Playing With The Puppet Master

16

A few days passed and life at the manor turned back into its usual routine. However, today was a bit different. As much as Donna hated it, I got out of bed before her and dressed quickly. I made sure that I crept out of the room with a stealth that rivaled ninjas. I tiptoed until I was down on the first floor. The bustling in the kitchen cracked a smile on my face. I walked in as Jordan added the last piece of chocolate to an already chocolatey cake. Glee brightened up my expression as I walked further in.

"Is my present still in here?"

"Good thing we stopped by the Duke on the way back that one day!" Adrien sang as she tossed the metallic blue wrapped box at me. A golden bow decorated the top of it. I giggled as I held the medium sized gift in my hands.

"I hope she likes mine," I said excitedly.

"Of course, she'll like yours! You're the one giving it to her!" Jordan stated as she brought out a small golden wrapped gift that was almost identical to Adrien's bright yellow wrapped one. Georgia came in with a red wrapped gift and we all placed the presents around the delicious cake.

"Okay, I'm gonna go wake her!" I giggled as I trailed back up the stairs. I crept up and back toward the room. When my head poked in, Donna still laid asleep in her night gown. I giggled as I walked into the room and shut the door quietly. I sat on the edge of the bed and gently nudged the woman. She grumbled incoherently as she shifted her position. I nudged her again and I was greeted with a deadly glare.

"Whaaaat?" She whined huskily. Her eye trailed over my clothes before she propped herself up on her elbows. "Why are you already dressed?"

"Donna! Get up! We have a surprise for you downstairs." Donna grunted as she glanced to the clock.

"It's too early for surprises," she muttered. "Besides, it's probably another wild dog that Adrien brought in the house, isn't it."

"It's not this time," I assured.

"If I go down and it is something stupid, there will be consequences."

"Naturally," I replied. Donna took one look at my hopeful expression before she fully sat up.

"This better be good." Her hand gripped my shirt and pulled me in for a morning kiss. "Better be good." She grumbled as she forced herself out of bed and got dressed in her usual black attire. I giggled as she zipped up the back of her dress and motioned me to the door with a hand. "Lead the way," she stated tiredly. I opened the door for her, and a brow raised up at me. I only gave her a wolfish grin. She shrugged and continued out. I guided her down the stairs and toward the kitchen.

"Surprise!" Donna was shocked awake by the sounds of loud cheering. She stared wide eyed at the gifts and cake then at her ecstatic staff.

"Happy birthday!" I murmured in her ear as I kissed her cheek. Donna only continued to stare at all of us. After it all processed, she smiled. Angie came down the stairs at breakneck speed and into the kitchen.

"I smell cake!" Angie exclaimed. The rest of the girls laughed and indulged Angie's sweet tooth as Donna grabbed my hand. Her smile was sweet as she leaned into me.

"I wanna open your present first," she said softly.

"Well, mine is right here!" I motioned her over to the counter and grabbed the blue gift. I handed it to her. She smiled as childlike curiosity bled onto her face. She was careful as she unwrapped the paper and opened the box. Her smile widened as she brought a new set of wood carving knives. A gasp of excitement escaped her.

"This would be perfect for dollmaking!" Donna exclaimed happily.

"I'm glad you like them," I said with a sigh of relief.