Ruth's Magpie

Chapter 32: Birthday Gifts for the Big Girl

PETER:

I tapped lightly on Ruth's bedroom door. She answered immediately.

"Oh, you're up already?"

"Couldn't sleep. But it's fine," she added quickly.

"Go back to bed, then, I'm sure we have it under contro-"

"No, no, no, it's okay! Are you kidding, I wouldn't miss this for the world!" She ducked back into her room, emerging with a small box wrapped in parchment covered in intricate little designs.

"Did you sleep at all?!" I exclaimed in a whisper, admiring the box.

She shook her head. "Like I said, I couldn't sleep. Too excited."

I grinned. "Well, excitement is a good reason to not be able to sleep, I suppose."

She smiled back. "The best. Alright, let's go."

After waking Susan and Edmund, Ruth and I met Mr. Tumnus in the dining room. He carried a giant box, full of bows, grinning from ear to ear.

"How long until she wakes up?" he asked.

"Susan left a note on Lucy's door telling her not to leave until we go get her. I'm thinking a sunrise wake-up call myself, giving us about an hour."

"Sounds good! Let's get started!"

Soon the whole dining room was bedecked with bows. Edmund and Mr. Beaver came in to help after they had done their job, and Susan and Mrs. Beaver came shortly thereafter.

I pulled my list from my pocket when everyone had assembled.

"Okay, everyone. Are the boats ready?"

"Yes!" Edmund answered.

"Are the maps ready?"

"Yes!" Susan replied eagerly.

"Are the-"

"Of course," Ruth interrupted with a smile. "Plus a little something else."

I grinned. "Alright, Operation Birthday Girl is well underway. Good job, everybody. Shall we all go wake our beloved Lucy up?"

"Here's where my little something else comes in," Ruth said. She handed us each a small wooden whistle with our names carved into them. When we were sufficiently armed, we silently climbed the stairs and down the hallway to her room.

"One, two, three!" Ruth whispered. We all blew the whistles, but instead of the screech I was expecting, there was a beautiful chord. I glanced at Ruth out of the corner of my eye, but she just smiled sheepishly. She was good.

Lucy stumbled to the door, smiling from ear to ear.

"Happy birthday!" we all screamed.

She giggled. "Thanks."

"Better get dressed, Lu!" I said, ruffling her messy hair. "We're going on an adventure today."

Her eyes lit up. "Unicorns?"

"Yes!" Ruth exclaimed, handing Lucy her box with a wink. "You might want to have those."

She carefully took the parchment off. "Did you do this yourself, Ruth?"

Ruth reddened. "Is it so bad you can tell I did it?"

"No, it's amazing!" Lucy gushed, pulling a pair of binoculars. "Whoa! Did you make these?"

"Yeah," she said with a sheepish smile.

"Thank you!" Lucy squealed, crushing Ruth with a hug.

"Of course, Lu!" she replied. "Now go change! We'll meet you downstairs for a quick breakfast."