The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Sixty Six

Cheryl didn't say anything, she just pulled Toni into a hug, Tommy wrapping his small arms around them both. After a few minutes Toni pulled back and looked at Cheryl and Tommy her eyes filled with tears and she didn't miss the worry in their eyes. 'Mommy are you okay?' Tommy asked still attached to the redheads hip. Cheryl wanted to ask the same question but didn't want to push so she was glad the little boy spoke first. 'Shall we sit down?' Toni said and Cheryl felt her heart drop, this couldn't be good news. The redhead sat down placing Tommy in the seat next to her. Toni knelt in front of Tommy, she took his little hands in one of her own before reaching her other one for Cheryl's. 'So...' Toni started taking a breath for the millionth time today 'the judge said these cases can take weeks, months or years'. The disappointed look on Tommy and Cheryl's face was clear. 'But due to the circumstances' Toni continued 'the judge didn't find Lukas a fit father and he has had his rights removed'. Toni's bright smile was matched by Cheryl but Tommy only looked confused. 'What does that mean?' he asked quietly. 'It means baby, Lukas can't hurt us anymore, you're staying with mommy and mama and he can't take you away. You don't belong to him anymore, you're not his' Toni tried to explain it the best way he could. 'He's not my dad anymore?' Tommy asked his eyebrows knitting together. 'Not if you don't want him to be' Toni answered carefully. 'I don't' Tommy shook his head before smiling widely and jumping off the chair to wrap his arms around his moms neck. Cheryl smiled down at them both squeezing Toni's hand that was still in her own.

Toni signed herself out and quickly rushed her family out of the court building and to the car. She knew the court wouldn't allow Lukas to leave yet but she wanted to be on the safe side. 'I'll drive' the shorter woman said as she buckled Tommy in his seat, he was finally smiling for the first time in weeks. 'No TT you've had an emotional day' the redhead contested. 'And you've been assaulted' Toni said raising an eyebrow and Cheryl knew there was going to be at least a conversation about it when Tommy was out of earshot. Cheryl didn't say anything as she made her way to the passenger side of the car and got in. Toni looked through the mirror as she adjusted the drivers seat and started the engine. She took a look at her son in the backseat smiling to herself before pulling out of the parking lot and joining the traffic. Toni opted for the scenic route rather than the highway, she wanted to give everyone some time to let things settle before they get home and spoke to their family and friends. Tommy's eyes were slowly closing as he fought sleep but eventually he gave in, finally happy enough to relax. Cheryl hadn't spoken yet, she kept glancing at Toni but looking away whenever she looked back.

'I'm sorry' Cheryl mumbled loud enough for Toni to hear but not loud enough to wake Tommy. 'Are you?' Toni said raising an eyebrow 'because you sure as hell don't seem it'. Cheryl thought about her words carefully. 'Okay fine, I'm not exactly sorry for what happened but I am sorry you and Tommy had to witness it'. 'Cheryl, Lukas punched you in the face'. 'Exactly he hit me, I didn't assault him' Cheryl stated. 'But you know what he's capable of. You wanted that reaction for some reason, I know you did' Toni said suspiciously. 'Toni he tried to scare you and Tommy, he was angry and I wasn't going to allow him to hurt either of you. If I had to do it again I would but I don't because he is out of your life' Cheryl tried to make Toni see her point of view. Toni shook her head, she didn't want to argue with the redhead especially after the news they had just gotten but at the same time she wasn't happy with Cheryl because she put herself in danger. 'Are you really that angry with me?' Cheryl asked sadly after a few minutes of silence. Toni took her eyes off of the road for a second to look in the redheads dark orbs before turning her attention back to the road. 'I'm not angry at you, I'm angry that you put yourself in harms way. I was scared Cher, he hit you in the face but what if you had banged your head or what if he's caused damage we can't see? With everything you've been through I'm scared it could trigger your brain to swell again. I can't go through almost losing you again' Toni said quietly. 'Oh' Cheryl breathed, she didn't even consider that.

The rest of the journey was quiet, the radio playing softly in the background. When Toni pulled the car onto the driveway she spotted her brothers waiting for them on the doorstep, their bikes parked on the side of the road. They looked her anxiously as she stepped out of the car but as soon as they saw the smile on their sisters face they knew it was good news. They stood up as Toni ran into their arms. 'He's out of our life' Toni cried against her brothers. They squeezed her tightly as they congratulated her, spending a few more minutes in a group hug before pulling away. Cheryl decided on waiting in the car with the sleeping little boy while Toni had a moment with her brothers. She hadn't actually looked at her face yet but it hurt so she knew her usual pale skin would at least have a bruise. The redhead pulled down the sun visor and took a look in the mirror. 'Fuck' she whispered to herself, her cheek was swollen and covered with bruising, too much to be able to hide and by tomorrow it would be worse. She ran her finger over her cut lip too, it wasn't too bad and she was glad it didn't need any stitches. 'Are you okay Mama?'. She turned around to where the little voice was coming from. 'Of course baby, I'm fine' Cheryl flashed him a warm smile. 'Does your face hurt?' he asked not convinced at Cheryl's words. 'A little but it's okay. I'm just happy you and mommy are safe'. 'Me too!' he smiles brightly.

Cheryl didn't notice Toni approach the car until she was at her door and opening it for her. 'Come on, you've got blood on your clothes' Toni said sadly as she held out her hand to the redhead. Once Cheryl had stepped out of the car she waited for Toni to unclip Tommy's safety belt. He jumped out of the car and ran to his uncles giggling as they threw him in the air. 'Holy shit Red, what happened?' Fangs said his eyes wide as he took in Cheryl's appearance. 'Would you guys mind watching Tommy a minute while I get Cheryl cleaned up' Toni said as she unlocked the door into the house. 'Uh sure' Sweet Pea mumbled looking at his brother and following his sister into the house. Toni took Cheryl's hand and led her up the stairs and into their room. The redhead took a seat on the bed while Toni busied herself in the closet finding something for Cheryl to wear. Cheryl stood up when Toni approached her with a pile of folded clothes in her hands. The redhead took the clothes from Toni with a quiet thank you before placing them on the bed and looking at the smaller woman. 'I'm so sorry Toni, I didn't think about what the consequences could have been to my actions and I certainly didn't want you to be fearful of what could have happened. It was very short sighted of me and I truly apologise. But please forgive me even if just for today so you can fully feel your victory'. Toni couldn't deny that she believed the redhead and it wasn't her intention to ruin the day by being upset with her so she took a deep breath before speaking 'fine but please never put yourself in a situation like that again, look at your beautiful face babe, it's all bruised and swollen'. 'Look, Toni I'd die for you, I'd happily die to protect you and Tommy. I know that's probably not the right thing to say right now but it's true. Although I promise next time I'll think it through more okay?' Cheryl gave her a little smile hopeful that the conversation was over. 'Okay' Toni rolled her eyes playfully 'ya know Sweets and Fangs are going to think you're so bad ass for this and I'm going to have to give them a telling off too'. 'Well if it ranks me higher in their eyes I'll take it' Cheryl smiled. 'You care what my brothers think of you?' Toni asked with her eyebrow raised. 'Of course I do, their your family. They're important to you and that makes them important to me although they're important to me now anyway since I've gotten to know them' Cheryl smiled sweetly. 'You make it so hard to be mad at you' Toni joked. 'So are we okay? We don't have to mention what happened to your brothers if you don't want to' Cheryl said wrapping her arms around Toni's waist. 'We're okay. And I don't think we'll have a choice your face is kinda hard to miss' Toni cringed. 'Well it's your call babe' Cheryl smiled as she leaned in for a kiss, one that Toni happily returned. 'Oh and babe...' the redhead said pulling away 'I'm so proud of you, you are truly the strongest person I know. I love you'. 'Yeah I love you too babe' Toni smiled as she tiptoed a little to rejoin their lips.