TNN ONESHOTS

why are you here? CM & AFK & MK

(TW - mentions of ED and SH)

Finally, the last child was collected. Autumn watched from her office window as the mother carried her child over to her car.

Autumn knew that now would be the best time. She took a deep breath before entering the baby room. "Carly. Is everything okay." Autumn asked the young girl softly. She never uses this tone with anyone but winter. Carly looked over at Autumn before looking away again quickly. "Hey, i am here." She told her calmly.

"In all honesty, I'm not doing well. I'm just getting through the days. I'm using every bit on energy to keep a smile on my face for the kids, really. I will get over it, and I am fine it's just a struggle. Then the weekend I honestly just stay in bed and hide from the world but like I said I am okay and I'm sorry if made you worried. Actually, it's okay. it's you. Wait, no, i didn't mean that.... I umm, " Carly rambled quickly as Autumn listened. "Carly, look at me." Autumn told her sternly, Carly nodded slightly before looking up at Autumn while fiddling with her sleeve. "You are enough, and we are all here for you, okay. Hate to break it to you but Char, sorscha, winter all noticed. He was the one who wanted me to check on you after your shift because he said you didn't seem like yourself today, but he didn't want to hurt you halfway through your shift." Tears formed in the young girls eyes, but she fought them back.

"Carly, come here." Autumn told her in a much softer tone, holding her arms out. Carly moved closer, hiding her head in Autumns shoulder. It wasn't long before the sounds of sobbing filled the room. "It's okay, I've got you." She hushed as the young girls body shook. "Let's go and sit on the couch in the office." Autumn whispered as she held onto Carly as they walked into the office before sitting down next to each other. "I know im not really one for physical affection, but just know that i am here for you, and i will hold you till you feel better."

Carly moved slightly, resting her head on Autumns shoulder. Autumn hummed softly while watching as the young girls eyes flutter closed. Autumn carefully pulled out her phone, calling the one person she knew that Carly felt safe with.

*

Minutes had passed when reece made his way into the office. "Shh!" Autumn scolded him quickly before sighing. "I feel she really needs you more than me." Reece could see the tears stains on the girls cheeks. "Winter asked me to check on her, and she just broke down. I thought she might feel better with you here." Autumn told him as the young girl started to stir, clinging onto autumn. "Carls, sweetheart. Come here." Reece whispered before gently waking her up.

She stired slightly, and her eyes landed on Reece. "Why are you here?" She asked quietly. Reece moved closer and wrapped his arms around Carly. "Auts messaged saying that you might need me here." He told her softly, but she said nothing and just held onto him.

"Okay, Carls, i need you to be honest. Are you still eating other than our meal deals at lunch?" He asked softly while Carly slowly shook her head. She quickly moved away from Reece and back to Autumn with fear clear in her eyes. "Hang on, sweetie, it's okay." He whispered softly while holding out his hands for her to take. "You hate me." She whispered as she choked back a sob. Autumn held her closer to her chest while listening to Reece.

"You stay with Auts while i talk to you then, will that help?" He asked softly, making Carly nod slightly. "Okay, so is everything okay at home?" He asked, but Carly shook her head. "They have triggered everything. My eating, my self har-." Carly quickly stopped herself. She noticed the look on Reeces face. Before anyone else could say anything, she pushed herself away from Autumn and ran out of the office. "It's okay. If she ends up outside, Marjorie is in the car. She insisted she came to." Reece mumbled to Autumn before they both stood up. "I will look outside you check in here." Reece told Autumn, to which she nodded to before checking all the rooms, locking them as she went so at least they could leave after everything.

Meanwhile, outside, Reece found Carly standing with Marjorie next to his car. He let put a breath he didn't know he was holding till now. He stepped back into the nursery. "Auts, we can lock up and leave. She's with Marjorie out here." Reece told his big sister. "Let me grab our stuff, and i will be out."

*

Minutes later, and everyone soon stood outside, Carly held onto Marjorie. "I've been sleeping here. Please dont make me go home, " Carly sobbed. Reece and Marjorie took a moment looking at each other before nodding. "Carly, would you like to come back home with us?" Reece asked softly while rubbing her back. Carly nodded slightly. "We will find you some stuff for you, it's okay."

Autumn watched closely with tears in her eyes. She could see herself in that little girl. She was scared to go home, so ending up at Mias, the only time she felt safe was at her house. Reece noticed Autumns change in behaviour. "Me too." He mumbled as he stood next to her. "Dont kill me, but i feel like you might need this." He giggled slightly while trying to lighten the mood before wrapping his arms around his sister. For the first time in months, she allowed the hug to happen. Deep down, they both knew how much they needed to have this moment.

"Let's get you home, little one," Marjorie whispered as the siblings let each other go. "Go home to winter and be with him." Reece told her sympathetically before placing his hand on her shoulder. She nodded slowly before quickly saying goodbye to everyone and driving home.

*

The three of them sat on the couch with Carly in the middle. "Shall we make some food?" Reece asked softly as Carly physically tensed. "Hey, you can serve it up." He told her softly while Marjorie played with her hair. "Can we have pasta, please?" She asked, and Reece nodded quickly.

*

As the evening went on, they all walked upstairs. "Carly, come and watch one more movie with us, and if you fall asleep, it's okay." Reece told her softly while Marjorie grabbed her hand gently. "I dont want to be in your way." She whispered, but Reece shook his head. "You are welcome to join us." The movie wasn't playing for long, when Reece glanced over to see his wife and Carly asleep in eachothers embrace. He smiled softly before pulling the covers around them both.