Second Chance - Choni

Part 17

Cheryl's POV

"I had just started my senior year and I was so happy. Everything seemed to be falling into place and I had an idea of where I wanted to attend college. I originally thought about staying in Greendale so I could be close to my family. But that all changed."

I continue to run my fingers through her hair in a calming manner as I know what she's about to tell me is difficult for her.

"I had came straight home from school that day instead of going to cheer practice. So when I saw my Dads car in the driveway I was confused because he normally doesn't get home until later."

Her breathing is becoming unsteady and I hear her sniffle a few times, letting me know she's crying.

"I walked in the house and caught him in the living room having sex with my friend!"

"He had been seeing my friend that graduated a year ahead of me behind my Mami's back. They were having an affair." Toni cries and I instantly feel bad for her.

"All of this behind my back and my Mami's. She betrayed me, he betrayed me." Her cries become louder and I kiss the top of her head as I try to calm her down.

"I told my Mami about what I saw. She confronted him and he apologized. He begged for her forgiveness but not mine."

"And my Mami stayed with him. She stayed with a man that chose another woman, my friend to be exact, over his own family."

As her cries grow louder I can't help but feel my heart ache for her. I can't imagine what betrayal she must have felt, what she still feels because of it. Her father, the man who is supposed to love her unconditionally, the man who is supposed to help shape her life betrayed her, he broke her heart.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper softly as I feel her tears hit my skin.

"I understand why you don't want to see them." I say as I kiss the top of her head.

"I just don't understand my Mami, how could she stay with him?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you why. Only she could answer that for you."

"I do miss my sister." She softly says and her eyes meet mine and I swear I just felt my heart break even more.

"How long has it been since you've seen her?"

"We still talk over text and we FaceTime. But I haven't seen her in person since graduation day."

"Why don't we go and visit? We don't have to see your parents if you don't want to, but you can at least see your sister."

"I'm not sure if they would let her see me."

"We can at least try? I mean what harm could really come from it?" I ask and I watch the wheels turn in her head as she thinks about it.

"Theo is old enough to make decisions for herself. If she wants to see you I'm sure she will find a way to."

Yeah, you're right."

"Do they know about Anthony?"

"Theo is the only one who knows about him. I told her not to say anything to them." I nod my head understanding and I feel her hand trace patterns on my exposed abdomen.

"It's entirely up to you baby, I just want you to know that we have the option to go and see her if you want."

Silence takes over us and about 10 minutes until she finally speaks.

"We should go see her. I think it's time that I face my parents and really let them know how I feel."

"Are you sure? I don't want you doing this because of me, I want you to do this for yourself."

"I'm sure. We should fly down this weekend."

"I'm sure I can find someone to cover my shift at the station."

"So we're really doing this, we're really going down to Greendale to see my sister." Toni says with a breathless smile. Her eyes meet mine and I can't help but smile back before pulling her into a soft kiss.

That night Toni fell asleep on my chest. The sounds of her even breathing caused me to fall asleep shortly after her.

It seemed like the rest of the week went by rather quickly. I was able to find someone to cover my shift at the station and took the following week off from work. Toni took Friday off from her office and all of the following week that way we could book a late flight Thursday night. This would give us a week down in Greendale.

This was going to be the first time Sasha and I flew in a plane. So this weekend was definitely going to be an adventurous one.

"Are you guys ready to go?" I ask as all three meet me at the front door with their bags.

"I'm so excited! I can't wait to see the beach! I've never been to the beach!" Sasha squeals with excitement and Anthony looks just as happy at the thought of all of us having a family vacation.

"You ready?" I ask the brown eyed girl who looks lost in her thoughts.

"Yeah." She softly says while giving me a kiss on the cheek. The four of us make it out to my truck and we begin our journey to the airport.

An hour later and we are parking the truck. I carry the kids bags plus my own as we make our way inside.

It isn't long and all of us are seated on a plane. As I look at all of the faces surrounding us I feel a hand intertwine with mine and I turn to see Toni giving me a soft smile.

Theo knows that we are on our way down to see her and by what Toni has told me the girl is thrilled. The only obstacle I could see being a problem is if her parents are unwilling to let the youngest Topaz see us.

But Toni assures me that Theo is pretty sneaky. I have my fingers crossed that everything goes well, but sometimes unexpected things can occur.