The car ride to Sleepyside was a quiet one for Dan and Trixie. They were headed there to join the other Bobwhites in celebration of Trixie's birthday. But an emotional encounter earlier that morning with Mart had left them both in somber moods.

"Trixie, when we get home, we'll sit Mart down and explain everything to him, "said Dan.

Trixie said nothing. She just stared out the car window.

"Hello, Trixie. Are you in there? Are you listening to me?" asked Dan, poking Trixie in her shoulder.

Trixie turned in her seat and faced Dan.

"I know," she said quietly.

"Know what?"

"I know about you. I mean, I, uh, heard you and Mart talking about me. I guess I was eavesdropping."

Dan looked at Trixie without saying a word. He returned his focus to the road ahead. A few minutes later Dan steered the car into a rest area. He pulled into a parking space, turned off the engine and faced Trixie.

"What did you hear me say?" he asked quietly.

"Um, you know." Trixie squirmed in her seat as she felt herself blush. Sensing that Dan was waiting for her to continue, Trixie took a deep breath and went on, quoting the conversation that she had overheard. " You said that I was nice, smart, sassy and.." Her voice trailed off as she suddenly wished she'd kept quiet.

Dan looked at Trixie and then reached across her to the glove compartment. He pulled out a small, wrapped gift and handed it to her.

"Happy Birthday, Trixie," he said.

Trixie looked at the package and then at Dan.

"Go ahead. Open it," urged Dan.

Trixie carefully unwrapped the small box, Inside, she found two tickets to Les Miserables

"Oh, Dan," she exclaimed, "I can't believe you got me these for my birthday. I've wanted to see this for so long."

"Well, there's a bit more," added Dan as he slid one ticket out of Trixie's hand. "I was hoping I could use this ticket." He grinned at Trixie.

Trixie nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

"And I thought we could start the evening with a great Italian dinner at a cozy, romantic restaurant."

Trixie's eyes grew wide.

Dan looked at Trixie, his one eyebrow raised in expectation as he awaited Trixie's response.

Trixie smiled as she looked into Dan's waiting eyes.

"Sounds perfectly perfect to me," she said tenderly.

Dan smiled as he leaned towards Trixie and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Perfectly perfect," he murmured as his lips grazed hers again.