Simon sniffed with a heavy heart. He clenched his jaw and swallowed roughly while he crossed the room. Crouching down, he rested Jasmine on his knee as he shut his eyes and placed his hand against her name, “…I miss you. We all miss you, but we’re doing alright. We’re making it, all of us. Me, Cherish, your parents, and mine. I hope you watch over us and them, always. I wish you could’ve met Jasmine and seen what Cherish has done for this family. We love you…Emily.” He whispered.
Opening his eyes, he looked down at Jasmine who stared at him in awe. He dropped his hand while kissing her head and stood as she cupped his face. Looking down at Emily’s resting place once more, he walked over to Cherish. With a nod, that told her that he was fine and finished. He reached out and ran his hand over Jr.’s for his attention, “Are you ready to go?” he asked.
Her shoulder brushed against Simon's as she released a deep seeded sigh, "Thank you for doing this. I'm ready to go." She answered. Leaving the mausoleum, she glanced over her shoulder one last time at Emily. Without another word, she faced forward and kept looking ahead.
Loading the kids back in, she turned on the car and cranked the air conditioning to high. She fanned her face with a huff, "Alright are you ready to P-A-R-T-Y?!" She asked in an overtly excitable tone. She looked at those smiling faces in the rear-view mirror before at Simon and arched an eyebrow.
Her sudden and cheery demeanor caught him off guard, but, once he realized what she was doing, it made him smile. Putting his arm in the air, the weight of sentiment lifted from his shoulders, “Let’s get going. The party won’t wait forever!”
Pulling up to his parent’s house after they wasted time at a couple of shops, there were pink and blue balloons on display by the front door and on the mailbox. This was to show the neighbors they were having a birthday party for the children they’d bragged about to everyone they could. They could hear music and chatter from the backyard along with dark smoke cluing them into the barbecue.
Turning the car off, Cherish looked ahead at the backyard and glanced at the time. It was only ten after noon, but she wasn't expecting people to already be there. Cars were lined along the curb down the street and she was surprised. Blowing out, she looked back to the kids before she glanced at him, "Okay, so...for the love of God, can we not allude to what happened between us last night? Because yesterday with mom was an ordeal." She whispered in his direction.
Simon’s brow rose, “Is it that bad?” he teased. Though he wasn’t going to advertise them anyway, he knew better than to get his parents worked up. They’d find out in their own time.
Cherish smirked a bit while she bit on her bottom lip, “Is that bad he says. Plus, I don’t want to make your first love jealous. What was her name again? Kanisha?” she asked in a taunting tone.
“Mums the word.” He whispered zipping his mouth with a glare.
Margaret pulled the door open in a quick flurry and waved out of the house to them; she was far too happy to see her babies again. She always was.
Getting out of the car, Cherish brought Jasmine into her arms and flattened the hem of her little skirt. As Margaret pointed towards the side gate, they both walked towards the backyard and in an instant were greeted with a slew of neighbors, friends, and family who looked to the pair with excitement. Cherish was absolutely struck with how many people showed up.
A roar from the group radiated in their direction, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” they all cheered. The babies looked in mild surprise and, of course, didn’t even realize the day was solely about them.
The décor was princess dinosaurs, which was something that the six family members worked tirelessly on. Every crown had a dinosaur and even dinosaur was sprinkled with glitter. From the balloons, to the streamers, the tablecloths, and finally the cake, the whole area looked as though a monster had thrown up with pinks and blues. Simon placed Jr. down on his feet with his arms extended and let him waddle towards a group of familiar faces.
Cherish watched Jr. take a couple of steps before he stumbled to the side and planted down on his butt. Simon Sr. and Jack argued at the pit on the deck, Miriam stacked presents on the table, and Margaret hurried over with a tray of drinks. With a smile on her face, she held the strawberry lemonades out to her son and Cherish before she handed them over to another party goer, “Happy birthday sweet babies! Do we have a lot in store for them!” she exclaimed.
Cherish’s eyes widened because, she swore that the decorations tripled by the time the day had come. Jasmine clapped her hands together happily before she pointed up and out, “Joonir! Joonir!” she exclaimed.
Simon sipped on the lemonade and was refreshed under the hot sun. He was glad to see Jasmine so excited and calling out for her brother. Cherish smiled and shook her head, “I don’t think Jr. can see that muffin. Let’s go and make some rounds, hm?” she asked.
Breaking away from Simon, Cherish approached a group of older women sitting beneath a large, dark blue umbrella. Neighbors of Simon Sr. and Margaret, they each had a slushed drink in their hands and giggled to themselves.
