Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Mother's Day •|| MARJOREECE + OLIVE ||•

Prompt: Olive got Marjorie a gift for Mother's Day.

The Knight family was gathered in the living room that Sunday afternoon. Marjorie was curled up on the couch with a cup of tea, Reece was sprawled out in the armchair, flipping through a magazine, and Olive sat fidgeting on the floor, clearly plotting something.

Finally, Olive stood up and cleared her throat dramatically. "Marjorie!"

Marjorie looked up, her usual warm smile already in place. "Yes, my darling?"

"I need fifty pounds," Olive said, her tone all business.

Marjorie blinked in surprise. "Fifty pounds? What for, love?"

Olive hesitated for just a moment, then straightened up. "So I can buy you a Mother’s Day present."

From the armchair, Reece burst into laughter. "Oh, this is great. Borrowing money from the person you're buying a gift for? Classic."

"Shut up, Dad," Olive muttered, glaring at him.

Marjorie chuckled, setting her tea down. "Alright, my love. Here’s fifty pounds. But you’d better get me something good." She handed Olive the money, her eyes twinkling.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

A week later, the three of them were back in the living room, with Marjorie flipping through her phone while Reece half-watched a football game on TV. Olive walked in, a handmade card clutched in her hands.

"Happy Mother’s Day!" Olive declared, holding out the card with both hands.

Marjorie sat up, surprised. "Oh, a card! You made this yourself?"

"Yep!" Olive said proudly.

Marjorie opened the card, her heart immediately melting. On the front was a glittery drawing of Marjorie wearing a crown, labeled “Queen Mom.” Inside was a heartfelt message:

"To the best mom I could ever ask for. Thank you for loving me like your own. I'll never be able to repay you even half of what you've given me."

Marjorie’s eyes softened, but then she noticed something taped to the card—a crisp twenty-pound note. She stared at it for a moment, confused.

"Olive, what’s this?"

"Your change," Olive said, grinning.

The room went silent for about three seconds before Reece erupted in laughter, practically doubling over in his chair. "Wait— wait— you borrowed fifty quid from her, and then gave her a card with her own money taped to it?!"

Marjorie gasped, holding a hand to her chest, but her laughter quickly bubbled over. "Oh, Olive, this is priceless!"

Olive folded her arms, looking defensive. "At least I made the card! What did you get her, Dad?"

Reece sat up, still wheezing. "Hey, hey, I made breakfast this morning! That counts!"

"That doesn’t count, you cook breakfast everyday regardless!" Olive shot back.

Marjorie pulled Olive into a hug, ignoring Reece’s howling laughter. "Thank you, my darling. This is the best Mother’s Day gift I could’ve asked for. I love it— and I love you."

Olive hugged her back, her cheeks pink. "Love you too, Mom."

Reece, still holding the card, waved it around like a trophy. "I’m framing this. This is peak comedy."

Marjorie reached for a throw pillow and chucked it at him, missing by a mile. The room filled with laughter, warmth, and the unmistakable sound of family love.