Adventures and Dramas in the Nursery

Chapter 6

The next morning was unseasonably cold, the car doors sealed with frost, and while Winter was huddled inside his coat, Autumn seemed unfazed by the sudden plummet in temperature, sitting beside him in the car with only her blouse. Yet, that wasn't the only thing on Winter's mind.

Normally, their morning drives were filled with lively discussions and passionate debates, but today, her silence was deafening. She responded to his attempts at conversation with short, clipped answers, a stark departure from her usual loquacious self.

"My sweet, is everything okay? You're awfully quiet this morning," Winter ventured, concern lacing his words.

With a sigh, Autumn cast him a glance that was a curious mix of irritation, exhaustion, and affection for his observant nature. "Yes, my love. I didn't sleep terribly well and, as much as I hate him, I resent dragging my brother into this mess. He might be a goblin, but he gave up two decades of his life to defend me, and I don't want him to do something stupid again... like push him down a flight of stairs," she quipped, a mischievous smirk dancing on her lips.

Her sarcasm never failed to elicit a chuckle from Winter, even in the midst of their current predicament. Stopping at a crossing, he stole a glance at her, a mixture of concern and admiration in his eyes. "I understand your concern for Reese, but we'll all deal with this together. And as much as I appreciate your wit, let's aim for less violence, alright?"

Autumn nodded, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Alright, less violence. But if he so much as tries to lay a finger on you again, I can't promise I won't give him a piece of my mind."

Winter reached over, gently squeezing her hand. "I know you would, but let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Their conversation trailed off into a comfortable silence as Winter navigated the familiar streets towards their workplace. Lost in his thoughts, he nearly missed their turnoff. Autumn's hand on his arm brought him back to reality, and he quickly maneuverer the car into the correct lane.

"Sorry about that," he apologised sheepishly, shooting her an apologetic glance.

Autumn's smile softened. "It's okay, darling. Let's just focus on getting through the day, alright?"

Winter nodded, grateful for her understanding. As they pulled into the parking lot, he silently vowed to himself to do whatever it took to keep her safe from harm, come what may.