Generations: The Long Game

Their Village

TW: insinuation and mention of ED

Two Weeks Later

Mia wandered around the kitchen preparing everything Marjorie would need overnight. She moved almost mindlessly. Everything had become routine. She thought about that first full day home. It had been stressful and challenging. She and Reece skirted around one another. He had apologized, but she knew him well enough to know that the underlying pain and frustration wasn't gone. Even with Veronica's help, the three of them were still extraordinarily good at compartmentalizing their feelings. After twenty-six years, she knew enough to give him space and let him adjust.

"Mia?" She was pulled from her thoughts. "She wants you." She saw the hurt in his eyes. She knew he would rather be the one taking care of her, but she had never really known what to say to him when he was like this. This was more Char's department. She slipped past him without a word and ran up the stairs.

"Marjie?" She was still thin and frail, but she had gained strength and weight in the past two weeks being home. "Mia, did you call them? I know it is a big ask, but he needs them. I can't lose him, Mia." The redhead rolled her eyes putting up a front that was getting harder to portray.

"He isn't going anywhere, Marjorie. For fucks sake don't be a daft cow. They are all coming. Now stop worrying and let's get you ready for bed." Marjorie smiled. Mia almost wasn't able to pull it off believably anymore when she was mean. Not with her anyway. The rest of the world still got the mean redhead. Marjorie thought maybe even more mean than before. Maybe she was making up for the loss of her biggest target.

As Mia slipped out the front door, he locked it and slowly made his way up the stairs. He checked on both children and then joined her in their room. "You alright, gorgeous?" She nodded, but he could see the sadness in her eyes. He slipped into bed with her, and she snuggled into him resting her head on his chest. She felt weightless against him, but all she could think about was how she shouldn't be able to feel his bones.

The next morning Mia arrived as usual and busied herself getting everything ready for when Marjorie woke up. She could hear Reece moving around getting Emery ready for nursery, and likely Rory ready for her day as well. The doorbell sounded and she went to the door. As she let them in, he came down the stairs with a child in each arm completely shocked at the sight in his foyer. Autumn, Mia, Siobhan, Viv, Char, and Carly stood staring at him as he descended.

"What are you all doing here? Has something happened? Autumn moved around to one side of him and took Rory from one arm while Siobhan took Emery and his bag. "Come on little man. Auntie Bon is gonna take you to nursery this morning.

The little boy waved at everyone, and as Reece bent down to kiss the top of his head, he said, "bye Dada." Siobhan turned and was out the door.

"Come on, big brother, we need to talk. Everyone followed and made their way to the lounge. "Mia is gonna speak first because she has a job to do here with Marjorie."

"Reece, I know you are angry and feeling insecure, but we have known each other a long time. You can't control everything. Neither of us can. I know you don't want me here, but if I am or someone else is, you have a chance at taking care of all three of them. It is the best-case scenario, but not if you don't eat and end up hospitalized or worse. She is up there worrying about you instead of worrying about surviving this fucking cancer." She has allowed her anger to enter into the conversation.

"Amelia!" She didn't even look at Char. She just turned and walked away. "Reece, she is just stressed. She didn't ..."

"No, Char, she's right. I am not gonna magically gain control by not eating. I need to call Veronica, but it means I am going to need more help. More of your time. All of you have been great, and I don't know what we would do without you. How can I ask you for more time?"

The room fell into silence. Viv walked over and sat next to him on the sofa. "You don't have to ask us. We are here, and we will be anytime you need us. Just like you and Marjorie were there for each and every one of us. We are your family. Your village.