Let’s start off this post with a picture of Candace dancing.
Now that Amanda was retired, the thrill of her life, her job, was gone. The only thing she looked forward to was looking at her trophy from her glory days. Of course, she loved one more thing…
Her Granddaughter, Daria! I felt great that my little bundle of joy was also my Mother’s bundle of joy.
For one reason, her clothes matched her bedroom.
She also loved to play outside. 
She challenged herself with chess, too.
And she also did her homework.
Cassie was getting closer with Nikolas, though. 
Here they are, visiting the Waterhole Juice Bar. Cassie had to interview him to talk to him, seeing as she still had to keep her image as a reporter.
“AAAHH! The only things I can talk to my boyfriend about is his views on current events! There’s no romance! This is so unlike a movie! AAAHH!” Cassie freaked out, in her typical neurotic nature. I told her if she was so worried, she should just move the relationship forward herself.
And, she did…
I took him to the warehouse, the only place in town my family wouldn’t even think of, for finding me. I heard about it from my Mom, saying that she hosted her own company parties there. I was wondering why nobody from her work was there, though.
“So, Nikolas. We’ve been together for quite a while. Will you marry me?” I asked. “You’re everything in my life. You’re the only person I’ve ever fallen in loved with. Will you marry me?”
“Of course! You’re amazing and beautiful. Why wouldn’t I want to marry you?” Nikolas said, complimenting me. I can’t believe it. My own fiancé. From following my sister’s advice. I owed her, big time.
But being engaged wasn’t enough. I wanted to do something more romantic. What if my luck wouldn’t be as sweet as it was now? What if it would go sour, like lemonade? We made out with each other, passionately.
We talked about kisses and dates. This helped improve my charisma.
And things got a little bit…
…further.
The next day, I wondered if being engaged was a good idea.
And when I went home, I realized: I was about to become an unwed mother! Last night, things went a little too far, and I became pregnant! My parents would flip out at me for bringing the family to shame. I’d have to hide my baby bump at work and then the vice president would start a fight with me! Yikes!
I decided to call Nikolas, immediately.
“So, honey, about last night…” I started off telling him casually.
“Oh, yeah, baby, it was fun. I’d love to do it again.” Nikolas flirted. I could feel him wink at me through the phone.
“Really? There might be some company, because…”, I said. I could see this was going in the wrong direction.
“Uh. I’m not really interested in that kind of stuff…” Nikolas said.
“That’s it. Nikolas, YOU’RE GONNA BECOME A FATHER. I’M CARRYING YOUR CHILD. AND WE NEED TO GET MARRIED, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OKAY?” I screamed at him through the phone. I just realized something… the whole house went silent. Yikes. Not exactly how I wanted to spread the news. 
“Hi Mom.” I said, walking in on her painting something. “That’s a really nice painting you’re, well, painting over there,” I said, trying to get on her good side.
“Yeah, things like these take LOTS OF TIME, PRACTICE, and I have to STAY COMMITED. That’s interesting! We’re wearing matching colors! And you’re not showing that much skin for once! Is there something you want to tell me?,” Amanda said. I know she heard me, but did she had to be so snarky about it?
“Yeah, about that, I’m pregnant. That means more Darias around the house!,” I said, trying to add a positive spin to this.
“PREGNANT? UNWED? SINGLE? Who’s the jerk who did this to you? I’ll just get my squad and make him regret not marrying you. But you’re not off the hook, missy! You’re bringing dishonor to this family's name! Do you realize how your Father is going to feel once he finds out?” Amanda ranted and lectured. 
"DISHONOR? You’re talking to me about dishonor? You’ve been a criminal for several decades now, and every time the neighbors saw you leave the house in those revealing uniforms at midnight, they thought you brought the dishonor! At least I’m in a loving relationship, and I’m engaged. Besides, you eavesdropped on my personal phone call! So stop talking to me and little… uh, Amanda Jr. so rude.” I told my Mother off in a very pissed off mood.
“Aw, you were gonna name it after me? Maybe it’s not so bad, after all.”
I saw Daria mopping in the kitchen. Her parents forced her to do chores all the time. No wonder she was Grumpy.
I tried explaining my pregnancy to her in a kid-friendly way. Not like I was gonna tell her everything leading up to it, but like how a 7 year old could understand it. I work in media, so it wouldn’t be too hard trying to adjust the story to her demographic.
“Do you remember when you were reeeeeally tiny and small and everyone got you shiny toys and gifts and talked to you like you’re one?” I asked Daria.
“Yeah, kinda like how you are now.” Daria smirked. Her Grumpy trait really showed.
“Well, it’s gonna happen again, except to someone else.” I said. 
“REALLY!?! To WHO!?!?!” Daria said, in an excited tone.
“Well, she’s not here yet, but little Amanda Jr.,” I told her. I looked down toward my baby bump and hope she got the clue.
“OHMYGOSH THAT IS SOOOO AWESOME AND COOL AND FANTASTIC!!!,” Daria exclaimed.
“Um… something tells me you already knew about it” I said. I know she was a Genius, but it was too much.
“Oh, yeah. Momma told me to be supportive and act surprised and stuff, so you won’t cry and watch As the Plumbob Spins reruns in a corner.” Daria revealed.
Seriously? What is up with this child prodigy? And why did my own sister, who I started to think highly of, tell her own 7 year old daughter about my habits? I hope she didn’t tell her about my crush on the representative from the NashSim network. 
“But it’s okay. I’ll hug the baby and give them my toys and love it and get my own cousin!” Daria said.
And, apparently, she read thoughts, too. 
“So, Dad? I’m pregnant.” I said. I didn’t even bother sugarcoating it this time.
“Oh, congrats! Just remember, just because you’re a single mother, doesn’t mean you have to walk around in revealing clothes for little Amanda Jr. to see, and act like one of those Twinbrook girls.” Dad said. He was supportive and nice about the baby, and even gave me some advice.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. That spring break a couple of years ago was horrible. Someone threw their drink at my favorite dress!,” I said.
“Oh, and by the way, you’re having a boy.” Dad revealed to me.
“What a boy?!? How am I going to tell Mom that little Amanda Jr. is going to be an Amando?” I complained.
(Side note: Yes, Amando is a name. According to BabyNames.com, anyway.)
“Hey, you’re having the child. I already went through this three times.” Brighton said.
Even if I was pregnant, I still wrote articles. I wanted to warn Riverview citizens about the dangers of leaving dirty plates. Then, I realized that I had to clean, so I quickly began to clean.
That same day, it was Dad’s birthday.
*Sigh* There goes the only guy Sim I’ve had whose face was normal.
“Happy birthday, Dad! Now you’re going to be a real grandpa!” I joked. He wasn’t too enthusiastic. “Don’t forget, grandpas spoil their grandkids with teddy bears!”
"Cassie, I think it’s about time for Amando to come,” he angrily told me.
“Dad, I think you’re being ridiculous,” I told him, “You can’t just say when a baby’s going to arrive.”
“Oww, don’t kick,” I groaned.
“Oh, is that the baby? Is he coming?” Dad asked. Looks like he was right.
“Uh, no? I just had a cramp. I’m going to take a walk outside,” I couldn’t let him be right.
I called a taxi, quickly, and got into it before Dad could come outside. Everywhere in the hospital, I heard people whispering and looking at me. There even was a nurse from when I was born!
Welcome to the world, Devon Timberson! He’s athletic and loves the outdoors.
Mom decided that now that she’s an elder, there’s no time to lose with her grandson, and she threw a party for him.
“Oh yeah, Mom? We couldn’t name him Amanda,” I tried breaking the news to her lightly.
“Why?” she seemed heartbroken.
“He’s a boy, for starters, and we needed a name that begins with D,” I tried to cheer her up, though, “You could have the first slice of cake, though.”
That seemed to cheer her up enough.
And this is Brighton Devon as a toddler. They look like twins, except Devon’s slightly darker.
“Cool! A cousin! Let me teach you peek-a-boo!” Daria was really excited to have a cousin. She treated him like a brother.
Mom was happy to have a grandson. Even if at first she ignored him because Cassie lied to her, she soon opened her arms to him.
I began to tell him about my job as a writer. He repeated the words I was saying.
“I’m a journalist.”
“Juhnuliss,” he mumbled.
“Close enough,” I sighed.
One night, while he was playing on his xylophone, I was thinking when I should tell Nikolas that Devon was born. Should we marry? Would I stay here? Is there even any room left for anyone in this house?
He seemed to be so happy and peaceful. I wonder if he noticed that he didn’t have a dad.
I sometimes read to him to make sure he’d have a good education. He enjoyed flipping through the pages more than listening to the stories.
Billy woke up one night because he thought he heard something.
It was the Grim Reaper! His time was up. The Grim Reaper cruelly laughed as Billy’s body began to rise.
The house was silent. Nobody knew about Billy’s death.
However, Daria sensed something was wrong. She came running to my room, that night, crying.
“Mama, mama, I had the worst nightmare! Great-grandpa Billy was a ghost!” she cried.
“Hmm, I had that nightmare too,” I worried, “This sounds suspicious.” I quickly dashed downstairs.
It was true. I saw dad crying in the kitchen.
“You saw Grandpa go?” I asked.
“No, but I saw his, his, urn,” he wept uncontrollably.
It felt like there was a hole in my heart. Not only did his dad die, but he didn’t even get to say good bye.
I didn’t want to tell Cassie. She loved Grandpa to pieces, and she’d be depressed if she found out.
