You're not saying you're in love with me, but you're going to.

26

"So." Mia said, looking at Marjorie. "I think you should start with your news first."
"Right." Marjorie smiled.

Marjorie took a deep breath in and sighed. She looked at Mia, and then looked at Reece who was watching her from the kitchen.

"You all know that Janice and I were competing for manager. Today I had a meeting and... I'm the manager of the new Knight nursery." Marjorie said, clapping her hands together.
"Oh my god!!!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"Wow Marjorie." Autumn smiled, looking up at her.
"Nice Marjorie." Winter smiled.
"Congratulations Marjorie!" Clodagh exclaimed.
"That's grand." Sorscha said, smiling.

Everyone started clapping for Marjorie, talking about how proud they are of her and how they can't wait to see her in action.

"Hate to interrupt this sweet moment again, but we need to talk," Mia started.
"Right. Sorscha and Clodagh. In simple terms, we were thinking of planning a nursery takeover. I laid one into Roger and he gave me board permissions." Marjorie finished.
"Manipulate for money? Marjorie I'm impressed." Sorscha said.
"Me too." Autumn winked.
"Anyways. There is one fault in this." Marjorie sighed.
"It's Siobhan." Mia said, crossing her arms.
"What?" Sorscha said.
"Yeah. Apparently daddy dearest isn't treating her too hot." Mia said.
"I saw her in passing like a week ish ago, and she had her sleeves rolled up. Bruises on both arms. When she saw that I saw her, she covered them up." Marjorie said, cracking her knuckles.
"How the hell do we get her out then? Tell me you have some idea." Clodagh said.
"Well......" Marjorie said, looking at Mia.

Reece walked in the room, plates in his hands. He brushed past them and set them on the table, stopping before he went back in the kitchen.

"Mia and I went out and got some information from our friends from uni. Roger apparently embezzled funds, and committed fraud." Reece said, walking away.
"And, one of our friends, Kathryn, worked under Roger for a few years. She was his personal assistant, you know, before Siobhan came along." Mia said.

The group all gasped at the new information. Quinn started crying in Autumns arms, so she stood up and walked closer to Marjorie.

"I can take her Autumn. It's okay." Clodagh said.
"No. You guys need a break, we can tell. We'll just pass her around. I figured Marjorie would want her next." Autumn said, placing the crying Quinn in Marjorie's arms.
"You got that right. Thanks everyone." Sorscha said, rubbing Clodaghs arm.
"I mean, I wouldn't say pass her around, but I guess there is no other way to put it." Charlotte laughed.

Quinn stopped crying immediately once Marjorie started swaying back and forth. Everyone looked at Marjorie, seeing how easily she got her to calm
down.

"How did you—-" Sorscha asked.
"Magic." Marjorie winked. "I'm kidding. Babies love me. They always have."

Reece walked back into the room to set the last few plates down. He saw Marjorie holding baby Quinn and smiled to himself. Mia walked over to him to help, and smirked.

"Makes you wanna put one in her." Mia laughed.
"What?" Reece shook his head.
"Marjorie, holding a baby. I know that gives you baby fever." Mia said,
"I guess. I just think I would be a terrible dad." Reece sighed, setting the silverware down.
"Reecey. You are nothing like your father, everyone knows it. I know it. You and Marjorie would make excellent parents someday." Mia said, placing a hand on his back before walking away.

Reece smiled as she walked away. He walked back into the living room, hands in his pockets.

"Alright. Dinners ready." Reece said.
"Okay. I'll go get my kids." Charlotte said, walking upstairs.

Everyone except Marjorie sat at the table and ate dinner. They swooned over Reeces cooking, savouring every bite. The only person who didn't sit at the table was Marjorie, as she was bouncing Quinn.

"Gorgeous you need to eat. Or at least sit down." Reece said, standing up and walking over to Marjorie.
"I'm fine my love. I'll eat in a second. I swear." Marjorie said, patting Quinns back gently.

Autumn was watching the couple talk, seeing Marjorie be her usual stubborn self.

"It's so cute how Reece is so worried about her." Charlotte said.
"Yeah. It's sickening." Autumn said, turning to look at Winter.
"They are cute though. You can't deny that. Not as cute as us though." Winter said, winking and raising his eyebrow at Autumn.
"Oh. Another pair of freaks of the week. Jesus." Mia said, rolling her eyes.
"Fuck you." Autumn said, stifling a laugh.

Reece walked back to the table and sat down. He let out a huge sigh before he tensed up, looking at Autumn.

"I know what you're thinking. She's just being stubborn, you know. This is Marjorie being Marjorie. Let her have her moment with Quinn." Autumn said, rolling her eyes.

Reece just smiled and nodded at Autumn. Deep down, he was worried Marjorie would end up like him, struggling with eating. He was brought out of those thoughts when a hand rested on his shoulder.

"I told you I would come in here." Marjorie smiled, sitting down.

Mia watched as Reece relaxed immediately at Marjorie's touch, exchanging a look with Autumn before she spoke.

"It's crazy how relaxed he gets the second he touches him." Mia whispered, leaning towards Autumn.
"Literally. I've never seen him like this. No offense, but he wasn't like this when he was with you." Autumn whispered back.

Mia playfully hit her arm and gasped. Autumn looked at her and giggled.

"You know I'm right." Autumn smirked.
"I know. Fuck you." Mia said, rolling her eyes.

The group talked more about the takeover and how they can flawlessly execute it. Marjorie was still holding Quinn, gently rocking her in her arms.

"Marjorie, looks like you're gonna need to enter your villain era again for this." Mia said.
"I know." Marjorie sighed. "I'm scared that once I go back I'll be like that forever."
"You left your villain era an only few years ago Marjorie. You did it then, and you can do it again. I have faith in you." Charlotte said.
"Yeah. I also have faith. But on that note, we should probably get going." Sorscha said.
"Alright." Marjorie said, standing up and handing Quinn to Clodagh.
"Thanks for inviting us. Reece, your cooking is wonderful." Clodagh said.
"Thanks." Reece smiled. "Do we want to meet again Sunday? Or whatever day works best?"
"I'll have to see." Charlotte said.
"I'll text the group chat later and we can figure it out." Marjorie said, smiling.
"We should probably go too." Charlotte said, looking at her girls.
"Us too." Winter said.
"Me included. I'm exhausted." Mia said.
"You do nothing all day." Reece rolled his eyes.
"Exactly. It's tiring." Mia laughed.

Everyone said their goodbyes and left. Marjorie turned to Reece and hugged him.

"What is that for?" Reece asked.
"Because I know this is hard on you, and Autumn. Except she won't let me hug her." Marjorie giggled.
"I love you." Reece said, kissing her softly.
"I love you too. Can you heat up the food? I'm starving." Marjorie asked.
"Yes dear." Reece said, letting go to walk back in the kitchen.