My Fair Ladies

I'll Be There Part Three

TW: insinuations of DA/DV

Week three: Marjorie and Siobhan

Marjorie's week had been a stressful week to say the least. The merger with Reece's and Janice's nurseries. The move to the new building. On top of that her mind was racing with thoughts of her new-found friend. What did she mean by people in situations they'd rather not be in? Marjorie kept going over that same remark in her head again and again. As she sat herself at her desk to begin the day, her phone pinged with a notification from Siobhan. "I will be in for meetings today from noon. It would seem some of the parents are not best pleased about the merge of the nurseries." She had heard a few of the parents complaining about the merge and having to drive farther to a new building.

Marjorie busied herself with organising her new office. She was in the process of organising the files when noon came around.  She was startled from her concentration by the familiar icy tone she'd gotten to know all too well over the last two weeks. "Marjorie?" "Siobhan my love, you alright?" "I'm fine, I'll be in the meeting room for the rest of the day." "Okay my love can I get you anything?" "No." She stationed herself in the meeting room. Every time Marjorie passed; she saw a different parent. 

As the last child was collected, Marjorie heard the all too familiar ping coming towards the office. Just as she looked up from her computer Siobhan walked in. "Siobhan you alright, my love?" Another ping. Marjorie noticed as Siobhan rolled her eyes. "Siobhan?" "What?" "You look like you've had a stressful day." "You're very perceptive, Marjorie." "Okay, what I'm trying to say or well ask is do you fancy coming out for a meal or drinks again?" Siobhan stood hesitantly for a few moments when her phone sounded again. Ping. Siobhan pulled her phone from her pocket and her screen illuminated with a message from Roger. "Out for business dinner with associates, won't be home till late." Siobhan stowed her phone before looking back at Marjorie. "It just so happens; my evening has just opened up. A meal sounds lovely." "Perfect I'll book somewhere and let Autumn know I'll be late home."

Siobhan and Marjorie both packed their belongings into one car and headed to the restaurant. The journey was travelled in silence neither knowing what to say to the other after their last conversation. As the car pulled into the restaurant car park, Marjorie broke the tension. "Look Siobhan about last week." Siobhan cut her off quickly "Marjorie not here, at least let me have a drink first." They exited the car and made their way inside.

Sat at the table the drinks flowing and contently eating, the conversation started to flow. "So, Siobhan about last week. What did you mean?" Siobhan took a breath before beginning to speak. "It's not exactly cold feet. I'm just not sure if I want to marry Roger. Something else has happened, and I guess I'm just confused about things." Marjorie looked at Siobhan with confusion. "What else has happened? What's confusing you?" Siobhan took a sip of her drink for some courage before continuing. "The meetings on a Monday were more than meetings." Siobhan took a breath, her heart beginning to race thinking back to the last meeting between herself and Viv. Siobhan looked into Marjorie's eyes. "I slept with Viv." Marjorie looked back at the blonde in shock.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Week three: Vivian and Autumn

Vivian and Jamie playfully got ready for their day as she chased him into the bathroom hoping to get his hair combed and teeth brushed. They sang the toothbrush song with their mouths full of foam and laughed at how they sounded. As she wiped his face clean, she smoothed a flyaway hair. "Come on little man, Celeste will be here any minute."

Celeste was still dropping off and picking up, so she could avoid Siobhan on Mondays, but she had seen her in the car park a few times. They hadn't spoken and she often wondered if she should reach out, but the words wouldn't come. The things she wanted to say wouldn't be appropriate for a soon to be married woman. Her heart sank at the mere thought.

After Celeste left with Jamie, she ran up the stairs and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. She and Autumn had been texting all week. Her surprise at how much they had in common still struck her from time to time. Their friendship had meant a world of difference this last week. She flipped the phone just as it pinged. "Hey Vi. Are we still meeting at ten?"

She quickly responded and went off to shower. As the water washed over her body, her mind was flooded with thoughts. She sifted through the signs from the last few months. She still wasn't sure how Siobhan felt about her, but she knew how she felt about Siobhan. Sadly, there wasn't much she could do with that information. She shook the thoughts from her mind and towelled off.

She dressed, did her hair, and make up and still had time to grab coffee and toast before meeting Autumn. As she sipped her coffee and nibbled on her toast, she spontaneously uttered, "black americano." Okay, Viv time to go! Get her out of your head. She isn't yours. She never will be.

Her mood was altered as she slumped into the Golf. Vivian why do you do this to yourself? She spent the rest of the drive trying to right herself. As she pulled in at the little coffee shop, she saw the now familiar red jag. Autumn had an uncanny knack for always being there first.

They had gotten much friendlier, bit Viv still felt nervous as she approached the door. She stopped to still herself before entering. As she approached the table where Autumn sat, Autumn rose from her seat again. "Hiya babe, you know you don't have to do that." Autumn shook her head just once and waited for Viv. "Hi Vi. How was your morning." She knew Viv was now waking Jamie up ten minutes earlier to get to the new building, and even that little bit of time was a big adjustment for a four-year-old.

"We made everything into a game this morning. That helped quite a lot actually. Thanks for the advice." She stared into the brunette's brilliant green eyes and just for the briefest of moments the pain and longing for the ocean blue ones was absent. As she turned away, she was hit by her grief all over again.

"What is it Vi? What just happened? Your whole body reacted." They had talked about their childhood, their teen years, even their past relationships, but they still had yet to talk about Siobhan.

"It's Bon Bon." Autumn furrowed her brow. "Who?" Viv looked at the brunette. "Siobhan. I can't get her out of my head babe. I tried. I try. I've nearly bumped into a handful of times since the engagement, but one of us always turns away. Sometimes I want to chase her down and ask her why. Why she did this? Why she agreed to marry him? Why she let things go so far with us if she knew this was on the horizon?"

Autumn sat and listened, but she didn't respond. She just let the dark-haired woman get it all out. As she saw tears streaming down her face she reached out and took her hand. "Vi, we're gonna figure this out."

They sipped their coffees and talked about lighter topics until it was time to leave for the Thai restaurant. Autumn once again rose before Viv and stood and waited for Viv to walk in front of her. As they reached the door Autumn moved around her to swing the door open. "Vi, how far did it go?" They were both a bit surprised by her question, but Viv screwed up her courage and answered. "We slept together. On that last day. The last meeting. I slept with Siobhan." Viv lowered her head as she walked through the door.

"I'm sorry, what?"