Generations: The Long Game

Christmas Eve '27

Christmas Eve 2027

Reece scrolled through his messages from the last few days as he held the still too thin brunette to his chest. His phone pinged and a broad smile crossed his face. He traced patterns on her back and snuggled closer listening intently to her even breathing. The smile never leaving his face as he allowed himself to drift back to sleep.

Meanwhile

Mia pulled the key from her pocket fumbling to get it into the lock. "Mia, would you hurry up, the rest of us are freezing out here." The redhead shot her younger sister a look. "Well, who told you to fucking walk here?" As they entered the foyer, Mia started giving instructions. "Listen, he has set everything up in the space room. Nothing can be place in any area she can see until Charlotte gets here to take her to brunch in two hours. So, we wrap presents and prep what we can and get it ready to be placed as soon as she is out of the house.

The four women made their way to the space room to find it nearly full of unwrapped presents and rolls of paper. He had meticulously labeled each pile and left them her list of which wrap belonged to each person. She had had the best intentions to get it all done and he had managed to get her to wrap the presents for the adults leaving the children for "him" to finish. Although her stamina had increased over the months, she still tired very quickly.

The four women made quick work of the piles as they chatted animatedly. The conversation eventually landing on breastfeeding. "It hurts when their that full and I can't pump, and she isn't ready to feed." Siobhan looked up at the young brunette. "Why can't you pump?" She chuckled before responding. "Because I can't be saddled to that thing all day." The blond looked toward Mia and Autumn. "Carly, are you telling me you've gone all these months without a portable pump?" The young woman stared at her blankly. "Oh, for Christ's sake. I wondered why you were lugging such a large bag in here today. I will text Viv and have her grab you one. They are a game changer."

"Unless you're an over producer and then you are practically saddled to a pump no matter what type you have, but it is certainly preferable to the alternative." The blond and the younger brunette simultaneously spoke. "What's the alternative?" The brunette looked up from the present she was wrapping. "Mastitis." The redhead visibly flinched. "I do not miss those days."

The room fell silent. Carly had practically lived with the Roberts after the twins were born and remembered the ice and warm compresses. "Wait. You pumped all the time, and I remember you got it twice." Mia looked up from her wrap. "Yeah, there are a lot of reasons you can get it, and you are more likely to if you are an over producer." Siobhan looked at the redhead. "So wait, you were an over producer too?" The redhead glanced at her sister and chuckled. "Yeah, turns out it's genetic."

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they wrapped the last of the presents. As they heard the family start to stir above them, Mia and Aut both moved their finger to their lips indicating it was time to be very quiet. They moved about the room preparing the odd decoration here and there, to be moved into place as soon as Marjorie was gone. Mia's phone buzzed in her back pocket. She looked at the screen before tapping out a response with a smile. In a whispered tone she said, "Char's on her way. She's just dropped the children with your mom and sister." She looked at Carly.

"Baptism by fire?" The redhead chuckled at the young woman's response. Her younger sister had just signed a contract to start an apprenticeship at the nursery in the new year. Carly wondered if the girl had any idea what she had gotten herself into but was sure to give her the lowdown on all the best spots to stand or hide to eavesdrop. Their mother had never stopped singing the praises of the Knights and Roberts, so it was really no wonder why she would want to follow in her sister's footsteps.

The door swung open revealing the tall blonde and causing the four women to jump. Autumn being the closest to the door pulled back her leg and kicked him squarely in the shin. "Okay, okay I just came to tell you lot she's gone with Char." The brunette crossed her arms. "You could have texted that information. I don't know what startled me more the door swinging open unexpectedly or you stood there. Go sort yourself. You look a mess."

He looked down at himself. "Aut I...I've already showered and dressed for the day." Mia let a small chuckle escape her lips before looking up and meeting his eyes. He still held her responsible for all those months, but she found a new softness in his eyes and notice the slightest hint of a smile. She cleared her throat before beginning. "Okay we only have a few hours to set the whole house up before exhaustion will set in and Char will have to bring her home. Let's move."

The five worked tirelessly for the next two hours and were each putting just a few finishing touches here and there when Mia's phone buzzed once again. "Okay everyone out. We need to leave. Now. Char and Marjorie will be here in five." They all scurried around gathering their things when Mia caught sight of Reece. "Mia?" She shook her head. "You don't have to say anything. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He nodded and looked to the floor, as she left out the front door and was gone.

Marjorie was visibly exhausted when Char pulled into the drive. "Thanks, my love this was nice. I am sorry I ... I just haven't gotten my energy back." Charlotte looked over at her. "Marjorie I am just glad you're still here. I wouldn't have cared if we only got out for a few minutes. Any life with you is better than a life without you." The brunette smiled at her and placed her thin hand on her friend's and gave it a squeeze. "I am glad I am still here too Char. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?

As she entered the house she stopped dead in her tracks. The house looked like a winter wonderland. The garlands and lights all placed perfectly. She heard the giggles coming from the lounge. As she passed the space room, she saw all the presents wrapped and organized. She entered the lounge to find her family. "Hi mummy." His little blonde curls bounced as he ran to her. She crouched to hug him with her mouth agape. Everything was ... perfect. "Hiya little man, let's go sit with daddy." Reece was lying on his side propped up on one elbow in front of Rory on the floor. She sat criss crossed in front of him. "I know when, but how? How have you managed this all on your own?" He pulled her down into a soft kiss. "Gorgeous I haven't done this on my own."

"What do you mean? Oh, Reece please tell me you haven't hired someone." He chuckled and took her hand hoisting both of them from the floor. "No gorgeous I haven't hired anyone. You built a village. They came to help. Mia, Aut, Carly and Siobhan were here all morning making sure you had the Christmas you wanted." The tears began to fall as he pulled her down onto the sofa with him to watch their children play. "Reece I ..." He smoothed her hair away from her face. "Gorgeous you don't have to say anything. Let's just lay here and watch them play. Tomorrow is Christmas."