capsize me and douse me in your bay

chapter twenty one

"Just remember not to leave the apartment. I haven't had a key made for you yet," Toni rushed around the living room, stepping around boxes that hadn't been unpacked and IKEA packages that had yet to be touched. It was her first day back to work since Cheryl had returned, and while the redhead was used to her going off to work for the day, this just felt different. After losing her for three weeks, Toni had to admit that she was scared of letting Cheryl out of her sight. She didn't want to lose her again.

"I will be okay, Toni," the redhead giggled, following her girlfriend around the apartment, "It is only for a few hours, we will see each other again very soon."

The pink haired girl glanced at her and sighed, relaxing her shoulders a little at the sincere look on Cheryl's face. "I know, you're right. I just...I worry about you, babe," she stepped closer and allowed herself to be pulled into a hug from the taller girl.

"You do not need to worry about me, Toni, I will not leave the apartment," Cheryl smiled, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, "I promise."

Nodding, Toni leaned up to kiss her briefly before she reached for her laptop case and camera bag, turning to face her again. "I should be back by noon for lunch. If you wanna unpack some more stuff you can. You remember how to work the TV?"

"I remember," she nodded in confirmation, recalling how Toni had showed her how to use the TV just yesterday since the one she was used to using was Veronica's back at the old apartment. "Go to work before you are late."

Toni just laughed as Cheryl pushed her gently towards the door, "Okay, okay, I'm going," she chuckled, kissing her once again before disappearing behind the door.

Cheryl sighed, leaning against the closed door as she glanced around the apartment wondering what to do for the next few hours. Toni had put a few games on the tablet for her. She had the TV. She had-

Gasping to herself, she turned back to face the door, whimpering a little. She promised she wouldn't leave the apartment. Looking around worriedly, she rushed to the door in the living room that lead out to the balcony. Toni's car was out there! It was a little farther from the main entrance of the building, but the older girl told her that she would park there instead so Cheryl could see when she left and when she came home. It gave the redhead butterflies when Toni had told her that.

"Toni!" she cried out, practically leaning over the edge of the balcony desperately. She waved, spotting the head of pink hair as she was just about to get into her car. "I love you!" How could she have forgotten to tell her??

She could hear Toni's melodic giggling despite the few stories of distance between them, followed by a "love you too" called back up that made her heart soar. And after Toni waved and got into her car, Cheryl watched her drive off before turning back into the apartment.

Glancing around, she sighed, wondering what to do. There was plenty for her to do to keep herself busy while Toni was away. Some things still had to be unpacked from their boxes. She could be helpful and unpack them! She was sure Toni would appreciate the help. Just yesterday, she was telling her all about her new job and all the responsibilities she had. Cheryl felt tired just listening to it, she couldn't imagine having to actually do it all. Toni was magic, she knew she could do it. But magic or not, everyone needed help sometimes.

Humming quietly to herself, the redhead moved to the bathroom and knelt down beside the cardboard box beside the toilet, starting to sift through it for anything she could put away. The box had mostly towels of different colors and shapes, but she could unpack them! She just...wasn't sure where they were supposed to go. Placing them on the floor, she went through the rest of the box, huffing a bit at each thing she recognized but wasn't sure where it was supposed to be placed. This bathroom was different than the one in New York. The sink was across from the toilet instead of beside it and the bathtub was too small.