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  I rose up on shaking legs and gripped my desk as I forced a smile for the children.

  “Children, can you pick up the blocks, please? I think it’s time we go home,” I suggested as Lily gave me a smile.

  “Yay! Are we going to watch Frozen?” Lily asked as she rushed off without waiting for my reply.

  “Not again,” Branch complained and stomped after his sister.

  I watched them as they put the blocks back into the box. Staying focused on their perfect little faces as I slowed my breathing. Once I was calm, I turned to Sister Mary Agnes.

  “Look, if you’re saying I can’t se–”

  “Not at all…” The sister waved her hands in front of her. “Just… be sure before you bring them more hurt.” She looked at the children. “But there is a rule that you can’t babysit the children in the daycare. For money or free. People, unfortunately, are known to take advantage and when things go bad – because they always do – well, we don’t want them coming after the church.”

  “I see.” I nodded and slipped my jacket on before grabbing my bag. Throwing it over my shoulder I locked my drawer and called for the twins. “We will see you next week, Sister.”

  I didn’t wait around to see what Sister Mary Agnes would say next. This weekend, I needed to talk to Levan and figure out how serious he really was about us. It was time to put out or shut up as they say.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Levan

  Throughout my shift, I had received cute pictures of Cherry and the twins. The twins seemed to be having the time of their lives. Cherry had taken them to get hotdogs for dinner at each of their favorite hotdog vendors. I told her not to spoil them, but apparently, I had been talking to myself.

  “What has you smiling like an idiot?” my foreman, Carter, asked as he was walking over to me. I was on break and sitting on my toolbox.

  “Cherry and the twins,” I said, holding my phone up for him to see the latest picture Cherry had sent to me. It was a picture of her and the twins making silly faces at the camera.

  “Aww,” Carter smiled and took my phone from me. “They are having a blast. Aren’t they?”

  “I know, right?” I smiled. Carter handed my phone back to me.

  “The kids seem to really love her.”

  “That they do.” I looked down at the picture on my phone. “She’s perfect for us.”

  The sentence had left my mouth freely. There was no hesitation. There was no thought put into it. It was just my heart talking.

  “Sounds like you found the one, Levan,” Carter smirked. “Now get your ass back to work.” He walked off laughing.

  Two more hours and I’d be able to see Cherry and the twins.

  When work was over, I couldn’t get home fast enough… Well, I couldn’t get to Cherry’s fast enough.

  I stood in front of her apartment door and texted to let her know I was there. I didn’t want to knock and wake up Lily or Branch.

  The three locks on the inside of the door turned and slowly the door opened. Cherry was on the other side and all smiles. I quickly stepped inside, closed the door quietly, and wrapped my arms around her.

  “I missed you like crazy,” I whispered and then kissed the top of her head. She hugged me tighter.

  “I missed you, too,” she replied.

  “Shh. You’ll wake the kids,” I said softly. Cherry giggled and snuggled against my chest.

  “We’re already awake, daddy!” Lily laughed. I felt little arms wrap around my right leg and soon my left leg had little arms around it as well.

  “Ah. So, you guys bribed Cherry to let you stay up?” My question was to Branch and Lily, but my eyes were on Cherry. She peeked up at me and grinned.

  “No, daddy,” Lily sassed. “We all wanted to see you and show you what we bought you.”

  “Lily! You’ve ruined the surprise,” Branch scolded. Cherry let go of me and stepped back.

  “No fighting,” she sighed. “Okay?”

  “Okay,” Lily and Branch said in unison with smiles on their faces. They let go of my legs.

  “Did you miss me?” I chuckled and bent down. Lily and Branch tackled me with hugs and kisses. I lifted them both up onto my hips. Their arms held around my neck.

  “Of course, we missed you,” Lily smiled and then kissed my cheek.

  “We always miss you,” Branch nodded.

  “Well, I missed you three like crazy,” I admitted.

  “Let’s let daddy get out of his boots and relax a little. After that, maybe he’ll read you that story,” Cherry offered sweetly.

  “Will you read it to us?” Branch asked. I had no idea what story it was, but I nodded, making him, Lily, and Cherry smile.

  “Let me settle in and then I’ll read you the story. Sound good?” I asked, looking at Branch and then Lily.

  “Yes, daddy,” the twins replied. I set them both down on their feet and they scurried off across the living room and into Cherry’s bedroom. I raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

  “They can’t sleep on the couch,” she whispered. “I’ll sleep on the couch and you three sleep on the bed.”

  “What?” I shook my head. “Not happening. You sleep with the kids, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  “They won’t want me to…” Cherry’s words were soft and filled with doubt.

  “Yes, we do!” Branch shouted with his head poked out into the hallway. Lily was right beside him.

  “Yay! We’re going to have a sleepover with daddy and Cherry!” Lily cheered. “I get to sleep next to Cherry.”

  “Nu-uh! I’m sleeping next to her. She likes me more,” Branch declared. I rolled my eyes at the twins and their battle of who Cherry liked more.

  “I love the two of you equally,” Cherry smiled.

  My heart melted at that moment. I felt tears forming in the corner of my eyes. Cherry’s words had moved mountains inside of me. To hear her tell the twins she loved them nearly brought me to my knees.

  There was such sincerity in her tone. The smile on her face was genuine. And to see Branch and Lily smiling brightly at her words made it even better. They loved her just as much as she loved them.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cherry

  The weekend was amazing and bittersweet. It reminded me of what I could never have, yet the twins and Levan gave me the best memories. Even if our relationship didn’t last, I’d never forget Lily and Branch.

  They had left early Sunday morning to head to church and then to spend the afternoon with Levan’s grandmother. He said it was tradition and had invited me to join them. However, I wasn’t feeling the best and had decided to stay home and look up some information for a few of the projects for the week's preschool classes.

  Once Levan and the twins had headed out, I ended up laying back down for a few more hours. Now I was groggy and still feeling queasy but I needed something to help me wake up.

  I stared at my cupboard and groaned at the boxes of caffeine-free tea. What had I been thinking when I bought so many? Shuffling over to my counter I looked at the stack of menus. All of the options had my stomach flipping but I wasn’t feeling up to going out to pick something up.

  My mind wandered for a few moments until I picked up my phone and searched for Lola’s number. Maybe she could suggest someplace that would deliver and be reasonably priced.

  “Yeah,” Lola picked up after about four rings and was panting into the phone.

  “Um… Lola?” I paused and then shook my head at myself. “This is Cherry.”

  “Hey girl, I was going to call you later when I was on my break. Right now, I’m running to work because I got up late,” she laughed and yelled some obscenities at someone who by the sounds of it had bumped into her and wasn’t all that happy about it.

  “I’m sorry to have bothered yo–”

  “Cherry, don’t finish that sentence. You’re no bother. My best friends are guys. I need some girls to bother me for a change.” Lola laughed as she greeted someone on her end
of the line. “Now, what’s up?”

  “Well, I’m feeling under the weather and was thinking maybe you could recommend someplace I could order some food from? I’m also debating on coffee because I’m exhausted.” I rambled as I heard the familiar tinkle of the Bad Apple Cafe bell.

  “Say no more,” Lola responded. “I’ll be over in about twenty minutes.”

  “No, I couldn't ask tha–”

  “Cherry,” Lola interrupted with a sigh. “Twenty minutes.”

  “Fine, what do you have for an upset stomach that will also help wake someone up?” I asked.

  Lola chuckled. “I’ll bring you a few muffins, some caffeinated tea, and a coffee.”

  “Do you have sweet pickles?” I asked absently.

  “No,” Lola replied with a laugh.

  “Oh, alright. I’m craving a pickle and I don’t like dill. Bring something chocolate, too. Thanks.”

  I was nibbling on my fingernail when Lola reminded me that she’d arrive in twenty minutes and hung up.

  While I was waiting for Lola, I began to clean up and put away the things I had out from my sleepover with the twins and Levan. It really had been an amazing weekend. To think only about four months ago, I was newly divorced, in a new city, and thought I would never find happiness. Then I’d met Levan and everything changed.

  I sighed dreamily and dropped to the couch just as my cell began to ring. I pushed up off of my comfortable seat and rushed to the phone. It could be Lola calling to say she couldn’t get away after all.

  In a rush, I answered without checking to see who was on the line. “Hello, Cherry Jones here,” I said out of habit.

  “Cheryl, we need to talk.” The voice was firm and exasperated. It also sent shivers down my spine.

  “Norm, I gave you the divorce you wanted. And, I seem to remember that we both agreed there was nothing more to discuss,” I replied coldly.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Don’t be like that,” he cooed at me.

  “Don’t sweetheart me!” I snapped.

  “Cheryl, please,” he begged. “I miss you.”

  “Sure, you missed me so much that I haven’t heard from you for over four months,” I laughed as memories of the night I had discovered Norm had been cheating on me flashed through my mind. “Your pregnant girlfriend made sure I knew how lacking I was.”

  “I never wanted you to find out about Teresa that way. But Cheryl, you have to understa–”

  “Norm,” I growled.

  “No, wait. I know I was wrong, sweetheart. It’s just that I was so frustrated and hurt. The life I had planned for us was going down the tubes, Cheryl.” His voice fluctuated between his persuasive tone and exasperation. As if I should understand and jump when he called.

  There had been a time I would have done exactly that. But no more. I had learned a lot of things when I’d taken the job at the preschool and moved so far from everything I knew. First was that I was worth more than Norm had ever given me credit for.

  “Look, just tell me why you called, Norm. I’m not feeling the best and –”

  “Well, see, Teresa had her baby last week and it’s not mine. So, I want you to come back. We can talk about the other options for us to have a child.”

  “What the fuck, Norm!”

  “Cheryl,” he gasped at my cursing.

  “Whatever, Norm. It isn’t going to happen.” I was seething and felt an itchy need to throw things.

  “Please, sweetheart. I miss you. I realize my mistake now. I realized it back before the divorce but you have to understand, I couldn’t allow my child to grow up without its father.” Norm sighed. “The test results came back today and I’m not the father, Cheryl, and I want you back.

  “Not going to happen, Norm,” I repeated what I’d already said. “And, damn it, Norm, I don’t have to understand shit. You cheated on me. There wouldn’t have been a chance of a child if you hadn’t already broken the vows you made to me.”

  “I know, sweetheart. I was just so confused.”

  Letting out a deep breath I braced myself. “Norm, I don’t want you back. I’ve moved on and I’m happy. So, thanks but no thanks.”

  My hand was reaching for the end call button when I heard Norm’s voice raise in desperation, “It wasn’t you, Cheryl. It was me. I’m sterile. I can’t have kids. Please, Cheryl.”

  My finger pressed against my phone and I stumbled backward.

  “Holy fuck,” I cursed as I found my way to the couch and my phone dropped out of my hand.

  In a daze, I was still sitting there when Lola knocked on my door. It had felt like hours and yet only seconds since Norm’s words had shattered me. When Lola knocked, I opened the door and immediately turned to return to the couch.

  She followed me inside talking a mile a minute but I couldn’t have repeated one word of what she said.

  “Cherry,” Lola kneeled in front of me and was holding on to my hands when I finally snapped out of my daze. “What’s wrong? You said you weren’t feeling good but I’ve never seen someone so out of it.”

  “My ex called,” I mumbled in reply just before the tears began to fall.

  “Oh, Cherry.” Lola crawled up on the cushion beside me and pulled me into her arms. “Go ahead and cry it out. Exes suck donkey balls.”

  When my tears slowed, I pulled back from Lola and let out a deep sigh.

  “Thanks,” I murmured. “He’s an ass and I should have never married him. I was in love with the idea of love, not him.”

  Lola moved back and leaned against the back of the couch as she stared at me for a few tense minutes.

  “How about Levan? Is it him or the idea?” she finally asked bluntly.

  “Definitely Levan,” I replied without thinking. “I don’t know how I would survive if I lost him.”

  “Well, I’ll tell you a secret, Cherry. Just remember to keep it on the down-low as I’m breaking the best friend code here” – Lola smirked at me before continuing – “but Levan feels the same about you.”

  We laughed as she whispered the last and looked around the room like he would jump out of nowhere.

  “Now…” Lola clapped her hands together and smiled at me. “I stopped at the store before heading over and I brought you” – she reached into a bag and pulled out a jar – “sweet pickles!”

  Laughter filled the room as she showed off the jar like it was made of 24-carat gold. My life had definitely improved in the past four months and there was no way I’d go back to the way I was before.

  Chapter Twenty

  Levan

  GramMa and Auntie had been disappointed that Cherry wasn’t able to make it over for dinner. I had explained to them that she wasn’t feeling too well and didn’t want to get anyone sick. The disappointment of Cherry not coming over then turned to concern for Cherry being sick.

  “She no feelin’ good. Tis a shame,” Auntie shook her head and then sipped slowly from her cup.

  “What be da matta wit’ her, boy?” GramMa asked, setting down her fork.

  “I’m not too sure. She just said she felt like she was coming down with the flu or something,” I said with a mouthful of food, which earned me a stern glare from GramMa and Auntie. I swallowed the bite in my mouth. “Sorry.”

  “Da flu?” Auntie asked. I nodded in response. “She needs the bissy tea.”

  “I thought da same ting,” GramMa nodded.

  “GramMa. Auntie. Cherry doesn’t do remedies like Jamaica,” I groaned.

  “What’s wrong wit Jamaica?” GramMa pointed her finger at me.

  “Nothing is wrong with Jamaica. I’m just saying that Cherry might not want to try bissy tea.”

  “She’s a smart woman, boy. She will know that GramMa is sending it to cure her.” GramMa stood up and made her way into the kitchen; no doubt to start brewing up some bissy tea for Cherry.

  Ding.

  My phone alerted me to a text message. Usually, I kept my phone in the living room during dinner, but I was worried Cherry might call need
ing something. I reached into my pocket and quickly pulled it out. It was a message from Lola.

  I was going to ignore it but I saw Cherry’s name in the snippet displayed. I clicked the message open and read it… several times.

  “Why you have dat dumb look on ye’ face for?” Auntie asked, grabbing my attention. I looked up from my phone and at her. My fingers twisted my goatee as I racked my brain about what Lola’s text meant.

  “Well? What be it?” GramMa asked, standing in the kitchen doorway.

  “Lola took care of Cherry today. Said that Cherry was sick,” I replied.

  “Well, you already knew dat,” GramMa rolled her eyes. “So why you confused?”

  “She said something about Cherry only wanting sweet pickles.” My sentence was a cross between a statement and a question. I was still confused by what sweet pickles and the smiley face emoji meant.

  “Oh, lawd, boy!” GramMa and Auntie said at the same time.

  “What?” I asked softly. I had a feeling I was about to get an ear full.

  “She got da morning sickness,” Auntie looked at me and shook her head. “You eediat.”

  “Mmmm… morn…” I stammered. GramMa disappeared into the kitchen but came out seconds later with a wooden spoon. She had the look in her eyes.

  “You just don’t tink do ya’? GramMa made her way around the table and popped me in the back of the head with the spoon. “Da’ girl be havin’ mornin’ sickness and you be sittin’ here like a damn fool eatin’ when you should be dere’ takin’ care of her!”

  GramMa’s Jamaican accent was coming full-swing, which meant I was about to get my ass handed to me. She didn’t play around when it came to a man taking care of his responsibilities. Not that Cherry was even… I couldn’t even say it. Not even to myself.

  “You be one big damn fool!” Auntie chimed in. Somewhere between me being whacked in the back of the head and drifting off in my thoughts, she had come around the table and stood to the other side of me, opposite of GramMa.

  “She got da’ mornin’ sickness,” GramMa hounded me again.

  Branch and Lily ran into the room. They had finished early and had gone off to play in their rooms. But now they were back as my saving grace.