Graham Legacy (18) Lyddia's Confession ~ Part 1

Kyle pulled Lyddia closer on the couch. He had been working double shifts all week and was happy to have Lyddia to himself. Kale and Holly both were becoming better parents, and Kyle almost had enough money saved to move out. He stared at Lyddia. He really did love her. He wasn't sure what it was about her that drew him. She wasn't always the sharpest crayon in the box, and she tended to say the most random things, but she made up for it by loving Kyle unconditionally. Kyle knew that it wasn't something that was easy to do. Both his parents had made him distrust people, and he shut almost everyone around him out without trying. 

Lyddia kissed Kyle back. She really loved him, and his family. They made her feel....normal. She usually tried to stay up beat and happy but she knew the time had come to talk to Kyle. About everything. She gathered her courage.

 

"Kyle we need to talk about something." He paused staring at her. Lyddia's voice faltered. "We need to talk about...why I tried to kill myself." Kyle clenched his jaw. "Do we have to? I mean, things are so great." His brows knit together. "I mean, your not thinking about committing suicide now, right?" Lyddia bit her lip this was going to be so hard. "No, I just feel that you deserve the truth." Kyle really hated conversations like this. "Lyddia, I can't even begin to think like that. Okay? The thought of what would have happened if you had succeeded- I can't imagine my life without you." Lyddia tried not to be negative, but spoke honestly. "Kyle, I don't ever want to succeed but I can't lie. I get very depressed about the past, and sometimes it prevents me from thinking clearly.." Kyle interrupted. "Have you tried, I mean, since us?" He felt sick to his stomach. Lyddia paused Kyle stood up furious.

 "I haven't since we've been in Hidden Springs." Her confession sliced through Kyle. "So when we started dating, you were still thinking about it?" He felt anger and confusion boiling in him. "So our relationship, us, means nothing to you?" Lyddia shook her head. "Your not being fair Kyle. That's not how it works. I don't really  think about it, I just get depressed and...its like I almost black out." Kyle shrugged. "I can't stick around here, I'm sorry." He bolted from the room. Lyddia wished things had gone better.

Kyle avoided Lyddia for a few days, which wasn't hard to do with such a busy job and living in such a huge house. Lyddia finally confided to Holly their conversation. Holly listened, trying to be supportive. Lyddia had become one of her best friends who made living in Hidden Springs fun. "I'll have Kale track him down."

Kale found him down at Hologram. "You know, we really need to only be down here for happy occasions...like weddings." Kyle sighed, "I wish it were that simple, Kale. I love Lyddia, with all my heart. Imagine if you were in my shoes." He took another sip of his energy drink. "Remember how it felt when Kanoa almost killed Holly?" Kale felt nauseous. "I'll never forget how that felt." Kyle nodded. "Imagine if Holly had tried to kill Holly." He stood, shakily to his feet. "How much worse would you feel?" Kale shook his head. "I can't imagine." Kyle nodded. "I just don't know what to do." Kale nodded. "Let's go work out, it will help you clear your head."
 

Kyle worked out, trying to deal with all his frustration and anger. What would he do without Lyddia? He really couldn't picture his life without her at this point. She was his soul mate, he knew he would never meet another girl like Lyddia, not in a hundred years. He realized that he needed to go work things out, more than that work things out and then take the next step. 

He found her in the home theater, no surprise there. He approached her feeling humbled and slighly ashamed of himself. He had jumped to conclusions without even listening to Lyddia. She had tried to open up to him and he had shut her down. "Can I join you?" Lyddia wiped the tears from her face. "Sure."

"I need to apologize. I just...I can't imagine my life without you, Lyddia. I just panicked." Lyddia nodded. "I shouldn't have asked you to talk about it right then. I don't think your ready." She looked at her hands. "I don't think I'm ready either." Kyle brightened. "Well I have something else I hope your ready for."

Kyle got down on one knee. "Lyddia, will you please marry me? I don't know what the future holds but I don't want to imagine it without you." Lyddia smiled, she was amazed that Kyle was already asking her to marry him. "Of course!!!"

Kyle kissed Lyddia. He would have never guessed that he would have ended up engaged to her the first time they talked at the hospital. 

What the??!!! Well, we are going to give them some privacy. :/

Holly walked up to Kyle's room and was shocked when Lyddia walked out with Kyle.

Holly: Uhhhhh.....
Kyle: These aren't the droids your looking for....
Holly: Right. Dinner's ready
Lyddia: *opens mouth to say something awkward*
Holly: Not a word, Lyddia! *flees back down the stairs.*

Kale: So their engaged now, that's nice.
Holly: Yeah, and hanging out in Kyle's room. I don't even want to know-
Kale: Their in the hallway, shhh! 

Kyle and Lyddia burst in. "Lobster Thermidor? My favorite, sis!" Kyle exclaimed. Kale quipped. "So I hear you two are going to tie the knot. Any idea as to when your moving out?" Holly elbowed Kale and he coughed. "I mean, when are you getting married?"

"I don't know. Soon I guess. How long you want to wait?" Lyddia didn't get a chance to speak. Kale interrupted. "Well, speaking of waiting, make sure that you do take things slowly." Kyle scoffed, "Your kidding, right? This is coming from the guy who has four toddlers after a year of marriage?"

Kale countered. "Well I unlocked the fertility treatment lifetime reward! How was I supposed to know it would work?" Holly gave Kale a look that screamed annoyance. Kyle pointed a fork at Kale. "Your point is invalid, sir. You are in no position to give romance advice." Holly looked at Kale and Kyle sharply. "This isn't an appropriate dinner topic...actually lets never discuss this again." Lyddia piped up. " Manners!"

End of Chapter 18 Part 1

Graham Legacy (17) Crisis Averted

With the new babies came big changes! For starters, we totally had to overhaul the dining room and kitchen to make them more functional rooms for our big family.

 

Kyle's room was  moved to the third floor, since we didn't want to go up and down the stairs all night long taking care of the toddlers. 

The last renovation was turning Kyle's old room into the babies nursery. This was so much more functional for us, as the master bedroom was also on the second floor. For awhile I breathed a sigh of relief. Our children were all thriving. Lyddia had gotten a new educational job, and Kyle's improved logic got him a higher paying job on the police force. Everything in our world seemed okay. Well, almost everything. 

 Although I had quit my job, Kale stubbornly refused to give up his. He didn't like the idea of staying home all day. I knew he loved the children, but it hurt that he wouldn't help me at all with them. Lyddia was gone all day now, Kyle didn't get home until Kale did, and I was their only caregiver all day. 

I loved my children, I really did. But I wasn't getting enough sleep and taking care of four toddlers is much harder than it looks! To top it all off, I felt Kale was going through a mid life crisis of some kind. He hadn't been himself lately, and I felt the distance growing between us. He had wanted a family! And now I felt he practically raced out the door each morning to get away from us. I couldn't help getting depressed. Kale had been the rock in the stormy waves of my life. Kale wasn't Kale anymore. And because of this, I didn't feel like me anymore either. 

Kale talked to Jessica Richards about better ways to upgrade the fire engine. Jessica was a very handy sim so she was really excited to learn new techniques for making the engine run better. Candace Roberts looked on, disgusted that Kale was giving Jessica attention. Jessica isn't nearly as pretty or smart as me. Candace thought absently to herself.

She glumly walked passed them. Every since Kale had transferred to The Hidden Springs Fire Station all Candace could do was think about him. She knew he was married, had toddlers even, but Candace couldn't help it. He was so...what was the word she was thinking of? Good. That was it. He was one of those sims that just made you want to be a better person. Save kittens from trees and all that. Candace didn't really care about being good, in fact most of her life she had been anything but good. Opposites attract. She concluded. Candace heard Kale laugh at something Jessica said. She would get his attention. And, unlike boring Jessica, she would keep it. 

I looked down at the mess Theodore had made all over his walker. He had squished baby crackers all over it. I started to clean his hands with baby wipes. What was that terrible smell? I recognized the smell and cringed. Theodore smiled innocently at me. "I can't believe this! that is the fourth time today!" How many diapers had I changed today? I couldn't think straight. Must be because tonight was a Full Moon. That, and the fact that I had maybe slept three hours in the past two days. 

Kale arrived home around eight. I was nearly in tears. "Where have you been? I really could use some help! Theodore has had a terrible day and Kambree won't stop biting and Hay-" Kale interrupted me. "I just got home! We put out three fires today. Give me some space." I was taken aback. "I haven't seen you all day!" I stated, feeling the urge to cry but trying to stop myself. For once, Kale didn't comfort me. "I'm going to go down to Hologram and clear my head." I stared in stunned silence as he walked out the door. 

Several hours, and about twenty energy drinks later, Kale turned to the mixologist. "Can I have one more, please?" Jane looked at him feeling very sad for her boss. She had never seen him like this. "Mr. Graham, you've had more than enough..why don't you go home to your wife? Hmm? I'll call a cab."

Although Kale came home, I still felt that he was guarded and distant. I didn't want to overreact, I didn't want to panic, but something  just didn't feel right. He did say sorry but for once there was no sincerity in his tone. I began to wonder how alike he and Kanoa actually were. 

The next day I am ashamed to say, I had a lapse in judgement. Meaning, I judged I could take a ten minute power nap on the floor.....when I was really low on sleep. Needless to say, I was completely passed out whilst the toddlers watched me. They really are quite well behaved. Kale got home soon after I passed out. 

"Hey Holly I-" He started to say. The toddlers looked up at him smiling and babbling in baby speak.

Kale was starting to connect the dots (finally!) he began to realize working at the station when we didn't need the money, was kind of selfish because he was avoiding responsibility to his family. He stared down at me: passed out, drooling I'm sure, and felt a twinge of guilt. He always had a good night sleep. 

Kale scooped Holly up and carried her to the bed. He noted she felt lighter and worried about her weight. He had never told her, but this had always been of concern to him. She had always been quite skinny, frail to him. 

He tucked her in. He felt like every kind of fool. When the toddlers were born, he had no idea how radically they would change everything. He and Holly had gone from being the cool, young fun couple who went places to the young family that stayed at home. Kale had been trying so hard to hold onto who he used to be that he almost forgot what he was. A husband. A father. He felt he was failing both miserably. 

Kale knew he had to turn things around and sighed. It wouldn't be easy. Four toddlers. Yikes. But he wasn't going to risk losing Holly. She had grown thinner and had dark circles under her eyes. As painful as it was to admit, he was wrong. He decided to quit his job the next day.

Unfortunatly, Kale got called in for one last evening shift because Jennifer couldn't make it. Candace was delighted that he was working her shift, and promptly started a conversation. Candace leaned in. "Kale, there's something I've been meaning to ask you..." Kale nodded, oblivious. "Sure, anything."

Candace pulled Kale in close and kissed him square on the mouth. In the heat of the moment, Kale started to kiss her back and then pulled away sharply, feeling himself a complete idiot. 

"Why did you do that? I'm married!" He said, clearly angry, but not sure how to handle it. He had gotten caught up in the moment for all of a half second, and felt heat rise to his face. Candace, still determined stated. "I really care about you, Kale. I always have. Please say you care too." Kale bit his lip so hard it bled. He had never hit a girl, but he wanted to now. "I will NEVER care about you that way, Candace." He spoke carefully, trying to put a wall between them. "I love my kids, my wife, and I won't jeopardize my family for you." His resolve strengthened and he went downstairs to the office to call Anderson. He was done. Without looking back, Kale came home. 

He hugged me as soon as he saw me. I felt the tightness of his embrace. "What's wrong?" He sighed and conveyed what had happened. I was furious that Candace had kissed him, knowing full well he had a wife and kids! 

Kale pulled back and looked at me. "I am so sorry, Holly, for not being there for you and the kids the last few weeks its just, this is so..." I interrupted, "Hard? Different? A huge Change?" Kale smiled. "Something like that, yes. And its all changing so fast, and I feel like I can't keep up." I grinned mischievously. "I can keep you on your toes." Kale pulled me in for a kiss. "I like the sound of that."

 

Oh, and incase you were wondering where Lyddia and Kyle were most of this chapter.
Lyddia: *crying* Aren't we so lucky? The Romance Movie Network has a Romance Movie Marathon, what are the odds of that?

Kyle: *so bored he would rather watch paint dry* What did I do to deserve this!!!!!?

Things aren't perfect...they never are with a family this big! But they are better than they were. Kale and I are getting close again and it seems to me that his mid life crisis was completely averted. 

End of Part 17 

Graham Legacy (16) Invisible Babies

 Hi! Sarah Simmer here and I want to clarify several things about this chapter: First, I take no credit for any custom content in this story! That said, I must now say that because of all the custom content in my game, this next part of the story is going to be weird. It includes an invisible baby/or babies (got to love that glitch), and I will be aging up the baby/or babies  fast to make the story progress and so you know...we can actually see what the baby/or babies looks like.

 

Moving on....

 

My pregnancy progressed fairly normally. If normal was gaining no weight (no tummy bulge whatsoever), hating the taste of both watermelons & apples, and having an obsession with wearing skin tight clothing, then I was doing just fine. To top it all off, Kale and I had been having intense arguments about whether we should adopt Jazlyn's baby. It was a very messed up situation and I would go from feeling like we could do it to terrified that the baby could turn out like Kanoa.  Lyddia seemed to find our discussions especially entertaining and tended to watch them.

Kyle: Hey just got off of work, what's going on?

Lyddia: Shhh! don't interrupt! They are discussing whether they should adopt Jazlyn's baby again.

Kyle: Are you kidding me?!

Kyle: *furious* You shouldn't pressure Holly into adopting that monster's baby! Okay, he tried to kill her, in case you are forgetting! And now she's supposed to just sweep that under the rug and pretend it never happened? Just so what, you can look like the good guy?

Kale: *calmly* I am not pressuring Holly, we are discussing this like mature adults. This baby, is my blood. My niece or nephew. We can't just walk away and let some stranger raise family!

Kyle: You want to bet?-

I interrupted, "Guys, calm down okay? This is just a discussion! Nothing has been decided yet." Lyddia agreed. "As entertaining as this is, you two need to just step back from this for a few minutes." Kale and Kyle commenced the ever mature glare off. Hmm. I spoke, "Look, I will call Jazlyn right now to hear her thoughts on everything. Truce until then." The glare off continued. Lyddia spoke, "I'm going to go watch some sports."

I called Jazlyn, to see how things were going. She relayed that she was close to her due date, and scared of Kanoa. "Holly, I'm not trying to be demanding here, but I am a single sim that is going to be raising two kids in a broken home. Having another one here will just make it harder. You have Kale and you two are still together and can give this baby a mom and dad. Two parents. I am not pressuring either of you, but if you don't take this baby I will find someone who will." She hung up the phone then. I was actually beginning to understand her logic. 

I sat down as everyone continued to watch television. "So I think we should adopt her baby." I stated to everyone calmly. Kyle and Kale began to argue back and forth immediately. Lyddia looked amused but stated she approved. Suddenly, things changed. "Guys..." They continued their petty arguing. "Guys...."

"GUYS! Going into labor over here!" I stated gritting my teeth. Kale, Kyle, and Lyddia all jumped up hyper alert. "Should we take her to the hospital?" Lyddia asked. "Too late!" I cringed. (And invisible baby in 5.....4....3.....2...)

I could sense a baby was there...somehow I was holding him. We named him Theodore, after my grandfather.

And I decided to put the invisible baby into the crib because you know...he could have looked tired? After carrying Theodore up two flights of stairs and placing him in his crib I suddenly felt more pain. Twins???

The next one was a girl which I named Kambree just because I really liked the name and had picked it out of my favorite baby book.  

"I can't believe we had twins! Can you Kale?" Kale smiled timidly. "Actually I kinda unlocked the fertility treatment reward..." I gaped at him. "You what!!!?" I couldn't yell any more because...

The last and final baby arrived! It was another boy which we named Hayden. Kyle admitted. "That was about the most horrifying thing I have witnessed in my life. " Kale gave him a shut up look. I started to cry. "I wish we could see what they look like." Kale comforted. "Give it a day or two, the creator will sort it out." I looked at Kale. "Creator?" Kale looked around "I have no idea what I just said."

Kale was right. A day or two later, all the babies aged into toddlers! Theodore's hair looks just like Kale's and he had my blue eyes. He was born with the Athletic and Brave traits.

Kambree was the spitting image of Kale, down to hair and eyes both. She has a very quiet, sweet nature about her and was born with the Artistic and Good traits. I think she will do well in life.

Our youngest, Hayden, is the one that looks the most like me out of all the kids. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was born with the Athletic and Genius traits.

We were now the parents of triplets! We had gone to just being a married couple to parents of three in just a manner of hours and now had toddlers after just two days! Kyle and Lyddia both were stunned that we had so many children right off the bat. I still hadn't talked to Kale about the fertility treatment, but I was going to....

Kyle interrupted my almost lecture, "I can't believe you named one of you kids Theodore! I mean come  on!" He laughed, slapping Kale's arm, "Teddy Graham? That is too funny...ya'll couldn't make this stuff up if you tried!" Kale couldn't help chuckling himself. I put my hand on my hip. "We are not changing his name, thank you very much. Theodore is a wonderful name." Kale smiled. "I agree with you one hundred percent."

I felt so lucky! I had the man of my dreams, three gorgeous toddlers, and we had only been married about a year! Plus, when we adopted Jazlyn's baby that would be another toddler! Four toddlers?! I have a feeling the next few years will be tough. Kale smiled. "I love you so much, thank you for giving me a family, it's the only thing I have every truly wanted."

"Still standing here, bro-in-law." Lyddia chirped her agreement, "Awkward moment." Then giggled. I cringed. I loved my brother and I loved Lyddia like a sister, but it was beginning to feel like we never had anytime to ourselves. 

 
A few days later we left the kiddos with Kyle and Lyddia so we could go have our first date night in about two weeks! Lyddia and Kyle claimed they had everything under control so we left.

Kale got a call before we even got to take a step inside. "It's Jazlyn, she had the baby and wants me to pick him up....oh wow she's in Roaring Heights, this could take awhile." Kale turned to me. "Why don't you go home with the kids and leave this to me. I nodded. Although I trusted Kyle and Lyddia, I would feel better if I was home with them.

 I was cooking in the kitchen when Kale returned. "Honey, he's here." (his traits are genius and artistic)

 

"His name is Matthew." Kale stated with pride. I could tell they had already bonded some on the trip home and I held out my hands to take him. "Can I hold him?"

As I held Matthew I realized it didn't matter where he had come from. He was our baby boy now, I felt this to be true the moment I held him. I looked at Kale incredulous. "Four kids." Kale smiled, that amused half smile of his. "Four toddlers." We were a family!

End of Part 16