The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Thirty Seven

Charlotte watched intently whenever Mia was around Nova, it was almost as if she wasn't sure how to be near her.

When Nova would sleep in Charlotte's arms Mia would keep a small distance as if she was afraid to get too close.

Autumn would carry her around in a sling, tucked up against her chest, where she could wrap her arms tightly and protectively around Nova's tiny body, they were never apart.

When Nova learnt how to walk she would follow people around like a little shadow. She would follow Carly into the garden and collect small flowers, she'd follow Autumn into the kitchen and she was very fond of following Charlotte.

She'd sit and watch intently whenever Charlotte would indulge in her research. She was far too young to understand the world around them.

She liked to flip through the pages of words she couldn't understand and point at them with questionable eyes, when this happened Charlotte would pick her up and take her back to her mother.

As time went on Charlotte could tell that Mia loved Nova, she was her light when it came to her grief with Reece.

Mia talked to Nova more than she talked to anyone, even Charlotte.

Nova would watch intently whenever Mia would train Carly and even started to clap her hands whenever Mia would win.

This resulted with Nova learning how to wrestle, to Winters internal horror.

She'd run at his legs and before he could react she'd run the other way giggling.

She was a mini replica of Autumn apart from her wild curly hair from Winter, she had very serious mannerisms and had taken up a rather large interest interest in birds, she'd make Charlotte read out bird facts and fret if she stopped even for a moment to flip the page.

Nova would point at pictures of her uncle and ask questions, Autumn would talk about Reece for hours.

Sometimes Charlotte's grief became unbearable around Nova and she'd have to isolate herself.

She loved her niece with her whole heart but sometimes she'd look at Charlotte and she's see her own daughter's, just for a moment.

Marjorie visited occasionally but when Nova turned two she stopped completely, she saw Reece too much in her and she couldn't handle it.

Charlotte had tried to stop her.

"Marjorie please, don't go, just stay." Charlotte whispered, reaching out her hand to grab her elbow gently.

They were on the driveway and it was starting to rain around them.

Marjorie turned, "Why, this house is just a constant reminder that he isn't here anymore."

Charlotte looked her over with tired eyes, "We're here." She said quietly.

Marjorie stepped back and scoffed, "Now doesn't this conversation sound familiar?"

Charlotte felt something twist inside of her as she recalled that Christmas night.

Marjorie turned more somber, "Charlotte you of all people should understand why I can't stay here."

Charlotte inhaled sharply, trying to hide her hurt, "Please."

Marjorie simply shook her head before turning on her heel, she continued walking until she stopped.

"Oh and Charlotte." She called from over her shoulder.

Charlotte looked up.

"Im sorry I couldn't understand you, I now know how it feels to have my life torn away."

That was the last thing Marjorie had said to Charlotte before disappearing completely.

-

Autumn and Winter were in the living room together when Mia and Charlotte returned from their mission.

Winter gave Mia a stern look.

Charlotte was shrugging off her boots when she noticed the tension, she stopped and stood back up.

"Yes?" Mia asked calmly.

"Care to explain why my daughter said the phrase, 'womp, womp,' to me earlier when I was trying to get her to eat?" He asked firmly.

Charlotte felt her cheeks flush slightly as she bit back a laugh, she looked to Autumn who had a hand covering her mouth, hiding a smile.

Mia raised an eyebrow, "What are you trying to insinuate?" She asked collectedly.

Winter crossed his arms, "You know exactly what."

Mia simply shrugged, "The kid said 'womp, womp' I don't see how I come into the equation."

Charlotte fell into laughter and it set off Autumn too.

"It's not funny!" He exclaimed, clearly frustrated with the lack of maturity.

"Hey, that girl is very observant, just be thankful that is what she said." Mia grinned before walking from the room.

"Im sorry Winter." Charlotte apologised quietly before following after her.

She froze in the hallway when she noticed someone was outside the front door, she could make out a dark figure standing staggered on the driveway.

She hesitantly walked up to the door, feeling her knife that was still strapped to her leg as she swung it open, preparing to attack.

She almost fainted at the realisation.

Reece was looking back at her.