Malibu - Gen 3 Ch 6

Finally it was the weekend again. Benji was still in a mood, but I was grateful when I heard him shuffle off to get Robin early Saturday morning, and let me catch a few more minutes of sleep.

Even though half asleep, I could hear her begging, "Walk, daddy! Oudside!"

"Okay, sweetie, let's go find your stroller," I heard him groan in reply. I thought I'd have a little time to enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee.

But within five minutes, back they came, Benji carrying Robin and pushing the empty stroller.

He plopped her down in her high chair with the strangest expression on his face. I debated saying something, and finally couldn't resist.

"So, uh.. how was your walk?"

He turned to me with such a sad look, that I immediately felt sorry for him.

"Aw, Benji, what's wrong?"

"I don't think Robin likes me. We only got a sort way down the street, and she wanted to come back to you."

I didn't want to say 'I told you so', but I had asked him,multiple times, to spend more time with her. Of course, now that he decided to, she wanted her mommy.

"Maybe you're right, Mali. Maybe I do need to start spending more time at home."

He really did look contrite.

Maybe now was my chance. I pulled him close and whispered in his ear.

"You know, it's such a pretty day. We could go to the park, just the three of us. And later, I know Rain will watch Robin so we can have some.. you know, alone time."

"Hmm, well.. that's sounds nice Mali, but you know I have an appointment at the gym today. My agent's sending a limo for a photo shoot. I just can't miss it. Sorry."

I wanted to give him a piece of my mind right then, but Robin hand finished her breakfast, and was screaming to get down.

By the time I got her settled on the floor with her toys, Benji was long gone in his stupid limo, to his stupid gym.

I was so upset, I asked Rain to watch Robin, while I took off for my favorite fishing spot. Soon the gentle slapping of the water, and the pine scented air had their desired effect. I didn't even mind when I noticed I'd gotten my good running shoes soaking wet.

I returned home late that afternoon refreshed, and ready to work on walking with Robin.

After dinner and a diaper change, I was giving her one last hug before putting her to bed, when I heard the front door slam. It was Benji.

He came bounding into the nursery, all pumped up about his workout in front of the cameras.

"It was great, Mali!," he exclaimed, flexing his bicep with a grin. "You shoulda been there! I think that was my best workout yet, the paparazzi were eating it up!"
Maybe I should have been nicer, but Robin was fussy, it was past her bedtime, and I was tired and desperately needed a shower.



"I 'shoulda been there'? For your information, I was teaching Robin to walk, feeding her, getting her ready for bed. You say you want to get along better with Robin, then start acting like a father! Stay home once in a while! Spend some time with her."

I saw the guilt start to spread across his face, but I couldn't stop - I read him the riot act until a small sound distracted me.

"Mommy? Sweepy, mommy."

"Okay, sweetie, let's go to bed."

By the time I got Robin settled into bed, Benji had already turned in as well. Tired as I was, I couldn't sleep. I sat and read, and watched Robin sleep long into the night.

The next morning we awoke together for the first time in a very long time. Benji was all contrite over his recent behavior, and at first I didn't know what to think.

"I'm so sorry, Mali. What you said last night - it really made me think. I promise, I'm turning over a new leaf, starting today. And Robin's still asleep. How about we start by spending some alone time together right now - just you and me.."

I swear, when he looks at me that way, I just melt. All his past transgressions just flew right out the window, and my heart was beating double time.

"I love you so much, Mali. I'm so so sorry for how I've been acting."

"Just shut up and kiss me, Benj."

Some hidden part of me probably knew that this just might not be such a good idea, but at the time, it was all I wanted.

I would like to say that things improved after that morning, but unfortunately that was not the case. The very next afternoon, Benji approached me with that look in his eye.

"Uh, Mali,..."

"Don't you try and flirt with me, Benj. I know you're up to something, Just spit it out."

"Um.. okay. I know I said I'd be home tonight, but I got offered this deal that I just can't pass up. Lars' Disco wants me and Seashell to liven up the place by putting on a dance exhibition. They're even going to pay us. There'll be photographers and everything."

"Fine. Just go."

I kept thinking this whole celebrity fascination was just a phase, but obviously it was not. He wanted to pursue celebrity just as much as I wanted to be a sports super star. I spent that afternoon working out. It was my last day of maternity leave and I could hardly wait to rejoin my team. It seemed like forever since the last time I was on the field.

I certainly hoped Benji was having a good time at the disco with Seashell...

...because I was having a less than stellar time at home. Robin was being obstinate about going to bed.

"No sweepy. Wanna watch teebee!"

"That's a grownup show Auntie Rain and Uncle Peri are watching. Come on, I'll read you a story."

"No stowwy! teebee!!" 

It didn't help that I felt like I was coming down with the flu. Just great - my first day back at work and here I was throwing up the night before.

"Hehehe! Teebee!"

"Come back here Robin! right... bhaugh... now..."

After much cajoling, I finally got her into bed - not asleep, mind you - but at least she wasn't fussing. I good thing too, because my stomach was doing a number on me again. I only hoped I could make it through my first day back at the stadium - somehow.

Notes

I couldn't believe, the very first thing Benji does when all his bad moodlets wear off, is an autonomous 'try for baby'. And after the way he'd been completely ignoring her for days, I couldn't believe Mali actually went for it.

Malibu - Gen 3 Ch 5

I hated maternity leave. I missed my teammates, and I worried the whole time that I'd lose my starting position. I did the best I could to keep up with my conditioning at home, but it was difficult without the advanced equipment at the stadium. On the plus side, spending my days at home helped me reconnect with with rest of my family again.

I noticed right off, that as soon as Seashell returned from her teacher's job, she headed straight to the bar. When she wasn't mixing drinks, she was drinking them.

And it wasn't long before I noticed that when she wasn't at the bar, Peri and Seashell spent most of their their remaining time in the hot tub together - and their relationship had obviously progressed to be way more than just best friends.

Mom spent her evenings out looking for deer and raccoons, and more often than not ended up playing with the birds in the new pet store that had recently opened in town.

Every evening after she arrived home from her wanderings, she and Rain would play catch late into the night.  

I never knew mom was so into sports. One morning, bored of my calisthenics routine, I asked her to play with me. I figured, with my athletic ability, it would be an easy game. I tossed the ball lightly over to her, not wanting to hurt mom, at her age.

To my astonishment, she caught it handily, and fired it back with such force it stung my hand and caused me to drop it! When I looked over at mom, she was giggling up a storm.

"Ohh... you are so going to get it now, mom!"

Even pregnant, I could wind up a good throw when I wanted to. She just laughed and motioned with her hand.

"Bring it!"

She easily caught everything I threw at her, and we were both out of breath and laughing by the time we stopped.

That night, Benji and I spent some quality time together out in the yard. We watched the sun set over the hills, and we had a good laugh over that game of catch.

He had just leaned over for a kiss, which I hoped would lead to .. other things.. when I felt a sharp pain. The baby was coming! Benji freaked out..

... and so did mom. I thought at least she would know what to do.

But we eventually made it to the hospital, and later that night returned home with a beautiful little girl - Robin. Benji thoughtfully ran ahead to pull the car around.

I wish I could say he was as thrilled as I was about our new daughter, but sadly that was not the case. After her birth, he began spending more and more time away from home.

Mom was overjoyed to finally be a grandmother. She had often wondered if she'd live long enough to see her grandchildren.

Sometime I had a hard time getting even a few minutes in with little Robin, as Mom and Rain were constantly arguing over who was going to get to hold her next.

So I took the opportunity to get in some workout time. I could hardly wait to get back to my team.

When I finally wore myself out exercising, I'd grab a book, and sit watching Robin sleep, and wait for Benji to finally make it home. This particular night, he'd gone directly from work to the theater. I guess they needed him to cameo in a play - walk on stage in his uniform, flex his muscles a few times - you get the picture. Then he was off to the school, where Peri had convinced him to give a lecture on bike safety. I had something on my mind, that I'd been wanting to ask him for a few days now. I struggled to keep awake, listening for his police car to pull up in the driveway.

Mom and Rain were up to their usual - playing catch in the yard. I was doing more yawning than reading, and decided to head for bed early, without waiting up for Benji.

Suddenly I heard Rain scream. By the time I reached the front yard, mom was already gone.

Benji arrived home soon after, and immediately locked himself in the bathroom. We could hear him crying in there for hours. Finally he agreed to let me in, but nothing I could say would console him.

"Oh, Mali, I'm gonna miss her so much. She was the only mother I every knew."

Finally I just left him, tears in my eyes. He was so caught up in his own grief, he couldn't even see how much I was hurting. 

After that, he spent even less time at home, if that was possible. Occasionally he'd show up in Robin's room, long after I'd heard her fussing and already fed or changed her. Then he'd just give me a frustrated glare, and go off to play his video games again, or whatever he did when he was home.

I wanted desperately to reconnect with the love of my life; I could feel him slipping away from me more each day. I still had that question I wanted to ask him, but now it seemed like a distant dream.  I cornered him out in the yard one evening anyway, and tried to put my arms around him, but he pushed me away.

"Not now, Mali, can't you see I'm not in the mood?"

"Please, Benji. Talk to me. I can't bear this any longer."

"Not now, Mali. Just leave me alone. I'm going out."

I watched in tears, as he hopped into the car, slammed the door, and drove off, tires screeching on the pavement. I knew right where he was going.

Blake Grayson. I'd heard the rumors. He'd never mentioned her name, but I knew she was the one he ran to.

I was so upset, I never realized it was my baby's birthday. Seashell was the one who lifted her out of her crib, and set her on the floor - although Seashell, too, was grieving so much, even she missed our little Robin as she grew up.

I cried again when I saw her. She had so much of Benji in her, except for her hair and eyes. I only hoped he would come to his senses, and make his daughter part of his life.

That night when I put her to bed, Benji still wasn't home. I tried to smile as I tucked her in.

"Happy Birthday, sweet girl."

But the tears again welled up in my eyes, as I plodded off to bed alone.

Notes

Erika finally passed on - I think she was 111 or 112 - I know she was over 110. I was glad she got to see her first grandchild. Benji really did spend several hours crying in the bathroom, I guess because of his over emotional trait, and he's been acting like a really a**. I know it's because he has multiple negative moodlets from the death, and for having a baby out of wedlock, but still! And he's been rolling all kinds of wants to spend time with Blake. Bad Benji!