My Fair Ladies

Cry On My Shoulder

Marjorie placed her hand on Reece's chin bringing his gaze back up to meet her own. He had been honest with her. She owed him the same. She hesitated before realizing he would never hurt Autumn. "I kissed somebody too. I kissed Autumn. I can't be upset with you when I'm guilty of doing the same." He took her hand in his own. "I'm so sorry Marjorie. I ... I should have said something sooner, but I couldn't hurt you; not you" She could see the tears in his eyes and wanted to comfort him. "Can I hug you?" Not knowing where they stood, she thought it best to seek permission. He nodded his head and moved in initiating the contact. "I'm sorry too. I never meant to hurt you either. How did it come to this?" Marjorie rested her head on Reece's shoulder inhaling his scent again as tears began to fall.

They sat and talked everything through agreeing to a mutual separation. Marjorie had promised not to say anything to Charlotte. She wasn't interested in causing a scene, and she did not want to lose her best friend. They had agreed to tell everyone it was a mutual agreement; keeping each other secrets and protecting Char and Aut's right to tell their own stories.

Marjorie was about to leave Reece's for the last time. He pulled her in for one last hug. She would miss the hugs. They had always been a comfort for her. She inhaled his scent one last time as if trying to burn it into her memory as her head rested on his shoulder. "This isn't goodbye, this is simply see you later." Reece placed a soft kiss on Marjorie's forehead. "And you will see me later. I promise." She knew they were doing the right thing.

Marjorie glanced back as she got to her car and gave him a little wave, forcing a smile. She settled into her car and watched as he closed the door. She began to sob at the sudden realisation that this is where the sun would set on their story. The stars belonged to him now.

She pulled her car into the drive and walked into her house. A house that she knew would feel empty without his energy. She didn't dare go in the kitchen, and she wasn't particularly hungry anyway. She wandered into the lounge and sat, curled into herself, as she sobbed. The tears continued to fall as she drifted into a fitful sleep.

Autumn

Autumn just stood there statuesque. She tried to will herself to move but couldn't. Her mind had simply stopped. She knew it was likely just the shock of it all, but once she began to move about the house, she saw him everywhere...in everything. She couldn't be here.

She got in the little red Jaguar with no real destination. She drove with no purpose, and was surprised to find herself here, but she walked up the path and knocked on the door anyway.

She was disturbed by the knock but more so confused by it as she made her way to the door. She cautiously pulled it open and was surprised by the sole visitor who stood there.

"Marjorie, can I please come in?" She looked so fragile. She wanted to pull her in. To protect her, but she knew that Autumn would probably hate that. She stood back and waved her through the door.

Marjorie followed the brunette through to the lounge. When she turned the corner Autumn was just stood in the middle of the room looking lost. As she settled back on the sofa, she beckoned Autumn to sit with her. She was rather shocked at how close the brunette sat to her. "Autumn, what's happened? Why are you here?"

She hung her head low. She couldn't bear to look into those dark blue eyes at the moment. She retold the story of the evening. Winter's cheating. The text message. Sara. The ... baby. Her anger. Winter already being packed to go. Him walking out the door.

Marjorie was filled with many conflicting emotions, but her focus was Autumn. She looked so small. So broken. "Aut what can I do? How can I.." she trailed off as she watched her eyes searching the room and as far as she could see into the hallway. "He isn't here, Autumn. Reece and I. Well, there is no more Reece and I."

They both fell into silence. Marjorie couldn't tell her the details of what happened. Not without betraying Reece's confidence, and she wouldn't do that. Not even for Autumn. "Marjorie can I ... would you ..." She was at a loss for how to say it. She didn't do this. "Will you hug me. I need ... I need you to hug me."

She pulled the brunette into her arms and held her there. She felt her shoulders begin to shake and knew Autumn has started to cry. "It's okay, my love, if you need to cry, cry on my shoulder." She had never seen her this vulnerable. It worried her; however, it wasn't lost on her that she came here. She was sad and vulnerable, and she came here.

Her sobs subsided and, in a rare moment, she relaxed into Marjorie. She felt a calm wash over her. "I am sorry, Marjorie. I don't..." She was silenced by Marjorie placing her hand on her chin and raising it to meet her gaze. "Don't apologise. We should get some rest. Let's get you settled."

Marjorie led her up the stairs and into the only bedroom. As she told the brunette where she could find everything, she lifted the blanket from the chair and tucked it into her arms. "Autumn I will be downstairs if you need me."

As she turned to go, Autumn's voice stopped her. "Marjorie stay. Please, stay." She hesitated before building up the courage to climb into the bed alongside her. She was careful not to touch her as she settled under the covers.

Autumn didn't know what was happening but before she could stop herself, she let the words slip out. "Hold me ... please." Marjorie pulled her in allowing Autumn to rest her head on her chest. As she kissed the top of her head, she felt Autumn wrap her arm across her waist and then one of her legs snaked around her own.

Marjorie let a small smile cross her face. She was surprised, but not unpleasantly. Autumn's breath had already become even. Marjorie pulled her in tighter and let herself drift. Completely entangled in one another they slept ... peacefully.