#alessia murillo

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.215 Family fun day

After the toast, we got up and sang Froodage Lang Syne. Desi didn't know the words, but she sure sang her little heart out. She's so adorable. We hugged, said goodbye to the O'Keefes, and headed back home to watch the pre-countdown show. I was exhausted and really wanted to take a nap, but knew if I went to sleep, I'd be done for. So, I stood and watched, thinking that would reduce my chances of falling asleep. Sophia and Desiree enjoyed the show, laughing at all the silly characters dancing in costume. At least, in my drowsy state, it seemed silly to me. Finally, it was time for the countdown, and I was so glad. I could almost feel the cool sheets brushing against my skin, ha.

In the morning, I awoke rather early, refreshed and thankful for another year and excited about this next chapter of our lives. Tomorrow, Desiree begins school, and Sophia and I will have to figure out what to do with ourselves while she's gone. But that is a thought for another day because I had plans for Desi and was eager to get started. I went to her room and checked in on her like I used to do when she was a baby, and just like then, she was already wide awake and ready to get at it.

"Good morning, sweetie," I said.

"Daddy, your breath stinks!"

"Oh yeah??"

I gave her more kisses as she tried to pull away from me. Eventually I got her giggling.

"What do you want for breakfast?"

"Pancakes!"

"Auntie Less used to love pancakes too! Are you gonna help me this time?"

She giggled some more and nodded, so we went downstairs. I opened the fridge to gather the ingredients, only to find absolutely nothing. The thing was empty. Like, literally empty. No water, no milk, not even a half eaten plate of leftovers. I couldn't remember the last time I made a grocery order, and that scene definitely confirmed it.

"I guess we're gonna have to go get some pancakes then," I said.

Honestly, that was a better idea, anyway. Going out to eat is always fun, and I want Desi to have as much fun as possible today. I called Less to see if she and the nibblings wanted to come with us, and we met at the steakhouse in Oasis Springs.

The host had a much better attitude this time and sat us in the party room on the balcony. Sophia and Less gabbed, and it warmed my heart so much to think about how their relationship started. Alessia was so mean to her for no reason other than being selfish. Maybe their shared experience softened her up, but whatever it is, I'm just glad she let Sophia in. Desi and Arvin left to go play with her soccer ball; hopefully they went outside. I don't need that host changing her mind about us. With half the table preoccupied, I asked Lex and Breanna what they looked forward at school. Lex wants to make friends, and Bre wants to play pranks.

I didn't really like that answer, but you know what? Not my kid, not my problem. I'm trying to be mindful of how I react because of my missteps yesterday. I want to be a good parent and seize all the teaching moments so my kid turns out to be the envy of all, heh. But, I also need to learn to choose my battles, and this one is definitely not it. Desi and Arvin came back just before the food came out, so I asked her the same question. Like Lex, she's also looking forward to making friends and playing with Savannah.

After breakfast, we took the kids to the park in Yasmine's neighborhood. I called her and said we were out there, and if she were comfortable, her girls could come play if they want. She appreciated the invite but declined, just like I thought she would. I thought the kids would enjoy playing in the jungle gym and monkey bars, but they just stood around and talked, so we joined them. When it comes to my niece and nephews, Sophia usually leaves them to me. She rarely talks to them, but this time she opted to chat up Breanna and Arvin. At some point, she noticed Lex had been left out of all the conversations. His siblings seem to favor each other, and Less and Desi have the cutest relationship, so she went to go chat with Lex. I thought that was really sweet of her.

Alessia's phone buzzed, and she grinned as she replied to a text. What's this?! Has she finally got back into the dating pool? I wanted to ask about this mystery person sooooo bad, but it's not something we should discuss in front of the kids, so I left it alone.

The afternoon got away from us, so I told Less we were going to head home. Yoga wasn't the only thing I wanted to do with Desi. Someone had given her a bike for her birthday, and it was high time she learned to ride that thing.

She seemed excited at first, but once she sat on it and put the helmet on, everything changed.

"I don't wanna do it," she whined.

"Why not?" I asked. "It's gonna be so much fun when you get the hang of it."

"I'm scared!"

"It's okay, Desi. You don't have to pedal yet. Just kinda walk it with your feet so you can learn to keep your balance."

"But what if I fall?"

"You won't. Your feet will never leave the ground."

"Okay."

She walked the bike in circles in front of us, very slow and careful. She didn't fall or trip or whatever she thought would happen, and when she had enough, she hopped off with a smile on her face. The situation reminded me so much of when she was learning to sit up. She was so concerned at first, but we kept at it. She stayed strong and pressed through. Eventually she did it, and she was so proud of herself. This will be just like that.

[johnny-em]

ODDKO - Disobey (Official Music Video) from Giovanni Bucci on Vimeo.

ODDKO “Disobey” official video, directed by Giovanni Bucci

DISOBEY, directed by Giovanni Bucci, features some of the most ambitious visual effects ever used in a music video. It’s a multidisciplinary art project that integrates dozens of detailed, disparate production elements into one cohesive vision, sound, and beat. “Disobey” explores themes of Man vs. Machine, of Nature vs. Technology, and paints the goddess Hekate as a 21st Century nightmare, ensnaring victims and bending them to her will.

Based on a carefully planned animatic and mastering precise and dynamic 3D camera movements, Gio went to great lengths to ensure that every moment of the video was seamlessly integrated with its sound. Focusing on each character and location, Paola Rocchetti’s discerning taste and natural flair for makeup and styling was a key element curating the aesthetic of the video. With contributions from Dead Lotus Couture (London), Mother of London (LA), Majesty Black (LA), Pieroni Lab (Rome), Oscar-winning makeup artist Manlio Rocchetti (1943-2017), and Oscar-winning 3D artist Stefano Dubay, Gio and Paola successfully brought their vision to life.

ODDKO is a music project created by musician and award-winning video director Giovanni Bucci. It's the fruit of Gio’s eclectic tastes and his desire to make a vibrant new multifaceted work of art.

While easily enjoyed as a breathtaking journey through a singular dystopia, the video rewards multiple viewings with layer after layer of intricate detail. Beyond the striking visuals, there is a mythic story in the fabric of DISOBEY, a primal call to action, and a warning against deliberate manipulation of oblivious consumers.

Music by: ODDKO Website: oddko.com Merch: voidndisorder.com/shop/oddko-merch/ Spotify: https://sptfy.com/20Ge iTunes / Apple Music: itunes.apple.com/us/album/disobey-single/1441358021 Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/artists/B07K... Facebook: facebook.com/ODDKO Instagram: instagram.com/oddko_official

CREDIT LIST

PRODUCTION

Produced by: Void n' Disorder voidndisorder.com

Giovanni Bucci Director, Creative Director

Paola Rocchetti Executive Producer, Art Director, Stylist

Director of Photography: Giovanni Bucci, Dave Tavanti Director of Photography for Hekate: Giovanni Bucci, Marta Petrucci Cinematographer: Giovanni Bucci Assistant camera operator: Nicolò Baronci

CAST

Oddko: Giovanni Bucci Hekate: Paola Rocchetti Skull cat girl: Arianna Ilardi Girl on black background: Selena Tavanti Guy in distressed room: Sergio Scargetta Guy in jungle room: Dave Tavanti Lab test doctor: Rosa Bucci Priest: Bruno Bucci Percussionist: Nicolò Baronci Voiceover: Colin de Andrade

EDITORIAL AND VFX PRODUCTION/CREATIVE

Editor: Giovanni Bucci 3D environment development: Giovanni Bucci, Paola Rocchetti, Stefano Dubay, Alessandro Anzola, Alessandro Chironna, Federico Albanese, Samuele Cisternino 3D animation: Giovanni Bucci Texture TD: Hoang Anh Nguyen 3D Lighting: Giovanni Bucci, Hoang Anh Nguyen Shader development, render TD: Duy Do Le 3D modeling: Stefano Dubay, Hong Nhung Nguyen, Limkuk Olive tree 3D scan by Carlo Jongen 3D tracking: Hadi Pourkerman Compositing: Giovanni Bucci Colorist: Giovanni Bucci

Costume design and styling: Paola Rocchetti On set costume assistant: Flavia FG Tomassi, Marta Petrucci Key Make-Up: Paola Rocchetti Additional Make-Up: Flavia FG Tomassi for Paola Rocchetti as Hekate Assistant Make-Up: Marta Petrucci Special FX supervisor: Manlio Rocchetti Special FX assistant: Gabriele Catania Sculptors: Francescaromana Di Nunzio, Massimiliano Catalano

MUSIC

Disobey is written and performed by Giovanni Bucci Music arrangement: Daniele Marinelli, Rob Romano Drums: Francesco Paoli Bass: Dave Tavanti Guitar: Giovanni Bucci, Rob Romano Sound engineer: Rob Romano Mastering: Howie Weinberg

LOCATION

Green screen scenes filmed at Strani Rumori Studio in Pigge (PG), Italy On location scenes filmed in Cordigliano (PG), Italy

SPECIAL THANKS

STRANI RUMORI STUDIO and LUCA SCOTA who provided the majority of the equipment and who believed in and supported us from the beginning. Thank you Luca!

THANKS

Joshua David at Majesty Black, Mildred at Mother of London, Nange Magro at Dead Lotus Couture, Alessia Bassani, Paressi Presone Labitan, Rocchetti & Rocchetti, Manuela Caredda, Luana Inguscio, Roberta Chielli, Alessandro Catalano, Emanuela Familiari, Luigi Rocchetti, Fabrizia Pandimiglio and her black cello, Laura Aschieri, Bartek Truszkowski, Felix and Sasha at E8 Make 3D Printing, David Torno, Nando Adiletta, Cane Cane, Ezequiel Grand, Mert Kızılay, Ed Boldero, Alessandra Rocchetti, Kate Bestic, Valentina Trentini, Jake Maymudes, Veronika Coassolo, Mike Lipscombe, George Murillo, Carlos De Faria, Isabel Moura, Laura Fallace, Sara Lazzaro, Alessio Brunozzi, Monina Bucci, Stefano Spiganti, Francesco Ferrini, Cristiano Peverini, Carlo Primieri at Primieri Hair, Heather Henry, Demobaza, United Nude.

[revolversantosfilms]

ODDKO - Disobey (Official Music Video) from Giovanni Bucci on Vimeo.

ODDKO “Disobey” official video, directed by Giovanni Bucci

DISOBEY, directed by Giovanni Bucci, features some of the most ambitious visual effects ever used in a music video. It’s a multidisciplinary art project that integrates dozens of detailed, disparate production elements into one cohesive vision, sound, and beat. “Disobey” explores themes of Man vs. Machine, of Nature vs. Technology, and paints the goddess Hekate as a 21st Century nightmare, ensnaring victims and bending them to her will.

Based on a carefully planned animatic and mastering precise and dynamic 3D camera movements, Gio went to great lengths to ensure that every moment of the video was seamlessly integrated with its sound. Focusing on each character and location, Paola Rocchetti’s discerning taste and natural flair for makeup and styling was a key element curating the aesthetic of the video. With contributions from Dead Lotus Couture (London), Mother of London (LA), Majesty Black (LA), Pieroni Lab (Rome), Oscar-winning makeup artist Manlio Rocchetti (1943-2017), and Oscar-winning 3D artist Stefano Dubay, Gio and Paola successfully brought their vision to life.

ODDKO is a music project created by musician and award-winning video director Giovanni Bucci. It's the fruit of Gio’s eclectic tastes and his desire to make a vibrant new multifaceted work of art.

While easily enjoyed as a breathtaking journey through a singular dystopia, the video rewards multiple viewings with layer after layer of intricate detail. Beyond the striking visuals, there is a mythic story in the fabric of DISOBEY, a primal call to action, and a warning against deliberate manipulation of oblivious consumers.

Music by: ODDKO Website: oddko.com Merch: voidndisorder.com/shop/oddko-merch/ Spotify: https://sptfy.com/20Ge iTunes / Apple Music: itunes.apple.com/us/album/disobey-single/1441358021 Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/artists/B07K... Facebook: facebook.com/ODDKO Instagram: instagram.com/oddko_official

CREDIT LIST

PRODUCTION

Produced by: Void n' Disorder voidndisorder.com

Giovanni Bucci Director, Creative Director

Paola Rocchetti Executive Producer, Art Director, Stylist

Director of Photography: Giovanni Bucci, Dave Tavanti Director of Photography for Hekate: Giovanni Bucci, Marta Petrucci Cinematographer: Giovanni Bucci Assistant camera operator: Nicolò Baronci

CAST

Oddko: Giovanni Bucci Hekate: Paola Rocchetti Skull cat girl: Arianna Ilardi Girl on black background: Selena Tavanti Guy in distressed room: Sergio Scargetta Guy in jungle room: Dave Tavanti Lab test doctor: Rosa Bucci Priest: Bruno Bucci Percussionist: Nicolò Baronci Voiceover: Colin de Andrade

EDITORIAL AND VFX PRODUCTION/CREATIVE

Editor: Giovanni Bucci 3D environment development: Giovanni Bucci, Paola Rocchetti, Stefano Dubay, Alessandro Anzola, Alessandro Chironna, Federico Albanese, Samuele Cisternino 3D animation: Giovanni Bucci Texture TD: Hoang Anh Nguyen 3D Lighting: Giovanni Bucci, Hoang Anh Nguyen Shader development, render TD: Duy Do Le 3D modeling: Stefano Dubay, Hong Nhung Nguyen, Limkuk Olive tree 3D scan by Carlo Jongen 3D tracking: Hadi Pourkerman Compositing: Giovanni Bucci Colorist: Giovanni Bucci

Costume design and styling: Paola Rocchetti On set costume assistant: Flavia FG Tomassi, Marta Petrucci Key Make-Up: Paola Rocchetti Additional Make-Up: Flavia FG Tomassi for Paola Rocchetti as Hekate Assistant Make-Up: Marta Petrucci Special FX supervisor: Manlio Rocchetti Special FX assistant: Gabriele Catania Sculptors: Francescaromana Di Nunzio, Massimiliano Catalano

MUSIC

Disobey is written and performed by Giovanni Bucci Music arrangement: Daniele Marinelli, Rob Romano Drums: Francesco Paoli Bass: Dave Tavanti Guitar: Giovanni Bucci, Rob Romano Sound engineer: Rob Romano Mastering: Howie Weinberg

LOCATION

Green screen scenes filmed at Strani Rumori Studio in Pigge (PG), Italy On location scenes filmed in Cordigliano (PG), Italy

SPECIAL THANKS

STRANI RUMORI STUDIO and LUCA SCOTA who provided the majority of the equipment and who believed in and supported us from the beginning. Thank you Luca!

THANKS

Joshua David at Majesty Black, Mildred at Mother of London, Nange Magro at Dead Lotus Couture, Alessia Bassani, Paressi Presone Labitan, Rocchetti & Rocchetti, Manuela Caredda, Luana Inguscio, Roberta Chielli, Alessandro Catalano, Emanuela Familiari, Luigi Rocchetti, Fabrizia Pandimiglio and her black cello, Laura Aschieri, Bartek Truszkowski, Felix and Sasha at E8 Make 3D Printing, David Torno, Nando Adiletta, Cane Cane, Ezequiel Grand, Mert Kızılay, Ed Boldero, Alessandra Rocchetti, Kate Bestic, Valentina Trentini, Jake Maymudes, Veronika Coassolo, Mike Lipscombe, George Murillo, Carlos De Faria, Isabel Moura, Laura Fallace, Sara Lazzaro, Alessio Brunozzi, Monina Bucci, Stefano Spiganti, Francesco Ferrini, Cristiano Peverini, Carlo Primieri at Primieri Hair, Heather Henry, Demobaza, United Nude.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.210 Fire Marshall Luca

We finished our hike and went sightseeing in time for our departure. This vacation is definitely one for the books, but man is it good to be back home! When we arrived, Alessia was waiting for us with the fur kids in tow, and Kooper was beside himself with excitement. Rosie, on the other hand, was like, "oh, good, you're back," and ran off to wherever she goes, heh. Love that girl.

Less pulled me aside and told me she left something out of her story when she called yesterday. A rather concerning incident took place, but she didn't want me to worry or cut our vacation short. They were in the living room opening presents when a loud bang startled them. It sounded like an explosion, but the house remained intact, so she searched for the source of the sound. In the kitchen, she found a plume of smoke trailing from the stove. The cabinets and countertops seemed unaffected, so they gathered the presents and went to our house until the smoke cleared. I snorted at the thought that it was our house she referred to when she said the kids were destroying it. I'm sure she cleaned up for us. Anyway, I told her I'd go look at it right away.

I saw Arvin when I came in, so I greeted him before checking out the kitchen. Black char encrusted the stove, and a smoky smell still lingered in the air. How in the world did this happen? I'm thankful to Watcher; no one was hurt, and nothing else was damaged. The stove was toast, so I ordered a replacement and rejoined Arvin in the living room. He seemed a bit bummed, and I thought maybe he was still upset from the explosion. I kinda wish that were the case because he hit me with a question I'd kinda been expecting, but reeeeally hoped they would never ask.

"Do you know my dad?"

My stomach did a flip, and I thought I might get sick.

"Ummm ... I met him once. I wouldn't say I know him, though."

"How come he doesn't live with us?"

"He, uhhhh..."

I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable and a little upset. I still haven't forgiven Jace. What has Less told them about him? I wish we would have developed a game plan when they were babies because I knew this would happen. Still, I don't like lying to children and talking to them like they're inept, so I gave him a very vague truth.

"He, umm, he and your mom didn't get along, so he lives somewhere else now."

It didn't occur to me before that we could have run into him since Mt. Komorebi was where that punk ran off to.

"Do you think he'll come back?" he asked.

"I don't think so."

Before I could ask how he felt about that, I heard the girls screaming outside. I ran toward their frantic voices and saw them running away from the science lab. It was on fire! Flashbacks of my last trauma threatened to paralyze me again, but my child's safety wouldn't allow it. Lex must have heard the screaming too and ran behind me, but I told him to go back inside. The fire spread quickly, just like it did in Maira's kitchen. By the time I got the fire extinguisher, the tent that housed the lab was just a pile of ash! The boys were too close, running around and panicking. I yelled at them to go back inside, but they were scared, just like me.

Desi and Breanna made it to the sidewalk. Knowing they were safe allowed me to focus on quelling the fire. I needed to act fast because if those jars of chemicals broke, I might be a goner. I swept the extinguisher back and forth, hoping it wouldn't spread to the tree branches hanging overhead. Moments later, nothing but smoke and the charred lab remained. My heart raced, and I felt like I wouldn't be able to catch my breath. I was on the verge of breaking down, but I needed to make sure the kids were okay.

They were in pretty bad shape. Arvin cried so hard he could barely stand. Alessia ran out of the house to collect her children, and I hugged Desi and told her she was safe now. I put her to bed and stood outside her door for a moment, processing everything that happened. Sometimes, I envy the impulsive bravery of the macho man. But that's just not me. I get scared, I panic, and I might even cry a little. I'm not ashamed of it. Fires are so unpredictable and super fast. Frankly, I think it's appropriate to fear them. Still, I hope this is the last time I have to go toe to toe with one.

Sophia was kind enough to give me a little space before checking on me, but I would have appreciated her presence sooner. As soon as she wrapped her arms around me, I fell apart. I told her how scared I was, not just of the fire, but all the what ifs that came with it. What if Desi and Breanna hadn't gotten away in time? That one tore me up inside, and I couldn't deal with it, hypothetical or not. But Sophia sweetly reminded me that Desi is safely sleeping right behind us. Alessia's kids are also safe. And I am safe. That's so true. Even beyond this situation. I'm always safe with her, and it's been that way since the very beginning. I love her so much.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.142 Keep it in the family

After that rather heavy breakfast, I suggested we head to Gilbert Gardens for a stroll around the lake to burn off the calories and the effects of such a serious conversation. He told me a few stories from his childhood and how he and Mama met, which was a story I had actually never heard before. They were at a bar, and she turned around and told him he was beautiful and asked him out at the end of the night. It wasn't hard to imagine her being so brazen, but I only knew the more matured and careful version of Emerald Kierra Pope. Heh, I still couldn't believe Dwayne called her "Kiki." That sounded like a completely different sim, but I suppose she was a different sim then. While I enjoyed hearing happier stories of my parents' youth, I found it odd he would tell so many about him and her. Did he miss her? She must have gotten to him. I hadn't forgotten about them acting weird lately. Maybe what they say about the things we remember at the end of our lives is true. No one on their deathbed lamented about not making enough money or buying a bigger house. No one remembered the petty arguments and dumb stuff we did. It was the good times and people we loved, and he still loved her.

It was quite hot that afternoon, and Dad got tired and wanted to go back home, but I wasn't done with him yet. I needed more time and suggested we go check on Less and the babies, and he agreed. When we arrived, two of the three babies were hungry and screaming. Less already had Arvin, so I took care of Breanna. Dad stood quietly behind us, admiring how well we took care of them...or something. As soon as Arvin was satisfied, Lex woke up and demanded a meal too. Like every other visit, at some point, Dad left to take out trash and do whatever else he could find to help out. The fear of holding newborns must have been pretty strong. If I were staring death in the face, I'd like to think I'd suck it up and hold my long-awaited grandchildren. But to each his own.

Once all the babies were happy and asleep, we retreated downstairs to hang. Mama came in from the pool and was surprised to see us all together in the living room.

"Two days in a row? I should have given you my final wishes sooner!"

"Ha ha," I said flatly.

"You could have just left instructions like normal sims," Dad said.

Mama's head jerked back so far, I thought it would fly off and sock Less in the face. I could count on one hand how many times I saw my parents fight, but each time was dangerously entertaining.

"Did you leave instructions, smartie?" She paused a few seconds for dramatic effect. "I didn't think so!"

He shook his head at her. I could imagine their marriage being full of that, had it continued.

"While we're on the subject," he said, "if you don't mind, there's something I want to discuss with my children."

"Okay. I'll go. But don't be in here traumatizing my babies."

"You've already done that, Mama," I said. "Thanks for that."

"Why, I never! I know where I'm not wanted. I'm going back to the pool!"

He watched her leave, but still didn't say what he wanted to say. Maybe discussing their deaths was just as awkward for them as it was for us to hear about it, even though they spoke so casually about it.

"So...what is it, Dad?" I asked.

"Despite what she thinks, I do have instructions," he said. "But there is one matter left to finalize, and I could use your help."

"Uhhh...okay," Alessia said, nervously.

"Lessi... I want to give you my house..."

"A house?!"

"Yes. But if I leave it to you, I want you to live in it."

"But...I live here."

"I know. After your mom is gone, I thought maybe you'd want to be closer to your brother. My house isn't nearly as big or as nice as this, but it's homey, and there's enough room for everyone."

"But...I..."

She looked so lost. Did Mama not talk to her? Or did she not consider the whole picture? Probably the latter. She was never good at caring about much beyond her nose. I, on the other hand, was giddily distracted by the idea of us being neighbors. Ever since learning Jace abandoned her, I had been trying to think of the best way to help her and the babies. Never once did I consider her moving to live near me until Dub mentioned his rental property. It was the perfect solution for both of us. She'd have family nearby to help with the kids, Des would grow up with faux siblings, and I'd get to keep an eye on Less and be a positive male figure in my niblings' lives. Everyone wins!

"I know that's a big decision," he said, "and expecting you to make it now isn't right, so how about this... I'll leave it to Luca until you decide if you want it or not. But no matter what you decide, I don't want either of you to sell it. I want it to stay in the family."

"But...what do I do with it?" I asked.

"Rent it out and make some money. Or keep it and give it to one of the kids. I don't have a pile of money to leave you like your mom does. This house is all I have. That's why I chose not to rent an apartment when we moved. This house is my contribution to our family's legacy. It can provide extra income for you or a head start for your children or their children as long as it stays in the family."

I had only thought of rental property in terms of a shared living situation like Dub had done. I didn't consider I could take a house I already owned and let someone else live in it while I lived somewhere else. The money tree had already done so much for my family's future, but everything Dad had said opened my mind to so many more possibilities. Just like I told Dub, I could leave Desiree more than just money.

"Of course we'll keep it in the family, Dad."

The evening grew late, and I had to get home to my ladies, so I said goodnight to Dad, silently hoping that it wasn't our final farewell. But in case it was, I gave him a good squeeze and told him I loved him.

I grabbed Less next.

"I love you too. I hope you'll take the house."

"We'll see. You're okay, I guess."

"I KNOW you're not leaving this house without saying goodbye to me," Mama shouted, appearing from nowhere.

"Now, why would I ever think about doing that?" I kissed her on the cheek. "I love you. I'll be back soon."

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.240 Debrief

While Desiree attended school and Sophia went to work, I hired contractors and designers to begin our home renovation. I told them we wanted to maintain the Craftsman style of the home and requested for the living room furniture to remain because with all the changes pending, we still want the house to feel familiar. Besides, me and Sophia decorated that house together. We don't want all our memories erased. The lot is medium-sized, so even though we'll have more rooms, they will still be fairly small. Some spaces, like the upstairs hallway, will remain cramped, but I still think we will be happy with the changes. Bonus points for the contractors not thinking any of our requests were too farfetched or impossible. Completing the work on time should not be an issue, they said.

At last, 3:00 rolled around, and we waited not-so-patiently at the front door for our baby to arrive. I don't know if we spooked her by standing there or if her day did not add up to the hype, but she didn't look as excited as I thought she'd be when she finally walked through the door. Maybe she was overwhelmed or tired. At least, I hoped that was the case. After hugs and kisses, we settled in the kitchen for the play-by-play while she had an early dinner. Thankfully, she was much more lively recanting the events, so it wasn't a total bust.

She wandered around, peering into windows until she found the principal's office. There, she found a nice, younger woman who preferred to be called by her first name, Hillary. She told Desi about all the clubs and after-school activities, gave her a brief rundown of her teacher, Mr. Hanks, and suggested she introduce herself before the first period began. After her speech, she asked if Desi had questions. Desi said she noticed other students wearing the same outfit and wanted to know if they had to wear uniforms. Miss Hillary clarified saying while no official uniform existed, they sometimes encouraged particular clothing choices on certain days. Like, today was career day, so everyone wore their letterman jacket. They also have a club shirt day. Do the students enjoy it as much as Miss Hillary thinks? Because if I was in school again, I wouldn't be down for it.

When Desi left the principal's office, she ran into Tami, who looked sad. I tensed up because it wasn't my place to divulge the potential reasons for her sadness, but I low-key hoped Tami would tell her why and give me more insight, heh. Desi, being the caring sim she is, asked if she was okay. Tami started whining about the outfit, saying she's tired of the uniform days, and that it felt like every day Miss Hillary found something else to make them wear. Between just wanting to wear her own clothes and Maia not letting her wear what she wants to wear, she's just sick of constantly being told what to do. I remember my friends complaining about their parents and sharing similar sentiments. Compared to them, I had all the freedom in the world but still felt pressured to behave a certain way. I started acting like a tough guy and making unnecessary demands at home. Teenage life is so volatile. They're still kids, but they're also not children anymore. That call for independence is so strong, and I sympathized with Tami. I was relieved she didn't bring up the drama at home, but is she upset about the uniform or is she masking her real pain? Desi, of course, was oblivious to all of this, so she tried to cheer her up by showing pictures of the birthday party. She's such a sweetheart.

The bell rang while Tami was still gushing about her horse, so they walked toward the classroom buildings together. Desi's first class was Business Concepts. It's cool they're teaching that kind of stuff in school now. We didn't have neat subjects like that. Maybe if we had, I would have done better. They went their separate ways, and Desi was bummed. But when she entered her classroom and saw familiar faces, she was so relieved. Savannah, her twin (Stacey), and Breanna were in her class. I was thrilled for her because, besides the boys and Tami, those are literally all the kids she knows, and now she has her entire social circle together in one place, more or less. Asking about Savannah and Stacey was so tempting, but I resisted. Good thing she didn't look for her teacher before class because he was late. Some students had to sit on the floor because there weren't enough desks.

Lunch followed the first period, but the career fair shortened it. That was something else we didn't have when I was in school, so I asked about it. She explained the entire school convened in the auditorium, where industry representatives manned booths and showcased their careers. There was a doctor who just stood around and watched, a lawyer, and another lady. She couldn't identify her outfit, but she looked sketchy, lurking in the corner all day.

She briefly caught up with her cousins before listening to the lawyer's presentation, but Lex thought the whole thing was lame and left. That was rude and unacceptable, and I considered talking to him about it when we get to Sulani. I had to remind myself he's not my kid. Besides, I don't want to mess with his and Desi's friendship and get her labeled as a snitch.

I asked how she liked the lawyer's presentation, and she said it was okay. The speaker was good, but the content didn't spark joy. Overall, she enjoyed the career fair and said if they keep having them maybe she can figure out what to do with her life. There's so much I wanted to say in that moment regarding her future, but we didn't need to discuss it right then. For the moment, she just needs to finish her dinner, do homework, and pack for vacation.

As always, me and Sophia tried to help as much as we could, but I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to do that. The subjects were getting more difficult, but we got through it just in time for the season premiere of Game of Llamas. Alessia ran in as the opening credits were ending. Apparently, her kids don't care about the show and neither does her dude, so she raced over here to watch with someone who did. She probably just misses us because Less is usually perfectly fine watching TV by herself.

As the children of two only children, we didn't have the pleasure of growing up with cousins, aunts, and uncles. I love watching Less and Desi's relationship. They're friends, but it's more than friends. It almost feels sister-like, but it's not that either. Whatever it is, it's special and unlike anything she shares with us. It makes me even more glad Sophia suggested we got Less in on the youth potion plan. One day, Desi might go through something she doesn't feel comfortable telling us. I'm glad she'll have Less to lean on for a very long time.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.230 Taking you down

Alessia, Sophia, and I discussed birthday party plans last night after we returned home from dinner and decided a bowling party would satisfy everyone's requirements. The triplets didn't have anything specific they wanted to do, but Less wanted a place that was big enough for them to be independent yet small enough for us to keep an eye on them. Sophia just wanted everyone to have a good time. With all of that in mind, we settled on bowling. When we arrived, I thought it would be a good idea for us to take a family photo. We'd never done that before, and I wanted to capture the kids before they aged up. The picture came out nice, but I had to laugh and shake my head at the kids because the teenage energy was very strong. I'd been seeing hints of it with Desi over the last couple of days, but with all the kids together, it's undeniable we don't have babies anymore. Too cool boys and sassy little girls stared back at me, making me very proud yet terrified.

I was glad to see the place was not too busy, but knew that would change as the day went on. The ladies got everyone set up on our lanes while I checked out the party room to make sure everything was in order. The staff did a great job making the space look festive for us. With that off my mind, I went downstairs to join everyone in the games. Alessia filled me in on the arrangement. We had two lanes, and the kids insisted on a battle between them vs. parents.

"Do they really think they can beat us?" she asked.

"I don't think it matters who wins," I said. "As long as we have fun."

"Bump that! I want to win!"

First up was me vs. Desi. She had a little trouble with the ball, so I went ahead and took my turn while Less helped her.

Maybe the kids were onto something because I didn't do well at all. Did they know none of us had done this before? They say the first frame is always the worst, so let's hope my game improves throughout the afternoon. What I want to know is why my wife laughed at me. Hmph.

Desi waited until my turn ended to play. She tossed the ball down the lane granny-style and hit about half of the pins! She was so proud of herself, and so was I.

With the kids distracted, Less took her turn.

To be honest, she did very well. So far, she had the highest score, but those two pins taunted her. To be fair, that was the most annoying thing that could happen in bowling, heh.

The kids finally sorted themselves out and looked ready to play. Breanna stepped up to the lane, aiming to annihilate her mother. Less.

"These kids are going to murder us, aren't they," I said, sliding behind Less.

She laughed.

"It's looking that way."

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.219 Less strikes again

At some point, I tore myself away from my parents and left the cemetery feeling renewed and happy. On my way back home, I made a detour to the florist. I couldn't leave their graves looking empty and neglected like we didn't care. Quite the contrary. I even bought nice headstones and put portraits on their plots. Too bad I didn't have a big enough picture for grandpa Winston. I'd really love to meet him one day, but I think he may have crossed over already. At least I have tiny pictures at home to look at and see where some of my features come from.

Alessia called, saying she wanted to talk. That meant she needed to get out of the house, so I sent Sophia a text saying I would be back later that night. At first, I thought we'd grab dinner, but Less and I hadn't gone out together in ages. We needed to make it count, so I suggested we go to a bar for old time's sake. We met at The Solar Flare in Oasis Springs, and she began telling me about this man she'd been talking to.

His name is Brent Peters, and he rents a trailer in Oasis Springs. He likes horses, is obsessed with vampires, loves a good argument, and hates smart asses. He also hates comedy, idealists, troublemakers, knitting, and rock climbing. So far, he sounded like a very interesting character, and I wanted to know more. She said in his younger days he had a bit of trouble of his own, often getting caught stealing. He got help, but every day is a struggle to resist that urge. They bonded over their love for athleticism. She thought it was a silly to appreciate, but she loved he didn't mind her being a homebody. Whatever she wanted to do, he was into it, and she loved that. I couldn't imagine Alessia ever changing herself to please someone, but I knew exactly how it felt to be loved and accepted by someone despite your flaws and shortcomings, and I was glad she had that. She said he's loyal to her, and they are taking things slow. As much as I loved to hear that, I still had concerns.

"He sounds wonderful for you, but... Like, how do you know he's not after your money?"

"Luca... I know you're concerned because of what happened last time, but this isn't that. Me and Jase bonded over stupid, meaningless stuff. Brent and I talk about real things. And I'm older and wiser now. But you, of all people, should understand how putting yourself out there involves risks. You moved in with Sophia after one date, and you didn't even want to be in a relationship. But you took the risk. The point here is I'm ready to take risks again. I don't know if Brent is after my money, or if he will kill me in my sleep, or if he'll run off with another woman. I'm still getting to know him, but I don't think he will. But I'll never know unless I try."

I say this every time I'm around her, but she has grown so much, and I love to see it. I still had concerns, but there was nothing left to say.

"Also, I'm moving out tomorrow."

"What?? Why?"

"I appreciate everything you've done for me. And I love how fiercely you protect me. But I need to handle things on my own now. All my life, I've had a safety net. Even when I moved out, I was living with that family. Someone has always taken care of me, and I feel like I owe it to myself, and my children, to be truly independent. I can't teach them what I've never done, so I need to go. I don't want you to make a big deal and throw a party or something. Just let us go quietly, please."

This is just like Mt. Komorebi all over again. She arrives at conclusions super fast and is compelled to action them even faster.

"But... What about the kids? Desi loves playing with them. And I love hanging out with them, too."

"That can still happen! It'll just require more effort now."

"Where are you going, anyway?"

"San Myshuno, for now."

That was the last place I pictured her living. Seems like the hustle and bustle would send her paranoia up the roof. But, renting an apartment is a good situation for her. Even though she wants to be independent, homeownership is a whole 'nother beast, not for the faint of heart.

"I'm gonna miss you, sis. I've really enjoyed getting to know this adult version of you. Can we make sure to do better at keeping in touch?"

"You better, big head."

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.231 Rigged

Breanna took on her mother, and the competitive energy between them was as thick as Oasis Springs heat. They kept glancing in each other's direction, trying to get their strategy together. Alessia took her time, got her stance right, and aimed, and Bre did the same. They released their balls, slow and steady, but those two evil pins taunted Less again. Bre knocked down about half her pins and did a little dance. Good thing the kids don't understand how scoring works, heh.

Arvin chose me as his challenger, so we stepped up to the lane. My ball went straight into the gutter. I didn't even wait for the graphic to come up and tell me how lame I was and walked away while Arvin rejoiced over his victory.

"I told you they're going to kill us," I said to Alessia.

"But you said it's about having fun," she replied.

"Shut up."

The kids got distracted again, so I asked Sophia if she wanted to go. She declined, so I took another turn.

A strike! Finally! Maybe things will turn around for me after all.

The kids were still distracted, so Less tried again and did even worse. She even shouted forbidden words, which Sophia and I both found hilarious.

I was a bit hungry, and it was clear the kids were losing interest, so I suggested Lex take his turn and then we'd head upstairs for cake. He grabbed the ball, and Less watched and cheered him on; I always knew he was her favorite. He did pretty well, too, knocking down all but three pins. If these guys keep practicing, they could be really good. Maybe one day we'll have a Murillo family bowling team.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.233 New lease on life

After pictures and cutting the cake, I sat at the kids' table, in awe of how stunning they all were. I mean, they come from amazing stock, so no one is surprised, heh. But I didn't expect them to be that good looking. I was proud and happy and scared at the same time, and judging from the stunned look on Sophia's face, she felt the same way. But it wasn't just their fetching looks that caught me off guard. It was just being in their presence. It's real now. I don't have to imagine what they'll be like or look like anymore. Their taller, more matured selves are sitting right in front of me, and I am just in awe of them.

I ate my cake and listened to them talk. It's almost as if they weren't aware of how much they had changed and carried on like usual. But thinking about it, I don't remember feeling very different either. Apart from noticing how cute all the girls were, I felt the same. Oof. Cute girls. I guess that's something else for me, Less, and Sophia to discuss: how and when do we handle the woohoo talk? I already know Less is gonna pawn the boys off on me, so I should go ahead and prepare. Maybe I'll do a guys' night, so it won't be as cringe like how it was with Dad. He got better at awkward conversations as I got older, but that first time we talked about woohoo was brutal. The message was fine because he always had a way with words, but the delivery was so awkward. I hope it goes much smoother for me.

Sophia nodded toward Less, who sat alone at the adults' table. I'm glad she called my attention to her because I was so entranced by the kids I forgot we had a proposal for her.

"We did pretty well, if I may so," I said, sitting next to her.

"For sure. No coward can ruin this gene pool!"

"Stop it. You know you wouldn't have even given him a second thought if you didn't think he was cute."

"Maybe. I still hold the lion's share of beauty, though."

"You'll get no argument from me."

Sophia joined us, so I started my speech.

"So, here's the thing. We're going to drink the Potion of Youth tonight, and we want you to do it with us."

"...what?"

"It resets your age to the beginning of the adult stage. I don't want to be a super old man walking my daughter down the aisle! And I don't want to be dead when my grandkids are still newborns! Have you thought about this at all?"

"No?"

"We lost so much time trying to have a baby. This potion will give us that time back so we can enjoy the family we fought so hard to create. But we don't want to enjoy the time by ourselves. And I don't want to watch you die when you get old. Please do it with us."

She sat there with her mouth gaped, eyes bouncing between the two of us, confused and a bit alarmed. Good thing Sophia intervened after I went in, guns blazing.

"I know we kinda ambushed you," she said, "and I know it's a lot to consider. If you need time to think about it, we'll understand. Your birthday is still a way off. There's no need to rush this. I, on the other hand, don't have that kind of time, so we're doing it now."

She's right, but I still felt a sense of urgency. If we do it together, we'll be the same age. With any luck, we'll die on the same day, just like Mama and Dwayne did. True, that would suck for the kids, but at least they'd only have to live through one tragedy. Sophia meant to soften my approach, but I had to seal the deal.

"Isn't that guy you're seeing younger than you?" I asked. "If things work out, you'll have more time with him, too, while you're still young enough to enjoy it."

"Hmmmm...new roster. I like the sound of that. I'm in!"

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.242 Woohoo on the beach pt. 1 of 4

The mouthwatering scent of sizzling batter, melting butter, and warm maple syrup drew almost every woman in the house to the kitchen. I foolishly assumed they had come to help. Instead, they hammered me with questions and made demands. Breanna's insistent cries for chocolate chips in her pancakes followed Sophia's urgent need to confirm the homeowners left us plant-based milk. Alessia, Queen of Pancakes, critiqued my flipping technique; Watcher forbid any of them didn't come out perfectly. I chuckled to myself and shook my head. Women. They are my favorite species, heh. I told them the pancakes would be ready in a few minutes, and if they didn't like them, there's other stuff in the fridge they could make. Like vampires fleeing at dawn, they scattered, as I knew they would.

Everyone helped themselves to delicious, fluffy stacks without further commentary. After breakfast, the kids' joyous shrieks echoed through the house as they cannon balled into the water. The sun beat down on us, warm and golden, promising a blissful, dry day. Before joining them, I stood on the balcony, letting the salty sea breeze caress my skin. The panoramic vista was like a soothing balm for my soul; this vacation was an excellent idea. Our last Sulani trip was Family Day, when me and Less were kids. The first weekend we ever spent with Mama, I think. Being with her was a relief anyway, but building sand castles, dancing, and shooting fireworks on the beach made for an epic weekend. Mama was so magical. Even shadowed by grief and guilt, she had a way of making everything brighter. Even after all this time, I still missed her.

Just as I began to shed my clothes and join the fun, the girls' excited chatter reached my ears. Words like "cute," and, "he" and, "should" pierced my eardrums, as if they yelled them on purpose and sent me into a tailspin. See? I knew it wasn't too early to talk about woohoo, but I thought we'd have more time before the teenage shenanigans began. I rushed inside to find Sophia and tell her we needed to move fast, and I was leaving with the boys. Confusion filled her eyes as she tried to find out what had me so panicked. I probably sounded like a maniac, flailing my arms and saying weirdness like, "it's happening right NOW!!"

"Luca, WAIT," she shouted after me as I dashed outside and called the boys out of the water.

I suggested we go somewhere else for some man time, and they were more than glad to come with me. I looked back at Sophia as we sailed to the other side. She was standing on the balcony with her arms crossed. Knowing I'd pay for this later, I whispered well wishes and hoped some would come my way, too.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.171 Happy birthday to ya

When it got closer to party time, Sophia and I moved the couch to the backyard for more seating options. Our parties always end up fragmented with some sims eating in the house and others on the patio. My goal is to keep everyone together, so hopefully this will help. We also moved the picnic blanket and put the portable crib outside to accommodate the little ones. Because we're friendly again, I invited Yasmine and her girls, but she declined. She doesn't know the other guests and didn't want anyone asking questions about Stacey. I completely understood but feel bad for her. This spellcaster business has really trapped her and the girls in their home.

Apart from my baby aging up, I'm most excited about having Dub and his family in our home for the first time. Between the deaths and parenthood, it's been super hard for us to connect lately. I guess I was naïve enough to believe it would be easier being in the same city, but life keeps proving it doesn't matter where we are. Life is going to life, and that's that. I suppose I'll have to be more intentional about hanging with him too.

"You got it smelling good out here, bro," a voice says from behind me.

That Henford accent is unmistakable, and I was so glad to hear it. I turned around and embraced him.

"Wassup, man! Did you find us okay? Welcome! Finally!"

"Right? Took you long enough!"

"Don't even play, man. You know how life is sometimes."

"Sure do. This house is nice! And the view!"

"Thanks. If you're able to stick around later, I'll give you the tour. Hey, where's Maia? Is she coming?"

"Yeah, she's running a little late. She's just finishing up a project for a client."

"Ahhh. See? San Sequoia has been good to you already. I'm glad her business is picking up."

There's no way Dub showed up alone, so I looked around for Tambara, knowing she couldn't be too far behind. I spotted her toddling across the yard, trying her best to catch up with her daddy.

"She's getting to be extremely independent these days," Dub said when he realized I was watching her. "She won't even let us pick her up anymore. I don't mind that so much, but waiting for her really slows me down."

"She'll get faster," I said, thinking about Desiree's determination. "Just give her time."

Tami and Desi look nothing alike, but I see glimpses of the immediate future in her proud face and wobbly gait. I want Desi to grow up and change the world, but I can't part with my little girl. At the same time, I'm anxious to see her continue to grow. I love watching her smash these milestones like the boss baby she is. Ugh. Fatherhood is just a melting pot of contradictions. How can I be happy and sad, proud and scared at the same time?

Tami finally made her way over to us, so I waved.

"Hey there! Do you remember me? I'm Luca. That's a pretty dress."

Her face lit up, and I knew it didn't matter if she remembered me or not. I was currently her new bestie. Flattery works at all ages, hee hee.

"What do you say when someone gives you a compliment?" Dub asked.

"I know," she shouted.

Me and Dub had a good laugh. She's so precocious, and I love it. Kids really do say the darndest things, and I can't wait to hear what Desi will have to say. Hopefully that's not a be careful what you wish for situation, heh.

"That's right, Tam," I said. "You better know it."

"How are you holding up?" Dub asked, wiping the smile off my face.

"I'm good. As good as I can be, rather. It gets a little better every day."

"I'm glad to hear it. I can't even think about what that's going to be like."

"It might sound morbid, but you should start thinking about it, man. It's the shock that's hard to get over."

"You play dollies with me," Tambara shouts.

That was probably supposed to be a question, but she's too excited about her new, big friend and it's too cute.

"Oh, no," Dub says to me. "You start that and she'll never let you go."

She's adorable, looking just like both of them. I hope she and Desi will like each other. It'll be a shame to have them fighting or snubbing each other when we hang out.

"You can play with Desiree later, okay?" he says.

"Speaking of... We should probably get this show on the road soon. Let me finish these ribs."

(makeovers and family photos below!)

Dub and fam by @mysimsloveaffair

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.201 Miracles

Once again, I took advantage of the dry weather, daring Mother Nature to trick me again. I grabbed the toolbox and got back to work on the treehouse. I wish I could tell you I made good, uninterrupted progress. It was Rosie this time who pulled me away. She hovered nearby the entire time, so I stopped and gave her what she wanted. She's only clingy like that for two reasons, and both of them require my undivided attention. We went for a long jog. When we returned, the house was dark, and my girls were fast asleep. The night was still young, and I wasn't ready to call it quite yet, so I had a personal care night. I'm ashamed to admit when I last did yoga, and my muscles were a lot tighter because of it. I really need to figure out how to balance taking care of myself and my life.

In the morning, I woke up to a big ruckus on the side of my house. It sounded like a loud motor, so I got up to see what was going on. To my surprise, my sister caused the racket, and she was weeding the money tree! I can't lie; I felt myself tearing up. Alessia is one of the most self-centered sims I know. There's been almost nothing she's done or said that didn't benefit her. I mean, the woman skipped my engagement dinner because she didn't feel like going, and she was my sim of honor. But there she was, in my side yard, caring for my tree. Whether it's the kids softening her, or she's finally maturing, I'm so grateful to see her considering others' needs.

"Hey, sis. What are you doing out here?"

"Oh! Did I wake you?"

"Yeah, but it's cool, I guess."

"Sorry. I never saw a tree like this, so I came to get a closer look. When I saw the weeds, I figured I may as well. What is this, anyway?"

"I appreciate you doing that. This is my wedding gift from Dub. It's a money tree."

She gasped.

"They're real?!"

"Right? I didn't think they were either."

"Wow. He's some friend."

"Yeah. He's the best."

I rarely have opportunities to be up close and personal with my sister. Her eyes look tired, and I realized I don't actually know what's going on in her life.

"How are you doing, Less? Like, really."

She shrugged.

"I'm alright, I guess."

"Really, Less?"

She shrugged lackadaisically again. Some things about her will never change.

"There's not much to tell. I have my kids and boring job so they don't eat me."

I laughed so loud. Good thing we don't have neighbors right next to us.

"What about Jace?" I asked. "You heard from him?"

"Nope."

"Damn. I was really hoping he'd step up."

"He'd have to be a man to do that."

"HA! Okay, you got me there."

I had another question I was afraid to ask. The last time I asked it, I got WAY more than I bargained for. But I really wanted an answer. I promised Mama I would look after her, and I can't quite do that if I don't know what I'm dealing with.

"So...are you seeing anyone?"

"When the hell would I have time for that?"

"Touché. You should make time, though. I don't want you to feel like you're trapped in the house with the kids all the time. That's why we moved here, remember?"

"Yeah. I know. The truth is, I kinda like those little gremlins. I thought I'd hate motherhood and being tied down, but..."

"Yeah. Kids have a way of melting your heart."

"They do. I'll get back out there at some point, but for now, I'm cool with just me and my three."

Has Winterfest come early? Because I've just witnessed two miracles, ha!

"I'm really glad to hear that. I always worried about how this would go for you because...you know. Happy to know you're enjoying the journey. Mama would be so proud of you..."

The latch on the gate behind us clicks. My cute little shadow walks through, looking like she's on a mission.

"Auntie Lessia, can Breanna come play?"

"Des, it's not even 8 a.m.," I said. "Give them time to get dressed and eat breakfast."

"She can spend the day with us, you know," Alessia suggested.

As much as I love my sister, she was never on my list of potential babysitters. It's not that I don't trust her or I think she won't take care of my child because I know she will; I've seen it. I've just always been painfully aware of her situation and didn't want to add to her stress. But given what she just told me, maybe we can change that.

"Are you sure? You have your hands full already."

"It's cool, Luca. What's one more child? Besides, having her over will help me. With all four of them together, everyone will have a playmate. That frees to do other things."

I never thought of it that way.

"True. Well...yeah, okay. If you're cool with it, I'm down."

"You want to help me make breakfast?" she asked Desiree.

"Okay," Desiree shouted.

"You're such a little sweetie."

"By the way," she said to me, "I'm still very upset you got the blue-eyed child. Like, what in the world??"

"I guess the Watcher loves me the best."

"Whatever! You look like a dork. What are you even wearing?? Looking like a freezer bunny threw up on you!"

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.194 Big kids

While I dealt with my cheeky tenant, Alessia and the kids moved in. I found her enjoying the slip and slide as I neared the house. I guess it will have to do since there's no pool, heh. She ran over to me and started raving about the house and how perfect it is. I was really glad she loved like we did.

She mainly loved that it wasn't as large as Mama's house and she can keep an eye on her crew better. But like us, it's the layout that did it for her.

I had been waiting for her to move in before I went inside and saw her unit firsthand. It was cozy just like it looked in the pictures. One thing surprised me, though. I thought that closet system would crowd her bedroom and make it difficult to get to the other side of the bed, but there was a lot more room than I thought, and I was officially jealous.

I asked where the kids were, and she said they're playing outside, so I went home to tell Desi she had company. I took her outside, then went back in to get started on the cake. But before I got started, I watched them from the window to see how she fared, being on her own for the first time. She actually seemed a little shy at first, but that didn't last long.

I saw Less had gotten dressed and was also watching from the sidelines. She doesn't give herself enough credit and is a fierce mama bear. Lex, Arvin, and Breanna are lucky to have her as a mom. Soon, they'll be old enough to realize it.

I go back to baking and peek back out the window when the cake is ready. Desi is having the time of her life in the ball pit for the first and last time, and Less has come from out of shadows and is playing with the kids. I couldn't help but smile at the whole scene. This is what I wanted. This is why we moved here! My heart is so full.

And one more because Kooper loves the camera lol

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.164 Time

We got ourselves and Desi dressed in green again and headed to the cemetery. The trip was quite cumbersome with the portable crib, Desi's bag, and portable chairs, but we made it. I set everything up so we could wait comfortably for Less to arrive. Thankfully, Desi didn't fight me about putting her in the crib, though I feel like she was threatening me under her breath, heh.

She glared at me, and I stared back, but not to intimidate her. I just got lost in thought. Sitting here in the cemetery looking at her before I bury my mother put things in a really odd, grim perspective. I'm sad for her, Breanna, Arvin, and Lex. I don't know how old my parents were when they had us, but I think me and Less might be a little older than they were, and Sophia is even older than us. That means the kids will have to deal with this earlier in their lives, and I'm already sorry for that pain we'll cause them. I'm especially sad for Desi because she'll be alone. I mean, she'll have her cousins, and hopefully her own family, but no one will miss us quite like she will. That is a burden she'll bear all by herself, and I hate that for her.

Less arrives, complaining about her exhaustion and the challenges of caring for three infants. Part of her is relieved they'll be walking in a few days, but she's mostly dreading it because that means more trouble and she'll really have to keep an eye on them. I try to pivot by saying things will be better when they're toddlers because they'll be less dependent on her, meaning she can do more things with them, including dropping them at our house from time to time. She appreciated that part. She's felt like she's been in prison with them, especially since Mama passed.

Speaking of Mama, I told Less to pull up a chair and asked what her favorite memory of her was. I thought she would have to think about it, but she had one at the ready. Less was never a very huggy child and always had a passive attitude about everything. That made it hard for her and Mama to connect. She always felt like Mama liked me more. Her favorite memory was the first time she felt like she and Mama had a breakthrough. The day after her teen birthday, Mama got her a phone. She was so excited and wanted her to be a part of her online world. Less showed her all her favorite SimTube videos, all the profiles of the kids at school, all the memes, all the things. Mama didn't ask questions or show any concerns about her being so obsessed. She just watched everything and even seemed interested in it all.

Sophia didn't know her long enough to have a favorite memory, but she said she'd never forget when they met. Meeting your partner's parents is always a nerve-wracking experience, but when you're talking about marriage and starting a family, it's even more unnerving. If it doesn't go well, that experience will hang over your head for the rest of your life, potentially. But meeting Emmy was such nice, chill experience. First, she was so gorgeous it was almost intimidating. She didn't ask a thousand questions or embarrass me like many moms do. Meeting Mama was like making a new friend—a friend who was even more a fan of me than she was, heh. She was just an amazing woman.

While Less and Sophia told their stories, I tried hard to comb over my brain and pick just one. It was so hard to do, but I finally settled on one. We all know she loved us like nobody's business, but I remember the moment I realized how far her love would go. I begged Mama to let Dad come on my birthday trip to Mt. Komorebi. I knew they were divorced, and I knew she was dating someone, but it was really important to me for all of us to be together. It was basically tradition because we were always together for our birthdays. She told me no every time I asked, but when we arrived, Dad was there. She was willing to put aside her feelings and work through the awkwardness just so I could have what I wanted. That's the moment I learned how sacrificial the love of a parent is, and I try to be that for Desi.

Speaking of Desi, it was past her nap time, and she was fighting sleep. I'll never understand why babies do that. They know they're tired and need to sleep, yet they try to stay awake anyway. But the most beautiful scene in the world played out right in front of me. Sophia was about to get up and see about her, but Less got up and said, "Relax. I got it." She walked over to the crib and soothed Desi until she fell asleep. It was so beautiful I almost cried. I keep saying this, but I mean it more and more every time I say it. Each time I see her interact with the babies, I know despite how sucky her situation is, everything will be alright. I probably don't even need to worry about her as much as I do. She's always so concerned that she's not a good mom, but she has the skills. If only she can see what I see. If she didn't have children, I think she'd be a dope auntie. She probably looked forward to having fun with my children, spoiling them rotten, getting them high on sugar, and them sending them back to me, but now she has her own crew to deal with.

We shared a few more stories and laughs before a natural pause in the conversation came up. We sat in the silence for a moment because we knew it was time to say goodbye. I got up and placed the urn on the plot in front of Dad's headstone. Alessia and Sophia joined me, and we circled around the plot, trying to find the strength to say goodbye. It's so interesting how fast things can change. One moment we're laughing and chopping it up, and the literal next moment we're trying to hold back tears.

"Mama," I said in a broken voice, "I know you said you didn't want us crying, but how can we not? You're gone."

Those words almost took me out, and I needed a moment to ground myself before I could finish. Sophia came closer and rubbed my arm and told me everything was okay.

"You were everything to me, and I..."

Neither of us could take it anymore.

We cried and hugged, just like we did when Grim came. I was really glad Desi was asleep because we really needed that moment for ourselves. Again, we cried until we had no tears left. Desi had woken up by then, so we definitely needed to get home. I gave Less one final hug, and she told me she wants to live closer but not in Dad's house.

"Say less," I said. "I'll take care of it."

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.184 Enjoy company