#Heir: Macie Lovewell

[anvilsims]

I thought I was through the worst after dealing with Diego but then a couple weeks later, I got a call from Trevor.

Dad passed away in his sleep.

The funeral was at the end of the week.

The bar gave me family leave for bereavement and I called the nanny to take care of Mai. I can't take her to the funeral, she's too young.

Other than me, Rita, and Trevor, there was Erika and Arturo, all three of Arturo's boys, and Aunt Robyn.

It was a short and sweet event.

We had a moment of silence.

Both Trevor and Rita gave eulogies. Trevor's a little more somber, talking about what a good man dad was. While Rita's was more lighthearted, focusing on the good memories with dad.

Candles were lit.

And Rita and Trevor let me lead on a toast to dad's life and influence.

I admit, other than the toast, I didn't really talk much to everyone. I hadn't seen Aunt Robyn, Erika, Arturo and his sons in years so I thought it'd be awkward to try to make conversation here.

Rita did get a chance to talk to me and said that regardless of everything, Dad was proud of me and loved me very much. And of course, she said that she and Trevor were only a visit or phone call away if I needed them.

When I got back from Brindleton Bay and took Mai home from Daycare, I just held onto her so tight for the whole rest of the day.

[anvilsims]

It hasn't been easy but I'm hanging in there.

Outside work and baby, been trying to exercise all the new momma weight. I've also been busy looking at new apartments.

Especially with how much Mai's been growing.

With her black hair, I thought that Manabu was her father but... the more I looked at her and the fact that I remembered that Diego bleached his hair, I figured out who the real father was pretty quick.

Thankfully I soon found something better in the Spice District.

It was still kind of small (I had a time trying to fit my bar in there) but no roaches or weird smells. I call that a victory!

Harvestfest hit not too long after Mai and I moved to the new place and I figured a little family reunion would be nice so I invited Dad, Rita, and Trevor over.

Dad adored Mai.

Rita actually had to remind dad that Mai wasn't the only reason they came over.

But I do appreciate him putting Mai to bed while I was busy cooking.

I don't regret moving away from Brindleton Bay but I will admit that I felt a soft fuzzy nostalgic feeling from having everyone together.

[anvilsims]

Today is Mai's birthday!

Rita gave me a recipe for homemade cake so my girl can have something special.

Sure she's just hitting her toddler years so it's not like she can really understand and appreciate the idea but it made me feel like a good mom.

She's cute as a button... and I think she knows it with how fussy she can be.

But I can't stay mad at her for long.

[anvilsims]

By suggestion from Imran, I recently started practicing yoga, saying it's very good for emotional control and ya know, keeping myself physically healthy.

And it's not the only thing keeping me sane.

Not too long after I got visited by Imran, my old bff, Kaydence called me up.

She gave all the condolences and everything but the main reason for her call was to invite me and our old group to go out and have some fun.

I realized that between Mai's birth and Dad's passing, I actually haven't really had time to go out and enjoy myself. So I agreed, got the Nanny to come over, and met up with the girls at Club Spice.

We started off with some drinks and catching up. While I didn't make the drinks myself, I did impress everyone with my drink knowledge.

Lisette actually told me about this whole community dedicated to making juices at home and selling them in local markets. I'm not sure if my apartment's got room for one of those juice machines but something to think about it.

After the drinks, we all did some dancing.

And after that, we went upstairs where Kaydence and I showed off our singing skills.

By the time, everyone was ready to head out and go home, I thanked Kaydence for the day out. I really, really needed it.

Sometimes a good friend is the best thing you can ask for.

[anvilsims]

After dad's funeral, I had been taking Mai with me outside to get some fresh air and just not be cooped up in the apartment with my thoughts.

I've noticed how much she loves getting carried so she obviously had a time being in the carrier.

One day, it was raining hard so Mai and I couldn't go out but instead I ended up with a surprise visitor.

My old high school boyfriend... well one of them anyway.

But I always had a soft spot for Imran Watson.

Apparently he heard about my dad's passing and it inspired him to reconnect.

Mai was napping so I invited Imran in for some chit chat and catching up. He looked surprised and disappointed when I mentioned I had a kid.

"Oh. So where's your husband?"

"N-no, no it's... I put myself out there in the dating scene and one date with one guy was all it took... and he wanted nothing to do with us when I told him."

"I'm sorry. I kind of know what you mean, I've been dating around for the past few years. Didn't work out, realized I was kind of clingy and now I'm working on that."

Oh yeah, I remember some of our classmates calling Imran "the jealous type." Admittedly that was part of the reason I... didn't keep myself exclusive... But it's nice to hear he's working on it.

Honestly, talking to him again felt nice.

Nicer than how I've felt lately.

[anvilsims]

I like to think I've been doing a decent job at being a mom.

Mai's already able to sit up and she tried some baby food for the first time. She really likes applesauce.

Yeah I have to work late hours at the bar but the money I get is money to keep my little girl comfy and happy and it isn't like I'm leaving her overnight alone, I make sure to call a nanny before heading out.

But... I can't help but think about Diego. I mean it's not like I wanna get married or even move in with him but he should know about Mai.

So, even though I was nervous as heck, I invited Diego over.

It wasn't too bad at first... then I finally dropped the truth on him.

He was not thrilled.

It was all about him, saying that he wasn't interested in a family, how having a kid out of wedlock would affect his reputation, accusing me trying to move in to his penthouse.

Suffice to say, our brief relationship was over.

That. Was rough.

Can you blame me for dropping Mai at a daycare so I can have a day to myself, treating myself and... making new friends...?

[anvilsims]

Due date is getting pretty close so I figured it was time for some important talks.

First I talked with Manabu, closer and easier.

Obviously he noticed the baby bump right away and figured this was why we hadn't seen each other in months.

He didn't even wait for me to say that it might be his kid. He told me that he was not ready for that level of commitment and ended things right there and then.

I had a feeling that it was gonna end that way. We both knew this wasn't a serious soulmate like connection... still kind of hurt.

But what hurt even worse was the labor pains. Yup kid picked some really bad timing to be born. Honestly the time between then and when I finally held my baby were a blur of screaming and pain.

But eventually it did end and in my arms was a tiny baby girl, my Mai.

[anvilsims]

After the talk with dad, I've been feeling a little better about the kid... well when I wasn't sleeping the day away anyway.

I couldn't really go to my usual spots so I tried to vary things up like going to the museum.

...I'm gonna be honest, it was kind of boring.

But at least it was better than staying at the apartment with its various issues.

Yeah dad definitely had a point, maybe I should start looking up new better places after the baby's born.

Speaking of dad, I decided to come visit. Give him a little break from the travelling and see Rita too. Trevor was at work but dad promised he'd tell him I said hi.

Tragically Daisy passed away from old age. Near the end of her life, dad and Rita got another dog, Rosie (sensing a theme here ha ha) so she'd have a friend in her last couple years.

Despite certain things changing, something's stayed the same.

All those photos of me and my siblings still decorated the walls. I wonder if I'm gonna suddenly turn into a total shutterbug when my kid arrives.

Rita happily greeted me. I admit that I didn't really get to know her that well. She came into our lives at the tail end of my teen years when I was just ready to get out of the house and be on my own.

But I knew at least she made dad happy and her excitement over her new grandchild was infectious.

At some point the three of us all sat down and had a nice chat.

Embarrassingly at some point, they asked me if I had thought of names for the baby yet.

Which I haven't...and instead of being smart and admitting that, I blurted out the first things I could think of as names.

"Y-Yeah! I was thinking Mai if it's a girl and Amaretto if it's a boy."

...Yeah those are drink names (or half of a drink name in the case of Mai.)

Thankfully neither dad or Rita were much of drinkers and said those were lovely names.

Guess I'm committed now.

Despite that little hiccup, it was still nice to have some support.

...I was gonna need it soon...

[anvilsims]

So yeah... I'm pregnant.

Got some change in clothes to be a little more comfortable. Had to cut back on some of the drinks I'd been making as practice and go for some safer options for baby.

Throw up said safer options for baby.

And have an emotional break-down.

It was a busy day.

Eventually I decided I needed some good old fatherly advice.

I figured he could tell immediately what was going on but I told him anyway.

"Okay so I've been bracing myself for this visit. So let's get the lecture over with."

"Lecture?"

"Yeah about how I acted irresponsibly, that I should have been more careful, and maybe if I actually settled down and stuck to one sim, I'd actually know who this kid's dad is!"

I wasn't kidding about the last part btw. Considering the timing, the dad is either Diego, Johnny, or Manabu.

But yeah, I was expecting the lecture of a lifetime. I remember that dad could be a bit strict with me as a teen.

"Sounds like you've been lecturing yourself plenty. What do you need me for?"

"...You're not angry?"

Dad sighed, "Well I would be lying if I said I was thrilled. I can't help but worry about how you're going to support yourself and a baby. Especially in such a small space like this. But I don't think that's what you need at the moment."

"So what do you think I need at the moment?"

"Well first, tell me how you're feeling?"

So I told him that I felt scared and embarrassed and all that negative stuff... but there's a weird kind of excitement? Like it wasn't like I hated kids or anything like that. I wasn't opposed to having one or two later in life.

But I guess later is now.

Dad gestured me up and gave me the tightest dad hug.

"Look, I admit the circumstances aren't... the best but I still love you and I would do anything to keep you happy and safe."

I'll admit that I was kind of a brat when I was younger and in that moment, I realized just how much I underappreciated my dad.

So I squeezed back and thanked him.

"Just tell me whatever you need. Money, stuff for the baby, heck if you feel like city life wasn't the right call, Rita, Trevor, and I would welcome you back with open arms."

"Ehhh... I don't that last one will happen anytime soon but... thanks for the offer anyway, dad."

Thankfully he could tell I wasn't trying to be rude over that last part. He just laughed and gave me a kiss on the cheek like when I was a kid before he left.

[anvilsims]

So I just had the best day ever!

I recently got a promotion, I'm now the Bar's Official Mixologist!~

To celebrate I called up a guy I've been seeing named Diego, he's a very well-know critic here in San My.

We hung out at the newly renovated Starlight Lounge and well...

Let's just say we made our own fun in the hot tub. ;)

Diego had to go home and work on his next review but I was still in a partying mood so I stopped by the club in the Spice District.

That's where I met the endearing Johnny Zest.

We got along so well and I even convinced him to do a duet with me on the karaoke machine!

I may have also convinced him to go to the park and...

...Do some stargazing together.

When I finally got home, I got greeted by Manabu.

And I just couldn't resist those eyes and invited him to stay the night.

Best. Day. EVER!

...Or at least it was until a few weeks later when I realized I was getting sick in the mornings... a lot... and I've been having a bigger appetite and... feeling tired more quickly...

And put all those together and... you know where this is going.

[anvilsims]

HI~

This is Macie Lovewell! You probably know my dad, Linden pretty well.

You might not know as well my step-mom, Rita.

Yes! Step-mom!

Dad had a late life revelation regarding where he fell in the ace spectrum and found someone he liked.

Didn't take long before dad had Rita move in and proposed to her.

Dad was always a fairly private person so the wedding was just him, Rita, me, and my remaining brother, Trevor dressing up and the two of them exchanging rings and vows.

He did feel a little bad not inviting our other siblings and our nephews but they lived all the way in Mt. Komorebi and dad thought it would be a waste for them to travel all the way here just for this.

Trevor was right and said they wouldn't have minded but oh well.

A couple days later, it was my 18th birthday! Woo!

After a few weeks, I decided to follow my eldest sibs' lead and decided to strike out on my own.

Dad, Rita, and Trevor were sad but supported me. Even gave me some money for travel and to, you know, actually buy somewhere to live.

I'm now in San Myshuno in a place of my own!

Look out world, here I come!

[anvilsims]

Ugh!

I've been living in San Myshuno for a while and I think I can safely say it has been wonderful...

The apartment on the other hand...

Leaky pipes, weird mystery smells, and I think saw a roach and mouse the other day!

I mean I guess I should be glad that I was able to find a place in the first place but I can't help but think of my old childhood home and its coziness.

At least the landlord is quick to respond and help out.

But that's enough complaining!

I got to go to the Romance Festival and you better believe when I say I was in my element.

That said there was... something kinda weird.

I thought I'd get a love fortune from the Romance Guru...

At first glance, I figured her advice was basic vague fortune cookie kinda stuff. But it kind of stuck with me for some reason.

[anvilsims]

So first thing I did after moving to San Myshuno was getting a job. Helping out at a small bar and kitchen downtown. It's not one of the big ones on the map but hey the clientele is friendly.

After that, I got to know some of the locals, it's always good to have friends.

I also joined in on the Humor & Hijinks Festival. Had a lot of fun there! (Ignoring my chopstick problems.)

And the next day I got to show off my awesome karaoke skills! <3

So far everyone I've met in San Myshuno have been so nice.

Special shout-out to my neighbor, Manabu! He definitely made me feel more welcome here.