Generations: The Long Game

New Year

January 1st 2027

Reece watched as her eyes fluttered open, but he didn't speak. Not yet. She had spent the better part of the last week on edge and neither of them had really had the time to address it. He knew something was bothering her and today he was getting to the bottom of it.

He knew that the financially pragmatic thing would be to open the restaurant today, but he had given his entire staff the three-day weekend. They could open back up on the fourth. They had all worked so hard over the holiday season, and they didn't really need the money the few days would cost them.

"Reece what are you thinking?" She knew he had been watching her sleep. He was going to be home for the whole weekend, and she knew he meant to have a talk. She wasn't sure she was ready.

"The restaurant. Well, the staff really. They really pulled their weight this holiday season. I am glad we are able to give them this break." He placed a wisp of a kiss on her forehead. "Good morning, gorgeous." He looked at her questioningly.

"Good morning, darling." Okay he was trying to do this right now she thought. She took a deep breath. "You wanna talk, don't you?"

"I mean. I think we should. Marjorie, you haven't been yourself this last week." He was grateful they could have this talk child-free. Carly had taken Emery the day before and wouldn't be bringing him home until later in the day. He wasn't really sure why she had wanted him so badly, but he was grateful for the time to talk without him being in the house.

"Reece, I know I have been short with you a lot lately, but it isn't really you. It is me."

He raised an eyebrow. "Marjorie that is a breakup line."

"Reece, you know I don't mean it like that. I .. I made a mistake. I didn't think about it at the time, but now ..."

"What sort of mistake?" He readjusted himself in the bed. He figured she was upset with him for something he had done, and now he was worried she was about to say something life altering.

"On Christmas night when I realized it worked. Well, it worked. And I realized that it was a mistake."

"Marjorie, this is not something we can undo. You ... you asked me to do this. Oh my god Marjorie." With her mood the way it had been this last week he hadn't had much time to panic about her or the baby, but he was panicking now.

"Reece, I don't mean that you doing it was a mistake. I mean us not talking about it was a mistake. Like what if this is another boy?" She placed her hand on the bump. "And what if they have a girl? How are you going to feel? Are you going to want to be more active in their life? Will our children be left out so you can spend time with her?" She was getting louder and starting to spiral. She hated herself for thinking these things and for not being happier for their friends. She felt silly.

Relief crossed his face, but that only seemed to make her feel more upset. "What is that look for, Reece, I am being serious."

"Marjorie, that is their child. I didn't agree to do this to have another child. I did this so they can. Our children. This child." He placed his hand cautiously on her bump sending a shiver through her. "Will never have to worry about me not being here. I am only interested in raising our children Marjorie. That is their child. He or she just happens to be half my DNA. I wouldn't have done this at all if that hadn't been the agreement. He or she will be our niece or nephew just like Jamey. Nothing more."

"Are you sure?"

"I am positive." Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She had spent the past week stewing over this and thinking the absolute worst of him. "Gorgeous, you have nothing to worry about, and nothing to be embarrassed about. I should have talked to you about how I felt and why I made the decision to help them. You didn't make a mistake. We made a mistake."

Her brow was still furrowed, so he pulled her into himself. "Are you sure that is how you feel?

"Marjorie, the only children I have ever wanted were the ones I would share with you. If you aren't part of the equation, I don't want to be either." He pulled her further into his embrace and felt her finally begin to relax.

She looked up at him. Her face soft, and her smile bright. "Reece, our friends are gonna have a baby!" She shrieked.

He would have complained about his ear drum if he wasn't so happy to see her finally have a proper response to their news.

And she didn't even know about Aut yet.