Linus was walking over to the Emmons place, asking Janice to come out.
"Oh, I hope she's home." Linus said to himself.
As Linus rang the doorbell, nobody answered. Linus rang the doorbell again. Still no answer.
"Hmm….. She's not home. Hm."
As Linus walked away from the Emmons place, he found Heather walk by with her brother Henry.
"Hi, Heather. Hi, Henry."
"Hello, Linus." Heather said. "What are you doing out?"
"I've been trying to ask Janice to come out and play, but she wouldn't answer." Linus explained.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you. Janice is away for a week. She's on vacation." Heather said.
"Vacation? Where?"
"She and her family have gone to France."
"France? Oh, Charlie Brown and I have been to France." Linus said, remembering.
"Really? Must be a lovely country. I heard their capital is the city of love." Heather said.
Linus continued on about his trip to France.
"Wow. Good old Charlie Brown." Heather said, having heard the full story. "A true hero he is. Oh, Henry and I have to go. Nice talking to you, Linus."
"Nice seeing you, Heather."
Later, Linus was at the Thinking Wall with Charlie Brown.
"Charlie Brown. Do you remember our trip to France?" asked Linus.
"Oh, I remember going there on a student exchange program." Charlie Brown said.
"Heather told me that Janice is there as we speak." Replied Linus. "I can't wait to hear all about her trip when she gets back."
"So what are you gonna do while Janice is away?"
"Oh. I have an idea! I'm gonna throw a special for her!"
"A special? What kind of special?"
"Oh ho. You'll see, Charlie Brown. And she'll see too."
"Good grief."
Linus spent the rest of the day thinking about what to throw for Janice.
"What to throw. What to throw."
Linus went over to the Browns' house later and knocked on the door. Who should open it but Sally.
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Linus.
"Hi, Linus!" said Sally.
Sally held her heart, with love hearts coming out.
"Er, Sally. Is your brother home?"
"He's in his room."
Then Sally called to Charlie Brown.
"Big Brother! Linus is here!"
"Linus?" quizzed Charlie Brown.
"Come on in, Sweet Babboo." Sally said.
"I'm not your sweet babboo." Linus replied solemnly.
Linus found Charlie Brown in his room.
"Charlie Brown!" Linus called.
"Oh. Hi, Linus. Have you thought of a special you'd like to throw Janice?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Not yet. That's why I've come to you, Charlie Brown."
"Now what kind of special would Janice like?"
"Hmm….. let me think….."
"Well, she did beat cancer. So…."
"Yes! That's it!"
"But why are you throwing this special for her?"
"Because, Charlie Brown,"
Linus whispered into Charlie Brown's ear the reason he was throwing the special for Janice.
"Wow!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Sally walked into Charlie Brown's room, seeing him and Linus having their discussion.
"What's going on up here?" asked Sally. "Is my big brother giving my sweet babboo ideas for anything?"
"I am NOT your sweet babboo!" yelled Linus.
Sally chuckled nervously and walked away.
"That is so stupid! So stupid it just might be the right idea." Linus said.
"The right idea? For the special?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Yes. As annoying as your sister is, Charlie Brown, she can give the right ideas when the time is right."
Meanwhile, Janice had arrived in France with her parents, as well as her Frieda-like sister Britney and her Patty-like sister Lindsey.
"Wow! France sure is a beautiful country!" Janice cried.
Mrs. Emmons told her daughters where they needed to go.
"Oh yes. To our hotel room!" said Janice. "Come on, sisters! Our hotel awaits us!"
"Coming, Mom!" said Britney.
"Anything you say!" Lindsey added. "France is sure to have some lovely sights!"
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower." Janice said to herself.
Later, Linus was at the thinking wall. Only this time, Charlie Brown didn't join him. Instead, Heather joined him.
"Oh. Hi, Heather." Said Linus.
"Hello, Linus." Heather said. "Heard from Charlie Brown that you're throwing a special for Janice."
"Yeah."
"Anyway, Linus. Tell me how and when you first met Janice."
"Well…"
*flashback*
"It was the first day of school after a summer vacation." Linus narrated.
Miss Othmar came into class to tell everyone to take their seats.
"Yes, Miss Othmar!" the students said as they went to take their seats.
Miss Othmar made an official announcement.
"Did you hear that, Sweet Babboo?" asked Sally.
"I am NOT your sweet babboo! And yes. We're getting a new student." Linus replied.
Miss Othmar told Linus off.
"Sorry, Miss Othmar." Replied Linus.
Just as Linus had said this, the classroom door opened, and walking in, was a girl with long blonde hair in which she was wearing a pink bow in it, and she was wearing a dark pink shirt with pink fringes, a dark pink skirt, pink socks, and white sneakers.
"Get a load of her!" exclaimed Linus.
"Wow! She's beautiful!" cried Five, admiring her hair.
"She's not that beautiful!" scoffed Sally.
Linus paid no attention to Sally, and he continued to stare at the girl, and his face turned bright red.
"Oh! She's quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!" Linus swooned.
As the girl turned towards him, he hid behind his desk.
"Good grief! My sweet babboo is just like my big brother!" Sally sighed.
"I'm….. I'm not your sweet babboo." Linus stammered.
The girl stood in front of the class, ready to introduce herself.
Miss Othmar told the girl to introduce herself.
"Yes, Miss Othmar." The girl said. "My name is Janice Emmons."
Linus, upon hearing the girl's name, sighed dreamily.
"Ah. Janice….." Linus said dreamily as Janice began to talk about herself.
"We just moved in from Chicago, Illinois. My dad works as a carpenter, so we decided to move into your humble town. Could do with some repairs every now and again."
Miss Othmar told Janice to take her seat.
"Yes, Miss Othmar."
Janice walked over to take her seat. Much to Linus' surprise, Janice took the seat behind him. Linus immediately turned beet red. Janice looked at Linus, puzzled by how he was acting with her in his presence.
"Huh." Janice said solemnly.
At lunchtime, Janice was sitting on a bench having her lunch. Linus walked over.
"Hello, Janice!" said Linus.
"Oh. Er….. hello." Janice replied.
"My name is Linus. Er…. Mind if I have lunch with you?"
"Not at all. Join me." Janice said as Linus took a seat right next to her.
"So tell me. What was life like before moving into our town?" asked Linus.
"Chicago's really loud and busy." Said Janice. "Tell me. What's this town like?"
"Not all is friendly here, I'm afraid." Said Linus. "You sure won't like my big sister, or the other girls who are mean."
As Linus continued is conversation, Charlie Brown walked by, trying to grab the attention of another girl.
"Come on, Charlie Brown! Pluck up your courage to talk to that Little Red-Haired Girl!" Charlie Brown said to himself.
"Who's that?" asked Janice, pointing to the round-headed kid.
"That's Charlie Brown. He's my best friend." Linus said.
"Your best friend? But….. why is he calling that girl over there the Little Red-Haired Girl?"
"Oh, he's just shy and too nervous to talk to her. Pretty faces make him nervous."
"Wow." Janice said solemnly.
"By the way, Janice." Linus went on. "Charlie Brown's got a dog that can do anything."
"A dog that can do anything? That's amazing!"
"But watch out for his sister. She'll just go out of anyone's way just to call me her sweet babboo!"
"Sweet Babboo?" Janice quizzed. "But….. that quote sounds so cute."
As Janice said this, Sally walked up, shocked to see Janice with Linus.
"What's going on here?" asked Sally, causing both Janice and Linus jump out of the bench.
"Janice! What are you doing on this bench with my boyfriend?" Sally demanded.
"I'm having lunch with him!" said Janice. "And he's not your boyfriend!"
"Yes he is!" Sally retorted.
"No I'm not!" Linus said.
"Linus loves me more than he loves you!" Sally said.
"No he doesn't." Janice responded back.
"Good grief! Not this again! I warned you, Janice. This is Sally. Charlie Brown's sister." Linus said.
"Charlie Brown's sister? Oh boy." Janice said.
A day before Janice started to suffer from severe fatigue and fever, she sat on the swings during their lunch hour, Linus found Janice sitting on the swings.
"Hi, Janice. Sitting on the swing, are you?" asked Linus.
"I sure am, Linus." Said Janice.
"Want me to push you?"
"Of course! Push me, Linus! Push me!"
Linus pulled Janice, and then let go. Each time Janice came back, Linus pushed her even harder.
"Whee! Linus! You're a wonderful swing pusher!"
"Wow!"
Linus pushed Janice his hardest, and all he could do was watch Janice swing on the swings, and see her long blonde hair swing about. Janice spent the rest of her time laughing.
*flashback over*
"Wow." Heather said in amazement. "So you liked her the instant she arrived."
"Of course, Heather. And this was before she was diagnosed with cancer." Linus said.
"Oh. And you mean to tell me Charlie Brown tried to talk to another Little Red-Haired Girl?" Heather quizzed.
"Er…. Yeah. Multiple Little Red-Haired Girls to be exact. But he never plucked up the courage."
"Good grief." Sighed Heather.
"After all, it was me who told him to pluck up the courage to talk to you before you left for summer camp, and he finally found his true Little Red-Haired Girl." Linus explained.
"Really? Wow! You really are a great friend Linus. I'll help you, Linus. What does Janice like most?"
"That's what I'm going to tell you." Linus said.
"Go on." Heather said with interest.
"Er, let's go over to my psychiatry booth."
So Linus brought Heather over to his psychiatry booth to discuss the things Janice likes.
"So what's this about, Heather?" asked Linus.
"About the things Janice likes." Heather reminded.
"Well, she does like swinging on the swings, she likes to run fundraisers too."
"Fundraiser? Oh yeah. I helped her out with her fundraiser. After all, it was my suggestion to start a fundraiser. Anyway, Linus. What exactly are you planning for her?"
"Oh. Only tell the residents. Don't tell Janice even when she gets back. I'm throwing this surprise for her."
"Alright then, Linus."
"Er, Heather."
"Yes, Linus."
Linus got out the tin and shook it. Heather then placed 3 cents inside.
"Thanks for the advice, Linus."
"Linus went over to Charlie Brown's house to tell Snoopy about his plan.
"Snoopy!" called Linus.
"Huh?" Snoopy quizzed.
"I'm planning something special for Janice." Explained Linus.
"Oh!"
"Don't tell her, but….."
Linus whispered into Snoopy's right ear.
"Oooooh!" Snoopy cooed.
Snoopy put his paw in front of his mouth and whistled for Woodstock and all the other little birds. Snoopy explained everything Linus had whispered to him. All the Woodstocks were excited, and they ran into Snoopy's Doghouse to get everything needed.
Linus was looking for a place to hold the special for Janice. Then, he found an abandoned theatre.
"Hmm…. This could make for a great place to hold this something special I want to throw for Janice." Linus decided.
Snoopy arrived with his little bird friends and they were all impressed.
"Snoopy. I want you to spruce this place right up. I want Janice to be impressed with it when she gets back." Linus explained.
"Hm." Snoopy decided.
Snoopy gave orders to his bird friends, but the birds were puzzled.
"Wait a minute!" Linus cried.
Linus dashed back to his psychiatry booth to collect all the money he and Janice had earned from all the psychiatry sessions they've given since they'd taken over. Linus handed the tin to Snoopy and when Snoopy looked at the money, he was amazed.
"But when all the guests arrive, I want you to take the sign down. I don't want Janice to see until it's time."
So Snoopy handed every Woodstock some money, and they all flew away to purchase everything needed for the special. Once all the required materials were purchased, the Woodstocks flew back to the abandoned theatre with them, ready to prepare the special.
"Great work, Snoopy." Said Linus. "Janice will be so pleased!"
Meanwhile, Heather arrived at the Browns' place and knocked on the door. Charlie Brown opened up.
"Hello, Charlie Brown." Said Heather.
"Oh. Er…. Hi, Heather." Said Charlie Brown.
"As you may be well aware, Linus is throwing something special for Janice. And Linus wants you to dress your best for it. But wait until the day comes."
"Alright then, Heather."
Heather left to tell everyone else about Linus' special, and Charlie Brown went up to his room to try on different outfits.
"What are you doing, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"I'm trying on one of my best outfits. Linus is throwing something special for his special someone." Said Charlie Brown.
"A special for me?" Sally squeaked.
"No. For Janice."
"Oh. For Janice? Figures." Sally sighed.
"Are you coming, Sally?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Oh, I'll do anything to go to a special that my sweet babboo is throwing."
"Really, Sally? But he says he's not your sweet babboo."
Sally went into her room to decide on what to wear to the special that Linus was throwing for Janice.
"What to wear… What to wear…. If he's throwing it for Janice, then…. I know! Since Janice wears a bow in her hair, I'll wear one in mine too!"
Sally looked through all the hairbows she had. She had to pick one that was just right for her to wear.
A week later, a jet plane had landed in the airport, and off the plane stepped Janice and her sisters. Janice was wearing a pink beret on her head and was carrying bags of baguettes.
"Paris is a beautiful place to be with so many art pieces and a beautiful Eiffel Tower, but there's no place like home. Right, Sisters?" Janice said.
"True, Janice. Paris was a fun place to be." Said Britney.
"Hope to go again one day." Lindsey added.
"Anyway, we have to get home now. Our friends await." Said Janice.
Mrs. Emmons called for her daughters to come along.
"We're coming, Mom!" Janice said.
Later that day, Linus walked over to the Emmons place and knocked on the door. The one to open it was…..
"Janice!" cried Linus.
"Linus!" Janice cried back.
Linus and Janice both hugged each other.
"How was France?" asked Linus.
"France was so much fun, Linus!" said Janice. "We got to see all kinds of sights! We got to see the Moulin Rouge, that is the Red Windmill. We went into The Louvre, and saw all kinds of artwork and sculptures. The Mona Lisa, and we saw the Venus de Milo. Here."
Janice got out some photos of the sights she and her family saw in France.
"Wow! I wish Charlie Brown, Marcie, Peppermint Patty and I had seen those on our trip to France." Said Linus.
Wow! You went to France before, Linus?" asked Janice.
"We sure did." Said Linus. "We were on a student exchange program. And Charlie Brown helped to save a chateau that caught fire."
"Wow! Charlie Brown sure is a hero!" said Janice.
"Anyway, is there anything you'd like to do tomorrow, Janice?"
"Well, let's spend the day together." Janice decided.
"Really? Wow!"
Then Linus thought.
"A Day out with Janice. That's wonderful! That should keep her away from the special I'm throwing for her until it's time."
The next day, Janice was still in bed. She wasn't wearing her bow in her hair. Instead, she was wearing it around her left wrist.
Mrs. Emmons called for her middle daughter to get up.
"Huh? Yes, Mom! I'm up!" Janice called, herring up, and she suddenly noticed. She put her right hand on her head.
"Say, where's my hairbow?" Janice asked herself.
Janice looked at her left arm and saw….
"Oh yes. It's on my left arm. It's supposed to be telling me something." Janice said to herself.
The door knocked, and Janice heard it.
"Good grief! Who's that?" she asked.
Lindsey walked over to Janice's bedroom to tell her blonde sister.
"Linus is at the door, Janice." Lindsey explained.
"Oh! Of course! Linus is spending the day with me! Well, best get prepared for the day!" Janice said as she got out of bed and was soon dressed in her best. A deep blue sparkly sleeveless shirt, a matching skirt, matching socks, and white Mary Jane shoes. She'd removed her bow from her wrist and then put in her hair a lighter blue hairbow.
"Janice Emmons! Looking sharp and beautiful!" she said to herself.
Janice then brushed her hair, all ready for her day with Linus.
"Janice! He's waiting!" Britney called.
"Tell him I'm almost ready!" Janice called back.
Linus was waiting outside, dressed in a maroon tux and a blue bow tie.
"Oh, I can't wait to spend my day with her." Linus sighed happily.
At last, Janice arrived at the door.
"Hi, Janice!" called Linus.
"Hello, Linus!" said Janice.
"Ready for our day together?"
"I sure am!"
"Great! Come on, Janice! I'll take you on the best day out you've had since your French trip."
"Wow! Thanks, Linus."
"Let's stop at a café for a little breakfast." Linus decided.
"Oh, I hope the café has baguettes and croissants. I had some while I was in France." Janice said hopefully.
"Speaking of croissants and baguettes, a new café had just opened while you were gone. So your return from France was perfect timing." Linus said.
"Since you know where it is, Linus, I want you to take me there."
"Yes, Janice. Oh, I hope their bread is good."
"The croissants they make in France are delicious."
As Linus and Janice arrived at the café, Janice took her table, and Linus went to the counter. The baker asked Linus what he wanted.
"Yes, Ma'am. Can I purchase one baguette, and two croissants please." Linus said.
The baker replied yes.
"Thanks, Ma'am." Said Linus.
Linus was given his baguette, one that was just big enough for him and Janice to share, and two croissants. One for him, one for Janice.
"Wow! Croissants and a baguette." Janice said happily.
"We each get a croissant, and we get half a baguette." Linus explained.
"Thanks, Linus! Let's dig in!" Janice said happily.
"Yes. Let's."
Linus and Janice simply tucked into their baguette and croissants.
Meanwhile, Marcie and Peppermint Patty were walking down town. Marcie was dressed in a red formal shirt, a red skirt, red socks, and white sneakers. She was carrying a red bag. Peppermint Patty was dressed in a green formal dress, and brown sandals. She was carrying a green bag.
"Do you think she'll like this something special, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Since a certain someone is throwing it for her, Marcie, she's sure to like it." Peppermint Patty explained.
"Sir. Where exactly are we supposed to go?" asked Marcie.
"Hopefully we'll get directions there." Peppermint Patty hoped.
"Look, Sir! There's Snoopy! He'll lead us there!"
"Hey, Snoop! Where exactly are we supposed to go?"
Snoopy moved his front legs around, telling Marcie and Peppermint Patty to follow him.
"He wants us to follow him, Sir." Marcie explained.
"Marcie, could you please do something for me until we get to our destination?"
"What's that?"
"Stop calling me 'Sir'."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Frieda had left her place too. She was dressed in an aquamarine sparkly blouse, purple sparkly pleated skirt with a bow at the back, aquamarine socks, and black Mary Jane shoes. She was carrying a purple bag.
"Oh, this special thing should be a blast, though it couldn't be as wonderful as my naturally curly hair." Frieda said happily.
Jumping in front of her was a little bunny rabbit.
"Oh, hello, little rabbit!" said Frieda. "Say, aren't you supposed to be chased by Snoopy?"
The rabbit shook its head and jumped in front of her.
"Hey! Wait up!" Frieda called as she chased after the rabbit. Much to Frieda's surprise, the rabbit stopped right in front of a theatre.
"A golden theatre? This must really be a something special!" Frieda exclaimed.
The rabbit signalled for Frieda to go inside. Frieda was most surprised to see what was inside.
"Wow!"
It was soon lunch time. As Linus and Janice were about to go for lunch, they saw Lucy, wearing a red cape, and a queen's crown. And she was carrying a blue bag.
"Say, Linus? Is today by any chance the day your sister becomes a queen?" asked Janice.
"Like that's ever gonna happen!" scoffed Linus. "My sister isn't really a queen. She's just dressing for… an occasion."
"Really? Anyway, Linus. I'm in the mood for some French fries." Janice said.
"That makes sense, Janice, since you just returned from France." Linus said.
"Actually, Linus. They're not really French fries. In other countries, they're called chips."
"Really? Well that doesn't matter. Let's get some French fries anyway."
Linus and Janice stopped outside a takeaway, and Linus went into the takeaway, and a few minutes later, came out with a pack of French fries for him and Janice to share.
"Careful not to burn yourself, Janice. You don't wanna get French fried, do you?" Linus explained.
"Oh, Linus! You're so funny!" laughed Janice.
Once their French fry meal was done, Janice had other plans.
"Say, Linus. Why don't we go to the ice cream parlour? I could do with an ice cream."
"That's a wonderful idea, Janice! Come on!"
Linus and Janice took a seat at the ice cream parlour, and they were both served a large sundae. With 10 scoops. Two chocolate, two strawberry, two banana, two mint, and two honeycomb. Coated with chocolate sauce and a cherry on top.
"This sundae looks so délicieuse!" Janice said.
"Délicieux?" Linus quizzed.
"That's French for Delicious!" Janice explained.
"Learned something in French, did you, Janice?"
"Oui, mon Linus."
"O…..kay then. Let's dig into this ice cream!"
As they were about to dig in, Charlie Brown and Sally arrived. They'd arrived to collect something. Charlie Brown was dressed in a navy tux, and a red bow tie. Sally was dressed in a sparkly pink dress and a pink bow in her hair curls.
"Here for the ice cream cake, Sir!" said Charlie Brown.
The ice cream man asked if he was pointing to the right cake.
"Yes, Sir!" Charlie Brown replied.
Sally looked around and saw…..
"Linus! Hey, Sweet Babboo!" called Sally.
"Oh, good grief!" groaned Linus.
"Something wrong, Li….. oh. Sally's here." Janice replied.
"Come on, Sally! There'll be time for Linus later." Charlie Brown said.
"Alright. See you later, Sweet Babboo!" called Sally as she walked out with Charlie Brown, who was carrying a cooler with the ice cream cake inside.
"How many times do I have to tell Sally I am NOT her sweet babboo!" growled Linus.
"Ice cream cake?" Janice quizzed. "Hmm….. I wore my bow on my wrist while I was in bed last night. Maybe….."
"Maybe what?"
"Could that have been there to remind me there's a party with ice cream?"
"Er….. ice cream party? Er….. maybe it's Violet's." Linus lied.
"Ice cream party? Oh, I'm all for an ice cream party." Janice said.
"But you know Violet. She'll only invite friends. But she definitely wouldn't invite Charlie Brown to any of her parties." Linus said.
"Good grief. Talk about mean." Janice sighed.
"Er…. Maybe it's not Violet's party."
Once their time at the ice cream parlour was over, Janice walked Linus out.
"That was a wonderful sundae we had at the ice cream parlour, Linus. Is there anything else you'd like to do? Push me on the swing?" said Janice
"There'll be time for swinging later, Janice. Right now, I'm going to take you to a movie." Linus replied.
"Oh boy! A movie! What's playing?" asked Janice.
"What's playing? What's playing?! I bring you out and ask you to a movie, and all you can ask me is what's playing?"
"Yes."
"Let's go over and find out."
"I hope it's a movie I like." Janice said hopefully.
Once they'd reached the cinema, Linus went to purchase two tickets.
"The other one is for this lovely lady here." Linus explained.
The concession stand person handed the two tickets to Linus and Janice.
"Thanks, Sir." Linus said.
"I can't wait to see this movie. Is it a love story? Is it a movie about France? Is it a monster movie?" Janice asked.
"You'll see, Janice. And once the movie is over, I've got something special to take you to."
"Something special?"
"Let's watch the movie and once it's over, I'll take you to your special."
"Special?"
Over at Schroeder's place, Schroeder was playing his piano when who should walk over but Lila. She decided to rest at the end of his piano.
"Schroeder, are you going to go over to the special thing Linus is throwing?" asked Lila.
"Something special?" Schroeder quizzed.
"That's what I've been wondering too. I just don't know where it is." Lila explained.
As Lila continued to converse with Schroeder, Violet walked over, surprised to see Lila at Schroeder's piano.
"What are you doing here?!" exclaimed Violet.
"Conversing with Schroeder." Explained Lila.
"No time for that, Lila! Linus' something special is on soon! You have to get ready!" Violet explained.
"I don't know where to go!" said Lila.
As Lila said this, Snoopy's sister Belle walked over.
"Belle?" said Lila.
"Hm." Belle nodded.
"You know where this something special is?" asked Lila.
Belle nodded, and ordered Lila, Schroeder, and Violet to follow her.
"Now how would Belle know?" asked Violet.
"Violet. Let's just say she's the sister of a certain beagle I used to own." Lila explained.
"Better leave this piano here in case there's a grand piano over there." Schroeder said.
"Alright then." Lila said.
"Come on, Schroeder! Let's go! Said Violet as she walked over to the piano and pulled Schroeder off with both her hands, with Schroeder looking a bit frightened.
"Er, Violet? You don't drag Schroeder off the piano like that!" said Lila.
"If there's a piano at the special party, he has to prepare." Explained Violet.
At the Wold place, Heather had dressed her best too. She'd dressed in a pink blouse, a pink skirt, and light pink bows. One on the back of her dress, and one in her hair, and was wearing pink socks and white Mary Jane shoes.
"Well, it's nearly time for the something special. Mom! Would you mind if I brought Henry and Fifi along with me?" asked Heather.
Mrs. Wold said yes.
"Thanks, Mom!" said Heather as she walked up to Henry's room, picked him up, and put him in the stroller.
"Come on, Fifi!" Heather then called.
"Yay!" Fifi cheered.
"Fifi. Lead us to the place where Janice's special is."
So Heather pushed the stroller with her brother in it, while Fifi lead the way.
"Wherever Linus is throwing this gala, it's bound to be somewhere special." Heather thought.
Soon, Fifi stopped outside a theatre, and Heather looked outside. It was all painted gold outside.
"Wow! If a place like this is this golden, it must really be something special." Heather exclaimed.
Once the movie was over, Linus and Janice walked out of the cinema.
"That movie was terrific, Linus! I loved the monsters and the scared civilians." Said Janice.
"I enjoyed it too." Said Linus,
"Anyway, Linus. What was it you wanted to show me?"
"Janice. Allow me." said Linus as he placed his left arm under Janice's legs, and his right arm under her back, and started to carry Janice the same way a groom would carry his bride.
"Whoa!" Janice cried.
"Close your eyes Janice, and I'll take you."
"My eyes are closed." Janice said as she closed her eyes.
Linus walked with Janice in his arms, and when they reached their destination, Linus stopped.
"You can open your eyes now." Linus called.
As Janice opened her eyes…..
"What?! This place?!" exclaimed Janice. "Wow! If a place like this has so much gold on the outside, then it must be just as special on the inside."
Linus put Janice down, and explained to her.
"It's even more special on the inside." Said Linus.
"So it's prettier on the inside than on the outside. Hmm…" Janice said.
"Yes, Janice. Go in and see for yourself."
"Alright, Linus. I trust you on this." Janice said as she opened the door to the theatre, and upon entering, she got the biggest surprise of her life.
"Wha?!"
Inside the theatre, were walls painted gold, brightly coloured balloons and streamers, a large banner in large words reading "WELCOME BACK JANICE", numerous orange and yellow cancer ribbons, a disco ball, and numerous Lil' Folks, all kinds of food on tables, gifts, and a Jell-o model of the Eiffel Tower.
"This is your special, Janice. A special gala. I prepared it just for you." said Linus.
"Wow! Cancer ribbons! Balloons! Streamers! A Jell-o replica of the Eiffel Tower! A disco ball! All for me! Just to celebrate my return to America!" Janice exclaimed.
"That's not all this gala is celebrating, Janice." Linus said. "Now, everybody! Shout it with me."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANICE!" Everyone shouted.
Those three words really surprised Janice. Even more so than Linus was when she showed him her hair had grown back longer than ever.
"Oh yeah!" Janice cried. "It's my birthday! I had so much fun in Paris last week and so much fun with Linus, I forgot it was today!"
"I knew that your birthday would be coming, Janice," said Linus. "so I decided to throw this special as my very special gift for your return to America and to celebrate the occasion."
"Wow! How did you afford this, Linus?" asked Janice.
"Let's just say we'd gotten more psychiatry patients than we'd expected, so I spent it all on a special birthday gala for you." Linus smirked.
"Oh, Linus! You shouldn't have!" said Janice happily.
"Well, let's start the party! There are rules the guests of this party need to follow." Linus said.
"AW! Not a party with rules!" everyone groaned.
"Rule number 1: There are no rules!" Linus called.
"YAY!"
"Bring in the birthday cake!" Linus called.
Charlie Brown walked in, carrying a large cake. The top layer was coated in brown frosting, the middle layer was coated in yellow frosting, and the bottom layer was coated in dark pink frosting. On top of the cake were 7 candles.
"Wow! Chocolate? Banana? Raspberry?" asked Janice.
"Not exactly, Janice. It's actually a red velvet cake." Linus explained.
"Red velvet! My favourite!" Janice said happily.
Sally saw this as a chance to ruin Janice's party. She put her leg in front of Charlie Brown, and Charlie Brown, without looking, tripped over his sister's leg, causing the cake to fall out of his hands.
"Good grief!" sighed Charlie Brown.
"You blockhead, Charlie Brown! That cake was for all of us!" shouted Lucy.
"Wait! The cake is still flying!" Linus exclaimed as he got out the one thing he'd been hiding the whole day. And that was…
"Your blanket?" Janice said.
"Really? My stupid brother brought his stupid blanket?!" Lucy said angrily.
"Leave it all to me and Janice!" said Linus as Janice grabbed the other end of the blanket, and the cake landed on the blanket, and it bounced right off, and right onto the table.
"Wow! I never thought my brother would use his blanket as a net!" said Lucy.
"Wow! Great work, Janice!" said Linus.
"No." said Janice. "Great work, Linus! You saved my birthday cake!"
"Alright, everyone! Cake time!" called Linus.
Everybody gathered around for the cake to celebrate Janice's auspicious occasion, and Janice stood right in front of her cake. The candles were lit, and after the birthday song, Janice was ready to blow them out.
"Hold it, Janice! You need to make a wish!" said Linus.
"I don't need to make a wish." Said Janice. "I already have a terrific family and some wonderful friends, especially my sweet babboo, Linus."
"He's not your sweet babboo!" shouted Sally.
"But then again…." Janice said.
Then, she thought….
"I wish to marry Linus when we grow up."
Janice blew all her candles out, and everyone cheered.
After everyone saw Janice blow out the candles on her cake, another special cake was brought out by Heather. It was…..
"An ice cream cake! So that's what that ice cream cake was for!" Janice cried.
"I knew you'd like ice cream, so I spent some of the money on an extra tasty ice cream cake." Said Linus.
The ice cream cake was swirled in pink, yellow and brown ice cream. Plus some green and orange ice cream swirls on top.
"Yummy!" Janice cried.
"Alright, everyone! Pick a cake and you get a slice!" said Linus.
Everybody ran towards the cake, and much to Janice's surprise, everyone got one slice of each cake.
"Wait! Hold it! I…. I didn't even get a piece of either cake!" sighed Janice.
"Oh, don't be too sure, Janice." Said Linus as he held out a plate and a bowl. The plate with a pink birthday cake slice, and the bowl with a piece of her ice cream cake.
"Oh, thank you, Linus! Thanks for saving me the last slice of both cakes." Janice said happily.
"Eat it all up, Janice."
As Lucy was about to take a bite of her slice of cake, she noticed something. Snoopy was sniffing into her piece of ice cream cake.
"Hey! Get your dog breath off my ice cream cake!" shouted Lucy.
Lucy walked over to Charlie Brown with her piece of ice cream cake.
"Charlie Brown! Your stupid hound sniffed into my ice cream cake!" shouted Lucy.
Lucy got a closer look at her ice cream cake piece and…..
"Ah ha! I knew it! Dog germs!"
Then, Lucy turned around to see Snoopy eating her slice of birthday cake.
"Hey! Stop it, you stupid beagle! That's my piece! Grrr! I oughta slug you!"
Lucy tried to slug Snoopy, only for Snoopy to duck, get up, and lick her face.
"UGH! I've been kissed by a dog! I've got dog germs! Get hot water! Get disinfectant! Get some iodine!"
Lucy ran out of the gala, with Snoopy laughing at her mishap.
"Snoopy. You shouldn't be eating another person's cake. That's impolite." Charlie Brown said sternly.
"Aw…" Snoopy said with sorrow.
"But then again, it was pretty funny." Charlie Brown chuckled.
Linus saw what Snoopy had done to his sister, and told Janice a little something else he wanted to show her.
"When this gala is over, I have a little something special to show you." said Linus.
"What is it?" asked Janice.
"Wait and see, Janice." Linus said.
At last, Lucy came back after cleaning her face of dog germs.
"That stupid hound! He should know better than to eat my cake." Said Lucy angrily.
"Hold it, Lucy!" called Linus as he walked over with another piece of ice cream cake and birthday cake he'd also been saving.
"Another ice cream cake piece? Another birthday cake piece? Oh, Little Brother! You shouldn't have!" smiled Lucy.
"Linus is more compassionate than I thought." Janice said to herself.
Once everyone had finished their cake, it was time for presents.
"Oh! What did I get for my birthday?" wondered Janice.
"Snoopy, if you please!" Linus called to Snoopy.
The lights went out, and the spotlight showed Snoopy walking in, and he was pulling a large gift wrapped in dark pink paper and a yellow ribbon.
"Wow! This has to be the biggest present ever!" cried Janice.
"You can open it now if you like, Janice. You can open the rest later. I want you to use it immediately." Linus decided.
Janice pulled on the ribbon, untying it, and inside was…
"I don't believe it, Linus! A golden swing set! You know I love the swings, Linus!" cried Janice.
The swing set didn't contain one swing. Not two, not three, not four, not five, but six swings.
"Six swings! Wow! That means there'll be more turns than ever, Linus!" cried Janice.
"Ready, Janice?" asked Linus.
"Wait! Janice, I have a special gift for you too." Said Heather.
Heather got out a box wrapped in red paper tied in a turquoise ribbon. She handed it to Janice, and Janice opened it. Inside was….
"Oh, Heather! You shouldn't have!" smiled Janice.
Inside, there was a plush doll of Linus.
"Linus suggested I get this for your special day, Janice. Especially for whenever Linus isn't with you. Just like one of the things Charlie Brown got me for my birthday, and something I made for his." Said Heather.
"Oh, Heather! Thank you so much!" said Janice, grateful for the gift Heather got her. She was so grateful, she hugged her red-haired friend.
"Anything for you, Janice." Said Heather.
"Anyway, let's go on the swings! Everyone in pairs!" said Linus.
So everyone gathered round in pairs. Heather got on the first swing with Charlie Brown behind. Lila got on the second swing with Schroeder behind. Patty S. got on the third swing with Pig-Pen behind. Violet got on the fourth swing with Shermy behind. Katie the Little Pig-Tailed Girl got on the fifth swing with Rerun behind, and…..
"Linus. Are you ready to push me on the swing?" asked Janice.
"Ready as ever, Janice!" said Janice.
So everyone pushed the swings. Janice swung further and further. Her long beautiful blonde hair swinging about, and Linus watching with aw. Janice had more fun singing on her own swing set than the swings at the park or at school. Lucy watched Schroeder pushing Lila on the swings.
"Schroeder should be pushing me on the swings." Lucy thought crossly.
"My sweet babboo should be pushing me on the swings, not Janice." Sally thought.
As Sally thought this, someone tapped her shoulder. The someone was….
"Oh! Harold Angel!" cried Sally.
"Sally. I'll push you on the swings when it's your turn." Said Harold Angel.
"You'll do that for me?" Sally said Happily.
When the first 6 pairs had finished, Peppermint Patty and Floyd went to the first swing.
"Chuck should've pushed me on the swing instead of that Red-Haired Girl." Said Peppermint Patty.
"Don't worry." Said Floyd. "I'll push you on the swings, Sir."
"Floyd, for as long as I'm on the swing, don't call me 'Sir'."
Marcie was going to be pushed by Franklin.
"As much as I wish Charles was the one pushing me on the swing, I'm glad Franklin's the one pushing me." said Marcie.
"Ready, Marcie?" asked Franklin.
"I'm ready, Frank." Said Marcie.
Sally sat on the third swing with Harold Angel behind her. At the fourth swing, Lucy sat down on her lonesome.
"Oh, would somebody please push me on this swing?" asked Lucy.
Snoopy stepped behind her, ready to push. He immediately pushed her.
"Hey! I wanted Schroeder to push me, not this stupid beagle!" Lucy shouted.
On the fifth swing, Frieda sat down with Five behind her.
"Come on, Five. Give me a push. Watch my naturally curly hair flow with the breeze." Called Frieda.
"Right away!" said Five as he pushed Frieda multiple times, Frieda was enjoying herself. Her naturally curly red hair flowing with the swing, and Five watching.
Eudora sat on the sixth swing, and when she least expected it, Fifi pushed her.
"Wha?! I…. I'm doing it! I'm swinging!" Eudora cried.
When it was her turn again, Heather went to the stroller to pick up her brother Henry and go on the swing with him.
"You're going to swing with me, Little Brother." Said Heather.
Heather sat down on the swing with Henry and was ready for another push.
"Oh Charlie Brown!" called Heather.
"Yes, Heather!"
Charlie Brown pulled Heather back and pushed her multiple times. At last, Heather and her little brother Henry were swinging about. Charlie Brown watched as Heather's beautiful red hair went with the flow.
Once everybody had finished with the swings, Linus made an official announcement.
"Alright, everyone! It's dancing time!" called Linus.
Emily was at the record player, ready to turn on the music. She put the needle on the record, and Better When I'm Dancin' played. Everybody got onto the dance floor, and everybody danced their dance moves.
"What a great gala!" said Janice.
"Oh, that's not all the dancing we'll be doing, Janice!" said Linus as he grabbed Janice's left hand and spun her right round. As the other Little Folks continued to dance, Linus wrapped his right arm around Janice, and vice versa. Both danced well together, while everyone watched in awe. Sally watched with bitterness in her mind.
"Er, Sally?" asked Harold Angel.
"Wha?! Oh. It's only you, Harold Angel." Said Sally.
"Why not dance with me instead?" suggested Harold Angel.
"I guess so, Harold." Said Sally.
When the gala was over, and the sun was starting to go down, everybody said their goodbyes, saying how much they enjoyed themselves. Linus decided to walk with Janice, who was carrying her Linus doll.
"That birthday gala was wonderful, Linus." Said Janice. "You did wonders setting that up, just for me while I was gone."
"It's my pleasure, Janice. Anything for you." said Linus.
"Are you walking me home?" asked Janice.
"Not yet. I've something else to show you." said Linus as he brought Janice over to their psychiatry booth, and much to their surprise, Charlie Brown was there, holding a football.
"What's Charlie Brown doing there with a football?" wondered Janice.
"Watch and see, Janice." Said Linus.
"Lucy van Pelt! Oh, Lucy van Pelt!" called Charlie Brown.
Lucy walked over, surprised to see Charlie Brown with a football.
"Charlie Brown? What are you doing with that football?" asked Lucy.
"I want you to run up and kick this football." Said Charlie Brown.
"Okay, Charlie Br….."
Then Lucy remembered.
"Oh no you don't, Charlie Brown! You'll just pull it away like I do whenever I do it with you."
"Come on, Lucy van Pelt! Surely you can trust a blockhead like me on this!"
"I can't trust anyone who is a blockhead! And don't call me Shirley."
"If you kick this football," Charlie Brown smirked. "Linus will donate half his profits from his psychiatry booth to you."
"Make that 95%." Lucy said.
"Alright then. 95% it is." Charlie Brown decided.
"Charlie Brown! No!" Janice cried.
"Janice! Watch!" called Linus.
Lucy ran back as far as she could, and ran towards the football.
"I'm gonna kick it! I'm gonna….."
Just before Lucy could kick the football, Charlie Brown pulled it away, sending Lucy flying, and landing on her back.
"Duped by a blockhead. How humiliating." Sighed Lucy.
"That's what you get for doing it to me all the time!" Laughed Charlie Brown.
Linus and Janice, who were watching, just laughed.
Once Janice and Linus reached the Emmons place, Janice looked at him.
"This has been the best birthday I've ever had, Linus." Said Janice happily. "And it's all thanks to you. The day out with you, the special birthday gala you threw me, your compassion for your sister when Snoopy ate all her pieces of cake, and that giant swing set you gave me."
"Er…. Anytime, Janice." Said Linus. "I'll ask Snoopy to bring your swing set over tomorrow. Oh. And your other presents too."
Janice then hugged Linus, tinging his face red.
"Oh, Thank you so much, Linus!" said Janice. "Thank you so much for giving me the best birthday ever, Sweet Babboo!"
Janice kissed Linus' right cheek and then kissed his left cheek, making Linus blush deep red.
"I….. I….." Linus stammered. "I am your sweet babboo, Janice. And you are most welcome!"
"Well, see you tomorrow, Linus!" said Janice.
"Since my blanket is in a bit of a mess from saving your cake, I gotta go home and wash it. Anyway, goodbye Janice. And happy birthday!"
Linus walked home, still red in the face from Janice's kiss, and Janice walked inside, feeling so happy with the special day Linus gave her for her birthday. The gala, and the day out.
"This is one birthday I will never forget."
Janice went to bed, changed into her pink night gown, and clutched the Linus plush Heather gave her.
"I'll open my other gifts tomorrow." Janice decided. "For now, this Linus doll will keep me company. After all, this doll is a replica of my sweet babboo. And a party is best when it's thrown by him. Giving me the best birthday I've ever had. Good old Linus van Pelt. Yes. Good old Linus van Pelt. How I love him."