Prosperity Challenge - 10.3 (Days/Years 28-30 - Thigpen)
I think this story is best told from Lise's point of view; fortunately, she keeps a journal. Essential background is here and here.
From the journal of Lise Thigpen, Winterfell Hospital Chief of Staff
I haven't written in this for a long time, so I'll start from the beginning. Ok, it's not like I didn't know Glen was a jerk. Believe me, he was a jerk before we ever moved to Winterfell. I knew there were other women from time to time. I just thought we had an unspoken understanding that he would never rub it in my face or embarrass me publicly. I never expected to see my husband flirting shamelessly with another woman at our own daughter's wedding. I was so angry, that I now realize I blinded myself to what was really going on.
I had another big distraction at the time. All my years of hard work had finally paid off, and I was offered the job of Winterfell Hospital Chief of Staff. (Ed. note: Lise is the first sim in Winterfell to complete an LTW!) I was so happy, but so angry with Glen, and a feeling a little bit at loose ends. Now that I'd achieved my dream, what was I striving for? It was a very unfamiliar feeling.
All the years of hard work finally caught up with me, and I just felt old. I can admit it, I look old now, too. My birthday snuck up on me, but I was puzzled as to why it hadn't caught up to Glen. We were the same age, and yet he remained youthful, though fatter than ever. But I didn't want to think about Glen much, as I said. I was still too mad.
During that time, I figured since I now looked like a grandma, I could start acting like one, so I tried to spend more time with little Gala. I was surprised to notice what a good father Bob was. He must take after his dad; Glen's one talent has always been fatherhood. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself...
Tracy soon had her second child, a girl she and Bob named Anita. (I've never liked Tracy, but she does have awfully cute children.) Anyway, that night, after we'd gotten her and the new baby settled, everything came to a head.
Glen woke up with a terrible stomach ache. We were sleeping separately, then, but I was still up (old age has really turned me into an insomniac) and came in to tell him to quiet down - he was making quite a racket and Anita and Tracy were sleeping.
I quickly realized that whatever was going on, it was serious - I remember thinking after awhile that, if I hadn't known better, I would have thought he was in labor. I had just decided to call an ambulance when the most surprising events of my life happened.
Glen actually gave birth. Now, anyone who may read this later will of course think that I'm crazy, but this is for my eyes only and I don't need to convince anyone. He gave birth to an infant girl with green skin and blue eyes.
Immediately thereafter, he gave birth to another green skinned infant, this one a boy with black eyes. I'm not going to describe the hubbub that followed, but after everyone was calm and the new babies were fed and clothed and put into makeshift cribs, a lot of things became clear. 1) Glen's alien abduction had somehow resulted in his impregnation with these babies. 2) His weight gain and erratic hormonal behavior - such as when he flirted with Anabel right in front of me - could be blamed on his pregnancy. 3) The black eyes we've become accustomed to in this neighborhood are apparently alien. 4) I was an idiot for not putting two and two together before now. Sure, no one expects a pregnant husband. But I am a doctor, and if I hadn't been focused so much on my own anger I could probably easily have seen that his physical condition was abnormal.
I'm trying to make up for it, now. I am coming to love little Orb (girl) and Strat (boy) as if they were my own children, which really they are. They appear to be normal babies, just green.
Glen, to my amazement, has really taken to being a father all over again. In his place, I would probably have been too traumatized to even care for myself, let alone twin alien babies, but he's really stepped up and put them first.
Tracy and Bob recently moved out with Gala and Anita. The house was a little more crowded than we'd all bargained for, so we agreed it was best. I will miss my grandchildren terribly, but our new babies need some space to call their own. It appears my golden years won't be nearly as empty as I'd feared!
Bonus pic:
Lise actually transitioned to elder on the sidewalk the moment she was promoted to Chief of Staff. Hopefully, the kids who've been to Uni will have easier times with their LTWs than my CAS adults have had so far.
Yes, the twins are cheesecake twins, thanks to Jonathan the meddling servo. I wasn't up for three infants and a toddler in one house, so Bob and Tracy have struck out on their own!
From the journal of Lise Thigpen, Winterfell Hospital Chief of Staff
I haven't written in this for a long time, so I'll start from the beginning. Ok, it's not like I didn't know Glen was a jerk. Believe me, he was a jerk before we ever moved to Winterfell. I knew there were other women from time to time. I just thought we had an unspoken understanding that he would never rub it in my face or embarrass me publicly. I never expected to see my husband flirting shamelessly with another woman at our own daughter's wedding. I was so angry, that I now realize I blinded myself to what was really going on.
I had another big distraction at the time. All my years of hard work had finally paid off, and I was offered the job of Winterfell Hospital Chief of Staff. (Ed. note: Lise is the first sim in Winterfell to complete an LTW!) I was so happy, but so angry with Glen, and a feeling a little bit at loose ends. Now that I'd achieved my dream, what was I striving for? It was a very unfamiliar feeling.
All the years of hard work finally caught up with me, and I just felt old. I can admit it, I look old now, too. My birthday snuck up on me, but I was puzzled as to why it hadn't caught up to Glen. We were the same age, and yet he remained youthful, though fatter than ever. But I didn't want to think about Glen much, as I said. I was still too mad.
During that time, I figured since I now looked like a grandma, I could start acting like one, so I tried to spend more time with little Gala. I was surprised to notice what a good father Bob was. He must take after his dad; Glen's one talent has always been fatherhood. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself...
Tracy soon had her second child, a girl she and Bob named Anita. (I've never liked Tracy, but she does have awfully cute children.) Anyway, that night, after we'd gotten her and the new baby settled, everything came to a head.
Glen woke up with a terrible stomach ache. We were sleeping separately, then, but I was still up (old age has really turned me into an insomniac) and came in to tell him to quiet down - he was making quite a racket and Anita and Tracy were sleeping.
I quickly realized that whatever was going on, it was serious - I remember thinking after awhile that, if I hadn't known better, I would have thought he was in labor. I had just decided to call an ambulance when the most surprising events of my life happened.
Glen actually gave birth. Now, anyone who may read this later will of course think that I'm crazy, but this is for my eyes only and I don't need to convince anyone. He gave birth to an infant girl with green skin and blue eyes.
Immediately thereafter, he gave birth to another green skinned infant, this one a boy with black eyes. I'm not going to describe the hubbub that followed, but after everyone was calm and the new babies were fed and clothed and put into makeshift cribs, a lot of things became clear. 1) Glen's alien abduction had somehow resulted in his impregnation with these babies. 2) His weight gain and erratic hormonal behavior - such as when he flirted with Anabel right in front of me - could be blamed on his pregnancy. 3) The black eyes we've become accustomed to in this neighborhood are apparently alien. 4) I was an idiot for not putting two and two together before now. Sure, no one expects a pregnant husband. But I am a doctor, and if I hadn't been focused so much on my own anger I could probably easily have seen that his physical condition was abnormal.
I'm trying to make up for it, now. I am coming to love little Orb (girl) and Strat (boy) as if they were my own children, which really they are. They appear to be normal babies, just green.
Glen, to my amazement, has really taken to being a father all over again. In his place, I would probably have been too traumatized to even care for myself, let alone twin alien babies, but he's really stepped up and put them first.
Tracy and Bob recently moved out with Gala and Anita. The house was a little more crowded than we'd all bargained for, so we agreed it was best. I will miss my grandchildren terribly, but our new babies need some space to call their own. It appears my golden years won't be nearly as empty as I'd feared!
Bonus pic:
Lise actually transitioned to elder on the sidewalk the moment she was promoted to Chief of Staff. Hopefully, the kids who've been to Uni will have easier times with their LTWs than my CAS adults have had so far.
Yes, the twins are cheesecake twins, thanks to Jonathan the meddling servo. I wasn't up for three infants and a toddler in one house, so Bob and Tracy have struck out on their own!