Pausing, Cherish reached over and pulled the bottle from the warmer before she gave a nod, “No problem, just let me feed Jr. and I’ll be down in a little while.” She replied. Taking the bottle with her, she trailed out of the living room and watched the men lift the tree and steady it. Her eyes stared at Simon momentarily before she rounded the steps and quickly paced up them.
Miriam rolled the dough with both hands with her palms digging within, “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I can’t wait to decorate the tree with you guys. I just hope the presents will be delivered on time.” She whispered under her breath.
Margaret pushed the skinned potatoes she had cut into a bowl. She stared out at her son, husband, and Jack with a sigh, “Even if they don’t come, this is a great season. I’m so happy to be here with you all. We should do this every year.” She admitted while clearing her throat, “I’m hoping that when Cherish is done she can come down here and start the stew. She cooks so well that we must have dinner made by her at least once. I know Simon will enjoy it.” she whispered.
Miriam nodded with a smile, “When we Skype them some evenings, Simon shows us the plate. He’s quite smitten, isn’t he?” she whispered. Margaret glanced over at Miriam and quickly put a finger to her lips. Miriam ducked her head down and laughed breathlessly, “I am just noticing certain similarities between how he treated Emily, to how he treats Cherish. That’s all. We’re not blind, we’re just happy that it didn’t happen while Emily was alive.” She said.
Margaret blew out softly, “You’re not the only one. We don’t know what it is, but we really hope something comes to fruition. I don’t know what I’d do if we lost Cherish and Jasmine. Think of what it’d do to Simon and Jr…” Margaret shook her head, “…no, no. I can’t have our boys go through another heartbreak. We can’t force them together, but we can keep planting the seeds.” She whispered.
Miriam smiled at Margaret before she looked out at the men in the living room. Jack cursed under his breath as the tree leaned over towards the left and then the right. Simon Sr. was in stitches with laughter while Simon stood in the middle of the living room and ordered which way to go. Miriam sighed before she placed the dough into a glass bowl and covered it with saran wrap, “I’m just happy he hasn’t forgotten Emily or us. I’m so happy for how he and Cherish has integrated her into the kids’ lives. It’s warms my heart to walk into the house and still see her somewhere in there.” She whispered biting her lip and wiping her cheeks.
Margaret grabbed an onion and skinned it in the sink, “We will never forget that beautiful soul. Simon would never forget her or you guys. You know that.” She whispered in response.
Miriam hid herself in the corner beside the trashcan. The last thing she wanted to do was start her husband or Simon up. She roughly rubbed her eyes and face, but the tears continued to fall, “I just miss her so much.” She whispered under her breath shaking her hands out.
Margaret sighed softly to herself. Crestfallen, she nodded towards the hallway where their bedrooms were, “I know. I know. I’ll make a distraction. You take yourself into the room and calm down.” She said.
Miriam nodded as Margaret untied her apron and rubbed her hands on the end of her sweater. Appearing beside Simon, she pointed out to the tree and leaned her head over, “Are you sure we didn’t just buy a crooked tree?” she questioned. Miriam slipped past behind them and hurried down the hallway before Jack or Simon Sr. looked up to notice.
Simon squinted an eye and viewed the tree carefully before he framed it between his fingers. Considering what his mother said, he then shrugged his shoulders, “Hmm, maybe. That would make sense for us.” He implied. A moment later he held hands out, “Freeze! That’s perfect, Jack. I’m coming under to help!” he announced. He crawled on his hands and knees before he screwed the base into the stump.
Sturdy, it was finally ready for decoration. Simon slid out and leaned back against his palms wand inhaled a deep breath, “Smells great. When’s dinner going to be on?” He asked glancing back at his mother.
Margaret smiled softly at her son and his comment, he had a point. She watched the men and did a double take back at Miriam to make sure she was secured in the bedroom. Arching an eyebrow, she glanced back at the kitchen, “I don’t know how you think raw potatoes and onions smell good, but I love you anyway son.” She replied sarcastically.
Getting to his feet, Simon slid his gaze over to her, “I meant the tree, ma.”
Laughing, Margaret tucked a few strands of dark hair behind her ear, “I was hoping that Cherish would grace us with her expertise. We’ve all been out in the cold and I was hoping she’d make us a nice stew. What do you think?” she asked approaching her husband and rubbing along his shoulder.
A smile, one that was happier than necessary, appeared on Simon’s features. Latkes, sweet filled doughnuts, slow cooked brisket, and more. He practically salivated on the spot as he rubbed his hands together, “Cherish is going to perfect them.” He said. Immediately it dawned on him and his arms lifted in response as Margaret’s hand smacked against his head. Simon smiled and darted away from her before she struck again, “After you ma! Of course, after you. Cherish is great at chicken and fish. Maybe she’ll make us a chicken stew.” He answered.
Margaret pursed her lips together, turned her back to
