You, Me & Love | Choni Story

Pt.1 to Pt.11

Toni set down on the couch with grace wrapped up and her arms, why Cheryl and Daen went into the kitchen to start breakfast.

Daen walked up on the stool to reach the counter," Mommy isn't mama supposed to be decorating"

"Yea but maybe sister needs a minute" Cheryl said grabbing the bowls.

[Toni and Grace] 

Grace expressed contentment as she spoke languidly, "I am," while stretching her arms in a yawn.

Toni, intrigued, inquired, "You are what?" as she comforting rubbed Grace's arm.

"Proud to be odd," Grace affirmed, gesturing towards the TV.

"Me too," Toni responded, smiling warmly at Grace.

Cheryl approached the duo and suggested, "Grace, why don't you go upstairs to change into your Halloween outfit, hmm?"

Acknowledging Cheryl's suggestion, Grace remarked, "I know, I know, just boring grown-up talk. I'm way ahead of you," before rising from her seat and beginning to climb the stairs, trailing slightly behind Daen.

[Cheryl and Daen]

Daen stood in the kitchen, mixing the pancake batter as he talked about his dream school. 

"They'll be drawing instead of math, and tree climbing or ziplining instead of sports, and.. no they never have that" Daen mused.

Cheryl, indulging in a chocolate chip, nudged him playfully. "Come on, keep going. We're talking about the perfect dream of school," Cheryl encouraged.

Daen paused, "Animals instead of science. Chickens, mice, and iguanas. This is all make-believe, pretend, right?" Daen questioned, as he stopped stirring the batter.

Cheryl replied, "No, angel, this is real. I will find you a school with trees, frogs, and eggs to gather. And maybe just a little bit of math," Cheryl promised, her finger tracing a path up Daen's shoulder.

Daen turned his head to the left, a quirky smile playing on his lips.

"You'll need some math, too," Cheryl teased, leaning in close and turning her head the opposite way with a mischievous smirk, with her finger and his face joking around.

"But... Not to much, okay?" Cheryl playfully put some melted chocolate on Daen's nose and then licked her finger, causing him to giggle. 

Just then, the phone rang and Cheryl turned around, only to find that Daen had already dashed to answer it. It was Uncle Fangs on the line, and Daen asked if he could say hello.

"Of course," Cheryl replied, wiping her hand on her apron.

"I miss you, Uncle Fang," Daen said with a smile.

Cheryl could hear Fang's loving reply, "I miss you to smithereens, serpent's honor."

Daen handed Cheryl the phone and went back to mixing the batter. As Cheryl spoke to Fang, she teasingly asked, "Are the kids torturing you before the party starts?"

"With hot needles," Fangs replied.

Cheryl casually remarked, "Huh, tell them it starts at five."

Fangs nodded, adding, "Right-O, but also I need to talk to Toni."

Interested, Cheryl inquired, "Any message I can receive?"

Fangs replied with a hint of secrecy, "Confidentiality."

Cheryl pressed further, asking, "A code word or something?"

Fangs nodded quickly, whispering urgently, "Echo, we need Toni fast, Jughead order."

Cheryl sighed and rolled her eyes, adding sarcastically, "She'll be there, just wait. Tell Jughead and the Serpents to suck eggs."

Daen, observing the interaction, interjected, "Mommy!, Language!"

Cheryl glanced at Daen, nodding in agreement, "Acceptable!" She then pointed her arm and hand at Daen, who quickly turned his head sideways.

Regretting her language, Cheryl muttered, "Borderline," as she twisted her hand still extended arm out.

Cheryl took a deep breath and Daen looked down, continuing to mix the ingredients in the bowl. 

Cheryl turned around and broke the news, "She's on her way," she informed the room.

"Okay, bye," Fangs responded casually.

Cheryl hung up the phone and turned back to Daen with a teasing smile, "Tough cookie, you." She hugged him playfully, and they both laughed.

"Maybe we should just eat the chocolate, that's my favorite part. What do you think?" Cheryl suggested.

[Back to Toni and Cheryl]

"Jughead needs you, Its a code echo, only one condition you can go is if you promise me, promise me you'll be back before the party starts" Cheryl said.

Toni reassured Cheryl, hastily grabbing her jacket, "Yes, yes, babe, I'll be back."

Seeking further assurance, Cheryl looked into Toni's eyes, "Promise me, Toni."

Nodding decisively, Toni gently grasped Cheryl's face, "I promise."

Concerned about the timing, Cheryl urged, "You better get going before the twins come back down. I'll ask Dale to help me set up."

Expressing gratitude, Toni leaned in to kiss Cheryl, "Thank you. I love you."

Returning the sentiment, Cheryl replied, "Mhm, I love you too."

At that moment, Dale descended the stairs and inquired, "Where are you headed, Momma?"

Toni responded to Dale, "I'm going to hit the road."

"Dale politely asked if he could come."

Cheryl hesitated before responding, "N-no, Dale." She turned towards him.

Dale inquired, "Why?"

"Because Mom's job isn't safe," Cheryl explained.

"It's just a code echo, nothing too serious," Toni chimed in.

Dale pleaded, "Please, Mom."

Cheryl, caught off guard, was about to speak when Toni interjected with a plea, "Please, baby." 

Cheryl turned to Dale with a puzzled expression and asked, "How old are you again?" 

Dale, chiming in, simply said, "Mom." 

Cheryl relented, "Fine, you can go. Put your costume on. Momma and you won't be back till later." Dale excitedly exclaimed, "Yes!" as he dashed up the stairs.

Turning to Toni, Cheryl reminded, "Keep him safe." 

With a sincere nod, Toni assured, "I will, I promise," as she made her way towards the stairs.

 "Come on, Dale, we need to go!" Toni called out. 

"Coming!" Dale responded, coming back down the stairs.

[3hrs later Cheryl n the twins]

Betty walked inside the house, finding Cheryl in the kitchen. "All finished, Cheryl," Betty said, wiping her hands together.

 Cheryl turned around and looked at the completed project with a smile. "Thank you so much, Betty," she said gratefully.

 "You're welcome, but why couldn't Toni help you?" Betty inquired. 

"She got caught up at work," Cheryl explained. "Oh, look at the time, you should get going, don't want to make Lillian wait" Cheryl added, glancing at the clock. 

Betty nodded, grabbing her coat and bidding Cheryl farewell.