Fifth"I'm Ulrike-"
"You're Ulrike Faust! You're married to Diego Lobo!" The young woman clapped excitedly. "Oh my Watcher! Mom, this is a famous artist!"
Hollie Montero greeted her visitor warmly. "Well now, welcome to our home. What can I do for you? Please, have a seat, make yourself at home."
Ulrike passed a very pleasant few hours at the house in Newcrest. It was certainly a lovely home, much more spacious than their apartment, though Ulrike definitely preferred her own home. However, she thought it would suit her daughter quite well. "I understand you have a son. He's on the police force, correct?"
"Oh yes, ma'am," Hollie murmured with pride. "He's a detective."
"He must be a very brave man."
"Yes, yes he is."
Ulrike smiled softly, and looked at her daughter who looked intrigued.
Before they took their leave, Ulrike had a chance to meet the young man she had heard about. He looked a bit tired, though there was a light in his eyes. "You must be the artist mama was talking about." He had a deep, rich voice and chocolate brown eyes.
"I am indeed. My daughter and I were out and about. I've heard some excellent things about you, Brock isn't it?"
He nodded. "Yes ma'am."
She laughed. "Please, call me Ulrike."
His eyes bored into hers. "Ma'am, are you a Watched Sim?"
"I am. My Watcher's there, hovering, as usual. You're very astute. I don't imagine you can make detective without being so, hm?"
"No, ma'am." He said no more, though there was something thoughtful on his face.
"I hope to see you again, Brock."
"I'm sure you will, Ma- Ulrike."
Ulrike went home, well satisfied with their visit.
"Oh Diego! I think I've done it! I think this young man may be the one for our Jewel!"
He was a bit inarticulate at first, sputtering incoherently. But when he calmed down, he just sighed. "I see. Well, I'd never doubt you, nor your judgement. When can we meet him?"
"Leave that to me," she murmured, giving him a hug.
"I think we should celebrate with a just-you-and-me night. After Jewel goes to bed?"
Diego grinned and nodded.
He loved his daughter, utterly. But as he sat in the sitting room with her, he smiled at her. "You look tired sweetie. You should head to bed. That party your mother is throwing tomorrow is going to be busy."
"Yeah, you got a point, dad."
She stood up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before heading to bed.
Ulrike came sauntering out in her PJs and lit a fire in the fireplace. It glowed pink and warm. She sat down next to Diego on the couch and let out a soft sigh.
They held hands on the couch for a moment, then she stood up, stretching. She winced, as if pain. Diego stood up immediately. "Need a massage, babe?"
She grinned wickedly and coiled her arm around him, pulling him. "Sucker," she whispered as she dipped him over and kissed him passionately.
With that, the two had a gold date. They were getting ever closer. Ever closer to passing on the responsiblity to Jewel. It worried Ulrike, but only a little. She had every confidence in her daughter.
She was still contemplating it the next day as she practiced some yoga. She had certainly gotten more limber from it. It makes me hurt just looking at it! But be that as it may, Ulrike finished up. She would have guests arriving any moment now and she needed a shower first.
Their guests consisted of Hollie, Kailey, and Brock Montero, Siya Banerjee (the woman who served as Jewel's nanny when she was a toddler), plus the caterer that Ulrike had hired for such an ocassion.
Ulrike watched Jewel as her gaze kept flicking to Brock.
After the small talk, small groups broke off to get to know one another more.
Dancing followed.
After her dad had imbided a bit more juice than he normally did, he pulled her aside. "I'm so proud of you, my lil Jewel." Though there was a bit of a slur to his words, she thought he was remarkably well-spoken.
"Thanks, dad. I love you, you know that?"
"And I love you, too. Your mother and I, we want you happy." He narrowed his eyes. "Jewel, if you don't want that young man, we'll find another. Anything for my Princess."
"Oh daddy. It's ok. Really. I'm- intrigued by him. I'd like to get to know him a bit. So, ya know, don't freak out, ok?"
He sighed, blubbering a bit into his drink. "I make no promises where my little girl is concerned, but I'll try."
"That's all I can ask, daddy."
After everyone had left, Ulrike sat down next to her husband. "That was lovely, what you said to Jewel."
"Oh- you heard that?"
Ulrike laughed. "Of course I did, Dum-dum. It was sweet. I think Brock will be good for her. We both know she's a bright, stubborn young woman. I think she needs a fitting match. From what I've seen, I think Brock fits that bill."
Diego nodded. He trusted his wife's judgement and from what he'd seen of the young man, he thought the same, though a part of him- the father part of him- would never agree.
This is the family's wall o'photographs. It's been fun documenting them and other things with Ulrike's photos (a few of Ulrike were taken by Jewel during a free day)
The next morning, mother and daughter shared what would most likely be the last meal where Ulrike would be under the Watcher's eye.
"I have every faith in you, baby girl. You've made me so proud already. You're a bright, beautiful woman inside and out."
Jewel smiled at her mother. "Because I take after my mother, after all."
"Oh, good morning Brock!" Ulrike waved. "I hope the couch wasn't too uncomfortable for you last night."
He waved back and shook his head. "Not at all, ma'am." He winced. "Sorry, Ulrike. Ulrike."
She laughed. "Don't worry about it. Make yourself at home, dear."
"Thank you, I don't want to overstay my welcome."
"You won't." Jewel's smile held a hint of mystery- and something else. He met it with a smirk of his own, but they said nothing else.
"Oh, I need to make your father's birthday cake!" Ulrike exclaimed, jumping off the bar stool and rummaging through the cupboards quickly.
Dear Diego was turning into an elder that day. He stepped up and blew out his candles.
The sparkles surrounded him and old age was upon him. The crack of his back could be heard through the room, causing his daughter to wince and Brock to cringe in sympathy.
"Do me a favor," he told them both with a wry grin, "don't get old."
Jewel kissed her father's cheek and then he shooed the two away, looking off after them with a small sigh.
Brock and Jewel sat on the bed for a moment. There was a small silence. Not an akward one, so much as one of anticipation. Then Brock ran a hand through his hair a little. "I'm a lucky man, sittin' here with you, Beautiful."
Jewel smiled at him. "Are you huh? You sure about that? You don't know me very well."
"No, but I read people quick." He smirked at her. "You may have everyone else fooled, but I see who you are."
