#patrick sherman

It was a girl! And she looks just like her father, which is probably a good thing. Kirsty decided not to give her a name as that would be down to her dads when they got there, so she simply cradled the nooboo in her arms until the Haynes-Richardses arrived.

As the sun rose, they came tiptoeing in, apologising for missing her labour but so excited to meet their nooboo.

"It's a girl," said Kirsty, exhaustedly handing her over to Bradley. "She looks just like you, Elias. Congratulations!"

"Thank you so much for everything you've done for us," said Elias. "Anything you need, ever, you only have to ask."

Kirsty knew there was something she needed now - somewhere to live - but she didn't want to get in the way of the parents bonding with their nooboo, so she didn't bring it up. She just congratulated them again and let them leave with Baby Girl Haynes-Richards (who we'll get to know properly in their round).

Over dinner, Oscar braced himself for what was bound to be an uncomfortable conversation with Kirsty.

"So..." he began, "I wasn't happy with what you did last night. Inviting your 'friend' Tayeb over and everything. I wasn't asleep; I heard what you guys were doing."

Kirsty sighed. "Oscar, I thought I was clear about this. We're not boyfriend and girlfriend. I don't want to be tied down like that."

"I know, you told me. I just... I guess I didn't realise you didn't want to be exclusive either. I think we have very different ideas about each other and about this relationship. And now you have a very obvious nooboo bump - is that his?"

Kirsty rested a hand on her stomach. "No. It's not even mine. I agreed to be a surrogate for the Haynes-Richardses. It's their nooboo."

Oscar shook his head. "This is all too much for me, Kirsty. Seeing other people? Being a surrogate without even discussing it with me? I don't know... I think we want different things and it's just not going to work out. I... I've fallen in love with you and I don't want to get hurt. I hope you understand but I think it's best if you move out as soon as possible."

Kirsty looked crestfallen but she nodded. "I understand. Thank you for being honest with me."

When Lili and Harriet got home, they scooped up Patrick straight away as it was time for his 4th birthday! The little family gathered around the amazing cake and cheered...

... and Patrick aged up to a child! I don't think I even realised that he's blonde under that leafy hair before now. That's really cool and unexpected - I love recessive genes! Happy birthday Patrick*!

*It's also my birthday today (9th July) so happy birthday me LOL! 🎉

As soon as Kirsty got home, there was only one thing on her mind.

She was glad to see that she'd made it back before Lili and Harriet so she quickly approached Oscar. "So, do you want to, um..." she asked, gesturing meaningfully at the bedroom.

Oscar took her meaning and nodded excitedly. "But... that's my sister's room and I'm supposed to be watching Patrick."

"Oh, he'll be fine for a while and your sister will never know. Do you want to?"

"Of course!" he said, taking her hand and leading the way.

She put a hand on his arm and made sure he understood. "Just, I meant what I said earlier. This is just casual for now, okay? We're not boyfriend and girlfriend - I just want to see how things go."

He nodded and they headed into Lili and Harriet's room together.

But after they were done it seemed like Oscar hadn't absorbed a single word. He'd fallen head over heels for her and even rolled a want to get engaged. Uh oh...

It was another successful day at the market stall for Oscar and Kirsty. She managed to achieve a Bronze Restocking badge while the business itself levelled up to Rank 4, giving Oscar another business grant and enough money to hopefully build a proper furniture store soon.

Then Janelle, Kirsty's actual boss, stopped by and Kirsty had to use all her newfound schmoozing skill to make sure she kept her real job!

"Kirsty? Why are you working here? Don't you work for me? I can't have you getting conflicts in your time management."

"Of course; don't worry! This is just something I'm doing to help out Oscar on my days off so that I can earn extra skills and badges, which will only benefit you and the diner in the long run."

Janelle seemed mollified, and Kirsty got her Silver Sales badge!

"Dinner's ready!" called Kirsty later that evening, as she plated up the fresh fish she had cooked for everyone.

Oscar came into the lounge and suddenly found himself seeing their new roommate in a brand new light. Was it the fact that she'd cooked for everyone without being asked? Was she wearing a new perfume? Whatever it was, he suddenly realised he had two bolts of chemistry with her!*

*In reality, it's because now that she's a playable I've been able to assign her aspiration rewards, one of which was the chemistry boost that Romance Sims get! Also, I realised I forgot to state Kirsty's traits when she moved in - I've now edited that post to add them in!

"So she can just make new Sims spontaneously on her own? No second party required?" Oscar asked, incredulous.

"I know, I was shocked too, but at the same time I'm so happy because it means we've got Patrick!"

"Well, of course. It's just fascinating. And he's so advanced! He said hello to me!"

Harriet shrugged. "That part I can't explain. It's like he came fully formed. I'd have liked to teach him how to walk and talk but hey, if we had adopted a child we'd have missed out on that part too so I don't mind all that much."

They were back inside that afternoon when Oscar and Kirsty arrived home. Harriet happily spent some time playing with Patrick and his shape sorting toy.

"What the...?" Oscar stopped dead in his tracks as he walked through the front door.

"Hey!" protested Kirsty as she ran into his back.

"Whose nooboo is that?!" he asked.

Kirsty poked her head around his side and looked at the nooboo. "Well, he's a PlantSim so I'm guessing your sister's," she said, then strolled off nonchalantly to the bathroom.

Harriet giggled and stood up to hug him in greeting. "Turns out Liliana has a few tricks up her sleeve now that she's a PlantSim. Meet your nephew Patrick!"