Marjoreece - Date Night

Lunch with Marjorie

"Well you certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself in there." Marjorie said as she sat down with Reece in his office.

"They all seem really shocked that I can cope in the rooms, but it makes a nice change." Reece replied, "Have you eaten? It's not much, but you can share my sandwich if you want."

Marjorie  nodded, so he broke both sandwich halves in half, ready to share. Marjorie let him pick first, she knew she was on safe ground with the meal deal, and as he was splitting his normal portion with her, he shouldn't worry about it but she sat back and let him choose which part he wanted so he didn't worry about being left with the bigger piece.

"You're enjoying yourself then?" She asked, taking the piece of tuna sandwich he'd left.

"Yea, like I said, it's a nice change from sitting in here dealing with the parents. I swear some of the kids have more common sense than their grown ups."

"I'll agree with you there. Some of the things I've been shouted at about recently makes you wonder how they even get themselves dressed in the morning, let alone raise kids. Carly was really impressed by how you are with the kids."

"Really? Why? I'm just playing with them?

"True, but you've got this stoic front working for you, I know about the sweet side that's underneath, but not everyone sees that side of you. I know Carly does, but I think after learning more about your childhood, she didn't expect you to be the giant man child I get to see all the time." Marjorie laughed. "She says the kids love you because you have 'Golden Retriever Energy'."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Easy to get along with, playful, fun-loving, fiercely loyal, supportive... All good things. I did have to google it though. Although I don't know what a golden retriever and a piranha cross would be." They both laughed at her last comment.

"I think people forget I do actually know how to do this job. Besides, Carly thinks my past would mean I'm bad at it or wouldn't want to do it but maybe I want to provide the support I never got as a kid. Also, I know how me and Aut used to act out for some form of attention, the right type of attention anyway. I know what I'm looking for and what I would have needed."

"It never fails to amaze me Reece. You and Autumn have been through so much, and yet, although I know you both still have issues, you should probably work through." Reece glares at her, waiting for her to mention therapy again. "Neither of you have fallen into the trap of becoming like your dad. You are both so determined to break the cycle and be different to him. You have so much impact on others without even realising it."

Reece was silent for a few minutes, taking in what Marjorie had said. He felt awkward getting compliments like this. It wasn't something he was used to being raised to believe he was a disappointment all the time. Realising he'd been quiet for what was probably too long, he decided to deflect. "I'm surprised Carly would talk so highly of me, I was sure she would be jealous of the fact that her group would rather have been with me instead of her." He chuckled before looking at his watch. "Sorry gorgeous, I've got to go back, Carol's needed in the baby room in 10 minutes."

"Alright, my love. Are you sure you don't want me to send Char or Sorscha over for the afternoon?"

"No, we're fine. I'll call you if anything changes though. I'll see you tonight? I'll come and pick you up when I finish. I had a look earlier, do you fancy a retrying the date I had planned for last night tonight? At least we don't have to worry about getting up for work tomorrow if we go out tonight. I'll drop you off at your, go back to mine and get ready and then come and pick you up."

"Sounds great. I'll see you later." She kissed him goodbye before he re-entered the room. 

As the door shut behind him, the nerves kicked in. Carly could see he was distracted. "Reece, are you OK? You've not been the same since you came back from lunch. Is Marjorie OK?"

"Yea, yea, she's fine. Just planning our date tonight in my head, that's all. Working out what to do, you know?"

"Oh, is that all. Well it's not like you haven't done that like a million times before. I thought it might be something good." With that Carly went back to her group and Reece started playing with his. In his head, he thought, "we may have had like a million dates, but I've never asked her to marry me on any of them before...."