Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 21 - Jasmine

When they pulled up to the front of Ethan's parent's large Victorian Style brick home, Jasmine saw what appeared to be a younger version of Ethan playing in the front yard with a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy. The home was beautiful. It had a large wrap-around porch with 3 ceiling fans, and several gorgeous red rockers, which she absolutely loved. The lawn was very well maintained, which Jasmine had no doubts was due to the excellent care that E&D Landscaping provided.

Jasmine took a few cleansing breaths when she glanced through the window and noticed a beautiful petite middle-aged woman with wavy blonde hair with streaks of gray, and a welcoming face as she placed a book that she was reading on a side table, before she smiled and lifted her hand to give Jasmine a brief wave. Jasmine returned the smile and wave, before her attention was drawn to Ethan when he pulled the passenger side door opened and smiled at her. He extended his hand to help her out of the truck, and when her feet touched the ground, she glanced up at Ethan when he gently squeezed her hand, hazel eyes filled with concern as he asked, "You good?"

In an attempt to release the anxiety that she felt, Jasmine exhaled a slow breath before she smiled and said, "Yes, I'm great baby. Now, let's go, so that I can meet your family." A huge and relieved smile crossed Ethan's handsome face before he lifted the hand that he held up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

In that moment they were interrupted by an energetic bundle of brown fur that barked and bounced at Ethan's feet. Jasmine couldn't help but smile as she stared down at the cutest chocolate brown lab puppy that she'd ever seen. Her heart melted even more when Ethan squatted down and began rubbing the excited puppy with the same level of energy, as he said, "Hey Batman! Oh...you're such a big boy. Have you been taking care of mom and dad for me?" Jasmine couldn't help but laugh as the puppy's tail wagged frantically as if in affirmation to Ethan's question. She watched as Ethan glanced her way before he stood and said, "Batman! Look! I've got someone for you to meet!"

Once the adorable puppy who was more paws than anything loped her way, she gave him the back of her hand to sniff, and after receiving the "puppy lick" of approval, she knelt down and rubbed the puppy's ears, which resulted in him leaning against her as if to snuggle, and she wrapped her arms around him as she laughed and said, "Oh my goodness, you are so adorable. I can't stand it!" After a few more excited licks and a rapid increase in tail wagging, Jasmine reluctantly shifted her attention from "Batman" and directed it towards the humans.

Smiling, Jasmine stood, glancing towards the young man that she had no doubts was Ethan's younger brother Caden, and extending her hand, she said, "Hi. You must be Caden. It's nice to meet you...I'm Jasmine." Jasmine only had a few seconds to notice that her hand was still dangling in the air before she was suddenly pulled up against a hard muscled chest as two strong arms gently held her locked in an embrace. Caden's next statement floored her as he said, "We're way past that! You're family now!" Her gaze quickly jerked to Ethan and seeing the huge smile on his face had her smiling as she laughed and returned Caden's hug.

When Caden finally released her and smiled down at her, Jasmine smiled up at the same hazel-colored eyes as Ethan, but where Ethan's seemed to be mixed with brown, green and hints of blue, Caden's eyes lacked the subtle hints of blue of his older brother's. With an arm wrapped around her shoulder, Caden waved his free hand with a flourish towards the large brick home as he said, "Welcome to Casa de Daniels Jasmine." And after giving her a boyish grin, with a mirrored image of the same dimples as Ethan's, he added, "Or should I call you Big Sis?" After his statement of induction, Caden winked at her, as he linked their arms and turned her towards where their mother stood waiting for them on the porch. Jasmine glanced over her shoulder at Ethan and seeing his warm smile put her at ease, and when he winked at her, she couldn't help but return the smile as she was steered towards one of the most important people in Ethan's life.

As she drew closer towards the woman that brought the love of her life into the world, Jasmine's initial anxiety slowly melted away. Kimberly Daniels, or Kim to her family and close friends, was the epitome of the sweet, warm, and welcoming mother that she'd envisioned Ethan had grown up with. From the way her blue eyes softened when she stared at her children, to the huge genuine smile that she turned Jasmine's way, it was obvious that Kim Daniels was the complete opposite of Marcus's mother, and that fact put Jasmine at ease that much more.

When Caden pulled her up the porch stairs, he said, "Mom, please meet the newest addition to our family, Miss Jasmine Ellis." Ethan playfully shoved his brother, which caused Caden to laugh as he said, "Hey.... careful with the merchandise." Ethan laughed, and said, "Mom...I'd like to introduce you to Jasmine." And moving to stand beside of her, and lacing their fingers, he smiled down at Jasmine as he said, "Jasmine, this is my mother, Kimberly Daniels."

Jasmine smiled as she said, "Hi Mrs. Daniels, it's nice to meet you. Your home is beautiful. Are those alliums? I have never seen them in pink before!" Through her mother's love of flowers, Jasmine had occasionally assisted her mom when she'd worked in her garden, so seeing a bloom that she was familiar with excited Jasmine. Stepping closer, Ethan's mother smiled as she said, "None of that formal stuff...please call me Kim. Welcome Jasmine, it's very nice to finally meet you, and yes, they are alliums! You know your flowers! Ethan planted those for me a couple of years ago and I love them because pink and purple are my two favorite colors. Come on...I will show you the rest of my garden." When Ethan's mom linked her arm with Jasmine's and pulled her towards her beautiful garden, Jasmine glanced over her shoulder and watched as a huge smile spread across Ethan's face.

When Kim Daniels had linked their arms, and showed Jasmine her beautiful garden, it was in that moment that any fears that she'd had about not feeling welcomed completely evaporated. Little did Kim know, but she had wrapped Jasmine in the type of warmth and comfort that only a mother could provide, and she would always be grateful to her for that.

After the gardentour, Kim had wrapped an arm around Jasmine's waist, and turned them towardsthe front door, before she glanced over her shoulder and said, "Come on boys,let's get this beautiful young woman fed. I made pasta and my homemade garlicbread!" Jasmine smiled when she heard the two Daniel's brothers as they exclaimedin unison, "Homemade garlic bread!" Kim Daniels chuckled as she whispered sothat only Jasmine could hear, "Just wait until they see the peach cobbler!"