After a few harrowing minutes, they were coasting nicely and Cherish felt as though she could finally breathe. The seatbelt light shut off with a ding which she did not heed. Simon took a full breath and turned to her, “So, how was your first time?” he asked.
Looking at him dully, She didn’t bother to answer because the look of deceit and torture was written all over her face. Now, she would have preferred being cramped in a van with them for over twenty-four hours than go through that again. Her silence was loud and clear which only caused Simon to quickly turn the other way.
Looking forward, she released his hand and shook her head slowly from one side to the other. Jasmine leaned over in her mother’s hold and placed both hands on Simon’s arm. She pulled herself into his lap. Cherish waited until he had a firm hold on her and glanced back at Jr. on Miriam’s chest; unphased. Blowing out, she watched as Margaret crossed one leg over the other and leaned into her husband’s side; whispering. They both held contented smiles on their faces as she pointed out of the window. Jack grunted to himself before he leaned over and kissed his wife on the side of her head. Silently, he crossed his arms and grabbed one of the attendants for a pillow.
Cherish faced forward again and bounced her leg. The whole atmosphere in the plane was one she’d never experienced before. It felt weird; out of place. Clearing her throat, she leaned into Simon again, “How long is this flight?” she asked.
Simon reached out and tapped the screen on the back of the seat in front of them. He turned on the map function with showed the path they would take and where the plane was, “Three hours and forty-two minutes remaining.”
“Oh, lovely. I’ll count down the seconds of impending doom.” She muttered rubbing across her face.
Simon tried to remain optimistic for her, “Have you thought about going skiing with me? I know you said, “I’ll think about it.” to get me to leave you alone, but you really meant, “Nope. No way in hell, Simon.”. It might be something worth experiencing and I can teach you all I know oh grand, beautiful goddess.” He said blatantly in hopes of buttering her up. His mouth held a smirk and those pleading blue eyes caused his father to eavesdrop on them.
Cherish’s gaze wandered over to Simon’s before she leaned against the back of the seat with a sigh. Jasmine patted across his chest with one hand and chewed on a teething ring with the other. She rolled her eyes and faked innocence, “Me? Beautiful? Oh, do go on.” She laughed.
Simon held Jasmine’s little hand as he went on to feed into his little romanticized act, “Glorious and radiant. Think of how fascinating and glowing you’ll be with me. Dancing over snow in our skis with your hair flowing behind you in a tight-fitting ski suit.” He answered in an over the top fashion for.
Cherish closed one eye and narrowed her eyebrows together, “Uhuh…mhm. Yes, wait…why does my ski suit have to be tight?” she asked. “Besides, won’t it be frigid, won’t I have to sit around and stay with the babies and make sure they don’t freeze to death?” she questioned.
Simon paused at her obvious questions and tried to play cool and dignified, “Hey, whose fantasy is this? I have my reasons.” He replied.
Cherish arched an eyebrow and nodded over exaggeratedly, “Oh, my bad, it’s a fantasy. I should have known. I think you have a problem since I found your Ghetto Booties Next Door: Volume One when I cleaned under the bed last weekend.” She answered.
Simon Sr. had to bite his tongue and pretended to read one of the magazines. For a moment, Simon felt as though he was baptized in frigid water and embarrassed that she’d found one of his dirtier secrets. He looked genuinely shocked and his face flushed all while Cherish smiled smugly in his direction. He rubbed the back of his neck before he tried to save face and reverted to answer Cherish’s second questions. He cupped his hand and blatantly said, “You won’t have to watch the kids. That’s what we brought those guys along for.” As he implied that the vacation was just for them, it was clear his aim was to get a rise out of someone.
Sr. kicked the back of his son’s seat without comment causing him to laugh. Margaret narrowed her eyebrows together and followed suit with another swift kick. Cherish bit down on her bottom lip and began to laugh with him.
Soon their laughter died down and the in-flight movie started. Jr. began to fuss and kick his pudgy feet because he woke up in a place he didn’t recognize. All he wanted was Cherish’s comfort. Crying out, Simon stood, took him from Miriam, and passed him over to Cherish.
Trading seats in such a cramped space was less than ideal. Cherish tried her hardest to lean away from Simon as he brushed by and sat down; but not before she caught how Simon Sr. stared at them. Looking from side to side, she wet her lips before she sat down in the spot closest to the window and proceeded to cover herself from passengers’ eyes to feed Jr. She got comfortable against the window and shut her eyes.
Now that he was a pro, it didn’t take Jr. long to be topped off. Simon followed up with melting
