Unexpected

"Im sorry."

Ivy made her way to the Knight nursery. Most of the staff had gone home since it was after closing hours.

Ivy knocked on Marjorie's office door, it wasn't usually closed..

"Come in." Marjorie shouted as Ivy opened the door.

"Hi." Ivy said shyly.

Marjorie didn't really know what to say, what to do or how to act.

"You alright..?" Marjorie asked dryly.

"No."

"Well, I got your letter. I don't know if you hate me, I don't really know what to think to be honest." Marjorie spoke.

"I came here to apologise. I'm sure Carly filled you in. I promise, I didn't mean a word of what I said to you the other day, I love you."
Ivy said nearly crying.

"Apology accepted I suppose, are you okay though? Like, everything okay at home?" Marjorie asked suspiciously, she knew something was up.

Ivy sighed.

Marjorie sensed the pain in Ivy's eyes. "My darling, talk to me." She moved closer to her.

"It's my mum. I had to listen. I have to do as she says Marjorie, I can't let you get hurt, you're all I have." Ivy cried.

"Look at me Ivy." Marjorie said softly.

Ivy looked Marjorie in the eyes.

"Your mum is not going to hurt me, and if she even tried to, we'd have her dealt with straight away, I don't want you feeling like this. It breaks my heart to see you upset."

"It's not that. I know you wouldn't let my mum hurt you.." Ivy began.

"What is it then?" Marjorie asked.

"My whole life- I've just felt like I wasn't enough, but by listening to my mum and doing as she says, it makes me feel better because I'll know that you'd be safe." She said wiping her tears.

"Oh sweetheart, never blame yourself for not being enough, you're more than enough, it's not your fault that your mum doesn't see your true worth. I think you're more than enough." Marjorie smiled.

"You do?" Ivy questioned.

"Of course I do, It honestly hurt me so much last week.. I thought I'd lost you forever. I was just scared."

"Well.. I'm here to stay this time. I'm done with my mum and her wicked ways." Ivy snapped.

"I'm proud of you darling." Marjorie smiled.

They hugged, Ivy sobbed into Marjorie's chest while Marjorie comforted her. Marjorie's tiny bump sandwiched in between the two.

Ivy pulled away. "I thought I'd lost you too, truthfully I started to forget what your voice sounded like." She giggled.

"Are you sure you're okay my love?" Marjorie raised an eyebrow.

"I'm just scared. No one's ever been brave enough to challenge my mum, she's the type of person you don't mess with." Ivy said with concern in her voice.

"We're gonna get through this, I know it's hard. Even sometimes I wish we could go back to the day you first told me your name.. but here we are. It is what it is my darling, everything happens for a reason." Marjorie comforted her.

"That's not all I'm scared of though, I'm scared of loosing you as well." Ivy burst into tears and sank into the chair.

Marjorie crouched down in front of Ivy who was sat on the chair. "My darling there's no need to be scared." She started.