Hold Me Tight (Choni)

Chapter 23

Toni's POV

"Cheryl!" I scream as I watched her plunge into sweatwater lake. I followed unable to find her. My body jolted. I woke covered in sweat. Cheryl laid still on my chest she hadn't moved all night. I pulled her in close to make sure she was real. The smell of her hair filled my lungs and a feeling of euphoria fell over me momentarily, until reality hit me again. I had almost lost the love of my life too many times, to her demons. When her darkness overtakes her, I will never leave her alone. I will find her and bring her safely home. "Never fear," I whispered as I brushed her hair back behind her ear. I will save your from your nightmare, the sun will shine again the storm will pass and I will be here always.  Cheryl moves on my chest, "no mother, stop!" Cheryl screamed and sat up. Her eyes darted open as she scanned the room. She found my face and her eyes filled with tears as she fell back into my arms. The door burst open, jughead, fangs and sweatpea stood there.

"Is everything okay?" Sweatpea asked as he looked over the room.

"We are good," I said, even though that was a lie. We were anything but good.

"Okay," fangs said as they all turned to head back down stairs.

Cheryl looked up through her tear filled eyes,"thank you," Cheryl said.

They all nodded as the door closed.

Cheryl turned to me,"thank you TT," she said, her eyes filled with so much sadness.

"Oh cher," I said pulling her in tightly and kissing her passionately. "I am never letting you go my princess." Cheryls crying began to slow. Her cheeks now tear stained. This girl had cried more in the past 24hrs than some in a lifetime. I continued to stroke her hair. I wanted to help with her pain but I didn't know what to do.

"Can I get you anything princess?" I asked wanting to comfort her anyway I could.

We sat silent for a long moment. The pain still radiating off her.

"I don't understand the way I feel, I can't stand it. My heart cant take this damage. I want to change. Help me. Please TT." Cheryl said with an emptiness.

I was at a loss. Tears ran down my cheeks and flowed into Cheryls hair.

"I can't promise everything will be okay today or tomorrow, but one day, things will change, it will get better. I can promise, I will be here every day for you anyway you need me. I am yours Cheryl Blossom for now and forever," I said raising her chin so our eyes met. I needed her to see the genuineness of my promise. I will always be here for her no matter the circumstances.

"Am I broken?," cheryl said still crying. The look of anguish in her eyes. She genuinely though she was broken.

"You're not broken, you're sensational," I said still fixed on her gaze.

"Thank you TT," Cheryl said as she leaned in and gave me a kiss, this kiss was different for yesterdays it had a tenderness to it, our lips broke apart "I love you," Cheryl whispered.

"I love you to princess," I said softly smiling. I swept Cheryl out of bed,"time for a shower princess." I turned the water onto a perfect temperature. I slowly undressed Cheryl, taking in every inch of her beautiful body. Something yesterday, I thought I would never see again. I helped her into the shower and joined her. The warm water cascading over our naked bodies. I washed Cheryl and trailed kisses over her body. I held Cheryl closely to remind me this was all real.

Cheryls POV

I sat on Toni's lap as I watched the light of the fire flicker. Toni talked to jughead, fangs and sweatpea. It was a cold day and gloomy day, they all sat around the heat of fireplace. There belongings scattered throughout the lounge room, now their home until my wretched mother was tracked down. I got lost in the flames and the outside world fell silent. I would like to find the girl I used to be. I don't won't to be this empty shell. Am I broken, am I flawed, do I deserve this love or am I just a lost cause. I'm so scared I can't be saved form myself. Between the madness and the apathy it seems there is nothing left inside of me. I look at TT and a light flickers. She brings me a feeling of home, of peace, she is my shining light. My protector, my saviour, my lover, my forever. I pull her tighter. I see a small smile flicker across her lips. She continues to talk as she places her hand on my thigh gently caressing it. The feeling gives me tingles. I found myself smiling slightly. Something I thought I wasn't capable of.