SweetkinZ Journal, Chapter 4: Birthday Surprise

Zeddy and his companions were on the train again, heading to the final stop of their vacation. They enjoyed staying two days at the cabins in Autumn Park with its marvelous eternal fall foliage, but now they were off to experience spring in a mountain valley.

In about three hours, they arrived at the train station that was humbly nestled in a valley. They then took a small bus deeper into the mountain valley, to a town called Verdant Retreat. This town and valley were unique in that they were based on a dormant volcano that had not been active for a century, but still radiated some natural heat that resulted in a more constant spring climate. There were some clustered hot springs along the way, that the three friends noticed on the bus ride, which helped to prove what they had read in the travel brochure was true.

As the trio rode the bus, they passed by scenic sights of resplendent green hills and a massive sapphire blue lake at the center of the town. Along the border of the lake were many old Tudor style shops and homes.

At the simple bus stop sign and bench that overlooked the lake, Lavender was the first to get off the bus with her bag, eager to explore the entire town and as many of the walking trails as possible. As Zeddy finished helping Mable with getting her large suitcase off the bus, Lavender turned to speak to him.

“Oh, this is so exciting! I’ve always wanted to visit here! Thank you for setting this up, Zeddy!”

“You’re welcome! I’m eager to see this place with you.” Zeddy then glanced over at Mable while Lavender was distracted by the view of the lake. “You remember the plan, right?” he whispered.

“Mhm. Don’t worry, I’ve got it handled.” Mable nodded with a confident smile.

Relieved, Zeddy turned to speak to Lavender again, but before he could get a word in, Lavender began exuberantly telling Zeddy what was on her mind next.

“Let’s hurry to the cabin we’re lodging at! I want to start exploring!” Lavender swiftly picked up her handbag in her mouth and began trotting ahead to the hotel lobby at the street corner.

“Hey, wait up!” Zeddy called.

After a whirlwind time of checking in at the hotel front desk, then settling their bags into the large room the trio was sharing, Lavender led the way outside again to begin their adventure.

Just after they had exited the roomy cabin, Mable spoke up hurriedly before Lavender could plan their whole schedule. “Uh, Lavender! I, um, I know you want to window shop and go on the hiking trails, but I think I’m going to take it slow and visit the bakery for a little snack. Then I could really use a rest at the cabin. I’ll catch up to you and Zeddy later, okay?”

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Mable! I didn’t realize you needed to rest.” Lavender dropped her head slightly in embarrassment. “You go ahead and rest as much as you need. We’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks!” Mable nodded appreciatively to Lavender, then, as she turned to leave, she gave Zeddy a reassuring wink. “See you later!” She then said while walking away.

“So, it’ll just be the two of us? Or did you have some where to be too?” Lavender asked Zeddy as she looked at him expectantly.

Zeddy shook his head quickly, “No, no! I’m all yours today! I’m ready to go where ever you’re going.” He smiled, trying to hide his slight nervousness.

“Great! Let’s go!” Lavender whinnied in delight as she led the way down the cobblestone street.

Zeddy happily followed her, but he glanced once over his shoulder in the direction of where Mable went. Hopefully all goes to plan. And hopefully Mable finds the bakery okay.

***

Lavender first went shopping at the local town accessory shops. She bought some hair ribbons and a few sparkly berets. She then purchased a pink beaded necklace at the jewelry store. Zeddy carried the collection of shopping bags in his mouth so Lavender could enjoy shopping more freely. He stopped next to her as she admired a pretty dress in the store display window.

“I’m really loving my visit here, Zeddy. This is one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever received,” Lavender said, still brimming with excitement.

“I noticed,” Zeddy laughed after putting the shopping bags down, “You haven’t stopped smiling all day!”

Zeddy then glanced at the clock tower in the middle of the town square.

“Hmm… Are you ready to go explore the valley yet? There are a few paths that lead down to the lake, or so I’ve heard. And they’re supposed to be very picturesque walking trails,” Zeddy suggested.

Lavender gasped, “Oh! I got carried away with the shopping and forgot. You’re right. It’s getting a bit late. I shouldn’t spend all day shopping only. Let’s drop off my purchases at the cabin and head to the lake trails now.”

“All right,” Zeddy nodded.

Lavender waited outside the door of the cabin while Zeddy took the shopping bags into their room. He smiled as he reunited with her.

“I’ll lead the way, okay? There are some sights I wanted to show you,” Zeddy said eagerly as they walked together toward one of the nearest lake trails.

“Really?” Lavender mused, “What fun! I didn’t know you had even more planned for this vacation.”

“Heh. Just wait and see.”

Zeddy led the way, navigating down a winding path to the lake shore. They stopped near a boat house and some docks to enjoy the expansive lake vista. The soaring snow-capped mountains were the most mesmerizing sight as they surrounded the valley and town like a protective barrier.

“I wish I could live here,” Lavender said dreamily as she took in the view. In the distance there were some small boats lazily drifting along the lake’s shimmering surface. “I would never get tired of this place!”

“I know what you mean. It leaves a strong impression on visitors, huh?” Zeddy replied, also fascinated by the sight.

After another moment of admiring the scenery, Zeddy casually looked to his left, “Hey, look at that. There’s a red string tied to that tree limb over there.”

“Huh?” Lavender stepped forward to follow Zeddy’s gaze. “Oh, there is!”

Unable to resist her curiosity, Lavender trotted to the string that was tied to the lowest tree limb. She then observed that the string also left a long trail that led to somewhere distant along the lake shore.

“Should we find out where this little string leads to, Lavender?” Zeddy smiled and winked in encouragement.

“What have you planned now?” Lavender laughed, then quickly trotted away to follow the string’s path.

“Whoa! Hey, wait up! It’s not a race!” Zeddy shouted as he hurried after her.

Lavender followed the red string, filled with anticipation. She was concentrating diligently on its direction on the ground and noticed that it was trailing past a wide tree up ahead. As she approached the tree, three figures jumped out from behind it and stopped her in her tracks.

“Surprise! Happy birthday, Lavender!!” They all cheered.

Lavender gasped in shock at first, then laughed in pure elation when she recognized the trio of familiar equines.

“Lani, Ivan, and Briella! You’re all here! You gave me quite a scare, but it was pretty exciting! I’m so glad to see all of you!”

“Zeddy invited us. He thought you would enjoy the surprise visit,” Lani the lady sky blue pony explained, glancing over at Zeddy.

“I most certainly do like the surprise,” Lavender said while looking at Zeddy with a knowing smile.

“Well, if you liked that, you better keep following the string. There could be more ‘treasures’ to find,” Zeddy reminded.

The three newly accompanying friends parted to let Lavender look beyond to where the string led next.

“I wonder where it goes next?” Briella, the draft horse with the red hair covering her eyes, questioned with silly exaggeration.

“I’m curious too,” Ivan the orange draft horse said, playing along.

Lavender laughed at their play acting. “Well, let’s find out.” Then she trotted out in front of the group, leading the way once again.

The whole herd of ponies and drafts trotted together at an easy pace along the lake shore, following the mysterious red string until Lavender paused momentarily.

“What’s that?” She squinted against the sunlight at the large object ahead.

Without waiting for a response from the others behind her, Lavender took off at a canter to hurry closer. The red string was tied to the big object.

As she approached, a table with a long flowing table cloth and a decorated cake placed upon it came into focus. They were accompanied by a couple bunches of balloons on either side of the display and a “Happy Birthday” banner hung over the table by two poles.

“Oh my…” Lavender trailed off as she slowed down to a stop in front of the display.

“Surprise!!” Came another cheer from a trio of a red fox, an orange kitty, and a golden puppy, who popped out from under the table cloth, “Happy birthday!!”

Lavender jumped back slightly, but soon started laughing again.

“Ohh! Mable! And Percy, and Honey-Buddy! You all came too! Thank you!” Lavender exclaimed. Then she turned to Percy in curiosity, “But Percy, I thought you said you weren’t coming to the mountains.”

Percy’s tail twitched thoughtfully, “I did. But after Mable left me a letter in secret at Autumn Park to tell me about Zeddy’s plan and the magical warm climate here, I changed my mind. I rode in a different train car from the rest of you, boarded the next bus after yours, then met up with Mable at the bakery to help set up the surprise party.”

“I made your favorite carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, Lavender,” Mable said in excitement after scampering up to Lavender.

“Can we please eat some of that cake now?” Honey-Buddy the golden puppy pleaded eagerly, “I’ve been waiting a long, long time for some!”

“A long time?” remarked Percy, “It’s only been ten minutes.”

“Yeah! A long time!” Honey-Buddy repeated.

Percy shook his head and smiled, causing everyone to laugh at their little banter.

Lavender then turned to Zeddy, “So, you planned all of this yourself?”

“I did, with a little help from our friends. After hearing you talk so much about Verdant Retreat, I figured it was about time that you visited the place. I just added a few extra friends and a surprise party to the itinerary,” Zeddy casually explained.

He glanced away shyly then, and kicked at a pebble with one of his front hooves.

Lavender then surprised Zeddy by giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you, Zeddy. I love this gift!”

Zeddy’s face turned red as he laughed shyly, “I’m glad.”

“Hee hee! Come on you two lovebirds! Lavender still needs to blow out her candles and make a wish!” Mable called from the table. She had just finished lighting all of the candles on the cake with a match.

The group of friends gathered around the table, with Lavender at the center, in front of the cake. They sang “Happy Birthday” loudly and joyfully for her. After silently making a wish during the song, she blew out the candles all at once at the very end of the singing. Everyone cheered once more at the finale.

As Mable busily sectioned out a slice of birthday cake to everyone at the table, Lavender turned to Zeddy again, “You really out did yourself this time, planning a birthday party at the end of our vacation.”

“It wasn’t easy, since you have been so good at figuring out other secret plans I have created before. Everyone was really helpful in turning this into a success.” Zeddy smiled at their friends in appreciation as he spoke. “So…What are you going to do for my birthday, I wonder?” He hinted to Lavender next.

“It’s a surprise of course,” Lavender replied easily while looking away, “Who knows? Maybe I’ll out do this surprise you threw.”

“R-Really? Could you?” Zeddy asked in amazement.

“Wait and see, Zeddy,” Lavender laughed.

To be continued…

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