@oshizu Thanks! Yup, Akito knows how to work his wardrobe efficiently! Glad you enjoyed Thad's attempts to be suave. He made me giggle.
The bathroom scene cracked me up. Took some fancy camera-work to get a shot of it, but it was worth it! I guess designated caregivers don't care who they're mentoring! They're just compelled to mentor!
@wfgodot Teehee. Otto is constantly playing with toys. He's got at least three in his inventory at all times. Nobody else has ever cared before, though, so I'm sure he was quite surprised.
Yeah, I'm relieved to have the toddler stage over with for now. I'm sure I'll get better at it as time goes by, but yikes. The constant barrage of "check toddler" is defnitely a problem. I started taking her out of the house just to get her away from her army of caregivers. I'm not sure if it's my overburdened home lot or too many loving grandparents, but Cressida spent a fair amount of time paralyzed by too much love all at once.
Glad you liked the shrine to Mallory. Not sure what we'll do when we need the chair, but that's a question for another day.
@Caterina True love will find a way, indeed! Watcher is a hopeless romantic, so I'm definitely going to find a way to make it work. I'm glad you're enjoying the journey getting there, though.
@NexttoNormal Yeah, man. Nobody tell Rieko! It's all definitely coming to a head very soon.
Chapter 101: The First One is Free
Thaddeus: *smooch* Night-night, princess.
Thaddeus: Look, I know I’m sending you mixed signals and I apologize, but . . . you really shouldn’t sleep in my bed.
Akito: Well, it’s either this or napping in the hot tub, and that means changing into my-
Thaddeus: No! Not Phase Three again, please. I’m too weak for Phase Three.
Akito: Lovely evening.
Rieko: Homewrecker. I know what you’re up to.
Akito: Me? Nah. I’m much more of the homemaker type. Incidentally, I know what you’re up to as well.
Rieko: Saving my marriage?
Akito: Nope. The other thing.
Rieko: You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Akito: Don’t I? My Dad worked at the agency. He’s still got some connections there. The Spiffendales have gotten sloppy. They should have spotted you a mile away, but they’re complacent, even after what you did to Mallory.
Rieko: You can’t prove that was me.
Akito: No. And I don’t plan to. But they’re my family now, and I won’t let you hurt them again.
Rieko: What are you going to do? Hang out in that hot tub until Cressida’s an elder?
Akito: If I have to. I look amazing in my swimsuit, so it’s win-win. Regardless of what happens between Thaddeus and I now, you’d better believe I’m going to protect my baby girl with my life. Your work is done here, so you might as well just leave while you can.
Rieko: *sneers* Thanks for the tip, Other Daddy.
Akito: The first one’s free. The next one you pay for.
Cressida: Wunning! Wunning wunning!
Thaddeus: How are you such a charmer already? You’re already friends with this gardener lady and you just sat down.
Gardener: She’s really sweet.
Cressida: Taco!
Thaddeus: Ah, yes. A lovely outing in the park where things are not impossibly, horribly awkward and sad.
Watcher: Look, it was either this or sit at home and watch your poor daughter be overwhelmed by the sheer number of caretakers bearing down on her. I feel like she would have been top-notch ages ago if people would have just stopped bugging her.
Thaddeus: She’ll make it okay, though?
Watcher: Oh yeah. A couple more laps around the fountain and she’ll be done. Then you can worry about your other problems.
Thaddeus: Why are my other problems having such friendly chit-chat with each other?
Watcher: Search me. I feel like they’re having a politeness contest.
Thaddeus: Who’s winning?
Watcher: You know the answer to that. The one who loves your baby the best will always win. Look at him!
Thaddeus: He’s such a great dad. He’s the fun dad and the dad you go to with a boo-boo. I’m just the broody conflicted dad who’s always programming.
Watcher: Hey! Stop right there. You’re a great dad, too. She’ll understand when she’s older that you’ve done just as much as he has to make her happy. He is way better than you at piggy-back rides, though.
Thaddeus: You get half a thank you for that.
Watcher: I’ll take it.
Akito: Thad! Thad! Do I have something on my back?
Thaddeus: Oh, my gosh! Yes! I think it’s a horrible monster! You’d better spin around really fast and shake it off!
Cressida: *squeals*
Thaddeus: You two are so silly. Okay, baby girl, better get home. It’s our birthday!
Thaddeus: About freaking time! I’m so tired of being a Young Adult. I really hope this candle-blowing comes with a lot of wisdom and self-assuredness.
Watcher: Awww. Nope. You’re still angelic. Oh, well! Makeover time!
Watcher: Oh, man. I love it. You’re like, almost grizzled.
Thaddeus: Is that hot?
Watcher: Oh, yes. You look like a zombie hunter. Do you want some stubble?
Thaddeus: Not just yet. I like my baby face.
Watcher: *sigh* Yeah, me too.
Thaddeus: Don’t you start. I already have enough people fighting for my affections.
Watcher: Shut you mouth. I’m married.
Thaddeus: Yeah, so am I.
Watcher: I’m also three-dimensional. It would never work between us.
Thaddeus: Another doomed romance for Thaddeus! Must be Tuesday.
Watcher: At least you’ve still got your sense of humor!
Akito: Hey, guys! Having a nice fight?
Thaddeus: Yes. It’s amazing. One of our best.
Rieko: Why is he always here when we’re screaming at each other?
Thaddeus: Why are we always screaming at each other? Maybe it’s the screaming that’s the problem. Did you ever consider that?
Thaddeus: Look, we need, like, six more romantic gestures and then we’re done. Can we just . . . for old times sake?
Rieko: *fumes*
Thaddeus: Ugh. My head. Salma, do you give advice?
Salma: No, sir. I’m afraid not. Sims 3 butlers did, but I think it was usually less than helpful. If you’d like a similar experience, you could consider purchasing a future cube.
Thaddeus: ‘Kay. Thanks.
Thaddeus: Birfday time, baby! Birfday!
Cressida: Cake!
Thaddeus: Yes, but first the sparkles, okay?
Thaddeus: My magical little girl!
Cressida: Working it!
Seth: Okay, I was using that.
Cressida: We literally bought this bed five seconds ago and you’re already crying it out in there? Rethink your afterlife choices, man. And do it in another room, because I’ve got school tomorrow and I’m bushed.
Seth: Oh, I see the new one has moxy. All right, then.
Rieko: Morning, sweetie! You look so cute in your pajamas. Having a nice breakfast?
Thaddeus: Um, hey . . . You’re being . . . very nice this morning. I guess I should try not to let that make me suspicious. That’s probably unhealthy. Listen I’m probably going to get my last promotion today, and then we should sit down and talk. Can you come over later?
Rieko: Anything for you, snookums!
Thaddeus: Yeah, that’s just weird.
Cressida: Everybody step aside. Here comes trouble.
Cressida: I’m having fun, Grandma A, but why did we come all the way out here to Oasis Springs for me to play on the jungle gym? We have one practically in our backyard at home.
Arianna: Because this makes that set of pictures with Thaddeus declaring himself to be the last Spiffendale to ever play pirate not a lie. Now run along and kill some space monsters, okay dear?
Cressida: Don’t have to tell me twice!
Morris: Oof. Check out Akito back there. He’s not looking too good.
Arianna: I see him. I guess now that Cressida’s not a toddler he’s not mysteriously tied to the house, anymore. I bet he’s lonely.
Morris: We should invite him to dinner. I like having him around.
Arianna: Okay, but not tonight. Thad and Rieko are going to have “the talk.”
Morris: Yikes. Maybe I’ll invite myself to dinner at Akito’s house.
Watcher: Wow. Okay, then. I see they went the full Steve Jobs with the career uniform this time. Nice drapey turtleneck, dude.
Thaddeus: If that is your way of congratulating me on my promotion, then thank you.
Watcher: So . . . now what?
Thaddeus: Now I change my clothes.
Watcher: There we go! There’s my boy! Let’s get to divorcin’, shall we?
Thaddeus: You’re heartless.
Watcher: You’re dragging your feet. You’re a foot-dragger. Get over it. Happiness awaits.
Thaddeus: But first, ineffable sadness.
Watcher: You’re extremely cute when you’re sad. You know this! I should have made you gloomy.
Akito: So, I’m giving him space because I know he has to talk to Rieko still and all, but has he mentioned me? Does he look sad? How long do you think I should give him? I don’t want to be pushy, but you know me. I don’t beat around the bush.
Otto: I just came out here to collect some frogs.
