In Another World

[HelloKit]

Okay, I'm trying my hand at a real story thread. It's easier to write what you love to read, and I'm a big sci-fi fan, so I'm going to Sim-ize a sci-fi story I've written in my head over and over again since I was young, and take it from there. I have no idea whether it will turn out to be interesting or not, but I'm going to give it a shot!

[HelloKit]

The announcement came on an otherwise ordinary day. Sure, there were rumors of little green men and late night abductions, but no one you talked to had ever had it happen to them. But now it was confirmed. Life had been found on another planet.

But these "aliens" weren't little green men. There was, however, something extraordinary about them. They were... just like us. On another planet orbiting around another star, had evolved a species identical to our own. Some called it proof of the existence of a creator, while others thought it proved there was no God, that our evolution was a replicable scientific process. The only difference between us and this "alien" species, was that they seemed to be older. They had developed abilities - and technology - we didn't yet have. In fact, their advanced technology is what allowed us to discover them - or rather, them to discover us.

They had spent decades developing faster-than-light travel, and had just recently begun using the perfected technology to explore other solar systems, furthering their search for intelligent life. Our planet had become a point of interest, and one month later, they had landed.

[HelloKit]

"Good evening, and thank you for joining me for this important annoucement.

"One year ago today, an unidentified aircraft landed in an open desert area outside of Strangetown. Many of you, I'm sure, remember the media reports, rumors and speculation about what exactly it was that some Strangetown residents saw descend from the sky that day. Today, I am here to reveal the answer.

"What landed in the desert one year ago, was in fact a spacecraft, as some of the rumors suggested. It was not one of ours. The spacecraft came from somewhere else, and it was occupied by intelligent life. Friendly, intelligent life. In fact, as far as all tests have shown, this species, though more evolved, is identical to our own.

"For the past year, we have been working closely with these visitors - sharing knowledge, although admittedly we have learned more from them than they from us. They quickly learned our language, and using technology they have developed that far surpasses our own, began teaching it to the citizens of their home planet at an even faster rate.

"The visitors come from a planet they call Purpilion, in a nearby solar system. Their interstellar transport technology allows them to make the trip between our two planets in eight hours' time. Ambassadors from our government have visited Purpilion, and they have sent ambassadors here. Both of our governments are nothing but thrilled to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, especially since we have so much in common. We have been working to form an alliance to allow cooperative living and publicly available travel between our two planets. And we are pleased to annouce that one month from now, twice daily public flights to and from Purpilion will begin running in most major cities.

"I want to stress one more time that these are friendly visitors. There is nothing to be afraid of. Essentially we have found our older siblings in the universe. They have abilities and technologies that can better our lives, and they want to share that with us. I sincerely hope that you are as excited about that as we are."

[HelloKit]

Betsy Broke returned home from college on a Saturday morning. It was a bittersweet homecoming for her, since she was estranged from her mother but couldn't wait to see her younger brother Timothy.

"Betsy!" Her teenage brother flew down the stairs and out to the driveway where Betsy waited with her arms open. They embraced for several moments, wiping tears from their eyes. "I missed you so much," Timothy said. "It sucks here now that Dad's gone and I'm not speaking to Mom."

"You too, huh?"

Timothy nodded. "I saw her cheating on Dad, sis, the very day before he died. She couldn't have at least waited until he was gone?"

"I caught her too once when I was little," Betsy said. "That's why she and I have never gotten along." She hugged her brother again. "Where is Mom, anyway?"

"She's sleeping," he said. "She's been working the 3 p.m. patrol so she doesn't get up until lunchtime."

Betsy nodded, and put her arm around Timothy. "Come on, let's go inside."

"Are you hungry?" Timothy asked. "I'll make us some blueberry pancakes."

[HelloKit]

"These pancakes are delicious," Betsy said with a mouthful of food. "Where did you learn how to make these?"

"I read a lot of cookbooks," Timothy replied, then blushed.

Betsy laughed and rolled her eyes. "You'd think I had a little sister and not a brother." Timothy stuck out his tongue, and Betsy giggled again. "Seriously though, Tim, there's something I have to tell you."

"What's that?"

Betsy put her fork down and hesitated for a moment. "I'm only here for the weekend, kiddo."

"I know," he said. "Then you're moving into your new house. By the way, which one did you buy?"

"I didn't buy a house in Pleasantview, Tim."

"Huh?"

"They're running the first flights to Purpilion on Monday... and I'm going. I'm gonna live there."

"On another planet?!" Timothy shrieked. "Why?!"

"Honey, it's just what I need to do. You know I want to further my science career, and the technology there is... incredible. It'll help me so much. Besides, I have nothing but bad memories of Pleasantview, and I just can't stay here." Tears were streaming down Timothy's face. "You can come visit me anytime you want, and I'll visit too. It's only an eight hour flight, which is pretty good for being another planet. You can even come live there with me after college if you want."

Timothy sighed. "I don't even know if I want to go to college."

"Yes, you do," Betsy snapped. "Education is important, Tim, and you want to be able to make a lot of money, don't you?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to be a scientist or something like you, Bets. I want to own my own business."

"Well, college can help you with that too. You can major in Economics so you'll learn how to make your business profitable, or even Psychology so you can make people buy anything." Betsy grinned.

"I don't know, it just seems like a waste of time... time that could be spent building my business."

"Well you know I'll support you no matter what you decide to do. I just really hope you decide to go. But even if you don't, you can still come live with me on Purpilion."

[Lynet]

I hope we get to see Purpilion. I'm guessing we will since she's going to live there. Of course, they're just like us, but still...it's another planet. ;)

[HelloKit]

"Sweetheart, it's so good to have you home."

Opie Dreamer smiled at his mother while he stirred the spaghetti pot on the stove. "It's good to be home, Mom."

Bottom looked at her son hopefully. "You can stay, you know. It's been so lonely here since you left for college. We can have the wedding here, and you and Breanna can live here with us. We'll even move downstairs and let you have our bedroom. And you wouldn't even have to work - your father and I have more than enough to support you, so you two can concentrate on giving me lots of grandbabies." Her eyes pleaded with him.

Opie chuckled and shook his head. "Mom, I want to earn my own money and support myself - and Breanna. Besides, we're not even sure we want to have kids." Bottom looked like she'd been slapped in the face, and Opie sighed, dreading what he had to tell her. "Mom... I've been meaning to tell you this. Breanna and I aren't staying in Pleasantview. We're going to live on the new planet, Purpilion. There's a small village there that they're just developing, and we - and a few of the people we went to school with - are moving there."

"But how will I see my grandchildren?!"

"Mom, did you just hear me say we might not even have kids?"

"You have to! You're our only son; you have to carry on the family name!"

Opie rolled his eyes as he made his plate and sat down. "Well, if we do, you can come see them."

"I'm an old woman, Opie, I can't travel like that anymore."

"Oh please, Mom, you're the healthiest old woman I know. Besides, it's not like sitting on an airplane for eight hours. It's a big ship; it's like spending a day in a resort hotel."

Bottom sighed and rested her chin in her hand. "Have you told your father yet?"

"I told him this morning," he said, "before you got up. And he thinks it's a great idea."

"Well..." she paused as she cleared her salad plate from the table. "I hope this is what makes you happy, Opie."

[HelloKit]

The following evening, Bottom had begun to get used to the idea of Opie moving to Purpilion, and the family of three were in the living room discussing it further, when Darin began to wheeze. He placed his hand to his chest.

"Dad?" Opie said. "Are you okay?"

The old doctor looked at his son and his wife and said matter-of-factly, "I'm having a heart attack."

By the time the paramedics arrived, it was too late. Dr. Darin Dreamer was dead at 78. As he lay there dying he told his family not to be sad. He had lived a long life and had gotten everything he wanted out of it. He had a good wife, a good son, and he had achieved his lifelong dream of becoming chief of neurology at Pleasantview General. He said he couldn't have died a happier man.

[HelloKit]

Opie knew his mother was depressed. It had been hard enough on her to hear his news, and now her beloved husband was dead and she would be all alone. She cried for hours at a time.

After dinner, he snuck upstairs to call his fiancee, who had gone to spend time with her own family before leaving for Purpilion.

"I don't know what to do, Bree... it would be cruel of me to leave her like this. Maybe we should stay, at least until she's feeling better."

"I don't know, Opie..."

Opie heard a loud crash from downstairs, and called out, "Mom, was that you? Mom??"

"What happened?" Breanna asked.

"Honey, I gotta call you back," Opie said as he threw down the phone and dashed down the stairs.

He found his mother on the kitchen floor, having what appeared to be a seizure. Except, he thought, I'm not the neurologist, Dad is. Why does something like this happen now that he's gone? He whipped out his cell phone and dialed 911 for the second time that day.

[HelloKit]

"Your mother is not well," the doctor told him. "She's had a nervous breakdown."

Opie was confused. "But that looked like a seizure."

"It was," the doctor said. "The body sometimes reacts to psychological stress in physical ways. Seizures aren't all that uncommon a response."

"So what do we do now?" Opie asked.

"I'm going to send her home, but she cannot be left alone. Not until her depression improves. If she wants to work, let her... it may be good for her. But do not leave her at home alone."

Opie thanked the doctor and went to take care of his mother's discharge paperwork. Once he and Bottom were in the taxi on their way home, with Bottom sound asleep, he called Breanna back to explain what had happened.

"I think it's been decided for us, Bree. We can't go."

"Well... why don't we take her with us?"

[Lynet]

Oh, what fun. :D Mom along, too.

[DuzzyGirl]

Sweet! I can't wait to see this new "planet."

[HelloKit]

To: Timothy.Broke@pviewnet.com
From: Betsy.Broke@ssualumni.com
Subject: Made it!

Tim,

I'm here in my new house and I miss you so much already! I can't believe I'm sending interplanetary e-mail here... LOL. Just wanted to let you know I'm here and safe, and anytime you want to come for a visit just say the word. You have to see this place...

I'm attaching a picture I took from the ship as we were coming in for a landing. This is the village I'll be living in... Fresca. It's small, but I'm sure it will grow with time!

Luv,
Bets

[DuzzyGirl]

Fresca looks very interesting!!

[HelloKit]

"Guess what, sis," said Timothy over the phone. "I won two scholarships!"

"So you're going to college?" Betsy sounded delighted.

"Yeah, I thought about what you said and you're right, it could help me with owning a business."

"Of course I'm right," Betsy grinned.

Timothy blew a raspberry into the phone. "Yeah, yeah, Betsy the genius. So how's life on another planet?"

"Well, I'm still getting settled in... haven't really met anyone yet. I've seen some of the neighbors outside though. I should probably go over and introduce myself at some point."

"Are they weird?"

"No, dummy, they're just people. If you saw them walking down the street there you'd never know they were from Purpilion."

"Well there's gotta be something different about them..."

"Well I've heard there's some cultural differences, but they don't look any different from us. Anyway, I gotta go, kiddo. Remember, anytime you want to come visit..."

"I know," Timothy said. "Maybe after graduation, before I start at SSU."

"That'd be cool."

[simgurl84]

Wow. I have only had a chance to skim through your story but it seems excellent. If you post pics in each post, it will make it seem even more real.

[HelloKit]

Well I write each chapter after having played a family involved in the story (I still have a lot of other families in my 'hood that aren't part of the story), and if there haven't been any significant events that would make good pictures, I don't bother to take any. My play time is limited by my real life (don't we all have that problem!), and it really takes a lot away from my play time to have to pause the game and take the time to line up the perfect shot of... say, a phone call. (I'm disabled and use the mouse with my foot, so it's a little bit harder and takes a bit longer to line things up in free camera mode.) But of course when I finally play the Sims who have moved to Purpilion in their new houses, I will get pictures of the houses and other important things.

Not to mention I'm using a bit of creative license here... not everything that happens in the story actually happened in the game. There was no actual phone call between Timothy and Betsy, but he did win those scholarships.

[Lynet]

I think we should be free to use all the creative license that we want. ;) Take your time and have fun because I think it's fun to read the stories people dream up to go with their sims.

[HelloKit]

I'm sure you're all on the edges of your seats... :p I have an update ready (slow day at work) but I have to wait until I'm home (where the pictures are) to post it. But it's coming tonight, I promise!

[HelloKit]

Opie and Breanna were married the day they moved into their new house on Purpilion, in a private ceremony in the front yard, witnessed only by Opie's mother Bottom. Bottom was still in a deep depression, but she put on a happy face and tried to be nice to her new daughter-in-law, whom she barely knew. The young lovers hadn't been in that much of a rush to tie the knot, but deep down Opie knew his mother didn't have much time left and he wanted her to be happy again.

After the ceremony, some of the neighbors stopped by to introduce themselves. Bottom and Breanna were busy getting to know each other, so Opie went out to meet them.

"Hello there, I'm Menwox. I live up the road." He was a large, muscular man, with a thick red beard, and glasses. He struck Opie as an old and wise man, so he was surprised to learn he was only forty and had a teenage daughter. He also found out that Menwox and his daughter lived with the other couple who were now coming up the sidewalk.

"Michael Nelson," said the younger man as he shook Opie's hand, "and this is my wife Marie."

"Michael and Marie, pleased to meet you," Opie said. "Your names are so..."

"Earthly?" said Marie, and she giggled. "A lot of people took English names when our government started teaching us your language and preparing us for your arrival. They said your people were like our younger siblings and it was up to us to make you feel comfortable and welcome. Menwox here is an old grump, though, and insisted on keeping his given name."

"Really." Opie didn't know whether to think it silly for so many people to change their names, or to be insulted by Menwox' refusal. There was a lot he didn't understand about this place, but that didn't really bother him. "So you all live together?" he asked.

"It's common here," Michael replied, "two or more families sharing a home, their money... everything really."

After they had chatted a bit more, the three neighbors excused themselves to allow Opie and his family to get settled in.

[HelloKit]

More pics... meeting the neighbors.

[HelloKit]

"Bree, we need to talk," Opie said that night after Bottom had gone to bed.

Breanna ran her fingers through his hair. "What's up?"

"I know we haven't really talked about it, and I'm not really sure it's what I want, or what you want, but..."

"What?" Breanna looked puzzled.

"Well I know there's only one thing that's going to bring my mother out of this depression. She wants a grandchild."

"Oh!" Breanna lit up. "Well of course it's what I want! I love kids!"

"You do?" He looked surprised.

"Well of course, silly." Then her expression saddened. "But Opie, do you think your mom has nine months left in her?"

"I honestly don't know," he said, "but we have to try."

"No." Her eyes widened, and Opie could almost see the light bulb above her head. "We'll adopt. I read that the adoption process here only takes a few weeks at most. I'm going to call the adoption agency right now."

And in what seemed like no time at all, two-year-old Armando joined the family.

[HelloKit]

As she played with her grandson early one afternoon, Bottom looked up at Opie and said, "I'm going back to work today, honey. I found a local studio that will tape my cooking show and send it back to Earth by satellite."

"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked.

"Sweetie, I'm fine," she assured him. "This is exactly what I needed. The move here with you, and this little treasure," she said as she squeezed Armando tight in her lap, and he giggled and squirmed. "I really am feeling much better."

That night, when Bottom returned from work, she met Opie outside the bathroom as he was getting ready for his night job. She wrapped her arms around him tight, as if it was the last time she'd ever see him.

"Sweetheart, I love you so much," she said. "Thank you for taking care of me, bringing me here with you even though I didn't want to come. And for Armando... I know it wasn't the direction you wanted to go with your life, and I thank you so much for doing it for me." She turned to Breanna. "And thank you, dear, for loving my son so much that you would change your plans to help him take care of me." She hugged her. "I'm going to bed, now. Good night, you two. I love you."

They later found out that the show she taped that night was a farewell to all of her adoring fans. She could feel that her time had come, she said, and she wanted to say a proper goodbye. They found her in her bed the next morning. Opie thought she looked peaceful... and beautiful.

[Lynet]

Oh my, *sniff*, I got a little choked up about Bottom. :o

Beautiful dresses in the wedding, especially the one that Bottom is wearing.

You have a fantastic graphics card. And do those houses have glass walls? Looks like it. Wasn't sure.

p.s. And I just went back and looked at the pictures and realized the wedding arch was black. Looks really neat that way. I would never have guessed it could...like wrought iron.

[jupitershana]

Oh my, *sniff*, I got a little choked up about Bottom. :o


*sniffs and hands Lynet a tissue* me too.

[HelloKit]

Yes, the glass walls are Windkeeper's Helios Doors & Windows, from TSR. I got most of the houses from there too, a couple from MTS2 I think. The TSR stuff is all pay, unfortunately. I've been loving some of the theme weeks they've been doing, so decided to pony up the dough for a couple months' susbscription and go download-crazy. But now that I'm hooked, I may just keep the subscription... $9 every 2 months really isn't bad. It's only an hour's work after taxes. ;)

[surprised_by_witches]

Hi Kit,

I finally had a chance to spend time with your story and give it my proper attention, and I love it! I'm a little confused how Bottom and the Dreamers can be in the same town, but I'm sure you used some poetic license ... very well drawn families, interesting situation ... I can't wait to read more!

[HelloKit]

I did the big no-no and moved the Summerdreams from Veronaville to Pleasantview way back when I first started playing. I had built my first house and needed a rich family to move in, and I didn't yet know about the complications of inter-neighborhood transplantation. The game manual said you could do it, so it should be safe, right? Fortunately I've never had any problems as a result, probably because I'm a slow player and just haven't overpopulated my neighborhood yet.

[HelloKit]

Betsy Broke returned from work one day to find that some of her neighbors had finally come by to introduce themselves. She was glad, because she'd wanted to meet people but was too shy to make the first move. One of them was Opie Dreamer, whom she didn't know personally but recognized from Pleasantview. The others were Menwox Hirajud (a native Purpilionese name, she learned), and Brynne Jensen. Brynne lived across the street with her husband, and her brother-in-law and his wife. The Jensen brothers were both doctors, and provided house call services to the residents of Fresca in addition to their regular jobs at the hospital in town.

Though shy, Betsy was never a bad hostess, and she invited Opie, Menwox, and Brynne in for lunch. They had a lively chat over bowls of steaming chili, and then spent some time watching television and enjoying the swimming pool. Before they knew it, it was almost dinner time, and Betsy's guests were on their way home.

After dinner, Betsy spent the rest of the evening playing chess against herself. She was anxious for further advancement in her science career, and she felt this activity kept her mind sharp.

[HelloKit]

Melissa Bendett was getting ready for work when she heard the doorbell ring. Oh, that must be some of the neighbors! she thought. But what lousy timing... oh well, I can at least feed them before I head off to work.

Outside stood Michael Nelson and Brynne Jensen, from the two houses across the street. Melissa invited them in and fixed a quick lunch, explaining that she had to go to work soon, but was so happy to meet them.

"I work nights right now," she said, "as a medium. I channel spirits... or at least my clients think I do." She smirked. "It's slimy, I know, but it pays the bills. And it's only temporary - I'm trying to break into politics."

"Really?" said Michael. "What is it that you want to do?"

Melissa blushed. "Well, it's rather ambitious, I know, but I'd like to be mayor someday. And it wasn't ever going to happen back home in, or anywhere near, Pleasantview. That's why I came here."

"Why not?" said Brynne and Michael in unison.

Melissa laughed. "Let's just say my mother developed quite a reputation, with her many affairs with very powerful men in Pleasantview, most of them married. And, I was a product of one of them, so that reputation reflected on me, even though I couldn't help who my mother was or how I came to be."

"Oh, you poor thing." Brynne put her hand on Melissa's shoulder.

"So," Melissa continued, "I just needed a fresh start."

"Well you're in luck," said Michael. "I work for the current mayor and he's getting ready to run for re-election. I might be able to get you a job as a campaign manager. It would at least get you into the rat race." He grinned.

"Wow, you would really do that? I would be so grateful!"

"Sure," he smiled. "I'll see what I can do."

A few weeks later, she got a phone call from Michael. "Can you start tomorrow?" he asked.

[HelloKit]

Melissa had only been working for the mayor for a week when it happened. A reporter had called the campaign office looking for an interview, and since the mayor and his personal assistant were both extremely busy, Melissa decided to answer the questions herself. After all, she was his campaign manager, right? She thought the reporter's questions were a bit strange, but she was still adjusting to the Purpilionese culture, so maybe this was normal here.

She couldn't have been more wrong. It turned out that the reporter was paid off by the mayor's opponent to write an exposé, and Melissa was quoted completely out of context. She was fired the minute the mayor saw the article.

Melissa was devastated. How could this have happened? How was she ever going to get herself elected into any kind of office, if she couldn't even keep a job as a campaign manager? A sympathetic coworker was nice enough to drive her home, and after thanking him she headed toward her computer. She needed something to take her mind off things for a while before she could figure out what to do, so she popped in her copy of SSX3 and played for a few hours.

When she got tired of playing, she still didn't feel any better. She needed someone to talk to, some one-on-one human contact. She couldn't face her new neighbors, not after blowing the opportunity Michael had been so kind to secure her. But Betsy Broke lived next door. The two of them had been best friends since high school, and though Melissa felt guilty for neglecting their friendship since their arrival in Fresca, she knew Betsy would always be there for her.

Melissa told Betsy over the phone what had happened, and ten minutes later, Betsy was at the door. She hugged Melissa and let her cry on her shoulder. After reassuring her that everything would turn out fine, Betsy said, "I know what you need," and ran into Melissa's bedroom.

She returned with both of the pillows off of the bed, and as she handed one to Melissa, she clobbered her with the other one.

"Hey!" Melissa screeched, and then her grin grew a mile wide as she swung her pillow at Betsy.

The two of them ran around the kitchen for an hour, pounding each other with the pillows, with feathers flying everywhere. Finally, Melissa dropped to the floor, out of breath. "I'm hungry," she said.

"Me too." Betsy took the pillows back to the bedroom and picked up all the feathers while Melissa made dinner.

After they ate, Melissa hugged Betsy goodbye. "Thanks for coming over, I feel a lot better now."

"Anytime, sweetie. Don't be a stranger," she said, and waved goodbye.

Melissa was exhausted. She'd worry about finding another job tomorrow.

[Lynet]

Even though the pillow fights sometimes get in the way of other chores I've planned for my sims I still find them funny to watch and usually wish I could join in. It's especially fun to watch them chase each other all over a big lot if they happen to be outside.

Great story. (Those chance cards are a bummer when they lose the job, aren't they. :( )

[HelloKit]

I know it's been a while... I was on vacation and I've been having some 'puter problems. The 'puter problems aren't quite sorted out yet but I've got it working for the time being. Hopefully I will be able to play and post an update tomorrow!

[HelloKit]

Opie couldn't believe how fast Armando was growing up. He'd started walking, then talking, then finally grew some hair (and for the amount of it he grew, you'd never know he had been bald most of his toddler years). Before Opie knew it, it was time for Armando to start school.

Opie was glad that the task of raising Armando seemed to be keeping Breanna happy, because that meant he could spend his time working on his career. He wanted to be the absolute best in the business, and he spent every spare minute he had studying and building the skills he would need to succeed. He just hadn't realized that once Armando reached school age, he wouldn't need Breanna so much anymore.

After putting Armando to bed, Breanna came in and sat beside Opie on the couch. Opie closed the book he had been reading and kissed her.

"What'cha reading?" she asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Opie said as he tossed the book aside. "What's up"?

Breanna sighed. "Can you believe Armando's starting school tomorrow?"

"Crazy, isn't it?"

She turned to look at him. "I think it's time to have a baby of our own. It's been such a great experience adopting Armando, and I love him like he was my own. But I want to experience all the joys of motherhood... I want to get fat and waddle around in my pajamas all day... to give birth and be the first one to ever hug my child. Besides, who am I going to take care of now that Armando's going to be in school all day?"

Opie couldn't resist her adorable pout. Even though all of his aspirations centered around his career, he genuinely loved Breanna and wanted her to be happy, too. He smiled and said, "Okay sweetie, let's go make a baby."

They tripped and stumbled over each other as they raced up the stairs.

[Lynet]

Awwww. And I hope Opie pays more attention to Breanna. :D She may be too tired (if she gets pregnant) to help Armando with his homework.

[HelloKit]

"Parker!" Melissa opened the door to see Parker Bruenig, her college sweetheart (or one of them - she was her mother's child after all). She threw her arms around him. "I can't believe you're here!"

"I thought I'd fly up and surprise you," he said as he smiled and caressed her face. "You look good, Liss."

She grinned and twirled. "I've lost forty pounds."

"Wow, good for you," he said.

They stared at each other for a moment of awkward silence, before they lost control. "I've missed you," Melissa said as they began to kiss.

"Mmm-mmm..." was the reply. They wrapped their arms around each other tightly as their kisses became more passionate. Melissa felt like she was in college again. She hadn't been romantically involved with anyone since she had graduated and left Earth. She'd forgotten how good it felt.

Eventually, they came up for air. Flushed and a little bit out of breath, Melissa smoothed her clothes and said, "Well... how about some lunch?"

Over chef salads, Melissa told Parker all about her short stint in the world of politics, and how after the depression passed, she decided that maybe politics wasn't her calling after all. She had realized that she didn't have to become mayor of Fresca to be happy and popular. Instead, all she had to do was become the best crime solver Frescan law enforcement had ever seen. She'd been training to join the police force, and that was how she'd lost all the weight.

Parker told her how proud and happy he was for her, and before they knew it they were in Melissa's bed, re-igniting some more of that passion from back in the college days.

Parker and Melissa hugged tightly when it was time for him to leave that night. She sighed as his cab pulled away. She still loved him after all these years. But he was heading back to Earth, and she didn't know how they could be together.

[Lynet]

Nice. :) And I like the look of the house, too.

[HelloKit]

Breanna Dreamer didn't feel well. She was having problems keeping her food down and her energy up. By early afternoon she was on the verge of passing out.

Breanna knew their neighbor, Brynne Jensen, had recently graduated medical school. She had met Brynne several years ago when she was new to Fresca, but had never really gotten to know her. Still, she was beginning to worry, so she picked up the phone.

"Hi, Brynne? This is Breanna Dreamer. I don't know if you remember me..."

"Of course!" Brynne exclaimed. "Breanna and Opie... oh, and Bottom! Your mother-in-law had such a pretty and unusual name. I heard she passed away... I'm so sorry."

"Oh, thank you. It's been a couple of years now, but we do miss her. Anyway, Brynne, I was hoping I could ask you for a favor."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well..." Breanna hesitated. "I feel a little awkward asking you this... I mean, I know your husband and brother-in-law are the ones who do house calls here in the village, but I've never met either of them, and I don't think I'd be comfortable, and..." Her voice started to crack. "I'm just a little scared here..."

Brynne could hear Breanna starting to cry. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"

Sobbing, Breanna poured her heart out, telling Brynne how she'd not been feeling well for a couple of weeks, and that she was afraid she might be really sick. Brynne comforted her as best she could over the phone, and assured her she would be there in less than an hour.

[HelloKit]

Breanna was sitting in the kitchen, resting her head in her arms, when the doorbell rang.

"Armando, honey, will you get the door for Mommy?" she called out. "It's probably Brynne from down the street. You can send her in here."

Always Mommy's little helper, Armando dutifully ran to the door and opened it. "Hi, I'm Armando," he said.

"Well, hi Armando, I'm Brynne! I came to see your mom... is she here?"

Armando nodded and pointed the way to the kitchen, then ran back to his video game.

After listening to Breanna describe her symptoms, Brynne already had a pretty good idea what was going on. She felt her forehead, checked her lymph nodes, and took her pulse, all of which were normal. She smiled.

"Sweetie, you're not sick... you're pregnant!"

Breanna clapped her hand over her mouth. "Are you sure?!"

"Listen," she said, taking Breanna's hand. "Go take a nap and let Opie make dinner. After you eat, take this." She pulled a home pregnancy test out of her purse. "I'm fairly sure it'll be positive. If it's not, go see Cameron or Dylan in the clinic tomorrow. They'll figure out what's going on."

Brynne helped Breanna to bed before saying goodbye. She made Breanna promise to call her in the morning and let her know how she was feeling... and the results of the test.

After dinner, Breanna went into the bathroom and peed on the stick. You'd think such an advanced society would have come up with a more glamorous way to do this, she thought to herself. After waiting three minutes, or was it supposed to be five?, she tried to interpret the results. Couldn't they make these instructions a bit more clear? Then she mumbled out loud, "What does 'plus' mean?"

[surprised_by_witches]

You'd think she'd know the symptoms by now ... :rolleyes:

Let's hope Opie's happy about this too.

[sexierjess14]

Im hooked! Nice story, :D

[HelloKit]

You'd think she'd know the symptoms by now ... :rolleyes:
No... how quickly we forget. ;) Er, maybe more like... how slowly I write. Armando is adopted - this is Breanna's first pregnancy.

[surprised_by_witches]

Ooops. Sorry. Missed that little detail ... :p

[HelloKit]

A few months after his first visit, Parker came to see Melissa again. They sat together in the kitchen, talking and catching up. Soon the flirting began, and Melissa could see this visit headed in the same direction as the last.

"Parker, wait," she said.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Listen," she sighed. "The last time you came, it broke my heart. We fooled around, and we... you know... and it reminded me how very much in love with you I still am. And then you went back to Earth, and left me here all alone, and I didn't see or hear from you for months. I can't keep doing this with you. I want a real relationship, with someone who's actually going to be around."

"I know," he said. "Last time wasn't fair. I'm sorry. That's why I was thinking... maybe I'd stay this time. That is, if you'll have me."

Her jaw dropped. "You mean it?"

He nodded. Melissa squealed and threw her arms around Parker. "Yes, yes, yes! You can stay! Please... stay!"

"I will," he said, running his fingers through her hair. "I'll stay."

They held each other for what seemed like an eternity.

[HelloKit]

Parker had to go back to Earth to gather his things, but he moved in one week later. He immediately got a job working with the rats at the biological research lab in town. Everything was perfect... at first. But the police department had Melissa working late hours, and their clashing schedules began to take their toll.

By the time Melissa was awake in the morning, Parker was already gone to work at the lab. By the time he was home, she was gone on her patrol. And by the time she returned, Parker was already in bed, asleep. The only time they spent together was an hour or so in the early morning when they were both in bed together. They might as well have not lived together at all.

One night several months later, Parker woke up when he felt Melissa crawl into bed. He glanced at the clock. It was only midnight. Melissa usually didn't come to bed until four in the morning. He turned and put his arm around her. "Why are you coming to bed so early? Are you all right?"

Melissa grinned wider than he had ever seen. "I got promoted," she said. "A desk job... a day desk job. You're going to be seeing a lot more of me now."

[Lynet]

Thank goodness for the day job. I was starting to worry about these two for a minute. ;)

[HelloKit]

Armando loved playing video games with his mother. When they played he often forgot she was his mom and thought of her more like one of his school pals. She would taunt and trash-talk him, and she was even pretty good. They spent many Sundays on the couch in a marathon SSX3 session.

This particular afternoon, they were playing their last race of the day, before Breanna had to start dinner. She had been dominating most of the day, and Armando was determined to win this final race. Coming into the final stretch of the track, things weren't looking good, until Breanna's snowboarder suddenly took a tumble. Armando sped past her, crossing the finish line before she could even get back on her board.

"Yeah!" he squealed, and tossed his controller down. He jumped up off the couch, arms high in the air, and began to dance a victory dance around Breanna. Breanna laughed as she set her own controller down and snagged Armando in a tickling-hugging-kissing attack. He giggled and squirmed, but eventually settled into a contented snuggle on Breanna's lap.

"Okay," Breanna said, "put the controllers away. Mama's gotta start dinner now."

Armando obeyed, then turned to her. "Mom?"

"What, sweetie?"

He suddenly looked concerned. "How come that doctor-lady keeps coming over to see you, and your belly's getting so big? Are you sick?"

"Oh, sweetie, no..." she smiled and cupped his face in her hands. "I'm not sick, honey. Quite the opposite, really - something wonderful is about to happen."

"What?" he asked.

"Well, sweetie, Mommy has a baby growing inside her. Pretty soon you're going to have a baby brother or sister."

Armando looked confused. "There's a baby... in there?" He pointed to her bulging belly.

She smiled. "Yes, honey, that's where babies come from. They grow in their mommies until they're strong enough to eat and breathe and survive out in the world, and then they're born. And Dr. Brynne, she just comes to check up and make sure everything's okay, that the baby is doing okay."

"Did I come from your belly too?"

"Well, no... You came from another mommy, and she wasn't able to take care of you. But she loved you very much, and she wanted you to have a mom and a dad who would love you and take care of you the way she wasn't able to. So she trusted Social Services to find you the perfect home... and they brought you to us."

"Oh," he said, "okay." He put his hands on her belly. "Hi there, little brother or sister. I hope you come out soon and play with me."

[HelloKit]

One morning a couple of weeks later, Armando woke up for school and came out to the kitchen to find Dr. Brynne standing there with his mother, who was holding a tiny baby, with dark skin like his dad's.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Breana said with the biggest smile Armando had ever seen. "Come meet your baby brother Elliot."

[Lynet]

Oh, he's cute! :D

[suitemichelle]

What a great way to tell a child about the facts of life...

[HelloKit]

Betsy Broke stared out the window of the taxi as she rode from the Pleasantview Spaceport to the cemetary. It was the first time she'd been back to Pleasantview since she'd left for another planet almost four years ago, and she had mixed feelings about being here. It made her feel like she must be a terrible person, but she also had mixed feelings about the reason she was back - her mother's death. Maybe "mixed feelings" wasn't the right term for it. She had been estranged from her mother for so long, that she really felt rather indifferent.

As the taxi pulled over at the entrance to the cemetary, Betsy saw her brother Timothy waiting for her. She paid the driver and stepped out of the car, then threw her arms around Timothy's neck. "Little brother," she whispered, and held him as tight and as long as she could.

"I missed you," said Timothy.

Betsy finally let go and looked her brother up and down. "What in Maxis' name are you wearing?"

Betsy had taken the time to find an appropriate outfit for the occasion. She wasn't going to be dishonest and dress like she was in complete and total mourning, but she had wanted to at least be respectful. But Timothy wore a white tuxedo with powder blue satin lining. He looked like he had just come from a wedding set in the '80s.

Timothy shrugged. "This is the only formal thing I own. I wasn't about to spend money on something sad and morbid just for her. Especially since that's not how I feel... and neither do you."

Betsy rolled her eyes. "Real mature, Tim."

They entered the graveyard and walked over to their mother's tombstone. Andrea had already been buried by the cemetary workers. Betsy and Tim were only here to formally pay their respects. After all, they may have disliked their mother, but she did bring them into this world. They stood by the grave in an awkward silence for a few minutes before going into the chapel. They sat in one of the pews for a while, first quietly observing the altar, and then talking and reminiscing about their childhood, and catching up on each other's lives. Finally, they left the cemetary to go get something to eat, and spend some time together before Betsy had to catch her flight back home.

[HelloKit]

Melissa Bendett came home from work one day to find Parker on the kitchen floor playing with a small dog. Setting down her things, she eyed the two of them and finally managed a "What the...?"

Parker grinned at her. "His name is Cymoril. I adopted him. Don't be mad..." He took her hand in his and looked up at her. "I passed by the shelter on the way home, and he just looked so pathetic staring out the window at me, and I..." He changed his approach. "I got promoted today!"

Melissa started laughing - he was so cute! "You're not going to believe this," she said as she pulled him to his feet and kissed him. "I got promoted too."

"No way!" Parker said as he kissed her back. "Well I think this calls for a little celebration, don't you?"

Cymoril watched with his head tilted in curiosity as they ran into the bedroom, giggling.

[HelloKit]

A few weeks later, Melissa awoke one morning nearly starving. She had gone to bed with a full stomach, but now she was ravenous. She couldn't wait for anything to cook, so she had a plate of Jell-O while Parker made her some pancakes. After the Jell-O and two plates of pancakes, she finally felt better. But that didn't last for long. Within less than an hour, she was in the bathroom, throwing it all back up again. Oh my God, she thought, I know what this means.

After cleaning herself up, she approached Parker. "We need to talk," she said to him. "I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" he asked.

"Um," she said, "I think I'm pregnant. Actually I'm sure I am." She looked into his eyes. "We're going to have a baby."

She wasn't sure how he was going to react; she wasn't even sure how she felt about it herself. He stood expressionless for a moment, and then a grin spread across his face from one ear to the other. He threw his arms around her, exclaiming, "I'm so happy!"

The fact that Parker was happy was good enough for Melissa, and she giggled with glee as they hugged. Then Parker suddenly broke their embrace and got down on one knee, pulling something out of his pocket.

Melissa clapped her hand over her mouth.

"I was waiting for the right time," he started, "and I think this is it. It's time we make this official and proper." He opened the box he had pulled from his pocket, and opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. "Melissa Bendett, will you be my wife?"

[HelloKit]

Wedding pictures...

[HelloKit]

"I have been trying to get you to come to Fresca to visit me for years," Betsy Broke said sternly to her brother. "You're coming for Thanksgiving and that's final."

Betsy and Timothy were used to small Thanksgivings. Their father hadn't been close to either of his brothers, their grandmother Brandi had died before Timothy was born, and their mother had no family in Pleasantview. But this was the smallest yet - just the two of them. Timothy only had a short break from classes, so he took a midnight flight Wednesday night from Pleasantview to Fresca, staying at Betsy's for only one night before flying back Friday morning.

Thanksgiving Day was a nice, relaxed affair. They hung out, watched TV together, chatted about nothing in particular. Timothy played with Betsy's new pet bird (and ended up letting him loose to fly all over the house) while Betsy burned the turkey. They choked it down anyway, and later they had cheesecake, which came out much better than the turkey.

The next morning came too fast, and before they knew it they were saying their goodbyes. Hugging Timothy, Betsy said, "Thanks for not making me spend Thanksgiving alone."