Unconditionally

Autumn made her way home, as she walked towards the front door she noticed the light in the lounge was still on. She sighed making her way inside and walking towards the lounge to talk to winter. "Ah my love how was your girls night?" Winter said not even standing from the sofa. "My sweet can we talk?" Autumn said, she could feel her nerves bubbling to the surface, she loved winter, but lately she didn't know if she loved him in that way.

"Of course my love, come sit" winter said patting the spot next to him. She sat down and looked down to her lap as she took a deep breath. "Winter, I think you need to talk to someone about what happened." Autumn said matter of factly. Winters small smile faded as he looked at Autumn, "I don't know what you mean, I'm fine. I don't need a therapist." Winter said slightly defensive. "My sweet, you're not healing. Everyone heals at a different pace but some people need help and there's nothing wrong with that." Autumn said doing her best to keep an even and calm tone.

Winter looked away and bit his cheek trying not to cry. He hated being seen this way, but he just couldn't get over the loss of their future. "Winter.... I love you, you're an amazing man with a huge heart. I think we need some time apart to heal. I think it can help us move forward." Autumn said hoping to not upset him further.

Winter looked up at Autumn his eyes wide, but filled with understanding. Luckily winter still had his parents close by. He agreed to go stay with them for a little while so he could sort himself out. The couple agreed their only interactions would be at the nursery until the two felt ready to proceed further. "I'll pack up some things." Winter said standing up and walking towards their bedroom.

Autumn sat on the sofa holding back the few tears that threatened to fall as she waited for winter. Once he emerged with a few bags Autumn stood up and made her way towards him, "I love you." She said almost too quiet to hear. "I love you too darling. We can get through this ok. I just want you to be happy." Winter said leaning in to kiss her gently before walking out the door.

Autumn made her way to the kitchen to pour herself a large glass of wine before sitting down on the sofa. She turned on an all time classic that was always her go to comfort film Carrie. She just needed something in the background something to help keep her from falling apart.

All of the sudden Autumn felt a pain in her heart. She sat up and took a deep breath. "What was that?" She said to herself holding a hand to her chest.

Meanwhile.......

Marjorie made her way home, she was worried about Autumn. She had no idea how her and winters talk would go, and more importantly she had no idea why she wanted them to separate. She loved winter and Autumn dearly. She only ever wanted to see her friends happy.

As she entered her home Reece was stood in the kitchen grabbing some water. "Hey gorgeous how was your time with aut?" The blonde said smiling happily as Marjorie walked over to him. "It was interesting." The brunette said leaning in to kiss Reece gently. "Interesting? Interesting how?" Reece said wrapping his arms around her. "You'd have to ask Autumn darling, I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing something she didn't want me to share." Marjorie said with a half smile.

Reece nodded in understanding as he pulled her in for a deeper kiss. The blonde started to kiss down Marjories neck before she got nervous, "Reece, please not tonight." Marjorie said sadly. Reece pulled away instantly he never wanted to hurt Marjorie or make her feel uncomfortable. "Are you ok?" Reece asked confused. Marjorie looked up at Reece and felt bad, she loved him but something didn't feel right. "I'm fine Reece I'm just tired." Marjorie said not really even in the mood to chat.

"Gorgeous come on tell me what's wrong." The blonde said reaching out to grab her hand. Marjorie pulled her hand away she just wanted some space. "Marjorie?" Reece said with a sigh, "Reece I love you but I need some space tonight I just am overwhelmed." She said walking towards the bedroom to shower. She had left the door cracked, typically that meant she was ok with Reece coming in but the thought slipped her mind.

Reece made his way to the bedroom and saw the bathroom door cracked. He made his way into the bathroom and stripped off before getting into the shower and wrapping his arms around Marjorie. The brunette slightly jumped before relaxing in his arms. "Reece! What are you doing in here?" She asked her voice slightly shakey. "You left the door cracked." Reece said taking his arms off of her so she could turn around.

Reece never made Marjorie feel self conscious but for some reason in this moment she felt exposed. "Reece please I just need some time alone, I'm sorry for leaving the door cracked." She said as she raked her hands through her wet hair. "Ok." Reece said raising his hands in the air before stepping out and allowing Marjorie her space.

He shut the door behind him and collected his things from the bed, he wanted to give her all the space she needed, he never wanted her to feel suffocated. So he set up a place to sleep on the sofa before quickly falling into a deep sleep.

Marjorie emerged from the shower her small smile fading when she didn't see Reece in bed. She made her way out of the room stopping dead in her tracks as she saw the blonde asleep on the sofa for the night. She felt a sudden pain in her heart as she clutched her chest.

She took a deep breath and made her way back to the bedroom. She tossed and turned all night, her thoughts racing. More importantly, one thought continued playing in her mind.

Autumn.

She quickly pulled out her phone and texted her friend asking if she was still awake. When Autumn replied quickly Marjorie picked up the phone and gave the brunette woman a call. "Marjorie everything alright?" Autumn said concern filling her voice.

"I just couldn't sleep, Reece is on the sofa tonight and I keep tossing and turning. I mainly called to see how you were doing. How'd it go with winter?" Marjorie said nervously. Autumn sighed downing the rest of her glass before setting it down, "he's agreed to stay with his parents while he sorts himself out. We will only see eachother at work. We're not together right now." Autumn said, it should've hurt her. Those words she just expressed should've hurt, but they didn't. To Autumn it felt like a sense of relief.

Little did she know it felt like a sense of relief to her best friend as well.