Enlightened

Chapter Twenty-Two: Epilogue

Three and a half years later

It was a beautiful day on July 4th, 2029, but not for Toni Topaz. That day would've been the five year anniversary of her relationship with Cheryl if she hadn't fucked everything up. She was sitting on her couch watching the celebrations all over the country and drinking her fourth beer of the day when her brother walked into the house with groceries in hand. Sage had become firmer with her after she'd killed his girlfriend, Sabrina Spellman. To Toni, he had it easy. At least he knew she wasn't coming back and could move on.

The music teacher hadn't had a date in four years in hope that her girlfriend would come back. She had a half hope that Cheryl would come back someday. He set the reusable bags on the counter and turned walked into the living room, turning the TV off. "What the fuck?" Toni said angrily, startling Zen who was napping on her lap. She stroked the feline's head lightly, coaxing her back to sleep.

"Get up. We're going out soon." There was no leniency in his tone.

"You can, I'll stay right here," Toni said leaning further into her chair. She had let herself go after Cheryl left. She kept her toned physique rather well, but her personal hygiene had definitely suffered a hit from the departure of the one she loved. She took another sip of the beer and ignored her brother.

"You haven't gone out for four years, T. It's time to stop sulking and live your life. This is what Cheryl would've wanted," He said crossing his arms over his chest. Toni clenched her hand tighter around the bottle as he spoke. When he mentioned her name, it drove her to a place of anger that she didn't even know existed.

She stood up a little too quickly and looked him in the eye. He was quite a bit taller than her so she had to tilt her head back to do so, but there was no sign of cowardice in her stance. "You have no idea what she would've wanted." Toni set the beer on the table and turned away from him. Walking away from him a few feet.

"I know that she wouldn't want, this." Sage motioned to all of her as he spoke. "Go shower, change and brush your teeth. We're going over to the Betty and Jughead's in a few hours for a barbeque." With that, the man walked into the kitchen to unpack the groceries. Toni trudged upstairs and took her shower, throwing a pair of black jean shorts, Cheryl's favourite band t-shirt, her Serpent jacket and a pair of gold framed aviators before walking back downstairs. She sat down on the couch and finished her beer. "That's much better. Now give me that beer and go brush your teeth." The older Topaz sibling took the drink out of his sister's hand and picked up all the empty bottles, despite her protests.

Toni did what Sage and brushed her teeth before taking a seat on the couch and pulling her phone out. She checked social media for the first time in months and, after clicking on Instagram, saw her follow requests. There were fifty-six of them. Most of them were total strangers or "get big quick" accounts, but one username caught her eye. Bombshell_Blossom has requested to follow you.

The music teacher pressed accept and requested to follow them back. Her request was accepted in the next five minutes and clicked on her ex-girlfriend's page. Her bio was what brought a little hope back to the pink haired girl.

Cheryl "Bombshell" Blossom

World traveler🌏, Riverdale native🐍, lover of red❤️, it's complicated🤐💔

It's complicated. She didn't say single though. There's a chance she still wanted Toni. This tiny little flicker of hope gave Toni the motivation to get out and actually do something. She scrolled through Cheryl's feed and saw she was traveling Europe right now after seeing a post captioned "Goodbye Europe, hello home!" posted an hour and a half ago.

Good for her. Even though it was hell to be away from the redhead, the Serpent was glad that she was doing something she loved. Even if she wished that something was herself. "Toni! Come on, we're gonna be late!" Sage called from the front doorway. The Serpent jogged to the front door, slipping on a pair of all black converse and walking out to Sage's black 1951 Cadillac Eldorado. He stuck in a cassette tape that their mother had made for him as a child and pulled out of the driveway listening to I'm a Believer by The Monkees.

~

They arrived at the Jones' ten minutes later and were greeted by the married couple sitting on the porch. There were people in the backyard already and Toni just got more excited as they got out of the car and walked up to the door. The sounds of people being happy used to make her angry, but her little bit of hope from Cheryl's Instagram page had brought joy back into the Serpent's life.  

She walked up to the blonde and the Serpent who she hugged happily, being led inside.  Sage and Jughead walked off to the backyard to check on things, restock coolers and check on the barbeque.  Betty took Toni aside and walked around with her out front for a bit.  They started walking down the sidewalk away from the house and the party to talk.

"How're you holding up?"  Betty asked, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her shorts.  Toni ran her hand over her neck nervously and exhaled.

"Honestly, not great.  I've started drinking more.  Nothing horrible, but it really helps me take the edge off things.  I miss her, B.  I miss her a lot.  Not a day goes by where I don't think about her.  What she's doing, if she thinks about me, if she's ever coming back..."  Toni trailed off as they walked.  "I'm getting better though.  I still have hope.  I think she's coming back.  I don't know when, but I have a feeling I'll see her again."

"Well, that's good.  I'm glad that you're getting better Toni.  I hope she comes home soon too. I wanted Forsythe Pendleton Jones the Fourth to meet his aunts at the same time, but I guess he can meet them separately."  Betty had the widest smile on her face as she spoke about her son.  Forsythe Pendleton Jones the Fourth was born about a two years ago and was the spitting image of his father, so everyone called him Jughead Junior.

"Oh yeah!  I can't wait to meet little Juggie!  I've seen pictures, he looks just like his dad!"  Toni exclaimed happily as they turned the final corner of the block and walked back to the Jones' house.  They walked out back to see Jughead and his son splashing around in the shallow end of their pool.  The black haired boy was shirtless and in a pair of black swim trunks.  His son was dressed similarly but with a dark grey swim shirt on.  He was splashing his dad gently as Jughead poured water from his cupped hands onto his head.  They were both laughing excitedly and having a good time.  Toni smiled at her old friend and his son.  She was happy that Jughead was able to find the happiness he deserved. 

"Hey, boys!  Come here!"  Betty called to her husband and son.  Jughead Jr came galloping over quickly, waving his father over.  Jughead Sr just chuckled and walked over to the two women standing on the deck.  She ruffled her son's hair as he hugged her legs before leaning back up to kiss her husband softly.  The little bit of PDA brought a twinge to Toni's heart.  She missed the little pecks on the lips and soft side hugs from Cheryl.  Jughead Jr looked up at Toni with curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't seem to have any apprehension for the leather-clad Serpent standing in front of him.  "Juggie, this is your Aunt Toni.  She's one of your dad's best friends."

"Hi!  Nice to meet you!"  The little boy cheered happily.  He ran up to her and hugged her legs happily, nuzzling the side of his head into her thighs.  She smiled happily and hugged him back happily.  

"Hey, little man, nice to meet you too."  The Serpent's heart swelled and she forgot about her momentary pain.  How could she be sad when such a beautiful little boy like this was so happy to see her?  He let go and turned back to Betty, a questioning look taking over his face.  

"Mommy, I thought you said I had another aunty?"  He asked, his left hand still wrapped around Toni's knee.  

"You do little Jones, she's just arrived."  A familiar voice said from behind them.  Toni didn't turn her head until Jughead Jr ran off to see his other aunt, calling her name as he did.

"Aunty Cheryl!"