𝓜𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝓕𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓

𝓒𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝓕𝒊𝒗𝒆 - 𝚂𝚝 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚢'𝚜 𝙾𝚛𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚐𝚎, 𝙻𝚘𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜, 𝙲𝙰 - 𝟷𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟾

T/W: Pregnancy loss, grief

It was late afternoon and they were still enjoying spending time at the Orphanage.  Templeton was in the garden with Addison looking over some of the work she had been doing there when one of the younger Nuns came running over to them.  "Templeton you have a phone call in Father Maghill's office."

He looked confused but quickly ran inside with Addison following him.  In the Father's office she watched him on the phone and could tell by the way his shoulders slumped and he dropped his head, that it was bad news.  As soon as he finished the call he walked over and clung tightly to her, his big arms wrapping her completely.  "I have to go back."  The words were almost a whisper but she heard them and held him even tighter against her.

"When?"

"Tomorrow morning.  My train leaves at eight."

Sat behind his desk Father Maghill had heard everything and said a silent prayer before getting up and coming over to them.  "Go home.  Spend the rest of your time together by yourselves.  You don't need to be here."

Templeton looked up at the Priest.  "But Father, we've hardly spent any time with you."

"Even these few hours have been more than enough to keep me going for a while.  You're such hard work" he chuckled.

Templeton couldn't help laughing too but the lightheartedness didn't come as easy to Addison.  Her heart was breaking and it was too painful to laugh.  She forced a smile onto her face and looked at her friend.  "Let's get out of here then."

Once again he said his goodbyes to everyone before taking a firm grip of her hand as they walked to the car.  "Addy before we go back to your place, could we stop at the Mall?  Only there's a few things I want to pick up."

All she wanted to do was take him home and spend the rest of the day with him but she couldn't deny him such a simple request.  Reaching the car she released his hand.  "Let's go shopping."

====

Addy sat on the counter in the kitchen watching Templeton set up the new coffee machine that he had insisted on buying her.  "You didn't have to do this Temp.  I could have survived on instant coffee for a few more months."

He looked over and smiled at her.  "Consider it compensation for a lot of missed birthdays."

"There's going to be a lot more, isn't there?" she said sadly as she fiddled with the ring on her finger.

He walked over to stand in front of her and took her hands in his.  Neither of them looked at each other, they both stared at their hands.  "I'm afraid there might be.  Addy I have no idea how long it will be before I can come home again, or even if..."

She pulled her hand from his and pressed it against his lips.  "Don't say it!  I can live with the idea of you being away for a while but I can't cope with the thought that I might lose you."

He reached up and gently moved her hand away.  "I'm coming back, Addy.  I promise you that."

"No matter what?"

He forced a smile.  "No matter what.  Addy I'll move heaven and hell to get back to you."  Templeton could see how upset she was so moved to stand between her legs and held her close.

====

Knowing he had to make an early start they both decided to have an early night.  Somehow it didn't seem right sleeping in the same bed together so he had decided to take the couch.  With all the lights out he lay still and watched the moonlight shine into the room.  He should have been sleeping but the idea of leaving Addison again brought an ache to his heart.