Chapter 9
— December —
[Group Chat: Hansel2 & Wifeys]
Emi: Merry Christmas you two!!
Ophelia: Merry Christmas!
Ophelia: [Picture of the kittens]
Emi: So cute!!!
Antoine: ??
Emi: You being allergic when Nic isn’t makes no sense.
Antoine: Sorry.
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
Dec 25 — 9:39 PM
Rosalind: You guys made it home okay?
Ophelia: Yes, all good!
Ophelia: Sorry about the sudden departure, I hope everything went well for you guys!
Courtney: The presents you bought were here, that’s all the kids care about.
Parveen: We did miss you!
Parveen: I hope you had a safe trip home!
Parveen: And a nice dinner!
Rosalind: As if Ophie would let Nicolas starve… ??
[Private Chat: Rosie]
Dec 25 — 9:46 PM
Rosalind: Seriously tho, you guys alright?
Ophelia: Yes, I promise! ??
Ophelia: I hope everything went ok after we left.
Rosalind: Mom complained a bit, but it was fine! We managed ??
Rosalind: Seriously, don’t worry about it.
Ophelia: OK. Talk later?
Rosalind: Yep!
Ophelia: Thank you sis. Love you!
Rosalind: Love you guys!
Ophelia: And Merry Christmas! ?
Rosalind: [Merry Christmas GIF]
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
Dec 26 — 1:46 PM
Courtney: We just got home. Alive.
Rosalind: How did Maisie do?
Courtney: We stopped a couple times, but she was fine.
Parveen: We’re home too! ????
Parveen: Can you check if one of you has one of Lilah’s dolls? Can’t find hers!
Ophelia: Glad you guys are all home OK!
Rosalind: Another Christmas for the books…
Courtney: Next year, can we please lock Aunt Ruth out?
Rosalind: Amen. ??
Ophelia: Good plan!
Ophelia: Parveen, I need your Christmas cookie recipe asap! ??
Parveen: Check your inbox! ??
[Group Chat: Hansel2 & Wifeys]
Dec 29 — 5:46 AM
Emi: [Picture of newborn baby]
Ophelia: OMG!! No way!! ??
Ophelia: He’s so cute!!!
Nicolas: Congratulations, you two.
Antoine: You’re an uncle and I’m a DAD! ??
Antoine: Born at 5:12 AM, 7 lbs, 20 inches!
Antoine: I know you already knew but… it’s a boy! ??
Ophelia: How are you feeling, Emi??
Emi: Thanks for asking! I’m okay! We had to do an emergency C-section but everything went well. ???
Emi: You guys are up early!
Ophelia: We’re getting back to work today and wanted to grab breakfast before we start the day.
Ophelia: So glad we got up early!!
Nicolas: When can we come visit you? I assume you’ll want some peace for a little while.
Emi: You’re welcome whenever… if you don’t mind middle-of-the-night cries ??????
Ophelia: I’ll check our agenda and see when we can plan a trip up north!
Ophelia: And I can totally do some batch-cooking for you! ??
Nicolas: Happy to help too. Let us know whatever you need.
Emi: YES to all the above. PLEASE. ????
— January —
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
Jan 1 — 10:46 AM
Parveen: Happy New Year everyone!! ???
Courtney: Happy New Year!
Courtney: Anyone want to adopt an unruly 8-year-old? I’m dropping your nephew at the kennel.
Rosalind: What did Kenny do?
Courtney: He wants to make a “new tradition” of New Year presents. ?? Woke us up at 6 AM with his grand idea.
Rosalind: ??
Ophelia: He’s onto something, haha.
Ophelia: I hope the year’s starting well for everyone!
Parveen: It’s OK, lots of sick kids at the clinic, so busy! ??
Rosalind: I got assigned to a project with that cute girl in my class!! ????
Courtney: OMG I want the tea.
Courtney: I have to entertain a bunch of man-babies who think putting “mainstream” in every email makes them sound smart. ??
Courtney: But can we schedule a call later?
Rosalind: Yes!!
Ophelia: 8 PM?
Parveen: I might be late but count me in! ??
[Private Chat: Nicolas]
Jan 2 — 3:36 PM
Nicolas: I miss you.
Ophelia: I miss you too, honey!
Ophelia: How’s your meeting going?
Nicolas: Slowly.
Nicolas: How’s your day?
Ophelia: Busy, as always! But I booked our tickets for Quebec City, and I notified Emi too.
Ophelia: Ms. Jones is happy to keep the kitties for the weekend! ??
Nicolas: Sounds wonderful.
Nicolas: Should we go gift shopping for the baby tonight?
Ophelia: I’d LOVE that!
Ophelia: We should grab something for Emi too, she worked hard. I’ll look up ideas.
Ophelia: See you later, honey.
Ophelia: Love you!
Nicolas: I love you.
[Private Chat: Parveen]
Jan 6 — 9:36 PM
Parveen: Ophiiiiie, did you see the views on your “Last-Minute Christmas Meal” post?? ???
Parveen: It’s INSANE!!
Ophelia: I knooooow! I logged in this morning and thought it was a glitch!
Parveen: It’s amazing!!
Parveen: Also I fully plan to try your risotto recipe ??
Ophelia: Let me know how it goes!
Ophelia: I want to try it with truffle next time! I need to pick a mix while we’re here! ???
Parveen: How’s Quebec City??
Ophelia: Cold, but gorgeous! And the baby is SO cute!!
Ophelia: [Picture of baby with Nicolas]
Parveen: STOP he’s adorable!!! ????
Parveen: Tell Emi she can text me anytime she needs, for ANYTHING!
Ophelia: Thanks, I will! Solange is here too, she’s really excited about being a grandma!
Parveen: I bet!! All good between her and Emi??
Ophelia: All good! Never seen them get along better!
Parveen: Awww that’s amazing
Parveen: OK, I’ll let you enjoy family time! Have fun!!
Ophelia: Thanks, love you!
[Private Chat: Emi]
Jan 9 — 7:48 PM
Emi: Thank you guys sooo much again for coming!
Emi: You’ve been a godsend!
Ophelia: You’re welcome!! Thanks for having us!
Ophelia: Kenzo is SO cute!! ????
Ophelia: We literally just got home!
Emi: Great!
Emi: Solange just told us she’s extending her stay, and for once I don’t mind! ??
Ophelia: That’s good! ??
Ophelia: She asked me for the link to my blog before we left, so I think she’s about to spoil you rotten!?
Emi: Sign. Me. Up. ??
[Private Chat: Nicolas]
Jan 13 — 9:01 AM
Nicolas: Thank you for the coffee and cookies, sweetheart.
Ophelia: You’re welcome! Good luck with your investors meeting.
[Private Chat: Nicolas]
Jan 16 — 10:02 PM
Nicolas: My financial advisor is available next week at 2 PM. Do you want me to book an appointment?
Ophelia: Okay, let’s do it.
Nicolas: We’re just meeting him to get advice. You don’t need to decide anything right away, I promise.
Ophelia: I know!
Ophelia: Do I need to bring anything?
Nicolas: I’ll ask him and forward it to you.
Ophelia: Thanks!
Nicolas: I love you, sweetheart.
Ophelia: Love you too!
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
Jan 27 — 7:46 PM
Parveen: Happy birthday, Courtney!! ??
Rosalind: [Happy Birthday GIF]
Ophelia: Happy birthday!! ???
Courtney: Thank you, girls!
Parveen: Are you guys celebrating tonight?
Courtney: Yep, dinner at my favorite place.
Parveen: I can keep the kids if you two want a proper date night! ??
Courtney: Aww, thanks Parv, but I’m feeling a family evening this year.
Courtney: The kids were Freaking. Adorable. this morning.
Rosalind: Awww WHAT did they do??
Ophelia: We want details!!
Courtney: [Picture of homemade gift]
Courtney: Beckett helped them make me a picture frame, and they collaged everything themselves. The Lego figures were Kenny’s idea.
Rosalind: OMG this is SO cute ????
Ophelia: ADORABLE!!
Courtney: And I got breakfast in bed. Kenny made my smoothie himself and Maisie cut the fruit.
Ophelia: Awww, I’m dying!! ????
Rosalind: Same. They are too adorable.
Courtney: Sometimes they’re little monsters… and then they do stuff like this.
Parveen: The joys of being a mama ??
Rosalind: We still need a girls’ night to celebrate!! Can we plan something soon??
Ophelia: I’ll check our calendars!
Parveen: Can’t wait to see you guys! ?
— February—
[Private Chat: Nicolas]
February 2 — 8:02 AM
Nicolas: Can you save the 14th for a date?
Ophelia: Of course, honey!
Ophelia: Do you have something planned?
Nicolas: It’s a surprise.
Ophelia: Can’t wait!
Nicolas: Did you see the link I sent you?
Ophelia: I did… It’s a pretty house, but can we look for something a bit less… new? I know it’s efficient energy-wise but I think I’d prefer something with a bit more charm than a brand-new build!
Nicolas: I understand, I’ll keep that in mind. Did you see anything you liked?
Ophelia: Not yet, but I promise I’ll look up some more tonight!
Nicolas: OK. I miss you.
Ophelia: Miss you too, honey! Have a safe trip!
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
February 11 — 8:36 PM
Rosalind: HELP!
Rosalind: [Voicenote]
Ophelia: OMG!! I’m so excited for you!
Parveen: This is so adorable! I’m rooting for you!
Courtney: Don’t overthink the outfit, hun. If you’re going for a casual date, just make yourself a bit prettier than usual.
Parveen: She already likes your everyday self, no need to overdo it!
Ophelia: Totally agree! Pick something you feel cute and comfortable in!
Parveen: And send pictures if you need advice!
Courtney: And you better keep us posted!
Rosalind: Love you guys!!
[Private Chat: Nicolas]
February 14 — 3:23 PM
Nicolas: Are you excited for tonight?
Ophelia: I am! I have my overnight bag. ??
Ophelia: Still no clue?
Nicolas: No. It’s a surprise.
Ophelia: I have a surprise for you too! ??
Nicolas: Can’t wait.
[Group Chat: Valentine Sisterhood]
Feb 16 — 11:20 AM
Courtney: So???
Rosalind: [A very long squealing voicenote]
Parveen: Guys I’m at work I CAN’T LISTEN! ??
Courtney: THEY KISSED!!
Ophelia: YAYYY!!!
Rosalind: And what about you guys??
Courtney: Nice diversion.
Courtney: Beck and I went bowling, it was great.
Courtney: I won. Obviously.
Ophelia: Nicolas took me to NYC for the weekend!!
Ophelia: We went to see Waitress the Musical, it was amazing!
Parveen: UGH that’s so cute ???
Parveen: Simon surprised me too, he dropped the girls at a sleepover and cooked all my favorite recipes!
Parveen: He even called my mom for help ??
Courtney: Damn, he did good.
Ophelia: He can be romantic when he wants to!
Rosalind: OK but Ophie…
Rosalind: Did Nicolas enjoy his “present”? ??
Courtney: WAIT DID YOU USE THE COUPON? Which one??
Ophelia: [Lingerie article link]
Courtney: ??????
Rosalind: [Squeal GIF]
Parveen: It’s gorgeous!!