Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Six

'This smells good Eric,' Ross said walking out into the garden with Emily. 'What are you cooking?'

'I've got some ribs and burgers on the grill,' Eric said. 'I did the burgers myself and seasoned the ribs.'

'Well my belly is hungry,' he laughed.

Eric laughed as he turned back to the grill.

'You look so pretty,' Ecie said to Emily. 'Where did you get your dress?'

'Diane Von Furstenberg,' Emily replied feeling her kaleidoscope yellow multicolored print Edyth silk dress. 'I thought it was so summery.'

'That is so cute,' Ecie said. 'This is Lauren.'

'Hey Lauren,' Emily smiled. 'I'm Emily.'

'Hi,' Lauren smiled nervously.

'Lauren's in one of my classes,' Ecie said. 'We met about a week ago and hit it off.'

'I hope she didn't put you off your food,' Ross joked. 'E has that effect on people sometimes.'

'Hey,' Ecie laughed hitting her brother. 'This freak is Ross. Emily is his girlfriend and I have no idea how she even puts up with him.'

'How are you Lauren?' Ross grinned holding out his hand.

'I'm good,' Lauren nodded shaking Ross' hand. 'You've got a nice house.'

'Thanks,' Ross replied. 'I'll tell mom.'

Esme carried out a tray of drinks followed by Sofie who also had a tray of drinks.

'Hey Ross, hey Emily,' Esme said. 'How are you guys?'

'Good,' Emily smiled.

'You look cute.'

'Thank you.'

'What about me?' Ross laughed. 'Nobody's commented on me.'

'You look lovely darling,' Sofie smiled at Ross. 'Can you come and help me with these.'

'Ross is such a mommy's boy,' Esme laughed. 'Look at him, you know he loves it.'

'Wait, I'm confused,' Lauren said. 'I thought you said that his mom was Cassie.'

'His mom is Cassie,' Esme laughed. 'But mom has always been his mom as well, so he's lucky he's got two moms' who he can be a mommy's boy to.'

'Oh right,' Lauren nodded. 'I get it now.'

'Who's ready for an Eric original burger?' Eric grinned holding up his burgers. 'Come and grab them.'

They all went up to the grill and took their food.

'I just want to say a few words,' Eric said standing up before everyone started eating. 'Thank you all for coming and bon appetite.'

'So where are you from Lauren?' Sofie asked wiping her mouth.

'Salt Lake City,' Lauren replied swallowing her food. 'I live near Kearns.'

'Oh right,' Sofie nodded. 'That's really interesting. How are you finding California?'

'Very different,' Lauren replied. 'Everything here is so much more glamorous than back home. It's all so different.'

'Were your family sad to see you go?' Eric asked.

'I think so,' Lauren replied. 'It was hard leaving, but I guess it has to be done if I want to make it in life.'

Eric nodded. 'So what career do you want to pursue?'

Sofie sighed and rubbed her eye as she reached for her glass of orange juice and sipped it.

'I want to be a lawyer,' Lauren replied. 'USC have some really good programs and they're summer placements are really good.'

Eric smiled. 'That's very good. USC also have some great professors. A friend of mine actually works there.'

Lauren nodded as she took another bite of her burger. 'These are really good.'

'Thank you,' Eric grinned. He looked at Sofie. 'Are you okay?'

'Yes,' Sofie said getting up. 'I'll be back in a moment.'

Sofie went inside and everyone looked at Eric.

'Is she okay?' Ross asked.

'She's fine,' Eric said getting up and following Sofie inside. 'I'll just see.'

'She's fine,' Ross repeated to Esme and Ecie. 'She's probably feeling really hot from all the sun.'

'What have you girls been up to since I saw you last,' Emily asked changing the subject.

'Nothing really,' Esme replied. 'E started working and we've just been going to school.'

'Es is having guy trouble,' Ecie said.

'How many times Ecie!' Esme said annoyed. 'You keep doing that.'

'I'm sorry,' Ecie smiled. 'I can't help myself.'

Esme pulled a face at her sister.

'What kind of troubles?' Emily asked.

'One of Taylor's friends has a crush on me,' Esme replied. 'Then he kissed me in the parking lot.'

'Oh honey,' Emily said sympathetically. 'I'm so sorry.'

'It's fine,' Esme said. 'It's nothing.'

'Have you told him yet?' she asked.

Esme shook her head. 'But I'm going to.'

'I told her to,' Ross said. 'He deserves to know.'

'But what about her?' Emily said. 'Esme has a say in the relationship too and it's going to be hard for her. It's not all about Taylor.'

'Yeah but, Taylor should know,' Ross said. 'I mean I'd want to know.'

'You and Taylor are kind of different,' Emily said. 'No offence Es.'

'That's fine,' Esme replied. 'That's what I thought too.'

'Obviously you should tell Taylor, but you don't have to rush anything,' Emily said. 'Just do it in your own time.'

'When did it happen?' Lauren asked quietly.

'Monday,' Esme replied. 'I know I've left it for a really long time.'

'You probably don't want to talk about it in front of loads of people,' Emily said. 'But call me if you ever want to talk.'

Esme nodded. 'Thanks.'