Ordinary Days

Debra and Johnny started going out on quite a regular basis, and in these winter months one of their favourite locations was the festival park.

Although it was different skill, having been roller-skating since a young age, Debra had developed a fine sense of balance which allowed her to take to the ice with relative ease.  She was certainly better on blades than poor Johnny.

He, however, had something of a talent for another winter sport ... snowboarding.

Debra was hesitant; it was quite some way up to the platform and some of the boarders went pretty fast and high. But Johnny reassured her that the half-pipe was designed to accommodate all skill levels safely and with the protective gear she'd be fine.

There was clearly a difference between skating on two blades and snow surfing on one board, Johnny was definitely more comfortable on a board and had no trouble transitioning across the flat and between the verticals.

Though, as Debra saw it, he did have a tendency to show off a bit as he flew up the verticals.  That said, and she wouldn't tell him this of course, she was actually rather impressed by her boyfriend's skills.

With Johnny's encouragement Debra was soon travelling between each deck without falling off her board.

By the end of the winter festival she even managed a complete there-and-back traversal of the pipe.  Johnny reckoned that by the end of the next season she would be grabbing, flipping and switching like a natural!

Of course it wasn't all high-speed, heart-racing excitement; sometimes it was just simple fun in the snow.  Building their own little igloos to snuggle up in and snowmen to keep guard!

The other two Slade girls also had fun ways to pass the time.

Both Desirée and Dolly loved stories and books.

Little Desi thrilled at the pictures as she was read to.

And young Dolly was often found in the library at school, devouring the latest derring-do adventure tales.

Not that they spent all their time with books.  They loved playing together, just as Debra had with Dolly; Dolly loved to share playtime with her little sister.

In addition to fun at home, their schools offered Debra and Dolly many opportunities for field trips and out-of-school learning activities.

As 'an artist', Debra wasn't entirely happy about the half-term work experience she had been offered.

Working in some big soul-less office was not what she planned to do but her parents convinced her she could use it to inspire her art - that she couldn't really say anything meaningful about something she knew nothing of ...

Dolly, on the other had, was delighted to join the scavenger hunt for little insects.

Having spent time with her mother in the garden she loved grubbing around for bugs in the soil!

-- * --

Malia's own work, producing fine garden produce for Hidden Springs got an extra boost when she featured in the local newspaper:

Malia had already gathered good reviews from in the local and regional gardening circle but this was a very special award that would give her a much higher profile - as well as a hefty monetary prize.

She also had a most pleasant surprise visit from her friend Jodi Bishop who told her that she was about to move to Hidden Springs. After the success of her previous visits to the town her company had decided to open an office in Hidden Springs and Jodi was put in charge of the office organisation.

She had just found a perfect little cottage on the other side of town, on Ash Drive and was moving in a few days.

-- * --

Carl loved his work at the lab and had a fine team of people with him, but as he was given extra responsibility and took on more project management he was occasionally asked to spend time 'schmoozing' with sponsors and clients.

Whether it was business lunches, corporate events or "networking parties", he never felt really at ease.

He could talk confidently, and endlessly, about his work and the excitement of research but the 'politics' of funding and project deployment were not things Carl could ever feel passionate about.

And there was always someone who knew everything about everything and quite why the lab were doing things wrong and, of course,  he knew exactly how they needed to be fixed!

Carl knew he could only smile and agree that these were some excellent ideas and he really would "take them forward on a pro-active time-line as part of the collaborative development framework" ...

Carl put up with it though.  Every job includes some stuff you'd rather not have to do and, in reality, it wasn't a big part of his job.  And whenever he had a particularly trying day he knew that he had a beautiful family back at home waiting for him.

Date Number 1

Johnny turned up nice and early for their first date. Malia had insisted that he pick up Debra from home and she would arrange the taxi to take them into town.

Although Johnny seemed unfazed as he was introduced to her family, Debra wished her mother didn't have to go on about her "fabulous new greenhouse" and "the thing with growing peppermint in this climate..."

Well, at least she didn't bring out any embarrassing photographs!

Johnny let Debra choose the venue and activity for their first 'proper' date.  Although she would have been quite happy to have gone along with almost anything he suggested, Debra decided see just how cool he really was.

There was an early screening of cult classic "Clown in the Machine" at the Little Theatre; a sort of surreal horror flick that only really appealed to a certain type of audience.

Johnny said he had heard of the film, but not actually seen it and was really looking forward to seeing it with Debra.

If he didn't love it then Debra would have to decide if she was OK dating someone gorgeous but not 'cool', though she was pretty certain he was definitely both.

At last, the taxi arrived to take them to the cinema.

-- * --

They were both thoroughly engrossed as the strange Lynchian drama unfolded, occasionally turning to smile knowingly at each other as the bizarre, unexpected, and absurd twists were revealed.

However Debra's plan to remain entirely cool and 'sophisticated' was undermined by one scene.

She had seen it before, knew it was coming, but, just like every time before, the dead clown hand suddenly appearing out of the machine made her jump.  Without thinking she pulled Johnny roughly towards her.

Surprised by her action, Johnny gave Debra a sympathetic, understanding, smile but she wasn't looking for sympathy, that wasn't cool, so she decided to cover her embarrassment by going full eye contact as if she meant ...

... to kiss him.  Yes that was much cooler, and also way hotter!

-- * --

It was still quite early when they left the cinema but far too cold to stay outside so Johnny offered to treat Debra to a meal at the Bistro just next door to the Little Theatre.

It seemed that they were not the only people out romancing this evening, looking very loved up Debra noticed one of the new teachers from school, Mr Jackson, getting cosy with a lady friend!

This would be such good classroom gossip; Mr Jackson was a bit of a 'dish' and loads of the girls (and some of the boys) would get all dreamy in his classes - bet they would love to know he had a sexy girlfriend ...

But Debra was more interested in her own 'dish' who had just treated her to a very tasty gourmet burger.

A bit pricier than she was used to, but so worth it ... who would have thought to put beetroot in a burger!

And then, that was it; Debra's first Date Night was over.

It had been great.  Johnny had loved the film so he was definitely cool enough.  And he knew where to find the best burger in town!

There was only way way to say goodbye and until next time ...

Author's Note:

The other loved-up couple are two beautiful Sims created by some good friends from the TS3 forums:  Daniel Jackson created by glenkatko and Tasha OJ  by frozenorangejuic

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.  :)