Never Judge

"Cedric, are you sure you can do this?" Adrianna asked as she helped her husband straighten out his suit. 

Cedric placed a hand on his wife's cheek and wiped a stray tear from her eyes, he frowned at her red puffy eyes, he could do nothing to lessen her pain, he too was hurting very much.

"It must be done." Cedric told Adrianna.

"They will ask you the most painful questions." Adrianna said as she hugged her husband.

"It's normal, I already expect that honey." Cedric told his wife. "How are Ayanna and dad holding up?" Cedric asked. He hadn't spent much time with his family since the time they had seen his mother's corpse. He had been busy working on the arrangements for her funeral.

"Dad hasn't spoken." Adrianna told her husband. "My parents have been keeping him company as well as the other uncles and aunties. They are all at our house now, dad just can't bear going home to the Reyes Mansion without your mom there."

"I understand my father's grief." Cedric said with a frown. "Maybe after mom is laid to rest we can spend our weekends at the old mansion." Cedric suggested.

"I think your dad and grandparents would love that." Adrianna said as she nodded in agreement. "As for Ayanna, she's  been crying non-stop since she found out. Ray is trying his best to comfort her, but I think she needs time."

"There is nothing wrong with what my sister is going through." Cedric said with a sigh. Even he himself had cried a lot since hearing the news, but he couldn't let people see that he was weak now. There were many expectations of him and his strength at this moment was important. 

"I'll go over to Ayanna's and Ray's after the press conference. Will you and Yoyo join me?" Cedric asked as he looked at his son's sleeping figure on the couch. The little boy was drained, within that past 24 hours so much has happened in his life. Cedric was worried that it would have a lasting effect on the boy.

"Of course we will go with you Cedric." Adrianna said as she smiled at her husband.

"Sir." Dave said as he knocked on the door. 

"Yes Dave?" Cedric asked. 

"It's time." Dave said. "The press is ready and we've already secured the area."

Cedric nodded and Dave closed the door behind him.

"This will be quick." Cedric said as he pulled Adrianna close to him and kissed her passionately. He felt her arms wrap around his neck and play with his hair. 

He needed her strength, he needed her comfort.

"Cedric, I was thinking. . ." Adrianna said as she broke off their kiss.

"Yes honey?" Cedric asked as he placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Yoyo and I will go with you." Adrianna suddenly said.

"Adri, you don't have to." Cedric said with a weak smile. "I know you aren't ready to face the public."

"I want to do this." Adrianna said as she placed a hand on his arm. "I want to do this for mom. Us standing together out there will show a strong front and a bright future for the family. And I want people to know that I am not with you just for the good times."

"With Emilio?" Cedric asked as he looked towards his son.

"Yes." Adrianna said with a nod.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Cedric asked as he cupped his wife's face in his hands.

"Stop being silly." Adrianna said with a laugh as she swatted Cedric's hand away and walked over to her sleeping son.

Emilio was wearing the same black suit as his father, the women of the Reyes family insisted on always buying them matching outfits and Cedric never complained. The particular black three piece suit that the father and son duo were wearing was purchased by Priscilla on one of her Parisian shopping trips, and had always insisted on them wearing this style. 

"Yoyo, baby, wake up." Adrianna gently nudged her son awake.

"Mommy?" Emilio said as he opened his eyes.

"Will you do us a favor?" Adrianna asked her little son.

"Anything for mommy and daddy!" Emilio said as he sat up and smiled.

"Daddy will be telling people about how grandma died, do you think you can be a good boy and stand beside mommy while daddy does that?" Adrianna asked her son. 

Cedric and Adrianna had agreed not to lie to their son about death, it was a truth in this world that he needed to live with. There was no use in lying to him.

"Okay mommy." Emilio said with a smile.

Cedric smiled and helped his son straighten out his suit. "Emilio, you can't smile or cry." Cedric told his son. "Just in front of the press. I need you to do that face we practiced."

"I know dad." Emilio said as he wrapped his arms around Cedric's neck. "Daddy, I miss grandma." The little boy said.

"Me too son, me too." Cedric said with a sigh.

When his wife and son were ready they walked out of his office and were greeted by Ian and Dave.

"You're joining the press con?" Ian asked Adrianna as he gave her a suspicious look.

"Yes, I should." Adrianna said with a nod.

"You're sure about this?" Ian asked, making sure that the couple had thought this through.

"It's the best for the family and the company." Adrianna explained with a weak smile.

Ian simply shrugged and walked with them.

On the ride down to the lobby Dave briefed Cedric and Adrianna on what to expect, they hadn't told anyone what the press con was about and news about Priscilla's passing had not yet leaked.

When the elevator doors finally opened, Cedric noticed his wife hesitating to step out, while their son had excitedly followed his uncle Ian and Dave.

"Ian, Dave, can you keep Emilio company for a bit?" Cedric asked the two men who simply nodded in reply.

"Adri, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to." Cedric told Adrianna as he rubbed her back in an attempt to calm her.

"No, I want to do this. Just give me a moment." Adrianna said as she took a few deep breaths.

"Are you sure?" Cedric asked. 

"Yes. For mom." Adrianna said with a smile as she held Cedric's hand. "Let's go." 

Cedric smiled as his wife led him out of the elevator.

"Ready?" Ian asked the couple as Emilio ran up to hold his father's hand.

Cedric nodded and they all walked out of R Tower together.

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An Ian Lim Spin Off, what do you guys think?