Calvin is quick to load Naomi into the car and speed towards the hospital.
They leave Evan with the Nocturnes for the evening.
Their household is quite chaotic. Their toddlers, Noelle and Stephanie, have toppled over a pitcher of water onto the floor. Mrs. Wyberman, now in her full werewolf form, stalks over while growling at her "pups" incoherently.
With the full moon, all child-age sims and older are in their werewolf forms tonight. Evan tries not to gawk when Olivia runs up to him, jaw jutting out and fur all over her arms.
"Don't be schcared," she lisps a little, still not used to her fangs, "I'm schtill Olivia..."
"That's so cool," Evan says, when he finally gathers his wits, "You look so tough and awesome!"
Olivia feels a blush creeping to her cheeks. Her parents warned her that "normal" sims might be scared by her werewolf form. She wasn't expecting anyone to like her this way.
"Are you stronger as a werewolf?" Evan asks, intensely curious, "Or is that just a myth?"
They decide to run an experiment to find out.
As it turns out, Olivia does have improved strength and reflexes! Evan finds himself unable to dodge her rapid blows with her pillow.
"Haha, ok, I give up! You win!" Evan wheezes out, laughing hard, "You are stronger!"
Olivia howls victoriously.
Evan does his best to join her, but finds his imitation...lacking.
Evan is surprised when Nicole comes to read him a bedtime story, but doesn't object.
"...then the man caught the magic fish to cook his magic meal! He fed the dish to his ghostly wife, and she found herself back in the land of living- Actually, you'll be interested to know, this part is from an actual science experiment."
"Really? But bringing a ghost back to life seems...not possible," Evan says with a yawn. He's old enough to know that dead people don't just come back all willy-nilly.
"Well, you see, in Moonlight Falls some scientists found the Death Fish this story talks about, and they found a way to combine it with life fruit to make medicine. It was just a folk legend at the time, but they found out that, theoretically, it could bring a ghost back from the dead."
Evan's eyes are drooping, but he's riveted by Mrs. Wyberman's story. "Wow. Did it work?"
She shakes her head, "They weren't able to find a ghost to try it on. Spirits are quite finnicky," Evan furrows his brow at the new word, "They're...picky about when they appear," Nicole rephrases, "And extraordinarily difficult to talk to when they do show up. Without a dead spirit, they had to give up."
Evan frowns. "That's sad..."
His curiosity satisfied, his head finally falls onto the pillow, his eyes closed.
"Good night, kiddo."
When he wakes up the next morning, Evan makes a conscious decision to eat outside. Only used to eating quiet meals with his dad, and sometimes his mom too, he's totally unused to the noise and mess that two children and two toddlers create. Especially in their post-full moon emotional state.
Case in point. Little Stephanie over there is completely passed out, not inside of her crib, while Isaac and Olivia pester their father to let them skip school.
"For the last time no, that's final, kids. Go get your school bags."
"Ugh you're so unfair!" Isaac stomps his foot on the floor.
"Life's not fair, Isaac. Now go."
The twins roll their eyes, but run off to get their things.
Back at the Silverly household, Calvin brings home an exhausted, but awake, Naomi. Calvin called her boss to let him know about the situation, putting Naomi on mandatory sick leave.
"I could have called him myself," Naomi grumbles when they sit down, "At least then I could have told him to send me some files to my home computer-"
"Naomi! This all happened because you need to slow down," Calvin says with a deep frown, "You heard the doctor! You're burned out."
Naomi bites her lip. She can't really deny that. "I already told you I feel better. I just needed some sleep..."
Calvin looks deeply into her eyes, pulling her close. "Naomi, I was so scared of losing you...I had no idea if maybe you had a heart problem, or something more serious... please just get some rest for a few days."
"...alright," she agrees quietly.
They seal the promise with a kiss.
***
Evan finds himself at the Nocturne house again after school. With his mother recovering and Calvin taking care of her, the Nocturnes offered to look after him for a few days so that he isn't lonely.
"Whatchya looking at!?" Isaac demands angrily, "I look like a freak! So what?"
"I think you look cool!" Evan is quick to correct him, "I was just confused about your hair...wasn't it longer?'
To Evan's confusion, Isaac bursts into tears and runs away. He'll find out later that Isaac is very sensitive about his other form.
For today, though, he focuses on his homework.
As usual, he's done in a flash.
"Shorry about Ischaac," Olivia apologises, also in her werewolf form, "He'sh....shensitive," she repeats the explanation her parents have given her about his overemotional nature, "He'll be ok."
"That's...good. You guys have a nice backyard," Evan changes the subject. Their home lot doesn't have much space for a proper yard.
"Yeah, I like it too. I like being outside, especially when it's warm," Olivia smiles. "I love camping! The woods here are pretty nice... not ash big ash Moonlight Falls though."
"So when you go camping do you hunt animals and stuff?"
Olivia nods, "I ushually don't catch anything... but Isaac's really good at finding rabbits."
Evan nods, trying not imagine the gruesome scene. He's never seen anyone kill an animal before.
Before he realises it, Olivia has sprung up and smacked his shoulder.
"Tag, you're it!"
After an exhausting game of tag and some dinner, Evan is out like a light.
"That's my bed," Olivia pouts to her mother.
"He's a guest," she admonishes her daughter, "Sometimes you have to share. Come, now," she holds out her hand. Olivia takes it, though she stares longingly at her bed. The other small bed they have isn't nearly as comfy.
When Evan wakes up the next morning, he's surprised to find other people in the Nocturne home. Felix and Nicole are on a business trip and have called a babysitter to look after the children. The babysitter has a son of his own, whom he's been allowed to bring along.
He's also surprised to find the sink spewing water.
Lots of surprises today. The babysitter's not too happy about it.
He takes the kids outside while they wait for a plumber.
Sheesh, this kid's pretty rude!
Evan entertains the household with a ghost story.
"This is totally true! My uncle Igor once went on a cruise to Egypt...when they stopped to dock, he decided to go on a tour of the Sphinx. Once inside, he got separated from the group by taking a wrong turn..."
Wow, spooky!
A few hours later and the sink situation's been resolved. Evan is thankful when he can go inside and change into warmer clothes.
He feels bad for little Noelle here, being all by herself, so he plays some peek-a-boo with her while the sitter takes care of the other kids.
"Boo!"
Noelle is enthralled. Where does he keep going?
Eventually, Evan has to go home. He's a bit sad to leave, if he's perfectly honest...
But at least his new friends accompany him to his front door.
They leave all too soon, making Evan realise just how quiet their own house is. At the beginning of his stay with the Nocturnes he missed it, but now it's just eerie.
If only Olivia and Isaac could be here...
His parents should be back from his mother's last doctor's appointment soon...
But it feels like ages pass while he waits.
He gets a text from his father saying that they want her to stay overnight for observation. Sigh. At least he's old enough to stay home alone now.
The silence is too much for him, however, and he leaves the house as soon as he can the next morning.
He impulsively signs up for a part-time job at the bookstore. Eventually his parents will come back, but this way he won't have to spend any afternoons in silence anymore.
He runs into Felix Nocturne in front of the book store.
"Mr. N! What're you doing here?" he calls out.
His werewolf form is no longer as shocking as it was a few days ago. Evan's smile is wide.
"Just going book shopping. I thought I'd take Stephanie out while I'm at it. Nicole's got a handful at home right now," he chuckles.
"Man, your family's so big," Evan sighs. Felix detects a subtle note of envy, "Must be..." nice? "Pretty hectic."
"It has its ups and downs."
"How was your business trip? Find any specimens?" Felix works for the science lab. While Nicole sweet-talked some council members in Appaloosa Plains into supporting Salvatore for sector senator, Felix did some research on the local fish.
"Nothing too unusual, but it wasn't a waste. The Fairy Damsels migratory patterns brought them around our parts for once. It was my first chance to get any research done on them in months!"
Stephanie starts crying for food.
"I guess you have to go now. Bye-bye Stephanie," Evan says in a cooing voice.
"Wave goodbye now," Felix instructs his daughter. She clumsily waves her hand around.
With no parents in sight, Evan spends a night exploring Riverview's nightlife.
He grimaces at his concoction. There was no alcohol he could find, so ended up mixing a bunch of sodas together. Aside from a sugary, sweet taste, it has no real distinct flavour.
His parents don't object to him having dinner at the Nocturne household again, and Felix and Nicole are happy for an extra set of hands to help with the kids.
"Hey, happy birthday," Evan greets Olivia. He holds out a present. Her birthday until tomorrow, but since they have school he figures he might not be able to celebrate it together.
"Wow, cool!" she jumps in excitement.
When she opens it, she finds a baseball. She smiles at him wolfishly (boo, no puns!).
"Steeeephanie," Olivia calls out for her sister, "Let's play catch!"
"How about me?" Isaac asks shyly.
Evan holds out a smaller, thinner package.
"A baseball card? And gum! Wow! Thank you!"
Evan scratches the back of his neck. It came with the baseball, but at least Isaac is happy with it...
His phone ringing interrupts the celebration.
"Wow, right now? Sure I'll come," Evan agrees easily. Soon Isaac and Olivia will have to go to bed anyways.
"Hey, you made it," an older senior calls out to him.
An older scientist smiles kindly to them. The students in accelerated science were all invited to study the lab's marine life and spend the night there. While Evan has just started school, a slot opened up and no one will begrudge him the spot.
"Have fun fishing. Come back inside in half an hour for the other activities!" she tells them as she leaves.
It's a fun night, even if it turns out fishing isn't really his thing.
***
When he comes home, it's nearly dawn. He could have spent the entire night at the science centre if he wanted, but an angry phone call from his mother pulls him away. He might have forgotten to tell her and his father about the invitation from the science lab...
"Evan. You are trying my patience," Naomi says with a frightening smile, "Why do you keep doing this to us?"
Evan recoils. "Mom, are you alright? What's wrong with your face?"
"I am trying not to lose my temper with your constant. childish. thoughtlessness!" her voice squeaks into such a high pitch that Evan winces.
"Look, Evan. You're a teen now. Not a little boy anymore. I don't want to keep chastising you like a five year old, but if you keep acting like one, it doesn't leave me much choice."
"You're so patronising!" Evan sulks, "It was just a dumb mistake, let it go, sheesh."
"Just...go to your room. I don't want to deal with you right now."
Evan snorts. "Gladly."
Naomi scowls as he goes to his room. Why is he so difficult all the time? Children. She's happy to only have one.
The next morning is a quiet one. Evan is pointedly ignoring Naomi, which honestly is fine by her. She figures he'll calm down on his own soon enough.
Still, she voices her displeasure to Calvin.
"He came home at 4 in the morning! He is so out of control."
Calvin's expression becomes concerned. "Oh. Was he drinking?"
"Thank the Watcher not! But he still violated curfew! He didn't even tell us he was out."
"You'll have to talk with him," she sighs, "I'm no good at it."
"Maybe we should talk to him together," Calvin suggests pointedly, "It would help him see us as a united front."
Naomi scoffs. Seriously? Enter high-level negotiations with a teenager? "I hardly think that's necessary. He already knows my stance on the issue. He responds better to you anyways."
"Mm, this sushi is really excellent," Naomi compliments Calvin's cooking, effectively shutting down the conversation.
"I should get ready," he sighs.
Evan makes a face when he finally leaves his bedroom. Now both of his parents are in on this embarrassing dancing thing? Weird.
"Someone's in a bad mood," Calvin teases, "Wouldn't happen if you came home on time to get a good night's rest."
Evan rolls his eyes. Parents... like they've never stayed up late before.
Still, he's not eager to stay on their bad side. He goes to school on time.
Olivia smiles and waves at him, oblivious to his sour mood.
Evan returns the wave. "Soon you'll be up here with the big kids!" he tells her.
She beams. She's excited to join her friend!
***
Calvin and Naomi have a productive day of work, though in very different ways.
Naomi feels a wave of pride when Salvatore passes by and gives her a thumbs up. Despite the set-back from her hospitalisation, she's easily caught up. Still, I have to be on my A-Game from now on, she internally frets, This might have set me back forever. She returns to politicking with grim determination.
It's very difficult, but she forces herself to go home right after her work day ends.
Tomorrow I have to talk to the ballot counters...then call the donors...and arrange a lunch with the other yes men... her mind still buzzes with work plans.
Calvin sits in silence, waiting to be acknowledged. It's like a masochistic little game, seeing how much time passes before Naomi realises that he's there.
Finally, he breaks the silence. "Evan told me he got a part-time job at the bookstore..."
"Oh, that's nice. Always good to start that early," Naomi approves.
"Aren't you worried that it's too much with all of his advanced classes? The homework load per class is something like 1 hour per day..."
Naomi shrugs, "He's a bright boy. I'm sure he'll be fine."
Calvin sighs. Their relationship with each other is in a good place... but he worries about Naomi and Evan not having a connection. How can she not take an interest in Evan's education? He just can't understand.
He feels a twist in his chest when Evan comes home and just says, "Good night dad," before heading to bed. He didn't even look at Naomi...and she didn't say anything when he came home either...
----------
AN: So I took another look at Evan's traits. He's not a daredevil! Right now his traits are:
-Genius
-Nurturing
-Unlucky
-Bookworm
He sure could have fooled me, though, Wishes left and right to stay out after curfew, play pranks, argue with his mother... such a handful!
I cut out a lot from his stay with the Nocturnes, he was actually there for two or three days. Obviously there was no actual hospitalisation, I let Naomi sleep in and do nothing work related that weekend.
If I remember correctly, Olivia's traits at this point were:
-Loves the outdoors
-Kleptomaniac
-Green thumb
Her twin, Isaac, is
-Genius
-Over emotional
-Easily impressed
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