As Cherish stepped closer, he saw his mother and cried. His face turned red, his arms shook, and he kicked his legs; kickstarting her to tend to him. She looked at Simon with slight disappointment as she picked Jr. up, "What about my alarm?" She asked. Sitting back on the floor, she already knew the answer as Jr. quieted down and waited for his morning meal. The suggestive look Simon gave her confirmed he was culprit. Even though she didn't want to admit it, Cherish was happy to be home, but there was a twinge in the back of her mind that still felt bad about not going in, "You're a piece of work." She whispered lifting her shirt and unhooking her bra.
Giving in to a grin, he laughed under his breath as he cradled Jasmine close and fed her, “Yeah, well you needed it. Plus, since you were free, I already had something planned.
Cherish sat against the sofa and tilted her head. Now he piqued her interests because he always had a trick up his sleeve, "Oh yeah? What's that?" She asked.
“Dinner reservations.” He replied without detail, “And it’s a surprise.” He added.
She tilted her head and her lips slightly parted. She didn't want to think too much of what reservations meant, but she knew better. Simon had just lost his wife and she had a lot to heal with her own demons. Plus, knowing him, he knew she needed a break too. She smiled a little bit and rubbed along Jr.'s arm, "Will you even give me a hint?" She asked.
Simon wet his lips and smiled as he pulled himself to his knees and scooted closer. He let go of Jasmine’s bottle, reached out, and pressed his hand over Cherish’s eyes. She made him forget much of his past woes and troubles. The idea of her trying to figure out the plans he made specifically for her warmed him, “Guess.” He said.
Cherish sat against the cushions while her lips pulled into a grin. She lifted a hand to support Jr.'s back and leaned her head back, "Come on! You know I'm terrible at the guessing game! What is it?" She asked.
Simon scoffed playfully, “You’ll see. I’m not spoiling anything.” He replied. Setting the bottle down on the end table, he lifted Jasmine and patted against her back, “We have to leave by four, so if you’re dressing up, make sure you’re ready.” He said.
Cherish kept her head leaned back and stared at him, "What should I wear? Is this a jeans and shirt occasion or can I finally take the tags off that dress I got from Ross?" She asked.
“Rip those tags off.” He encouraged. Though he didn’t want to admit, Simon treated their plans alike to a date.
Asking, she glanced down at Jr., "Wait, who are watching the babies?"
He didn’t seem concerned as he raised a brow, “The people we can’t get out of the house.” He joked.
They both knew his parents were there at least every other day, but they were also thankful. Now, getting someone to watch the babies while they both worked proved difficult at times. He only went into the office three days out of the week, but when he did, mixed with Cherish’s crazy schedule, they needed them more than ever.
Cherish broke out into a wide grin as she anticipated what was to come. She was fully curious but wanted to keep it a surprise for herself, "Alright. Keep all your secrets then!" She teased. As she laughed out, Simon's business line rang in the office. She knew he was needed and pointed towards the double doors, "Hurry or you'll miss it!" She called over to him.
Putting Jasmine down, Simon rushed out of the room and shut the doors behind him. While he was in his meeting, Cherish had eaten breakfast and allowed Margaret and Simon Sr. into the house. She served Simon lunch as he worked and tried to get a little information out of Margaret about his plan. But mum was the word and she knew just as much as Cherish.
Around 2 P.M, she disappeared upstairs and began to put effort in her appearance. Although she loved both babies, she wanted to look and feel like a woman, not a mother. She pulled a black, sleeveless turtleneck dress from the closet and held it against her body. Having gotten it for a steal at Ross, it was the one outfit that Simon didn't complain about when she showed him.
There were large horizontal yellow and red stripes that streaked across her bust and torso. Cherish inhaled a deep breath and held the fabric up to her waist while looking to Emily's wedding dress, "Does this look alright? Oh god, what am I doing." She muttered to herself. Shaking her head, she blew out and laid the dress on the bed. She took a shower, got dressed, and tied her curls up. They splayed over in long coils alongside her forehead. Cherish took time with her makeup before she caught sight of the alarm clock on the nightstand. She pulled the fabric down to her knees, turned around, and checked how the knitted dress hugged her curves. Her body wasn't exactly where she desired, but it was tight where she wanted and that's what mattered most.
Soon enough, 3:45 was upon them and his parents busied themselves with the kids in the living room. Simon adjusted his cuff links and paced towards the staircase, “Cherish! Cherish, are you almost ready?” he called.
Cherish tossed a gaze at the door and hurried to slip on a pair of black wedges, "COMING!" She hollered back.
Jasmine could be heard crying downstairs as she stepped down and saw Margaret changing her diaper, "Oh what's with all the yelling, Miss fussy?" She questioned.
Hearing Cherish’s voice,
