Last round, Corellia was still grieving the loss of her parents. Her live-in boyfriend, Austen, and their new puppy named Falcon provided a bit of distraction, but it was becoming pregnant with her first child that really changed her state of mind. The same could not be said for Austen, though, who seemed less than thrilled with his new daughter.
Um...did I miss something?
Austen: Oh, great...she's back.
Nice to see you too, Austen. Mind if I ask what's with the formal attire?
Austen: Actually...
Corellia: We just got back from the wedding!
What wedding? There hasn't been a wedding in...6 weeks now.
Austen: You know...come to think of it...I am getting a bit uncomfortable...
Ok, I can take the hint...
I guess I'll just kill time by checking out the calendar for the week...
...and there we go...
Corellia: I have great news...I'm having a baby!
Austen: Didn't we do that already?
Yup, you did. And she's currently eating pancakes unsupervised on the couch...
Luckily Falcon still pays attention to her.
Guam: Hey! Your clothes are different!
Tatooine: That's cause it's raining. Mama didn't want my other ones getting wet.
Not like we could just...have play group indoors...
Lucas: Corellia, you're soaking wet..
Corellia: Oh, it's just a little rain...
Wow, this might be the only chance card where the "good" option results in you getting fired...
Looks like Falcon is trying his best to dry Tatooine off...though I'm not sure a dog makes the best towel...
(clears throat)
Austen: Yes? Can I help you?
I can't help but notice you possibly helped your company commit a crime today.
Austen: What the...how did you know...
I'm the mysterious voice. I know things.
Austen: Yeah, well...so what if I did? I mean, I would have been fired if I turned that stuff in. Is that what you want? For me to get fired?
Well, I guess not...
Corellia: So, Austen...I was wondering....do you think you might be able to do play group tomorrow? My back is really hurting, and...
Austen: Me do play group? You know I have work tomorrow.
You do have family leave...
Austen: Shut up you stupid...Em...I mean..I don't know. I haven't exactly been there very long. What kind of impression would that make?
Probably a better one than Corellia's making right now cooking burgers with a rash...
Shark: You want me to take over? You look a little drained...
Looks like it might be a bit more than a rash...
I guess play group is over for the day.
Corellia: You wait in the waiting room, honey. Mommy will be out before you know it with your new brother or sister...
I think she'll be fine...
Forest: So did Hosnian show you the pictures of the girls at the park?
Um, maybe save the family gossip for after the birth?
It's a boy! Welcome, Hoth!
Corellia: Come on, buddy...I'm sure your Daddy is going to be so excited to meet you!
Corellia: Welcome home...I have a surprise for you!
Austen: Ugh...what a day...hey, wait a minute...something's different...
Great observation skills there...
Austen: This place is a mess! Doesn't anyone around here clean...
I think she was a bit busy having a baby, Austen...
Austen: Huh? Oh...hey, yeah! You're not pregnant anymore....
You know, I take back what I said about your observational skills...
Oh, right...holidays are a thing.
Um, what are you doing?
Austen: Watching a monster movie. It's Candy Fest, isn't it?
Well, yes, but do you really think it's a good idea to let Tatooine...
Austen: Ugh, it's impossible to please you, isn't it? Last time it was all "spend time with the kid". Well, I'm spending time with the kid. What's the big deal?
You know, I think you ignoring her might be the better option here...
Corellia: So, I've been thinking...
Austen: Uh-huh...
Corellia: Well, we have our baby girl and we have our baby boy, but...I think I might want to adopt one more.
Austen: ...What?
Corellia: Well, you know, my parents decided to adopt me when they already had Alderaan and Hosnian...I thought it might be nice to do the same. You know, pay it forward and all that.
Austen: But...but...what about...
Corellia: I know it will be a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it...
So, you're going ahead with this adoption thing, are you?
Corellia: Of course! Didn't you see Austen's reaction when I told him? He was so excited he could hardly speak!
I seem to remember it a bit differently...
Corellia: Oh, I'm sure he's just nervous. You'll see...this will work out perfectly...
All right then...welcome, Chandrilla...
So, how do you plan to explain this to Austen?
Corelila: Explain what? He knows we're adopting! I told him so last night!
Austen: What the...I told her no!
Technically, no, you didn't. And surprisingly the orphanage doesn't require the live-in boyfriend's consent...
Austen: Dude, what am I supposed to do? It's not like we can just take the kid back...no, you can't....no, I already checked...I don't think this is going to work. I tried, dude, but ever since she had the first one it's all...perfect family around here...
Corellia: Oh, Chandrilla, are you hungry? I thought I asked Daddy to give you a bottle while I finished that painting...
Austen: I did...I left it right there next to her in the bassinet...
(Sigh) You have to hold the bottle for her, Austen...
Austen: Well, how was I supposed to know that?
Corellia: It's ok, it's ok. I fed her. She's fine. What about the laundry?
Austen: Uh, yeah...laundry...um, you know, I tried, but I think the machine is broken...
Corellia: (sigh) Ok, I guess Tatooine can wear her regular clothes to play group.
Good to know Austen is just as great at household chores as he is at childcare.
Corellia: So, I was hoping that since it's your day off, you'd be able to come help out at play group today. Tatooione's made so many new friends. There's this one little boy, Trumpet...they're just adorable together...
Austen: Yeah, about that...um, I actually just got a phone call from the office and...I've got to go in today. Big important project came up...top secret.
Corellia: Oh, well...ok, then. Just be back by dinner...it's Hoth's birthday tonight too.
Trumpet: Hey! You're not dressed right!
Tatooine: Daddy didn't wanna wash the clothes...
And somehow the toddler is the most aware of what's really going on.
Ok, even I have to admit that these two little troublemakers are pretty cute together...
Any signs of Austen?
Corellia: (sigh) No...I guess we'll just have to do this without him.
Alright, then...Happy birthday, dear Hoth...
Oh, goody. Another Wild toddler...
At least he's cute.
And now we've only got one baby.
Tatooine: When's she gonna wake up?
Hoth: I dunno...
Hey, look who finally made it home...in case you haven't noticed, you have two toddlers now.
Austen: Yeah, um...happy birthday...buddy.
...You don't know his name, do you?
Austen: Of course I know his name...his name's....
Hoth: Hoth!
Austen: Right, Hoth! See? I was just checking to see if he knew it...
Uh-huh...right...
Something tells me that a child is going to be much less easy to trick...
Tatooine: Daddy! My birthday party's today!
Austen: Yeah, um...yeah, it is. But listen, honey...Daddy's...got some real important work to do today so he may not get to the party right away...
Tatooine: Will Daddy be home for 'Drilla's birthday?
Austen: ...
The baby, Austen....
Austen: Right, right. Um...we'll see, honey....it's really important work...
Well, at least the weather is co-operating...
Happy birthday, dear Tatooine...
Something tells me that neat trait is going to come in handy...
Tatooine: I hope it's a rocket ship!
Chimney: How would they fit a rocket ship into that little box?
Tatooine: They could break it down into lots of little pieces...
Corellia: Austen? Austen? We're home!
I guess Austen never made it to the party?
Corellia: (sigh) No...I guess he must still be tied up at the office...well, I guess we better get this done...
Happy birthday, dear Chandrilla...
What's better than one wild toddler? Two wild toddlers!
Oh...well, the blonde hair is quite a surprise but she's still cute.
Corellia: I guess they'll be no hiding the fact that she's adopted...
Corellia: Huh? What's this?
It appears to be a notebook...
Corellia: It's a note from Austen...oh...
What?
Corellia: It says...he found another place to live...with his brothers...
Oh...man, I'm sorry, Corellia...
Corellia: No, it's...it's ok. I mean, I'm sure once his brothers get settled he'll come back...right?
Right...um...listen, I know this is terrible timing, but I've got to get moving to the next house. Are you sure you guys will be ok until I get back?
Corellia: Yeah, yeah. We'll be fine. You'll see. By the time you get back he'll be home.
Well...alright then. I guess I'll see you guys next round.
A Message From the Mysterious Voice: Yup, Austen's gone. And despite Corellia's assumptions, he probably won't be moving back in any time soon. I figured it was time to add some different family structures around this place, and having Corellia as a single mom seemed like a good place to start. Plus, Austen's mean trait was really starting to get annoying. Something tells me that new Freelancer career will be right up Corellia's alley...
