Adventures and Dramas in the Nursery

Chapter 18

As Monday rolled around, Marjorie couldn't shake the heavy feeling that something was off. Autumn had always been fiercely independent, not one to share her feelings easily, but Marjorie could sense that something was wrong. She felt the need to confront her about it.

When she arrived at the office, both Autumn and Winter were already there, deep in conversation. Autumn looked paler than usual, and Winter, who had been more attentive lately, was actually present in the office—a rare occurrence. Marjorie caught the tail end of their conversation, where Autumn reassured him, "I'm a bit better today."

"Autumn, Winter, I'm glad you're both here," Marjorie said, deciding to dive right in.

Autumn responded in an unusually calm tone, "Yes, what is it?"

Marjorie took a deep breath, her anxiety evident as she looked down at the floor. "I don't like putting people on the spot, but I need to ask you something."

"What is it, Marjorie?" Autumn asked, a barely detectable smirk on her face.

Biting her lip, Marjorie explained, "I've noticed you've been going to the loo a lot lately, and I just have to ask... do you have a UTI?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, both Autumn and Winter spluttered, bursting into laughter, exchanging a knowing look.

"Why are you both laughing? It's not funny!" Marjorie said, her confusion turning into indignation. "I used to get them all the time growing up, okay? They're the worst pain in the world, and it's so stigmatised. People feel like they can't talk about it."

Autumn, smiling gently, assured her, "It's not funny, Marjorie. You're right, they are ghastly."

"Thank you," Marjorie said earnestly. "I just wanted to check because sometimes people feel like they can't talk about these things, and I want to make sure you're okay."

"It's very considerate of you, Marjorie. I am okay," Autumn reassured her, her tone kinder than usual.

But Marjorie wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? Because at the fire drill the other day, you were hunched over. If you're having abdominal pain or anything like that, is everything alright?"

It was clear that Marjorie's concern was genuine, and she wasn't going to drop the subject easily. With a smile and a nod from Winter, Autumn quietly and calmly announced, "Marjorie, I'm pregnant."

The sympathetic grin on Marjorie's face vanished, replaced by a look of shock. She swallowed rapidly, words failing her. "What?"

"I'm pregnant," Autumn repeated, just as calmly.

Still not processing, Marjorie could only echo, "What?"

Holding back laughter, Winter stepped in. "And to save you from what Reece went through, which was apparently quite the spectacle, we are both very happy and expecting our baby in the fall."

This new revelation sent Marjorie into further shock, her voice rising as she began to hyperventilate. "You're expecting a baby in autumn?"

With an eye roll and a tone of exacerbation, Autumn confirmed, "Yes, the irony is not lost on me."

Winter, however, found it charming. "I think it's poetic," he added, directing his comment towards Autumn.

Still reeling from the news, Marjorie's voice quivered with excitement. "You're having a baby?"

"Yes, I'm having a baby," Autumn confirmed once more, maintaining her calm. She turned to Winter with a knowing look. "I told you she'd react like this," she said, referring to Marjorie's dramatic response.

Winter sprang into action. "Alright, Marjorie, breathe. Breathe."

"Oh my God, you're having a baby? Can I hug you?" Marjorie asked, barely containing her emotions.

With a smirk, Autumn, knowing Marjorie well, replied, "No."

But the real surprise came when Winter, usually composed, showed a burst of pure joy. "Bring it in because I'm absolutely ecstatic!"

They started holding hands, both exclaiming, "We're having a baby! You're having a baby!"

As they celebrated, Autumn suddenly retched, and Winter immediately noticed. "My love, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm just extremely nauseated," Autumn replied.

The pieces finally clicked for Marjorie. "Oh God, is it morning sickness?"

Confusing her, Autumn responded coldly, "My urge to throw up has nothing to do with the pregnancy."

"Huh?"

Winter stepped in again to clarify. "It makes her feel violently ill if there's too much public display of emotion."

Marjorie took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Oh, okay. Well, um, congratulations."

"Thank you, Marjorie," Autumn replied with a sincere smile. "I appreciate that."

Her voice breaking again, Marjorie added, "To both of you... and, um, I'm going to step out because if emotion makes you feel sick, then you're probably going to throw up all over me."

Once Marjorie had left, Winter turned to Autumn and admitted, "I wasn't expecting that level of excitement."

Autumn, smiling to herself, replied, "I was. She didn't disappoint."