The Past Within - Mialotte - TNN

New beginnings

Charlotte and Mia quickly settled into the rhythm of officially living together. At first, it felt a bit surreal—Mia's clothes now hung in the same closet as Charlotte's, and her books filled the empty shelves in the living room. The apartment, once Charlotte's space alone, began to feel like their shared home, a blend of both their personalities.

Mia brought warmth into the space, filling it with laughter and light, while Charlotte found comfort in the routine of having her there. Morning coffee became a shared ritual—Mia preferred hers strong and black, while Charlotte would add just the right amount of cream and sugar. They would sit at the kitchen table together, quietly easing into the day, the early sunlight filtering through the windows. Sometimes they'd talk about the day ahead and other times they'd just sit in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.

Mia's presence helped soften the jagged edges of grief that still lingered after the miscarriage. There were moments, of course, when Charlotte felt the weight of their loss, but having Mia close made those moments more bearable. They had unspoken ways of supporting each other. When Charlotte would grow quiet or retreat into her thoughts, Mia would come over, wrapping her arms around her, giving her the space to feel whatever she needed without having to say a word. In return, Charlotte made sure Mia knew she wasn't alone either, that they were in this together.

Evenings were filled with small joys—movie nights sprawled across the couch, ordering takeout when neither of them felt like cooking, or simply sitting on the balcony, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance. The simplicity of these moments brought them closer. They were no longer two people navigating separate lives. They were a team, facing the world together.

One weekend, they decided to redecorate the apartment, making it truly theirs. Mia suggested painting an accent wall in the living room, something bright and bold, while Charlotte, ever practical, worried it might be too much. But as they stood in the hardware store, surrounded by paint swatches, Mia convinced her to step out of her comfort zone. They spent the afternoon painting, laughing as they accidentally splattered paint on each other, and by the time the wall was done, it felt like a little piece of them was imprinted on the room.

As the days passed, they grew more in sync with each other's habits and routines. Mia liked to leave little notes around the apartment—sometimes funny, sometimes sweet reminders of how much she loved Charlotte. Charlotte, in turn, made sure to cook Mia's favourite meals after a long day or rub her shoulders when she was tense. They found balance in the mundane, in the everyday tasks that now felt easier because they were doing them together.

There were hard days too, especially when memories of the miscarriage crept in. But they faced those days hand in hand, knowing they didn't have to carry the weight alone. They talked through their feelings, and sometimes, they didn't need to talk at all. Just being there for each other was enough.

One evening, as they lay in bed, Charlotte turned to Mia, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "I don't know how I would have gotten through any of this without you."

Mia smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Charlotte's face. "We're in this together, Char. Always."

At that moment, Charlotte felt a deep sense of peace. They had found a home in each other, not just in the physical space they now shared, but in the life they were building together. It wasn't perfect, and there were still challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long time, Charlotte felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be—with Mia, in the home they were creating, filled with love, understanding, and the promise of a future they'd build together.

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One night, as Mia tosses and turns in bed, she has a vivid and heartbreaking dream about the miscarriage, reliving the pain and the loss they went through. She wakes up suddenly, her chest tight, struggling to breathe as panic sets in. Charlotte, lying next to her, wakes up immediately, sensing something is wrong. Without hesitation, she wraps her arms around Mia, whispering softly, "It's okay, I'm here. Just breathe with me."