She told me the next morning. I was about to go into full angry-mom mode, yelling and how-could-you-be-so-stupid, but then I saw that her eyes were shining, tears almost spilling out. Melody clearly needed support, not an impassioned lecture.
"The baby feels good and strong," I said, feeling her extended stomach. "I do hope you realize that these next few months will be absolute hell. Right now you have a D in school, and if you don't get your grades up then your future will be downgraded from rockstar to working at that awful "Quiet Rendezvous" place that came with the Woohooer mod. You're going to need to start eating healthier, getting more sleep, and having regular checks with the doctor . . . basically, it will take a lot of money and time."
"You're never going to let me leave the house again, are you?"
"Not a chance, love."
"So you're really going to help me out?" she asked, clearly relieved. "I was worried that you would kick me out, or kill me in a fit of rage."
"Oh, no! I'm not going to kill
you, Melody. I am going to find Matthew Hamming and kill
him. I'll certainly be pressing charges for sleeping with a minor, no matter what your friend Jett Atkins is doing!" I waited for her to protest, but to my surprise she just nodded and glanced down. "Now, go along to your room, and I'll check out some pregnancy books at the library."
She spent a lot of time in her room for the next few months, as her pregnancy made her more and more exhausted every day. She used to love painting as a child, so I bought her an easel and she went from partying in clubs to honing her artistic skill every night.
She wanted to drop out of school, or at least take some time off, but I said no and sent her to do her homework every day. Maybe exams did stress her out, and maybe that wasn't the best thing for the baby, but no child of mine would fail high school in this century.
Meanwhile, I went to find Hamming and break the news to him, only to discover him on a secret rendezvous at the butterfly park with an up-and-coming celebrity, Matilda Smart. Ugh. Melody's child is better off without a father like that.
Meanwhile, I had two toddlers and one baby to train and take care of! Nardo had to be taught all his basic skills, but he's such a sweetie that the task was done in record time.
Melody was a huge help at this point--previously, she spent next to no time with her little brothers, preferring the company of her friends. She had always expressed a distaste towards children, but now I found her in the nursery much of the time, just watching the children with a sort of awe.
Leaf grew into a handsome little boy who reminds me of his father, both in features and his large yellow wings. He begged to go to Dribbledine Sports Academy, to be trained by the best athletes.
Once Leaf left, Melody had to find some other way to occupy her time. She began to branch out at school, and met a very nice boy named "Lil Bling." His real name is Thomas, but everyone just calls him Lil Bling.
It was in the middle of a date with him that she went into labor, without my knowledge. She said it was much easier than she had expected, and the baby "tickled" a little when it came out. In any case, she gave birth to a magenta child, which she named after his father--Matt. I was relieved that the baby was a boy, so that we didn't have to worry about his being eligible for heir.
He's a handsome toddler, with my eyes and light blond hair.
Nardo celebrated his birthday at the same time, and departed for LeFromage School of the Arts.
His older sister accompanied him to LeFromage, and would remain there until her birthday. I know she didn't want to go to boarding school, but I trusted her and now she has become a mother much too soon.
Note: In the game, it is time to select the heir. You have three to choose from:
Mist, currently a young adult. She wants to be the Empress of Evil.
Melody, currently a teenager, soon to be young adult. Lifetime wish not yet selected, but my guess is Rockstar or Master of the Arts.
Finale, currently a toddler who is Artistic.
Vote
here for who you want to lead the second generation. VOTING NOW CLOSED.
