We got home around four thirty and found that Emerson was gone. Mom decided to go home and get dinner ready for her and her guy. I put stuff away and then asked Sebastian if they could watch Cherry for me. Then I got ready for dinner with Mon and took Cherry back to Larisa's.
"Thank you. I was just gonna have Emerson watch her, but he's not home, so. . ."
"No problem. Have fun!"
"Mm. I'll try." I crouched in front of Cherry.
"I'll be back in a little bit, okay? Larisa and Sebastian aren't gonna hurt you. I promise. And I'll be back before you know it." She wrapped her arms around my neck.
"No." I sighed.
"I have to go. I'm sorry." She pulled away and looked at me with teary eyes.
"It'll be okay, sweetie." Larisa said. Cherry looked up at her and then pressed herself against me. I stood and fished my key ring from my pocket. I unlocked one of my padlocks and put the chain around Cherry's neck before locking it again.
"I promise I'll be back. And I promise they won't hurt you." I made promises I knew I could keep in an endeavor to gain her trust. She did trust me some, but not completely. I gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head. She was still in the verge of crying and I didn't want to leave her, especially knowing that she didn't trust either of them at all, but I really had to go. "Here's her toy and she's got her necklace on. Please don't let her chew on her fingers. Oh and she won't eat potatoes. I don't know what you're making for supper, but don't even bother giving her potatoes." I started to walk away and I could hear her start crying before the apartment door shut. I sighed and stuffed my hands into my pockets as I stepped into the elevator.

  ———

Anton's was our place. It was where we went for our first date. It was semi-fancy French bistro. Monica was already there when I arrived. I took a seat across from her. She set down her menu and looked at me.
"Do you know why I picked Anton's?"
"So that when you break up with me I'll never be able to come here again with getting sad or pissed?" I asked. I was not in a great mood. She rolled her eyes.
"Always a drama queen. No. I picked it because it holds memories for us and I don't want to argue while we're here." A waiter came and took our drink orders. "So I'm sorry about yesterday. I overreacted. I was just caught off guard. So let's try this again. The right way. Why did you take her in?" So I told her the story. When I finished she nodded and was silent for a few minutes.
"Whether or not you like it she's in my life. You need to decide if you want to be in my life too." Monica sighed.
"I do want to be in your life. You're one of the best boyfriends I've ever had. You're kind and respectful and you're so sweet. This is just. . . a huge adjustment and I need some time to process it." I opened my mouth to ask if that meant we were taking a break, but she cut me off, "we're still together. Don't worry. Just don't expect me to get attached to. . . uh. . . what was her name again?"
"Cherry."
"Right. Cherry. Don't expect me to get attached to Cherry as quickly as you did."
"I don't."
"Now tell me about tour." We spent the next hour and a half catching up. We would've talked longer, but I got a text from Sebastian asking when I'd be back.
"Oh, fuck. I gotta go." She pouted.
"Okay."
"I'm sorry. Why don't you come over for lunch tomorrow? You can get to know Cherry."
"Sure. Love you."
"Love you too." I payed the bill and we left. We kissed briefly before going our separate ways.

———

By the time I reached Larisa's place my anxiety was acting up and I was worrying about Cherry. The elevator doors opened and I shot out scaring an older woman who was waiting to get in. I knocked harder than intended and then opened the door.
"Oh thank god." Sebastian said as I stepped inside.
"Cherry, Remington is back." Larisa said. Cherry was sitting in the corner at the end of the couch under an end table. I walked over and knelt in front the table. Cherry saw me and came flying out from under the table and wrapped herself around me.
"So. . . how was it?" I asked, looking up at Seb and Larisa.
"Well, I got her to eat some supper. She doesn't like peas. Oh and she's terrified of Seb." Larisa told me.
"What?"
"Yeah. Every time he gets close to her she shrieks and runs."
"Huh."
"As I'm sure you can imagine we've been having tons of fun." I sighed.
"Sorry. But thank you."
"No problem. How was your date?" Sebastian asked.
"Good. I think." I stood up with Cherry in my arms. "Thanks for watching her. Now we're gonna go home and crash."
"See ya. Bye, Cherry." Larisa said. Cherry buried her face in my shoulder.
"Night." I said and walked out, closing the door behind me.

———

We got home and I tried to change her into pajamas. It took a lot of persuading, but in the end I did it. She protested a lot when I took the chain and padlock off her, but I told her she could have it back in the morning. Then I got undressed and crawled into bed. She laid down beside me and then almost instantly shot up again. She slid off the bed and ran to the door. I groaned and pushed myself up off the bed. She was halfway down the hall when I caught up with her.
"Where are you goin'?" I asked her. She didn't respond just ran into the bathroom. I waited in the hallway while she used the bathroom then I helped her wash her hands. I carried her back to my room. I kicked the door closed behind me, then I laid down and she sat beside me. She slid off the bed again and ran over to the door. She opened it and then came and crawled back up beside me. It seemed weird, but if it helped her sleep then I wouldn't argue. I rolled onto my stomach and buried my face in my pillows. Before I knew it I was asleep.