Mari & Ilna-you're the best.
McRollers-thanks for reading.
Stealth (1/1)
Steve and Catherine crept quietly into Angie's room a little past midnight, balloons and streamers in hand, ready to execute the traditional birthday bedroom decorating. Within seconds, each noticed that Angie wasn't in her bed. In her place was her beloved stuffed aardvark with the covers pulled almost over its furry head. Only the two ears were visible against Angie's pillow case.
As both parents began to scan the area, a soft giggle sounded from the corner of the room.
A short silence, then another giggle.
A closer listen indicated the noise was coming from behind Angie's rocking chair.
Steve and Catherine shared an amused look.
Their suspicions as to her location were confirmed when Cammie entered the room and immediately took up a position beside the chair.
In the light coming in from the hall, Steve and Catherine saw Angie's arm snake out from behind the chair and pet her beloved four legged companion. They weren't sure if the move was such a force of habit she didn't realize she was giving herself away or if at six years old her skills in stealth still needed work.
They smiled at each other.
Probably both.
As they went to work hanging sparkly streamers a soft giggle continued to fill the room. It turned to a muffled squeal of glee when Steve released a series of goat shaped mylar balloons that floated to the ceiling. The light from the hallway bounced off them and created an intricate pattern on the ceiling.
Angie's squeal turned to an "oooooooh."
Catherine bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud herself as they continued their task in near silence, not wanting to spoil Angie's fun.
She handed one end of a colorful 'Happy 6th Birthday' banner to Steve and they hung it along the top of Angie's closet.
Once that task was completed all that was left was finishing touches.
As they tied balloons to the bottom of the bed they heard a small sneeze.
They both froze, thinking Angie might finally reveal herself. When she didn't, they smiled at each other and finished up the decorating.
After one final look around the room Steve caught a twinkle in Catherine's eye reflected in the small beam of light coming in through the door.
"I just want to give Angie another kiss goodnight," she stage whispered.
"Happy almost birthday, sweetheart," Catherine said as she leaned over and kissed Angie the aardvark on the head.
The laughing from behind the chair became louder.
"Come on, Cammie." Steve joined in the fun. "Let's let Angie sleep. She'll be so surprised in the morning."
They could tell Angie was pressing her hand over her mouth in an attempt to muffle the sound.
Cammie reluctantly left her post and headed back to bed with Steve and Catherine. They had barely closed the door to their own room when they heard footsteps running down the hall toward DJ's room.
They finally released the laughs they'd been holding in.
"Do you think she suspects we knew she was awake?" Steve asked.
"Not a clue," Catherine replied confidently. "She thinks she pulled one over on us. She's on her way to make a full report to DJ."
A minute later they heard two sets of footsteps in the hall moving towards Angie's room.
"We're gonna have to start waiting until the middle of the night to do the decorating," Catherine said with a chuckle. "At least for Angie."
"Maybe we should keep doing it early and see how her skill at hiding develops," Steve suggested. "Right now it needs a little work."
Catherine pulled back the sheet on the bed. "Makes playing hide and seek a lot easier though."
Cammie alerted when she heard both DJ and Angie giggling down the hall.
"Should we go get them back in their beds so they get some sleep?" Steve asked.
Catherine shook her head. "Let them have some fun. They'll run out of steam soon enough."
"You can't have a cookie because you've already brushed your teeth," they heard DJ say. "But I'll get you some water."
"Can I have a cookie for breakfast?" Angie asked as she followed her brother across the hall to the bathroom.
"I thought you wanted pancakes with sprinkles for your birthday breakfast," DJ reminded her.
"Oh yeah."
Both Steve and Catherine could picture the look on their daughter's face as she thought through the problem.
"Maybe we can put sprinkles AND cookies on the pancakes!" Angie suggested excitedly.
Steve grimaced.
"I picked up some oatmeal cookies at the farmer's market the other day that are sweetened with honey instead of sugar," Catherine said. "Those might not be bad sprinkled on pancakes."
Much to her relief, Catherine had realized over time that Angie's attachment to cookies wasn't strictly about the sugar. It was just as much about having a portable snack that wouldn't slow her down. Knowing that, she was able to work some healthier alternatives into Angie's routine and as long as the little girl could take them with her on the go she seemed more than satisfied.
"You'll have to ask Mommy about that," DJ said as he led his little sister back across the hall.
"I will. In the morning," Angie said determinedly. "I won't forget." There was a small pause. "If I do, will you remind me please?"
"I'll try hard to remember," DJ promised.
"You're the best brother in the whole world," Angie said. "I love you."
"I love you too."
A minute later they heard one set of footsteps head back to DJ's room. Steve and Catherine smiled as they got into bed themselves.
"Do you think they'll try to act surprised in the morning?" he asked.
"Hard to say," Catherine replied. "But Angie's secret keeping isn't much better than her hiding skills, so I assume she'll spill the beans before breakfast."
Steve chuckled. "She's her father's daughter." He looked at the bedside clock. "I think I might postpone my morning swim. I have a feeling Angie might get up before we even have a chance to go in and sing the song."
"You're probably right." Catherine waggled her eyebrows and her eyes turned smoky. "I guess we'll have to find another way to get you some exercise."
"As always, Lieutenant." Steve flipped her onto her back playfully. "I like the way you think."
THE END
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