The Story of Us

Autumn & Charlotte - Long Live

TW: Mentions of miscarriage
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Charlotte had always been the type of person to make homemade gifts for all occasions. She would much rather take the time to make something meaningful, something that is personal and from the heart, than buy something that wouldn't be as special. Charlotte had figured out very early on that Autumn was pregnant. She was a mom herself, after all, so she knew the signs well. She also knew that absolutely nothing could take down The Guard Dog, especially with how long she was sick, and when Winter had gotten better a lot faster than she did. The day that Charlotte caught on, she went home and pulled out her favorite craft kit. Friendship bracelets. She loved the meaning behind them, not just because she was a Swiftie, but because she loved the promise of someone always being there for you, someone always on your side, someone always looking out for you and keeping you safe, someone who always loves you. Char decided to use Autumn's favorite colors, black and red, for the base design, adding little crystal-like beads making a beautiful geometric pattern. She added a silver medallion that had a small heart engraved into it, right in the middle of the design, hoping it would be a small reminder of the love that would always surround Autumn.

The next day, before starting her shift, Charlotte stopped by the office. She knocked softly on the door, waiting for an invitation to enter. "Come in," said a soft, quiet voice. Charlotte grinned, hoping that it would be Autumn and not Marjorie, for once, in the office. "Good morning, Autumn," Charlotte said, smiling at the plum haired woman. "Good morning, Charlotte. What can I do for you this morning?" Autumn asked, looking up from the computer and smiling slightly at Charlotte, not wanting to give away that she actually had a soft spot for the brunette. "Well, I uh... I noticed that you were having a bit of a rough time lately, and I wanted to let you know that if you need anything at all, I'm here for you. I know we aren't exactly friends... but I'd like to be, and I'd like you to have this, too," Charlotte said, looking at the ground and holding out the bracelet to Autumn, blushing from embarrassment, before continuing, "I made it myself... It's a friendship bracelet." "Thank you, Charlotte. I don't really do friendship bracelets-" Autumn said, before Charlotte interrupted her. "Oh, well, that's okay. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I can just take it back-" "Absolutely not!" Autumn said sternly, and louder than Charlotte expected, grabbing the bracelet out of her hand before she could comprehend what had just happened. "I don't give a fuck who says anything. I will wear this forever, and I will protect you with my life. Thank you, Charlotte. This means a lot." Autumn said, smiling at the shock on Charlotte's face. Charlotte smiled, still looking at the floor, embarrassed. "You're welcome. Thank you, Autumn. For being kind enough to wear it. I am serious though... you don't have to wear it if you don't want to. I know how you are with... affectionate things." "Charlotte," Autumn said, back to her normal, soft and serious tone, "I do appreciate it. Greatly. And I am proud to wear it. Now, get to work. You're late." Autumn said, smirking. She knew how much it bothered the brunette when she was late. Charlotte smiled at Autumn before leaving the office and going to the rooms to start her shift.

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The weeks went on, and every day, Autumn wore the bracelet that Charlotte made for her. The two's friendship grew stronger after that day, as they started spending more time together, getting to know each other, and supporting each other with anything and everything. It was a close, yet secret friendship. Autumn of course couldn't let anyone know she had a soft side to her, unless it was around Winter, of course, as she had already exposed that side of her to everyone she knew. So, around work, Charlotte and Autumn were just co-workers. Outside of work, they were truly best friends.

When Autumn lost her baby, she was absolutely distraught. She couldn't eat, couldn't sleep... All she wanted to do was drink and forget about everything. She blamed herself for what happened, for not protecting her baby, for causing them pain. All she could do was cry, and when she ran out of tears, she just simply sat and stared into the void. When Winter went to work the next day to inform Marjorie of what happened, and to actually work his shift to take his mind off of everything, he asked Marjorie if she could go to Autumn, and comfort her, even just sit with her. Ideally, he wanted to ask Marjorie if Charlotte could be the one to go to her, but he respected his wife too much to reveal that information before she was ready.

Autumn was sitting alone at the bar, working on her second drink of the morning. She didn't exactly know why she chose the bar, but she wanted to drink, she wanted to get out of the house. It was depressing, and everything reminded her of what could be, what was supposed to be. She was deep into her thoughts when she saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye, a person sitting next to her. She knew immediately who it was by the smell of her perfume. Marjorie. She was happy that she was there, though secretly she wished it was Charlotte. She knew Winter had kept her privacy, and that's why she was there. She made a mental note to thank him later.

"Marjorie?" Autumn asked, barely above a whisper, not even sure that the brunette heard her. Luckily, she did. "Yes, my love?" "I'll take that hug now." Autumn said somberly. "Okay." Marjorie replied, trying to keep a neutral tone, so as to not alert Autumn to the surprise she felt at her words. Marjorie reached over and wrapped Autumn in a tight hug, not letting go until she was ready. After the hug, Autumn wiped the tears from her face with the sleeves of Winter's hoodie that she was wearing. "Thank you, Marjorie. You are a really good friend." "You're welcome, my love. I'll always be here for you, whatever you need." Marjorie said, patting the back of Autumn's hand and smiling gently at her. "Marjorie?" Autumn asked hesitantly. "Yes?" "Is... is there any way that you could get Charlotte here?" Autumn asked, cringing towards the end, not wanting to know the answer, scared that it would be a no. "Of course, my love. If that's who you need right now, I would be happy to go cover for her." Marjorie said, smiling happily. "Really?" Autumn said, looking up at Marjorie and smiling slightly. "Of course. I know what that bracelet on your arm means. I have one, too." Marjorie said smiling, rolling up her sleeve to show off the pink and white bracelet that Charlotte had made for her as well. Autumn blushed as she realized that Marjorie knew the whole time. "I'm sorry I never told you." Autumn said. "It's quite alright. Will you be alright until Char gets here? I'm going to call Mia as well, so she can drive you and Char home when you are ready." Marjorie said, gathering her purse and getting her keys. "I'll be alright, Marjorie. And thank you for thinking of calling Mia. That's very kind of you to look out for both Charlotte and myself." Autumn said, smiling softly at her friend, before Marjorie smiled back and nodded, going to her car to get Charlotte for her.

When Charlotte arrived, the first thing she did was rush to Autumn and wrap her in a hug. Autumn immediately wrapped her arms around the brunette, nuzzling her head into her shoulder and sobbing immediately. Charlotte just stood there and let her cry, not saying anything, just letting her cry. She knew she needed it. When Autumn's sobs subsided and her breathing slowed, she looked up at Charlotte and whispered, "My baby's gone, Char... I couldn't protect them..." Charlotte sat on the barstool next to her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly. "Aut, this is not your fault, okay? These things... they're unfortunate, and extremely devastating, but they do just happen. And they happen to the best people. Trust me..." Charlotte said, whispering the last part, hoping that Autumn wouldn't hear it, but she did. "Wha... What?" Autumn said, in disbelief of what she heard her best friend say. "Char... What happened? When? Why didn't you tell anyone?" Autumn asked, a million questions in her head, but she didn't want to overwhelm the brunette. 

"Well," Charlotte started, taking a deep breath before continuing, "It was back when I was with my ex-husband. We had tried for a while, and it didn't seem like it was going anywhere, so we just stopped trying. I found out a week after we stopped that I was pregnant, and about two weeks after that, I lost the baby..." she said, drifting off as tears flooded her eyes, and a lump formed in her throat. "Oh Char... I'm so sorry." Autumn said, trying not to let the tears that had formed fall from her eyes. She needed to be strong for Char. "It's okay, Aut. It's no one's fault. It took me a while to accept that, but eventually I did, and I'm okay now. I know that it wasn't the right time, and I know that one day, I'll get the chance to have children, one way or another." Charlotte said, smiling at her friend. 

Autumn smiled back at her and took a deep breath, before standing and wrapping her arms around the brunette tightly. "Thank you, Charlotte. You have no idea how much this means to me. How much you mean to me." She said, finally letting her tears fall freely. "I'm always here for you, Aut. Forever." Charlotte replied, thinking about how lucky she was to have such a wonderful friendship with The Guard Dog.