Generations: The Long Game

The Jones Family

TW: mention of vehicular accident. Injury

4th of July 2027

Nothing had been simple the last few months. Carly's mind was reeling this morning with all the changes. She and Eric decided at the last minute they wanted to be married before the baby was born. Reece offered to pay no matter the cost, but in the end the opted to get married at the Knight's home so Marjorie could attend. It was a lovely little ceremony with just their families in attendance. Of course, for Carly that had to include the Knights and the Roberts.

As she tried to gather her thoughts, she went through the house aimlessly collecting the things she wanted to take with her for today. Her handbag and the baby's carseat were already by the door and ready to go. After graduation, Eric had moved his office from the spare room upstairs to the downstairs den. It cut down on their downstairs space, but at least his clients weren't traipsing through their home. She tapped on the door. "Hey babe I am heading out. I should be back around tea. Do you want me to pick some thing up?" He shifted his weight in his chair and stood to meet her in the doorway.

"Car, are you sure you are okay to go? You know what the doctor said." She pulled him in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Eric we will be fine, babe, we'll be with family." She placed her hand on her bump reassuringly. He placed his hand over hers and smiled. "She'll be here soon Car. Our little girl will be here soon."

She smiled back at him and brushed another kiss to his lips. "I know and that is why it is so important to go today. We won't see them for a bit afterwards, and Marjorie has been doing really well these last ten days. Now, I will be back. Text me later." With that she turned and left the room just as the doorbell sounded. "Looks like you've got a client anyway. Love you."

Her trip went by smoothly and before she knew it, she was pulling into their drive. Mia met her at the door. "Well, if it isn't Mrs. Jones. How are you, Carly? Look she has had her medication and supplements. She has also had breakfast. Reece will cook lunch, so you don't have to worry about that. I will be back before tea. Questions?" Carly shook her head no, and the redhead swished past her and was in her Mustang before she even shut the door behind her.

Marjorie had been spending most of her time in the lounge now, and most days she made it downstairs on her own steam. They were still carrying her up in the evening, but she was getting stronger every day. As she turned to walk into the lounge, she heard Marj talking. "Emery use gentle hands little man. We don't want to knock her down." Carly smiled to herself. The little girl had just learned to sit up by supporting herself with her hands. She was so much like Marjorie. Stubborn and determined.

"Hiya, my love." Marjorie had noticed her and startled the young woman who was lost in her own thoughts. She smiled back and gave a little wave while never taking her eyes off the small blond, and tiny brunette. Emery was so eager to play with his little sister. Carly wondered if a young Reece and Autumn would have had days like this. Days just lazily playing in the lounge under their mother's loving gaze. She realized that as much as Rory favored Marjorie, she could see Autumn in her too.

"You ever wonder if they were like this when they were babies?" Marjorie instinctively knew what she meant and smiled up at her. "I look at them all the time and see him and Aut. I think he does too. I think it only makes him more determined to give them the best life. That is good news for me." The brunette didn't say more, but Carly knew what she meant.

"So, what do you want to do today?

"I was thinking cards or a board game while they play. He isn't going to the restaurant today, but he has a fair amount of board work to do from home. With Mia and I both essentially out of commission a lot more has fallen on Reece, Autumn and Char." The brunette looked away. She had very little in her life, before Reece and the children, other than that nursery. It pained her to be away from it for so long.

"Okay, but not Monopoly or poker. You cheat." Both women laughed as Carly sat next to the brunette pulling her still thin hand into her own. "How are you, Marjorie? You alright "The brunette smiled back at her. "I know it is more work for Reece and Mia, but I feel so much better down here with them." She pointed to her children. I don't feel as hopeless as I did and that has to count for something." The young woman smiled but looked down at her bump.

"She isn't even here yet, but I feel like I already understand what you mean. I can't imagine this thing looming over you, but I can imagine the worry of their lives without you." She squeezed Marjorie's hand ever so slightly. "Okay that is enough of that what do you want to play?"

Carly hoisted herself from the sofa with more effort than usual and walked to the cupboard. "Hmm?" She swung the door open when she suddenly felt wet. "Um, Marjorie?" She started to panic. "Marjorie!"

"It's okay my love. Your water broke. Let me get Reece. Go ahead and call Eric. Baby is coming." She disappeared from the room, but her calmness made Carly even more uneasy as she dialed the phone. Talking to Eric, who was anything but calm, had done nothing to sooth her.

The trip to the hospital was quick, and Reece seemed as nervous as she was. He called Tom and Aggie while she called her own parents before they settled into silence. The only sound was her expressions of pains. She broke the silence. Reece, don't stay. Go straight back to her." He looked at the young girl lovingly. She had annoyed him and made him love her over the years, but in this moment, he was both worried and proud.

"Carly, she would skin me alive if I left you. She was calling Autumn. She will be okay." They looked at each other knowing that this was not how any of them imagined life would be right now. "Don't get sad. You are about to meet your little girl. She would be very upset with us if we spent this moment being sad over her."

He stood in the waiting room when the parents arrived. Everyone had an energy of excitement and worry about them. After an hour passed, Mia and Char had arrived, but still no Eric. Everyone was making frantic calls to him, but they all went straight to voicemail. Reece excused himself to ring him again.

He paced in the hallway when he spotted Vivian. "Hey, you haven't heard of any accidents or construction coming in from their university, have you?" She shook her head when her pager went off. She showed the screen to Reece.

Multi vehicle accident incoming. All staff report.

Reece's chest tightened. How was he going to tell their family this. Carly? Vivian caught the look on his face. "Reece, stop. Don't do this until we know for sure. You cannot walk back in there in a panic. Pull yourself together and go see Carly. She has been in there all alone since she kicked her mom out.

As he approached the door, he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He swung the door open and plastered a smile on his face. "Reece?" She was disheveled but looked more hopeful than worried. He didn't want to change that. Reece where is Eric? His phone is going to voicemail. I don't know where he could be."

He willed his face not to change. Not to let on. "Carly I am sure he is doing everything in his power to be here. Everything." She still looked worried but seemed to calm when he sat beside her and took her hand. They chatted for a bit and were both startled by a knock at the door.

A man came around the door. "Is this Mrs. Jones' room? Reece stood bracing himself. He silently implored this man not to give her bad news when she was supposed to be experiencing one of the happiest days of her life. "It is." He croaked out.

"I have something that belongs to you." Reece visibly flinched, and started towards the door when the man wheeled Eric in. He was battered and bruised. His arm was in a sling. His leg was in a cast up to his hip. But he was alive. Reece let out a gasp of relief while Carly screamed.

"Eric what's happened? Are you okay? What's happened?" Eric explained about the accident and tried to calm her while Reece slipped away. When he returned to the family, he explained everything and reassured Agatha that he was ok. Everything was ok.

Forty-eight minutes later Vivian wheeled Eric in. "She's here. Our daughter is here. Carly wanted to name her for two special people. She is called Cora Lynn. Everyone looked around the room, but Charlotte clasped her hands to her mouth as she remembered the little girl who lost her life so young. Carly had loved her dearly, and then she realized. "Lynn? Our Lynn?" He smiled back and her. "Carly wanted her to know how much she means to her. We know she has been having a tough time. As Vivian wheeled him back out, Char looked to Mia and fell into her arms sobbing.