Chapter 28 (Tesira) - Really?

Tesira kept her skills sharp while she stayed at home with little Sparkle. 

Some days she didn't even change out of her pajamas!

Matthew headed to work at the local store, dressed to impress!

Two promotions in one day!  He coudn't wait to tell Tesira the good news!

He found her hard at work potty training Sparkle.  "Ask your Mom to watch baby girl.  You and I have a date!" he told her.

"Where are we going?" she asked excitedly.  Although there weren't too many options in this town, it was still nice to get out.

Builders Depot? she asked with confusion.

Home Makeover: Sims Edition

Matthew had some great ideas for remodeling their home. He just needed to iron it out on the drafting table.

While it wasn't the dream date Tesira was expecting, Matthew more than made up for it when they got home.

"Let's let mama sleep in this morning," Melissa said, leading Sparkle back upstairs to the play area.

Tesira didn't sleep long and she was glad when she found the job she'd been waiting for!  She was quite disappointed that she didn't start higher on the totem pole. 

But, she would work with what she was given. 

Matthew was home with another promotion.

But what he was most happy about was the beautiful remodel.

The old entry door was locked so guests would begin to use the more open entryway.

Behind the stairs there was a spacious bathroom.

Up those stairs led to a new, refurbished kitchen and dining area.

Part of the original wall was knocked down to adjoin the new addition to the original floorplan. 

New wood flooring throughout really brightened the living space up!

But best of all, Matthew enjoyed using his new execuputter.

He greeted Juan Reamon, a fellow businessman, as he passed by.

The two had a great time chatting.

Tesira had expected this promotion.  She was well-prepared to propel up her career ladder.

Since Matthew & Tesira were working hard, Melissa prepared dinner for the family, and their guest.

Vivi ambled through the new addition, pleased with the changes her son-in-law had made.  She smiled when she saw Melissa serving grilled cheese.  Some things never changed.

Although more changes were coming soon, it seemed!

Matthew & Tesira headed to work, pleased to be making a difference in the community.

Thankfully, as a local hero, Melissa had a number of days off to stay home to watch little Sparkle.

Way to go Matthew!

The house was packed to the brim with family members again.  It was that time of the year.

Aw, it's so good to see that Sookie found her soul mate.  Thank goodness she didn't waste years with Sinjin!

"I just love what you did to the place!" Melissa raved to Tetris.  His building crew came out and had the remodel done so quickly.  And she just loved the open floor plan! 

She was surprised when a fight broke out.

Sailor Sharp & Syllabus Lee were fighting over a girl, from what she overheard.  Wading in, she separated the two to cool off.

She didn't want their squabbles to get in the way of their birthday celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARKLE!

"Grandma, what's a &*$#?" Sparkle asked.

Melissa sighed and got up from the couch. She'd been so comfortable, but apparently her services were needed again.

"Break it up!"

She was quite surprised to see Rebel Sharp throwing punches at Syllabus this time.

Apparently when you messed with one Sharp, you messed with the pirate pack.  They were certainly the wild branch of their family tree.

"Shouldn't you stay home?" Melissa asked with concern.  Her daughter looked as though she would give birth any moment.

"I can't, Mom.  There's no maternity leave.  I don't want to give up all the progress I've made at work."

Melissa watched her daughter trudge to work through the snow and worried.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"

Nothing sweeter than an effusive greeting from your baby girl.

But Tesira was exhausted from working while pregnant.  She headed to bed before dinner, barely able to keep her eyes open.

The contractions began sometime in the middle of the night, waking her from a deep sleep.

Welcome to the family Really Fancey!

Melissa didn't want Tesira to give up her dream of becoming a top Intelligence Officer.  So, with a small twinge of regret, she called in to retire. 

She would stay home to take care of the children.

Tesira moaned with pleasure as Matthew rubbed her shoulders.

She had to admit, it felt so good not being pregnant anymore!

Unfortunately, Melissa was called to be with the love of her life, Vivi.

"I miss Grandma Meme," Sparkle said when she came down for dinner.

"I know, I do, too," Matthew told his daughter over some warm, comfort soup.  "It helps to think of all the good memories you have of her."

The couple cuddled in bed, making plans.  They had hoped Tesira's mom would be able to help raise the children so that they could work.  But, now that she'd passed so unexpectedly, one of them would need to quit to stay home with the kids.

Although Matthew was further along in his career, they decided Tesira should continue.

And so began Dad & Daughter Day!

"Want to play some chess?"

"What about putt putt?"

The two bounced from fun activity to even more fun activity all day long.

Matthew flopped on the couch, exhausted.  He wasn't sure he had as much energy to keep up with Sparkle. 

"I'm going to take a break and check on Really.  You should probably stop jumping before you get too overheated," he added.

"Hey there little guy," Matthew crooned as he snuggled his baby boy.

They'd put up some racing wallpaper in the loft and redecorated.  Matthew brought out Grandma Meme's electronic car for his son.

Sparkle had her room redecorated.  Matthew made sure to put Tesira's childhood fairy bear close at hand for his baby girl.  "I LOVE IT!" she shrieked happily.

And now for a small nap, even though it was only 10.

"I played chess! And made snow angels! And putt putt! And bounced! And played with fairy bear!" Sparkle said in a rush as she greeted her mom.  "Wanna make a snowman?"

Tesira headed upstairs and gave Really some cuddles.  It was hard going back to work when he was just a newborn. 

"Vroom! Vroom!" Sparkle played with her toys in her very own room.

"Why can't Mommy stay home with us?" Sparkle pouted.

"She needs to work, but we can have a super fun day!"

Oops.  This would not look good on the resume.

"Is it his birthday already?" Tesira asked with surprise.  "Time flies so quickly!"

She hastily made a cake, stuck a candle on it and waited for confetti.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REALLY!