"So, are you gonna tell us where they went?" Jane asked Mariah.

"Why is everything such a big secret" Leli piped in.

"And when will we get to know the big surprise?" Spunky asked with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

"And what's with all this candy and sweet stuff you're making?" Rebel demanded as she snuck a finger into a bowl of icing. She savored every lick.

"Okay, everybody outside," Mariah ordered. "Take Kiki and Spooky with you so I can get some work done around here."

Six grumbling, mumbling, curious pixies flew out the door.

"Let's go see the baby ladybugs!" Leli suggested. "They must be getting big enough to hold by now!"

"Great idea! Jane said. "Last one there's a rotten mushroom!"

And with that, the pixies flew in formation, to visit with the baby bugs.


Mariah was worried. Leah and Rachel were no where to be found. From a distance the spring snowstorm looked like the mist that dances across Blueberry Bog. She knew she had to start setting up the surprise whether she had petals or not. She gathered up a giant piece of candy and flew away from the nosy neighborhood and out of site. She set down on a tree stump and decided it would be the place. She positioned her candy perfectly, then flew back for another piece. At this rate she'd be working all night in the dark.

Mariah was proud of all of the pixies for sticking together. They didn't always see eye to eye, but they were doing the best they could and that was enough. She smiled at the thought of the little ones seeing their surprise. It would be joyous.

In the middle of that pleasant thought, Mariah froze. Did someone just call my name? She flew out of the house and looked around. It must be my imagination. The only thing she saw were two iridescent hummingbirds gliding above the treetops and that was nothing unusual.

Back in the house she picked up a "boulder" of candy, gave her wings a good flap, and headed back down to the stump. MARIAH! It was a clear voice and at first she thought the hummingbirds were speaking to her, or perhaps because their wings were flapping so fast it sounded like that. MARIAH! Oh goodness, another voice. She hovered in place and tried to figure it out.

The hummingbirds darted back and forth like hummingbirds always do, then they began to slow down. As they came closer to the cherry tree, Mariah saw the owners of the voices.

"Rachel! Leah!" The birds came to rest on the branch where their pixie houses hung. "I am soooo happy to see you!"

"And we're happy to be here," Leah replied as she climbed off the hummingbird's back.

"Ain't that the truth," snapped Rachel as she followed suit. "Have we got a story to tell you," she said as she grabbed a basket and handed it to Mariah.

"It looks like you have quite a mix," Mariah said. "It's going to be beautiful.

"How will we ever get all this candy down to the ground? Leah asked no one in particular.

Rachel looked at her new friend. "Can you help?"

The multi-colored hummingbirds slowed their wings down, well, as much as hummingbirds can, and the pixies loaded up their backs with flowers and candy. It was time. The surprise would be ready soon.