Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Homecoming: One

'So girls,' Jonathon said clearing his throat. 'This is Riley, my new girlfriend.'

'Hi,' Esme and Ecie said smiling at Riley. 'It's nice to meet you.'

'You too,' Riley smiled. 'Your dad tells me that you're in college, USC?'

'Yeah,' Esme nodded. 'It's really great.'

'That's great,' Riley nodded trying to avoid Ecie's invasive stares. 'What are you hoping to do when you're older?'

'I want to write,' Esme replied. 'E's going to be a first rate lawyer.'

'Yeah,' Ecie said looking at Riley. 'I like your earrings.'

Riley felt her ears and nodded. 'You do?'

'Yeah,' Ecie said. 'Are they Lanvin?'

'How did you know?' Riley smiled.

'She's like that,' Esme replied. 'They are pretty cool earrings.'

'So how did you and dad meet?' Ecie asked looking at Riley's face.

Riley looked at Jonathon. 'Erm, I don't know. I think it was in a meeting.'

'Ecie,' Jonathon looked at her. 'Please.'

'What?' Ecie said. 'I was only asking. I want to know how you guys first met.'

'Well we actually met a few years ago,' Riley replied. 'I used to work for another production company and there was meeting. I knew Cassie from when we were younger and she introduced me to her ex husband.'

'That must have been a little awkward,' Esme laughed.

'It was a bit,' Riley laughed. 'They get on incredibly well for a couple that's supposed to be divorced and living completely separate lives.'

'Did you think he was a sex god?'

'Oh no,' Riley laughed. 'To be honest I wasn't so keen on him at first. His ideas were a little out there and he's quite dominating in the board room. Anyway, we went out for coffee and I discovered he wasn't such a hard shell.'

'So did you guys lose contact or something?' Esme asked.

'Not really lose contact as such,' Riley replied. 'We were both really busy with work and stuff so we never got round to seeing each other again. We met recently when I moved production company's and I produced Cassie's last project. We hit it off right away.'

'You know,' Ecie said. 'The same thing has happened with Cassie and our mom. There's something about dad that gets them every time.'

'Come on now Ecie,' Jonathon said.

'I'm just saying,' Ecie said. 'He's a special guy.'

'Yeah,' Riley smiled. 'I think so.'

'Have you met Ross?' Esme asked.

'OH yeah,' Riley laughed. 'He's a really nice hard working guy. He told me all about his charity work and stuff and I just found it all so inspiring. He's convinced me to run in a marathon he's organizing in New York City next month.'

'Ecie,' Jonathon said when they were alone. 'What's going on?'

'Nothing dad,' Ecie replied. 'I don't know what you mean.'

'Yes you do,' he said. 'Is it because of Riley?'

'No,' Ecie replied. 'It's not anything.'

'I know it's hard,' Jonathon said. 'I know that everything is always hard and complicated when it comes to home life, but you've got to move past it. I'm with Riley now.'

'I know dad,' Ecie said. 'I'm nineteen years old, not nine. I get that you hate being single and whatever and you need to have someone. I understand it, I really do.'

'What is it?'

'I don't know how to say it,' Ecie said biting her bottom lip nervously. 'I don't know if I should.'

'Just tell me,' Jonathon said. 'I promise not to breathe a word to anyone.'

'You promise,' Ecie said. 'I've only really spoken to Carole about it but I need a second opinion.'

'Shoot,' Jonathon nodded. 'I'm all ears.'

'I'm seeing this guy,' Ecie said slowly.

'What guy?'

'He's nice and caring and protective and perfect,' Ecie replied. 'I just don't know what to do. I know that I'll have to bring him home soon and I'm nervous about what the reaction will be.'

'As long as he doesn't lay a finger on you,' Jonathon said. 'I would break if his neck if he did.'

'Okay dad,' Ecie patted his arm. 'I'll remember that.'

'But you'll give Riley a chance,' Jonathon said. 'She's just as nervous as you are. Please give her a break.'

'She's beautiful dad,' Ecie smiled. 'She's really beautiful, well done.'

'Ecie,' Jonathon said as Ecie was leaving the room. 'About this guy, just bring him home and be honest about it. It can't be that bad.'

'Thanks dad,' Ecie smiled.