EPILOGUE
From: Cassie
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 5:35 p.m.
To: Mom; Pete; Shawn&Angie; Phyllis&Harry; Amanda Snelling; Bob; JohnFitz
Cc: Simon
Subject: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hi, Everyone,
I know what a busy time of year this is, so wanted to send our invitation now. I’m not even going to try to fancy it up.
Here goes: You are all invited to dinner with Cassie and Simon on Christmas Eve. Come at 7. Our house. Significant others welcome! Bring a favorite Christmas memory to share! RSVP.
Not to be a bossypants, but the sooner you can let me know, the better. Look forward to catching up with everyone!
Cassie (and, of course, Simon)
* * *
From: Shawn&Angie
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 5:45 p.m.
To: Cassie; Mom; Pete; Phyllis&Harry; Amanda Snelling; Bob; JohnFitz
Cc: Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hi, Cassie and Simon,
Thanks for this! Shawn and I will be delighted to attend. We’re flying out of Portland and into SeaTac on the 23rd, staying with my mom and dad.
What’s on the menu? Let me know what we can bring.
I’ll bet you can guess my favorite Christmas memory (and yes, it involved your charming brother, Shawn!)
Angie
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 6:30 p.m.
To: Shawn&Angie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Thanks, Angie. Email and phone calls and texting are great, but I am so looking forward to seeing you two in person! As for dinner, just bring yourselves. I’m making the same thing I did for my famous Christmas dinner two years ago—my third task, remember? Turkey, stuffing (and I’ll try not to lose my wedding ring in the stuffing!), mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans with almonds, salads. And a selection of pies for dessert. Plus a nice Washington State wine, which Simon will select. (With both of us being pregnant, you and I will have to skip that this year.)
Let’s talk soon!
C
* * *
From: Mom
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 6:32 p.m.
To: Cassie; Shawn&Angie; Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Darlings, I’m so sorry but we won’t be able to leave Hawaii this Christmas, after all. Joseph and I have guests coming from New Zealand.
Cassie and Shawn (and Simon and Angie)—I’ll talk to you Christmas Day. I want you all to come for a midwinter holiday in Honolulu, well before the babies arrive. That’s my Christmas gift to you. Confirm ASAP!!!
Meanwhile, say hello to your father for me.
Much love,
Mom
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 6:39 p.m.
To: Mom
Cc: Shawn&Angie; Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hawaii? Oh, Mom, what a great gift. Sun, sand, palm trees...
I called Simon (he’s working late) to check with him, and we’re thrilled to accept. I hope Shawn and Angie will be able to come, too. We were thinking end of January. (Does that work for you, too?)
We’ll miss you and Joseph this Christmas but seeing you in January will make up for it, especially in Hawaii! We’ll book the tickets this week.
Love,
Cass
* * *
From: Shawn&Angie
Sent: Monday, December 12, 7:42 p.m.
To: Cassie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Works for us, too. Shawn will email your mother tonight. Late Jan. should be fine, since I’m due in April and your Simon, Jr. (or whatever you decide to call him) won’t make his appearance until May. Which reminds me: make sure you let us know when the two of you settle on a name. Shawn hates it that I refuse to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl, but as you know, I’ve always enjoyed a bit of suspense!
Here’s something else to keep you guessing. I’m making your Christmas present. Yes, me, Angie, the science geek. I told you I took knitting classes, right? Well, I’m knitting something wonderful for you. I’ve already made a baby Santa hat for your little guy to wear next Christmas! Aren’t you proud of me, knitting and all?
Did I tell you we’ve narrowed down the names? Julia, Katherine, Savannah or Kristin. And for a boy, Luke or Karl.
One more thing—Shawn’s going to paint name cards for you again (like he did two years ago). The theme this time will be...a surprise.
Ange
* * *
From: Amanda Snelling
Sent: Friday, December 2, 9:02 a.m.
To: Cassie
Cc: Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hello, Cassie,
My husband, Robert, and I accept your invitation with pleasure.
I’ve mentioned this to Simon but knowing him, he’ll probably forget to mention it, so I thought I should let you know myself.
Please tell us what we can bring. Robert’s very good when it comes to choosing wine.
Look forward to seeing you.
Amanda
Amanda Snelling
Assistant to Simon Dodson
* * *
From: Pete
Sent: Friday, December 2, 12:15 p.m.
To: Cassie
Cc: Shawn&Angie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Cassie, thanks for the invite. I’ll be there if I can. OK if I let you know closer to the date?
Pete
P.S. Is your mother planning to attend?
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Monday, December 13, 12:15 p.m.
To: Pete
Cc: Shawn&Angie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Pete/Dad,
Fine, but could you confirm by December 21st?
And no, Mom’s got a friend visiting from New Zealand and can’t make it.
Please feel free to bring a companion if you want to—just let me know!
Cass
* * *
From: Phyllis&Harry
Sent: Friday, December 2, 4:30 p.m.
To: Cassie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Dearest Cassie,
Harry and I would be thrilled to come for dinner. Thank you so much for thinking of us!
I’ll bring my famous apple pie. And did I tell you Harry’s making wine these days? He’ll bring a bottle or two. (It’s not too bad, especially if you’ve already had a few glasses of something else to—how shall I put it—dull your palate.)
By the way, what’s a five-letter word for “perfect”? I’m working on today’s crossword.
Love,
Phyllis
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Friday, December 2, 4:41 p.m.
To: Phyllis&Harry
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hi, Phyllis,
How could anyone refuse your apple pie? By all means, bring one and thank Harry for the offer of wine, but Simon and Amanda’s husband, Robert, are taking care of that. Your special pie is more than enough. My mouth is watering already.
5-letter word for “perfect”? Hmm. What about “ideal”? Does that work?
Cassie
* * *
From: Phyllis&Harry
Sent: Friday, December 2, 4:43 p.m.
To: Cassie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
That’s perfect!
* * *
From: Bob
Sent: Friday, December 2, 9:16 p.m.
To: Cassie
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hey Cassie—
Sounds cool. I’ll volunteer to bring the music. I have a great rap CD of the Xmas classics. You haven’t heard anything until you’ve heard “Not So Silent Night.”
Your friend and former neighbor,
Bob
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Friday, December 2, 4:41 p.m.
To: Bob
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Hi, Bob—
Thanks for the offer but just bring yourself.
Cassie
* * *
From: JohnFitz
Sent: Friday, December 2, 2011, 5:20 p.m.
To: Cassie
Cc: Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
Cassie & Simon,
Christa and I would love to join you for dinner on the 24th. We had a lovely time with you last weekend and hope to return the favor soon.
By the way, I have news... Christa and I have set the date for the wedding next summer. You two and the baby will definitely be invited. After all, Simon, you introduced us! Come to think of it, Cassie, Simon did a good job matching up the two of us—but not to each other! Kind of ironic, isn’t it? I couldn’t be happier, and I know you feel the same way.
Just to be on the safe side, let me check—no one will be required to complete any tasks before we’re allowed to eat our dinner, right?
John
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Friday, December 2, 5:32 p.m.
To: JohnFitz
Cc: Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner on Christmas Eve—Save the Date!
John, don’t worry! The only thing required will be your presence. By the way, congratulations to you and Christa. I think this is a perfect match—and I’m so glad we’ve all become friends....
Cassie
* * *
From: Simon
Sent: Friday, December 2, 5:39 p.m.
To: Cassie
Subject: Dinner TONIGHT—Save the Date!
C—plan on dressing up. I’m taking you somewhere special tonight. I want to escort my wife—my pregnant wife—out on the town for a pre-Christmas treat! Reservation’s at 7:30. Sorry for the short notice! I’ll pick you up at the house around 7.
S
* * *
From: Cassie
Sent: Friday, December 2, 5:45 p.m.
To: Simon
Subject: RE: Dinner TONIGHT—Save the Date!
Simon, dinner tonight would be perfect. You’re perfect. I’ll be there, waiting for you, with bells on. And speaking of bells, I’m bringing a bunch of ten-dollar bills so I can give one to every charity bell-ringer we come across!
All my love,
Cassie
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