Intertwined

Blame and Shame, Protect and Panic

A/N:

This chapter will start from Reece's point of view and later change to Mia's.

This chapter mentions child abuse and mentions violence. Please read with caution, or skip this chapter if this is likely to upset you.

Please take care of yourselves and remember to reach out for support with people you love and trust or professional support with local providers if needed.

Big Brother,' Autumn walks into the waiting room of the psychologists office and takes a seat opposite me. We still had a few minutes, before the appointment.

'How are you feeling?' I ask my 8 week pregnant baby sister. She may be 36 and could take me down with one arm behind her back, but she will still always be my baby sister.

She frowns at me, I can't hide my worry, well, probably more than that. Fine, definitely more than that, anxiety. I smile at her trying my best to hide my concern and she eyes off my terrible attempt, before leaning forward to me. 'Reece, please. Take a breath, ok? I'm fine, a little nauseous, but not as bad as, last time'. I know she was trying to reassure me, probably more than herself, but her voice caught in her throat when she said 'last time,' and I had to just nod my head and look away for a moment.

Seeing her the day after she lost her baby, seeing her so heartbroken, her spirit shattered, had torn me apart. I was terrified of her having to go through that pain again. There was nothing I could do to help make it better for her. I had always tried to protect her, but that day, there was nothing I could do. I couldn't remember another time where I had felt so helpless.

'Reecey, Aut,' Mia strode in the office and stood nearest Autumn, her arms folded and began scrolling her phone. Autumn stood up and started to walk towards the opposite side of the room. Mia and I immediately shot our heads up, jumping to face our little sister,

'Aut,' we both said at the same moment, the panic in our voices obvious.

Autumn took a deep breath and looked at us, 'I am growing a human and need to go to the toilet ALL the time,' she narrowed her gaze to the both of us, 'this reaction from the two of you right now. That's why we're here today'. Mia and I tried to speak again, but Autumn just held up her hand for us to stop before going into the bathroom.

'Well, you didn't have to jump and frighten her just because she was going to the bathroom Reecey,' Mia smirked at me and instantly I could feel her get under my skin.
'Me?' I said a bit too loudly, 'Me? What about you? You basically leapt in front of her'. I rolled my eyes and stood up. We continued to argue about whose fault it was and exactly what it is we had done wrong, when Aut returned.

'Truthfully, you're both as bad as each other,' Autumn stated quietly. Just as she did, the psychologist came out of her office and invited us all in.

'Hello, Autumn. Reece it's good to see you again and you must be Mia that I've heard so much about,' the psychologist, Claire, gave a warm and friendly smile. Aut and I had seen Claire together a few times and Aut had seen her individually for a while. Mia had inevitably come up a few times.

'Oh' was all Mia nervously responded to the greeting. I was a little pleased and surprised, that Mia's aloof, snarky and sarcastic exterior out in the waiting room, could be so quickly disarmed by someone other than Charlotte.

Claire tilted her head to the side slightly and smiled at the now uncomfortable redhead, 'Mia, you're an extremely important person in Autumn and Reece's life and obviously because you grew up and have worked together, they have spoken of you as part of their lives,' Claire finished with a reassuring smile.