Uncomplicated 3.11: A family in every sense

     MY MOM IS PREGNANT!!! I'm going to have a little sibling! It's strange, but since she was brought back to life, Mom is very much younger than Dad, so she's still well within the age when she can have kids. I worry about the two of them when Dad gets old and... and I don't want to think about him dying.
     But this is a happy time! They're going to have a baby! I know Mom loves me, but I also understand how she regrets never having gotten to experience motherhood with a baby and small child.
     They're having a baby. A married couple. The parents of the baby are married, and the neighborhood won't persecute them for it.
     I don't need to be married to Luke.

      Thinking of Luke makes me think of Edward, and that reminds me...
      "Don't forget to go out and vote for Edward tomorrow. He's been working so hard at this, and he has loads of good plans for the city."
      "Of course I will, sweetie," Mom says, probably a little confused as to why I jumped on this subject.
      "Good. Because Edward really is the most wonderful, the kindest, the most selfless person. He's not in it for his own glory."

     "Yes, I know that," she says. "Your dad and I went and heard one of his speeches at city hall, and the crowd acted excited about the beneficial things he'd like to do. The way I see it, there will be a lot of celebrating at the campaign party tomorrow night."
     I smile. "I'm going to be there. He asked me to come."
     "He did? That's sweet of him. I know you two have been friends for a while." She stops and looks at me.
     "What?"

     "It's... Well, I don't want to butt in on your life, but I've noticed some... things... about the two of you."
     I smile again. "You gotta keep this on the down low," I really have gone native, "but we have a date the night after the election."
     Mom mirrors my smile. Then, she looks concerned. "Does Luke know yet? Well, I guess not since it's not common knowledge, but..."
       Why does everyone think that? "Luke and I are just friends, Mom. For all I know, he's dating somebody too." I stop and think. "Although, I don't see how he'd have time..." He's been over quite frequently, and Bonnie and I have enjoyed his buoyant spirit. Still, that has left him no time for a real social life like he used to have. He loves Wren to pieces. She holds his heart more than anyone else anywhere.
      "Just be careful. It's probably nothing," she says and then changes the subject.
      I visit with Mom for a while. She acts like she's really wanting company. Dad comes out to see me for a few minutes before he returns to his study. He apparently has another idea for a book and has been writing like mad. Mom acts like she understands, like this doesn't upset her, but she also acts like she'd really like for me to stay just a bit longer.

     The morning of the election, I have to work extra hard in my garden. I didn't get to do everything I needed to do yesterday because I'd visited with Mom so much.

      "Good morning," I hear behind me. It's Luke.
      "Morning," I say, not looking up.

    "Wren is in her swing inside," I tell him. Sometimes, I bring the swing out here so that I can watch her while I work, but she's fast asleep inside. I can hear her should she wake up and start crying.
     "Actually, I came to see you," he says, sounding like he's smiling.
     "Oh yeah?" I ask curiously, still watering my plants.
     "Yeah. Could you stop a sec?" he asks quietly, and I look up at him. I'm not able to accurately gauge his mood from his expression.

     "What's up?" I ask.
     He laughs nervously for some reason. Then, he smiles. "You know, Wren is great. She's only the sweetest baby ever created. Who knew that a couple of crazy sims like us could make someone like that?"
     I giggle and blush, remembering the 'making' part. "She's a good baby," I agree. "She almost never cries. Of course, that might be because we all spoil her rotten."
     "Nonsense! She deserves to be spoiled! I just wish I were around more to help spoil her some more."

    I shrug and smile. "You know you can come by any time. Bonnie and I understand about your strange work hours."
    "And I do appreciate that. You have no idea. In fact, I like it out here a helluva lot more than I thought I would. The air is cleaner, and even though the house is small, it feels less crowded."
     "I'm glad you feel that way," I tell him, still with a small smile on my face.
     "Are you?" he asks, sounding hopeful. "Because I've been thinking. What if we tried again? It's not all about Wren, either."
     Oh no. My smile falls.
     Seeing my expression, he continues very quickly, "I know parents don't have to be married to be good parents. We're proof of that, but what if we gave it a shot?"
      "I'm already seeing someone," I tell him quietly.

     "You are?" he asks, surprised. After he thinks for a second, he asks another question. "Well, when? You're always here; at least, I thought you were."
     "We have our first official date tomorrow," I tell him quietly. He does not look happy.
     "Official... It's Edward. I should've known." Then, he acts like he more speaks to himself than me. "Still, it was him who pushed me towards you again, telling me I needed to 'be a man' and take some responsibility." His eyes refocus on me as he continues, "I knew I'd been a jerk for walking away like I did, and I wanted to make up for it."
     "You have," I say.
     "Well, I'm always here. I thought it might be better if we were an actual couple again. Then, if that worked, we might even get married, be a family in every sense."
     If he had done this only a few days earlier... This is exactly what Edward wanted, but now that Edward and I are going to give it a try, I don't want to let him go.
     I take a steadying breath. "Luke, you are wonderful. I thought you were pretty cool before, and I did understand your reluctance to bring Wren into your life." I bring my hand up when he starts to interrupt me, meaning I know what he was going to say but that he should hear me out. "But since Wren was born, you've gone from pretty cool to awesome. It's like you were always meant to be a dad because you do it so well. Just the fact that you keep wanting to do it better proves that. But although I could see us potentially being happy, there would always be in the back of my mind how I'm in love with Edward."
     "I see," he says somberly. "Well, thank you for telling me before I could get hurt." He pauses. "I'm going to go see Wren now. Her birthday still on for Saturday?"
     I nod. "Yes," I say quietly, worried I'm about to start crying.
     "Hey," he says as a way to get my attention. I'd started looking down. "It's okay, Anastasia. It's not like my life has changed since this morning. It was only an idea, but like you said, if you love him, you love him." He plants a lopsided grin on his face, takes a step towards me, and kisses me on the forehead before smiling again and turning to walk to the house.

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