Eight years later
I tiptoed down the hallway, trying not to let my heels make noise on the marble tiles. I held my top lip between my teeth as I snuck into the kitchen and up behind Toni. I smiled maniacally as I wrapped my hands around her eyes and waited for her reaction.
Toni jerked forward and I heard the sharp sound of marble hitting porcelain as her coffee mug hit the counter, she wriggled and whacked at my arms. "What the hell Cheryl? I spent so much time on my hair and make up!" Toni exclaimed, finally slipping out of my grasp.
I smiled as I pulled Toni close by her wrist and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. I leaned back, "Sorry, Cha-cha," I whispered. Toni rolled her eyes and pulled me into a passionate kiss that was shorter than I would have liked it to be.
"Are you ready, Cherry?" Toni asked, looking me up and down. She straightened a topaz necklace she gave me on our second wedding anniversary that was hanging around my neck.
I tugged slightly at the edges or my white lace top and plastered a confident smile on. "Never been more confident," I said as my insides trembled and twisted into knots.
Toni looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. She was taller than she normally was in her high heels but I was also wearing heels which made myself still the taller one. She was wearing a dark magenta dress with spaghetti straps and a neckline that was bordering on inappropriate. She had grown to like dressing up on business occasions but her flannel mesh aesthetic was still in play every other day, not that I was complaining. She reached out her left hand and took my right hand in it.
I felt the warm metal of her wedding and engagement rings pressing into my hand and the cool touch of the promise ring I gave her on my hand that she wore on special occasions. I smiled. "This is big for us. We just inherited even more money," I said lightly.
Toni frowned slightly. "And you about to become the official face of Blossom Industries to the public. This is stressful."
I squeezed her hand. "This is no big deal. I've been the CEO for seven years now and we still had time to travel Europe, get married, build a new house and go to college."
"I worry about you though, Cherry." Toni pulled me into a bear hug, her chin resting on my shoulder as we stood in that position just focusing on each other and letting the rest of the world fall out of focus. I breathed in the scent of my wife and pulled back.
"We should go now," I said and Toni nodded.
/\/\/\
Toni and I stood in the lobby of the Pembroke while our publicity manager gave a speech and introduced us. I linked our hands and we stepped through the automatic doors and into the public eye. There were applause and some boos as we stepped onto the platform. The publicity manager stepped to side and I stepped up to the lectern and took a minute to scan the crowd as I smiled.
"Hello everyone, thank you for being here today," I said into the microphone. "In the light of the recent tragedy involving my Nana my wife and I are honored to become the faces of Blossom Industries. In the past there has been so much turmoil between Riverdale and Blossom Industries and I plan on fixing that."
I feel Toni gazing at me and I smiled brighter. I continued speaking on our transparency policy and devotion to the best maple syrup quality. I also touched on the charity Toni and I had recently opened that helped victims of domestic abuse. At the end of my speech I held my breath as the publicity manager opened me to questions after the applause died down. I bit back a smile at the positive response. I looked back at Toni who had pride shining in her eyes and was smiling widely.
/\/\/\
"You were great out there," Toni gushed when we got back to our house.
She took my hands into hers and bounced up and down. I laughed and started bouncing around. I kicked off my heels and Toni followed my lead and soon it was just me and my wife of four and a half years jumping and dancing wildly in out kitchen. I finally felt my throat cracking with dryness and pulled myself away from the mini party and walked to the fridge and poured myself a glass of water.
"I love you to the moon and back, Topaz," I said, raising my glass to my lips.
Toni stumbled closer to me and grabbed onto the counter to hold herself up straight. She was still shaking and swaying with laughter. "I love you too, Topaz," Toni finally said when her laughter subsided.
I put down the glass and pulled her as close as I possibly could. I rested my chin at the top of her head. Our arms were wrapped tightly around each other and I let the contentedness settle in between my ribs. She looked up and our lips connected. It got passionate, very very passionate (like Toni was sitting on the counter now) before she pulled away. I looked into her eyes which were lustful and I'm sure mine were too.
"I have a surprise, baby," Toni said, smiling wider than I think I've ever seen her. Even when we got married her smile was slightly smaller. She was even using traditional cutesy nicknames that we didn't use very often.
I felt the uncomfortable tingle that normally came when people said they had surprises. I kept smiling though because Toni seemed happy and that meant it was a good thing. "What is it, darling?"
Toni wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled wider. "I'm pregnant," she giggled. "I know we talked about it and went to that one appointment but it went back and it worked. We're gonna have a baby!"
At first I was confused. She had gone behind my back and done a fertility treatment but on the other hand it was like having an unplanned pregnancy. Then I was happy. I rolled onto the tips of my toes and started bouncing up and down slightly. We were going to be moms to a baby of our own. "This is fantastic, Cha-cha. I mean we're going to be parents, to a baby human. We're gonna be parents. I've never been happier nad I married the love of my life. Oh my God! I love you two so much!" I rambled not bothering to hide the excitement in my voice. I was so excited I even started using contractions and slang.
"I know I went behind your back but I wanted to do this for us," Toni said softly. She looked away slightly.
I put my hands on her hips and squeezed lightly. "I'm so happy, Toni. I've always wanted to be a mom."
Toni beamed at me. "Me too, Cher, me too."
/\/\/\
My eyelids burn as I stare down at my coffee up. My shoulders sag in an unprofessional manner but I don't have the energy to care anymore. My pants are clinging to my body to tightly and the lace trim on my blouse is itchier than I remember it. I hear the muffled screams and pleading noises coming from the master bedroom where Toni is trying to calm Evianna. The house feels cold and empty now that I'm not in the room with them but instead getting ready for work. My first day away from them.
Toni had Evie two and a half months ago and I had been taking a break from work to help Toni take care Evie and to bond with the baby. And I had loved everyday of it except now it feels like hell to be leaving them. I took one sip from my now cold coffee and then walked to the sink and dumped it out. I pushed a strawberry into my mouth and walked back to the bed room.
Toni is sitting in the rocking chair with her head tipped back and her hair stuck to her face with sweat. Her face was relaxed with sleep and Evie was contently holding her hand to her face and gurgling.
I cooed at the sight and walked over to the two most important ladies in my life. I scooped the happy bundle into my arms and swayed in place for a few moments singing lightly in French. She smiled and cooed. I 'awhed' silently and walked towards the crib that was set up in our master bedroom. I placed her down and turned on the noise machine. I walked back to Toni and shook her shoulder.
"Breast milk is in the freezer," she shouted, snapping into an upright position.
"Baby, are you okay? Should I call Claire and tell her I'm not coming in?" I asked frantically, dropping to my knees and grabbing her hand.
"I'm so tired, Cheryl. I'm so tired. Why'd you wake me up?" she groaned. Her eyes ran over her eyes repeatedly as a yawn split her face in half.
"I'm tired too, baby. Do you want me to at least stay for a few hours so you can get some sleep?" I asked softly.
She shook her slowly and yawned again. "Stay for coffee?"
"Of course, Evianna is sleeping. Let's go onto the balcony," I suggested, holding out my hand.
"The balcony?" Toni asked over dramatically. "How fancy."
I laughed as she took my hand. We walked to the kitchen where I made a cup of coffee for my lovely wife and baby mama. I walked over to her and grabbed her waist. I pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her lips. Toni wriggled away and looked down.
"What's wrong, darling?" I asked. My hands were still on her waist and I noticed small love handles forming on her back. She had always been curier than myself but this was new.
"I haven't brushed my teeth," Toni said. "Or showered."
"I don't care. You're busy raising my baby. I'm helping but you're doing this all," I said lightly but I felt the concern building in my chest.
Toni didn't say anything but kept looking down.
"Toni, darling, if something's the matter you have to tell me. Is your...lady part hurting? Do you feel okay? Is something wrong with Evianna?"
"I don't feel like myself, Cheryl. I feel like a stranger in my own body. I'm holding Evie and she's eating but i just don't feel like me," she wailed, burying her head in my shoulder.
"Oh, Toni. Why didn't you tell me? She's two months old, we're new mothers. I cannot imagine how it feels for you. Because you're doing everything since she seems to hate me. What can I do, darling?" I cooed into her ear.
"I love you, Cheryl, don't leave me," she cried again, squeezing me close to her.
"I'm never going to leave you. I haven't left you since we were sixteen. I didn't think it was possible but I love you even more now that you're my baby's mother," I said, rubbing her back.
I felt the telltale shudder of her shoulders letting me know she was crying. I felt the tears soak into my blouse.
"I don't deserve you, Cheryl Blossom," she said into my shoulder.
I froze in place, my blood running cold. Did she just use my maiden name? I hated it with a passion. Maybe she was just so tired she forgot I took her name.
"Toni, baby, darling, maybe it's time to get help," I whispered and I felt a small nod into my shoulder.
Three Years Later
"They're precious," I whispered, looking down at the two bundles resting on my chest. Toni whispered yeah and reached out to straighten one of their little caps. Her head was resting on my shoulder and Evianna was fast asleep on her lap. It was all a little cramped since we were on my hospital bed but I wouldn't have it anyother way. Originally I hadn't ever wanted to carry a baby but after Toni's struggle with postpartum but her desire to have more kids I gave in. i would do anything for her.
"They're so cute, Cherry," Toni said, using her free hand to turn my head and kiss me lightly on my lips. "I'm so proud of you."
I winced at the moment but settled in to her embrace for a few seconds. We hadn't gotten much time together since my pregnancy and our jobs. "What should we name them?"
Toni shifted slightly and lifted Evianna before resetling her down. "I don't know. Louisa? Diana? Kevin? So many options. Why didn't we make a list?" Toni rambled lightly. She was nervous I picked up.
"Clam down, Cha-cha. This is what you get for not wanting to know their genders. I like Diana. Kevin not so much," I said, craning my neck to kiss the newborn twins' foreheads.
"Diana Betty?" Toni suggested. She gnawed on the corner of her lip. "Jason. We should name him Jason."
My head snapped to face Toni. She looked at me slightly concerned and slightly amused. "Really? We can name him Jason?"
"Of course, Cherry. He was important to you and you should honor that," Toni said heartfeltly.
"Diana Betty Topaz and Jason Jones Topaz. Why did we agree to make his middle name Jones again?" I asked slightly miffed.
"Because you were so certain it was going to be two girl you made a bet with Jughead. You should know Jughead always wins," Toni reminded me.
I nodded and looked down at the still sleeping infants. "We love you," I whispered.
Twenty-Eight Years Later
If someone had told me when I was fourteen that I would come out to the world, get married to a girl and have three wonderful kids I wouldn't have believed them. I also wouldn't have believed them if they said my dad would kill my brother, my uncle would turn out to be a serial killer, I would be sent to conversion therapy, take down a drug ring and become a CEO at sixteen I wouldn't have believed them. But look at what my life became. Not that I would change it for the world, because I'm finally happy now and that's something teenage me wouldn't have believed either. I hope I'm making teenage me proud right now.
It's Christmas Eve and it's Toni and I's turn to host it. The Andrews, the Joneses, the Coopers, Fangs, SweetPea, Kevin, Josie, and our kids are all gathered in the living room while Toni and I gather chips and cookies to put out until dinner is ready. When we put out the snacks and sit down I take a minute to look around at my chosen family.
Betty and Jughead's oldest son is in Japan for work but their younger daughter is here with her husband and kid. Veronica and Archie's only daughter is here with her spouse. Josie is here with here with one of her daughters and Kevin brought his dog. But what warm my heart most is Evianna holding her four month old daughter and talking to Diana who is bouncing one of Jason and his wife's three sons on her lap.
I love our family, even if we aren't all completely related. It was a bumpy road, but I wouldn't change it for anything because I'm happy, healthy and finally understand that Mother and Father were wrong. The Blossoms weren't better than anyone, we were equal to them in our own way.
A/N: I could find enough material to write a next wave of chapters so here's some clips from Choni's future. Thank you all for reading, favoriting, following, commenting, I appreciate it.
To clear up so confusion: family trees!( + means coupled = means their kids. & means multiples. Kids written in order.)
*Cheryl+Toni= Evianna and Diana & Jason
Evianna husband= Louisa
Jason+wife= Matthew and Shaun and Daniel
*Betty+Jughead= Tommy and Lucy
Lucy+husband= Michelle
*Veronica+Archie= Arianna
*Josie+Reggie(deceased in war)= Kayla and Maria
