Chapter Text
Cheryl looked around the lonely mansion. Her Nana, pictures of her family, her art, and the renovations being made. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Allowing memories of her and Jay-Jay in the halls. Then the pictures switched to Thistlehouse; mostly memories of her and Toni, occasionally the twins.
Toni...
A few tears fell, and she left the mansion and went for Thistlehouse.
This'll do. The best memories were made here; and it's where they'll stay. Cheryl had thought to herself. She explored the house for the last time.
She ran her hand along the red duvet; the one where she had slept next to Toni most nights.
Toni...
The thought of the Serpent made Cheryl want to break down, but she let no more than only a few tears escape her eyes.
She thought she heard the door open, but reminded herself how the place had been abandoned for years, and wrote it off as just being the wind closing or opening some windows.
She slowly made her way around the house, recalling many memories. Most spent with Toni, with an occasional reminder of Nana Rose and the twins.
Eventually the redhead made her way back to her room, and set down her stuff. She had left her spider brooch with her note; her final goodbye.
Guilt and pain had been with her these past 7 years, and she knew it would never go away. She also believed she was doomed to be alone forever; so why not just be alone with less pain?
She grabbed her tiny blade, and started slowly. Gentle cuts along her body. With each cut, she recalled a reason for the cause of her pain and guilt, and let it go. The size of the cut depended on how much pain or guilt she felt. She sighed in both pain and relief with each cut, tears in both pain and freedom leaving her eyes.
She set the blade down, and washed the blood off. She looked at the cuts and sighed. Even the longest one across her forearm wasn't going to compare to what she was planning next.
Her largest guilt, of course, was with Toni. She walked back over to her bag, and looked at her gun. She felt the coolness of it, and rested it against her arm.
She returned to her bathroom, her blood from the cuts on the floor. She clicked the safety off the gun, and held it to her abdomen.
"I'm sorry, Toni..."
She spoke so softly, then pulled the trigger. The gun was weak but it was enough to be life threatening. She fell to the floor, and closed her eyes, ready for the embrace of death.
Before she slipped off into her paralysis, she heard a familiar voice scream her name.
The same sound.
The same tone.
The same panic as when she was being rescued from The Sisters of Quiet Mercy.
Toni...
Toni got a call from Nana Rose, who was supposed to be sleeping at this point in the night.
She picked it up. "Nana Rose? Why are you–?" She was going to say ‘calling me,’ but she spoke up first.
"Antoinette... there's a note with her brooch. Her spider brooch." Toni quickly understood who she was talking about. But a note?
"Nana Rose, the last few times I've seen Cheryl she's been as distant as always. What note are you talking about?"
"A bad one. A very bad one. She's at Thistlehouse."
The Serpent wasn't sure what could be bad about a note, but she hung up and drove to Thistlehouse. Cheryl's car was parked outside and she entered.
She looked around the house, just smiling at the memories. Apparently, she got too distracted for next thing she knows, she hears a gunshot and a collapse.
"Cheryl?!"
The short girl ran to Cheryl's room and saw the redhead hardly conscious, blood gushing from her abdomen area.
"Shit!" Toni tore off her jacket and grabbed her phone, calling 911. While she gave the information to the dispatcher quickly, she was applying as much pressure as she could. They arrived and Toni went home.
Although, that didn't last long and she went to the hospital.
Next thing Cheryl knew, she was awake in a hospital bed.
What? How? No one was there and I was slipping away by the second.
The doctors took notice of her wake, and asked her the basic questions.
"Can I ask you a question?" The doctor simply nodded in response. "Who saved me? I was alone in my house and we have no neighbors for miles."
"Ah, I see the confusion. Your grandmother awoke early in the night to use the restroom, and saw the note on her desk. She called a certain... let me check your file in a moment to recall. She called a girl though, and she heard the gunshot. She managed to save your life Ms. Blossom."
The doctor returned a few moments later. "Your file here says the person who called was Antoinette Topaz. Does the name mean anything to you?"
Cheryl sighed and nodded. "She was... my girlfriend. We broke up seven years ago; and to this day I have never known a greater love."
The doctor nodded and left the tall girl to her own devices.
A few hours later, the doctor said she had a visitor. Assuming it was just her Nana, she obliged and was surprised to see Toni walk in.
"T–Toni? What are you doing here?" The girl stuttered, shock coursing through her views. "When they said guest I thought they meant Nana Rose!"
"And as you can see, you thought wrong. And you're lucky you can only have one visitor right now," the short girl responded. Cheryl had asked why, and Toni chuckled before replying, "Because no matter how much you want to deny it, you have friends. All of whom are in the waiting room right now; wanting to see how you're doing."
The redhead looked down, not sure to feel guilty or ashamed.
The Serpent Queen sighed. "But most of all, they're wondering why. Why Cheryl Blossom, the most privileged person in Riverdale, would want to kill herself?" She shook her head. "And even I, the person who knows you best, couldn't answer that question. I don't care who you tell or when, but I do want to know why. Everyone does. And we've all made a pact that if you're going to tell us separately, we won't tell each other depending on who you want to tell."
Cheryl nodded softly, and messed with her thumbs. Finally, she found her voice and answered, "Get me my doctor. I need Betty and Veronica here with you. I don't want anyone else knowing yet."
The short girl nodded, and asked about two more visitors. After a lot of persuasion Betty, Veronica, and Toni could all see her at the same time.
Betty and Veronica went up and hugged her gently with a sigh of relief. Betty wiped a tear away. "You scared us there Cheryl."
"Well cousin, guilt, pain, and depression aren't a great combination," she replied with a bit of sass.
A chuckle escaped Veronica's lips. "She still has the attitude though." Betty smiled and nodded.
"But seriously, Cheryl, why?" Betty said, her soft smile disappearing.
The redhead sighed and looked down, messing with her thumbs before replying, "Everything. Pain. Guilt. Depression. Emotions I can't even begin to express or explain because I don't even know how to describe them. And that was only the surface. I kept writing it off as part of my family's wretched curse; that I was meant to suffer."
The blonde grabbed her cousin's hand with a comforting squeeze. Veronica gave her a soft and encouraging smile. Toni just looked into her eyes, supporting her silently.
Cheryl closed her eyes and then continued after opening them again, "But then Fangs and Kevin broke up and it was partially my fault. Everything I touch or even get near ends up ruined."
Toni opened her mouth to speak but Cheryl continued before she had the chance, "And so I figured, I would always be alone. No matter what. So I took it upon myself to always be alone, I just wouldn't be in so much pain."
Betty let a few tears go, unsure what to say. Veronica stepped closer and brushed a few red strands out of her face. "I have no words. Thank you for trusting us with this information though. This is very serious; and I'm sure we can all agree to have a more in depth conversation later?" Everyone nodded. "But for now I'll leave it at that."
Toni stepped forward again, and whispered in Cheryl's ear, "What Veronica said, but I want to talk to you once they leave." She nodded softly.
It was quiet for another few minutes before Veronica said something random, and they started a conversation out of it for the next two hours, until visiting hours were over. Technically, they were over when Cheryl was first admitted but Toni and the group couldn't have given two shits less. But now the doctors and nurses were making them at least leave the room. Toni, Betty, and Veronica stayed since visiting hours would be open again in three hours. They all went to the food court for coffee and food.
"You're awfully quiet, Veronica," Betty started.
"I know. I just keep thinking that if we just could've gotten her out of that house at least once every few months she would've been fine," she whispered, feeling guilty.
Betty sighed with a nod in agreement. "You too, Toni. Usually you're yelling at people when something like this happens."
"Oh, I am. Just silently at myself," the short girl replied, earning confused looks. With a sigh, she elaborated, explaining everything. Veronica and Betty both jumped to tell her it wasn't her fault.
There was a lot of back and forth but they finally somewhat convinced Toni she wasn't guilty.
"Okay, wait, I have news," Betty said suddenly.
Toni raised her eyebrow as Betty continued, "So I found Forsythe cheating on me, right? So as you know, I dumped him sorry ass."
Toni cut her off before she continued, "Please tell me you didn't get back together with him."
The blonde's eyes widened as she shook her head quickly. "God no. But... well okay. I've known for a while just never acted on it. I'm pan."
Toni smiled and congratulated her. "But wait. What do you mean by never acting on it? Like you still haven't or you have recently?"
"Before this whole mess I–we–" she corrected, "–were planning on telling everyone over the weekend."
"Betty, you're scaring me. What is happening? And why is Veronica so–oh fuck. Oh ." Her eyes widened as the realization hit her like a bus.
"Yeah... so now Vee and I are together." Betty seemed to visibly relax as Veronica smiled and pulled her closer, now being able to not act just as friends.
"That is wonderful you two! Ronnie, you never said anything to me about liking anyone," she commented.
"There's a difference between a crush and actually feeling that connection. And before she told me she was pan, I obviously thought I had no shot,” the Latina replied.
Toni nodded softly. "Speaking of getting together–"
She started her sentence but Veronica cut her off.
"Yes, she still loves you. She does think she's meant to be alone but she hates it and she really wishes she could take everything back." She took out her phone and showed her the past few days of messages. All of them about Toni.
"Shit..." She murmured, finishing the texts.
Betty smiled softly at the short girl. "Hey... it'll be okay. When visiting hours open back up, Vee and I will head for the Pembrooke for an hour to get fresh clothes and shower so you can talk with her. And we'll swing by your apartment to get you some too." Toni nodded gratefully at the blonde.
"Hold on; I need to text everyone else,” she murmured, taking her phone out.
The message she sent was to the group chat, containing Jughead, Tabitha, Betty, Veronica, Archie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, and Kevin and read, "Hey, she's awake. She told Bee, Vee, and I why. Obviously we aren't saying unless she wants us to, but she is stable and will be okay."
She sent the message and locked her phone as Betty and Veronica's phones went off, signaling the message had been sent. They talked for a while and then visiting hours reopened. The new girlfriends went off, wishing Toni good luck.
She sighed and entered the room. "Hey Cher."
The redhead looked up from the book she was reading, provided by the hospital. "Oh. You're still here?"
"Of course. There was only three hours. Everyone went except for your best friends and I. We got food and coffee. They're at the Pembrooke showering and getting clothes, then swinging by my apartment for me so get me fresh clothes."
"Why didn't Betty go to her house to shower and change?" She furrowed her brow, confused.
Toni smirked softly. "Oh. I'm sure she'll tell you why when they return."
Cheryl rolled her eyes, before coming serious. "You wanted to talk privately?"
Toni sighed softly. "Yes, I did."
"I think I know what about, I just need you to start it,” she whispered.
The pregnant woman came closer and sat in the chair next to her bed, grabbing Cheryl's hand. "I'm not sure how to start it either. But I think... I think the best way to start is by saying we were both ready to try again, unfortunately just at different times."
Cheryl, who by now had managed to sit up, lost hope in her eyes when Toni said 'were.'
But, Toni continued, "And I think we should try again. I never stopped loving you. Not at all in the past seven years. But once you were talking about this "curse," there was no turning back for you. You convinced yourself of this false curse just because of your family's past mistakes, which by the way, aren't your fault. But if we're going to try again, I need you to be all in. Not just the sense that you have to stop believing in this curse, but in the baby's life. If we talked to Kevin and Fangs, I'm sure we could make it a biweekly schedule, because I'm sure they'll be back together soon. But if you're not ready for any of that, you need to tell me."
"I don't even know what to say Toni," the redhead whispered. "I've tried to forget and not believe in the curse, I truly have. But every time I get close, I fall back. I'm willing to be a person in the baby's life, fully. But... I do think I'll need help with the curse. As I said, each time I get close, I fall back."
"That's progress. Good. Now, how do your setbacks happen?"
She shrugged. "I just think about everyone I've lost, and in what way. And then my mind wanders, wondering if I might actually be meant to be alone. And somehow each time, I convince myself I am."
Toni nodded slowly. "Okay. I think... that therapy may help. I know it's not easy opening up, but therapy is a good, solid outlet. And they're not allowed to tell anyone what happens in your sessions. And if that doesn't work and we decide to try, come to me and tell me when you might be having a relapse. Because I'll help you through it."
Cheryl nodded, relief coursing through her entire being. "Thank you Toni. For everything. Saving my life, forgiving me..."
She had trailed off and shook her head before continuing, "So... are we trying again? And if so, where do we go from here?"
The short girl came forward slightly, and whispered in her ear, "We'll try again. And this is where we go." Toni smiled softly, putting one of her hands on Cheryl's face, caressing her cheek as she kissed her softly.
They pulled apart. It wasn't a long kiss, but it told them both what they'd been feeling for the past seven years. They were smiling at each other when the door opened, revealing Veronica and Betty.
"Told you," Veronica whispered. "Now you owe me–"
"Be quiet! Not here, you can redeem it when we get home," Betty whispered quickly, as to not reveal what she now owed Veronica.
"We'll get back to you guys betting on us later, but now I'm confused. Home? And earlier Toni said that you guys went to the Pembrooke together?" Cheryl replied, slightly sassily.
Toni chuckled. "You guys better start talking or she'll beat it out of me. And you know she will."
Betty quickly spoke up, "Forsythe cheated on me so I dumped him, then I found out I was pan. And now Veronica and I are dating." She smiled, holding onto Veronica's arm, a soft smile playing across her lips.
"Two things. To start, congratulations. I knew something was going to happen someday after cheer tryouts. The second thing, you must be pissed if you're calling him Forsythe and not–" Cheryl had been about to say Jughead, but Betty cut her off.
"Don't you dare say his name Cheryl Marjorie Blossom!" She hissed.
Veronica and Toni laughed, and Cheryl put her hands up in surrender. "My middle name came out, so I will back off. So is everyone except Archie calling him Forsythe?"
"Pretty much. Kevin has slipped up a few times but he automatically corrects himself and calls him by his birth name. No one likes him right now. Even Archie, but they've been best friends for years, so he's being friendly," Veronica replied, sitting down finally, Betty trailing behind her.
"Right. So possibly not a good time to ask but I will anyway... who did he cheat on you with?" Cheryl asked carefully.
Betty raised her eyebrow in a ‘seriously?’ way. "Well, it was none other than the infamous Peaches 'N Cream."
Cheryl snorted as Toni rolled her eyes. "Even for him, that's low,” Toni replied.
"Says you! Back in high school you almost hooked up with her during our one week breakup! And she's like, a 1/10," the redhead snipped, a raised eyebrow in challenge.
Toni thought back to that week and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, okay. That's true. But I didn't, and that's a good thing."
Cheryl nodded and laid her head back.
Betty and Veronica swapped a look, silently agreeing to give the two girls some alone time.
Betty spoke first, "Well, we are going to head home. It's good to know you're okay Cheryl. And good luck to you two."
"Betty?" Cheryl asked as the blonde hummed in response, "If you could... let everyone except hobo know why. And Vee, if she forgets any details, help her out."
The two blinked in surprise but nodded. "Of course, Cher," the smaller girl said, then continued. "And then after do you want anyone sent in or just let them know?"
"Just let them know. I'm growing tired."
They both nodded, then exited the room.
"Are you actually tired or just didn't want to see anyone else?" The pregnant woman asked.
"Mmm... can I say both?" She murmured. "I'm tired but I really want you to stay with me."
Toni smiled softly, and tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "I'll stay. Just get some rest." She whispered softly, kissing her temple gently.
She had started to stand and sit in the chair next to her bed but Cheryl grabbed her wrist and tapped the bed, scotting over slightly. The brunette smiled softly, and got in next to her as the big spoon. She kissed the back of Cheryl's neck as she herself closed her eyes.
It had been a day.
Toni saved Cheryl's life, and in the process gained her back after seven years. The only person she truly loved. She had never felt so happy and grateful.
As for Cheryl, she felt so much safer. She was back in Toni's arms. She was grateful for that. And to be alive. If Nana Rose hadn't woken up when she did, she'd be dead. She wouldn't have this second chance at life she had now.
But most of all, she wouldn't have the family she'd soon have with Toni and her unborn baby.