Chapter 3.1: Generation Next

     Amy sighed and closed the book she had been idly flipping through without actually reading.  She looked up at the ceiling over the bed as she lowered it to rest on her stomach.

     "Keep that up and you'll chase all your happiness away."

     Amy crossed her eyes at her cousin's words.  "That is a stupid superstition.  Especially when you don't even believe it in the first place," she said sitting up and looking at Shana working at the desk across the room.

     "Just because I choose to be skeptical about the veracity of the statement, doesn't mean that there isn't some truth to it.  Besides continuous sighing can be a sign of emotional distress or attempt to communicate the need for consoling.  What's up"

     Amy rolled her eyes and flopped back on the bed.  "I have a feeling that something is going to happen."

     "A feeling or a feeling," Shana questions getting up from the desk and sitting on the bed next to Amy.

     Amy closed her eyes and considered the question.  It was a good one she supposed; while it didn't happen often there were times when the unsettled feeling in her gut indicative of an event of great import to her and her family.  Like the time her Grandmother Rachael passed away.

     "Feeling," she answered and turned to her cousin.

     Before either sim could say more there was a small tap at the window behind them.  They turned to look and after a moment another pebble hit the panes.

     Amy got up to the window and peer out the window.  On the ground below was a teen male looking up at the window.  

     Amy smiled when she saw him and held up a finger to asking him to wait as she left her room and went downstairs to the back door.  Opening it she let her friend in.

     "Mom and Bay going at it again?" she asked as he walked in.

     "Like rabid animals, Ames, I swear one day the cops are gonna come to the house and only find a blood bath and I'm not going to be surprised one bit.  Can I stay the night?"

     "Of course Owen. Mom and Dad said you can stay over whenever you needed to get away." Amy turned and led the way out of the small office and up the stairs.

     "You get the couch in the spare room," she said pulling out blankets from a cabinet.

     "As always," Owen said taking them from her and shuffled over to the door of the room he would sleep in.

     "It won't last forever you know," Amy said leaning against the wall next to the door of her room as he opened the door to the spare room.

     "They're never gonna stop fighting Amy, They're too..." he trailed off with a shrug not able to find a word to describe his family.

     "Yeah, but I mean being in the middle of their war.  Graduation's coming up and then you'll be off to the Agency with Shana.  They've got dorms so no more being caught in the middle when you just want to eat lunch."

     Owen tossed the blanket into the room and walked back to her.  "Thanks for the reminder," he said pulling her into a hug.

     "Anytime," she said.

     "Seriously," she added pulling back from the hug, "you or Shae call me up at the Music and Arts Academy and I'll be on the next train back to knock some sense into you two."

     Owen laughed as she had hoped and walked into the room he would be sleeping in and closed the door.

     Amy stood a moment longer looking at the closed door before she realized that the restlessness that had plagued her all night was gone.  "Huh," she snorted, "was that all it was about?"

                                                                                        

Random Rambling

   So, here's the start of Generation Three. Finally.  I've written before that they were coming up (aover a year ago now) but what can I say.  Life caught up and knocked me around for awhile.  Things have steadied out for me now so I hope to get back to this story and keep it going.  No planned update schedule yet.

Chapter 2.8: Family Dinner

     Emrys started her day with her usual workout with Cerulean.

     He trained her everyday since she was a teen and she told him about the sim that murdered her parents and how she wanted to catch him.

     "So what did you get from the runner?" Cerulean asked while Emrys punched at the bag.

 

     "He gave me a name connected to the killer.  The Bridgeport..Black...Widow," she grunted between strikes.

     "Good," Cerulean said, "and brace yourself when you strike with your left arm.  Your guard is dropping."

     "Right," Emrys said adjusting her stance and punching again.

     "That's it.  Now twenty more times just like that so you don't forget it."

     "Got it," Emrys hit the bag again.


     After her workout Emrys walked out of the room and over to the bathroom off her bedroom.

     "Sorry," she said when she bounced off someone.

     "Sorry.  Have you seen my dad," Ochre asked.

     "Workout room," Emrys pointed over her shoulder.

     "Thanks," he said and walked around her to the work out room.

     After her shower Emrys checked on the girls.  They were playing together at the dollhouse so Emrys continued into the kitchen.

     "What can I take care of Aunt Ray," she asked.

     "I've got the chicken can you start on the salad?"

     "Sure," Emrys said taking some vegetables out of the refrigerator and over to the counter.

     "The girls are still playing?" Rachael asked.

     "Yeah, they are having a blast with that dollhouse.  Saffron was saying something about writing their story after dinner."

     Rachael smiled, "her class is doing some creative writing assignments and she decided Amy would help her with it."

     "I hope Amy is helping and not bothering her when she should be writing." 

     "Nah, Saffron was having trouble coming up with something to write about so I suggested she should start with an item and let Amy help her look at it in a new way.  She decided to use the dollhouse."

     "Hunter, Toya," Rachael called out the kitchen.

     "Yeah, mom," Hunter called back.

     "Come set the table, dinners almost ready," Rachael said.

     "Okay," Hunter yelled.


     "This smells delicious mom," Ochre said sitting at the table.

     "Thank you Ochre.  It's been too long since we had everyone together so I went all out," Rachael said scooping a serving of chicken onto a plate and passing it to Emrys.

     "Yeah, sorry about that," Ochre said accepting his plate.

     "Just come home more often son," Cerulean said.

     "I'm sure your girlfriend would be happy to see you more often," Emrys added taking a bite of her food.

     "I'm sure she would," Ochre muttered eating his chicken.

     Emrys looked at him.  He didn't sound happy about that.

     "What?  Trouble in paradise," Hunter teased his brother.

     "Shut it, kid," Ochre jabbed his brother with his elbow.

     "Language, Ochre," Rachael scolded him, "and Hunter leave your brother alone."

     "Sorry, mom," Ochre said.

     "What is happening with your girlfriend," Cerulean asked.

     "There's nothing to talk about.  I work, she works, we get together when I'm in town.  That's all."

     "What does she do," Rachael asked.

     "She works for Joel Mulligan," Ochre began.

     Emrys dropped her fork with a clatter.  "It slipped," she said when everyone looked at her.

     "Isn't Joel Mulligan a big name in the space colonies," Cerulean asked.

     "Yeah," Ochre said, "I met her during one of the transport runs I had out to the Jefferson Colony.  She's here running the lounge they're replacing the Solar Flare with."

     "When does that open," Emrys asked.

     "Next Saturday," Ochre said.

     Emrys glanced at her uncle who nodded slightly to her.

                                                                                                         

Random Ramblings

   Oh, what to do, what to do. *evil smile* I'm enjoying writing this oh so very much.

Chapter 2.7: On Your Own

     Emrys closed the book and kissed her sleeping daughter on the head.

     "Good night Saffron," she said to her cousin who had stayed awake for the entire story.

     "Good night Em," Saffron yawned and settled under her covers.

     Emrys turned off the light and closed the door.  It was still early so she should probably write an article for her publisher on traveling around the colonies so she could keep her cover job.

     When she got to the bottom of the stairs she saw a light from the backyard coming in the playroom windows.  She detoured through the computer room and stepped out into the night.

     "Got another one of those," she asked Toya when she saw him drinking juice.

     "Here's yours," he said holding one out to her.

     "Thank you," she said taking it and sitting on the bench next to him.  Toya put an arm around the back of the bench and Emrys settled against him.

     "What are you going to do about tomorrow," Toya asked.

     "Do about what," Emrys asked innocently.

     "Emmy," Toya playfully growled at her and squeezed her.

     Emrys giggled and wiggled in his hold. He let her go. She took a sip of her juice and grew pensive. "I don't know.  How do I tell him after all these years?" she asked, "for that matter should I even tell him?"

     "He has a right to know."

     "Maybe." She said quietly, then sighed, "why couldn't you find me attractive Toya.  It would solve a lot of my problems."

     Toya laughed, "I happen to find you to be a very attractive sim Emmy. Both inside and out.  You just don't rev my engine."

     Emrys laughed aloud at that.

     "Besides Emmy, I could never compete for you heart with that ghost you carry around."

     For awhile the two of them were quiet just looking up at the stars and sipping their drinks.  It was Emrys who broke the silence first.

     "I've loved him for so long Toya.  Ever since I was a little girl. How do I stop?"

     "That's a million simoleon question," he answered kissing the top of her head.

     "What did your mom write in her letter?" Emrys asked changing the topic.

     Toya snorted, "she writes that her boyfriend broke up with her and threw her out of the apartment they shared.  Seems he objected to finding her in bed with another sim.  She's asking if I can send her some money to get out of Sunlit Tides."

     "I thought she was in Lucky Palms?"

     "So did I," he sighed.

     Emrys looked at him, "how much did you send?"

     "Thirty thousand simoleons."

     Emrys grimaced and put her head back on his chest, "a hefty amount but a pittance to what you make from the software you design."

     "I sent a letter with it.  I told her that this is the last time I'm giving her money.  I'm done with it Emmy, I can't keep bailing her out and going through this every time she needs money.  It just makes me feel so alone."

     "You're not alone," she said hugging him.  "You promised me when Amy was born that you would be there for her.  Well, I'm here for you and I always will be."

     "Besides," Emrys said, "you have an entire family here with Hunter and everyone else.  You and I can't really say we'll ever be on our own again.  Can we?"

     "You're right.  I just have this feeling in my bones that some kind of storm is on its way."

     "Well, we'll just have to weather it out.  But we can because we're a family.  All of us. Together." she said pointedly.

     "Alright, we're a family.  You made your point."

     "Good," Emrys said settling back against him, "now what am I supposed to do about tomorrow?"

     "You're on your own with that one," Toya said.

                                                                               

Random Ramblings

   So can anyone guess what they are talking about?  Anyone?

   Read on to find out...Or wait until the next chapters are posted, whichever is available at your time of reading.

Chapter 2.6: Vigilance is Vital

     Ochre collected his mail from the neighbor on the way to his house.  He kept the place for whenever he was in town so he could avoid staying at his parents house.

     He pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door.  He did a sweep of the house to make sure nothing had changed in his absence.  His dad had drilled it into him and the others growing up that not even home was safe and vigilance was vital in their line of work.

     He sorted through the mail pulling out the bills and tossing the rest.  He went to the kitchen and pulled out the fixings for grilled cheese sandwiches.

     He was grilling the sandwiches when his door opened.

     "Welcome home lover," she said walking in.  "How long have you been back in town?"

     "Just got back in this afternoon.  I'm making sandwiches.  Do you want one?"

     "Sure," she said.

     Ochre looked over his shoulder at Sienna.  "Everything all right?" he asked.

     "Of course," Sienna said walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around him.

     "You're gonna burn yourself," Ochre said pulling her arms off.

     He saw Sienna whenever he was in town.  She was a career oriented sim who didn't want a relationship anymore than he did.  Their's was a relationship of convenience.

     Or it had been, he thought putting two plates on the table.

     "So my boss is hosting a grand gala at the opening of the Kissing Llamas Lounge in Oasis Springs and I want you to come as my plus one," Sienna said.

     "When is it," Ochre asked when he tuned back in to her chatter.

     "Next Saturday night.  I told you already.  Are you feeling alright," she asked reaching across the table to put a hand on his forehead.

     Ochre pulled back, "I'm fine Sienna.  I don't think I'll be able to make it.  I have plans with my mom and dad at their house while I'm in town."

     He stood up and carried their empty plates to the sink to wash later.

     "Well that's too bad.  I'll let everyone know you're sorry to miss it," Sienna said.

     "Right," Ochre nodded absently.

     "Should I call you a cab?" he asked walking toward the front door.

     "I thought I would stay the night," Sienna pouted.

     "Not tonight.  I have some work I need to finish," Ochre growled, feeling annoyed at her childish display.

     Sienna looked away at his show of temper.  After mumbling something about calling a cab herself she walked out the door.

     Ochre checked the locks and turned off the lights before going to his home office.

     He turned on the computer and logged into the Agency network.  He browsed through recent cases his family handled trying to figure out why Emrys had been at the bar yesterday.  Because it wasn't just for the bounty.

                                                                                       

Random Rambling

   I think I have a handle on the whole switching between viewpoints now.  I think it's easier to do it chapter by chapter though.  I'm just gearing up to run with the story.

   The Kissing Llamas Lounge was made by RachelRosebud.  I needed a lounge for my gala reopening and I loved the lounge she made.  I will have so much fun exploring it with my sims once I'm ready to run on with my family (after this story ends). You can read her blog here  RachelRoseBud.

Chapter 1.25: Family News

     "Hey Ray.  Can I talk to you for a minute?"

     "Sure Rhidian.  What's up?"

     "Well, I was thinking we could talk in the living room," Rhidian said looking over his shoulder.

     Rachael looked where he did and saw River playing at the science table.

     "Okay," Rachael said getting up from the computer desk and walking to the living room.  Once inside she settled onto the loveseat while Rhidian took the seat next to her.

     "So, what did you want to talk about?"

     "Mags and I have been talking.  About me moving in with her since she's nearly always alone with Viridian traveling for work. But that would leave you and the kids here alone when Lean's gone so I guess that's not going to work afterall."

     "Rhidian stop," Rachael interrupted, "don't make your plans revolve around me and the kids.  Lean and I will work it out.  If you want to move out alone or in with Mags go for it.  It's your life we're talking about and I don't want you to regret anything."

     "You're sure Ray?"

     Rachael nodded and smiled at her brother, "of course."

     She turned around when footsteps sounded behind her. "Becks? Where are you going?"  

     "Out," she said continuing walking.

     "Wait," Rachael called struggling to get up from the chair.  By the time she was standing Rebecca was out the door, "when will you be back?"

     "Later."

     "Are you really just going to let her go Ray?" Rhidian asked as Rachael sat back on the couch again.

     "My last talk with Patrick was about Becks.  He said to talk to her so that's what I'm going to do.  The trick now is to just catch her and sit her down."

     "Alright.  Well Mags is going to come over for dinner."

     "Okay.  I'll make some pasta for dinner."

   
     After dinner Rachael shooed River and Ochre to go wash up and play in their rooms before bed.  Cerulean, Rhidian and Mags were laughing in the living room when Rachael joined them.

     "What's so funny?" she asked.

     "One of my cooks at work was told to make lobster tail for one of our fussiest diners.  Every time this sim comes in he finds something or other to complain about.  So the cook went out and bought cloth, sewed and stuffed it into a lobster tail doll to give to the man.  He said if our food wasn't good enough for him maybe the doll would suit his taste.  The look on his face was hilarious."

     Rachael chuckled and shook her head, "Is that really good for your business, Rhidian?"

     Rhidian shrugged, "he disturbed most of the other regulars enough that the entire floor cheered when my cook presented him the doll.  One of the regulars even stopped to ask him if he would make a bear for her granddaughter, so I figure it's all good."

     "But that's not what we wanted to talk about tonight," Rhidian said taking Mags hand.

     "Mags is pregnant.  You two are going to be an aunt and uncle."

     "Really," Rachael squealed looking at her friend.

     "Yeah, really.  Freaky right.  Can you imagine me as a mom?"

     Jumping up as best she could she went and pulled her friend up from the couch to hug her.  "You are going to be a great mom, Mags.  I know it."

     "Thanks Ray." Mags said pulling back.

     "I'm going to move in with Mags tonight.  We'll be back tomorrow morning to get my things.  I thought maybe Becks can take my room instead of sharing with Ochre and River now that she's a teen."

     "That sounds like a good idea.  We'll let her know when she gets home."

     "Thanks, Lean.  Well, I guess it's time for me to go and take Mags home," Rhidian said standing up.

     "You're going to be a family man," Rachael said hugging Rhidian at the door.

     "Yeah, but I'll still be your little brother if that makes you feel any better," he smirked at her.

     "Go on, kid.  Get your girl home safe," Rachael said playfully pushing him out the door.

     Rhidian laughed as he took Mags hand and the two walked away towards the bus stop.  They stopped once to turn back to the house and waved at Rachael and Cerulean who stood at the door still.  Cerulean raised his hand in response before pulling Rachael back into the house.


     "I don't think that's something I ever expected to hear," Cerulean said through the door.

     Rachael stood at the sink washing her hands, "why not?" she asked.

     "As long as I've known Mags she always said she was never going to have kids.  Saying the family can pass on to one of my or Viridian's daughters."

     "I guess she just finally met the right man to make her change her mind," Rachael said turning off the water.

     When she entered the bedroom Cerulean was sitting on the side of the bed nearest the bathroom.  She smiled at the frown on his face and sat next to him.

     "What's this for," she asked brushing a finger over the frown lines.  "Don't you think my brother is good enough for your sister?"

     "That's not it.  I guess...It's just that she's my little sister.  I still think of her as the gap-toothed, pig-tailed tomboy running behind Viridian and me when we were kids.  Not the woman she is today."

     Rachael laughed, "Yeah.  To me, my brothers are both still kids, just like Rebecca and River, but Rhidian's not anymore.  Not really."

     "Besides," Rachael continued, "if Mags is still a kid then so am I, since we're the same age, and where would that leave you Mr. Palette?"

     Cerulean chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders, "I get your point Ray.  She's not a kid.  He's not a kid.  And you are definitely not a kid cuz I can do this." He pressed a kiss to her lips.

     "Hmm, go on," Rachael encouraged.

     Cerulean laughed before pulling Rachael down to the bed with him.

                                                                                                        

Random Ramblings

   What to ramble about...yeah so in my head Lean is about 3 yrs older than Mags and Ray who are the same age and who are 3yrs older than the twins who are about 8 yrs older than Becks who is between 5 and 6 yrs older than River who is about 1 or 2 yrs older than Ochre.  It makes sense in my head but once I get to playing and taking pictures not so much since a child is a child whether he's just aged up or a day from teen.  That's one of the reasons I miss toddlers in Sims 4 the pictures.  In game play I'm glad they're not there (less stress) but the pictures are just not the same without them.

   Something else I noticed is I take a lot of pictures angled from behind Ray.  Not so much in this chapter but in future ones for sure.  I think part of that is I am storytelling from her point of view so that's how I frame pictures.  Oh, well.

Chapter 1.19: More To Go Around

     "Happy birthday to yoouuuuu" the chorus trailed off as Rebecca blew out the candles on her strawberry cake, baked by Rhidian himself as she requested.

     "Happy birthday," several people called as Rebecca started cutting the cake and Rachael helped pass it out to all the guests.

     Their Uncle Michael had come, as will as Viridian, who was in town, and Mags.  Rachael looked around as Rhidian took the next plate from her.

     "Have you seen Rhonan?" she asked.

     "He's out on the patio avoiding dad."

     "He still hasn't talked to him them?"

     Rhidian shook his head and took the next plate to Patrick and Mags who were sitting in the dining area.

     "I want a big piece Lean," River piped up to Cerulean who had taken over cake cutting duties.

     Rachael found Rebecca near the island and walked over to her. 

     "Happy birthday baby sister," she said hugging her sister.

     "Ray I'm not a baby anymore," Rebecca said as Rachael let go.

     "You'll always be my baby sister.  Even when you're ninety years old.  Get used to it kiddo."

     Rachael smiled as Rebecca rolled her eyes.  She reached out and brushed one of the red locks of hair that fell out of her sister's pony tail.

     "You look so much like mom," she murmured.

     "Do I?" Rebecca asked.  "I don't really remember what she looks like at times."

     Rachael nodded, "You have her red hair, though your eyes are most definitely Patrick's.  This outfit though," she said gesturing to the grey sweater dress, grey hat, and cosmic print leggings Rebecca wore, "are definitely like great grandma Melody's.  Did you find them in the back of the closet?"

     "Yeah.  I found a picture of grandma Meghan with great grandma Melody and looked for this outfit.  What do you think?"

     "It looks good on you," Rachael said accepting the piece of cake Cerulean handed her.  Kissing her sister on the cheek she went with Cerulean to eat in the dining room leaving Rebecca to talk with Viridian and River.
   

     "Great party, Ray," Mags said as they sat down.

     "Thanks.  Rhidian baked the cake though.  You should have seen Becks face when she thought I was going to be cooking it.  I have never seen so much horror on a face before."

     "Why is that?" Cerulean asked, "you're a great cook."

     "I've made some odd choices lately for meals.  The kids have been very patient with me but I guess Becks just wanted a normal cake for her party."

     "That's not fair," Patrick said, "your chili and apple pie plates were quite good the other night."

     Rachael burst out laughing at the looks on Mags and Cerulean's faces.


     The door bell rang and Rachael went to let Mags in.  Viridian left after the party the night before so it was just Mags and the O'Malley household coming together for their announcement.

     "Girl, what is so top secret you couldn't have told everyone last night at the party," Mags asked walking inside. "Hi Mr. Donahugh," she greeted Patrick who sat next to the door.

     "Hello Magenta," he returned the greeting.

     Everyone was in the living room after that so Rachael went to sit on the loveseat next to Cerulean and Mags joined Rhidian and Rebecca on the couch.

     "Not secret, just big news.  Yesterday was Rebecca's birthday and we didn't want to take away from that," Cerulean said taking Rachael's hand.

     "Everyone, Cerulean and I are expecting a baby." Rachael announced.

     The room seemed to boom in volume as everyone tried to speak at once.  Asking when the baby was due? If they knew if it was a boy or girl yet?

     The only one that didn't say anything was Ochre.  He just looked back and forth between his dad and Rachael before running from the room.

     "Ochre," Cerulean called as the boy ran past.

     "Wait," Rachael said taking his hand as he started to get up to go after the boy, "let me talk to him first."

     Cerulean nodded so Rachael stood up and walked over to the boy's room.

     "Knock, knock," she said peeking around the door.

     Ochre was sitting on his bed not looking at her so Rachael entered the room.

     She sat on the bed next to him and let out a sigh.  "Big news, huh.  I can understand if you're a little scared of becoming a big brother."  

     She looked at the boy who just shrugged a shoulder.

     "That's not it, hmm," she hummed while looking back at the wall across the room. "Maybe it's because your dad is having another baby.  That's what it was for me."

     Rachael bit back her smile when Ochre finally looked up at her.  She nodded to herself, "Yep that was scary, alright."

     She looked at the boy,  "I mean what if my mom and Patrick didn't want me anymore now that they had the new baby.  That scared me bad.  I had nightmares for weeks because I couldn't tell them about it.  What if they didn't realize they didn't need me anymore and telling them made them realize it."

     The little boy nodded in understanding.

     "Finally my mom and Patrick sat me down to talk about my nightmares.  Do you know what they said when I finally told them how scared I was?"

     Ochre shook his head.

     "They said 'we love you, no matter what'."

     "Ochre, your dad and I love you.  The baby doesn't change that.  It only means our family is growing and there is more love to go around.  Not just love for the baby but for you too."

     "You're going to become a big brother and that's a big responsibility.  It means this baby is going to look up to you and want to do what you do.  But it also means this baby is going to love you every bit as much as your father and I do."

     Rachael wrapped the little boy in a hug.

     "We've never talked about it, you and I, but it's up to you what you want to call me.  Ray or 'mom' the choice is yours.  I would be honored if you ever decide you want to call me mom but only if you want to."

     "I love you Ochre.  It hasn't been very long but you're one of my babies, just like River and Rebecca.  Just don't tell them that okay," she asked.

     Ochre nodded his head in agreement.

     "Thanks," she said kissing him on the forehead, "neither one wants to consider me to be anything more than 'big sister Ray' but that's not how I see them anymore.  After all I helped take care of them from the very first day they came home."

     "Are you feeling a little better now," she asked him.

     Ochre nodded his head against her shoulder.  "Let's go see your dad, okay?"

     Ochre sat up and lead the way out of the room.  Cerulean was waiting for them in the hallway.

     "Everything okay?" he asked.

     "Yeah, Just a little talk about how much the baby is going to love his or her big brother and can't wait to meet such an amazing little boy," Rachael smiled down at the boy.  Ochre looked up at her and smiled back.

     "Okay then," Cerulean said and leaned down to hug his boy, "I love you Ochre."

     Rachael smiled as the little boy patted his father on his back as if to say yeah, yeah, I love you too, but can we stop the mushiness already.  But the little smile on his face showed how much it meant to him to hear his father say the words.

                                                                                                            

Random Ramblings

    Jeez, I'm writing this and I'm making myself cry here.  Anyways, with the family dynamic I set up here I knew introducing the baby should cause some confusion with Ochre but Rachael has the unique experience of having gone through it herself :O 

   So in comes this scene where she talks with Ochre about what she herself might have felt in the past.  Maybe not with the twins cuz she was theoretically only two...maybe three years old when her mom was pregnant with them but certainly a possibility with Rebecca's birth.

   The story marches forward and time moves on.

Chapter 1.10: The Last Sim

     "Roooaar, I'm a space monster!" Rachael yelled while Ochre pretended to shoot her with the toy gun on the play ground ship.

     "Get her, get her," the girls screeched from their 'prison' under the monkey bars.

     "Rar," Rachael growled again.

     Ochre aimed the toy gun at her again and jerked it like he was firing.  "Aah," Rachael moaned and fell to the ground in a dramatic display of dying.

     The girls shrieked as Ochre climbed out of the rocket to free them and they took off running around the playground again.

     Rachael laughed as she sat up and watched them run off.  Shaking her head she stood up and dusted off her pants before going back to the picnic table to watch Cerulean at the grill.

     "You make a pretty sexy space monster," he said as she walked past.

     Laughing she dodged the arm he tried to snake around her.

     Rachael sat at the table and watched the children play while Cerulean finished cooking.  For the last six weeks Rachael and Cerulean brought the children to the park together on the weekends.

     Rachael smiled as the children began playing tag.  The time with her sisters has done Ochre some good, though he still doesn't speak he will smile and laugh more often.

     "And they are done," Cerulean said transferring the last hot dog from the grill to the plate.

     "These look great.  We should call the kids while they're still hot."

     "If you want to try and round up those monkeys to come and eat, good luck to you," Cerulean said as Rachael stood up.

     "Becks, River, Ochre!  Come eat, foods ready.  Hey you three," she called as the children ran past her, "Hey! Fine, come eat when you're ready."

     "Told you," Cerulean laughed as she came back to the table and sat next to him.

     "Oh hush," Rachael said accepting the plate he handed to her.

     "Where do they get all that energy?" Cerulean asked as they watched the kids run their third lap of the playground.

     Rachael started laughing at the disgust in his tone.  "Mom always said kids have so much energy because they're too silly to save it for when they get older."

     Cerulean laughed with her and Rachael smiled.  She counted it as a personal victory when she could get him to laugh.

     As serious as she had learned to be with responsibility for her family, he was more so.  When she asked Mags about it she said it was the nature of his job that made him so serious, but when Rachael asked what he did exactly she refused to say more, telling Rachael that it was up to Cerulean to talk to her.

     Cerulean wouldn't talk about himself though, and whenever Rachael asked he would tell her that he can't talk about it and turn the conversation to his son, the girls, or their respective siblings.

     "What's got you so deep in thought," Cerulean asked, putting an arm around her shoulders.

     Rachael ducked under his arm and stood up from the table.

     "Not where the kids can see," she said taking his hand and pulling him up from the table with her.

     She smiled as she pulled him towards the bathrooms where they wouldn't be immediately visible from the playgrounds.  She'd never advertised it to her siblings when she was dating someone in the past and had continued that practice with Cerulean.

     She could tell that it sometimes irritated him when she pretended there was nothing more between them in front of the children or Mags but he respected her wishes and didn't press the issue in front of them.

     "Come here," Cerulean said as he pulled her into his embrace and brought his head down so the smallest gap separated their lips still. 

     "Make me,"  she teased back, wrapping her fingers in his sweater and hanging on to him.

     Rachael laughed as Cerulean groaned before closing the distance between them.  One of his hands cupped her neck as the other pulled her against him.  Rachael let her hands travel around his torso to his back where she embraced him.

     They were so engrossed in kissing that they didn't hear the sims walking up behind them.

     "Rachael?"

     Rachael jumped and pulled away from Cerulean.  But even as her head caught up with what her ears heard, her stomach plummeted through the floor.

     The voice belonged the last sim she ever wanted to see her like this.

     "Well, what do you know?  It is.  Who woulda thought the 'other woman' could catch a man," the woman said, "better not let your girlfriend know."

     Cerulean frowned and turned around to the sim and his girlfriend turned wife while Rachael desperately fought against the urge to either run away or vomit that the sight of Carl and his wife stirred within her.

     "Move along.  Neither your company nor your commentary is wanted," Cerulean said as he stepped in front of Rachael.

     "Easy now. The name's Carl Sharp and I just wanted to pass along a friendly warning.  Mistress here," he said with a nod towards Rachael, "has a reputation round these parts.  You see she's infamous for trying to trap a man into marriage.  Fortunately for me I already had my fiancée to save me from her lies."

     "Watch your mouth," Cerulean stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Carl's shirt.

     "I'm just telling the truth," Carl said holding up his hands in his most non-threatening way.

     Rachael couldn't take it.  Feeling the heated blush of embaressment in her cheeks she pushed past Cerulean and Carl running away from the small group.

     "Ray," Cerulean yelled running after her and catching her by the arm, "Ray, stop.

     "Told you," Carl called after them.

     "Get lost," Cerulean yelled at him.

     Rachael tried to pull her arm away, "let go. Just please let me go."

     "Ray, stop.  Talk to me.  What was that about?"

     Rachael stopped pulling and turned on Cerulean.  "Why?  What does it have to do with you?  Nothing.  You're just my best friends big brother, so leave me alone," she yelled at him.

     Turning around again, Rachael saw the children nearby.  "We're leaving," she said grabbing the girls by their hands and pulling River and Rebecca after her.

     Rachael left the park, Cerulean and the small crowd of onlookers at her little drama behind.

                                                                                                                      

Random Ramblings

   So I'm starting to inject some drama into the story.  Here's the opening of the drama set up.  Wonder where I will take it...kidding, I already know the general route my story will take but I am curious about some of the scenes I will discover along the way.

Chapter 1.9: The Sky was Lightening

     "I should have called it off," Rachael said after her billionth check in the mirror.

     "Ray," Rhidian knocked on her bedroom door, "Cerulean's at the door."

     "Coming," Rachael called back. One final check in the mirror and she opened the door.  She jumped when her brother was still in the kitchen.

     "Whoa, Ray," Rhidian said looking at her outfit.

     "Too much?" she asked looking down at her skirt and top.

     "Not for a date," Rhidian assured her.  "Stop worrying Ray.  Go, have fun."

     "Right," Rachael breathed deep, "fun.  What is that again?"

     Rhidian laughed, "go."

     "Yeah, yeah. Going," she called back, walking out of the house.

     "Hi Rachael," Cerulean said at the door. "Wow, you look good."

     "Thanks.  And you can call me Ray, 'Rachael' is bit of a mouthful."

     "Then I guess you'll have to call me Lean.  For the same reason,"  he said offering her an arm.

     She took the offered limb asking, "so where are you taking me on our date?"

     "Do you like surprises?"

      "Sometimes."

      Cerulean smiled down at her but didn't say anything more.  Rachael shook her head but kept walking in step.

     "The Solar Flare Lounge?" Rachael asked when they arrived.

     "Is this place okay?"

     "I don't know.  I've never been here before."

     "What? Never?  You mean never, never?"

     Rachael shook her head. "I've been too busy working to go on many dates and usually when I have they're at the nightclub in Willow Creek."

     "Well guess it's time to remedy that," he said holding the door open for her.  Inside the stairs led up to the lounge and bar.  Loud music drifted down as Rachael followed Cerulean up.

     At the top Rachael stopped to look around the room.  A couple of sims sat at the bar, a small group stood around a makeshift stage in the corner where one sim was performing and a few sims were dancing in that corner of the room.

     "What'll it be first? Dancing or drinking?" Cerulean asked.

     Rachael looked around again, her eyes stopping at the sims dancing.

     "Dancing it is," Cerulean walked her out to the dance floor.

     Rachael laughed at the dorky two step Cerulean did.  Cerulean laughed with her before taking her hands and pulling her into a more moderate dance.

     "Good, you laughed," he said.

     "Sorry, was I being too serious," she asked looking up at him.

     "Not for what life has thrown at you.  But it's important to enjoy life too.  I have a feeling you don't let yourself enjoy very often."

     Rachael looked away and over to the performer over his shoulder.  "It's tough when you have four younger siblings relying on you to keep them fed and a roof over their head.  It really doesn't leave a lot of time for fun."

     "I get that.  I don't have siblings but I've got my boy.  His happiness is my goal everyday."

     Rachael smiled taking a step back, "I'm getting thirsty.  Think we can get a drink," she asked with a nod in the direction of the bar.

     "Sure," Cerulean said letting her go.

     Rachael went to find a seat while Cerulean walked up to the bar.  He brought her back a pink drink in a glass.

     "What's this," Rachael asked tilting her head to the side.

     "It's called 'Sea Splash'.  Try it," he offered her the drink.

     "It's good," Rachael said in surprise.  Sitting back in her seat and sipping her drink, Rachael looked at Cerulean.

     "What?" he asked.

     "Just trying to figure out why you're single.  You're funny, good-looking, great with your son.  You're a girls dream-catch.  So what happened with Ochre's mom?"

     Cerulean pulled back into his seat and looked away, "It's complicated."

     "Sorry.  I didn't mean to pry."

     "No, it's a fair question.  I've invited you out on a date, you deserve some answers.  Give me a moment to think, please."

     Rachael waited while Cerulean thought.

     "First off you need to know that I'm not together with his mom anymore.  I never would have asked you out if I was."

     Rachael nodded her head when he looked at her.

     "She's not a part of our lives.  Never has been a part of Ochre's after he was born.

     "We were together for awhile but we wanted different things with our lives.  We made choices that pulled us apart, she left and Ochre stayed with me"

     "Thank you for sharing that with me," Rachael said when he stopped speaking.

     "It's getting surprisingly late, or early as the case may be.  I'll take you home,"  Cerulean stood and held out a hand to Rachael.

     Rachael looked at his hand a moment before taking it and letting him help her up.


     "Well, this is me," she said outside her house.

     To the east the sky was lightening as the sun started to rise.

     "Thank you for a good night," Rachael said kissing Cerulean on the cheek.

     As she started to step back Cerulean wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again.

     Rachael stood in his arms letting the kiss carry her.  As he started to pull away she followed him this time, kissing him.

     "I really should go inside," she whispered when they finally stopped.

     "Right," he said.  "I'll, uh, let you go then."

     "Uh-huh," Rachael agreed.

     "Um, Ray, you need to let go of my jacket."

     "Right," she said looking at her fingers gripping his jacket.  With effort she managed to pull her hands away and let him go.

     "Have a good day Ray," Cerulean said starting to walk away.

     "Bye," Rachael said leaning back against her door and watching him leave.  She crossed her arms and brought one hand up to her mouth.

     "Dang, that was a ten for sure."

                                                                                                                                 

Random Ramblings

   Yay.  A new start for Rachael.  

   So when I was writing the part about the sun coming up I didn't realize how prophetic it was going to sound... :O  In proof reading and searching for a line for the chapter title I realized it.

   It's taken nine chapters but finally life is beginning again.