Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

The Summer and Forever: One

'Okay guys,' Jonathon cleared his throat and grinned. 'We have an announcement.'

Everyone turned to face him expectantly.

'Well,' Jonathon took a deep breath. 'Riley and I are going to get married.'

The room was silent as everyone stared.

'Feel free to say anything,' Jonathon said. 'Anything at all.'

'You're getting married?' Ecie stared at Jonathon. 'Like, married, married?'

'Yeah,' Jonathon nodded. 'Married, married.'

'But why?' Esme said.

'Well,' Jonathon laughed nervously. 'We love each other.'

'What about mom and Cassie?' Esme said.

'They were happy and supportive,' Jonathon said. 'Unlike you guys. I thought you'd be happy for us.'

'We're happy for you, dad,' Ross said. He looked at Riley. 'And Riley, it's just a lot to take in. First mom and Eric are having a baby and buying a house together, and then my mom and Peter are getting together. You guys just keep springing everything on us like we're so absorbable. You need to give us time.'

'Is that your ring?' Ecie's eyes wandered to Riley's hand. 'Oh my god.'

'Or at least wait for E to see the ring,' Ross sighed. 'That's when you know it's cool.'

'Yeah,' Riley smiled. 'What do you think? I've sent a picture to my all girlfriends and they love it.'

'Who knew dad had money,' Ecie joked. 'Or any taste.'

'Let me see,' Esme said reaching her body over the table. 'Whoa, that's impressive. Good job dad.'

'Yeah, Cassie helped me,' Jonathon replied. 'She said that a Ballerine solitaire ring by Cartier would do the trick.'

'And I think she was right,' Esme said. 'Is it platinum?'

'Let me see if I can remember what the lady at the counter said,' Jonathon thought. 'Oh yes: "it's a nine hundred and fifty platinum ring set with brilliant cut diamonds and a central emerald cut diamond". She also said something about how the name of the ring "evokes dance, harmony and balance. The setting provides a delicate, feminine backdrop to the diamond". That and; "she's going to love you a lot for getting her this one".'

'You are such a lucky girl,' Ecie gushed. 'That is a beautiful ring. Can I take a picture?' Ecie whipped out her BlackBerry and snapped a shot, before Riley could say anything. 'I'm going to send it to Landon so he knows what kind of ring to get me when he proposes.'

'He's going to propose?' Riley asked.

'Only with this ring,' Ecie laughed. 'But no, he said I'm too young.'

'Good,' Jonathon said. 'I like Landon. He seems a lot more mature than your other boyfriends and he's a good guy.'

'Well of course dad,' Ross laughed. 'The guy is like thirty years old. It'd be worrying if he wasn't more mature than her other boyfriends.'

Jonathon looked at Ross. 'You're the only one not to have said anything.'

'It's cool dad,' Ross replied. 'Just don't make me wear one of those lame suits.'

'You're going to be my best man,' Jonathon grinned. 'After all, you are my favorite son.'

'I wouldn't hold your breath dad,' Ecie joked. 'Riles might be pregnant with a boy.'

'You're not pregnant, are you?' Esme looked at Riley.

'No I'm not,' Riley laughed. 'But I think we'll get the wedding out of the way first.'

'When are you going to move in?' Ross asked.

'Are you going to talk to me about what's going on in your head or am I going to have to ask?' Jonathon said leaning on Ross' bedroom door.

Ross looked up from the suitcase he was packing. 'What are you talking about dad?'

'Your sisters are happy for me and Riley,' Jonathon said. 'But you don't really seem happy about it.'

'I am happy about it,' Ross said. 'But like I said at dinner, you've got to give me time. I only need a minute to get my head around it.'

'You shouldn't need a minute...'

'I don't want a fight, dad,' Ross said looking at Jonathon. 'I'm going to be your best man; it's going to be cool. You and Riley will live a long and happy life together.'

Jonathon nodded. 'If this is about Sofie and Cassie...'

'Just forget about it dad,' Ross said. 'I'm going to be late for my flight.'

'It didn't work with your mom, but it'll work with Riley,' Jonathon said as Ross resumed packing his suitcase. 'We're going to try.'

Ross shook his head. 'Why didn't you try with mom?'

'We did try,' Jonathon said. 'We're still trying now.'

'Whatever,' Ross zipped up his suitcase and swung it to the floor. 'It doesn't matter.'

'Ross...'

'It was twenty years ago dad,' Ross said. 'It doesn't matter.'

'You know I can't marry Riley unless you're in it one hundred percent,' Jonathon said. 'You all know that I won't do anything unless you're all in it one hundred percent.'

'Just go ahead and marry her,' Ross said. 'It doesn't matter.'

'Ross...'

Ross looked at Jonathon. 'Ever since I was born you just threw things at me and expected me to catch them. I've been catching things for twenty five years.'

'If you don't...'

'I'm catching this dad,' Ross said. 'Like what I've done with everything else; I'm going to catch this and I won't drop it.'

'You're not...'

'I'm going to miss my flight dad,' Ross said. 'Look, I'll be back in a week then we can talk about it then. Okay?'

Jonathon nodded. 'I mean what I say Ross.'

'I know dad,' Ross said. 'I get that and I respect that. But I'm going to miss my flight.'