TNN ONESHOTS

The necklace- AMR & CV

It had been a long day at the nursery for Charlotte. Not only was she in the room with the 2 to 3s, she was working with Lydia who would do anything to get out of what she was meant to be doing. By the end of her shift, Charlotte was exhausted, meaning her emotions were all over the place, only earlier that day had she cried because her coffee had gone cold.

During the morning craft time, things got chaotic. There was glue, paint, scissors and children calling for help but as always, Lydia was apparently to busy to help. In the heat of the moment Charlotte took her necklace off, placing it gently on the side before rolling up her sleeves and putting on her best fake smile, throwing herself back into helping the children as they called her name.

Once they had finished creating their pictures and finally cleared away, it was time for lunch. Chef walked in just as the last child sat at the table, placing the tray on the side while giving a quick debrief about the different coloured bowls. "Oh and Marjorie said that Charlotte is to go on first lunch today." She threw over her shoulder casually while leaving the room to dish up the staff lunches and make a start on the washing up.

*

As Charlotte's shift came to an end, she started to collect all her belongings that she had left around the room. Her water bottle, cardigan, hair clip that refused to stay in but as she went to pick up her necklace off the side she noticed it was gone.

Panic washed over her as she looked around the space near by. "Your shift is over, you can leave now." Lydia spoke bluntly, Charlotte rolled her eyes before making her way out of the room to grab everything from her locker.

Once in her car, Charlotte's thoughts ran fast through her head as she tried to come up with a story that wouldn't upset Mia. Of all the things to lose it had to be that necklace.

After parking her car on the driveway, Charlotte took a deep breath before opening her car door and heading inside. She done her best to hide everything from Mia.

*

After dinner the couple moved to sit on tbe couch, Mia had her arms around her girlfriend. "Baby, wheres your necklace?" Mia questioned, her only just realising that it was missing. "I took it off to keep it safe while we did painting and craft. I had all the children. Lydia was meant to help, but she didn't so I had her group and my group on my own. Then i tidied up. Then chef brought in lunch and told me i was in first lunches. Then when I went to put get it after my shift and it was gone. I didn't mean to lose it. It was meant to still be there." Charlotte mumbled nervously, getting the story out quickly while sitting on the edge of the couch near where Mia was sat.

Mia just looked at her, listening closely to what her girlfriend had to say. She tried to keep a straight face to give Charlotte the confidence to finish her story but the brunette could see the hurt and disappointment in her girlfriend's eyes. "Baby, I'm sorry, I will look more tomorrow. I'm on the early shift so i can go in extra early and look before setting up breakfast and the rooms." Charlotte promised while slowly moving to hold her girlfriends hand but Mia pulled away. "That was a gift. I got that for you after your old one snapped and this is how you repay me. If you didn't want it, you could have just said. I'm a big girl you know."

Tears rolled down Charlotte's cheeks. "I do like it. Don't do this to me. I love that necklace and I love you. I feel lost without it." She cried placing her hand where her necklace would normally sit. "If you mean all that, you better find it." She muttered before standing up and moving away. Charlotte moved to grab her hand but missed, landing on the floor by the couch, watching her girlfriend walk away.

The brunette curled in on herself, pulling her knees up to her chest as sobs wracked her body. All she wanted was to be held but she knew that she wasn't going to get that, well not until Mia had calmed down.

Mia could hear her girlfriend from upstairs but she couldn't help her while she was in this mindset and she knew it. Mia knew she was in the wrong, she knew Charlotte didn't mean to lose it and she knew that Charlotte loved both her and the necklace. The redhead took time to collect her thoughts and to calm herself down because just like Charlotte, she too had had a stressful day.

Minutes passed quickly. During this time Mia had calmed down and gotten out of her work clothes, slipping into her comfort clothes. Meanwhile Charlotte had stayed curled up on the floor for what felt like hours. The tears hadn't stopped and her body was becoming more and more exhausted. She was well and truly burnt out.

Mia made the first moved, it was breaking her heart listening to her girlfriend's sobs. She knew that she was exhausted. She could tell just by the way her sobs became more raw, it was her body's way of screaming for help. The redhead made her way down the stairs slowly and into the living room. Stopping just inside the doorway. "Sweetheart, would you like a hug?" Mia questioned nervously. She wasn't quite sure how Charlotte was to react especially when her emotions were all over the place.

She looked up, her cheeks red and blotchy, her eyes swollen. Charlotte opened her mouth to speak but all that came out was a broken sob, followed by a fresh wave of tears. "Oh sweetheart, I'm here." She whispered before moving towards where Charlotte was curled up. "I'm going to pick you up off the floor baby." She hushed while lifting her up and placing her onto the couch.

Mia sat next to Charlotte, leaving just a small gap. "Sweetheart, do you want a hug?" Mia questioned again, making sure everything was on her girlfriends terms, she knew one wrong move would push her over the edge. Charlotte moved quickly, practically throwing herself at her girlfriend before snuggling into her embrace, her face hidden in her chest. "Oh baby." She whispered while rubbing Charlotte's back, moving her slightly so she's comfortable.

It took time, a long time but eventually Charlotte's tears stopped and her breathing evened out again. Only then did Mia talk to her. "Baby, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm not mad about that necklace, it was just the final thing to make me snap. Marj has been on top form today, she's lucky i let her walk out that office unscathed." She chuckled slightly before kissing Charlotte's forehead. "I never meant to take it out on you. I know you are exhausted now, i can tell so i think its bedtime." Mia whispered calmly before standing up with Charlotte in her arms.

The brunette tensed slightly before relaxing again. "I've got you sweetheart." Mia whispered before moving towards their bedroom. She kicked open the door before placing Charlotte on the bed, being careful not to bump her girlfriend into anything. "Lets get you changed out of your work clothes and into something more comfortable." Mia whispered calmly before throwing a pair of loose shorts and one of her old tshirts in Charlotte's direction.

It wasn't long before they were both back in bed. Mia kept quiet, she didnt want to push her girlfriend to far especially when her emotions were all over the place. After a while Charlotte broke the silence between them both. "Cuddle?" She questioned incoherently, slowly moving towards where Mia was led. "I'm here beautiful and i alway will be." She hushed while wrapping her arms around Charlotte, holding her close.

The couple melted into the shared embrace, both needing eachother. "Go to sleep sweetheart, i've got you." Mia hushed before moving slightly, making sure Charlotte was able to hear her heartbeat. She had learnt that it was something that would always calm her girlfriend no matter what.

Soon enough the sound of soft snores filled the room. "I love you baby, i always have and always will. I know I shouldn't shout at you and I'm sorry I upset you. I love you Charlotte Victoria. Alway have, always will." She whispered kissing the top of Charlottes head before yawning and drifting off to sleep with her girlfriend safe in her arms.