Taking a Bite from the Big Apple (Complete)

27

“Its gonna be weird sleeping alone next week,” Toni said, stroking the redhead’s naked back as they lay in bed together.

“I know,” Cheryl replied, frowning slightly, "You’d think that having done it every night of my life up until we got together would make it at least a little bit easy to fall back into, but I’m not looking forward to it one bit. I rely on my Toni-snuggles to get to sleep.”

“We’ll just have to have an extra-big snuggle session when you get back. It’s only two weeks. Besides you’ll be so busy with your Holiday celebrations, you won’t even notice I’m not there.”

“Oh, I’ll notice. I’ll notice very much. You know, baby, my parents would be more than happy to have you over for the holidays. They really liked you…”

Toni smiled and propped herself up on her elbow.

“I’d love to spend it with you guys. But I really can’t afford the plane tickets. And,” she held up a hand when she saw Cheryl was about to speak, “I’m not letting you spend that much money on me. I just wouldn’t be comfortable. But believe me, I’m gonna regret having this stupid pride when I’m cuddling the pillow and thinking of you.”

“We’ll make it up on New Years. You and me, Times Square, dropping ball and smoochies.”

“You’re back on the 29th, right?”

“Yep. Getting the first flight back in the morning. What are you getting up to for Christmas?”

“Oh, I have my own personal traditions,” Toni said with a somewhat-forced smile, hoping the redhead wouldn’t probe for details.

She knew that if her girlfriend knew that her holiday ‘traditions’ involved staying in sweats and eating ramen noodles all day that she’d feel even worse about their separation for the couple of weeks and was determined not to make it any harder.

“Cool,” Cheryl nodded, “I gonna miss you like hell, though.”

“I know, sweetie. Me too. Me too.”

**

Cheryl sighed as she curled up on the armchair in her living room, staring out the window into the starry night, as had become her custom for the past nine nights that she’d been back in Riverdale, feeling somehow more connected to Toni as she did so, knowing that even though they were apart, they were still under the same sky. She had enjoyed her visit home, spending some quality time with her parents and celebrating the holidays, but she found her happiness just couldn’t be complete because she wasn’t sharing it with her Toni.

They’d been calling each other to say goodnight each evening, but Toni had tried to keep the conversations short, wanting Cheryl to enjoy her holiday time with her family completely and not be distracted by missing her, resulting in a somewhat absent redhead who just wanted to see her girlfriend’s smile.

Clifford saw his daughter resume her usual position for this time of night and glanced at his wife, who gave him a nod. He picked up an envelope that was sitting on the dining room table, where they were both sitting and stood, walking over and sitting on an ottoman that accompanied the armchair. Cheryl looked up and gave a small smile.

“Hi, Dad. Check out the stars. They’re really shining tonight.”

Clifford smiled and looked out the window for a few moments before speaking again.

“How’s Toni tonight?”

“She’s okay,” Cheryl replied, still staring out the window, “Christmas Eve, you know, I think she has her own holiday…customs. Not sure what though, didn’t want to pry.”