The nursery was alive with celebration again. Bright streamers hung from Marcella’s bedpost, ribbons trailed across the floor, and the toys gathered in cheerful expectation—it was her birthday once more. They remembered well the last time the room had been so festive, when poor Babette had been snatched away and carried through that wild adventure. Now she stood proudly among them, her painted lashes fluttering as she smiled at the memory of being rescued.

“Oh, birthdays are always so très magnifique,” Babette sighed dramatically, smoothing her ruffled skirt. “And today, we are to have une surprise, oui?”

“Of course!” chirped the Pincushion Lady, bouncing slightly with a jingle of her needles. “Nothing like a birthday to bring in new stitches of life. And you never know, maybe a new friend to sew into the circle!”

From his corner, the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees let out a long, wheezy chuckle. “Ohhh… new friends are grand… if they don’t mind wrinkly knees…” His head bobbed forward with a creak, though his eyes twinkled warmly.

All eyes turned as Marcella set a large gift box in the center of the rug before skipping out of the room to fetch more cake. Excitement bubbled up at once. Raggedy Ann leaned forward, ever the leader of welcomes, and tugged the bow loose with gentle care. The paper crinkled, the lid popped open—

—and from inside stepped a doll as lovely as springtime. Her dress shimmered with delicate lace, her hair shone like polished silk, and her painted eyes carried a soft, curious glow as she looked around at her new home.

“Well hello, sugar,” Pincushion Lady said brightly. “Ain’t you a pretty little stitch!”

Babette tilted her head with a graceful smile, though there was a trace of competitive sparkle in her eyes. “Bonjour, ma chère. Welcome to the nursery… though you will see, it is not without its dangers, non?”

The Camel huffed happily, lowering his head to greet her. “A new doll! Oh, how delightful… perhaps you will like wrinkled knees…”

The toys all bustled to help the new doll out of her packaging, offering hands and kind words. Raggedy Ann clapped her cotton palms together. “We’re so glad you’re here! You’ll love it with us, I just know.”

But Andy—he hadn’t moved. His button eyes were fixed on her the moment she stepped free of the tissue paper. Something in the tilt of her head, the gentle way she brushed her dress, struck him like nothing had before. His stitched smile wavered into something shy, and his hands twisted nervously at his overalls.

Taking a hesitant step forward, Andy tipped his sailor cap, his voice catching slightly. “Uh… h-hi there. Name’s Raggedy Andy… b-but you can just call me Andy.” His stitched cheeks seemed warmer somehow, his words tumbling out awkwardly.

The new doll smiled politely, curtsying lightly in return. The others only saw a shy introduction—except for Ann and the Pincushion Lady. They shared a quick, knowing glance. Both could see the way Andy’s button eyes lingered, the way his stitches seemed to pull just a little tighter with nerves.

Andy, for the very first time, had a crush.