'Till Hell Freezes Over (BWWM)

'Till Hell Freezes Over | 3

Five Years Later

"Are we almost there?" groaned Toni's five-year-old son River as his little legs struggled to keep up with the New Yorkers amongst them.

Toni held his hand tight, ensuring he didn't get lost in the hustle and bustle while she blew into her free palm, attempting to warm her hand.

New York was freezing in January. While she made sure River was layered, hatted, and gloved, she forgot her gloves back in the van.

"We're almost there, sweetie," she encouraged both of them. "Just one more block."

Toni ignored the weight of his backpack while adjusting her computer bag on her shoulder.

It was New Year's Eve, and everyone was in town for the Time Squares Ball Drop, Toni and River included.

Before the event, she needed to finish a writing project due the next day. The thirty-one-year-old mother looked down at her son.

River looked exhausted and out of breath. He was too tall for a stroller and couldn't keep up with the face-paced New Yorkers.

Feeling bad, Toni picked him up. He wasn't her little baby anymore but ignored how heavy he was and pushed on.

"Almost there," she kissed his rosy cheeks.

Every day she was amazed that she was a mother of a five-year-old.

Motherhood terrified Toni, but after thinking about her options, having River was the best one. She didn't have the best experience with family but figured she could give him better than what she had.

Being a single mother wasn't easy but Toni never imagined she could love someone as much as she loved her son.

They stop at a crossway and wait to cross the street with a crowd of other people.

"Look, bub," she points to the many advertising screens. "Isn't it cool?"

"Yeah!" River's hazel eyes beamed.

"It's even cooler at night," Toni always found herself staring at him. She couldn't help it when he was the spitting image of Charlie.

Toni remembered not wanting Charlie to leave after the hookup. Little did she know he'd leave her with a son. Naturally, she considered looking for him but feared he'd reject River.

"Look, mommy! It's Disney!" River points to a Disney + ad.

"I see," Toni looks while also noticing an advertisement about who was performing at the New Year's Eve Ball Drop.

There was Miley Cyrus, Lizzo, the Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande and -

"Oh my god," Toni's jaw dropped to the floor when Charlie's face popped up as one of the performances for the New Year's Eve Ball Drop. He was part of a band called the Crimson Crypt.

"You don't know who I am?" Charlie's voice rang in her mind. "I'm into music."

"Mommy!" River pulls her out of shock. "Everybody's walking."

Toni looks around, realizing those around them are already halfway across the street.

"Sorry," she huffed; it was so cold that her breath was visible. "Come on."

Toni adjusted him in her arms and hurried across the street. Her mind was racing so fast that she didn't remember walking the rest of the way to Starbucks.

It wasn't until they found a table that she put her thoughts to the side, ignoring the anxiety rushing through her being.

"What's wrong?" River could tell something was up.