Silver's Sims: Crystal Legacy - Generation 1 (Part 7)

A child of two worlds, Opal Crystal never really belonged anywhere. Loved by her heartsick mother, and loathed by her stepfather, she lived her life trapped in a tower of ivory and glass. But when said stepfather betrays her, selling her to the government for experimentation, she must find the strength to carry on...even when all seems lost.

CW: This Generation contains themes of medical torture, false imprisonment, PTSD, and terminal illness.

And so, life went on.

Friends were never far, even when life sent them down different paths…

There were some bonds that would never break, no matter the time between them…

The bonds of family.

Family was the most important thing to all of them. It was what kept them going.

Through the good times…

And the bad.

Aurora: Still not feeling good?

Opal: Mm-mm. Not sure what’s worse…the headache or the stomachache…

Aurora: And the medicine isn’t helping?

Opal: It’s taking longer to kick in this time. Could you sit with me?

Aurora: Of course.

Aurora: No fever. Maybe we should call Cay…

Opal: Over a bad night? I don’t want her to worry…

Aurora: She’d want to know the meds aren’t working as well anymore. Besides, we’d have to call her about that eventually. You shouldn’t have to live like this.

Opal: Mm. *sigh* In the morning. The trains are running now, so she can come by tomorrow.

Aurora: Tomorrow. Can I get you anything?

Opal: Just…stay with me.

Aurora: Like you even have to ask that.

Aurora: I just wish there was more I could do for you.

Opal: Just being here helps more than you know.

Aurora: I’m always going to be here. That you don’t have to worry about.

Opal: Then we can figure the rest out as we go. It’s okay.

Aurora: Yeah. It will be. Here–lay down.

Opal: Mm…thank you.

Aurora: Just sleep. I’ll keep you safe.

That afternoon…

Cadence: I got your results back, and they’re not good. We’re going to have to increase your medication dosages.

Opal: So I’m getting worse.

Cadence: Not yet. Increasing the dosages will keep you stable, but if anything major changes on a physical level, you could spiral out.

Aurora: Like…what? Getting sick?

Cadence: No. I mean like getting pregnant.

Opal: I can…never have children?

Cadence: You can’t carry them. Between the internal damage and your medication, it wouldn’t be safe for you or the baby.

Aurora: You have got to be kidding. Cay, there has to be something we can do!

Cadence: I’ve tried everything. I’m sorry, you two.

Opal: …It’s not your fault. Being alive is enough.

Aurora: Opal…

Opal: This is just…one more thing I’ll live with. I’m alive to live with it, and that’s what…really matters.

Opal: Do your Dads still have your adoption paperwork?

Aurora: In a firebox back at the house, yeah. Why? Are you thinking about adopting instead?

Opal: Mm-hmm. I have for a while now. There’s so many kids who need homes, both from Sixam and from Maxis. If we could help any of them, then maybe…

Aurora: We can. But the process takes forever. They have to vet us, check the house, look into our backgrounds…Pop said it took three years before they let him and Dad adopt me.

Opal: …Okay, so we start it now. We start the process tomorrow, start getting all the paperwork out of the way, and in three or four years we can bring someone home.

Aurora: Yeah, of course. And…maybe I can carry.

Opal: What?

Aurora: I was thinking about what Cadence said. The problem we’re running into is that you can’t physically carry a child, right? I can!

Aurora: We’ll still go through with the adoption process. We’ll still help another kid who needs it, but we can do them both!

Opal: Ro…what about your job? Wouldn’t pregnancy affect your job?

Aurora: I’ve got like, six years of leave saved up. Besides, I’m high enough in the ranks now that they can’t touch me.

Aurora: We can still make this all work, starshine. All of it!

Opal: Ro…okay. Okay! Let’s do it. We’ll need to–we’ll need to talk to Cadence, and your Dads, and find an adoption agency and–

Aurora: And slow down a little! We don’t have to do everything tonight, you know. We can take our time, make sure it all falls perfectly into place.

Opal: Life isn’t perfect. If we aren’t careful…so much could go wrong.

Aurora: And so much could go right. We’ll be careful, but you know we’ve got this. We’ve had everything else. Why would this be any different. And you know something?

Opal: What?

Aurora: You’re going to make a great Mom.

Opal: We’re going to make great Moms. You and me, together.

Aurora: Together.

Opal: How’re you feeling?

Aurora: A little nervous. Not that I’d mind trying again, but I just want to know, you know?

Opal: I do. Cadence?

Cadence: Still running a few tests. It’s looking promising so far, though.

*Machine beeps*

Cadence: Very promising. Alright, so I’ve got good news and great news.

Aurora: Good news first.

Cadence: It took. You’re expecting!

Opal: Oh–what’s the great news?

Cadence: There’s signs of it being two. Congratulations, both of you. You’re having twins.

Opal: Twins! Oh–we’re going to be mothers to twins!

Aurora: Twins…neither of them ever has to be alone. *laugh* Oh, this is great!

Opal: Thank you, Ro. Thank you so much.

Opal: You okay?

Aurora: Yeah, yeah, just…wondering if we should go tell my dads in person. Dad’s gonna freak, probably.

Opal: Good freak or bad freak?

Aurora: Little of both. *sigh* I’ll call them.

Aurora: I just hope they’re sitting down…

…

Aurora: Dad? Are you and Pop at home? Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine, just–mm.

Aurora: Not now…

Opal: Ro?

Aurora: I’m good. Mmph.

Aurora: Sorry, Dad. Yeah, I’m here. Yes, really, everything’s fine! I just got some news today. Can you put me on speaker?

Aurora: Hey, Pop. Yeah, we’re good! I need you two to be sitting down, okay? Dad, please? Okay, good.

Aurora: I’m pregnant.

*thud*

Aurora: Wha–Dad?

*laughter*

Aurora: *sigh* He wasn’t sitting down, was he?

Lemon: He is now!

Aurora: That’s why I told you to sit down…

Nebula: Kiitra, you–We’re coming over!

Aurora: Dad, you don’t have to–Dad? Oh. They hung up on me. Oh, boy….

Opal: That is not a happy face. Did they not take it well?

Aurora: No, no, they did, but. *sigh* They’re coming over. We’re about to get buried in hugs.

Opal: And that’s a bad thing because…?

Aurora: You’ve never had one of Dad’s back-breakers. …No, you’re right, you’re right, this is great.

Aurora: I really should warn you, though: Dad is gonna hug us both to pieces.

Opal: I think we can handle that. Besides, I can think of worse things to get buried in than hugs.

Aurora: Uh-huh? Like what?

Opal: Well…

*that night…*

Nebula: Where is she?

Opal: *laugh* Inside! Go right on in.

Nebula: Grandchildren! You are to be mothers, and we are to have grandchildren! Oh, congratulations, kiitra.

Opal: Thank you, Nebula.

Lemon: You did warn her he wouldn’t let go, right?

Aurora: Oh, yeah. Buried in hugs.

Nebula: You do know I can hear you, yes?

Opal: I think that’s half the point.

Nebula: *sigh* And now we must wait. Nine months.

Opal: That’s how these things work, isn’t it? Or do Sixamites have a shorter gestation?

Nebula: No, no, we run on the same clock as those from Maxis. I simply…am impatient. I wish to meet them already!

Aurora: Oh, Dad! *laugh* It won’t be that long!

Aurora: Besides, it’s seven months. We wanted to be sure everything had taken first before we said anything. I’m ten weeks.

Nebula: A cause for celebration! …And less time to wait, as well.

Lemon: *snort* Neb.

Opal: How about you two stay for dinner? You came all this way.

Opal: Also, we’ve been meaning to ask you: what agency did you use to adopt Ro?

Lemon: Happy Homes. It’s based out of Sugar Springs. Why? You two considering adoption?

Aurora: Yeah. After these two are older, for sure, but we’d like to adopt if we can.

Nebula: I see no reason why you could not.

Lemon: Happy Homes is still running if you don’t mind the commute, but I think there’s a continent wide one up and running too.

Nebula: There is. There is also Starhome, which specializes in extra-planetary adoptions. Both would be looking into.

Opal: Then we will. Seven months is plenty of time to do our research. And tell my Moms about all of this, too. That’ll be fun.

Opal: It was great seeing you again.

Lemon: You too, sugar puff. Call us if you need anything. And take a picture of your mom’s faces for me, okay?

Opal: You bet.

The next day…

Rainbow: For someone who is to become a mother, you do not seem excited.

Opal: I’m just worried, I guess. I mean, what do I know about being a Mom?

Snow: It’s not about knowing, baby. You can always ask for help if you need it, but you’re learning as much as those little ones will.

Rainbow: And Aurora Rose will be with you. Two people can handle more than one alone…but that is not what this is about, is it?

Opal: I…I don’t know if I’ll be around for their whole life. Is it right of me to just…to do this?

Snow: Of course it is! You’re not going anywhere anytime soon, and even if you don’t–even if the Watcher calls you home early, that’s still years with you. Those are some lucky kids. Just take it one day at a time.

Opal: You’re right. Sorry, I just…I’m scared.

Snow: That’s normal. But we’re right down the street if you need us, okay?

Rainbow: Do not hesitate to call.

Opal: I won’t. Thanks, Mom.

Snow: …Rain, would it be possible to have some Sixamite doctors take a look at her files?

Rainbow: That can be arranged.

Aurora: *laugh* We have a bed.

Opal: …mmph. Ro?

Aurora: Hey, sleepyhead. How’d your moms take the news?

Opal: Good. *yawn* You good?

Aurora: Great! Nausea’s finally dying down. Only had to make a run for it once today.

Opal: *laugh* When did that become the best news in our lives?

Aurora: Uh, when I got pregnant with twins?

Opal: Well, good. I’m happy you’re happy with this.

Aurora: More than happy. I’m ecstatic. …You’re okay, right? You seem kind of down.

Opal: Yeah, just…tired, I think. This is one heck of a thing we’re doing, isn’t it?

Aurora: It is. And I couldn’t ask for a better partner to do it with.

Aurora: Seriously, though…you’re okay?

Opal: Seriously, though. I’m fine. Better than fine. Everything’s going to be fine.

Five months later…

Nebula: It is good to see you doing so well, kiitra. Has the dust settled?

Opal: Finally, yeah. I swear we’ll be finding sawdust and drywall for years.

Nebula: If you think this is bad, wait until you add a second floor to this place.

Aurora: Oh, Watcher. *laugh* Don’t jinx us, Dad.

Nebula: I am not! I am simply warning you. Learn through our experiences.

Snow: And our pitfalls!

Snow: You’ve got everything you need, right? Bags packed, nursery ready?

Opal: We’re as ready as we can be. Now it’s just waiting for it to actually happen.

Nebula: If I may ask, Snow, how did you feel at this stage in your pregnancies?

Snow: Oh, you know…

Opal: No, we don’t. That’s why we’re asking.

Aurora: I know how I feel! I want this to be over and to have my bladder back!

*laughter*

Snow: That’s about right, actually. It was worth it, both times, and I’d do it again for the two of you, but…it was pretty annoying by eight months in. I couldn’t even see my feet!

Nebula: And to think, so many people choose to suffer for their young ones. I am forever amazed by that love.

Snow/Opal: You should be.

Snow: But seriously, it was worth it. And this’ll be worth it, Aurora!

Aurora: Jury’s out on that, Mrs. C! Oof…

Snow: You’ll all be fine, I promise. It’s almost done.

Nebula: And you’re sure you wouldn’t like us there to help when it happens?

Opal: We’re sure. It’s not that we don’t want you around, it’s just…it’s a lot. We’d kind of like some time to get used to the idea, you know?

Nebula: Of course. Send pictures?

Opal: Preferably ones with heads, but yeah. We will.

That night…

Opal: It really is just a waiting game now. I can’t believe your boss was so okay with you taking leave before eight and a half months.

Opal: After everything you’ve said about him…

Aurora: I didn’t give him a choice. It was either sign off on my leave or get HR on his butt. Considering I’m his fastest case closer? He wants me on his good side.

Aurora: For however long that’s going to last. Oof.

Opal: Ro…maybe you should pull out. For the twins.

Aurora: So I always come home, you mean.

Opal: Well, yeah. When it was just us it was one thing, but now that they’re going to be here…I don’t want to think about them not knowing their Mom. Or about losing you.

Aurora: You won’t. They won’t. I promise, I’ll always come home.