Don't worry, about a thing
Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright
Singin don't worry, about a thing
Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright
Cheryl opened her eyes and looked out in front of her. Toni wasn't in bed beside her, which meant she was already up and doing something. And by the sound of it, that something was playing Bob Marley at ungodly hours. She looked at her watch on the nightstand and saw that it was actually ten o'clock. Okay, not ungodly but still early for a Sunday. She missed the times back in college when they would sleep completely through the morning and then eat junk food for the rest of the day.
Rise up this mornin'
Smiled with the risin' sun
Three little birds
Pitched on my doorstep
"Okay, this is fucking ridiculous," she said to no one and pushed the comforter off her body. She shivered when the chilly air hit her still naked body but she was on a mission. As much as she loved her wife's appreciation for different types of music and cultures, she did not feeling like being woken up by loud reggae music. She didn't even bother putting on any clothes when she stormed out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Toni was standing at the stove swaying in place with a toddler on her hip, singing along to music softly. Toni still had her back to her and she couldn't see the toddler's face either. Whose kid is that? She peeked into the living room, seeing if maybe there was someone else who she should cover up for, but found no one. It was just her, her wife, and the small child cuddled up to the pink-haired woman.
"Toni?" she asked apprehensively. Toni turned her head to her voice and smiled.
"Good morning baby, why aren't you wearing anything? I mean, I don't mind, but we probably shouldn't scar Anthony like that." Cheryl tilted her head to the side and blindly reached for the bannister, never breaking eye contact with Toni who only smiled at her. She gripped her silk robe and slipped it on without even wondering how it got there. Toni fully turned around and whispered something to the little boy resting his head on her shoulder. He nodded to whatever she said and she lowered him to the ground. He shuffled over to her and held his hands up to her. Cheryl only stared down at him, looking into his emerald eyes.
"Mommy?" he said in small voice. Cheryl shook her head quickly, physically trying to un-jumble her thoughts, and looked back up to Toni. Toni looked back up at her and quirked an eyebrow at her catatonic state.
"Cher, he wants you to pick him up," she said like it was obvious. Cheryl looked back down to the little boy who resembled a tiny Toni, with shorter hair curly and tanner skin. She bent down and picked him up. He resumed the same position he had in Toni's arms, resting his head on her shoulder and draping an arm over her shoulder. She turned her head to breath in his scent, and he smelled like baby soap and fresh laundry. Who was this little boy who called her 'Mommy' and looked just like her wife? She had to be dreaming, but it all felt too real. She could hear his quick and quiet heartbeat. And she could smell the...waffles Toni was making on the counter. And she was sure she could feel his hand clenching and unclenching at the nape of her neck.
Everything was so perfect, with the exception of the loud Bob Marley still blaring in the house. Still holding Anthony, as Toni called him, she walked over to her wife and leaned her head on her shoulder. "Hey babe, can you turn down the music? It's a little too loud in here."
"What?!" Toni shouted as the music somehow got louder.
"I said turn down the music!" Toni's voice completely faded away and Cheryl just watched as Toni's lips moved but no sound came out. All she could hear was that stupid song playing in her ears. It became overwhelming and she closed her eyes, willing it to stop.
