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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Chapter 2.11: Dear J, a New Start

Author’s Note: I would like to welcome The Freezer Bunny Book Club members to Noble Doubt! Thank you for selecting my blog and also for taking the time to read it. I hope you find it enjoyable.
For those who don’t know, The Freezer Bunny Book Club resides on The Sims Forum and is open to all. Each week, they read a selected blog and then conduct a coffee hour on Fridays where they discuss what they’ve read. Click the banner below to join in the fun!
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1
Dear J, Hidden Springs really seemed to be the right move and everything was kind of falling into place. I was brought on by Paradox Pictures to compose the score for their upcoming action film Terminal Retaliation. It was starring none other than, you guessed it, Samuel Serendipity.
If you remember, he’s the guy my Aunt Keniesha met at the Grammy after party. They’ve been dating for a while now and rumor has it, they’ll be tying the knot. Even though I still wonder what happened to Uncle Mango, I’m really excited about my aunt finally finding love again. So is my mom.
When she was a teenager and then all through her adult life, she loved every movie he was in. She was never an action movie fan, she just loved that guy. Even now, she sometimes talks about how when she and my dad were first dating, they cuddled on the couch watching Triple Overkill. She sighs all funny while she’s remembering and says things like, “Those were the days.”
To be honest, Triple Overkill is an okay movie, but definitely not Samuel’s best flick. My all time favorite that he did was called Duke of Vengeance. In it, Duke Crossbow (an assassin played by Samuel) was framed for a theft. After Duke got out of prison, he went on a rampage, seeking revenge on everyone who’d double crossed him. Now there’s a great action movie!
2
But I digress…. where was I? Oh yeah. The film I’m working on; Terminal Retaliation. The studio is expecting this to be a real blockbuster which makes me a little surprised they chose me to do the score. But I’m not going to argue with them. As soon as they offered it to me, I jumped at the chance. Now that I’ve totally switched gears with my career, I have to prove that I can do this and that it was the right decision.
It’s been tough to ignore some of the criticism that has come since I supposedly “threw away my career.” So I had to work extra hard now to make good.
I do have a small studio in our new house, but I decided to try out some of my new compositions on the grand piano. They just sound better there.
3
When Josh came over later that day, I was really excited to tell him about the new music. That’s how it was with me. Typically I would get the inspiration and then write almost feverishly, pounding out tunes on the piano. After more changes then I could count, it would eventually become something with a life of its own.
This piece was turning out to be pretty good, in my opinion. I had the main melody down and had figured out some variations of it. I thought this was a great start.
4
Anyway, Josh seemed excited, too. He really dug the song I played for him and he had some great ideas for the orchestration. I have to say, action music is a lot of fun.
5
Later that day, Blue and I went next door to the Drummond house (it still feels strange calling my sister a Drummond) for a barbecue. Speaking of Rachel, I don’t think I mentioned that about a month after she and Josh came back from their honeymoon, they announced they were having a baby.
She’s due anytime which has Blue talking nonstop about how she’s going to be very important to her new cousin. I’m really happy for Rachel. With the awesome way she took care of Blue, I know she’ll be a terrific mother.
6
“Leo, are you even listening to me?” Rachel said with exasperation.
One thing I have to say about Hidden Springs is that it’s hard to concentrate on conversation when there’s all that beauty around you to behold.
7
I paused for a minute now, trying to figure out what she’d said. Finally, I admitted, “No. No, I’m not.”
She rolled her eyes as Josh produced a knowing smirk. Apparently he tuned her out sometimes, too.
“I asked if you’re still getting those weird calls.”
I sighed. The calls. “Yeah, once in a while.”
8
“I don’t think you should just make light of them,” she said.
“Look, it’s just some kid or something and it doesn’t happen that often,” I reasoned. The last thing I wanted was for her to worry. I gave Josh a little glare to remind him that I was sore at him for telling her in the first place. In return, he smiled, clearly not understanding the message. This guy didn’t need a sign, he needed a billboard.
As for the calls, they had begun almost as soon as Blue and I had moved in. And they weren’t anything, really, just hang up calls. I would answer and get hung up on. Sometimes there was a longer pause before the hang up. I only mentioned it to Josh in passing and the first thing the loud mouth had done, was tell my sister.
“Well, I don’t like it,” Rachel said. “It could be some crazy fan or something. Or someone who’s mad that the band broke up.”
I shrugged. “It’s probably a coincidence. How would a fan have my phone number? It’s not exactly something that’s available to the public.”
“What about Bexley or Cricket? Could it be one of them?” Josh asked.
I glared harder at him than I had before and this time, I could see it register in his eyes. “No, it couldn’t,” I said. “As you know, I changed my number when we moved here.”
“Are we eating yet?” Blue called from the picnic table. “I’m going to faint over here!”
9
Feeling relieved at the interruption, I motioned my melodramatic daughter to sit down and gave her a hot dog and some chips.
“Thif if really goot, Uncle Josh,” she said around her first bite.
“Thanks, sweetie,” Josh answered as he filled his plate.
“I’m glad you like it but don’t talk with your mouth full,” I said. Since moving here, I’d begun to wonder what had happened to Blue. It wasn’t all bad…. just different. In Bridgeport, she’d been a shy little girl who hardly ever spoke. She was still shy, but she was becoming more and more vocal. And funny. It was really nice seeing this side of her.
She swallowed her food, took a drink and then said, “Sorry.”
10
As was usual in recent weeks, the discussion centered around the new baby. I was interested in everything that was going on with Rachel’s pregnancy. Not just because she’s my sister and I obviously care about her, but it was a chance for me to observe all of the things I’d missed while Chrissy had been pregnant with Blue. I never saw any of this, nor had I seen Blue as a baby.
“We haven’t decided on a name, but we have some we like really well,” Josh said.
“Well, I think you should name her Blue Valentine the Second!” Blue giggled. “She’s going to be just like me.”
“She or he is going to love you a lot,” Rachel said.
“Oh it’s a she,” Blue answered. “I just know it.”
11
When we were finished eating, Blue and I cleared the table and did the dishes. There was no way I was letting my almost-due sister slave away. Josh picked up a plate, but Blue took it from him and I waved him away.
“We’ve got this,” I said with a smile.
12
“Thanks, you guys,” Rachel said. “It’s so hot out, I think I’m going to take a swim.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Josh agreed.
13
And so the afternoon was a peaceful one. When we’d first moved here, I’d wondered how I’d ever get used to the quietness of it all. Instead of busy roads and skyscrapers, there were mountains, lakes and lush trees and skies.
14
Except for a maid that came in everyday, Blue and I lived alone. There were no unexpected people just walking into the house. We didn’t have to share anything with anyone or worry that people were around all the time.
Sure, there were always paparazzi around and I had to be mindful about that, especially where Blue’s privacy was concerned, but the whole atmosphere was just different. In Bridgeport, or really anywhere we’d gone on tour, I hadn’t been able to just go out without a lot of planning since security had to go with me everywhere. That meant that, on a whim, I couldn’t catch a movie or take Blue to a diner. We would have been overrun immediately by fans.
Here, all of the extra security hadn’t seemed necessary. It was still difficult at times to go to town. People still recognized me. The locals knew I’d moved here. But I had to grocery shop like anyone else and run errands. It was really uncomfortable at first, but once the townies got used to it, most of them didn’t really treat me all that differently than anyone else. And I liked it that way.
It seemed more and more that this new role of being nothing more than Blue’s dad was really suited to me. Because people would still ask me for autographs and liked to take pictures of me, there wouldn’t be any casual trips to the park. But I was really hoping that when Blue began school, she would make friends who could come over and play with her. That would just mean everything to the both of us.
15
Blue had been taking some summer classes and one of them was swimming. It made me so happy that she was getting into a routine and learning new things. I wanted her to be confident and secure.
One thing she’d decided since hanging out with the other kids in her swim class, was that she had to have neater hair. She’d mentioned to me that the other girls’ hair wasn’t “wild” like hers. So, she’d been pulling hers up into a cute little hairstyle.
“Now watch how I swim, Daddy,” she instructed. “First I’m going to do a starfish float and then I’m going to do the backstroke.”
16
“Okay, I’m watching.”
My eyes grew slightly misty as I watched her demonstration. She’d really put up with a lot in her short life. Hopefully, from here on out, things would be better for my girl.
17
Rachel joined Blue and as they paddled around in the water, Josh and I chatted about the mood we wanted the music to set for Terminal Retribution.
It wasn’t long before Rachel dragged herself out of the pool and stood at the side of it with a strangely tense expression on her face.
“Are you all right?” Josh asked.
After a moment, she relaxed a little bit and she said, “Yeah. I have indigestion or something.”
“I’m going to get dressed,” Josh said over his shoulder as he went into the house.
I stood next to my sister and touched her arm. “I can tell you don’t feel well. Can I get you anything?”
“I think I’m just going to get out of the sun, maybe have a glass of ice water and put my feet up.”
18
After telling Blue to get out of the pool, I took Rachel inside. As I was getting her a glass of water, she gripped her abdomen and cried out.
19
“What’s wrong?” I shouted without meaning to shout. Of course, I knew what she was going to say.
20
“I think – no I’m pretty sure that I’m in labor. I need to get dressed.”
21
It was nothing less than surreal, watching my sister in labor on the way to the hospital. Josh drove as Rachel calmly called her obstetrician to let him know she was on her way.
My palms were sweaty so Blue refused to hold my hand and my heart raced anxiously as we walked up to the entrance of the emergency department. To my relief, Josh was calm and really attentive to her. They both had little smiles on their faces and the way they looked into each others’ eyes made me realize on an even deeper level what I’d missed out on. It was like they shared some wonderful secret or dream that was about to be realized and that only they could understand.
22
Even though it was clear to me that I couldn’t possibly understand what they were feeling on the same level, I was happy for them. In just a few hours, I would be an uncle for the first time.
 

Kymber Hawke
Kymber Hawkehttps://booomcha.com/
I am a simmer, Rennie garb wearer, author, and dog petter. Judy Garland is my queen, horror movies & classic movies are my jam. INFJ with "Unity Hayes" as a pseudonym. A little bit eccentric, owned by two cats, Cesare & Josie-Pye. 🐱🐱

42 COMMENTS

  1. I’m with Rachel. I don’t like those weird calls. I think there’s lots more to it than what Leo is making it out to be.

    Yay!!! The baby is coming. I can’t wait to see if it’s a boy or a girl. I did feel really bad for Leo at the end of the chapter. It’s clear he was feeling wistful about not having a relationship and missing out on what Josh and Rachel are experiencing. I hope this changes because Leo deserves somebody super nice.

    Blue is growing up so fast! It won’t be long before Daddy and Uncle Josh are going to be chasing the boys away with their shotguns. LOL!

    • I agree with you. Leo should be more wary of those strange calls.

      I don’t think Leo realized all the things he missed with Blue until Rachel had her baby. Hopefully, someday, he’ll experience it all.

      Yes to the shotguns! LOLOL

  2. I felt bad for Leo at the end of this chapter. Not only did he miss out on Blue’s birth but he’s never had a “real relationship” due to his commitment to his performing career and to Blue.
    Perhaps that will change now that they’ve moved. Hidden Springs seems like such a good idea for both households.
    Except for the weird calls. 🙁

    • Thank you so much. I agree that Hidden Springs seems like a good solution. Leo has been single a long time, it’s true. Hopefully, this change will remedy that also.

  3. Chrissy showing up, what about Mango and just as Keniesha has a chance to be happy. Then the phone calls. I don’t know about this. What ever happened to the other sister Danylla is it?

  4. Yay baby!
    I hope Leo realizes that there’s nothing “wrong” with Blue. She’s just growing up, and part of growing up involves opening up and getting more comfortable in your own skin. With all those people going in and out of the house all the time, I wouldn’t blame her for being shy. Now that she has only people she is comfortable with around her, she’s definitely going to blossom.

  5. I can’t believe how calm Rachel and Josh are! I think Leo is sad that he missed out on Blue’s birth and didn’t have what Josh and Rachel have together.
    Nice chapter! 🙂

  6. Yay, baby! I bet he/she is going to be adorable, and I think Rachel and Josh will be good parents. Blue would be an amazing cousin, too. She’s so sensible and sweet, ahh she’s growing up much too fast!
    I feel kinda sorry for Leo. His little sister is getting married and having a family, and he hasn’t even met a decent woman yet. I hope that in the end Leo will meet the perfect one and dispel his loneliness!
    I agree with the other readers in that Chrissy will probably come along and (maybe) complicate things again. Also, the calls are worrying. He definitely should not take them lightly…
    I enjoyed this chapter a lot <3

    • Thank you, Lila! The baby is really cute. 🙂 Sometimes I feel like Blue is growing up too fast, too. I am really enjoying getting to delve deeper into her character, though. I kind of miss the cute little toddler. lol I feel a little sorry for Leo, too. He definitely needs to find someone. With what’s happened to him, it might be a little harder for him now in that respect. I’m so glad you enjoyed the chapter.

  7. I agree with Leo’s sister he shouldn’t take those mysterious calls so lightly. Something is up and I have a bad feeling. I hope it’s not Chrissy although I still expect her to show up again at some point in Leo and Blue’s life. I felt kind of bad for Leo. While he wanted to be there for his sister it only highlighted all the things he missed with Blue. None of it was his fault but it’s still sad. Maybe it’s just me but he comes across as lonely. Blue seems to be flourishing but I’m not sure Leo is. I hope I’m wrong he deserves some happiness.

    • Thank you, dandylion. I completely see why you felt bad for Leo. He’s happy for Rachel, but, as you said, it served to highlight everything he missed. I also think you’re right that he’s lonely. Blue is really coming out of her shell, that’s true, too. Hopefully, Leo will flourish, too.

  8. I’m glad Rachel and Josh are starting their family – they’ll make some cute babies! And I imagine Blue is hoping for a little cousin she can play with!
    As for the mysterious calls, any chance it could be Christie?

    • Thank you, Violincat! 🙂 This baby is really cute. It’s nice seeing them start their family. I can’t wait to show the baby to you. Ah, the phone calls….. you just never know. 😀

  9. I can’t believe you left us waiting! LOL I’m so eager to meet the new baby. And, yes, you really threw me with Mango. I hope in time we’ll find out what happened to him. Great job, as always!

    • Thank you, Judith! 😀 Yes, you will eventually know all the answers to the Mango Mystery. 😀 The baby is really cute. I can’t wait for you to meet him or her. 😀

  10. Yay! Blue 2.0 has arrived! I have no doubt Blue is going to be my most favourite character…..however, Blue’s children may be quite fun! I’m very happy Keniesha found someone and I hope that itself will bring some interesting storylines! Well done RO!

    • Thank you, Bee! 🙂 I’m delighted you enjoyed the chapter. “Blue 2.0!” I love that. haha I hope she lives up to your expectations. I have a lot of ideas I’m working out for her. As for Keniesha, this does open some things up…. 😀

  11. Blue is a smarty, and I bet the baby is a girl! She seems to have good intuition about things (and people!). Good for Keniesha, she deserves some happiness. I am also wondering about Mango, so glad you said there will be more to the story! Maybe it’s him making the phone calls?? I hope Leo can make a go of it in his musical pursuits. It’s a whole different ballgame, without all the ‘star’ trappings, thank goodness! Can’t wait to meet the bambino!! =)

    • Thank you, Marj! 🙂 Those phone calls are a bit bothersome, aren’t they? I’m glad Keniesha has someone, too. It’s been a long time coming for her. 🙂 As for Mango, yes, there will be more to this later on. 😀 You are going to love the new baby!

  12. I am so happy that Keniesha is in a relationship. I wasn’t expecting it at all! I love how Blue is so cute and funny. Her hair looks green on these photos, lol. It now feels so weird to see Leo in normal outfits, I think he is soon going to get all redhead again 😀 I am so proud of Blue swimming. It’s good that she has some hobbies. I wonder what’s up with those phone calls and who threatens Leo. i hope Rachel isn’t going to have twins, LOL

    • Hahahahaha Oh. My. Goodness. Please, no more twins for now. I can’t handle it. 😛 I’m really happy about Keniesha, too. She just really hit it off with Samuel, so I thought, “Why not?” 😀 Blue is really beginning to come into her own.

    • Thank you! 🙂 The new baby is cute! I can’t wait to show you. And the phone calls…. dun dun dun! lol Mango? Mango who? Just kidding. There is a story there. 😀

  13. YAY the baby is on the way!!! I love how Blue is coming out of her shell and getting so grown up. Insisting she wear her “cute” un-messy hairstyle. I think this move is going to be good for the both of them. Can’t wait to see Blue with her baby cousin.

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