1.10 - Pumpkin Head

As soon as she found out there was a baby, Summer tried to call Cole. He had only left a little while ago, how busy can he be?

Apparently he was too busy to answer his damn phone, so she was forced to leave a message.

"Cole? It's Summer. Um...I have some really big news."

"I wish I could tell you it's good news but it's not. Cole! Answer! I can't tell you over a message so please call me soon. It involves you."

To take her mind off of the growing baby, she went to teach Manu his skills. He learned fast and seemed to enjoy the mental stimulation. 

But, he was also content to watch TV as Summer did a bit of sketching. She was trying to earn enough money now, so when the baby came she could afford a new crib.

It was a pain raising a child. But at the end of the day Summer knew she was doing the right thing. She was still upset her sister had dumped her child at Summer's doorstep, but she tried not to take it out on the toddler. Slowly but surely she was accepting Manu as her own child and would raise him to believe so.

By the next morning, Summer felt like she had gained 100 pounds. Some physical but most of it emotional. She missed Cole and worried he wouldn't be here to meet his baby. Surely he would come home when he found out she was pregnant, right?

She never has that much time to worry though. She has one child and that is enough to keep someone occupied for hours.

As her belly grew, Summer felt her clothes shrinking so she changed into something a bit more comfortable. She also switched into flats because pregnant and heels do not mix well.

It was a beautiful day and it was also the fall festival. Summer decided this would be a great opportunity to bond with Manu and get some fresh air.

Manu wasn't that excited. He wanted to stay home and read.

But once they arrived, Manu had a great time. He loved the pumpkin patch and so Summer decided to pick one to make a jack-o-lantern.

Summer also decided the fresh air would make a great place to teach the baby boy to walk. Not once did Manu stumble.

He was an amazing kid. So bright and happy and smart too. He had much promise and Summer was glad to help him along the way.

Just before leaving, the two went to take a photo. Right as they came out, Summer got a phone call.

"Hello? Oh....hi Daddy. Yeah, I'm good. No Daddy, I'm sorry. I can't make it to your party. Oh of course I'm glad! I will be over as soon as I can to see you. I love you Daddy."

Her father was engaged? To someone her age? No one had even bothered to tell her her parents had divorced! Her dad was an elder how could get get engaged to some young adult. He probably wouldn't even be here that long!

Summer fumed. No one had called her since she moved out and now she gets one phone call.

She put Manu in the stroller and headed to the bookstore. She had promised Manu that if he was a good boy her would get some more bed-time stories.

As soon as they stepped through the door, Manu begged for a story. Summer obliged and picked up one of the new books.

In just a few minutes, the little blonde child was asleep and Summer could finally relax.

She went to carve the pumpkin so that when Manu awoke, he would see the smiling pumpkin.

Summer tried, but  it didn't turn out as she had hoped. Suddenly, she felt overwhelmed with tears. Chances are it was just hormones but it still felt icky.

She tried to eat her feelings away but all they had was yogurt.

Summer got a few hours of sleep but was quickly awakened by Manu's cries of hunger and a twinge in Summer's belly. 

Summer gathered her thoughts and went downstairs. She stared at the large living room and decided it was time to turn it into a nursery. It took some time, but eventually she finished with some simoleans still in her pocket.

Her favorite addition was the rocking chair. She loved picking up Manu and relaxing.

But there wasn't a lot of time to relax. She still had to finish teaching Manu his skills. It wasn't really a chore though. She loved seeing his face when he walked across the room and made it to Summer.

Despite her size, Summer still tried her hardest to get some work done. She had recently been commissioned to create three wooden sculptures and was hoping to get them done as soon as possible.

Manu also had some work he needed to get done...

Summer was trying to feed Manu when she felt another twinge in her stomach.

Only this time, it was followed by pain.

She looked down at Manu who was matching her screams. 

"It's okay Manu...Summer is just.." she groaned. She tried to finish the sentence but another wave of pain hit her.

Then suddenly, the pain stopped. In her arms was a little baby girl Summer decided to name Jessie Belle.

It may have been the pain, but Summer was in a bit of a daze when she tried to carry the larva into the nursery.

 Manu decided he would rather play with his lamb then listen to the pink thing cry.

 After the daze, Summer changed back into her regular clothes and fed her baby girl for the first time. She looked pale. Obviously she did not inherit her skin from Summer's side of the family. Cole's mother was green, but Summer had never seen Mr. Grove.

 Summer stared at her new child. She was perfect in every way.

"Manu, this is your new baby sister, Jessie Belle." she whispered.

Manu could really care less. He had his book and that's all he needed.

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Jessie Belle's skin tone is really weird. She is very pale in-game but in the little icon and CAS she is much darker. Maybe she will grow into her coloring...