Unexpected

"Mum"

Marjorie was sat in her office, the time was 4:15 on a Friday so pretty much all of the other staff had left the nursery. It was her birthday, nobody had forgotten, she'd received plenty of gifts and cards during the day and she knew Reece had something planned for them both on the weekend. No matter how many birthday wishes and presents she received, she still felt a sense of loneliness. Marjorie pulled out her cupcake, lit the candle and made a wish. "Happy birthday Marjorie." She said quietly as she blew out the candle, and with that, there was a knock at the door.

A young girl walked in, cherry red hair tied loosely in a half up half down hairstyle, glistening blue eyes and glasses, the glasses happened to be awfully similar to Marjorie's. The girl spoke. "Hi mum"

Marjorie looked confused, lost for words "I'm sorry? Mum?" She spat "who are you?" She asked.

"I'm your daughter. You're Marjorie knight, right? Or van Gould?" She replied.

Marjorie was clueless "I don't have any children, darling you must be confused, are you okay?"

"you don't remember giving a little girl up for adoption about 15 years ago?" She asked

A look of realisation appeared on Marjorie's face "you're right."

"Mhm" the girl nodded "you're like really pretty." She added.

"Aw Thank-you my love." Marjorie smiled "but I'm still confused, it was a closed adoption, why are you here?" She asks.

"I mean, my parents aren't the nicest to me, so it just made me wonder who my real parents were even more." She said.

"Oh. Im sorry to hear that my love. My mum was horrible to me too, but I walked away from all that a long, long time ago." She laughed.

Marjorie's phone rang and she answered. "You alright my darling?" She says.

"Yeah, i was just Umm- making something. Something for you. But where are you? You're taking ages is everything okay?" Reece asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'll be home shortly. I love you." Marjorie said as she hung up.

"Is that my dad?" The girl asked.

"Oh no, no. That's my husband, Reece." Marjorie said. "I didn't catch your name either?" Marjorie added.

"Ivy" she responded.

"Pretty name." Marjorie nodded and smiled.

"Yeah well, I know your names Marjorie but.. I'll call you mum." The girl smiled.

"Maybe stick to Marjorie for now darling, you've literally JUST met me." Marjorie giggled.

"Okay, My mum will kill me if I'm not home by 5, but I will see you again, as soon as I can. Promise." Ivy says as giving Marjorie a quick hug.

"Yeah.. um I owe you a long awaited chat.." Marjorie says through gritted teeth looking shocked. She mutters to herself "what in the world has just  happened!?"

____________*•+____________

Marjorie walked through the front door, slipping her heels off and let out a loud sigh. She could smell Reece's cooking, she knew he'd been busy making something.

She walked into the kitchen to be greeted by Reece he walked towards her and the two shared a passionate kiss, Marjorie pulled away. "You okay gorgeous?" He asked looking concerned.

"No." Marjorie says, taking a seat.

"What's wrong?" Reece frowned.

"Uh.. umm." Marjorie was sat shaking slightly and clicking her knuckles.

Reece sat next to her and could feel her shaking. "You're shaking, talk to me."

"I've got a daughter." Marjorie spat, throwing her head into her hands.

"Wait.. What?" Reece said.

"I'm sorry." Marjorie said while holding tears back.

"You- you have a child?" Reece asked

"She's fifteen, she came to see me today after everyone had left the nursery." Marjorie explained.

Reece looked shocked, he looked so shocked he went pale "how come you've never mentioned her before?"

"It was a closed adoption, I didn't even know her name until today." Marjorie shrugged.

"Well how did it happen? I'm so confused Marjorie." Reece said, still lost for words.

"I'd just turned 21 when I found out I was pregnant, and I'd just moved out. Her dad, aka my boyfriend at the time had just dumped me and I wanted to keep her but it was my mum that made me give her up." Marjorie's voice was breaking.

"My gosh." Reece muttered.

"I've never forgiven myself for it, I guess it was for the best but ever since then, I've worked at the nursery." She smiled.

"Weird how she came to see you on your birthday though.." Reece laughed.

"Mhm"

"Well what are you going to do?" He asked.

"Thats what I'm trying to figure out, i honestly don't know, I'm still in shock." She replied.

"Let's distract you for a while then..I've got you a cake and I've made a lasagna, open some presents too if you want." Reece placed a cake on the counter, he lit the candles and then pulled a lasagna out of the oven placing Marjorie's card and presents next to it. "Make a wish gorgeous" he adds.

Marjorie closed her eyes and blew out the candles on the cake Reece had made. "Thank-you for doing this" she smiled.