Unconditionally

Chapter 32: Unconditionally

"I'll call them ok? How about you go find her a snack while we wait I'm sure she'll wake up soon." Marjorie said placing a sweet kiss on her wife's lips. "Thank you." Autumn said grateful for the moment to be alone and feel everything she was feeling. Marjorie always knew what she needed.

Autumn walked down the corridor towards the kitchen flashes from her past coming to her mind. She thought about her young self and wished she had an adult in her life that cared. She wondered how different she would've turned out. She thought about Bella, and something hit her heart. She imagine Bella running through their house, Bella playing with Reece and Carly. Suddenly every single part of her future she could see the young girl there. She wanted to protect her the way she never was.

As autumn returned she overheard Marjorie's voice. "It's alright my love you're safe." She said making Autumn panic as she ran into the room with juice in one hand and a snack in the other. "What's happened?!" Autumn said protectively as she saw the young girl wrapped up tightly in Marjorie's arms crying. "Oh we just had a nightmare didn't we sweetheart?" Marjorie said holding the trembling girl close. Marjorie was having the same feelings as Autumn, she wanted to protect this girl from everything. She wanted to love her the way she never was growing up.

Autumn knelt down in front of the Bella and her wife smiling. "Hi darling, I have some apple juice and some cheese and crackers. Would that make you feel better?" Autumn said sweetly. "Yes please." Bella whispered. Both Marjorie and Autumn looked at one another it was the first time they had heard the young girl speak. "Ok sweetheart let's get you to the table for snack ok?" Marjorie said placing the girl on her feet and walking with her to the table.

"Cps said they're on their way." Marjorie said as she looked to her wife sadly. "Marj can I talk to you over here for a second?" Autumn asked quietly pointing to the book corner. They'd be out of earshot of Bella but they'd both still be able to see her. Marjorie nodded as she followed her wife. "Ok you only call me that when it's something serious. What's going on?" Marjorie asked curiously. "I don't trust the system. That sweet girl will get eaten alive. I want her to stay with us." Autumn said as she glanced over to the young girl who was swinging her legs back and forth as she snacked and colored at the table.

"Aut you know we have to follow the rules. We could apply but she may already have a placement by then." Marjorie said. Deep down she wanted the same thing. "Then let's apply. Please. She needs us." Autumn said desperately. Marjorie never saw that look in autumns eyes. "Ok." Marjorie whispered as she smiled brightly. "Wait really?" Autumn said her heart beating faster as her excitement grew. "Yes my love, let's apply." Marjorie said again with a huge grin.

Autumn pulled Marjorie into a tight hug picking her up off the ground and spinning her around gently. "God I love you." Autumn said happily. "I love you too." Marjorie said. Their moment was interrupted when they heard the doorbell. Marjorie let the case worker and police in filling them in on what had happened. The police told Marjorie and Autumn that they stopped by Bella's home first. Her parents had packed their bags and left. No one knew where they went but hearing this broke the two women's hearts.

"Excuse me." Marjorie asked the case worker before she took Bella into her care. "Yes?" The older woman asked with a smile. "If we were to apply and be approved, could we go through the process to adopt Bella?" Marjorie asked nervously. The case manager smiled, "yes absolutely. I cannot promise we won't have found a permanent placement for her but there aren't many available right now. When you're ready come to my office. Ask for Jill." She said with a wink as she handed Marjorie her business card making the brunette smile. "Thank you." Marjorie said before walking back to Autumn to tell her the news.

The couple spent the next few days going through the process. They paid extra to expedite their applications hoping it wouldn't be too late. Once they were approved the two woman raced to the office. As they entered the receptionist smiled at them. "Hello how can I help you?" The blonde asked sweetly. "We're here to speak with Jill." Marjorie said holding out hope as she gripped autumns hand tightly. The two women walked into the older woman's office. "Well, well I wondered when I'd be seeing you two." Jill said extending out her hand instructing the couple to sit.

(2 years later)

It was a bright sunny summer day and Marjorie was sat on their porch swing staring off into the garden. She had her coffee in her hand as she enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the wind. She heard the back door open and glanced over seeing her wife sit down next to her with her own coffee in her hand. The two women smiled at one another as Autumn sweetly kissed Marjorie's lips. "We've been through a lot haven't we?" Marjorie said with a smile. "We really have my love, but it's only made me fall more in love with you." Autumn sighed happily.

The brunette smiled before looking back out to the garden. "Bella sweetheart, 10 minutes then we have to go to uncle Reece's! We need to get you in your dress!" Marjorie yelled out making the 4 year old brunette girl stand and run to her mums. "I get to be a flower girl today!" She cheered happily making Marjorie and Autumn laugh. "Yes you do darling and you'll be the prettiest flower girl ever. Uncle Reece and aunt Katie couldn't have picked a better one for their wedding." Autumn said as she pushed her brown hair behind her ear.

The trio stood hand in hand and made their way inside. No matter what life threw at their little family they were prepared. Because they loved each other no matter what.

Unconditionally.