The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Forty Six

It had been a couple of days since Cheryl's eyes had opened and she seemed to recognise Toni which was good news as far as the possibility of there being a brain injury. Toni obviously called everyone the next day and let them know the good news, everyone was a little relieved, the doctors did explain it was a positive improvement that Cheryl had regained consciousness even if it was for a short amount of time but they wasn't out of the woods yet. It didn't mean that Cheryl would recover and even if she did they couldn't predict her quality of life until they knew the full extent of her injuries. That was worrying to everyone who cared about Cheryl but they would come together and do whatever they needed to support her and each other. Everyone had visited throughout the day as they did everyday but now it was just Toni waiting alone by Cheryl's bedside hoping for her to at least open her eyes again. Toni wrapped her hand around Cheryl's like she did every night before she fell asleep in her chair, she hoped that if Cheryl moved her hand again she would feel it and wake up to be there for her straight away.

The next morning when Toni woke up she checked over Cheryl and the monitors to look for anything different as she did every morning before standing up and stretching out her body. She used the bathroom and washed her face before taking her seat again. Just as she was about to pick up her phone to check any notifications she was sure she saw Cheryl's hand twitch again, she stood up and looked at the redhead intensely looking for any sign of change. She grabbed hold of the redheads hand as she spoke to her. 'Cheryl, if you can hear me try to squeeze my hand or open your eyes' she waited a moment before speaking again 'please baby'. Toni waited again and just as she was about to give up hope she felt a little pressure on her hand. She looked down and noticed that Cheryl's hand was slightly wrapped around hers. Toni shifted her attention back to the redheads face and was met by tired dark orbs looking into her own. 'Cher, don't try to move I'm going to get a doctor in here'. Cheryl didn't respond in anyway she just tried to keep her eyes open and on Toni as panic rose in her chest. Once Toni had pressed the button alerting the doctors they came in within seconds and this time Cheryl remained awake.

Toni had been made to leave the room while the doctors ran tests on Cheryl to see the extent of her injury and to see if she was capable of breathing by herself or even if she would stay conscious for a decent amount of time. It broke Toni's heart to have to leave her but she had no choice, letting go of Cheryl's hand when she looked so scared was soul crushing. She had no idea how long it would take so she gave everyone a call updating them on Cheryl's condition. It had been hours until a nurse came to find her and explain what was going on. As soon as the nurse approached her she jumped from her seat eager to hear any news about her love. 'Ms Topaz, Ms Blossom seems to be stable and breathing by herself. We've ran some tests and we can't seem to find any issues with the functioning of the brain, which is good news. She will need physical therapy, that won't be anytime soon but her condition as of now is much better than we expected'. 'That's amazing' Toni couldn't hold in the tears 'can I see her?'. 'You can but please be aware Ms Blossom is very confused at the moment as well as tired, it's normal for her to drift off to sleep, she will just need to wear the oxygen mask to take some of the stress from her lungs. She can speak but remember her throat will be sore from the breathing tube okay?'. Toni nodded, she hoped Cheryl was still awake so she could at least hear her voice, even if it was just one word. The nurse led Toni back to Cheryl's room giving her a small smile before leaving her alone.

Toni took a breath before she pushed open the door stepping into the room somewhat nervous. She moved over to the chair she had claimed as her own noticing the redheads eyes were closed. Toni didn't mind though it was nice to see her with just an oxygen mask rather than the tube stuck down her throat. Before she sat down she took Cheryl's hand in her own causing the redhead to slowly open her eyes. 'Hey' Toni whispered as she tried to wipe away the tears. 'Toni' Cheryl managed to whisper back, her voice was hoarse but Toni felt her heart swell. 'Yeah it's me' Toni let her tears fall freely, she was so relieved. 'What happened?' the redhead asked a slight crease in her eyebrows. 'What do you remember?' Toni questioned. 'I remember going to the park, seeing Tommy... and you. Then Veronica and I left in her car'. Toni nodded 'that's right, while you guys were driving you were hit by a drunk driver who ran a red light, do you remember that?'. Cheryl shook her head slightly 'no. Is V okay?' her eyes widened in worry for her friend. 'She is. She spent some time here but was discharged a few days ago, a few broken bones but she's okay' Toni gave her a small smile and the redhead seemed to relax a little. 'How are you feeling?' Toni asked. 'A little confused but I can't feel much thanks to the painkillers. Toni why are you here? It's not like we're... together anymore. I appreciate you being here for me but you don't need to be, I'm not your responsibility' Cheryl said as if she was just remembering everything that happened between them. 'Cher, we can talk about that later okay?'. 'Toni, I don't want you to be here out of pity or guilt because something happened to me. You didn't want me remember? I won't trap you because of the accident'.

Before Toni could say anything the door opened Penelope and Clifford came rushing through it. 'Cheryl darling, I'm so relieved you're alright' Penelope said placing a soft hand on the redheads cheek, Clifford taking his daughters hand in his. 'Okay what is happening?' Cheryl said more than confused. 'Toni, where are you going?' Clifford asked as he watched her leaving the room. 'I'm gonna give you guys some time alone' Toni tried to smile. 'Don't be silly' Penelope said turning her attention from her daughter to Toni. 'Honestly it's fine, I just need a little air' she said pulling the door open and leaving the room. It wasn't until she got outside the hospital she allowed tears to fall again. She was feeling multiple emotions all at once and it was overwhelming. She was so happy and relieved that Cheryl had woken up but also nervous to what was going to happen between them now. She sat on a empty bench placing her head in her hands as she tried to keep her breathing under control.

Cheryl was more than confused by her parents strange behaviour. 'What's going on with you two?' she asked suspiciously. 'We were so worried about you, we realise we haven't been the best parents but we are hoping you will allow us to be a part of your life' Penelope said. 'We want a chance to be the parents you deserve' Clifford added. 'Oh' was all Cheryl managed to say. 'Toni is very nice too' Penelope added. 'Huh?' Cheryl looked up surprisingly at her mother. 'Toni, she's been here with you every minute, I don't think she's left your side at all' Penelope nodded 'she really cares about you and that's all we want for you'. 'But she's not a man, isn't that what you wanted for me?' Cheryl thought about Toni and what her mother had just said about her being there for her the whole time but she meant what she said to Toni a moment ago, she didn't want to trap her because she almost died. 'It was but we was wrong, Toni is a lovely girl and if she makes you happy that's all that should matter' Penelope nodded wondering where Toni had disappeared off to. Cheryl didn't know what to say, her parents would have to prove themselves to her, she wasn't just going to trust them for them to hurt her again so she just nodded for now.

Toni didn't feel anyone sit down next to her until they spoke. 'Is everything alright?'. 'Oh Penelope' she said wiping away her tears 'everything's fine I'm just happy she's awake'. 'I don't know exactly what's going on Toni but give her some time okay? She's been through a lot and the doctors told us she's most likely to take it out on the people or person that she cares about the most. That's you, if she has said anything she doesn't mean it' Penelope gave Toni's hand a small squeeze. 'She hasn't said anything' Toni mumbled, she didn't want to say she wasn't sure if Cheryl wanted to be with her anymore. Toni had been unfair to Cheryl and she wasn't sure if the redhead would forgive her. 'Okay well just remember that, these next few months are going to be difficult'. 'I know' Toni whispered more to herself than to Cheryl's mother. 'Well come on then she needs you' Penelope said standing up and wrapping a arm around Toni leading her back to the redheads room.