Black Leather Jackets: College Bound

Train

Cheryl's POV
Mia is home with me today and I'm supposed to go into work
"Babygirl, we are going to Mommy's work today okay?"
"Okay mommy,"
I pick her up and kiss her cheek
"You're getting so big mommy,"
"Bigger than Mama,"
"Almost," I laugh
"Mama was 5'4"" she says "I bigger,"
"How do you know mama was 5'4"?" I ask
"She say so, I member errything mommy,"
I can't figure out if she actually remember all this stuff.
"Baby can you count by 7's please?" I ask
"7, Foteen, tenny one, teeny wait, tirty five.."
she keeps counting and I stop her after like something in the nineties
"Baby how old are you?"
"One year and 6 months,"
She might be a fucking genius
We drive until I notice we're going to be super early
"Mommy we take train!" Mia claps
"You wanna go on the train baby?"
She nods and I pick her up
"I think we can do that,"
I get tickets for the part of the train wher you can walk around and we get on.
"Mama tees!" Mia giggles pointing out the window
"There are a lot of trees baby. They're pretty right,"
She nods and keeps looking out the window.
"Do you miss Mama?" She asks
"Everyday babygirl, why?"
"Because mama liked tees, and I miss mama,"
I kiss her cheek and sigh
I get a call from Ronnie and have to pick it up.
"Mommy Down?"
"Stay close baby okay? Be careful,"
"Okay,"
"Sorry Ronnie what's up?"
"You're coming in today right?"
"I am on my way, just on the train,"
"Why are you on a train?"
"Mia wanted to go on one so I said yes,"
"Mother of the year," she laughs
We talk about finances and I keep an eye on Mia until I get distracted
I hang up and look around for Mia
She's walking towards a guy in a business suit.
"Mia baby come back," I laugh "sorry about that I got a call,"
"That's alright, she was showing me how she counts by eights,"
"Of course she was," I laugh "she talks a lot,"
"How old is she?"
"18 months,"
"She's exceptionally smart for that age,"
I nod and smile at Mia
"I am the administrator at New York City Prep. We have the best teachers in the country and the best resources," he says "if she did a test I could get her a full scholarship,"
"Boarding school?" I sigh "I don't know, she's so little still,"
"Well, we start at 2 years old and go until they leave for college. She could visit on weekends, holidays, and some of the summer,"
"I think she's okay, thank you though,"
"Here's my card. Talk it over with your husband,"
"Oh it's just me, my wife died a few months ago," I say
"I'm so sorry,"
"It's alright,"
I take his card and put it in my pocket and Mia and I get off the train
"Mommy I don't wanna go to dat scool,"
"No?"
"No tank you,"
"Okay baby,"
We get to my office and Mia goes to say hi to Veronica when I get a call
"Cheryl Topaz,"
"Hi Mrs. Topaz, your application for adoption just came across an expecting mother and she picked you and your wife. I know it's an outdated application but are you still interested,"
"Oh uh my wife passed away, can I still be eligible?"
She talks with someone
"Yes the mother says that's fine if you want her baby,"
"Can I have a day? Just because I have to work things out with my friends and family, I've been relying on them lately,"
"But you want to?"
"Y-yes,"
She gives me her number and hangs up
"Cher what's wrong?"
"The adoption agency just called and a mom picked my application,"
"Oh wow,"
"Toni and I filled that out after I miscarried," I sigh "before Lex was even born,"
"Do you still want to do it?"
"Of course I do, I love kids. I just.. would Toni want to?"
"Toni would Cher, but she's also not here. This is what you want to do,"
"I love babies, I love having babies in the house- but can I do it V?"
"I think so," she says "I think you'd do great,"
"I think another baby would be fun,"
I call reggie and he agrees
"Looks like I'm having a baby,"