Her eyes widened as he advanced towards her suddenly. For a moment, she thought something far more terrible happened and he’d lost himself in a blind rage. Her stomach sank as her entire body braced for him to strike. Instead, he grabbed her with his whole body. Clutching against the back of her shoulders, Simon sobbed deeply. He held her close and released his anguish into her collarbone. It all crashed down on him at once and he couldn’t hide any longer.
Cherish’s breath left her and she bent her arms beneath his shoulders and held him there fiercely. Her eyebrows tucked together with a troubled quiver and her lips curled down. His body shook, and his shoulders jumped with each deep breath he heaved. He imposed his weight onto her but that didn’t pull a complaint from this woman. Instead, she lowered herself to her knees with him before falling back on the floor. Holding him there, she did the only thing she could think of to help; rocked. There weren’t any false promises or generic words of sympathy that ultimately meant nothing in the end. Wriggling her arms from under him, instead she wrapped his head into her embrace and rested her cheek on top. Rocking back and forth, Cherish didn’t say a word and instead became the rock he needed, just as he was to her.
Chapter 6
Cherish couldn’t sleep. The days leading up to the funeral zipped by. Both Emily and Simon’s parents came to help with the kids during the day. Simon, unfortunately, was a zombie at night. He laid on the bed in silent tears and she was there to hold him through it all. She listened to every word he said, every moan, and every apology. She masked her own grief for Emily because there were people around who needed comfort and she was selfless.
Now, it was the early hours of Saturday morning, and Cherish couldn’t sleep. Downstairs with both babies, she silently folded the clothes and sorted items both sets of parents had bought. Somewhere between funeral preparations and cleaning, the cluster of bags had grown. Cherish folded another little onesie for Jr. before she held up a tiny dress for Jasmine. She tilted her head to the side and sighed deeply as she closed her eyes. The stress of the situation found itself in the form of a knot between her shoulder blades.
Resting the dress in a pile by her side for Jasmine’s clothes, she pulled out a black sundress. For her? She’d wondered if she should even go to the funeral, but now this small token showed that she was invited? They wanted her to go?
Cherish rubbed against the side of her neck as she pulled the entirety of the dress from the bag and blew out. It was a modest, full length dress made with light, breathable material. Lowering her hands into her lap, she sighed deeply to herself lost in thought. Today was Emily’s final rest. Jr. was just shy of ten days old and had no idea the turmoil his family went through over the woman who gave him life. She dully stared ahead at the muted television and stayed that way for a drawn-out length of time.
Simon made his way down the steps dressed in a black suit. His hair was nicely done, his face was freshly shaven, but his tie was crooked. A lost expression accompanied his irritated, red eyes. Cherish's attention was taken by Simon's black clad form in the corner of her eye. She slowly turned her head in his direction and watched him. Spotting her, he wondered if she’d slept at all the previous night because every time he opened his eyes; she wasn’t there, “Good morning.” He said even though he didn’t mean the sentiment. He mulled about the kitchen and began the coffee maker to pick himself up. He leaned all the way onto the counter with his elbows and rested his face in his palms, “Did you sleep?” he asked rubbing his eyes.
There wasn't a possibility she would answer him truthfully, "Yes. I slept fine." She answered. Standing, she made her way into the kitchen and pulled down a mug for his coffee. She set it down on the counter, "Did...you want Jasmine and I to come? We can stay home. Whatever you want." She said gently.
Simon poured coffee in the mug and paused. He didn’t think she needed to ask after all she’d done for Jr. and himself. To him, she was already family, “Of course. Please…” He took a hold of her arm, “…come.”
Cherish stared at him and saw the pain in his gaze. She felt a pinch of guilt and couldn't deny him, "Okay. Alright, I'll go for you guys." She replied. Glancing over at the time on the stove, she knew the rest of the family would soon show up. Sighing, she looked towards the babies, "Alright. I picked out a little suit for Jr. to wear and a dress for Jasmine. They're on the sofa. I'll go and wash up before your parents get here." She stated. Giving him a lasting rub on his back, Cherish began up the stairs with the sundress in hand; leaving Simon alone watching after her.
Even though he didn’t feel the best, he knew how hard she worked to keep the house calm, and he wanted to help. He picked up each baby and dressed them and managed to smile a bit when he saw the way Jasmine stared up at him in her lavender dress. Though, it was Jr., dressed for his mommy’s funeral, that made him feel as though he’d been kicked in the stomach. His throat locked which he fought back intensely. He couldn’t and didn’t want to break down. Not yet, not before they’d even left the house.
Cherish shut the door behind herself and lowered
