Black Leather Jackets: College Bound

Decisions

Toni's POV
So that's it.
My wife pregnant with our 4th kid
And I'm dying within the next 18 months.
That pretty much sums up my life.
"Babe. We should go on a vacation after Nationals," I say as Cher wakes up
"Where?" She asks
"Going our to California might be fun,"
"Mhm," she says "with the kids?"
"Ya, I think it'd be nice, no?"
"Ya I think that would be fun," she says
She cuddles into me and I press a long kiss to her temple.
"I love you so much Cher,"
"I love you too Tones," she giggles
She ended up getting me that prosthetic so I put it on and we walk down stairs
"How's the new leg?" She asks
"It's great, thanks baby,"
That's a lie
I hate it, but I have to keep her happy
"I'm glad it's helping Tones,"
She shouldn't have spent this much money.
I can't tell her I'm dying, not yet anyways.
"You seem off, since your appointment you've been different,"
"Just not used to getting good news at the doctors," I lie
"Oh well, maybe from now on we will,"
I grin and she laughs
"You're a weirdo," she laughs "can I come watch your first practice in youre leg,"
"Sure babe," I say kissing her
"You're so so happy today. I like it," she says kissing my cheek
"I just love you babe,"
We get the kids and drive to the fields
"Remember that leg is good but it might not be able to keep up with you yet,"
"Stop talking about my leg Cher," I laugh
"Mama can I pwease have a piggy back ride?" Tony asks
"Sure baby boy, but just until my practice starts okay?"
He nods and I put him on my shoulders
"Reginald, RJ, Get over here," Cher yells
They come over and I put my hand on her back.
"What's up?" Reggie asks
"Well, I'm pregnant," Cher smiles
"And we're happy about this?"
"Yes, we are," I say kissing her cheek
"Congratulations," reggie says
"Thank you," Cher says
"Take the baby boy?" I ask her "I gotta go,"
"Sure," She says taking him off my shoulders
I walk with Reggie and RJ towards the boys who are stretching.
"Why do I get the feeling that you aren't excited about this baby?" Reggie asks
"Oh I'm super excited,"
"Doesn't seem it,"
"Mantle see me after practice okay?"
"Okay?" He says confused
"Boys this is the last practice before nattys, work hard, work smart, no injuries,"
They nod and we go through practice slowly but surely.
I go to my office and Reggie comes in and closes the door
"Why aren't you excited about the baby, and why aren't you showing off your new leg,"
"Reggie sit down," I sigh "what I'm about to tell you, you cannot tell anyone okay? Not my wife, not your wife. No one,"
"This sounds like something that will get me in trouble,"
"I'm dying Reg," I say
He goes silent
"Your appointment at the military base?" He whispers
"Confirmed the infection will kill me. I have about 17 ish months," I say "I've cried my tears about it, but I need to know something,"
"What?"
"Will you take care of my family? Make sure Cher's eating and make sure the kids are always okay? Just don't leave them alone,"
"I-Of course T," he says "does Cher know?"
"Of course not you idiot! She's pregnant for god sake!" I say "I'm not telling her until at least this kid is born,"
"Why?"
"This child is of direct relation to both me and Cher. We tried it a long time ago but it didn't work and now we made a kid together? I'm not letting her lose that when she's losing me too,"
He nods and sighs
"17 months?" He asks
"I'll get to see my baby and help Cher through it," i sigh "I might be alive for their first birthday, I'll see Lexi go to school,"
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No, and you can't either Cheryl cant find out and neither can Robbie,"
He hugs me and I smile
"I'm okay Reg, I'm living off borrowed time anyways,"
He shrugs and sighs
"You have to tell Cheryl after the baby is born,"
"I will,"
We walk out and go to Pops
"Cher come sit beside me," I say as she sits across from me
"Oh okay," she says moving sides "we never sit on the same side anymore,"
"I know and I want to,"
"You're so cute,"
"Mama May I get a big milkshake?" Lexi asks
"Sure sweetie," I smile
"Me too?" Tony asks standing on the booth
"You get a small one monster," I laugh "you're too small,"
We eat and then head home.
"You know I love you, right Cher?"
"Of course I know baby,"
"No matter what, I'll always love you,"
"You're being weird today,"
"I just love you," I say kissing her
"Mama I wuv you," Tony says grabbing my fake leg
"Guess what monster?"
"What?"
"I love you too," I say kissing his cheek
He giggles and reaches for Cheryl.
"Mommy play game?" He asks
"Mommy is really tired baby, mama and I are going to nap, and you're going to nap too,"
"And Wexi?"
"Yes and it's Lexis nap time too,"
We put them both down and then Cher crawls into bed and I take my leg off
"How's the baby?" I ask
"It doesn't kick yet silly," she says "their doing just fine,"
"Morning sickness gone?" I ask
"Yeah, I'm okay," she says "I've always been okay during my pregnancy. I wasn't bad with Lexi either, just really tired,"
"That's bonus for me," I joke "I get to cuddle with you more,"
"We can cuddle when I'm not pregnant," she giggles
"Just go to sleep honey,"
She cuddles on top of my shoulder and I kiss her forehead
17 more months?
Maybe we can male them good ones