Unexpected

The last day.

December 1st, was Marjorie's last day. It was a Friday, a cold Friday morning. The air was crisp and the roads were icy.

Ivy was still staying with Marjorie and Reece, who had just had their baby shower, it went well, better than expected since Roger turned up, without an invitation.

Marjorie, as always, was the first to wake up. She slowly made her way downstairs to make a coffee. Reece walked into the kitchen.

"Hey gorgeous." He smiled. "Last day today.. how are you feeling?" He asked.

"Not gonna lie, I think I'll miss it slightly. I mean being at home from now until she arrives.. it's gonna be so boring!!"

"It'll be okay, besides, she could come early?" He joked.

"Don't say that..." Marjorie paused and placed her hands on her back for support, she began to wince.

"Woah, woah what's up?" Reece rushed over to her.

The pain eased off. "I think it was just one of those Braxton hicks, and the back pain is absolutely killing me!!"

"Go and get ready, I'll get you some painkillers." He smiled.

"Okay, thank you darling." She smiled as she left the room.

She walked into the bedroom and began to search for an outfit. She threw on a black dress, about knee high, which hugged her figure in all the right places, paired it with some black tights and her Chanel flats. She couldn't walk around all day in heels anymore, flats were a better alternative.

Ivy knocked the bedroom door.

"Come in!!" Marjorie yelled.

Ivy walked in. "Morning." She smiled.

"You're really early.. where are you off to?" Marjorie asked.

"I came in here to ask.. would it be okay if I came to work with you today?"

Marjorie shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Ivy smiled. "Okay great!!"

Ivy had been planning a surprise party at the nursery with Carly's help for weeks, the staff room would be filled with balloons and decorations, and the tables would be stacked with gifts and cards from all the other staff and parents.

Ivy texted Carly.

Ivy: hey Carly!! Party still going ahead?

Carly: yep, I'm already here with char and sorscha, almost finished setting up xx

Ivy: okay great, I'd say you've got about half an hour. See you soon x

Carly: see you!!

Ivy knew that Marjorie and Reece would absolutely love this.. it had to be perfect.

_____________

The three arrived at the Knight Nursery at about 9am, a little later than usual. They were greeted at the door by winter.

"Morning winter." Marjorie smiled.

"Hello Marjorie, Reece, oh and Ivy!! Happy last day!! Make your way to the staff room, somethings waiting for you." He said cheerfully as he lead them to the staff room.

Marjorie walked into the room and her jaw dropped, she got slightly emotional as well.

"Oh my gosh!! This is so sweet of you all, you didn't have to!!." She laughed.

Charlotte smiled. "We're gonna miss you!!"

All of the other staff members nodded in agreement, apart from Janice.

"Whose idea was this?" Marjorie asked curiously.

Carly pointed at Ivy.

Marjorie turned to face Ivy. "Ivy? You planned this?"

"Yep, with Carly's help. It went exactly how I'd planned in my head. Your reaction was defo worth it!!" She laughed.

Marjorie threw her arms around Ivy and the two hugged, all of the staff spent the morning in the staff room, spending time with Marjorie before she'd be off for five months or so, they had a great time, and of course, a few tears shed.

"So, are you nervous Marjorie?" Sorscha asked.

Marjorie shrugged. "This isn't my first time doing this is it." She giggled, gesturing towards Ivy.

The day had come to an end quicker than Marjorie had anticipated. She stood in her office, packed up her things and shut off her laptop for the last time, she went into the rooms to say her last goodbyes, although the toddler room was an emotional one.

Marjorie walked in, Charlotte and Carly were in there, tidying up since all of the children had just left.

"You two alright? I'm off now." She smiled.

Charlotte walked towards Marjorie. "We're going to miss you so much Marjorie, but I'm sure you'll be back in no time."

Carly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I don't know if Janice is going to defend me when all the creepy dads start hitting on me.." she laughed.

Marjorie felt tears form in her eyes. "I know my loves, it's alright, I'll pop in every so often just to see how you're all getting on." She smiled.

Charlotte shed a few tears, Marjorie noticed.

"Don't cry my love, what's wrong? This is supposed to be happy.. we're all stood here crying." Marjorie said jokingly.

Charlotte looked up and wiped her eyes. "I know- it's just, I can't wait to meet the baby, and you're honestly going to smash it Marjorie, just feeling a little emotional, that's all."

Carly even started crying. "I'm really going to miss you Marjorie."

"I won't be gone too long, I won't even be gone long enough for you to miss me, you'll be so busy. I've still got to go and see a few people, see you both soon!!" She smiled and left the room.

_____________

The following Monday, was Marjorie's first day of maternity leave, Reece was obviously at work and Ivy had gone out for the day with her boyfriend.

It was only the first day and she'd already felt so lonely, she spent most of her time cleaning the house or organising baby stuff, 'nesting' as they like to call it.

Reece was working early shifts every day until the baby arrived, he would then be allowed two weeks off to spend with Marjorie and their little girl before he went back to work in the new year, after Christmas.

That day, Reece arrived home at about 3:30.

"Marjorie?" He called.

She walked out of the kitchen and the two shared a passionate kiss before Marjorie pulled away.

"This place is spotless, what have you done?" He asked.

"Just got a little bored, did some cleaning." She shrugged.

"Don't over do it, I bet you're shattered." He sounded concerned.

"No, honestly. It's alright." She laughed as she pulled him in for another kiss.

Marjorie was prepared to spend the remaining few weeks of her pregnancy preparing for the baby, however, in four days time.. it was Ivy's sixteenth birthday.