The Story of Us

Autumn & Charlotte: I'll Be There For You

TW: Mentions of miscarriage
AN: Friendship story for you! This takes place after Autumn's miscarriage. Hope you enjoy!

     Autumn had hit rock bottom. She didn't know what to do or where to go. She didn't want to think about anything. The only way she knew she could turn her brain off was by drinking. So she was going to do just that. She dropped Winter off at the nursery, told him she was going to the bar down the road, and drove off. Winter was crushed. He didn't know how to help his love. He had tried everything, but he knew she was too broken at the moment and needed something else to help fix her. Or maybe someone else. He honestly hated the thought that he couldn't comfort Autumn right now. He felt like a failure, a bad husband, a terrible partner and friend. But, he knew that she was trying to protect him as well, because he lost his baby too. Even going through all she did, she was worried about him, and that made Winter all the more motivated to do whatever it took to make sure that his amazing wife was taken care of.

     After taking a deep breath and centering himself, Winter entered the nursery and walked to the office. There, he was greeted by Marjorie, Mia, Reece, and Charlotte. "Good morning everyone. I was just checking to see which room I was needed in today," said Winter, trying not to look anyone in the eye, knowing that if he did, he would definitely start to cry. "Oh! Winter, actually, I have you with Sorscha in the preschool room today. Is that alright?" Marjorie asked with a small smile. "Absolutely. Umm, Charlotte, may I speak to you privately for a moment before I begin my shift?" Winter finally looked up from the floor and at Charlotte, watching her face go from shock to confusion to concern before saying, "Yeah, yes, of course Winter. Shall we step into the family room?" She asked as she stepped across the hall and opened the door, gesturing for Winter to follow her so they could talk without little eavesdropping ears. "What do you think that's all about?" Mia asked the others. "I don't know, but you know how Winter is with Char. They're like two peas in a pod those two," said Marjorie, shrugging and smiling at the thought of how good of friends they were.

     As they were talking about the events of the day and about the tasks of the nurseries, Winter and Char had come out of the family room, both in tears. Char gave Winter a hug, and Winter went off to the preschool room to join Sorscha. Charlotte entered the office and the others all looked at her with faces plastered with concern. "Char? Sweetheart? Is everything okay?" Mia asked as she walked over to Char and placed a hand on her cheek, gently wiping the tears that remained on her face after talking to Winter. "Yeah, baby, everything is fine. Winter just needed to talk things out. Actually he did ask me to do him a favor. Marjorie?" Char looked to her manager and best friend as she asked, "May I have the day off? I have something that I need to do for Winter." "Of course, my love." Marjorie said with a smile. Char turned to Mia. "Baby, I'll call you later tonight. I'll need you to pick me up and take me home. I'll text you more details when I arrive where I'm needed. I love you." Mia looked at Char, a bit confused, but she trusted her completely. "Okay, Sweetheart. Be safe. I love you." Mia kissed her goodbye and Char walked out of the building to her car.

     It was 11am on a Wednesday. It was extremely early to be drinking, but Autumn didn't care. The bar was basically empty, aside from a few workers and one or two already drunk alcoholics that frequented the place. Autumn was sat at the bar, already on her third gin and tonic when she saw someone sit next to her. "I don't know who you are, but I am not in the mood to be messed with today." Autumn started to get up, when a gentle hand was placed on her forearm. "Autumn? It's me." Autumn turned to look at the person who sat next to her. She honestly couldn't believe it was her. She didn't think she of all people would be the one to come to her.

     "Charlotte. What are you doing here?" Autumn asked, more with a confused tone than an accusatory one, but her tone was still there. Charlotte couldn't help but smile. Even in her lowest, Autumn was still Autumn. "I'm here for you, Autumn. Whatever you need. I can sit and be quiet next to you. I can hold your hand. I can drink with you, dance with you, cry with you, talk with you, hell I'll even let you punch me if it'll help you," Charlotte said, immediately regretting the last part seeing how Autumn's eyes lit up way too much for her liking at that statement. "Did Winter put you up to this?" Autumn asked. "Yes," Charlotte replied, not wanting to lie to Autumn and ruin the relationship she worked so hard to build with her. "I figured. I love that man. He really will do anything for me." Autumn said, just quiet enough that Char could hear, but only barely. "So, what'll it be Aut?" Char asked, turning to face her. "Char..." Autumn trailed off, and Charlotte could see the tears welling in her eyes. She didn't say anything, didn't move. She just waited for Autumn to make the first move. She knew how important that was when dealing with trauma.

     After what seemed like hours, even though it was only minutes, Autumn looked up at Charlotte, tears streaming down her face. "Char, can you hug me, please?" Autumn asked, her voice coming out as barely more than a whisper. Charlotte held her composure and wrapped Autumn in a tight embrace. She stroked her hair with one hand, and kept the other tightly wrapped around her back so she felt safe. Autumn and Char stayed like that for over an hour, Autumn crying into Charlotte's chest and Charlotte comforting her the best she knew how. Finally, Autumn pulled away and looked at Charlotte. "Thank you, Charlotte." Autumn said. "I appreciate your kindness. If you don't mind, may I ask you a question?" Charlotte looked at her, and responded, "Of course you can. I'm an open book." Autumn grabbed Charlotte's hand and held it tight, much to Charlotte's surprise. Charlotte squeezed her hand to let her know it was okay, and Autumn took a deep breath before beginning.

     "Charlotte, how did you cope with this, when you lost your baby?" Autumn asked, looking at their hands, too embarrassed to look at Charlotte. Charlotte squeezed her hand, letting her know that she's okay, and said, "Honestly, Aut, to this day, I don't think I have completely. It was hard to accept that I had lost someone that I didn't know I had. I think that was the hardest part for me. When my ex-husband beat me almost to death, and you and Mia found me, I knew I was holding on for something, but I didn't know what. When I had heard the doctor say that I was 12 weeks pregnant, and that I had miscarried because of the damage he did to me, I was devastated. I couldn't protect my baby." Charlotte had to take a breath. She was starting to feel her breathing speed up and her tears flow faster. After a moment she started again, "Autumn, you were the one that helped me the most. I know I should say it was Mia, and she did help me. She helped me so much. But Autumn, you did so much, too. You stayed by my side when Mia couldn't be there. You made me laugh, told me stories about Mia, Reece, and yourself, made me coffee and treats. You were my friend, Autumn. And you never let me forget it either." Char said, gently nudging Autumn with her shoulder. Autumn smiled. "Well, I guess I did call you my best friend, didn't I?" Autumn smiled at her. "Yes. You did. And I'm here to do the same for you. Aut, a friend goes both ways. You need to learn to accept help from others. Especially me. Your best friend?" Char said, glaring Autumn down until she finally broke. "Okay! Okay! Fine! I'll let you help me, alright?!" Autumn rolled her eyes and asked the bartender for two shots of tequila.

     "Char, don't tell Marj I said you were my best friend, okay? I really don't want to deal with that on top of everything else at the moment." Autumn rolled her eyes at the thought of Marjorie getting upset because she has two best friends now. "You got it, Aut. So, how are you actually feeling? You've somehow managed to avoid that question since I arrived." Char asked, staring at Autumn intensely, knowing that she would break eventually because of how impaired she was at the moment. "I'm... okay. I think. It's just a lot, you know? Physically, I'm fine. I'm healed, the doctor says we can start trying again immediately if we'd like to, but I don't feel like I'll be ready for a while. I still feel like a part of me is missing. And I know it will for a long time. But talking with you and Winter, it's helping me clear my head and the weight feels less heavy now." Autumn said, downing another shot. "Aut, are you sure your head isn't clearer because of the alcohol, and not me talking to you?" Char asked while trying not to burst out laughing at the angry look on Autumn's face when she said it.

     They ended up having a few more drinks, some casual conversation, and then called Mia to come and pick them up to take them home. While waiting outside for Mia, Autumn leaned her head on Charlotte's shoulder and said, "Thank you for everything." "You're welcome, Aut. I'll always be there for you. That's what friends are for."