Taking the newspaper off the table in the foyer, Edward walked into the study and sat down heavily into his chair.  Crossing his legs, he scanned the front page and then leaned back into his chair, and opened the paper to page 2.  "New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt says, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," Edward read.  Smiling he said aloud, "Bully!" and laughed.           
             Irene watched her husband from the foyer. Enjoying his laughter, she thought this would be a good time to tell him about the porcelain doll and Sarah’s birthday. 
            "Edward?" she said.           
            "Humph"¦" he muttered under his breathe as he continued to read the paper.           
            "Edward, I need to talk to you about Sarah’s birthday next week."           
            "Sarah’s birthday? Oh, yes, what about it?"           
            "Well, I was thinking she is going to be 12. I was hoping to do something special for her."           
            Edward dropped the paper to his lap and looked intently at his wife. "What are you thinking?"           
           "Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps a family party or would you like to take her somewhere special? What do you think? This is really an important time for Sarah. She will only be 12 once and"¦."
           "Irene, I know you better than that. What do you have in mind?"           
           Irene smiled as though she was caught. "Well," she began, "how about on Saturday we start the day with an excursion to one of her favorite places, like the Buffalo Zoo? You know how she loves animals. Then in the afternoon, we can have the family over for dinner and cake." 

Note: Originally conceived as a deer park in the northeast corner of Frederick Law Olmstead's Delaware Park, The Buffalo Zoo was established in 1875. Spurred on by local donations of animals, The Zoo grew and rapidly developed between 1875 and 1930 and attracted great community interest and involvement. This growth led to the Zoological Society of Buffalo being founded in 1931. The Society worked with the City of Buffalo to effect many improvements to The Zoo over the next four decades. Included in this period was a major renovation (1938-1942) by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which featured buildings using classic, period architecture.

            "Sounds like a wonderful idea! I suppose you already called your family."

            "Only Florence and she said she’d come."

            "And Anna?"

            "Anna said she’d bake."

            "And your brothers?"

            Irene laughed. "I didn’t get that far yet."

            Edward smiled. Oh, how he loved her! "I suppose you already chose the gift - the perfect gift."

            "As a matter of fact, I did," she sad proudly. "Do you want to see it?" she whispered.

            "Yes," he whispered back.

            She giggled like a schoolgirl as she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his chair and towards the door. "Come on before Sarah hears us!"

            Edward was always up for a good surprise and quickly followed her up the stairs to their bedroom.