Bernard 2: Round 17

Last round, Leia found herself pregnant after getting married to Pine Lytle. Her family's multiple-genes kicked in big time when she gave birth to triplets, Rey, Finn, and Padme. Luckily, she had the help of grandparents Salmon and Jamaica.

Leia: Um...mysterious voice?

Ah, I see you've found your new laundry room...

Leia: My...what room?

Laundry. You know...washing your clothes?

Leia: Why would we need to do that?

You have three toddlers in the house. Do you really need to ask that question?

Leia: Do you think this is really necessary? I mean, you never had to wash our clothes when we were kids.

Jamaica: No...but there were times I wished I could.

Rey: Mama...I'm all sticky...

Leia: All right, maybe it's not that bad of an idea...

Leia: So...I just push this button and the clothes get clean?

Pretty much. See, it's not that hard.

Leia: And how often do I have to do this?

Well...for most houses about once a week, but you've got toddler triplets, so...

Leia: This is going to be a full-time job, isn't it?

Rey: Now you're all sticky!

Yeah, pretty much...

Oh, man, I wasn't expecting this to happen so soon in the week...

And right in the middle of the girls' nursery. Great...

Where's Leia?

Jamaica: She's still at work...just another couple of hours and she would have been here...

Goodbye, Salmon...

Jamaica: It's ok, kids...Grandma's here...

Leia: I'm home...where is everybody?

Oh, this is going to be rough...

Leia: What's everybody doing in...where's Dad?

Jamaica: I'm sorry, sweetie...

Leia: He's...he's gone?

Jamaica: Yes. He just went a little while ago...

Leia: What....no, it's...I wasn't ready...

Pine: I'm sorry about your Dad, Leia. He was a good guy.

Leia: Yeah...at least you knew that...

Pine: Um...if you want me to handle the kids tomorrow...

Leia: Oh, no...I'm doing play group tomorrow. I've already called into work.

This wouldn't have anything do to with a certain other parent...that you're related to?

Leia: You bet it does.

This ought to be good...

Leia: Well I hope you're happy...

Luke: Um...hello to you too..

Um, guys? Is the hallway of a pre-school really the best place for this conversation?

Leia: She's right. In the office. Now.

Nice of the school to leave the office empty for family confrontations.

Luke: Leia, what is up with you?

Leia: Dad's gone.

Luke: What?

Leia: He went last night.

Luke: (sigh) I'm sorry...

Leia: Well you should be! Because yeah, he made some mistakes. But he loved you. And you chose to spend the last years of his life trying to hunt him down like some kind of criminal!

Luke: He was a criminal!

Leia: He was also your father! There was so much good in him, Luke! But you never saw that, did you? And now you never will!

Han: Hey, sis...Mom called last night.

Leia: So, you know...

Han: Yeah. I'm guessing the yelling I heard from the office has something to do with that?

Leia: I know, I just...needed to get it off my chest. Just...do me a favor and don't mention it to Mom, ok?

Jamaica: Hi, guys. How was play group?

Padme: Mommy yelled at Uncle Luke!

Jamaica: What?

I don't think it's Han Leia needed to worry about.

Jamaica: Leia, honey...I know we're all sad but you can't take it out on your brother...

Leia: Mom you don't understand. Things with Luke...well, they're more complicated than you know.

Jamaica: What do you mean?

You know what, I think my narrating skills might be better served elsewhere during this conversation...

Leia: Coward...

Yeah, here we go...watching a toddler watch the laundry. This...this is better.

Pine: So...Leia told you?

Jamaica: Yes...

I didn't hear any screaming and nothing seems to be broken...

Jamaica: Well I can't say I'm not upset about what he did...or tried to do. But I'm more upset that he lied to all of us. And I think Leia's right about one thing-that all he really did was cheat himself out of the last few years with his dad. I just hope he realizes that.

Huh...looks like that might be the case.

Or not...

Leia: Cindy? Where's Luke?

Cindy: I took his phone and texted you before he left for work.

Why?

Cindy: Because I'm sick of him moping around here! Ever since he heard your Dad died, all he does is sit and stare off into the distance. It's freaking the kids out.

Luke: Hey, honey...I'll be out back...Leia?

Leia: Hey...I think we need to have a talk.

Luke: Didn't we talk enough the other day?

Leia: Come on. Let's go back home...

Luke: Sorry, no can do...

Leia: Cindy told me about your routine. You're not busy. Let's go...

Luke: Ok, well, you got me here. What else did you want to say, huh?

Leia: Luke, I...

Luke: You think I don't know what a horrible son I've been? You don't think I've dreaded this day since the day I enrolled in the police force? 

Leia: Luke, I'm sorry, alright? But...I just wanted to make you see what you were missing out on. Because he was a really good dad, and he was a really good grandpa, and now...and now he's gone...

Don't say it...don't say it...don't say it...

Luke: No one's ever really gone...

All right, well, I'll just be out in the yard recomposing myself...

Oh...hey, Jamaica...

Jamaica: Luke...

Luke: Hey, Mom...long time no see.

Jamaica: Luke...is it true? What Leia said? Were you really trying to arrest your own father?

Luke: ....Yeah. Yeah, it is. But Mom...I just couldn't stand knowing that he just got away with all of that...

Jamaica: Who says he did?

Luke: What?

Jamaica: Luke, your father may not have ever had any...legal consequences for his career. But let me tell you something. When you were born, we lived in a three room shack. Don't you remember when you were kids and all three of you boys were in one cramped room? He hated that he couldn't provide  more for you. And I didn't make it any easier, either. Every single day I nagged him to change his career. And then when we could finally afford to throw you a birthday party, he had to hide in the bathroom the entire time to avoid being spotted? Luke, he lived every single day with the consequences of his actions. They may not have been as dramatic as you'd like but they were there.

Luke: Then why didn't he change, huh? Why didn't he ever listen to you and just...change?

Jamaica: Change isn't so easy for everyone, Luke. And for some...it doesn't happen at all. But that doesn't mean I loved him any less.

Luke: Yeah, well...I should be getting home. It's late, Cindy's probably worried, you know.

Jamaica: Yeah...I do.

Trying a more natural alternative?

Pine: No...the stupid drying machine broke. You never told us these things could break! Do you know how hard it is to lug a bag of wet clothes out to the backyard?

Don't worry, I have a feeling the laundry load is going to be much lighter soon.

So no big party?

Leia: No time. I saw what happened with the Kauker girls. We're not missing this.

All right then, let's do this. Happy birthday, dear Rey...

Yes! We have a neat child!

Happy birthday, dear Finn...

All right, that kind of makes sense...

Happy birthday, dear Padme...

And a lot of vegetarian children around here lately, too...

All right, everybody on the couch. Time for the group shot.

Rey: Do I really have to wear a shirt with my name on it?

As long as you and your sister insist on doing your hair the same way, then yes, you do.

Huh? Was having three grandkids age up one of the requirements?

Oh, I see...Congrats, Leia.

Leia: Thanks...

Well, it's just about time for me to be on my way...

Leia: Hey, mysterious voice? Could you do me a favor?

Sure...

Leia: When you get to Luke's house...could you have him give me a call?

I'll see what I can do. See you next round, everybody!

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: So, I had a whole plan for this lot that didn't end up working out. (Without giving too much away, it involved adding animals to the family-only I wanted to add one for each triplet and with Jamaica still in the house I wasn't able to.) Jamaica has the active trait-I actually just found out that's what's been causing certain elders to live long past their "It's almost X's time" message. It ended up working out, though, since I got to have a last conversation between Jamaica and Luke even if I didn't get one with Salmon. I really wasn't expecting Salmon to go as early in the week as he did. And...no more toddler triplets! Poor Rey's going to be wearing her namesake for awhile, I'm afraid, because the girls still look identical. (I would make Padme a shirt as well but there aren't a whole lot of Padme-themed t-shirts out there for me to make.)

Palmer 3: Round 17

Last round, the Palmer family were debating whether or not to expand their family after their adopted daughter Nestle became a toddler. This was spurred on when Riley's mother, Blair, passed away from old age early in the week. In the end, she and her wife Candy decided to adopt one more time, this time finding a very unique agency that specialized in aliens. This agency had some very odd restrictions, though Candy didn't seem to have a problem with telling some half-truths to get the adoption to go through. At the end of the week, Nestle finally gained a little sister when Starburst joined the family.

Hi, guys!

Marlin: Oh, hi mysterious voice.

Where are the girls?

Riley: Well, Nestle's upstairs, and Starburst...

Yeah, about that...good to see she's developing creativity?

Nestle: Mommy! She bit me again!

Riley: (sigh) Starburst, get in time-out!

Nestle: She's not gonna go...she doesn't have good listening ears, Mommy.

Candy: Ok, Starburst...let's get you dressed...

Starburst: NO! 

I see you guys are still having a hard time with the clothing thing.

Candy: Oh, it's insane. Everything we put on her she immediately throws off. 

Marlin: Gee, can't imagine where she gets it from...

Candy: Huh?

He's got a point...you and Riley are always walking around here  in your swimsuits. Maybe she's just trying to fit in.

I'd say that things are about to get easier but somehow I get the feeling that Nestle isn't the cause of the problems...

So where are we doing the party?

Marlin: We're just doing it here. We've got a big enough yard...and plus, no one can throw us out of our own house.

Nestle: Grandpa! She hit me!

Marlin: Who hit you?

Who do you think, Marlin?

Come on, let's get Nestle bigger before this becomes a toddler wrestling match. Happy birthday, dear Nestle...

Huh...social and active. That can work.

Well, we've got the social butterfly part off to a good start.

Houston: Where did your moms get that baby from, anyway?

Nestle: I don't know...they said they got her from the same place they got me.

Tempera: Uh-uh. No way.

Sunshine: Yeah. There's no way you came from the same place. Trust me, I know about weird sisters...and yours is the weirdest.

Oh, good...just what this party needed...

A death.

At least this means that Jessie is here to say goodbye...

Even if it also means that we're also traumatizing every child in town. Goodbye, Marlin...

Candy: Is everybody home?

Riley: Yup, the last ones just got picked up. Some birthday for Nestle, huh?

Candy: Yeah...

Jessie: How's Starburst taking it?

Candy: Taking what? I don't think she even realizes anything happened.

Riley: Really? She was in the room...

Jessie: Well, you know how toddlers are...

Luke: Hey...um, listen...can I talk to you about something?

Riley: Sure. What's up?

Luke: Listen, I know these play group uniforms are a bit much...but maybe you could try bringing Starburst in...something she'll keep on? I'm worried it's starting to give Crayola ideas...

Riley: What are you talking about? She was in her uniform this morning...

Yeah, well, now it's afternoon.

Thunder: I think we finally turned a corner on the potty training thing!

Hunter: Lucky you...

Lucas: Hang in there, man...he'll catch up.

Han: Yeah...it was rough there with Madrid for a little bit but she's finally getting the hang of it.

Riley: ...Madrid's already potty trained?

Han: Well, not completely, but she's getting there. Oh, and did I tell you guys that she started running with her mom? I'll tell you, once those motor skills start to kick in...

Riley: Ok, enough's enough. We are done with the diapers now, young lady...

Um, Riley? I don't think that's going to work...

Riley: You heard the other parents! She's behind, I know she is. I mean, nothing with Nestle was this hard.

Speaking of Nestle...I should probably go check on how her first day at school was.

You ok, Nestle?

Nestle: I guess...school is hard!

Madison: You can't come to play group like that!

Balcony: Yeah...you can't be just in a diaper!

Starburst: ...

Starburst, honey, that is not what they meant...

Well, at least someone had a good day.

Congratulations, Candy, but...I think Riley's got some stories for you.

Riley: And then, as if that wasn't bad enough, she decided to take off the diaper and went streaking through the building!

Candy: (laughs)

Riley: You think this is funny?

Candy: Well, a little...

Riley: This isn't a joke, Candy! Did you ever notice how none of the other kids bite? Or hit? Or refuse to put on clothes? We're doing something wrong here!

Candy: Riley, she's a toddler! Besides, we're doing the same things with her that we did with Nestle and she's doing fine...

Um...where is Nestle, by the way?

Candy: Upstairs...I think...

Starburst: Mommy! Play group! Now!

Riley: No, not today. We've got somewhere else to go...

Doesn't Jessie have to go to the play group too?

Riley: We're having our own mini play group today. Maybe if she's just with her cousins she'll be more...

Predictable?

Riley: Yeah, that's it.

Jessie: I don't see why you're so worried. She seems fine to me...

Riley: Jessie, you saw how she's been at play group. Plus, I'm pretty sure she absolutely hates Nestle.

Jessie: Oh, come on...how could she hate her big sister?

Riley: Well, her standard greeting is pulling Nestle's hair...

And despite that Nestle's still here!

Nestle: Huh? Where else would I be?

Never mind....

Riley: Sorry we've been so preoccupied lately, honey. It's just that Starburst...well, she needs a lot of attention right now. But don't worry. It will get better soon.

Does that mean...

I don't think there's been a more anticipated birthday in this town for quite a while...

Are we doing this one at the house too?

Candy: Are you kidding? We're still cleaning up from the last one. We're doing it at the park.

Chimney: It feels weird being at this place.

Aurora: Yeah...it feels like forever ago...

Yours was literally the last house I was at.

We're doing the cake in the bathroom?

Riley: It's the only place I can lock her in to keep her from running away.

Well, ok...Happy birthday, dear Starburst...

Well, I guess creativity kind of makes sense...

Oh, right...I always forget about that alien suit. Hey, maybe that's why she hated normal clothes so much.

Riley: Well, she can't start school wearing that...come on, honey. We'll find something...

See, that's...better?

Riley: (sigh) At least it's clothes...

Riley: Well, we did it...

You did what?

Riley: Made it...she's not a toddler anymore. It's got to get easier now, right?

Candy: I'm not sure of anything with her...

Well, unfortunately I can't stick around to see. I've got to get moving on to the next house. See you all in round 18!

A Message from the Mysterious Voice: After a little break, finally a new update. You know, one of my favorite parts about the toddler stuff pack is that the play dates give the toddlers a chance to interact with one another when I'm not on their lot. And usually that ends up with them liking each other more. But when I loaded up this lot, Nestle and Starburst hated each other. Like, almost a full red bar hated each other. I don't know what's been going on at that play group that I haven't been paying attention to, because I have never seen two Sim toddlers dislike each other that much. This was also the first lot where I was able to get my "preschool park" lot to work for the playdates. (I had initially put down some CC that made the lot freeze up when it was used.) And yeah, Marlin dying in the middle of the birthday party was a bit of a downer, huh?