Generations: The Long Game

Something Strange

When Mia woke she noticed there was a marked lack of weight and limbs around her before she remembered Lynn's appointment. She scrambled for her phone to check the time. Nearly eleven. She would be home soon. Just as the thought crossed her mind she heard the footsteps approaching their room. "Hey beautiful are you just waking up?"

She looked up at her and smiled. "Sweetheart I am not as young as I was. Those long nights take it out of me now." She winked at her, lifted the duvet, and patted the bed tempting her to get back in. It never took much for Charlotte. She loved a comfy bed and she loved a good snuggle. As she climbed back in and tangled herself around her wife she chuckled. "It certainly didn't seem so last night. You were quite...energetic."

Mia rolled her eyes as she ran her fingers lazily through the brunette's hair. "How did it go this morning? Did she give you any fuss about going to school after?" The brunette looked up at her sleepily. "You know playing with my hair makes me sleepy and then you ask questions." She chuckles. "It was fine. She did fuss a little bit, but in the end I think she figured school was easier than us watching her every move all day. She also thought we needed the day together. Alone."

"Don't get any ideas, Char, I've got loads to do. The garden needs tidying. The greenhouse needs some love." The brunette cut her off. "Your wife needs some love." Mia chuckled. "Sweetheart you are insatiable. We were up half the night. If anything we need more sleep." She leant down and kissed the top of her head before yawning. She continued running her fingers through the brunette's hair as both allowed their eyes to flutter shut.

Mia looked down at the brunette as she fumbled for her cell once again. One o'clock. She extracted herself from the tangle and dressed quietly. As she entered the kitchen she switched on the kettle and toasted a single slice of bread. She took her mug and dry toast and made her way to the greenhouse. As she began pruning the rose bushes, she heard noises outside. She laid the sheers on the table and walked to the door. "Char?" She didn't see anyone and no one answered.

She walked around the greenhouse toward the bushes looking for whatever or whoever might have made the noise. Having found nothing she walked back to the greenhouse. Just inside the door on the floor was a clear plastic bag. She stared at it for a moment before picking it up, folding it and placing it in her back pocket.

As she finished her work she brought the rubbish around to the bin and then wandered inside. When she heard the music blaring she knew the brunette was likely in full cleaning mode. She wandered into the lounge and caught her by her waist. "Mia your covered in dirt!" She couldn't help but giggle as the redhead spun her around pulling her into a kiss.

"I'm gonna get a shower and head over to Marjorie and Reece's before I pick up the boys. Are you okay to get the girls?" The brunette looked up at her questioningly. "Beautiful is everything okay with Marjorie? Did something happen?" Mia raised an eyebrow and smiled at her. "Sweetheart Marjie's fine. Reece is fine. I am just stopping in." The brunette squinted her eyes at her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Okay."

As she got out of the Mustang she checked her back pocket for the bag. She didn't bother knocking. After peeking into the empty lounge she made her way back through the foyer and dining room to the kitchen. As she swung the door open she saw the brunette sitting at the island and the blonde at the stove top. "Reece, can I talk to you for a minute?" Marjorie jumped at the sound of her voice. "Oh Mia I didn't realize we were expecting you." She looked up at Reece. "I'll be in the lounge reading when you're done." She winked at him and left the room.

"Wait what was that?" He looked up from the stove top and smirked at her. "What was what, Mia?" She rolled her eyes at him. "Look that wasn't why I stopped in and I have to get the boys soon so can you look at this?" She pulled the bag from her pocket and showed it to him. "The bag you found outside on Saturday?" She kissed her teeth and rolled her eyes. "Yeah except I found this one in my greenhouse after a noise drew me outside." He looked up at her eyes wide. "What?"

"You heard. I was working in the greenhouse and it sounded like someone was walking around outside so I went to check and no one was there, but this was on the floor when I returned." He took the bag in his hand and put it in the drawer with the other. "Let's keep an eye out for more. Someone is skulking around our houses. I don't know what these bags are but we need to keep doors locked. I will recommend the same to Aut when they come home from the hospital."

"Wait who is in the hospital? What is going on?" She looked up at him with her brow furrowed. "They rushed Ben in this morning. He is in the PICU. She's probably just forgotten to call you. Winter dropped Lili in and then met them there. It's an infection, but Wint said he is on oxygen now because his breathing has gotten worse."

"I didn't know. I will text her after I get the boys home and see if there's anything she needs. Why didn't you call me?" He looked at her blankly. "Mia I really just didn't think of it. Once he dropped Lili in we had to get the three of them ready and into nursery. I was at the restaurant for a good portion of the day and just got in a bit ago."

"Back to these bags. If you find more, I would like to know. Something strange is happening, but if someone really is skulking about, we need to know who and why. If I didn't know he was dead, I would almost think it was my dad's doing." She looked at him with an understanding sadness. "He controlled us a long time Mia, but whatever this is, nothing is gonna control us again."