Walking around the car, he appeared near her side, “But deep down. It feels great doesn’t it? You love it.” He said knowing she enjoyed the ride. She may not have wanted to admit it, but even she couldn’t resist the joy of driving a brand-new car and his taunting grin told it all, “Go on.” He urged.
Cherish dully stared up at him and tried her hardest not to smile. He knew her far too well, but like hell she would let him be right. She then glanced away and straight towards the neighbor’s house; ignoring his impish gaze, “I plead the fifth.” She stated.
Simon Sr. exited and approached, “Hey! Is that what you got? Let me guess, it wasn’t her first choice.” He said. Shaking his head with amusement, he looked straight at Cherish, “You shouldn’t always give him what he wants. You’ll spoil him.” He said taking Jasmine.
Launched into her grandpa’s hold, Jasmine’s entire face lit up as she held out her arms, “Yay!” she shrieked.
Jr. looked from his grandfather to his mommy, from his mommy to Margaret and puckered his lips, “Gee. Gee.” He said before he kicked against Simon’s side.
Margaret grinned from ear to ear while she scooped him up, “Do you want me? Of course, you do!” She said kissing his cheek and snuggling him.
Cherish scratched against her scalp, “I wanted to go to a used car place, but I already knew the stiff talking to I’d get if I opened my mouth. We both know he’s going to test drive it for the rest of the week when I don’t work.” She replied with a knowing smirk.
Simon crossed his arms loosely, “She can consider it her birthday gift when it comes around.” He said unaware that she already turned twenty.
Margaret arched an eyebrow before she exchanged a look with her husband and cleared her throat. Already knowing what she was up to, Cherish sucked her cheeks in while Margaret pointed, “Well, son, I would say you’re a few months too late. You see, sweet, loving, wonderful Cherish here? Her birthday already passed. The gall!” She exclaimed while shifting Jr. from one hip to the other.
“Already passed?” Simon asked tilting his head and turning to face Cherish.
Inhaling a deep breath, she could almost feel the heat from Simon’s gaze and turned her head away purposefully. That made her look guiltier than ever.
Narrowing his eyes, he made a point to tap his glasses low on his nose, so she could see clear as day the glare he gave her, “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. Though, he knew the answer. With a sigh he pushed his glasses up and gestured towards her car, “Well, happy birthday I guess.” He stated in a soured tone, but he’d get over it.
Simon Sr. decided it’d be better for Cherish and his son to get going. Putting his hand over Jasmine’s ear, she looked up at him curiously with her mouth agape before she grabbed his fingers and tried to pull them off, “You should get going. You have a party to plan.” He urged. Wanting them to get into a car together and hash out whatever they needed, he was using the tactic he and Margaret would do until they got home and hammered it out; literally.
Margaret sighed as she looked between the babies, “I can’t believe it’s almost been a year…”
The corner of Simon’s lip twitched because he didn’t need to be told twice, “Alright, bye!” He was eager to get into the new car with Cherish in the driver’s seat. On the surface he may have let that little bit about her birthday go, but he wasn’t about to forget.
Cherish held out the keys for him to take and cleared her throat, “Thank you.” she whispered. Knowing Miriam and Jack wanted to get at the kids, they never fought to take a few hours to themselves. Since their first outing, they took whatever the parents offered and came out better parents themselves.
Margaret turned her back and paced away, “Bye! Have fun! We love you both! Enjoy! Use protection!” she exclaimed.
Cherish rolled her eyes shut before she pressed a hand over her mouth and shook her head. Following Simon to the garage, she dangled the keys, “You don’t want to drive? I mean everyone should experience it at least once.” She expressed.
Her offer caused a coy smile to flash across his features before he put his hand up and refused like a gentleman, “No, no. This is your car, your baby. You can have it all to yourself…for now.” There was the catch. He was being nice, but the moment the wow effect wore off, he was going to drive everywhere, “Besides, I don’t want to make old Betsy jealous yet.” Already referring to his car as the old and beat up one, he got into her dream mobile and instantly relaxed.
Cherish laughed out loud while shaking her head, “You’re ridiculous!” she exclaimed. She turned the car on and checked her mirrors several times in a paranoid manner. Afterwards she stared at the camera for far too long before they were finally on their way; slowly at that. Given an afternoon without crying, grunting, and babbling, the silence in her car was beyond satisfying and Cherish didn’t want to ruin the moment with talking. Now, they could focus on purchasing the finishing touches for the babies’ first birthday.
One years old.
Their children would make the milestone within six weeks and that set a pit of joy and despair in her stomach. No parent
