Chimon - This Moment

Chapter 7

Simon awoke the next morning to the aroma of coffee and...fresh buttery croissants? He sat up and pushed himself off the edge of the bed before tidying up the sheets. He walked over to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face thoroughly, and gave himself a quick rundown in the mirror before making his way down the stairs and to the kitchen.

As he turned the corner, he saw Cheryl standing in the middle of the kitchen with her cute red pajamas on, leaning against the island and drinking her coffee while working on a crossword puzzle from the daily post. He remained still for a few moments and just admired her from a short distance. He smiled at how cute she was when she was in deep thought, over a crossword puzzle of all things, and he found it incredibly adorable how her lips puckered up every time she blew on her coffee to cool it down. Everything about her just screamed adorable.

After feeling a bit like a creeper for standing around and gawking at Cheryl, Simon proceeded to make his way into the kitchen.

Cheryl looked up from her crossword puzzle when Simon appeared in her peripheral vision.

"Good morning Simon. I take it you had a comfortable night?" Cheryl stated as a matter of fact.

Simon raised his eyebrows.

"Why would you say that?" He asked, horrified that she might have heard him cry out her name in the middle of the night. After all, he did have a very nice dream last night.     

"Oh I don't know. Maybe because you slept in until 11:00AM?"

"What? I did not..." Simon trailed off as he looked at his wristwatch. "Oh."

Cheryl laughed at the quick turnaround of his rebuttal. 

Simon just shrugged his shoulders while enjoying the airy sound of her laugh. It was just another thing to add to the list of things he loved about her. Her laugh matched the brilliance of her dazzling smile.

"Well it was a comfortable bed." Simon finally added.  

"I'll bet. Ashley and I made sure to buy only the loveliest pieces of furniture for this home." Cheryl said on impulse.

After realizing what she just said, the smile on her face slowly disappeared and was replaced by a countenance of melancholy.

Simon quickly chimed in. "Well what's for breakfast?" He asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"Oh, where are my manners. I've brewed some coffee and there are some croissants on the table over there." Cheryl answered before walking over to the cupboard and retrieving a cup. "Go on and take a seat. I'll have your coffee in a minute."

"No. You take a seat and I'll be there in a minute. I'm perfectly capable of serving myself." Simon said as he reached over and grabbed the cup out of her hands.

"Besides, I thought we agreed on letting me do some chores around the house. My apologies for sleeping in today but I'll make up for it with dinner. I make a mean meatloaf." He said with a wink.

"Really? I didn't take you for much of a cook Simon. Can't wait." She said with a cute shimmy of the shoulders.

Cheryl grabbed the crossword puzzle and sauntered over to the table. Shortly after, Simon arrived with his coffee in hand and took a seat right across from her.

They each grabbed a croissant and gobbled it down within seconds.

"Wow Cheryl, tell me you didn't make these because they are the most scrumptious croissants I have ever eaten in my life." Simon commented while working his way through his second serving.    

Cheryl shook her head. "Please, I could barely boil water without burning the house down. These croissants are actually from a small bakery a few blocks down. They sell the most delectable pastries as far as I know." 

"You went out this morning?" Simon asked with surprise. He was sure that she wouldn't dare leave the house with all the paparazzi camped outside her home.

"No, I had Lily bring them in for me."

Simon looked around and caught a glimpse of the latest newspaper placed on the counter.

"I'm assuming this Lily girl is also the one delivering your papers as well?"

Cheryl gave him a smile but didn't say anything.

"Please tell this Lily girl that I would like to have a quick word with her." Simon teased.

"Don't worry Simon, I took your advice and haven't read the paper today."

"Really?" Simon asked in surprise. Although Cheryl may not have known it, it truly meant a lot to him to know that she cared enough to take his advice.

"Really." She confirmed.

"Good."

"Although I do have to warn you...we are in the papers this morning." Cheryl said before taking another gulp of her coffee.

"We are?" Simon questioned in curiosity.

Cheryl grabbed the crossword puzzle and shoved it towards him. "5 down, Girls Aloud. 15 across, Simon Cowell." 

Simon rolled his eyes while silly Cheryl bowled over with laughter. He was getting used to seeing her smile again, and for the rest of the morning, he was delighted that their time together remained just as light-hearted.