Opposites Attract

Tension

Charlotte woke up after a long quiet weekend alone. She was finally getting her girls back for the week and she couldn't have been happier. While she was drinking her morning coffee, she heard the doorbell ring causing her to jump up and run to the door. Charlotte smiled brightly as she opened the door and her two girls ran into her arms.

"Oh how are my babies? I've missed you both so much." Charlotte said as she attempted to push down her tears. "I missed you too mum." Her oldest Lily replied as she pulled away and ran up the stairs. Charlotte was confused why she didn't even say goodbye to her dad but chose to question her about that later. "And how about you little one, how was your time with dad?" Charlottes asked as she began to play with her hair.

"We went to the park, we saw grandma and grandpa... oh! And we met Lucy!" Her youngest Ella exclaimed before running up the stairs to find her sister. "Lucy?" Charlotte questioned as she looked up to her ex husband. "Uh... it wasn't planned, I know we agreed to talk about introducing them to our new partners but she came over to get something and Lily answered the door, then she stayed for pizza and a movie." Jack said, clearing his throat as he looked down at the floor.

Charlottes eyes widened as she looked at Jack in disbelief. "Are you serious?" Charlotte said her eyes begging him to be joking. But she knew he wasn't. "Look Char I swear it wasn't planned ok. She left something at the house and needed to come get it. I forgot she was coming over." He replied trying to make it sound reasonable.

"Why did she then need to stay for dinner Jack? I haven't even met this woman yet and you've just let her be around our girls?!" Charlotte yelled trying to stay quiet enough that the girls upstairs wouldn't hear her. "I just figure it was as good of time as ever. It's not a big deal it's not like she was around them alone." Jack rolled his eyes as he responded. "That's not the point jack, it's the principle. You could've at least called me." Charlotte spit before telling him to leave.

She shut the door angrily and locked it, before turning and pressing he back up against it. She closed her eyes and took a couple deep breaths, just trying to center herself. She was broke from her thoughts when she heard laughter fill the air and it made her smile. It was almost lunch time, so Charlotte got to work making her two girls some lunch, her mind continuing to wander to the random woman that her girls had met.

After she was finished she served each girl a grilled cheese, with a small bowl of tomato soup, the perfect meal for a rainy day. While the girls ate charlotte asked them questions about their weekend. She subtly asked a few questions about Lucy to see what the girls said. Lily seemed to change the subject everytime the woman was brought up and Charlotte wanted to know why.

After they finished, Ella ran back to the lounge to watch her favorite show while she played with her dolls, this allowed a moment alone with Charlotte and her oldest. "Sweetheart, you don't seem yourself are you alright?" Charlotte asked curiously. "I'm fine mum, just glad to be here." She said making Charlotte pause the dishes. "You love your dads did something happen?" The brunette probed worriedly.

"No, nothing happened I just don't like Lucy. She seems nice but she makes me nervous." Lily said looking sadly at her mum. "Why does she make you nervous my love?" Charlottes moved to sit right next to her daughter pushing some hair out of her face gently. "I don't know, something just doesn't feel right. It's the way she looks at Ella and I. Like she doesn't want us around." Lily replied sadly.

"Oh sweetheart come here." Charlotte started as she pulled Lily into her arms tightly. Lily let a few tears fall from her eyes while she gripped her mom's top tightly. "My love, I love you and Ella more than words can describe. I don't know this Lucy but I'm sure I will soon. She'll see how wonderful you two are. Some people have to get used to kids darling. Give it time." She said kissing her daughter's forehead as they just stayed that way for a few minutes.

Once Lily was calm she pulled away and went to the lounge to play with Ella. Seeing the two of them play together even with their age gap made charlottes heart swell with joy. She finished up the dishes and spent the rest of the day with her daughters, filling the house with joy, love, and laughter.

Charlotte sighed after doing school drop off the next day. She didn't want to go to work but having her girls back always made the day a bit easier. As she entered the nursery she stopped by the office where Autumn and Marjorie were both sat. "Hiya my love how was your day off with the family?" Marjorie asked sweetly. "Oh it was wonderful, thank you again for covering so last minute. I really needed it." Charlotte said, her whole body feeling a bit lighter.

People assumed she was still happily married, so it came as a shock that Marjorie didn't even question needing the day off. "Oh I didn't cover it actually. Autumn came in to cover for you." Marjorie replied quickly. Charlottes eyes widened as she glanced over to Autumn, the brunette was sat in her chair narrowing her eyes at charlotte from across the room. Charlotte felt like she was being dressed down, like Autumn had some powerful stare actually trying to make her open up. Charlotte broke her gaze and looked to the floor, "I'll be off to my room now. Thank you Autumn." The brunette said quickly as she walked down the corridor.

Autumn stood quickly and went after her before Marjoire had time to even question it. As Charlotte was walking down the corridor, Autumn came up behind her and pulled her into the family room not saying another word. "Ah, Autumn, what's going on?" Charlotte said nervously. The two women were far too close to once another and with Charlotte's back up against the door the tension only rose faster.

Charlottes chest rose and fell quickly as her eyes locked with autumns. Charlotte tried to speak but she was at a loss for words, staring into autumns eyes made her feel dizzy. "What's actually going on charlotte." Autumn whispered sternly. "I don't know what you mean." The brunette said as she began to fiddle with her wedding ring. "I think you do." Autumn replied, her face slowly moving closer to charlottes.

The brunette's breath hitched as autumns lips were millimeters away from her own. Autumn dipped down to charlottes ear, "I know your secret darling." she said before backing out of charlottes space, opening the door and walking away.

Charlotte felt as though her legs were going to give out as she stood there in shock. She felt herself turn bright red as she thought about autumn and everything that just happened in this room. The brunette cleared her throat, calmed herself down, and made her way to the baby room trying her best not to think about the brunette deputy manager.

Although, Autumn seemed to have overtaken her mind. And Charlotte wasn't sure what to do.