simtarts

"Pops!"

Jesse waved his father over, pulling him in for a long, hard hug. It had been so long since he'd spoken with either of his parents that he hadn't been sure that they would accept the wedding invitation in the first place. He tried to imagine their surprise as they opened up the envelope together and learned, for the first time, that Paulette even existed, and that she would be their new daughter-in-law. It must have come as a shock; Jesse hoped it had at least been something of a happy one.

"Well, I reckon you've been pretty busy!" Jimmy joked, patting him on the back. "A wife already? We didn't even know you had a girlfriend!"

"I know, I know...I should have called and told you, but it all happened so fast, and so many other things have happened, too..." Jesse trailed off with a small sigh of contentment.

"Tell me all about it," Jimmy said, giving his son an encouraging smile.

"Well, I haven't had any luck finding a job, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I planted two orchard trees, an apple and an orange, and you'd be surprised how much attention they require."

"That's why you hire a gardener, son!" Jimmy joked. Money had never been an issue in the Sputnik household.

"But then you deny yourself the pleasure of growing something yourself," Jesse said, pointing in the direction of his small but flourishing orchard.

"Ah, this is about that legacy business again, isn't it?" Jimmy massaged his chin and looked skeptical. "Starting from scratch, eh?"

"That's right, Pops, and I didn't stop with the fruit trees, either. I planted a whole mess of tomato plants out on the eastern side of the property, where the best light is. It cost a little extra to spring for some good quality fertilizer, but hopefully, it will be worth it. If our garden gets big enough, Paulette and I might not even have to go to the grocery store anymore."

"See that little pond I dug beside the garden? I know it doesn't look much bigger than a puddle, but it's pretty deep, and I think that the ocean's been feeding into it through some kind of underground tunnel. How else would all those fish have gotten inside such a little pond? And they're pretty good fish, too. Now if I could just learn to make that sauce that Dad drizzles over salmon..."

"While I was busy living off the land, Paulette was trying to work on her creativity skill. She wants to be a media magnate someday, so it's important that she understand color, light, and chiaroscuro."

"Chario-what?!" Jimmy interrupted.

"Chiaroscuro. It means the contrast between light and dark."

"She wouldn't have been able to help out much with the gardening, anyway, because she felt weak and ill most of the time. Just being around food made her sick--even when that food hadn't appeared on the vine yet."

"She was having trouble sleeping, too. She would wake up hours before I did, usually because she was hungry or had to use the toilet."

"Eh, that happens to me all the time, too," Jimmy said, grinning devilishly. "She's not an elder, is she?"

"No, Pops, she's my age," Jesse laughed. "And she's pregnant! One morning she crawled out of bed early and saw how tight her pajamas were and, well, the truth just couldn't be denied anymore."

"A-ha!" Jimmy said.

"What do you mean, 'A-ha'?"

"You were doing more than planting seeds in the ground, you little rascal, you!"

Jesse chuckled and nodded. "I guess you could say that, yeah."

"Ah, I know the feeling, son. When you find the right one, it's hard to keep your mind on anything else, isn't? Even looking at Talbot over there with the champagne, my heart pitters its patters just a little harder. He's really filling out his new suit nicely, don't you think?"

"Pops, I don't look at Dad to see how he, um, fills things out."

"But you look at Paulette, don't you?" Jimmy gave Jesse a little elbow in the ribs, like they were two frat boys dishing about the hot tail on campus. Jimmy had actually been a frat boy, and so Jesse was used to his antics.

"Of course I look at her," Jesse said. "First thing in the morning, in fact, I always make sure she's the first thing I see."

"Awwww...."

"Shut it, Pops," Jesse murmured, blushing.

"It was hard to believe we already had a little one on the way. We were both excited, but a little scared, too. Our little outdoor house was comfortable for us, but was it really a place to raise a baby? The house would have to be remodeled into something more liveable, but we'd have to build it ourselves, from scr--"

"Let me guess, from scratch?"

"You've got it."

"So I'm betting you can guess what happened next. I popped the big one. Got down on one knee like a proper gentleman and slid a real sparkler on her finger."

"You bought her a diamond?" Jimmy was surprised; that didn't sound like doing something from scratch to him.

"No, it was a pearl. Do you know how many oysters I had to shuck before I found a pearl that glowed with the same luminescence as a diamond?"

"I thought you smelled a little...funky, Jess."

"Shut it, Pops!"

"You can probably guess what happened next. She said yes! But then if she hadn't you wouldn't be here, would you?"

"Nope, we sure wouldn't."

"We still don't have everything worked out, though," Jesse said, his smile faltering a little. "I keep checking the papers, but I haven't been able to find the teaching job I want, and now that we're engaged with a baby on the way, we'll need that money more than ever."

"Oh, well let me write you a check!" Jimmy said, reaching into his breast pocket. "You can consider it your wedding gift."

"No," Jesse insisted, his voice kind but final. He smiled at his father and squeezed his hand. "Thanks for coming, Pops, but having you and Dad here is the only gift we need."

Jimmy looked uncertain. "You sure about that, Jess?"

"Of course. And besides, it wouldn't be a proper party without you and Dad."

"Damn straight, kiddo!" Jimmy said, throwing his head back with a laugh. "Now, lead me to the champagne!"

"Hold up, I'm not done with my story yet!" Jesse said, hauling his father back into the conversation.

"Oh. Well, it sounded like you were done."

"Well I'm not done."

"Well keep telling it, then!"

"Okay, okay. So I'm sure you've noticed that we don't have much in the way of belongings, right?"

"Yeah, I have. What do you two for fun, anyway? When you're not making babies, I mean?"

"We get creative, that's what we do. I whittled down a couple pieces of driftwood and made a limbo bar. It seemed like it might be a good way to get a little exercise while still having some fun."

"Paulette made a drum out of a barrel and a piece of tattered leather, and it turns out she has a really good sense of rhythm. Though she kept trying to tell me that she was just beating it in time to the baby's kicks, I didn't really believe her."

"She was a lot better at beating the bongos than I was at getting under the limbo bar, though. But if I keep practicing, I'll get it perfect someday."

"Hmm, there you go again." Jimmy mused.

"There I go again what?"

"Being determined. Believing in yourself. You've been like that ever since we adopted you--wish Talbot and I could take credit for instilling those traits in you, but I think it's just the way you are."

"But you let me be who I am," Jesse insisted. "Nothing matters more than that."

"Quit trying to make me weepy!" Jimmy said, swallowing hard. You haven't even walked down the aisle yet!"

"Um, Pops, it's Paulette who walks down the aisle, not me."

Jimmy waved a dismissive hand. "Pfft, gender roles!"

"Anyway, pretty soon it was obvious that if we didn't get married quick, our kid would have Paulette's last name instead of my own. Her belly was ripening a whole lot faster than our little garden."

"So that's why we got an invitation this morning for a wedding that's happening tonight," Jimmy said, amused.

"That's right." Jesse smiled sheepishly.

"Let's get going, then!" Jimmy pumped his fist in excitement. "Nothing ruins a wedding faster than afterbirth."

Jesse walked across the garden and gave his bride-to-be a soft kiss. They only had six guests at their wedding, but that was alright. They were lucky to get any guests at all, with such last minute planning. Along with Jimmy and Talbot, Gilly and Gina were in attendance, as was Farr Cortho and his Catsapian lady-love (who wasn't named Tanya, as Jesse had mistakenly thought, but Georgia).

In preparation, Paulette had gone to the shops to buy champagne (both alcoholic and non) while Jesse had rounded up several old barrels that would serve as makeshift seating for their guests. The ceremony itself would take place underneath their two fruit trees, right at sunset.

Jesse had been looking forward to introducing Farr to Paulette, but when the opportunity finally came something about the expression on Farr's face kept him from going through with it. He had the distinct impression that Farr might not approve of Paulette, but Jesse had no idea why. Perhaps he just hated weddings? Whatever the reason, Jesse decided not to dwell on it--today he was getting married, and that was all he needed to think about.

"Excuse me, folks!" Jimmy called out, clinking a spoon against his glass of champagne. "I'd like it if you would join me in raising your glass to this fine young filly, Paulette, who will be marrying our son Jesse tonight. You know, some mornings you wake up and find out that you're going to Moon II with the Space Pirates, and some mornings you wake up and find out that you're getting a new daughter in law! It's crazy and sudden, but you can't help but be excited. That's how I feel now. Welcome to the family, honey!"

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses to Paulette, who wasn't just glowing, but beaming.

As planned, the ceremony began at sunset. Neither Jesse nor Paulette had written vows, deciding that they were all too artificial and corny. Instead, they would speak spontaneously and from their hearts.

"Paulette, I chose to marry you beneath these two trees because I planted them for us: one for me, and one for you. As they grow, the roots will eventually tangle together and become intertwined, while our lives do the same. From these two trees we will plant a whole orchard that will stand strong on this land forever!"

"Jesse," Paulette began, smiling at him and looking into his eyes. "I have hemorrhoids, my back is killing me, my boobs hurt, and I think I need to pee. But I love you so much that I'm not even thinking about those things right how. I can't wait for us to tangle."

"Will you stay with me forever, Paulette?"

"I will!"

"Now those were some good wedding vows!" Jimmy shouted, pouring out another round of champagne. "Honest, to the point, and down-right heart-warming. Let's all make the bride watch us have a drink while she sips on her apple juice!"

Everyone started clinking their glasses and hooting in celebration, gathering around the blushing bride. She smiled, not a bit bothered by her Father-in-law's teasing.

Apparently, Farr and Georgia didn't understand that the Sim custom of clinking champagne glasses was a signal for the bride and groom to kiss, and not a green light for everyone else to make out. Jesse couldn't bring himself to disapprove this time, though--love was in the air and life was short!

It was in the air for Jimmy and Talbot, too.

"Remember our wedding?" Talbot asked, caressing the side of Jimmy's face.

"Not really," Jimmy said, his eyes sparkling. "Now the honeymoon, on the other hand! Hot Doggy!"

No one could have anticipated that the sight of the two loving men would set Gina off on a bitter rant.

"What the hell! No one told me there would be men touching at this wedding! Why wasn't I warned? Why wasn't I warned, I ask you!"

She poked at Jimmy's chest and he couldn't help but snicker at her dainty efforts.

Fortunately, Gina's outburst didn't seem to ruin anyone's mood, and the party ended in success.

Before they could even say goodbye to their friends and family, Paulette and Jesse were whisked away in a limo for their honeymoon.

***in which time passes***

Ah, but it was good to be back. The honeymoon had been nice (if short), but Jesse was happy to be back in their sea shack, working on his cooking skills.

Paulette was working on her cooking skills, too, though she preferred to build her skills through hands-on experimentation rather than by reading books.

"Isn't four in the morning a little early for pancakes?" Jesse called out over his book.

"But I'm starving! My stomach is going crazy! The baby definitely wants pancakes."

"Haha, if you say so!"

The smell of warm, syrupy pancakes soon filled the air, but Paulette never made it to the table to eat them.

"Jesse! Um, the baby really, REALLY wants pancakes. As in it's coming out now to get them!"

"Are you serious?" Jesse ran over to his wife's side as she began to moan and massage her belly.

"I'm definitely not joking!" she gasped.

And so the labor began.

A short while later, a stunned Jesse held a green baby in his arms. Before he even had time to register that this was his child in his arms, Paulette started to scream all over again.

"Oh no, there's another one!"

Twins. Two girls.

Juniper had dark skin that was similar but not exactly like her Mother's, and her Father's black hair.

Clover had her father's E.T. skin, and her Mother's brown hair. Both sisters shared Jesse's eyes.

As he held his daughter up and looked into those eyes that were so much like his own, Jesse realized, for the first time, that he had had a Mother once, too. Of course he had always logically known that a female had probably birthed him, but never before had the concept of having a mother really hit him like this. Had his mother held him? Were his people a kind, nurturing race? What kind of beings would his children grow into?

"Clover and Juniper," Paulette whispered, giggling a little. "I hope they don't hate us too much."

"It was your idea," Jesse reminded her. "You said if they had earthy, free-spirited names, they would grow up to be earthy, free-spirited people who wouldn't mind abiding by the Generation two tasks."

"And you listened to me? Sweety, I was all high on hormones."

"But--"

"Kidding!" She said, leaning in close and to press a kiss to his lips. "They'll be fine, Jesse."

"They'll be just fine."

***the end, for now!***