Generations: The Long Game

Carly

The nurseries had many apprentices over the years, but for many long-term staff members Carly was the apprentice. She had managed to endear herself to nearly every staff member. Even Mia adored her now, and she along with Char named one of there sons after her. They all knew there might come a day when Carly would choose to leave the nursery, and they would wish her well in any endeavor. Unfortunately, Carly wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She had found a home here with these people. Not that she didn't have a home with her family. But when she was struggling, the people she chose to go to were often her nursery family and not her biological family.

She was about to do just that once again. She had been thinking about it since before Christmas and now that her birthday was coming up, she wanted to bring her chosen family together for an important conversation. She had already cleared it with Mia and Char, but now she had to get Reece and Marjorie to come as well.

Their families had become her other families. Reece even joked with Mia about how they ended up sharing custody of a child after all. When Reece and Marjorie were house hunting, they considered Carly and made sure she had a room of her own. Once they bought the house Reece paid to have it decorated to Carly's liking. She had always been included. Even for things that needed to be kept quiet there was always a plan for the young eavesdropper.

She sent a message to Reece and Marjorie explaining that she wanted to do her birthday at Mia and Char's. She would really like for them to come. Once they both agreed, Carly's nerves vibrated. She didn't know how she would get through the next few days. In Carly's mind it was now or never.

Saturday had finally come, and Carly's nerves had still not calmed. She headed out to Char and Mia's and pulled into the driveway right behind Reece Marjorie, and Emery. Carly loved that little boy, and he loved her. At nearly nine months old he was a big boy and Marjorie struggled to keep him in her arms as he wriggled to get to Carly. She was just as happy to see him and took him from Marjorie as soon as she caught up to them. They all walked in together and headed straight to the kitchen.

Mia, Char and their children were already set up in there and ready to start the celebration. Carly had requested pizza so no one had to cook, and they all happily obliged. It seemed like all the babies were teething at the same time and not giving their parents very much time for sleep.

As Carly looked around the table, she was filled with so much love. She had just barely turned seventeen when she started at the nursery, and Charlotte had befriended her almost at once. The years seemed long, but looking back now it was only because they were packed brimful of love and memories of how these people had changed her life.

"Guys I wanted you all here tonight because you are all like my second family. I have been lucky enough to be apart of your families from the very beginning. I always want to be a part of them, and hope that you will always want me to be too."

Everyone in the room loved her, but they were looking to each other trying to see if anyone knew what was going on as the young girl seemed to be building up to something.

She looked to Char before continuing. "I am going to leave the nursery in the fall to go to university, and I wanted all of you to know first. I know that I could get my qualifications without going, but I have thought about it for awhile. I have learned so much from all of you, and I have loved working at the nursery. I know I can make more money with a degree, and that will benefit me in the future. But I really want to experience this as well." She stilled herself for their reactions.

Reece spoke first, "Carly, you have always been a colossal pain in the ass, but you know we all love you very much. We would never want to deprive you from this experience. Besides leaving the nursery will be sad, but you won't be leaving us, and we will never leave you. I don't work at the nursery anymore, and they haven't kicked me out of the club." With that he pulled her into a hug and told her how proud he was of her. There wasn't one dry eye around the table.