Generation Three— Chapter Six: I Don't Remember Growing Older, When Did They?

The last week of school for the triplets was beyond difficult. Besides that kerfuffle with Tatum leading to the Principal suggesting Nathaniel move Megan to another school, there was the days of Finals. Testing, testing and more testing. And when they weren’t testing, there was the endless rehearsals for the formal graduation ceremonies. Nathaniel kept tabs on how his children were doing. Both of the girls were pulling strong B's, while Marc had A's across the board. He was very proud of all of them, remembering how he teetered on the edge of defeat with so little time to climb out of the scholastic hole he’d dug for himself. Also, with Megan ditching school so often, this was quite a feat for her to pull off. He wondered just what was going on between Tatum and Megan. Seems their association began back in grade school … 

The three kids would study together. After numerous conversations with each child, he helped them find their ‘true calling’. Megan had a head for business, taking after her second great-grandfather, who had been a shipping Magnate. Marc had a need to help people, so he talked of becoming a doctor. Janeille, on the other hand was so very undecided. Nathaniel felt her pain as she often flip-flopped over which direction she should take.

Finally, the day of Graduation arrived. The family went to the school stadium to watch their children receive their diplomas. After all of the speeches, the pontificating and the pomp and circumstance of the moment, Nathaniel was glad when it was finally over. He gathered up his children and they went home to have a nice festive meal.  There was a rule in the Cantrell household, that all phones were banned from the dinner table. The kids were very excited, and in her excitement, Megan forgot to place hers in the basket on the mantle of the fireplace in the dining room. Of course, it went off. A chime to let her know she had a text message waiting. Unconsciously, she reaching into her pocket and read the text. Then she looked up and caught her father’s less than pleased expression. 

“Sorry, Daddy, I just forgot. But can I go?”

“Go where?” he said.

“My friend just invited me to Singles Night at the bar. Can I go? Please, please, please, please, please,” she squealed.

“What about our family celebration?”

“I’m done eating,” she said, quickly wiping her mouth on her napkin, as she was already half out of her chair. “Really, I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Nathaniel was disappointed, but glanced around the table. “Anyone else mind if she goes out?”

Disguising his real thoughts Marc shook his head, “Maybe she can meet some guy and we can marry her off,” he quipped, stabbing at the grilled chicken on his plate. “Get her out of the house.”

“Ha-ha!” Megan said back, walking behind his seat, heading out of the room. “You wish, little brother.”

“Little — what? We’re twins.”

“Don’t forget I was born before you. By eight minutes.”

“Okay by me. Old lady.”

“Well, if she’s old, what does that make me?” Janeille said. “I was born a few hours before the two of you.”

Nathaniel gave the okay and with that Megan rushed out of the front door. “Don’t’ wait up,” she hollered.

“Stay out of the Beam of light!” Nathaniel said back. Now that they were nearly grown, he fully expected the aliens to come claim them. If for nothing more than to give them their ‘assignment’.

“Oh, Daddy, they don’t want me back. It’s like you keep saying, I’m too much trouble!” 

Birthdays hit with a vengeance. Nathaniel was an adult one moment and an Elder the next, practically as soon as he blew out the candles. The family had a nice party for him. This time, they utilized that grand room on the second floor. They also had a DJ rig and a dance floor. It was fun and the party went until dawn. Shortly thereafter came the children’s birthday. One by one they blew out candles and presto! A Young Adult emerged. Jaylen also became an elder. Sadly, his birthday slipped by quietly. 

Megan was the first to get a job. She knew up front where she was headed and went into Business, just as she’d talked about. Marc, too entered the field of Medicine, starting out as a level three Medical Assistant, to everyone’s surprise. Good grades count for something, after all. Janeille first joined the Detective track, quit, joined the Athletic track, which pleased Jaylen for about a minute. That is until she quickly quit. Finally, she ended up with her first love, after Nathaniel stepped in. Reminded of what his father had told him. “Find your passion,” he told her.

“Well,” she said. “I do love computers and all of that technical stuff. I was even able to hack into a site, once. And I love playing video games.”

“There you go,” Nathaniel said. “Why don’t you become a Tech.”

“A Tech? Oh, a Tech! I could totally do that. Thanks, Daddy!” she kissed his cheek and with a few clicks on her phone landed a job.

      Marc’s first day at the Clinic proved challenging in the manner that appealed to his genius. He swabbed a patient’s cheek, but before he tested it, Marc thought it a good idea to perform a practice analysis to get acquainted with the machine. Through this, he discovered an element. Curious, he thought with glee. Then he ran the sample through. What ever it was, it was over his head. He turned to the doctor next to him and passed the patient file over to her.  

 

He saw many patients that day, but although he was exhausted upon his return home, he felt fulfilled. He was going to enjoy this career, he was certain. In the ensuing days he had off, he went to the community garden on the other side of town. There he met a curious woman, who offered him a rare fruit kit to grow. Before he left to go home, he asked her for fertilizer. Then Marc commenced growing a garden. This was very new to him, but as a potential doctor, he felt it incumbent upon him to be the example for his patients. Eating healthy homegrown foods was key. He planted various things: an apple tree, a plantation tree, the Growfruit, some carrots, basil, grapes, strawberries, and spinach. Tending the garden was relaxing. Where he didn’t know stuff, he bought books to read. Great-Gramps was also into gardening, from all of that harvesting he’d do just to help make ends meet each month. Marc could often find him ‘talking’ to the plants.

“Gramps, does that really work?” 

“Why, yes, yes it does. Do you not see the aura around each plant? They have feelings, you realize. They need to know we love them, in order for them to do their very best.”

“Oh, you’re encouraging them.”

Marc did a little of this harvesting, too. He found some odd things. Some rather beautiful decorative eggs on stands. These were obviously highly valuable items. In fact, some of them were a tad familiar. He recalled seeing pictures when studying history. Faberge, a well-known and respected jeweler from the last century, or so, had been commissioned to make these for a royal family each Spring holiday season. Was there a thief in the neighborhood? Was this booty being stashed for a time when they could come back and safely collect it? Marc, carefully packed each egg away. Perhaps, that Growfruit woman would have some knowledge of it.

Generation Three — Chapter Five: Boil, Boil, Toil and Bubble, Alien Twins Are So Much Trouble

   Nathaniel knew something was up. The twins, in particular, more than Janeille, anyway, were having a very difficult time as they made the transition from child to teen. At first, he was lulled into thinking it was the normal teenage angst that had beset both Megan and Marc. However, Megan was always gloomy, seemed to be part of her nature, so when she skipped school here and there, beginning in grade school and continuing throughout high school, he mostly shrugged it off. Megan, was just being Megan. What he didn’t anticipate, was the change in Marc. Marc had always been stalwart. The most level-headed of the three. Nathaniel did his best to remain close to his son, to help him become a man.

     Still, in the back of his mind were the words his grandfather spoke when the aliens released him again. “I can only hope my great-grandchildren won’t grow up to be so sinister in their aspirations.” Nathaniel’s anxiety kicked into high gear when he learned that both Megan and Marc were being rather careless in their behavior. Janeille complained mightily when Marc outright read her thoughts.

This, in apparent retaliation for when she accidentally walked in on him while taking a shower. Then, he got a concerned call from the school principal.  

“Mister Cantrell,” he began, “Were you aware that your daughter, Megan, left school midday and never returned to campus? I’ve also received a complaint from a boy named Tatum, that she willfully invaded his thoughts. Personally, I think the boy has been watching too much of that old TV show from the sixties, myself. But, still he seemed rattled and has requested a change in his school schedule to make certain he’s not in the same classes as she. You can see my problem, can’t you? It’s late in the school year to make such a switch. And if I don’t address the problem, the school is facing a lawsuit.”

“I see,” Nathaniel said. “So, you’re asking me to transfer my daughter to another school, is that it? Like you said, it’s rather late in the school year to be making such switches.  We’re talking a Sim week left. I’ll talk to Megan about the alleged incident. But the notion she somehow invaded his thoughts willfully or otherwise— well, you have to agree that’s simply ludicrous. Unless he means he has on hell of a crush on her, that is.”  Nathaniel’s laugh was more of a nervous nature than true levity. “All right, okay. At the very least, she will apologize to the young man, and perhaps, that will quell the difficulties.” 

   “Talk, talk, talk! That’s all anybody wants to do these days. Never solves anything. I’m about to expel your daughter from my school! Stick that in your box of writing tricks and turn it into a bestseller. Good day, sir!” 

Nathaniel let out a heavy sigh. What was he to do? The twins were, indeed, out of control. Elsa, for the longest time, would keep tabs on Marc either by randomly inviting him to hangout at her place, or calling and asking if she could hang out here. Why did she suddenly stop? He wondered. Nathaniel rubbed at the growing stiffness in his neck. What, indeed, was he to do? 

Jaylen, who was now on a minor league walked through the room. He saw his brother and frowned. “Hey, what’s up with you? You look like the world is sitting on your shoulders. Want me to massage that out of you?” He reached for his brother’s shoulders.

“It’s the twins,” Nathaniel said, stepping behind the bar and mixing himself a drink. “Want one?”

“One of the twins?” Jaylen looked confused. “Oh, no, not a drink, unless it’s strictly fruit or vegetable juice. Got a big game coming up. So, what’s up with the twins?”

“I’m not sure. They both seem restless, discontent,” Nathaniel held up a hand. “Yes, I know what you’re about to say. That’s normal for Megan. But, it’s not for Marc.”

Very slowly Jaylen nodded his head. “If you don’t mind, I think I know what may help.”

A few nights later, Jaylen received a phone call from Jackie Harris, inviting him out to a local bar for “Alien Night”. Nathaniel had just gotten home from work. “Nate, hey,” Jaylen began. “Okay if I take Marc and Megan out for a little while tonight? Let them burn off some of that pent up steam? Might help, you never know.”

“Sure, something’s got to give.”

With that the uncle invited the twins to Windenburg for a night out. Standing in front of the bar, Marc looked at his uncle. “What’s this all about, Jay?”

“That’s uncle Jay to you. Just thought you two needed some time away. You know, to let your hair down, and your disguises.”

“Disguises,” the twins said in unison. Marc half-laughed in his obvious discomfort.

“Yeah, you see tonight is Alien Night at the bar. Thought that being around others like you might make you feel more at ease with yourselves.”

“Like us? What are you saying? How did —”

“I was there when you two were born. Your father is my only brother and I remember how he was abducted right before he married Sophia, who, by the way, wasn’t your biological mother. We all thought your Dad’s  “morning sickness” and his sudden weight gain was empathy for Sophia who got pregnant right away. Then you two were born. Now, come on, off with the disguise and get on inside and have some fun.”  

Reluctantly the twins complied, feeling rather naked, at first. Then they saw several people dressed like they were slowly trickle into the establishment. Most of them bore a greenish hue, while the twins were lavender in color. But, all were bald with black eyes. The two went inside. Before long, Megan was laughing and having a very enjoyable time. Marc was a tad more reluctant. After a time, when an older female alien kept giving him the ‘eye’, he finally took a seat next to her at the bar. They chatted and pretty soon he was feeling flirty. This scared him a bit. He’d never felt this way, before, but perhaps he was just growing up? 

Looking around, he didn’t see his uncle anywhere. Taking a quick walk outside, he finally found the Sim. Asleep in a bush. Marc went back inside the bar. About an hour or so later, Jaylen collected the twins and brought them back home. “Back into your disguises, in case the others are still up. I don’t want to answer questions — and neither do you.”  

“Okay,” Marc said. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned slightly toward his uncle and said, “Hey, Uncle Jay, the next time there’s an “Alien Night” will you let us know? That was fun. In an odd sort of way.”

“You got it. Come along, Megan. You both have school tomorrow.”

Generation Three— Chapter Four: Thrice Is Not A Charm

Nathaniel got up from his desk in the office where he was working on his latest book. Hungry, he was crossing through the long, formal dining room on his way to the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks midway, hearing the low, ominous humming sound emanating from above the house. He didn’t need to look to see what it was. He knew, he’d heard it twice before. Which was good, since he found his feet more or less glued to the hardwood floor. He couldn’t move if he wanted to and wondered if he was paralyzed in the same manner when caught in that beam of light? His heart thumped almost to that ominous pulsation. He broke out into a sweat. The children!  

     Glancing about him, he quickly realized all three were in the same room with him. Sitting in the corner of the dining room, just outside of the office, Marc and Janeille were playing a game of chess, with Megan kibitzing as she watched them play. Sophia came into the room, moments later, a plate of steaming food in her hand, ready to eat. Pretty soon he could hear Jaylen laughing as he watched a kids show out in the livingroom. That left Gramps. 

     Where was he? Nathaniel realized he'd been so engrossed in his writing, he hadn't see Gramps in quite some time.

“Gramps?” Nathaniel called out, trying not to panic. The last time the aliens were here they threatened to take the children away. His children. Were they now in the process of kidnaping his already deceased grandfather? Would they try to use the spectre of his ancestor as a bargaining chip?

Nathaniel searched the house, all three floors, top to bottom. No Gramps. He chanced going out back to their private family cemetery plot. Often Erik could be found there, mourning either Zoe, or sometimes even Jade. The ghost was very sensitive and very sweet. Nathaniel wished he had known him when he was alive. He hated to think the aliens had him captive, possibly torturing him. Oh, the nightmares … 

As if by design, several of the home’s appliances went Ka-blewey.  Erik generally was the one to make these repairs. Jaylen had long since gone to bed. So, Nathaniel rolled up his sleeves and tackled one job after the next. First the downstairs toilet overflowed. Then the sink in that bathroom sprung a leak. The dishwasher decided to wet the kitchen floor — for once Nathaniel praised his grandfather for having chosen real stone flooring. Linoleum would have split under this small flood. Nathaniel carefully mopped up this water before he tried fixing the appliance, understanding that water and electricity didn’t mix. Despite his cautious approach, he came away from this repair feeling dazed. He’d been zapped. But at least he’d finally pulled the dwelling back together, and tackled the Great Flood of Cantrell House. Not a bad title, he may have to write another How-To.

The work was a tad exhausting, but at least, he was kept occupied. And so distracted, he wasn’t thinking, for once. Which was a good thing, he decided.

After hours had gone by, Nathaniel was alerted to the same haunting thrumming, pulsating sound again above the roof. Shortly thereafter, Erik floated his way inside the house again. 

“Gramps!” Nathaniel greeted the entity, with a big hug. “Are you okay?”

“Nathaniel, please forgive me for ever teasing you about your unfortunate experiences with those, those… beings. I can only hope my great-grandchildren won’t grow up to be so sinister in their aspirations. It’s my opinion, they wish to take over our planet through interbreeding.”

“And that’s putting it kindly. Did they hurt you in any way?” Nathaniel looked over his ghostly grandfather. “They didn’t go near your navel, did they?”

“No, no. I think they perceived I was too old and too dead a specimen for their usage.”

“Good. For once I think I’m glad you are dearly departed.”

“Me, too. But, if you don’t mind, I would like to get in a bit of shut-eye.”

“Certainly. I understand. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I think so. Goodnight, Nate.”

“Good night, Gramps.”  

Shortly thereafter, Nathaniel celebrated his birthday. He was now a full adult. Two Sim days later, so did Jaylen. While Nathaniel’s birthday consisted of a cake and a few congratulatory texts from friends, he made sure to throw a bash for his younger brother. Falling on a weekend as it did, made it easier to do. He didn’t have to worry how late the children stayed up, as they, too, were included in the guest list. 

    Nathaniel was quick to show off his dance moves, perhaps to prove he wasn’t ‘over the hill’ just yet. He did get his brother to kick up his heels for a bit. The most fun he had, was when Marc joined him on the dance floor. After the birthdays were over for another year, Nathaniel concentrated on the house. He decided the roof needed replacing.  

     

                              *~*~*~*~* 

     Jaylen worked hard and was soon promoted. He was also given a choice of positions. He could become a Trainer or he could try his hand at Sports. Jaylen chose the Sports track. He continued to workout, but one day he saw a rather curious thing. He recalled how his father and his now late grand Auntie Bree had the Gift of second-sight. His father’s was more pronounced in the visitation of ghostly entities. Auntie Bree would get visions of future events. Jaylen punched at the bag, trying very hard to ignore the thing working out next to him. Perhaps, it meant nothing and would go away. Fearing ridicule, he said nothing about this obscure event.  

A few Sim days later, he was very grieved when his sister-in-law passed away very early one morning. He sometimes wondered if she was okay, mentally, or if Sim-senility had taken over her mind. She was cooking at the stove when suddenly a fire broke out. He was just in the other room and heard her whimpering oddly while trying to put it out. He grabbed the other extinguisher their father insisted they keep, and ran to help her. It was Sim days before they could replace the stove. But, at least she didn’t burn the kitchen down. Insurance was nothing short of a joke. The family cleaned up the mess. And, now she was gone.  

    Sad, sad thing. He felt for his older brother. Nathaniel had already gone through the emotional wringer. What more could this Sim take?

 

Generation Three — Chapter Three: Stay Away From That Beam of Light!

Nathaniel had gone to bed. He was exhausted, so he couldn’t tell if it had happened again, or if he was still having nightmares from his original abduction. All he knew is suddenly, he was back in the Beam and being removed from his home planet. That alone was the stuff of nightmares. All he clearly remembered was checking on the children’s homework, helping Marc out with a few problems that were particularly difficult and then going upstairs to bed. 

Over the years things got so bad, he ended up doing some research into the matter and found himself surprised at just how many right here in Willow Creek shared his experience. He was so upset by his experience, that his personal life was disrupted, at best. He formed a group, Interstellar Ambassadors. He had to do something to regain even a semblance of normality. They met at least once a month, more often if a member was having a really hard time adjusting to what had happened to them. Nathaniel was one of them. Memories were patchy, but the group employed a hypnotist to help draw out the finer details of the abduction. Slowly, Nathaniel recalled that he had, indeed, been abducted for a second time. They didn’t inject him again, so he didn’t find himself in the family way this time. Thankfully.

The details of this second abduction included a meeting of sorts, as he would describe it to the group, which was more about the children, themselves, than it was him. He sat in the well of the ship, surrounded by purple beings that either refused to be seen or preferred not to be seen. The lighting was dim.

“How are they doing?” thought the first alien. A male, from what Nathaniel could tell. Dressed in a body suit of neon green and black, it was rather form fitting. The alien appeared to be athletic, muscular. If Nathaniel entertained any thought of trying to take the guy, his physique alone was a deterrent to such aspirations. 

“They’re both doing fine,” he answered, slowly, not sure just what they wanted with him this time, aware of his own unease, even so. “But I have to ask, why did you give me twins?”

The second alien gave her thoughts, “We wanted to know how each gender adapts to their new Home world. Many experiments are being conducted all over your planet.”

“Grizelda,” came the thoughts of the male, “not too much information.”

“Why? His thoughts will be wiped clean after this.”

“Again, too much information.”

Nathaniel looked from one to the other, “How is it you two think Simlish?”

“Oh, we’ve been studying your kind for Sim days. Many, many Sim days.”

“Why?”

“Silly Sim, you ask too many questions.”

“I have a right to know,” Nathaniel resettled in his seat. The chair was of cold steel, a flat hard surface, not at all designed for comfort. In fact, the capsule was a shade too cool for him, dressed as he was in his jammies; loose draw-string pants and a tank top. He was also barefoot, not expecting this little nightly visitation. He had gone to bed! Glancing around him, the interior of the ship was a polished gray steel with neon green tube-like lights that cut angular grooves into the bulkheads. Otherwise it was dark, the aliens with their large black eyes and lavender skin preferred the shadows, or so it seemed. Perhaps, those ghoulish eyes were sensitive. Nathaniel felt disdain welling upwards in him. Placing a protective hand over his navel, “You invaded my life, my body and my family. Just what is it you want? To impregnate me again? You want me to have to wrangle more than three children at once? My wife is an elder, now. That’s too much to ask of her, putting the onus on me.” 

“You can give the girl back to us,” Grizelda impressed her thoughts into Nathaniel’s mind. “In fact, we insist. You must give the children back, now. Both of them.”

“Eat space dirt! You deliberately impregnate me with not just one alien baby but two without so much as asking my permission, and now you want to take them back! I don’t think so, they’re mine. My kids. I labored for hours, in pain. I birthed them. I fed them, I changed their dirty diapers. Where the hell were you? I’ve had them for years, now. Go back to Sixam, Zzxyzx, or wherever the hell you’re from. You’re not getting my kids!” Nathaniel shot up out of his seat, only to have large, purple hands, placed on his shoulders from behind, shove him back down into the swivel chair. “And just for the record my navel still hurts! So, no, you can’t have my kids.” 

“Suit yourself,” Grizelda impressed her thoughts into his head. Her smile was a weak, sickeningly, evil grin. Full of foreboding. Her eyes endless pools of black. She gave him the creeps. “You haven’t seen or heard the last from us. We will be checking back with you.”

Shortly afterward, Nathaniel found himself back in the Beam and slowly lowered onto the grass at the side of his house. 

“When you awaken,” the hypnotist said, “you’ll remember all that you’ve told me, but you will no longer be afraid.”

After this session, the group broke up for the evening. The next day Nathaniel found himself rather inspired to finish his latest book, “Stay Away From That Beam of Light!” He worked furiously at it, almost as if his life depended on it, and then it was done. Sitting back in his desk chair, he let out a sigh. Should he self-publish was the next question on his mind. He already had two books completed, one self-published, from which he drew a very modest §6.00 every week. In the end, after receiving the rather large monthly utility bill, he made the decision to find an actual publisher. His work was well received and his first royalty check a cool §84.00.

This was a good thing, as his three children were growing like weeds. Both the girls needed new clothes and his only son needed new shoes. He liked how the twins had cleverly disguised themselves, too. At first they both chose red hair and bronze skin, but after Nathaniel sat them down, they agreed the disguise would work out better were they to use the same skin tone as their sister, Janeille, as well as her strawberry-blond colored hair. This way, no one was likely to question they were triplets, which for all intents and purposes they were, all three born on the very same day. Just their host Sim was different. Sophia birthed Janeille, and he birthed Megan and then Marc. 

Now that the children were of school age, things were working out well. The three always had each other to play with and often times went to the park together. Upon occasion a spat would break out, but Nathaniel was pleased they had genuine affection for each other. Megan had the aspiration to be a Whiz Kid, both Marc and Janeille were more of the Social Butterfly type, although to Marc’s credit, he was a genius, as well. Seemed to run in the family. After all not only was Nathaniel's brother Jaylen a genius, their grand-uncle Joe was one, too. Nathaniel half-fancied his son becoming a physician. Time would tell where his talents lie. Far be it for Nathaniel to become that kind of parent. He believed children should seek their own path in life. To follow their own dreams, hopefully via their gifts.

Generation Three — Chapter Two: The More the Merrier?

Nathaniel was having the worst time getting over the loss of his father. Frankly, it seemed like nothing could or would help. So, he texted Sophia. Again, sad texts. She was quick to respond, as always, inviting him over to her place to hang out. She wasn’t alone, sharing the place with her sister Elsa.  

“Nate,” Sophia greeted him out front, throwing her arms about him and giving him a good squidge. He sure needed the comfort. They gazed at the clouds for a bit and Sophia shared her deep interest in space. She truly believed Sims were not alone in this universe. He would have scoffed outright at her allegations, but for two things. He loved her and as such had no desire to trample on her feelings, and for the fact both he and his Dad had discovered aliens in disguise right here in Willow Creek. One worked at the Police Department and had died just recently. 

The couple chatted for a bit, he met her sister. Elsa was quiet but she seemed nice enough. Nathaniel really wanted to propose to Sophia. They had known each other for several months now, and he loved her deeply. She shared the same feelings. Theirs would be a good union, of that he was certain. But, he found himself so overwrought with grief, he just couldn’t bring himself to utter the words. In fact, several times during this visit he actually contemplated breaking up with her. That would have been a huge mistake. He was just beginning to think she deserved more than some emotionally broken Sim.

After a little while, Sophia had to head out to work. So, Elsa fixed a nice meal, and the two sat at the table eating and chatting the hours away. Getting to know each other, really. Nathaniel began to think counseling was something Elsa had trained for. Whatever it was she said to him, he was feeling much better by the time Sophia got home again, for which he was grateful. Finally, he could see through that thick black, ominous cloud that hovered over his head continually. 

     “Nate,” she said, stepping through the front door. “I didn’t expect you to still be here, but I’m very glad you are. All the time I was working, I couldn’t get my mind off of you. Did you and Elsa have a nice chat?”

Nathaniel grinned shyly, and nodded his head. “As a matter of fact, we did. Thank you, Elsa, for all of your advice. I do feel like a weight has rolled off of my shoulders. But, I should get going now, I’ve already taken up enough of your time. Don’t wish to wear out my welcome.”

      Sophia followed him out the door. She was hoping for a kiss good night. She wasn’t disappointed. Not only did Nathaniel kiss her sweetly, but suddenly, he was getting down on one knee. “Sophia, I’ve been wanting to ask you this for quite some time, now. I know you’re a bit older than me, but we seem so right together. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” 

     “Nate, oh Nate! Yes, yes, yes, yes!” With that he slipped the ring on over her gloved hand. Sophia held her hand up to admire the ‘rock’.  Then she jumped up into his arms. 

“Come home with me,” he said, taking her by the hand.

Sophia moved into the Cantrell homestead that very evening. Both were tired, but excited about this new beginning. Adrenalin had kicked in for both of them, so they played chess to wind themselves down. Nathaniel decided it best to take over the ‘new’ master bedroom, a bit leery of its history. When he walked in, he was surprised to find a brand new double bed in place of his father’s bed. Jaylen was oddly hanging around, too. When Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at him, his younger brother merely shrugged and grinned. “Best of luck on your engagement,” was all he said, then turned to head back down the stairs to his room.   

Jaylen, as it came out, had many tricks up his sleeves. Well, he was a genius, and sometimes it does take a genius to figure things out. For instance, when Nathaniel goofed up on the bills allowing the electricity to get shut off, after their father died, it was Jaylen who stepped in. He continued the long-standing family tradition of gathering the wild fruits and flowers to sell. He got the bill paid, the lights back on and all seemed well. However, the bill was huge and any monies left wasn’t enough for a wedding. Once again it was Jaylen who came up with an answer. Seemingly foolish as the idea appeared, Nathaniel brushed it off.

“There’s this ancient wishing well the town Council replaced the old fountain with at Magnolia Park. Maybe I can ask it for some Simoleons. Who knows? Can’t be worse than trying to win the lottery, right?” 

Nathaniel smiled broadly, chuckling out loud as he hadn’t in ages. “You know what, Jay, if you can make it work, go for it. I won’t stop you. We do need some serious funding about now.” Between the two brothers working, and even Sophia’s wages thrown in, the income wasn’t even a close match to what Ayden brought in daily. They were barely scraping by.

That very afternoon, Jaylen headed straight to the park. There it was sitting right in the center of things. Old yellowy-brown bricks, ancient vines clinging to the pillars that held the roof over it, it looked almost like a gazebo without the bench, only smaller and with a deep hole in the center of it. Come to think of it, it really didn’t look like a gazebo at all.   

There was also a lion’s face on the front of it. He stepped up to it and made a bold wish, asking for Simoleons. Suddenly, as if a volcano was about to erupt, bright light splintered forth from the mouth of the well. Jaylen took a quick step back, in awe, not sure what to make of it, of what may be coming at him. Next thing he knew, he was being pelted with gold coins. Lots of them. By the time it quit and he got it all counted there was over twenty-two thousand Simoleon’s worth! Immediately, he was humbled. He made three separate donations back to whoever or whatever lived in that well, leaving him with just over eight thousand Simoleons. He didn’t wish to be greedy. Figuring what was left would allow Nathaniel and Sophia to have a nice small affair.

Hands shaking, he deposited it straight into the family’s bank account. He brought the receipt with him to show his brother. “Nate! Nate, you’re never going to believe this!” Jaylen shoved the receipt at him. 

“What? Jaylen, your trembling. What’s wrong? What happened?” Jaylen recounted his experience with the Whispering Wishing Well. Nathaniel grabbed his brother by the arms and then clapped him to him in a bear hug.

“You and Sophia can get married now, right?”

“You are the most generous person I have ever encountered in my life. Yes. That sum should do nicely. And thank you, Best Man.”

Sophia found a dress that suited her. They purchased a wedding arch, tables and chairs, flowers and a special table to house the wedding cake Gramps was baking. Nathaniel hired a caterer, a mixologist and he and Jaylen moved their bar outdoors onto the lawn near the tables. An outdoor boombox was also purchased. Sophia chose red as her color, so the radio was also red and chrome. Red flowers in pots sat to each side of the arch. Benches were rented to seat the guests during the ceremony. Lights peppered the yard. All was in readiness. The hired help had arrived, Erik had completed his baking, placing first the cake topper upon the white confection and then carefully moving the cake onto the special red cloth-draped table out on the north patio. 

Nathaniel, dressed in his black tuxedo and Jaylen, in a dark red tuxedo of the same style came out of their rooms to greet a few of the guest as they arrived. The wedding would commence just as soon as Sophia got home from work and had a chance to shower, dress, and otherwise make herself ready. The sun had already gone down. A magnificent sunset. Perfect for an evening wedding.  Nathaniel heard Sophia come in and hurry up the stairs to their bedroom. She was good at ‘slap and dash’, so he knew it wouldn’t be long from now and they would be Sim and wife.

He went out the back door, down the steps and headed around the north side of the house. He wanted to see if Jackie had arrived. She was a good friend and he hoped she didn’t harbor any ill-will.  He never really dumped her, he just stopped seeing her. He no sooner got on the other side of the smaller north patio to the right of the back door, when he was frozen stiff, unable to move on his own accord. Out of the evening sky came an eerie bright glow. Nathaniel could feel himself being lifted right off of the grassy ground, heading toward a mysterious glowing saucer. He remembered his father telling such a tale of what happened to him upon his very late night return, once.

“You can’t keep me here, it’s my wedding day. My bride will be at the arch any minute now,” he thought to the strange black-eyed, purple beings that surrounded him.

“This won’t take long,” one cajoled, holding up a platinum looking syringe thingie. Before Nathaniel could think his objections, since thoughts were how they communicated, they injected something through his navel. He hoped they hadn’t soiled his tuxedo in doing so. Or wrinkled it in any manner…

How he got out of the ship, and all that transpired while he was aboard, was stripped from his memory. Or even how long he was there. Nathaniel ran back around the north patio to the south patio, up the steps and over to his bride. “There you are!” Sophia said, taking him by the hands, leading him over to the arch. “I thought you’d changed your mind.”

“No, I was just checking on … something. Can’t remember now what it was, but it seemed important at the time. Shall we get started?”

From that point onward, the wedding went off without a glitch. The guests had a good time, the bride and groom were elated and properly wed. They ate cake, shared drinks and soon the evening festivities came to an end. Some of the guests uttering, “Now that was a gold award wedding, if ever I attended one.”

Within a very short time, Sophia learned she was pregnant. Nathaniel was overjoyed. They both were, eager to get on with creating a family. Sophia was getting up there in age and there was no time to lose. In fact, her biggest fear was she would only have time for one child. As time went on, she grew bigger and bigger. Nathaniel, in the meantime, seemed to share her discomfort. While hers was properly ‘morning sickness’, he put his down to something he ate. He, too, started packing on a few pounds. More than a few. By the time Sophia was nearing her launch date, Nathaniel had a bigger belly than did she.  

“Nate,” Erik said. The ghost accompanied his grandsons at the dining table. “I think we should talk about fitness. You’re starting to get on the portly side, there, my boy.”

“I’d be happy to work out with you at the gym anytime,” Jaylen offered. He was the team mascot, and as such was duty-bound to stay fit. “I’d be more than willing to show you some beneficial exercises. Get rid of that tire wrapped around your gut, there, big brother.” He gestured with his fork.  

Unconsciously, Nathaniel ran his hand over his bulging belly, much like they’d all seen Sophia do.  “I don’t know. I’m just not feeling right, these days. I’m not really sick, I’m just feeling, well, you know kinda erky. Not right. I can’t really put it into words.”

“You’re a writer, and you can’t describe it? Oh, brother,” Jaylen said.

Nathaniel shrugged and tried again, “Sometimes, it’s a lot like my gut is twisting around itself inside. Then I get what feels like something pummeling me. It doesn’t really hurt, it’s just weird, you know?”

“No, I don’t know and I think I’m glad of it. Maybe you’re pregnant,” Jaylen teased.

“Oh, don’t even go there. I’m a guy, remember? Physically impossible.”

Jaylen got up from the table, taking his plate with him. “Says he with the big fat, pregnant-looking gut. I’ve heard of guys having pseudo-pregnancies alongside their wives, but you, Big brother, and I really do mean Big, have taken it to the enth degree.”   

  

Before too long, Sophia went into labor. She walked across the long living room, since sitting only worsened the pain. Then she tried watching some television. She had the insane urge to clean things all of a sudden. Resting only allayed the pain for a short time. The next thing she knew the baby was here. A beautiful little girl. They named her Janeille Cantrell. She was perfect. All her little fingers, all her little toes. Sophia took care of her and then grabbed something to eat. She was starving. After that she went to bed. Erik floated up stairs to take a peek at the tiny girl. He gently lifted her into his ghostly arms, cooed at her and then fed her a bottle.

Nathaniel got home from work and gazed at his sweet little daughter. He too, held her, cooed at her and then cuddled her. His big belly helped to support her as he held her on his shoulder. He wished he felt physically better, as it was a bit ridiculous to walk around so fat when his wife was no longer pregnant. But, he just didn’t feel well — at all. In the next several hours he experienced some random cramping and his guts no longer flopped around inside of him so much as before. In fact, all seemed unusually quiet in there. As he went about his business, mostly eating and sleeping, at one point the pain was so intense he thought he would die — or that his gut would burst. One of the two. Jaylen’s words had played on him so much, he purchased a second bassinet — just in case. 

Suddenly, he hurt so badly, that just when he couldn’t take it any longer, a small baby squeezed out of his belly button to his astonishment. “What the —” Nathaniel held the little purple girl, staring down at her in awe. Suddenly, his memories opened up and he recalled that odd platinum syringe being emptied into his navel. “Oh, you didn’t … Owwww—” He barely had time to place the girl into the bassinet when another infant slid out of his navel. A baby boy, this time. He, too, was purple in color. A very nice shade of lavender, actually.  Looking around him, wondering just where he was to place this third baby, he found a very alien-looking bassinet in another room. Putting the baby boy inside, he brought it into the master bedroom. Nathaniel  named the twins Megan and Marc. 

Looking downward, he was gratified to see his stomach was flat again, too. Much as it had been on his wedding day. But, oh, what a surprise. Three children, born within hours of each other, like actual triplets. Did he and Sophia ever have their hands full.  

Jaylen came upstairs after his shift was over, Erik having apprised him of the new development in the family. He stood gazing into the three bassinets, two ordinary ones and one that looked decidedly alien in design and even seemed to levitate above the ground a bit. He held Janeille and fed her a bottle. Cuddled her and put her back into her little bed. Then he went to the boy, held him. Then he went to the boy’s twin to change her dirty diaper. Jaylen was squeamish and after he’d rescued the tiny purple thing from the yuk in her pants, he stepped back, himself, and shuddered.  “Eww, icky. Grossness. And aren’t you all just so … cute?” He shuddered again.