Chapter Fifty One - I've Broken The Servo

It's William's birthday. I'd have picked out a cake and thrown a party, but it is too late. So there he is, bless him, transitioning into a child.

  Wow, he looks like his mum Shannon. Handsome laddie! Got his dad's dark eyes though.

Because I apparently 'did so well' in bringing him up, I got to choose a trait. So I opted for the Neat trait, in the hopes that he'll do something about the dirty plates and laundry that are scattered around the place. Something that Bonehilda totally fails to notice as she hovers over cribs and reads books.

Um, lederhosen? I don't think so. It's off to CAS I go to put him into something a little more .... stylish.

In the meantime, I redecorated his old nursery upstairs into something a little more of his taste. Since his favourite colour is Seafoam, it's only fair that I give his room a more watery theme.

Whilst I was occupied elsewhere, he whipped out Peanut, his IF toy and started to play with him. Funny really, Hannah didn't get one, I checked the mail, just to see!

Hello Peanut, my bestest friend in the whole wide world. 

Aww so sweet.

Anyways, whilst I was distracted, Shannon, exhausted to the point of collapse, suddenly stops what she is doing - getting into bed to sleep - to stand there for a good 2.5 hours (I know I counted).

Something on your mind Shannon?
Can't sleep .... must do something....
Do what?
Don't know. Got a funny feeling, that's all.
Ah right.

And then POP! She suddenly spins into her maternity wear.

THAT'S what I was supposed to do!

I swear, I never heard the baby chimes from the last woohoo! So this comes as a great surprise.

Downstairs, deep downstairs, because there was a load of cash in the coffers, I decided to build a dungeon ... whoops, a basement. There I managed to fit in a few items that couldn't fit into any of the other rooms, giving me the chance to rearrange some items, and keep these ones protected from the elements.

This will be the last time you see Boney. I believe, if memory serves me well, I deactivated her in the hopes that William takes over the chores. I put the bar into the family inventory for safe keeping, then decided it would be better in the basement. Sadly Boney has discovered it once more.

And this is where things went a little ....
.... um ....
.... badly wrong.

I installed the all in one shower/toilet facility in the basement and sent Blaine in there to 'void his oily circuitry'. I forgot that not only does it act as a toilet, he gets a shower too!

He staggers out of the unit, sparks flying everywhere.

And promptly shuts down.

Oops. I guess I've broken the servo!

My bad.

Chapter Nineteen - Snow Day and Kissing Without the Mistletoe

Snow Day arrived and with that, the option to throw a gift giving party.
Since there was no furniture, it was pretty easy to place the gift pile.

Also, this was the one and probably only, chance for Austin to fulfil his locked wish to 'kiss Shannon'.

But first. Completely and utterly out of the blue.
He stripped naked, and started streaking around the place!!

Much to the amusement and disgust of his arriving guests.

Did you see that?
Yup, he's the guy I work with.
You poor thing.
No, not really, he's quite entertaining ... in his own unique way.

Finally, all the guests arrived (plus a few gatecrashers) and planted their gifts on the pile. It was quite a gathering really. Work colleagues, people he'd interviewed.

He wished for a buffet table, but didn't get the chance to fill it as the time to open gifts was almost upon him.
So, whilst everyone gathered, he sidled up to Shannon.

I've been thinking.
(Shannon hovers)
Yes?
Um.
Yes?
Oh hell, why not? Please don't hate me for this but......

He grabbed her and planted a 'heat of the moment' kiss on her lips. Visions of what happened the last time he used that kiss flashed into his head at that precise moment, and he wondered if history was going to repeat itself right here, right now.

Shannon gasped and stood back, stunned.

Before grabbing Austin and pulling him in for a little more passion. And all this, without the use of the mistletoe!!

So .... you like me then?
I've been waiting for you to do that for a long time Austin.
Really?
Really.

Hopefully this will kick start their budding relationship, as so far, it's been a bit - well to be honest a deflated balloon ....  flat.

Anyways, time to open the presents.

Austin hoped that Shannon would like the retro lamp/sculpture thingy/whatever that he'd carefully chosen.

But nope. She wasn't impressed. Guess you'll have to try harder next time Austin.

Someone got the pile of poop .... or was it some coal? Guess they've been naughty this year ROFL, I think it was the green haired kid!!

Austin's pretty excited.

Not only did he get a chess set (that's the bog standard gift as far as I'm aware).

But he got a guitar too!! Maybe he can learn to play and serenade Shannon at some point?
Just thinking ahead here ....

And Peanut just happened to arrive and barked at Austin.

YAP. YAP. YAP.!!
What's he doing?
Oh he's just letting you know he's not happy with you.
Why?
Because you haven't given him any attention all day!

I thought that was just too cute ... really.

Chapter Fifteen - Shannon

Invites came thick and fast and Austin DID try to attend at least one or two parties. However, they always seemed to arise when he was working, or he was far too tired. However, when Mason Sackholme organised a 'formal' party, he just HAD to go. Hobnob with his boss and grab a few opportunities to question folks there too!! It was a win win all around!!

So, when he arrived, who should be there but Shannon, busy chatting to a vampire no less!!

He instantly targeted her - Shannon that is.

"They're giving me a cruiser!", he gushed, "isn't that cool?"

"Congrats Austin," came her reply, "well done!"
"Thanks"

Cue heavy awkward silence

  .... oh god I wanna kiss her soooo badly  ....

 "Um ..... hope you don't mind but I'd like to conduct an interview with you. I know it's inappropriate because we're at this awesome party but ..... I'm hoping to reach Vice Squad soon and I need to get in as many reports as I can."

"Sounds good to me, now what do you want to know?"

Plus, it's a great way to monopolise her all evening!!

Good thinking Austin. You just need to overcome this awkward shyness you've suddenly developed.

"Soooo, you're a Family Sim too!"

"That's right!"

"Isn't that wonderful?"

Oh god, my throat's gone dry.
Keep it together Austin, you're doing well.
I wanna hang out with her. I really do.
Oh psst, wish locked for now mkay?
Okay, thanks.

Not once, in all the time he was mooning over her, did he ever roll a wish to flirt, even though we all know he's madly in love with this Sim.

The only interruption - and diversion he had, was from Mason's little doggie Peanut, who demanded treaties from Austin. Who dutifully obliged because he wanted to brush Peanut, and to do that he needed to boost up their relationship a little.

Plus, it was earning serious brownie points with both Mason AND Shannon. Showing that he had a caring side to his nature.

He eventually had to leave because he was exhausted and it was getting late. His report on Shannon would have to wait until after work the next day.