My Fair Ladies

The Ball: Part Two

TW: potentially dangerous sex act, death, asphyxiation

Autumn turned to Marjorie and pulled her in at the waist. "They did it my love. She left him." She placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Now to tell father." A smirk crossed her face that worried Marjorie. "You haven't brought your bat, have you?" She raised an eyebrow but let a smile cross her face. She knew the horrible things Roger had done and really couldn't blame her for wanting to get a little bit of revenge. "Okay, let's go find him, but please don't land yourself in the nick tonight."

Autumn took her hand and led her to the ballroom where most of the guests were mingling. Marjorie was amazed at the extravagant costumes and beautiful ball gowns. They spotted a few people from the nursery but not Roger. "Autumn is that Mia over there?" She swung around to face the direction her love was pointing. "It is, but who is that with her?" Marjorie adjusted her glasses on her face and squinted trying to make it out from across the room. "I think that is Clodagh. She has brought Clodagh to the ball."

Autumn pulled at her as she spoke. "I doubt that sunshine. I don't think Clodagh would be interested in Mia. Let's move on he isn't in here." As they entered a dark billiard room, they heard giggling before they flicked on the light. "Oh, shit Reece! Lock the fucking door!" Autumn pushed Marjorie back out of the room but not before she saw Charlotte's legs wrapped around Reece's naked frame.

Autumn looked like she might get sick, but the brunette couldn't help but laugh at the situation. "It isn't funny, Marjorie! No one wants to see him like that!" Trying to stifle her laughter she brought her fingers to her lips. "Char obviously does." She let out a bellowing laugh which was met with a stern look. "Okay, okay I am done. Promise."

She grabbed Marjorie's hand and let her down another hallway to Roger's study. Autumn grabbed the door handle and pushed but it was locked. A familiar voice came from behind it. "Um we're busy. Come back later." Autumn's eyes went wide. "Winter?" The sound of realization tainted the response. "Autumn?" Marjorie's eyes went wide. "What the fuck Winter! Is there anyone from the nursery that isn't fucking in my father's house?!?" She pulled Marjorie away before he could respond.

She led Marjorie upstairs and straight to her father's bedroom. They had just been in this room and didn't think he would be there, but maybe he had come looking for Siobhan. She swung the door open but was only met with the green and silver glint of the ring Siobhan had left on the vanity.

As they turned towards the closest spare room, Autumn got a feeling he was in the room at the end of the hall. The one farthest away from this one. She grabbed Marjorie's hand and led her to the door, but before she could swing the door open, Marjorie pulled her into her. "Promise me. Promise me you aren't going to do anything to land you in the nick." Autumn rolled her eyes and smirked at the brunette. "Fine. I promise." She turned the door handle and cautiously swung the door open.

"Father on your wedding day, really?" They were met with a tangle of legs peaking out from a sheet that was wrapped around Roger's naked back. He didn't respond. Marjorie reached her hand out and touched Autumn's shoulder. "Autumn, I think he's ... he's ..." she couldn't finish the sentence, but they could both see that he was. He was dead.

Roger's body was slumped over a woman's. They moved closer. "Autumn she isn't moving either." Autumn looked back at her and then moved to the head of the bed. She knew exactly who it was as soon as she saw the black hair with a shock of white coming from the plastic bag. Janice.

Autumn let out a loud, frustrated groan as she rolled her eyes. "Ergh, for fucks sake!!"

Autumn!

"What? We're going to have to clear up this mess now. Couldn't the man leave us out of his sordid little death?"

Marjorie rolled her eyes. "You've got a point but he's still your dad."

"Let's make the call. We're probably gonna be here a while."

"Autumn, what if ... what if we could save her."

"Gorgeous, she's gone. The old fool should have had a safeguard in place, but he didn't. Tying her up like that with a bag over her head was stupid. He should have known better. Hell, she should have known better." Autumn shook her head.

She pulled Marjorie to the hallway pulling the door closed behind them. Are you alright to stay here while I go and meet them? I don't know that any of this will be discreet, but at least we can try to get them straight to the correct room."

She nodded. Her thoughts were fuzzy, but she heard what Autumn said. She could stand guard. She could wait. Autumn brushed a quick kiss on her forehead and turned to descend the stairs.

The chaos that ensued after the police, paramedics, and coroner arrived pushed them out into the hallway. "You alright my love?" Autumn nodded, pulled her in and held her close. After what felt like a million questions, they wheeled the bodies out and were gone.

Autumn looked at the brunette. "Let's go home."