Simon didn’t know what else to stay but still stood in the door-way. Wetting his lips, he took a quick breath, “I…we didn’t talk much about this but thank you. Thank you for being here and helping me. Last night would’ve been a real nightmare. Sometimes it still feels like one but I’m thankful of you for being here.” He finished with a nod.
Cherish wanted to interrupt Simon and yet all she could do was listen weakly to what he had to say. Now he thanked her for what she did when oddly they were in this together? Sure, she took care and fed his son, but he did the same for her daughter. If she left, then Simon would truly be alone; both of them.
Jr. squirmed in his arms and Simon decided to put him down. He went to the bed and lifted Jasmine in the air. Setting her by his son, he then began to strip the bed and change the sheets. He didn’t have a thought to ask the two of them to leave. In fact, he didn’t know how close Cherish was from walking out of his life; not into it as assumed.
Lowering her head, Cherish disappeared into the bathroom with a soft click. Simon’s voice ran through her mind. This was the first time she ever felt needed. It was new; nice. If staying made Simon and Jr.’s life easier with her help, then she’d stay.
Simon carried the bedsheets down the stairs. Even though hell had frozen over, and his life was in shambles, he felt good. At least to the fact that he said what was on his chest and he was able to find some sort of calm ground. Shaky as it was and how it would be in the coming days but at least he could appreciate what he had. He pushed the blankets and sheets into the machine and took quite some time to read over the instructions. There were too many settings for his liking and four different boxes of washing powder. What the hell was it all for? Finally, after five minutes, the machine tumbled to life. He would find out sooner or later if he did it right or not.
He wandered the first floor of the house aimlessly. He wasn’t very tired, so a nap was off the table. He looked through the French doors off the dining room into his office. He didn’t have to work for a few more weeks. He didn’t want television nor was he hungry. Books seemed useless, games were better with a partner, and cleaning was out of the question. Before long, Simon had drifted back up the stairs and found himself by the crib. He watched the babies with adoration. The back of his mind still reeled on what to do with Emily’s parents and if they didn’t want to return. There was a bit of doubt making believe that in the four years he and Emily had been married they didn’t want to see him again. No, he had faith in them. He’d called them mom and dad throughout the years. They always had a way of seeing the truth and good in other people.
He trusted them.
Blowing out, Simon felt boxed in without a thing to do. Cherish and the kids couldn’t leave the house because they were too young, and she was still recovering. He scratched the back of his head and noticed her bag. She didn’t have much at all and he’d hardly realized it. A thought about the papers he’d have to fill out for Emily caused his stomach to feel weighted. No, he couldn’t do that yet. Instead, he needed a distraction and knocked on the bathroom door, “Cherish. I’m going downtown, do you need or want anything?” He asked.
Cherish flushed the toilet and washed her hands. Perfect timing, she had quite a few things she needed, but now she felt bad for asking. Opening the door with a soft creak, she turned her face upwards and stared at him for a long moment. She then sighed, “I don’t want you to think I’m a bother, but I really don’t have anything for myself. I need quite a bit, but I don’t expect you to get it all. Unless you want to be alone. Then I understand. I absolutely need some pads. Heavy duty pads. Breastfeeding cream, u-underwear…”
Simon could tell Cherish had trouble asking for anything. To him, she wasn’t a charity case. She was a woman who was given a crappy hand in life. He didn’t care how embarrassing the items were, she wasn’t in complete health to be walking about. Though, as she listed a few items off, he realized he was a bit in over his head. Breastfeeding cream? He’d have to shop for another woman’s underwear?
Good God.
Sighing, she shook her head passing him by. She went for the pen and paper on one of the end tables. Cherish scribbled a list of items she’d need before ripping it off and handing it to him, “I am also pretty hungry. No, I’m very hungry. Could you help me bring them downstairs, please?” She asked.
Taking the note, he folded, and placed it into his back pocket. Nodding, he went for Jasmine and lifted her in his arms. Giving him a weak smile, she wandered to the crib, “Thank you.” She said lifting Jr.. Rubbing Jasmine’s calm head, she left the room with Simon and slowly began to descend the stairs.
Simon slowly made his way down behind Cherish. It appeared she was more stable on her legs than yesterday. With a huff, she placed Jr. in the crib and wandered towards the kitchen. Setting Jasmine beside Jr. carefully, he followed. He liked how at home she looked after finally venturing out of the bedroom.
