Kids
It was a beautiful California Sunday afternoon as Rollin, Jennifer and Cinnamon emerged from Grauman’s Chinese on Hollywood Blvd. after seeing Snow White.
Jennifer loved playing in all the foot and handprints that surrounded the theatre entrance. She asked who each person was and why they put their names there.
Rollin explained to her that they were all famous actors and actresses. And that Sid had been the owner of the theatre in the golden days of Hollywood.
Jennifer, being an inquisitive child, took it all in.
As they started back to the car, she walked between her parents holding each of their hands, looking at the stars along the Walk of Fame. “Daddy, what are all the stars in the ground?”
“Those are all movie stars, Honey.”
Jennifer stopped abruptly. “Are you a movie star, Daddy?” She asked, looking up at him.
Rollin smiled down at her then reached down to pick up the four year old. “I’m an actor, Sweetheart, not a star.”
Cinnamon moved her arm though his. “And all this time I thought you were Prince Charming.”
Rollin hugged both his girls as they continued to the car.
Later that evening, Barney and Paula picked them up for dinner while Maria watched the children. Jennifer was excited about seeing Grant and Claudia. She would tell them all about Snow White.
When the adults returned from dinner, the children were all dozing peacefully in the den. Grant had made them forts for them out of pillows and blankets and he had fallen asleep, still holding the pencil in his hand.
Paula smiled at her eldest. “Just like his father,” she whispered. “Never knows when to stop.”
Barney picked up his son to carry him to the car. Paula took Claudia as Cinnamon and Rollin walked them out, leaving Jennifer asleep, draped over each both arms of the oversized leather chair.
With their goodnights said to their guests, Cinnamon and Rollin went to retrieve Jennifer-who looked so peaceful and relaxed with her blond hair falling about her face.
Rollin’s hand went to Cinnamon’s shoulder as they looked down at her. “I think she can sleep anywhere.” He whispered.
“Wonder where she got that from?” Cinnamon retorted with a quick glance at him.
Rollin smiled as he picked Jen up from the chair.
Maria appeared at the door. “Did you have a pleasant evening?” She asked, quietly.
Cinnamon nodded. “How were they?”
Rollin moved past them with the sleeping Jennifer.
“Fine. Grant gave them each something to do. He is quite the leader.”
Cinnamon smiled. ‘He should be.’ She mused. “Goodnight.” She called as she followed Rollin upstairs.
Maria then began to straighten up the den from all the blankets and pillows thrown about the room.
Upstairs, Rollin laid Jen on her bed as Cinnamon pulled her pajamas from the drawer of the dresser. They had her dressed for bed and under the covers in no time. With quick kisses good night, they left her to sleep.
Rollin stifled a yawn as he opened the door to the master bedroom. “Long day?” Cinnamon asked as he followed her inside.
Rollin chuckled. “A perfect day. A good film, dinner with friends and coming home with you, it couldn’t get much better than that.” He said laying his watch on the bureau. “Am I really your Prince Charming?” He asked moving his hands to her hips.
Cinnamon smiled. “What do you think?” She said as she removed her jewelry to the bureau.
He kissed her cheek and left her to change.
She joined him in bed, moving into his arms as he waited for her. He switched off the light on the bedside table. He held her close and sighed. “You know this is my favorite part of the day.”
She smiled as she settled more comfortably against him. “Mine too.”
“Do you ever think about having another child?” He asked softly.
Cinnamon closed her eyes and turned away from him. “I thought we had that discussion.”
“Barney and Paula seem to enjoy having two kids. I just thought Jen might like a little brother.”
Cinnamon didn’t answer him.
“Could we at least think about it?” He said spooning her.
‘We?’ She thought.
“Jen is fantastic, what if we could have double fantastic?”
‘Easy for you to think’ she thought.
Rollin hugged her a little tighter. “Is it such a bad idea?”
She sighed.
He turned her back against him. “Cin?”
“I don’t need any more children Rollin.”
“I thought I might convince you to reconsider.”
“Rollin…”
“You seem to enjoy being a Mom.”
“I love Jennifer, but she’s enough for me. Just like you are.”
He smiled and kissed her softly. “I love you.”
Cinnamon turned in his arms and laid her head against her pillow with a sigh. ‘I already had two children.’ She thought as she closed her eyes.
THE END
Elena Vorska
January 2002