Generations: The Long Game

The Elopement

A/N - TW miscarriage

I have seen a recent uptick in reads, votes and comments. So, I wanted to thank you for the taking the time to read my little story.

2024

Three weeks prior

Winter was telling Autumn about Mia's visit to him earlier today. "My Love, we need to go for Charlotte."

Autumn was giving some pushback because it was Mia asking, but she knew he was right. "Okay, for Charlotte, but don't expect me to be more than cordial to Mia." Autumn knew she shouldn't be punishing Mia anymore. Especially after they found out that their own father had masterminded the whole scheme. She just wasn't ready to let Mia off the hook yet.

Two weeks prior

Winter wasn't angry, but he was disappointed that Aut refused to even discuss it with him. They had been together for quite some time, and he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. They had moved in together quickly, and found they really enjoyed being in each other's space. He was starting to feel a bit insecure, but none of it made sense. He was the only one who ever saw Autumn's soft and vulnerable side. Surely that's something.

He is pulled from his thoughts when Autumn sat on the couch next to him and snuggled up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," she said planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I want to. I really do, but in my own way and in my own time," she continued.

He wondered what that meant, but decided it wasn't really the time to pursue it. He wrapped his arm around her and she laid her head and hand on his chest.

One week prior

Autumn was snuggled up on the couch reading a book. Well, she was trying to read a book, but she kept getting lost in her own thoughts and reading the same line over and over which wasn't really helping her mood. Her mind kept going back to the conversation with Winter last week. He hadn't brought it back up or pushed at all, and that was the thing that was bothering her. Maybe she was just looking for a fight. Everyone was being so nice since the ... well... she wasn't going to think about that now.

Winter was happily working away in the kitchen making their dinner. He had everything just about ready, so he called out to Autumn that it would be ready in about five minutes. He turned back to the stove top and suddenly felt her arms wrap around his waist. A smile bloomed across his face. "My Love," he said as she nuzzled against his back and tucked her head on his shoulder. "My Sweet", she returned. For a moment it felt like before.

They sat down to their meal and Autumn sipped her wine. Winter asked how her day was and she audibly groaned. Winter froze. He stopped mid cut of his steak. He reached across the table holding out his hand. She pulled her own away and said, "don't ".

"Darling, if you shut me out, I can't help," he said.

"Winter, I am not trying to shut you out. I..I just want..I want things to go back to the way they were before the miscarriage!" She was shouting at this point and Winter was frozen and yet had the overwhelming urge to hold her. "Everyone is walking around on eggshells, and when it is just the two of us you talk to me about mundane things instead of the conversations we used to have. My goodness, Winter, you were about to ask me about my day! Really? We have been together all day! What do you imagine happened that you didn't witness?"

She sat back in a slump. She was exhausted. He stood up and reached for her again. This time she let him pull her into his embrace. She sobbed into his shoulder. He held her close and walked her to the couch where she snuggled into his lap like a child. She sobbed so long the sun had gone down and their dinner, abandoned on the table, had gone cold.

When she awoke it was morning, and Winter was sound asleep with his head hanging back and neck awkwardly extended. It couldn't have been comfortable for him and yet he had held her in that position all night. When he awoke she was in the kitchen scraping their plates into the bin. Autumn just watched him standing in the doorway. His black hair was disheveled from sleep. She spoke first.

"I want to do it, but just the two of us and Marjorie and Reece," she said. She didn't want to have to make a big show of it, but it was what they both wanted and they deserved that, after what was taken from them.

Winter was shocked. "I will arrange everything, my love". He knew they had a long way to go before things would be back to normal for them, but if she wanted this, he knew at least they would go through it together.

The night of the proposal

Autumn was stood next to Marjorie when Charlotte joined them. Marjorie was losing her mind over the ring. Her and Charlotte were crying and Marjorie was nearly hyperventilating with excitement. Only a few months ago Marjorie was ready to burn their whole friendship to the ground at the mere thought of this coupling. Autumn had to admit it was a lovely ring. She notice Mia heading their way." Congratulations,"  Autumn said deadpan and then made her way to Winter who was talking to Charlotte's dad. As she walked away, she heard Mia say thank you, but she didn't want to prolong the interaction so she didn't turn back around.

Half an hour later Autumn, Winter, Reece, and Marjorie slipped out of the party unnoticed. It was just a short drive from Mia and Char's new home, so they stayed as long as they could without missing their appointment. Luckily, Carly fell asleep, and Mia was going to drop her home the next day.

When they arrived, the lady at the door directed them sending Reece and Winter in one direction and Marjorie and Autumn in another. Almost on cue Autumn and Winter turned and looked at each other before disappearing into their respective rooms.

"Marjorie, thank you for agreeing to do this for us," Autumn said as she began to change. "We appreciate all the support you have given us the last few months." Marjorie knew better than to get emotional, so she just said, "of course."

Meanwhile, Reece and Winter were getting ready in the other room in utter silence. Winter spoke first, "she is hurting, Reece. I will always be there for her, but sometimes I just make things worse."

"Winter, are you telling me that you don't want to do this?", Reece said.

"No, no not at all. I want this more than anything. I am just worried about her and I thought you should know." Winter replied.

Reece was relieved. He didn't know what would happen or what Autumn might do if Winter backed out.

When it was time the foursome entered the room together, and just as Winter planned for his love they had a simple yet exquisite ceremony. The officiant announced, "you may kiss the bride". Winter and Autumn both leaned forward and kissed each other softly in the quaint candlelit chapel.