Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Moving Forward Towards Another Day Like This One: One

'What are you planning on doing for mom?' Esme asked as she drove with Eric and Ecie to Beverly Hills.

'I was thinking of maybe cooking a meal at your place,' Eric replied turning a corner. 'Then I thought I'd hide some jewelry in a cake or something.'

Esme and Ecie started laughing.

'What?' Eric asked looking over at Esme.

'Nothing,' Esme chuckled. 'It's just that we still don't understand how you and mom even got together in the first place...'

'...mom isn't exactly your typical woman,' Ecie continued. 'She loves jewels and stuff, but she doesn't like guys who give stuff out to their partners and stuff.'

'So in other words I'm everything that your mother despises?' Eric laughed. 'I can remember one of our first dates and we were talking; I was telling her things and the look on her face was that of sheer terror and disgust. I was sure that she hated me from that moment.'

Esme and Ecie laughed. 'Really?'

'Oh yeah,' Eric nodded. 'She hates practically everything about me.'

'Poor you,' Esme laughed. 'You've definitely got your work cut out for you.'

'Well it's worth it,' Eric sighed smiling to himself. 'She's worth it. I love her.'

'That is just about the cutest thing I think I ever heard,' Ecie said leaning forward. 'Please try and get mom to marry you. Please, please, please Eric. I'm begging you.'

Eric laughed as they pulled up outside Cartier. 'Sofie would never agree to marry, let alone marry me.'

'I think you're in with a good chance,' Ecie grinned. 'It's worth a try.'

Eric laughed as they walked into the store and held the door open for Esme and Ecie.

'What are you looking for?'

'I think I want to get her a necklace or something,' Eric replied as they looked around. 'I already got her a ring, but I think that might have been a bit too much.'

'That thing was the biggest, most expensive thing I think I've ever seen,' Esme said. 'I think you'll want something a little more subtle.'

'Yeah, and something that will be good in a cake,' Ecie said. 'Also, in case you hadn't noticed, mom doesn't have an oven. She can't cook and she does not know how.'

Eric looked at Ecie in disbelief. 'Really? How do you eat?'

'Mom is a big fan of going out for dinner,' Esme said. 'She'll order takeouts if she can't be bothered to go out.'

'If we want to cook, then we have to go to dads,' Ecie said. 'Clive has a really cool gourmet kitchen over there.'

Eric looked perplexed. 'You girls are really sure?'

'Totally,' Ecie nodded. 'Haven't you ever been into the kitchen?'

'No,' Eric replied. 'I once suggested making her dinner and she didn't seem to have a problem with it.'

'She probably thought you'd cook her dinner at your place,' Esme laughed. 'She's not always the brightest person in the world.'

'I really want to get engaged,' Ecie said looking at the rings. 'Have you noticed how it's only the engagement ring that looks really good? The actual wedding band is always so boring.'

Eric chuckled as they looked at the other jewelry. 'So do you guys think that I'm a little bit too much?' he asked. 'Sofie always complains about me getting "too involved".'

'I think you're perfect,' Esme said. 'Mom has no idea what she's talking about.'

'It's because she's been so independent for her whole life,' Ecie replied. 'I think that's one of the reasons why she doesn't like dad. She likes to do things by herself.'

Eric nodded. 'What do you think Jonathon makes of all this? I mean me and your mom?'

'Dad's cool about it,' Esme shrugged. 'I suppose he doesn't really care, to be honest.'

'Right,' Eric nodded. 'Well I suppose that's good.'

'Mom would hate it if you and dad became friends,' Ecie laughed. 'Dad's really good friends with her brothers and she hates it so much. It's kind of funny.'

Eric looked at Esme and Ecie. 'Your family is something out of a sitcom.'

'Ha,' they laughed. 'We know.'

'Well then,' Eric sighed. 'Which one do you think your mom would like?'

'I don't know,' Esme said scratching her top lip. 'I don't really think mom would like any of these.'

'She might like a gigantic engagement ring,' Ecie grinned. 'I know that I would.'

'You sort of learn to ignore her,' Esme teased. 'She's a little insane.'

'Noted,' Eric laughed. 'Come on then, let's go.'

They left Cartier then headed back to his thunder Gray chromaflair Cadillac 2011 CTS-V coupe. They climbed into the car then drove off.

'I'm really nervous about the first anniversary,' Eric said. 'I just want it to be perfect.'

'You are so sweet,' Esme said. 'Mom is so lucky to have you in her life. You really do care about her don't you?'

'Oh god,' Eric said turning red from embarrassment. 'This isn't what I should be talking about with my girlfriend's kids. I'm really embarrassed now.'

'Don't be,' Ecie said. 'We understand, so please do go on.'

'Well,' Eric cleared his throat. 'I've had relationships before your mom, and this is honestly the first time I'm ever felt like this. It's funny because I was engaged before, and now I can't believe that I might have gone ahead and made the biggest mistake of my life.'

'Really?'

'Yeah,' Eric nodded. 'To think that if I had of gotten married, I would never have been as fulfilled as I am with your mom now. I don't care if your mom doesn't want to get married, I just want her to let me spend the rest of my life with her.'

Tears rolled down Esme and Ecie's faces.

'Did I say something?' Eric said looking at them. 'I'm sorry...'

'We love you,' Ecie sobbed wiping her face. 'You are just the best guy in the whole wide world. You and mom are so perfect for each other.'

'You think?' he chuckled nervously. 'I'm sure Sofie would say something else.'

'You just wait and see,' Esme said looking out of the window. 'She'll write you something that'll break your heart. You'll know that she's mad about you when that happens.'

'How long do you think I could be waiting?'

'You seem like a very patient man,' Esme and Ecie laughed.

'Thanks guys.'