Just us.

17. 10 years.

Today is my 10 year anniversary of working at the nursery. It's been a crazy and full 10 years. But even after everything, I wouldn't change my job for the world.

I walk into the office after hearing Marjorie wanted to see me this morning,
"Hey Marjorie, hey Reece"
"Charlotte" Reece greets me
"Hello my love, guess what today is?" Marjorie beams
"My 10 year anniversary"
"Your 10 year anniversary!" She repeats, "oh my god. I cannot believe you have worked with me for 10 years!"
"I know and I can't believe how fast it's gone either" I smile back at her
"10 years. You must have some stories" Reece says. Oh definitely
"Oh you should see some of the things that Charlotte's had to endure over these 10 years. She's been shouted at, screamed at, sworn at. She's had stuff thrown at her. She's been vomited on, crapped on, peed on, basically anything that comes out the human body, it's gone on her. I think she's had someone swing for her once. Every Pervy dad we've ever had, has hit on her" Marjorie lists while Reece looks absolutely mortified. I mean the job has its perks as well, it's not all bad.

"I see" Marjorie starts to continue again, listing more of the troubles over the years. Remembering the good old days of being stalked, harassed, in person and online, "seriously?"
"All fun memories" I attempt a smile.
"Yeah, sounds like a cause for celebration"

The doorbell rings, distracting us from the memories, "I'll get that" Reece perks up and leaves the room,
"Thank you. So I was thinking for lunch, to celebrate your 10 years, should you and me just go to the pub together" Marjorie suggests
"Oh that would be lovely, thank you Marjorie"

Reece comes back in holding a bouquet of beautiful black roses
"Flowers. For Charlotte"
"Marjorie, you got me flowers?"
"Oh darling, no, they're not from me. They must be from your husband" I don't think so.
"No, no, they wouldn't be from him. He won't know it's my anniversary"
"Darling, you two have been together forever. Of course he'd remember" she replies
"Even if he did, we haven't done flowers in a long time"
"Yeah but my darling, it's not just any day is it? It's your 10 year anniversary!"

"Black roses. Very nice" Reece comments. Black roses are my favourite flowers.
"They're my favourite. But I've never told anybody that"
"See, there you go. They're obviously from hubby, no one else is gonna know that" Marjorie suggests. They aren't a from Nathan for sure. So who are they from?

I look closer at the bunch and see a little card poking out,
"Oh, there's a card" handwritten. "Happy 10 year anniversary. Hope you like them" I pause. Seeing the last word on the card. "Sweetheart"
"I told you they were from him" Marjorie smiles. Not Nathan. Mia. "Aw, that is so sweet. Honestly you two are like couples goals" couples goals? If only she knew the truth. But now isn't the time to talk about that. Especially after these flowers. She'll get suspicious
"Is it alright if I leave them in here? If I take them up to the staff room they'll probably get knocked over"
"Yeah, cause my love. Leave them in here" she smiles back at me. Mia. I can't believe she even knew when my anniversary was. And how did she know what my favourite flower was? I have never told anyone that.
"Well, I should get back. I'll see you at lunchtime. I'm really looking forward to it"