The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Thirty Three

Toni finally looked at Cheryl in her dark eyes 'what?'. 'I said I'm falling in love with you too Toni' the redhead looked just as scared as her girlfriend but she wanted to be truthful and even though Toni said it was too soon it didn't seem to matter. Toni tried to hide her emotions but she couldn't stop the tear that rolled down her cheek. Cheryl crawled over to her girl deciding she was probably going to have to make the first move, they were both pretty stumped at what to say so she thought physical contact would be better, there was no need for words. 'Come here' Cheryl whispered pulling Toni in close placing a kiss on her lips that Toni returned almost immediately. The redhead pulled Toni down to lay besides her as they just stared at each other in complete silence.

'So what changed this morning?' Cheryl whispered still facing Toni. 'I've been feeling this way for a while' she spoke honestly 'I feel like I've known you forever. Trust me I'm not the sort of person that says things when they aren't true. I never told Lukas I love him because I never felt anything for him. But you, the minute I laid eyes on you I knew you were special and seeing how amazing you are with Tommy, I just saw you for the person you are and I can't stop myself from falling for you. It also made me realise I want to be with you as much as I can, when we're apart it just doesn't feel right'. Cheryl couldn't hide her smile as she kiss Toni's lips. 'If we both feel the same way Toni then what are we waiting for?' the redhead said. 'What do you mean?' Toni was confused. 'I mean you're happy, I'm happy, Tommy's happy and everyone we care about is happy for us so why wait? Move in with me? It doesn't have to be all at once, you can keep your apartment in case you don't like it or you want a break and we can just take it from there'. 'Really? Wouldn't we be in your way? And Tommy I know he looks sweet but he can be a handful' Toni wanted to make sure Cheryl knew what having a child around twenty four seven could actually be like. 'You would never get in my way TT, neither of you would. And I love Tommy no matter what his mood is. You don't have to mention it to anyone, your brothers can use your apartment and if it works out we'll let everyone know. Tommy can even decorate whichever bedroom he chooses himself. But if you're not ready for that right now the offer is there for when you are'.

Toni didn't really know what to say, if it was just her she would jump at the opportunity but she was a mother, is this what's best for her son. Cheryl waited patiently for Toni's answer the butterflies in her stomach making her feel nauseous. 'I would love that Cheryl' Toni smiled brightly 'but can we keep it to ourselves, I don't want my brothers taking over my apartment until we're settled is that okay?'. 'Of course TT, we can decorate the bedroom for Tommy and even if you change your mind about living with me he'll still have his own space when you stay the night'. 'You're amazing' Toni said pulling Cheryl in for a deep kiss. 'I'm sure Tommy will love having two bedrooms' Cheryl smiled 'so how do you want to do this?'. 'Well I don't have much but I guess I'll just bring a few of mine and Tommy's clothes and a couple of his toys so I guess we'll just start with that, it's subtle' Toni shrugged. 'Sounds great TT, it'll be like a sleepover for Tommy' Cheryl smiled. 'Exactly I don't want to confuse him. What about contributing to the rent and bills?' Toni asked so she could work out her finances. 'TT, the house is mine, I don't pay rent and I don't even notice my bills being paid, I know that sounds snobby but you really don't need to worry about money or contributing to running the house. Just you being there is payment enough' the redhead smiled sweetly.

'It's getting late Toni, I should go Tommy will be tired and he has school tomorrow' Cheryl said pulling herself up. 'Why don't you just stay the night?' Toni asked. 'I haven't been home at all today and I don't want to disturb Tommy. Plus your brothers may think I have upset you so I think it's best for me to spend the night at home but I will miss you' the redhead said kissing Toni's lips. 'I'll miss you too' Toni pouted 'and I'll make sure my brothers know my little tantrum was nothing to do with you'. 'So...' Cheryl said as she stood up 'will you be staying with me tomorrow night?'. 'I will be, I'll get an Uber with Tommy tomorrow after school' Toni smiled standing up to show her girlfriend out. 'No need, I'll pick you both up after you finish work' Cheryl said as she opened the bedroom door and walked towards the front door. She looked to the couch seeing all eyes on her and Toni as she waved a goodbye. Toni opened the door for her and once Cheryl was in the hallway she leaned in for a kiss. 'Bye TT' she grinned. 'I'll see you later Cher'. Just as the redhead was about to walk away Toni grabbed her hand 'I love you' she whispered. Cheryl's bright smile could have lit up the whole building. 'I love you' the redhead said back before squeezing Toni's hand and letting go 'I'll see you tomorrow'.

Nothing could wipe the smile from either of their faces, they were both in love and excited for their blooming relationship. When Toni closed the door she looked at Tommy 'okay kid, it's bedtime'. Tommy nodded as he jumped off the couch hugging his uncles goodnight before following his mom to the bathroom. Toni was exhausted and thankfully Tommy fell asleep a few pages into his bedtime story. She quietly slipped out of the room to make herself a coffee. She could see her brothers looking over the back of the couch at her. 'What?' she questioned raising an eyebrow. 'Are you okay?' Sweet Pea asked. 'I'm fine, I was in kind of a bad mood today and Cheryl wanted to see if I was alright' Toni shrugged. 'Was the bad mood because of Cheryl?' Fangs joined in the conversation now. 'Okay guys chill, if Cheryl and I have a disagreement I don't want you guys getting involved. And to answer your question the bad mood was because of me not Cheryl' she took a sip of her coffee 'are you guys done with the interrogation?'. 'As long as you're good' Sweet Pea nodded. 'I am, Tommy and I will actually be staying at Cheryl's for a few days, are you guys capable of looking after my place?' Toni questioned. 'Can I sleep in your bed? Not that I don't appreciate you letting us stay here it's just my back has been killing me from sleeping on the couch'. 'Yes Fangs you can sleep in my bed just make sure you wash the sheets before I come back' Toni nodded. 'Yes ma'am' he saluted before turning back to the television.

Toni decided to join her brothers on the couch for a while. 'Toni I don't want to be the bringer of bad moods but somethings been bothering me and I want to speak to you about it?' Sweet Pea said turning to his sister. 'What is it Sweet?' Toni asked kind of concerned with the tone of voice he was using. 'Please don't get angry' he said carefully. Fangs had no idea what Sweet was about to say so he decided to move to sit on the floor. 'Just say it' Toni began getting snappy. 'I think you need to take Lukas to court for the sake of Tommy' Sweet Pea said quickly. 'What? You think he deserves to be in your nephews life?' Toni tried to stay as calm as she could. 'What? No of course not! But if he decides to fight for Tommy first you're going to have a harder custody battle' he took a breath 'look I still have all the photos you asked me to keep of what he did to you for evidence'. Toni didn't say anything but she knew he was right. 'I don't want you to be running forever Toni' he reached for her hand, he could see this was hard for her. 'I don't even know where to start' Toni said quietly. 'We can help you and we bring in enough money together to get you a good solicitor. You've got us Toni' Fangs said moving to her side 'and Cheryl, she'll be there for you too. You're not alone T'. 'And what if he does keep his rights? Then what?' Toni said the thought of having to hand over her son for even a day to his father killed her. 'Toni no judge will give a man like him custody of a child. At worst it'll be supervised visits somewhere neutral but that's better than him taking you for 50/50 custody right? I mean what if anything happened to you? Tommy would be handed straight back to Lukas' Sweet Pea cringed at the thought. 'I need to think about this guys, Tommy's never been so happy but I want him to be safe, especially if anything happens to me' Toni sighed 'thank you, both of you, you know for being there for me and Tommy'. 'No problem T, what are brothers for?' Sweet Pea smiled wrapping his arms around Toni and Fangs and pulling them into a hug.