The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Twenty One

Charlotte was pacing back and forth vigorously chewing on her nails whilst she stifled the sobs, she didn't stop until she tasted blood.

It wasn't the first time her and Marjorie had fought, and it certainly wasn't going to be the last, their views clashed.

Where Marjorie saw light Charlotte saw dark.

Fighter was shoving his head through the bars of the stable in confusion.

The noise made Charlotte jump slightly before she walked over to him, she outstretched a hand and began to pet him, mumbling quiet apologies.

"Oh sweetheart, come here." A familiar voice said.

Charlotte looked over and watched as Mia rushed to her, she immediately wrapped her arms around her.

Charlotte let herself cry, all the anger had vanished and suddenly she was left in a pit of despair.

Mia's eyes grew wide for a moment before she started to rub gentle circles into her back helplessly.

"It's okay baby, I've got you." She said gently.

Once Charlotte was too exhausted to cry she practically collapsed into her girlfriend.

Mia's energy turned from torn to blinding rage in seconds, "Marjorie is going to pay for this."

Charlotte immediately stiffened before she pulled back, "She didn't do anything wrong, she's right, I was bringing the mood down."

Mia had to stop herself from reacting in a way that might upset Charlotte further, "Char you most definitely weren't, I can promise you that now."

Charlotte looked down, the cold was suddenly harsh on her skin and she shivered, she was too tired to argue her point further, her chest felt as if a hole had ripped open inside it, her whole body ached.

Yet her mind was numb.

"I just want to go to bed." She whispered before walking past Mia, back towards the house.

Mia was behind her in seconds, giving her space but still watching closely.

Once they made it back to the house Autumn and Winter were in the hallway, Autumn's normal mask of indifference was gone and replaced with concern when she saw them.

"What happened?" Winter rushed as he moved closer to Charlotte.

"Just get her to bed please, I need to have a word with," She narrowed her eyes, "Marjorie."

Before Charlotte could speak Mia was off.

"How dare you!" Was the last thing she heard Mia say before Autumn was at her side.

"Charlotte? Are you hurt?" She asked worriedly.

Charlottes eyes were blank and it was almost as if she was frozen, it took all of her strength to shake her head.

Autumn looked to her husband whose expression was saddened.

It reminded Winter of Autumn's state after her miscarriage, the empty look of depression.

Winter nodded his head towards the stairs.

Autumn was cautious as she wrapped an arm around Charlotte, letting her weight fall onto her, she helped Charlotte upstairs and into her bedroom.

Once inside she helped Charlotte onto the bed and stood backwards, for the first time in her life Autumn actual felt at a loss on how to help her.

She remembered how Reece would get into similar states when they were children, how she never had time to be a child. She was always watching over him, incase he broke.

But he never did, Charlotte had.

She watched as Charlotte just drowned in a sea of grief.

Autumn pulled the duvet over Charlotte so she was warm and carefully sat on the corner of the bed.

There was angry shouting from downstairs and Autumn cringed internally.

-

Mia was in Marjorie's face, "You told a mother who is grieving the loss of her Children to practically suck it up?" She shouted.

Marjorie didn't lose her drunken anger she simply grew closer, "I didn't say suck it up, I'm saying her dampened mood is bringing down the festive spirit."

Mia was about to swing for her but Reece was between them immediately.

"Stop it! Both of you! If anything this is bringing down the Christmas spirit!" He said bitterly.

Mia inhaled deeply, "Go on then Reece, side with your fiancé! Tell her that it's okay to make everything about her." She spat angrily.

Reece looked over to Marjorie before looking back to Mia, "She's drunk Mia she doesn't mean it." He said calmer now.

Mia chuckled humorously, "Drunk words are sober thoughts, you told me that yourself when you talked about the things Roger used to say to you and Aut when he was drunk, remember?"

Reece's eyes widened, a brief wave of sadness flickering his expression before if vanished, "That is enough Mia, we all just need to sober up and calm down, come on." He said as he took Marjorie's arm and guided her out of the hostile room.

"Unbelievable." Mia scoffed at the now empty space in front of her.

There was so much anger pulsating through her and she didn't know where to put it.

-

The next morning Charlotte woke up alone, she didn't have the energy to move.

The door opened and she didn't look to see who entered.

"Charlotte." A voice said guilty.

Charlotte froze but didn't move.

"Charlotte I'm sorry." Marjorie said slowly.

Charlotte looked over her shoulder and watched as Marjorie stood awkwardly.

"Reece sent you didn't he?" She said hoarsely.

Marjorie shuffled on her feet slightly, avoiding eye contact.

Charlotte looked away, "It's fine you were just drunk." She inhaled deeply before forcing her next sentence, "I forgive you."

"Thanks Char, you really are the best, merry Christmas." Marjorie said before leaving swiftly.

Charlotte shut her eyes tightly, she rolled up her shirt sleeve and felt the words of her scar that Roger's men had left for her.

'forgotten.'

-

I'm sorry this was such a short Chapter guys I promise the next few will not disappoint!

Thankyou for your patience <3