3.15: Parker Janes: PI

   I heard dad going into Maverick's room. I heard him gasp. Everything had begun falling apart for Maverick. She was diagnosed with a list of mental disorders longer than the list of things she'd stolen. She was twenty years old; legally an adult. But she couldn't move out. She had stolen a few ridiculous things and was placed under house arrest.

-Eight years ago-

   I opened Maverick's door, nervous. She could happy and angry and insane and the change could take less than a millisecond. Her mood swings where always happening and she never seemed to remember what happened when she was in a violent mood.
  "Maverick, yesterday you stole."
  "Parker..."
  "I know you did!"

   "Parker. Relax. It's one thing."
   "Exactly. You steal that, then something else, then-"
   "I'm not going to steal more. Besides, it's borrowing..."
   "Without ever giving it back."
   "True."
   "That's stealing!"
   "I work hard trying to make my way in the world." She defensively said.
   "I'll tell dad."
   "Go ahead."
   "But you'll get in trouble."
   "What the heck are you talking about? We saw the people steal from the newspaper. Neither of us did anything wrong."
    "Bu-you-we-?"
    "Look, I'll fine."
    "Are you sure?"
    "Chill out."
    "Okay...."
    "Quit worrying, okay?"
    "I am."
    "Good."

-Back to the present- 


    "You're stealing, Maverick?"
    "Yeah Dad." I could hear the sarcasm. No doubt she was rolling her eyes.
    "Seriously, what is this? Maverick, you're stealing stuff nobody wants. Ramen noodles?  Those are literally fifty cents. And we don't even have a cat, what are you doing with treats for one?"
    "Dad. This is my stuff! Leave me alone."
    "You're under house arrest. How are you getting out?"
    "Doesn't matter."
    "You could go to jail. It matters."
    "Look, I don't freaking care." She didn't. She would go as far as possible to steal, pushing all boundaries. Jail couldn't stop her. It felt like nothing could. She didn't care for anyone. Her random trinkets stolen from vintage shops and trophies from the community center meant more. She was past caring.
    "Gabrielle!" He shouted.

   "Pe-ohmigawsh.Maverick. This stuff wasn't here yesterday. None of this sugar was! Excuse my language, but this is a hellhole."
    "You think it's sugar? It's mine." I could hear her getting ready to turn on the waterworks.
    "Honey, I love you. Peter and Parker and I all do. We're worried, though."
    "So?"
    "Sweetie, we're sending you to Riverview Psychiatric Hospital."
    "Huh?"
    "Honey," Peter took a breath. "We received a court notice. If you break the rules you could end up in jail. They won't care that you're bipolar or having panic disorders or schizophrenia or seasonal affective disorder."
    "This is for your own good."
    "I love you." Dad was trying to keep from crying.
    "You think I"m crazy! You all do."
    "No." My father took a breath. "RPH is for your own good."
    "Why don't you go there?"
    "Maverick," My mother was trying to reason with someone deemed mentally unfit by a team of New York's best doctors.

     "NO! I will not go. I will stay with my lovelies. They need me." Her voice was a cackle.
     "Your unfit to make your own choices. We have a list of doctors who agree. I'm sorry, but you have too."
      "Nope." She took off, running out of her bedroom.
      "Maverick. I caught her arm, stopping her.
      "Help me, Parker. The big people think I'm crazy. I just wanna go with the pretty colors and steal my lovelies. They need me. They need a home. The pretty colors guide me."
      "You have to go." I knew if she went, she would probably live their for the majority of her life.
      "But the lights say no. The panda say no."
      "Panda?"
  "She's from the lights. She's a rainbow."
      "I-I..."
      "I hate you. You won't help me! The lights are telling me to...if you won't help me, you will hurt me." Her eyes got a sly look in them, as they glazed over. She jumped forwards, her arms digging into me.
      "Maverick!" My parents came running out. My father pulled her away from me. The world started moving slowly. I took a deep breath, moving back. Maverick's eyes where wide, gleaming. She was gone. She wasn't coming back from where ever her mind had dumped her. She was clawing at my dad, scratching him. I could see the scrapes. She was kicking and screaming; she had to follow the lights. She hated the winter and wouldn't go outside. She needed to stay in her room protecting her lovelies from the cold. Ice shot through my veins as she began speaking in a low voice. Mother and father where pulling he rout the door.
     "I love you." My mother said, simply. "But we have to."
     "I know." I nodded. They where moving to Riverview with Maverick. She needed as much support as she could get, according to the doctors. Maybe if my parents visited, it would help her transition."You should. She needs it."  MY sister was ill; my parents where doing what was right.
    "I love you." I could hear my dad try and say. "Parker I-OW FUUU-"
    "We have to go. The hospital to calm her down, then Riverview." She kissed my cheek and hugged me. Tears welled up in both our eyes. I was hugging them goodbye. I might be able to see them again, but I doubted it. It was painful seeing .Ma-my sister like this...I had to stay here. The door closed shut and my past walked away. I was an adult. I was on my own.
    I paced to my room, taking my time. I needed to throw out everything she stole. Give it to the police. I opened my door, stepping inside my room. The room I grew up in. I sat down at my desk, breathing in the pine wood. I logged onto the computer, opening my email. It was official. One hundred business cards printed up. Parker Janes: Private Investigator. This was my life now. Helping solve crimes. Stopping the bad in the world.

3.14: Stealing Maverick

   "Parker! What are you doing?" I screamed at him. He was a complete idiot.
   "Pretending that I'm driving a car. What's wrong?" He looked concerned.
   "What the," I glanced around. Mom wasn't around and Dad had meetings until five; it was only four-thirty. Dad was promoted big time and suddenly wasn't a lowly teacher anymore. He was in charge of crap and had meetings and presentations to do. "Sugar." I whispered. "What the sugar are you doing?" The seventh grade girl's bathrooms where brutal and I doubt that the fifth grade boys where any better. Peter was ten and I was twelve; I was the grown up. "I'm watching TV!"
   "It's on commercial."
   "SO?!" I snapped. He's so annoying. I hated him. I thought, as I rolled my eyes. Whatever.
   "I'm sorry. I'll go play in my room."

   "Whatever."
   "Maverick I didn't mean to. Sorry."
   "Shut up."
   "Sorry. I'll be quiet."
   "Shut up and do it! The show's on!"
   "Sorr-" I stood up and pushed him.
   "Go!"
   "I-"
   "Be quiet!" I screamed, pushing him. He bumped into the table, knocking Mum's Chinese jade and gold vase off the table. "Idiot! Look what you did." I mumbled.
    "We shattered it!" He gasped.

    "Oh my gosh." I glanced at the pieces. "I'm so sorry, Parker. I'm so, so sorry. I'm stupid. I'm a sugary person. I'm so, so sorry."
    "You aren't stupid. Thanks for apologizing."
    "Your welcome." I sighed. "I'm horrible. I shouldn't cuss. Sorry." I felt really bad. He's so sweet. He's the best little brother ever.
    "What's going on?" My mother rushed to us. "I heard screaming."
    "We, uh, broke you vase." Parker glanced down. "I'm sorry."
    "WE?!" I glared at Parker. Is he as ignorant as I thought? Is he really so thick that he thinks we did this? WE?! No, it was HIM. I didn't do anything. I was sitting on the couch, while we knocked the vase off while playing cars or whatever childish nonsense. Whatever he was talking about, us fighting that didn't happen. I glanced at him, confused. That didn't happen. "We didn't fight."

    "I just-we-you-but-" Parker glanced at me. "We just did."
    "I don't remember it, though." He must be mental. Maybe some odd brain thing. "Parker," I calmly said. "We did not fight."
    "But-"
    "It doesn't matter if you fought or not. The vase was broken."
    "I promise we'll repay you." I said. "I'll help Parker, I'm so sorry."
    "Maverick, are you alright?"
    "Yeah, Mom. Why wouldn't I?"
    "You where just screaming."
    "She does it all the time. She'll scream, then be apologetic and sad."
    "Sillies." I laughed. I don't do that.
    "Maverick, maybe we should go to the doctor?"
    "Why?!" I snapped. "Because I'm crazy? I'm NOT CRAZY."
    "Maverick, calm down. It'll be okay."
    "Huh? What will be okay. Everything's fine. I'm sorry for us," I glanced at Parker winking. It would be okay, I would keep his secret safe, "breaking the vase. I will repay the cost."
    "Don't worry. It's antique." She chuckled. "It cost a couple thousand grand."
    "We'll split the cost." I nodded at Parker.
    "Uh...it costs more than everything in my bedroom combined."
    "We will pay for it! Idiot! You freaking broke it!"
    "Maverick! You don't have to go skating."
    "You promised. Life sucks. This is horrible. I hate you all!"
    "Maverick!" My mother gasped.
    "Sorry." I felt the tears fly to my eyes. "I'm the one who sucks. My  life sucks. You guys are great. I'm horrible." I hung my head low.
    "No, no. Sweetie, you aren't. I think we should schedule an appointment, though."
    "NO. My life isn't...you don't have to waste time." I wasn't. I'm horrible. Parker broke the vase, but I didn't take the blame. I was horrible. I deserved everything that came to me. I'm bad. Bad, bad, bad. I scolded myself.
     "Mom, you promised we can go skating today. You said we go go after school.Please? It's after school."
     "Okay..." She sighed. She glanced at me. Was she laughing? She was trying to keep from laughing. I know it. People, all they do, is laugh at me behind my back. I'm a fool. They hate me. They don't want me around."Maverick, are you ready?"
     "Of course!" I squealed. We're going to go skating! Skating! I've been to the fair a couple times to see Great-Aunt Cassie and I've skated and it is FUN! I'm excited. Yay, yay, yay, YAY! I cheered in my mind. We're going to have a fabulous time. I'll race Parker and see who can skate faster, fastest, faster. Yipee, yay! Hoary, this will be the best thing. EVER!

      "Kids," My mother said once we arrived, "I'll give you fifteen dollars to spend. You can buy game tickets, whatever, but that fifteen dollars is yours to spend."
      "What about skates?" Parker asked.
       "I'll pay for that and a pizza when we're done."
       "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed. Fun, fun, fun. FUN! "Parker, wanna go play skee ball?"
       "Of course!" He hurried after me. "Can you believe mom gave us fifteen dollars? That's ninety tokens to spend."
       "Ninety! We have ninety tickets to spend! I'm so happy." We stopped at the machine, exchanging our bills for little gold coins. "Let's go to skee ball!" I squealed.
       "It's five tokens."

       "Five! Yay, let's play! Let's play." I inserted my tokens into the machine, then withdrew a ball. I arched my arm back, then let the ball fly.
       "Yes! One hundred points." Parker shouted, overjoyed.
       "Five points." I mumbled, disappointed in myself. Five measly points. Five to one hundred. That was nothing. I'm horrible at this game. I should give up.
       "That's cool. You'll get better."
       "You think?"
       "Yeah, defiantly. We haven't played in forever. The last time was at the... carnival, remember? That was two years ago."
       "Oh, yeah."
       "See?"

       "No. No, no, no. I'm a failure. I'll never do anything with my life. I'm awful."
       "Stop saying that. You've been all...blah. Meverick-y-ity all day. This is fun, not sad."
       "I'm still a failure."
       "We played not even a full game. We each had one ball and we have lots more."
       "If you insist, but I'll just mess up again."
       "You will not mess up. Here." He handed me one of his balls. "Now, if you do, you have an extra."
       "Thank you, Parker."
       "I bet it's lucky. You should try it."
       "Fine." But I still suck. I hate myself. bad me, horrible, no good, unlovable me. I arched my arm back once more, expecting the ball to fly out of my hand into the five point slot. Instead, I slowly released if, swinging my arm forwards. "Seventy-five points!" I won. I was a winner. This was amazingly awesome. Like panda bears eating ice cream cones with rainbow sprinkles and then having a tea party with a bunny, while Adele sings awesome. Like so awesome, it isn't even legen- wait for it, TV show reference you might not get that has a crappy ninth season, dary. Bam. Like ice cream dairy. Legendarily epic, so past normal and boring that it's a three thousand on a scale of one to six. Six point thirty two and ninety nine percent. Freaking uh-maze-in. G. Uh-maze-ing.
       We played a few more games, using up a good portion of our tickets. Parker and I tied in the end and spoiler alert, it was epic. Like fabulous wonderful exciting amazing awesome cool fantastic fabulously epic. Parker, though still gained more tickets. Weird; maybe because I scored around twenty each game and he scored closer to a thousand. Except for the last game, we both got five hundred fifty five. 555.
       "Look at that!" I pointed towards a glass display case with prizes you could win.
       "Cool, pirate ship."

        "Nope, no, nada! The spaceship! I need it."
        "It's three hundred tickets. How many do you have?"
        "Seventeen. And I've got thirty tokens left"
        "You could still maybe get it. Save up."
        "Parker, it's a plastic toy that costs fifty cents for some Asian factory worker to make. Why should I save my money?"
        "Uh...it's the right thing to do. Look, mom's buying pizza."
        "Fun! Food! We eat."I followed Parker over to a table. I sat down, grabbing a Styrofoam plate, with a piece of cardboard covered in grease, cheese, and old tomato's carelessly smashed onto the concoction. Parker likes to call it roller rink pizza. "Can I have money?" I asked, as I chewed.
        "No, honey. I gave you fifteen dollars."
        "But I want a prize. Fun it is. Yes, yes. Fun!"
        "I'm glad it's fun, but you have money."
        "Me want more money. Money, funny. Fun is bought with money, mummy."
        "Maverick, next time you receive money save it. Next time we come back you can buy whatever you want."
        "Ah. Money is fun. Amazingly awesome epic fun. We go play games, Parker?"
        "I'm going to skate."
        "Me play game."
        "Great?" we ate for a few more minutes, Mom and Parker chitchatting. It was all small talk nobody cared about, anyhow. Why shall I listen? I stood up, tossing away my leftovers after Mom and Parker had decided to go over to the rink. They gracefully slipped on skates, ready to roll. Pun intended. I crept over to the toy display, slowly, carelessly. Oh what's she doing? Being nonchalant. Nothing really. Having fun. That's what they would all say.

       I glanced around. Nobody was looking. Everyone assumed the stupid little girl wasn't intelligent.  Her? Steal? No. So sweet and gentle. So young. Her? Never. I felt my fingers creep over to the figurine. Slowly. Carefully. Everything was well a perfect technique. Everything. I felt my fingers grasp the small metal work of cheap art. Neon color and bright lights of the toy filled my senses. It was in my grasp. My hand placed it in my pocket, away from the human eye. No one could see it.

     I felt a pang of guilt. NO. I can steal. Idiots have to pay, but I'm smarter. Parker and Dad and Mom and everyone are stupid. Stealing is free. Money takes work and time. Stealing is no work.But, at the same time, it is more complex and worth it than any job you could ever have. The most forgiving thing is take something rightfully yours.
    I shut my eyes, taking a breath. It will be fine. No one saw. I went up to the counter to get skates. I slipped them on my feet and spun to the rink.
    "Hello!" I screamed at Parker.
    "Hey."
    "Wanna spin?'
    "How?"

    "I take your hands and-" I spun him around and around, until he was laughing foolishly, like a tiny girl. We raced and skated and spun and leaped until it was closing time.This was fun. FUN, fun, fun. I thought. I liked this game. Me taking things. I like it. I should play it more often.

Hello, peoples! You can download the roller ink HERE. It was NOT created by me, but by a Simmer from thesims3.com whose name I can not remember is mangoesandlimes. This generation will be ending soon, the poll will come after chapter 3.15! (Or 3.16, depending on how the plot goes in game). Sooo maybe start thinking about how you'll vote?

3.13 and 1/2: New Home

   "Gabrielle, go."
   "But..."
   "It's been months."
   "I just..."
   "Gabrielle."
   "Antoinette."
   "You are going to meet your children and husband at the fabulous new apartment of yours. Got it?"
   "Yeah..." I nodded. It had been ten months since my parents...passed away. I'd struggled; the estates in Paris and London and stocks and bonds had taken forever to sort out. Two months ago and we had finished finally working everything out. Two months for the finical crap to be out of the way and for the real emotion to set in. "Enjoy the apartment." I called out as I walked to the car. I had given Antoinette and her family the apartment; it was simply too small for my family.
    "We will." Nikia smiled. As I drove away, I glanced back. My sister's happy little family beamed back at me.

    "Wow." I gasped as I stepped inside, glancing around. There was the large, open kitchen/living room area, decorated in lovely blues.

   The bathroom, in a nice aquamarine color scheme.

  Our, Peter and I's, room, decorated in a nice shade of blue.

   Parker's room.

   And finally, Maverick's bedroom.

   It was all amazing; the apartment was gorgeous and lovely, as well as spacious. Of course, compared to Peter's apartment, my tour bus was spacious. I chuckled; I had went on tour shortly after Parker was born. For thee American portion, Peter had dragged the children along with him. During the European porition, we video chatted every night (or morning, depending where I was whenever it was seven pm sharp, the children's bedtime until they turned six, then it would become eight).
    "Hey, lovely." Peter walked up behind me.
    "Hey." I smiled, turning to kiss him.
    "How do you like the new place?"
    "I love it. How are the kids?"
    "Fast asleep."
    "Oh Peter." I sighed. "You're such a great dad."
    "Hoping that that's a turn on."
    "It is." I smiled. "We need to test out the new bed." I grabbed his hand. "Come on." I pulled him into the bedroom, shutting the door. We fell asleep in each other's arms afterwards, both of us glowing. Life was wonderful. It really was, despite the misery, there's always one moment of bliss for every moment of pain. I was lucky; living all the bliss at once.

3.13: Final Goodbyes

   "I sat on the couch, staring out the window. The dusky mist of rose was covering the sky. It would all be gone too soon. Too soon for the beauty and war and anger to matter. Only the love and happiness should surround us, for that is what is left after we are all gone. That is what will matter when we're gone."
      -Final Words: A Memoir, by Tiffani Bonaparle

   "Honey," I called out. Peter was in the kitchen, placing the candles on the cake. 
   "Yes?" He answered.
   "Did you invite anyone over?"
   "What?" He peeked through the kitchen's window. "Nope."
   "Okay..." The doorbell rang again. I didn't want it to be someone desperate to force their beliefs on me or sell me a sham product of even a paparazzi dumb enough to believe I'll fall for that trick. (Again.)
    "Want me to see who it is?"
    "I can do it." I sighed, putting Parker on the floor by his toys. Maverick was turning five today and Parker was three.Whomever it was, it better be damn important to interrupt my little girl's birthday over. Not that they'd know if if they weren't...well no one. Nobody would know it. My family was Peter, Parker, Maverick, and myself, no one more.  "Come on in!" I shouted.

    "I love him with every piece of me and I always will, no doubt. It was with him that I sealed my fate, for we will be together until the last soul is knocked out. We're dying together and what is greater than that? Certainly not our mistakes or time lost, for our love and commitment is the only thing."
      -Final Words: A Memoir, by Tiffani Bonaparle

-----

     "We're almost to the end."
     "Yep." I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "We are."
     "Can you believe it?" She laughed.
     "Mom, why are you here?"
     "Finish the story. I'll tell you afterwards."
     "Are you sure?"
     "Positive. Sweetie, trust me. Don't worry."
     "Okay." Which one? Trust or not worry? I would have to relearn how to  do both when it came to my mom.

-----

     I heard them coming up the stairs, not glancing to see who it was. "Bonjour." They greeted me, waiting for a reply. I knew who was speaking. I know that voice, even after all these years. It had been a decade and finally she was back. I spun around, staring at the door.
    "M-mother?" I gasped.
    "Oui." She smiled.
    "What are you doing here?"
    "That's the first thing you ask? Haven't seen me in ten years and you want to know what I'm doing? Clearly I'm talking to you." Not a good way to start. I thought.
    "Is dad here?"
    "No, he couldn't...Antoinette is, though."
    "Antoinette?"
    "Hey." She prances up the stairs, smiling.
    "Antoinette!" I hadn't seen her since she was a germophobic perfectionist who was going to therapy for anxiety issues.
    "Gabrielle. Nice to see ya."

     "I missed you."
     "I'm glad that jerks in jail."
     "What?"
     "Oh, um...see, a couple years ago, like five and a half or something, I came to Bridgeport, and talked to your boyfriend."
     "You did what?! He tried to fudging-" I glanced at Maverick and Parker. They where both in the kitchen; hopefully they hadn't heard me, "Kill me." I whispered.
     "I know. He threatened me, too."
     "Wha- and you didn't do anything?"
     "Not true. I ran off to England to hide."
     "That doesn't count as something!"
     "Well, it should."
     "Daniel's been in jail for at least five years and will be in until death row comes for him."
     "I know. I saw awhile back, but...mom should tell you."
     "Gabrielle? The cake's ready." He walked out of the kitchen, followed by my two children. "Who's-"
     "Peter. This is my mom and sister. Tiffani and Antoinette. Guys, this is Peter. My husband. And Maverick, my daughter, and Parker, my son. We where celebrating Maverick's birthday."
     "I have grandchildren?!"
     "Uhhh, mom." Antoinette glanced at her.
     "I know, sweetie but..."
     "What? But what?"
     "I...later, okay?"
     "Fine." She sighed, clearly upset but trying to look like she wasn't.

     "You're welcome to stay." I said, to no one in particular. "She's about to blow out the candles."
     "Oui, oui!" My mother clapped, excitedly.  "Joyeux anniversaire! Joyeux anniversaire ma chérie, heureux, joyeux anniversaire!" She began singing in French. 
     "Happy birthday! Happy birthday my darling, happy, happy birthday!" I translated for the three people in the room who didn't speak French and didn't plan on learning it.

        After Maverick had blown out her candles, we began talking. I had missed so much of their lives in ten years and they had missed so much of mine.
       "So, um. You're Gabrielle's mother?"
       "Oui."
       "Mom, he doesn't speak French. I barely speak it."
       "I'll speak English." She looked at me like it was some big trouble for her to complete the simple task.
       "Thank you. I like it much better when you aren't trying to intimidate my husband."
       "When did you two get married?"
       "Four years ago, ma'am." Peter answered.
       "Please, call me Mrs. Bonaparle."
       "Mother!"
       "Is what I would say if you weren't family. Please, call me Tiffani."
       "So, uh, Tiffani. What brings you back to Bridgeport?"
       "Back?"
       "Gabrielle told me that you moved to England."

       "Why yes, we did. A few years ago, after Antoinette  was fine on her own, Francois and I moved to France, his homeland. Antoinette traveled around with her, well absolute darling. Really, Gabrielle, you she meet her. She's the sweetest thing."
       "Her?!" Peter and I asked in unison.
      "You two aren't discriminatory, are you?"
      "Of course not." Peter answered, blushing. "Just surprised."
      "Me, too."  I agreed.
      "Her name is Nikia and I really should let Antoinette tell you."
      "Nikia is wonderful!" Antoinette appeared out of nowhere, holding Parker. "we got married in England, since the law allows it. And we adopted Addion, oh she's so cute, about eight months ago. She's twenty-four months. We're moving back to New York, the States, since that's where Nikia and I both grew up. We're looking for a home."
      "Congratulations." I glanced at Peter.
      "Thank you. I'm so thrilled! You can meet them, tomorrow. I figured since this was a big family, been ten years thing they probably shouldn't come."
      "It would have been fine. Just...shocking."
      "Gabrielle, tell me how did you and Peter meet?"
      "We where at a club-" Peter began.
      "Gabrielle, start at the beginning. Why where you at the club?"

      "Okay." I sat down at the couch, next to her."Well, I have children."
     "What? How could this happen?!" My mother looked panicked.
    "Biology. I really hope I don't have to explain it any further than that."
    "But-that-it's impo-no. You're lying."
    "Quit the in denial act mom. I'm not your stupid innocent little girl anymore. I haven't been for a long time."
     "You-you-no. How?"
     "Mom. Dad's a doctor. It's simple. Do I really have to-" I looked at her face. She was shocked. That was clear as day. This on top of what she was going through with me. Clearly I needed to spell everything out for her.
     "You didn't really, you know, it. Did you?"
     "Yeah, I fudgin' did." I sighed. "S-E-X. I had sex. No one called that it since middle school. Happy?"
      "How? What about everything else?"
      "I was still in high school…when it began. Not the sex…just. Everything." I sighed. I wasn't eager to walk down memory lane. "Everything…there was guys and I got upset, then the fame and singing…and him. It was insane. I graduated, barely, and…high school. It started the mess."
     "Sweetie…" She whispered.
     "The talent show. The first one I preformed at." I stared at my feet, then launched into my story.  I told her everything, the club, Jason, Daniel, Peter. The attempted murder, the secrets. High school and therapy and talk shows and award shows and prizes and being a celebrity. I was a three star celebrity; a Headliner singer. "And that," I finished, "Is everything. Why are you here? Where's dad?"
     "We where moving to Paris. We explored some ruins, archeological wonder, really. There was three other tourists. Francois and I where on a guided tour; we hadn't been to France in a while and where being accustomed with their culture; forgetting the English one."
     "What happened?"
     "Your father and I...the tourists, we breathed in some dust. we picked up a rare lung disease that Francois happened to discover, after we both received it."
     "Is there a cure?"
     "Cure...?" She took a deep breath. "No, there's not. It isn't contagious, but there's no cure."
     "Will you be alright?"
     "Non." She shook her head. "No."
     "Mom-wha-you have to be."
     "Honey, I'm dying. Your father is weakening; he can barely walk. We came back to New York to see you. We're leaving you half and your sister half. I love you, but...I'm not going to live another week."
     "You have too!" I bolted up, crying.
     "Honey." She hugged me. "I'm sorry."

     "I love you, mommy."
     "I love you too, Gabrielle."
     "Can I see dad?"
     "No...I'm sorry, his state...he won't let anyone. He loves you, he really does. It-just...he's too far gone. He's barely here."
     "Mom." I shook my head.
     "Can I see Mavie? I bet she wants to see her grandma."
      "Maverick. Her name is Maverick."
      "Gabrielle, I-"
      "I need to go talk to Peter." I turned away. How could she prance back years later? How could she? She talks to the kids then they never see her again? How can I explain that?

-Tiff's POV-

    "Hello." I smiled at Maverick.
    "Who are you?" She glared at me.
    "Your grandmother."
    "Nuh-uh." She stuck her tongue out. "I don't have one."
    "Yes you do." I smiled. "See, everyone has a grandmother."
    "I asked Mommy, cause the kids in Kindergarten all had one for Gingerbread with Grandma during the holidays. 'Cept, I didn't. So I asked her and I don't have one. She's away."
     "A grandmother is you're mommy or daddy's mommy. I'm your mommy's mommy."
     "My mommy has a mommy?" Her eyes got real wide.
     "Everyone has a mother."
     "Well I know that... but my mom's an adult!"
     "Do you think I'm your grandmother now?"
     "I guess so. But I'm not suppose to talk to strangers...it's my birthday."
     "Wow. Hold old are you?"

     "Five. I can count to fifty-three."
     "Good job." I smiled, giving her a thumbs up.
     "I gotta go to bed. See you...grandma?"

     "Oh, Parker." I picked him up. He had...his hair. He had my mother's hair. I smiled. He reminded me so much of her; his appearances where nearly replicated. His nose and hair and chin...she was gone and soon I would be. "I love you, Parker. You won't remember me, but I always will." I had said my goodbyes. I was ready to leave. I gently placed Parker in his high chair and quietly left. It was best that way.
     

3.12: Birthday and A Baby

   "Today's your birthday, Maverick." I cooed. "Daddy's coming home from work right now so we can celebrate."  I lifted her up into the air, smiling. It had been the best year of my life; her, Peter, and I. I had married Peter this morning, in probably what will be votes the most romantic scene in a bathroom, ever.
    "Darlings, I'm home." I heard Peter call out.
    "Hey." I greeted him at the door, kissing his cheek.
    "How'd your ad go?"
    "Great! They'll use it for the channels that have the supernatural creepy shows on them or teen movies. How was work?"
    "A couple boys where giving tattoos under the purple slide at recess."
    "What?!"
    "They where with black sharpie and a stolen box of neon dry erase markers. We shut the operation down pretty quickly." He laughed.
    "Speaking of tattoos...Peter, I'd like mine removed."
    "Which one?"
    "The heart...I'm so happy and that was such a bad time in my life."
    "Of course. Whenever you want."
    "I was thinking of getting a new one. Maybe Maverick's name and yours. I know our family will last forever and we'll love each other for forever."
     "I love you, too." He smiled. "I'm going to finish frosting Maverick's cake. 

    "Okay." In a few minutes, we where all standing in the kitchen, singing.
    "Happy, happy, birthday. Happy, happy birthday to Maverick!" We both sang. I felt nauseous. I needed a bathroom. Now.
    "Peter I-" I took off.

       I leaned over the commode, feeling my insides become my outsides. I wonder if I was...no. I couldn't be. Could I? Not that fast. Peter and I had been trying, or thinking of trying, considering how on our toes Maverick kept us. I had to make sure. I quickly filed around in the medical cabinet, getting a test. I waited a few minutes, nervous. I glanced at the results. It was positive. Positive. I was having a baby.
      "Peter." I walked out of the bathroom, trying to act nonchalant.
      "Is everything alright?" He was crouched

on the ground, trying to get Maverick to talk "Maverick! Can you say mamma? Mahh-muh. Do you see mamma?"
       "Peter, I," Before I could finish my sentence, I felt the birthday cake revisiting me.
       "Gabrielle?" He stood up, holding Maverick.
       "Bathroom!" I ran off, in my heels.
       "Gab-" Peter followed. He looked worried; hopefully I didn't scare him too badly.
       "Peter," I stood up after all my stomach contents was no longer in my stomach.
       "What's wrong?"
       "Well," I took a breath. " Nothing!" I smiled. "I'm pregnant! Isn't it wonderful?"
       "Preg-nan-t?" He sounded like he was trying to teach Maverick the word.  "That's great!"
       "I'm glad you think so." I said, revealed. I had told Peter, know everything would be fine. "Can I-" I took Maverick out of Peter's arms.

   "Maverick." I said, slowly. "Guess what! Mommy's going to have another sister. You're going to be a big sister! You gonna be a big sissy."

    "Bih swisy?" She giggled.
    "Yes! Big sissy!" I squealed. "Peter, she talked! She talked! You're a genius with babies."
    "It's momma's genes that are genius." He chuckled.

   "You're mommy's a genius. I can't wait to meet you." He said to my stomach. "I'm so lucky." He smiled.
   "We're both lucky." I smiled, rubbing my stomach, smiling at Maverick. Maverick plus one. Marriage and children. I never imagined myself every finding a family after the catastrophic mess with my parents, yet here I was, with my tiny little family that I couldn't imagine living without.

   Hi! Yep, this is a short/mini chapter. I don't have anything else to put in it, and chapter 3.13 is a big one so I may not publish it until Sunday/next week-ish. I'd like to say thank you to everyone, my blog has reached 6,000 views! Yay! I know I ranted a teeny little bit in the past chapter, but I've started a lottery on thesims3.com, so if you use that site, go check it out. Here's the link:  http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/717255.page  Go win prizes and eat cake! Now! I command you to. Hahaha.... I have this whole week off from school that I get every year in between the first and last have of the semester and I have NO idea what to do... that means more chapters for you guys. Plus some homework-y report thing that I really should do, considering that it's a freaking gigantic grade. Priorities, right?

3.11: Mrs. Gabrielle Janes-Terrey

   I stood in the bathroom, primping myself. Vamp XOXO Gloss, 'Blood red color for your lips' was paying me to do a TV ad for them. It involved me wearing a glittery white mini dress, kissing hot models, and being splattered in cheesy fake blood when I bite peoples necks. I had no idea why I agreed to being a vampire. I wasn't planning on doing the ad, but Peter told me it was fine; he understood my line of work. I also imagine me dropping Maverick off at daycare and coming to his classroom during recess, when there weren't any students there, and us...doing it on his desk helped my case.

   "Gabrielle." Peter knocked.
   "Yes?"
   "Can I say something?"
   "What?" I giggled.
   "I," He came into the bathroom. Much to my disapproval, he was wearing clothing. "Just wanted to tell you something.
   "Okay? Is it important? I have to leave in an hour and Maverick needs to be dropped off and you have work in twenty minutes."
    "It is. I love you."
    "I love you, too."
    "Can you believe Maverick turns one today?"
    "It seems like just yesterday she was born..." I chuckled, fondly remembering the past year. Peter and I had also turned a year older, I was twenty-two, he was twenty-four.
    "I baked a cake. I'll frost it tonight."
    "Great! I have another gig at noon."
    "I get off at three thirty, we can celebrate after that?"
    "Absolutely."
    "You look beautiful."
    "Thanks. You look handsome. What's with the suit?"
    "Today's third grade graduation." He chuckled. "And, I have something to give you."
    "Aww. You're too good for me, did you know that? You're so sweet."
    "Gabrielle, you're perfect."
    "Thank you. Peter what are you-" I paused.

   "I wanted this to be special, maybe in Italy or Hawaii, but I couldn't wait. I love you so much."

   "What's going on?" I asked, confused. What was he doing? Why? "I love you, too. Peter I-" I gasped. He was proposing.

   "Gabrielle Janes, Madame G. The day, or night, I met you was incredibly memorable for me. It was the day after my birthday. You had pink hair and was running away. You ran into me and we instantly hit it off. I remember thinking how insane, intelligent, gorgeous, and amazing you where. How you where like no one I had ever met before. You where different. You're famous, but you're down to earth and caring and passionate and the best mother I know. You amaze me everyday and I hope that you will for the rest of our lives. Gabrielle, will you spend the rest of you life with me? Will you marry me?"

    "Peter!" I gasped. "YES! Yes, yes! I-I would be insane to say no. Yes! A million times yes."
    "I was hoping you'd say that." He smiled, slipping the ring onto my finger.

   I kissed Peter on the lips, unbuttoning his shirt. "Maverick's sleeping." I whispered. He pressed me against the wall, as we discarded each others clothing. "Peter!" I moaned. After we'd finished...wrestling. Is that term parents use to explain it to their children? I fixed my makeup and slid into my dress.
   "I have the papers."
   "Papers?"
   "Marriage papers."
   "Now?"
   "When will there be a better time?"
   "You're right..."
   "I love you. You're amazing and crazy, but without the crazy I don't know how I would live..."

   "Peter, do you take me as your wife?"
   "I do."
   "Peter, you're amazing and put up with my diva insanity. I hope our daughter turns out exactly like you. I love you more than anything."
   "Gabriell
e Janes will you take me as your husband?"
   "I do."

   "I pronounce us husband and wife." We said together.
   "You may kiss the bride." I winked at him.

   "Crap!" Maverick, (Maverick Janes, we had decided to keep her last name Janes as well as having any future children have the last name Janes, out of respect for my family) had begun crying. "Peter, I need to go change her."
   "I need to go to work. I'm late!"
   "And my TV ad's today in twenty minutes!"
   "Good bye Gabrielle Janes-Terrey."
   "Good bye Peter Terrey." I kissed him on the cheek, running to the nursery. Peter and I where officially married. I smiled. Peter and I where married. He was mine and I was his. We where married! Married with children. Tell me that isn't a sitcom title.