19. HIGH MAINTENANCE

During the photo session they had a blast, until Sofia ran out of patience and declared she was done posing. She was tired, and that was that.

Luckily, her mood improved once they got back home.

The latest ultrasound showed that their baby girl was still growing healthy and strong. Future parents were deeply moved.

It was good they got home in time. Rob must’ve blown a few circuits and he started a massive fire! Bastian ran to help put it out, and I nearly didn’t notice he was standing right in the flames himself.

Even their poor dog got caught in the chaos… but everyone made it through safely!

Sofia, you’re in your third trimester now. Maybe… just maybe… extreme treadmill sprints aren’t the best idea? Yesterday your fiancé nearly died, and now you’re trying to out-drama him? Let’s save a little room for peace in this story, okay?

Sofia: Everything exhausts me! I’m so done! When will this pregnancy be over?

Bas: Just a little longer, sweetheart. You’ve got this.

Sofia: What do you know! And why are you making tofu again??

Bas: You like tofu!

Sofia: Don’t use your phone at the table.

Bas was also starting to lose his patience. With the pregnancy. With tofu. With everything.

Sofia’s mood swings became brutal. Everything annoyed her. The weather. The plants. The fact that everything annoyed her... annoyed her. She discovered she was a high maintenance Sim.

Maybe she’d always been this way, or maybe the pregnancy brought it out.

Bastian, meanwhile, was close to a crisis himself. He finally got to use that calming potion he got from the naturopath. Now they just had to survive the final stretch. After that, things had to get better. Right?

To clear his head, Bas went for a run, nearly crashing into Laura, or rather she stumbled right into his path. (Clumsy Sim after all…) 

Bas: Hey! What are you doing here?

Laura: Didn’t Rom tell you? Cristian and him hired me as their interior decorator!

Bas: Wait, what? Where are you staying?

Laura: I found a little place in the city center. Got lucky, someone just moved out.

Bas: So we’re almost neighbors!

Laura: Almost, haha.

Bas: Come on, I’ll walk you over to the guys’ place.

Bas: You won’t believe who I just ran into - Laura! She moved to Ciudad Enamorada and she’s decorating Rom and Cristian’s house!

Sofia: Oh... lovely.

Bas: Right? Maybe she could help us design the baby’s room?

Sofia: No need, I already finished it this morning. Oh, Bas... I think it’s happening.

One of the doctors was acting... a little off.

Sofia: Did you see what that doctor was doing?! He was staring! He was totally staring at me! Bas, find MY OB-GYN! And bring me food. Now.

Bas: Everything’s fine, Mom. Sofia hasn’t delivered yet, but it’s close. And how are things with you guys? At Rom’s wedding, I got the feeling something was off. And Dad kinda lost control...

Maja: Oh, everything’s okay now. We had a bit of a misunderstanding, but we talked it out. Don’t worry.

Bas brought Sofia a veggie sandwich, and treated himself to a bacon one from the vending machine. It had been ages since he ate meat, so it was something! His mood improved instantly.

And so, a new little Sim entered the world: Olimpia.

She immediately stole everyone’s hearts.

Maja, Jace, and Filip came by to visit the new parents and brought a sweet gift - tiny new outfits for the baby.

They didn’t want to overstay, so they left Bas and Sofia to enjoy their little bundle of joy.

A brand new chapter began for Bastian. Fatherhood.

Sofia and Bas were lucky to have plenty of help around the house, from cleaning to baby care. Even Oreo helped, keeping watch over little Olimpia. Rob did his best to keep the bugs out. The bot team scanned every room. Honestly, the maid had almost nothing to do. So why was she still so grumpy??

Sofia really wanted to get back into shape. But every time she started exercising, Olimpia started crying. This time, Rob couldn’t help, as he was recharging.

But as soon as Mom picked her up, she calmed down right away.

A message from someone. From Atlas! He invited her to his house in Oasis Springs. What a nerve!

Despite being exhausted, Sofia needed to let off steam. What better way than a run on the treadmill?

Even with all the help, juggling everything was still a struggle. Bas tried working from home when he could, giving him some time with Oreo, but mostly to step in when Sofia was worn out. But he was feeling drained too.

He hoped things would get easier after the pregnancy. But they didn't. Today, he and Sofia haven’t even spoken. When he finally came to bed, she was already asleep, completely exhausted.

Bas: There, there, little one. Shhh… don’t wake Mommy. Let her sleep. Daddy’s got you. Everything’s going to be okay.

Meanwhile, next door…

Laura: So? What do you think, guys? I didn’t change much here. This room had a good base, and you liked it. Plus, the budget was tight. But I added a few touches that I felt you'd like.

Laura: Upstairs, I made more changes. I left the top-floor room empty for now, since you said you didn’t have plans for it yet. Is it okay? Or should I start from scratch?

Cristian: It’s perfect.

Laura: Phew… I was nervous.

Rom: You can tell this space was created with us in mind. This house tells a story now. Our story. Thank you.

Laura was beyond proud, and she had every reason to be. This was her first real project, and now she had something for her portfolio. A few new clients had already reached out! And best of all, she made her friends happy. And that was priceless.

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