Generations: The Long Game

Blue Christmas

Christmas Eve 2025

Charlotte was awake early and was already downstairs tidying up and preparing for tonight. She and Mia had discussed this get together many times over the phone, but she wondered now that she would be faced with all their friends if it would be overwhelming for her. It had felt good to lay in her arms again last night. She had nearly forgotten how much that woman felt like home. Seeing her and their children reunited was so emotional but also so adorable. They all had missed her so much.

Although she had spent the better part of the last seven weeks learning how to express her feeling she found herself being more guarded with Mia home. She used her evening routine with the children to deflect from the fact that she was feeling a little awkward. She had wanted Mia home more than anything, but she also felt disrupted by her return and that made her feel horrible as well.

As Mia woke, she felt across the bed for Char, but she found it empty. She frowned. Last night had been a bit rough and she thought it best to call the therapy group this morning, but she had to wait until it was morning in Washington. Char had her whole routine. She hadn't fallen apart when Mia left. She had thrived. As much as Mia would never want her to struggle, she still felt a little left out as Charlotte took care of all their children's needs. Char and the children didn't need her anymore. That was daunting for her, but also extremely painful. She didn't know how she was going to go back in a few days knowing that her family had learned to live without her.

She padded off to the nursery but found that the boys weren't their either. She stood in the doorway frowning. Charlotte hadn't needed her to help with them either evidently. She found them and Charlotte in the kitchen along with the girls. Char was sat in the middle of three highchairs feeding all three boys at once. "You want some help?"

"Actually, we're almost finished. Thank you though."

She sat at the table slumped into the chair arms crossed. Her mood shift was not lost on Charlotte, but the discussion would have to wait. She wasn't going to discuss it in front of the children, and Carly and Marjorie were on their way over. "Are you excited to see everyone this evening?"

"Sure."

"Stay calm Char" she thought to herself. She wasn't sure what the problem was, but she didn't really care for the behavior. She knew this would be an adjustment after nearly two months apart. She was guessing that Mia wasn't adjusting well, and they could talk about that later. But not if she allowed her to bait her into anger. She left the kitchen and went to let Carly and Marjorie in.

"Where's Emery?"

"Oh, he was in bed with Reece watching Bluey. They looked so happy and content I decided to leave them to it. I swear sometimes that Reece enjoys that show more than little man."

They all chuckled as they walked into the lounge to start decorating for the party. They set up a spot by the tree for Santa as Char's dad had agreed to stop in around six dressed as the jolly old elf himself. They hadn't expected to be having anymore grandchildren. Charlotte's brother and sister each had a daughter and then of course she and Mia had the girls. So, when the boys came along her father was over the moon at having grandsons.

Mia finally made her way to the lounge and was greeted by Marjorie with a great big hug. They would probably never stop trying to get under each other's skin, but there was love there that neither could deny. "How are you, my love?"

"Peachy. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Char looked up noticing the tension in Mia's voice. She wasn't sure if she was just overwhelmed or if something else was happening. She had been so happy to be home last night, but now she was acting as if she would rather be anywhere else. "It's okay, Mia, we have this. You can just relax," Char responded.