Uncomplicated 2.20: Don't worry

     Bonnie spends more time just being a teen. I feel so guilty for what I've done to her this past month or so. She simply shrugs and tells me it was no big deal when I talk about it with her. The girl won't let me apologize! Being the drama queen that she was, I'm surprised to see this selflessness from her.
     However! The second the subject of boys comes up, the drama queen comes back out. Judging from the phone calls I hear, she and Shravan aren't doing so great lately. I can't say this upsets me.

     One night, I stand, holding a sleeping Anastasia, in the hallway and overhear a conversation between Bonnie and Dad. She asks him about Mandi, about where she is and if he's seen her. He acts surprised to hear that she died. He hasn't seen her at all.
     It's probably nothing. After all, Dad's mostly around the house. For some reason, Mandi isn't around the house. I wish she'd show up. What if she never shows up? What if I can't learn this recipe quick enough?

     Bonnie has taken note of my all-black attire. Even though I never married Mandi, I consider myself a widower. Bonnie teases me about going goth. Sometimes, I consider actually going goth for a few days just to see what she'd do. I haven't yet... Yet.

     My main focuses are my children and building my skills in order to successfully perform the task of bringing Mandi back. I do all the cooking, and I'm getting quite good at it.

     My books get forgotten, but we're not exactly hurting for money, even after purchasing that recipe book from the psychic lady I saw.
     I spend my days studying, fielding the sweet-but-ever-changing moods of Bonnie, and taking care of my little Anastasia.
     "At least you're not on the phone all the time, are you, Anastasia?" I croon to her while she chews on my collar.

     Every day, I see more and more of myself in the baby.

     That I don't see much of Mandi in her is bittersweet. I'd actually hoped that she'd resemble her mother.

(EA pose/animation designers... LAZY! Look at that bicep! That's easily avoided with proper joint rotation.)

     Too much... She looks too much like me. I realize my darker eyes and hair are more dominant traits, but I'd wanted to see some of Mandi in her.
     Believe me, I love her to pieces. She and Bonnie are my whole world, and I almost feel guilty for spending the time studying like I do. To make up for the guilt, I spend more time with them. Well, as much time with Bonnie as she lets me.
    But I have to study!... I'm torn. I want Mandi back asap, but I also don't want to miss out on my daughters' lives. BUT, I don't want Mandi to miss out on them either, and the sooner I can get her back, the more Mandi can share with them.
    If I get her back.

     What if I never get her back? What if she stays lost forever?
     Mandi! Where are you? Why won't you at least visit me?

     "Yes, we have a swimming pool. That's because we're in Sims 3. Swimming pools have been around since the dawn of sims, but they won't be in Sims 4. But don't worry, Anastasia, you won't be in Sims 4 either, so you won't miss them."

     Anastasia's first word.

     Another burglar?!

     Bonnie springs into action and initiates a fight. The burglar patiently waits outside for her, not triggering the house alarm and waking Anastasia and me up. I hear about this later.

     Way to go, Bonnie!
     Wait... I'm a dad and shouldn't be this happy that she confronted a burglar. Oh what the hell, I'm proud. The cops in this town are worthless anyway; I can't decide if they're crooked or just not motivated.
     The burglar goes running off, scared to death of Bonnie kicking her butt again.

     A few nights later, I hear a strange sound. At first, I assume it's another burglary attempt. Then, I wonder if it's Mom or Dad. 
     It's... Mandi!
     Wait... That's Mandi?

     I find her in the living room, looking at the bookshelf. My voice chokes out her name, and she turns around and hugs me. I hug her back as much as I'm able, having momentarily lost my ability to speak further.
     She feels strange in my arms. I've never touched Mom or Dad in their spectral form. I can hold her in my arms, but at the same time, I almost feel like I'm pretending.
     "I'm sorry," she says in her strange voice. "I'm so sorry. I tried; I tried to hold on. I couldn't. I tried to save her, but I couldn't."
     "No. She's fine. She's fine, Mandi," I manage to say before she can get on a never-ending apology.

     "No, no. No. My baby..."

     "She's fine!" I say, thrilled I'm finally talking to the spirit of the woman I love. "She lives! I named her Anastasia, like you liked. Come and see her. She's upstairs..."
     "Nick, don't do this to me," she pleads, and although it's hard to see, I think she's crying. "I can't find her. I'm sorry to leave you and lose her."
     "But I'm telling you the truth!" I happily exclaim. "She's adorable even if she's unlucky enough to look like her father."

     "Nick, stop. Please," she begs.
     What can I do to make her understand?! It's like she's fixed, unbelieving no matter what I say.

     So, instead of mentioning Anastasia with my request, I simply say, "Come upstairs." I'd run upstairs to get the toddler myself, but I worry that Mandi would leave before I could come back. I also fear what Anastasia would do if she saw a ghost.

     Mandi misunderstands my meaning.
     Kissing a ghost: very strange. But this is Mandi! Her essence is all around me, and she's corporeal enough that I can hold her, touch her, kiss her...

     "Mandi, what are you doing?"
     She turns to me with a happily-wicked smile. "We never did it in your parents' bed."
     "But..."

     Oh, who am I kidding? I don't put up any resistance.

     I think of something. "Come and see what I've done with Bonnie's old room."
     I immediately wish I hadn't said a word. Mandi's face turns to a look of anguish. "The baby's room! I'm so selfish. I have to go!"
     "No! Mandi..." I try to grab at her, try to make her stay and hear reason, but my hand passes right through her.

     "No!" I cry in vain as Mandi evaporates into a puff of yellow-orange smoke. Then, she whisks off in the direction of her grave marker.
     What do I do now? She still thinks Anastasia died! Why wouldn't she listen to me?!

     Still... Mandi was here. She was HERE! She finally visited, meaning I can go forward with my hopeful plan.
     Don't worry, Mandi. I won't let you wander the town looking for your lost child for long.
     I get up and change my sheets.

     While Anastasia naps, I redouble my efforts at studying.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mandi's ghost looks the way she does because (curious since I haven't done that yet) I chose the "fall from a high place" death in MC. That's what those ghosts look like, apparently. O.o

Upon moving to the "new" town (when I'd restarted in hopes to avoid the plague of error code 12's), I somehow lost Damion Rao, Levi and Sunshine's oldest. I don't think I'm going to redo the bit I've done. He's just "lost in the sands of time" as my middle child likes to say.