sinister

The aftermath

It has now been six months since that fateful day. The party would forever haunt the staff's nightmares but everyone had managed to find healing in some capacity. It was harder for some than others but the events of that day had just brought everyone closer together. 

Sorscha was in prison, she had been charged with life after everyone's witness statements against her. The staff would sometimes visit her, they understood she was going through a lot but they could never forgive her. She had a really good therapist in prison and she was finding healthy ways to grieve. 

Marjorie, despite losing the love of her life, had managed to find comfort and support in the most unexpected places. Deliah and Marjorie had formed somewhat of a lifelong friendship. Marjorie was forever grateful for the help Deliah gave Reece in his final moments and Deliah was happy someone saw her not for being dangerous but for being a compassionate sweet person. Marjorie had realised how misunderstood Deliah was, she just needed a guiding light. She needed someone who valued her and saw her as a friend. 

Autumn had become the new owner of the nurseries since her father's passing. She was finally able to change his unbearable, unmanageable expectations for the staff and could finally make the nursery environment a more supportive place. She was doing everything she could to make her loving and protective big brother proud, everything she did was for him.

Winter had never been so proud of his wife. She had only become stronger since the devastation that they all suffered. She was no longer the scared little girl that constantly beat herself up longing for her fathers validation. She was now an independent strong woman who would do anything to protect the people she loved. 

Winter and Marjorie had formed a really close friendship. When the staff would go out together it was always Winter and Marjorie being goofballs on karaoke together. They didn't let this situation ruin their lives, that is not what any of the victims would have wanted. 

Marjorie and Autumn made it a point to carry on Reece's traditions for him. They would go and sit under the stars together and share memories about him for hours. He would be so proud of them if he could see how they had used this situation to heal and grow. Marjorie and Autumn had never been closer, they would always consider themselves sisters even if it was never able to be made official. 

There was one other thing that had happened to Autumn and Winter, they were expecting a baby. They were both so excited to rebuild their family unit. Reece always rooted for Autumn to be a mother, he saw how maternal she was with her dolls growing up. He knew being a mother was her destiny. She believed Reece had sent this baby for her, they had always suffered with fertility. Finally their rainbow was coming after such an awful storm. 

Mia had also been able to find healing after this situation. Charlotte was her saviour, Mia would never forgive herself if she wasted the second chance at life she had given her. She knew Charlotte would want her to be strong. Mia had started rebuilding friendships with the other staff members. Her groomer was finally gone, she no longer had to fear him. She didn't have to put up a strong front anymore. Mia had started working at the nursery again, she didn't want to go anywhere. She wanted to remain close with the few people she had left, Charlotte wouldn't want her to be alone. 

Everyday when Mia had her dinner, she would light a candle for Charlotte. This wasn't the candlelit dinners she expected to share with her for the rest of their lives but it brought Mia great comfort. Her sweetheart's favourite thing was candlelit dinners so she swore to herself she would always do them, just for her. 

Eric had also started his journey to recovering after this situation, he was given a permanent job at the nursery and he couldn't be more grateful for that. Eric finally had made a friend group. Autumn had hired some new apprentices, one of which was another young boy. He had a lot of similar interests to Eric and they had become really close over the past few months. 

Finally, Siobhan. She didn't have to be scared anymore, she could finally be with the woman she began falling for all those months ago. Vivian had helped Siobhan heal, they took their relationship very slow but they both knew they wanted to be with eachother. Siobhan had a hard time navigating her feelings but she knew this felt right. 

They both decided to move in together, they had a cute little family home. At first they were more like roommates who shared an occasional kiss and cuddled on the sofa. However, now they woke up every morning in eachothers arms. It took Siobhan a long time to admit it but finally they were both officially girlfriends. Siobhan treated Jamie like her own. She wasn't the kind of person that you would expect to be so maternal, she even surprised herself in that way. Jamie loved his bon-bon. 

Despite all the devastation the staff had suffered, they knew they would be okay as long as they had each other.