Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Two

'Are you sure about this?' Landon asked driving.

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded looking out of the window. 'What else were you planning on doing today? Staying home and grading papers?'

'I've got a lot to get through,' Landon said changing lanes. 'All this stress of meeting the parents and stuff, it freaks me out.'

Ecie looked at Landon. 'You've got nothing to worry about. My dad said I should be honest with this. Heck, if my best friend can be honest about who he is then so can I.'

Landon glanced at Ecie.

Esme lay outside by the pool with Taylor, Verde and Ed when Ecie walked out with Landon.

'I don't know about this,' Landon muttered. 'This feels so weird.'

Ecie looked at Landon then walked out. 'Hey guys.'

They looked at Ecie then at Landon, then back at Ecie.

'Oh right,' Ed laughed. 'I see. You must be Landon.'

Landon looked at Ecie for a second.

'What?' she said hugging Ed. 'They don't go to USC.'

'Right then,' Landon said clearing his throat. 'This is a little awkward.'

'Sit down,' Taylor said motioning to an empty lounger. 'We can share all the information we know about Ecie and her crazy ways.'

'Taylor,' Esme hit him. 'Don't say that, it's not nice.'

'I'm just going to get us some drinks,' Ecie said going inside the house. 'I'll be back in a sec.'

'Hey mom,' Ecie smiled putting tall glasses onto a tray. 'How are you and the bump?'

'We're good,' Sofie said rubbing her stomach and looking out of the window. 'Ecie, honey,' she said. 'Why is there a grown man outside in my garden?'

Ecie looked out of the window and saw Landon was talking animatedly with Taylor.

Sofie looked back at Ecie. 'Do you care to explain?'

'Well mom,' Ecie thought. 'That's Landon.'

'Who's Landon?'

'A guy,' Ecie said not wanting to look her mother in the eye. 'We're sort of together.'

'Oh honey,' Sofie said shaking her head slowly. 'This is not good.'

'It's not...'

'Oh it is honey,' Sofie said. 'Look, Ecie. It's totally normal for a student to sleep with their teacher, that's almost acceptable in college; but not an actual relationship. That's serious trouble.'

'I know mom, but we didn't mean for this to happen.'

Sofie folded her arms and looked at her daughter.

'We met in Palm Springs,' Ecie said. 'I didn't know how old he was and neither did he. We only realized on the first day when he called roll. One thing really led to another, I don't know mom. What should I do?'

'You really like him, don't you?' Sofie said looking back out at Landon. 'And he must obviously really like you.'

'He told me that he loved me,' Ecie said. 'He's actually in love with me.'

'And what about you?'

'I don't know,' Ecie shrugged. 'I know that I really like him and I think about him a lot. I worry because I don't want him to lose his job and I don't want everyone at college to hate me for sleeping with him. I wish that things hadn't happened the way they did.'

'Oh honey,' Sofie stroked the side of Ecie's face and pulled her in close to her. They stood in an embrace for a few moments. 'Oh my dear honey.'

'I know mom,' Ecie nodded slowly. 'I know.'

'Am I missing a party?' Eric grinned interrupting them.

'No,' Ecie said letting go of Sofie. She sniffed then rubbed her nose. 'It's fine.'

Ecie picked up the tray and went outside.

'You have the worst timing,' Sofie hit Eric playfully. 'We were having a moment and you have no idea how hard it is once they reach adolescence.'

'I'm sorry ma'am,' Eric joked putting his arms around Sofie and pulling her closer to him. He kissed her forehead then nose and then her lips. 'You're looking more and more beautiful every day. You're even glowing.'

'That's the pregnancy,' Sofie laughed. 'You don't even know the first thing.'

They kissed each other.

'So basically while you guys were having a ball in Palm Springs,' Taylor said as Ecie came out with the tray and set it down on the table. 'That famous guy, Simon Hoult tried to get it on with my girlfriend. I swear this thing keeps happening to me.'

'Simon Hoult was staying at the same hotel?' Landon said leaning forward. 'I didn't even have any idea.'

'E must've really shown you some good stuff,' Taylor grinned. 'You know...'

'Taylor,' Esme said looking back at him. 'Don't even start that right now.'

'See what I mean,' Taylor laughed when Esme turned back. 'You never want to come between those two sisters. They'll never choose you at any time.'

Landon nodded. 'That's good to know.'

'I obviously had to find out the hard way,' Taylor laughed. 'They put you through your paces and stuff, but I think it's all worth it. Es is an incredible girl and I can't think how lucky I am.'

'She's quite something,' Landon said watching as Ecie talked and laughed with Esme, Ed and Verde. 'She makes it worth it in the end.'

Taylor looked at Landon then laughed. 'She's really done a number on you.'

Landon looked at Taylor. 'What do you mean?'

'I'm guessing that E's told you all about everything?' Taylor said.

Landon nodded.

'Es hates me saying this, but E's really vulnerable. She's naïve because she always lets everyone into her life and then somehow they always end up falling completely in love with her. The worst part is when that love goes wrong.'

'Ellis,' Landon nodded looking back at Ecie. He wanted to trace her smile with his finger and he wanted to catch her laugh. 'I know all about that.'

'I'm just saying,' Taylor said looking at Esme. 'Those sisters, they'll kill you if they ever got the chance.'

'Yeah,' Landon nodded. 'I can imagine.'