The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Fifty

Toni was in a rush the next morning to get Cheryl's house ready for her to return, she had been grocery shopping and had a quick clean around. She noticed the extreme amount of empty alcohol bottles in the trash and felt guilt rise through her body. She didn't think Cheryl had struggled with their break up because Toni thought she had cheated but she was obviously wrong. It was nice to be back at Cheryl's place though, even though the apartment was hers she always felt more at home with Cheryl. She also noticed the broken mirror in the bathroom, she asked herself if that was Cheryl's doing but pushed it to the back of her mind, that was all in the past now. What broke her heart most of all though was finding her hoodie tucked underneath the redheads duvet and the tissue between her pillows that Toni had assumed were for her tears.

Toni had spoken to Sweet Pea and Fangs the night before about how her and Cheryl were going to try again and that she'd be staying here with the redhead as long as she needed her to. She thought that maybe her brothers would disapprove after what happened before the accident but they didn't, in fact they were more than happy for her. They offered to bring Tommy over later and be there to welcome Cheryl home, Toni was grateful for them, they always had her back and to be honest they really like the redhead and they were worried about her after the accident. She hoped Cheryl wouldn't mind her brothers being there to welcome her home, she was sure she wouldn't but she also didn't want her to be overwhelmed. There was a knock on the door that pulled her from her thoughts, Toni wondered who it could be she wasn't expecting anyone to arrive yet. Cheryl wouldn't be home for at least another hour and she hadn't hung up the banners yet. She unlocked the door, pulling it open. 'Oh Penelope, Clifford hi' she smiled moving to let the redheads parents in.

'We thought we could help' Penelope smiled looking around her daughters home and noticing the photo's of Cheryl, Toni and Tommy scattered around. Weirdly the house felt more homely, like it had more personality. 'Oh, yeah sure, it's just the banners that need putting up I've practically done everything else' Toni nodded with a smile. 'Well how about I do that' Clifford offered 'you ladies go and relax for a while'. 'Okay cool, thanks' Toni said following Penelope to the lounge. Toni was glad Cheryl's parents were finally making an effort for her girlfriend, even if it was because they almost lost her. 'No Tommy?' Penelope asked as she sat down. 'No not yet, my brothers should be here anytime now' she said reading the time on her phone. Just as she put it down she heard someone knocking at the door before it swung open revealing her brothers and son. 'Speak of the devils' she looked at Penelope 'in here boys' she yelled to her brothers.

Toni didn't miss the shocked look on Penelope's face as her brothers walked through into the lounge but appreciated the way she tried to give them a smile. Her brothers appearance was a little rough around the edges and she knew they could look intimidating to strangers even though they were the sweetest men she knew. 'Sweet Pea, Fangs this is Penelope, Cheryl's mother' Toni smiled pulling Tommy down from Fangs shoulders. 'Nice to meet you Penelope' Fangs smiled. 'Yeah looks like red hair runs in the family' Sweet Pea gave her a small smile too. 'Nice to meet you both' she smiled as Clifford came back into the lounge. 'Clifford these boys are Toni's brothers, Sweet Pea and Fangs' Penelope said to her husband. 'Nice to meet you both' he nodded giving them a firm handshake. 'And how are you Tommy?' the redheaded man looked down at the small boy. 'I'm excited for Cheryl to come home' he squealed. 'We all are buddy' Toni smiled. 'Cheryl's mom, can you help me bring some of my toys downstairs?' Tommy smiled at her. 'Of course dear' she nodded. Tommy took her hand and led her upstairs. Penelope thought about her own daughter when she was at his age and how Cheryl used to avoid her at all costs, it made her sad but it was no one else's fault but her own.

'This is my room' Tommy smiled proudly. 'It's lovely' Penelope nodded following him inside. 'Yep I love it' he smiled as he searched through the toys he hadn't been able to play with for the past few weeks. 'What's this?' Penelope asked pointing to some drawings on the wall getting the little boys attention. 'Oh' he smiled picking himself off the floor, his remote control car in hand 'that's a drawing I did, that's me and that's my mommy and Cheryl' he nodded proudly. 'Wow that's really good, you must really love them' she smiled at him. 'I do and they love me, but one time I made Cheryl cry because of my drawing at school' he moved to carry on looking through his toy box. 'You did why?' Penelope said confused. 'Because I did a picture of what makes me happiest and I said my mommy and Cheryl' Tommy nodded 'Cheryl said it made her happy and that's why she cried, sometimes grown ups are weird' he laughed. The older woman was glad Cheryl had her own little family, something she never thought her daughter would have and Tommy was such a polite little boy, Toni had done an amazing job raising him. 'Okay let's go' he smiled deciding the car was definitely was the toy he wanted. He held it in his hands as he sat on his butt and carefully slid down the stairs, something that Penelope found humorous.

'Okay she's here' Toni said excitedly 'everyone get ready to shout welcome home'. Tommy moved to stand next to his mother as they all looked at the door. Archie rolled Cheryl in first causing everyone to yell welcome home. She smiled brightly at everyone as Archie moved back to the car to help Veronica into her chair. One of Cheryl's legs was propped out due to the cast being from her foot all the way to her thigh, her broken arm leaning on it. Tommy jumped on the spot clapping his hands in pure joy. 'Hey sweetie, don't I get a hug' Cheryl smiled sweetly at him, Toni had already pre warned him about jumping on the redhead or he would have already done it. He ran over to her excitedly before climbing up on her unbroken knee and wrapping his arms around her neck. Toni was on edge watching the pair just in case Tommy hurt the redhead but if he did she didn't complain. Cheryl closed her eyes as the little boy held on to her, glad she was finally home. Once Tommy had carefully slid down surprisingly Sweet Pea and Fangs were wrapping their arms around her. 'Welcome home red' Sweet Pea smiled. 'Yeah Red, you're tough as hell' Fangs laughed.

Toni gestured for the redheads parents to greet her next which earnt her a thankful smile, as much as Toni wanted to wrap her arms around her she knew she'd have her all to herself later on. Penelope gently grabbed Cheryl's face as she placed a kiss on her cheek 'welcome home darling'. Clifford there next doing the same thing, it was still unfamiliar to the redhead but she accepted it anyway, her parents actually caring about her felt nice. Now it was Toni's turn, the smaller woman smiled as she stepped forward. 'Welcome home baby' she whispered as she lent down pulling her in for a sweet kiss, a tear running down her cheek. 'I love you' Cheryl smiled. 'I love you' Toni grinned back before pulling away, surprised to see Penelope's and Clifford's smile, even though they said they accepted Cheryl now she knew things didn't happen over night. 'Hey Topaz, where's my special treatment?' Veronica smiled as Archie rolled her into the house. 'Sorry that's reserved for my girl' Toni laughed as she leant down to hug the redheads best friend.

Toni pushed Cheryl into the lounge followed by Archie pushing in Veronica. Everyone took a seat on the couch except Tommy who climbed on Cheryl's lap. Toni did tell him no but the sad look that her girlfriend and son gave her made her change her mind with a sigh. 'Hey Cheryl, take advantage of being waited on hand and foot, it's great, Archie's been doing a wonderful job' the brunette smiled at her boyfriend. 'Oh I will' Cheryl laughed smiling sweetly at her girlfriend. Toni had introduced her brothers to Archie since it was the first time they had met and they got on like an house on fire, chatting about football and cars. The excitement must have worn Tommy out because he was fast asleep on Cheryl's chest, Toni attempted to move him but he cried and Cheryl told her he was fine with her. 'I'm so grateful for you all to be here' Cheryl smiled 'thank you'. 'Hey how about pizza?' Sweet Pea asked 'my treat'. Everyone agreed, except Cheryl's parents who felt a little out of place.

'Maybe we should get home Clifford' Penelope said looking at her husband. 'No, don't be silly Mother' Cheryl said 'have some pizza with us'. That was enough to make Penelope stay, her daughter actually wanted her there for the first time ever and she had to admit it felt good. Everyone enjoyed their pizza and chatted for a good few hours. Toni had slipped off earlier to get Tommy ready for bed, he did finally give in after Cheryl told him she wasn't going anywhere. He said goodnight to everyone with hugs including the redheads parents and followed his mother upstairs. It was slipping into the evening now and Cheryl couldn't deny she was getting tired as she tried to hide a yawn. 'Babe, do you want to head upstairs, you look exhausted plus it's almost time for your medication' Toni asked and Cheryl agreed. 'How am I going to get upstairs?' Cheryl asked with a laugh looking down at her broken leg. 'Leave that to me' Sweet Pea smiled. Everyone hugged Cheryl goodnight before Sweet Pea carefully lifted her from the wheelchair, Fangs folding it up to take it upstairs. 'Hey look T, your girls got her arm wrapped around me' Sweet Pea joked causing Cheryl and Toni to roll their eyes with a laugh. 'I've told you before Sweet, strictly women only. Well one woman' she grinned winking at her girlfriend before she said goodnight again to everyone as they got up to leave. Toni was grateful everyone had visited even if just to show the redhead how loved she was. Penelope, Clifford, Archie and Veronica offered to show themselves out so Toni could tend to her girlfriend which she thought was really sweet as she followed her brothers upstairs.