An Unexpected Knight (Parallel NurseryVerse Series)

Chapter 10- "My Love, Mine All Mine"

Days blended together like watercolors on wet paper, bleeding into weeks, then months, before they knew it - a year. Time lost its meaning, becoming a never-ending cycle of routine and  welcomed monotony. Moments of joy or sorrow stood out like islands in a sea of forgetfulness, but even they began to fade with the passage of time. Memories became hazy, like photographs left in the sun too long. The world outside kept moving forward, seasons changing, leaves growing and falling, but inside, time stood still. Until that one beautiful day, a planned moment finally arriving. Emotions ran high among the group of friends as last-minute preparations were being put into place.

The greenhouse loomed before Autumn, its darkly colored glass panels glinting like black diamonds in the fading light. Vines crawled up the walls, their leaves a deep, rich green, like emeralds scattered across the glass. The air inside was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and damp earth. Candles flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The atmosphere was intimate, mysterious, like a secret garden hidden from the world. The sound of soft music drifted through the air, humming its sweet sounds into her ears. It was a place where love and magic grew, nurtured by the darkness and the beauty of nature; exactly perfect for this occasion. Autumn took a mental tally of the things happening around her. Sorscha was tying the last of the ribbons on the back of the chairs, mindlessly chatting Clodaugh's ear off as she moved. Quinn was fussy, which made Clodaugh fussy. But Sorscha was too busy to register it. Reece was directing the pianist to his seat, busying himself with making sure the sheet music was perfectly arranged so nothing would go wrong. It made Autumn smile to see her brother helping on what was undoubtedly the most important moment of her life.
"It's beautiful, Autumn." Siobhan's voice came from behind the redhead, throwing her out of her mental tally list. She turned to face the sound, seeing Siobhan and Vivian walking up the path hand in hand. It made her happy to see the blonde away from her horrible father, finally happy and enjoying the world around her.
"I'm glad you two could make it." Autumn said softly, nodding attention to Vivian.
"I couldn't miss this. You two are family." Siobhan reached out her hand to take Autumn's. "It's going to be perfect." Autumn laughed softly.
"God, I hope so."
"Shouldn't you be getting dressed, Autumn?" Vivian asked, noticing Autumn was still in her sweatpants from the drive up.
"I should. I really should. Marjorie has been getting ready since almost 4 am. She practically bounded down the hall to wake Charlotte up at the lodge today." She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
"Did you two stay in the same room!?" Siobhan asked, shocked. Autumn smirked.
"For one, that tradition is so outdated, Shibby, for two - no, we didn't. But that doesn't mean that she didn't sneak in and-"
"OKAY- on that note, we're going to go make sure nothing needs done before we take our seats." Autumn covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Thank you, Siobhan." She nodded.
"Autumn, what the hell are you doin'!?" Sorscha came bounding from the front door of the greenhouse. "We've gotta get you dressed!"
"So I hear." Autumn rolled her eyes with a slight smirk. "Let's go, I've got a lot of work to do."
"You really do, Autumn. You kind of look like shite." Sorscha followed in suit.
"I meant to you."

**

"Char, I don't know. I feel like I look ridiculous. What if she changes her mind? What if I walk down there and she runs away? What if-"
"For the love of God, Marjorie-" Mia groaned from her seated position next to her girlfriend.
"Amelia May!" Charlotte growled. Mia grinned. She was putty in Char's hands.
"What if -" Char said as she stepped up behind Marjorie, guiding the veil into Marjorie's hair. "This is the biggest adventure yet?" Marjorie felt tears welling in her eyes. This moment was all she had ever wanted, to see someone she loved waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She never could have imagined it would be Autumn. The thought made her mind spark with excitement.
"What if we fail, Char..?" Marjorie watched as Charlotte slipped the last clip under a piece of bobby pinned hair. She was so gentle, taking in each detail as she perfected the last of Marjorie's outfit. She could see Mia in the mirror, staring at the same sight. Her eyes were flooded with love, a sight she had recently become very familiar with. If that was how Autumn looked at her, how could they ever fail?
"What if you fly?" Charlotte whispered over Marjorie's shoulder, smoothing out a wrinkle over Marjorie's hip. Tears began to fall as she whipped around to hug her best friend tightly.
"I couldn't have done this without you." She said through tears.
"Neither could Aut, just saying." Mia snorted. Char rolled her eyes as she pulled Marjorie back by her shoulders.
"You look stunning. Autumn will be stunned when she sees you, just like she always is." Charlotte pushed a stray hair out of Marjorie's eyes. "You're ready, Marjorie..." Charlotte felt tears welling in her eyes as she took in the beautiful woman in front of her. They'd worked together for over a decade, and never once had she seen Marjorie look so beautifully nervous. "Mia, you should really be making sure Autumn looks as good as Marjorie does." Mia sighed, standing to her feet.
"I suppose you're right." She planted a kiss to Charlotte's lips, running her finger along her curled hair. "I'll see you out there, baby." Charlotte grinned ear to ear. Marjorie couldn't help but be proud. She had seen the way that Mia had saved Charlotte, when she couldn't see past her own ego to do so herself. Despite the fact that the two never would be best friends, Marjorie knew that Charlotte was safe with Mia, and Mia would never let anything happen to her. Charlotte deserved the love and life she had now, the life Mia provided her.
"You know it." She said as Mia left the room.