The Birthday Surprise

The Misadventures of Nicholas Barkley 1

by Arkangel

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

"Nicholas Jonathan Barkley! What in the world are you doing?" Tom Barkley said walking into the kitchen.

"Shhhhhh, papa, not so loud. I'm makin' flipjacks." Nicholas said.

"You mean flapjacks." Nicholas nodded enthusiastically. Tom looked around the empty kitchen with a raised eyebrow, "Why are you making flapjacks?" He whispered.

"Today's Silas' birfday." Nicholas turned and frowned, "Papa, how old is 'older than the hills'?

Tom chuckled, "Silas tell you that?"

"Yep, says it every time I asked him." Nicholas shook his head, "I don't thinks he's old as the hills."

"He's not, son. He's just pullin' your leg."

"I need help after I make the batty, I can't use the stove yet." Nicholas stated trying to wipe flour off his nose and leaving a streak of batter in its place.

Tom took a dish cloth and rubbed the fresh batter from his five year old son's face, "I'll help you." Tom looked over into the bowl, "What did you put in it?"

"I put everything in it that the cookin' book said.......at least the words I could read." Nicholas said pointing to the flour covered book laying to the side.

"Okay, let's go over this and see if we need anything else." Tom brushed the flour off and began to read the ingredients, "Flour....you got that, eggs........" Tom noticed five empty egg shells scattering the floor, "you got that. Soda?"

Nicholas looked over Tom's arm, "I thought it said salt."

Tom cringed, "How much did you put in?"

"A pinch."

"Okay, let's put a little soda in." Tom did that and went on, "Sugar?"

"Yep, lotsa sugar, I like sugar." Nicholas grinned through two missing front teeth.

"You sure do." Getting a little worried, Tom continued, "Baking powder?"

"Nope, didn't know what that was, so I put this in instead." Nicholas held up a tin of brown sugar. "It starts with a 'B' too."

"More sugar, great." Tom shivered, "How about butter?"

"Got that, one spoonful." Nicholas held up the large mixing spoon.

"Milk?"

"Papa, you know you can't make flipjacks without milk." Nicholas said frustrated.

"Sorry, well, it looks like you got everything and then some, I'll just add a little baking powder and we'll finish getting it mixed up."

"I do it, papa, you get the girdle ready."

Tom sputtered, "Nicholas.....it griddle."

"That's....what....I.....said......girdle. Come on papa, we don't have all day, you always say this is a workin' ranch. Get to work."

"Of course." Tom laughed and helped to prepare the griddle for cooking. Helping Nicholas carry the large bowl, they placed it on the side table by the stove and Nicholas shoveled two large spoonfuls onto the hot surface.

"Now we wait." Nicholas said with a toothless grin.

"Son, this is a really nice thing you're doing for Silas." Tom smiled.

"He cooks for us all the time....figured I owed him some flipjacks." Nicholas said with a shrug.

"Well, if we can turn this, it'll be done in a few minutes. Uh, how many you planning to make him eat?"

"Six or seven."

"How about we start with two and if he wants more, we'll come in here and make them."

"I want you to eat some to, papa. Would ya eat with Silas for his birfday?"

"Well........" Tom scratched his chin, "I guess I can do that. Why don't I get your Mother and brother and they can share in this......treat." Tom grinned at the soft groan coming from Victoria as she listened in on their endeavors.

Nicholas was proud that his father wanted his family to share in his present to Silas', "You watch it and I'll go get mama and Jarrod."

Tom listened as Nicholas told Victoria the gift they were making and that he wanted her and Jarrod to eat some to. She voiced her praise as she was pulled into the messy kitchen. Shooting her husband a look hidden carefully behind a smile, she gathered plates and silverware for their morning feast.

Soon the table was set and the family, with Silas, was seated around the large stack of pancakes placed carefully in the middle of the table.

"This sho' does look good, Mr. Nicholas. I thank ya for this." Silas said beaming a bright smile at the youngest Barkley.

"I did it all by myself. Papa helped a little, but I put all the 'portant stuff in it."

Silas grinned as he took the top two pancakes off the stack. Putting butter and syrup on them, he made a big show of cutting the first piece and placing it into his mouth. His expression never wavered, he gave a large 'Mmmmmm' and cut another piece. "These are the best flapjacks I's ever had."

"Really?" Nicholas said with wide eyes.

Tom and Victoria smiled at each other, then took their own pancakes off the stack and prepared them to eat.

"Do I have to?" Nine year old Jarrod asked, starring at the stack suspiciously.

"Yes, dear." Victoria answered taking her first bit. Victoria choked and grabbed for her coffee cup, "Nicholas these are.........sweet."

"Lotsa sugar, mama." Nicholas said between mouthfuls.

"LOTS of sugar." Tom confirmed with a nod.

The family sat quietly as they finished the breakfast made with love from a little boy they all held dear in their hearts. Silas rose from his chair and walked to young Nicholas, "Mr. Nicholas, you's gave me the best birthday present I ever had. Thank ya." Silas said holding out his right hand for Nicholas to take.

Nicholas jumped up on his chair and circled his arms around his friend's neck, "I'm glad Silas.......I love you, happy birfday."

Silas gave Tom and Victoria a smile, tears of joy streaking down his face, "I loves ya to, Mr. Nicholas.....I loves all ya."

THE END