1.5 Family Affairs

Welcome back all to the next chapter of The Spectrum of Life! The newest addition to the family--baby Bumble Bee--is getting nice and settled . . . uh, Oriole? You wanna, maybe . . . I dunno, relax that stare a bit? Starting to creep me out over here . . . .

After Bumble Bee was put down for the night, Oriole went out to earn some more simoleons. She's off from work due to maternity leave, but she has 'other' ways of earning some income. *eyebrow wag*

Kleptomaniac is now my new favorite trait.

After swiping a few cars I let Oriole go inside the gym to play some fooseball as a reward.

She also got some workout time in as well, she needs the athletic skill points for promotions once she finally does go back to work.

Back home, Alabaster was pulling over-night baby care duty.

As promised, Ladyturtle. More shirtless Al for ya. ^_~

I used some of the simoleons Oriole earned that night to install a TV and a couch so they'd have their own form of entertainment on the lot besides reading. The TV quality isn't great, but it works. That's the important part.

Bumble Bee's room also got some new objects, mainly a potty-chair and a high-chair, both recolored appropriately.

Alabaster's garden is coming right along. We finally have some harvestables! I also added some more windows. I like a lot of light.

Both Alabaster and Oriole are very good parents, taking care of Bumble Bee in shifts.

Atticus - *photobombing in the window*

So precious.

That afternoon we had some wild horse visitors.

Atticus decided to use this opportunity to get in some non-human socialization.

Wild Horse - I hate cats.

Atticus - But Womrats are cool, amirite? :D

Atticus - What about sprinklers? You have to like sprinklers.

Wild Horse 1 - I dunno, fleas are cool I guess.

Wild Horse 2 - DON'T MIND ME, JUST RUINING YOUR SHOT, LADEEEDAAAAA!

-_-

Some sniffing . . . though the wild horse kind've looks like it just broke its' neck. O_o

Later that evening Atticus took Alabaster to the grocery store so he could sell off his first crop. That second horse there isn't a wild one, but I can't remember its' name either . . . <--fail

Bumble Bee got herself an imaginary friend! I named him Jelly Bean. :D

That night, Oriole was back to work stealing me some cars.

Seriously. Best. Trait. Ever.

D'aww, lookit this stray! A yellow chow! I almost adopted him, but I just don't want to have more than one pet at a time. Oh well.

Alabaster's gardening skill is high enough that he can plant several new types of plants. So with our new funds, the garden got expanded a bit.

And Atticus finally got his own box stall as well as a new horsey ball and a salt lick.

He likes the salt lick. A lot.

And his stall. That is the face of a happy horse, trust me. :D

That evening, Oriole's sister Alouette randomly decided to drop by. As you can see, she's just about ready to pop with her first child. The father is one Benjamin Schmidt, resident Appaloosa Plains playboy.

Her timing was great, as it were, since they were about to celebrate Bumble Bee's birthday to toddlerhood.

Alabaster was quick to invite Alouette inside.

Then it was back in time for the festivities.

As soon as Oriole put her daughter down, she went and stared out the window . . . random, but okay.

Tadaaaaaah! Bumblebee inherited her father's black hair which the tips were dyed yellow (SO fitting, considering her name). It's hard to see here, but she got her mother's pale yellow-green eyes.

It was right off to the potty, since she was about to have an accident.

While that was going on, Oriole was catching up with her big-sis.

Giving her tummy a rub as well.

Since Alabaster was already asleep by then (early riser for the garden and all), it was up to Oriole to put Bumble Bee to sleep.

Sooooo cuuuuuuuute.

I had her go back out and socialize some more with Alouette afterward. Their relationship had been declining quite a bit before this, so it was nice to catch them back up.

After a while Oriole started working out again on her new chin-up bar. Alouette sat down to enjoy one of our books.

For a minute at least. Oh lordy, lol. I had a feeling this would happen.

Oriole - What do I do? WHAT DO I DO?!?!?

Oh I dunno, how about take her to the hospital? Just a thought.

This is Oriole, 'taking her sister to the hospital.' Apparently that involves riding in her sister's car while Alouette drives. I guess Oriole is just there for the moral support?

She accompanied her sister into the hospital.

In they go!

The baby's father put in an appearance as well. He and Alouette go back and forth between dating and being at each others' throats. Quite humorous to watch the popups about them.

In due time Alouette emerged with a baby boy, who--thanks to Story Progression--I named Blue Jay Bird. ^_^ The sisters parted ways after that.

Oriole went home and tried to make some breakfast. That didn't end so well, as you can see from her oh so telling expression.

It might help if she'd stop forgetting what she was doing in the middle of cooking.

Oriole - Hmm . . . I can't help but notice this rather conspicuous stack of hay just sitting here . . .

*whistles innocently*

Alabaster - So, beautiful. How's about you and me go romp in the hay? Eh? *eyebrow waggle*

Oriole - Oh, Al! *fans self*

Atticus - That pickup line was so bad it was hilarious . . .

Alabaster hops in first . . .

Oriole isn't far behind him.

A lot of hearts confetti and a baby jingle were soon to follow.

Atticus - . . . what has been seen, can never be UNseen . . . .

That's it for this chapter! Check back next time to see what Oriole and Alabaster's hay-romp produce. Will Bumble Bee continue to be adorable? Will Atticus recover from his inadvertent trauma? We'll see!

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