A family member that's been missing is Tabatha.
All due to her work schedule, of course, as she not only works weekends, but from afternoon to 8 or 8:30 p.m.
If she doesn't have to stay late.
Which means she gets home right before the quads head off to bed.
With her children snug in their beds for the night, she spends some time with her small pets.
She makes sure they all have food and clean cages and some attention.
Then she focuses on teaching her cockatoo, Sylvester, to talk.
"Party. Cameron threw a slumber party."
"Bwak, party, Cameron threw a slumber party, bwak!"
"Sunny days. We love sunny days."
"Sunny days, bwak, we love sunny days."
"You're my best friend!'
"Best friend! You're my best friend! Bwak!"
"Very good! Extra treats for you my feathered friend!"
"Feathered friend. Extra treats."
With a laugh Tab says, "You've certainly got that one down pat!"
Then Tabatha focuses on Mortie.
"Your turn for some attention, boy. And not the kind you're used to either. I don't want anything from you. Just to be your friend."
Mortie bobs his head as if he understands and Tabatha croons to him like she does all her pets.
"That's it, boy. Relax. You're safe with me."
With Mortie restoring Tabatha's hunger and energy, she heads inside for a shower, satisfied with her progress with both pets.
But someone else is outside bonding with a dragon, this time a green one.
"That's it, boy. Gather up all the produce for me. All the green treasure! The more you do, the less I have to!"
"Bella, why are you out here in the dark harvesting with a dragon? Couldn't it wait 'til morning?"
"I'm used to working nights, so, despite being on enforced maternity leave, my internal clock is now awake."
"Right. Well, I'll leave you to it, then. The sun will be up in a few hours, and you can go to bed!"
When the first rays of dawn hit the yard, not only is Bella still working in the garden, but Tabatha's come outside too.
But Tabatha's focus is not on the garden, but on a rather large bird that's landed in the yard.
She croons to it gently saying, "It's true then, the early bird does get the worm."
And the next thing I know, a rare Spotted Sixam has flown to Tab's forearm, and she's collected her 19th pet!
Only one more to complete her LTW!
"That's quite the accomplishment for the mother of quads when they're still children. One with a full-time job, as well. Congrats, Tab!"
Tabatha keeps her voice low so as not to startle her new pet, "Thanks, Watcher. But I have to give credit where it's due. Without your assistance, along with the collection helper, plus Lee, Cruz, Lorelei, and Bella and Dane pitching in, I'd never have gotten this far this fast."
"Well, it really took a village, as they say, to help raise the quads. And the collection helper does make collecting items much less of a chore. But it's still quite the accomplishment and you should be proud."
Bella grumbles, "Some accomplishment! Running all over town snatching up rodents and then keeping them in cages which require regular feeding and cleaning, just adding to the work around here."
"Tabatha handles most of that chore, Bella, and now that her maternity leave is finally over, she's working full time again at the bistro."
Bella scoffs, "She just cooks food! How hard can it be? Some of us have real jobs!"
Tabatha smirks, "I'll make sure I share your views on cooking with Founder Jared and Lorelei. I'm sure they'll find your take on it quite enlightening. Especially since they provided the refrigerators that keep food from spoiling, ever. Another perk you'll be losing soon enough when you move out. I'm sure they'll agree with me that it's a fitting punishment for someone who doesn't consider cooking a real job."
Bella splutters, "I didn't mean them!"
"Whatever you meant, Bella, you seem to be missing the point. Your lifetime wish and career coincided, whereas Tabatha's don't. Yet, she's only one pet away from fulfilling her lifetime wish and, as an executive chef, only a couple of promotions away from maxing the career. Along with being the mother of quads! The first set in our entire journey!"
Tabatha grins, "I never thought of it that way. Not bad for a clumsy girl from Monte Vista!"
"No, Tab, not bad, not bad at all!"
Both of us smother laughter as Bella grumbles to herself but doesn't make any other snarky comments.
Later that morning, Taylee grabs a slice of cake, and just as she's ready to take a bite, I ask, "Are you sure your parents wouldn't prefer you to eat a more nutritious breakfast?"
Taylee pauses for a moment and says, "I doubt it. Dad's concerned about the environment, that's why he got us bikes, so with all the leftover birthday cake, he'd probably prefer we ate it rather than see it wasted. And since none of us have a breakfast food as our favorite, Mom's never made any."
"Your grandmother's favorite food is French Toast…"
Taylee frowned at the mention of her grandmother, wrinkled her nose, and said, "No wonder Mom doesn't make breakfast! I wouldn't either. Not for her!"
Cameron, who I'd thought was totally focused on his video game, chimed in, "Me neither. She doesn't deserve anything special, not the way she treats us!"
I couldn't actually disagree with those arguments, so I didn't.
"Well, then, cake it is! Enjoy!"
After eating every bite of her cake, Taylee promptly changed into her Queen costume and announced, "I, Queen Taylee, hereby declare that, when your favorite food is not available, no matter the time of day, it is perfectly acceptable to eat cake!"
Cam echoed her sentiment with a resounding, "Hear, hear, your majesty!"
With the day advancing, I began my search for family.
Cinda and Rory were out, but their twins were home with Wynn Byrne, so I got close-up toddler photos in Stylist.
They both have Rory's pale MH skin tone and Cinda's turquoise hair.
Jasmine also inherited Cinda's Fae genetics and has the same sparkly, bright pink wings.
Fiona is human like Rory and maybe slightly paler, though that could be the lighting.
Fiona's face seems a bit fuller as well, but that may just be her hairstyle.
I think they're both adorable!
And with their coloring, they'll fit right in with the residents of Dragon Valley.
I found other family out and about in town.
Jade was carrying one of her triplet daughters, Opal.
Seeing them together it's easy to see that Opal's her mother's daughter with the same skin tone and blonde hair.
Nearby, I was able to get the rest of the household in a group photo.
Pal is in the front with Ara and Gianni's daughter, Aria.
Ara has Jade and Pal's daughter, Ruby.
And Gianni is holding Jade and Pal's daughter, Pearl.
Aria is a bit older than her triplet cousins, so she'll be aging to child soon.
But I got those close-ups of Jasmine and Fiona as toddlers just in time, as they've aged to children.
So, I decide it's time the quads meet some of their ancestors, along with their young 'cousins'.
Cinda and Rory's twins are technically great-great-great Aunts to the quads, but with them being so close in age, we're going to call them cousins and make it easier on everyone.
Lucy and Torre arrived first, and Torre greeted Tabatha saying, "I hear you're fond of supernaturals!"
Barely able to contain her excitement, Tab gushed, "I am! And to think there are now real fairies in Dragon Valley! Well, that's just perfect! This town was just begging for Fae magic to go along with Dragonling magic. The residents are colorful too, and many show their elven heritage by having pointed ears, something they have in common with some strains of fairies."
Pleased at Tabatha's knowledge and enthusiasm, Torre smiled, nodded, and asked, "Have you met any other supernaturals?"
Beaming Tabatha replied, "Your ghostly mother, Lorelei, of course. As well as the other family ghosts."
"Of course. The reason we're here in Dragon Valley. I must say it's definitely a change from Midnight Hollow and one I'm glad to have made! I no longer need to keep using my powers to lighten up the town. I hear you like animals too. Do you have any pets?"
"I have quite a few small pets, including a parrot and a couple of dragonlings. But now that the quads are children, I'm hoping to track down a unicorn! They're so beautiful and magical!"
"My great-granddaughter, Ella, one of Cinda's daughters, befriended one in Roaring Heights, of all places! I'd expect to meet one in a secluded wood, but not on the edge of a bustling city."
"Oh, how exciting! Maybe it was drawn to her Fae powers?"
"Wiccan, Ella was born human, but drank a potion to become a witch when she was old enough. But powers aren't needed to meet or even befriend a Unicorn, you just need to look for the lights in the nighttime sky."
Tabatha's eyes sparkle as she says, "Oooohh, now that information will be really helpful."
I make a note to watch out for Unicorn sparkles to help Tab out.
Who knows? Maybe she'll find her 20th small pet nearby and she'll not only meet a unicorn but complete her LTW!
You know, two birds with one stone.
Not that Tabatha would ever throw a stone at a bird, or any other creature, for that matter.
But I'm getting ahead of myself and ignoring family again, because Rory, Cinda, and the twins have arrived!
Fiona and Jasmine immediately grabbed controllers and started playing a video game with Lee.
Cameron was content to watch for the moment.
But Cinda, true to form, frowned as she watched them engage in the activity.
For someone disciplined like she is, video games aren't considered at all suitable as a hobby.
And she quickly made her displeasure known!
Cinda called Tabatha over and stated baldly, "I'd much rather the girls do something more physical instead of wasting time with video games. I'm surprised you allow it for your own children."
Tabatha smiled and responded, "I let my children choose their own hobbies, as I don't want to be an overly controlling parent. It's actually Lee who prefers watching TV and playing video games. He tempers it with inventing Simbots, collecting scrap in the junkyard, and blowing things up, so I'd much prefer the children play video games with him rather than resort to dangerous hobbies!"
Cinda glanced away, a bit nonplussed by Tabatha's forthright reply.
Two of the children involved missed the drama, as Cameron had already invited Fiona to play in his sisters' room.
"We have lots of different toys to play with and a costume trunk for dressing up!"
"Do you have any comic books? I love reading about the adventures of Star Girl or The Maiden Mermaid!"
"My dad has a few, but they're mostly about robots."
Cam stared at Fiona for a moment and blurted out what he'd apparently been holding in as soon as they'd all walked in the door, "I can't believe you, your mom, and your sister have turquoise hair!"
Defensively, Fiona exclaimed, "What's wrong with turquoise hair!?!"
"Nothing! Nothing at all! It's amazing!"
Fiona's eyes lit up at his words as she asked, "You really think so?"
"Of course! Turquoise is my favorite color!"
And with those words, the sparks of friendship were ignited.
Outside, Dane's thoughts show he's plotting evil against Torre!
"Um, I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Dane doesn't deny that he's plotting, just asks, "Why not? It's better than harassing the children."
"I'll give you that. But you've never been on the receiving end of a fairy prank. I'd steer clear, if I was you. It's quite unpleasant. "
"But he's a blooming fairy with pink wings and a prissy sweater around his neck! How unpleasant can he be?"
"Looks can be deceiving, Dane. Not everyone has evil eyebrows that reveal their inner self. But it's your funeral."
"What aren't you telling me?"
Lucy laughs behind him and says, "He's also been a Superstar Athlete for decades and has mastered both athletics and martial arts."
"Lucy! I was hoping to see Torre in action after all this time. Besides, it would have served Dane right for assuming."
"It would have, but that's no way for family to act, and it wouldn't set much of an example for the children."
Taylee had witnessed the whole thing though and really appreciated Lucy's interference.
"Hello, I'm Taylee. Thanks for saving my grandpa. He's evil, but nicer than my Gamma, who's evil and grumpy. I don't usually like seeing sims be mean to each other, but I wouldn't mind the fairies playing a few tricks on her! She doesn't like me because I'm good and she never gives me simoleans when I ask. She did have a snowball fight with me once though and that was really fun!"
I'm expecting Lucy to lecture Taylee about having respect for her grandmother despite her faults or at least to admonish her about mooching money.
But instead, she gushes, "You darling girl, you're so much like me that I know we're going to get on famously!"
I check Lucy's traits and, sure enough, she shares two of Taylee's traits, they're both excitable and a mooch.
Seven generations apart, one an elder and one a child, yet so alike.
No wonder they're gaining friendship so fast!
But another birthday message has me inviting over one more family, the Costas.
Taylee quickly greets all of them, her Uncle Gianni, her Aunt Ara, and her cousin, Aria.
Then she invites Aria upstairs to play a game of chess.
"Your house is so cool, like a castle inside! It's great being old enough to visit family my age. The three cousins I live with aren't old enough to really play with yet. They can't even work out to the tv or stereo, and they still cry a lot, which is annoying! Good thing I have my own room!"
"I live with my three siblings, and we're all the same age, so there's always someone to play with or something to do. You can always come over here and play with us! Cam and Leila love to work out, but they use the stereo as Mom doesn't like the tv."
"Who doesn't like tv!?! That sounds weird!"
"Not when you're a tech…techno…technophobe! That means she doesn't like things like tv's or computers. But she loves animals so much she collects them, and we have all sorts. She's even teaching her cockatoo to talk!"
Grudgingly, Aria said, "That does sound pretty cool. The only pets we have are dragonlings and not even the fun ones that can play tricks on people, just the green ones that help with gardening and that's boring!"
"We have a couple of green ones too. Mom and Gamma use them to help harvest, but they can collect treasure too!"
"Treasure!?! I'll have to try that! If I can get permission from Auntie Jade or Uncle Pal. Sometimes grown-ups can be a pain!"
"Tell me about it! Grandpa and Gamma are both wicked! Well, evil, and Gamma's grumpy too! When she is, watch out! She'll sneak up on you in a heartbeat and scare the wits out of you!"
"I'm grumpy and I can't do that!"
"You have to be evil too, for it to work."
"Oh, maybe I'll get the evil trait on my next birthday."
"Don't wish for that! Gamma would love it, but I'm good and then we couldn't be friends anymore."
Taylee finished off family night by telling a ghost story.
"The mummy's tomb had been silent for centuries, but it was now bustling with activity. An avid arche…archeologist had found backers with more simoleans than sense. There are always greedy sims that want others' treasures. When the camp was asleep, wicked sims crept through the tunnels and crypts silently, to avoid waking the others. They never even bothered to stop at the warning signs along the way, ignoring their messages to pay respect to the dead or awaken their wrathful spirits!"
Oohs and aahs filled the room as Taylee continued, "But no matter how quietly a sim creeps, the dead are aware, waiting, just waiting, for the time their spirits can wreak havoc on those breaking the seals…this time was no exception…and when the mummy's wrath was complete, the tomb was silent once again…"
She paused dramatically and ended with, "all had succumbed to the curse of the mummy's tomb!"
Most of the reactions were typical.
Jasmine stood stock still in her fright, not daring to move.
While Cinda actually flinched away, squealing, "Oh, dear!"
Bella cheered, as she always roots for an evil ending, and exclaimed, "I could do it! I could steal the treasure and escape the mummy's curse!"
Taylee wasn't pleased that Bella had joined them and less so after her boastful comment.
But Jasmine shuddered in fear and let out a plaintive, "That was scary and I'm tired. Mommy, I want to go home!"
Everyone said their goodbyes and the Frio family settled down for the night.
Tabatha's only one collected pet away from completing her LTW, and she also wants to meet a unicorn.
Fiona, Jasmine, and Aria have aged to children and came to visit, along with their parents, and Torre and Lucy.
Several friendships have gotten started, and I hope they continue to grow.
Bella's traits and actions have continued to annoy most of the immediate family, their relationships deteriorating time and time again, especially between her and Taylee.
So, the time most of them have been eagerly waiting for is upon us!
Join me for Chapter 388: Nooboos and Moving Out
Coming soon.
