"cut from the same cloth" - their story.

Chapter 24 - concerned?

Later that evening, as the daycare settled into its evening quiet, Autumn returned home. Her husband, Winter, was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The smell of roasted vegetables and herbs filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere. Winter looked up as Autumn entered, his eyes filled with warmth.

"Hey there, my love," he greeted, wiping his hands on a towel and walking over to give Autumn a kiss. "How was your day?"

Autumn sighed, leaning into his embrace for a moment. "It was... eventful. Can we talk?"

Winter nodded, concern etching his features. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

They moved to the living room, settling on the couch. Autumn took a deep breath, recounting the incident with Charlotte and Mr. Thompson, and how she found Charlotte crying in the bathroom.

"Charlotte's been through so much lately," Autumn said, her voice softer than usual. "Her health scare, the engagement, and now this. She was really broken down today. I did what I could to comfort her, but I'm worried about her."

Winter listened intently, his expression serious. "She's lucky to have you looking out for her. It sounds like she's dealing with a lot all at once."

Autumn nodded, her gaze distant. "I asked her to come to me if she needs to let off steam, but I think she might need more support than just that. Could you keep an eye on her at work? Make sure she's okay?"

Winter, who also worked at the daycare as a part-time assistant, nodded without hesitation. "Of course, my sweet. I'll make sure to check in on her regularly. She shouldn't have to go through this alone."

"Thank you," Autumn said, a rare softness in her voice. "I know she'll appreciate it. She's strong, but everyone has their breaking point."

Winter placed a reassuring hand on Autumn's. "We'll get through this together. Charlotte is part of our daycare family, and we take care of our own."

Autumn felt a surge of gratitude for her husband's unwavering support. She knew that with Winter keeping an eye on Charlotte, she could focus on ensuring the daycare ran smoothly while also providing the emotional support Charlotte needed.

The next day, as the daycare buzzed with the usual activity, Winter discreetly kept an eye on Charlotte. He watched her interactions with the children and the parents, noting any signs of stress or overwhelm. Whenever she seemed on the verge of being overwhelmed, he would step in, offering a helping hand or a reassuring word.

During a quiet moment, Winter approached Charlotte while she was preparing an art project for the kids. "Hey, Charlotte," he said casually, leaning against the table. "How's it going?"

Charlotte looked up, surprised but appreciative of the concern. "Oh, hey, Winter. It's going okay. Just trying to keep everything together."

Winter smiled gently. "If you ever need a break or someone to talk to, I'm here. Autumn mentioned you've been dealing with a lot, and we just want to make sure you're doing alright."Charlotte's eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you, Winter. That means a lot. I'm trying to take it one day at a time."