The Secrets We Keep: A Choni Story

Chapter 44

Toni's POV
I'd been thinking about this for a while and today was the day, I was a bit nervous but I needed to do it.

"Cheryl!" I called out.

"Yeah?" she replied.

"Come here please?" I asked.

"Coming!" she answered.

A few minutes later Cheryl came into the living room and sat on my lap.

"What's up, TT?" she asked once she was comfortable.

"Umm, well I-" I stuttered.

"TT… you're scaring me," she said worriedly.

"I wanna get emancipated from my mom," I blurted out.

Relief. It washed over her face once she understood what I wanted.

"Okay, do you want me to call up Mayor McCoy?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes, please, and thank you princess," I smiled.

"For what, baby?" she replied.

"Being there for me, doing this and just for loving me," I replied.

"I'll always love you no matter what, baby, you and me against the world," she smiled.

"I love you," I smiled, kissing her.

"I love you too," she chuckled, pulling away.

30 minutes later
"So how does this process work?" I asked Mayor McCoy.

"Well, Toni it's kind of like signing off your parental rights, you don't need a new guardian but do you have anyone in mind who could take your mother's place?" she replied.

"What? Like adopt me?" I inquired.

"Pretty much if you happen to choose anyone they'll become your legal guardian," she answered.

"Does my mom need to be here or sign some papers or something?" I asked.

"She will need to sign some papers," she nodded.

"Well umm can I make a few calls?" I asked.

"Of course, take as long as you need," she smiled.

I got up and walked to the kitchen, I was about to get my phone out and call my mom, when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist.

"You okay, baby?" Cheryl asked.

"Yeah, umm do you think FP would mind being my legal guardian?" I replied.

"Of course not, FP loved you like his own before he knew who your dad was. Why would you think that?" she inquired.

"I'm a lot of work and if my mom didn't even like me why would he, ya know?" I sighed.

"No. Don't do that okay, that man loves you so much, almost as much as me which is a lot okay, and your mom is an idiot for not loving you just the way you are," she said sternly.

"Okay, I'll call my mom and FP and tell them to come over," I nodded.

"Are you sure you're ready to face your mom? Especially after last time, are you sure you'll be able to keep your cool?" she asked, concerned.

"Just sit next to me, and whenever I squeeze your leg or your hand, kiss me it always calms me down, and just look me in the eyes before pulling away fully to see if you did your job," I nodded.

"Don't have to tell me twice," she laughed.

"Okay, let me call them and we can get this over with," I chuckled.