I've Missed You | CHONI |

Chapter 8

It was Saturday morning, Cheryl had woken up early this morning and was keeping herself busy in her apartment. 'Will you sit down, I know you're nervous about your date with Toni but you're making me dizzy' Veronica said peaking over the back of the couch. 'Oh please Ronnie, I'm a grown women, I'm not nervous'. 'Yeah yeah whatever Cher' Veronica said turning her attention back to her phone. 'Where's Toni taking you anyway?'. 'I'm not sure, she likes surprises i guess' Cheryl said. 'Some things don't change' Veronica said not even looking up from her phone. Cheryl smiled and carried on polishing her cutlery.

It was nearly time for Toni to pick Cheryl up, she had decided on wearing a pant suit knowing they'd be riding on Toni's motorcycle and a dress might not be the best idea. Cheryl's phone pinged with a text message from Toni letting her know she was outside her apartment. Cheryl said her goodbyes to Veronica and nervously made her way downstairs and outside. Toni was stood next to her motorcycle, both helmets in her hand, she gave Cheryl a small smile and helped her onto her bike. 'Where are we going?' Cheryl asked wrapping her arms around Toni's waist. 'You'll see' Toni said starting the engine and pulling off to join the traffic.

They were on the outside of the city, the lights becoming a blur, Cheryl wondered where they was going but she trusted Toni. They rode uphill for a while before Toni pulled up near the bottom of a hill. It was all strangely familiar. They hopped off the bike hanging their helmets on the handles. 'Do you trust me?' Toni asked. Cheryl nodded her head as Toni covered her eyes and guided her up the hill. Once Toni's hands were removed from her eyes she stood frozen for a moment. Toni had recreated their first date. The only difference was they was looking at the lights of New York City rather than Riverdale.

'What do you think?' Toni asked her eyes watching her feet rather than the look on Cheryl's face. Their first date won Cheryl over at 17 but now she was a grown women and people change. Cheryl made her way to face Toni, she leans in and kisses her sweetly on the cheek 'it's perfect'. Toni eyes lifted as Cheryl sat on the blanket laying out the food Toni had prepared. They sat in comfortable silence, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance. Toni slid her hand towards Cheryl's wrapping her pinkie around her dates. Cheryl lent towards Toni resting her head on her shoulder. They may be older now but in this moment they felt 17 again, like no time had passed at all.

After they'd eaten they laid back looking up at the night sky. The stars were twinkling, the soft howl of the wind and distant noises of the city filled the quiet. Cheryl turned on to her side, Toni did the same, they just looked into each others eyes, each of them trying to figure out what the other one was thinking. 'I've missed this' Cheryl was the first to speak. ''Me too' Toni smiled. Cheryl decided this was what she wanted, what she had been waiting for all these years, no one could ever make Cheryl feel the way Toni did. She leaned forward connecting their lips, Toni not hesitating to follow Cheryl's lead. The electric between them was undeniable, years of hurt, love, wanting and waiting all blended into a kiss. Eventually and disappointingly they had to part to catch their breath. Toni lent her forehead on Cheryl's, their hearts still in their throats as they tried to remember how to breath again.

Toni peeled open her eyes to the sound of birds singing, it took her a moment the figure out where she was. As she was about to sit up she felt a weight on her chest. It was Cheryl, she had her head rested on Toni, her lips slightly apart while she took small breaths as she slept. They must of fell asleep at some point as they were looking up at the stars. All of a sudden Cheryl bolted up, looking around before realizing where she was, she relaxed back onto Toni's chest. 'When did we fall asleep?' Cheryl asked as she yawned. 'I have no idea' Toni laughed. Cheryl couldn't believe how after all these years Toni still made her feel content and safe, safe enough that she fell asleep in the middle of no where.

'Breakfast?' Toni asked stroking Cheryl's hair. 'I'd like to make you breakfast at my apartment? If you're comfortable with that? After all you did all this for me i'd like to do something for you?' Cheryl answered. 'I'd love that Cher'. 'Great, thank you for last night TT' Cheryl sat up kissing Toni on the lips before returning her head to her chest. 'TT' Toni thought she'd missed her nickname coming from Cheryl's mouth. Once the sun had fully risen, they were packed up and loading Toni's bike before putting on their helmets. Cheryl wrapped her arms around Toni as they set off back to the city.