Chapter 3.5: Joy Unhindered

§643 simoleons later and Jude is the proud owner of an adult Australian Stock horse named Cameo. She is agile but untrained. Jude is hoping that with some time, dedication, and trust he can make Cameo a winning racer.

It's going to take a lot of training on both parts.

The gnomes have never stopped being weird and creepy. Michael is just trying to relieve his bladder in peace and this gnome is not having it.

Time to tackle some handiwork. More and more of the household appliances have been upgraded but for some reason the dishwasher has always vexed Michael. 

 Bodica in all of her adorable cat glory.

Claude takes some time to visit his son Roman and meet his great-grandson.

"Any marriage plans on the horizon for you, Dahlia?"
"I only just moved out, grandpa, give me some time!"
"Don't let time get away from you. I almost did and I almost missed out on being with your grandma."

Claude's great-grandson Casey is Windy's son. He gets a warm feeling deep in his gut when he holds the baby. Who would have known he'd have such a large extended family?

"How does it feel to be a grandfather, Roman?"
"Seems like only yesterday I was moving out and falling in love and now my girls are grown."
Claude nods solemnly.
"Time slows for no man."
"It did for you."
"That was science not time and it's definitely catching up with us. We weren't meant to watch our children grow old and die. Varinia is truly heartbroken over the loss of Maeve. It's affected us both deeply. I never thought we'd live this long."
"I'm glad you have," Roman says with a smile. "You get to meet your great-grandchild and be part of Windy and Diana's lives. I can't be mad you and Varinia have lived this long. You've saved us many years of heartache."
"We can't deny that some good has come from all of this even if we pay with sadness."

Cameo and Bodica meet at last. It goes surprisingly well.

The down side to moving to a new house? Michele finds herself sharing a room with her almost step-aunt who is a huge slob.
"It's really hard to concentrate in here when I can smell your dirty laundry."

"You could always go downstairs if you don't like it in here," Jolie retorts.
Michele sighs, "It's my room too and I should be able to be comfortable in it."
"Correction," Jolie interrupts, "That half is your room and this half is mine. Do what you want with yours and I'll do what I like with mine. You don't see me complaining when you're burning a billion kinds of incense all at once."
"I do that to mask the smell of your curdled yogurt and month's old laundry."
"Live and let live my friend."

Before long it's Lindsay's birthday. Rebecca chooses this day to pop back up.
"I want to see her, Jude! You can't keep her from me," she hisses.
"You shouldn't even be here. It's her birthday and you're causing a scene."
"You're keeping my daughter from me."
"You had no problem turning your back on her when she was born. What's changed?"

Rebecca crosses her arms and clenches her jaw.

"It's time for the birthday girl to celebrate," Varinia calls out. "Gather around everyone."

There are some obvious family member's missing but Varinia tries not to let that cloud this evening for her.

It's a good birthday for Lindsay.

"Just come back to my place with Lindsay. We can start over. We can make it work."

"Are you dense? There is no we, Rebecca. There is you in all of your selfish glory and then there is me, trying to build a real life for my family. I want nothing to do with you."
"I'm selfish? You abandoned me in a hospital room to go play house with a woman you barely knew. Now you're dragging her along pretending you're some little family when we both know you'll skip out the second the next pretty thing walks past."
Jude clenches his fists at his sides and grits his teeth, "You're forgetting the part where you cheated on me, broke up with me, and then tried to extort money out of me in exchange for custody of our child. I'll happily give you the simoleons if I never have to see your callous, heartless, face again."
Rebecca perks up, "You'll give me the money? §100,000?"
Jude's jaw goes slack, "You're unbelievable. Yes, I'll get you the money, just leave us alone!"
"Happily," Rebecca says. "Give Lindsay a kiss from me."
"Please leave before I report your for trespassing."

While Jude and Rebecca hash out Lindsay's future the Van Hofwegen's enjoy a boisterous family get together.

"I haven't retired yet," Michael admits. "I feel like I should keep going as long as Amira does. She values hard work more than anyone I have ever met."
"Ah, but retirement is very nice," Selma says. "I can't believe you've held out this long."

Twins!

"I feel like a private investigator when I read palms. Everyone starts just blabbing all their secrets and I get paid. I don't even have to try to gather any information. It's fantastic!" Dahlia gushes.
"Teaching is the exact opposite of that."

"Mauricio is at home with the baby. I think I'm going to propose soon."
Claude nods but honestly has no idea who Mauricio is or even that Barnaby has a child.
"You have no idea who I'm talking about, do you?" Barnaby asks.
"I'm sorry but I don't. You were all just little tykes a few days ago."
"Seriously, grandpa?"

Jude rejoins the party and immediately pulls Vera in to a kiss.
Vera grins, "What was that for?"
"You know I love you, right? I'd marry you right now if I could."
"I know," Vera says as she gently rubs Jude's arm. "I know."

It's a slow morning following such an exciting night.

"You're going to be old enough to move out soon. What do you think you'll do?"
"I don't know. All I can think about right now is getting on the honor roll and going to the formal."
"Did Rickey ask you?"
Jolie rolls her eyes, "Gosh, dad, I asked him and he was thrilled."
"Good for you, Jolie! Don't sit around waiting for other people to make things happen."

Lindsay certainly isn't waiting to make things happening. She learns to walk almost instantly.

Michele focuses on getting some fresh air. It certainly beats being stuck in a stinky room with Jolie.

Growing family.

Michele has been looking for a dance date that isn't weirdly almost related to her. She's having little luck.

"I think that's a planet," Claude points out.
Varinia hums quietly, "Let's just enjoy each other's company, love."