The following morning the Tuxedo Cats borrowed Harlin's Seven Seater. "It’s a surprise!" smiled Rose.
"Thanks for the car, we'll return it soon," said Mason.
Harlin replied, "No biggie. See you today for the big test."
The Tuxedo Cats drove off to town to pick up a very special parcel. "Will it fit?" asked Lily as it was loaded into the car.
"Don't worry. My wife Molly makes very compact packaging," assured Mr. Waters, the village builder, who had built something for the Tuxedos.
After the parcel was securely in the trunk the family drove off. Natalie reminded, "Don't forget we should get Ginni and Olive before we go to the Hopscotch's lovely home."
Once Olive and Ginni were in the Seven Seater too they knocked on the Hopscotch's door. Heidi opened the door and was greeted by a very large, “SURPRISE!”
“Surprise?” questioned Heidi.
“Over there,” replied Olive, pointing her little paw to the patio.
Heidi gasped, there were lovely green patio chairs at her patio with a two-tier plate filled with pastel colored macaroons and chocolates. There were matching tea cups, saucers, plates and teapots. Then she fainted from such a lovely sight. “Oh dear,” said Lily, “Is she alright?”
After a few seconds Heidi woke up saying, “I just imagined I owned one of the fanciest tea sets with green garden chairs.”
“But you do own one,” replied Natalie with a smile, “This is a city way of saying we are happy to be neighbors with you. These chocolates and macaroons can be purchased in the Grand Department Store in town. Laura Toy Poodle makes some wonderful treats.”
“I don’t know what to say,” exclaimed Heidi, “OH THANK YOU! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!”
Teri and Harlin heard all the commotion and came outside. After some explaining, Teri commented, “Now that is VERY TERI!”
“Thank you very much you shouldn’t have,” thanked Harlin, “In the country we’re supposed to be cooking a large dinner for you.”
Bell rushed outside and squealed, “Oh my goodness! Is that a Tea and Treats Set from town? It is all over the Calico Times!”
After many more squeals of delights and thank you’s everyone went inside. Harlin went off to work and promised he would have some coffee with Mason later. Upstairs, the older children were doing some pre-test socializing. Lily and Rose introduced themselves better. “My name is Rose Tuxedo Cat and I am the older twin. I like fancy tea parties and playing with Lily,” greeted Rose.
Lily introduced herself by saying she liked playing tennis and athletics. She likes the outdoors and spending time with Rose. “No one can take a test on an empty stomach,” chided Heidi, as she passed breakfast for everyone, “Even the test-giver,” she said, seating Mason and his wife, Natalie, for some breakfast.
“Rose, do you think I will pass?” asked Olive, tugging on the hem of Rose’s to get her attention.
Rose answered with a sweet smile, “Of course, you will.”
Mason announced that he would test the babies first. Teri was absolutely confident that her Breeze would pass with flying colors. She was right Breeze got 11/10 for her reading and 10/10 for her math. The babies average score was 8/10 for reading and math. The passing rate was 75% so the babies could stay being homeschooled. If after many tests someone’s average score dipped below 75% they would be immediately sent to school at town. Luckily since this was the first test it was much easier and it told Mason where each baby was at.
“I am so nervous,” Freya mentioned, “Breeze set the bar so high, I will surely fail now. My mother always wants the best of me.”
“Hey don’t worry,” assured Freya’s cousin Bell, “You’ll do great.”
“Yes, I am sure you will,” said the Tuxedo Cat twins in unison.
Mason told the children to stand in straight rows at the living room and he’ll begin testing them. While they were being tested, Heidi took the opportunity to get to know Natalie Charcoal. She invited her for some tea and treats.
“Where did you grow up?” asked Natalie.
Heidi replied, “Teri’s my older sister and we grew up in the quiet countryside. It was a peaceful childhood and I had lots of fun, running in the meadows, cooking with my mother and making warm fires. Teri always knew she would move to the city one day, but I always loved it here.”
“It sounds very fun and exciting. The calm and peacefulness of the country. I can already imagine the beautiful sunsets you watched as a child. I grew up in the city and I was an only child. I liked dancing a lot and opened the Ballet Theater when I was older. I drive down to town 2-3 days a week to instruct my students,” Natalie informed.
The women continued chatting away and Teri eventually after joined them smiling about Breeze’s amazing scores for 30 whole minutes. The test was held at the parents’ bedroom on the third floor. The test-taker would sit on the Semi-Double Bed and Mason would ask them standard questions. 10 questions for each subject.
When Harlin got back for lunch the testing was done and Heidi was preparing a country styled dinner to officially welcome the Tuxedo Cats. “How does it feel to be Mrs. T. Choch’s daughter?” asked Lily to Freya. Rose added, “It must be fun, being with someone so posh.”
“Our mom loves her writing!” exclaimed Lily, “She loves lace, tea, and fancy things!”
“Do you even know what VERY TERI even means?” asked Freya.
“Of course!” the twins said in unison, “Elegance and poshness.”
“Ughhh!” groaned Freya, “VERY TERI means whatever my mom likes! If she likes the country she would call that VERY TERI!”
“No way!” gaped Rose.
As the twins bombarded more questions on the country loving Freya, Mason and Harlin were at the balcony, chatting and having a warm cup of coffee. “Mason, I am glad you’re here,” claimed Harlin.
“I think I’ll like it here too.”
Harlin asked, “How was testing?”
“It went well,” told Mason, “Very smooth. Oh, but I should tell you, you’re youngest daughter Honey has excellent hearing.”
“How come?” inquired Harlin.
Mason answers with a laugh, “I sometimes says her score outloud and she’ll burst out crying if it isn’t 10 or above.”
“No kidding?” gasped Harlin, “I guess I spoil her sometimes. She’s just so cute. It’s difficult not to”
“This coffee is extremely good by the way,” compliments Mason, “And I understand. I spoil Lily and Rose all the time.”
As the husbands continue talking Heidi is frantically rushing around the kitchen. Everything will and must be perfect. Now time to hand roll some dough for some biscuits, thinks Heidi.
“Hi mom,” greets Bell cheerfully, “How can I help?”
Heidi smiles, “Thank you, Bell. Could you chop some carrots for the soup?”
Bell grabs a step stool and starts cutting. Bell haven’t learned to hand roll dough yet, so she helps with other things.
Freya looks longingly and wishes she could be helping out, the country had always intrigued her. This looks way better than shopping and sitting proper, thinks Freya. She starts to wonder, what if she musters up the courage to ask to help. “Can I help out with anything?” she squeaks.
The mother daughter turn their heads and smiles at her. “Of course,” Heidi answers, “Bell, please teach your cousin how to make some tea.”
After a long 2 hours of hand rolling, baking, stirring and chopping the three women has finished. “Wow,” chimed Skip, “It smells so good. How come we don’t cook this much normally?”
“The Tuxedo Cats are here, it’s a country welcome dinner,” explained Heidi, "It isn't everyday where people move to the countryside."
They decided to eat at the Tuxedo Cats rented home. They moved the tea and treats set table and the dining table into the car after dropping off the children and the food. The extra tables were placed outside, with the large party table inside. "Wow!" Natalie stated happily, "This food is so good. I really like this carrot soup."
Natalie's daughter both nod in agreement. Teri complimented, "Heidi, your tea is always perfectly made."
"Oh, Freya made the tea and helped me season and stir the carrot soup. She's so good at this!" piped Heidi.
"Aunt Heidi!" yelled Freya who was eating outside with Karen at a table.
Heidi realizing her mistake says, "Oh oops. Sorry, Freya!"
"Wow! That's impressive!" complimented Lily.
Rose adds, "How can you do that?"
Teri says, "Freya, you amazed me. However, why didn't you ask me?"
Heidi answers, "Teri, it's the Tuxedo Cats' welcome dinner. Let's forget about it."
The night passed slowly as the adults got to know each other and the children finished up dinner and went outside for a game of tag. The babies swung on the hammocks and the Tuxedo Cats knew this might be a different life, but it would be a good one.
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