TNN ONESHOTS

She's poorly - SD & CD & AFK & WFK

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a stark contrast to the feverish flush on Quinn's cheeks. Sorscha clutched her daughter a little tighter, the weight of worry heavy in her arms. Quinn, usually a giggling, wriggling bundle, was listless and pale. A nasty cold had been going around the nursery had taken hold, and Sorscha, with no family nearby to help, felt a familiar knot of panic tighten in her chest.

Autumn, her colleague and a true friend, noticed the distress immediately as she stood in the office, ready to sign in and check which room she would be working in. "Sorscha, what's wrong?" Autumn asked, her voice slightly softer than normal and laced with concern. Sorscha explained the situation, her voice cracking slightly. Without hesitation, Autumn offered a solution. "Don't worry, leave her in here with me, and we'll figure something out. I can help you." Autumn told her calmly as she looked at her friend. "But Aut, you're pregnant, so you definitely don't want to catch anything she has, especially after what you went through. I dont want having her to bring you anxiety. " Sorscha whispered softly while rubbing Quinns back. She was open with Autumn. She knew her well enough to know that the more you avoid a topic, the more annoyed Autumn becomes.

"I appreciate your concern about mine and my baby's health, but i can assure you that we will both be okay, as will Quinn." Autumn told her calmly. "Clodagh can collect her as soon as her shift finishes, i will call her." Sorscha whispered as she handed Quinn over to Autumn.

Sorscha moved to stand in the doorway, watching Autumn closely. "She has had calpol so she can have some more at 11:30 and I will make her bottles and snack." Sorscha told her, but Autumn shook her head. "You need to get to work. She will be okay, and if i have a problem, i know you are in the other room." Autumn told her calmly while running her hand up and down Quinns back as she held the infant against her chest.

Sorscha sighed before nodding slightly. "Thank you, Autumn," she threw over her shoulder as she was leaving the office. She knew that she could trust Autumn, but her anxiety continued to creep in.

As time went on, Autumn kept a watchful eye on Quinn, soothing her with gentle stories and quiet songs while she stayed sat at her desk. With one hand, she typed up reports and replied to emails, and with the other, she supported Quinn as she snuggled in Autumns chest. "Baba, you are so loved by both your momas and all your aunties and uncles here." She whispered as Quinn cooed softly in response.

The other staff at the nursery understood the depth of the situation that was unfolding in the office. This wasn't just Quinn being unwell and Sorscha not having childcare. This was Autumn healing in a way she didn't know she needed to. Everyone was supportive and tiptoed around them to give Autumn the time she needed. Every half an hour, someone would enter the office offering cups of tea and the occasional distraction for autumn while they took turns dropping off Quinns snack and her bottle.

Autumn sat quietly at her desk with Quinn cuddled into her chest just as the door opened and Charlotte walked in. "Hey Aut, i have Quinns bottle. Sorscha explained that she would probably nap after this, so she said to give her calpol before she has her bottle so she won't wake up feeling worse. She also said that in the bag is her dummy and blanket to help her sleep and that she likes her back rubbed and her hand held. " charlotte explained it all while Autumn nodded along. "Thank you for that information, Charlotte. Can you let Sorscha know that I've kept note of any nappy changes she had and what she's eaten, please?" Autumn asked quietly as Charlotte nodded before making her way out of the office quietly.

Autumn waited to make sure she was alone with Quinn before saying anything. It was almost as though she was nervous about someone hearing. "Hey bubs, you ready for your bottle?" Autumn cooed calmly while adjusting them both to find a more comfortable position for Quinn to feed in. "Sorry, little one, my bump gets in the way when i feed you, doesn't it." She whispered as she slowly lowered the bottle for Quinn to feed from.