Okay so maybe Nora wasn't completely okay with me springing this whole "guests are coming over for dinner" thing. But that was just because I wasn't supposed to be home so she was just getting takeout, not that I had invited them over. She enjoyed planning out every detail of a dinner party and I had taken that joy away from her, which wasn't cool. But she calmed down after a minute and sent me off to the grocery store mere minutes later with a shopping list in hand.

Of course, her flexibility wasn't really for my benefit. It was for Julie and Casey's. She really wanted to meet them and knew there was no way she could cancel without making herself seem like a bitch as her only excuse was that I was an idiot (if only she knew that it was the perfect excuse when it came to Julie, she would have completely understood).

While Nora cooked dinner (I was not allowed to help, the dinner was too important to her), I told her every story I had about Casey and Julie. Some of the stories she didn't really need to hear (the time Casey and I got in a fight for some stupid reason) but most of them just got her more and more excited to meet them (or she was just a really good actress). The only time she seemed annoyed with my hovering was when I mentioned that it was kind of weird that Casey and Julie, who were only sort of friends during high school, were together. I can't quote exactly what she said, but it was along the lines of that I messed things up with Julie before, why did I get to have input in her life? Which I guess was right.

Dinner itself went very well. The food was delicious and Julie and Casey were as awesome as I remembered. I guess the only downside was that Ava had to go to bed not long after they got there so they didn't get to see her very much. Oh, and that Casey and I had to do the dishes. I mean, I get that Nora made dinner and that Julie brought dessert, but it was like they made the kitchen extra messy so they had more time to drink on the back porch. I know this is kind of pathetic to say, but it was just kind of demeaning to try to catch up with Casey while we washed the dishes with pink grapefruit dish soap.

"So how did things happen between you two?"

"Between Julie and I?"

"Yeah."

"You know, I was waiting for you to say something."

"What do you mean?"

"I was around during high school, I know you guys were super close all through college and stuff. I know it's been a long time since you guys have talked but a bond like that doesn't go away. Ask me what you want to know."

"I just want to know how this all happened. You guys are already moved in together? That's fast."

"I can say the same thing to you, Masters. Don't forget that you got married and had a kid less than a year after meeting Nora. Now that's fast."

"Touché."

"But you and Nora are happy, right? It's all worked out?"

"Yeah, it has. We're actually really happy."

"Elliot Masters has settled down and is happy about it. Who knew?"

"I sure didn't. And you and Julie are happy?"

"We are. I never would've expected Julie and I to ever get together but it's really working."

"Awesome. You know what?"

"What?"

"I'm proud of us."

"Me too. Like we're pretty awesome."

"We're super awesome."

"Should I use this soap on the pan?"

"Nah it won't help. Use the the scrubber with... this soap."

"Thanks dude."

"No problem."

~~~

All right, I have another long a/n for you guys. Don't worry, it's just a couple of  (maybe more) things:

1. There are only 2 more days until The Stage Manager begins! All of you should read it because I love the characters (which should be reason enough, jk) and there's plenty of sarcastic comments for you sarcastic people out there (I love you all).

2. I have officially titled that upcoming fantasy story (the one where you guys voted on the title) Moirai. I'm so excited to finally have a title for it!

3. Did you guys happen to see the kinky/boner themed covers TahliePurvis, stereohearted, and others (too many for me to go look up, sorry guys) did for April Fool's Day? Weren't they awesome? For those of you who did miss them, I feel bad for you. But for a frame of reference, they were inspired by/in support of hepburnettes' kinky covers thing she does sometimes. So if you've seen those that should give you a good idea about how awesome all the covers were.

4. Have you guys listened to the song "La Vie en Rose"? If you haven't, you guys are totally missing out. Here's a cover of it by this girl Daniela Andrade. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/3Ba_WoSZXvw

5. You guys should check out the promotion/challenge/competition that WriteWith is putting on right now. It's hard for me to explain well but if you guys go to the profile it explains everything.

6. The most important part of my note today. And let me just say, I'm sure there will be people who say I'm being bitchy and overreacting but I've kind of well... stopped caring. This part doesn't really apply to a lot of people, particularly those who have been around a while (you know who you are), but I think everyone should read this so they're not surprised if/when I get mad at them. Also, this part comes in two sub-parts, because I want to make sure that I'm clear.

Sub-Part 1: Julie and Eli were never a couple. They were close to being one many times but they never actually dated. NEVER. I'm not really sure why you guys thought that but they weren't. So please stop commenting "make them get back together!" and the like. If you ever meant that they needed to be in each other's lives again, I get that. But now they're back in each other's lives so please stop commenting stuff like that. 

Sub-Part 2: I know that there will be a lot of comments that I don't necessarily agree with. I think the Jelliot separation was a good thing. I also think Nora is awesome and that she is good for Eli and he is good for her in return. So I know that I can't get mad at people for saying that they don't like Nora or want Julie with Eli, I get that. But I don't have to deal with people commenting that Nora should die or that (I can't believe someone said this) Ava should die. That's not okay. Wishing death on my characters is not okay. Which is why I've implemented a new policy:

Anyone who wishes death on any of my characters will be muted. Anyone who harasses me or other readers will be muted. Anyone who comments semi-rude things will get a reply from me asking them to stop. If that person responds to me rudely they will be muted.

It's a simple system and I hope you will all keep it in mind. Again, for most of you this doesn't apply. But for those of you who this policy does apply, this is your warning. Got it? Good.

Have a nice day everyone! I'll see you all on Thursday (hopefully my concussion will be gone by then so I can write the update ahead of time).