Carmine and Experience/Arturo
I'm going to do something I try not to do.
This update will span two different households. The trips between the two houses weren't big enough to be their own individual updates. And, since this update flips back and forth between two houses it may be a bit large.
So, time for. . .
Background: Carmine and Experience Woodstock are finally married. At the wedding, Experience was happy to finally meet one of Carmine's brothers, Arturo. He could prove to be very helpful to her and Carmine. But she doesn't yet know exactly how.
Married life is treating both of them very well. But Experience gets the feeling Carmine has something on his mind.
"Ex, now that we're married, I've been thinking. . ."
". . .we should have a baby. It'd be like, the cherry on the top of the sundae, right?"
"Carmine, sweetie, I don't know. I don't think I want to have a baby."
Carmine flinches at her words.
"No, it's not like that. It's just, well, getting pregnant, having to carry the baby and all that, well, you might as well put me in prison. I can't take that kind of time away from the business. Even for a few days. . ."
"But what if you didn't have to carry the baby?"
"Are you trying to tell me you got abducted? Are you carrying an alien baby?"
"No. But what if I could carry OUR baby?"
"What?"
"Remember when I told you about Arturo, how he worked developing new drugs."
"Yeah, he's some kind of rogue botanist. . ."
"Well, he came up with a way for sims to get pregnant, without being abducted."
"You want to be your brother's guinea pig? Carmine. . ."
"No, it's already been tested. . ."
"What? On rats or something? You're not a lab rat, Carmine. How do I know this is safe?"
"Well, you can ask Arturo's husband, Maurice. He had their sons that way and not a thing happened to him."
"It involves DNA mixed into everyday food. He'd just need some of your DNA, like blood I guess, and he'd give me this food to eat and, well, that's it. Then I have our baby."
"Carmine, are you nuts? It can't be that simple. Nothing is that simple. Just eat a weird meal and. . ."
Carmine's expression shifts from hopeful excitement to disappointment.
"Carmine, sweetie, it's just. . .oh, please don't look so upset. It's just, what if something goes wrong. I can't let something happen to you. You're too important."
"Nothing will happen, Ex, I know it won't. Arturo will look out for me."
*sighing* "He lives too far away. . ."
". . .ok."
"You mean, yes?"
"Yes. But only if you can convince Arturo to move in next door. I want him to be so close to this house he can just run over if anything, and I mean ANY LITTLE THING, seems weird."
"That's going to be expensive, Ex. I'm sure he could just stay. . ."
"No, Carmine. I mean it. If he won't agree to move in next door, I can't agree to help you. I don't care what it costs. I'll buy the lot next door, hell I'll buy all the lots on the street. Whatever he needs to help make sure you aren't hurt, I don't care. You tell him that."
"But his family. . ."
"I don't care if they come or not. I want him RIGHT NEXT DOOR, Carmine. I'm not going to make risky bets when it comes to something like this. If he won't agree then he doesn't care enough about you. . ."
"He'll agree. I know he will." Carmine's huge grin makes Experience smile as well. "I can't wait, Ex. A baby!"
That evening, Carmine pays his older brother a visit.
"Hey, little bro. How's married life treating you?"
"It's perfect. And, I think it's time for us to discuss what I asked you about at the wedding."
"Oh, you mean. . ."
"What? You know him? No. That's not it. Remember what I asked you?"
"Stop playing games, Carmine. What the hell are you talking about?"
"That medication. The one to get sims pregnant. . ."
"Oooh, yeah, sorry. I do remember you asking. . .but it's not a medication. You see that right there?"
"Ew, what is it?"
"That, little bro, is what's going to get you pregnant."
"You see, what I make isn't what you would call a medication. It's more of an herbal supplement."
"Like a vitamin? I thought, from what I read, that it was food?"
"It's not JUST food, Carmine. It's a carefully genetically engineered plant matter that, once ingested, induces pregnancy into whoever consumes it. I just need Experience's DNA. Unless you don't want Experience to be the mother. . ."
"What? Of course I want Ex to be the mom. But the thing is, Ex won't help me unless well. . ."
". . .you see she's worried that it might cause some kind of medical side effects and. . ."
"Oh, she doesn't have anything to worry about. Your primary care physician should be well versed in caring for a pregnant man. It's getting to be quite common. I recommend doctor. . ."
"No. I don't need a recommendation. I need YOU. Or, rather, Experience needs you. She wants you to move in next door and watch over me while. . ."
"What? I can't afford. . ."
"Oh, you won't have to pay. Experience and I will pay for everything. Whatever you and your family need, just say the word and. . ."
"Are you joking? Maurice is trying to get the boys into private school. We can't just pull up stakes. . ."
"Experience and I can make that happen, Arturo. And pay for all of it, every nickel."
"You mean to tell me you'll buy us a new lot, new house, and pay for my kids' private school education. . ."
"ANYTHING, Arturo."
"Well shit, Carmine. Judging by Experience's wedding ring and that two-hundred simoleon a bottle champagne, I thought you had some dough. I didn't realize you were filthy rich."
"Our business is booming, Arturo. So? Can I tell Experience she's about to get a new neighbor?"
"Hell, little bro, I told you I'd do anything for you. And I'm nothing if not a man of my word."
Carmine can't wait to tell Experience the good news.
Arturo is a little concerned how he's going to break the news to Maurice and his sons. He lingers outside, not wanting to go in and make boring small talk with the private school headmaster. Why bother? Carmine said he'd take care of it.
Arturo gazes at the stars, running through the list of things he'll need to do at the lab in order to meet his side of the deal with Carmine.
His thoughts are disturbed by. . .
He can't believe what he's seeing. This has to be some kind of joke.
And while he desperately tries to prevent the inevitable, inside the house his family succeeds in winning over the headmaster of Nocheat's one and only private school.
They may have missed his departure but they are (with the exception of the twins) present for his return.
Maurice is shocked when the saucer appears above their sidewalk.
And, thinking Arturo was off at his lab, he's even more surprised when his husband is expelled from its glowing hatch.
Arturo, like many a sim before him, is disturbed by the whole event.
Maurice inspects Arturo for any obvious physical damage.
Paying special attention to one area in particular.
Arturo immediately seeks the refuge of his house and well worn pajamas.
He knows all too well what the ache in his abdomen foretells.
Maurice is well aware too.
"Ohmygod, Artie. You got abducted by aliens. I know you know what this means, but really, do you know what this means?"
Arturo does not share his husband's enthusiasm.
"No, Mo, I have no clue. Why don't you tell me what this means?"
"Don't get all pissy. It's just exciting, that's all."
"Shit, Artie. Where are we going to put another baby? Yeah, Willhelm's going off to college soon but that's still not going to free up a lot of space. Oh my god, what if. . .you're a twin. What if. . ."
"Bite your fucking tongue, Mo."
"Hey! It's a possibility, potty mouth."
"I guess now's as good a time as any. . .you don't have to worry about space, Mo. We're moving."
"What? Did they probe your brain? Maybe you should sit down. . ."
It doesn't take long for Arturo to convince Maurice that the move is for the best. When Maurice hears Carmine and Experience are going to foot the bill (along with pretty much all of the family's bills), he's ready to start packing.
But, how to break it to the kids? There isn't much time to think, what with them being such early risers (Arturo still can't figure out where they get THAT from).
"Daddy, I had a crazy dream last night that you were an astronaut."
Arturo listens to Tito but only smirks at Maurice. After all, Maurice was so excited to tell the boys, why take that away from him.
Maurice, exhausted from the long night, decides it's too early in the moring to get them so excited. He waits until after he's rested.
"Giorgio, Tito, I have some exciting news. We're going to MOVE!"
He doesn't give them time to respond.
"And that's not all. Grouchy dad is going to have a baby. Isn't that exciting? Now, who wants to help with the dishes?"
While Maurice begins his intricate dish washing proceedure, Giorgio and Tito are left to absorb the news.
Giorgio has a hard time finding it as exciting as his father. Tito, the calmer of the two, decides to withhold judgement until he sees the new house.
And in the bathroom. . .
. . .Arturo begins experiencing the miracle that is pregnancy.
Even though he'd much rather sit in his arm chair and try and will away the nausea, a phone call finds Arturo at his brother's house.
". . .so, Willhelm didn't much care about the whole move, what with going off to college. But I think the twins, well Giorgio mostly, might not be as excited as Maurice thought they'd be. Damn, this gelatin is great. I can't get enough of. . .*wretches*
"Bathroom?!"
Experience still hasn't acquired a taste for Arturo. She doesn't dislike him but she can't say she likes him, either.
"So, Arturo and his family will be moved in this weekend. Arturo said he can have the supplement ready right after that."
"Yeah, Carmine, about your brother. Does he have a drinking problem?"
"No. Well, at least not that I know of, why?"
"Well, last night when he was over he was going on and on about how good the gelatin was and sucking it down like he'd never eaten before. Then, I thought he was going to puke all over the table. Just seemed like maybe he was drunk or. . ."
*laughing* "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Too funny. When I called to ask Arturo over, Giorgio answered. When I asked for Arturo he said I'd have to wait because, how was it he put it, oh, yeah. "Grouchy dad is throwing up because of the aliens." I asked Arturo about it when he picked up but he didn't really want to discuss it. I guess he got abducted which means he's probably pregnant."
"Hmm, that would explain it I guess. I was worried he was going to drink up all the money we gave him."
"No. He's not like that. It didn't sound like he was that excited about being pregnant."
"I can understand that."
"Oh, let him know that if he needs, and would like, I could make him a nanny servo. Pandora was telling me they are working out quite well in that department. I'm toying with the idea of making another one for around here. It could. . ."
"I don't want our baby raised by a robot, Experience. Not that the servos aren't capable but babies like to feel the touch of their parents, not the cold metal of a robot. I can't wait for the baby to finally arrive, to hold it for the first time. Aren't you excited, Ex?"
Experience smiles at Carmine. She's happy to make him happy but she's not excited. The whole prospect of her husband bearing their child, of being someone's mother, leaves her cold.