by Eva Morian
Seeing Imani lit Simon up. She was one of the great things about working there and he considered her a friend. He held her tightly and patted her back, “Hello, it’s so nice to see you again! I’m so sorry to hear about what happened with Mrs. Gabot and everything, but you look great!” she said before turning her attention onto Cherish, “And you must be Ms. Montgomery. Mr. Gabot said that you will be joining us today. My name is Imani and I have to say I was expecting a phone call from Susan when you arrived. She’s down by the main entrance waiting for you pull up. Everyone else is on the first floor in the Jefferson Conference Hall.” She said.
Cherish wet her lips before she shook hands with Imani with a cordial and confused smile, “Y-yes, hello. My name is Cherish.” She replied.
Imani flattened her puffy, black button down top and ran her hands nervously against her jeans, “It’s very nice to meet you, Cherish.” She said pointing to the duo stroller with both eyes wide, “Is that them? May I?” She asked.
Stepping around the stroller, Simon pushed the shade back from the babies for her, “Of course.” He said. Jr. was still fast asleep while Jasmine looked around with a kick of her foot.
"Oh, my goodness! They're so beautiful!" Imani said cupping both of her cheeks. Bending over, She tucked her straight hair behind her ears and rubbed a knuckle across the backs of their hands, "Why hello there, precious ones. Congratulations, to the both of you." Imani expressed looking between them.
“Thank you.” He replied in mirror to Cherish. Simon was elated that he wasn’t the only one who thought their babies were precious. Though parents were usually biased towards their own children, it still felt great to be reaffirmed by a third party.
Simon cleared his throat and explained, “I wanted to show Cherish my office before we met with everyone.”
Hearing his plan, Imani inhaled a deep breath as she looked to Cherish once again, "O-Oh of course! No problem! I will go downstairs and tell everyone that you will be there shortly. I'll also give Susan a heads up. See you soon!" She said giving a wave and boarding the elevator.
Alone in the emptied office space, Cherish glanced around, "That was nerve wracking." She said.
Simon tried to talk her through and make her feel more comfortable, “Take a deep breath. No one is going to look down on you. We’re here to celebrate the babies and I’m confident that they will love you.” He knew that Cherish likely worried about how people would view her considering all that happened. He understood she was nervous when it came to nice establishments, or well-dressed people, but even so, he wanted her to get out there in hopes that she’d grow comfortable eventually. He rested his hands on her shoulders, “You’re very loveable. Now, do you want to check it out?” he concluded pointing towards his office.
Nodding, Cherish tried to calm her nerves before she placed her hands on the stroller handle and waited, "Lead the way." She stated
As she followed him down the hallway and to the left, she glanced at every darkened window they passed. The wheels turned over on the carpet, Jasmine stared up at her mommy before she yawned. Cherish watched the back of Simon's head. She kept telling herself everything would be alright and that it was okay with how integrated she had become in his life.
At the end of the hall, Simon pushed open his office door and held it for her and the kids. The space was a moderately big size. A large, mahogany bookcase sat against the wall to the left filled with books; many of which pertained to his job or classic reading. Another shelf had a few decorative paperweights and statuettes from his travels. There was sitting area with a side table, lamp, and two chairs chosen by Emily. All which sat on a large rug across from the bookshelf. Matching the bookcase was a large, heavy executive desk in the middle of the room across from the door. The front had a detailed, tasteful design while on top sat his closed laptop, a desk lamp, phone, and stacks of papers; both completed and uncompleted. There was a plaque with his name and title. Simon Gabot; Contract Lawyer.
A burgundy, leather Chesterfield executives chair sat right behind the desk. There was a La Kentia plant in the corner which sat in a tall floor vase. Two chairs, matching the ones in the sitting area, sat across from the desk for guests and clients. The best feature of all, and one that Simon loved most, was the wall of windows behind his desk. Their blinds were drawn and nearly touched the ceiling. He adored the natural light that flooded in and never tired of the view. Excited to show her where he worked proudly, he truly cared about what she thought.
As soon as Cherish walked in, she was stolen of breath. Not only from the large, expensive pieces that set the scene, but the view that dominated the background. She held onto the handle of the stroller tightly while she stood between his desk and the front door.
Letting the door shut, he walked to his desk and pulled out his chair with a grin, “Come and take a seat.” He said. Passing the desk, she stood in front of him and flattened the fabric of her skirt against her body before she sat down; sinking slightly. He rolled her in before he went around and sat in one of the chairs across from her. She tilted her head slightly to the side and smiled a bit as she looked over the small knick-knacks and photos resting on the desk. She noticed one was turned downward, which came off as strange to her. Reaching out, she flipped the photo over to see a close shot of he and Emily together.
Everything was left the same way it was the day he took leave for the birth of Jr. He eyed the way she looked at the picture and drew in a breath, “All of my work stories are from this room.” He said.
Smiling to herself, Cherish looked up at him and saw the way he stared and smiled at her, “Oh yeah?” she asked rhetorically.
He nodded before pointing behind her, “Turn around…” Her eyebrows lifted as the chair turned and the entire view of the large buildings, bridge, water, homes in the distance, and palm trees branched out further along the horizon towards the gulf. Simon stood before her and placed both hands in his pockets, “You don’t know how hard I worked for this view. I love it.” He said. One look at his face told her that he wanted to share his life and knowledge with her. That much was clear.
Standing from the chair, she took a few steps to the window and stood beside him, “You’ve been very lucky, and blessed in this life. You’re nothing like the people they portray in the movies, you know. You’re humble and kind…” Turning her head to face him, she gave him a small smile, “…you truly do not deserve the heartache you’ve been given.” She said rubbing his back.
Simon smiled sheepishly. Cherish was often sentimental with her compliments and he felt subtly flustered by them, “You’re going to make me blush.” He said. As cliché as that phrase was, it was true. “Thank you for not thinking I’d be a movie villain.” He teased with a smile.
Susan stood behind the door to his office, the only one without glass that could give one a glimpse within. Her tight red pencil skirt complimented the bright and airy white top. Her hair was feather light and curled to perfection on her shoulders. Smiling to herself, she pressed both hands to her stomach which dropped. Jasmine squealed out angrily which told Susan that Simon really was just beyond that door. Flattening her blouse once more, she held her head high, shook her shoulders slightly, and knocked on the door before she let herself in, “Hello!” She exclaimed before pausing.
Instead of one broken man and a child that needed her attention, there was Simon, who looked normal, and a strange looking female she’d never heard of in her life.
Cherish stopped dead in her tracks halfway to the stroller. For a moment, she thought Emily walked through that door which put her on an edge. Turning to face Susan’s familiar voice, Simon gave a half smile, “Oh, Susan. You found us.” He said.
Us. He said, us. Just what the hell did that mean?
Slowly, Susan lifted her head a bit more before she took another step and shut the door behind her, “Hello.” She said stoically. Blinking several times, her gaze bounced between Cherish, Simon, and a double stroller? Susan tilted her head to the side
slightly and looked to Simon; waiting for him to at least start the introductions.
Her stare spoke volumes which caused Simon’s feet to move until he stood beside Cherish and motioned between them, “This is Cherish. She’s a friend of mine and Emily’s. Cherish, this is Susan, one of the branch lawyers here.” He said.
Susan’s eyebrow quirked as she stepped closer to Cherish and nodded, “Oh yes, It’s…nice to meet you.” She said.
Cherish looked between the two of them before she nodded and held her hand out, “Nice to meet you as well.” She said. Susan didn’t make a move to shake which caused Cherish to slowly pull her grasp back.
Jasmine wails caused her to kick into high gear and tend to her daughter. She unhooked the little girl from the car seat and picked her up. Checking the side of her onesie, she nodded to herself, “Yeah, she pooped.” She explained to no one in particular. Taking the baby bag, which was tucked beneath, Cherish went over to the rug, laid out a receiving blanket, and set Jasmine on top.
Susan watched Cherish with a slight step away to not touch her or the baby, “There is…a bathroom for that.” She stated calmly but was drowned out by Jasmine’s lungs. When this little girl was unhappy, it was known.
He pointed to them, “That there is Jasmine…” He then motioned towards the stroller, “…and this one is Simon Jr.” he said with a proud smile.
Looking at Jasmine and Cherish, Susan then turned her attention to Simon and made her way in front of the stroller. Seeing it was a double, and that this woman had another child, made her think differently about Simon in that moment. She thought exactly what everyone else did when Cherish was first introduced.
Looking into the stroller, Susan tilted her head to the side and smiled, “He’s handsome. Just like you.” She said with a smile that never reached her eyes. How could she? This woman, who more than likely his mistress, had been moved in and she was far from happy.
Like clockwork, once one started, the other began. Jr. opened both eyes and began to fuss. Cherish looked over to Simon as she wiped Jasmine up, “Not him too.”
Simon unbuckled Jr., picked him up, and checked his diaper. It was clean. Holding him close to his chest, Simon patted against his small back and noticed that his son’s mouth was open, and he leaned in for a nipple. Jr. smeared a small mark of saliva on his father’s suit, “He’s hungry.” Simon said.
How informally Cherish spoke to Simon about his son bothered Susan to her core, “You said Charity was a friend, right?” she asked. Clearing her throat, she gripped the end of her shirt and blew out, “I wish you’d told me that she was coming, I would have made arrangements for her.” She stated while her blue eyes met with Simon’s.
He listened to Susan as he tried his best to comfort his son, “Cherish didn’t know. This was somewhat last minute.” He said shrugging a shoulder and holding Susan’s gaze. He wondered if Cherish was really such an inconvenience, “I hope that’s alright. Especially for the baby shower.” He added.
Susan turned her attention to Cherish once more and looked down at her, “Oh. I’m sure we can find a way to squeeze her into the seating arrangements.” She said in a far-off tone.
Simon gave Cherish a sympathetic look and pointed out what they both knew, “I’m pretty sure he wants to be fed. Who would have guessed.” He said with a smirk.
Cherish held her hands out and took Jr. into her embrace, “Ready yourself for even more screaming.” She said smiling down at his little red face. “Are you hungry? Yes, you are.” She said to Jr. with a grin.
He wet his lips before he looked to Susan, “We’ll be down soon. Just give us a bit to feed the kids. We won’t be long.” He said.
Susan sucked her cheeks in and rolled her jaw from side to side, “Oh, I guess you would need some quiet time and privacy to feed the kids. I’ll …see you there.” She said in an unsure tone before she backed away and let herself out.
Cherish watched after Susan before she sighed and pushed herself from the floor. Susan didn’t like her, and she could tell.
Simon went and picked Jasmine up from the ground to console her. Rubbing on her back with a hum, he knew that she too needed to eat when she wouldn’t quiet down. He searched the baby bag for a bottle of water and formula. He prepped her meal with one arm; a skilled father now. Cherish already propped herself up as best as she could on one of the chairs and fed Jr who latched on with strong pulls. Simon watched her for a quiet moment as he set the bottle along Jasmine’s lips. Simon was aware of how Susan tended to be with people he first introduced to her. He didn’t want Cherish to think too much about it, “I know how she seems. She’s nicer the more you get to know her.” He said..
She looked up from staring down in Jr.’s big, blue eyes and paused. He really and truly believed Susan was going to be nicer to her. That’s not the world she grew up in and she was fine with the fact that not everyone was going to accept her. Like it or not, it was the way the world turned. But if Simon wanted to believe that one day Susan would come around, who was she to correct him? She gave him a soft smile and a light shrug, “It’s fine. I’m okay.” She said.
Taking about twenty minutes to give Jr. a quick feed and have the babies content, Cherish fixed herself. Simon loaded them into the stroller, and they left the office. His brow dipped in confusion as his grip on the stroller tightened once they arrived back to the main hall, “Susan, weren’t you going downstairs?” he asked.
Susan stood and approached them once more, “Oh no, Simon I said I was going to escort you…both and I am a woman of my word. I hope everything has been taken care of with the…children.” She said while following both he and Cherish to the elevator.
Simon stopped at the elevator, pressed the button, and nodded, “Well in that case thank you.” He said.
Cherish gave a slight nod, “They’re all topped off and ready to go.” She said leaning over and brushing against Jasmine’s cheek.
Susan arched an eyebrow as she gave Cherish a long glance, “How…quaint.”
Simon caught the way Susan looked at Cherish with a cliché, mean response. He decided to give her a gentle warning, though the tone was stern, “Susan, be nice.” He said as the elevator doors opened.
Cherish felt on edge the entire time. The fact that Simon had to warn this woman to use manners around her already told Cherish he didn't even believe what he tried to appeal to her moments before. Susan pursed her lips together before she forced them into a smile, "Of course I will be, Simon. Anything for you and your friend." She said.
Simon held his hand out and allowed the women and the babies on first. Pressing the star key, he cleared his throat, “Now that the tour of the office is complete, Let’s get to the shower, shall we?” He said perking up once more amid the uneasy atmosphere.
The silence and tension in the elevator was deafening. Cherish kept her eyes on the numbers while Susan stared in the stroller at Jr. He truly was a handsome little boy and he looked just like his father. Simon cleared his throat as the numbers counted down before he broke the silence, “I know today isn’t for business but, just for peace of mind, how did the Holter case go?” he asked.
Susan straightened her body, "The Holter case had a couple of bumps, but the construction company that built the office was found to be defrauding our client in the end. I say it was a success, they won’t be harassed by those dogs anymore." She answered.
The elevator came to a silent, slowed stop, and the doors opened to a grand lobby area. There were glass doors to the left which then spilled into the rest of the space. The marble floors were beautifully finished. There were lush, black sofas positioned around a large, circular coffee table. Beyond was the sleek concierge desk.
As they exited one of the many elevators labeled with letters, they passed by the seating area, followed the marble pathway, and passed the directory. There were at least a hundred names of different lawyers, they're professions, and locations within the building. Cherish tilted her head back and stared up at
a large, modern chandelier hanging between the entrance and desk. Passing, they crossed under an archway that led down wide hallways. Each room they had a gold-plated plaque stating the name and max capacity.
Halfway down, Susan stopped at the Jefferson room and acknowledged solely Simon, "Are you ready?" She asked.
Cherish stood behind and waited. She couldn't help but feel that Imani's niceness was a rarity and she would be fed to the wolves in moments. She wanted to get it over with.
Susan placed a hand on Simon's shoulder before she opened the door with both hands. Almost immediately, her mouth dropped as she looked around. There was a group of about fifty people standing amongst a mix of pastel blue and purple decorations in the room. From the bouquets of balloons, the streamers, and tablecloths had a mix of both colors. The large sheet cake bore Jasmine’s name beside Jr.’s and a long table to the side was overrun by an abundance of presents that had doubled from the week before.
As the view unfolded, Susan’s mouth gaped wide open. What was going on here? This wasn’t what she put together in the slightest. There weren’t any dinosaur decorations, the “Welcome back, Simon!” banner was missing, and now this woman’s daughter was incorporated.
The group of people clapped once they entered. Simon smiled widely as he pulled away, walked towards the center with their guests, and turned to Cherish. He stared right in her face with a warmth in his eyes as he welcomed her, “Welcome to your baby shower.” He said. Over the last week Simon had been in contact with many of his employees. He told them about Cherish, vaguely about her past and how she’d lost everything, how much she meant to both Emily and he, and made the change of plans under Susan’s nose. All of this came, because Cherish had told him she’d never had a baby shower. He wasn’t expecting the large turnout, but his employees seemed enthusiastic to help.
Slowly, Susan turned to see Cherish’s shocked face. Among the group of people there were Emily and Simon’s parents, a few neighbors Simon had introduced her to after Emily’s funeral, and a group of people she didn’t recognize; sans Imani. Her stomach dropped as her gaze looked around and she rolled her lips in, “W-what?” she asked. The corners of her mouth dipped downward before she placed a hand over her face and lowered her head. Overwhelmed with emotion, her shoulders began to shake and her grip on the stroller loosened.