The kids had been taken to school in the morning, both Cheryl and Toni took them there. They had to go to a private school due to the fact of Tonj and Cheryl being famous. If it were up to them they would've sent them to a public school but did not wish to put that weight onto their kids.

Once they had dropped them off, Toni offered to drive Cheryl to the photoshoot she was doing. Toni knew she needed to do more of her own photography again, she missed the days when Cheryl would be her model and Toni would do the photos and they were used for magazines. She just never had much time for it anymore.

"Sorry I left you last night" Toni spoke up as they stopped in traffic, the radio turned down low. Cheryl looked over at Toni and shrugged a little.

"You went to look after Amelia, it's fine" she shrugged but Toni knew it wasn't completely fine.

"you know if Amelia didn't need me I would've stayed, I wanted to stay. But I couldn't just let Amelia cry out for me and not go to her" Toni looked over at the redhead but she didn't seem convinced.

"she called out to us, she's my daughter too" Toni was surprised by her comment but didn't want to start anything up.

"yeah of course" Toni drove forwards a little again but the car moved at a slow crawl.

"we will just have to save it for another time" Cheryl placed her hand on Tonis thigh and gently squeezed it.

"So you and Kendall doing a photoshoot huh? This is gonna be big for you" Toni tried to change to a better subject to lighten the mood.

"yeah I'm really excited, though I'm a little worried too" her voice trailed off and Toni turned to look at her again.

"how come?"

"well Kendall is this big famous model and shes really pretty... I feel I'm not enough compared to her" Cheryl seemed rather deflated by this.

"baby... You are the most beautiful woman in the world. In my eyes you might as well of put the stars up in the sky for me. You are like an angel sent from heaven to guide me through my life. You are just as good as her, don't ever doubt yourself baby"

Cheryl tried to hide her smile but it grew into a larger grin.

"is that a smile I see?" Toni teased her and poked her arm.

"oh shut up" she laughed and nudged her lightly then pressed multiple kisses to her cheek and left love bites down her neck.

"aye aye aye, watch whilst I'm driving" Toni said giggling as she turned a corner and pulled up into the parking lot.

"this is your stop" Toni turned off the engine but Cheryl didn't get out, she just gave Toni a mischievous smile. "oh no... What's that smirk about..." she said cautiously. Cheryl climbed over and straddled Tonis lap.

"we have time before I need to go in" Cheryl moved her lips to Tonis neck again to start sucking just above her collar bone. Toni closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Cheryl's waist.

"babe you need to go in and I have a meeting..." she whispered but it came out more as a small moan of pleasure from Cheryl's actions.

"we have time" she repeated, hands slipping under Tonis top.

"baby I really don't think this is-" Toni was cut off by Cheryl's aggressive kiss onto her lips.

"do it for me... Let me make you feel good..." she whispered and ran her fingers down to the edge of her jeans. Toni wasn't so sure, they could be seen or they would be late nor was Toni in the right mood for it.

"look maybe we can tonight" Toni offered, Cheryl looked upset by her rejection

"oh come on Toni we won't have time, show me how I'm your special girl like you were saying earlier"

It was like the words triggered something in Toni's mind. She was sent back to the dreadful night at the dance. With Geraldine, the note, those words, the whole Event. Her body freaked and she shoved Cheryl off into the steering wheel causing the beep of the horn.

"what the hell Toni?!" Cheryl shouted but Toni was still spiralling, her breathing heavy as she tried to break out of the cycle.

"get out the car" Toni told her, her words falling from her lips but it was as if she wasn't really sure she was saying them.

"what?! What is going on?" Cheryl asked but Toni just looked into the distance trying to regain herself.

"Please just get out the car" She repeated. Cheryl didn't say anything more, slamming the door shut behind her as she slipped out the car.

Finally Toni felt like there was some air in the car. Like she could breathe a little more. She quickly fumbled for her phone. Her heart racing and her breathing still quickened, she felt like she was going to pass out. Her vision was blurry but she was just about able to make a call.

"hello? Toni what's up " the recipitant answered, confusion in their voice.

"i-I need you and my pills - please come- please I'm at Cheryl's photoshoot i-" Toni's hand was shaking and she teared up a little "please be quick"

"OK Toni I'm gonna come right away you just take some deep breaths and I will be right there"

--

Toni was still In a shaking state when they got into the car. They shuffled up across the car and wrapped their arms around Toni gently, just holding her.

Finally Toni's body started to fall into a regulated state.

"I've got you it's ok...im right here with you" Veronica whispered, rubbing Toni's back lightly, her fingers running circles over her spine.

"I'm sorry.." Toni quietly spoke, afraid of her voice cracking in her state.

"don't ever be sorry, I'm here whenever you need me Toni"

"I just... I didn't know who to call and I was panicking and..." she felt like all her energy was drained from her body.

"look let's move into the back seat, I have the extra pot of meds you gave me, I also brought coffee because I thought you may need it. Let's sit back there and talk this through alright?" Veronica asked and Toni gently nodded. Both the girls moved into the back of the car and got inside, sitting up beside each other.

Veronica gave Toni her meds and coffee.

" no milk and three sugars just like you like it, ready to give you a heart attack" she chuckled and offered both to her. Toni took them, throwing the pills in her mouth and sipping some coffee to wash them down.

"I need it to keep me awake through the day. I'd be drained constantly without it" Toni admitted and placed the cup to the side.

"So tell me what happened Toni, take as much time as you need" Veronica lightly laid a hand onto Toni's and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I just pulled up to drop off Cheryl to work but.. She wanted to do it in the car, we were meant to last night after the kids went to sleep but Amelia had a nightmare so I stayed in her room for the night. I kinda wanted it in the car but I just... I wasn't in the right mindset, I'm too tired and i was worried someone would see. But Cheryl kept asking over and over then she said some words that sent me back to that night at the dance... My whole body just... Shut down, started having a panic attack and I pushed Cheryl back into the steering wheel and told her to get out" Toni's hand was shaking a little again but Veronica kept their fingers linked to try and settle her.

"how terrible am I for pushing her and telling her to get out? She was so mad" Toni brought her other hand to her face.

"Toni you recated in a natural way, your body was sent back into a place of fear and discomfort. Your natural reactions were to push away the threat. And for telling her to leave.. You needed your space" Veronica reasoned with her but Toni didn't remove the hand.

"I should've just explained to her what happened, I should've been reasonable and controlled my body"

Toni countered.

Veronica removed her hand and placed her own on Toni's cheek, making her look Veronica's way.

"you did what you felt you had to do, she pushed too far" veronica told her "you are an amazing wife Toni, don't put yourself down." Veronica looked her right in the eye as they spoke.

Toni smiled ever so slightly.

"still know how to make me smile after all these years"

"I do try my best" she shrugged playfully.

"look here's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna change the band meeting to tomorrow instead of today, me and you are gonna go pick up the kids from school in my car leaving yours for Cheryl to drive when coming home. I'm gonna drop you off and take the kids for the night so you and Cheryl can spend the evening alone and do what you please, you deserve it. Tomorrow I will drop the kids off to you at the meeting. Sound like a plan? " she asked.

" that would be perfect thank you, you're a life saver I love you so much"

"oh I know" Veronica teased with a wink "come on, I need to buy extra food for tonight for the kids before we get them. Let's get moving"

They changed to Veronica's car and Toni messaged Cheryl to say what was happening though didn't expect a reply. After buying the food Veronica needed they drove up to the school where the three kids waited outside. They all jumped into the back seats.

"Auntie V" Amelia squealed as she got into the car.

"Hey Auntie V" Daniel smiled as he got in with Thomas.

The kids had just naturally gave Veronica the nickname, it hooked on quickly and never left them.

"So guys you're gonna have a sleep over at Auntie V's tonight" Toni said as she looked into the back.

They all cheered, pleased at the news.

"mum are you coming too? We like it when you join us" Thomas asked.

"I like our board game nights, me and Auntie V are still the reigning champions" Amelia proudly commented.

"hey that's only because Thomas was shit at Articulate" Toni scoffed.

"muumm, you're rhe one who failed at snakes and ladders!" he countered.

"that's a game of chance, I was unlucky!" Toni countered back and Veronica just laughed, looking over at the shorter girl.

"just face it, you can't defeat me. Or did you forget November 7th...Pictionary when-"

"we shall never talk of that event again" Toni hushed her, placing her hand over Veronica's mouth. Veronica licked it to get her to remove her hand

"ew you weirdo" she chuckled.

"so you're coming right?" Daniel asked eagerly.

Toni was so lost in memories that she forgot the fact she isn't actually meant to be there though she was rather sad about it now.

"no I'm not buddy, I'm staying home with your mum, you will have to take my place with Thomas" Toni felt the car turn and pull up by the large house.

"look I gotta go now guys but I'm gonna miss you all, you better be good for Auntie V or I will line you all up and shoot you with nerf guns. Understood?" I asked and they nodded quickly.

"oh we still need another nerf war where I can beat your ass like last time, or go paintballing with the band" Veronica suggested.

"last time we did that i got shot in the vagina but sure I'd love that" Toni laughed and leant over pressing a light kiss to Veronica's cheek.

"thanks for helping me out today and taking the kids. I think tonight will really help me and Cheryl" Toni whispered and Veronica simply nodded.

"of course, whenever you need me just ask"

"right you lot, I'm off, I love you all, be good, contact me if you need me" Toni said her final goodbyes before getting out the car and heading to the front door.

Now she needed to set up for tonight when her and Cheryl would finally get some alone time which seemed was something they both needed.