Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Two

'Well I won't lie,' Verde said as they drove away from the ranch. 'That was the randomest lunch I've ever had with your family.'

'I don't even know what to say,' Esme said looking at Ecie whose eyes were focused on the road ahead. 'That was totally random.'

'Where are we heading to next?' Verde asked.

'We're going to dads for dinner,' Esme replied. 'E?'

'What?' Ecie said.

'Are you okay?' Verde asked.

'I'm fine,' Ecie replied. 'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I thought you really wanted them to have a baby,' Esme said. 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' Ecie said. 'I'm really happy about the baby, it's about time anyway.'

'So what's wrong?' Verde asked. 'Is it the house?'

'We grew up by the beach,' Ecie said turning a corner. 'Selling the house would be like selling our childhood and experiences too.'

'But you heard mom,' Esme said. 'It would be too expensive to maintain the Malibu house if nobody is going to live there.'

'I just think they should have consulted us first,' Ecie shrugged. 'That's all.'

'The ranch has two guest houses, for Christ sake,' Verde laughed smiling at Ecie. 'You've got to admit that's crazy.'

Ecie shrugged then a large grin swept across her face a moment later. 'That is kind of insane,' she grinned.

'I kind of feel bad for Eric because he's got to think about all of us whenever he wants to do anything,' Esme said. 'The moment he started dating mom, he already had four kids.'

'That is true,' Ecie said. 'I'm just going to miss the beach.

'At least Jonathon won't be going anywhere,' Verde assured. 'That's something good.'

'Yeah,' Esme said. 'I want to know what he thought about Eric and mom living together and having a baby. What did Cassie think?'

'The worst thing is that I think they were both really happy for them,' Ecie replied. 'You know what dad and Cassie are like.'

'Do you think that Cassie will be at dinner tonight?' Esme asked. 'I haven't seen her in ages and I really want to see her.'

'I think so,' Verde said.

Forty minutes later, Ecie pulled up in Jonathon's drive way and they all climbed down from her car.

'I see that Ross and Emily aren't here yet,' Esme said as they walked to the door and went in. 'Hello?!'

'Is that my two favorite girls in the world?' Cassie grinned walking out of a room with her arms outstretched.

'Cassie,' they said happily. 'How are you?'

'I'm doing really well,' she replied. 'How are you guys?'

'Perplexed,' Esme replied. 'We just came down from Calabasas.'

'Oh right,' Cassie nodded understanding. 'How was that?'

'Weird,' Ecie replied. 'Very weird.'

Cassie nodded then looked at Verde. 'Verd,' she said hugging him too. 'How are you coping with everything?'

'I'm doing surprisingly well,' Verde nodded. 'Sofie and Jonathon have been really great in keeping me going and stuff.'

'Don't forget that you can talk to me too,' Cassie smiled. 'I know I may live in the forbidden land now, but I'm always here if you want a little chat.'