The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Thirty Six

Charlotte woke up in a sweat, panting frantically as she pulled herself from the nightmare.

Her children were back to haunt her dreams.

She inhaled deeply, putting a hand to her heart it fluttered wildly underneath she reminded herself that she was in her bed.

She wasn't watching her daughter's be dragged away.

She was safe.

She looked over and squinted through the darkness, Mia was nestled closely next to her, sleeping soundlessly.

She was thankful that her girlfriend was a heavy sleeper otherwise it would just add onto Mia's stress.

Once her heart had calmed down some what she decided to get out of bed and just go and do something, anything.

She was walking up the stairs and stopped when Autumn was sitting on the step just outside Nova's nursery.

The door was slightly ajar and Charlotte could make out that Winter was lying next to his daughter's crib, asleep.

The first few weeks of Nova's arrival went much smoother than they'd anticipated.

She was a quiet newborn, a good sleeper.

She was truly rare.

Autumn noticed Charlotte and patted the empty space beside her.

"Sorry, I didn't realise anyone would be awake." Charlotte admitted sheepishly.

Autumn smiled as she sat down, her eyes not leaving her baby, "It's okay." She whispered.

"Is Winter not uncomfortable sleeping on the floor?" Charlotte asked quietly.

Autumn looked to her with a small smile, "He says it isn't but I think he just can't bare the thought of being away from her, even for a second."

Charlotte hummed in approval, "I understand."

"How come you're awake?" Autumn asks after a moment.

"I just woke up." She lied sheepishly.

Autumn chuckled under her breath, "At four am?"

Charlotte sighed, "You need your rest too, I bet you're exhausted."

Autumn pondered for a moment, "I'm surprisingly not, it's like I was made to be a mother."

Charlotte swallowed hard trying not to let herself show any sign that she was hurting.

"Charlotte," Autumn paused after a moment, "I'm sorry, I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you."

Charlotte was shocked slightly, "Aut, I'm so happy for you, my loss has nothing to do with my niece, I love you both so much."

Autumn took Charlotte's hand, "I admire you Char but you can admit if you're hurting."

Charlotte inhaled deeply trying to hide her feelings, "We all are."

Autumn sighed, she squeezed Charlotte's hand gently before letting go.

"I wish Reece was here, he would tell me that everything is going to be just fine." She whispered sadly.

Charlotte frowned, "Everything is going to be fine Aut, I promise."

Autumn fiddled with her hands slightly, "I don't know Char, I have a really bad feeling, I don't know how to describe it."

Charlotte stiffened but waited patiently.

"It's like Reece is screaming for help and I can't do anything, it's as if he's in my mind and it's so painful, along with the grief I'm feeling genuine pain, as if my insides are burning up."

Charlotte took her hand and placed it on Autumn's shoulder gently, "The mind plays the worst tricks on you."

Autumn inhaled shakily, "Yeah." She whispered as she put her head in her hands and then through her hair, trying to steady herself.

"I just don't know how I'd be if it wasn't for her." She admitted quietly.

Charlotte nodded, "You're doing an amazing job."

"Thanks Char."

-

Charlotte decided to go down to the kitchen and make some coffee since her mind decided to be awake.

She stopped in the doorway when the light was on, Marjorie was sitting at the large island nursing a large glass of wine, staring numbly into space.

She hesitantly walked forward, "Marjorie?" She asked softly.

Marjorie looked up, tears welling immediately in her eyes.

"Oh Marjorie." Charlotte whispered before stepping closer to her.

Marjorie abruptly raised her hand and stopped Charlotte on her feet, "No, don't come near me."

She was clearly intoxicated and Charlotte remembered sharply that Marjorie was an angry drunk.

Charlotte paled slightly unsure on what to do, she looked down and saw that her wedding ring was placed on the side.

It made her heart sink.

She decided she should just leave, let Marjorie have her space.

She started to walk away.

"It's your fault." Marjorie hissed.

Charlotte froze, her whole world spun slightly as the words filtered through the room, slamming into her consciousness with force.

She hesitantly turned and faced her.

Marjorie was staring at her with piercing eyes. The rage was practically radiating off of her.

"He died saving you." She spat.

Charlotte felt her heart shatter, the thought had occurred to her yet hearing someone confirm it left her reeling.

"Marjorie, I'll never forgive myself." Charlotte whispered.

Marjorie gulped down more of her drink before setting the now empty glass down, "That's good to know, because I'll never forgive you either." Her voice was flat and hard.

Charlotte felt herself pale and she tried to stop herself from sobbing, she inhaled sharply and reminded herself not to fight back.

Marjorie would be sober soon and Charlotte wouldn't be expecting an apology this time.

Charlotte simply left the room, she was too tired and filled with too much grief to engage in anymore conversation.

When Marjorie was alone she let herself sob violently into her hands, she was gasping for air and it felt like her lungs had just been punctured.

She was sure that she would never be the same again.

Reece was the loss of her life.

The record player started abruptly, playing a sweet slow tune, Marjorie's head snapped up in shock as she stared at it.

It was his favourite song.

She stood up and walked over to it, she stared at if for a moment before blinding rage hit her.

She picked it up and smashed it against the floor, kicking at it until she was too exhausted to continue.

-

Sorry for the short chapter <33