a knock on allie’s door, opening to reveal river leaning against the doorframe with a very full picnic basket in hand. “happy birthday, al!” he says jovially, leaning down to kiss her soundly on the cheek. “c’mon, i’m taking you on a birthday picnic. i got a perfect place, an’ i’ll even give you a piggy-back ride there if you don’t wanna walk to it.” he’d come across the place a few weeks earlier - a wood clearing with a rather large pond; wildflowers everywhere, and most importantly : frogs. he’d thought of allie immediately, and it had taken all his willpower to not yet tell her of it. “made you some sandwiches too, and i even swiped a bottle of sparkling for you. ready?”
the feeling of river at her door is enough to wake her, sweeping her off of her feet to the door, nearly carrying her there. for once, she doesn't chime in about how the door is always open, because the opening of the door feels like a gift in itself, a surprise. and there he is, bathed in light and his smile. she hugs him, even with the picnic basket rendering him somewhat unable to hug back, her arms just as tight and her smile just as bright. when she's back on her feet, she's still smiling, of course, brimming with the excitement of it. " really? just for me? oh, thank you! i love you so much! i'm so excited! let's go, right now! come on, let me peek, let me peek! " bouncing on her toes after him, still chattering on, she loops her arm into his. " if you wanna' give me a piggy back ride, you can! but i like walking! i don't mind! i just wanna' get there! oh, i can't wait! "
