Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Six

'How is it going?' Carole asked. 'How are you finding it?'

'Everything is just working out really well,' Ecie nodded happily. 'I'm in a really great relationship, I love my boyfriend, my new lease of life and just being able to do what I've always enjoyed doing. I'm on cloud nine.'

'That's brilliant,' Carole smiled. 'I'm so happy for you.'

'Thank you so much,' Ecie nodded. 'I've only got you and Boston to thank.'

'Have you still been seeing Boston?'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'He came by the gym last week and we're meeting regularly. I think it'll soon be time for me to give him up.'

'Well you should know that he's always around if you want a word about something,' Carole replied. 'He'll always be your coach.'

'I know,' Ecie replied. 'I think I just needed someone to push me in the right direction. I know that I had everything in me from the beginning, but I needed help digging it all up. Now look at me.'

'How are things with Landon?'

'Perfect,' Ecie replied. 'He's in New York at the moment, but he says he wants to take me away when he gets back. He said I could choose anywhere in the world to go.'

'Wow,' Carole said. 'That's very generous of him. Where did you say?'

'Switzerland,' Ecie replied. 'I want to go snowboarding and skiing, that and my undying love for snow and an opportunity to go shopping.'

Carole laughed. 'Well I hope you have a fun trip.'

'Thank you,' Ecie replied. 'I'm sure we'll have fun.'

Carole nodded. 'Have you been having any more bad dreams? Any spontaneous crying?'

Ecie shook her head and Carole noted something down. 'I'm surprised at just how awesome I'm doing and feeling. It's like nothing has happened.'

'Do you still think about it?'

'Vaguely and rarely,' Ecie replied. 'I've got so much other stuff to think about and take care of, that I don't have time to think about what's happened. Obviously it's still on my mind and stuff, but it's more of a passing thought than anything else.'

Carole nodded. 'And family life?'

'Great,' Ecie replied. 'Lauren's moved in with us, mom and Eric are fine. Dad and Riley are doing well. Ross and Emily are great and so are Esme and Taylor. For the first time in forever, everything is just going perfectly.'

'That's fantastic news,' Carole grinned. 'You've got no idea how refreshing that is to hear... what?'

'There is one thing,' Ecie replied. 'But it's really tiny and insignificant.'

'What did you do?'

'It happened in Laguna and I'm wondering whether I should tell Landon or not,' Ecie replied. 'We've really started our relationship from the beginning again and I don't want to keep anything from him.'

'I think you should tell him if it bothers you that much,' Carole said. 'Honesty is the best policy.'

'I had sex with someone else in Laguna,' Ecie replied. 'Actually I had sex with two people in Laguna, it was a threesome.'

'Ecie!'

'It was only the one time, I think.'

'That has got to be the most shocking thing you've told me,' Carole said. 'I thought we discussed how Laguna was for you to relax and recharge. Laguna was supposed to help you start fresh. You promised me that you wouldn't do that.'