One Shots 'The nursery nurse'

Revenge Part II

It was late the afternoon, and Reece was pacing back and forth in the living room. Autumn was sitting on the sofa in front of him, her gaze fixed ahead. The confrontation with Mia had happened a few days ago. But the memory of the moment was still fresh in Autumn's mind. She had to tell Reece the truth, and she had just done so.

"Damn it, Aut, what were you thinking?" Reece said, his voice soft but firm as he finally stopped pacing.

Autumn lifted her gaze slowly to look into her brother's eyes. She knew what was coming, but she didn't want to admit to herself how guilty she felt. She wasn't ready to admit it to herself.

" She had it coming. Besides, it doesn't matter now. She'll be gone soon anyway," she replied dryly, a sentiment she had repeated a hundred times in her head. "What's the point of apologising? It won't change anything."

Reece shook his head. "It's not about whether she stays or goes. It's about what you did. You hurt her, Autumn. You can't just ignore that."

"What I did is nothing compared to what she did to us," Autumn defended herself. "Mia ruined everything, made sure that we didn't speak a word to each other for almost twenty years! In the end, it's her own fault!"

Reece's face contorted as he took a step closer. " You can't be serious right now! What's wrong with you?! I don't recognise you right now... You're acting like..." he stopped himself.

"Like who Reece. If you want to say something, spit it out," she challenged her brother. Even though Autumn already knew what he was alluding to. But she wanted to know if he would really say it.

Reece frowned. The two siblings stared at each other. He realised that Autumn was challenging him, and he wasn't going to give in. Not now, she needed to hear it. " Like Dad."

The words hit Autumn like a blow. Her father - the man who had ruined they life with his constant mistakes and excuses - had done exactly the same thing. He had never taken responsibility for what he had done. It had always been the fault of others. And now, at this moment, she was at the same point. Just as cold, just as violent.

Autumn fell silent, breaking eye contact with Reece. She buckled, and deep down, she knew Reece was right. She knew she was acting just like they father, who had torn her family's life to shreds years ago. "I can't undo it." she spoke. "It happened."

Reece sat down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "You can't undo it. But you need to talk to Mia."

Autumn took a deep breath, let herself fall back, and stared at the floor. Her gaze was blank, but something was fighting inside her that she hadn't felt for a long time: remorse. And with this feeling came the realisation. It wasn't just Mia and what she had done to her. It was she herself. She had lost herself in anger.

" Reece... Even when I was standing over her, she still called me...," Autumn stopped herself. "God, what have I done..."

Reece didn't answer her. He just hoped that Mia was still in London. That his sister had the chance to make amends. Because he himself knew how a guilty conscience could consume you.

The morning was cloudy when Autumn entered the airport. Her hands trembled as she crossed the large entrance hall, and her heart was beating so fast she could almost hear it in her ears. Mia wasn't home this morning. Luckily, a neighbour of hers had been on the street to get her mail. The woman told Autumn that Mia had left the apartment block early in the morning.

Autumn knew there was no going back. If she didn't manage to apologise for her actions. She would walk the same path as her father. Autumn couldn't deal with this guilt.

In the terminal, she finally found Mia sitting on one of the benches near the departure gates. The voice of the loudspeaker echoed over the constant background noise of waiting passengers, but Autumn wasn't really listening. Her eyes were fixed on the woman who she had hurt so bad - and whom she would now beg for forgiveness.

Mia sat at the other end of the bench, her head slightly lowered, wrapped in a woollen blanket that wasn't there to help against the cold air in the hall. It acted more like a protective shield. She looked tired, more exhausted than sad. Her eyes were small, with deep circles drawn under them. Autumn was familiar with those eyes. The piercing green of Mia's always reminded her of simple times. But there was something different in them today. No anger, no contempt. Just deep sadness.

Autumn sat down next to her in silence, unsure of what to say. She had rehearsed so many words, played through so many apologies in her head - but now that she was here, they were all blown away.

The silence between them was heavy. Autumn felt like every second that passed was another step she couldn't take back. Mia finally noticed her, slowly lifting her head and looking at Autumn out of the corner of her eye. Her expression remained neutral, but Autumn could feel the sadness in her gaze.

"You're here." Mia finally said, her voice soft, but the sharpness of disappointment was impossible to miss. She turned fully to Autumn and met her gaze.

Autumn swallowed when she saw Mia's split lip. A sign from the night a few days ago. "Yes..." she began, but then her courage failed her. "I'm sorry. I... I made a bloody big mistake. I never meant for it to end like this." Her voice broke as she spoke the words.

Mia sighed and shook her head. "I know.... You hurt me. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't deserve it." Her voice was soft, but Autumn could hear the depth of pain in her words. " No.. Mia stop... you didn't deserve this."

Autumn could see Mia's forearms now, resting in her lap. They were marked with deep blue and green bruises - another reminder of the incident. The thought of it made the blood freeze in Autumn's veins. How could she do something so cold-blooded? How could she believe she had the right to act like that?

"I'm so sorry, Mia." she repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.

Mia looked down at her hands, which she folded in her lap. "You know, it's not the bruises that hurt. It's what could have been. If none of this ever had happened... Then maybe we'd still be best friends." She spoke softly, but it was clear that there was more to her words than that. "It's as if the last piece of our shared history has died."

Autumn fought back tears. How she hated showing emotion. She had never really realised how deep the bond between them was. She had never seen Mia just as her brother's girlfriend, but as an important person in her own life. The truth hit her again. " Mia..." she whispered as the lump in her throat grew larger. "I.... Can we let bygones be bygones? I don't want to lose you again..."

Mia looked at her, and for a moment, it was as if the years of misunderstanding and anger were dissolving. She sighed deeply and put her hand on Autumn's arm.

It was quiet for a moment. But then Mia suddenly stood up, pulled her bag towards her, and looked at Autumn. "I actually wanted to leave the country. I wanted to leave everything behind. But..." She paused. "... I can't abandon my little sister again..." There it was Mia's grin.

Autumn stared at her in disbelief. "You're staying?"

Mia nodded slightly. "Of course, if I disappear. Then who will annoy Reece?" She looked into Autumn's eyes, and for a split second, something seemed to heal between them.

Autumn felt a relief welling up inside her that she hadn't thought possible. Mia would stay. She wouldn't lose her again. "Thank you," Autumn said. "Thank you for giving me a chance."

Mia smiled, a smile Autumn would never forget. "Come on, let's go. I'm bloody hungry."

Autumn straightened up, and the two left the airport. "Can I tell Reece that you almost shed a tear?" Mia asked with a big grin. In response, she received a fist to the arm. "Don't you dare! Otherwise, I'll tell Reece that you called me your little sister twice."

Mia rubbed her arm. " Ok, deal. We handled this without too much emotion, and were both pretty cool and collective if anyone asked."

Autumn nodded as a feeling of hope spread through her that she hadn't known in a long time.