An Unexpected Knight (Parallel NurseryVerse Series)

Chapter 6- "Where The Shadow Ends."

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CONTENT WARNING!!!!!!!!!!! This chapter contains discussion of miscarriage, depression, alcohol abuse and brief mentions of a car accident. Please read at your own risk!)

"I was thinking, maybe tonight we could go back to the beach? Take a bottle of wine, just-.. Be?" Marjorie twirled a pencil between her fingers while resting her chin in her other hand. Autumn was typing up a report across the room at her desk, clicking away as fast as she humanly could. She paused for a moment to flash a small smile.

"I think that is a wonderful idea." Marjorie smiled, looking back at her computer. It was 4 o'clock on that Friday evening- almost time to get out for the weekend. She had to be honest with herself, she couldn't wait to have Autumn all to herself for the weekend. Marjorie had plans for that evening. She and Autumn had been calling each other their girlfriends, but- no one had actually made any real attempt to ask. She wanted to change that. "I have to run back by my place after work, grab some things... is that okay?" Autumn spoke as she typed.

"Of course, my love. I wouldn't have offered to drive today if I couldn't take you anywhere else you needed to go." Autumn found herself grinning at Marjorie's use of the pet name. She'd use it with anyone that stepped foot into that office- but it was all in the tone of Marjorie's voice. The way she said it, that was just for her.

**

With the final child out the door, Autumn locked up the nursery behind her staff. She had noticed Mia was waiting out front for Char, an occasion that had become regular any time Mia could get back home. She watched as Char jogged over to Mia, and the way that Mia had swept her off her feet into a spin. Their love truly was beautiful. Marjorie slinked her arm around Autumn's waist, bringing her back to the moment at hand.

"You ready?" Marjorie beamed, tightening her grip around Autumn.

"As I'll ever be. Are you sure you want to go with me?" Marjorie nodded, sliding her hand back around to grip her lover's.

"Come on." She led her to her car, opening the door for her. Autumn usually was not the one receiving the chivalry, but she would never stop Marjorie from being a doting partner. Marjorie closed the door gently, before getting into the driver's seat. The ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Autumn had never been a lovey attached person, but she was thankful for the contact she could keep with Marjorie. Light things, like Marjorie tracing shapes on the back of her hand, or shared peaceful silence. She felt safe in those moments.

**

When they pulled up to the house, Autumn let out a heavy sigh. She had been avoiding coming back to the house for the last couple days now, and this was not how she wanted to be walking back into it. Preferably, Autumn thought, it would be with a realtor to get rid of the god forsaken memory riddled hell. She finally reached to her door handle, opening her door to set her feet on the paved driveway. It was like they had a mind of their own, desperate to complete the routine she had become so accustomed to. It made her feel physically ill to have any part of her want to complete it again. Marjorie stood in front of her car, her arms crossed with worry.

"Aut..?" She said quietly. Autumn shook her head to regain her thoughts, and headed up to the door. Marjorie followed suit, keeping line with her girlfriend's path. Once they had entered the house, Autumn seemed to stare at the bowl on the table by the door for a bit longer than she meant to. She opted to shove her keys in her pocket instead, before heading for the stairs. Marjorie took a moment to look around at her surroundings. The home was surprisingly devoid of any kind of personal belongings, it was like an Ikea catalog.

"I've got to go upstairs to get some things, will you be okay by yourself down here for a second?" Autumn asked while hanging from her hand holding the base on the banister of the stairs.