1.17 Cramped

The journey on the ferry was long, even longer with a toddler. Sage is just grateful that Moonlight Falls has a reversed season order than Riverview, meaning she can leave most of her coats and gloves at home. Her legs are covered in goosebumps at the slightest breeze, unused to being uncovered outside. 

Already Sage feels a pit of dread in her stomach. Being on the edge of her parents' property- if you could even call it a property- brings back so many memories. The long, unbearable years of school and boredom. The mentally exhausting hours upon hours of mind numbing part time work to scrounge the money for her instruments, only to sell them off to afford the move to Riverview. 

Being home is not so sweet, after all. 

As she expected, her mother is gardening. Sage shakes her head at the rusty gate; how many times did she tell her mother to replace the damn thing? One day it was going to fall off of its hinges and leave the garden unguarded from the hungry wild deer. 

Naomi begins to sniffle and cry. It's too hot here! She's sweaty and sticky and she doesn't like it. 

"Good evening, mother." 

Her mother's attention remains fixed on her apple tree, not making any indication she heard her daughter's greeting. 

It's only when Naomi begins to shriek that Sage's mother turns her head. 

"Oh! Here so soon! Oh dear the house is still in such a state..." 

Sage grits her teeth, "Just show us in. Naomi's not comfortable out here." 

"Funny, she never complained before... must be all that time away from home, not used to Moonlight Falls' climate..." 

"I'm talking about Naomi, my daughter, mother! It's not that hard to tell the difference!" Sage snaps. But her mother's already at the front door, muttering to herself about what to do with the harvest later. 

Barely here for ten minutes and she's already ignoring me. Great. Sage rubs a hand over her face. 

This is going to be a long trip. 

She eyes the living room critically. Just as cramped as she remembers. 

At least all the soil is actually in her planters instead of all over the floor, she thinks sarcastically to herself. The house is certainly cleaner than she remembers, not that it counts for much. 

And in the already tiny kitchen Sage finds that her mother manage to slot a high chair in. Well, that's already more thoughtful than her mother had been her whole childhood. 

Sage plops Naomi into the chair. Her daughter reaches her arms out, trying to hold on to her mother. 

"No, Naomi. It's dinner time now." 

Sage opens the fridge and crinkles her nose at its bare contents. 

"Mother, what do I keep telling you about putting the harvest away properly? Where's all the vegetables and fruits you harvested today?" 

Her mother's only answer is to hum quietly in the living room as she haphazardly "tidies up". 

Sage finds the lettuce and apples in a bag under the sink. Thankfully she thought ahead and brought her own baby food, which is exactly what she gives Naomi. 

After she puts away the fruits and vegetables she sets to making dinner. The familiar routine of rinsing, chopping, and mixing brings back memories of high school. 

At least all that late night cooking paid off; Sage knows her way around even the most cramped of kitchens. 

And it got her used to eating alone. 

Well, this time around, she's not completely by herself... 

At least Naomi's having fun, Sage silently remarks. 

Right after she's washed her plate and cutlery and picked up Naomi, Sage's mother breezes into the kitchen. 

"Oh, didn't see you there, Sagey," her mother apologizes when colliding with her daughter. 

"I really don't see how you couldn't," Sage grumbles. 

"Hm?" Sage's mother turns to her, eyes wide and questioning. 

"...nothing, mother. Dinner's in the fridge. I'll just be putting Naomi to bed, then." 

"Ah, yes! The crib's in your old room. Willow was very insistent about that..." 

Sage smiles slightly at the mention of her other "cousin". "How is Willow doing?" 

Her mother taps her chin thoughtfully, "She travels a lot with the....what was their name? That vampire family that owns the wagon? She's already left for work again..." 

"Mother, do you mean the Van Goulds?" Sage can't hide her disdain; never mind the fact that they own half of the town's properties and her mother has no excuse to forget them, but Willow is working for that tactless, sleazy old man? "I thought Willow hated Ayden Van Gould!" 

Her mother shrugs as she retrieves some salad from the fridge, "People change, Sagey." 

"Don't call me that," Sage bristles, "It's juvenile, mother." 

Her mother absently nods before rummaging in the drawer for a clean fork. 

Sage glances at the crib in front of her; the faded colours of the bedding within makes her think this could be the crib she herself occupied at Naomi's age. 

"Mama no go," Naomi mewls unhappily. 

"Time for bed, Naomi," Sage says gruffly. 

She stands by the crib until her daughter falls asleep, looking at her childhood bedroom. The wallpaper is still the same, the carpet is still hard and thin, and the window flimsy and drafty. 

Amazing how everything is just as she remembered it. The thought makes her shudder. 

She goes to the living room, waiting for her mother. 

"A sleeping bag?" Sage inquires. 

"Ah, yes, I sleep in here sometimes. You know how it is, staying up late to make elixirs..." 

"Mother," Sage gasps harshly, "You can't seriously mean you sleep on the floor at your age?" 

"It's good for my back," she replies defensively. 

"Come now Sagey-," 

"-don't call me Sagey."

"I like sleeping in here sometimes. Really makes me feel like a little kid at a slumber party again! Now get on to bed, darling." 

"Is there really only one bed?" 

Her mother nods, "Since there's no one else here but me, Sage." 

"...Go to bed, mother. I'll sleep in here." 

"Are you sure? I know how fussy you are about the ground and dirt and such..." 

"I'll be fine. I'm an adult now, mother." 

"As you keep reminding me, Sagey. Oh, you were always so mature!" she pats Sage's cheek affectionately, "Sweet dreams, dear." 

"...good night, mother." 

Once she's sure her mother is fast asleep, Sage takes a shower and changes into her pjs. Then she settles into the thin sleeping bag, wincing at the uneven corners of the floor that press into her back. 

This feels like home, alright. 

1.16 Out

Sage practically jumped at the Ivanov's invitation to a fancy dress dinner (if only to get out of the house), but finds herself still taking care of Naomi when they arrive to pick her up. 

"I'm so sorry, that's so rude of me! I lost track of the time," Sage apologizes profusely. 

"No worries. You go get ready, we'll take care of Naomi in the meantime," Yuri says, already playing with the small infant. He smiles when Naomi makes eye contact with him. and her tongue lolls out. 

 Sage begins to object, but Nadine pushes her out of the nursery, "We don't have all night to bicker, go!"

Once the sitter arrives, the trio makes their way to the restaurant. The sub-zero temperatures necessitate bulky outerwear over their nice clothes, but Sage is just happy to be outside with adults capable of conversation.

They jam outside after dessert, the warmth of their coats and the restaurant nearby letting them stay outside for a bit. 

Afterwards, Yuri hugs Sage goodbye. 

"Thank you for inviting me," Sage says, a wide smile on her face, "The dinner was lovely." 

"No problem. It was a pleasure Sage." 

She gets home soon after and relieves the baby-sitter. After showering and changing her clothes, Sage tends to Naomi. 

"The baby sitter said that you were a handful today," Sage says critically. Naomi continues to suckle from the bottle, oblivious to her bad manners. 

"Well... better her than me. You seem ready for bed," she whispers. She places a sleeping Naomi in her crib. 

She tries to do some guitar practice for work, but quickly falls asleep herself on the couch. 

She's not sure how long she slept, but Sage grabs "breakfast". 

Is this hotdog spoiled? Sage wonders as she coughs out rancid sausage. Taking care of Naomi and working has really made her fall behind on chores. 

And it doesn't look like Naomi's chaotic infancy is going to get any easier... 

Sage looks at the doll and grits her teeth. Her mother sent that stupid thing in the mail as a present for Naomi. 

I shouldn't have kept it. Look at it-all raggedy and dirty. Of course mother would make something like this. 

Sage angrily swipes the toy away from Naomi. The young toddler cries, confused and dismayed. Where did her friend go? 

"Bobo!" she cries her 'friend's' name, "BOBO!" 

Sage closes her eyes and counts to ten mentally. 

"Time for breakfast," Sage says testily. 

It takes some effort, but she coaxes Naomi into the high chair and finally gets her to relax. 

"Bon appetit," Sage tells the toddler. 

She can only sigh when Naomi plunges her tiny hand into the bowl instead of using her spoon and fork. Sage wonders if a song about dining etiquette will get through to her daughter. 

"Naomi please use your spoon,

So that all over the room your food will not be strewn; 

I'd also suggest the fork, 

It might be difficult to adjust to the torque, 

But with a fork and spoon, 

You could eat cleanly soon!" 

Naomi finishes her meal and coos happily to the song. Sage isn't sure if the song is working, but this is much better than crying and screaming. 

Sage tries to teach Naomi the important things. 

"I might get a treadmill in here. Something for me to burn energy with once you're older..." 

Naomi can only cock her head to the side. 

"Bobo," Naomi says sulkily.

"Time for bed," Sage distracts her daughter.

Naomi pouts but doesn't protest.

After Naomi is put to bed, Sage decides it's time to make a call. 

"Sage? Isn't it your bed time?" her mother answers the phone. To others this remark might sound hypercritical, but her mother's question is asked with innocence and genuine concern. Sage rolls her eyes. 

"I'm not a girl anymore, mother. I just put Naomi to bed." 

"I think Nozomi's old enough to tuck herself in, dear. When do you think you two will come home?" 

"Naomi, mother," Sage sighs with exasperation, "You know what, never mind." 

"How am I supposed to know the difference when I haven't seen my grandbaby yet?" 

Sage pauses and then starts over, "Well, Naomi's older now. I suppose we could come and visit. If my boss gives me time off," she hastens to add, "And if you're free..." 

As she thought, her mother beams, "Oh, you're coming over? I should get the guest bed...and clean this place up! Oh there's so much to do..." 

Sage thinks about asking her mother for a precise date, then decides against it. It's not like she'll remember it anyways. 

"I'll call when I get an answer from work about time off." 

With that Sage hangs up, mentally and physically exhausted. 

She has a trip to plan. 

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AN: The Ivanovs came over dressed all fancy only to change into outerwear at the restaurant... oh Sims logic. 

1.15 Wholly Unprepared

Sage often wakes up with starts now; her dreams are of her orderly life thrown into chaos- trash everywhere, her co-workers in her house... 

Reality doesn't do much to appease her fears. Her huge belly, aching body, cravings, and frequent need for the restroom constantly remind her that her life will never be the same. 

And there are always chores to be done. With her soon to arrive child, she can't imagine how much heavier her household cleaning will become. 

For now, though, a fresh load of clean, dry clothes lifts her spirits. 

But winter and pregnancy take their toll. Sage is stuck inside most of the time, restless. 

She's recently remodeled the musty, empty garage on the side of the house into a nursery. It's cleaner but still stuffy with no windows. She hates the decor so far- the dark brown floor and light brown walls feel suffocating. Only the bright red crib and potty are of any palatable colour. 

The high chair was the only thing she got second hand- a well-intentioned gift from the Ivanovs. She accepted out of propriety, but lets the thing sit far in the corner for now. She couldn't force herself to move much further than the rocking chair with her bloating and cramping. 

Thinking about her cramps must have triggered something; Sage is wholly unprepared for the contraction pains that slam into her in waves. The cramps earlier that day must have been the beginnings of labor. For a few moments all she does is scream and pant, overwhelmed with confusion and pain. 

She finally gathers her wits about her and calls the Ivanovs. 

Yuri and Nadine go back to work after dropping her off at Sage's request, leaving her to her own devices once her daughter is delivered. 

Naomi's first experience outside of the hospital is snow. Her eyes are still mostly-shut slits, but she scrunches her nose at the snowflakes that fall onto her face. Sage hurries to call a taxi before the cold can cause Naomi to cry. 

Sage fumbles with the baby bottle upon arriving home, unsure of the proper technique to feed a newborn. Sure, she's read the books and listened to her doctors, but it's not quite the same as the real thing. 

For now, though, Naomi isn't a very fussy baby. She quietly drinks her milk and falls asleep when finished. 

Sage carefully places her in the crib, spending a few minutes fussing over Naomi's sleeping position. 

"Sorry your room isn't prettier. Hopefully there'll be a window in here before too long," Sage mutters to the sleeping infant. Naomi has no tastes for aesthetics and continues to nap quietly. 

Sage leaves the door to the nursery open, not having any kind of baby monitor handy. Even though she's exhausted, she musters up the energy to make dinner. 

And to clean the house. She might have fallen asleep in that rocking chair and left her pjs here more than a few times... 

This is, of course, the moment her washing machine decides to stop cooperating. Sage throws her full weight onto the machine, groaning as it jumps and thrashes. 

"Come on. Why now?" 

The machine doesn't answer, but she successfully subdues it. Any feeling of triumph she could have had is completely obscured by how tired she is. She'll check on Naomi one more time and then go to bed... 

Or not... 

"Mother, what did I say about calling?" Sage snaps irritably. 

"Oh I'm sorry..." her mother's voice trembles, "I just wanted to know how you're doing... you're pregnant, right?" 

Sage sighs, "I had the baby today, actually. I named her Naomi." 

"Nozomi?" her mother mishears her, "What's your cousin doing there? I thought she went to Starlight Shores with that Zorin boy..." 

Sage rolls her eyes, "Naomi, not No-zo-mi, mother. Two different people." Sage hasn't seen her cousin in quite some time; she didn't even know Nozomi ever left home. She must have gotten serious with her boyfriend Taras if they moved out of town together. 

"Oh can I see some photos of her? She's my only grandbaby," she sniffs. 

Sage grinds her teeth, "She's just a newborn, mother. She's a nondescript ball of flesh." 

"Oh Sage, pleaaase? You won't even tell me who the father is." 

Thinking about Billy drives her over the edge.

"Stop whining like a child!" Sage yells. She pinches the bridge of her nose and mentally counts to ten, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I'll... I don't have a camera. Maybe when she's older." 

Her mother harrumphs unhappily. Before she can make any more requests, Sage sighs again, "I'm tired from having the baby. It's not very conducive to conversation. I'll call you later this week, ok?" 

"Sage-," 

"Mother, it's not open for negotiation." 

Her mother sighs, "Ok. I'll wait for your call..." 

Hearing soft cries from the nursery, Sage drags herself over to her daughter's crib. Oddly, as soon as she picks Naomi up she only gurgles happily. 

"You and your grandma sure like attention," Sage mumbles. Naomi gives her a gummy smile. 

Softening, she holds Naomi close to her, "I guess you can't help it..." Feeling her resolve to keep her mother out of her life wavering, Sage yawns. 

I'm too tired for all of this. Better to think about this after I've rested. With a last caress of her forehead, Sage sets Naomi back down into the crib. 

"Good night, Naomi." 

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AN: For those of you who don't remember my obscure blog from...a while ago... Nozomi and Taras Zorin were my founders of a legacy in Riverblossom Hills. Unfortunately I couldn't transfer the save when I got a new computer, so I had to discontinue the blog. I know- I'm plugging in my own story into this one. Amazing, right? 

And some important rolls are revealed... 

Sage's 1 child is born this generation. She's also going to be a single parent, so a small household. Pretty manageable for a first generation.