TNN ONESHOTS

Work with the twins - AFK & MK

*This is for holly! Happy birthday diva!!*

Autumn's phone buzzed, the caller ID flashing 'Marjorie'. Autumn sighed, glancing at the two sleeping bundles in their cots. She was supposed to be on maternity leave, soaking in every precious moment with her newborn twins. "Hello?" she answered, trying to keep the irritation from her voice.

Marjorie's voice crackled through the speaker, a whirlwind of apologies and desperate pleas for help. "I know you aren't  meant to be in but between a sick leave from mia AND Charlotte, a sudden resignation from Lydia. I can't physically do it without you." Autumn knew deep down that she was the only one who could step in.

She sighed while looking at her sleeping children. "If I have to be here, then I have to bring the twins. Reece is busy," Autumn snapped without meaning to. Really, she was just trying to figure out how she was going to look after her twins and actually work. There was a pause on the other end, then Marjorie's tone shifted, "Okay, Autumn, whatever it takes. Just get here as soon as you can."

The next hour was a blur of getting the twins up and changed, hastily packed bags, and a frantic search for the baby carrier. As Autumn wrestled the twins into their car seats, she couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment.

This wasn't how it was supposed to be. But as she looked at her two beautiful babies, a sense of determination washed over her. She could do this. It wouldn't be easy, but she would make it work and getting through the day with them.

The office was a strange new world for the twins. At first, they were content, nestled in their carriers, lulled by the hum of computers and hushed phone calls. But after a while, the unfamiliar sounds and smells began to take their toll.

Little cries started to erupt, escalating into full-blown wails that echoed through the otherwise quiet office. Autumn bounced and shushed, trying to soothe them, but it was no use. They were hungry, tired, and overstimulated.

Autumn felt a knot of panic tighten in her chest. She needed to focus, but how could she with two screaming babies? Just as she was about to retreat to a quiet corner, Marjorie appeared, her face softening as she took in the scene. "They will be fine my love," Marjorie spoke quietly while making her way towards the twins, seeing Emery slowly falling asleep. She gently stroked a hand over the baby's head, her eyes filled with a surprising tenderness.

"Here, let me hold one," Marjorie offered, carefully taking the fussing Dorian into her arms. To Autumn's surprise, he quieted almost immediately, his tiny hand gripping Marjorie's finger. Autumn watched in amazement as Marjorie hummed softly and rocked Dorian with what looked like, practiced ease. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected arrangement could work after all.

Marjorie cradled Dorian in her arms, gently bouncing him as she scanned through her emails. For a blissful few minutes, he was quiet, his little body relaxing against her. She managed to respond to a few urgent inquiries, thinking she might actually be able to juggle work and soothe the baby.

But then, Dorian's bottom lip started to tremble. His face scrunched up, and before Marjorie could react, he burst into tears, a high-pitched wail that echoed through the office.

Autumn's motherly instincts kicked in the moment she heard Dorian's cries. Without a word, she sprang into action, quickly taking her son from Marjorie's arms, not meaning to upset her. "He's probably just hungry," Autumn explained, her voice soft and reassuring.

She held Dorian close, gently rocking him back and forth. Then, grabbing a muslin from the baby bag, she threw it over her shoulder, creating a makeshift nursing cover, and began to breastfeed her son. Dorian latched on immediately, his frantic cries subsiding into contented little suckling noises.

Autumn sighed in relief, her gaze softening as she looked down at her son. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the office, all that mattered was providing comfort and nourishment to her baby.

Marjorie watched them quietly, a bittersweet feeling washing over her. She observed how Autumn, with effortless grace, settled her son, her movements fluid and natural. The way Dorian immediately calmed in her arms, the soft, contented sounds he made while nursing—it was a scene of perfect maternal harmony.

Marjorie couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, mixed with admiration for her best friend. She was happy for Autumn, of course, but also acutely aware of her own inexperience and uncertainty when it came to caring for the twins.

Autumn could feel Marjorie's eyes on her, a silent weight that lingered in the air. She gently unlatched Dorian, who was now drifting off to sleep, and carefully laid him back in his carrier.

Turning to Marjorie, Autumn offered a warm smile. "You okay?" she asked softly, sensing her friend's unease. Marjorie hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I feel like I'm completely uneducated when it comes to the twins' needs," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "You just knew exactly what to do, and I was fumbling around, not knowing how to soothe him." She gestured helplessly with her hands, her eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and vulnerability. "I want to be a good auntie, but I feel so lost."

Autumn gently took Marjorie's hand, her eyes filled with empathy. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," she said softly. "I grew them for nine months, don't forget that,"
Autumn whispered with a small smile. "It's natural that I might have a bit of a head start, but you'll get there too. You're their auntie, and I'm their mum, it's different. Every baby is different, and you'll learn what works for the twins in time. It's all about figuring out what they need and how to give it to them. You're doing great, Marj."

Marjorie and Autumn got nack to work, the quiet hum of their computers a stark contrast to the silence surrounding the sleeping twins.

For a blissful hour, it worked. Now, nestled in makeshift beds of blankets and soft sweaters, the twins were finally asleep.

Marjorie settled back into her chair, pulling up a complicated spreadsheet. Autumn, ever the multitasker, balanced a phone call with a quick scan of emails. Just as Autumn was starting to make headway on her analysis, a soft whimper broke the silence.

Emery, the more sensitive of the two, was stirring. "Marjorie," Autumn whispered, not wanting to wake her own daughter, "can you settle her? I'm right in the middle of something."

Marjorie nodded, her spreadsheet momentarily forgotten. She gently scooped Emery into her arms, humming a familiar lullaby. Emery, still half-asleep, snuggled into Marjorie's chest, her tiny hands gripping her shirt.

The gentle sway of Marjorie's arms lulled Emery back into a peaceful slumber. Autumn watched, a soft smile gracing her lips, as Marjorie carefully placed Emery back down, her movements delicate and loving. There was a quiet confidence in Marjorie, a natural grace that radiated as she cared for her daughter.

Turning back to Autumn, Marjorie offered a tired but contented smile. "All settled," she whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Autumn's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "You did a good job, Marjorie," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth.

Marjorie's face lit up at the compliment, a hint of pride flickering in her eyes. "Thank you, Autumn," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not always easy, but moments like these make it all worthwhile." Autumn nodded in agreement, her heart full of appreciation for her friend and colleague.