TNN ONESHOTS

Lost - SS & VC & J

It was 4:30pm on Wednesday and Viv was in a bit of a panic as she glanced at the clock. The hands were moving faster than she could manage, and she still had a few errands to run before picking up Jamie from nursery. With her heart racing, she grabbed her phone and quickly typed a message to Siobhan.

"Hey Bon bon! I'm running late and i dont think i will make it in time pick up Jamie. Could you please collect him for me and just keep him in the office with you please? I just dont think i will make it and i dont want anyone to stay late for me!"

After hitting send, Viv took a deep breath, hoping Siobhan would be able to help. Minutes later, her phone buzzed with a response. "Of course! I’ll grab him, dont rush okay. He will be safe with me till you get here. Just let me know when you’re on your way so i know you are safe."

Relieved, Viv felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She knew Siobhan was always reliable, especially as she was working in the office today. As she finished her errands, she imagined Jamie’s little face lighting up when he saw his Bonnie stood in the room ready to collect him. She couldn’t wait to hear all about his day when she finally got home. With Siobhan on the job, Viv could focus on wrapping things up without the stress of being late.

At the nursery, the clock struck 5:15pm. Siobhan made her way to the preschool room to collect the dark haired little boy. While she was doing handover with Winter, Jamie was collecting his coat and his bag from his peg, she had watched him do it with Viv so many times so knew that he was more than capable of completing the task but when she turned to look at him she noticed he had wandered off, her heart skipped a beat. “Jamie!” she called, but he was too caught up in his adventure to hear her. He ran down the corridor to the other end of the building, giggling and clapping his hands as he made his way the the baby room.

Panic had set into Siobhan, she was searching for him, calling his name with increasing worry. She still didn't trust the nursery like she used to years ago, the place just reminded her of him, that monster and especially with Carly being a spy. Her guard was constantly up. At that moment in time, all Siobhan knew was that she needed to find Jamie and fast.

It was the end of Charlottes shift but as she went to leave she couldnt help but notice how on edge the blonde haired woman looked. "Siobhan, what's wrong? You look worried," Charlotte asked, noticing her friend’s anxious demeanor.

"I can't find Jamie," Siobhan admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I was just talking to Winter and I thought he was getting his bag but hes not there."

Charlotte eyes widened in alarm but quickly masked it. "Okay its okay. Where have you checked?"

"I did! I checked his room, the bathrooms, even under the blankets," Siobhan replied, running a hand through her hair. "I think Ive lost him for good."

Just as she finished her sentence, Charlotte took her hand. "Quinn is all he spoke about today" Charlotte spoke calmly as she dragged Siobhan towards the baby room.

As they pushed open the door her eyes landed on her stepson sat on the floor with Quinn on the floor in front of him. "Jamie!" Siobhan exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. "There you are! I thought I lost you!"

Jamie looked up, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I’m not lost, Bonnie! I was seeing Quinny!" Siobhan knelt beside Jamie, a smile breaking across her face. "I’m glad you’re okay, buddy. But next time, can you let me know where you’re going?" She told him while trying to calm herself down. “Bonnie, I’m sorry!” he said, his voice filled with emotion as he noticed the panic on Siobhan's face. “I didn’t get lost. I just wanted to see Quinny.” he repeated himself again almost as a reminder to  himself that he was okay and he didn't do anything wrong.

Siobhan stayed down at his level, wiping away her own tears of relief. “It’s okay, Jamie,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him. “I was worried about you, but I’m just glad you’re safe now. Next time, just stay close to me, alright and we can find Quinn together.”

Jamie nodded, sniffling slightly as he hugged her tightly. “I promise, Bonnie. I won’t wander off again.” They held each other for a moment, and Jamie felt comforted by his step mothers warmth. With that viv arrived in the doorway with a confused expression. "Am i hearing the right? You lost my child in a building you work at?" Viv questioned the blonde haired woman as Jamie wriggled free from Siobhan and straight into his mothers arms. She stood up nervously before nodding slightly.

Vivian picked up her son, holding him protectively in her arms before kissing the top of his head. "I will talk to you later" Vivian spoke quietly. She wasn't about to have this conversation with Jamie present. "Ah Vivian.  You can leaveJamie with me, the meeting room is free." Sorscha moved slightly closer. "Its only me and quinn here anyway. " Viv smiled before putting Jamie back down. "Mummy will be back, you stay with Sorscha and Quinny." Vivian told her son softly as she watched him nod at her before heading back towards the baby sat in the book corner.

*

Vivian and Siobhan were sitting in the meeting room at nursery, the comfortof the visitor chairs keeping the blonde grounded. It was a rare moment of calm amidst the usual chaos of the last few minutes. Siobhan, still a bit flustered, recounted her earlier mishap.

“I can’t believe I nearly lost Jamie today, im so sorry Vivi” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “I was so caught up in handover so i would be able to give you the most detail about him that I didn’t even see him walk towards the baby room!”

Vivian raised her eyebrows, a mix of concern and amusement on her face. “Wait, what? You mean he just wandered off? How did you not notice?”

Siobhan sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I know, I know. It was just one of those moments. I turned my back for a second, and then I turnt to see if he was ready and he wasnt there. My heart dropped! I checked the whole nursery and finally found him inside the baby room, happily playing with the blocks with Sorscha and Quinn. Thank goodness he was safe, but I swear, my heart was racing!”

Vivian chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Kids have a way of surprising us, don’t they? But you handled it well. At least he wasn’t upset. Just imagine if he had gotten into something he shouldn’t have!”

Siobhan nodded, her expression softening as she thought about Jamie’s innocent smile. “True, I just need to be more vigilant. It’s easy to get distracted, especially with so many little ones around. I promise he was just getting his bag and coat,  like he does with you.”

“Just remember, it happens to the best of us,” Vivian reassured her. “What matters is that you learned from it.”

“I definitely have,” Siobhan replied, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. They both shared a laugh, grateful for the bond they had formed through their shared experiences in the nursery, knowing that every day brought its own challenges and joys.

They soon went back to the baby room, hand in hand. "Little man shall we get you home?" Vivian asked softly as Jamie wriggled free from Sorschas lap and ran to his mum, hugging her tightly.