TNN ONESHOTS

Autumn? - AFK & MK

As Marjorie walked into her shared office, she glanced at her deputy manager. "Autumn, are you okay? You dont look yourself?" Marjorie asked her outright. "Hmmm," Autumn mumbled back before turning back to her screen.

"Autumn is the baby, you know, okay?" Marjorie asked nervously as she could tell something was off. "Yes, the baby is fine. Trust me, she is moving a lot today." Autumn told Marjorie before placing her hand on her bump.

"What's wrong then?" Marjorie asked again. She knew questioning autumn like this wasn't the best idea, but it had to be done. "Marjorie... i... nothing." Autumn went to tell her. Marjorie listened closely. It was almost as if Autumn was being shy. This woman is never shy. Marjorie continued to think before standing up and locking the door, closing all the blinds. "What are you doing now?" Autumn asked bluntly. "Well, today is paper work day, and everyone knows to leave us alone on paper work days." Marjorie explained before making her way to Autumn.

Marjorie placed her hands gently on Autumns shoulders before slowly massaging them, her thumbs going in small circles. "What's going on, my love?" Marjorie asked softly as she could feel Autumn relaxing at her touch. The deputy sighed and looked down. "Pregnancy hormones." She mumbled. "Okay, my love, what could I do to help you with them?" Marjorie asked softly, but Autumn shook her head quickly. "No one can help. I am fine."

To see Autumn this small, broke Marjories heart. "So, what are you feeling?" Marjorie asked as she moved Autumn to look at her. "I feel.... like i want to be held, but i can't... no one can." Autumn mumbled as she out her head in her hands. "Hey, Auts... you do know that asking for a hug is okay? I promise you." Marjorie spoke calmly as she placed one hand on Autumns knee and the other on her bump rubbing it gently.

"Your baba is okay. She really is okay. And you are also okay." She whispered while tracing patterns on her her leg, just above her knee. Autumn sighed as tears pricked her eyes. "Hey, you are okay. Come here," Marjorie whispered before standing up and holding open her arms.

Autumn pushed herself up and wrapped her arms around Marjorie, hiding her head. "Do you want me to go and get winter for you." Marjorie asked with a smirk, but Autumn shook her head quickly. "I've been so horrible to him about it that i dont think i can go back on it all just yet." Marjorie nodded and just held Autumn.

"My love, im not going anywhere, but i think we should sit on the couch. I can still hold you." Autumn nodded as she clung to Marjorie as they made their way across the office. Marjorie helped Autumn to sit down before sitting down next to her. "We can stay here as long as you need to, and then we will never speak of it again unless you want to." Marjorie spoke calmly as Autumn nodded slightly before resting her head on Marjories chest.

"Move and get yourself comfortable, my love. I can still hold you even if you moved." Marjorie told her softly. Autumn moved slowly, opting to lay on her side with her head on Marjories lap. "Thank you." She mumbled before letting herself relax under Marjories touch.

After a while, Autumn drifted off to sleep. Marjorie carefully moved herself away from her and got on with as much of the paperwork as she physically could so that there was less stress.

*

A couple of hours had passed, and in that time, Marjorie only had two reports left. By this time, Autumn had woken up and started to move slightly. "Hey, my love." Marjorie spoke softly before moving closer to Autumn. As she sat up, Marjorie sat next to her, placing her hand on her knee. "How long did i sleep for?" The deputy mumbled nervously as she rubbed her eyes gently. "Only a couple of hours." Marjorie told her before spotting the panic in her eyes. "We have two left. it's okay. I've done most of them. You needed to rest." Marjorie whispered as she sighed, letting her head rest on her manager's shoulder.

"I think you might need to speak to winter now. You have had a nap and calmed down a bit." Marjorie mumbled as Autumn nodded slightly. "Just two more minutes, im comfortable, and she has stopped moving, so im not in pain." Autumn mumbled back, secretly enjoying the comfort from Marjorie.

Marjorie sat quietly and just let Autumn rest. It was clear that the woman had been struggling for a while now. There was a sudden knock on the door,making Autumn jump. "Shh, you are okay. I will get it." Marjorie whispered as she stood up and unlocked the door.

She was met by Winter, saying nothing she let him into the office."im going to get my lunch, and i will see you both later," Marjorie told them both before walking back out of the office and down the corridor towards the kitchen.

After their heated argument this morning, Autumn and Winter found themselves sitting in silence, the tension palpable between them. Autumn sighed, breaking the quiet, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier, my love. I didn't mean it. Marjorie has helped me realise that i was in the wrong and that i just really needed to be held by someone. Dont laugh, but i even let Marjorie hold me till i accidentally fell asleep on her." Winter looked at her, his eyes softening. "I'm sorry too, my sweet." They both knew that their bond was stronger than any disagreement.

Slowly, they began to talk, each sharing their feelings and listening to the other. They realized that communication was key, and they promised to be more understanding and patient with each other. As time wore on, laughter replaced the earlier tension, and they knew they had found their way back to each other. Holding each other, grateful for the love that had brought them back together.