Authors note:
So, I am kind of mixing 2 requests here because a few people wanted smut, and another wanted the main storyline of this chapter (I definitely wasn't forced to make this). It is quite a lengthy chapter for what I'm used to writing, so I hope you enjoy it! Oh, btw, both aren't in a relation
As Charlotte was locking up the babyroom, he mind was somewhere else. Autumn was waiting in the room till she was finished locking up and noticed she wasn't completely there. (Ms. Notice everything) "Charlotte, is something wrong?" She asked her, snappping Charlotte out of her thoughts. "Huh, what?" Charlotte looked at Autumn whilst, trying to figure out what she said.
"Is something wrong?" She asked again, in a kind of stern tone she usually has. "No, no, nothing is wrong. I'm totally fine." Char said, trying to decieve Autumn, but she knew better. Autumn looked at her expression and knew she was lying. She had been acting less bubbly lately and was now conflicted at the question, which she usually wouldn't have been.
"I know it may not seem like it, but if there is something, you can always come to me, Charlotte." Charlotte nodded and went back to what she was doing.
As the days passed, Autumn's worry grew. She hadn't always been close with her, but she really wanted to support her in whatever she was going through at the moment. Autumn walked into the toddler room and saw Charlotte reading a book to her group. She asked Sorscha if she could cover for Charlotte whilst Autumn took her out of the room. "Charlotte, can we have a talk?" She asked, and Charlotte nodded, having a feeling what it was about.
They went to the staffroom and sar down. "What's going on?" Autumn got straight to the point baffling Charlotte wirh how straightforward she was. "Your mind has been somewhere else these past few weeks, and you have been acting different. If there is something you can tell me." Charlotte felt a bit conflicted but knew it was true. She tried her best to hide it, but apparantly, she had let it slip enough for Autumn to bring it up.
Autumn had always been one to notice the small details, and so she knew there was something up with her friend. "I promise you can trust me to keep it a secret, I just want to help you, Charlotte." She tried to encourage her and saw she was slowly getting there.
After a few moments of silence, Charlotte spoke up. "We divorced." She said, fighting to hold back the tears. Autumn's heart broke for Charlotte. She saw the pain in her eyes and that she was desperately trying not to cry. She put her hand on Charlotte's shoulder and looked at her. "It's okay, you can cry, Charlotte. Please let it all out." She said.
Usually, Autumn wasn't one to express emotions or to handle them being expressed, especially not in front of people. But, this was different. Her friend needed her.
"It'll be OK, I promise." Autumn said. "How long has it been?" She asked in a calm manor. "A few months." Charlitte replied in a soft whisper. Autumn couldn't hide the bit of shock in her expression. How could she have not noticed anything for all this time? She could have been there for her, made her feel less alone throughout it all.
Charlotte noticed the sudden silence and turned to meet Autumn's gaze. "Autumn?" Charlotte said, still sniffling a bit. "Yes?" Autumn said in a worried tone as she still heard Char sniffling. "You really don't have to be worried, Autumn. We ended on good terms."
Autumn nodded along as Charlotte was talking. "Are you OK?" Autumn asked, and Charlotte nodded. "Just..." Charlotte stammerd. "Just what?" Autumn asked. "It just gets lonely when the kids are at their dads." Charlotte naturally looked down, which Autumn noticed. She moved her hand from Charlotte's shoulder to her cheek, caressing it gently and taking a moment to really look at the woman in front of her. "I could... stay with you those nighta to keep you conpany? I got nothing better to do anyway." Charlotte looked up and smiled warmly. "Yeah, I'd like that."
