2.10 Always ahead

    
     Other than the rare sound of a car passing by, it was a calm day. The summer had stayed unbelievably hot, and if one were to trust the weatherforecast; it would stay that way. The polluted water nearby glittered in the sun, the usual fog that covered the surface was for once was gone. In the distance the silhouette of the city baked in the scorching heat. Damn, he loved this place. Marco was a bigcity boy through and through.
     This is bloody good stuff. Rylan had another cup of coffe.
     The family had finally pulled out their finger and gotten a new coffemaker. Iva and Gards ancient relique from the distant past had finally gone to the grave.
     Nothing beats a good cup of coffe, Joe said and Marco couldn't have agreed more. Even in this heat, coffe tasted good. 

   
     Together with the rest of the city, the family had spent a lot of time on the beach. Well, him and Oriana atleast, dad would catch fire. Marco loved it at the beach, and it wasn't all because of the beautiful ladies with the scarce clothes, or the fact that he had a great excuse for strutting around half- naked.
     There was always a nice breeze at the beach, and he could use the jetski, and tons of other fast objects!
    Why can't you listen to me, just for once?! Marco had worked hard to sound neutral, this one time it hadn't been fun that mainly had been on his mind.

   
     Oriana had always had quite a short fuse when it came to him, and sounded irritated as usual:  Everyone always listens you! You're always talking!
     Ofcourse he talked more than his sister, he was interesting. And it really wasn't something that important they discussed either.

    
     Putting an accusing finger in his face, Oriana said: You're jealouse! 
     Why the hell would I be jealouse? I've got nothing to be jealouse of! Really? Him beeing jealouse of someone? That was hardly believable. 

     
     You are! She exclaimed allknowingly. Bashir is the only guy that has an easier time getting women than you!    
     Marco swallowed his urge to snap back at her. That would just make it more appealing for her to keep up this, well whatever they were doing. And she was acting out because she felt like a failure due to her divorce. See, he knew how feelings worked.
     His sister just kept going, pulling an all knowing face: Yeah, that's it isn't it? The only guy in school that had more girls, was more popular and now is more successful than you!

   
     What a bucketload of crap, but Marco didn't wade down to her level. It was beneath him, besideds Bashir wasn't more successful, and sure as hell didn't have more women. There was no way in hell he had more women: Why can't you listen you me, just for once? Women never listened. Why didn't they ever listen: Bashir is not a good guy. He was right the first time, he was right this time.
     Oriana put her hands on her hips, it was always a bad sign when anything female did that: And just how do you know that?
 

   
     He didn't know, that dumbarsed duckfaced Bashir made all his senses go on high alert. He was a cop and knew this things. And, even as mean as it was, she wasn't pretty enough for a guy like Bashir to keep his interest going. Ofcourse he didn't tell her that, he wasn't completely heartless. Resigning he sunk his shoulders: I just know....   
     There's nothing called that. Oriana didn't sound as triumphant as he'd assume. Why do you even care who I meet? We're just friends anyway! She sounded so brought down by the fact, so Marco decided disliking that weasle even more. Since he made his irritating sister sad.
     Besides they wouldn't stay friends. It didn't matter how dead that weasels eyes were, they still lit up whenever his sister was around. Even if it was for a short while. Bashir had a scaring ammount of control over himself, but in the end no man had that much control. 

     Oriana didn't understand what had gotten into her lately: I'm sorry, she whispered. I don't mean to be such a bitch.
     She liked Bashir, and it seemed like he was interested to. But then it seemed like he wasn't. For some reason she just couldn't make the first move. Her heartbeat went wild, the palms of her hands got sweaty and her nose always shon red. And he was so slim and moved so elegantly, she felt like a walrus. She'd seen pretty sims giving them that "why is that guy with her" look.

      
     Don't worry about it. He grinned: I don't mean beeing such a nosy bastard either. 
     Well, you are a cop! And all was well in his sisters world again, even if it wasn't in his.

     Mahdis had been surprisingly nice, and even stopped biting other animals. He himself was also a lot calmer than he had been in ages, so maybe she was beeing nice because he wasn't stressing her out. It was strange that he felt so calm, since he had all reasons to be highstrung.
     But sitting in that beautiful weather, having a good cup of coffe with friends wasn't the worst thing one could do. It was such a rare accurance now a days. Things had been so much easier when they were younger, they just hadn't realized it.    
     Then again, it hadn't felt easier back then, so maybe it was more difficult beeing a teenager than a grown man?

     Joe stared at Meave, waiting for her to wake up. What? It wasn't serial killer creepy looking at someone while they slept! Atleast not as long as they didn't know about it. Stroking her hand to make the prosess go faster, she eventually stretched and opened her eyes.
     Did you sleep well? It was worth teasing her for falling asleep after sex, it was supposed to be the guy that did that. And ofcourse they were a real couple now, she wasn't just some one night stand to him.

     Meave had presented him with a tired smile and answered: I fell asleep because you're such a drag.
     So I'm a drag now am I? Joe made sure to poke her until she started whining: Stop it! I just woke up damnit!  
     She had been sleeping a lot lately, and he could have sworn her breasts had gotten a bit bigger. He touched them again, just to double check: Really Joakim? Again? Meave gave him a tired look.
     I'm just checking something, but if you insist.... She rolled her eyes at him. It had been worth a try.

     Taking a break in the eyerolling, she gave him a thoughtful look. Like she wanted to say something. Maybe she was going to break up with him! She couldn't do that, everything was so good now. But that would just be so typical wouldn't it?
     Hesitantly she asked: Can I ask you a very personal question?
     Ofcourse! Joe smiled at her: You can ask me anything! He didn't have any exciting secrets anyway. Well, there were a few from his younger years that weren't all good, mainly thanks to Marcos ideas. But they still weren't so bad they were unspeakable.
     What diagnose do you have? 
     Except that one.. 

     He coughed: Well, I have several really... Why? Please not that. Couldn't she ask who started the fire at the old scrapyard or something, or that forestfire? Mainly because it wasn't him, but he had been a part of it.
     Meave started looking nervous, and like she was about to cry. Please, don't cry! That meant he'd done something wrong, that's why women usually cried anyway wasn't it? It was a lot better if they cried because they injured themselves. Atleast he could fix that.
    It's okay honey! Just... what do you want to know? Why? I'll tell you, just.... This time it felt like he was rowing for his bare life: I'll tell you... He stroked her soft cheek.
     I'm pregnant.

     Joakim? Joe? Meaves nasal voice finally made him come back to the world again. Did you die for a second there? She tried hard not sounding nervous.
     He was going to be a dad, a father. It went a bit slow in there for the time beeing, but he was able to get a: That is the most amazing thing.... He did his best not to have a happydance in his undies, it could wait until he was alone. Pulling Meave closer, he kissed her before stroking her hair. Looks like his dreams were coming true! Exept the other sims in the house ofcourse. Atleast it was clear why she wanted to know about his condition.

     It's not hereditary... He mumbled into her hair, as he slid his arms around her.
     I know things like this mostly isn't genetical, but it tends to stay in the family. Her hair still smelled nice, it always did. Not that he was sniffing it.
     It's not heraditary.. Joe did his best comforting his girlfriend, the mother of his unborn child.... Shit... Meave didn't mean anything by it. It was natural that she wanted their child having a easy life, and to be prepared for any possible challenges. Why wouldn't she? The woman was in the army for crying out loud, beeing prepared was how she lived most of her life.
     How can you be so sure? You're not a doctor. Have you ever been to a doctor with this? Well, duh, he'd been in jail.
     It's anxiety, Joe answered again.
     One thing he loved about her, was how straightforward she was, as Meave said with dry voice: You see things that don't exist... Doesn't that make you bipolar or something? And that runs in families. 
     Joe kept stroking her hair, the short hairs tickling the palm of his hands: It's anxiety, several types; but it's still anxiety.
     That also runs in the family...
     Not this type, he murmured.

    Laying on top of her, she stroked her fingers through his hair as it tickled her nose. Joe figured he had to try easing her mind. After all, she was pregnant with his child... Holy shit, he was going to be a dad! Would it hurt the baby if he layed on her stomach? Maybe it's nose would get squeezed flat?
     Taking a deep breath Joe eased his girlfriends mind: You remember that our school was both elemantary, and highschool? He felt her chin rubbing against his head as she nodded. You remember our principal? Meave nodded again.

     Well, how to say this in a nice as possible way: She took a liking to me in elementary school....
     How does that cause anxiety? Meave mumbled into his hair, as he tried not putting to much weight on her stomach. Just in case it could hurt the baby. A very long silence as he felt her muscles stiffen, trying to keep her breath calm.
     Oh, she took a "liking" to you? And a long pause again: Really? You were just a kid? But....
     She used to tickle my neck..... Just the thought of it made him naseous, which is why he did his best to push the memory away. Which is why he had seizures. Jailtime didn't help either.

     Yeah.... Joakim felt awkward, not a lot of sims knew about it: So it's not psychoses, it's just the brain dealing with trauma. It might have been easier if he had talked to anyone, but he didn't like talking about stuff, he was a man. Men don't talk about things, they punch eacother. If that doesn't help they drink or have sex.
     Damnit, now she was crying for real: Sweety, don't cry. It's years ago! Joe did his best to comfort a pregnant woman, which turned out to be harder than usual. He'd never seen her cry before.
     Sims handled these things differently, and he had gone crazy.

     She stopped crying as suddenly as she had started, as she seemed to have an appifany: Is this why Marco has such a problem with pedoes? 
     Joe nodded: You might say that yes.....
     She leaned closer to him: Because of you, or.....
     Hell no, he wasn't going there. He hadn't planned to atleast, but then it looked like she was about to cry again: Don't cry babe.... She tried, but she didn't get very far! 
     Atleast when he started hanging out with Marco in high school she'd lost a lot of interest in him. Not that he had been left alone ofcourse, but the goodlooking blonde took a lot of weight off him. He'd never told Marco either, he'd known before anything even happened to him. He'd hand it to the big guy; he was a lot smarter than he looked. Guess the idea of stupid blondes wasn't all to correct.

     But the good thing is that our baby isn't going to be crazy... their baby. Damn, he was going to be a dad, it took a while before the idea sunk into his messed up brain. Shit, he was going to be a dad, and Meave was in the army! That meant he would be the main caretaker, and he was crazy! Crap! How the hell was he going to deal with a baby alone? He didn't respond well to stress.
     On the other hand, he was going to be a dad. Joe hid an euphoric giggle as Meave seemed so sad: Is it a boy or a girl? 
     It's to early to say yet, Meave wiped her nose: Damn hormones..

     Anyway, there we were, Marco said withoug that loud voice a lot if guys use, when telling those type of stories: She was on the kitchen counter and we're having a blasting nice time. Usually he wasn't one for handing out details, but this time it was different.

     Classy, Ryes voice was dry as he said it. He was quite a prude for a punk rocker. Wondered if other musicians pretended as much as he did?
     Joe was a bit stuck up to, as he put up a disgruntled face: I swear, if you've done anything on the counters here... He clearly wasn't impressed.
     Would you two shut up!! It's not the point!! It wasn't. He didn't feel a need to brag about this stuff, that was for men without confidence.

     Marco started again: So, the kitched right? It was one of those "open solution" types, or whatever they call 'em. It was small to, but no problem, we were all alone.

     All out of the blue, she looked loke someone just smacked her in the face, so I turn around.. He cleared his throat trying not to laugh before the story was over: I turn around, naked as a newborn baby with a full hard on! He didn't have a lot of shame in life after all.

     Hey Jonny!

  
     The end was met with dead silence, as both his mates looked completely empty for a second. Then Rye clearly had an idea; Jonny- turd doesn't have a sis... He was innocence incarnated sometimes, but Marco sure as hell wasn't. Then finally, the mean looking punk rocker nearly shouted: Bloody hell, you fucked his mum?!!  
     They laughed so hard it had to be heard throughout the entire city: What was she, like ten or something when she had him? Wasn't Marcos fault older women didn't look like it.
     Joe kept hicking out something, so Marco had to ask him several times before he finally got what he said: Haven't you traumatized that guy enough?
     Please, he'd just beaten him one time, or three, but he was a jerk and deserved it.

      Turned out she was married to his dad to! It just made them laugh more, even if it was a horrible thing to laugh about. Not that they cared ofcourse, they weren't married.
     Rye laughed: She won't be for long! 
     Jonny- turd keeps giving me angry looks for some reason... They laughed again. Marco studied the view of the city, he really liked it there. But with the new role he'd been given at work, he started wondering if he'd run out of luck. The syndicate had bitten on the hook, and he had started feeding them information. All superviced by Vigdis ofcourse.

     He couldn't believe how shitty he felt at dealing out information to the syndicate, and he didn't get anything back! Wasn't it supposed to be the point of all? He gave them something, they gave something back? They were ellusive as hell.
     On the good side, he was going to be an uncle again; Whenever a guy fathers a child, all his mates automatically becomes said childs uncles. That's how the rules were. And Joe had knocked up his cousin, so it was close enough either way. Wonder what his own uncle thought about it? Uncle Marek probably wasn't happy.

     The day was still beautiful, but he had lost some of his good mood. The snitch thing bothered him, and it seemed like a dead end. Weren't they supposed to contact him in some way? And this thing with Oriana and Bashir; It pissed him off majorly. He'd tried talking some sense into her, which was fruitless, and that bastard was pretty much impossible getting a hold of.

     
     Why ofcourse I can tell you about Bashir. Christine smiled at him. They had been on and off since highschool, so she knew that duckfaced piece of.... Well, she knew everything that was to know about him. For now he was just hoping she could give him atleast some dirt on him. Marco just made up some crap about it beeing policework. 

     
     Bashir is the best, she giggled. He's nice, charming, sweet and sooo good at... she coughed... his job! She laughed in a way that showed she'd practiced it a lot infront of the mirror. Marco wasn't that easily fooled though, she might look and act like a stupid blonde, but it was all a hoaxe.
     She was hanging around Bashir because she intended to lead the biggest construction company in Jericho. Hanging around him made sure she'd land the deals before anyone else did. 

     No really, she continued, making sure every little movement of her body pressed her breasts forward. Yeah, he'd seen them....

   
     She pushed her breasts forward again, yes, he'd noticed them already. He wasn't dead after all...
     But really, if anything bad can be said about him, is that he works way to much! But he is such a great boyfriend, and such a fascinating man to discuss with. You know, Christine leaned forward again, yes, he'd noticed them.... he knows so many things! Even the smartest people get their witts challenged!! And he's a great cook! I mean, he makes the most amazing vegetarian dishes... 

     
     I'm not a vegetarian or anything, she pressed her breasts forward again... but he nearly turned me! You know, he is really into animal rights, and has been one of the leading figures in increasing animal safety! Fencing in the highways, refusing to sell away sanctuarys for building out more factories, fundraising for animalretreats...

      Marco regrettet it, even as she pushed her breast forward again. He'd admit they were nice and all, but couldn't she shut up? .... I kept telling him that there wasn't any reason not to sell of land, but he just said to use the shut down factories!! 
     She leaned forward so he could look at her breast again: But it costs more! It's really silly isn't i? But under the new Mayor the stakes for starting up new factories are just so high!! I know the enviroment is important, but the new deals they are putting down for enviroment and safety are insanely high! I just don't understand how the city are going to get enough jobs or income when land are getting priced so high. You know it costs more for land to build a factory, than a home.. and the taxing are just getting higher! If it hadn't been for the marina and the families with old money, no one would ever set up shop here! It makes me wonder that maybe they are trying to stop the new....

   
     For the love of.... shut the fuck up!!! Why the hell didn't she stop talking?!
     Hey Christine! He tried interrupting her unending tirad of perfect Bashir information: Want to come back to my place? 
     He could have tried beeing a bit more charming about it, but there were several reasons not to. For once, she never stopped talking so it wasn't an option. Second, she wanted him anyway, and third: He wanted her just to be an arse to that duckfaced worm. Fourth, he was getting angry, so if he had sex he'd be happy again. Fifth; she really needed to shut up.

    
     Even women didn't give him the usual satisfaction as it used to, and it wasn't just Christine. Even if it was worth it just to get her to shut the hell up! He swore that was the only time a woman had gotten more quiet as he crawled between her legs, than she was before.

     It felt great whilst they were at it, but he always ended up feeling empty, or like he was beeing used. Which was a silly thought, he was a man and men liked random sex. Which he did, but it was afterwards when everything was over, and he went home alone or slept alone in his bed. Maybe he was having a midlife crisis? Wasn't he a bit young for that? 

     
     Marco? He'd recognize that world everywhere in the world. It might not sound special to others, but it did to him. For some reason speaking with her on the phone was easier, and had made him think meeting would be just as easy.

   
     It wasn't, especially not with that little surprise: Hi, I thought it was you, but I wasn't sure. Esther had changed her look, but all in all the difference wasn't that much. The sun still made her fiery hair burn, but for now that wasn't what he noticed.
     You're a difficult woman getting hold of. He smiled back at her, still doing his best not to stare at the obvious.
     Late shifts sucks, she said with corny voice: It makes it hard to have a life. 
     Clearly not so difficult that all parts of her life got affected. 

     Congratulations.... he motioned to her swollen stomach.
     Stroking her hands over the belly, she smiled at him: Thank you. 
     Everyone was popping out babies now it seemed. Only difference with Esther was that he should have been the father. He tried not thinking about how life would have been if they stayed together. It was just a terrible way of punishing oneself. But this was really just rubbing his face in it. 
 

     Who's the dad if I might ask? 
     My boyfriend. We weren't really planning on it, but when the deed was done, we decided to keep her. A girl then. A little babygirl that should have been his. How are things with you? Esther smiled at him, that mild voice winning over the summerbreeze. He couldn't keep his hands to himself, and stroked over her belly. He actually felt the tiny life moving in there, the little one that should have been his. 

Dump him.

     Esther blinked quickly, looking confused and like the blue sky had fallen over the head: Huh?!
     Dump him.

     You're telling me to dump my boyfriend? The father of my unborn child? 
     Yes. He aswered.
     Why? How could she keep pretending? 

      You don't love him.

      
     What?! Esther had started repeating herself.
     You don't love him, so dump him. 
     Esther rarely raised her voice in public, and this wasn't an exception. Even if she clearly was getting angry, she was a redhead after all: I'm not dumping my boyfriend you stupid blonde! Why would I ever do that?

      
     You love me, not him. 
     She looked like she'd been tossed from the sky this time: You are so full of yourself! You actually think I'll just dump the father of my child for you? You know, this is why we got divorced!! Esthers voice was just as calm as it had been the entire time, but she was working herself up in a rage even if she hid it.
     No. Marco wasn't backing off though, when he was right he was right: It ended because we were young, and you freaked out when you realised there was a chance I'd die in the line of duty, and you'd be left alone.

     What... she was stuttering now.... What.... You are just.... You are to much! Esther threw her arms in the air and waddled off.
     She hadn't mentioned a word about not loving him. He'd tried phoning her, but she'd texted to leave her alone. Maybe he actually was wrong? Though he'd give her right that he might be a bit much.

     Hey! Oriana looked depressed, as she often had lately. Because of Bashir no doubt. Marco still wanted to strange him whenever they met. Which they did to often, because of his and his sisters friendship. Dad hated his guts to, but mum liked him ofcourse. And Joe thought it was fun that he pissed him off.

     She sat down together with them, and helped herself to coffe: Oh wow! This is good! Is it a new brand?
     New coffemaker! Joe grinned at her, and she smiled back at him. It wasn't that odd the two of them got along well. They were both a bit strange, and Joe was a nice bloke. Wasn't his fault he was crazy either. And he was very proud of the new machine.
     She closed her eyes and savoured the taste: So good.... she whispered, eventually opening her eyes again: And the weather is so beautiful! Hey! You guys wanna go to the beach? That was actually a good idea.

     A loud, long roaring thunder came out of nowwhere. A type of sound that was felt against the chest, threatening to knock the air out of you. Or it would if they had been closer to the epicentre.

     What the fuck was that? Rye was so naive at times.
     Oriana sounded like she had lost all her breath: Was that the county hall? A faint sound of sirens appeared at the same time as Marcos beeper went off. But he was already leaving for the station. They had trained for this after all.
     Stay here until I tell you otherwise! He ordered over his shoulder as he left them.
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So a lot of small things happening in this chapter, all in the lovely misuse of retrospective technique.

Meave and Joe are having a baby. Marco and Esther have talked and Oriana is still putting the moves on Bashir, even if he's not very responsive.

If anyone missed it, there's been an explotion, and again there won't be any policework. (Come on, you didn't think I'd let sims live in peace for this long without killing anyone?) Don't worry though, there will be even more retrospective techique next chapter! Yay!

Thanks for reading :)

And if anyone wonders why I'm obsessing with coffe, it's because I don't drink it. So now I never have anything to offer when people are visiting. Coffe is important.

Poses by: Mary36jony, Aikea Guinea, Maximum, Sea, Sunny, Ahirucanet, ohoh, Simsimi, Zhippidy, IMHO, Mypalsims