Bernard 4: Round 16

Last round, Luke and Cindy Bernard moved into their new home. Cindy soon found herself pregnant, and by the end of the week the couple had welcomed a daughter named Tempera. Meanwhile, Luke joined the detective career to try and catch his father in the act, despite his aspiration to become a mixologist like his wife.

Hi, guys!

Cindy: Oh, hi mysterious voice...

Luke: Sorry, can't stay to chat. Gotta run to the station.

Cindy: Already? It's barely 6AM...I was hoping you could help with Tempera...

Luke: Sorry, honey. Crime never sleeps, you know.

Luke: Hey, you! What are you doing out this early?

Mitchell: Um...

Luke: Yeah, a likely story. Move along...

So, they have you patrolling the streets at 6AM? How much crime could there be at this hour?

James: Luke, your shift should have ended hours ago. What are you still doing here?

Luke: Putting in some extra hours today. I think I finally picked up the person who damaged all those apartments...just need to run the forensics through a few more tests before I start the interrogations.

James: Interrogation? But you're not...

Luke: Look, I know what I'm doing, ok?

Erika: I'm telling you, you've got the wrong person...

Luke: Don't try that with me...we both know you're the one who broke into that apartment building. The janitor saw you with his own eyes...

Erika: Of course he did...I live there! You took the pictures in my apartment.

Luke: Um...that was you? Oh...um...well, then...

Maybe we should call it a night?

Luke: (sigh) Hi, honey...sorry I'm so late.

Cindy: (sigh) I guess it's all right. I just got Tempera to sleep. You'll have to hear all about her day at play group tomorrow.

Let me guess...it's your guys week to host it?

Cindy: Yeah...I don't know why I agreed to it. I was exhausted before I even got to work...hey, you're off tomorrow, right?

Luke: Oh, I don't think...

Cindy: Luke, please...

Luke...I would listen to her if I were you.

Luke: Well, I guess I could give it a try.

Cindy: Oh, thank you...you know, I'm not that tired right now...

See, Luke? Doing what your wife wants has its rewards...

Including unexpected ones, apparently.

Cindy: Can you believe it?

Luke: Um...no, not really...

Cindy: I can't wait to tell everyone at the restaurant. Are you sure you can handle Tempera today?

Luke: Yeah...how hard can hosting play group be? What time does this thing start anyway?

Cindy: The group gets there at 10. You should probably get to the park a bit early to set up. Oh, just a heads up, you should probably check the lock on the park gate ahead of time. And make sure no one broke the dollhouse or they'll all start crying as soon as they show up.

Luke: Um...right. Gate...dollhouse...got it.

Luke: Ok..play group! Let's do this...why aren't you dressed?

Luke, she's a toddler. You need to help with that.

Luke: Oh...right.

This should be a show.

Tempera: Rey! Padme! Come slide!

At least Tempera's got some friends in her cousins...

Huh...looks like she's not getting along too well with Celestial though.

Tempera: 'Lesital mean! She doesn't let me play space...she only wants to play pirate.

There are space pirates, you know...

Nice going, Cindy.

Cindy: Thanks...so, how did play group go today?

Fine...

Chief: Oh, Luke...I've been meaning to talk to you...

Luke: Listen, about the other day...

Chief: Good job uncovering all that evidence at the crime scene. I think it might be time for you to join the detective team.

Luke: Really...I mean, thank you...

So, does this mean you finally caught whoever vandalized those apartments?

Luke: Um...not exactly. But you heard the chief-my evidence really helped out.

Feel like telling your sister about your good day?

Luke: (sigh) Yeah...hold on. Let me just change...just in case.

Leia: Luke! I'm so glad you could come!

Luke: Me too...

Looks like the triplets are happy to see you too...Finn seems to be making some sort of masterpiece in your honor.

Leia: (laughs) Come on, let's head inside before these guys destroy the entire neighborhood.

Luke: Wow...I haven't been back here in awhile...

Leia: It's been too long, Luke. We miss you...we all miss you.

Luke: He's not here, is he?

Leia: (sigh) No, he's not. You know he works nights. Besides, even if he was...he still thinks your a mixologist, remember? 

Luke: You don't get it, Leia. I'm still so mad at him...

Leia: I know, Luke, but...come on, I want to show you something.

Leia: Look. Remember when you guys took that?

Luke: (laughs) Yeah...it was before I graduated high school, when he brought home the camera for the first time...that he probably stole.

Leia: But the first thing he did with it was take a picture with you. Luke, I know you don't like to talk about Dad, but he's not getting any younger. And I just don't want you to have any regrets when he's gone...

Rey: Mama!

Leia: (sigh) It's the triplet's bedtime...

Luke: Want some help?

Leia: Really? Don't you have to get home? It's probably Tempera's bedtime too, isn't it?

Luke: Cindy can handle it...besides, it usually takes awhile to get her down. I'll be home before she's actually asleep.

Leia: All right...you want to take Rey? 

Luke: And then the littlest llama said...

Salmon: Luke?

Uh-oh...

Luke: Dad? I thought...I mean, Leia said...

Salmon: I got off early tonight...so...the voice is with you?

Hi there, Salmon. Long time no see.

Salmon: Yeah...no kidding.

Luke: Well...I'd better get going...Cindy's probably getting worried. Pregnancy hormones, you know.

Salmon: Oh...are you two expecting again?

Luke: Um...yeah. I thought Mom would have told you...

Salmon: No...she hasn't mentioned it...

Well, um, listen, as lovely as this reunion is, maybe we should get back to your place?

Luke: Hey, sorry I'm a late...

Cindy: Let me guess...another last minute clue?

Luke: No, actually I...

Looks like you're going to have to hold that thought, Luke...It's baby time!

So I guess we're doing this here?

Cindy: No...choice...waited...too...long...

I think this is it...

Really? Another girl? Ok...welcome, Crayola...

She looks just like her sister so far...

Luke: Hi Mom...thanks. The baby's doing great...yeah, I was sorry to miss you the other night too. Tonight? No, I'm kind of tied up at work...right, weekends are busy at the bar...

Cindy: Yeah, we're keeping it kind of low-key...no, we're just doing it here at the house. Well, he has to work for the first half of it or so, but he swears he'll be home by the main event...

Main event of what?

Ahh, I see.

So we're having the party here?

Cindy: Yeah...that way it will be easier for Luke to get there from work.

Oh, hey Cyrus...I almost forgot you're Cindy's brother.

Cyrus: So where's the birthday girl?

Cindy: She's over there with Luke's brother and cousin...chatting up a storm.

Tempera: And then I'm gonna learn to read big kid books...and I'm gonna get to swing way high up on the monkey bars! But my sister's still gonna be little even after she gets growed up...

Wait, it's Crayola's birthday too?

Ahh, I guess that's why we're doing the party here.

Cindy: Yeah, we can't exactly bring a newborn to a party at a park...I sure hope Luke gets home soon. It's getting pretty close to...

Uh-oh...

Well, at least she got a good start...

Even if she does need a new hairstyle.

Maybe we should get Crayola done too...before we miss it?

Cindy: (sigh) Yeah, I guess you're right...

Hey, anything but fussy...

And she looks exactly like her sister!

And since all the play group kids are here she gets a head start on meeting everyone.

Harbor: Hey! You don't have play group clothes! 

I'm sure she'll have some by the time she starts going, Harbor. But I can see how seeing any toddler not dressed like that is strange for you.

And how are the big kids doing?

Snapple: We're telling Tempera about school.

Dragon: Yeah...it's a lot different than play group.

Tempera: It is?

Harrison: Yeah...you have to sit down at a desk and do boring work and stuff.

Snapple: But it's not all bad...at least we get to wear whatever we want.

Mark: Yeah...those stupid play group outfits look so dorky.

Gemini: Hey, I think your dad just got home...I saw him running through the yard.

Luke: Oh, good...I'm not too late. Come on, Tempera. Let's go have that cake...

Cyrus: Do you want to tell him or should I?

Luke: Tell me what?

Tempera: Hi, Dad...

Luke: Wait...Tempera? But...oh, no...so, that means...I did miss it, didn't I?

Tempera: Yeah...but, it's ok, really. It was a fun party anyway.

I don't think Cindy's going to be as understanding once the guests go home...

Luke: Yeah...say, why don't your friends hang out a bit longer? Has anyone gotten a picture yet? We can do that...

Aww, the play group is growing up...But I really do think it's time everyone headed home.

Luke: Sure we don't want to make this a sleepover?

Sorry, Luke...

Luke: Look, I know you're mad at me...

Cindy: Luke, you missed both your daughters' birthdays! What could have possibly been so important at work?

Luke: You're right, you're right...it's just...I'm so close, Cindy!

Cindy: I don't care.! You need to get your priorities straight...unless you want them to grow up and be out to get you one day...

Well, this seems like a good time for me to be on my way...

Luke: Lucky...

Good luck, Luke. I'll see you guys next round.

A Message from the Mysterious Voice: Man, this one took me a long time to write. This lot is another case of "writing around the glitches". Apparently the detective career is incredibly bugged when it comes to making arrests; the correct Sim either never shows up, or doesn't match the description in the notebook at all. And since you lose performance every time you make a wrong arrest, Luke would have been fired had I just gone for trial and error. So, Luke went to work alone for most of the week. (This is also why on the days I did go with him, he ended up staying late every day to make up for the mistakes.) Eventually, I will have to have him solve a case to get him promoted again...I'm just not entirely sure how with the bugs. And I was genuinely surprised that Cindy had another girl. The town's been on quite the baby girl streak lately.

Palmer 6: Round 16

Last round, Jessie Palmer and Planet Kauker moved into their new home. Despite having conflicting work schedules, Jessie son found herself pregnant and by the end of the week had given birth to twin boys, Moat and Harbor.

Hi, guys...

Planet: Shh!

Jessie: We just got the babies to sleep...

Oh, sorry...

Planet: Maybe we should...head downstairs?

Ok, that was not a sufficient warning, Planet...

Not really surprised here...

Jessie: Can you believe it?

Planet: Not really...seems like we just had the last two...

Want to go tell your dad the good news?

Jessie: Oh, yeah...you know, I haven't seen him since...well, since Mom passed away.

You ok?

Jessie: Yeah...seeing it just makes it more real.

Let's go inside and find your dad, huh?

Marlin: Jessie! It's so good to see you!

Jessie: It's good to see you too, Dad...how are you doing?

Marlin: Oh, you know...pretty good, all things considered. Let's go sit down out back.

Marlin: So is it true I've got another grandchild on the way?

Jessie: Yup. We just found out. You don't think it's too soon after the boys, do you?

Marlin: Oh, no...you and Riley weren't that much farther apart and you both did fine.

Jessie: Where is Riley, anyway?

Marlin: She's at the park with the girls...(laughs)

Jessie: What's so funny?

Marlin: Every time I say "the girls" I keep thinking I'm talking about you and your sister. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?

Jessie: Yeah...yeah, it does...

You know, I think I'll let you two have a few minutes to yourselves. I'm going to go check in on Planet with the babies.

How are the boys doing?

Planet: Pretty good, I guess...

You guess?

Planet: Well...I think something might be going on with Harbor...does his crying sound off to you?

It's kind of hard to tell when they're both crying at once.

Glad things seem to be going ok at work, though.

Planet: Yeah...just in time, too. We're going to have to go shopping for beds soon.

Does that mean...

Planet: Yup...they boys are almost toddlers.

Well, let me just help that along then.

Happy birthday, dear Harbor...

Ok, silly's not that hard...

Whoa...

Planet: He's an alien?

Sort of...but he has your skin...never seen that before. I guess that explains the weird crying.

Let's see if Moat's got any surprises...Happy birthday, dear Moat...

At least we lucked out with the traits

No, he seems fully human.

So, this will be quite a surprise for Jessie, won't it?

Planet: Yeah...I mean, we always knew there'd probably be some alien in our kids. But when neither of them came out blue, I figured it had just skipped a generation.

Jessie: Look at my big boys...you're both so handsome!

Moat: Harbor look funny, Mama...why?

Jessie: Oh, Moat...Harbor doesn't look funny, he just looks...um, well...I'll explain it when you're older, ok?

Planet: So, you're sure you can handle this on your own?

Handle what?

Jessie: Our first play group day...and yes, I'm sure. Go on to work. We'll be fine.

Man, they don't even give you a chance to settle in, do they?

Jessie: Oh, I volunteered. I've been anxious to do it ever since I heard Riley talk about it.

And while pregnant too...I gotta give you credit for that one.

Jessie: There are other parents here...not that they're doing much, but they are here.

Planet: Hey, little guy...how was your first day of play group?

Harbor: Big slide...tunnel...I eaten a whole hot dog!

Planet: Wow...where's Mommy?

Harbor: Mommy's tummy hurt...

Uh-oh...I think I know what this means...

So, here or hospital?

Jessie: Hospital...I think it might freak the boys out to watch.

Jessie: Hi, I was wondering...before I head back, is there any sort of...tests we can run on the baby after it's born?

Receptionist: Tests?

Jessie: Yeah, we had some surprises with our twins, and...you know what, never mind...

Doctor: Just relax, Jessie...it'll be over before you know it...

Wow, really wasn't expecting another girl. Welcome, Ocean...

Well at least we know she's got some alien in her from the beginning.

Planet: So what are you guys going to do this morning while I'm at work?

Harbor: Park!

Moat: Yeah, park!

Jessie: No, no park today. Today we're going to stay at home so Mommy can be with Ocean.

Planet: Are you sure about that? I'm sure one of the other parents could take them...

Jessie: Relax, Planet. It's just one afternoon. How much trouble could they possibly get into?

You've...been around toddlers before, right?

As I was saying...who spilled paint on the rug?

Moat: Ocean did it!

Harbor: Babies can't spill...

Don't worry, Moat...pretty soon she'll be big enough to blame stuff on.

Happy birthday, dear Ocean...

Oh, goody...another wild toddler.

And...she's all alien too.

Jessie: I thought she just had my skin...what are the chances?

Jessie: Aren't you tired yet?

Harbor: No, Mama...

Jessie: Well, I am...and I have to get ready for work!

Harbor: No work, Mama...stay home! Play!

Jessie: Wish I could, buddy, but today's an important day for Mommy...

Looks like it was an important day for Daddy, too.

Nice going, Jessie...

Jessie: Thanks...the kids didn't break anything, did they?

Um...I don't think so.

Harbor: Moat, stop! You'll hurt Ocean...

Moat: No I won't...if she ever moves out of the way!

I like that the two alien kids look out for one another...

Oh, Uncle Galaxy is coming over?

Planet: Yeah, I think he kind of misses the toddler stuff with his two. He volunteered to hang out with them today.

Well, I'll let these three bond with their uncle, then. I'll see you guys next round!

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: So, did you know that fully alien kids can be born to half alien parents? Because I didn't. Both Harbor and Ocean are 100% alien. They both have the ability to disguise themselves and everything, although Ocean's disguise actually keeps her blue skin. (It actually looks like a mini-Jessie.) I was actually more surprised by Harbor, though. I've never seen an alien with a normal human skin tone before.