Stella sat cross-legged on her bed, a notebook balanced on her lap, pen cap between her teeth as she pondered the list of things still needed for Elizabeth's birthday. The list already had a few essentials—cake, balloons, decorations—but she wanted to add something more, something meaningful. She tapped the pen against her lips, thinking deeply, a slight crease forming on her brow as she considered what would make the day perfect.
Unable to think of anything new, she decided to seek out some inspiration. Slipping off her bed, she padded quietly down the hall and made her way to Mallory's room. Maybe Mallory would have a few ideas; after all, no one knew Elizabeth quite like they did.
As Stella opened the door a crack, she paused, catching sight of Mallory completely engrossed in her painting. The colors on the canvas swirled together in intricate, vivid strokes, each brush movement precise and deliberate. Mallory was in her own world, completely absorbed, her face softened in concentration.
Stella stood silently for a moment, a small smile forming on her lips. She didn't want to interrupt; Mallory rarely found the time to paint, and it was a joy to see her so focused, so at ease. Deciding not to disturb her, Stella quietly backed out of the room and closed the door, her list still in hand.
With a thoughtful glance at the closed door, she resolved to come back later. Maybe she'd get her thoughts organized herself first—and besides, Mallory's painting would probably be the perfect addition to Elizabeth's birthday surprise.
That night, Elizabeth slept peacefully, unaware of the surprise her loved ones had prepared. The door creaked open softly, and two figures tiptoed inside—Mallory carrying her guitar, and Stella sneaking in right behind her with a mischievous grin.
"Shh!" Stella whispered as she stifled a giggle, glancing back at Agatha, who was waiting outside the door with the cake.
Mallory positioned herself at the foot of the bed, settling the guitar in her lap, and strummed a gentle, familiar tune. The soft, soothing notes filled the room, and Stella began to sing, her voice light and sweet.
Elizabeth stirred, her eyes slowly fluttering open. At that moment, Agatha flicked on the lights, stepping into the room with a cake that glowed with tiny, flickering candles.
"Surprise!" Stella sang softly as Elizabeth sat up, blinking away her sleep. Her eyes widened with joy as she took in the sight of her family gathered around her.
Mallory grinned, raising her hand in a mock salute. "Happy birthday, old lady!" she teased, strumming a quick, playful riff on the guitar.
Elizabeth chuckled, pressing her hand to her heart. "You girls—what are you up to at this hour?"
Agatha stepped forward, her smile warm and loving. "We couldn't let your birthday pass without a little midnight celebration," she said, setting the cake down in front of Elizabeth.
"Oh, look at this!" Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she admired the cake. "You've outdone yourselves."
Stella nudged Mallory with a smile. "And it was Mallory's idea to wake you up with music!"
"Yep! Thought I'd give you a live performance as my gift," Mallory said with a smile, adjusting her guitar.
Elizabeth laughed, her gaze softening. "A concert at midnight—how lucky am I?" She looked at each of them, her heart full. "I couldn't ask for a better gift. Thank you all."
Agatha lit the candles, and they all began to sing together, their voices blending in happy harmony. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
As they finished, Elizabeth closed her eyes, pausing before blowing out the candles. "To family," she whispered, opening her eyes and smiling at them with gratitude.
Stella clapped her hands. "Make a wish, Gigi!"
Elizabeth took a deep breath and blew out the candles, her wish hidden but her smile saying everything. She wrapped her arms around each of them in turn, squeezing them tightly.
"This is the best surprise," she said softly, her voice happy. "Thank you, my loves."
They all sat together on the bed, laughing and sharing stories, savoring the warm moment under the soft glow of the birthday candles.
The next morning, as the early sunlight filtered into the cozy living room, Agatha and Elizabeth sat on the couch, sipping their morning tea and basking in the peaceful quiet.
"Last night was so much fun," Agatha said, her eyes twinkling as she took a sip of her tea. "Those two have such a gift for making birthdays memorable."
Elizabeth chuckled, glancing fondly up the staircase where Mallory and Stella were still fast asleep. "It's true. Every year, they come up with a new way to surprise me, and every year, they manage to pull it off. I honestly don't know how they do it."
Agatha leaned back, smiling to herself. "They're so thoughtful. It's hard to believe they're almost done with college. Time really does fly, doesn't it? One minute they're little girls running around, and now..."
Elizabeth nodded, a wistful smile on her face. "And now they're young women. Soon they'll have their own houses, their own cars, their own lives." She sighed, stirring her tea absently. "Sometimes I wonder where all the years went."
Agatha placed a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "We've been lucky to watch them grow. And they'll always come back to visit, you know."
Just then, a soft sound of footsteps interrupted them. Stella appeared, her hair tousled from sleep, wearing a big, sleepy smile. "Good morning!" she said, her voice warm and cheerful as she plopped down beside them.
"Good morning, dear," Elizabeth greeted her, brushing a stray strand of hair from Stella's face. "How did you sleep?"
"Like a rock," Stella laughed. "Last night was so fun! Thank you for everything, Agatha." She gave Agatha a quick, grateful hug.
"Oh, you're welcome, sweetheart! But don't think we won't be doing something just as big for your graduation," Agatha teased with a grin.
Stella's face lit up. "I'm already looking forward to it!" she laughed. Then, she paused, glancing between them. "So, college starts again tomorrow. Are you both ready to have a quiet house during the day?"
Elizabeth and Agatha exchanged a smile. "We might finally be able to finish a cup of tea without interruption!" Agatha joked, giving Stella a gentle nudge.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Maybe so. But we'll miss the energy, won't we, Agatha?"
"Definitely," Agatha agreed, nodding. "And Stella, are you ready for your last semester? After this, you'll be a graduate."
Stella nodded enthusiastically. "I'm ready, but it feels strange! When is the senior graduation, by the way?"
"Right after the annual fair," Agatha replied, smiling knowingly. "You'll have to help plan it, you know."
Stella laughed, leaning back with a playful sigh. "Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less! And I'll make sure it's unforgettable."
Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Stella's hand. "You make everything unforgettable, sweetheart."
Just then, they heard a sleepy yawn from the stairs. Mallory appeared, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning, everyone," she murmured, plopping down on the other side of the couch and reaching for a throw blanket.
"Good morning, birthday planner!" Agatha teased.
Mallory said, shrugging. "I just did my part. It was Stella's idea to surprise you at midnight."
Stella laughed. "And you were the one with the guitar, Mal! You made it perfect."
Mallory smiled. "It was a team effort."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around both girls in a warm embrace. "You both made my birthday so special. I feel like the luckiest grandmother in the world."
Mallory smiled, her voice soft. "We're lucky to have you."
The four of them sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, savoring the warmth of their little family. Soon, they began preparing for the day ahead, turning Elizabeth's birthday celebration into an extended morning full of laughter, stories, and breakfast treats. It was a perfect, quiet day, one they would all treasure as the busy college semester began once more.