You, Me & Love | Choni Story

Pt.7

[Before the kids go to school, May 8]

Dale and Daen walked into the room. Daen, climbed up onto the bed, careful not to disturb his mother. Daen had always been perceptive, even at his young age, and he knew how to be gentle with his mom when she was feeling sick.

As Daen sat beside Cheryl, he reached out his tiny hand and touched her forehead. "You're warm, mommy," he commented, concern etched on his face. Cheryl smiled weakly.

Toni entered the room, carrying their other child, in her arms. "What's going on in here?" she asked, a mix of worry in her voice.

Daen turned to his mother and exclaimed, "Mommy's not feeling well, Momma! We have to take care of her." 

Dale chucked a Daen comment.

Toni grinned and placed Grace down on the bed next to Cheryl.

"We're all here for you babe" Toni assured her. "You just rest, and we'll take care of everything."

"Yea mom we well, but I got school so if I don't want to be late, I need to catch the bus" He walked over to Cheryl in embraced her, He waved bye to Toni and the twins. Before leaving out of the room.

[Later that day]

Cheryl was now on bed rest, a temporary stranger to the household chores, under the watchful eye of Toni. Toni wouldn't allow Cheryl to lift a finger as she was heavily pregnant and about to bring a new life into the world. In the midst of the afternoon, Toni left to fetch the kids from the bus stop outside.

Cheryl laid in bed. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, she heard the familiar creak of the front door swinging wide accompanied by the overjoyed voice of Daen, exclaiming, "Mommy!" The sound traveled effortlessly up the stairs, reaching Cheryl's ears, followed by Toni's calming voice urging Daen to keep quiet.

"Quiet down, Daen, mommy's still not feeling well. I think she's asleep." Toni quietly said.

Cheryl, lying in bed, listened to Daen's energetic footsteps bounding up the stairs. She couldn't help but smile as his little head peeked into the room, clearly curious to see if his mommy was awake.

"Come inside, Daenie. I'm awake," Cheryl said.

Daen's eyes sparkled with excitement as he cautiously stepped into the room. "Hi, mommy," he whispered.

"Momma say you're still not feeling well," Daen said, moving closer tiptoed towards her bed, his gaze fixed on her big belly. 

Cheryl managed a smile and replied, "No, I'm not, but seeing you makes me feel better, kid" 

Daen smiled. Just then, Toni walked into the room, holding their daughter in her arms.

"How are you feeling, love?" she asked, concern evident in her voice as she walked inside the room.

She noticed the tears streaming down Grace's face. "I'm fine, What's wrong?" Cheryl asked softly.

Toni held Grace tightly, comforting her. "I don't know; she was crying when she got off the bus," Toni replied. Grace buried her face in Toni's neck, sniffling.

Toni gently wiped away Grace's tears and looked into her daughter's eyes. "What's wrong, Grace?" she asked.

Grace hesitated for a moment, then looked up at her mother. "My teacher said I couldn't be Marilyn Monroe," she said, her voice trembling. Cheryl's heart sank, realizing the magnitude of the situation.

Toni pushed her hair out of her face. "Why?" she asked.

"Because of my skin tone," Grace replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The room fell silent.