The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Sixteen

Charlotte tapped on the door lightly.

"Come in." Autumn said quietly.

She pushed open the door gently and saw Autumn laying in her bed, a calm expression on her face.

"Morning, how are you feeling?" Charlotte asked, stepping inside and kicking her heel backwards so the door shut firmly behind her.

Autumn eyed the tray of toast the other woman had brought for her with a smirk.

"Terrible." She sighed, pulling herself up so she was sitting now.

Charlotte frowned slightly at her response before walking forward and setting the food down gently on her lap, "The others haven't left just yet, their all downstairs discussing todays missions." She informed quietly.

There was a moment of silence between them before Autumn spoke, "You don't have to do this."

Charlotte looked at her confused for a moment.

"You don't have to feel responsible of me." She confirmed quietly.

Charlotte averted her eyes, looking out of her window, calculating on how to respond.

"I'm sorry, I can't help it, it's the mother in me."

Autumn watched her expression softly before picking up a piece of toast, starting to chew on a corner slowly.

Charlotte looked to her before nodding her head towards the empty space in front of her, "Can I sit?"

Autumn simply hummed in agreement.

She sat down and fiddled with her hands for a moment.

"Did you hear the news?" Autumn said, her tone thrilling.

She looked up to her smiling now, "I think everyone heard the news the way Marjorie was screaming."

Autumn was smiling too now, "I've never seen my brother so happy."

Charlotte pondered at her words, "Truthfully neither have I." Her expression faltered slightly as she wondered how to approach the next topic of conversation.

"Autumn I'm not sure how much longer we can keep up this lie." She said cautiously.

Autumn looked down her jaw tightening, "I know."

Charlotte inched closer slightly at her reaction, "Please don't worry, we will figure it out, I wouldn't disclose your circumstances, I'm just worried about when I'm fully healed, you'll be here alone and if something were to happen."

"I'll be okay Charlotte." She said cutting her off.

Charlotte looked to her slightly confused now.

"I told Winter, I'm over ten weeks now, I feel confident that I'll be alright." She said gently.

Charlotte leant back in realisation before smiling, "That's amazing, I've got good news also."

Autumn turned her head slightly as she studied her expression.

"Matilda worked as a midwife, specialising in delivery, you'll be completely safe, maybe one day this week we could go and talk to her."

Autumn sighed in relief, bringing a comforting hand to her stomach, "That's lifted a weight of my chest I didn't even know I was carrying."

Charlotte simply smiled, "I'll leave you be, if you need anything just shout me." She said kindly.

She got up to leave and before she could Autumn spoke, "Thank you Charlotte."

She froze slightly before turning back, she hadn't anticipated those words, especially from her.

Her heart rose slightly, "Anytime, you know that."

-

When Charlotte made her way downstairs everyone was peering down at a map, talking instinctively.

Mia walked towards her immediately, "Morning sweetheart." She said softly taking her hand.

Charlotte melted into her touch and watched confused as the rest of the group started to argue.

"What's going on?" She whispered into Mia's ear concerned.

"There's an abandoned shopping centre a few miles from here, Marjorie's insisting we raid it." She answered, rolling her eyes.

Charlotte looked over to Marjorie who was speaking authoritatively.

"So what's the problem?" She asked even more confused.

"They're arguing over escape routes." Mia called out bitterly.

Everyone looked to them now, Marjorie leaned back from the table crossing her arms, "What I say goes." She said bluntly before shrugging on her backpack and leaving the room.

Reece shot an apologetic look to Charlotte before following her.

"Don't worry Carly, we have our own plan." Winter said as he gathered his things.

Carly nodded towards him, "A more rational plan too." She agreed angrily.

"She'll come around." Charlotte said softly.

Carly smiled towards her, "Thanks Char, see you, come on Jodie." She said tying up her hair and walking out the door swiftly.

Jodie looked confused for a moment before shrugging and following swiftly behind them.

Charlotte turned towards Mia, "Be safe."

She simply pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Always am love." Mia held onto her hand for a few seconds before giving her an assuring smile and leaving.

Charlotte felt the loss of touch and cringed internally, she held her arm and sighed.

Winter walked towards her, a smile on his face.

"Thankyou for everything you're doing for her, it's not going unnoticed." He said softly.

Charlotte observed the room behind them, when she was assured they were alone she grinned and threw her arms around him in subtle excitement, "Congratulations." She whispered into his ear.

He squeezed her tightly in response, stepping backwards and matching her grin widely.

-

"My legs hurt!" Jodie groaned.

"Just a little further Jodie." Marjorie called out from the front.

The group were walking through steep woods that was covered in thick snow, guns in hand.

"Your legs are going to hurt even more in a minute if you don't quit your whining." Mia mumbled under her breath annoyed.

Reece was a couple paces ahead of her, he turned his head and shot her a frustrated look.

She smirked slightly, adjusting her scarf.

"Why don't we all play a game?" Carly said kindly.

"Oh lord here we go." Mia remarked quietly.

"Great idea Carly, I spy with my little eye something beginning with..t." Marjorie said cheerily.

"Let me guess," Mia pretended to think about it, "A tree?" She said bitterly.

"All of you shut up, we're here." Winter said walking ahead of the group now.

-