A Mialotte Story: Good in a crisis

Breakthrough

TW: Abortion, Drug and alcohol abuse

It was getting late, and as Charlotte began to clear away the dishes from dinner, she noticed Carly's plate was empty after a big helping. "Go you" she thought to herself with a little smile on her face, feeling proud. She knew then that Carly would be okay, sure, the three of them may have a long road ahead of them, but she knew, Carly was going to be just fine.

Charlotte pottered about cleaning up after dinner, Mia typically insisted, but tonight Charlotte could see her love forming a bond with Carly and happily left them to it. The two had been engaged in light conversation since Mia broke the silence, comforting Carly. Mia was slowly starting to get to know Carly and they bonded over their relationships with Reece. They exchanged stories, they laughed a little and, it warmed Charlotte's heart to hear.

Then, Carly's demeanour shifted. I guess she had been distracted long enough, and couldn't postpone the decision any longer. Mia noticed the fear creep onto Carly's face and tried to comfort her by telling her a story from her past that she long repressed.

"Carly, you know, when I was 21, I found myself in a similar position as you" Mia started and she clocked Carly's eyes widen. "I had just broken up with Reece for the third time, and soon enough, I found out I was pregnant. We were young, reckless. We loved each other but we weren't in love." Charlotte was now listening intently from the kitchen sink, not even turning her head slightly as she didn't want to intrude. Carly was curious, and she was extremely interested in what Mia had to say, hoping that it would guide her in her decision.
"What did you do?"
Following Carly's prompt, Mia elaborated, "Well, like I said, I was reckless, but I was hurt and I didn't have anyone to lean on. I was drinking most nights, partying at every opportunity I got. We were just finishing Uni, there were a few nights I don't remember because I couldn't resist the class A's. Stupid, I know." Mia's voice broke slightly, she was struggling to relive this difficult time that she had never told anyone about. But she could see Carly was grateful for her transparency, so she took a deep breath and continued. "I was in denial, and secretly I think I hoped that if I put my body through enough then I wouldn't have to worry about making the choice. I couldn't bring myself to tell Reece because we were already causing each other so much pain and I didn't want to add to that. Eventually, after waking up in the emergency room one morning, still pregnant, almost fighting for my life, I realised that I became my mother." Charlotte was frozen in her position across the room listening to Mia pour her heart out to the teen, a single tear now falling down her face. Mia had never told her this story, and it was hard for to hear that her love struggled with so much and felt she had no one to turn to. Char would never let her mean redhead suffer in silence like that again and the two of them together vowed that Carly would never have know how that feels. "I wasn't ready, and I never wanted another child to grow up the way I did. I knew I had so much I wanted to accomplish and that had to start with a very difficult decision." Carly's brows furrowed with sympathy for Mia, no matter how much she was suffering internally with her own battles, she always had time to listen to the people around her, much like Charlotte. They were both so selfless and Mia secretly envied that. "I had an abortion." Mia's lip was quivering as she suddenly realised that's the first time she'd ever said that out loud. Carly seeing the despair in Mia's face, got up from her seat and walked over to Mia offering her a hug. Mia hesitated at first in confusion but as she embraced Carly, she felt a part of herself begin to heal.

Charlotte stood by the kitchen island watching her friend and her girlfriend in a warm hug. It was like watching Mia talk to her younger self, and trying to break the cycle. She was so proud of Mia. She comforted Carly and had a breakthrough herself. As much as Char hated to interrupt that precious moment, she knew someone had to break the ice. "Ahem" she let out, to make two of her favourite girls aware of her presence. Mia and Carly broke their embrace but both had smiles on their faces and were looking a little lighter in spirits. "Carly, why don't you go and find something for us all to watch in the living room." Mia suggested so that she could share a brief intimate moment with her sweetheart. And off Carly went into the next room, putting Friends on the TV.

"Baby, I'm so proud of you for opening up like that to Carly. It couldn't have been easy." Charlotte said as she placed her hands on Mia's waist and kissing her on the forehead. Mia exhaled before answering.
"It wasn't but I'm hoping it puts Carly at ease with whatever decision she makes. She's a good kid, Char."
The two lovers stood with both hands intertwined with their foreheads delicately pressed against one another's for a brief moment, before heading to join Carly in the living room to watch a little light hearted TV.