The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Ten

'Looks like the little man has passed out' Toni said as Tommy lent on her arm as he snored quietly. 'Looks like someone's had a tiring day' Cheryl smiled through the mirror. 'Hey Cheryl could you drop me at Pops so I can get my car' Veronica asked. 'Sure. Toni I'll drive you home if you'd like' Cheryl asked. 'Yes please if you don't mind' Toni smiled. They pulled into Pops and said their goodbyes to Veronica promising to see each other soon. 'Okay where am I taking you?' Cheryl turned to Toni. The shorter woman gave Cheryl her address and they set off with a quick wave to Veronica. The roads were pretty clear and since Pops was only a twenty minute walk from Toni's it only ended up being a five minute drive. Toni directed Cheryl to the apartment parking lot.

'Do you need any help?' Cheryl asked looking at Toni. 'I don't want to bother you' Toni said looking back at the redhead. 'Don't be silly, let me help you'. Toni nodded 'thank you, I'll get Tommy, could you get his giant crocodile' she laughed. 'Sure' she smiled. Cheryl opened the door so Toni could get out before she turned back into the car cradling her son in her arms. He was getting heavy now he was getting older. Cheryl reached in picking up the crocodile and locking up the car following Toni into the building. After climbing multiple flights of stairs Toni turned to Cheryl 'the apartment is nothing much but it's ours'. 'Toni I don't care about that' Cheryl smiled. 'Cheryl I'm really sorry but could you reach into my back pocket and pull out my keys, my hands are full' she asked awkwardly. 'Erm sure' Cheryl reached into Toni's jean pocket and pulled out the keys 'do you want me to unlock it?'. 'Please' the shorter woman nodded. Toni motioned for Cheryl to go in first and she followed quietly pushing the door shut with her foot. 'I'll just take him to bed, I'll be right back' Toni smiled.

When Toni disappeared into the other room Cheryl stayed stood in her spot taking in her surroundings. The apartment was small but it was cute. 'Hey you can put that on the counter if you want?' Toni whispered coming out of Tommy's room and shutting the door 'he'll be out until the morning now'. Luckily Toni had bought Tommy a hotdog at the zoo so he had eaten. Cheryl nodded placing the giant plushy on the counter. She was just about to say goodbye before Toni spoke. 'Can I get you a cup of tea? As a thank you'. 'Sure' Cheryl smiled. 'Make yourself at home' she gestured towards the couch while she filled up the kettle. Cheryl walked over and carefully sat down. 'So Veronicas cool' Toni spoke. 'Yeah she is, she's a pain in the ass but she's always been my biggest supporter' Cheryl smiled. 'Yeah she seems like a great person'. 'She is but don't tell her I said that' the redhead chuckled. Toni joined Cheryl on the couch handing her the mug of tea and receiving a polite thank you. Toni kicked off her shoes before leaning back against the couch and switching on the tv, cartoons are of course the first thing that come on and Toni doesn't even bother to change it.

'I had a good day today' Toni smiled at the redhead turning to give her her full attention. 'Me too' Cheryl smiled 'how are you feeling after the whole butterfly thing?'. 'Urgh I'm so embarrassed' Toni laughed 'I don't know what it is about them but they just freak me out, they have done since I was a kid'. Cheryl laughed 'understandable I have a fear of spiders'. 'Oh no I don't mind those, I'll do you a deal I'll promise to get rid of any spiders if you promise to get rid of any butterflies that may appear when we're together' Toni smiled widely. 'Deal!' Cheryl laughed. 'So what's this?' the redhead asked as she pointed towards the tv. 'For real?' Toni asked. Cheryl just shrugged. 'It's Scooby Doo?' Toni raised an eyebrow. Cheryl just shook her head 'I don't know that show'. 'Oh my god, you don't know what you're missing' Toni suddenly moving closer to Cheryl and turning up the tv. Cheryl would've laughed at Toni's child like behaviour if it wasn't for her close proximity. The redhead could feel her heart beating in her chest and she was surprised Toni couldn't hear it. Cheryl sat back against the couch willing her heart to slow down as she got comfortable, she felt like a silly teenager with her first crush.

'Oh shit' Cheryl whispered to herself. As they were watching the television they must have fallen asleep. They'd had a busy day and Cheryl had barely slept the night before otherwise something like this would have never happened, although Toni did make her feel extremely comfortable. It was only when she went to move she felt a weight on her arm. Toni was snoring lightly against her, it might have been the cutest thing Cheryl had ever seen if she wasn't panicking. The room was dark, the only light coming from the tv as the cartoons continued to play in the background. The sleeping woman must have felt Cheryl move because she suddenly jumped up 'oh shit Cheryl I'm so sorry'. She squinted at the redhead as her eyes adjusted. 'It's fine Toni, I fell asleep too'. 'You did? We must have been tired' Toni laughed as she mentally cursed herself for falling asleep on Cheryl. She picked up her phone checking the time. 'It's 2 in the morning' Toni looked over at Cheryl. 'Oh wow, I should go' Cheryl said as she was about to stand. 'Cheryl it's really late, it's not the safest area to be at night. Take my bed I'll sleep on the couch' Toni said as she stretched out her body. 'Toni I can't kick you out of your own bed, I'll be fine'. Toni reached out and placed a hand on Cheryl's leg 'please, I really don't want you to have to go out alone at this hour'. 'If you're sure but I'll take the couch' Cheryl argued. 'No way, what kind of host would I be if I let a pretty lady sleep on the couch. Give me a moment to go get changed and then the bedroom is all yours' she disappeared into the bedroom. All Cheryl could hear was Toni calling her a 'pretty lady', the shorter woman was smooth the redhead would give her that.

Toni came back out in a oversized T-shirt and shorts with a blanket draped over her shoulder. 'Okay Cheryl all yours, I put some pyjamas on the bed so you don't have to sleep in your clothes and feel free to use the bathroom'. Cheryl tried to keep her eyes on Toni's face rather than allow them to run down the other woman's legs. 'Thank you Toni, Goodnight' the redhead smiled as she passed Toni. 'Goodnight Cheryl' Toni smiled as she set up the couch so she could get some sleep. Cheryl quickly and quietly used the bathroom before entering the bedroom and closing the door. The room was small and pretty bare obviously because Toni hadn't lived there long. She picked up the pyjamas Toni had left out for her with a small smile before changing into them. Cheryl was completely out of her comfort zone, she'd had her fair share of one night stands but this, this was different but in some weird way felt right. She crawled into Toni's bed and wrapped herself in the duvet, if she wasn't so tired she would have probably stayed awake the whole night but she was exhausted and sleep consumed her easily.

Toni woke up the next morning to the sound of her alarm blaring from her phone. She grumbled as she searched the couch for her phone that she could see but not hear. Finally she found it and silenced the alarm as she sat up cracking her bones while she stretched. She heard the bathroom door open revealing Cheryl in Toni's pyjamas her hair in a messy bun and face bare. Toni thought she looked adorable. 'I hope you don't mind I used some of your facial wipes' Cheryl whispered. 'Of course not' Toni smiled 'coffee before I have to wake up the little man for school?'. 'Sounds great' Cheryl smiled as she took a seat on the couch. 'Would you mind putting on the tv, I usually have the cartoons on for when Tommy wakes up'. 'Are you sure it's for him and not for you' Cheryl laughed. 'Hey shhh, we don't want anyone hearing my secret love for cartoons' Toni joked as she moved around the kitchen area. 'Here you go' Toni smiled as she handing Cheryl the hot drink. 'Thank you Toni'. 'So how'd you sleep?' Toni asked as she sipped on her coffee. 'I slept really well actually, I was exhausted' Cheryl said as she watched whatever was on the television screen. 'Good, do you have to work today?' Toni asked making conversation. 'No, I check emails and things sometimes but I don't technically work, I hire people to do that. I just get informed if there is a big decision to make' Cheryl shrugged. 'Oooh check you boss lady' Toni laughed 'well unfortunately I do have work today and Tommy has school so I guess I'll go and wake him up. Be right back'.

Tommy looked still asleep while Toni carried him to the bathroom, it was only when she placed him on the couch did he open his eyes. 'Cheryl? What are you doing here? Did you guys have a sleepover without me?' he pouted. 'Aren't you happy to see Cheryl?' Toni asked as she poured his cereal. 'I am' he smiled at her as he crawled across the couch towards Cheryl flopping on her lap. She gently played with his curls as he fixed his eyes on the tv. 'He's very cuddly when he's tired' Toni smiled at the pair on the couch. 'I can tell' Cheryl laughed. 'Okay come on kid get your breakfast' she said placing it on the floor like she normally did. Tommy slid off the couch to eat his breakfast. 'Can I get you anything?' Toni asked looking at Cheryl. 'No thank you' Cheryl smiled 'actually I could drive you to take Tommy to school and then I'll take you to Pops on my way home if you'd like?'. 'I'd appreciate that Cheryl thanks' Toni smiled.