Orchards and Moonlight - a Mialotte story (TNN)

Coffee

It was a typical day at the nursery, with the usual hustle and bustle of children's laughter echoing through the halls. The staff was busy attending to the little ones, ensuring they were engaged in their activities, from colouring to building blocks. The atmosphere was cheerful, a sense of routine comforting everyone as they went about their day.

Charlotte had been careful to keep her pregnancy a secret, not wanting to share the news until she and Mia were ready. She was still getting used to the idea herself, the quiet joy of knowing a new life was growing inside her. She had managed to keep her morning sickness at bay, but today, it seemed to be getting the better of her.

She was on her way to the staff room for a quick break when the smell hit her. Someone had just started making a fresh pot of coffee, the rich, strong aroma filling the small room. Normally, Charlotte loved the smell of coffee, but today it turned her stomach. She paused in the doorway, one hand instinctively going to her belly as a wave of nausea washed over her.

Trying to compose herself, Charlotte took a deep breath, hoping it would pass. But the nausea only intensified, and she quickly backed out of the room, leaning against the wall just outside the door. She closed her eyes, focusing on steadying her breathing, silently cursing the timing. The last thing she needed was to raise suspicion.

Just as she was beginning to feel a bit more in control, Marjorie walked into the staff room. Like Charlotte, Marjorie had also been keeping her pregnancy a secret, not ready to share the news until she was certain everything was okay. She had been feeling off for the past few days but chalked it up to the early stages of pregnancy. However, the moment she stepped into the room and the smell of the brewing coffee hit her, the nausea was instant and overwhelming.

Marjorie's hand flew to her mouth as she fought the urge to gag. She quickly turned on her heel and nearly bumped into Charlotte in the doorway, who was still pale and trying to steady herself.

"Oh, sorry!" Marjorie exclaimed, her voice strained. She stopped short, noticing the look on Charlotte's face. "Are you okay?"

Charlotte managed a weak smile, trying to brush off the concern. "Yeah, just... the smell of coffee today is a bit much."

Marjorie nodded, looking equally queasy. "Same here. I don't know what it is, but it's making me feel awful."

The two women stood there, both trying to compose themselves, not realizing that they were both struggling with the same secret. The shared discomfort momentarily distracted them from their individual situations. For a few moments, they just stood in the hallway, trying to avoid the overpowering smell wafting from the staff room.

Eventually, Charlotte straightened up, deciding to step outside for some fresh air. "I think I need to get some air," she said, glancing at Marjorie. "Do you want to join me?"

Marjorie nodded quickly. "That sounds like a good idea."

The two women walked outside together, the fresh air a welcome relief from the cloying smell of coffee. They stood in silence for a few moments, each lost in her own thoughts, neither realizing that the other was experiencing the early stages of pregnancy. It was a shared moment of quiet understanding, even if they didn't yet know the full extent of what they were both going through.

As Marjorie and Charlotte stood outside, the cool breeze gradually easing their nausea, Marjorie couldn't help but notice the subtle signs in Charlotte's demeanour. There was something in the way Charlotte had reacted to the smell of coffee, the pale look on her face, and the way she instinctively placed her hand on her belly. Marjorie had been feeling the same way recently, and it suddenly clicked in her mind—Charlotte was likely pregnant too.

Marjorie glanced at Charlotte, who was still focused on steadying her breathing, and a knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to jump to conclusions, but the signs were all there. Marjorie had been in the same situation just a few hours ago, hiding her own pregnancy, trying to keep it from the rest of the staff until she felt ready to share the news. Now, seeing Charlotte in the same position, she couldn't ignore the obvious.

"Charlotte," Marjorie began softly, her voice laced with gentle curiosity, "I don't want to assume anything, but... are you pregnant?"

Charlotte froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly as she turned to look at Marjorie. The surprise in her expression quickly gave way to a sheepish smile, and she let out a small, nervous laugh. "How did you know?"

Marjorie chuckled, shaking her head. "I've been feeling the same way. The nausea, the aversion to certain smells... I've been through it before, and I'm going through it now." She placed a hand on her own belly, her smile growing as she shared her secret. "I'm pregnant too."

Charlotte's eyes widened again, but this time with a mixture of surprise and relief. "You are? That's incredible!" She reached out to gently touch Marjorie's arm, her smile genuine. "I thought I was the only one."

Marjorie grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Charlotte. "Looks like we're both keeping secrets. I haven't told anyone yet. I was waiting for the right time."

"Same here," Charlotte admitted, her voice softening. "Mia and I just found out a few days ago, and we're waiting until everything feels right to share the news with everyone."

"Reece knows already," Marjorie said with a soft smile, her eyes bright with the excitement of sharing the news with her partner. "I told him last night."

Charlotte's surprise deepened. "Wait, Reece knows? I didn't even know you could... I mean, I thought you couldn't have kids. You told me the doctors said it wasn't possible after... well, after what happened."

Marjorie nodded, understanding the shock in Charlotte's voice. "I thought the same thing for years. The doctors were certain that after my accident, I'd never be able to have children again. But it seems my body had other plans. It was a complete surprise, even to me."

Charlotte was stunned, her mind racing to process the news. "That's incredible, Marjorie. I'm so happy for you and Reece. This must feel like a miracle."

"It does," Marjorie agreed, her voice filled with emotion. "I never thought I'd get another chance at this, and now, here we are. It's still sinking in for both of us."

Charlotte reached out to gently squeeze Marjorie's hand, her heart swelling with happiness for her friend. "This is amazing news, Marjorie. And to think we're both going through this at the same time... it's almost like it was meant to be."

Marjorie nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It feels that way. I never imagined this would happen, but now that it has, I'm just so grateful."

Charlotte smiled warmly, still processing the surprise. "I'm sure Reece is over the moon. He must be so excited."

"He is," Marjorie replied, her smile widening. "We both are. It's a lot to take in, but we're ready for this next chapter in our lives."

The two women shared a moment of understanding, their shared secret creating a bond between them. It was comforting for both of them to know that they weren't alone in their experiences and that someone else was going through the same emotions and challenges.

Marjorie's smile turned playful as she nudged Charlotte gently. "Well, looks like we're in this together. If you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."

Charlotte nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Marjorie. I really appreciate that."

They stood there for a few more moments, enjoying the fresh air and the unexpected connection they had just discovered. The nursery, with all its busyness and noise, suddenly felt a little more welcoming, knowing they had each other to lean on.