Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Christmas Eve •|| MARJOREECE + OLIVE ||•

Prompt: Marjorie, Reece, and Olive spend Christmas Eve together.

The Knight household was alive with the sounds of Christmas. The fireplace crackled in the corner of the living room, casting a warm glow over the space. The Christmas tree stood tall, adorned with ornaments that spanned decades of memories, from childhood crafts to delicate glass globes. Olive sat cross-legged on the floor, her long black hair tied back into a loose braid, carefully hanging the last ornament—a golden star—on the tree.

“Perfect!” she declared, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

Reece leaned against the doorway, a mug of hot cocoa in his hand, his blond hair slightly tousled from a long day. “Looks great, Olive,” he said with a proud smile. “It’s almost as beautiful as you.”

“Dad,” Olive groaned, though her cheeks turned a faint pink. “Stop being corny.”

“Never,” Reece replied with a grin, taking a sip of his drink.

Marjorie appeared moments later, carrying a tray of cookies fresh from the bakery—because she was banned from the kitchen and everyone wanted to enjoy their Christmas treats without a fire alarm. Her hair was swept into a messy bun, and she wore a festive red sweater that declared, Santa’s Favorite.

“Cookies, my darlings!” she announced, setting the tray on the coffee table. “And before you ask, no, I did not make them. You’re welcome.”

“Thank goodness,” Olive teased, earning a mock-offended look from Marjorie.

“Watch it, young lady,” Marjorie said, though her playful tone gave her away. “Or I’ll eat your share.”

Olive smirked, grabbing a cookie before Marjorie could make good on her threat. She bit into it with an exaggerated hum of approval. “Too late.”

Reece chuckled as he joined them on the couch, pulling Marjorie down beside him. “Let’s take a moment to appreciate the miracle that is a calm Christmas Eve,” he said, wrapping an arm around his wife.

Marjorie leaned into him with a contented sigh. “It’s nice, isn’t it? Just the three of us.”

Olive nodded, her usual introverted nature shining through in moments like this. She loved the quiet coziness of being with her family, away from the chaos of school or the bustling nursery.

“Speaking of miracles,” Marjorie said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with mischief, “how about we open one present tonight? You know, as a treat.”

Reece gave her a skeptical look. “You just want to get into those boxes early, don’t you?”

“Maybe,” Marjorie said innocently, batting her lashes.

Olive laughed, shaking her head. “Fine. One present each.”

They each chose a small gift from under the tree. Marjorie opened hers first—a delicate bracelet from Reece, adorned with tiny charms representing their family. Her eyes glistened as she admired it.

“Reece, it’s beautiful,” she said, leaning over to kiss him.

“You deserve the world, my darling,” he replied softly.

Olive opened hers next—a set of sketchbooks and art supplies. Her eyes lit up as she ran her fingers over the smooth covers. “Thanks, guys,” she said, her voice quiet but filled with gratitude.

“We know how much you love to draw,” Marjorie said, smiling warmly. “You’ve got such a gift, Olive. We can’t wait to see what you create.”

Finally, it was Reece’s turn. He unwrapped a small box to reveal a custom keychain shaped like a heart, engraved with the words Best Dad Ever. His smile faltered for a moment as he looked at Olive, who was watching him shyly.

“Olive,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “This is... perfect. Thank you.”

“It’s true, you know,” Olive said softly. “You are the best dad ever.”

Marjorie placed a hand on Reece’s arm, her eyes shining with pride. “She’s not wrong.”

Reece pulled Olive into a hug, holding her tightly. “I love you so much, kiddo,” he whispered.

“I love you too, Dad,” Olive murmured, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

As the evening wore on, the three of them settled onto the couch, wrapped in blankets and each other’s company. The Christmas lights twinkled softly, and the faint sound of carolers drifted in from outside.

It was a simple Christmas Eve, but for the Knight family, it was everything.