All's Fair in Love and Law

';Part Eight - Questions

Beware, this is short! I did warn you!!!!

B. X

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Cherri's P.O.V.

"Mom? Mom, can I come in?"

"Yes." her reply was soft, but there was no way it was mistakable. 

I opened the door and saw my Mom.

Propped up on the bed in her dressing gown and surrounded by photo albums, she looked as beautiful as she always did.

Photo albums were a family tradition and allowed me snapshots of the glamorous past my parents lived. My dad had been well-off since the age of around 23 and there were many photographs of him at fancy galas, award ceremonies and dinner parties dressed to the nines. But as you flicked through, my mom came into the picture. Older photos of her showed her mostly at the beach or in some sunny destination in California. Then pictures of her with my dad. Far too many. And they always looked good. Like the power couple they still were today. 

Safe to say, looking at my family photo albums was always...fascinating. 

"Mom are you alright?"

I sat down on the edge of the bed next to her and held her hand.

She weakly smiled, looking down at the photo albums.

"That's your Dad and I on our wedding day, and me and your Dad in Paris, and Rome, and in California, with your Nana and Granddad. You, your dad and me. And me and your Dad at your brother or sister's baby shower....." Mom trailed off, stifling her tears.

"Mom? What do you mean my brother or sister?"

Why was it that I was finding out all of this new sh*t that I'd never known about my family?

Mom turned her head away from me, looking out of the window.

"Your father and I had been married for a few months. You know how whirlwind our relationship was...you've heard the story enough times," a small smile graced her features for just a split second, "I fell pregnant almost immediately. I was young and confused and I wanted to focus on my career. But your dad was over the moon. Insisted we move on...as a family."

"I don't understand." I said, simply.

"That's when it happened...Cherri. I was pregnant when it happened. Ryan Drake, the father of the boy you brought around to the house....he was....we were acquainted for a brief period of time and he took his obsession with me way too far. He...I miscarried because of it. I don't want to bring you into this Cherri. That's why I never brought it up with you. But---just seeing him again...I..."

"Mom! You should have told me sooner! I- I- Mom... I just don't know what to say to make it better, I was stressing myself out worrying about you."

She kissed the top of my head, "And you don't have to honey! It's none of your concern. That's why I didn't want your dad to tell you. I didn't want you getting upset over nothing!"

"It's not just nothing Mom! It's you!"

"Exactly!" she smiled, "It's our job to worry, your father and I. It's not yours, honey!"

"But Mom, I-"

"Shhh, honey. Anyway, I'm getting up now; I'm sick and tired of moping around the house like some kind of sick puppy! Your dad will be home from work soon, I thought it might be nice if we made something for him... you and me? We never spend enough time together these days and I'm tired of my daughter worrying sick about me!"

She slipped out of bed and put on one of Dad's shirts, rolling up the sleeves.

"Mom, are you sure about this? Dad will be upset if you're not resting, you've had a shock."

"Oh hush! I think I can deal with your father Cherri, we've been married for 19 years."

I laughed, "Enchiladas? My speciality...."

"Brilliant, you know how your dad loves to get all cultural on us..."

We padded downstairs together, towards the kitchen.

"Mom?"

"Yes darling?"

"I love you Mom."

"I love you too Angel..." she beamed

"Mom, can I ask you a question? Please don't get angry..."

"Honey, you can ask me anything. I'm your mother."

I bit my bottom lip, "It was just the one time...right? Dad...Dad is my dad isn't he?"

Mom's jaw dropped suddenly but she masked her face, pulling me towards the mirror.

"Look," she said scraping my hair off my face and grabbing a photo of Dad from the side table, holding it up, "You have his nose, his jaw, his cheekbones, everything. Cherri, you look exactly like him."

I looked in the mirror and saw it. There was no way I could ever doubt. My colouring was my mother's...but everything else? A female version of Dad. 

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to your father..." she sighed, putting the photo back on to the table.

"Mention what?" I tapped my nose and she laughed and moved my fringe from my face.

"My special little girl. My Cherri. My angel."

I smiled, "Enchiladas then?"

"Definitely." She winked

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Sorry, it's so short!

B. X