The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Forty Eight

It had been over two weeks since Toni had been to visit Cheryl. She had text Veronica daily to see how the redhead was doing but she couldn't face the rejection. Veronica told Toni that Cheryl was doing well, she was getting stronger everyday. Her right arm and leg was broken but the bruising on her pale body was going down now. The doctors confirmed that they managed to cut out a piece of her skull in time to release the pressure of her swelling brain so she wasn't left with any permanent damage. Toni was so relieved and happy that Cheryl was doing well, she wasn't out of the hospital yet though but hopefully it wouldn't be long until she could go home. Veronica had told Toni to go and see the redhead so they could talk things through and she had thought about it but backed out at the last minute every time. She missed Cheryl so much and it was killing her to be away from her but she wanted to respect the redheads wishes.

Tommy had asked about going to Cheryl's house multiple times and Toni decided it was time to talk to her son about what had happened, vaguely anyway, he didn't need all the information. 'Tommy come here' she said patting the side of the couch. He sat down next to her with a smile on his face and looked at her waiting for her to speak. 'I need to talk to you about Cheryl okay?' Toni started and Tommy looked confused, he mother hadn't spoken to him about Cheryl willingly for a long time. 'She's been in an accident and she's in hospital but she's doing a lot better now so you don't need to worry' she said carefully but Tommy didn't say a word. He jumped from the couch grabbing his and his moms shoes. 'Tommy what are you doing, did you hear what I just said?' Toni asked confused at her five year olds reaction. 'Come on Mommy, Cheryl needs us' he said looking at her before turning to get his coat. She asked herself how she created such a caring, compassionate child as she put on her shoes and followed Tommy to the door.

They walked down the street towards the hospital waiting for a taxi to pass by which luckily it did. She waved it down and climbed in along with Tommy. The way Tommy had reacted to the news about Cheryl surprised Toni, he was so mature about it and he had actually made Toni get up and go to visit the redhead. Toni paid the taxi driver when they arrived at the hospital and climbed out of the car, Tommy immediately taking her hand as if he knew how nervous she was. She guided him to Cheryl's room and stopped outside kneeling down to him. She pulled off his coat while she spoke 'you need to keep quiet and calm okay?'. 'Okay mommy' he smiled excited to see Cheryl. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open instantly seeing the redhead wasn't alone. Tommy immediately felt nervous seeing the strangers as he hid behind his mother's legs as all eyes were on them. 'Toni?' Cheryl looked confused, she hadn't seen the little boy behind her 'what are you doing here?'. 'She's here to see you of course dear' Penelope looked at her daughter. 'Actually someone else wanted to see you' Toni said pulling the small boy from behind her. 'Hi Cheryl' Tommy said shyly. 'Tommy, hi sweetheart' Cheryl said trying to hide her emotions 'come here' she used all her strength to move over in the bed slightly making room for the little boy.

He smiled as he ran over waiting for Toni to lift him onto the bed, he sat back next to the redhead after taking off his shoes. Cheryl wrapped her unbroken arm around him as she gave him a small squeeze. 'I've missed you' he said quietly. 'I've missed you more' Cheryl gave him a small smile. While Cheryl and her son spoke Toni pulled in a chair next to Cheryl's parents as she watched the interaction between the two most important people in her life. Cheryl must have felt eyes on her because she turned her attention to Toni. She gave her a small smile before turning her attention back to the little boy who was chatting away. When he had quietened down Penelope spoke up 'so you're the famous Tommy, we've heard a lot about you'. 'You have?' Tommy said turning his attention to the woman speaking. 'Yes, your mother and my daughter Cheryl speak very fondly of you' she nodded. 'That's because I'm the apple of their eye' he said cheekily causing Cheryl and Toni to smile before they made eye contact again and quickly looking away. Penelope let out a small laugh as did Clifford 'I can see that' Penelope smiled at the way her daughter was with Toni's son, she had never seen this side of her before. 'Toni we haven't seen you here for a while' Clifford said. 'Dad please, I told you Toni had a lot to do at home' Cheryl spoke before Toni could. 'Come on Clifford we should go, let's give Cheryl some time alone with Toni and Tommy' Penelope said standing up. They kissed Cheryl's cheek goodbye and said their goodbyes to Toni and Tommy before leaving with a smile and a wave.

'I'm sorry I should have called' Toni said looking at the redhead. 'It's fine Toni, I'm glad to see Tommy... and you' Cheryl said nervously as she made eye contact with Toni again. 'You are?'. 'Of course, it's been weeks since I saw you and even longer since I've seen Tommy' she said with a small smile looking down at the boy in her arms. 'I'm sorry, I didn't want to invade your space but I hope we can still be friends' the words tasted sour coming from her mouth. 'I'd like that' Cheryl nodded but they both noticed the frown on Tommy's face. 'You okay kid?' Toni asked looking at her sons sad face. 'Yes' he mumbled. 'Hey come on' Cheryl said to him 'you can talk to us'. 'I don't want you and mommy to be friends' he said simply. 'Oh' Cheryl said looking at Toni. 'Why not?' Toni asked her son standing up and taking a seat at the end of Cheryl's bed reaching out for his hand but slightly brushing the redheads hand by accident. 'Oh, err, sorry' Toni blushed at her ex before looking at her son 'Tommy, why don't you want Cheryl and I to be friends?'. 'Because I want you and Cheryl to be in love again' he said sadly. Toni didn't dare look at the redhead as she stumbled over her words causing Cheryl to step in. 'Tommy your mom and I will always love each other but we can't be together'. 'But why not?' Tommy asked. Neither of them knew the answer to his question, both of them remaining quiet. 'I like having two mommies, all of my friends are jealous and I don't want to go back to only having one' he started to sob. Cheryl's eyes were wide as she looked at Toni after what Tommy had just said. 'You tell your friends you have two mommies?' Toni asked. Tommy nodded ' I know you're my mommy but Cheryl looks after me and she does all the things that mommies do so I tell my friends she's my mommy too'. Both women were too stunned to say anything, Cheryl quickly wiped away her tears before they threatened to fall.

'Oh hey guys' Veronica interrupted instantly feeling the tension in the room 'is everything okay?'. 'Everything's fine V' Cheryl sniffled. 'Tommy I've missed you' she smiled at the little boy after giving her friend a weird look. 'I've missed you Ronnie and you too Archie' he tried to smile. 'You okay buddy?' Veronica asked. He shook his head no 'mommy and Cheryl aren't in love anymore'. 'Really?' she said eyeing the two women 'I know what will cheer you up, how about Archie and I take you to the vending machine and get you some candy? You can sit on my knee and Archie can push us'. 'Okay' he nodded as Archie picked him up from the bed and placed him on Veronicas knee. The brunette turned to her friends 'sort this out, it's not fair on any of you but especially not him'.

Toni was left alone with the redhead still sitting at the end of the bed. It was awkward, they had never been in a situation like this before. Toni decided she'd speak first since Cheryl looked lost in thought. 'How do you feel about what Tommy said?' Toni asked looking at the redhead waiting for eye contact. 'I don't really know' Cheryl mumbled. 'Cher why are you pushing me away? Didn't what Tommy said make you feel anything? Toni asked frustrated. 'I don't deserve for him to think of me as a parent and I'm not pushing you away, I'm doing what's right for you' Cheryl challenged. 'You've always been great with Tommy and I get why he feels that way about you, he loves you. And if you say you don't want to be with me I'll respect that but don't use me as an excuse, that's my choice not yours'. 'Toni look at me, I'm a mess, broken. You deserve someone better than me. You don't even trust me' Cheryl looked down avoiding Toni's eyes. 'Hey you're not a mess or broken, you're sensational. I don't want anyone else, I love you. And I do trust you, I should have gave you a chance to explain everything with Madison, that was my fault not yours. I was wrong and I'm so so sorry'. Cheryl didn't say anything. 'Look if you tell me you don't want to be with me, I'll leave you alone okay? But if you do...' Toni took Cheryl's hand in her own 'then we can work it out'. Cheryl locked eyes with Toni, she looked for any uncertainty but found none. 'Toni you know I love you with every ounce of my soul, are you sure this is what you want, that I'm what you want?' Cheryl said quietly. 'I've never been more certain about anything in my life' Toni said confidently. 'Okay' Cheryl nodded. 'Okay? Does that mean you're giving us another chance?' Toni said hopefully. 'It does' Cheryl gave her a small smile as a tear rolled down her cheek. Toni couldn't hold back the tears either as she carefully crawled towards the redhead placing a soft hand on her cheek and bringing her in to a gentle kiss, everything finally felt right again.