Chapter 35: Some Real Work

Elliot may not approve of Jace's father, but he adores his new grandson. Grandson! It seem almost impossible that he's already grandfather. How is Delaney going to manage caring for this child without him, Elliot worries, how can he abandon her now to marry Claire?

"It's not physics, Farrell, just throw the dart already," Elliot says.

"Everything is physics," Farrell says, taking careful aim before he makes his throw, "But geometry is more appropriate in the current context."

Elliot laughs as his brother's dart hits the target dead center. "I can't win against a genius. The snow has all melted, why don't we see if the fish are biting?"

The brothers head out to the old fishing hole to enjoy spring's warmer weather.

"I'm still not so sure I should go through with this," Elliot says, "What if Delaney needs me?"

"I think Aouregan and I can handle any emergencies that come up," Farrell answers, "And Laney's never going to grow up if you don't let her go, Elliot. I think you going to Sunlit Tides to get married will be good for both of you."

"We've been together all our lives," Elliot says, dropping his rod to embrace his brother, "I'm going to miss you."

"You're only going to be gone for a week," Farrell observes, "And then we'll still be living in the same town."

"You look great," Cassidy sighs, her heart racing as she gets her first look at the newly matured Jesse, "How's your new job?"

"It's great, Cass. Just like we imagined working at the paper would be. But I miss you, working with you."

Cassidy gives an excited hop, "I can't wait to get started! How soon before we can move in together?"

"Actually, I moved into a new place this morning. It's got a great office space where we can both work. I was hoping you'd move in tonight."

"Really?" Cassidy beams, "Let's go get this birthday party over with, then!"

As usual, just the whole family gathered in one room is a party in itself. Jesse and Claire are the only guests invited to watch Delaney and Cassidy blow out their candles. Kyle had a game that afternoon and couldn't make it, and while Delaney would have loved to have Jack here with like like Cassidy has Jesse, her father would not let that happen.

Delaney goes first.

Followed by Cassidy.

Cassidy and Jesse eat their cake as quickly as possible before rushing up to her room to get her things.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"So ready," she says, smiling as she surprises him with a kiss, "I just have to say goodbye to Laney, then we an go."

"Jesse did remember to tell Jack to come tonight, right?" Delaney asks.

"Of course he did," Cassidy promises, "Jack would never miss Jace's birthday. Don't forget to get your phone back Dad before he leaves, then you can call Jck yourself without relying on go-betweens. I'm moving in with Jesse tonight, but you know you can call me if you need anything."

The sisters hug goodbye before Cassidy takes off to start her new life.

"An office, right in our bedroom," Jesse boasts, showing off the new living arrangements.

"There's also a bed in our bedroom," Casidy purrs.

"The best day of my life was the day I followed you home, in the pouring rain," Jesse says, lifting her on to their bed, "That was the first time you kissed me."

"The best days of our lives are just starting," Cassidy replies, "We have a long way to go."

"This is it," Elliot says, taking Claire in his arms, "I'm all yours now."

"Then let's go home," Claire says, "Our home. We should make it an early night, our flight leaves in the morning."

Delaney kept Jace in the nursery while they were having cake, waiting to celebrate his birthday with Jack, after Elliot had gone and couldn't stop him. But hours have passed since her father left with Claire, and Jack still hasn't shown. Jace grows into a toddler with just is mother to celebrate with him.

He has his mother's nose, his father's mouth, and uncle Jesse's brown eyes.

"I wish your father were here," she whispers, knowing the toddler won't understand. After giving Jace a bottle and settling him back into his crib for the night, Delaney tries calling Jack again, for the sixth time this evening, but still gets no answer.

It's long after midnight when she finally climbs into her own bed, still with no word from Jack. Maybe he'll sneak in, she thinks wistfully as she slides under the covers.  It's wishful thinking, and she knows it. He's tried to keep it from her, but she's aware of his criminal undertakings, and she spends a sleepless night worrying about him, about what might have happened to him to keep him from her side tonight.

Morning comes with still no no word of Jack.

The call comes after breakfast, from a lawyer. Jack is in jail, and they need her to come in to give her testimony. Delaney hops on her bike and makes several moving violations as speeds to the station.

"I'm so sorry about this, Jack," Delaney says, "I can't believe my Dad would have you arrested."

"I believe it," Jack laughs, "But don't worry. My lawyer says it's bullshit, since we were both underage. Your dad has enough pull to get me locked up for a few days while this gets moved through the court, but your testimony will get this whole thing thrown out."

"He's such a coward, having you arrested before he takes off for a vaction so he doesn't have to face me. I'm going to kill him when he gets back," Delaney snarls, "I thought this bullshit would be over once I turned legal."

"Let it go, Laney," Jack says.

"Are you kidding me? He had you arrested!"

"I know. But it's the last time he'll be able to pull that. I know I'll probably never be able to prove myself to him, but I gotta take that chance. Having you turn on him for my sake would blow everything."

"You're very forgiving," Laney laughs, "I'm not sure I'll be able to hold back. This is my life he's fucking with."

"How's Jace?" Jack changes the subject, "I'm sorry I missed his birthday."

"He has your brother's eyes," Delaney tells him, "But he's got your smile."

Jack smiles for her, "I can't wait to get out of here and see for myself. Listen, I have to ask a favor of you."

"Anything," Delaney promises.

"An associate of mine is coming to town today. Hook, our lawyer, should be able to get hold of him, but he's probably already here, waiting for me at the Toadstool. Could you pop in there and tell him what happened? And, if you've got the time, take him to the warehouse."

"Our warehouse?" Delaney asks.

"Yeah," Jack nods, "I told the boss about it, and he's interested in maybe acquiring it. He sent Wicked John down to scope it out."

"Wicked John?" Delaney raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, we all get nicknames," Jack rolls his eyes.

Not caring about the rules or the cop on guard to enforce them, Delaney jumps up from her seat to throw herself in Jack's arms.

"I'll take care of it, I promise," she whispers.

"All right, break it up," the cop says, coming over to physically separate the couple.

"You must be Wicked John," Delaney says. For one, he's the only guy in the Toadstool besides the bartender. He's also not a resident of Drake's Hollow, that much is obvious.

"And you're the delicious Delaney I've heard so much about," he replies, taking her offered hand and smiling, "Pie Man talks about you non-stop. Boy has a bad case of you, that's a fact. Name's Ian, by the way. Wicked John is just a nick."

"Pie Man?" Delaney asks.

Ian laughs, "Yeah, your boy, Horner. Boss calls him Pie Man. Don't ask me why."

"Have you heard about Jack?" Delaney asks, and explains the details of his arrest.

"Don't you worry about your boy, Hook's a great lawyer. He takes care of us all. Got my ass out of the can more than once," Ian assures her, "So, Jack sent you to show me this warehouse?"

"It's not more than a half hour drive from here," Delaney says.

"I've got nothing else on the agenda today, how about a game of pool before we go real estate shopping?"

Ian lets out a low whistle as Delaney bends over the table to line up her shot. "Pie Man was not lying," he says in breathy appreciation.

"Lying about what?" Delaney asks.

"Your incredible...talent for pool," Ian lies.

"I'm not that good," Delaney answers with a light laugh.

"From where I'm standing..." Ian says, not finishing the thought.

When they finish the game, Delaney takes Ian out to the old abandoned warehouse. "It's technically still a crime scene," she informs him, "But even the police don't really come here anymore."

"It used to be a front for whatever local crime scene you had going on in this little town. Your local law enforcement wiped 'em out pretty good. But our boss is a little too big of a fish for your Barneys to take down. A place like this might come in handy."

"For what?" Delaney asks.

"Ah, now that would be telling," Ian answers with a sly smile. He spends a few minutes looking around the place before he turns his attention back to her. "I gotta say, it takes a special kind of girl to run these kinds of errands for her guy. Jack's damn lucky."

"It's just a simple favor," Delaney brushes it off, "I'm no stranger to trouble." 

"Well, listen, Jack and I had a job planned for tomorrow night. Been casing this place out for months. Him suddenly being in jail...well, I could do it alone. But I'd feel a lot better with someone at my back. Got any experience with B&E?"

"Oh, definitely," Delaney nods confidently. She did break into the school to steal the tests, that totally counts, "I could help you."

"Yeah?" Ian smiles, "All right. Me meet here tomorrow night, around sunset. I'll take you to the city for some real work."

_____________________________________

So, this is sort of the start of Gen 3. It won't be official until Shadow ages up in two days.

I'll be posting the new rolls soon enough, I'm sure people have some good guesses about marital structure and careers by now anyway.

I put Gen 2's info up in my Generation Rolls page. In case everyone forgot, my goal was Expansionist and my Misc. Fun was luxury. I added a greenhouse for expansionist. Or I can count the rec room as part of that goal too, since when I moved in the room just had a desk and a love seat. I added foosball, a bookshelf, and easel, a display shelf, a cat bed, rugs, a chess table and decor, and replaced the loveseat with a new one.

For luxury, well, I replaced so much stuff in this house with way more expensive stuff. I didn't go by the letter of the rule and do every piece in one room, but I spent gobs of money replacing and adding new things in nearly every room. I also made a point of locking and granting any wish anyone had to buy something, including Farrell's midlife crisis wish to spend 10k on renovations.

Elliot has moved out with Claire. Since they were engaged, they married immediately. Their trip to Sunlit Tides is just for the story obviously. Cassidy moved in with Jesse. SP got them engaged the next morning. I hope they do well together. They are both in the Journalism career.

It's nice not having 8 Sims to deal with. But that won't last long.

Also, Kyle Brannon has been added to the Sims download page.

Special Thanks to Colleen (Buckley) for letting me have Ian, from her Chronicles of the McKinley Clan legacy.