Baby #1.

 

A week passed after the wedding and life went back to normal. At night Daniel would read Handiness: Volume III and everyday before work Elizabeth would kiss him good bye. Elizabeth loved him in his work uniform, it was pink, Daniel on the other hand hated it. 

 

Even with Daniel working five days a week they still had bills that were not getting paid. Elizabeth did not have the heart to tell Daniel. "He is working so hard as it is, there has to be something I can do to help out!" Elizabeth told Victoria desperately on the phone one day while Daniel was working late. "Why don't you just sell your paintings? You paint everyday anyways", Victoria said in return. Elizabeth could here Victoria strumming her guitar in the background. "And you play your guitar everyday. Why don't you continue to work on becoming a Superstar or whatever it was that you wanted to be?" Elizabeth said while writing yet another check to the water company. "I wanted to be a Rockstar, but there is no way I can do that here in Twinbrook", Victoria huffed into the phone. Elizabeth put the check back into the mail box and thoughtfully told Victoria, "I know you can do it! You never let anything get in your way. Don't you remember when you wanted Russel to date you in tenth grade?" "Ha... Yes, I pretended to like lacrosse and dyed my hair red just so he would ask me out", Victoria said while laughing. "See, so you go on and get to work on becoming a Rockstar. I, on the hand, have to go do a load of clothes," and with that Elizabeth said good bye and hung up.

 

Elizabeth took Victoria's advice and started to paint. First though she took a trip to the Art Museum to get some tips on what was in... and to scope out what she has to compete with. She learned a lot of things. She also saw sculptures and things that she didn't even know counted as art. She was about to leave when a sculpture of a goldfish caught her eye. She loved it. She decided then that she not only was going to sell her paintings but that she would take up making sculptures also.

 

Days past and Elizabeth fell into a routine schedule: Wake up. Do laundry. Cook breakfast. Eat breakfast with Daniel. Kiss Daniel goodbye. Paint a bit. Do laundry. Eat left over breakfast. Pee. Paint some more. Cook dinner. Eat dinner with Daniel. Do yet another load of laundry. Go to sleep.

Elizabeth thought there was nothing wrong with her life, until Victoria came over to visit and watched her go through her everyday actions. "Elizabeth come sit down with me. I need to talk about something", Victoria insisted while Elizabeth was on her second load of laundry. "I can't, I have to go eat the left over breakfast before it goes bad." Elizabeth said while opening the fridge. After an hour of watching Elizabeth go through her zombie movements Victoria was fed up. "Elizabeth!" Victoria snapped. Elizabeth turned from the stove and stood facing Victoria, who was sitting at the kitchen table. "Elizabeth do you do this same thing every day?" Victoria asked looking astonished. "Yes, and there is nothing wrong with it," Elizabeth stated while putting Eggrolls on the table. As Elizabeth took a seat across from her, Victoria said, "Something is wrong. You can't do this every single day! It isn't healthy." Elizabeth snapped out of it then. Victoria was right there was something wrong with it. She has done the same thing for four days straight. "You are right... I was just so concerned. We are behind on the bills and the dish washer broke AGAIN!" Elizabeth said about to break. Victoria felt bad for her, she had no clue what to say. She thought that Elizabeth had it so easy. "I. I had no idea", Victoria quietly said. "It's ok, I am going to the store tomorrow and I am going to sell my paintings." Elizabeth said straightening herself out. Elizabeth knew what was really bothering her, and it was not the bills. She was concerned, after that lullaby there had been no more signs of the baby. What if it was a false alarm... that happens right? "Maybe it is just to soon in the pregnancy", Elizabeth thought to herself. Later after a minute or two of deep conversation with Elizabeth Victoria said goodbye and went home. Only ten minutes after Victoria had left Daniel pulled into the drive way.

When Daniel walked in the front door Elizabeth practically jumped on him. "Well hello to you too", Daniel said while kissing Elizabeth. "Sorry, I am just excited to see you", Elizabeth said as she was dragging Daniel to the kitchen, "I made Eggrolls." Elizabeth may have been sad about the bills, and worried about the pregnancy, but she loved Daniel and she yearned for every minute with him. Daniel and Elizabeth went to the kitchen, grabbed a plate of food, and sat down at the table. They ate a moment in silence before Elizabeth decided to speak up. "I might go into town tomorrow", Elizabeth said setting down her fork. "Ok, are you going to meet up with Victoria", Daniel asked with a mouthful of food. "No", Elizabeth replied quietly. Daniel didn't really care what Elizabeth did as long as she was happy, but he was curious. "Oh, then what are you doing?" Daniel said, still not really paying attention. "I am going to go sell some of my paintings", Elizabeth said as she watched for his reaction. "That is cool, why are you selling them?" Daniel asked while picking at his rice. "Well, I just want to put a little money in the bank. You know, to add a little cushioning." Elizabeth tried to act like it was no big deal. "Oh... Ok", Daniel said a little defeated. Daniel tried not to show it, but he was sad. He was the man of the house, he was supposed to "Bring home the bacon.".

"Does that make you mad?" Elizabeth said worrying. "No, just upset. Why would we need cushioning. Don't we have enough money?" Daniel said finishing his food. Elizabeth looked at Daniel with sadness. She didn't know how to tell him with out hurting him. "Actually... we are behind on our bills." Elizabeth said. She didn't want to see his reaction so she picked up her empty plate and opened the dish washer. She remembered just then that the dish washer was broken, "Oh, I forgot." "What?" Daniel asked while thinking about what Elizabeth had said about the bills. "The dish washer broke", Elizabeth said while putting the left over dinner in the fridge. "Again? I just fixed it", Daniel said while opening up the control panel to the dish washer. And with that Elizabeth went to bed and left Daniel to think.

Elizabeth went into town the next morning to sell her paintings. The man behind the counter, at the shop, took the paintings and told her that he would sell all three at the shop and he would contact her as soon as the paintings sold. Elizabeth was worried, she needed the money now. "That is it? When do you think they will sell?" Elizabeth asked hectically. She was desperate for cash. "I told you I would call you when they sell. Okay?" The man said. But then his expression changed. Elizabeth knew that he truly looked at her then and that he had gotten the Eye Candy moodlet. "How about this. I will give you $100 now and then the rest when they sell." This always happened, let us just say that Elizabeth got away with more then your average sim because of her looks. But Elizabeth was fine with that arrangement and agreed. She thanked the man profusely over and over and went on home. 

 

Another day passed and Elizabeth finally got the call from the store. Her paintings sold for more then thought and she actually got $300 for all three. She was so happy. For once they were ahead on their bills. And that wasn't the only thing that was out of the ordinary. On top of wanting to sleep all day Elizabeth also had an abnormal want for cheese. "Weird, right?" Elizabeth said into her phone while grilling a sandwich for lunch. "Hmmm... Sounds like cravings", Victoria said with suspicion thick in her voice. Elizabeth sat down at the table and took a huge bite of her sandwich. "Can't be. I'm not pregnant", Elizabeth explained while loudly smacking her sandwich. "Woah, chew with your mouth closed!" Victoria said, "I can hear your bad manners from here." "Sorry", Elizabeth laughed, "I'm just so hungry!" There was a long pause. "Are you sure that there is no chance that you are pregnant?" Victoria asked trying to squeeze information out of her friend. "Yes", Elizabeth insisted. "Alright... Well I have to go", Victoria said, "I am meeting with an agent." Elizabeth almost choked, "You are starting back on your dream? That is great! Well, Do not let me stop you. Bye" 

Two and half days, exactly two weeks and one day after their wedding, later Elizabeth woke to nausea. She sprinted to the restroom just in time to... well, puke. Elizabeth stood up, flushed the toilet, and brushed her teeth. She was concerned, she has not been sick since she was a kid. But then she started to think. She was having weird cravings, she had been tired a lot, and she now had nausea. She finally put two and two together and decided to buy a pregnancy test. The next day she waited until Daniel left for work, and then she took the test. She felt that those five minutes took forever. She was nearly freaking out by the time the timer went off. She sprinted to the restroom and read the test... and sure enough it was POSITIVE. 

 

Even though Elizabeth knew that she was pregnant she decided to wait another day before she told Daniel. She wanted to wait until she was showing to tell him. So that morning in their room she cornered him. "Daniel, we need to talk", Elizabeth said seriously. Daniel started freaking out thinking that maybe he did something wrong and she wanted a divorce. "What's wrong? You still love me right?" Daniel said showing all his emotions on his face. "Of course I still love you silly! I just have some good news", Elizabeth said smiling. Daniel started to smile then too. He had noticed Elizabeth acting weird. He did not want to tell her, but he was getting tired of eating Grilled Cheese for breakfast and Mac' and Cheese for dinner every day.
"I'm pregnant", Elizabeth said beaming with joy. Daniel did not have to say a word, actually he kind of couldn't. But that was ok because everything that he was thinking was written on his face. So he just stepped forward and kissed Elizabeth without a word.  

 

 Over the next two hours Elizabeth and Daniel surrounded themselves with everything children. They bought child toys, cribs, high chairs, and they even read pregnancy books. Elizabeth only watched the children programs on T.V. and Daniel read every book on children that he could find. Within only two hours Elizabeth had memorized almost every word to the children songs that played on the radio.  

 

Elizabeth would never tell Daniel, but she secretly wanted a boy. Of course either way she would love the child, all she wanted was a baby of her own. 

And just like Elizabeth, Daniel would not tell her that he secretly wanted a girl. And also like Elizabeth he would still love the baby either way.

Elizabeth had not even talked to Victoria since that phone call about her cravings. Elizabeth had been to busy preparing for her baby, and Victoria had been to busy with her career. So the next day Elizabeth called Victoria up. "Hello?" Victoria asked sleepily into her phone. "Did I wake you? Hey Sleepy, it is two in the afternoon", Elizabeth said. "I'm sorry Mother I shall get up immediately", Victoria said laughing. "Well if you are up to it, do you think maybe you could meet me at the local flower nursery?" Elizabeth said with hope showing through in her voice. "Sure", Victoria said while getting out of bed, "Just give me half an hour and meet me there." And sure enough half an hour later Victoria walked up to the gardens. Elizabeth stood there watching Victoria scan the sims for Elizabeth. "Oh My God", Victoria nearly shouted when she spotted Elizabeth, who was sporting a pretty big baby bump. "Well, I'm pregnant", Elizabeth said to Victoria while she was walking over. "I see that", Victoria said while staring down at Elizabeth's stomach. "Hey! It's not a tumor. It is a miracle!" Elizabeth declared while smiling at her bump.  

 

Victoria smiled then. She bent down and felt Elizabeth's tummy. "How come you did not tell me earlier?" Elizabeth decided to tell the truth, "I knew you were busy, and quiet honestly so was I. I did not even know until one day ago." Victoria straightened up, she was curious, "Then how far along are you?" "Two days", Elizabeth said shamefully. "TWO DAYS!" Victoria said scaring Elizabeth, "You are only one day from having this baby." "Yes, and that is why I figured I should tell you now. You know instead of showing up with a child", Elizabeth felt bad that she had forgotten to tell Victoria. "Hey, and I figured that now was the best time to tell the baby's aunt about it", Elizabeth said hoping to cheer Victoria up. Victoria's face beamed, "Of course, because the aunt would like to know about her little niece or nephew... Wait, is it a boy or girl?" "I don't know", Elizabeth said. "Well, you know that there is a doctor here who could tell you it's gender", Victoria said excitedly, "Let's go now, I want to be there." Elizabeth had actually thought about going to visit Dr. Blueflame, but she decided to keep this pregnancy natural. She decided to have a normal pregnancy to not know the gender, not to alter her pregnancy with fruits, and not to try to have multiples. "Yah, I know. I have actually met her already. She is my Ob. Gyn. but I don't want to know my baby's gender", Elizabeth said while watching a fellow sim who was standing a little too close. She didn't care if everyone knew that she was pregnant. But in a small town like this sims gossip a lot, and words get twisted. "Well, I'm sorry to have to leave but I really have to get home and start on dinner", Elizabeth said while hugging Victoria good bye. 

That night Daniel came home with great news. He skipped in the door, grabbed Elizabeth's shoulders, and sang "Guess what!" Elizabeth couldn't help it she burst out laughing. Daniel let go of Elizabeth's shoulders and gave her a questioning look. Elizabeth was sorry that she had interrupted Daniel and knew that he deserved an explanation for her out burst. "I'm sorry it is just you skipped in here wearing that pink uniform and... it was just funny", Elizabeth said with the most apologetic look. "Hey, well I won't have to wear this uniform every again! I just got a promotion to Paramedic today", Daniel declared ecstatic. "That is great!" Elizabeth said while stepping forward to hug Daniel. She was happy that he was one step closer to his dream of being a World Renowned Brain Surgeon and the fact that the bills would be a little easier to pay.

Another hour passed and Elizabeth was feeling great. She only had 23 more hours until her due date and she was so excited. So was Daniel, "Hello little baby. Guess what! Daddy is going to work so he can buy you toys. And guess what else! No more pink uniform." "Even though it was adorable", Elizabeth added while kissing Daniel. "No it wasn't", Daniel said running out the door. He shut it before Elizabeth could make a rebuttal.

Early the next morning Elizabeth was taking out the trash. "Ugh. I really should have asked Daniel to do this, my back is killing me", Elizabeth said aloud to herself. She was two days and 18 hours into her pregnancy and she felt huge. She thought she might pop any second, even though she hoped that she wouldn't. Popping sounds painful.  

With only 2 more hours until her due date Elizabeth decided to go out and meet up with Victoria. They went and got facials and bought some books at the local book store. "Wow", Victoria said inspecting Elizabeth's tummy, "That baby is going to be huge!" "He feels huge", Elizabeth said while rubbing her back. "You look like you might burst", Victoria said laughing. "Ugh. Don't say that, I don't want to burst", Elizabeth said in disgust,"I'd prefer not to be all over the side walk." 

And at that moment Elizabeth felt as though she actually might burst. "Oh. Oh!" Elizabeth said grabbing her stomach. "What?" Victoria said not paying attention. She was more interested in the dress in the shop window. "Victoria. VICTORIA!" Elizabeth screamed making Victoria turn around, "It's time!" And so Victoria drove Elizabeth to the hospital to meet up with Daniel.

He was already there just getting off of his shift. Elizabeth walked in and flung herself into Daniel's arms. "I am so nervous", she said burying herself in his chest. "Are you in any pain?" Daniel asked hugging her. "Not right now", Elizabeth said but then another contraction set in, "Ok, never mind I'm in pain." And with that Daniel walked her to delivery room #125. It was a big hospital.

And two hours later Victoria emerged from the hospital carrying a beautiful little boy. Please welcome baby number one: Ryan Reting. 

 

That night Elizabeth got new clothes. One thing that Elizabeth did not like about her recent pregnancy was the clothes. So she decided to change hers to make them suitable for her next pregnancy. She chose a purple and white flower top and some jeggings.

 

And that night the family slept peacefully. Ryan slept through the night, he did not wake once. Elizabeth was glad he was the first child, he was easy... And adorable.

 

Elizabeth loved spending every moment with Ryan. She could not wait to see what adventures laid ahead...