I should be happy today.

I was getting to celebrate the holidays with my little sister, the piece of my heart that has been missing for nearly four years. But I felt numb mixed with a surge of guilt for not being more positive, not being a better role-model to Winter.

I was weak.

I couldn't switch of my brain for one fucking day.

'Autumn?' My grandma speaks up.

I look up from my barely touched plate, 'Yes.'

'You've barely ate your dinner.'

I force a small smile onto my face, 'I'm just not very hungry today, I'm really sorry.'

Her eyes narrow in suspicion, 'Why? Are you hungover? On a come down?'

My eyes widen as I turn to look at Winter who is completely oblivious munching down on her mashed potatoes.

'N-No, it's just the special time of the month, it makes me lose my appetite.'

I was surprised that the lie rolled of my tongue so smoothly.

'Oh. Do you need any pain relief?'

I shake my head, 'N-No, thank you.'

'How was the drive over here?'

'It was really quiet, I expected it to be busier, you know people driving over to visit their families.'

She nods stiffly, 'Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom.'

The second she leaves Winter tugs my arm with a panicked expression on her face, my heart drops when I notice the worry glistening in her large green eyes.

'S-Sissy, I-I don't want Grammy to go to the bathroom.'

My eyebrows knit together, 'W-What? Why?'

'S-She's going to be really mad at me and I don't like it when she gets mad.'

'W-Why is she going to be mad at you?'

'I-I accidentally clogged the toilet. I didn't mean too!'

I reach out and gently stroke her hair, 'It's okay Winnie, accidents happen.'

'S-She's going to lock me in my bedroom again.'

'What?'

'W-When she gets really mad, she locks me in my bedroom all day, I-I'm not allowed to leave even if I need a toilet.'

I feel physically sick, 'You aren't allowed to go to the toilet?'

She shakes her head quickly, 'N-No, I-I'm not even allowed to eat.'

'How long does she leave you in there for?'

'Until it's morning again.'

Tears burn the corner of my eyes as I shake my head, I try my best to keep myself composed, I didn't want her to see me upset. 

'I-I'm here now, I'm not going to let anything happen to you.' I whisper as I clutch her tightly against my chest, I rock her from side to side.

Disgust runs through me as I hear footsteps against the hardwood floor, I narrow my eyes the second she walks into the room.

'What's going on? What have you done to make your sister cry?'

'N-Now, I know why you didn't want me to visit!' I hiss, 'It's nothing to do with me, It's you!'

'What on earth, are you talking about?'

'I-I'm leaving and I'm taking my sister with me.'

'If you do that, I'll call the police, I'm her legal guardian.'

I grit my teeth, 'What kind of guardian locks a six-year-old in her bedroom without any food or water, and doesn't give the access to a toilet?'

 'I have no idea, what you are talking about.'

'I'm leaving, if you call the police. I'll tell them about the neglect.'

She snorts, 'It's hardly neglect Autumn, it is called teaching a child accountability for their actions.'

'N-No, if a child does something wrong, you speak to them calmly and you explain what they did wrong.'

'You're eighteen years old, do you honestly think that you can take care of a six-year-old?'

'I'd do a better job, than what you are doing!'

'You will ruin her life Autumn, you are poison.'

I blink at her harsh words, 'I-I guess it runs in the family.'

'I won't allow you to take her.'

'And I won't allow you to hurt my little sister!'

Winter clings on to me tighter, 'P-Please don't shout.'

'I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to shout.' I murmur as I press a kiss at the top of her head. 

My grandma chuckles as she shakes her head, 'Do you honestly think you would be able to take care of her? Who would help you, your mother is an alcoholic and your father left?'

'I-I have an actual family now, t-they aren't blood, but they treat me as if I am.'

'You really think that a group of teenagers are going to want to be burdened with having to help you look after a small child?'

'I-I wouldn't burden them.'

'What about your plans for college?'

'S-She can come to New York with me, my classes would run while she is in school anyway.'

'How would you afford rent without a job? Who will look after her while you're at work?'

'I-I'd get a nanny.'

'So, your plan is to let strangers take care of her?'

'I will do whatever, I have too.'

She sighs boredly, 'I will allow you to look after her for a week and after that week, when you realise you simply don't have the resources to look after a child, you will give her back to me and you will never contact us again.'

I nod as I quickly stand-up clutching Winter's hand in mine, 'And after this one week, when I realise how I can look after her, you will let me fight for custody. And when I win, you will never be allowed to contact us again.'

I turn on my heel as we walk towards the door, I grab both mine and Winter's coats from the cloakroom without looking back. Once we are outside, a strangled sob escapes my lips.

'W-What's going on?'

I let out a shaky breath as I put her coat around her, 'I-I'm going to look after you, for a little while. J-Just until I can figure out what is right for you.'

'B-But what about my clothes! A-And my toys.'

'I-I'll get you new ones.'

Her bottom lip wobbles, 'I-I don't want new ones.'

'I know you don't baby, b-but I'm worried that if I go back inside, she'll change her mind and then I can't look after you anymore.'

'O-Okay, A-Am I going to see mommy again?'

My mind-flashes back to my mother passed out on the sofa with a bottle of wine in her hands or her perverted boyfriend making comments at me. I can't allow Winter to be in that environment, she deserved somewhere happy, safe.

She deserves to be a child.

I shake my head, 'N-Not right now, mommy isn't feeling very well.'

'W-Where are we going to sleep?'

I bit my lip as frustrated tears roll down my face, 'I-I might have to ask a friend for a favour, just until I can try and sort something more permanent out.'

'Is it the prince?'

I nod slowly, 'Yes and his sister.'

She gasps loudly, 'Another princess?'

I curse quietly when I realise that I don't have a car-seat, my trembling hands pull out my phone and dial a familiar number.

'...Love?'

'L-Luke, I-I need a really big favour. I'm really sorry to bother you on Christmas Day!' I whimper.

'A-Are you hurt? Where are you?'

I shake my head despite him not being able to see me, 'N-No, I-I'm going to text you an address, p-please can you come and meet me, d-do you have a car seat at all?'

'W-What?'

'Y-Your mom, she looks after your cousins sometimes, I-I remember Scarlett saying, does she have a spare car seat?'

'I-I'm really confused, I'm going to put my mom on the line.'

My nerves bundle frantically as I hear rustling before a soft voice comes onto the line.

'Hello?'

'H-Hi M-Mrs. Summers, It's Autumn, I'm not sure if you remember me at all.'

'Autumn! Of course, I remember you honey. Are you okay? You sound a little upset.'

'I-I'm just having a really bad day.'

'Talk to me honey, is there anything I can help with?'

'I-I'm...r-really sorry to ask, I realise that it's Christmas, I-I just really need your help, d-do you have a car seat at all?'

'I have a couple I'm a hoarder, how old is the child?'

'S-She's six.'

'I think I have one that should fit her, is this your sister? Luke was telling me about him getting you two in contact again.'

A small sob escapes my lips, 'Y-Yeah, e-everything has just gone really wrong.'

'Where are you sweetheart?'

'I-I'm at my grandma's house, I-I'll text Luke the address.'

'Okay, I'm going to come with him, is that okay? I just want to make sure that you are okay.'

'I-I don't want you to leave your family on a holiday.'

'Autumn, you are family to my children, so you are family to me.'

My heart aches wildly at her words, 'T-Thank you.'

'Don't thank me for silly things, Are you both safe?'

'I-I think so.'

'Do you have anywhere warm to stay tonight?'

Another sob escapes my lips, 'N-No.'

'Then you can both stay here, I will get Gary and Scarlett to set up the living room for you both, I think I should have some spare clothes for you both. And in the morning, we can talk about all of this. How does that sound?'

'I-I really don't think I deserve all of this.'

'Sweetheart, of course you do.'

'T-Thank you.'

'I'm going to put Lucas back on the line now, I will see you soon.'

'T-Thank you again.'

I hear more rustling before a confused voice speaks back to me, 

'Love, what's going on?'

'I-I'll explain, when you get here. I-I'm so sorry I called.'

'Autumn, I'm glad that you called. Text me the address, just please stay somewhere safe, until I get there.'

'I-I will.'

A:N 

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! In the next chapter you get to meet Luke's mom and Scarlett's dad.

What do you think should happen with Winter's care?

Did you expect this to happen at all?

Do you like where the story is heading? If you don't, please let me know.