In another life

12

My eyes flutter awake due to the soft light shining through my curtains. Ugh I don't want to get up just yet. The arms around my waist tighten and I feel someone's breath of the back of my neck. Oh my god. I have got to stop waking up to Mia in my bed. Well...

"Go back to sleep" she whispers from behind me,
"I'm awake now. And I have to get the girls ready"
"Alright" she signs and loosens her arms enough for me to shuffle myself around to face her,
"Can I get you anything? Coffee?"
"That'll be nice. But I'm going back to sleep" her eyes close once more and I can't help the little smile. She's cute.

We didn't really talk last night after I kissed her. Sort of just laid there in each others company. It was nice. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. But it does mean that we do have to have a proper talk. We need to be on the same page of what we both want, right?

I manage to drag myself out of bed and leave her to sleep as I went downstairs. I have to take the girls to school today but luckily they are in breakfast club so I don't have to be late for work. I put the kettle on before going back upstairs to wake the girls. It's just gone 7am, we have to leave the house by 8.

I go into Elsie's room first as she's always the hardest to get up,
"Elsie sweetheart, wake up" I nudge her slightly and she moans and rolls over, "Elsie"
"No mummy"
"Come on sweetie, you have school"
"Ugh!" She buries her head into her bunny teddy. She usually does this, but now that she's awake she won't go back to sleep. Just lay there until she's ready to get up.

I walk into Izzy's room,
"Izzy sweetheart, time to wake up" oh, she feels quite warm actually. "Izzy, wake up" she starts to stir and open her eyes, "morning sweetheart, it's time for school okay?"
"Okay mum" I get up again and she rolls herself over to catch the last couple minutes in bed.

I get downstairs and pour myself a much needed cup of coffee before grabbing the girls bags and putting them near the front door ready to go.
"Morning" I turn around and see Mia there,
"Hey, coffee?" She nods and I pour her a cup too. After Mia, Izzy comes down stairs in her nightgown and she looks rather pale,
"Mum I don't feel too good"
"You don't look so good either darling, come here" I feel her forehead again and she's gotten warmer. Oh no.

"You're burning up"
"But I'm really cold" that's strange,
"Okay sweetie, go back to bed okay? I'm going to call Marjorie" Izzy nods and walks out of the room. Oh my poor baby. I'm going to have to call into work, crap I need to take Elsie to school!

"Oh god I hope we have enough staff to cover. And I've got to get Elsie to school aswell"
"I can take her, if you like"
"Really? You would?"
"Yeah, I don't have to be at work for another two hours" oh right yes, she mentioned a new job.
"Thank you so much, I really appreciate that"
"It's no problem sweetheart, I'm sure she can show me the way"
"You're amazing"  I hear heavy steps down the stairs, "warning, Elsie can be grumpy in the morning"

"I hate school!" She slumps down at the table, "I hate getting up! I hate mornings!"
"I'm aware, would you like some breakfast though?"
"Cookies?" She smiles, of course. I nod and pull out a bowl for her, "I still hate school. And mornings. Especially Mondays"
"Don't we all sweetheart"
"When did you get here Mia?"
"Oh, well I thought I'd take you to school today, is that okay?" Mia winks at me, thank goodness. I'm guessing she wasn't sure if I wanted our sleepover to be mentioned. She's so thoughtful, I wouldn't have even thought about it.

"Okay! Where is Izzy?"
"She's a bit poorly sweetie" I give her the cereal,
"Is she not coming to school?"
"Not today"

While Elsie is eating I go into the other room to call Marjorie
"Hello, this is the Knight Nursery"
"Oh, Autumn, hi"
"Charlotte?"
"Yeah, it's me. Um, my daughter has woken up quite ill this morning and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get in. I'm so sorry this is such late notice"
"That's alright Charlotte, I can cover you"
"Really? Thank you Autumn"
"It's no issue, you're in the baby room today, correct?"
"Yes. Thanks again Autumn, I'm sorry again"
"I hope your little one feels better soon" I thank her and end the call. Autumn is the deputy manager, and the owners daughter. But your parents don't define who you are. I haven't talked to Autumn a lot over the years, she's not really a talker. But I do know not to get on her bad side, because that woman does love her bat. And she is definitely not afraid to use it.

Truthfully I don't think Autumn is as hard as she says. I know she has a soft side and can be very sweet, especially around the children. I know one day she's going to be the best mother.

...

Mia and Elsie leave and around twenty minutes later I get a text from her saying that Elsie went in fine and she was off to work. I thank her before going up to check on Izzy.
"Sweetie-" oh, she's back asleep. I can't blame her. I place a light kiss on her forehead and leave to let her sleep.

I decide to get some much needed laundry done and tackle the downstairs bathroom which is an absolute mess. We sort of just shoved all the dirty clothes in there for the time being. Izzy woke up soon after and I gave her some medicine, she went to watch Disney in the living room. I'm now just sorting out Elsie's dance clothes as she has rehearsal tomorrow. I do need to get her some more tights.

...

(3ed person pov)
Autumn Knight had gone to cover in the baby room for Charlotte and luckily for her, she was working with Winter. It worked out perfectly. Truthfully, Autumn adored working in the rooms with the children. On the outside, the woman seemed hard as a rock who never showed much emotion or care. And that was true. But deep in her heart she just longed to feel safe, to let her guard down.

She needed someone, and Winter was there. He saw through her hard shell, he saw the beauty in her violence and her pure heart that was just damaged, not evil.

Autumn spent the morning with Winter and the babies and he took as many chances as he could get to snatch a look. Watching his love with the babies was so precious. The way she cared for each one. The way she looked as though she belonged.

One day, the couple would have their own precious baby, Winter had dreamed of that day for a long time. Little did he know that Autumn was also planning for that day. She had dreamed of being a mum for so long. A good mum. Who will always protect and love her children with everything she has, she would be the parent she never got. And her children would always feel safe and loved in her arms.

As she gently laid the sleeping baby in the crib, she couldn't help the small smile as she thought of one day cradling her own baby to sleep. Soon enough, that day would come.