Who he searched for came into view from over the sofa. Both of their heads slowly turned to the long, black shadow in front of them. Simon crouched between both swings and leaned over to look at Jasmine, “Hello bright eyes.” He whispered. Upon recognizing him, Jasmine broke into an expressive and genuinely happy smile. Simon chuckled a bit to himself as he rubbed his fingers along the slight wisps of hair on her head.
Looking to Jr., he leaned into his swing and rubbed a knuckle across his face, “Hey there buddy.” He stated. Jr.’s blue eyes stared up at his daddy before he followed suit with Jasmine and broke into a crooked grin. Though his eyes watered, Simon felt the tension disappear. There was a moment of clarity where he knew that, no matter what, everything would be okay. Emily might’ve been gone, but he could be strong. Just as the two miracles he’d come to love. He could be normal and himself again.
Picking up the treats and his briefcase, Margaret set them up on the dining table before she paused and turned to face Simon again. Smiling to herself, she watched him lay attention and affection on the kids. She crossed her arms loosely and stood behind him, “Cherish wanted to take a quick nap before you got back. She’s upstairs.” She whispered while pressing a hand to his shoulder.
Simon turned his head and glanced at the wall hiding the stairs. Reluctantly letting go of the pair, he stood up and nodded to. Passing by his mother, he went upstairs to find Cherish. She was the other he had looked forward to seeing.
Quietly, he stepped into the room and saw the unmistakable puff of fluffy black curls resting on her side of the bed. Laying on her stomach, her arms were bent and tucked beneath the pillow. Her body made the figure four on the mattress which was a blessing when he wasn’t home, and she wasn’t breastfeeding. Walking around the bed with soft steps, he paused when he saw her face; beautifully at peace. Smiling affectionately, he couldn’t imagine her ever being a danger to him or his family. He wholeheartedly trusted her.
He watched her for a moment before he carefully sat down and rested a hand against her side. Reaching towards her head, he gently pressed his hand against her curls and rubbed her cheek with his thumb, “Cherish, I’m home. Do you want to wake up? I brought chocolate.” His soft tone coaxed her.
Barely feeling the shift in the bed, her eyebrows lightly tucked together when she heard his voice. Slowly and groggily, having been dead to the world, Cherish opened one eye and then the other. She looked up at Simon’s bespectacled face before it dawned on her who he was, “Oh, hey Simon. I got a whole twenty minutes of sleep.” She said. Pushing herself up onto her knees, she fell back on her bottom and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Looking to him. She ran a hand through her loose, silken curls and paused, “Your eyes are red. You were crying. What happened between the phone call and here? Are you alright?” she questioned.
Simon was taken back with how she noticed the minute details about him. Even his mother hadn’t said a word. Despite having gone through an emotional ordeal and left over pain in his heart, Simon looked Cherish in her brown eyes and nodded; feeling surer now that he said so aloud, “Don’t worry. I’m going to be alright.”
She looked over his face and made sure he was telling the truth. There wasn’t a sag in his shoulders, he didn’t look depressed, and there was a certain light in his eyes. Instead of egging him on more, she simply nodded with a yawn, “Alright, I trust you…” Finishing, she shook her head, rubbed her cheeks, and smacked against them to wake up, “…now, did you say chocolate?” she asked breaking into a toothy grin.
Simon stood from the bed and held out his hands to help her up, “Yes. Yes, I did. I’ll share.” He toyed.
Cherish took a hold of his hands and grinned from ear to ear, “Hell yes.” She stated following him out.
While he led the way down the hall and steps to the living room, Simon broke into a smile as his mother came into view with the swings in front of her. He glanced back at Cherish and released her hand off the last step and pointed out the basket of goodies. Cherish laughed darkly as she made her way around him on the hunt for chocolate. Hefelt great and where he belonged with the people he loved. Now, more than ever, thanks to Cherish and the little loves in his heart, he wanted to find a way to juggle work with his family combined.
Chapter 10
September.
One Wednesday evening after the babies’ crossed their three-month milestone, Cherish, Simon, and said children sat in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Jr. had gained a considerable amount of weight compared to Jasmine. Though, his hair was thick and wispy along his ears, Jasmine lost most of her newborn hair and had yet to replace what little she’d lost. It was safe to say that hairbands and bright colors were the only ways these parents made sure she wasn’t mistaken for a boy. Even then, it was a tossup.
Both babies stared up at Cherish who sat in the backseat between them. Jasmine kicked her feet and sucked in breaths that vibrated her vocal chords. Jr. chewed on his pudgy fist and grunted a few times in response. Cherish, on the other hand, stared at the back of Simon’s head with a smirk on her features. Right now, she
