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pascal_curious
I was elated as I left work. The worries and fears of the past few months were finally gone and I had the weekend to devote entirely to my daughter before the worries of the next big project began..
I announced my triumphant return to the bunker with open arms, as if expecting a hug, and shouted, “Lucy, I'm home!”
Probably due to my pathetic Cuban accent there was no gorgeous redhead to greet me with a hug and a kiss. Even so, nothing could dampen my confident mood. Even if there was no one there to greet me right now, I knew there would be someday; if it only was my beautiful Andromeda that would be fine with me.
I put my briefcase beside the desk, hung my lab coat over the chair and slid off my tie. I welcomed the thought of slipping into my baggy t-shirt and jeans. I unbuttoned my shirt while reading the front page of the day’s newspaper someone had left sitting on the desk. Finding nothing of immediate interest, aside from the birth of General Buzz Grunt’s second child, Ripp Grunt, I unbuckled my belt and began to unbutton my trousers. I thought I smelled food cooking and hoped to God that I wouldn’t have to make good on my threat to Sophie for leaving unattended food cooking on the stove.
Just as I removed my shirt and left my pants hanging open, I was startled nearly to death by Amber coming around the corner.
“Do you always perform a striptease when you return home from work, or do you save that especially for the hired help?”
“Jeez!” I yelped and hurriedly buttoned up my trousers. “What the hell are you doing here?”
That hadn’t come out sounding exactly like I had wanted to, but I suppose it got the point across.
“Ohhhh, I see. I always thought there was something special going on between you and Sophie. No wonder she was so hesitant to leave.”
I grumbled and took my shirt, tie, lab coat and belt and went into my room to continue change. Having been a living as a bachelor in the bunker since the age of twenty-one, it was difficult to get used to the fact that there were women in the bunker. I was as bad as Lazlo walking about naked after showering. I just hoped that one day nobody caught him taking a PTA (Puss, Tits and Ass) bath at the kitchen sink. I changed into my usual civvies and went out to the kitchen to see what Amber was up to, and exactly why Sophie was conspicuously absent.
Amber was in the kitchen, cooking something that smelled like grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Andromeda was gurgling happily in her baby seat.
“Aww, dressed already?” She asked disappointedly. “I was looking forward to the striptease!”
“Sorry, I tend to save my performances for the over eighty crowds, they seem to be the only ones desperate enough to want to see it. Besides, Sophie and I have a special payment arrangement. The day she caught the stove on fire was the day of one of my less than stellar performances.”
Amber opened her mouth as if to say something and then changed her mind. After a moment she offered me a grilled cheese sandwich and some soup.
“That would be great. Someone other than Lazlo’s cooking for once.”
I picked up Andy and cuddled her closely, relishing in her clean, innocent baby scent. I kissed her cheeks and her tummy, making her smile and coo.
“How is the most beautiful girl in the world today?” I asked the baby in my arms. “Daddy missed you so much today,” I told her as I nuzzled and snuggled her. Every moment I held my daughter in my arms everything else in the world seemed to disappear, as if we were the only two beings left on earth. She depended on me for everything and in return I received the greatest payment conceivable, her unconditional love.
I didn’t want to, but put her back into her seat to tend to my growling stomach.
Amber served me a healthy sized bowl of soup and a perfectly grilled sandwich cut in half from corner to corner. Luscious gooey cheese oozed out from the edges.
“I didn’t mean to sound rude earlier, but you did scare the tar out of me. Why exactly isn’t Sophie here?” I enquired after a mouthful of soup.
“I remembered what you said yesterday about how you didn’t feel entirely comfortable with Sophie watching Andromeda. I came over earlier this morning, but you had already left and Sophie was here. I talked to Lazlo about it and he didn’t seem to think that you would mind if I watched Andy for the day. At least it would save you a few simoleans and I love spending time with her. I am not working at the moment so it seemed a natural solution”
I took an oversized bite of the grilled cheese, and I can honestly say it was the best grilled cheese sandwich I had ever tasted. There was something different yet familiar about the taste of the delicious sandwich.
“Mmm,” I mumbled, savoring the flavor of the new taste sensation. “What is different in this sandwich? It is great,” I asked wiping a gobbet of melted cheese from the corner of my mouth.
“My mom always made grilled cheese this way,” Amber explained as she sat next to me with her own sandwich and soup. “She always put thin layer of peanut butter on one of the pieces of bread.”
My cell phone rang just as I was about to dip a corner of my sandwich into my soup. I took the phone from my pocket to see that it was Lazlo calling.
“What’s up?” I answered my mouth full of sandwich.
“Hey big brother, I forgot to tell you before you left that Amber came over this morning
to watch over Andy for you. I hope that is okay.”
“Yeah, no problem,” I answered.
“Just don’t offer to pay her,” Lazlo informed me. “I offered to pay her what we usually pay Sophie and she seemed to get all affected.”
“Okay. Are you giving Angus a hard time for me?”
Lazlo laughed.
“He is so pissed that you scheduled him for the testing lab next week that he went to Price to complain. Price must have told him something about Angus not having to work under you any longer and Angus took that to mean that you were fired. He has been running all over the lab telling everyone that you were fired today.”
I chuckled. “He probably thinks he will be asked to take over my job.”
“I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that you were promoted. I thought it would be better to just let him make an ass of himself.”
There was a silence over the phone as I took another bite of sandwich.
“Hey, is Amber still there?” Lazlo asked nonchalantly.
“Mm,hmm,” I affirmed as I swallowed.
“Have you asked her out yet?” he asked with a snicker.
I almost choked on the bit of sandwich I had just swallowed. I hoped my phone wasn’t loud enough that Amber had heard Lazlo. I glanced over at her and she was sipping at her soup, seemingly oblivious to my conversation.
“I gotta go Lazlo, I’m trying to eat lunch.”
“She wants you, man, I’m telling you…”
“Seeya later Lazlo,” I said, cutting him off. I flipped the phone closed and stowed it back into my pocket. I resumed eating my meal as though the phone call had never occurred.
“So, how did your presentation go today?” Amber asked with interest.
I couldn’t help smiling at the thought of my success.
“It went great,” I told her animatedly. “I didn’t think so at first, but afterwards my boss offered me a promotion.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said. “Does that mean your company got the government contract?”
“My boss seems to think it is a certainty. He said he will probably know for sure on Monday and he wants me to head the project.”
I suddenly felt very self conscious. Amber was paying attention to me and smiling as she did so. I began to wonder if I had dribbled tomato soup on my chin or had a bit of cheese on my teeth. I ran my tongue over my teeth and wiped the corners of my mouth with my hand. There was no detritus anywhere as far as I could tell.
Amber must have noticed the change in my deportment. “What’s wrong?” she asked, “Aren’t you happy about it?”
“Of course I am. It means a lot to me, I really worked hard and it will mean that I can afford a better life for Andy. I just don’t know how I am going to do it”, I expounded. “It will mean that I have to be at work full time again and I don’t want to have to leave her with the likes of Sophie or some other rent-a-mommy. She deserves better than that.”
Amber was smiling again. I found it most unnerving. Not knowing what else to say, I returned my attention to my soup.
“You know, since I moved here I haven’t been working. I mean, I do the odd bit of tutoring from time to time, but I really don’t need to work,” Amber said, breaking the silence. She put her spoon down and it clinked on the countertop.
I turned my attention to her as she spoke. She didn’t raise her eyes from the bowl of soup as she explained, “The money I got when my husband died was enough that I will probably never have to work unless I want to.”
She distractedly began herding the breadcrumbs on her plate into a neat little pile. “I know you don’t really know me very well or anything, but I think you know you can trust me.” She finally looked up and our eyes met. “I would be glad to take care of Andromeda for you while you are at work. I mean, if you would want me to.”
My first instinct was to say ‘Yes!’, but I hesitated. Something didn’t seem right, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I went out on a limb.
“I couldn’t let you do that. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of our friendship.”
Amber looked as though my answer surprised her. She bit her lower lip thoughtfully.
“Just think of it as my wanting what is best for Andromeda,” she told me with a smile. “That, and my wanting to help out a friend.”
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no subject
Date: 2007-02-05 06:50 am (UTC)I have a chapter that comes much further ahead in the story then we are at the present moment and it is screaming to be let out of my head. I'm going to have to devote a little time to it before the dialogue in my memory goes stale. Why is it that when my mind works creatively it never seems to do it in a chronological manner? For God's sake, I already have in mind what story line I want to do when Christmas rolls around again.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-05 12:48 pm (UTC)It´s so well written and we know the locations, so pics aren´t necessary.
I love the way you tell your stories.
Ambers offer seems to be okay and nice, I wonder why Pascal hesitates. He only know why, probably it´s the sense of responsability, a father has.
And I´m looking forward for Nervous. After Pascal, he´s ma absolute favorite, too.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-05 02:59 pm (UTC)Somebody needs to tell him that everybody loves parfaits, dammit!
(Sorry. I've been watching Shrek again.)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-06 08:24 am (UTC)Oh yeah, I love Shrek too. And the analogy fits.
Okay; I´m the someone. I love parfaits. And I LOVE Pascal. Yes, he´s my secret love since I saw him the first time. He´s the handsomest, beautifullst and smartest man ever. I would die, if he was real.
Hope this will help, my dear Pascal ^_~
no subject
Date: 2007-02-06 05:09 pm (UTC)*I would die, if he was real.*
Good thing, then I wouldn't have to worry about bumping you off. He would be mine, I tell you, Mine dammit! :)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-06 05:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-06 09:49 pm (UTC)Lazlo would be my second choice, not Vidcund. I think that is because the first time I played Strangetown Vidcund came over to the Beaker's and started slapping Nervous around. (Nervous had been spying on him through a telescope.)I had already developed a sort of affection for Nervous and it pissed me off. I have never liked Vidcund much since. (Though he is growing on me the more I write about him) Lazlo is so cute and seems to be such a fun sim, like his little pirate act in chapter 12. He loves to play pirate in the bathtub. I'd play in the bathtub with him any time!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-07 12:14 am (UTC)He´s HOT! And we have the same character. I married him to my self sim and he´s adorable, not grumpy, always serenading, etc. He´s a very good father, more than Pascal and much more than Lazlo. And I adore him with this blond curls...
Oh yes, if I had to make a choice between Pascal and Vidcund, it would be very difficult...
But Pascal will always be my secret love ;)
Oh my, I´m a really silly chick, adoring pixelated men *snort*
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 05:47 pm (UTC)I have been hesitating to play Pascal's family because he is ready to turn elder. I know he will be adorable, but I will miss him as he is. I can't bear the thought of saying goodbye to dear Pascal. (I have already extended his life with the elixer a few too many times.) I keep wondering if maybe he should father a child in his old age. If he does, I hope for a boy. Most of his kids tend to be girls and it is highly annoying since he makes suce cute sons!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 07:41 pm (UTC)I saw Pascal dying only one time, and I cried. I cried a sea of tears and I swore to myself: never ever again. Though I can start a new strangetown at any time (I have six Strangetowns yet). He´s an adorable elder and it was too cute to see him hugging and all this with his dear Nervous (who is also an adorable elder too).
Why don´t you use an InSimenator to reset his adult days? And then stop the aging on the lot. I won´t bear the dying of Pascal again. But I think, the second time is easier...
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Date: 2007-02-09 02:37 am (UTC)**weeps unconsolably**
Your not alone!!
Date: 2008-07-04 09:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:26 am (UTC)Things are developing nicely between Amber and Pascal, wonder what the hesitation and "something wasn't right" was .... very interesting.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 05:38 pm (UTC)Great chapter
Date: 2007-02-10 08:45 am (UTC)Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-02-10 05:36 pm (UTC)When you see on the news a crazy redheadded woman aressted for stalking Masi Oka, that will be me.
Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-03-29 06:55 am (UTC)Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-03-31 02:31 am (UTC)B
Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-05-22 04:44 am (UTC)Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-06-06 03:17 am (UTC)Re: Great chapter
Date: 2007-07-11 06:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 03:02 pm (UTC)I know this is old, but...
Date: 2008-05-22 12:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 06:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 03:57 pm (UTC)