January first was the next page to a new chapter.
She clasped her hands together while pressing the edge of her fingers to her mouth. The room was filled with anticipation as they watched the last thirty seconds spiral down. As soon as the number ten flicked on the screen, the four of them quietly whispered the numbers with the rest of the world; though Simon found himself looking at Cherish. The spur of the moment caught him and the idea of starting a new year with her encompassed his thoughts.
Three…two…one…
January 1st.
Fireworks shot off in the sky both on screen and around the house as the camera drifted over the crowd for the new year. Many couples were shown kissing one another on the screen or cheering and singing. Margaret smiled at her husband before she tilted her head and leaned in; following suit with the others. Cherish watched them break away and press their foreheads together. They whispered how much they loved each other and looked forward to what the next year had in store for them. She smiled as Margaret rolled away from her husband and quickly stood, “Alright kids. We’re going to our room, Happy New Year, and have a good night. We love you.” She whispered as she leaned over and kissed both on the cheeks.
His mother didn’t get a response from him aside from wiping the wet mark she left behind. Cherish watched them pass by before she gave a small wave, “Goodnight you two. Enjoy your new year!” she said as Margaret winked back.
Sighing and shaking her head, Cherish pointed her thumb towards them as she looked to Simon, “I’m telling you. Life goals just walked past us…” She laughed under her breath before rolling her lips in. Staring into his blue eyes, she licked the corner of her mouth, “Happy New Year, Simon.” She whispered.
There was a stir in his stomach when she finally paid attention to him. The weight and warmth of her pressed to his side comforted him, “…Happy New Year.” He whispered.
The light of the television flickered between them on their profiles. The smile on Cherish’s face dropped slightly as the serious expression across his features caught her attention. Her heart kick started while she bit her bottom lip and held her breath. Easily lost in her eyes, he began to lean in.
With her lips slightly parted, her stomach fell, and the anxiety of anticipation spiked as the sofa shifted under his weight. Unable to move, she questioned herself repeatedly on what to do. The last few days and nights together had left her warmed over and ready to take a new step with him; she wanted this. That is, until from the corner of her eye she saw Emily’s parents resting on the sofa across from them.
Suddenly, she caught a hold of her senses and guilt settled on her shoulders. She looked at Simon’s features for a long, saddened moment before she recoiled to her previous judgement. Her thin fingers slipped between them before they connected and pressed gently against his lips. Sighing defeatedly, she pressed her forehead against the back of her hand.
She hated herself.
Even though she beat herself up, Simon completely understood why she couldn’t. They’d already talked about waiting, but in the past week he felt as though something had shifted between them; he knew she did as well.
Feeling the need to escape before they woke up and were slapped in the face from their son in-law, Cherish’s fingers slowly fell from his lips, “I’m going to make sure the kids are covered.” She whispered to him. Squeezing his hand gently, she then pushed the blanket away and tore her sorrow-filled gaze away from his face. As much as it pained her to walk away, to reject him when she wanted him, she couldn’t get over the guilt. The guilt crippled her; especially when they were in the same room.
Simon watched her while she climbed the steps and rolled his head back with a groan.
Cherish silently stole into the kids’ room and sighed under her breath. Jasmine’s blanket was on the floor and Jr.’s was crushed in the corner. She shook her head and bent down to pick up her daughter’s and replaced it. She then flattened Jr.’s over his body and sighed, “Happy New Years, babies. I love you.” She whispered. Cherish was unsure if she should return to Simon. If she did, she knew things would only escalate, and they’d end up doing a deed far too soon.
Simon sat there for a few moments. Rubbing over his face, he looked back towards the staircase and stood. Each step he took felt heavy despite his quiet footfalls. When she turned around, she paused seeing his shadow standing in the doorway. Staring at him, she cleared her throat and was unable to take her eyes from his shaded visage; not for a second. Simon stepped closer before he took her hands in his grip and shook his head, “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have—”
Cut off, Cherish’s lips collided with his and he instantly gripped her upper arms. She didn’t know what came over her. In a split moment she’d gone from a steely resolve to crashing over in her own feelings, desires, and emotions. She took a step towards him and hooked her arms beneath his. Her full lips pressed against his mouth as her fingertips gripped into the thick fabric of his shoulder.
Kissing her back, he tilted his head and cupped the side of her face. Her natural curls wrapped around his fingertips while the emotional passion he held for her blossomed. His heart raced, and his head felt light as his arms slowly closed around her in an embrace. Standing together in the middle of the room, their bodies were pressed together in the darkness
