Cherish glanced down at the way his fingertips stroked along the back of her hand. She smiled a little bit before she glanced up at him and clenched a napkin between her fingers, "What are you doing there?" She asked with a slightly flirtatious tone.
Taking a moment to clue into what she meant, Simon rolled his lips in before he turned his hand beneath hers with his palm up. His thumb closed over her knuckles with a rub, “Well, your hand looked cold. So…”
Her lips puckered slightly as she grazed her nails across his palm and pulled away, "Is that so? I'm actually feeling quite warm." She expressed.
He grinned and drank the rest of his hot chocolate; finishing his meal. As the bill was brought over by the waiter, he slid his card into the holder and looked at her, “Is there anything else you wanted to see today? Aside from my prom pictures.” He muttered cutting his eyes at her from over his glasses with a raised brow, “I’m pretty sure the only other attraction that isn’t outside is the art store.” He added.
Chewing on the corner of her sandwich, she laughed a bit to herself, "Your date wore orange and bleached her hair. I'm going to find those pictures if it’s the last thing I do. Then, maybe we will finally get to why you're ignoring the reunion." She said knowingly as she sipped her tea.
Even though she disproved his reason, he didn’t move his hand from her until the receipt returned. He assumed from her lack of an answer that she was ready to go home, “There are a few people I’m not sure I want to see again, but there are some I do wonder about. Maybe I’ll go. Maybe.” He said firmly with a warning look. He didn’t want her to get over excited, but it was too late.
She lowered her cup against the saucer and rolled her eyes towards the window, “I can’t wait to hear about it.” she stated while their hands stayed connected.
Once Simon left a tip, they exited the small, quiet diner. They returned to the van and made the drive back home. Both were excited to see the babies again, which was normal for a pair of new parents, but, unfortunately for them, the kids were mid-nap by the time they turned on the street.
As they pulled up to the house for one last time, Cherish stared up at the exterior for a long moment before humming to herself, “Maybe we should come see this place in the summer. I wouldn’t mind enjoying the difference.” She stated to herself.
Entering the house, Simon Sr. and Jack brought the last of the bags from their bedrooms to the pile in the foyer. Feeling crestfallen that their amazing vacation had winded down to the last few hours, Cherish pulled the jacket off and hung it up in the closet by the front door. Jack pointed towards the van, “You’re just in time, son. Let’s load up the trunk.” He said without skipping a beat.
Simon was halfway through taking off his boot when he stopped and slid it back on. He grabbed a couple of bags and hauled them out to the van with his dad. Miriam smiled at them before she crossed her arms loosely, “Did you kids have fun?” she asked as Cherish shut the closet door.
Nodding, she glanced over at Simon for a moment and followed Miriam, “Yeah, it was short and sweet. We even brought you all some chocolate.” She whispered in response as they disappeared into the house.
A good while later of playing Tetris in the snow with their luggage, the sun had already begun to descend, and they gathered for their final meal. Getting the plates out, Cherish seemingly had the same idea as Simon with the glasses. They both tried to pass one another but stepped the same way each time. Pausing, Simon stepped to the side with an awkward smile before he turned and motioned with his arm to let her through. Not before he caught a small smile on her features while she passed.
Sitting down for dinner, everyone reminisced over their time together, “What did everyone like best? What was the most fun?” Simon Sr. asked.
Cherish’s mouth slowly chewed as she looked between them. Jasmine slapped a handful of mashed potatoes together and sucked her fingers. She kissed against her daughter’s messy face while Margaret leaned her head back, “Well, if I’m going to be honest. My favorite part was when you…”
“…OKAY! Moving on! Jack, dear?” Miriam interjected quickly to save the sanctity of the discussion.
Jack cleared his throat while he rolled the half-chewed food into his cheek and pointed his fork at Margaret, “I want to hear what she has to say.” He replied much to Miriam’s chagrin.
Cherish giggled under her breath as Margaret went into detail about how Simon Sr. had walked both babies in the middle of the night downstairs and turned on the tree for them to see a few days after Christmas. She propped her head up by her cheek and sighed as she stared at her husband with adoration, “It almost made me wish we’d kept trying to have another child.”
Cherish’s eyes widened at Simon while Miriam sighed out, “You had me up until the very end.” She muttered.
Margaret rolled her eyes towards the blonde with a grin, “And what of you?” She asked.
Miriam sighed to herself with a smile, “Hanukkah. That was wonderful.” She stated before gripping Margaret’s hand.
Simon Sr. smirked at his wife, “I must second Miriam’s memory. It’s the most memorable aside from the ski lift.” He said.
Miriam pressed her fingertips to her forehead and sighed before she decidedly ignored everything she’d heard. Inside and outside of the cabin.
Simon
