My Fair Ladies

Time After Time: Part Two

Eight Weeks After the Kiss

"Who is available to cover tomorrow? I was thinking it would give us and extra day to get everything moved and then we might have time to relax a bit on Sunday. At home movie night?" Autumn looked down and smiled at her. She was talking a mile a minute. "Sunshine, you know you have basically lived here for months now, right?

"I know." She looked at her sheepishly. "I love you, beautiful, and where you are is home to me. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous at all." It had taken them these two weeks to work out breaking her lease and what it would cost her. She refused to let Autumn help financially.

"I know you are nervous. I am too, but I love you and I know this is where we are meant to be. Together." She leaned down and pressed her lips to the brunette's. "Now about this rota. Did you approve Sorscha's annual leave? I don't remember her putting in for this."

"I didn't approve it. Let me see the app. Brenda at head office? Since when do they approve annual leave?" Autumn shrugged. "Let me call her and see what this is about."

Autumn listened as Marjorie spoke to Brenda. "Well thanks for the heads up, Breeenndda!" She had to stifle a laugh. It wasn't the first time she had heard it, and she knew it likely wouldn't be the last. She looked down at the brunette with one eyebrow raised waiting for the reaction.

"Sorscha walked into head office yesterday and requested her last ten days of annual leave on an emergency basis. Evidently Madison needed her. She is going through a divorce. Why wouldn't she just come to us?" Autumn shrugged. I don't know my love."

"Well either way we won't have the cover now, so I guess the weekend will have to do." She stood up from her perch on the edge of the bed. "You ready for bed now?" The brunette nodded as Marjorie climbed in on her side and patted the bed next to her.

Autumn climbed into the bed and entangled herself into a cuddle before resting her head on Marjorie's chest. "Do you think Clodagh went with Sorscha?" The brunette was already falling asleep under the comfort of Autumn's weight but managed to mutter, "I dunno" before drifting off completely.

Ten Weeks After the Kiss

They had both been busily working in silence for hours before the familiar redhead walked in followed by Siobhan. Autumn stood immediately and placed herself between Mia and Marjorie. "Oh well isn't that cute. Relax. I am not here for that. Your father sent us with the invitations for the annual ball. I guess you will be bringing this one?" She waved her hand in Marjorie's direction making Autumn tense.

"Yes, Mia, I will be bringing my girlfriend. Is there a problem?" The redhead kissed her teeth and shook her head no. "Daddy dearest is going to love this. His only daughter leaves the sassy man for the frumpy woman." Both women glared at her.

Siobhan had excused herself and made her way outside. "He, no doubt, won't be any happier with your brother so I wouldn't take it personally." The redhead was watching Siobhan through the window before she got into the familiar Mercedes and drove away. "Who is that in the blue shirt?" Marjorie looked out the window to see who she was talking about. "Oh, that's Vivian."

The redhead made her way to the door before stopping. "By the way you have a crying parent in the corridor." Marjorie felt kind of bad for Vivian as she watched Mia make a beeline for her in the car park.

She walked out into the corridor expecting an overwhelmed parent but found Clodagh instead. "Clodagh, my love, what is the matter?" She couldn't speak she just handed her the large Manila envelope. "Come into the office with Autumn and I, my love. Let's get you some privacy."

Autumn sat with Clodagh unsure how to comfort her. She could be vulnerable with Marjorie, but the rest of the world was still kept at arm's length.

Marjorie went through the contents of the envelope. Divorce papers??? A letter addressed to Clodagh. Not coming back? Staying with Madison? In LOVE with Madison?? Each line left so many more questions than answers. No wonder Clodagh was a mess.

Oh, my love, I am so sorry. Is there anything we can do for you and Quinn?" She could see the woman was just devastated. She doubted that she had seen this coming at all.

Marjorie looked up when she noticed the redhead looming in the doorway. "Is there anything head office needs to do? Was it a parent fight?" Marjorie shook her head. "No, Clodagh isn't a parent here. She's Sorscha's ..." She stumbled on the word not knowing if she should use it. "Wife."

The redhead looked to the floor. They had gotten her resignation, but no one really knew much about what happened or why she was resigning. "Is there anything I can do?" Marjorie looked to Clodagh. "Can you cover the office while I take them home?"

"I'll do it. I am sure you have loads of work to do. I'll take them home." The look of shock on Marjorie's face matched the look of indignation on Mia's. "Just because I prefer to be mean doesn't mean I don't know how to be nice, Marjorie ."

As Mia led Clodagh out, Autumn wrapped her arms around her. "There divorce papers, aren't they?" The brunette nodded. Autumn pulled her in closer and leaned down to give her a soft kiss. "She will be okay, my love. We will just have to keep an eye on her."

Marjorie just couldn't believe it. Sorscha was gone.