Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Little Sis •|| WITUMN ||•

Prompt: Winter's twin sister comes to visit.

The nursery was quiet, the day’s chaos winding down as everyone gathered their belongings. Winter was leaning against the front desk, chatting casually with Marjorie about weekend plans, while Autumn sorted through leftover paperwork.

The doorbell chimed, breaking the calm. Everyone paused, glancing at the door. Winter straightened, his eyes narrowing in mild confusion.

"I’ll get it," he said, striding toward the entrance.

When he opened the door, the surprise was written all over his face. Standing there was a woman—his exact likeness, but with sharper cheekbones, a confident posture, and a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Rowan?" Winter asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and excitement.

"Who else?" Rowan replied, her voice smooth as silk. She stepped forward, her arms outstretched. "Thought I’d pop by and remind you who the better twin is."

Winter laughed, pulling her into a hug. "You’re impossible."

As they stepped inside, Rowan’s gaze swept across the room, taking in the curious faces of the staff. Winter gestured to her with a flourish.

"Everyone, meet Rowan, my twin sister. Rowan, this is the Knight Nursery crew."

Rowan tilted her head, a bemused smile playing on her lips as she scanned the group.

Marjorie was the first to step forward. "I’m Marjorie," she said warmly, offering a handshake. "The one who keeps your brother in check."

Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, if true," she quipped, shaking Marjorie’s hand firmly.

One by one, Winter introduced the others—Charlotte, Carly, Mia, Agatha. Each greeted her warmly, though Rowan’s polite demeanor stayed just that: polite.

Then Winter turned to Autumn, who had been standing quietly by the desk, watching the exchange with curiosity.

"And this is Autumn," Winter said, his voice softening. "My wife."

Rowan’s gaze flicked to Autumn, her smile thinning. "Ah, so you’re the Autumn."

Autumn extended her hand, her expression open but wary. "Nice to finally meet you, Rowan. Winter’s talked about you a lot."

"Funny," Rowan replied, shaking her hand briefly. "He hasn’t said much about you."

The tension hung in the air for a moment before Winter, sensing the shift, clapped his hands together. "So, Rowan, what brings you here?"

Before Rowan could answer, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Sorcha walked in, her coat draped over her arm, with Clodagh trailing quietly behind her.

The moment Sorcha saw Rowan, her face lit up. "Rowan?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in surprise.

Rowan turned toward her, and for the first time, her cool exterior melted into pure joy. "Sorcha!"

The two rushed toward each other, embracing like old friends reunited after years apart.

"You two know each other?" Winter asked, bemused.

"Are you kidding?" Rowan laughed, pulling back to grin at Sorcha. "We were inseparable in uni. This is wild!"

Sorcha beamed, still holding Rowan’s hand. "It’s been ages! What are you even doing here?"

As the two launched into excited chatter, Clodagh lingered by the doorway, her arms crossed. She stayed silent, her expression unreadable, though her gaze flicked between Sorcha and Rowan with an intensity that didn’t go unnoticed by Autumn.

And though Clodagh said nothing, the stiffness in her posture spoke volumes.