“I set up a picnic for us over there.” Rosie guided them to a table with five chairs. She’d arranged all sorts of goodies, including insulated cups.
“Could this be?” Cricket asked, picking one up and taking a tentative sip. “It is!” She sat down, cradling it between her hands.
The others dove into their seats and tried theirs. Mmms of appreciation followed.
“Rosie, I love you.” Ember saluted Rosie’s lunch menu by raising her beverage.
“Shhh! Don’t tell everyone. Who knows who might be listening?” Rosie warned, and everyone looked around guiltily.
“You guys,” Cricket said after a few seconds. “No one here is going to tell. You’re messing with me.”
Laughter filled the space around the table. For once, Cricket truly felt like one of the Littles. Not that these friends had ever treated her as an outsider; it had always been Cricket’s reservations about being a Little without being claimed by a daddy.
“I’m living on the edge,” Cricket declared, reaching for a cookie. “I’m having dessert first.”
“Good idea,” Ember chimed in as she selected one with chocolate chips. “These are so good.”
“I’ve got more. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner treats if you wish,” Rosie assured them as everyone claimed a treat.
Cricket looked around the munching group and saluted them with her cookie. “Thank you for the presents in my nursery.”
“Of course. We wanted to do something special for you.” Rosie lifted her coffee cup and held it in the middle of the table. “Cheers!”
Everyone clanked their secret beverages together before taking a drink. Chatter filled the air as they enjoyed each other’s company… and some forbidden treats.