Once she was within earshot, Margaret grinned and stood from the bench with her hands held out, "Surprise!" She exclaimed. Jasmine's soft gaze landed on grandma and she instantly leaned over. Margaret bent at the knee and caught the little girl excitedly, "Whoop! Hello there my love!" She exclaimed.
Miriam approached Cherish and pulled her into a hug, "Hello sweetheart. You look great." She expressed while rubbing her back.
Gripping Miriam in return, Cherish smiled at Imani over her shoulder before pulling away, "When did you and Jack get in?" She asked.
Miriam pushed hair from her face, "Last night, but Margaret insisted that we didn't tell you." She replied.
Cherish then looked to Margaret while she pointed back, "Does Simon know?"
Smiling to herself, Margaret shrugged her shoulders gently while Miriam shook her head, "No, not yet. Jack is out playing golf with a few of his friends, but he's going to play poker with the boys tonight." She answered.
Cherish nodded before she finally turned her attention to Imani standing in the background, "I'm sorry, I was just surprised to see my...other mom."
Quickly waving a hand, Imani stepped forward and hugged her, "Don't you worry about that! I get it, I'm just so happy to finally see you. How long have we been trying to get out? But our schedules just clash ridiculously, right?" She asked while loosely crossing her arms.
Understanding exactly what she meant, Cherish laughed a bit, "I know and don't forget that Simon and I are passed out by ten at the latest. I'm only twenty and I can't keep up." She replied with a laugh.
The way she’d mentioned Simon twice didn't go unnoticed, and that caused both Miriam and Margaret to look at each other. Imani, noticing their exchanged glances, smiled a bit while Margaret gave her a thumbs up.
Once the girls finished talking, Margaret tilted her head, "Wait, twenty?" She asked causing Cherish to nod. She pressed a finger over her lips, paused, and arched an eyebrow, "Baby, when was your birthday?" She asked.
Cherish knew that tone and she slid her gaze over to Imani who rolled her lips in. Unable to lie, she sighed and tilted her head back, "August 27th." She said.
Jasmine looked to her mommy as Margaret tilted her head; almost offended, "And you didn't tell us? We would have done something for you!"
Trying to avoid a lecture in public, Cherish shook her head, "I know, but it was too soon after Emily and I wasn't up to celebrating. I've never celebrated before so..."
All eyes silently fell on her before Miriam sighed and clapped her hands, "Excuse us. We are supposed to be relaxing and having a good time! Let’s go inside, our appointment is in three minutes!”
Imani laughed under her breath before she leaned into Cherish, "Let's go before Mrs. Gabot has our heads." She whispered.
Both women chuckled before Margaret faced them, "I heard that." She said with a smirk. Cherish quickly swallowed her laugh as Imani clammed up and straightened her back, but the look on her face caused the former to lose it again.
Stepping inside the building, they were struck with rippled waterfalls meshed against the walls. Light, peaceful music drifted in the room, while the area smelled of Lilac. The women approached a long, sleek desk where a woman smiled at them, "Hello and welcome to Serenity Gardens. I am Janet, do you have an appointment?" She asked.
Margaret stepped forward, "Yes under Gabot. It should be your all-inclusive plan."
Cherish's eyebrows tucked together curiously while Janet pointed to the computer screen, "There it is, and this must be Jasmine. She's beautiful." She said with a smile. After Margaret signed them all in, Janet held out her hand towards a smaller woman who approached with a tray of champagne.
Imani blew out a breath before she took the first glass and sipped, "Oh yeah, I'm excited today." She whispered. Cherish sucked her cheeks in as she silently accepted the glass with a thankful smile.
Once everyone was ready, Janet rounded the desk to reveal a pregnant stomach. Cherish instantly looked at her belly and couldn’t help but smile. There were days she missed her stomach and how small Jasmine was.
As Janet led them down a bright hallway, each window they passed showed off a different garden scape of peace and tranquility. She explained how the spa was prepared for mothers because of the in-house nannies who took care of the children while the adults would be pampered. Janet explained that Jasmine would be with them and the girl, who'd given them the champagne, was also the nanny who would stay in the suite with them.
Champagne, massages, a suite, and in-house nannies, this all sounded too rich for Cherish's blood. By the time Janet opened the door to their little slice of heaven, the amenities and space alone almost caused her to gag.
The first thing she noticed was the bright light from the large, colonial styled windows. Sheer white curtains were parted down the center and looped around hooks. To the immediate left, was a dressing room, complete with separation screens, for the women, and a large bathroom to the right. The room opened to a decorated sitting space where toys were tucked away in one of the tall white shelves and a flat screen television displayed with baby shows on mute. The Jacuzzi tubs were hidden in their own room and the massage tables were completely shrouded with privacy curtains towards the back. Along the furthest walls near the double doors that led into the tubs, were foot scrub
