Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Six

'I cannot believe that today is the day,' Esme said getting dressed. 'We're finally leaving.'

'Whoo-hoo!' Ecie cheered. 'I am so excited and kind of nervous about it.'

'So am I,' Esme agreed. 'What time do you think we'll get there?'

'At like twelve,' Ecie replied. 'How weird is it going to be not having mom or dad around?'

'It is going to be so weird,' Esme pulled a tobacco and charcoal striped T by Alexander Wang tee over her head. 'What are we going to do tonight?'

'I don't know,' Ecie replied looking for something to wear. 'We could go out for dinner. LA is full of such nice places to eat.'

'Okay,' Esme nodded tying her hair up in a bun. There was a knock on the door and Taylor poked his head around it. 'What are you doing here?'

'I wanted to see you off,' he said coming into the room. 'What are you guys doing?'

'Getting dressed,' Ecie said looking at Taylor. 'I'm like half naked, it's kind of obvious.'

'Oh, sorry,' Taylor said covering his eyes. 'I didn't realize.'

'It's fine,' Ecie said. 'It's not like we haven't all seen it before.'

Esme laughed. 'That's your fault for parading along the beach in your two pieces.'

Ecie put on a dark green cashmere and silk blend Stella McCartney jumpsuit then shook her hair out of its hair band. She ran her hands through her hair and sighed.

'You guys did a good job of tidying the place up,' Taylor said looking around. 'It looks like everything is in order.'

'You didn't have to come,' Esme kissed Taylor on the lips. 'It's so nice of you.'

'I thought that I could take a couple hours off,' Taylor replied kissing Esme back. 'Once you're gone I'll be heading right back.'

'Always the romantic,' Esme laughed. 'You can just sit there and watch us finish packing and stuff.'

'This is the last of them,' Eric said pulling out a Boxford Longchamp suitcase with wheels. He put it into the back of Ecie's Argento Ice Lexus RX 450h SE-L Premier. 'This last one is kind of heavy.'

'I'll miss you guys,' Sofie hugged Esme and Ecie. 'You'll make sure to be on time for all of your classes?'

'Yeah mom,' Esme said. 'We'll be on time and we'll work really hard.'

'Good luck,' Eric grinned hugging them too. 'College can be a very trying time.'

Taylor kissed Esme on the lips. 'I'll come and see you tomorrow.'

'Yeah,' Esme nodded kissing Taylor back. 'I love you.'

'I love you too.'

'You need to be on your best behavior,' Ross said hugging Ecie. 'No strange guys staying at your apartment.'

'I promise,' Ecie nodded. 'No boyfriends, no guys, no nothing. College is for work.'

'Bye,' Emily said hugging Ecie. 'I hope I'll still see you.'

'Anytime you're in the neighborhood just text me or something,' Ecie replied. 'And you've got to stop by the store.'

'I will,' Emily smiled.

'I think that this is it,' Esme said. 'This is finally happening.'

'Yeah,' Ecie said. 'I don't want to leave anymore.'

Eric laughed. 'You'll love having your own space, so don't you worry.'

'We've spent so long on your apartment so you'd better enjoy it,' Sofie smiled. 'It's filled with so many cool surprises.'

'Thanks mom,' Esme smiled. 'Is dad still coming?'

'Yeah,' Sofie nodded. 'Here he is, late as usual.'

'I'm not late,' Jonathon replied hugging his daughters. 'Are you guys all packed up?'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'We're ready to go.'

'They just grow up so fast,' Jonathon said. 'I remember when you girls were born, you were both so tiny; and now look at you. You're all grown up and off to college.'

'Dad,' they cringed.

'We're so proud of you,' Jonathon said. 'You've made us the happiest most blessed parents in the whole of Malibu.'

'We love you very much,' Sofie smiled at them.

'And you girls are some amazing twins,' Eric grinned. 'Well done.'

Esme and Ecie hugged everyone again and said their last goodbyes before climbing into Ecie's car.

'Bye guys!' they waved from the car as Ecie started the engine. 'We love you.'

As Ecie drove out of the driveway, they waved to their family and blew kisses.

'Looks like it's down to us twin,' Ecie said holding out her hand. She looked in the wing mirror and thought she saw Ellis standing, looking at her. She shook her head. 'LA is finally here.'

'LA baby,' Esme grinned taking her sister's hand. 'Farewell Malibu, see you in a couple of weeks.'