Ice and Fire

That evening Cherry lay in bed next to Jackson, she stared at the ceiling contemplating whether or not she should tell Jackson about what happened in the parking lot earlier in the day.

Jackson rolled over, and gazing at Cherry with concern asked her, "Babe, what's up? What's on your mind?"

Cherry's heart skipped a beat, "Nothing serious." she responded hastily.

"Well, what're you thinking about?" Jackson asked her. He was frustrated anytime Cherry was troubled about something if he didn't know what it was. He never wanted her to frown or feel unhappy at all.

Cherry decided to keep her thoughts about what happened to herself and instead told him, "I'm wondering if grandpa is upset and going to blame me for taking Joe away when I bring him out there tomorrow."

Jackson hadn't realized Cherry might be worried about grandpa's possible objection, "You're ridiculous. I promise grandpa will be pleased to see you and Joe."

"Alright, if you say so." Cherry told him as she pressed her body against his, "Honey, I'm tired. Let's sleep."

"Ok, " Jackson agreed as he turned the bedside table lamp off and then rolled to hold Cherry in his arms.

Jackson and Cherry were startled awake the next morning by the noise their son made.

Joe bounced happily into their bedroom, and seeing them sleeping; he stood at the door shouting, "Daddy, Mommy, it's time to get up. We're going to the military residential compound today!"

his tired eyes and looked at the clock on the

disturb us when we are asleep. Go back to your room and sleep. We will get up at eight." Jackson was intent

jumped on the bed. Standing in the middle of the large bed, he looked down at his sleepy parents and put his hands on his hips, "Jackson, Cherry, I order you to get up now. We're going to the military's residential compound." Joe exclaimed, barking

Cherry sleepily told him. 'Joe's just annoying. Why won't he

grandpa. Now you get up." Joe argued, shooting them

behave and let your mother sleep a bit longer. We can visit your great-grandpa later, " Jackson's voice was stern but gentle. Jackson wanted nothing more than to cuddle close to the woman he loved and relax for a little while

pleaded, "Mommy, I love you. Get up, so I can go play with my little

he wasn't going to let her sleep any longer, "Alright, alright! Fine, get out of my room

wait for you downstairs. You two have ten minutes to get

pushed Jackson away as she got up, scratched her head and sleepily headed to

satisfied watching his beloved wife as she got ready. He loved Cherry and

went downstairs and found Joe sitting at the

into the dining room, Joe shouted, "Mommy, Daddy, hurry up! We can go when

military residential compound that much better

and playing with my little friends is better." Joe informed his mother, in a

didn't say anything,

all piled into the car and Jackson