Just noticed that, otherwise a great chapter as usual. I feel sorry for Malcolm, his parents are *** Welcome to Matt, can't wait to see if he's cuter than Gladsten's kid.
Fixed it.
Matt was a major cutie-pie for most of his life. Gladsten's son wasn't so lucky once he stopped being a cute child.
Well it's story embellishment, wouldn't be the same if you had moved him straight in for the story.
I like Mika's maternity wear, I went on a splurge of downloading EA enabled maternity clothes the other day, so nice to have more choices, plus my zombie apocalypse sim could still wander around in just her undies while pregnant seeing as she can't be bothered to get dressed anymore 
I really like Malcolm's hair colour, it shows up well in some of these screenshots. Nice job on the parents as well.
I do love having a large variety of maternity clothes now.
I use a mixture of default-replacements for EA clothes and 100% custom clothes that are good for maternity.
I think Malcolm's hair color was half of the reason I ended up using him. It caught my eye when I first played Moonlight Falls.
Right on, Malcolm! Good for you Matthew is a cutie.
Yeah, I couldn't have him be a bad guy in this.
Chapter 6: Where There's a Will
“He’s cute. Ain’t that weird.”
“Well of course he is. He looks just like his sexy momma.”
Mika flicked Malcolm on the back of the head for that comment. But after their son’s first birthday, they agreed: their little man was the cutest nugget around. Though he looked only half like his sexy momma, with Malcolm’s jaw and needle-nose added to the mix. She asked him about the dark, chestnut brown hair, which came from him too. Underneath the dye, Malcolm said, he was a natural brunette. Also, it looked so weird on Matthew, if you asked him. Mika stumbled in from work, drained after being the referee to the children’s football playoffs all day, and noticed that Matt was fast-asleep and looking different.
“What a Malcolm thing to do,” Mika muttered, as she took note of the change. Her son’s brown hair took the same treatment as his dad’s, in the exact shade of deep blue. It matched his pajamas. Still, Matt slept like the darling boy he was and was just as cute. Mika couldn’t be angry.
When Malcolm woke up the next morning, Mika approached him with a more gentle demeanor. “It’s non-toxic dye, right?”
“It’s the same I use. It’s fine. I’ve been using it since I was 13 and I’m doing great,” he said.
“Well, you need to run the test for longer than five years.” Mika got her own flick to the back of the head for that.
“You’re just sad that you’re getting older too,” Malcolm said. She rolled her eyes.
“I’m gonna do fine, except for when I need to do something new with my hair. Keeping up with being edgy is so tough.”
“I can always help you with that.”
“We’ll see. You can have your fun with Matt for now, but I can wash out that dye later. He’d look cute getting it buzzed off too.”
Mika planned for a night out that night, whether if it was to celebrate her favorite team’s win or drown the sorrows following their loss. Thankfully, it was for a win. She got her usual formal gear on, as she was fond of that cropped jacket. One of the guys let Matthew out of his swing. He crawled around. Therefore, he acted like a normal toddler, but Mika had enough of raising a human on all fours.
The lounge could wait.
He took to bipedality well, even if he stumbled at first. “Come on Matt, come to mummy,” she said to him multiple times. Those were words Mika never thought she’d have to say to anyone. And yet, raising Matt put a smile on her face as wide as his. It was clear that the little boy had his mum’s expressions after all. He laughed the same way when she tickled his tummy, and looked downright angry when his nappy needed changing. Perhaps Malcolm deserved to have a little more of him shine through with Matt.
That is why he kept the dyed hair for a long, long time.
For one, it was funny seeing Matthew and his dad together, matching in at least one color scheme. Due to Malcolm’s open hours, he assumed a lot of the care of Matthew. Mika left off her walking lesson to go to work again, but for once, she had to say “yeah, thank goodness for your dad.”
It was cute.
When both of his parents and Gladsten were all out working or attending to their personal matters, Matthew liked dolls. Lots of toddlers did, though he did it enough for his adults to get plenty of pictures of his playing with his favorite one.
Even though he continued that right into his first night out at the lounge, Matt’s favorite toy is just a small detail in this chapter. Perhaps a device to show how unaware he was. Things were more serious on the adults’ side. Gladsten was absent from the house most days and looked downright miserable when he wasn’t. All Mika could infer was “commitment.” She herself got a little older than night. Malcolm seemed like the only cheerful one, until that night. His job was great, the single life treated him well, and he had the most adorable boy in Moonlight Falls to dote on.
Mika’s birthday came, without any cake (had to keep those abs, after all). She pretended to be surprised by it. Malcolm kept his place in his barstool, with a solemn face.
She looked, and indeed was, uncomfortable with what middle-age gave her. Her strained face showed it before she could even get a look in the mirror. Malcolm cracked a smile, albeit a small one. He picked up Matthew and headed towards the back of the lounge.
Worried, for once, Mika followed him there. He seemed happy enough with a cute little Matthew to snuggle.
“You okay there, bud?” Mika asked him.
“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m always fine with this little guy.”
“Don’t worry, I agree. You’ve just seemed down all night.”
He turned towards her, with a smile even she could see was forced. “I just got a promotion! I think I’m okay after that.”
“Mal, this apathy thing is my game. I’m the one who actually has masculinity to defend,” said Mika. “So, what’s getting you down?”
“Okay, okay. My parents called today, and, and...I know you shouldn’t care. My uncle Vince passed away,” Malcolm said. “They want me to go to Bridgeport for the burial. Apparently there’s something in the will for me.”
“So go?” Mika said.
“The parents want to meet Matt.”
“I’ll miss him, but okay.”
“And I need you to pretend to be my wife!”
“Are you mad?” Mika asked. Angry, her lips puckered up and her jaw clenched. “You’ve had a lot of bad ideas, but...did you even think this over at all?”
“It just slipped out when they called. I'm so sorry. I know you don’t like me like that,” Malcolm said, recoiling back.
“It’s not even that. Do I look like someone’s wife?”
“I can help with that. Cover up your tats, get some extensions, just for a few days?”
“Geez, how conservative are your parents?” she asked.
“They’re old money and in their 60’s. They think that I’m too edgy and dangerous for them,” he said.
“How much of a wife do I have to be to you?”
“Not much.”
“And, and this is the only reason I’m considering doing this at all. Are the clubs as good as I’ve heard?”
“Pretty sweet, if you ask me.”
Mika looked him in the eyes. “Just remember, this is pretend.”
“That’s clear, Mika.”
“So get me looking like an honest woman. I’m curious if you can.”
The next morning, he tried that. Malcolm had years of cosmetology experience behind him, even back then. Finding extensions that could attach to her buzzed hair was tough. He went through every precaution so that Mika would stand a chance of being tolerated by his parents for less than a week.
She did not appreciate the effort. It was all wrong! She lost almost all of her tough edge, and went with the worst of short haircuts. Girly pixie cuts did not say “Mika Pearl” one bit.
“This is terrible,” she said, in a flat tone.
“As I said, they’re conservative, and you’re fine with looking like a wife. So good-bye to your undercut, and hello to a long-sleeve cardigan. It also covers up your biceps. Now you look fit, but not
too fit. It’s perfect for the story of you as a freelance yoga instructor,” he said.
“I don’t look like me at all.” She stepped off the station. Malcolm turned around to convince her otherwise about the makeover.
“Well, now you look so plain that no one will flirt with you!” he said. “I mean, that is what you were aiming for, right?”
“In a sense. Do guys really find some corrupted punk aesthetic pleasing?” she asked.
“I liked it.”
“I guess I can stick with this for a few days,” she said.
They boarded a plane early the next morning, as Malcolm’s loaded parents bought the “couple” emergency plane tickets for them. The flight was uneventful, aside from Matt being an annoyance to nearby passengers. He fussed like toddlers tend to do. However, he calmed down for Bridgeport and the drive up the hills. Malcolm’s parents lived up there, in posh elegance.
He did the honors of introducing her and Matt to his parents. They raised their eyebrows at her, and she responded with her stern resting face. He sure was right about them being conservative. The elders of Isla Paradiso knew that sweaters always made a person look stuffy and formal.
“It’s nice to see you again,” his mother said. “And I see you were right when you said that you got married.”
“Yep! This is Mika, my sexy wife,” he said. “And of course, the mother of the best son in the world.”
“I mean, it is nice for a one-night-stand,” his dad said. “I thought she’d be a little more delicate.”
“Those are beautiful yoga muscles you’re seeing.” Malcolm then turned to his mother for either small talk or a somber conversation about her dead brother. Matt started to squirm, so Mika lowered herself to put him on the ground.
Malcolm’s father looked at her, judging. “You really let him use hair dye on a little kid?” he asked. Mika rolled her eyes. Two minutes and she already had enough of her “in-laws.”
“You know what, I think it’s pretty cute,” she said. “And he’s my kid, not yours.”
“I bet he’d look better with his natural color. And if he had his father’s eyes instead. Are you feeding him organic? His gram is a stickler for that, and I think she’s right. Did you choose his last name? I hope you did-” Mika did a motion to shut him up. His words were like a cheese grater to her mind.
“Look, Mr. Harris, I’m here to support Malcolm. As for your grandson, you’ll get to do plenty with him tonight. We’re going out for some drinks,” she said.
“That’s your first thought about this place?” he asked.
“The Brightmore has a great reputation up north too.”
As it turned out, they were able to have fun with the setup too.
Mika breathed a sigh of relief as she was able to get some distressed jeans on again. Malcolm could dress down too, and feel the EDM bass in his heart. Mika danced harder than him. She hadn’t danced in so long. But that night, there was a place to put her arms up and just let it go.
In fact, it was enough of a rush and relief for her to consider eschewing a cocktail or two.
She considered otherwise, and ordered a tray of them for her and Malcolm to split. He, sometime before that, got some special surgery to make any future drunken encounters less regrettable. It also made Mika trust the two of them around alcohol a little more. They didn’t black out that night. In fact, they could still embarrass themselves while conscious.
“Wanna know what my favorite thing is?” she asked Malcolm. “Come on, you gotta try it too.” She pointed towards the counters behind the bar.
“I’ve seen it, but that’s just shameless,” he said.
“That’s the point. I mean, four years ago, you got drunk enough to knock up someone too tough for her own good. This is pretty tame after that, huh?”
“Fine, Mika.”
Someone had to clean the counters extra-well after that. The busty bartender seemed amused by them, laughing as she shook a drink.
“Hey, why don’t try laying a smooth move on her?” Mika said, pointing towards the bar. Including the bartender, two women were there.
“Which one?” Malcolm asked.
“The one with boobs.”
The bartender indeed had a large pair of funbags. Malcolm laughed at the thought.
“Margherita? I went to high school with her,” he said. “That’s ridiculous. She’d never give me the time of day.”
“The white-haired one, then?”
“Matilda? I went to prom with her. That...that did not go well.”
“Sorry then. Keep dancing. The groove gets sick right around here.”
After making public fools of themselves, they both got drunk-hungry. Malcolm, the city-slicker he tried to be, recommended scouting out a food truck. Mika, who was raised on the fusion of cuisines that Isla Paradiso offered, perked up at the mention of Mexican food. It was kind of close to home, if she ignored the details. All they had to do was chase down the truck, which was near a grungy tower and a construction site.
But it had something for them to sink their teeth into, which mattered the most.
“It’s different. I should have asked for hot sauce,” Mika said. “Too used to it.”
“I should have been so much fatter when I lived here. I loved this place,” said Malcolm. “What was home like for you?”
“Geez. Everything from paella to tea-smoked duck to spam musubi. Lots of cookouts on the beach. You know, it’s pretty fun there, grabbing a pint by the pool.”
“I think I’m wrong for Bridgeport. Nothing’s haunted over here, but there are a lot of haunted houses in Moonlight Falls. The vampires aren’t stuck up over there either. That Van Gould girl is the friendliest person I know.”
“Is she your squeeze? I think you need a squeeze,” Mika said.
“Aren’t you supposed to have an accurate gaydar? She moved in with Bailey Swain, saw them kissing in back of the gym one day. Emelie’s not my squeeze,” said Malcolm.
“And why am I supposed to have a good gaydar?”
“I thought you were-”
“Nah, straight as an arrow,” Mika said. “Ain’t that hard to believe. I guess I’m just frigid too, but I like guys. Some of them are hot.”
“Have any crushes?” he asked.
“Not you, for starters. I don’t get that many, but I guess I have a type. I like them fit and manly. Um, brown eyes are great. Nothing wrong with body hair either. There’s definitely someone out there for me. I just need to stop being so icy. You?” Malcolm had a quizical look on his face instead. “What? I mean, it’s fine if you don’t. I just care if you chip in for utilities.”
“You just described Gladsten,” he said. “Might want to tell him this instead.”
She squinted her eyes, trying to deflect his comment. “It can describe a lot of guys. Why would I like him? He can’t keep a relationship. He’s pretty old.”
“You’re just sounding lovesick now. I mean, I’d love to see you two hook up! You’re thick as thieves already. It would work.”
“God, Malcolm, things are complicated,” she said, groaning and leaning over the picnic table. “Too complicated for you to try and play matchmaker.”
“Should I call a cab?” he asked. Mika nodded. They needed sleep before the burial the next day. And she needed it to find a good next-morning explanation for Malcolm.
There was nothing tough in avoiding her problems.
Word Count for this chapter:
2,525Word Count so far:
11,935Matt was actually born with Mika's dark hair, but he got a dye job because I really, really wanted Malcolm's hair passed down in the worst way.
His green eyes come from absolutely nowhere, but I'm oddly pleased. He reminds me of Sinbad Rotter with those eyes, and that's never a bad thing! I really wanted that color to get passed down in the Waverlys, which it didn't.
And for all the joking that Mika does about Malcolm being a youngster, I estimated that he starts out in his early/mid-20's while Mika's about a decade older.
