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

Chapter 49 - Jasmine

The dinner with Ethan's parents went surprisingly well. When Jasmine had shared that her father had been in the Marines, she had not known that Ethan had shared that information with his parents, so to see her father and Ethan's laughing, and sharing stories of their time in the service, pleased her tremendously. As the two men shared old military stories, and seemed to be kindred spirits, it was clear that they had a bond. Although Jasmine was ecstatic about it, she had to admit that she'd been worried about how the meeting would go between them. But as she glanced around the room and saw the smiling faces of both her parents, as well as Ethan's, it almost brought tears to Jasmine's eyes, because she was happy to see that it was going a lot better than expected.

Her mom, and Ethan's mom, were having a conversation about baking, and flowers, while Ethan and Caden were laughing, and discussing things that had gone on at E&D that week. Jasmine simply took that moment to just sit back and watch everyone. Could this really be her life? Jasmine never could have imagined things could be like this, because when she'd met Marcus's family for the first time, and when they had met hers, things had not gone quite as well as they were now.

While the Daniels' were clearly wealthy, they did not boast their wealth. And unlike the Reynolds's home, the Daniels' home appeared relaxed and "lived in", while Marcus's family's home had looked more like a "wanna be" museum. Instead of Marcus's mother achieving the "posh extravagance" that she was hoping for, in Jasmine's opinion, their home had reminded Jasmine of the image of a young boy trying on his father's ill-fitting clothes. In many ways, some of the rooms were "overdone", and overly decorated. Almost to the point of looking gaudy, and cluttered.

Not to mention the fact that her parents and Marcus's hadn't appeared to have gotten along as well as they currently were with Ethan's. Jasmine watched conversations taking place around her, and she smiled as she watched her father and Patrick as they shared military stories from the past, as well as discussed their respective careers. At some point, Kim had taken her mother outside to tour her gardens, and when Jasmine glanced through the window at the two women, she couldn't help but smile as she watched them laughing together.

Feeling eyes on her, Jasmine glanced over at Ethan, and locked eyes with him. Feeling happier than she had in... well...ever... Jasmine smiled at Ethan. Returning the smile, Ethan lifted her hand and kissed her palm before lowering their laced fingers to his lap. The action hadn't gone unnoticed by her very observant father, and when she looked over at him, he gave her a knowing smile before he returned his attention to his conversation with Patrick.

Jasmine's attention was pulled to Caden when he lowered his voice and said, "So... Jay...what's the deal with your cousin Candace?" When Ethan chuckled, Jasmine smiled and shook her head as she said, "What do you mean?" Jasmine knew what Caden meant, but she played dumb. Still chuckling, Ethan said, "Let it go Caden." Shaking his head, Caden said, "Heck no. That woman is gorgeous, and I'm trying to find out if Jay can hook me up." Smiling at Jasmine, he said, "I mean, since we're family now..." And gesturing with his head towards the two sets of parents that were currently talking and laughing together, Caden said, "...I figured, you could officially introduce me." Laughing, Jasmine said, "Well Caden...she is currently in a very committed relationship and has been for about five years." And patting Caden on the hand, Jasmine's tone was consolatory when she said, "Also, she had hinted around to she and Brent getting engaged very soon." A slow smile crossed Caden's face, and he rubbed the five o'clock shadow on his chin before he said, "So, in other words.... she's still available." Jasmine and Ethan both laughed, and Ethan shook his head, before he glanced over at Jasmine and said, "Now...do you see what I have to deal with?"

A couple of hours later, they were saying their goodbyes to Ethan's parents and heading back to Ethan's home. As Ethan drove through the semi-dark Illinois streets, Jasmine smiled as she listened to Ethan and her father as they discussed a variety of topics. Happy to have her parents there, Jasmine leaned over and laid her head on her mom's shoulder. She closed her eyes and smiled when she felt her mom kiss the top of her head, before resting her head on top of Jasmine's.

Jasmine must have fallen asleep on the ride home, because she was startled when she felt her mom patting her on the leg as she said, "Wake up Pudd. We're here." Opening her eyes, Jasmine sat up and glanced out of the truck window and realizing that they were parked inside of Ethan's garage, Jasmine stretched, and said, "Wow...I can't believe that I fell asleep." Chuckling, Ethan said, "You must have been tired baby. If you want to go up and shower, I can get your parents settled."

Giving him an appreciative smile, Jasmine shook her head as she said, "No... it's okay. I can help get them settled. Besides, I want to show mom that kitchen!" Chuckling, Ethan walked to the back of his truck, and helped her father grab their luggage. Linking arms with her mother, Jasmine led the way as they entered Ethan's home.

Jasmine's attention was drawn to her mother when she said, "Oh my goodness. Ethan your home is beautiful." Sitting her mother's suitcase and carryon down, Ethan smiled as he said, "Thank you Bernadette. I appreciate that, but I can't take all of the credit. My sister, Carmen, has a real eye for interior design, and she was instrumental in helping me to put all of this together." Smiling, Jasmine walked over and slid an arm around Ethan's waist, as she said, "She did an incredible job." Kissing Jasmine's temple, Ethan said, "Thanks baby. I will be sure to let her know." When her father moved into Ethan's huge living room, Jasmine laughed when he said, "Now, this is a space that I could get used to." Chuckling, Ethan said, "You sound just like your daughter. Besides the kitchen, where she has made some of the most remarkable dishes that I have ever had in my life, this is her other favorite room."

Hearing Ethan mention his kitchen, her mother excitedly said, "Okay. I have to see this incredible kitchen that Jasmine has been raving about." Laughing, Jasmine headed towards the kitchen, and after flipping on the recessed lights, Jasmine walked in and with a flourish that would have done Vanna White proud, she waved her parents in. Chuckling her father said, "Ah, now I understand why those pictures that you sent your mother, and I looked so good. You have a chef's kitchen right at your fingertips." Walking into the room, Jasmine smiled when Ethan stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders as he said, "Bernadette, you should be proud of your daughter's culinary skills." And kissing the top of her head, he said, "the red velvet cake that she made last week was amazing." Smiling, her mother said, "Jasmine is definitely a good cook, and an excellent baker. And speaking of great bakers, before we left, I had to get that recipe for that lemon cake Kim made this afternoon. It was probably the best lemon cake that I've ever tasted." Nodding, her father said, "I agree, it was incredible, but yours is just as good Bernie." Jasmine smiled as she watched her mother give her father an indulgent smile before she walked into his outstretched arms and placed a tender kiss to his lips before she patted him on the chest and smiled as she said, "Thank you Nate." Glancing over at Jasmine, her father smiled as he gave her a wink, which caused Ethan to chuckle.

After a tour of the rest of his home, Jasmine watched as Ethan had gotten her parents settled in the in-law suite situated on the main level. After several goodnight hugs and kisses from Jasmine, her parents bid them goodnight, but not before Ethan shared that he had arranged for the ladies to enjoy a spa day the following day. Her mother had been thrilled and her father had clearly been impressed by his generous gesture, and after one final goodnight, Jasmine and Ethan headed upstairs to his, or as Ethan referred to it, "their" bedroom.

Jasmine was exhausted, and after they'd showered, Ethan had spread her legs and had licked Jasmine into a mind-numbing orgasm, before climbing up her body, and placing a soft kiss to her lips. Being unable to do anything except smile, and mumble, "I love you too baby", Jasmine passed out, totally naked, and completely sated in the arms of the man that she loved.