Chapter 2.33- I'm Alright

          “Why are you reading a baby book?” Tiburcia asked, merely glancing at her father’s book out of the corner of her eye. “I’m not a baby anymore.”

          Smirking, Ignacio thought of just how odd that sounded. This might be a bigger shock for her than he’d thought.

          “But it’s been a long time since you were a baby. I need a refresher.”

          “You’re not adopting Melly’s new babies are you?” Tiburcia frowned, turning fully to Ignacio. Melly Pelly, Tiburcia’s mother, had recently given birth to twins who were very obviously not the children of her third husband. Melly Pelly had recently been through a very nasty public divorce.

          “No, no,” assurance dripping from his tone as Ignacio patted his daughter on the leg and she returned to her book. Taking his cue from her, he also returned to his book even though he wasn’t paying a lick of attention to it. “We’re not adopting a baby. Layla is going to have one.”

          “Oh,” Tiburcia’s answer conveyed none of the enthusiasm he’d hoped she would have. However, she was well aware that babies could be a lot of trouble and nuisance from her visits with Melly. It could just be that clouding her judgment of the situation. 

          When she sighed however, Ignacio was truly saddened.

          “Do you ever feel like some of the butterflies are watching us, and listening? They’re everywhere.”

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          “Merry Snowflake Day!” chirped Layla, getting her breakfast.

          “And a merry one to you Mi Llamita,” smiled Ignacio in return. “Are you ready for my family to come over? When are you calling your dad to tell him the news?”

          “Right after I eat,” Layla and Ignacio had decided to wait to tell anyone outside their home their news until they were sure everything was going alright. In the end though, waiting until Snowflake Day seemed fitting and added a touch of magic to the day for the couple.

          She had just finished cleaning up from breakfast when the phone on the wall began to ring. Instantly a pit formed in her stomach and her jaw went oddly slack hearing it. That phone never rang with anything she wanted to hear. Never.

          Pushing through the lead in her legs, Layla took the few steps to the wall, staring hard, almost breathless. Ignacio’s fork rattled against his plate as he scrambled to get to her.

          “Please let this be Nalleli or Shad, or Lottie, or Sally, Dear PlumbBob, let this be a Snowflake Day Call.”

          “Merry Snowflake Day!” Picking up the receiver, her voice held a tremor no matter her words. “Oh Galen! Hi! Did you guys get our card?”

          Coming closer, Ignacio could feel the tension rolling off of Layla and worried afresh over her ability to cope with anything that might be stressful. So far though, this phone call seemed innocent and he pushed aside his worry to listen in.

          When her body suddenly went rigid a desire to protect her flared up so fast he thought he might explode.

          “Layla,” he said quietly.

          “Oh Galen, no,” her voice trembled as her breathing came more quickly. “No, not today.”

          “Layla,” Igancio repeated her name more urgently. “Layla, give me the phone.”

          “Not Daddy, not today,” she said again as her shoulders slumped.

Ignacio turned impatiently, pacing to the bar, beating himself up for letting her answer that damn phone. He would rip if from the wall if he thought it would help anything. More bad news. Forever bad news. They find a spark, a happy place finally, and it’s shattered once more.

          The receiver clicked softly against the cradle and he missed it. It took the gentle tap on his shoulder to get him to turn around and find Layla in front of him, needing his support.

          “Your father?” He asked. He didn’t need to ask more than that.

          Her response was a tremble of her lower lip as her face worked and she fought tears.

          “At least he’ll stop pining after your mother now. He’s at peace.”

          “But I’m not!” moving into his waiting arms, Layla finally released her tears, to a degree.

          Rubbing her back, cradling her, Ignacio again thought of the phone on the wall. Now he’d need to use it to call his family and tell them not to come over. There was no way Layla could handle having everyone over for lunch.

          “Hang on,” he tried to disentangle her a little. “Hang on, just let me call my family to tell them not to come and I will be right back, ok?”

          Pushing away on her own, Layla shook her head trying to clear her throat.

          “No,” her voice was stronger sounding than she’d expected. “No, don’t. I’m alright. They should still come over. It’s Snowflake Day and family is supposed to be together on Snowflake Day.”

          “Mi Llamita, you are not alri-”

          “I am alright,” Layla said, her jaw jutting as she looked at Ignacio fiercely. “I am just fine. I will not be the reason we’re not all together.”

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          “Those are really unusual gems Layla,” Sabria said uncertainly. “And I’m not sure I’ve ever seen quite so many all together before.”

          Layla merely nodded, forgetting that if Sabria didn’t look at her, she couldn’t hear her nod.

          “I’ve missed you all lately,” Sabria continued, thinking Layla had chosen to ignore her remark on the gems. “It looks like you’ve been very busy, too.”

          “Yeah, very busy,” Layla said abruptly. “I’m pregnant!” Not realizing what exactly she’d just said or how. Ignacio and Layla were supposed to tell his parents together.

          Ignacio stopped in his tracks hearing Layla blurt the news. Shaking his head in amusement he continued on his way to try and get to Tibi. His young daughter had managed to provoke a promise of a snowball fight out of his Father and Brother and he was determined to get to them before they carried it out. She had no idea what she was in for with those two.

          As Tibi, Ignacio, Raul, and Santiago all filed out of the kitchen to play in the snow Layla was continuing to trip over her announcement.

          “And- and I want your help with something,” she had just realized how odd this request would sound, but hoped Sabria would be able to assuage her fears a little.

          Arching a single brow, Sabria inclined her head to acknowledge her willingness to hear Layla’s request.

          “I want to make sure there’s only one in there.”

          Laughing aloud before she’d realized what she’d done, Sabria passed her hand over her face, trying to regain her composure. Is this why Layla was such a scattered mess today?

          “Of course, honey,” besides, touching Layla would let her in on all she had missed with her son and granddaughter too lately. There were big things afoot, and certain events seen hazily long ago seemed to be coming into focus. “But can I ask why you’re so concerned about there only being one? Are you hoping for more?”

          “Oh, PlumbBob no,” blurted Layla. “It’s just my mom was one of triplets, and I’m a twin. I’m not sure I could handle more than one.”

          How had Sabria overlooked that before? Was she not very close with her twin? Her surprise registered on her face and she again tried to cover her reaction by turning it to something else.

          “Of course,” she said. “Would you like a gender, too? It can really help planning things if you know what you’re having.”

          “No,” Layla surprised Ignacio’s mother by saying. “The nursery is done neutrally, green. And I think we’d rather be surprised.”

          Sabria nodded sagely and reached for Layla’s rounded belly.

          Layla waited patiently as Sabria stood silently, touching her. Her left hand was being tightly held as she stood listening, or seeing, or whatever it was exactly she did.

          At long last, Sabria looked back up.

          “Just one,” smiling, Sabria said to Layla.

          “Oh good,” Layla was obviously relieved.

          “Are you sure you don’t want to know the gender?”

          “Positive. Thank you, though.

          “Now,” Sabria’s face softened. “Why didn’t you say your found out your dad had died this morning?”

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          In the front yard, a snowball fight raged with Ignacio and little Tibi losing spectacularly.

          The biggest problem was Santiago kept forgetting that his granddaughter was still just a kid. She might be starting high school soon, but Tibi was still small for her age. So when he’d send a snowball her way he’d frequently fling it so hard he’d knock her back into the snow.

          “Papi! Enough! Go easy on her,” Ignacio called after hearing Tibi cry out in shock at being hit again.

          Flaring her nostrils at her dad, Tiburcia waited for him to throw a nice large snowball that hit Uncle Raul squarely in the chest, exploding in a shower of snow and ice.

          “I’m not so little anymore, Dad! Don’t go easy on me!” And attempting to get up, she slipped and fell right back into the snow once more making the men outside roar with laughter.

          Santiago walked over to his little granddaughter sitting up to her waist in snow. Offering her hand he pulled her up and into a hug.

          “Come on little big girl,” he teased. “Let’s go in and warm up. I bet lunch is nearly ready, too.”

          Despite her reassurances to the contrary to Sabria, Layla was still being hit by wave after wave of grief. It would hit her at the oddest moments. It hit her as they ate lunch with Lottie and Raul. Lottie was just announcing that she thought she, too, might be expecting.

          It would hit her while taking rests.

While doing laundry.

It would hit while cooking or collecting the pretties she still insisted she needed. No one else was appreciating them out there under the snow. And she loved them. They were so pretty.

          In those sweet moments where the soon-to-be new parents would share their wonder over new life it would hit her afresh and she’d pummel it back down to deal with another day.

          Ignacio could tell that she was still grieving, but she refused to talk about it. And when he’d suggested that the baby be named Buck if it were a boy Layla had flown into a fury that had worried him worse than her bottled grief ever did. Even after all the time they had been together, they still seemed to operate as two separate entities keeping so much from each other. Maybe, it was time for that to change.

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Going all the way to the top of this chapter, Melly Pelly is kind of pissing me off with her ways. Mostly because of who husband number four is: Galen. Leave it to SP to finally decide Galen needed to get out there and be romantic with That.

Right now, I’m kind of in love with Pregnant Layla. She’s probably the cutest pregnant sim I’ve ever had. Helen always looked so awful in maternity wear and her features didn’t lend well to an expanded size, so I’m purposely drawing this out just a bit to spend more time with her all cute. She’s just cute like that!

And I know that cut off kind of oddly there, but the next one is a big one so we’ll just let things rest with that.

Finally, as my dearest Buck has passed on at last I have put him and Helen up for download. You can find them on the downloads page up top, or in the post list to the right.

Downloads-Sims- Buck and Helen Sixkiller

Since I am officially unable to use my wonderful founders in my legacy any longer I am releasing them into the wild. So here they are, my beautiful Helen, and my beloved Buck.


Helen is one tough cookie. She's a little hard nosed and doesn't take a lot of crap.




However, she loves to dish the crap out. lol.

Helen was actually the 7th generation born out of my attempt at a Nothing Is Free Challenge. I only say attempt, because though I did build the world up, it essploded after ghost Cyrus tried to use the subway on his way home from the Spooky Day festivities at the festival lot. But anyhow... Back to Helen.

She's sometimes a little short-sighted, and in general a rather selfish woman. She doesn't usually get mad, but when she does watch out! Her somewhat acid tongue is known to leave a mark.

And though I talk a little tough about her, I do still love her. So if you download her to use, please be kind of nice to her. And if you use her in your story (or in your background) I'd love to know! Leave me a link in the comments and I'll even comment back!

Her Traits are: Disciplined, Flirty, Neat, Genius, and Technophobe
Her Favorites are: Pop Music, Hamburgers, and Black
And her Sign: Sagittarius

She requires Generations to look as shown.
CC required to make Helen look right:
Brows by Simmiller: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=442949

Lips by Sleepy Genius- RomanticRose: http://linna.modthesims.info/download.php?t=481902

And her infamous Purple "Pajamas" from the EA store are here

Download Helen Sixkiller



And then we come to my dearest Buck. I adore my Buck. His death was the first time I've ever cried when a sim died. So I'm begging you, if you download him, please be nice to him. I messed with him enough in my story.
Buck was the oldest of three kids who grew up in Appaloosa Plains on a farm I imported in. Ha! As the oldest he was given a traditional family name that had been passed down for many generations. His father expected him to live up to such a name and be a real "Man's man," if you will. But Buck is kind and gentle, caring and sweet, and very very cowardly. He's a wonderful caretaker and a fantastic father. But don't be fooled! If you mess with his family, you mess with him and run the risk of seeing his temper and rage explode as did poor Trenton who had no idea why the random man was beating him up. Ha!
So if you end up using him in your story, or if you even just stick him in your background because he and Helen make pretty babies (really. I'd love to show you all some other spawn of theirs from a different world/save ) I'd love to know. Leave me a link in the comments and I'll even comment back!

Buck's Traits are: Coward, Disciplined, Hopeless Romantic, Loves the Outdoors, and Hydrophobic
His Favorites are: Pop Music, Mac and Cheese, and Lilac
And his sign is: Gemini

He needs Late Night and High End Loft Stuff to appear exactly as shown along. You'll also need to download his hair "AlfredAskew's Backswept Short Curly Hair Converted" by TumTum Simiolino from here:  http://mybluebookblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/alfredaskews-backswept-short-curly-hair.html

Download Buck Sixkiller

Edited to Add: As per the suggestion by my darling Gemma, I'd forgotten this. Both Helen and Buck (And really, all my sims that feature in the story except Iggy who uses an E-Skin) need THIS skin to look right.

Chapter 2.25- Dam Burst

          “Daddy!” Ignacio paused almost imperceptibly as he finished washing the breakfast dishes. Buck did not call the house phone when he wanted to talk, he called Layla’s cell phone. “How are you this morning?”

          His Mami had said she’d be by to assist with Tiburcia today, and Buck was calling early on the house phone. What was going on?

          “Yeeeeee-aaaah,” Ignacio could hear her smile slipping. Arden was due at any time now, and Helen had not recovered from the incident before Arden’s baby shower. Arden had insisted a couch needed to be moved at that very moment, that it couldn’t wait for Buck or Galen to get home. Two broken vertebra, and a pulled muscle were all Helen gained from giving in. Since then, she’d been in and out of the hospital in pain and with various infections.

          “Last night?” Reaching to turn off the taps, Igancio prepared for the worst. “Why didn’t anyone call me last night then?”

          They must have taken Helen back to the hospital last night then. Every time she went back Layla had a harder time staying away. Ignacio wasn’t sure she would be able to keep her promise to her folks much longer.

          “Yeah,” turning around Ignacio stood waiting for the report. “Yeah. I’m so sorry Daddy. Really sorry. I wish I could have been there.”

          ‘Could have been there,’ that was past tense. He stood pondering the meaning for a moment, only coming around as he heard the click of the handset being hung on the cradle. He’d missed whatever else she’d said. But if he’d expected her to turn ready to tell him everything, he was wrong. She stood silently with her head bowed for a moment before turning.

          “Hey,” trying to appear as if he hadn’t been eavesdropping. “Hey what’s up? Who was that?”

          Only she didn’t answer him. She gave him a deep searching look that lasted ages and made him feel naked. It was a look he’d never expected to see from her, and he was almost wary of her in that moment.

          Unable to take it any longer, he broke the silence. “Layla, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”

          Still, she was silent. Only blinking, only breathing.

          Deciding to drop his feigned ignorance, Ignacio tried again to get her to speak.

          “Is your mom okay? What did your dad say?”

          And the dam burst. Flinging herself at him, she clung on shaking the both of them with the force of her sobs.

          “Hey, hey-hey,” he’d finally managed to get his balance and quickly reached around to quaking back. “Hey, what’s happened? Will she be okay?”

          “No,” Layla’s voice was low, and caught on the single word. “She’s gone.”

          “Oh,” he said. What more was there to say?

          “Daddy-” She choked. “Daddy said- said she’d been really bad for about a week and wouldn’t let them tell Fay or I and- and-now. And now. Oh-”

          Tightening his grip he pressed his lips into her hair. He didn’t mind his wet shoulder. And he couldn’t let her grieve alone.

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          The bookcase did it. She didn’t know why. Didn’t care to know why, really. All that morning, almost everything she’d looked at had caused a flood of tears to begin again. It had happened when she’d looked at the gems, the wildflowers, the refrigerator, the washing machine. Then she’d feel stupid for crying over inanimate objects, or the memories they only somewhat evoked, shake herself out of it and move on.

          Unless, of course, Ignacio happened to be nearby and heard her grief. Then he’d spin her around and comfort her until she was in control of herself once again.

          The household had been somber the entire morning. Tibi had kept as quiet as possible sensing the atmosphere. She wasn’t afraid of Layla or her grief, she simply did as children in such situations do. They attempt to be as good as possible in order to make someone who is sad happier.

          After lunch the routine was abruptly changed when Sabria walked in as Ignacio went to cuddle her once again.

          “You need to grieve,” she said, not even bothering to offer a greeting, taking Layla from Ignacio. “It’s healthy. She’s your mother, no matter how close or not the two of you have been.”

          Looking up, Layla was surprised to see that Sabria was the one there. When had she come in?

          “She was your mother, dear,” Sabria continued, hands still chafing Layla’s arms. “It’s only natural.”

          “Oh,” said Layla. “Yeah. She was my mother. I do love her. Did. Did love her.”

          “You do. You do love her,” Sabria quickly answered. “She’s still here. Our loved ones never really leave us. We just can’t see them with our eyes, or hold them in our arms.”

          Ignacio went to snuggle Tibi who was quietly fussing at a toy that didn’t want to work the way she wanted it to. If he couldn’t snuggle Layla at least he could snuggle his daughter. He watched as his mother continued to offer comfort to Layla making particular note that Sabria’s hands never left Layla’s skin.

          Finally, Sabria left Layla to look out the window and walked toward her son and granddaughter.

          “She values her solitude,” Sabria spoke looking at Tiburcia. “And grief is disturbing to my little Tibi. She could use some fresh air. We’ll go to the park. Layla will stay behind.”

          “Are you sure that is a good idea?” Ignacio asked.

          “I can promise you she will be fine,” she said. “I think she might even use our absence to go and tell her brother of their mother’s death. For now, we will go to the park. Or- the library. Yes. We’ll go to the library. It might rain.”

          Fifteen minutes later Layla stood amidst the scattered toys on the floor Tibi had left behind. Normally, the solitude was something Layla not only sought, but revered. And with her heavy heart she should have welcomed being alone in her home. However, this time, she couldn’t rejoice in the sacred space she had made for herself in this home.

          As if on cue the doorbell rang. Of course it would ring right as she thought she needed company.

          Hoping it might be Nalleli coming over for a visit she turned to the door. Spying what looked like rain she decided to grab an umbrella. (Because it rains on covered porches in Sim Land.)

          Steeping onto her porch brought a startling surprise. A stranger stood there under her own umbrella. Well, maybe not a complete stranger. She’d seen the woman around town, though they’d never been introduced.

          “Can I help you,” Layla sighed the words rather than asked them. She was far too weary for making acquaintances today.

          “Why yes,” she replied, folding her umbrella as though intending to stay. “Yes, you can help me. I’d like to see my daughter please.”

          “Your daughter?”

          “Yes, my daughter. The little girl in the custody of her father who, as rumor has it, lives here now? I usually call her Tibi, though Ignacio might just call her Tiburcia since he’s the one who named her,” She spoke in a sugary sweet voice as though she wanted to conceal the bite of her words.

          “She’s not here right now,” Layla answered warily. “And unless Ignacio were here also, I wouldn’t let you in to see her.”

          The woman looked surprised, and was quiet for a moment. Layla took the opportunity to dig through her memories trying to remember when she’d heard this woman’s name mentioned. What was it?

          “Well,” The woman’s tone had become pleading, almost whiney. “This is probably for the best then. I don’t have the money for the support payment this month.”

          The change in the woman’s tone brought the recollection of where Layla had heard this woman’s name before. She’d been at the consignment shop where Layla sold her finds the first day she’d been in town. Mathew had called her Melly.

          “So,” Melly continued. “So if you could just maybe talk Ignacio into letting this month’s payment slide, that would be wonderful. As soon as I get the payments for my other kids' dads in I’ll get it to him. But, four kids at home, single mom? I don’t usually have that much to spare.”

          It was nearly enough to touch Layla’s heart. Only she knew better. Though she’d only heard snips and bits of the gossip about her, the grains of truth Layla could pick out were that all of her children had a different father. That she’d successfully ruined at least two marriages in town, and that the best place to find her, (if one were so inclined,) was at the smoky little bar on the outskirts of town where she spent her money most nights buying drinks to any man who would give her half a minute of attention.

          “I wouldn’t know what Ignacio would think about that, you’ll have to ask him, not me,” Layla wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but she did know that it wasn’t her place to make such a decision.

          “Well, I know Matthew says you’re a regular. And I’ve seen you in and out over there several times. Surely with your combined finances…” Melly’s voice trailed off hopefully.

          “Alright,” Layla finally was able to take in what she wanted. Melly wanted Layla to act as a barrier between Ignacio and her so she could let her parental duties slide. “Alright, for starters: Our finances are not combined currently. He has his, I have mine. And after what you’ve just hinted at, perhaps it ought to stay that way. Secondly, when I say you’d better talk to Ignacio, you’d better talk to Ignacio. I will not be your messenger boy. Got it?”

          Narrowing her eyes, Melly stepped back as Layla lifted her chin in defiance. Layla wasn’t about to let this harpy get to her. She’d agreed to have little Tiburcia (she’d never be able to call her Tibi again even if Ignacio and Sabria could) in her home and damn it if she wouldn’t make sure things stayed that way. Maybe she didn’t have room in her house for her, but that would change. And soon. And damn it if she wouldn’t buy the biggest house she could afford just so this woman wouldn’t get a dime of her money.

          Without another word Melly turned and stalked off in a huff.

          Watching her as she left Layla was hit with a single thought. This woman, no matter how horrid she is, is a mother. And Layla had just lost hers. The common parent between her and Cyrus and Phedra was gone. And then came the realization that getting a hold of Phedra would take another day or so, so Phedra can’t have told Cyrus about Helen. Cyrus didn’t know. She’d have to go tell him. At least they would still have each other to lean on.

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Phew. Alrighty. So if that’s choppy or odd sounding I’m coming off of a week’s worth of illness and guests in my home and my brain is mush. Half the time I’d type a word and look at it and go “no… No that’s not right. That’s not even close to right. Like ‘door’. No lie. I typed in Wall for Door. Then for Window? Curtains. Nope. Not right. So I’m blaming anything odd or off in this one to Mushy Brain Syndrome. 

Melly Pelly has a really strong, fake, affected drawl when she’s talking sugary. I could Not get that typed in and reading right so I gave up after nearly bringing myself to tears over it. Just pretend it’s there. And I love that she autonomously begged Layla for money. I officially love her since she played along so nicely. Also, on the lines of Melly Pelly and her gaggle of kids- Tibi and Sally’s (now husband in game) boyfriend Ottawa Fox are half siblings. While playing AP before I’d moved Layla and co. over I had teen pregnancy on without having a single teen in town pop up preggers. The second Melly Pelly aged up she popped up pregnant by Choctaw Fox, who was Melly’s older sister Penny’s boyfriend at that time. (Penny moved on to Angelo Martingale, while Melly moved on to many more men.) I’m not making her sluttiness up, she must have gotten it from her father- Kanoa Parrot. The second she gave birth to Tiburcia I turned off her ability to get pregnant again as she’s got 5 kids currently. Ignacio broke up with Melly almost immediately after I got the pregnancy notification. They dated for like 5 sim hours. Thank you SP for getting something wonderfully right for once.