Marjoreece - Date Night

The Siblings Past Pt 2.

"Reece, if I remember correctly, you showed up at the hospital to visit me a few days later, covered in cuts and bruises. You said it was from rugby and football practice. Was it, or is there something else I don't know?" Autumn asked, staring into her brothers soul as she did.
"Umm, well, umm, some of them were."
"Reece, what did he do to you?"
"It doesn't matter, I deserved it. I went after him for what he did to you, Aut. He was so much stronger than me then, though. I paid for what I tried to do back then right up until I was nearly 16 and 6'3. I was still doing all the sports he wanted me to do so as well as shoot up, I bulked out. I think at that point, he stopped because he thought I'd fight back. It was the main reason I stayed until you moved out Aut. He wouldn't go after me anymore. If he thought I'd fight back for you as well, I hoped he'd leave you alone too, and I was right."
Carly had been doing an admirable job of holding in her sobs until this point, even though the tears had not stopped flowing. After hearing that, though, it all got too much, and Charlotte led her out of the office. Reeces' eyes followed Carly out the door, and he felt like someone had wrenched his heart out of his chest. Was there ever going to be anyone he cared about he didn't hurt? Would he destroy Marjorie next?
"Reece?" Autumn's voice brought him back to the room. "Reece, I really think you should go home. Marjorie, I've got everything under control here. You should go with him."
"I can't go home, I've got a nursery to run. If I don't do it, our father will probably send Siobhan, and you may not mind her helping in your nursery, but I'm not having her in mine." Reece stood up, ready to leave, only to be stopped by Mia standing in front of him and placing a hand on his chest to stop him.
"I'll go over and cover your nursery, Reecey."
"Mia, you don't work here anymore." He sighed.
"Neither does Siobhan. She just happens to be an ex employee now on the board. Sound familiar?" Mia replied with a wink. "I'll head over now. Go home with your girlfriend. I'll cover for however long you need me to." With that, the redhead walked out to say goodbye to Char and drive over to Reeces' nursery.
Marjorie looked over at Autumn, "Autumn, all this involves you as well. Are you OK? Do you need to leave? I can stay here."
"Marjorie, I'm fine. I didn't experience any of the trauma along with this. I always had a hunch it wasn't quite as my father had told me, but all I knew for a fact was that I woke up in a hospital with my brother by my side every waking moment when he didn't need to be at school. And every time he turned up, he had comics, chocolate, sweets, books, and toys. He even brought his GameBoy, probably about the only time he ever let me play with it. He read me books, doing all the characters' voices and made-up stories. Aside from the pain, I had a great time. All that and I was away from father for that time. Arguably, I got the best side of that event. Take my brother home. He needs you, Marjorie, and I need you to take care of him for me."
Marjorie turned back to the now broken looking man she loved with all her being. "Come on, my love, let's get you home." She said, taking his hand and pulling him up. As they walk out of the office, Carly looks up from Charlottes embrace to meet Reeces eye. She'd never seen him like this before, and she was scared, worried, and desperate to help all at once. In a split second, she made the decision to run up to him. "Reece! Are you OK?" She asked, running up to her boss and throwing her arms around him. Reece looked shocked at this sudden display of affection from the young apprentice.
"Carly, I'm fine. There's nothing you need to worry about."
"Reece, I was out in the car park with you, I was in the office when Mia said what happened to Autumn.... and I may have been listening while I was out here with Char." She looked away, waiting to be told of for eavesdropping, but for once, the scolding never came. She took the opportunity to continue. "Reece, I don't know everything of what happened to you and Autumn growing up, but from what I do know, I don't know how you grew into the man you are. You are a million times the work dad to this work daughter than your real dad ever was to you and Autumn. I don't think you ever failed Autumn because you've never failed me when I've needed you."
Reece pulled Carly back in and gave her a gentle hug while placing a light kiss on the top of her head. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him with all her might. "I might love you a little bit, Reece." The 17 year old said clumsily before letting go and disappearing down the corridor to return to work, not giving anyone the chance to say anything.
Reece smiled for the first time since arriving in the car park this morning. "She's a really good kid, isn't she?" He said as he watched her walk away.
"You definitely bring out the best in her." Charlotte replied, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Right, I need to get to work. I'll leave you two to get home. I'll check in later."
"Bye, my love." Marjorie said as her friend wandered away. "Right, mister, let's get you home. I'm driving."