Surprise!

Happy Birthday to You

Matthew had confided to Joe over the flank of a cow one day that Marilla's birthday was going to be on a Saturday next month. She usually ignored it, believing such fripperies to be nonsense.

Joe told Anne about it and not surprisingly Anne's reaction was quite the opposite. "Joe" she went into raptures "we can hold a surprise party for her!"

"Take it easy Anne. Just think, how can we manage that?"

"It'll be easy. I'll do the baking at Diana's and we'll ask Mrs Lynde, she'll provide some treats too. It won't be large, just us four, Diana and the Lyndes. You can play the fiddle. Do you know many tunes yet? Oh! bother, I've nothing to wear." Anne's mind went into overdrive as she mapped the afternoon out.

As the day approached, Joe asked Anne what he could do to help. "You have to get Marilla out of the way for about an hour, while Diana and I set up the house."

"How am I supposed to manage that?" Joe's imagination failed him.

"I dunno, just take her for a walk or something. Tell her you have something you need to discuss. Think of something, Joe. Use your imagination." If you have one, she muttered to herself. Honestly did she have to think of every little thing around here?

Happy Birthday to You

At 1.30pm Joe walked into the kitchen to find Marilla just washing up the last of the lunch things. "Um, Marilla, it's such a lovely day. Seems a pity to waste it doing housework."

Marilla looked up at him surprised. She had a lovely day of sweeping and mopping planned, where was the waste in that? It was such a satisfying chore.

"Why don't we two go for a walk?"

"A walk, Joe?"

"Yes, I have something I want to discuss with you."

"Very well then. Let me get my shawl."

They strolled along the road, Marilla's arm in his, as he played the gentleman. She glanced across at him "Why Joe, you're nearly as tall as I am now. You're growing up."

"Must be all the delicious food you're feeding me, Marilla. I really am very obliged that you adopted me."

"It is absolutely our pleasure, Joe." Marilla thought back to the quiet house of barely a year ago and inwardly shuddered. She and Matthew hadn't even known what they were missing out on. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"

Oh, yes, that. Joe's mind went blank. "Well, it's just. Just that well I ..."

Marilla looked confused, "I thought you wanted to discuss something important? Not that this walk isn't pleasant, you understand. I should get out of the house more often I suppose. Make the most of this lovely fall weather before winter hits."

Weather, he could ask about the weather. "How cold does it get here?"

"Well it does get pretty chilly. Colder than town I guess. All those houses together probably provide a bit o collective warmth. Around Avonlea it can get down to ten below. Green Gables is well built though, we stay warm enough inside. It's a chilly walk to school though." Joe shuddered, it was a bit colder than he was used to. "But, surely that's not what you had to discuss?"

"No, it's just." He thought desperately, his fingers fiddling in his pocket. The fiddle! "It's just I've been thinking about my fiddle. How would it be if I found a job playing the fiddle sometime?"

"I think that sounds like an excellent plan Joe." Marilla was still suspicious. If Joe just wanted to go for a walk, why make up such a spurious excuse? Maybe it was just an adolescent boy thing?

"Yes, I thought I could bring in a little extra money for the household, especially since we know I can't help out at harvest." Joe's nose tickled a bit at the memory of his terrible hay fever.

"Sounds like an excellent plan. Do you want me to ask around a bit? I know a few musicians in town."

"Yes please, Marilla."

They had been strolling along for about half an hour by now, so perhaps it would be alright to stroll slowly home. Joe was in no hurry.

Happy Birthday Dear Marilla

Back at Green Gables party preparation was in full swing. Anne and Diana had baked a cake at the Barry's the previous day, a triple layer chocolate cake. It was a bit lop-sided and Anne was concerned that the top layer might slip off, but she hoped it would be delicious enough.

Diana had festooned streamers about the kitchen and parlour. Anne had found every flower within a half hour radius of the house and arranged them in all the vases she could lay her hands on.

They had raided the pantry and found the raspberry cordial and the red currant wine for the adults. Mr and Mrs Lynde had been invited and worded up. Rachel never liked keeping secrets from anyone, least of all Marilla, but even she understood the importance on this occasion. She had provided ginger snaps and raspberry tarts for the afternoon tea and she had been creating a beautiful gift for Marilla to present to her later.

Matthew was inside, all spruced up and now acting as look out. Anne was hopping about making finishing touches to the arrangement. She was wearing her brown dress. It wasn't beautiful, and it lacked puffed sleeves, but it would have to do.

Happy Birthday to You

"I see them, here they come." Matthew whispered. Everyone ducked down behind some item of furniture, except Rachel who wasn't spry enough, so she just hid behind the kitchen door.

Joe led Marilla back to the door and they walked in. "What's all…"

"Surprise!"

"Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday Marilla!"

Marilla was so shocked; her hands flew up to her face and she burst into tears.

This was not the reaction Anne was aiming for, she stood looking forlorn.

Rachel had an inkling. "Come now dear, just sit down in the parlour." Marilla allowed herself to be led in and sat down on the sofa.

"It's just, it's just." Tears traced down her face. "No one. Ever. No one." She sobbed.

"I think she's overwhelmed with happiness, Anne." Matthew explained.

Marilla nodded. "Here's a cup of tea for you dear." Rachel handed her a hot drink. "Anne organised the whole thing for you. She wanted to give you a nice surprise."

A teary Marilla looked up at Anne and sobbed "Th…an…k … y…ou."

Anne sat next to her on the sofa and hugged her. "I'm sorry you're upset."

Marilla looked at her through her teary eyes. "I'm not upset. I'm happy. Anne, no one has ever thrown a surprise party for me, ever. In fact, I had forgotten it was my birthday. We don't usually acknowledge it. I suppose you revealed the date, Matthew?"

He nodded. "I thought for once we could celebrate it, now that we have someone to share it with."

Hip Hip Hooray

It was a merry afternoon and evening. The birthday cake was delicious. As Anne had anticipated the top tier did fall off, but everyone laughed and enjoyed it regardless. The lack of architectural stability did not affect the taste.

Rachel presented Marilla with her gift. Marilla sat down on the sofa and reverently took the beautiful package on her lap. It was wrapped in gorgeous paper and tied with a bow. Inside she was delighted to find a new shawl which Rachel had been knitting all month. "It's so soft. Thank you, my dearest friend, I shall treasure it."

"Just make sure you wear it. It should keep you warm in the months to come."

At that small break in proceedings Joe took up his fiddle and began to play a soft tune he had been practising for some time. It provided a lovely background to the festivities. Next, he upped the tempo and Thomas Lynde stood up and asked Marilla for her hand in the dance.

"Why thank you, Thomas. I would be delighted."

They were joined by Anne and Joe, Rachel and Matthew. Diana looked on laughing and clapping time with the music. She had a turn later as everyone changed partners.

Hip Hip Hooray

Later as people lounged around filling small gaps with tasty treats and sipping on which ever red drink was best suited to them. Marilla confided in Anne "This was just the most gorgeous treat, Anne. I'm sorry for my initial reaction. I suppose I surprised you?"

Anne grinned, "You sure did. I didn't expect my usually fearless mother to burst into tears. I'm so happy that you enjoyed it though. Happy Birthday Marilla."

Hip Hip Hooray