It does get better. (Autumn Knight)

Chapter six

A/N : Sorry for the delay in updating this story, I got really sick and then I had the biggest writer's block. This chapter references the episode ''They've been left alone'' that was published on facebook in october.

''My love'' I said softly while looking at Winter. ''Yes my sweet?'' ''Can you hold me?'' He gave me a smile and sat beside me on the sofa. He opened his arms and I nestled myself in them. It had been a long week at the nursery and I really needed to be held. What I liked about Winter is that he never asked too many questions, he always waited for me to speak and just listened.

After a few minutes I looked up at him and gave him a small kiss on the lips. He held me tighter and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

''This week was hard wasn't it?''

He said, I nodded and looked down.

''I keep thinking about Molly and Morgan...''

''I know my sweet''

''I will never understand people who choose to have children and then have no interest in taking care of them.''

Winter grabbed my chin softly to force me to look him in the eyes and gave me a small kiss on the cheek. He pushed some of my hair away from my face and gave me a soft smile.

''Did I ever tell you how I got the scar on my left eyebrow?''

''No? How did you get that scar?''

*****

TW : Mention of blood

26 years ago. (Autumn is 9 years old.)

''Daddy can you come pick me up from school? I've just been sick and I need to go home''

''Now why would I do that? You're old enough to walk home, I'm too busy to come get you. Figure it out yourself''

Roger said before hanging up the phone, leaving me to fend for myself. I turned around to look at the school receptionist and gave her a smile.

''He's going to be there soon, I'll go wait for him outside''

I said trying my best to sound convincing. It wasn't the first time that I had to lie to someone and I was getting good at it.  I picked up my book bag and headed out. I looked back a few times before exiting the school grounds and trying to walk towards home. The cars going past me we're going really fast and I was scared but I still had to get home. You can do this autumn, home's not that far, you got this. I keep repeating to myself, as a way to soothe myself.

I had walked for a little over twenty minutes when I had to cross the road. I looked both ways multiple times as I was taught by my mother before crossing. That's when it happened. I was in the middle of the road when the car struck me. One second I was walking and the next I was flung back on the ground, my head hitting the hard cement as I landed. I looked up and the car just kept on going, not stopping to help me. I crawled to the curb, trying my best to get to safety. I could feel blood trickling down my face. I was hurting so much but I was helpless, no one was around. I tried to stand up but the pain was too unbearable and the last thing I remember before collapsing on the grass was who would find me and when...

''AUTUMN!!''

I felt someone shake me, I opened my eyes and all I could see was a blurry blob in front of me. I rubbed my eyes and tried my best to focus on the voice, it was familiar. After a few seconds it registered that it was Reece.

''Reece, it hurts''

I said, trying not to cry. He had this worried look on his face. He scooped me up and started walking.

''It's okay Aut' you are going to be okay, you are safe now''

I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes.

****

Winter was looking at me with horror in his eyes.

''Oh my darling, i'm so sorry this happened to you''

I shrugged and let out a small sigh.

''To this day I still don't know how Reece managed to find me, and how long I was lying down on the side of the road. '' 

''You could've died... ''

I nodded and started to rub my scar

''And I have this constant reminder of how my father never cared for me...''

Winter pulled me into his arms and gave me a kiss on my eyebrow.

''And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you know how much I care about you. I love you so much my sweet'' 

''I love you too''