Simon nodded, “It’s perfect. All we need are a pack of onesies for Jasmine and we’re finished.” He said picking up the first pink bunch he found.
Once their items were purchased, they left for the car. Cherish sighed as her back melted against the seat. She kept her arms around Jasmine and they both decided one more ride to the house wouldn’t hurt her. The seat would be set up in the backseat once they’d returned home. Even though they hadn’t done much in the day, Simon felt incredibly exhausted in all aspects of the word. He wanted to go home and lay down for a long time.
Leaning her head back, Cherish scratched along her arm before she glancing out of the window. The trees were a vibrant green and the leaves blew gently in the warm wind. The suburbs seemed so peaceful and perfect compared to where she was raised. Then the world Todd promised to give her wasn’t far from what she was used to. This was a nice change and was easy to get lost in the comfort of it all. She looked at Simon for a long moment before she spoke up, “We have leftovers from last night for lunch.” She said. She then looked down at the kids and a smile touched her features, “We can dress the kids up in their outfits after they wake up. I can’t wait to see them.” The aura in the car was pleasant to say the least. Much easier to swallow than the first time she accompanied him home from the hospital.
Simon glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, “Sounds good.” He replied. With his eyes on the road, he felt good. Cherish’s food was going to hit the spot because he loved the previous night’s dinner. Once the babies were done sleeping, it was play time.
She was quiet and recognized the houses once they turned on his street. Cherish looked across the car, towards the other window, when her eyebrows tucked together. There was a woman and a man standing on the doorstep.
Simon groaned out loud and reality struck him in his core once more, “Oh no…” he muttered.
They watched the car as Simon crept by and she could feel their heated gazes glare at her. She automatically felt on edge as she gripped onto Jasmine on instinct, “S-Simon, who are they?” She asked.
His mood dropped instantly while he parked behind their car and unlocked the doors, “Those are my parents.” He answered in a defeated tone. Cherish’s head snapped in his mother’s direction and her mouth parted slightly. Once again, she felt as though the shaky ground she stood on was ripped out from beneath her.
Chapter 4
The mood within the car was tense. Simon was shaken about how he was going to explain himself now. Emily’s parents were easy, his own on the other hand, weren’t. He couldn’t help but feel guilty from the way his mother stared at him as he exited the car. He didn’t want to cause a scene which could possibly bring the neighbors into their business. In fact, he wasn’t sure they even knew that Cherish existed and he wanted to keep it that way. She didn’t deserve to be gossiped about, and he didn’t want to tarnish he and Emily’s image.
He purposefully left the shopping bags in the car as the door shut. Trying to act civil and normal, Simon pulled Jr.’s car seat from the anchor and brought him up the path towards the front door, “This is an unexpected visit. You should have called so I would’ve made sure to have been home.” He said while trying to gloss over the obvious issue. Wanting to be rid of the awkward atmosphere, he didn’t want to make things worse. At least not until they got inside of the house.
His mother didn’t move in her stance or speak. His father arched an eyebrow at him. Unlocking the door, he held it open and waited for Cherish and his parents, “Come. Come in.” He said.
Neither of them listened.
His mother watched Cherish who took her time and exited the car with Jasmine in her arms. So, Emily’s parents were telling the truth. Not only did her son bring another woman in the house in the wake of her daughter-in-law’s death, but, there was a baby. One that, upon closer inspection, was quite fair in comparison to her mother. Simon’s mother held her breath and rolled her shoulders back as Cherish advanced closer.
Pausing, the two women stared at each other without moving a muscle. Simon’s father could feel the stress radiating from his wife. He then placed both hands on her shoulders and kept an eye on Cherish as he spoke, “Let’s take this inside.” He whispered. With a pull against his wife, she finally relented and turned her back to Cherish silently.
Cherish looked nervously from side to side and debated on if she should enter the house. Following them, Simon’s father allowed his wife to pass and, like a gentleman, waited for her as well. Waiting, Simon stayed by her side once she entered. With the door shut, Cherish kept her head down. His mother stared between the two of them before shutting her eyes, “Explain yourself Simon Gabot IV before I lose my composure.” She stated through gritted teeth.
Cherish could feel the tension in the air. Wait, Simon was a fourth? Did that mean that Jr. was a fifth? Looking at Simon’s father, she naturally deduced that his name was Simon as well.
Simon took a measured breath. She used his number which told him he’d fair better to get on with his explanation sooner than later, “This is Cherish Montgomery. She’s a friend of Emily and I. We met again at
