The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Twenty

"Okay be careful now, nice and slowly."

Charlotte hesitantly stood up from the sofa, her cast had been removed and she was more relieved than ever.

Reece kept a supportive arm behind her back firmly, Autumn was on the other side of the room, watching intently.

She moved her legs forward and smiled in exhilaration at the ease of it.

She started to pace around the room effortlessly laughing to herself.

"Oh my god!" Charlotte chuckled, "Oh how I've missed my mobility."

Reece smiled gently.

Charlotte looped around the room a couple of times before finally stopping.

She sighed before giving Reece an appreciative look.

"You can do as many laps of the house as you want now." He teased.

Charlottes face reddened slightly, she rolled her eyes, "How come you got out of missions today?" She asked bitterly in hopes of deterring the conversation away from her coping mechanisms.

"Yes I've been wondering that also." Autumn added suspiciously.

Reece narrowed his eyes at them before smirking, "It's Christmas Eve, I deserve a day off."

Charlotte looked to Autumn and they both shot each other a disappointing look.

"What?" Reece protested, crossing his arms firmly, "It's easy for you to say Aut you've got a baby cooking, you get a pass."

Autumn's expression turned sour, "Easy?" She challenged.

Reece retreated backwards slightly, "No, no of course not easy I just, er." He rubbed his neck awkwardly.

Charlotte stifled a laugh.

"I hope the baby doesn't inherit your strength my god, a mini Autumn running around we'd all be doomed." He said laughing now.

"It's true," Charlotte said spinning on her heel so she was looking at the other woman now, "It would be terrifying."

Autumn smirked, "It would be perfect." She said placing a hand on her lower abdomen protectively.

"Hopefully they don't inherit Winter's height." Reece added chucking before practicality running from the room.

Autumn shook her head, "Just wait until I'm able to take you again!" Autumn called loudly.

-

Charlotte's Christmas gifts were rather disappointing this year.

They were the same every year, she'd pack all the essential first aid supplies into small kits, small enough for each person to carry on them.

She stood in the small supply room and waited for her hands to stop shaking, she was haunted by the memories of her daughters stronger than ever, it was especially bad over holiday periods.

She had sworn to herself that she would not break today, she couldn't. There was no room for her.

She started her gift wrapping, she used to be terrible at it but overtime she mastered the skill, she needed to stay busy and keep her mind occupied at all times.

Today wasn't about her or her overwhelming grief, it was selfish of her.

She laid out all the small kits wrapped in bright colours and started to label them one by one, each with a name.

Once completed she stood for a while, trying to pull herself together.

The group were back from their missions and she could hear their cheerfulness from downstairs, there was Christmas music playing faintly from the record player and it danced around the house with taunt.