Generations: The Long Game

The Visit

TW: mention of death, adoption and cancer

When the doorbell sounded, she was convinced Winter had forgotten something. She certainly wasn't expecting anyone else, but when she opened the door, it wasn't him. "Big brother?" He rolled the pram past her not waiting for an invitation. "Little sis. I've brought you niece and nephew to see you while Lynn talks to Marjorie. She raised her eyebrow. She wasn't questioning why Lynn would need to talk to Marjorie. She was aware of the situation and had tried to talk to the girl herself, but Marjorie was the clear favorite for Lynn.

She was questioning why he was there and he knew it. "Can't I just come to see my sister and her family?" She kissed her teeth and followed him through to the lounge. "Winter and Lili are out shopping, but Ben and I are here. I guess half the family will have to do." He smiled at the small curly haired boy as he pulled Emery from the pram and then hoisted Rory into his arms. Emery quickly ran to Autumn and climbed into her lap. He settled for a moment and hugged her neck before looking at his dad for permission to play. Reece nodded and the little boy ran off to play with Lili's toys on the other side of the room.

As Rory slid down and crawled off following her brother, he looked at Autumn questioningly. "Father's autopsy confirmed that he died from anaphylaxis. His body has been sent for cremation but there was one thing they questioned. He raised his eyebrow. "Evidently Janice tried to claim his body." His face went blank. It was obvious he didn't remember her. Janice Parker-Ray. She was a friend of father for years. Fawned all over him most of the time. I always suspected there was more there until he started up with Siobhan. She was the one whose husband choked on candy floss. I thought it was more likely she murdered him. Made me wonder what she put in that candy floss. Anyway, she showed up and tried to collect his body which prompted them to call me. I of course said absolutely not." He ran his fingers through his blond hair. "What do you think that was about?" She shrugged. I have no idea, but I wasn't about to take any chances."

They settled into an awkward silence as they watched Emery and Rory playing quietly with the kitchen set and Ben babbling away from his activities mat. He cleared his throat obviously nervous to bring up what he really came to discuss. "How are things with Winter? Have you talked anymore about it? Have you made a decision?"

She looked at him and rolled her eyes. "You never were very subtle. We are fine Reece. It hasn't been easy. We are both heartbroken and he really wants to consider other options. I am just not sure I am quite ready, but I did agree to fill out paperwork." His eyes lit up, but he didn't say more. Ben began to cry, and she stop to get him. "It's time for his feed." As she began to open her shirt he diverted his eyes back to his own children.

The little boy's blond curls bounced as he giggled at his sister attempting to cruise around the kitchen set but landing on her bum each time. "Do you think you and Marjorie would have had more if..." She trailed off not able to complete the sentence. "If she hadn't gotten cancer? It's not a bad word Aut. You can say it around us." She swallowed hard and looked down at Ben. "I don't think we would have had more. We weren't expecting Aurora, but she and Emery were meant to be ours."

She looked at him searching for sadness but saw none. She wished she and Winter could find that contentment. Their family just didn't feel complete. Not yet.