The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Twenty Five

Toni sat by Cheryl as they watched the boys run around on the grass. 'I'm glad Tommy has them, they're great male role models for him' Toni smiled 'thank you for offering them jobs, it was really decent of you'. 'Honestly Toni it's fine don't mention it. I'm just glad to see you and Tommy happy'. 'It going to be quite the squeeze at my place for a while though' Toni sighed 'although we grew up sharing one bedroom so I guess it's something we're used to'. 'Well my house is always open for you and Tommy to stay the night if it gets too cramped' Cheryl offered. 'Thank you babe' Toni smiled and Cheryl's heart soared. 'Mommy, Cheryl will you come and play soccer with us?' Tommy ran over to them both. 'Uh I'm not a great player sweetie' Cheryl tried to worm her way out of it. 'Mommy and Cheryl will be right there baby' Toni smiled at her little boy. 'Come on Cher, it'll be fun' Toni said holding out her hand as she gave the redhead her best puppy eyes. 'Fine but don't laugh at my lack of skills' Cheryl huffed as she stood up.

Cheryl was pleasantly surprised by Toni's skills with the ball and the way she kept scoring goals against her brothers. Whenever the redhead got the ball she kicked it straight to Toni in a panic causing the boys to let out a laugh. The way they celebrated whenever Tommy scored a goal too was the cutest thing ever, the way he punched the air as they picked him up while they cheered. As Toni ran to score another goal Fangs and Sweet Pea shared a look as they ran towards her picking her up and running with her across the field as she kicked her legs in laughter. Cheryl couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she watched the boys carry Toni across the field before they all tumbled over. The redhead could see that they all were pretty care free as they acted like young children rolling around the grass ignoring the looks of people passing by. 'You not gonna rescue your girl?' Fangs laughed as he looked towards Cheryl. 'I think she can handle it' she laughed. And Toni did manage to wriggle away before running for the ball and scoring her final goal. She ran to Cheryl kissing her lips before flipping off her brothers as she laughed 'I win losers'.

Cheryl offered to take everyone to the small restaurant she had seen across the street for lunch. The boys all nodded eagerly but Toni looked at her before whispering 'Cher you don't need to do that'. 'I know I don't but I'd like to if it's alright with you?'. 'As long as you're sure'. 'I'm sure babe' Cheryl smiled as she took Toni's hand giving it a squeeze. As they made their way across to the restaurant Toni smiled as her brothers stood either side of Tommy swinging him backwards and forwards as he laughed loudly. 'I'm glad I did this, thank you for supporting me' Toni whispered as she looked at the redhead. 'You're a strong woman Toni, this was all you but I'll always support you with anything the best I can' Cheryl looked into Toni eyes. 'Come on love birds' Sweet Pea laughed as they waited for them so they could cross the road. As they entered the restaurant they were seated straight away and handed menus. Toni, Fangs and Sweet Pea opted for the steak, Tommy chose a kids meal with pizza and Cheryl just had a chicken salad. After the waiter took their orders Toni turned to Cheryl 'is that all your eating?'. 'TT that's enough for me' the redhead smiled. When they all had their food and drinks in front of them they ate in comfortable silence.

'Thank you for that Red it was delicious' Sweet Pea smiled. 'Yeah thanks Red' Fangs smiled. 'Thank you Cheryl' Tommy smiled. 'You're all more than welcome' Cheryl smiled as she took care of the cheque. 'Thank you baby' Toni smiled pulling Cheryl in for a kiss causing Fangs and Sweet to playfully pretend to be sick, Tommy covered his eyes as he giggled. The couple smiled at each other as they pulled away. 'You guys are sickly sweet' Fangs laughed. 'Shut up Fangs' Toni laughed. 'But no seriously T it's great to finally see you so happy' Fangs smiled. 'I am happy' she said looking at Cheryl and then her son. The redhead blushing slightly as Toni spoke. 'Shall we get heading back?' Toni said as she saw her son getting a little tired. 'Sure thing' Sweet Pea said standing up. Fangs picked up Tommy as Toni and Cheryl stood up all leaving the restaurant to head back to the parking lot. 'Which car?' Fangs asked as he carried Tommy. 'The red one there' Cheryl pointed. 'That's your car?' Sweet Pea said his eyes wide like a kid at Christmas. 'It is' the redhead nodded. Fangs put Tommy on the ground so Toni could get him in his car seat while he and Sweet Pea took their time to look around the car. 'This car is a classic, they don't make em like this anymore' Sweet said as he ran his finger across the car 'hey T how about you take my bike so I can ride in this?'. 'If you want Sweet, I've been dying to ride since I left Southside, as long as Cheryl doesn't mind driving you?'. With all eyes on the redhead she just said okay.

When Tommy was all strapped in the boys brought the bikes over to the car, Sweet Pea handed his helmet to his sister. 'Be easy with her Toni, I know it's been a while since you rode but don't go speeding away'. 'Don't worry Sweet, I'll take it easy' Toni laughed. Cheryl could feel the anxiety in her chest, the bike was huge compared to Toni and apart from the helmet she had nothing to protect her body but she didn't say anything. 'Okay meet you guys at home' Toni kissed Cheryl and hopped onto the bike kicking it to life. The redhead jumped slightly at the loud roar of the engine before getting into her car with Toni's brother. She started the engine to her own car leading the way out of the parking lot the bikes close behind her. 'Don't look so scared Red, Toni knows how to ride, probably better than me and Fangs but don't tell her I said that' he laughed. The redhead didn't realise she was making it so obvious how worried she was about Toni riding that death trap. 'Maybe she'll give you a ride sometime' he said. 'I don't think so' Cheryl laughed. 'Why not? Don't you trust Toni?' Sweet smiled. 'Of course I do but that's not my kind of thing' she just shrugged. 'Well what are you going to do when Tommy gets his first motorcycle, he'll be old enough soon'. 'Toni will allow that?' Cheryl asked kind of shocked. 'Yeah it's Topaz tradition, we all had bikes from a young age'. 'Wow I don't really know what to say to that' the redhead laughed.

It didn't take long for Tommy to fall asleep in the back seat, Cheryl still glancing every now and again to check on Toni. 'So you and Toni seem serious?' Sweet Pea said. 'It's still new but I feel like we are' Cheryl nodded not knowing where this conversation was heading. 'She's had it rough, you know with Tommy's dad and all, I'm so glad she finally decided to leave him'. 'I just want her to be happy' Cheryl said looking at Sweet Pea. 'You're cool Red' Sweet Pea smiled 'just don't hurt her'. 'Never' the redhead said with her eyes on the road. 'So have woman always been your thing?' Sweet Pea asked. 'Yes, I've never been interested in men' Cheryl shrugged she was comfortable with who she was so she didn't feel the need to lie. 'That's cool, Toni was always back and forward with guys and girls when she was younger. It wasn't until she settled down with Lukas she had her first relationship, if you could call it that. I've never wanted to hurt someone so bad in all my life'. 'Was it that bad from the start?' Cheryl knew she probably shouldn't pry but she wanted to know more about Toni's life before she moved to Riverdale. 'Not as far as I was aware, it was when Tommy was born he started to get controlling, she couldn't do anything without asking and he'd get violent with her when he was drunk. He's a real asshole'. Cheryl's blood boiled at the thought of Toni having to live like that. 'She didn't leave because she wanted Tommy to have his father but like she said he laid hands on the kid and she wouldn't allow that. Even though Lukas was at home Toni brought Tommy up by herself. That man doesn't deserve the title dad'. 'Toni's done a great job with Tommy, she's an amazing mother' Cheryl smiled. 'She really is' Sweet Pea smiled.

As they got into the city Toni and Fangs sped up and began swerving in and out of moving traffic. Cheryl's knuckles were white because she was gripping on to the steering wheel so hard. When she arrived at the parking lot she pulled up next to the parked bikes. Toni approached the car with a smile 'that was great Sweet, I've missed that feeling'. 'No problem T, you can use it whenever you want'. Toni turned her attention to the redhead 'are you coming in?'. 'I think I'm gonna head home TT, you spend some time with your brothers' Cheryl smiled. Sweet Pea picked Tommy up from the back seat before moving to stand next to Fangs.  'Well thank you for everything today Cher, I appreciate you' Toni smiled. 'Anything for you' Cheryl said looking into her eyes 'but you should get Tommy inside'. 'You're right, talk later?' Toni said as she lent in and placed a sweet kiss on Cheryl's lips. 'Talk later' the redhead said as she waved at the boys before reversing the car and leaving the parking lot.