the Delicious Restaurant. Nor did they want an afternoon sharing romantic chocolates and flowers. What could they want? Something simple but bonding. Cooking was a perfect idea! But what could they cook together to have fun?

It was so perfect when Rose was discussing with Felicia about the latest catalog she had seen upstairs.

The Hopscotch Rabbit girls, Rose’s friends, had a bunch of catalogs and magazines from their family’s annual subscription. Bell and Bellia often brought them outside to share with Rose and Lily. Although the girls never bought anything, the catalogs were still fun to look over. This activity could often fill up unexpected hours.

“It was this pastel pink kitchen island. It came with all the breakfast food gadgets. There was an automated mixer, waffle making machine, and a beautiful plate! Think of all the waffles making fun one could have!” Rose admired.

“That sounds so interesting, Rose. May I see the catalog advertisement?”

“Sure! I’ll ask Bell for it tomorrow.”

The next day, Rose eagerly brought the crisp catalog over to Felicia. Felicia made sure both her mother and father saw no part of this. She waited until both were occupied before even peeking at the pages upstairs in the second floor. Natalie was strolling about her beautiful patio as she watched her handsome husband tending to the bread dough.

“This is perfect,” Felicia muttered to herself quietly. The picture showed the Kitchen Island and all its parts standing in a white background.

Her mother and father loved spending time together, and both were always happy to try a new cooking experiment. If it were not for that type of personality, Flour to Dough would not have opened!

Felicia returned the catalog to Rose, who would return it to Bellia, in perfect condition.

The next step of Felicia’s grand plan was to somehow buy the kitchen island and move it into the house without her parents spotting her and the Kitchen Island. Not to mention, transportation was also an issue. In fact, the only car that could fit such an enormous thing was the Family Seven Seater. Felicia realized that she would have to enlist the help of her kind neighbors if her plan was to succeed.

The next day, Felicia, wearing a crisp dress and cute headband, was just about to walk herself out the door when Natalie caught her.

“Where are you going?” Natalie curiously investigated.

“Nowhere special. I’m doing a piece for the newspaper on the structural integrity of houses in the countryside. I can’t do that inside. Can I?”

“Oh, I see. Well, I can’t wait to read this article, dear!” Natalie responded.

With that, Felicia walked outside and walked herself up to the Hopscotch Rabbit Family’s front door.

In her head, she realized that added yet another thing to do. She would have to write up such an article if her mother was to believe her alibi. An involuntary facepalm was in motion.

Felicia knocked on the front door gently, quickly being greeted by Heidi Hopscotch.

“Hello, Felicia. What can I do for you?” Heidi said.

“Oh, hello, Mrs. H. Choch. I was wondering if you had a minute to talk.”

“Of course I do! And, please, call me Heidi.”

“Of course, Heidi.”

The two walked to the dining room, quaintly situated underneath the stairs to the second floor.

“Let me get you a bite to eat. I can’t be a bad hostess,” Heidi declared before rushing off to the kitchen.

Heidi was old fashioned in pretty much everything. She made her biscuits by hand and insisted on using as little kitchen appliances as possible. Most importantly, she was taught that manners were everything. Any self respecting hostess ensured that her guests were well fed, comfortable, and interested. When Heidi returned, she was carrying a beautiful tray of tarts.

She went back again to get dainty, minty green plates.

“Oh my, Heidi, those look amazing!” Felicia complimented.

Heidi thanked her and followed up: “So, what may I do for you?”

“I do apologize if this is something you and your husband are not up for. You see, next week will be my parents’ 23rd anniversary. 23 years ago, on that day, my 23 year old mother married my 24 year old father.”

“Congratulations to your parents!” Heidi cut in.

“Thank you, but the issue is that they don’t want any extravagant celebration. My mother and father have said that they want a simple day. But, it can’t be. I thought I might get them a small gift to mark the day.”

“I see,” Heidi agreed.

“And so, I want to get them a Kitchen Island, but I need help getting it to our house without my parents spotting the giant thing.”

“Use our car! The backspace is perfect. Harlin can remove the seats, and you’ll have more than enough space,” Heidi offered.

“Oh, thank you so much. I’ll be sure to drive carefully.”

“As for the distraction, may I suggest asking your parents to babysit for Harlin and I? I’m sure the exercise will keep them busy. I’ll say Harlin and I need to go to an important dinner with the Hopper Kangaroos,” Heidi suggested.

“That sounds like a great idea. But what day should you ask them to babysit?”

“Hmm, I would say the day before their anniversary. They’ll return home to find a brand new Kitchen Island ready to use the day of their anniversary.”

“You think of everything, Heidi!” Felicia complimented.

Heidi’s superhero-like powers came from her long career as a mother, wife, and lady of the house.

The plan was set in motion soon. Heidi promptly asked Natalie and Mason the kind favor of babysitting and house sitting for the day she and Harlin were in town. They agreed immediately, eager to help their kind neighbors out.

“The Hopscotch Rabbit Family does so much for us daily. It’s the least we could do. Besides, we can bring Ginni and Olive over as a play date. Rose, Felicia, and Lily can help out,” Natalie brought up in front of Mason, who could only agree with all these points.

The day Heidi and Harlin were supposedly meeting with the kangaroos, Natalie and Mason woke up earlier than usual. Stirring Rose, Lily, and Felicia up with all this commotion, the girls walked downstairs, where their parents were busy with preparations for the day.