It's Code For You (Parallel NurseryVerse Series)

Chapter 25- Keep Your Head Up, Princess

(Hey all. I wanted to take a second here to drop this little note at the top of this chapter. The title of this one holds a special meaning to me. Through my writing I have met so many people, so many wonderful friends. I've made myself a pretty perfect chosen family because of it. But I want to take this little moment to highlight one very special girl. When I started writing I had 4 loyal readers- one of them was a sweet kid named Katie. As we all got added to this group chat, Katie quickly became very important to my girlfriend Corin and I. After a while our group chat joked that we had become the parents of the group- but it has really stuck with Katie. This song means so much to me because it reminds me of her. And as we all have been struggling with the world lately, my sweet kid has hit a pretty big bump in the road of life. I've been in mama bear mode for weeks now, and as I've been writing the younger versions of my characters I am constantly reminded of my sweet kid, and her beautiful light in this world. So this chapter is for Katie, and to anyone who needs some more light in their lives. You are never alone xx)

"Here you go, my love." Marjorie carefully lowered a cup of coffee into Claire's hands before joining Autumn on the sofa. Claire smiled softly, bringing the warm liquid to her lips slowly.

"Thank you.." She whispered, pulling her legs into herself, crossing them tightly. Everyone had gathered into Vivian's flat, questions bubbling up in all of them about exactly what happened between the two women in front of them. Vivian had excused herself to the kitchen to separate her anxieties from the room full of people. She didn't want to add to the stress Siobhan was under, or to listen to whatever it was Claire was about to spout off. Autumn glanced into the kitchen, her eyes narrowing at the raven haired woman who was on her third glass of wine.

"My sweets, I will be right back." Autumn whispered in Marjorie's direction, rising to her feet to go into the kitchen. Marjorie looked up, following Autumn's gaze into the kitchen.

"Oh-kay.." Marjorie mumbled in confusion. Autumn smiled a small smile before making her way towards the dimly lit room.

"Vivian?" Autumn kept her voice low, as not to draw attention to the duo being off on their own. Vivian glanced up, her whole head moving with the eye roll she gave to Autumn.

"I don't need pity right now."

"You're in luck then." Autumn grabbed a glass from the shelf behind them and reached for the bottle of wine. "I don't pity." Vivian watched as Autumn poured herself a glass, her jaw dropped in slight annoyance. The woman was beyond confident in herself, sure that her words would land- either that or didn't care. There was silence for a moment, marked only by frustrated sighs or Vivian opening her mouth to speak and immediately slamming it shut. After the umpteenth time, Autumn finally turned to face Vivian with a frustrated sigh. "Do you have something to say or is your jaw just in need of some exercise? Because from where I am standing, it seems as though your mouth runs just fine on its own. So please, for the love of God, speak." Vivian narrowed her eyes, taking another drink from her glass before finally spitting it out.

"I'm sulking, okay? Why would Siobhan want me when the perfect woman is out there? Her first love- I can't compete with that." Autumn raised her eyebrow, looking out at Claire chatting happily.

"Does the rock on her hand not calm your nerves?" Autumn sipped at her wine, annoyance present in her words.

"Of course it does, but- For God's sake Autumn, look at her. She is flawless. And I'm-" Vivian waved her hand around her body with a sour look. "this..."

"Like the woman Siobhan loves? An amazing nurse? A phenomenal mother?" Autumn tilted her glass away from her mouth as she leaned her head to the side. "I'm sorry I'm failing to see where you believe you are any less than Claire."