Generations: The Long Game

Anything at All

As he pulled into the car park he saw the shiny blue EV9. He still had no idea how Mia talked her into that purchase, but he had long since stopped questioning the redhead's ability to talk the brunette into just about anything. As he walked into the café she waved him over. "Hey Reece. I've ordered you coffee but told them we would order when you arrived." After all these years coming to the same café, she knew what he would order, but was still careful not to assume or make decisions for him.

He flashed her a smile understanding her hesitation. It wasn't that long ago that he had put her, Aut, and Mia through their paces over it, so it wasn't really surprising she was being extra cautious. "Actually I am famished. Can you order my usual? I need the use the toilets." She nodded as he walked away and flagged down the server.

As he settled into his seat, she cleared her throat. "So what is up? I know this last year has been difficult and frankly very different for all of us, but you haven't asked to meet just the two of us for awhile." He looked over at her with a smirk. "Well hello to you too, Char. I'm well. So kind of you to ask." She snorted at him as their meals arrived. "I have five children. I forget what it's like not to get straight to the heart of something. Small talk isn't something you have time to do when five little human's need something from you."

"Fair enough. Has Mia said anything to you about September?" She looked at her friend questioningly as she watched him create space between his food on his plate. He was not a fan of flavors or foods mixing in some cases and she knew moving them apart rather than refusing to eat them was a big step. Even after all these years his willingness to keep adapting amazed her. "No, she hasn't said. What is happening in September?"

He looked up at her. "I know our second anniversary is an odd year to do it, but I am planning a vow renewal for Marj. I know it won't be a big, white wedding but I want to give her something ..." He grasped for the word and nothing seemed to fit perfectly for what he was feeling. "Memorable." Charlotte's chest warmed and she looked at her friend with the softest smile.

"Reecey! She is going to love that! Oh my god Reece! After the year she's had..." She watched as his head turned first to one side and then to the other before she realized she was being very loud. She clasped her hands over her mouth as her cheeks went hot. "Sorry I got a bit excited. She is going to love that. What can I do?"

He chuckled at his friend and continued to relay the plan and the players as they at their meals. "So, I was thinking you could sway her to buy a dress for our anniversary closer to September. Maybe sometime after Shibby comes back from her mat leave. Take her to the boutique. What do you think?"

"I love that idea Reece. So Mia knows. Who else? Aut?" He nodded with a smile watching her dig into the chocolate cake in front of her. His mind wandered to Marjorie's love of chocolate and he made a mental note to add his, now famous, chocolate tarts to the menu for the vow renewal.

As she took the last bite, he lit up. "What is it?" He shook his head trying to pull himself from his thoughts. What if I ask Siobhan to already have three or four perfect dresses set aside to suggest? It might push her in the right direction and then you could try to sway her if she wanders." She could see his mind was reeling. "What is it Reece?"

"If she wanders, get her to buy both or all five. Char I don't care if she never wears them. If she wants them, convince her I would want her to have them. Anything she wants." A sadness crossed her face as she looked at the blonde. "Reece she didn't hold that against you." He shook his head. "Anything, Char. Anything at all."