Unconditionally

Autumn followed Charlotte to the toddler room, she hated the feeling that was in her gut but something told her this poor sweet girl was going to need their help. As they entered Autumns eyes landed on a small brunette, the two year old girl had dark brown curly hair, and bright blue eyes. Her face full of freckles. She was sitting at a table quietly coloring and Autumn just smiled sweetly. "Bella, this is Autumn. Shes going to spend time with you while we wait for mommy and daddy ok sweetheart?" Charlotte said sweetly. The little girl looked up at the two women and smiled.

Charlotte and Autumn watched her focus on her coloring again, "she doesn't say much she's very shy." Charlotte said with a sigh. Autumn looked to her friend with confusion. "Charlotte aren't you her key worker? She's been here since she was a baby. And she's still shy?" Autumn said confused. "I've never thought about that. She's just a quieter kid she doesn't say a lot but she's an absolute sweetheart." Charlotte said packing her bag and walking to the door. "Thank you and tell Marjorie thank you for staying as well." Charlotte said quickly. "Have a good night Charlotte." Autumn said before pulling up a seat next to Bella.

"Hi Bella did you have a fun day at nursery?" Autumn asked trying to get the young girl to open up. The small brunette nodded as she continued to color. Autumn noticed her slightly messy hair. It wasn't messy just from nursery it almost looked like it hadn't been brushed in awhile. Seeing this broke autumns heart the pit in her stomach growing. "My love would you like it if I braided your hair?" Autumn asked sweetly. Bella paused her coloring and looked up to Autumn smiling brightly as she nodded.

Autumn smiled as she reached into her bag looking for elastics to tie her hair back. She pulled out the small brush she kept with her and gently started brushing out all the knots. "Let me know if I hurt you darling." Autumn said as she gently tended to the young girls hair. Autumn hummed quietly as she tied Bella's hair back into two French braids. As she was doing this her mind wandered to when she was young and Mia would do this to her.

While Autumn was busy with Bella's hair she didn't hear Marjorie walk in. The brunette was stood watching Autumn hum gently as she braided Bella's hair. Marjorie's heart skipped as she stared. It was in moments like this she couldn't wait for them to have their own little one. Marjorie approached the two of them slowly so she didn't scare either one of them. "Hello darling, hello Bella." Marjorie said happily as she sat down with both of them. "Hello my sweet." Autumn said happily. "We decided to braid Bella's hair, she had quite a few knots in it." Autumn said with a look to her wife that spoke volumes.

Marjorie nodded playing it cool, "oh well Bella I think your hair looks beautiful in those braids I bet we have some ribbons we could add some bows if you'd like?" Marjorie said standing up and going to dig through the various drawers, she smiled as she found blue ribbon it matched Bella's eyes perfectly Marjorie cut them into the right size and tied them into the bottom of each braid. Bella took a moment to look at them in the mirror before she giggled. Hearing her giggle made Marjorie and autumns hearts explode. They were both falling in love with the little girl.

The three played several games until Marjorie realized 2 hours had passed. She had tried calling Bella's parents multiple times but still received no answer. "I think we have to call cps." Marjorie sighed as she saw the small girl curled up in a blanket taking a nap on a cot. "I um... can you? I don't think I can do it." Autumn said as tears formed in her eyes. "My love what's the matter?" Marjorie asked worriedly. "I'll never understand why people choose to have kids and not take care of them." Autumn whispered as she remembered her childhood. "Oh darling." Marjorie said pulling her into a hug fully understanding what was going on.