And Then There Were Three

Malia was, indeed, pregnant again.

With looking after Debra and Dolly, as well as their busy work lives it seemed like no time before Malia and Carl were rushing to the hospital.

Every delivery is different and although having been here twice before their third child was not coming into the world easy.  As the due date approached there were concerns that the baby would not present in the best position, there was a good chance they would have to deal with a breech birth.

As Malia's third labour began it was clear that the new baby had not moved into the preferred and easiest position; Malia decided that the caesarean section they had thought might be needed was the safest choice for both of them.

Despite the extra stresses and strain of the birth itself, Malia and Carl were delighted to be delivered of a perfect little girl, Desirée.

There little house never felt busier.  Debra was becoming more independent but Dolly still needed lots of attention, especially now that she was in full 'explore and discover' mode; always in unexpected places and trying things out.

Even with the latest baby-rocker technology taking care of three children was still a full-time job.

Now that she had achieved recognition for her garden produce Malia was concerned that she may have to give up gardening as a livelihood.

Debra was happy to help out, looking after the two younger girls while their mother was working in the garden, but Malia knew a better long-term plan was needed.  It wasn't just having the time needed for the girls; she wasn't getting any younger and was finding it increasingly difficult coping with the harsh winters in Hidden Springs.

Fortuitously, while checking the eSimStore for supplies, Malia noticed that the SwiftGro Gardening Station was now available in their area.

It was the most feature-rich gardening system available in the country and had been picking up innovation and 'best garden aid' awards in all the magazines and shows.  It wasn't cheap, and would need a greenhouse in order to get the best results but it seemed like a way of allowing her to fulfil her role as parent and also keeping her business going.

The cost would be substantial and many family discussions were had; talking around the pros and cons of installing a greenhouse.  Although Carl had received another promotion and was on a very good salary now there would not be a lot left over, certainly not enough to further extend their house for some time.

The girls were growing up fast and, especially when Dolly started secondary school, they would soon start wanting their own space; which either meant adding to the existing house or moving.  However, after much working out of figures, estimating of time-scales, and compromising of wants, they agreed that, right now, a greenhouse would be the best investment for their future.

It meant cutting down on some luxuries and even selling some of the gifts they had received from their generous friends but the greenhouse was eventually built and the SwiftGro installed.

The difference it made was quickly evident.  As temperatures plummeted outside Malia could still keep the majority of her plants growing and producing.  The composting and analysis bench also meant that good quality fertiliser was always available.

An unexpected bonus was that a nice warm and dry greenhouse encouraged the girls to spend more time in the garden helping out and learning about horticulture. 

But there were downsides to the decision to prioritise the greenhouse over extending the house...

-- * --

Debra had recently discovered that not all boys were gross and annoying!

Well, one boy in particular.  Johnny Christiansen.

For weeks she hadn't actually spoken to him, merely watched him from afar when he hung out with his friends and she always made sure she was there at the end of school to watch him catch the bus that took him away out of town.

What was merely a major crush was to became so much more at the end of year prom.

He was gorgeous.  He was smart and funny.  He was cool and so different to all the dull boys in her year.  Debra was in love!

At prom, she summoned up the courage to speak to him.  Oh, he was even lovelier than she had imagined.  He actually seemed to like her, he loved here dress, said that she looked beautiful and even smiled at her weak jokes.  Oh yes, this was the "real deal".  Debra and Johnny were going to be together forever!

Debra and Johnny exchanged numbers at the end of prom and Debra was determined to speak to him every day.

Bit in the cramped confines of home, finding some time and space where she could speak to him in private, away from people who didn't understand about how much she loved him - well, Dolly really - was often difficult.

It seemed that whenever he called or she called him, Dolly was always there.

But, somehow, she managed it.  Thankfully she had loads of free minutes on her phone contract, otherwise her parents would have had an enormous phone bill to pay for! 

Then, one Saturday, Johnny said it ... "Debs, how about, y'know, going out one night?  Just you an' me, like, umm, a date...?"




Author's Note:

The One Direction poster shown in Debra and Dolly's bedroom is part of a pop poster set created by lifelikesims and can be downloaded from lifelikesims CC Downloads.


The various gardening tools in and around the greenhouse are from the Around The Sims Gardening collection.

Rewards

Life was good on Cottonwood Crescent.

Debra was doing well at school, Dolly was already walking and talking; proving to be a very outgoing child with a keen interest in the world around her.

She seemed to find particular delight in watching Carl and Debra working on the old car.

Or listening to Malia recount tales of her travels with Carl before they settled in Hidden Springs.

In these days, though, it wasn't just at home that the Slade family was prospering. Within the space of a few days both Carl and Malia received significant recognition in their work lives.

Carl's diligence and innovations at the Lab saw him receive another promotion, with a substantial pay rise.  Equally Malia's horticultural prowess elicited a glowing review from the regional gardening circle and a nice cash prize.

On the very day that Malia was notified of her award she received a phone call from her long-time friend Jodi.  On a business trip to Hidden Springs Jodi was going to set some time aside to catch up with her old friend.  Malia had heard of a fabulous new clothes shop that had just opened and this would be an ideal opportunity to check it out.

Small, but perfectly formed, the Tres Chic Boutique was the smartest and most fashionable outlet in town.

As Jodi and Malia discovered, 'fashionable' came at a price!  With styles from some of the most respected international designers, it was certainly a cut above the generic brand stores in the town centre.

Unfortunately the leading edge of fashion trends was not quite within the budget of either of them, so they were delighted to see that the upper floor of the boutique had a good selection of slightly more affordable, but still very stylish and 'on trend', outfits.

It was here, in their 'On the Town' section that Malia found the ideal outfit for a night out.  And a good night out with Carl was definitely in her plans for the very near future!

 -- * --

So, a few days later Malia's subtle hinting led Carl to suggest a night out at the new cinema, the Juniper Lane Art Centre, and a meal at the new Italian restaurant in the town centre.

It was a beautiful late summer evening as they arrived at the cinema.

Although it was about thirty minutes or so before the first film showing started, the lobby bar was already getting busy as people had a drink or snack before the show.

Early, as they were, Carl and Malia found a spot on the sofas and reminisced about when they had first the seen the original, and 'classic', version of the film they had come to see - a modern retelling of Simspeare's story "Rudy and Julianne".

As different as it was in style from the original this new version was just as dramatic and moving; the human situation it told of was the same today as it was decades, even centuries ago; a story of love, doubt, loss, and redemption .

As the final scene faded to black and the credits rolled the couple snuggled together in the warm comfort of the cinema's "love seats" as they contemplated the meaning and beauty of the film.

On their way out of the cinema, Malia was suddenly overcome by a powerful wave of nausea and had to duck into the toilets.

Although she felt a little better, she didn't really feel comfortable enough for a big meal so, sadly, they brought their night to an early end and returned home.

At home Malia did feel a little better but that sense of queasiness never really went away, so she turned in early hoping the symptoms would disappear by morning.

That didn't happen, and in the early hours she awoke with a nagging nausea.  Well, she thought to herself, this does feel rather familiar ...

-- * --

Author's Note: I am very pleased to include in this chapter some custom content created by two good friends from The Sims 3 forums:

• Jodi Bishop by Me1620
• Tres Chic Boutique by Glenkatko

And my own Juniper Lane Art Centre makes another appearance.  :)