“Madame,” Harlin greeted, with a proper bow learned from Mason Tuxedo.
Heidi giggles and answers, “Monsieur, good evening.”
David appears with a little white towel hanging from his arm just like a butler. “This way, please,” he instructs.
David leads them to the dining room, which is spotless. “The waitress will be with you shortly,” says David.
“Ooo, a waitress. David is a lovely host,” Heidi laughs.
“I think this restaurant is called the Critter’s Delight,” Harlin smiles, taking a peek at the menu, which was written on MEMO cards.
Freya appears both with a pencil and a MEMO card to write down orders. “Hello, good evening,” says Freya, beaming with excitement, “Welcome to the Critter’s Delight! What can I get you?”
Heidi giggles. She’s delighted with what the kids planned. How David is such a good host and Freya’s waitress skills. She was of course, curious about the smells coming from the kitchen. Harlin orders first, “I would like some coffee. Do you serve with the Coffee Special beans?”
“Of course we do!” answers Freya, “And for the lady?”
Heidi replies, “A cup of Earl Gray tea please. Thank you!”
Freya nods and heads to the kitchen. Soon, Freya’s back and she hands everyone their drink. Freya also gives everyone a glass of water. “We didn’t order water,” stutters Heidi.
“Every customer gets a glass of water,” Freya chimes, “Now what would you like to order? Our specials for today is Mama Dotty’s Squash Bake with a side of boiled flour with salt, pepper and some boiled carrot leaves.”
“Alright, we’ll take the special. My wife and I would like an appetizer of donuts please.”
Freya quickly writes that down and go the kitchen. She comes back and hands them each a donut. “Entertainment is coming soon,” assures Freya, happily, “Please enjoy.”
Heidi smiles, everything was so cute. Bell and Skip comes down with little patters of tiny feet. “In positions,” whispers Skip to all the babies, “And 1...2…3...go!”
Slow music starts playing. The babies had borrowed musical toys from the Toy Shop. Those without instruments hum slowly to the beat. The babies have plenty of energy after their long nap. Breeze plays her soft piano music accompanied by the beat of the toy drum played by Henry. Hopper and Honey have perfectly timed noises made by the rattles. Olive clinks two pieces of chalk together to make sounds. Ginni and Grace hums to the melody.
Natalie, Rose and Lily all slowly come down gracefully. Skip announces, “And now! We have the Tuxedo mother daughter team performing for us tonight! Please give a round of applause.”
Lily, Rose and Natalie starts dancing with perfect grace and elegance and grace. Heidi watches in awe at the lovely dance and music. Even Harlin, who was the critter that started this entire thing is amazed. When the music ends everyone gives a round of applause and the mother daughter team hurries up stairs. Heidi comments happily, "That was beautiful."
Harlin smiles, "Yes I agree. Ooo, look, dinner is here!"
Karen and Freya come out holding a tray with a squash. Karen takes a knife and cuts the top of the squash. Hot carrot soup has filled the squash. "This is the Mama Dotty's Squash Bake made by Karen Doughty Chiffon Dog. Inside is a carrot soup with crumbled biscuit," announced Freya.
Karen said proudly, "Please enjoy!"
"Thank you!" cheered Heidi, "It looks wonderful!"
Harlin takes a sip of the hot soup. “Mmmm, try some, Heidi. It is delicious,” exclaims Harlin.
The couple quickly start digging in and even order some not sweet pound cake, which is almost like bread to soak p more of the soup. “I think it’s working!” whispers Karen in the kitchen to Bellia.
Bellia squeals with excitement, “The Critters’ Delight is a success. Wait till my aunt hears about this!”
“I love how this is going!” smiles Karen, “Wait, why did Mr.Hopscotch do this again?”
Bellia shrugs, “I don’t think he told us.”
Harlin and Heidi keep talking, both serious and funny matters. They had a delicious tart cake dessert and after Harlin asked Heidi to go out to the patio with him. “Sure,” agreed Heidi.
The couple walked out and saw a lovely sunset. “Why are we celebrating?” inquired Heidi, “Last I checked, it was just a normal day today.”
Harlin replied, “We’re celebrating all the small things you do for me.”
The couple hold both hands together,
and the children peek from the living room windows.
“Mission accomplished!” yelled David.
“What was the mission?” asked Bell.
Skip answers, just as confused as all the other kids, “To be honest, I have no idea. Just to make mom and dad have a special night?”
“It doesn’t matter, I am sure we did it,” cheered Rose.
“It sure is a lovely evening,” Harlin says when he and Heidi come in.
Heidi nods, “I agree. Thank you all.”
After all that, the kids went to bed and Harlin was proud of what he had planned. This was a complete success, he told himself, and I can’t wait to do it again.
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