Surprise Times Three

Nikki unlocked the bakery door and dropped the box on the counter. She wondered what it could be and why it was wrapped in brown paper. It was in her sister Maddie’s name so she would just wait for her to come in. Nikki had been working with her sister for about a month now and she enjoyed it, she even starting learning how to bake. It was easier too because she could bring her daughter Rosie with her. Maddie had been giving Nikki more responsibility around the bakery since she was in charge of the events at the old barn. Things were looking up but Nikki did miss her husband, he was in the military and hasn’t been home for a year. Nikki didn’t lose hope though; she knew he would come home to her and their daughter. Shaking off the sadness she switched the close sign to open and waited for customers.

Maddie was excited because the surprise she ordered was suppose to be delivered today and she couldn’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces! First was the one for Emily and John well John really because Emily helped plan it. The second one was for her sister and that one would be the best of all. Giddy but not wanting to ruin the surprise Maddie calmed herself before going inside the bakery. She walked in and saw the box wrapped in brown paper sitting on the counter. That must be it she thought.

“Hey Rosie where is your mom?” Maddie asked her niece.

“Don’t know. I just playing.” Rosie replied.

“Nikki where are you?” Maddie shouted.

“Hey I was checking my email in your office, hope you don’t mind. Was wondering about... Well you know.” Nikki said looking over at Rosie.

“No worries.”

“So… What’s in the box?” Nikki asked when Maddie picked it up and carried it to the back prep room.

“Noisy much? Its supplies I needed for a surprise Emily and I are working on for John.”

“Oh! I love surprises. Can I help?” Nikki asked while doing the pouty face.

“Emily will be here shortly, you can ask her. I don’t know who is allowed to know the secret.” Maddie said with a wink.

Emily opened the box and smiled, “This is perfect! John is going to flip out!” she screamed. Nikki and Maddie couldn’t help but smile along with her as they looked at the banner and balloons. This surprise was going to be awesome! Nikki walked out the back room to go check on Rosie. That is when Emily and Maddie started planning her surprise.

“Ok so I was thinking we do a fake out. Like we set up the surprise for John then be like syke, it’s for you Nikki!” Emily said bouncing with excitement.

“That’s great! Chase is going to come help me set up the barn after work. I’ll get started on the cakes! This is going to be so fun!” Maddie said giving Emily a hug and dancing towards the prep room. Emily watched her go and just smiled, not only were John and Nikki getting a surprise but Emily had one for Maddie too.

Maddie hummed while she finished Emily’s cake then she got started on the other one. When she finished the welcome home cake for Nikki’s husband she hid it in the fridge behind Emily’s cake when Nikki walked in crying.

“Oh honey what’s wrong?” Maddie asked wiping frosting off her hands onto a towel and giving Nikki a hug.

“I got and email from Ron, he can’t make it back next month like we planned. I don’t know all the details yet, he is going to try and call me later.” Nikki said sniffling.

“Sweetie it will be ok.” Maddie said comforting her.

“I know it’s just hard… But anyway I need to put on a brave face for Rosie.” Nikki said drying her eyes. Maddie hated to see her sister upset but she didn’t want to ruin the surprise either. It was Ron’s idea; he kept going on about how Nikki loved watching the military homecoming videos and decided he wanted to do one for her. Shaking off the guilt she finished the other treats for the party. A few more hours and everything would be revealed.

Emily brought Chase some lunch at the barn and they talked about the surprise for Maddie.

“So after Nikki will be John’s then you can give Maddie hers.” Emily said.

“Ok sounds good to me. Honestly though I’m a little nervous.”

“Nah you are good. It’s me who should be nervous.”

“Why? You and John are soulmates he is going to be thrilled. Besides I’m older so I know my stuff.” Chase said with a wink and a grin.

“You are only older by a minute, but that does make me feel better.” Emily said hugging Chase. They finished eating and Emily helped Chase set up for the events. Since everything was a surprise they took the banners and rolled them up and would pull them down when the time came. In a couple hours this place would be filled with laughter and excitement. Emily couldn’t wait, she knew this was technically Maddie’s idea and her show but she loved throwing surprise parties. Checking her watch Emily told Chase bye and headed home to get ready. Chase waved at Emily as she left and re-swept the floors. Emily was right he shouldn’t be nervous, tonight was going to be great, fun and life changing. Chase looked around to make sure everything looked good after he was satisfied with how everything looked he went home to get ready.

Arriving at the barn a couple hours before the event was to start Maddie saw it was already mostly decorated. Chase did good work she thought, but she had a couple more things to set up like the cakes and other food items. She grabbed the folding tables out her truck and set them up putting tablecloths on them then she grabbed the cakes. The one for Emily and John was a simple looking cake, until you cut into it, so it could be left out the box. The one for Ron and Nikki would giveaway the secret so she set it on the table but left it in the box. Maddie heard a car door shut so she walked to the barn door and saw Chase walking towards her.

“Hey beautiful, fancy meeting you here.” He said kissing her.

“Nice work on the decorating,” she replied.

“Emily helped some,” he said grinning, “So any hints on if I’m getting a niece or nephew?”

“Now Chase, don’t ruin the surprise. This is why she came to me you know because you can’t keep a secret.” She said poking him and laughing.

“There is more to it than that. Y’all are best friends plus the fact you make a nice cake. Is she at least having twins because they do run in the family.” He said smiling.

“The only thing I will tell you is there is only one baby. You will just have to wait like everyone else. But hey at least you know she is pregnant, most people coming to this thing don’t know what’s going on. So it’s a double surprise for them and John.”

“You got the box?” Emily said walking in with Nikki and Rosie.

“Yep I stuck it under the table.” Maddie said pointing to it. Emily went to it and put the blown up balloons in it for the reveal. Chase, Maddie and Nikki finished setting up while Rosie ran around. Soon the guests started showing up and the excitement grew. Maddie checked her phone and saw a message from Ron saying he was there waiting outside. Excusing herself Maddie went out to meet him and finalize the plan.

Once everyone go to the barn and settled in Maddie got on the stage to make an announcement, “Welcome everyone! Glad y’all could make it. We have some very exciting news to share with everyone but first Nikki can you come join me.”

Nikki looked around confused but made her way to the stage, once she got there Chase handed her the string to pull down the welcome home sign. Nikki took it not knowing what it was for.

“Ok on the count of three pull that string for the surprise of a lifetime! Ready? One, two, three pull!” Maddie shouted and Nikki pulled the banner down. It took Nikki a second but she read the banner and looked around confused. Until she saw Ron standing in the middle of the floor holding her favorite flowers, Nikki didn’t hesitate and she ran towards him and hugged him tight while sobbing. Rosie ran over and jumped in her dad’s arms while everyone applauded. Happy for her sister Maddie wiped her tears away and finished the announcements.

“Okay let’s get this party started! Emily and John have invited y’all here for a special announcement. So special in fact John doesn’t even know about it!” Maddie said laughing. “Emily, the stage is yours.”

Emily walked on the stage with John while Maddie got the brown box and set it in front of the stage. Emily looked around and smiled at all the familiar faces of family and friends.

“Ok I’m just gonna get to it. John, hunny we are gonna have a baby!” said Emily.

John looked shocked then a big smile spread across his face. “A baby? Finally! Hallelujah!” He shouted picking up Emily and twirling her around a little.

“That’s not all. This is a double surprise moment. Now I know what y’all are thinking but it’s not twins, hahaha but we do know the gender.” Emily nodded at Maddie and Chase to reveal what she was having. Chase pulled the banner down that read ‘It’s a girl!’ while Maddie opened the box and pink balloons floated out. The barn erupted with cheers and applause. John pulled Emily into a hug and kissed her, he did always want a little girl. Chase looked towards Maddie and smiled. He was ready for his surprise now so he nodded at Emily. It was Emily’s turn to pull a banner but before that she had to get Maddie to look at her.

“Thank you all! My best friend Maddie made some lovely cakes for us to enjoy along with other tasty treats. But before that Maddie could you please tell me what this says.” Emily said pulling the third banner with the words ‘Will you Marry Me?’ scrolled across it. Maddie looked at the banner confused then turned around to Chase on one knee holding out a ring.

“So what do you say Maddie? Will you marry me? I love you and want to spend my life with you.” Chase said.

“Of course I will! I love you too Chase!” Maddie said hugging and kissing him. The crowd applauded again and hugs were given out. The cakes and treats were all but forgotten until a little girl spoke up.

“Hey! I have cake now, please?” Rosie asked and everyone chuckled.