Toni's POV
Toni was laying on the bed, still slightly spinning in her post-coital haze. Cheryl was amazing, in bed and in every other aspect. She literally just made Toni come twice in a row and then to top it all off, was downstairs making her a sandwich. She must've done something truly incredible in her past life to deserve someone like Cheryl in this one. And she had experienced the magic that was Cheryl every single day for thirteen years. She still remembered the first time they ever said 'I love you' to each other, back when they were fourteen.
****FLASHBACK****
Toni was nervous. It was their six month anniversary. And Toni was about to say the big three words. She was ready, so ready to the point where she practiced saying it in the mirror. It wasn't exactly hard though, she was sure of her feelings. She knew since they were ten or eleven, back when Cheryl used to wear butterfly earrings and still used a nightlight. Granted, they had come a long way. They were in high school now, and the only gay couple in their school. That fact never bothered her though, she was comfortable with her sexuality and told her parents right away. They had always thought Cheryl was the one for her, and even helped her come up with her great idea.
She was working at a mini-golf place a few hours a week just to keep some money in her pocket. In the course, there was a really big castle that had about three different putt-putt holes in it. But only the cool employees knew that there was a secret door that led up to the top of the castle, where there was a perfect view of the sky and the beach two streets over. From up there, she could smell the ocean and hear the waves, and Cheryl loved the beach and the sky, so she thought it would be a cool place that they could call their own.
Cheryl got dropped off by her mom, stating that she would spend the night at Toni's if her parents were okay with it. They were, and she covered Cheryl's eyes as she led them up to the spot above the castle. When she pulled her hands away, Cheryl gasped.
"Happy 6 month anniversary."
"TT! It's so pretty up here!"
"Not as pretty as you Cher," she said and Cheryl blushed. Together, they sat back on their hands, leaning into each other, and watched the stars. Well, Cheryl watched the stars and Toni watched her girlfriend. "Cher, I have to tell you something."
She saw the slight panic flash across the big brown eyes and she gently rubbed her hand to assure her. "What is it, TT?"
"I...I love you," she finally said and it felt like a huge weight lifted off her chest. But Cheryl didn't say anything back, she just stared at her, wide eyed. And then she was the one panicking. She always thought it would be fine if the younger girl didn't feel the same, but it hurt a hell of a lot more when it actually happened.
"I love you too," she said smiling, and leaned to kiss her. They kissed, and Toni felt the familiar butterflies that came from any kind of contact with the other brunette. She knew right then and there, that she would love this girl forever.
****END FLASHBACK****
She smiled at the memory. She had been so nervous to say something she felt for so long, only to have all that worrying be for nothing. Cheryl loved her back. She always did, and thirteen years later they were still just as much in love. She started thinking about the ways their relationship got more complex as they got older. Cheryl attended every single one of Toni's softball games all throughout high school, always holding up the same bright pink sign that said, '#10 has my heart!' And whenever Toni hit a home run she'd point at her girl before making her way around the bases.
They went through so much together. Puberty, which did wonders to both of their bodies, mostly Cheryl's ass in Toni's opinion. There was their first fight, which almost broke them up over some stupid girl who tried to say Toni kissed her at a party. And then homecoming, where they accidentally started a revolution when they were both nominated for homecoming princess and their friends fought for one of them (Toni) to be nominated as prince so they could win together; they both went home with crowns that night. Prom, which was easily the most memorable moment of their high school career. Cheryl won queen and some dumb kid named Jacob won king, but everyone booed him until he gave up and left the venue. Betty, head of the prom committee, was all too eager to place the large crown on Toni's head and they shared a solo dance in front of the entire school for the second time in their high school history. And finally, their first time. The actual act itself still made Toni uncomfortable, but the moments leading up to it were absolutely perfect.
****FLASHBACK****
Toni was nervous, but what was new? She had no idea what she was doing, and she knew Cheryl probably didn't either. Everyone in their grade was having sex with their significant others. Even their Jesus-freak friend Betty was getting it on, so she definitely felt like the pressure was on. Her few guy friends had made a huge deal that she "hadn't gotten that yet" and she would've wanted to smash their heads together if they weren't right. She hadn't even gone as far as to take it past second base before. And even when she did that, she was nervous as all hell, until Cheryl took her hands and placed them on her chest herself.
