The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Forty Two

Veronica gave Toni a small sad smile as she picked up her screaming son before running after the redhead. Thankfully she found her lent against her car wiping away the tears as fast as they fell. 'I'm so sorry Cheryl I didn't know they'd be here' Veronica apologised. 'It's okay, can we just get out of here?' Cheryl begged. 'Sure, we'll go for a drive, get in' Veronica nodded as she unlocked the car door and made her way around to the drivers side. 'Are you okay?' she asked as she started the engine. 'Far from it, if anything I feel worse but at least I got to say goodbye to Tommy. None of this is his fault' Cheryl said as she sniffled. The brunette pulled her car from the driving lot and decided on a long drive around the city.

Toni felt like shit, of course on the first day she had left the apartment she managed in run into the redhead. As she watched the interaction between her son and her ex she couldn't help but notice how ill the redhead looked. She almost felt sorry for her but she stopped herself. Cheryl knew what she was doing, she wasn't the victim here. She soothed her son by rubbing his back as she carried him back to the apartment. He had fell asleep on her shoulder by the time she had made it home, she held her hand out to her brothers stopping them from speaking as she went to her bedroom laying her sleeping son on the bed. She came back out to join her brothers flopping on the couch. 'You good T?' Sweet Pea asked. She ran her hand through her hair 'not really no, Cheryl and Veronica was at the park , Tommy spotted them and ran to Cheryl before I could stop him'. 'Oh shit' Fangs said 'are you okay?'. Toni let out a breath 'yes and no. I'm glad he got the opportunity to say goodbye but it also really hurt seeing her'. 'I get that' Sweet Pea nodded 'did you guys speak?'. 'No I let them have their moment and then Cheryl left'. 'That was mature of both of you. At least Tommy should understand more now' Sweet Pea tried to smile but Toni just nodded before speaking 'I don't doubt that she she loves Tommy, I know she does and he knows it too'.

Toni was woken up on Sunday morning by her phone ringing in her ear. She didn't recognise the phone number but she answered it anyway slipping out of the apartment so not to wake anyone. She stood in the hallway lifting the phone to her ear.

'Hello'.
'Toni?'
'Who is this?'
'Toni it's Archie'.
'Oh hey Archie, what's up?'.
'I need to see you, it's Cheryl'.
'Archie didn't Veronica tell you? Cheryl and I are no longer together'.
'Yeah I know that listen Toni, there's been an accident, I need to speak to you face to face'.
'What do you mean an accident?' Toni felt her blood run cold.
'Yesterday Veronicas car was hit by a drunk driver running a red light'.
'Oh my god are they okay?' Tears began forming in her eyes.
'Toni' Archie breathed 'Veronicas hurt she's in the hospital she gave me your number to call you but Cheryl...'
'But Cheryl what?' Toni raised her voice a little.
'Toni the car hit Cheryl's side, hard. She hasn't woken up and the doctors aren't sure she will'.
'What?' Toni's voice is barely audible.
'Look where are you? I think you should come to the hospital. I know you guys aren't together but Cheryl loves you Toni, at least come and see her'.
'Of course I'm at home'.
'Okay I'll be there soon'.

Archie hung up the phone and Toni was left frozen on the spot. She went into auto pilot as she entered the apartment and into her bedroom pulling on yesterday's clothes. 'Hey' Fangs whispered. Toni just looked at him as she put on her shoes. 'T?' he said standing up, his sister looked like she had seen a ghost. 'I have to go, can you watch Tommy?' Toni asked her voice flat. 'Where are you going?' he asked taking careful steps towards her. She shook her head 'Cheryl and Veronicas been in a accident, Cheryl's not doing good' she looked at her phone 'Archie's here I have to go'. 'Of course keep us updated' Fangs said his voice full of concern and Toni left the apartment.

She saw Archie in his car waiting for her as she stepped out onto the street. She took a steady breath as she opened the door. 'Hey' he said as he looked at her. 'Hey' she whispered the car ride was quiet neither of them speaking the whole way there. Toni automatically took off her seat belt as Archie pulled into a parking spot. She silently followed him through the hospital halls before stopping in front of a closed door. He turned to her as he ran a hand through his hair. 'Toni listen, you should prepare yourself before going in, she's barely recognisable' Archie said wiping his tear. 'I need to see her' Toni said looking at him. He nodded 'I'll give you some time alone before I get Veronica from her room okay?'. Toni just nodded as Archie put a hand on her shoulder. He walked away leaving her stood outside of the door. She took a final breath before wrapping her hand around the handle and pushing the door open.

She quietly shut the door behind her taking a couple of steps forward. The only bed in the room was directly in front of her where the absolute love of her life laid lifeless, wires and tubs connected to her body. She took a few more steps forward now able to see Cheryl's beautiful red hair, a bandage wrapped around her head. Her face was swollen and bruised, none of Cheryl's fair facial features were recognisable, a neck brace holding her head in place. Toni just cried. She made the final few steps over to the side of the bed taking the pale, lifeless hand in her own. She looked over Cheryl through her blurry eyes as she brought forward all of the memories they had made together. She didn't know how long she was stood there for but the door opening pulled her from her thoughts.

Archie wheeled Veronica in, she looked more than worse for wear but nothing compared to Cheryl. Her arm and leg was in a pot and her face and body was covered in cuts and bruises but she was conscious which is more than they could say for the redhead. 'I'll leave you guys to talk' Archie whispered placing a kiss on the brunettes head. Toni automatically sat down in the chair next to Cheryl's bed, her hand still wrapped around the redheads. 'What happened?' Toni whispered both of them close to breaking down. Veronica took a breath 'after the park, Cheryl and I decided to go for a drive to help take her mind off... everything. We were talking about things and I didn't even know it happened. I just woke up here at the hospital this morning and I thought it was best for Archie to contact you'. Toni just nodded. 'This is all my fault Toni, she didn't even want to go out but I wanted to help her heal. I should have just listened to her' Veronica cried. 'Hey, this isn't your fault V, you didn't know this was going to happen' Toni reached for one of the brunettes hand 'what have the doctors said?'.

Veronica just cried at Toni's question. 'It's not good T' Veronica finally said as she got her breathing under control 'the chances of her making it are slim to none. They had to shave some of her hair to cut out a piece of her skull because of her brain swelling'. Toni didn't even stop the tears from falling now, how was she supposed to live her life if she knew Cheryl wasn't here anymore. 'Toni look, I know things have been hard lately but I know Cheryl would want me to tell you the truth about what happened if you are willing to listen. You'll have a chance to make peace with her in case the worst happens' Veronica croaked. Toni just closed her eyes, everything felt so small compared to what was happening right now but she nodded anyway.

'When your brothers contacted me that something had happened between you and Cheryl I obviously drove straight to her house. I found her sobbing on her bedroom floor, I helped her climb into her bed and got her to tell me what happened. T, you completely got the wrong end of the stick' Veronica looked at the crying woman but she didn't say anything so she continued 'she told me Madison had come to collect some things that she had left at her place because she was leaving the city. Cheryl told me she made the mistake of believing her and allowing her in while she went upsides to find her things. She said when she came back downstairs Madison apologised again and that she lent in towards her. Cheryl did say she wasn't sure if Madison was going to try to hug or kiss her but you walked in at that moment, does this seem feasible to you?'. Toni just shrugged. 'Well she said she chased after you and asked Madison to back her up. Cheryl told me what that bitch said, she lied Toni, Madison lied to spite you. Cheryl loved you so much, she loves you so much and Tommy, believe me, I've never seen her in such a mess. That's why I wanted to get her out of the house yesterday, she's been drinking heavily and generally not caring for herself. Toni I even had to wash her hair in the bath yesterday, she was broken. I'm not telling you to make you feel bad but I am hoping you can let go of any anger you may have towards her, she made a mistake by allowing Madison into her home but she didn't cheat on you T, she would never do that'.

Toni sobbed, why didn't she give Cheryl the benefit of the doubt, she didn't even give her the chance to explain. She held Cheryl's hand again before speaking 'Cheryl I hope you can hear me. I'm so sorry I didn't trust you. Please come back to me, I need you and so does Tommy. I love you'. All of a sudden one of the machines beeped loudly as nurses and doctors burst through the door. 'She's flatlining, get everyone out of here' one of the doctors yelled. Toni felt a hand on her arm as she was being pulled away from Cheryl. The last thing she saw was Cheryl's body being shocked as the doctors tried to restart her heart.