| Aztec Legacy |

Chapter 10 – Fruits of Labor

MythMia — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:05:53 +0000

RIP deforming toddler glitch, thanks to the latest patch. This was one of the last screenies of it that I caught. Chantico especially loved it and plans to show it to Xolotl’s future girlfriends. Oh yes, and Tlaloc just grew into a child with very strong features.

Another perspective of the glitch. Chantico was seemingly trying to keep Irving distracted from looking at Xolotl in such a state. Thankfully it’s only temporary!

And now returning to the legacy, Tlaloc began school the next morning. The worst part for him was being outside between his house and the bus. Being in a classroom is a lot better when you can’t stand the outdoors!

While Tlaloc was at school and Xolotl asleep in his crib, Chantico worked on getting comfortable with Irving in her bed. Just before she suggested doing the deed, Irving glanced at his watch and panicked.

“Oh crap! I have to be at work in an hour! Sorry, I gotta go.” He ran off before Chantico could protest, and she punched her pillow in frustration. Ugh, so close! I almost had him.

Xolotl’s birthday quickly approached and his evil nature became even more apparent in his child stage. At this age, he also showed a big interest in computers. He was glued to the monitor of the family computer for hours at a time. It was no secret Chantico’s youngest and evil son was also a computer whiz.

That evening, after Xolotl’s birthday wound down, Chantico invited Irving over again, hoping for better results than last time.

By next morning, it seemed she got what she had hoped for.

In the meantime, Metzli decided to go on a small outdoor adventure on her own, collecting rocks and gems around town,

and fishing at gorgeous, mountain waterfalls. She had made it her lifetime wish to have the perfect aquarium and was determined to achieve it. It was also nice to just get out of the house and take a break from Auntie Metzli duties.

Unknown to anyone else in the house, she had a small vault built behind her bedroom where she began to store her most valuable finds. Although she knew it was ignorant, Mortimer’s insults to her had stung. It was true that she didn’t contribute monetarily and she absolutely wanted to. She hoped her collection would grow into a small fortune that could help future generations with whatever they needed. They would surely find it eventually. But Metzli didn’t want to tell anyone about it while she was alive, surely the government would conspire to tax a large portion of it, or worse, steal it all away for themselves.

When Chantico became completely sure of her pregnancy, her first order of business was to call Irving and tell him she couldn’t see him anymore.

“But why, Chantico? My marriage is rocky and I-”

“No, work out your marriage. It’s not right to sneak around when you’ve made vows and have a child.” She almost bit her tongue at that last part. “I’m sorry, Irving but it has to stop.” It was true, she did feel a load of guilt for seducing a family man. Irving was a good guy. But knowing of a child from an affair would only complicate his family life, and she didn’t want to cause problems. Plus, she was still determined to raise her children with only her sons as the men in her life.

Tlaloc was the first one she told. He enjoyed being the oldest and was happy with the news. He couldn’t wait to have another little brother to boss around, or a baby sister to protect.

Meztli was also excited at the prospect of having a new niece or nephew. But she was also concerned.

“How many kids do you want to have, Chan? I mean, what if it’s another boy? Will you still keep seducing men until you have a girl?”

“I guess I’ll have to stop at some point,” Chantico replied with a smirk. “But I really want a daughter to take my place here when I’m gone. Don’t worry though, if I don’t get one I’ll stop before I have too many.”

“And how many is too many?”

“Eight!” Chantico declared with a laugh. “I’ll be the new Octomom!”

Xolotl’s reaction to the news was a loud, evil cackle, before running off to sneak up behind his Auntie Metzli

and scare the living daylights out of her.

Metzli took to his frights fairly well, despite her neurotic nature. After he scared her, she chased him around the house while he cackled, and she tickled him to death when she caught him until he begged for mercy.

“Serves you right, little monster!” she told him while messing up his hair.

Chantico soon noticed something distinctly different about this pregnancy.

“Oh my God, melons! I’m craving watermelons so bad! Thank God for Metzli growing them in the backyard! Om nom nom nom!”

Baby #3 had similar timing as Xolotl. Chantico’s labor conveniently began in the company of Tlaloc and a house guest (I forgot her name). Tlaloc’s biggest worry was his mom having to go outside in order to get to the hospital. He begged her to stay home and not go outside, which she agreed to. The guest lady looked like she would faint at this occurance.

For a home delivery, it went very smoothly. Chantico finally got her baby girl and named her Mayahuel. They would call her Maya for short. Her traits at birth were Artistic and Clumsy. Instead of buying a new crib Chantico used Xolotl’s green skull patterned one, since it was still relatively new.

Tlaloc became a handsome teenager the very next day. Chantico gave him his own custom guitar, which he was thrilled by.

“Now maybe you’ll finally keep your grubby little hands off mine,” she teased.

“How does it feel to be a big teenager, Tlaloc? Any different?” Metzli asked him.

“I feel lucky, to be honest,” he answered with a smile and a happy strum on his new guitar.

Tlaloc’s birthday was the first of the birthday parade for the kids. Maya grew into an adorable green eyed, red haired toddler and became hopelessly attached to Tlaloc. He didn’t mind in the slightest, and actually enjoyed playing with her.

Xolotl’s birthday came right behind Maya’s, and the new teenager declared that day he was a vegetarian. Metzli made a concious note to learn more recipes in order to accomodate his new diet. Tlaloc poked fun at him for it, though he was just glad his little brother finally grew up. They would have more in common now.

But Xolotl’s growth didn’t stop him from getting a kick out of scaring people. He especially enjoyed preying on the new housekeepers.

The day after Xolotl’s birthday was when Chantico finally returned to work. She decided to change her hair and outfit for her big return. She was a lyricist in the rock music branch and was still determined to reach the top of her career. Having kids put her own plans on hold for a while, but now it was time to focus on herself again.

Chapter 9: True Colors

MythMia — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:30:13 +0000

“You’re a freeloader!”

“What?!”

“You contribute nothing, you’re just a deadbeat leeching off your sister!”

Meztli’s head was spinning. One minute she was studying handiness in the living room, the next, Mortimer was in her face, insulting her. Her neuroticism kicked into high gear and she couldn’t keep her cool.

“What do you want from me?! I didn’t do anything, just leave me alone! Go away! Go away! You can’t take me away, just go away!”

To her relief, Mortimer backed off. “Psychotic, too,” he muttered as he stormed off. He found Alissa in the kitchen and went off on her too. “And you! Why are you always so lazy? Always watching TV instead of doing anything productive! What kind of future do you expect with that?”Alissa was well used to Mortimer’s complaints and insults. She just rolled her eyes and ignored him.

Still reeling from her own onslaught of insults, Metzli overheard her brother-in-law’s attack on Alissa. This is way more serious than I thought, she told herself. He’s such a bully. Chantico has to know! She ran upstairs to the master bedroom, knowing her sister would be asleep or taking care of baby Tlaloc.

“Plaaughwebauugh!”

“Chan! What’s wrong?” Seeing her bent over the toilet was the last thing Metzli expected.

“Think I’m prego again… wauugherrrghh!”

“What?! Why? How could this happen? You just had Tlaloc!”

“I want another one. Wanna have a girl- guaragh!”

“Oh no…Did…did Mortimer make you get pregnant again?!”

“No, he doesn’t know. He thought it was safe WooHoo. Blaurgh!”

“Oh no no no…” Metzli clapped her hands around her head and prepared for another freakout. Mortimer trying to become the head of the family and bullying everyone behind his wife’s back, and his wife getting pregnant behind his back. It was all too much.

“Chill out, it’ll be fine.” Chantico finally stood upright and began washing her hands and face. “I’ll tell him tonight. Just really tired right now, so I’m going to lie back down. Can you snuggle Tlaloc a bit for me? Thanks.”

Metzli sighed, but smiled when she picked up her nephew and rocked him gently in her arms. Chantico was snoring on the bed within minutes. A few minutes later, Meztli could hear Mortimer’s loud stomping coming up the stairs. When he swaggered into the bedroom, he just sneered at her then climbed into bed beside his wife. Eventually, Tlaloc’s eyelids closed and he breathed deeply. Metzli set him down in the crib gently, then got out of that bedroom as fast as she could.

Sure enough, Chantico woke up later wearing maternity clothes and with a small belly bump. She rubbed her belly affectionately. I miss you, Mom and Dad. I wish you guys were here to tease me about popping out your grandkids.

“Morty, sweetie? I need to talk to you.”

“What is it? I need to leave for work soon.”

“Um, I guess an accident happened with our last WooHoo. I’m pregnant again.” Mortimer couldn’t speak for what seemed like the longest time, he just stared with his mouth open. “Isn’t it great?” Chantico asked with a smile. “We’ll have another little bundle of joy!”

“No, it’s not great! We already have enough mouths to feed with me as the only one working! How could this happen?”

“Accidents happen, dear.” Chantico gulped. She hated lying but didn’t want him any angrier. “But we’ll make it through, we still have some money saved up.”

“I don’t think you get it. Everything is weighing on me! With our sisters being dead weight freeloaders and you taking care of the babies, I’m the only one bringing money in! Those two ought to get out to the real world and see that you actually have to work to survive!” Mortimer was now shouting loud enough for the whole house to hear.

Chantico’s stare turned icy. “You think my sister doesn’t know the meaning of work? Our mother made this house and our family out of an empty plot of land! We grew up watching her hard work. Metzli cooks, gardens, and repairs everything so we don’t have to pay for all that! Not all hard work returns in the form of money.”

Mortimer just rolled his eyes and sighed. “Being a domestic goddess can only go so far. Look, you’re all hormonal from your pregnancy and I’m late for work.”

“No! I’m not done yet.” Chantico stepped aggressively toward Mortimer. The words flew out of her mouth before she knew what she was saying. “And Alissa is still just a kid! She didn’t ask to be born and it’s not her fault the prestigious Goth family fell apart. But I consider her family and you obviously have no respect for my family! Get out of my house, we are over!”

Mortimer said nothing but clenched his fists and snarled at her angrily. Chantico wondered briefly if she would have to call the cops to remove him.

“Do you really want to remove me, the father, from your children’s lives? Hah, good luck with that. You’ll regret it!” With that, he walked out and slammed the door behind him. He didn’t want her to know that she had hurt him, and swore he would try to win her back.

Chantico was shocked at herself for dumping Mortimer so abruptly, but with Tlaloc needing attention around the clock and the new baby making its entrance soon, she had no time to think if it was the right decision or not. But soon enough, the house felt more peaceful without Mortimer around to complain.

Tlaloc became an energetic toddler fast than anyone expected. To their surprise, he had the unique hair color of his aunt Metzli and grandmother Coatlicue.

“Are you sure he’s not your kid and I was your surrogate?” Chantico asked her sister jokingly. She waddled carefully down the stairs and found as soon as she reached the bottom,

Baby #2 decided it was ready.

“Aaaarugh! Stop forcing your way out, you little monster! Let me get to the hospital first!”

“The baby’s coming now??!! Um, um, oh my God! What do we do?” Alissa began to panic, never witnessing childbirth before.

“Calm down and call me a cab,” Chantico said through gritted teeth.

Alissa ran throughout the house looking for a phone before remembering the cell phone she always had on her. Luckily she got ahold of the same cab driver who took Chantico to the hospital last time and he made it to the house within plenty of time, but still not too soon for the wrath of Chantico. She swore and groaned in pain for the entire trip to the hospital. This baby seemed intent on beating its way out of her body.

She arrived home exhausted but happy a few hours later, save for the fact that Mortimer followed her, begging for her to take him back and to see his new child.

“Will you just go away? I’m so tired. And aren’t you seeing someone else anyway? Bella something or other? There’s nothing left between us, Mortimer.”

“Just let me see our baby, please. It is a boy or a girl?”

“It’s another boy.”

Mortimer’s eyes lit up. “So did you name him-”

“No, I didn’t name him after you. We’re divorced, remember? His name is Xolotl.” (pronouced SHOL ottle. Like ’shuttle’ with an extra syllable. Does that make sense? =P)

At that point, Mortimer knew Chantico had erased him from her life and was never taking him back. Metzli promptly came up to him and shooed him out of the house, something she had wanted to do for a long time.

Raising a toddler and newborn became more than a fulltime job for Chantico. She barely noticed that she hadn’t been to work in a few weeks. Tlaloc was an extremely bright boy and learned to walk and talk in record time. Even before taking, he loved singing, humming, and running his hands along his mom’s guitar. Chantico loved the thought of possibly raising another musician.

Metzli also spent time teaching and playing with her nephew. It was uncanny how much he looked like her! Metzli worried he grow thinking she was his mother, but Chantico reassured her he was smart enough to know. Even so, she called her sister Auntie Metzli in front of Tlaloc.

Xolotl recieved his mother’s red hair and Mortimer’s brown eyes. Fortunately he didn’t seem to resemble Mortimer in any other way. Chantico was almost certain however, that her youngest son was evil. She remembered how he kicked and punched inside of her and seemed to enjoy it. Like his older brother Tlaloc, Xolotl preferred staying inside and hated being anywhere outdoors. Meztli was saddened that she wouldn’t have them as fishing partners or fellow bug collectors.

Soon after Xolotl reached toddlerhood, Alissa graduated high school and became an adult. The Aztecs threw a birthday party for her, afterwhich she packed her belongings and decided to move out and make her own mark on the world. It was a tearful goodbye.

“Thank you so much for everything,” Alissa said with a sniffle. “I’ll stay in touch and always consider you my family!”

With Alissa no longer around to help, Metzli and Chantico were so busy taking care of the boys that they forgot to pay some bills. Thankfully, the repo man took nothing more than an armchair. Chantico watched him from the kitchen and thought he was pretty cute. She was feeling the yearning for having another baby, and still wanted to try for a girl. But after Mortimer, she decided she preferred being a single mother. She didn’t want to deal with another egocentric husband who couldn’t stand the thought of a woman leading the family. So she would have to turn on the charm and get pregnant by a WooHoo fling. But the handsome repo man was already leaving!

Chantico finally returned to work and set her sights on a handsome, muscular man named Irving Pellentier. She was hesitant at first because he was married, but her biological clock was ticking and she needed her baby girl. Irving was a bit dense, always taking her flirtations and suggestions as purely friendly gestures. Chantico invited him to spend the night and his was reply was, “Sure! I haven’t stayed the night with friends since college! This’ll be fun!” But soon, he would get her true intentions. And, she hoped, go along with them willingly.

My bad (author’s note).

MythMia — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:28:17 +0000

Hi everyone. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write the next Aztec chapter. I am definitely NOT quitting this legacy, I’ve just (admittedly) been lazier than usual about writing. =P As a result, I am now WAY ahead in the game than where this blog is. So I hope to churn out a few more chapters within the near future to catch up. Chapter 9 should be up within the next day or two if not tonight. Don’t give up on me, readers! I’m still at it.

Thanks, happy simming!

-Mia

Chapter 8: Moving Forward

MythMia — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:06:40 +0000

Coatlicue could not seem to lift herself out of mourning Artie’s death. She would seem fine, first talking to either one of her daughters about something completely unrelated, then suddenly burst into tears onto their shoulders. This went on for a few days. Chantico and Metzli grew worried, they could see their mother losing her rock solid strength.

One morning, Coatlicue woke up quietly and did her usual routine: toilet, shower, breakfast. After eating she stood by the computer desk where Artie’s final living moments were. “I’m ready,” she stated calmly. “I’ve established our roots and my work is done. My children are grown up and it’s time for them to move forward.”

Dark organ music suddenly reverberated throughout the house. Fearing the worst, Chantico and Metzli ran to the front room where their fears were confirmed. They cried out at the sight of Grim escorting their mother to the underworld. But the feeling was different. Of course they were full of sadness but it wasn’t as painful as when Artie passed on. Their parents could be together forever now. And it was time for them to take on responsibility as adults.

But responsibility was the furthest thing from their minds at that moment.

“Chan… we, we’re all alone now!” Metzli sobbed into her sister’s shoulder. “Mom and Dad are both gone!”

“We’ll be okay,” Chantico said soothingly, barely able to keep herself together. “We have each other, we’ll be fine.”

Metzli ran outside, it was suffocating to be inside walls. As soon as she was out of sight, Chantico relaxed and let her own tears flow. She picked up her phone and called Mortimer. “Morty, can you come over? I need you now,” she choked. “Mom just died.”

“I’ll be right over,” he assured.

Despite being one of the richest and most famous sims ever, Mortimer Goth did not complain about his girlfriend covering his shoulder with tears and snot.

“Do you think you could spend the night?” Chantico asked.

“Of course,” he answered. “Anything you need!”

“Feel any better?” asked Mortimer as he wrapped an arm around Chantico for post-WooHoo cuddling.

“Yes, much better.” Chantico smiled as she laced her fingers with his and snuggled into him, closing her eyes. She didn’t even realize she had fallen asleep until a sudden wave of nausea hit her like a punch. While Mortimer snored in a dead sleep, she barely made it to the toilet in time to throw up Metzli’s waffles from that morning. Even after nothing was left in her stomach, the nausea would not stop. With a weary hand, she reached for the toilet handle and pushed it. The toilet only made an angry sound and began to fill with water.

“I HATE THIS TOILET!”

Chantico was about to scream out some profanities but was forced to double over and dry heave yet again. If this is pregnancy nausea, I think I’m regretting my decision to have a family, she thought wearily.

While Chantico was in the bathroom, Mortimer had woken up and helped himself to a plate of Metzli’s waffles without so much as a greeting or thank you. Metzli sat across from him, eating her own plate in awkward silence. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t really like Mortimer even if her sister was crazy about him.

“Chan sounds pretty sick,” she said in an effort to break the silence, and also maybe to test his reaction.

“Yeah, hopefully she’s pregnant with my son. Then the legendary Goth legacy will have an heir!” Mortimer said triumphantly.

Metzli said nothing, but her conspiracy alarm was going off full blast. It took all her willpower to keep from freaking out.

Mortimer got up and dressed after eating, then gave Chantico a quick kiss and hug before leaving for work. Chantico cleaned herself off and went back to bed, not giving Metzli the chance to unleash her freak out.

Although she suspected it, Chantico took a pregnancy test later that night to confirm. A small potbelly and sudden change into maternity clothes also gave some clues. Chantico Aztec was indeed pregnant with the third generation of the Aztec legacy!

She took a deep breath and gave Mortimer a ring. “Hey Morty. Yes, I’m feeling better. But can you come over again? I have some news.”

She went to Metzli’s room to tell her the news and didn’t expect her sister to jump at her.

“I have something really important to tell you!” Metzli exclaimed, moments away from a freakout.

“So do I! Let me go first, since I’m older,” Chantico said with a sneer.

“But-”

“I’m pregnant!”

Metzli almost cried out, “Oh no!” but caught herself and smiled. “That’s… wonderful news! I’m going to be an auntie!”

“Yeah.” Chantico placed a hand on her belly and looked skyward out the window. “I’m having your grandchild, Mom and Dad,” she said softly.

Ding dong! “That’s Morty!” Chantico now waddled to the front door to let in her child’s father. Again, she was gone before Metzli could say anything.

Mortimer was overjoyed at the news of her pregnancy. He grinned inwardly as he spoke to and listened to her belly. Everything was going according to his plan. Now it was time for step two. He reached into his pocket for the velvet ring box and was about to go down on one knee, but when he looked at Chantico

she was a step ahead of him. Oh crap! he thought.

“I love you, Mortimer Goth. I want you to become a part of my family and raise our child together in this house where I grew up. Will you marry me?”

“Er, yes I will. I love you too,” he replied, quickly thinking of a backup plan. “But Chan, there’s something I haven’t told you yet.”

“What’s that?”

“I live with my half-sister, Alissa. She’s a teen, so she’ll have to come with me if I move in here.”

“Half sister?”

“Er, yes.” Mortimer was visibly embarrassed. “We have different mothers. It was quite a family scandal that was in the tabloids for a while. Our parents have passed on so I’m stuck with her until she’s an adult. But I don’t want to upset you by having her move in here, so why don’t you move to my family’s house?”

Chantico laughed. “But then I’ll just be upsetting her! Don’t be silly, she’s welcome here. She’s your family after all. With the new funds, we can build a master bedroom and baby room upstairs and she can have my old room.”

“She’s not exactly family or welcome,” Mortimer muttered. “Just a bastard product of an affair.”

“How can you say that? She’s a living, breathing sim and your flesh and blood! Now let’s get married, and you’re both moving in!”

Mortimer sighed, then smiled. “Alright then.” He figured he could change her mind later on. Like her mother before her, Chantico got married privately, moments after proposing. Both parents could feel the baby (or babies!) kicking as they embraced after exchanging vows.

Alissa Goth was known around Sunset Valley as Gunther Goth’s illegitimate spawn, symbol of shame and infidelity, the list goes on. No one really knew who her mother was and Mortimer treated her just as coldly as the rest of the town did. But Chantico and Metzli opened up and took her under their wings. Of course it wasn’t her fault that Mortimer’s father had an affair. And Alissa was very gracious and appreciative of the Aztecs taking her in as part of their family.

Soon after getting Mortimer and Alissa settled in, Chantico’s little Aztec in the oven declared it was ready to see the world! “Morty, it’s time!” she gasped. Mortimer sprang up and called a cab, then threw on some clothes without holes in them. He stayed by her side for the entire duration of the delivery, holding her hand and silently praying, please be a boy. I need a Mortimer Jr.!

“It’s a boy!” announced the midwife. “Congratulations!”

“So, how bout naming him after his old dad?” asked Mortimer with a smile, holding his newborn son.

Chantico laughed. “Nope, sorry. He’s an Aztec and his name is Tlaloc.”

Mortimer frowned. “Don’t I get any say in this? He’s my kid too.”

“I understand, Morty. But I’ve always wanted to name my first son Tlaloc, ever since I was a kid. If we have another boy, we’ll name him after you. “

Mortimer reluctantly agreed. Things were not going his way at all, he felt powerless when he was supposed to be in charge of the family.

After arriving home and putting Tlaloc in his crib, Chantico collapsed on her bed but didn’t feel like sleeping. She grabbed Mortimer and pulled him down with her. “Hey now, are sure you’re up for this? You just had a baby, you know.”

“I’m addicted to having babies!” she giggled. “The nausea in the beginning sucks but after that, it’s so beautiful and magical. I want to start on our next one!”

“No,” Mortimer said firmly. “Not yet, Chan. Your body isn’t ready. And just one takes a lot of money and work. It took most of my funds to build this second floor. We both need to work and save some more. Maybe even have Metzli get a job.” The last statement was somewhat malicious, but Chantico didn’t notice.

She just pouted. “Okay, you’re right. Well, safe WooHoo then?”

Mortimer agreed to that enthusiastically. When he wasn’t looking, Chantico looked up at the WooHoo and Try for a Baby options above her head. With only a moments hesitation, she nodded her head at the latter option, and smiled inwardly when they disappeared.

Accidents happen. I picked the wrong option by accident. We’ll manage just fine.

Chapter 7: Struggles

MythMia — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:48:11 +0000

Chantico awoke with a start in the middle of the night. Being a light sleeper, it wasn’t unusual to wake up at the sound of her sister or parents getting up to pee or just their snoring. But this was different. She heard something outside the house, creeping closer. Then a sound at the front door! Someone was trying to break in! She sank under her covers, her body frozen in fear but her thoughts racing.

BEEEEEEP! BEEEEEEP! BEEEEEP! BEEEEEP!

What a horrible sound but a relief all the same. As soon as the burglar broke the lock, the alarm went off. It was loud and obnoxious enough to awaken the whole household and also placed an automatic call to the police.

A single cop arrived within minutes. He jumped the thief and they fought violently right there in the living room. Everyone was awake and watching, completely forgetting that it was 2 a.m.

To everyone’s shock, the thief completely overpowered the cop! He dusted himself off, let out an evil cackle, and ran off the property as nimble as a cat, while the police officer struggled to his feet. He just smile sheepishly as the Aztec family stared at him dumbstruck.

“Sorry, the thief got away. But we’ll catch him next time! Have a good night!”

“Wait just a minute,” Artie growled.

“Excuse me?”

“I oughta beat the crap out of you myself for that attitude of yours! This man was going to steal from us and probably hurt someone. Then you fight like a sissy and just say ’sorry, have a good night’ ? Civilian sims are supposed to depend on you for protection?”

The cop said nothing and only looked genuinely frightened.

“You should be ashamed to call yourself a cop. Now get out of our house!”

The next morning, Coatlicue could not detach herself from Artie’s side much like a young girl with her crush.

“Mmm, my hero!” she gushed with a big smooch. “I’ve never been so impressed by your grumpiness!”

“Just couldn’t stand that cop. Absolutely useless. But hopefully we don’t have to deal with that thief again. Though I feel sorry for whoever he robs next.”

Ding dong!

Artie greeted a handsome young man at the door. He didn’t recognize him in his street clothes at first, but then realized it was Nickolaus Donaldson, one of their repair technicians.

“Hi Nick. Nice to see you, but I think everything is working fine right now.”

“Actually, Chantico invited me over,” said Nick.

Artie looked surprised, then shook it off. “Okay, well come in and I’ll let her know.”

Chantico beamed when she saw Nick. She had a crush on him since childhood and was thrilled he was still young and handsome while she was a teenager. Nick however, was more interested in Metzli. He was clumsy like her, and was also handy and had a green thumb, complimenting her love for the outdoors.

But Metzli only waved hello to him on her way out the door, well within curfew this time, to collect more rocks and rare and unknown seeds.

Much to Chantico’s delight, she and Nick became friends. She saw this as progress, though he wasn’t interested in anything more.

As caring and sweet Metzli was, she only seemed interested in building relationships with her fish and insects. Eventually it came to her mother’s attention that she had been skipping school. When confronted, Metzli confessed to this, saying she had lost track of time while fishing and bug-catching. She also confessed to believe the teachers were being mind controlled by the government to brainwash kids into becoming government drones themselves. Coatlicue could only sigh and worry. What will become of my daughter when I’m gone?

“I’ll take care of her, Mom,” Chantico stated when Metzli was out of earshot.

“What do you mean?”

“She doesn’t want a job or a family of her own, but I do. I’ll continue our family here. No one will have to stay or leave unless they want to. I love Metzli, she’s really smart and kind but just a little too kooky for a stable relationship or job. I’ll support her and your grandkids here.”

Coatlicue grinned. “My, how did you get to be so mature for your age.” Suddenly she raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have my grandkids in the oven yet, do you?”

Chantico laughed. “Not yet, Mom. But you have to admit Nick and I would make some very cute babies!”

“No way! He’s much too old for you!” Coatlicue walked away laughing, feeling impressed and reassurred by her teenage daughter.

Later that night, Chantico arrived home from a movie date with Nick (just a hug, no kiss but she was still happy) to find her father strumming a leopard print guitar in her bedroom.

“Where’d you get that, Dad? Sounds nice.”

Artie smiled almost sadly. “Don’t matter. I got it for you.”

“For me? Why?”

“Because I’ve heard you sing and your muscial talent is almost as good as mine. The difference is, I never got the chance to develop my talent. I want you to have a better opportunity than I did.”

“Dad… you’ve heard me sing in the shower? Why are you listening to that!”

Artie laughted. “Because there’s no sweeter sound in this house. Your mom, sister and I all sound like toads. Me because I’m old, them because they just don’t get music like we do.”

Chantico took the guitar in her hands and gently ran her fingers along the strings. “You won’t be disappointed. I want to make music my life!”

“Now that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” Artie said with a smile.

Not soon enough for the twins, and far too soon for Artie and Coatlicue, it was time for the twins’ birthdays again. As luck would have it, their birthdays also fell on their high school graduation. Chantico happily dashed off to school with her friends for the ceremony, donned in cap and gown, flower lei, and sunglasses. Metzli felt much safer staying home and tending the small garden she was working on. She already knew she never wanted a job or family after high school, and was content to stay at home and provide her family fresh produce and fish. Coatlicue and Artie were uncomfortable about this, but knew they couldn’t force their daughter into a world that genuinely freaked her out.

Chantico received an odd call from a stranger right when she got home. “Uh, who is this?”

“Happy birthday, Chan! It’s Nick, I became an elder yesterday so I sound a bit different.” Cough! Cough! Oh, my back…”

“Um, happy birthday to you too Nick! I’m pretty busy so I’ll talk to you later!” Chantico hung up abruptly. Wow, now I’m glad we didn’t get together. Ick!

Chantico’s final trait was Artistic, and Metzli’s was excitable. Immediately upon aging to young adult, Metzli returned to her garden and Chantico applied for a job in the music career. She was hired on the spot as a fan.

Right after getting hired, Chantico went shopping and completely changed her look to something more fitting of a rock star. She also met up with Mortimer Goth, who was hired along with her. He was cute and also musically talented. They exchanged numbers and began chatting casually. Chantico thought she could get used to this job.

Like her father, Chantico also felt a pull toward painting. She bought a canvas and her artistic talent was immediately obvious. Artie watched over her shoulder for several minutes before tapping her on the shoulder. “You still haven’t got me beat, girl. Come check this out.”

“I call it Chantico: Goddess of Fire and Volcanos.”

“Whoa, Dad! I do look really… fiery! I love it, thank you! It’s amazing.”

Life was good. It was a beautiful day in the park and Chantico felt happy about her transition into the adult world. She had one promotion under her belt and was due for another soon. Her fingers danced along the guitar strings and she barely noticed Mortimer Goth standing in front of her, tapping to her music. When her song ended and she did focus on the world around her, she blushed and became so self-conscious Mortimer found it cute.

They continued chatting at the park and Chantico found him more and more irresistible. They had so much in common, even the grumpy trait!

“It’s not easy to make me truly happy, but I feel like I can be right now. Only one thing would make me happier,” Chantico gushed.

“Oh, what’s that?” asked Mortimer.

“If you were my boyfriend,” she muttered shyly.

Mortimer promptly swept her up into his arms and spun her around. “Consider it done. I’m yours,” he said, kissing her cheek. Chantico was so elated she couldn’t speak, she could only beam and squeeze her arms around his neck.

After getting home from work the next day, Chantico pulled out her guitar and started practicing a love song for Mortimer. Music was flowing through her, she was in love, and nothing could bring her down.

“NO! ARTIE! DON’T GO! ARTIIIIE!” Coatlicue was wailing in the front room and Chantico ran to see what the commotion was about.

Artie was passing on. In just a moment, Chantico’s happiness shattered as she watched her father’s body dissolve away, leaving a ghostly apparition. Metzli was across the room, not freaking out for once, but just staring, dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe her eyes. And poor Coatlicue was hysterical. She saw this coming, but still wasn’t ready to let go of her loving husband.

No one was able to sleep that night. Metzli was still in shock. She regretted not having a closer relationship with her father. “I’m sorry, Dad! I’m sorry, I really loved you. I’m sorry I didn’t show or say it enough!”

Coatlicue took Artie’s grave to the cemetary the next day. She too felt shocked and guilty. Artie had been completely selfless ever since meeting her. He put everything he had into making a stable home and being a good father. He wholeheartedly supported her work in the business field, even though he wasn’t able to pursue his own passion. On her way home, Coatlicue called work and gave notice of her resignation. She was ready to retire.

She was able to compose herself for the rest of the trip home, but then bawled again at the sight of Artie’s easel on the front deck. He had been working on a beautiful new landscape and did not finish. She touched the corner of the canvas affectionately. “My love, you may have been over 100. But you still left far too soon.”

Chapter 6: Fiery tempers

MythMia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:26:44 +0000

After much anticipation and excitement, the twins celebrated their birthdays and journeys into teenhood! Chantico recieved her father’s virtuoso trait, and Metzli became lucky. As birthday presents, Metzli asked for her own room, which her parents were able to build as an addition onto the house. Chantico was happy with her room and asked for a trip to the salon. Now somewhat self-concious about her looks, she wanted more unique hair like her sister and mother and so got the tips of her red hair bleached platinum. Looks good, I think!

Metzli awoke with a start early the next morning. She had a nightmare about being taken prisoner by the government for threatening to expose a conspiracy. I need to get out of this house and get some fresh air, she thought. She got dressed and jogged down to the beach behind her house, enjoying the spray of the ocean and sand under her feet. Suddenly she saw something shiny in the early morning sunlight. As she got closer, she found a couple of rocks. One was a chunk of silver, the other looked like nothing she had ever seen. “Whoa! Silver and a space rock!” she exclaimed, picking up the rocks and putting them in her pocket.

“You, stop! You’re breaking curfew laws!”

Out of nowhere, a police officer took her by the arm and pulled her toward his squad car. Metzli felt a surge of panic. Police work for the government! They know! They’ll take me hostage!

“Sunset Valley penal code states teen and child sims are not allowed off their home lots between the hours of 10 pm and 7am,” the cop stated. “We’re taking you home and informing your parents.”

Metzli blinked, she was moments away from freaking out. “But it’s 6:30am, officer. And I’m basically in my own backyward.”

“The law is the law, young lady. I’m just doing my job.”

Metzli was in tears by the time the cop dropped her off in front her house, partially from relief of not being taken hostage, and partially in humiliation of being picked up by the police for something so trivial.

Her dad was awake and waiting for her when she approached the house. She gulped. She had always been closer to her mother, and she could tell he was in one of his grumpy moods.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, sneaking out of the house like that?” Artie bellowed.

“Dad, I wasn’t sneaking-”

“Don’t talk back to me, girl! Do you have any idea how embarassing it is for ME to have my daughter brought home by the police? What kind of things do you think run through my head when I see you sitting in the back of that squad car?”

Hurt and embarassed, Metzli ran into the house with the waterworks on full blast. Thankfully, her mother was up and Coatlicue pulled her daughter into a tight hug.

“Mawwwm… I didn’t… do… anything!” Metzli gasped with sobs between her words.

“I know, sweetie. It’s okay, I’ll talk to your dad. Go wash up and get ready for breakfast.”

While Metzli was in her room pulling herself together, Artie was ranting to Chantico about Metzli’s “rebellious” behavior.

“You’re like my mini-me, I don’t have to worry about that from you,” he said, messing up her hair affectionately.

“Honestly, dad. I think you overreacted and should apologize to her,” Chantico answered in defense of her sister.

Artie raised an eyebrow. “How do you figure?”

“She’s got the outdoorsy trait, pops. You know she can’t stand to be cooped up inside. She just really enjoys being out there with the fish and the bugs and the rocks. We don’t really understand it because we don’t have the same traits. But it’s who she is and how she expresses herself.”

Artie was taken aback by Chantico’s intelligence and compassion. He smiled to himself. “Maybe you’re right, mini-me. Damn sure is something else when my little girl is teaching this old man something!”

Chantico went off to get dressed and he heard Coatlicue in the shower. He looked in the fridge, no leftovers besides birthday cake. Artie didn’t want a bunch of sugary cake for breakfast and with the wife busy, he decided to make waffles himself. Metzli would appreciate that as an apology, right? And how hard could it be?

Without realizing it, Artie set the timer on the oven for hours instead of minutes. After ten minutes of watching TV, he noticed a distinct burning smell in the air. He ran to the kitchen and was horrified to see the stove engulfed in bright orange flames.

“COATLICUE! CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!”

“Artie, what the- OH MY GOD!”

Coatlicue called the fire department right away, her heart about to burst out of her chest. They never bought a fire alarm, because Coatlicue had the natural cook trait and cooked all the meals with no fire risk. My God, how could I be so careless as to not get an alarm? Hurry, firefighters, hurry!

In just a few short minutes, the fire had completely engulfed the stove, the two adjacent counters, and the dishwasher. All brand new kitchen upgrades, which Coatlicue worked hard to get raises for and saved up for weeks for.

The whole house was in chaos. There was not a fire extinguisher in the house, and all family members were in fear for their lives. Chantico and Coatlicue clung to each other near the ground in tears, Artie was trying to kill the flames by fanning them, but he only helped make them bigger. Metzli was on her own, neuroticism in high gear, freaking out and screaming that she didn’t want to die.

Luckily, their maid arrived for work within a moment. She had basic fire training and ran in with a fire extinguisher from her car. Right after she began blasting flames, a firefighter finally arrived and put out the fire for good.

“Be more careful next time!” the firefigher said as he walked out the door.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, no one was hurt. But the kitchen, Coatlicue’s hard work and pride, was ruined. Once everyone had calmed down, Coatlicue called the appliance store to find out about replacement costs. Her heart sank. With their current savings, she could only replace the stove and one of the counters. Replacing just those would leave them with a measly $200 leftover.

For the first time that day, Coatlicue looked squarely at her husband. Chantico looked at her mother with a mixture of curiosity and fear. She had never seen her mother look so angry.

Coatlicue’s voice began low and quiet. “How could you do this, Artie?”

“Wifey, I’m sorry. I just wanted to make breakfast for us.”

“You put our family in DANGER!” her voice now escalated to a shrill scream. “How could you take a risk like this? You can’t cook and we don’t have a fire alarm!”

“I-”

“And I put my whole heart, soul, and savings into this kitchen! I bust my ass to provide for this family! This whole house was built up from nothing thanks to MY hard work! Then it’s so easy for you to destroy part of it, and we’re back to being dirt poor again!”

Artie was shocked and hurt. She had never spoken to him like this before. “Come on, wifey. You know I contribute too. I watched the girls when you were at work and wrote books for more income. We survived then and we can do it again.”

“You used MY funds to hire maids and babysitters because you were always so tired! And what extra income? You don’t even make $200 a week in royalties! Then you yell at our daughter for doing nothing wrong this morning! You’re no help!”

Coatlicue climbed into bed alone that night. Artie offered to sleep on the couch and she said, “Please do.” She needed more time to herself to cool off. Most of what she said in the kitchen wasn’t meant. She was in shock after nearly losing her family, but that still didn’t excuse going off on Artie. She rolled over and hoped tomorrow would be a better day.

The girls were fine, with the exception of Metzli having a momentary freakout over thinking her mom would kill her father in his sleep. Chantico put her at ease quickly, explaining that fights are fairly normal in relationships and usually nobody gets killed.

I’m really glad I got a sister like Chantico, Meztli thought as she prepared for bed. She helps my neuroticism so much. I hope we never separate.

Coatlicue got up early the next morning and prepared for work. While updoing her hair, she stared at her now middle-aged face in the mirror. I’m going to be an elder in a couple of days. Time has passed by so quickly! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with the girls. That reminded her. She had to talk to them about carrying on the Aztec bloodline. There was still an hour before work, so she decided to speak with Metzli.

Metzli was up early too, feeding her fish and polishing her rock collection. “Morning, mom!” she said cheerfully when he mother appeared at her door.

“Morning, sweetie. Got a minute to talk?”

“Sure!”

“Well, I know you’re still young, but have you ever thought about getting married and having babies?”

Metzli shook her head emphatically. “No way!”

Coatlicue’s face fell. This was not what she had expected. “Why not?”

“Because then the government knows all about you! With the marriage certificate and birth certificates of the kids, they know your social security number and where to find you! And then they’ll-” Metzli began to tremble as she felt a freakout attack building up. Coatlicue put her hands on her daughter’s shoulder to calm her down.

“Sweetheart, we’ve told you many times. These conspiracies are only in your head and the government isn’t out to get you. We’re all fine. Nothing is going to happen!”

Metzli shook her head again. “I can’t believe that, Mom. I’m sorry, but my brain just won’t let me. Besides, maybe it’s better off that I don’t have kids to pass this trait onto. ” She could see her mother’s disappointment. “Chantico would be a much better mother than I. I’m pretty sure she wants kids!” she suggested.

Coatlicue tried to smile positively. “I’ll talk to her. Thanks for being honest.” She suddenly heard the BEEP BEEP! of her carpool and speedwalked out the front door. Artie was still sleeping. She had meant to talk to him that morning too, but it would have to wait.

Artie was engrossed in a book when she got home, so she started on lunch without disturbing him. Hmm, I’m thinking Stu Surprise. She gathered the veggies on the cutting board and swiftly began chopping.

“Hey wifey,” Artie’s voiced sang softly behind her.

She turned around and smiled. “Hey sweetheart.”

“I sold my paintings, the ones we had in our bedroom. We now have about $3000 to fully replace the kitchen with.”

“What? Artie, you didn’t have to-”

“Yes, I did. You were right and I’m sorry.”

“No, sweetie, I was wrong and I’m sorry! You’ve helped me so much, I never could have made it without you.” She felt tears well up and her husband took her into his arms. When she regained composure, he turned her playfully back toward the counter.

“Now finish making my lunch, wifey. “Cause on your birthday, I’m spoiling you so don’t expect to do anything!”

Despite Artie’s protests, Coatlicue insisted on going to work on her birthday. As she neared her final life stage, she felt convinced she was over the whole birthday thing. Nonetheless, she was pleasantly surprised to come home to her family waiting with a birthday cake and candles.

“Woohoo! Big birthday wishes, Mom!” everyone cheered.

“I wish that my hair would never go gray!” Coatlicue exclaimed with a laugh.

“And you’re still beautiful, wifey,” Artie told her with a squeeze and kiss as her unique hair became the telltale gray of an elder sim. “Welcome to the Old Fart club!”

“Don’t worry, mom. We’ve got the fountain of youth right here!” Chantico and Metzli held up salon tools and a bottle of red dye.

“I don’t look half bad for an edgy, old lady,” Coatlicue said with a smirk while checking herself out in the mirror.

“Red tips are definitely you, mom. At any age!” the twins agreed.

As the day wound down, Coatlicue began to seriously think of retirement for the first time. I’m not ready yet, she thought. I want to reach the top of my career and give the girls some wiggle room when they become young adults and find their own jobs. But still, it would be nice to pick up a new hobby. I can’t cook all the time! She paused by Artie’s easel, then on a whim, picked up his pastels and began drawing on the canvas. Artie meandered into the living room after she had been at the canvas for about fifteen minutes. He grinned at the sight of her. “Is my wifey already passing me up as an artist?”

Coatlicue stepped away from the canvas and grinned back at him. “You tell me, Art!”

Artie’s expression completely changed. His face went from a wide smile to an odd, tense grimace from trying not to laugh.

“It’s, ah, really cute,” was all he could muster with a straight face.

Chapter 5: Relationships

MythMia — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:30:24 +0000

The Aztec family was forced to hire babysitters and maids. Artie felt tired a lot more often and couldn’t keep up with his young daughters’ demands. Coatlicue at first argued against hiring extra help, but soon complied. Even though money was tight, she didn’t want to compromise her aging husband’s health.

Because the girls lived on such a different schedule, Coatlicue often found herself exhausted after work and took frequent naps upon returning home. I know exactly how poor Artie feels, she said to herself.

But both parents were troopers and stuck it out for each other and the girls. They only called babysitters when absolutely necessary, and otherwise pushed themselves until exhaustion to provide the best for Chantico and Metzli. Despite the nonstop fatigue, Coatlicue maintained a positive attitude at work and good relationships with her coworkers. In due time, she recieved her lifetime wish and was promoted to CEO! (Woohoo! *marks point*)

Before the proud parents knew it, the toddler years were over and it was time for Chantico and Metzli to attend school! Chantico became a light sleeper and Metzli, neurotic. That’ll be especially fun in the teenage years!

Coatlicue now found herself exhausted for different reasons. Metzli’s love of nature truly came out when reaching her child years and she loved to play tag, running around on the soft grass of their gigantic lot. Coatlicue smiled inwardly as she caught her breath and watched her daughter run around with boundless energy. I made the right choice to pick this place so many years ago.

Chantico on the other hand, didn’t care for the outdoors and was much closer to her father than her mother. Coatlicue felt she was at fault for this, being at work so much instead of spending more time with her. It did hurt Coatlicue slightly, to try spending time and chatting with Chantico, only to recieve one-word answers and then watch her run off to have an excitable conversation with her father.

The girls themselves were good friends, which made things a lot easier for their parents! In their words, they were “best friends forever”. Chantico would often tag along on Metzli’s fishing trips to the beach down the hill, or the pond across the street. Chantico was content to either play with toys, or scout out boys! Aren’t you a little young for that, missy? “Shut up! No way!” Hmm, you’re more like your mother than you think!

Artie had slowed down on his painting but still found ample time to do it, especially with the girls now in school. Coatlicue was pleasantly shocked to find a portrait of herself in the living room upon returning from work one day.

“Artie, it’s beautiful! I look so young!”

“You still are young, little wifey. I’m the only silverfox in this house!”

Even if that was true now, Coatlicue knew she wouldn’t be young forever. As her daughters quickly approached the teenager world, she knew she’d become an elder soon after. As a last celebration of youth, she decided to buy a new outfit and give herself a makeover. Still fond of bold, Aztec colors, she went for red and gold, with matching shoes. She kept her hair color the same, who wouldn’t, but finally let it grow out.

Checking herself out in the mirror was abruptly interrupted by a very excited Metzli bursting into the house. She must have tripped over and bumped at least five things before landing in front of her mother with her fists closed carefully. My clumsy baby, Coatlicue thought affectionately.

“I caught a fish, mom! Can I keep her?”

“‘Her’, huh? Do you promise to feed her everyday and clean out her fish bowl?”

“Yes! And I’ll catch more fishies so she’ll have friends. Her name’s Mimi. Mimi the minnow!”

“Oh geez, that’s what I was afraid of. ” But Coatlicue was proud of her daughter for taking such an interest in other living things. She’ll be a fine mother to her own babies, I’m sure of it.

Chantico on the other hand, grew bored with watching her sister fish and decided to visit her friend Elisha Wan. Unbeknownst to Chantico or her mother, Elisha was the daughter of Pauline Wan and Hank Goddard, Coatlicue’s former love interest before Artie. Ooh! Just thought I’d throw in that dramatic tidbit.

Despite inheriting her father’s grumpy trait, Chantico was a social butterfly and loved being with boys and friends, unlike her wallflower sister. She didn’t necessarily feel neglected by her mother, they were friends but just not close . She wasn’t entirely sure why, but just felt it was easier to talk to her father.

“Your dad is cute,” Chantico whispered to Elisha, batting her eyelashes in Hank’s direction.

“Eww, no! He’s my dad! You know who’s really cute? That repair guy who’s always at your house when stuff is broken!”

“Hmm, you’re actually right,” Chantico smirked.

Chapter 4: Growth

MythMia — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:11:10 +0000

The tension between Artie and Coatlicue did not completely go away, but at the moment it was overshadowed by the pure joy of becoming new parents. They were both willing to put aside their own difficulties to ensure they could give the best lives possible to Metzli and Chantico. Of course, this included some changes to their baby preparations. Now they needed another crib, twice the amount of diapers, and twice the energy, love, and attention.

Lookin’ good there, momma! Slim and sexy again with no maternity clothes.

(Note: She was standing right over the crib in this snap. I had to crop it, otherwise it looked like she was about to beat Metzli with the spinning thing. o.O)

Soon after bringing the twins home, Coatlicue grew into an Adult. Just in the nick of time too! She had her children, a house, a job, and her man, all taken care of before having to worry about becoming an elder. Only one thing was missing…

The thought jumbled around in her head for days. Artie was behaving much better than she expected. They took turns alternating between quick naps and taking care of the girls. She often woke up to the sound of Artie’s low, smooth voice singing lullabies to them, or his and their laughter mixed together in the air as he tickled and played with them. There was no doubt he loved them unconditionally, tirelessly. And no one can love a child like they love their own.

She waited with ring, on one knee for him in the girls’ room. She wanted them to witness it, even if they were too young to remember or comprehend it. When he walked in to check on them and saw Coatlicue there, he couldn’t speak, but only cover his mouth in shock.

“Artie, we created these beautiful kids together and I love you,” she began. “We don’t always get along but I can see how much you love them. I want you to be the only father they know. Will you become my husband?”

Artie’s mouth slowly went from an O to wide grin. He still didn’t say anything as he pulled Coatlicue into a tight embrace. While looking at his babies in their cribs over her shoulder, he whispered, “Thank you for forgiving me, wifey.”

Her heart leaped as she latched onto him and sobbed tears of joy. It was the sweetest thing she ever heard, in Artie’s style of course.

With lack of funds for a proper wedding, they got married privately at home. It was a quick, simple ceremony. They both had to return to feeding, rocking, and changing diapers around the clock. And Coatlicue had to return to work the next day! She was filled with anxiety about being away from her girls for the first time. On top of that, her first day back at work was also the twins’ birthdays! They needed money, but she hoped and prayed she wouldn’t be asked to stay late.

Luckily, there was naught to worry about. She made it home in time to prepare a cake and watch the amazing transition from baby to toddler! Chantico inherited her mother’s golden eyes and dark red hair from her father. Aside from the hair and skin tone, Coatlicue felt she was staring into a mirror when looking at her oldest daughter.

And babyfaced little Metzli received her father’s dark blue eyes and her mother’s exotic hair; platinum with dark roots and streaks, and red tips. I (Mia) just squealed when I saw that hair on her, looks so cute in that hairdo! I love it. =)

Artie’s birthday was not long after Chantico and Metzli’s. He was quite a few years older than Coatlicue, though no one quite expected this young soul’s sudden transition into an elder. Almost immediately, Artie felt overwhelmed by daily tasks with his kids while his wife was at work. His body was stiffer and couldn’t play with them like he used to, and felt tired more often. The constant needs of the girls only exacerbated his grumpy nature as his body became less able.

Although she knew he was still healthy, young at heart, and doing his best, Coatlicue secretly wondered in worry if Artie would be around to watch his kids become young adults, or even teenagers? And how would she help the girls cope with losing their father? How would she cope with it herself?

Chapter 3 – Uphill Battle

MythMia — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:07:05 +0000

(Note: Sorry about the bad picture editing, was trying to make it less dark=\)

After their first WooHoo, Coatlicue and Artie couldn’t keep their hands off each other. She had never felt so elated, with the exception of Artie’s grumpy moodlets and need for solitude. But hey, nobody’s perfect right? Wait a minute, what’s that stench?

“Guuaagghh!”

Oh, gross! Keep your insides on the inside!

“Shut up! I’ve been feeling sick all day and I have no idea why.”

Really, now? With all your WooHooing like bunnies, have you thought of taking a pregnancy test?

Coatlicue gulped as she walked to the toilet with the test, making sure to wait until Artie was out enjoying his solitude. That pee felt like the longest one of her life. Finally, she looked at the test and her heart stopped. Positive! P for PREGGERS! She felt a moment of pure joy, but then panic. This was what she wanted, but how would Artie react? Grumpy loner sims don’t take to youngsters very well. And how would he feel about moving in? She couldn’t do this alone! And marriage? They hadn’t even discussed it yet.

She took a deep breath, trying to get ready for the talk, yet knowing she never would. She just had to dive in.

“Artie, I’m pregnant and I need you here.”

Full of surprises yet again, he did not run away but was actually overjoyed! They had a long talk throughout the night and he agreed to move in as well. He would paint and write books to help support his family, and these would help him enjoy his solitude as well. However, he was not ready for marriage. Relieved, Coatlicue took this as a fair compromise.

With the extra funds from Artie’s move in, they built an additional room for the baby. Coatlicue picked a pink crib and girly, pink wallpaper, hoping for a girl. Artie bought a computer so he’d be able to write novels from home.

He also bought an easel and spent hours practicing his painting skills, hoping to one day paint a portrait of his family.

Despite his excitement about fatherhood, Artie’s relationship with Coatlicue was tense. She was often achy, nauseous, and in need of some TLC, which he often wasn’t in the mood for. He blamed it on his negative moodlets about the house being unfinished. There was still no real flooring, no lights, not much wallpaper, etc. Even though she knew it wasn’t wise spending, she had carpet installed and all the walls painted just to make him happier.

They weren’t speaking to each other after their last argument, and right at that moment Coatlicue went into labor. She took a cab to the hospital while Artie was too absorbed into his painting to notice. It was nearly an hour before he realized she wasn’t home and then it dawned on him. He raced to the hospital, full of guilt and self-loathing for not being there for her when she needed him. He burst into the delivery room and saw a nurse wrap up a crying baby. “No! I’m too late!” he thought.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Page. Your second daughter is still coming through the birth canal,” said the doctor.

“My WHAT?!”

That day, Coatlicue and Artie become the parents of beautiful, healthy twin girls. Chantico was born first. Named after the goddess of fire, she is easily impressed and grumpy. Then came Metzli, clumsy and loving the outdoors, and named after goddess of the moon.

Now the question is, who will become heiress?

Chapter 2 – The Catch

MythMia — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:33:20 +0000

Now that I have your attention welcome back!

After dealing with Hank, Ian, and the other unsuccessful attempts at a mate, Coatlicue decided to try a different approach. She would sit back and let men pursue her. And what better way to do so than in a bikini? It was a sunny weekend day, so the pool was bound to be jammed with hotties. She made sure to walk with long, sexy strides, swing those nice birthing hips, and hold her head high and confident, avoiding eye contact as she settled into her deck chair. Imagine her horror after actually studying the pool patrons.

Families, all of them. Chubby, middle-aged fathers with their teens, children, and toddlers. Their wedding bands reflected sunlight cruelly in her eyes. She looked further. Even the lifeguard was a no go, as she was a she. Coatlicue now sprang from her deck chair and stormed across the deck. She wasn’t a hot-headed sim but this was getting to be too much. “What’s wrong with me? What more can I do?” she wondered in despair as she hurriedly got dressed. She was so beside herself that she collided with someone as she exited the pool.

“I’m very sorry,” she offered.

“It’s alright now, just give me a smile.” The man sung these words with such a warm, soothing voice. Coatlicue immediately found herself charmed.

“A virtuoso, huh?” she remarked in a flirty tone, giving him the smile he requested.

“Yes, ma’am. Artie Page for all your soulful needs,” he answered.

After that, the conversation flowed as smoothly as music itself. Artie was also a vegetarian and a genius, what a great combination of traits! But the best part? He was single! And seemed very interested in our leading lady, who unfortunately had to work the next morning. They reluctantly parted ways after exchanging numbers. Coatlicue tried not to get her hopes up but she couldn’t help walking with a spring in her step. “Maybe, just maybe I won’t end up lonely and childless,” she thought.

Her spirits continued to soar throughout the work week, thanks to a promotion to Corporate Drone and, soon after, a promotion to Department Head! Woohoo! Er… I mean that as the exclamation for excitement, not the activity done under bed covers that produces babies. In any case, the relationship with Artie was progressing as well. They hung out, talked and flirted frequently, often saying goodbye with an amorous hug.

After spending more time with Artie, Coatlicue discovered his less appealing traits: grumpiness and being a loner. Sometimes he would come over and just stick his nose in a book! What’s up with that? And yet, it’s hard to turn down a man who washes his own dishes.

With new promotion funds burning a hole in her pocket, Coatlicue finally was able to build a very small house in hopes of starting a family. All that mattered was that it was finally an enclosed space! “HEY! Enclosed space doesn’t matter when you’re taking pictures of me in the shower, PERVERT!” Oh calm down. You Aztecs have no shame and you know it. Besides, it’s dark as a cave in there.

Excited about the new privacy, she invited Artie over. He greeted her sweetly, then relaxed on her new bed and opened a book as usual. She was determined to not let the oppertunity waste and pounced on him for cuddles and kisses. Before she knew what was happening, he took the lead, pinning her down for a make out.

And then, just like their first conversation, the passion and energy flowed like music. Coatlicue felt her head would explode from all the excitement. Being a genius, Artie rememebered a very smart thing: always kick your shoes off before getting down for some WooHoo!