sinister

The devastation

Marjorie barely even had a chance to say Charlotte's name on the phone to Mia before she was already in her black mustang on route to the nursery. She didn't know what had happened yet but her sweetheart needed her and she was going to be there. She broke several speed limits and was able to arrive at the nursery not long after Marjorie had reentered the toddler room.

Vivian was trying to keep Charlotte stable while the ambulance arrived, along with the help of Siobhan. She was oddly knowledgeable in the subject of first aid. She had done first aid courses as a part of the job but Marjorie was shocked by the understanding that she had. Vivian had sent her son Jamie to soft play with Carly when she realised the severity of this situation. This wasn't just fainting.

Mia burst through the doors of the nursery and immediately her heart sank when she saw her Charlotte laid on the toddler room floor. Charlotte was laid on her back and she had Vivian and Siobhan on either side of her. Both women were talking to Charlotte trying to keep her brain awake. They could tell for the moment that she was because Siobhan was holding onto her left hand and she could feel her gripping it back.

“Mia, come sit with her. She needs your comfort.” Siobhan almost demanded as she looked over at Mia who was frozen in fear. After a few moments, and a comforting shoulder rub from Marjorie, Mia finally got the courage to go and sit beside her sweetheart on the floor. She sat by her head and held onto her right hand. She chose to sit by her head so that she could gently play with her hair, this was Charlotte's favourite thing. She knew how much this comforted her.

She sat there gently running her fingers through her girlfriends beautiful brunette locks, trying desperately to keep herself calm. Charlotte was going to be okay, surely.

The ambulance still hadn't arrived, they were taking too long. Charlotte needed help now. They didn't know how long she could hold on for. Mia tried to stay calm as she watched panic slowly rise in Vivian and Siobhan. They could tell that Charlotte was only getting worse. Mia tried to keep talking to Charlotte but every time she could only choke out a few words, “Baby, please. Please stay with me. I need you.”

Siobhan started to feel Charlotte stop gripping her hand back, she was slowly slipping away. She gently placed Charlotte's hand back down beside her and instead used her hand to pull up Mia’s chin so she could look her in her eyes. “Mia, you need to say goodbye while she can hear you. Trust me you need to do it now.” Siobhan instructed. She waited for Mia to nod before she let go of her chin.

Vivian and Siobhan both moved back away from Charlotte so this could be their moment. Nobody else in the world but Mia and Char.

Marjorie ran out the room and out into the carpark where Autumn was waiting for the ambulance. She was frantic and broke out into tears as soon as she saw Autumn. “It's already too late.” She cried.

Mia was still holding onto Charlotte's right hand and running her fingers through her hair. She knew she had to say goodbye now but she couldn't find the words. She finally was able to find the courage to say her goodbye, the final words to the love of her life. “Char, this wasn't ever supposed to be a part of our story. We both saved each other when we were at our lowest. I thought that we would have the rest of our lives together, it turns out that we only had the rest of yours.” She took a momentary pause as tears began to stream down her face. “Sweetheart, I promise you I will love you forever. I will stay here with you, but it's okay you can go. If you are ready don't worry about me, I will be okay.”

Mia then leaned down and gave Charlotte one final kiss. She never wanted it to end, but she knew it had to be quick and gentle. She then sat back and watched as Charlotte's breathing began to slow. The grip she had on Mia’s hand ceased to exist. “I love you baby.”

With that Charlotte's chest stopped moving completely. Mia stayed running her fingers through Charlotte’s hair, she didn't want to admit the reality of the situation. After a few moments Siobhan slowly approached Charlotte. She checked her pulse and it was confirmed, Charlotte had just died on the toddler room floor. Mia never got to surprise Charlotte with the date she had planned for her only hours later.

It was then that Marjorie and Autumn finally led the ambulance crew to Charlotte. They were too late. If they had arrived sooner, maybe Charlotte would have had a chance. The paramedics made Mia step away from Charlotte, she gave them a glare but eventually she realised she had to accept her reality. She stood up from the floor and stared down at her beautiful sweetheart. She burst into tears, she didn't want to pretend to be strong at this moment. She had just lost everything. Her whole life was just ripped away from her in a matter of moments.

Marjorie walked over and opened her arms for her. It didn't matter any conflict they had in this moment. Mia immediately found herself falling into Marjorie's embrace. She needed comfort right now, she didn't care that it was from Marjorie.