Many, many, many thanks to Mari & Ilna for covering for me these last weeks. You guys are the absolute BEST! Love you both!
I'm a bit rusty McRollers but it feels good to be back in the game.
Party Prep (1/1)
"How are the plans coming for this weekend? Do you need me to bring anything? Dessert maybe?" Carrie asked as she and Catherine perused racks of lingerie in Victoria's Secret at the Ala Moana Mall.
Sunday was the two-year anniversary of DJ's Official Day and they were planning a laid-back barbeque with family and friends to celebrate.
Catherine snorted. "You mean like Oreos?"
"Oreos are a delicious treat and an iconic American brand that has been pleasing children and adults alike for generations," Carrie said with mock indignance. "I'm not sure why everyone gets so worked up when I show up with them as opposed to something homemade. If you recall, when I made homemade pie no one wanted to eat it. John said I should have stuck to Oreos."
"To be fair you made mince meat pie," Catherine pointed out. "That's not exactly high on most people's list of favorite pie."
"My culinary skills are limited." Carrie agreed as she moved on the next rack. "But I make up for it in other ways." She waggled her eyebrows at her best friend.
Catherine shook her head. "You're ridiculous."
"You know what else is ridiculous," Carrie asked. "Paying this much for special Valentine's Day underwear. Aren't we both past that point in our relationships?"
"It never hurts to make an effort," Catherine replied.
"True," Carrie acknowledged as she held up a pair of panties that looked like little more than a collection of strings, "But how do you even put these on?"
Catherine's eyebrows knit together. "I'm not sure."
Carrie pulled out her phone and snapped a picture. A few keystrokes later she'd sent off a text.
"Who did you send that to?" Catherine asked.
Carrie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Steve and John. I just wanted to see their reactions."
Within a minute Carrie's phone chimed with incoming texts. She glanced at the two replies and barked a laugh right in the middle of the store.
Catherine looked at her. "What?"
"They're so much alike," Carrie chuckled. "Their answers were exactly the same." She turned her phone towards Catherine so she could read the replies. Both said,
'No. The strings would get caught in my teeth.'
"We make cookies now?" Angie asked as Elizabeth finished putting away the last of the grocery shopping.
"Not today," Elizabeth said. "We'll make them later in the week so they'll be nice and fresh for the party."
"'Ficial Day!" Angie squealed as she threw her arms in the air.
"That's exactly right." Elizabeth kissed her granddaughter's cheek.
"We havin' hot dogs," Angie reported excitedly.
"And hamburgers. And chicken," Elizabeth replied.
Angie rubbed her hands together. "Yummy."
"And later in the week you can help me make potato salad, and fruit kabobs, and I was thinking of maybe making a new pasta salad recipe I found …"
"And cookies," Angie cut in.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Of course cookies. Grandma would never forget your favorite."
Angie looked hopefully at the cookie jar on the counter. "Cookie now?"
"After lunch," Elizabeth promised. "Why don't you go ask Grandpa if he can make us some grilled cheese sandwiches. He watched a demonstration at Costco last week and he's been practicing ever since."
Angie turned and exited the kitchen and as she headed for the living room Elizabeth heard her say, "Gwilled cheese pwease, Gwandpa!"
"We're on our way now to pick up the family pictures we had blown up to poster size," Grace reported, "And I think that's pretty much everything. All that's left is decorating and setting up the deck and beach area on party day. Kendra and I will be over early on Sunday to do that."
"Catherine and I appreciate all the hard work you're putting in on this, Gracie," Steve said sincerely. "And we appreciate all your help as well, Kendra."
"I'm happy to do it," Grace said.
"Me too," Kendra replied. "You've all made me feel like part of your family. Helping out is the least I can do."
Grace and Kendra had the afternoon free and had stopped by Five-O HQ to touch base with Steve about a few last-minute details for the party.
"Come to think of it we might need to stop and get a few more balloons." Grace tapped her pen against the clipboard she was holding. "You can never have too many balloons. Right, Uncle Steve?"
Steve caught Danny's eye and they both smiled as they remembered Steve's surprise party years earlier where Grace had filled the beach house with balloons of every size and color. Neither would ever forget the sheer joy on the young girl's face as she looked around the room that day.
"Never." Steve smiled as he reached for his wallet. "Do you need some money to go to the … balloon store … or wherever it is you buy balloons."
Grace chuckled. "I get them at Party City. And I don't need any more money. I have some change left over from buying the other supplies."
"That's my girl," Danny said proudly. "On time and on budget."
Grace blushed.
"Did you tell Uncle Steve about the party you did for the Boys and Girls Club After School Program?"
"I remember you mentioning something when you first started planning it, but I never heard how it went," Steve said.
"It was awesome," Kendra bubbled excitedly. "I was glad I got to work that one. Grace did such a good job. All the people from the club were going on and on about what a great party it was."
"It was my first off-site catering party so I was kinda nervous," Grace admitted. "It made it easier having Kendra there to help me stay calm."
"You would have been just fine anyway," Kendra said confidently.
"They were so happy with the party they requested Grace to plan their Easter Egg Hunt and the party afterwards." The pride in Danny's voice was unmistakable. "Still in her first year of college and big wigs all over the island are asking for her by name to plan their parties."
"I think you might be exaggerating just a little," Grace said as she reached out and squeezed her father's hand.
"Not much," Kendra replied. "Boris says that Grace is one of his best party planners. That she's as good at it as some of the people who have worked for the resort for years."
"I still have a lot to learn," Grace insisted.
"Maybe." Steve beamed at her. "But you've got that something special no class can teach you. You have a way of connecting with the client and seeing what it is they really want then helping bring that to life."
"I think she gets that ability to connect to people from Nonna," Danny said.
"My mom says Grace chose an awesome career because she'll get to make people happy for a living," Kendra said.
"There are worse ways to spend your time." Grace smiled. "But right now, I'm only focused on one thing- making this the best Official Day party ever."
"I have no doubt that's exactly what you'll do," Steve said. "I can't wait."
THE END
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