Serendipity: A New Generation of Knights

Part 1: Ch. 12. Holding Down the Fort

"You get to come home with me and Uncle Reece today!" Marjorie chirped as she offered a hand to Benny.

The rest of the room had cleared of children, and all that was left was Marjorie, Benny, and two other teachers. After Winter had left in a rush, Marjorie took his place in the room, holding down the fort for both the missing manager and staff member.

The little boy looked his aunt up and down suspiciously before reaching his arms up, beckoning her to stoop down and pick him up. He knew her. He always had fun with her. But she was not mama or papa. He stayed quiet in Marjorie's arms as she lifted him and placed him on her hip, his teachers waving him goodbye. Benny was only little, but seeing his papa rush out of the room so quickly early this morning was still on his mind. He leaned his head against Marjorie's shoulder, causing her and his teachers to dote on him even further as the two left the room.

Marjorie shifted the little boy in her arms so his legs rested on either side of her bump, just like they did over his mama's. She held him close as she walked down the corridor, her fingers running through his curly red locks. She always adored the moments she got alone with him. They didn't occur too often. Usually one or both of his parents were also around, or she also had Reece at her side. She pressed a quick kiss into his hair, feeling him relax against her as they exited the building.

Benny pulled his blanket close to his face, running the fibers on the edge of the fabric underneath his nose for comfort. He was quiet as they made their way out to the car, but once he was in his car seat and buckled up, he was already asking for music before Marjorie could even shut the door. Their journey to meet up with Uncle Reece was filled with loud singing and precious laughter.

-

Before they could even pull into the driveway of their home, Reece was already running out the front door.

"Hey, Spaceman!" Reece grinned as he opened up the back door to Marjorie's car to greet his nephew. "You singing your Elvis songs?"

"Mhm," Benny hummed proudly, kicking his feet against the seat in excitement.

"We're gonna go have some dinner now, yeah? I'm thinking McDonald's, and we can run around in the playground. What say you?" Reece squeezed Benny's hand, beaming brightly at him as they conversed, the little boy wriggling  around excitedly in his seat.

Marjorie had turned herself around in the driver's seat to watch them talk. She could sit and watch the two of them interact for hours and never tire. From the moment Benny was born, Reece was so fascinated by him. He spent so many days visiting with Autumn while she was out on maternity leave. It was all for Autumn, he would tell people. But no one could deny knowing how much he loved to spend time getting to know his nephew. And since then, nothing had changed. Anything that had to do with little Benny, Reece was there.

-

It had been some time since Reece had been inside of a McDonald's. The drive through was always much more his forte. But as soon as he learned that Benny would be staying with them for the evening, he knew that would be their best plan on short notice for getting him fed and tired out.

"Alright, Spaceman, what looks good?" Reece asked as he hoisted the little boy up onto his shoulders. "Looks like we've got chicken nuggets or a hamburger.

Benny held tight to his uncle's hands as he gazed over the restaurant. There was so much to see from up so high. But once he focused his attention on the menu board, something new caught his eye.

"I want that," the boy stated plainly, his finger pointed straight at it from across the counter.

Reece peered up at his nephew and followed his pointed arm to the Happy Meal toy display near the menu board. As his eyes fell upon the display as well, he grinned ear to ear.