The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Sixty

Toni had taken Tommy upstairs to change him into his riding gear. She helped him downstairs to show everyone what he was wearing. 'Damn dude you look cool' Sweet Pea complimented hitting the top of his helmet. 'Is all this really necessary?' Fangs asked looking between Toni and Cheryl. Toni just sent him a smile knowing that the redhead would speak up. 'Yes Fangs safety first. You look awesome baby, let Mama take a photo of you before we head outside' Cheryl smiled picking up her phone, Tommy happily posed for a few photos before running to the door waiting for everyone to follow him. Sweet Pea and Fangs went outside first followed by Toni pushing Cheryl, the redhead wishing her arm was at least strong enough to use crutches but that wasn't an option. Toni left Cheryl near the front door wanting her to be out of danger if Tommy lost control and crashed into her. 'Toni please make sure he's careful' Cheryl whispered watching the boys explain how the bike works to Tommy. 'Of course baby, he's protected, he'll be fine' Toni said kissing her cheek before making her way to her brothers and son.

Once they thought Tommy understood how to control the bike Toni told him to climb on it. She couldn't lie she was a little nervous in case he didn't like it, she doubted he'd hurt himself even if he fell off, the redhead had made sure they bought the best of the best to keep him safe. 'Okay slow at first Thomas, don't forget your breaks' Toni said. He nodded as he revved the bike a little, slowly moving forward, Cheryl could barely watch, he went a little too fast causing him to lose control and tumble off. Cheryl physically pushed herself to stand up in panic. 'I'm okay!' Tommy yelled picking himself off from the floor causing he uncles to cheer him on as they picked up his bike. 'Babe sit down, your leg, he's fine' Toni smiled approaching the redhead. She ran her hand through her hair, her palms sweaty 'Jesus Toni, I thought he was hurt'. 'He's fine babe, he's tough, he has strong role models' Toni winked before turning back to Tommy. 'Okay again?' she asked as he dusted himself off. He nodded climbing back onto the bike. 'Okay baby concentrate' Toni whispered to him, he took a little breath before looking over to his mama who blew him a kiss and sent him a thumbs up. 'Okay Mommy, I can do it' he said confidently. 

This time he started off slow and gradually picked up his speed. His mom and uncles yelled when he needed to break and he followed their instructions as he rode around the large driveway. 'T, he's a natural, you need to get him to a track, not even you was as good as that your first time' Sweet Pea told her. She nodded as she heard Cheryl cheering him on sending her a sweet smile before joining in on cheering for the little boy. Tommy loved it when Toni jumped on Sweet Peas bike riding along side him. They had a little break so Toni could grab them all a cold drink, Tommy's cheeks red because he was warm. 'Did you see me Mama?' Tommy asked running over to the redhead. 'I did, are you having fun?' she asked. 'I am' he nodded quickly before running back to his uncles. Toni handed out the drinks and moved over to Cheryl to spend a little time with her not wanting her to feel left out because she had to stay further back. 'Hey' Toni smiled looking down at the redhead. 'Hey' she smiled back reaching for Toni's hand and pulling her onto her lap. 'Cher I'm going to hurt you' she panicked. 'Oh TT, will you stop worrying about me, I'm not going to break, it doesn't even hurt anymore' Cheryl smiled. 'Promise?' Toni asked. 'I promise' Cheryl nodded feeling Toni relax against her. The boys were sat on the ground near Tommy's bike explaining different parts of it to the young boy who was eager to learn. 'Sweet Pea thinks we should take him to a track' Toni suggested to the redhead. 'He does?' Cheryl asked. 'Yeah, I mean we've seen plenty of kids learn to ride, ourselves included but I've never seen anyone pick it up as quickly as him at such a young age. What do you think?' Toni looked at the redhead. 'You want my opinion?' Cheryl asked a little shocked. 'Of course, your his mother now too' Toni said sweetly and Cheryl felt her heart skip a beat. 'I mean, I'm happy for him to do it if it's want he wants to do' she nodded. 

Tommy wanted to try riding over the ramps next, he did fall off the first couple of times but it didn't phase him, he just picked himself up and tried again. He did get the hang of it eventually though. Toni thought that it helped that it didn't hurt when he fell off because of all the protective gear so he wasn't worried about hurting himself. His family cheered for him every time he rode over the ramps without falling off. Sweet Pea and Fangs challenged him to a race across the driveway, of course their bikes were much faster but they let him win, especially since he was pushing the little bike to the highest speed it would go. 'He's fearless' Fangs smiled as he left Sweet Pea and Tommy racing their bikes backwards and forwards. 'Yeah he's great at it' Toni nodded. 'Just you we need to learn now Red' Fangs smiled. 'No way, I trust Toni but I would never try to ride myself. I've suffered with enough broken bones recently to last a lifetime' she joked causing Fangs to laugh along with her but Toni just sent her a sad smile. The boys stayed for dinner that evening, they helped Toni and Tommy carry everything he got for his birthday upstairs and put it all away neatly. Cheryl loved that the house was never quiet anymore, she sat alone in silence pretty much every day and every night with nothing but the tv as background noise. Now she never felt alone, even when she was, the house finally felt like home.

Toni had cooked a lasagne for everyone, Cheryl enjoyed a glass of wine with hers since she wasn't taking pain relief anymore. They chatted about Tommy's birthday party and arranged to help Toni on Wednesday to set up Tommy's jungle gym while he's at school. 'This is really good babe' Cheryl complimented, Toni was a good cook, Cheryl couldn't say the same for herself, she knew the basics but always preferred to eat out, another thing that had changed since Toni and Tommy came into her life. She loved nothing more than eating on the couch with her family. They watched a film together before Toni took Tommy off to bed because he had school in the morning, he hugged everyone goodnight before Toni led him upstairs. 'How you doing now Red, you feeling better?' Sweet Pea asked. 'It's still hard, I have to rely on Toni a lot at the moment for practically everything. Don't get me wrong she's been amazing and she hasn't complained once but I want to be able to do things for myself and for her too. She deserves to be waited on, not the other way around' Cheryl said. 'You really love her huh?' Fangs smiled, glad his sister had found someone who truly appreciated her. 'I do, I can't imagine my life without her or Tommy' Cheryl smiled 'I'm really lucky'. 'You're both lucky' Sweet Pea added 'I'm glad after everything she's met you, you're everything we wanted for her. Someone who loves her fully and accepts her for who she is'.

'Are you guys getting all emotional' Toni asked as she entered the lounge catching the last part of the trios conversation. 'Maybe' Fangs grinned. 'We were just saying how good you guys are for each other' Sweet Pea smiled. 'She's amazing right?' Toni smiled sitting next to the redhead and wrapping a arm around her. 'See, good together, you both are there for each other, nothings one sided' Fangs nodded. 'Well after my last relationship it's nice to have someone who actually cares about me and Tommy'. Cheryl reached for Toni's hand and gave it a squeeze. 'I don't regret it though' Toni said looking at the redhead 'if it wasn't for leaving him, I would have never known you. I'd do it all again if it meant being here with you now'. 'I love you' Cheryl whispered. 'I love you too' Toni smiled. 'Have you guys talked about Lukas?' Sweet Pea asked. 'We did, before everything happened with Cheryl and I, but as soon as Cheryl is well we're going to call a solicitor and get everything arranged. I want him out of our lives for good, Tommy and I are finally safe and happy and I won't let him ruin this for us' Toni breathed. 'Good for you guys' Fangs smiled. 'Are you worried about meeting him Cheryl? He's a real piece of work' Sweet Pea questioned. 'I don't care for him, my main concern is being there for Toni and Tommy' Cheryl answered. 'How about you T?' Sweet Pea asked. 'I mean, I just hate him so much. I get angry at myself for staying with him so long. I remember being so repulsed by him when I used to lay in bed with him at night, trying to think of different ways to get us away from him. He made me feel like I was worthless, like I deserved everything he did to me and I believed it for a long time. He did things to me that I never want to think about again but god I can't wait for him to see the person I've become, how strong I am and the support Tommy and I have. I want him to know he has no power over me anymore, I want him to see he's the weak one, not me' Toni wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek as Cheryl pulled her against her. 'We're proud of you T, we've got your back' Sweet Pea said, his knuckles white thinking about that bastard hurting his sister but he couldn't wait until the day he saw the smug look wiped off Lukas' face when Toni finally faced him.