It's still dark when I get the message that the Grantham's now have a son, Garth!
I was a little shocked as in other play throughs Alice actually gives birth to twin boys.
Nevertheless, Garth is the official first-born child here in Sunlit Tides, an honor that can't go unrecognized.
Garth is welcomed home by an ecstatic father, Gavin, who's been desperate for a son after the birth of two daughters.
I'm not sure how happy Sophie, who's almost a teen, or her toddler sister Katherine, are at the addition of a baby brother to the household, but they'll just have to deal, like any other siblings.
For me, it meant totally renovating the Grantham house as it was not set up for the addition of another child, even though Alice is already expecting when you arrive in town.
In fact, the house was actually quite small for a family of four, except for the large bedroom on the 2nd floor that the sisters share.
In retrospect, it would have probably taken less time to move them to a larger home than it did to renovate this one, but hindsight is always 20/20!
And as usual, I didn't take any photos of the renovated house.
If one of the kids in the Frio family actually visits, I'll try to rectify that.
Just as I finish the reno, with a frazzled looking Alice holding her son the entire time, I get pulled back to the house.
To see Jules in maternity wear patting her newly expanded tummy!
"Congratulations mommy-to-be! Any thoughts on your new child?"
Sighing contentedly, Jules replies, "I'd love a little girl, but I'm just bursting to tell Jaeger he's going to be a dad!"
With those words, she rushed across the room.
Delirious with joy she blurted, "I'm pregnant! We're having our first child!"
Jaeger was so thrilled by the news that he actually smiled.
Then he pulled Jules in for a romantic kiss, murmuring, "I can't wait to hold our son."
Jules froze for just a moment, then returned the kiss, knowing one of them would get their wish.
Maybe both, if they have multiples.
And with Jaeger being a twin and Jules being one of quads, their odds are higher than usual.
Except there's already nine sims in the household, so that could mess with the odds.
Especially since I have allowed more than eight sims in my households.
In fact, when the quads were born, there were already six sims in the household, so it's anyone's guess at this point.
Downstairs, Leila, still in her little black nightie, was working diligently to earn her last logic skill point.
She's already halfway but those higher-level skill points take some time to achieve.
Through the window, I notice the light in the sky dimming, and soon rain is drumming on the roof.
Even with a torrential rain, the view doesn't disappoint as a perfect rainbow materializes over the mountains.
'Many stories and legends feature rainbows as symbols of divine presence, guidance, or blessings. For instance, the rainbow is often associated with the goddess Ānuenue, who represents the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.'*
Of course, the Islands aren't the only ones with legends of rainbows, according to Wikipedia, it crosses into myriads of cultures throughout the world, including here in my own SimLand.
A crossover that helps bridge the gap of cultural diversity, giving them a common belief that brings them together, forming a true bridge of friendship and understanding.
When a rainbow is spotted in the sky, who doesn't stop just for a moment, drink in the beauty, peace, and hope of such a sight?
I know I do.
But Aeric certainly doesn't share my feelings.
Not in the least.
He's frowning and biting the head of the daddy doll quite fiercely!
I seriously hope that being evil isn't in his future.
But only time will shed light on that.
Moments later, not only is the sun shining again, but Aeric's smiling.
Happy and content to be in his grandpa Lee's arms.
I'm glad his mood passed as quickly as that storm.
With the weather clearing, Tab and Jules ride over to the grocery store, Grotto Groceries.
Jules takes a photo that's worth about §218 simoleans; my best guess as my handwriting is terrible.
Tabatha heads inside to pick up groceries so she can make everyone's favorite foods.
Especially since Cam wanted to make friends with all his teammates and invited them over for dinner.
Daeric is chatting with Suzuki Hinata, an all around nice guy who is flirty, a great kisser, loves the outdoors, and athletic.
He has dreams of becoming a Superstar Athlete, just like Cam.
Suzuki's only flaw is that he's a bit of a mooch, something that doesn't seem to bother his RI, Lucretia Parrot, at all.
Since Lucretia is inappropriate, that fits with her character.
Gilberto Gonzalo seems to be blocked from grabbing a plate of spaghetti; a typical sims routing issue that constantly annoys me.
Lee's just gobbled his food quickly so he can escape from a room with too many sims in it.
Cam's heading off into the kitchen to chat with another co-worker.
I pop in first and try to wrap my head around the fact that Mary-Sue Pleasant not only exists in this town, but that SP placed her in the Athletic career.
Quite the twist since her husband Daniel is the athletic one and her Lifetime Wish is to be a Chess Legend.
Sometimes EA's and SP's choices make my head spin, though having Daniel's Lifetime Wish be Heartbreaker is spot on!
And I can't help but think that if Taylee and Jonah had made the journey with us, Jonah would have found the family that his mother has been searching for her whole life, though they wouldn't technically be related, living in different towns.
Again, the time lines and choices EA comes up with can be baffling, sometimes downright mind boggling.
Maybe that's why Mary-Sue is sitting there stock still just staring at her empty plate.
Or it could be she's just a bit nonplussed to find a ghost staring back at her.
Thankfully, Claire doesn't try to make matters worse by coming closer or speaking to her.
Even so, Mary-Sue doesn't waste any time saying good-bye to Cam and leaving soon afterward.
Morning rises on another sunny day, typical for ST.
As is the fact that Jules is making yet another inappropriate forum post.
Boring, unproductive behavior, to say the least, but better than causing family drama.
Downstairs, I find Alana using the PC in the living room, but she's actually working on her first novel.
She's quit her job at the medical center and wants to try her hand at a more stay-at-home career.
One that doesn't involve being blown up as she found that quite unnerving, even though she's eccentric.
So she's now in the writer career and, using 10,000 happiness points, her new Lifetime Wish is to be a Professional Author.
This new LTW works on several levels as it's one I think she can accomplish before she and Cam move out.
And one that fits her couch potato, perfectionist traits down to a tee.
As well as being one that's definitely less work for both of us than Blog Artist.
Leila's back at the chess board again this morning, but before she sits down, she grabs a bright yellow elixir from her backpack and slugs it down.
"Don't want to forget my wish enhancing elixir before my big wishes, Watcher."
"Good idea. I hate when I have that elixir available but forget to have sims drink it."
I hear shouting down in the basement and go check it out saying, "I'll be right back."
To my amazement, not only is Gilberto Gonzalo still visiting, but Cam is training him!
"Work those muscles, Gonzalo! You don't want to be a big fish in a small pond forever!"
I'm surprised Gilberto isn't lashing out at Cam for that comment.
But when I see that bright yellow star flash on the screen, I realize Gilberto is actually pleased with the attention.
He's not only gaining athletic skill but celebrity status as his friendship with Cam increases, definitely appealing to a snob.
Gilberto is also athletic but he hopes to master athletic and logic as his LTW is Perfect Mind, Perfect Body, just like Leila.
I remember Leila…just as the message shows up on my screen.
Since it happens so quickly, I miss seeing her master logic and completing her Lifetime Wish of Perfect Mind, Perfect Body.
But I arrive just in time to see her become a Five-Star Celebrity!
"Congratulations, Leila! You've always been an over-achiever but I never expected both of those wishes to complete at the same time."
Still studying the chess board intently, she mutters, "I've been a workaholic since I was a child and aspired to being a star from a teenager. It's only fitting that I accomplish both at once!"
With Leila's attention still focused on chess, I notice the darkening sky and hear rain drumming on the roof again.
Despite the bad weather, Juliette and Jaeger head over to a party at Forever Tropical, the home of the Beach Bum household.
Juliette received the invitation from Ricardo Gregario, the guy in the goofy hat.
But it's Ricardo's girlfriend, Ursula Lemuel, that's super excited to meet Juliette.
Especially when Juliette gives her an autograph.
Ursula's even more excited when Juliette shares her pregnancy news and reveals that she and Ricardo are also expecting a child!
Me? I'm more focused on the absolute horror of this 'house', which has two separate small buildings connected by a deck!
And all three roommates, Ricardo, Suzuki Hinata, Cam's teammate, as well as Len Tsang, a blonde surfer, share one bedroom with a double bed and two singles.
Which is beyond weird, even for sims, and has me spending way too much time renovating the place.
In fact, this scene is taking place in the newly expanded living room that had once been part of the deck.
With Ricardo furious because the tv has already broken.
The conversation moves on to jobs and careers, with Juliette asking what Ursula does for a living.
Before Ursula can reply, Ricardo asks, "Now what are we going to do for fun!?!"
Jaeger smiles, whips out his guitar, and says, "I can entertain you!"
I'm thinking I should take pictures of my extensive renovation, but it's dark and getting late.
So I have Juliette and Jaeger head home.
But Juliette only makes it as far as the newly renovated eat-in kitchen when she goes into labor!
For some reason, she's now dressed in a puppy dog nightie and Jaeger's in a tux!
"Really Watcher!?! I'm in labor for a child that could be the next Frio heir and you're focused on what we're wearing! That's so, so….inappropriate!"
Jaeger, his eyes darting frantically around the room, adds, "Not to mention insane!"
"Okay, okay, I get it. Clothes not important. Baby important. Go to the hospital!"
As they race frantically towards the hospital on the left coast, the sky lights up as the morning sun rises.
The suns rays cast a beautiful glow over our expecting heir couple as they walk through the front doors of Coconut Palms Medical Center.
And I gasp when Juliette comes outside holding her new son!
"I was expecting a pale or dark skin tone, hoping for green, but he's pink!"
With a smile, Juliette says softly, "Yes, he is. Pink and perfect, just like his cousin, Aeric. He's also a couch potato, like Dad, and excitable, so pretty good random traits. Say hello to Fallon, Watcher!"
Beaming almost as big as Juliette, I murmur, "Welcome to Sunlit Tides, Fallon."
What a chapter!
Garth Grantham is born, the first baby in Sunlit Tides, but he's a single not a twin like I expected.
We've had our first stormy day complete with legendary rainbow.
Cam introduced us to three of his and Leila's teammates; Gilberto Gonzalo, Suzuki Hinata, and Mary-Sue Pleasant.
Alana has begun yet another new career, this time as an author, which I feel actually fits her perfectly.
Leila not only completed her Lifetime Wish, but is now a Five-Star Celebrity.
And our heir couple, Juliette and Jaeger, are the parents of a pink and perfect son, Fallon!
After popping Jeager into CAS, I discovered he's on the light rainbow slider, just like Daeric, so maybe we'll have more brightly colored Frios.
We've already accomplished so much and there's still one more day in our first week in Sunlit Tides.
What's in store next?
Keep reading and find out in Chapter 416: A Baby and a Birthday
Coming soon.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note
*From <https://www.hawaiians.com/rainbows-in-hawaii-why-they-are-so-common-and-beloved/>
