Liam was stronger than he looked, and he could lift Caprice rather effortlessly. Sherry thanked him with a smile and noted, "There's a dollhouse down the corridor. You can bring Caprice there with you.” Liam went to the dollhouse, carrying Caprice in his arms. Sherry turned around and took Sylvia's hand. “Syl, let's talk inside.” “Alright.” Sylvia followed her to another room. The two sat on the edge of the bed and chatted. Despite telling herself that it was just a simple wedding and that it was nothing to make a fuss over, Sherry found herself wrung with anticipation and unable to fall asleep. She stayed up all night. She and Sylvia talked about all sorts of things. They talked about the past and caught up on recent events in each other’s lives until it was nearly four in the morning. They only slept for a few hours before they were woken up by Aunt Wanda. Dawn had broken, and the makeup artist had arrived to help Sherry get ready for her big day. She wo
Sylvia did not join them. Caprice craned her head to the side and kept stealing glances at the door. She wanted to go back to Liam. Sherry pinched her chubby cheeks and lectured her, "Caprice, the kind of relationship Mommy and Daddy has is different from the one between you and Liam.” Caprice frowned and protested, “What’s the difference? If I like Liam, then it’s the same.” "You and Liam are both children. The way you like each other is different from the way adults like each other.” Sherry lowered the pitch of her voice and explained patiently, "You will understand when you grow up." The last part was the only part that got through to Caprice. She shaped a short ‘ohh’ with her mouth. Sherry smiled and told her nicely, "You can kiss Liam if you want, but only on his forehead or cheek, maybe even his nose. Anywhere but the lips, got it?" "Why can't I kiss his lips?” "Because children shouldn’t kiss on the lips. That's for adults.” “Okay.” Oh well, she figure
The response came in the form of dollar bills swishing in through the gap underneath the door. Isabel's eyes glowed like someone had switched a light on, and she turned to Flint. Flint immediately got on his knees and began collecting every bill he could get his hands on, swiftly tucking them into his pouch all the while. Sherry watched them with great amusement. Sylvia spectated with intrigue as well. An endless torrent of dollar bills came sliding in underneath the door. Flint had his hands full in no time. Isabel crossed her arms and stood her ground. Soon, they heard John's voice again. "Do you know who I am now?" Flint answered while scrambling on the floor, "I do now, I do now.” "Will you open the door for me now?” John asked. Isabel stood her ground. "Uncle John, I’m nothing like Flint, you won’t win me over with just money.” Flint suddenly declared boldly while still picking up one dollar bill after another, “Yes, that’s right!” John laugh
Caprice looked at the door that was tightly shut and muttered, “Daddy?” John answered, “It’s me, I’m outside. Would you open the door for Daddy?” “Okay.” Caprice promptly hopped off the couch and waddled to the door. Isabel and Flint stepped in front of her, cutting off her path. Isabel gently brushed the top of Caprice’s head and tried to recruit her into their game. “Caprice, we’re playing a game with Uncle John, you can’t open the door yet.” Flint nodded. “That’s right!” Caprice tilted her head to the side in confusion. She did not understand why they were trying to play games with her father. That was when she heard John’s muffled voice behind the door again. “Caprice, Daddy wants to go inside to see Mommy, please open the door for me.” “Okay,” Caprice answered swiftly. She turned to Isabel and Flint. "Sister Isabel, Brother Flint, could you let me open the door for my Daddy?” When she raised the question, they could not help but notice the earnest loo
After they went outside, Isabel and Flint exchanged a curious look. “Why does Liam care so much about fatty Caprice?” Isabel was perplexed. Flint stroked his chin, deep in thought. He speculated. "Maybe because Caprice looks cuter than us." Isabel pouted. In school, she was the one who bossed all of her classmates. Every single one would address her respectfully as 'big sister'. With this image in mind, she told herself that she could not possibly be bothered by the fact that Caprice was cuter than her. However, Caprice was not only cute, but she was also known to be well-behaved. Meanwhile, Isabel and Flint always got into trouble. She suspected this was why Liam cared about Caprice. It was because she was more pleasant to be around. Isabel grumbled and decided that she could not care less. She tucked her hands in her pockets and walked outside. Flint followed behind her like a shadow. Sylvia was the last to step outside. After making sure that all the child
Sherry felt a restlessness rising in her chest. Without realizing it, her lips curled into a smile. She said stoutly, "I may be married to you, but it doesn't mean I have to tolerate your nonsense forever. If you ever dare to—" “I wouldn’t dare." Before she could finish, John hugged her tightly and assured her. “I wouldn’t ever dare, my dear wife.” Sherry smiled coyly. “That’s a smart man.” John chuckled heartily before letting her go. Below the stage, everyone beheld the loving couple with lovestruck eyes. Madam Stockton, Lisa, and the others formed shy smiles. Sylvia laughed along with Odell, the two held each other tenderly. Meanwhile, Isabel and Queenie were doubled over with laughter. Liam had covered Caprice’s eyes, but the girl was still grinning from ear to ear. When Sherry remembered that there were so many people staring at her, she wanted to burrow herself into a hole. She wanted to jump off the stage and flee the scene. She blushed and turne
Positioned in front were Caprice, Isabel, Flint, and Queenie. The four of them had no trouble smiling at all as they flashed their rows of white teeth with pride. Click! The photographer captured the beautiful scene, a memory to be cherished forever. … Time flew. Sixteen years later. Westchester. At a nightclub in a college town. Caprice held a bottle of beer and took occasional sips from it. She wore a neat red dress that accentuated her waistline, her natural locks of curly hair were very eye-catching. Even though she was seated in a remote corner, it did not dissuade flocks of men from coming up to her to strike up a conversation. She did not entertain any of them. Some of the men had a foul temper but knew better than to voice their frustrations since Caprice was with her friends. They retreated, hanging their heads low in defeat. Three of Caprice’s housemates came drinking with her. They were the ones who did her makeup for her. Today was
Lana and Freya were entirely at a loss for what to do. They turned to Piper for help, hoping that she would say something to Caprice. This was the first time Piper had ever seen Caprice in such a state as well. As much as she was overwhelmed by the situation, she tried to say something to Caprice nonetheless, "Caprice, go easy, you’re going to get sick from drinking so much.” Glug. Caprice took one more large swing before stopping. Piper, Lana, and Freya heaved a sigh of relief. Caprice suddenly burped, and her eyes slowly began to turn red. Piper, Lana, and Freya were stunned. Though Caprice had always been very reserved and diligent, they did not take her for the type to bear her feelings outwardly and cry in the presence of others. One time, she fell from her bicycle and tore off flakes of skin from her knee. She winced and barely dared to look in the direction of the wound and yet, she did not shed a tear the entire time. All three of her friends looke