Generations: The Long Game

The Plan

Reece finished making the batter and moved on to prepping the fruit compote all the while screwing up his face in an effort to keep Rory occupied and happy. She giggled and pushed her little fists out in front of her as she grasped at the air trying to get him to come. "Not yet baby girl. You and your brother just need to be patient for a few more minutes and your Aunt Autie and Aunt Mia will be here." Emery lit up at the mention of their aunts. He had grown quite attached to Mia while she was in their home taking care of Marjorie. For all of her aloofness he had always been a fan of Autumn. The very first time they ever heard him giggle was in her arms and Reece didn't think he would ever get over the look of shock on her face.

He smiled at the memory just as the doorbell sounded. Why they had rung it he didn't know. He had already texted them and told them to come straight through. Just as he was about to turn everything off, he saw the whisp of red hair as she entered the kitchen. "Why did you ring the bell?" She screwed up her face and kissed her teeth before responding. "Well hello to you too. I couldn't find my key at first and didn't realize the door was unlocked. Where is Marjie?" He looked at her with a blank expression for a moment that only served to make her laugh. "Why have you got that goofy look on your face? Has she finally realized you aren't good enough for her?" She looked to the children. "Oh no that can't be it, or this lot wouldn't be here?" She laughed at her own joke while he grimaced. "She is out with Siobhan for a few hours." She looked from him to Emery and back again. As she lifted first Emery and then Rory from their seats, she didn't take her eyes off of him. "Reece you have finally let her out of cancer jail? How are we feeling about that?"

He looked down at his compote simmering and groaned. "That good, eh? Shibs won't let anything happen to her Reece." She looked down at the floor unsure if she should say more. "I know it is a sore subject, but I was there that day. There isn't a single one of them from either nursery that doesn't love her. Everyone of them would lay down their own lives for her." Just then the door swung open, and the brunette came through laden with Ben on her hip and two bags slung across her opposite shoulder. "Don't lie to the man, Mia. I wouldn't lay down my life for her." The smile that crossed her face said otherwise. "I was ready to beat her for not fighting. I was ready to fight cancer for her, but we sure as hell weren't both going out." The three chuckled as she sat Ben on the floor next to Rory and Mia. "So big brother what is this all about then?" He sighed and looked from the brunette to the redhead. "Pancakes or waffles?" They looked at each other before Mia answered. "Pancakes. You have been dethroned where waffles are concerned, and I was promised Reecy cooking." Autumn laughed causing Emery, Rory and Ben to giggle and before long the whole kitchen was filled with laughter.

He busied himself preparing the pancakes and a few other bits while the sisters chatted and played with the children. They quickly put Ben and Rory in the highchairs and secured Emery in his new but barely used booster seat as he brought all the food to the table. "This looks amazing big brother now are you going to tell us why we are here or are we going to have to beat it out of you? I did wear my good boots today. The bruises would be magnificent." He cleared his throat and looked from the brunette to the red head. "I want to arrange a vow renewal for Marj. I want to give her the wedding we didn't really have. The one she deserves." The brunette looked up at the blonde and then to the redhead. "What do you need us to do?"

He relayed his plan or as much of one as he had so far and the people he thought would be involved and how. His round about way of getting to the point had them both rolling their eyes and letting out long sighs well before he acknowledged the actual question. "Mia, I thought you could take care of the flowers. When you're not sending half dead ones, you seem to have a really good eye for just the perfect flower for every occasion. Just keep in mind that her favorites are Picasso blue calla lilies" She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. "I actually do know that Reecy. You sent her those calla lilies every week when she was in the hospital."

"Aut I was thinking you could keep her somewhat occupied that day. If I can pull it off, I want to do it at night, but I will need time to set things up. You know how to handle her. Sometimes even better than I do." She looked at him above the rim of her glasses. "Sometimes? I have more time in that position then you do. I have always known how to handle Marjorie." Mia looked up and then directly at the blonde. During her time with Marjorie she had learned a great deal about her past. She knew full well that if Marjie could have gotten away with it, she would have fired Aut those first few months. When her eyes met with the blonde's they both let out a snicker. Before either could react, Autumn's boot made contact with Reece's shin. "What? I didn't even say anything." She looked from him to Mia. "You thought it."

As they helped him clear the table, they covered a few odds and ends. "Oh, and one more thing. Nobody tells Carly until the day of. Maybe we can get someone to get her, Eric and Cory there last minute. Otherwise, the cat will be out of the bag long before we intend it to be. That might be a job for Char. I was also thinking Char might be able to get her to Siobhan's boutique closer to September. I can ask Siobhan to suggest some dresses that would work for the occasion, but Aut you will have to convince her to put it on that evening." The brunette nodded in agreement. As they cont talking about the finer details, Mia moved to the kitchen window. "Did you hear that?"

The siblings looked up. "Hear what?" Mia dashed from the kitchen and out the front door. When she returned, she held a clear bag in her hand. "I've just found this under the kitchen window. I swear I heard something." Reece and Autumn both looked at the bag. "It may have just blown into our yard. I've not seen it before. Maybe that was what you heard.

It is an old house. It creaks when the wind blows." She shrugged and they moved from the kitchen and into the foyer to say their goodbyes.

As he watched them pull out of the drive, he saw the familiar Mercedes pull in. He let out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding as he watched her come up the walk waving behind her as the Mercedes pulled out again. Her smile warmed him. She didn't seem as tired as he had expected. She seemed almost ... herself.