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

65

The rest of the evening went pretty well. Marjorie's mood had lightened up, and Mia had stopped making inappropriate comments. Everyone ate their dinner and chatted with each other, truly enjoying each other's company.

"Marjorie. I'm supposed to go see Roger to talk about nursery logistics tomorrow." Siobhan said, placing one hand on her chest. "You can take my place, and surprise him at the last second."
"Isn't it too soon?" Reece asked, looking at Marjorie. "I'm just saying today was really difficult for you, and I'm worried."
"I'll be fine darling." Marjorie said, placing a hand on his thigh. "Sounds good. What time Siobhan?"
"Um..." Siobhan started, pulling out her phone and unlocking it. "Noon."
"Okay." Marjorie nodded.
"Reece, like I said before, I want you there too." Siobhan said, pointing at the blonde.
"I know. I was planning on going anyway." Reece nodded.
"Good." Siobhan smiled, pouring herself another glass of wine.

Marjorie looked over at Reece and smiled. Reece smiled back, kissing her cheek. Siobhan just watched the couple, clutching the glass to her chest. Vivian saw her watching and walked up to her.

"You alright?" Vivian asked, gently nudging Siobhan.
"What? Oh. I'm fine." Siobhan said, looking at Vivian.
"Okay." Vivian said, taking a sip of her beer.
"It's just so weird. Reece is nothing like his father." Siobhan said, looking over at Reece who now had his arm draped around Marjorie's shoulders.
"Yeah." Vivian nodded. "He's so gentle with her. And the way he looks at her? God. He loves her with his whole being. My ex was never like that."
"Yeah." Siobhan sighed, downing the rest of her wine. "It makes me nervous, like one day he'll flip and act like Roger."
"He won't." Charlotte butted in. "Sorry. I have a bad habit of eavesdropping."

Siobhan and Vivian both laughed at Charlotte interrupting them. Charlotte set her water down and sighed.

"He can be a jackass. I've worked at the sister nursery before, and I've seen how he can be." Charlotte said, looking at the women in front of her. "But every time he sees Marjorie, it's like his walls come down. His mood changes immediately. He doesn't even have to see or feel her. Her being in the same building as her is enough. He is quite literally a gentle giant."
"That he is." Vivian said, taking another sip of her beer. "I've seen him with Jamie. He's the best. Trust me Siobhan, there is nothing to worry about."

Siobhan sighed and smiled at Vivian. Charlotte gently patted Siobhan's shoulder and walked off to the kitchen, to grab another bottle of wine for everyone else. She paused for a second, and silently prayed that Marjorie's words would be enough.

— the next day —

Marjorie got up early and started getting ready. She refused to let her nerves get the best of her, and tried her best to remain confident. Reece got up a little later, and just watched the love of his life move swiftly around their bedroom.

"Morning gorgeous." Reece said, sitting up in bed.
"Morning my love." Marjorie smiled, putting in her earrings.
"I'll go get ready in the guest bedroom." Reece said, getting out of bed. "That way I won't be in your way."
"Thank you." Marjorie said, turning to face him.

Reece kissed Marjorie gently, and walked down the hall to the guest bedroom. Reece got ready, and he actually took the time to style his hair instead of ruffling it around and hoping for the best. He walked out of the guest bedroom into their bedroom and saw Marjorie in a black suit, with red heels on.

"Wow." Reece said, stopping dead in his tracks.
"You like?" Marjorie said, putting on her lipstick.
"I don't just like, I love." Reece said, going to put his hands on her waist.

Marjorie stopped him and shook her head, which left Reece shocked.

"Later. Not now." Marjorie winked.
"Yes dear." Reece smiled. "I'll gladly wait."

Marjorie looked at herself in the mirror one last time and walked downstairs, with Reece following her. She grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door. Reece practically had to run to keep up with her.

"It will be okay. I'll be there, and so will many police officers." Reece said, getting in the passenger seat.
"I know." Marjorie said, buckling. "Still terrifying either way."
"I know." Reece sighed.

Marjorie and Reece both arrived at the prison. They checked in, went through security, and got their visitor badges. Reece looked through the windows and saw his father sitting at the conference table.

"Well, well, well." Marjorie said, walking through the door to the conference room. "You thought I wouldn't find out?"
"Mutton chops." Roger said, rolling his eyes. "I see you brought my disappointment of a son with you as well?"

Reece just rested his back against the wall and sighed, shaking his head.

"What? Marjorie, you sure picked a weak one." Roger laughed.
"Well, he's not the one in prison right now. You are." Marjorie said, walking closer to him.
"Still don't know what you see in him. Let alone what he sees in you." Roger spat.

Reece lifted himself off the wall and sped walk to Roger. Marjorie held her arm out and stopped him, looking at him and mouthed 'I'm fine'. Reece took a deep breath and walked back towards the wall.

"You're one to talk. Yeah, you have the money, but you sure as hell don't have the looks, and apparently you aren't that good in bed." Marjorie said, sitting down in front of Roger.
"Enough." Roger said, shifting in his seat. "Did you just come here to insult me about my manhood??"
"Well, that's just an added bonus." Marjorie winked.

Reece stood up straight and held a hand up to his mouth, trying his best not to laugh. Roger looked at him and smirked.

"Reece." Roger yelled. "I have a few things to say to you before we talk, Marjorie."
"Sure." Reece scoffed, crossing his arms.
"You're such a piece of shit. You disappoint me. You always have, always will. I brought you to the nursery to work. Not to find love, not to rekindle your relationship with your sister. None of that. You're just like your mother. A pathetic excuse of a human. Waste of space." Roger spat.

Reece was shocked. Hearing his dad bring up his mum crossed a line. Reece walked out of the conference room and shut the door. He slid down the wall and sighed, trying his best not to cry. He could hear Marjorie yelling at his father.

"See what you did? You just live to bring others down. You call him a waste of space when you're the real waste of space. Pathetic ass bitch. I hope you're pleased with yourself."