It was around 9:00 the next morning when Elizabeth finally got the call she had been looking forward too. "Hello?" She asked while exhaling sharply into the mouthpiece of the phone. "Yes. Hello Elizabeth, this is Simtopia Real Estate calling in concern of your new house", the person answered very formally. "Uh-Huh?" Elizabeth said impatiently while shifting Mica, who was clinging to her hip, and then the signs of a smile started to dance across her face. "The house is now finished if you would like too come see it", the person on the line said with no emotion. Poor soul, probably sitting at a crowded desk somewhere. "Ok. Say no more, I will be right over", Elizabeth said excitedly while hanging up before the human answering machine could respond.
Elizabeth picked up Mica, her keys, and Mica's diaper bag and sprinted out the door. She walked up to her car in the driveway and was about to get in when she noticed that she could see the top of her new house from where she was standing (Actually she was practically jumping with excitement.). She looked at Mica, who was carefully nestling her head into Elizabeth's shoulder, "Mica do you care if we walk to the new house?" "Noplantoommama", Mica burgled out before sticking her tiny thumb into her mouth. "I shall take that as a no", Elizabeth said while starting towards the lot.
Excitement was practically bubbling from Elizabeth's throat and spewing out her mouth, it took everything for her not to scream in joy and start to dance in the middle of the freshly mowed field she was standing in. She was so excited that she did not even want, or remember, to look back at her old home. It started to slowly fade smaller and smaller. Elizabeth was oblivious to all the memories that she was leaving on the now rusting swing, which she and Daniel used to sit on and talk for hours, on the creaky porch, where she used to kiss Daniel and the children good bye before they left for work or school, and even on the now juice and jelly stained couch, where she went into labor many times.
As Elizabeth walked up to the house she was in awe. "Is this the right house?" She asked herself while turning to check the street she was on. She gazed as far down the tree lined road as she could until her eyes rested upon a little street sign. "Jubilee Dr.", She read to herself. Elizabeth was grateful then for her amazing 20/20 vision. It was always coming in handy. "Right road", Elizabeth said turning back to the house, "Right house". Elizabeth looked at her new home and fell immediately in love. The newly paved walkway was surrounded by different types of flowers, which were peacefully swaying in the breeze. The colors varying from pink to orange to blue mixed together to create a beautiful front lawn. The breeze swept through the yard blowing stray pieces of just mowed grass onto the driveway. Elizabeth took a deep breath in and smelled a mixture of mulch and roses. Her new house was more then she could have ever imagined. She was surprised actually to have been able to even afford the construction of her new home, let alone the lot itself.
As she got closer to the white door the smells of paint and wood filled the air. She noticed the white windows, which still had stickers on them, and the made to match white shingles. She peaked through the large window on the door and peered inside. Her eyes rested on a well lit family room with just lain hardwood floors. She turned the knob to enter the house... nothing. She jingled it back and forth but it still would not open. Then it hit her. "I do not have the keys", she thought with despair. Elizabeth, who was now crushed that she could not get into her own home, was about to turn from the door to go back to her old, not actually hers anymore, house when her foot hit something. It was a neat white envelope laying near the front door and it had her name neatly written on it. "How had I not noticed that", Elizabeth said while bending down to pick it up. Elizabeth opened the letter to find a shiny silver key in it along with a folded note. Elizabeth pushed the key eagerly into the lock and turned it. She waited until she heard a small click and then she pressed her hand on the door and it slowly opened. A rush of cool air floated out of the house and slowly surrounded Elizabeth. When she walked into the room she was stunned by the high beamed ceilings and freshly painted white walls. She closed the door behind her without taking her eyes off of the room. She stood there taking it all in. Her eyes noticed everything. They saw the connected kitchen with matching floors and walls, they saw the light fixture which shone brightly over the stairs, and they even saw the shiny dust specs which floated past the light that was streaming in through the windows.
Elizabeth, who was still in shock by the sheer beauty of her new home, was watching Mica happily explore the family room when she heard the crunching of paper. Elizabeth looked at where the noise was coming from... her hand. She had totally forgotten about the letter and was now thinking about who it could have been from. "This must be from the Realtor", Elizabeth said as she slid her finger in between the crisp white printer paper. But as Elizabeth started to read the typed letter she knew that it was in fact not from her Realtor. It was from Daniel. She looked up at Mica, who had gotten suddenly quite, and then sat on the stairs. She started to read:
"Dear Elizabeth,
I know that we are not clearly on the best terms right now, but I still love you. So when one of my friends, who works at the Simtopia Real Estate, told me that you had recently bought a house I, of course,was automatically curious to know where you were moving to. He, knowing that we were married, told me where the lot was, but he also told me that you had barely just enough money to buy the lot. I love you and so I, with the hopes that I can one day live in this beautiful house with you, went ahead and paid for the construction and landscaping of this home. I hope that one day...."
Elizabeth paused there because she could barely see the paper. Her eyes had overflowed with tears the moment she read the words "I love you." and now the salty tears were streaming down her cheeks and were landing with a splash onto the paper. She set the now tear soaked paper down onto the step next to her and tried to compose herself. "I knew I could not have afforded a house like this", Elizabeth sobbed. She was happy that Daniel had decided to help her, but she felt weak and pitiful too. She felt like a charity case. When she finally got a grip over the never ending tears and could finally see more than mere blurs she picked the paper back up. She continued to read:
"... you can forgive me for hurting you. Just like I have forgiven you for being nothing more then a hooker. One who gives men pleasure for the payment of a child.
Love, Daniel."
Elizabeth froze. "A HOOKER?!" Elizabeth practically screamed scaring Mica. She shot off the stairs so fast that by the time the letter, which she had promptly thrown from her sight after reading "Love, Daniel.", finally hit the ground Elizabeth was already scooping Mica into her arms and was halfway out the door. Elizabeth could not stand being in the house anymore. It had started out as a fantasy and suddenly it felt like a prison. "He wasted his pity money", Elizabeth thought while crossing the lawn. She stopped suddenly then mid step and turned to face her house. "Where am I going?" Elizabeth said while quickly composing herself, walked back into the house, and shut the door back. "I am here in this gorgeous house with my amazing children while he is alone", Elizabeth said proudly out loud, "I am better than him". Elizabeth loved Daniel still without a doubt, but what he said hurt. She knew in the back of her mind that Daniel was just hurting too. Elizabeth set Mica back on the floor and feebly thought, "That was why he was lashing out, right?"
Elizabeth did not dare to answer that question herself. She just quietly put a pop-up play pen around Mica and filled it with some toys from her diaper bag. Elizabeth watched Mica play for a few minutes in complete and utter silence. She did not speak, she did not move, and she certainly did not think. Suddenly, as if it were to cut through the thick (almost smothering) silence, her blackberry chimed signaling that it was now 10:00 a.m. Elizabeth was shocked. She was surprised not only by the fact that what had just happened had only taken an hour but also by the fact that she now only had four hours until Ryan got home from school. She looked around the empty house and sighed. As the sound of her breathing echoed and bounced off the walls Elizabeth called the school to let them know of the address change.
After a very lengthy conversation with the never ending talker Mrs. Sheldon, she was the kind lady who worked in the school's office and could talk for weeks if you let her, Elizabeth headed up the stairs to the level above her. As she stepped into the almost too cold hallway she did not dare to turn on the lights. As her eyes slowly adjusted she could start to make out the shapes of doors, doors, and more doors. She walked from room to room then checking them out. "Bedroom, bathroom, bedroom, bedroom... Closet?" Elizabeth said to herself while opening each door. She finally finished and walked back into the bright light of downstairs. She paused only momentarily to check on Mica before continuing on with her tour. She finished with the downstairs and walked straight on through the sliding glass door that led to the back yard.
As Elizabeth walked into the warm sun she shivered. She looked around to take in her huge backyard. It was plain with no trees, there was only a lone shed in the back right corner to bring an end to the never ending waves of grass. She walked over to the shed and clicked a button on a clicker that she had found sitting in the middle of one of the kitchen counters. She did not know if the clicker went to the garage, but sure enough as if to answer her thoughts the door opened with a loud squeal.
As the garage door slowly opened in front of Elizabeth she peered cautiously into the shed. She did not know why but she felt like something would be in there... or someone. But as the room came into view she found it to be empty. It was just as deserted as all the other rooms.
As Elizabeth stood at the entrance of the garage she let her mind wander. She thought about the children who were due home in only a few hours, about the next father (Who she could not picture as anyone other then Daniel for some reason.), and she thought about the unnerving feeling of someone watching her. "It is just all of my emotions getting to me", Elizabeth laughed nervously while turning away from the open garage. She shakily hit the clicker again and the garage door squealed shut. She scanned the yard then. She did it, she told herself, to check out the rest of the yard. But she knew in the back of her mind it was to check for the person who's eyes she felt burning holes into her head.
Her eyes stopped abruptly when they spotted a large clump of vegetation... No, it was a pond. She walked closer to it and found it to actually be three small ponds. She looked at the tall grass and the small cluster of wild flowers, and for some odd reason she felt at home. She stepped closer to the cool still water to inspect it.
The water looked calm and inviting. She stepped closer to the water's edge. She was being tempted with the idea of letting herself fall right in, but then thought better of it. Her mind skipped to Mica, who was inside playing unaware of the events taking place, and then she looked down at her clothes. With one final glance at the water she started to strip off her shoes, then her pants, and finally her shirt.
Elizabeth ignored the eyes that she now felt scanning her body and walked right into the pond. It was warm and delightful, but Elizabeth had underestimated its depth and the water started to get colder. Elizabeth started to worry about just how deep the water was. She felt a burning in her chest that told her that she was running out of air. Elizabeth let out the last of her breath and it floated upward towards the light in small bubbles. Just as the last bubble popped on the surface Elizabeth's foot grazed the rocky, almost slimy, bottom. She felt with her toes and with all her might pushed upwards.
As soon as her head finally broke the surface she started to gasp for air. She was confused for a moment but she quickly gathered her bearings and swam out in the direction of the huge rock on the other side of the pond. Once she felt her hand touch the cool smooth surface she pushed off and swam back to the wall she entered from. She pulled herself out of the water just as a big wind pushed over the pond. She shivered, gathered all her clothes in one arm, and sprinted to the warmth of her living room.
Only three short hours after the incident with the pond a school bus pulled up in front of the newly decorated house. Elizabeth had no clue how she had done it but the house was fully decorated. She had somehow managed to scrape together enough wallpaper and money to completely redo the house. She was darn tired when by the time she saw Ryan walk out of the bus with a confused look playing on his face, but Elizabeth did not mind. She needed to stay busy to keep her from thinking of the I-am-being-watched feeling that she got continually through out the day or the weird calmness of the pond that had caused her to jump in while only wearing her under garments.
Ryan was a little more then confused when the school bus pulled up to a gorgeous white house. He looked around the bus to see who it belonged to. "Probably some snobby rich kid", he thought while turning on the dirty red seat. He was surprised. The was bus was empty. "I think you have the wrong address", Ryan said eying the driver nervously. The driver did not even turn to look at Ryan while she said, "Nope this is it." Ryan scanned the house for any sign of life. His eyes suddenly caught sight of his mom's V.W. Beetle, "Oh. I guess Mom is here". He stepped out into the warm sunlight and started towards the house.
As Ryan got closer to the door his eyes moved around furiously trying to take in everything he saw. And then his eyes rested on a car that he had never seen before. Though it was an unfamiliar car he recognized it instantly, it was a 1969 Dodge Charger. He ran his hand from the back bumper to the front headlight skimming thoughtfully over the dark red paint. In some parts it was chipped but it was such a beautiful car that it did not matter to him. In the back of his mind he recognized that this car was meant for him, but he did not want to get his hopes up. So he walked carefully around the car and walked inside the house.
When he stepped into the open, inviting room he quietly called out for his mother, "Mom? Hello, Elizabeth?" He stood silently next to the door while listening to the sounds around him. Through the sounds of his own voice bouncing off the walls he heard a response. He and his mother called back and forth while he was following the sounds of her voice. Finally he stepped into a maroon and yellow library.
"Mom", Ryan said while sighing with relief. He was happy to see his mother, because that was proof that he did not just brake into some strangers home. "Hey Ryan", Elizabeth said while peering over the top of the book she was reading. Ryan walked over to his mother as he was looking around the room. "It looks a lot like the library at school", he thought while sitting in one of the many chairs. It had four desks with matching chairs in it and it had books, lots and lots of books. "How has your day been?" Ryan asked after sitting in silence for five minutes. He actually had something else to ask his mother, but he did not want to seem rude. "It has been busy and your..." Elizabeth stopped herself, she wanted to vent to someone about the letter from Daniel, but she knew that telling Ryan would hurt him too much. He had a few choice words to tell Daniel after everything that has happened. "Oh, Ok", Ryan mumbled under his breath after he realized Elizabeth was not going to finish her sentence. They were sitting in silence for two more minutes when Ryan finally blurted out, "Who's car is that in the drive way?" As Elizabeth smiled at him Ryan looked down in embarrassment. "That would be the car I promised you", Elizabeth said while starting back at her book. She did not want Ryan to know that she noticed his embarrassment. "Really?" Ryan asked excitedly with the grin that made him look like a child again, "So that would make this our new house?" "Yes and yes", Elizabeth said with her eyes still on her book. "Awesome, I am going to go check it out", Ryan yelled over his shoulder while running out of the room.
When Ryan made it up the stairs he looked around the hallway. "I will start here", Daniel said to himself while turning to the first door on his right. He went all the way around the hall from the pink and flowery girl's rooms to the gender separated bathrooms and to the primary colored boy's nursery when finally he made it to the last room in the hallway. "This looks like a man's room", Daniel said while walking to the center of the room. He was picking which bed he wanted when the noises of little children drifted up through the floor. "The triplets are home", Ryan said aloud while walking back down the stairs.
When he turned to his left he saw Calista and Ian arguing over who could beat who on the Foosball table. "I can to beat you",Calista said while backing around the corner of it. "No you cannot", Ian responded while starting to chase her. Ryan watched for a few minutes while a game of tag ensued. "I will paint a portrait", a little voice drifted into his mind. He turned around to see who it was talking.
"No, I will paint a masterpiece! I will do it right here on this very desk", Jenna said while daydreaming. "Jenna?" Ryan asked walking over to her. "Oh!" Jenna almost squeaked while turning around. Ryan could see the look of sheer shock on her face. "Oh... It is just you Ryan", she said finally while her shoulders relaxed. "Were you talking to yourself?" Ryan asked with the look of curiosity and worry. "Yes I was", she took no time to think over her answer, she just told him the truth, "You do it too. It is just that you decide to do it in your head while I do it out loud". Ryan did not know how to respond, but he knew it was the truth. "You are right", he said finally while hugging his little sister.
After an hour of Jenna telling Ryan about her dreams and of Calista and Ian chasing each other all around the house, inside and out, Elizabeth finally came out of the library. "Triplets you all need to sit down and do your homework", she said with a raised voice and then she turned to Ryan. With a voice of authority she smiled and said, "You need to do your homework too". Elizabeth went to care for the hungry Mica while the triplets all loudly took a seat at the table in the kitchen. "I hate homework. Did you see Ethan at school today? He threw up in math class. Can you do my homework for me? Jenna quit breathing so loudly. Mom loves me most. Oops, I burped. I like football. What sport do you like?" Ian kept up a constant stream of topics. Though it seemed that the girls were good at ignoring him Ryan was getting fed up. "Ugh!" he huffed while pushing away from the table. He had tried to put up with the constant chatter but now he could not stand it. So he gathered up his journal and papers while the triplets were all staring at him with confusion. "Where are you going?" Jenna asked while watching Ryan walk away. "I do not know", Ryan said without looking back at the kitchen, "but away from here". As Ryan left the house he heard Ian saying, "When he pushed away from the table the chair made it sound like he farted!"
As Ryan shut the sliding glass door he exhaled in relief. He felt the cool atmosphere of night cover him in a blanket of calmness. He looked up at the star filled sky and smiled. He loved the night, it was a time of peacefulness and serenity but it was also a time for hidden creatures, too scary for the day, to come out. Ryan looked back at the golden light filled windows of the house and then he looked at the dark yard that laid out before him. He finally found the shed that his mom had told him about. He walked into the shed to find it in a much different state then his mom had found it in earlier. Where it had been empty space just hours before it was now filled with stuff junk.
Ryan recognized the grill to his immediate right. It had once been sitting in the garage at his old house.
And then just beyond that his eyes rested on a old and dusty scarecrow, which his mom sometimes put out in her garden in the summer. He also found a couch and a cow patterned rug. The rug he recognized; it had once found home in the attic at the old house.
Then next to that was a bunch of stacked boxes, some were marked "Kitchen" others "Daniel's Stuff" and some had no markings at all. Next to it stood a really faded, once hot pink flamingo. And then next to the cow-hide rug was a bright, obnoxiously green shag rug.
Then, next to the door, was a stereo and a guitar. Ryan had not noticed that, while he was looking at the room, he had made his way over to the couch. He took a seat and took one more look around the room. He had all but melted into the couch's upholstery when he realized that the shed was absolutely quite. "Perfect", he thought while pulling out his homework. He sat in silence while writing down some math problems.
Around thirty minutes after Ryan had left the house, to go to the seclusion of the shed, Elizabeth started on supper. She was in her own world and humming peacefully to herself when she felt somebody was watching her again. She spun around with the knife aimed and jumped, "Calista! Do not sneak up on me like that, I almost hurt you". "Sorry Mommy", Calista said while looking at the tip of the sharp knife in shock watching the lights glimmer off of it. Elizabeth set the knife down on the counter top, "No. No. That was my fault. I should have thought before flinging that knife around all willy nilly. I have just had such a strange day today. Earlier I almost drowned and, on top of that, I have this odd feeling like someone is watching me". As Elizabeth pulled her daughter into a hug Calista murmured into her mother's shoulder, "It is ok Mommy, I am here". Elizabeth knew that her daughter had no clue what she was talking about, but it felt good to talk to someone. "So", Elizabeth said while pulling out of the hug. She looked at her daughter with as much of a smile she could muster, "What did you want before I almost stabbed you?" Calista looked embarrassed then, like she knew what she was about to say should not be said, "Today when we were at school a boy in my class was talking about his daddy and well..." she paused then like she was trying to think of how to say what she wanted so badly to ask. "Where is my Daddy?" she finally blurted out in a voice that was a little louder then she had meant. "Oh", Elizabeth said while her forced smile slipped away. "I remember him a little, but I do not know where he went", Calista said as if to explain her question. "He is still here, but he does not live with us anymore", Elizabeth explained while turning back to the food. "Why not?" Calista asked still curious. "Because he does not like Mommy as much as he used to", Elizabeth knew that was not the truth, but it was the only way that she could describe what had happened in such a way that the little green eyed girl in front of her would understand it. "Oh... Will he come see us?" Cal4ista asked with a smile. Elizabeth turned to her daughter then. As she looked at Calista she was filled with a love that she could only describe as "a mother's love.". Calista had brown hair that came to rest just above her shoulders. The shade matched Elizabeth's perfectly, all the way down to the caramel colored roots, and she had clear green eyes that matched Daniel's a little too perfectly, you could see the Amazonian jungles in them. How could she possible say "No" to her? "Yes", Elizabeth said while taking her daughters little hands in hers, "Yes he will."
When dinner was finally ready, and the kids were done with their homework, Elizabeth sat the very tired triplets at the table. "Where is Ryan Mommy?" Jenna asked after a big yawn. "He is still working on his homework honey", Elizabeth said before a bite of her salad. Elizabeth had noticed Jenna taking a liking to her older brother. "It is going to be hard on Jenna and the others when Ryan grows up and has to move out", she thought with sadness, "it is going to be hard on me". Elizabeth realized then that not only had she lost Daniel but that she would also be losing Ryan in only a few days.
Elizabeth finished her meal in silence, but it is not like the triplets noticed since they were almost sleeping on their plates. Elizabeth, who was still sad about Ryan, cleared the table while remaining completely quite and then moved on to the task of putting the children to bed. She looked around the white and creme themed kitchen, "Where to start... How about with the lightest". Elizabeth picked up the heavy eyed Mica. "Good night baby", Elizabeth kissed Mica on the head before tucking her in.
Elizabeth went back down to the kitchen and gently woke the now asleep Calista up, "Honey, you need to get up and go sleep in your bed". Calista looked up at Elizabeth. Elizabeth could tell instantly that she was still in "Sleeping Mode" and as if to add to it Calista mumbled, "Can you carry me?" just before slumping back over onto the white kitchen table. "I guess I have no choice", Elizabeth said just before she heaved the dead weight that was Calista up the stairs. "You are much heavier than I remember", Elizabeth whispered while smoothing the covers over her sleeping child; just before kissing Calista on the head she added, "Good thing I am not pregnant yet". Elizabeth thought about the challenge while carrying Jenna to bed. As Elizabeth turned out the lights to the girl's room she looked at the now dreaming girls and thought, "I need to find a father for the next baby".
Elizabeth was grateful when she saw Ian standing next to the kitchen table as she walked down the stairs. "Where are Jenna and Calista?" Ian asked while rubbing his eyes and yawning simultaneously. "I carried them upstairs and put them to bed", Elizabeth smiled at her son before adding, "can you manage walking? I don't think I can carry another one of you triplets without pulling a muscle". "Sure Mommy", he said as his feet padded up the stairs. Elizabeth turned out the lights in the boy's room just as Ian let out a little snore. "I love you", Elizabeth whispered as she shut the door.
When Elizabeth was slowly trudging down the stairs yet once again her eyes caught some movement in the room below. She suddenly got a surge of energy. "Ryan!" she shouted now running into the kitchen. Ryan jumped and then slowly his look of shock turned to happiness. "Mom!" he said in an exaggerated voice. Elizabeth could tell he was mimicking her but she was so overjoyed; he was just the person that she needed to talk to. "Sorry if I scared you... I just really need to talk to you", Elizabeth said all in one breath. "Oh. What about?" Ryan said while flipping his caramel hair out of his eyes. Elizabeth blurted out then, "I love you so much". Ryan looked like his mom had just punched a hole in the wall, "I love you too... Mom?" Elizabeth knew that she had utterly confused her oldest son. "Sorry, I have just been thinking a lot lately about the challenge. You know that it means that you have to move out as soon as you turn into a young adult right?" "Well sure. I would have done that anyways", Ryan said with a smile that made his cheeks dimple. "Oh. Ok then, anyways I am going to go daddy searching tomorrow", Elizabeth said changing the subject. Ryan looked away awkwardly then, "Oh Mom... You did not have to tell me that". "Oh yah, that probably was not very motherly of me", Elizabeth said while scratching the back of her neck and laughing awkwardly. "No it was not. But I love you anyways", Ryan shouted while rushing up the stairs. He loved his mother, but with the weird turn that the conversation had just taken he wanted direly to get out of the room. "I need to get around people my own age. I cannot be telling my children about me going out to find men", Elizabeth chuckled while tidying the living room.
It was almost 1:00 a.m. when Elizabeth finally finished the last load of laundry and got to bed. As she laid there with her eyes closed she thought about what this day had in store for her. She already had butterflies in her stomach just thinking about looking and meeting a dad for the next baby. This would be the first time that she would have relations with a man other then Daniel since... Well... Ever. Elizabeth had high hopes and expectations for this next daddy-to-be. "I hope I can find a really cute guy with tan skin, and ...." she drifted to sleep in the comfort of her pillow before she could finish her thought.
"So what are the plans for the day?" Ryan asked while pushing away from the table. Everyone had happily been eating their cold cereal breakfast in silence while still half asleep when Ryan suddenly got a random burst of energy. Elizabeth looked over to her son through sleepy eyes, "You all are going to school, then I am calling Phillip to come babysit, and then I am going to look for possible baby d... dandelions". Elizabeth looked back down at her energy shake then to hide from the curious, questioning eyes of the triplets. "Dandelions?" Ian asked with a mouthful of food. He looked focused on his food, but Elizabeth could see his eyes looking at her in his peripheral vision. Elizabeth just sat there in silence not knowing what to say; every time she opened her mouth to speak nothing would come out. Ryan intervened then seeing his mothers discomfort, "Yes, so she can make a bracelet with them. Right Mom?" "Yes, that is right", Elizabeth knew that she sounded defeated, and it was because she was. She did not know how to explain to her innocent little children that she was going to essentially cheat on their father.
After the "Dandelions" comment the rest of breakfast went by awkwardly and silently. Elizabeth was shocked that she was actually relieved to hear the bus' annoying honk at 7:45 a.m. She stood at the end of the driveway as her little goslings marched sleepily to the end of the street. Elizabeth smiled at Jenna, who was the last to get to the bus, and then watched her snowy blond hair disappear behind it's dark windshield. As the bus pulled away with a cloud of nasty smelling smoke rising behind it Elizabeth got serious. "Time to get to work", she said while walking back into the safety of her home.
By the time Elizabeth got the table cleared it was 9:30 a.m. and she knew that by the cries she could hear now echoing from upstairs. "Mica! How is my little girl?" Elizabeth said in a cooing voice while picking Mica up out of her crib. "Mama! Mamamamama..." Mica just kept chanting "Mama" over and over again while Elizabeth got her dressed for the day. Elizabeth finally got Mica away from her toys long enough to get her situated in her crib. "Guess what! You get to see Phillip today", Elizabeth said in a sing songy voice while giving Mica her morning bottle. Mica just murmured into the bottle and then sleepily closed her eyes.
"Hey Mrs. R", Phillip said while Elizabeth let him in. "Hey Phillip. How are you?" Elizabeth asked while picking Mica up out of her high chair. Mica had dosed off after her morning bottle; she always fell asleep with a full stomach. "Phiwiph" Mica giggled while clapping. Elizabeth smiled at her youngest child. She was happy that Mica was starting to become more comfortable with other people; she even liked some of them. "I am good. Just a little tired, I had to stay up late to finish a test last night", Phillip said through a big yawn; and then he added with a smile "I got a 98%". "Congratulations Phillip", Elizabeth said while gathering her purse and keys in one hand and holding Mica in the other. Phillip took Internet courses, that was why he was not at school like all the other teenagers. "I am sorry to rush out but I really have to go", Elizabeth said while brushing a stray hair out of her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry...", then Phillip paused for a moment before continuing, "Actually if you do not mind my asking. What do you have to do?" Phillip said with a pure look on his face. Elizabeth knew that he meant no harm, but if she did not know how to tell her own kids about the challenge how on earth could she tell her new friend about it? "Actually I... I... I have to go find a father for my next baby", Elizabeth said finally with a sigh. It felt good to tell the truth. "What?" Phillip asked, he looked in shock. "Oh, I did not mention the challenge", Elizabeth thought suddenly. "No! No, not like that. Phillip you see I am doing the 100 Baby Challenge." Elizabeth explained while gesturing to herself. "Oh, I have heard of that", Phillip said relieved. Elizabeth was a little worried about what he had thought she was doing, "So... Yes, I must be off". And with that Elizabeth set Mica in Phillip's arms and she bounded out the door before another awkward conversation could start up.
As Elizabeth's car whizzed down "Maple Ln." she finally realized she had no clue where to look for a possible baby daddy. "I have never been single before. As soon as I was interested in guys I was dating Daniel", Elizabeth thought while waiting at a stop light, "Wait, I am not single yet. I am still married to Daniel". Elizabeth was embarrassed with herself for forgetting about still being married. Then another thought slipped into her mind, "I wonder if Daniel has forgotten also". Elizabeth stopped thinking then for fear of what the answer was and put all of her attention into looking for somewhere to "Man Hunt". "What about the bar?" Elizabeth thought while slowing to a stop in front of the building where Daniel had once hidden after their first fight. After a little thinking and seeing a few men stumble out of the dimly lit pub Elizabeth thought better of it, "I want a good man for the baby's father, and from the looks of these men I am not going to find him here". Elizabeth eased the car forward then and continued to look. "This will do", Elizabeth thought while stepping out of her car and onto the lush green grass of the park. As Elizabeth scanned the lot she noticed that something had changed since the last time she was there. Elizabeth let her feet bring her towards the spot where she and Daniel had not too long ago joined hands in marriage. The spot was now back to it's original state. All signs of marital bliss were gone and now a lone statue stood in the center of the clearing. Elizabeth was sad that the beautiful venue was gone, but at the same time she was happy. She did not think that she could face that sight yet; if the memories of when she and Daniel were still happy came back now she would be in tears.
After a minute or two Elizabeth somehow managed to peel her eyes off of the almost empty space where the statue stood. She turned and scanned the park once more for a place to sit. She spotted the fountain and started towards it. "This is perfect", Elizabeth thought while sitting on the fountain's edge. Even through her jeggings she could feel the cold stone that pressed on her legs and on the small of her back. And every once in a while a breeze would pick up some stray water droplets and blow them onto Elizabeth's bare neck. Elizabeth would have shivered at the water's temperature if not for the mid-day sun which shone overhead. It was a hot day so Elizabeth was grateful for the occasional mist. Elizabeth had been daydreaming when her Blackberry went off signaling that it was 11:30 a.m. Elizabeth let out a sigh, "I have been sitting here for over an hour and I have still not found a possible father". Elizabeth stood up silently from her seat then and stretched out all her cramped muscles. They were stiff from her hour of no movement. "I guess I should just go home", Elizabeth said turning towards her car. She was about to take a step when she noticed someone walking on the sidewalk in the distance... It was a man. Elizabeth froze and just stood there watching the man walk down the street while carrying a cloth bag full of what seemed to be groceries. Elizabeth looked at the man for real then straining her eyes to catch every detail. He was tall and very muscular, with broad shoulders, and he had long black hair that was pulled into a braid and tied with a leather string. Elizabeth continued to watch the man as he crossed the street to the park. Just as he passed by the lone statue he stopped mid-step. Elizabeth thought for sure that he probably had felt her gaze on him, much like she had felt that stranger's gaze on her yesterday, or maybe worse he had actually spotted her. Elizabeth dropped to the ground then and hid behind the fountain. Elizabeth did not think about how ridiculous she was acting or how creepy she was for watching him, but she did continue to watch him in silence as he bent over to pick up some trash, throw it in the near by trash can, and continue on with his journey. Elizabeth continued to watch this man mesmerized until he disappeared around the corner. Elizabeth stayed kneeling on the ground for only a second more when she thought, "I have to follow him. He is without a doubt the father of the next baby". Elizabeth shot off the ground then and sprinted to her car.
As Elizabeth drove onto the dirt road that she had seen the man turn on she thought to herself, "Wow. I am really creepy". She laughed to herself then as she parked her car and got out. The man was standing mere feet from her and she suddenly froze. What on earth is she going to say? "Hey. I was just wondering if you could knock me up and then never see me again. Thanks." Elizabeth did not think that sounded very nice. So she stayed rooted to the ground while trying to think up something to say when the man turned from his mailbox and smiled at her. Elizabeth then urged her feet forward and she walked up to him, bringing the space between them to only two feet, and simply said, "Hello". "Hello", the man said in a deep and husky voice. Elizabeth usually would have jumped at how the man's voice seemed to make his ribs vibrate, but instead she just smiled. It was exactly the voice that she had expected him to have. "I am sorry. I know this may seem weird, but I saw you at the park and I just had to follow you", Elizabeth said with a nervous grin. The man just laughed and said, "Since you do not seem like a stalker or serial killer I guess I should take it as a compliment. Do you know why you followed me across town?" Elizabeth looked at her feet then and after a minute she turned her eyes up and looked through her lashes. As she locked eyes with the man she froze. After a moment of silence she dumbly asked, "What is your name?" The man, who's dark brown eyes were still locked with hers, smiled once more and said, "Zane. Zane Featheren". "Zane, I like that", Elizabeth said while staring into his eyes. His eyes reminded her of something. "Marshmallows." Elizabeth thought finally, "They are the same color as burnt marshmallows". "Thanks. What is your name?" Zane asked while breaking the eye contact to watch a bird fly overhead. "Oh. How stupid of me", Elizabeth thought while looking Zane over once more. "My name is Elizabeth", she said through a grin. "Well, nice to meet you Elizabeth", Zane said while shaking her hand. Elizabeth liked the way he said her name and even more she liked the way his hand seemed to swallow hers whole, making her feel instantly safe. "Nice to meet you, too", Elizabeth said with her head swimming. There was another moment of silence until Elizabeth and Zane locked eyes once more. Elizabeth guessed that Zane started to feel awkward then because he suddenly said, "So, You never told me why you followed me". Elizabeth knew that he meant it to be an innocent conversation starter, but she suddenly got nervous. She started to feel a cool sweat on her neck and she dug her fingernails into her palms to keep calm. She cleared her throat and said, "I am doing the 100 Baby Challenge and well... I was wondering if you could take part in it". Elizabeth looked down at the ground then afraid to look at Zane's burnt marshmallow brown eyes.
When Elizabeth had finally gathered up enough courage she looked up. Her eyes scanned Zane's face eagerly for any sign of hatred or disgust, but instead he just looked... Well, confused. "100... ba-baby... challenge?" Zane asked while arching a brow. The words sounded foreign on his tongue. Elizabeth looked at his eyes now and understood. He was not rejecting her or questioning her sanity; he had just never heard of the challenge before. Elizabeth took a step back so that she did not have to crane her neck to make eye contact. And then, as calmly and clearly as she could, she explained the challenge to the curious Zane.
"Oh", Zane said with sudden realization of what Elizabeth was asking of him, "Oh!" Elizabeth took another step back then, not to see into Zane's eyes better but to get away. She felt embarrassed; he was going to say "No". Zane had been looking at Elizabeth with the look of shock from realizing the truth, but it now slowly faded into something else... compassion. He stepped forward then. Once. Twice. Until his body was right on Elizabeth's and then he engulfed her in his hug. Elizabeth was stunned at first but then she gladly excepted Zane's warmth. Elizabeth and Zane stood in each others arms for what seemed like hours, and then as they were pulling away Zane whispered, "I'll do it".
When Elizabeth heard Zane agreeing to do the challenge her eyes shot up to his. She looked at his sweet-as-marshmallow eyes, his dark hair, his high cheek bones, his kissable lips... Elizabeth stopped herself there. When had she found other men attractive? She had always only had eyes for Daniel. "I am still a married women", Elizabeth thought shaking the fog out of her head, "And besides I cannot get attached. I am doing the 100 Baby Challenge". Elizabeth smiled then but looked at Zane with serious eyes, "Are you sure? Once you do this you cannot go back". Zane's eyes filled with something that seemed like fear, but he quickly controlled them and calmly said, "I am positive". There was a moment of complete silence, but it was deafening somehow. Zane's deep voice cut through it suddenly, "You go ahead on inside. I have to go around back and take my clothes off the line". Elizabeth turned on her heel then and walked up the stairs in silence. As she took in her surroundings she felt two pairs of eyes on her. One, she realized, was Zane's curious and scared eyes scanning over her, and the next were a stranger's eyes. She could feel them looking at her face. She whipped her head in the direction of the gaze. She scanned the fog filled lake which was right beside Zane's house, giving it a swamp feel. She looked for a few minutes but saw nothing. She turned her attention back to the small house then. It was tiny, almost shack like, and it was small enough to fit inside her living room.
When Elizabeth walked into the tiny studio house she scanned it nervously. It looked filthy. She walked over to a chair that was placed at random next to the door and inspected it. After a moment of staring at the pale orange fabric she wiped her palm over it and turned her hand over to look at her fingers. Nothing. The house looked dirty but it was completely spotless. "Weird", Elizabeth though while looking for somewhere to sit. In the entrance room of the house there were two matching orange chairs to the right of the door and then to the immediate left there was a full sized bed. The entrance room connected to the dark, depressing kitchen and the kitchen had a door that led to an even more orange looking bathroom. Just as Elizabeth was about to sit in the pale orange chair, that just moments ago she had been inspecting, Zane walked in through the back door. "You can sit on the bed", he said while setting down a basket of clothes, "I mean if you want to". Elizabeth knew that Zane was trying to be hospitable and she did not want to make things awkward so she smiled and said, "Why I would love to". She walked by Zane then and lounged on the bed. Zane, who was standing by the door still, looked at her for a moment and then with a hint of nervousness asked, "Do you want anything?" Elizabeth did not know what to say, quite honestly she just wanted to go home, but she had to do this for the challenge. She had to cheat on Daniel. "Actually yes, I do want something". Zane raised an eyebrow and was about to ask another question when Elizabeth continued her sentence, "I want you". And with that Zane crossed the room and got into bed with Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth finally crawled out of the security of the blankets she locked eyes with Zane. Zane had a smile playing on his lips and he was looking at Elizabeth with joy. Elizabeth returned the look but inside her stomach was churning and lurching with nervousness. Elizabeth waited for what seemed to be an hour when she finally heard the soft, sweet voice of a lullaby singing in melody with the clock on Zane's wall. Elizabeth rolled onto her back while sighing in relief. For a second she almost thought it had all been for no reason, but the lullaby had proved her wrong and now Elizabeth had a little sim inside her. "Thank you", Zane breathed through his smile. "No, thank you", Elizabeth said while rolling out of bed and simultaneously throwing her shirt over her head and then sliding her arms into the sleeves.
"Leaving so soon?" Zane said while copying Elizabeth's actions of putting on his clothes. "Yes, I have children waiting for me at my home", Elizabeth paused then and looked at the clock that had only minutes ago chimed. It was 3:00 p.m., the kids were just now getting off the bus, "And I told you about the rules. We cannot get attached to each other. I am sorry, but I have to go. I will call you when the baby comes". Elizabeth did not wait for Zane to answer before she walked out the door and to Elizabeth's relief he did not try to follow her. She got in her car, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and cried.
Elizabeth finally made herself stop crying long enough to figure out what had started the tears, "I feel guilty. I cannot believe I just did that to Daniel. Zane is handsome, kind, and gentle... but Daniel is my husband. Do not get me wrong, I had a lot of fun with Zane and I feel a connection, but I feel horrible for cheating on Daniel. No wonder people are not married when doing this challenge". Elizabeth looked at the clock then, it was 5:00 p.m. She had been crying for an hour and then it took another hour for her to control the sobs. As Elizabeth finally started her car and pulled out onto the dirt road she felt that stranger's stare again. It sent chills down her spine. Elizabeth ignored the chills and focused on the familiar numbness that filled her body. When Elizabeth got home she took five deep breathes in and out before stepping into the quiet living room. It felt wrong to be in the room and Elizabeth could not figure out why. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit her. The house was quiet, "Where are my kids?" Elizabeth looked in the kitchen first, then the family room, then the playroom, and then the library. They were no where to be found and she was becoming frantic. She ran to the back door and yelled with all her strength, "JENNA! CALISTA! IAN!" Nothing. And then as a last resort she quietly, defeated whispered, "Ryan?" "Yup?" said a voice coming from the opposite direction. Elizabeth shut the back door and then ran towards the voice. The person was in the gym and as Elizabeth walked towards the room the sound of a treadmill filled her ears. "Ryan?" Elizabeth asked while the person came into view. "Hey. Sorry I could not hear you. I had my Ipod in", Ryan said while slowing the speed on the machine to a brisk walk. "Where are the kids?" Elizabeth asked a little nervously. She was still freaking out inside. "I helped them finish their homework, Jenna needed help in math. Fed them dinner, I had to force Ian to eat his vegetables. And then I bathed them and now they are asleep", he said nonchalantly while wiping sweat from his brow. "Oh", Elizabeth was stunned there was nothing left to do, "And Mica?" Ryan looked at his flustered mother from the corner of his eye and laughed, "Her too. So that means you can go relax and go to bed. It looks like you need it". Elizabeth realized that she must have looked like a wreck. Her eyes were still red from crying, her voice hoarse from yelling for the triplets, and her hair wind blown from running. "Thanks", she mumbled while walking out of the gym. "Mom?" Ryan called making Elizabeth turn back and then he asked with a voice of curiosity and concern, "Mission accomplished?" Elizabeth thought long about his question and what it meant. It could mean "Did you conceive the next baby?" or it could mean "Did I do a good job of babysitting?". Elizabeth realized then that the answer was the same for both questions, "Yes". And then as she went to go upstairs, to take a long hot bath, and to cuddle down into bed Ryan called after her once more, "I love you!". Elizabeth had told him that of course she loved him to and now she was turning out the lights and snuggling her head into her Egyptian cotton pillow case, "I have so much stuff to think about. What will I do about Daniel? What about Zane? I need to talk to Victoria. I haven't seen her in days. And most importantly who is watching me?" Elizabeth shivered once and then drifted into the calm darkness that is known as sleep.
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