Chapter 8

                                    

                                          
Clodagh shivered slightly as she re-entered the house. Today was the first of November and the cold, wet weather had become the order of the day in London. With the post in hand and a cup of coffee, she settled down in the kitchen. It was the late afternoon and the sun was already sinking slightly. But to her surprise, she heard the roar of an engine and Autumn's red Jaguar pulled into the driveway of the house.
Marjorie immediately jumped out of the car and then Autumn got out herself. Clodagh left the post on the kitchen table and made her way to the front door, not wanting anyone to ring the doorbell as Quinn was still asleep.
"That's a surprise to see you today, I thought you were all hungover after the Halloween ball."
The two women walking up the driveway laughed lightly. Clodagh made tea while Autumn and Marjorie sat down in the living room. After returning with a tray, Clodagh sat back with a cup of tea herself. "Well, I think you're here for a reason."
Marjorie grinned ear to ear. "You missed so much yesterday!" She raised her hand and showed the ring on her finger. Clodagh almost choked on her tea. "You're engaged!"
"No, better we got married! But we'll celebrate again with everyone! I'd love to invite you!"
"Congratulations Marjorie!" Clodagh gave the woman a firm hug. "But wait... did you get married yesterday at the same time as Roger and Siobhan?"
"Oh god no! That wedding didn't happen. Siobhan had run off!"
Clodagh raised her eyebrow in surprise. Now Autumn intervened. "And not alone. She ran off with Vivian."
That name said something to Clodagh. "Vivian? Isn't she a parent?"
The two women sitting opposite her nodded. "Wow..." Clodagh said, completely flabbergasted. Marjorie now looked at Autumn with a grin. "But that's not all."
Autumn smiled slightly. "I'm pregnant."
"Oh my God, that's incredible! I'm so happy for you! You're going to be the best mum! How long have you known?" Clodagh spoke happily.
"A few weeks now... but I wanted to let you know before the whole world found out," Autumn said calmly.
Clodagh gave her a gentle smile. "I'm so happy for you and Winter.
Now Autumn looked a little uncertain and carefully reached for Clodagh's hand. "There's something else I wanted to ask you... Something that's very close to my heart. It's about the name... I know it's a big deal, but I want our child to have Sorscha as a middle name. I've been thinking about it, and somehow it feels right. I wanted to ask you if it would be okay with you. I know it's a lot and maybe surprising."
"Oh wow..." Clodagh took a deep breath, and squeezed Autumn's hand lightly. "I... I don't even know what to say. It feels beautiful and kind of painful at the same time. But it's also so touching that you're thinking about it. Sorscha would have been so happy about this."
"I just want her to live on in some way. I know how much you loved her, and I hope I'm not hurting you with this wish," Autumn murmured softly.
"No, quite the opposite. I think it's a nice way for a part of Sorscha to live on. Of course, Autumn, you have my full permission."
Autumn breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you..." the two looked at each other briefly before Autumn hugged her.





Five years later. Clodagh was sitting at her desk, correcting classwork in front of her. The pen in her hand glided routinely over the pages, but her thoughts kept wandering. She could still remember this morning when she had taken her now five-year-old daughter to nursery with her little backpack.