Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

We Finally Meet •|| MARJOREECE ||• [Another Woman Pt. 5]

Prompt: Olivia comes home for Winter break and finally meets Marjorie in real life.

The arrivals terminal was buzzing with activity as travelers reunited with loved ones. Marjorie stood near the entrance with Reece, her hands tucked into her coat pockets, her breath visible in the crisp winter air. She glanced at Reece, who was practically vibrating with excitement. When his phone buzzed, he grinned at the screen.

“She’s here,” he announced.

Moments later, Marjorie spotted her—a tall young woman with striking black hair pulled into a loose ponytail, dragging a suitcase behind her. Olive scanned the crowd, her eyes lighting up when she spotted Reece. She broke into a jog, her suitcase rattling noisily over the tiles.

“Dad!” she called, throwing her arms around him.

Reece held her tightly, his grin impossibly wide. After a few moments, he gestured toward Marjorie.

“And this,” Reece said, “is Marjorie.”

Marjorie smiled nervously and extended her hand. “Hi, Olivia. It’s lovely to finally meet you. Your dad has told me a lot about you since I found out about you last month.”

Olive ignored the hand, stepping forward to wrap Marjorie in a warm hug. “It’s nice to meet you too,” Olive said with a laugh. “And just Olive, please. None of this Olivia business—they only call me that when I do something stupid and about to die. You’re basically family, so no formalities.”

Marjorie’s cheeks flushed. “Olive it is, then,” she said, her smile growing.

As they walked to the car, Olive launched into a story about her flight, gesturing animatedly. “So, there was this couple behind me with the loudest baby,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I was this close to offering to babysit just to get some peace.”

Marjorie chuckled. “Sounds like you’d fit right in at the nursery.”

“You work at a nursery?” Olive asked as Reece loaded her suitcase into the car.

“I do, I manage the Knight Nursery,” Marjorie replied. “It’s hectic, but I love it. What about you? What’s school like?”

Once they were in the car, Olive buckled up and dove into a detailed account of her life at the international school. “It’s good, but exhausting,” she admitted. “The workload’s intense, but I’ve got great friends who keep me sane. There’s this one girl, Azalea, who’s a genius at everything. She made me promise to bring her back British snacks after the break.”

“Any favorites?” Marjorie asked.

“Walkers crisps, obviously. And Jaffa Cakes. Oh, and I have to get her some tea because she thinks all Brits are tea connoisseurs.” Olive grinned. “What about you? What’s it like working with kids?”

Marjorie’s face softened. “It’s a lot like what you described—busy and a little chaotic, but rewarding. Every day’s different. Plus, it’s given me a new appreciation for patience.”

“Patience,” Olive repeated thoughtfully. “Dad says that’s a skill he’s still working on.”

“Hey!” Reece called from the driver’s seat, laughing.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

When they got home, Reece brought Olive’s suitcase upstairs, leaving Marjorie and Olive to settle into the new room. The walls were safe green, the bed neatly made with a matching duvet. A desk with a small potted plant sat in the corner, and the shelves were already stocked with books and framed photos.

“This is new,” Olive said, glancing around. “Dad didn’t tell me he was moving.”

“He wanted it to be a surprise,” Marjorie explained, helping Olive hang some clothes in the closet. “Said it was time for a change.”

Olive ran her fingers over the edge of the desk, her expression thoughtful. “It’s weird, but… nice. It feels like him, you know?”

Marjorie nodded. “He worked hard to make it feel like home. And if there’s anything missing, we can fix that while you’re here.”

They continued unpacking, their conversation drifting to Olive’s studies and her favorite hobbies. “I’m thinking about studying architecture,” Olive said. “There’s something satisfying about designing something that lasts.”

Marjorie smiled. “That sounds perfect for you. You’ve got the creativity and the focus for it.”

“What about you?” Olive asked, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “What’s it like dating my dad?”

Marjorie chuckled. “It’s... never boring. He’s thoughtful, funny, and always surprising me. Though I could do without his awful jokes.”

Olive laughed. “Oh, I’ve heard them. He’s hopeless.”

“He tries,” Marjorie said with a fond smile. “And he talks about you constantly now. You’re his whole world.”

Olive’s face softened. “He’s mine too.”

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

Downstairs, the smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen. Reece was humming to himself as he cooked, occasionally stealing glances toward the staircase.

Marjorie and Olive eventually joined him, leaning against the counter as he stirred a pan with some pesto sauce. “What’s cooking, Chef?” Olive teased.

“Dinner,” Reece said. “But you’ll have to wait. It’s almost ready.”

When they finally sat at the table, Reece held out his hands for grace. Olive took Marjorie’s hand without hesitation, squeezing gently as Reece led the prayer.

As they ate, Marjorie watched Olive animatedly recount a story about her friends, her laughter filling the room. In that moment, Marjorie realized she wasn’t just meeting Reece’s daughter—she was becoming part of something special.