Simon watched after Cherish for a moment before he peered down at his baby girl. Those eyes he died for peered at him without focus and he pushed against her cheek with his knuckle. He looked to the bed and saw Jr. bundled in his swaddle blissfully. Simon ran his fingers through his straight, black locks and rested Jasmine beside him. Jr.’s face scrunched up and his head tilted slightly towards her. Simon tucked his eyebrows together while his son’s face twisted and turned while pointed in Jasmine’s direction. He pushed him a bit closer to her and the boy calmed down with a heavy sigh of sleep. Simon smirked to himself and rubbed his lips, “You are insufferable boy.” He muttered with a shake of his head.
Dressing in the closet while Cherish showered, Simon busied himself with the baby bags and clicked Jr. into his seat. He held onto Jasmine and rocked with her with his eyes on the time. Simon stood in the kitchen and felt distressed. He cared about Cherish and her well-being, but the first doctors visit, he thought Emily would be the one with him. This placed strain on his emotions and weighed heavily on him in his lonely thoughts.
Cherish was slow moving. From the lack of sleep, the pain medication she was on, plus the fact that she was a walking, bleeding, feeding sack, it took her longer than she wanted to get dressed. Sighing out, she pressed a hand to a breast and shut her eyes for a prolonged moment. Of course, it was cut short when she heard a tell-tale little fusspot about to give the only man she knew a ride for his money, “Coming.” She whispered hoarsely.
Having the distraction he desperately needed, Simon put on a nice face for Cherish. Although he smiled, she stared at him before she held her arms out and returned the same smile he lent her, “I’ll take her.” She said. There was no way he felt the way he portrayed, and she could see the deception in his eyes. But, if he didn’t want to talk about what happened, then he didn’t have to.
Handing Jasmine over, he gave her one of the baby bags before he grabbed Jr.’s carrier and set the alarm. Opening the side door for her, he followed Cherish towards the garage and pressed the button to lift the door. He placed Jr. into the backseat, and she paused, “Is he okay back there?” She questioned peering in through the window.
Simon stopped and looked at her, “I guess he is.” He answered opening her door.
Backing away, she stepped towards the back seat, “Oh, if you don’t mind. I think I’ll sit with Jr., I don’t feel right leaving him alone back there.” She said.
Simon lifted his eyebrows while shutting that door and opening the other, “Oh alright, thanks.” He replied watching her climb into the back.
Cherish smiled at the sight of Jr. His head was tilted to one side and bubbles popped along his lips, “Oh, he’s going to be out for a while.” She whispered with a laugh.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, he turned the car on and looked at her through the rearview mirror. If she felt how he did, she was more than likely hungry, “We can pick up breakfast on the way. Are you alright with that?” He asked.
Cherish blinked up at Simon for a long moment before she answered, “O-oh. Y-yes, I would like that. Thank you…” Going silent, she didn’t want to bring up the fact of not having money. Especially since saying he wanted her there. So instead of announcing her plans, she told herself no matter what, she would pay him back for everything. She didn’t deserve this type of treatment. She had been told she didn’t deserve a lot by her mother when growing up, and Todd into early adulthood.
Cherish sat quietly with Jr. and watched the houses pass them by. Jr. and Jasmine slept peacefully, which was a first. Now how could they get that back at the house? There wasn’t a whine or a struggle which blew her mind. Pulling up to a McDonalds, she was very well acquainted with the selection. Todd would order from the dollar menu every day over the last few months, for himself. Then he would share his spoils with Cherish if he didn’t feel completely heartless.
Simon rolled down his window and ordered a breakfast sandwich with a hash brown and coffee, “What are you getting?” He asked looking towards the back seat.
Cherish blinked up at him before blowing out, “I…don’t have any money so, just a hash brown will be alright.” She said with a nod and smile.
Simon’s expression blanked for a second before what she said sank in. She expected him to ask for money? He arched an eyebrow with a sarcastic expression before he leaned out of the window, “And can I get a number two meal, with orange juice and ketchup in the bag?” He called. Being given a total, he drove around the loop, tapped his debit card against the scanner, and stopped to the pickup window.
Cherish sank back into the seat in reaction to his gaze. After the fiasco with Emily’s parents the previous morning and this whole ordeal, she didn’t know what she could and couldn’t do. She knew he reassured her everything would be alright, but she interpreted his look as though she’d done something wrong; all thanks to Todd’s abuse. Falling silent, she looked down at the floor, “Thank you, Simon.” She whispered quietly.
Handing the bag of food back to her, Cherish purposefully avoided his gaze and nodded. Simon reached for the orange juice before
