The Secrets We Keep: A Choni Story

Chapter 50

Previously on The Secrets We Keep: Then, four more arms wrapped around me and although it felt like there was a hole in my heart that would never be filled, I knew I wasn't alone.

Toni's POV
I sighed as I woke up knowing what the day held for me. I felt the arms of my girlfriend wrapped tightly around my waist. Cheryl had been amazing and patient with me since Dalton's death. My emotions had been all over the place one minute I'd be yelling at her the next I'd be sobbing into her arms and she's put up with all of it. I feel so lucky to call Cheryl my girlfriend and just have someone that loves me as much as she does.

I began reminiscing in the memories Dalton and I had created, the good, the bad and everything in between.

Seven-year-old Toni and Dalton ran around the backyard of Toni's house in their winter jackets as the snow had fallen heavily during the night. They were having a great snowball fight when Dalton hit Toni square in the nose. He laughed as she fell down but immediately stopped when she didn't get up and he saw red trickling down her face. He ran over to her and knelt down unsure of what to do.

"Are you alright?" He asked in a worried tone. Toni shook her head as tears began to flow from her eyes, "It hurts," Dalton nodded and began to smile as an idea popped into his head, "Can I kiss it better?" Toni gave him a skeptical look before nodding. Dalton smiled slightly and leaned in, gently pecking Toni's nose. Toni giggled before exclaiming, "Thank you, Dalton, you're the best!" He smiled then replied, "Yay! I love you, Toni, you're my best friend,"

I always agreed that life wasn't fair and that bad things always happen to good people but when someone, with a heart of gold, gets taken from you before their time, you truly understand.

I didn't even realise I was crying until I felt hands wipe my face of the tears. I breathed a shaky breath before asking, "When did you wake up?" Cheryl kissed my head before replying, "Not too long ago. I want you to know that it's going to be okay, TT, you're surrounded by people who love you. I know today, especially, is going to be hard but it'll get easier," I turned to face Cheryl then said, "I love you, thank you for being here." She smiled and replied, "I'm never leaving, I promise, now let's get ready,".

Dalton's Funeral
I stood at the stand looking over at everyone, Dalton's casket behind me. I took a deep breath before beginning my speech.

"Dalton Gray, cannot be described in words. He was my rock for a very long time and although I left him for a while, which I deeply regret, this tragedy occurred when I had just gotten him back. Dalton was selfless, his death shows that, however, he was also trusting and some people took advantage of that and turned him into someone he wasn't. I've never blamed Dalton for anything he did when under control of this person but he did, I wish he didn't but he did, Dalton viewed himself as a monster. When in reality he was controlled by one. Dalton was special, I don't think I'll ever find anyone like him. His death leaves me broken and I don't know if I will ever truly heal from this. Dalton deserved more than this world ever gave him and I hope he finds that wherever he is now." I finished with a watery smile.

5 years later
(i'm saying they were 18 before the jump)
No one's POV
It has been 5 years since Dalton's death. Toni still feels guilty about it, whenever she imagined the fight with Jesse she expected something like what you see in the movies, with her side coming out on top. However, it went horribly, Toni knows Dalton wouldn't want her to feel this way but she couldn't help it. The feeling when Toni's healing powers didn't work on him was indescribable, the way the smile fell from her face you knew that it was the end of the line for Dalton and that Toni was broken. She still gets sad about it but usually only around the anniversary of his death. Unfortunately, she does get nightmares about the incident from time to time.

Normally, Toni's nightmare consists of her hands being covered in blood and the stake that killed Dalton in her hands, she tries to pry it from her hand then wake him up but it doesn't work. Next, a force stands her up and turns her to the left where she sees her girlfriend cowering in fear. She tries to speak to Cheryl and tell her that she won't hurt her but nothing comes out. Before she realises it she's raising her hand to strike Cheryl, her hand plunges down. Then she wakes up in a cold sweat.

Throughout the 5 years, Cheryl has been by Toni's side. Cheryl is the reason Toni no longer believes that she was the cause of Dalton's death. Cheryl is the reason Toni would wake up some mornings. The role of wife has a few connotations itself, lover, friend, protector and since Cheryl knows that Toni hates opening up so she also became Toni's therapist. Their relationship has strengthened through this time, they had a small ceremony with all their friends as their families weren't the best. Toni became more emotional after Dalton's death, which Cheryl thought was better for Toni and when Cheryl proposed Toni cried a waterfall. On their wedding night, they just spoke about anything and everything, which included this topic. Toni always believed that she would propose and at the time that Cheryl did she thought it'd happen in a few years so when Cheryl got down on one knee she was shocked and since she let her emotions flow, she screamed happily and started crying. Cheryl understood that when Toni didn't express her emotions and just let things build she was turning into a dormant volcano and she could become active at any time.

Toni's relationship with Benny, Erica, Ethan and Rory had also strengthened, they really came through when Toni began to distance herself from Cheryl due to her emotions. As much as Cheryl tried to get Toni to talk to her in those weeks after his funeral it was useless. Toni had closed herself off and that's where the gang came in. Although they were all best friends there was a connection between Toni and Rory. Rory was a very caring person and despite the fact that he looked like a newborn babe Rory would kill for any and all of his friends. When Toni screamed out due to the pain she felt because of Dalton's death Rory saw red, but Toni had already dealt with Jesse. If it was up to Rory Jesse would have suffered a slow and painful death at his own hands. Although she'd never admit it Toni didn't deserve the cards she'd been played in life and all of the gang knew it. Benny and Ethan tried to band together to help Toni but there was nothing they could really do. Benny wanted to bring him back to life but he didn't want to risk another disaster like last time. Erica was Toni's rock, the best friend she missed and had needed for such a long time, Erica was glad she could step up for Toni and Toin was glad Erica was there.

a/n: sorry for the slight delay, i forgot to do it on friday, or whenever i said and exams start this week and revision you know but yea, this was the end. 

and that's a wrap! i have this feeling that this ending is not what some of you wanted and i apologise for that, however, this was a really great experience. i really enjoyed writing this, i hope you enjoyed reading as much as i did writing it. thanks for joining me on this crazy rollercoaster of a book. this has been The Secrets We Keep: A Choni Story, I've been eva, thank you and goodbye.

also definitely wrote this chapter by myself no help at all, nu uh. what would make you think that?