Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Six

'So how are you girls feeling about leaving?' Eric asked at dinner. 'Has it finally settled in yet?'

'Come on Eric,' Sofie said. 'We've only just sat down. Slow down for a second.'

'I bet that's not the first time she's said that to him,' Ecie whispered to Esme.

Esme sniggered. 'I know, right?'

'I'm just curious,' Eric replied kissing Sofie on the lips. 'I'm intrigued about them. I want to know what's going on with them.'

'At least wait ten minutes,' Sofie laughed. 'You always just jump right in.'

'And that too,' Esme whispered back to Ecie. 'I feel like we're sitting in on them having sex.'

Esme and Ecie laughed.

'Sorry we're late,' Ross said sitting down with Emily. 'We just drove from Anaheim and there was lots of traffic.'

'No problem Ross,' Eric grinned. 'We only just got here.'

'Hey E, hey Es,' Emily smiled at them. 'How are you?'

'Good,' they replied. 'You?'

'I'm good,' she replied. 'I heard about USC, congratulations.'

'Thanks.'

'I was thinking about what would be a suitable graduation gift,' Eric said. 'Seeing as you two will be graduating and going to college, maybe you'd be able to help me out a bit.'

'I was thinking maybe a car,' Esme replied. 'You know, for driving about...'

'Esme,' Sofie said.

'What?' Esme said. 'He was asking and I was only helping him out.'

'It's okay Sofie,' Eric said squeezing her thigh. 'It's fine.'

'I think we'd probably be better with stuff for our apartment,' Ecie replied. 'We could get some really cool paintings and furniture.'

'We could hit up Williams-Somona when I get back from Europe,' Eric offered. 'It could be like a fun bonding day out.'

'Jonathon and I are going to sort out their apartment together,' Sofie said.

'Together?' Esme said.

'Are you sure?' Ecie continued.

'Really?' Ross said.

'Yes,' Sofie replied. 'We've already started talking about it.'

'I was only trying,' Eric said later that night. 'Why do you keep pushing me out?'

'They are my daughters,' Sofie replied. 'You don't need to buy them anything. They're not your kids.'

'I'm not trying to steal them away from you,' Eric replied. 'But considering that we're seeing each other, it makes sense for me to become involved in their lives. I want to.'

'Well,' Sofie sighed thinking of a way to say it. 'I don't.'

Eric stared at Sofie. 'Excuse me?'

'You heard me,' Sofie replied. 'I don't want you to get involved in their lives. They don't belong to you, they have nothing to do with you. You're right, we're seeing each other; but that doesn't mean you need to start acting like a second father to them.'

'Did Jonathon say anything?'

'Are you kidding?' Sofie laughed. 'Jonathon loves you because it means that he doesn't see me as much anymore.'