Chapter 2.35-Her Baby

          Tibi walked up to Ignacio telling him all about her party and how it had went while Layla gazed in wonder at the tiny bundle she held. She still wasn’t sure how she’d managed to get something this large out of her. Magic or something she was sure. The doctors were genius’ was all she knew for sure.

          “I’m going to show this one their room,” Layla said quietly as Ignacio asked another question of his newly teenaged daughter.

          “Shouldn’ that top have sleeves?”

          “No! It’s not supposed to have sleeves. That would look a little weird don’t you think?”

          “Maybe pull it up a little and it wouldn’ look weird.”

          “It doesn’t look weird now, Daddy. It would look weird if pulled it up or added sleeves.”

          Exhaustion over the events of the day slowly descended on Layla. Looking at the family portrait as she passed it reminded her there was so much more to do tomorrow. She really ought to schedule a new portrait sitting. Especially now that the little one was finally here. She could already see her baby, sweetly dressed, sitting on her knee with Daddy’s other hand on their little shoulder. And Tibi. She was no longer the little girl in the photo before her. Tibi was a young woman now, a teenager eager to experience life.

          The photo of her mother at her prom nearly stopped her as she made her way to the nursery. Her mother would love to see that she herself was a mother now. But she had so many questions she wanted to ask about her baby, and her mother wasn’t the one there to answer them. Sabria would answer if she asked, and depending on how well she saw Layla that day Layla might not even have to ask. But she wanted her mother. Needed her. Shaking her head she took another step allowing her gaze to rise.

          Seeing the copy of Phedra’s prom photo she’d managed to get ahold of up on the wall brought a fresh wave of grief. How could she have ever encouraged Phedra to leave her little one behind? The warm little bundle in her arms needed her, just as Henry had needed his mother around. Layla couldn’t imagine leaving her baby behind to go off somewhere just for research. Dream or no dream. And she hadn’t really understood that until now. She’d thought It would have been best for Phedra to go instead of being an absent parent. She’d been mistaken.

          She really needed to get in touch with Phedra. She’d been trying for so long now. Leaving message after message with the secretary of the expedition was getting her down. Why wouldn’t Phedra call her back? Maybe she’d need to break down and call Cyrus to see if he’d heard from their sister. Who knows? Maybe Cyrus had already told Phedra that Henry was a boy about to be a teenager himself. At least he would understand how Layla felt. She’d made a mistake. A horrible, horrible mistake. A mistake she was desperate to rectify. How had she been qualified to give such an opinion? Such bad advice?

          Though she had been in here only this morning to clean, the nursery felt alive in a way it never had to her before. And it was all due to this tiny wiggly little sim with a sweet gummy smile. Cuddling her tiny daughter closer than ever Layla felt her heart melt anew.

          Gently and carefully lowering her into her crib, Layla was rewarded with another sweet smile. Smiling herself she was shocked at the cooing noises she made. Was it really this easy to be a mother? Loving her was so easy it was almost painful.

          Speaking of painful. Standing back up Layla rubbed the back of her neck. She never should have done the laundry this morning after she’d already rescrubbed the nursery. And after giving birth? She was absolutely worn out. Making sure the baby was alright one final time, Layla went off to get some well-deserved rest.

          Seeing Layla pass as she went into their bedroom Ignacio cut Tiburcia off as she gave her spiel about going to a school of fashion design when she left high school to get a chance to love on his new daughter.

          Tibi waved him off with a roll of her eyes, grabbing her cell phone to call Emily about some minor detail about school and boys or something. He really couldn’t figure it out while still so preoccupied.

          “You are not what I had expected little one,” he said softly. “Not with your mother. Not for me. But I am more than happy that you are here with us.”

          Cooing back at the gurgling baby, he snuggled her even closer.

          “No,” Ignacio continued talking to his tiny daughter. “Here you are early according to the calendar, but I think you are right on time. I bet you can get your Mami to wake up a little bit. She already loves you so much. I can see it.”

          “And I love so very much as well,” said Ignacio, cooing between his words. “And I know your big sister will love you when she gets to know you also. She is a little busy right now though, trying to grow up. But you, you, my little angel. You are going to still be my little girl for a while yet, yes?”

          The infant’s wiggles began to be more insistent, and Ignacio finally decided to relinquish the tiny bundle, gently placing her back in her crib so she could sleep.

          “Good night, my angel,” he whispered. “Good night, my Mariah.”

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 Yes. An entire chapter just to tease you with a name. But Doggone it Layla! Quit Frowning! Also, Layla couldn’t get into bed right away. It seems Cali’s little problem with parties from her wishacy is finally happened in my game, and Layla had to wait for both Nalleli and Shad, and Lottie and Raul to finish using the hosts bed. *facepalm. Thanks guys. *thumbs up. Awesome manners.

Though a for real Thanks Guys! For voting and naming the Generation 3 Heir to you all! Layla totally did a happy dance you all picked the name she wanted. Really. She gloated like crazy, too. No matter how much I told her the vote was very very close. lol. Maybe I'll get a more manageable heir one day and will still get to use Rhodri or Chayne.

And for the record, I tried to clarify this here but just in case I didn't manage to explain this a little better: Layla is not thinking Phedra is a bad parent. She's feeling like it's her fault that Phedra has stayed away for so long. She's giving undue weight to her words to her sister and is desperately wanting to rectify that. And I have to apologize since it didn't come off that way earlier. I'm a little focused on something coming up and I've kind of neglected what has to be done correctly first. My bad, yo. ;)

Oh, for the record also, Lottie had a baby during the week I sped through with one long chapter. So this is their second she’s expecting. That was her maternity wear she wore last chapter, and she was expecting on Snowflake day as well. I also believe Sally is expecting her third. So babies! Babies everywhere in my town! But only one for Layla and Ignacio.

Chapter 2.34- At Once

          “No,” Ignacio said into his phone. “No, I am sure Tibi will understand. If you have to work, you have to work. I remember how he used to do that even when we were kids. Why would he stop now?

          “I will give her your best wishes,” he continued. “Yeah. Will dad still be coming then?

          “Alright. Yeah, Love you too, Mami. ‘Bye.”

          Turning around, Ignacio was confused. He could have sworn he’d heard the door open and close behind him. Frowning at his image in the mirror he shook his head. It must have been something he heard going on in his mother’s house.

          When Layla waddled from the bathroom carrying a laundry bag he’d nearly jumped out of his hide. He did jump back a step or two.

          “Why are you doing laundry now?” Today was Tibi’s birthday and the party was scheduled to start in just a little bit.

          “It needs doing?” Layla responded sarcastically. “The house is filthy. Do you mind mopping the floors?”

          “Now?”

          “Yes, now,” she answered. “What other time would I mean? Get Tiburcia to sweep for you.”

          He turned his head only a little as she walked past him to get to their laundry basket. According to his dad this was all normal, the attitude, the cleaning, the unreasonable demands. Not being around Melly when she was pregnant with Tiburcia, he’d missed this before. Of course, it might all be worse since her dad had only just died and she hadn't allowed herself to really let that sink in “for the baby's sake.”

          “You know guests will be arriving soon,” he reminded her.

          “So then you need to get a move on don’t you?”

          “Please put the book down and sweep in here so your dad can mop,” Layla said, passing Tiburcia as she headed to the laundry room.

          “My party is starting in just a little bit,” Tibi glanced up from her book with a frown. “What are you doing?”

          “Cleaning! There are people coming and the house is a mess!”

          “From all the stupid stuff you bring home,” groaned Tibi under her breath.

          Passing by the portrait of the three of them they’d had made only a little while ago Layla remembered the one thing her mother had always said when families would call to have her photograph them. The best way to ensure your family would grow or change was to get a portrait done. Smiling wryly at it, Layla sighed. Maybe it was time for a change.

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          “Owen is finally graduating,” Nalleli was saying. “So we might need to leave a little early to get there on time. I can’t wait to get that punk out of my house.”

          Only half hearing what Ignacio’s sister said, Layla had been hit afresh with memories of her dad helping her find her way after she herself had graduated.

          “So,” Nalleli didn’t wait for an answer. “What does that actually feel like?”

          “What does what feel like?” Layla was genuinely confused. Her brain just didn’t seem to want to focus like it had before she became pregnant.

          Nalleli sniffed, rubbing her nose. It may have been the first day of Spring, but it sure didn’t feel like it.

          “What does it feel like sharing your body with a parasite?” Nalleli had long ago made sure the world knew that babies were Not in her future. She could barely stand her sweet niece as it was, and snotty nosed brats running around her house was not her idea of fun.

          Layla blinked at her, before really letting that sink in.

          “It sucks,” she answered at long last. “Really, honestly. I can’t sleep, I can’t get comfortable, I can’t walk, and my brain isn’t working properly.”

          “And that is why I will never do it,” Nalleli said sagely, nodding as if she understood. “So what’s the name?”

          Mustering her filthiest look Tiburcia stared hard at the Tanzanite on the kitchen counter. All the stupid crap Mom brought home was why her birthday party was crammed into the kitchen. Once upon a time, the kitchen wasn’t overcome with stuff, but slowly, slowly, it was creeping in here too.

          At least Henry and Emily were politely ignoring it. It was Emily’s birthday today too, her party was tonight. Henry still had a little while before he aged up too. But eventually, they would all be at High School together.

          But as her eyes roved the shiny things now beginning to clutter the kitchen, Tibi heard her dad behind her.

          “Are you ready to make a wish Mija?” Ignacio asked as he lit the candles on her cake.

          This birthday was one she had been waiting eagerly for. She could now drive. She could shop for her own clothes by herself. She’d be old enough to date, and most importantly, she wouldn’t have to be home nearly as often.

          Uncle Raul raised his fists to cheer her on along with Emily and Henry behind her.

          To Tibi, it was as if they were encouraging her, giving her confidence to move forward, to step out more.

          Aunt Lottie and Abuelo had a noisemaker a piece. Both were cheering her along with the others and Tibi stared hard at her candles.

          She should have had her wish formed weeks ago, but she just didn’t have one just yet. Staring all the harder, she did her best to drown out the commotion around her as she sought the one thing she wanted most.

          But the commotion seemed to only get louder as she tried to close it out. Hearing her dad and Layla’s voices she just rolled her eyes trying to focus on what it was she wanted most.

          A cleaner house would be nice. The house as she remembered it when she was really little would be really nice. But it was just a house, and it was Mom’s house. When she graduated she’d be moving out.

          Maybe she could wish that the baby would get here soon so Mom would go back to normal. But then the ‘normal’ for Mom even before she was pregnant wasn’t the one her dad talked about sometimes.

          What if she wished for her Dad to go back to normal? Talking to Abuela and Abuelo told her that her dad used to be a lot more confident and outgoing. That sounded like a lot more fun to her. He was generally somewhat somber and always worried lately.

          Sighing as the commotion around her grew with the addition of Aunt Nalleli’s voice Tibi frowned even harder at her candles trying to concentrate.

          When the front door slammed she assumed Aunt Nalleli and Uncle Shad had gone to Uncle Shad’s brother’s graduation. What would it be like to be finished with school, ready to join the wider world out there?

          But all that would come later no matter what. It was going to happen, no use wasting a birthday wish on it.

          Maybe she just wanted it to all be a little happier for right now. And for it to be happier it would all have to change. Maybe that was it. She’d wish for change. That Mom would change back to how she used to be. That Dad would be who he used to be. That the house would change back to what she remembered. Change.

          Closing her eyes tightly she took a deep breath, blowing hard to make sure she got all of the candles in one go which thinking her hardest. “I wish it would all change.” Daddy said you’re wish wouldn’t come true if you didn’t blow them all out at once.

          Sparkles enveloped her as Roosevelt, Uncle Shad’s other brother who must have skipped out on going to the graduation for her birthday cake, entered.

          Thanks to Ballet, her pirouette within the sparkles was as graceful as she hoped to be when it was all over.

          Funny though, this didn’t seem to be as bad as the last time. Her eyes didn’t cross and she didn’t lose her balance.

          Looking around, then down, she realized the transition really had been easy this time.

          Well, this was a change. So maybe part of her wish had come true if nothing else.

          Then it hit her. Spinning around she again scanned those gathered in the kitchen to celebrate her birthday. Uncle Raul, Roosevelt, Henry, Emily, Aunt Lottie, and Abuelo.

          “Where’s Mom and Dad?” she asked.

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          It had been hours since the party had finished. She’d finally sent Aunt Lottie and Uncle Raul back home assuring them she’d be fine waiting on her Mom and Dad on her own. Barely able to stand the suspence, she’d planted herself on the loveseat.

          She’d attempted reading, she’d called her friends. She was missing Emily’s party, but there was no way she could go until she knew everything was alright. She’d cleaned up the remains of the birthday party, and had swept the floors as Layla had requested so long ago. Was it long ago? Or only earlier that day?

          When the front door finally swung open, she jumped to her feet. Were they finally home? Was Layla ok? Was the baby okay? Was it a boy? Was it a girl?

          Feeling like she’d explode from the tension she took a step forward just as her dad came in followed closely by her mom.

          Ignacio’s grin stretched ear to ear, but Layla just looked tired, and a little stunned. Her eyes were fixed on the little bundle she carried in one arm. Tibi’s eyes followed hers to look at the tiny baby she carried.

          “Well,” her dad said brightly. “Happy Birthday, Mija! You are a big sister again!”

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Mwwwuuuahahahahahaha! Yeah. I’m mean. Next chapter. Maybe. We’ll find out if that little spinach burrito holds a boy or a girl. Maybe. If I’m feeling nice. J/k.

And for the record: I’d not planned on Tibi’s birthday being the same day Layla was due. When that happened I thought: “Wouldn’t it be fun to do the party, and have the party End with Layla going into labor?” So I carefully calculated when Layla would give birth and pushed the party time to begin 3 hours before she was scheduled to give birth. Nope. Instead, I’d just directed Tibi to blow out the candles when Layla went into labor. I’m having enough issues with my game I really don’t need such an ado right now to really give it conniptions. But, it worked. My game survived, Tibi aged up and I even got to fix her up in CAS, and I was able to open the Burrito in Stylist to change the tortilla without a hitch! So I went with it.

Since I’m torturing you all with the Heir, I will do this though: Roll Reveal! Number of Children: 2. I’d originally rolled one, but as the marital structure (Yeah yeah I know you all know what it is, but I will reveal it my way when I’m ready in story :P) allows for one additional child so you can have a biological child, I did that. So there’s my one biological child for Layla. No.More.

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.