The Knight Nursery

A/N: always remember it's also strong to ask for help🖤 no matter what it may be you have loved ones that would sit with you through everything, if you let them🖤

TW: slightest mentions of PTSD, trauma healing, night terrors, and DV.

Mia was officially back as she filled Autumns role as deputy at the nursery. This was the longest she had been home and as happy as she was to be with Charlotte and her girls full time, she couldn't help but feel the panic grow within her every time she pictured Roger. No matter how much time had passed, the red head knew that he would always get to her.

Charlotte had noticed that Mia hadn't been sleeping lately. She would feel her toss and turn in the bed next to her, and in the morning it took several cups of coffee to get her going for the day. Every time the brunette attempted to bring it up, Mia would shoot her down and continue to claim that she just wasn't a morning person.

Her first week at the nursery went rather smoothly, other than the typical banter with Marjorie... which she secretly loved. It wasn't until her second week that she found herself trapped in a room with the one man she tried so desperately to stay away from. Mia sat quietly at the opposite end of the table safely between Autumn and Siobhan. Even if Autumn was on mat leave, her father had made these meetings absolutely mandatory, no matter the reason. As Mia glanced between the two women, she could visibly see the blonde woman's posture stiffen every time Roger's eyes lingered on her.

Mia knew how Siobhan was feeling, they had both escaped the grasp of a monster that did nothing but torture them in ways no one could understand. "Mia!" Roger's gruff voice echoed, making the red head jump as she quickly turned to face Roger. She could feel autumn and Siobhan's eyes on her, relaxing slightly as autumns hand gently laid on top of hers under the table.

The red head knew better than to utter a singular word, she simply re adjusted in her seat and watched as Roger began his long winded speech once more. Hearing him raise his voice seemed bring her right back to that small teenager that was pulled away from her best friends that one fateful night. Mia simply wanted the meeting to end so that she could go straight home to Charlotte and stay there for the entire weekend.

The moment Roger released the meeting c the red head was on her feet all but running out the door and to her black mustang. She didn't want to go home to Charlotte in her current state, so she pulled out her phone sending a short message to the brunette that she'd be home after she stops at the shop. The red head wasn't actually going to the shop, instead she drove her car as fast as she could, the windows rolled downs and music baring as she blew off some steam. She truly couldn't tell if she wasn't upset, sad, scared, or angry. She was just confused.

By the time she got home, charlottes girls had long gone to sleep and the brunette was slowly drifting off on the sofa. Mia smiled to herself, picking up Charlotte gently and caring her up to bed. Mia gently tucked her into bed, rushing a few strands of hair out of her face as she leaned down and gently kissed the brunettes forehead. "I love you sweetheart." Mia whispered, moving to the other side of the bed and climbing safely under the covers.

Typically, Mia would wrap Charlotte up into her arms, but this time it was Mia who wished to be held. She turned on her other side, facing away from the brunette as she curled into herself to try and self sooth. As she drifted off to sleep, the red head sighed with relief after realizing just how tired she truly was. Around three in the morning big Mia began to thrash around on her side of the bed, mumbling to herself as tears fell down her face. She woke in a panic, her breathing quick and heavy, tears streaming down her face, and a confusing brain fog that had successfully pulled the night terror from her memories before she had time to think about it.

She tried so hard to keep her sobs to a minimum, part of her wanted to turn over and wake up Charlotte but she didn't want to disturb her knowing full well she had an early nursery shift in a few short hours. What she didn't know was that Charlotte had woken up in the midst of the night terror, worriedly waiting for Mia to come to.

"Mia?" Charlotte whispered, gently resting her hand on the red heads shoulder. The small touch was all it took for the rough red head to turn over and fall apart into charlottes arms. Charlotte waited patiently for Mia to open up, helping her through her fear and confusion and gently coaxing her back to sleep. Charlotte held the red head tightly, knowing that was exactly what she needed in this moment. She knew Mia was strong, but she had never seen Mia strong enough to allow Charlotte to help her until now.

The next morning Charlotte woke up to an empty bed and a small panic rose within her before the beautiful aroma of freshly brewed coffee his her nose. She smiled, making her way down to the kitchen where she saw Mia humming as she made the perfect Carmel latte for her. Charlotte smiled as she walked up behind Mia, gently wrapping her arms around the red heads waist, kissing her temple softly. "How are you feeling." Charlotte whispered, the worry still evident in her tone.

Mia let out a sigh, a small smile played at her lips as she turned in charlottes arms. "I'm ok sweetheart, I promise. Thank you for being there with me." Mia replied, a small guilty undertone in her voice as she spoke. "Mia I'm so proud of you, you let me in and allowed me to help you. You've grown so much from the woman I met at the sister nursery ages ago." Charlotte reassured, watching as Mia looked down to the floor.

"Amelia. Opening up and allowing people in doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger than you already are because you have other people to help you carry the weight. I'm so proud of you." Charlotte whispered, cupping Mia's face and leaving a soft kiss to the redheads lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Mia whispered, a small smile playing at her lips. "Probably in some crazy country, on a motorbike." Charlotte giggled, making Mia roll her eyes. "Old Mia would've loved that. But me... I'm happiest right here." The red head replied kissing Charlotte once more.

Sometimes even the strongest people need people, and there's nothing wrong with that.