Chapter 4 - Bonnie

Yay, promotion!

One morning, Frankie wakes up to find Zenna coming in looking like… well, looking like this.

“Cute,” he says, “But did it have to be food?”

“Yeah, actually” she laughs, “I was elbow deep in vegetables and poo water at the Diner and I suddenly had a thought, ‘I need doughnuts and oranges on my clothes. Also a skirt and heels.’ It was very important."

Frankie doesn’t always wear clothes.

“Being in the nude helps me focus, Zenna. Not everyone thinks their clothing controls the weather, or whatever."

Zenna rolls her eyes. "Clothing is important. You'll eat your words one day, and then I'll have to put out your ass on fire."

 For some, the full moon means mystery and supernatural occurrences. For others, it’s just another night for going out and having fun.

And coming home and having fun.

The next morning, Zenna feels ill.

“Shit! Did we use protection???” she yells, waking up Frankie.

“My stomach hurts. I think there’s something in there.”

“What, like an alien parasite or something?”

“No, like… like another person. I mean, like, a baby.”

“Babies? Do those attract clowns? To be honest, I’m a little afraid of clowns.”

Zenna glares.

“I’m just kidding. Not about the clowns, I actually am afraid of them. I mean about the babies. It’s fantastic news. I mean, if it really is a baby, and not like an alien parasite or something.”

“You are such a dork,” Z groans.

Zenna later declares herself officially preggers. Both parents wish for a boy.

“See, I said it wasn’t going to be an alien parasite. How’s it feel in there?”

“It feels so freaking weird, man. It’s like… oh my god. There’s something inside me, that’s not me. How can something be inside of me, and was made from me, and not be part of me?”

“THERE’S A WHOLE OTHER PERSON INSIDE OF ME! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE???”

Frankie wishes he’d just left it at “congrats.” It takes most of the night to get Zenna calm again.

Zenna is concerned her neurosis will be passed on to or otherwise rubbed off on her child.

Frankie is mostly just scared of the paintings that reflect her fear. “It’s healthy to have a creative outlet,” he tells himself firmly. 

“As long as she doesn’t hang that one in our room.”

“Since you’re all big and hurting and stuff, let me cook you something special.” Frankie offers. “Are you craving anything right now?”

“I want Hot dogs,” Zenna says. “My favorite food.”

“Your favorite food can’t be hot dogs! Gross. You’re kidding, right?”

“I love hot dogs. Make. me. hot dogs.”

Frankie has to buy a microwave oven to make the hot dogs, but he gets it done.

The wife is pleased.

Maternity leave means lots of upgrades around the house.

And lots of time spent on her painting obsession hobby.

The couple is just sitting down for a quick game of chess when Zenna goes into labor.

THIS IS THE WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD.

They try to head out to the hospital, but get jammed at the door.

Frankie: “Please, plumbob, let us get to the hospital in time. If I have to deliver this baby I will die.”

While Frankie goes into a near-catatonic state of fright, Zenna waddles herself over to the subway station to get her pregnant self to the hospital. Good on you, firewoman!

Frankie snaps out of it in time to realize his child is about to be born without him, so he rushes to catch up. “I’m coming!! Stop pushing! Wait for me!”

Better shape up, guy. You almost didn’t make it.

Zenna walks out of the hospital with… a girl! (No, she’s not considering eating her young. At least, I hope not.)

She looks at her newborn daughter with tears in her eyes. She decides to name her Bonnie, after her sister.

 ---

Notes-

"Gourmet" goal 1/2 completed...

Rolls for generation 2 are:

A.   Single

B.   Two children

C.   Freelance Photographer

D.   Expansionist

E.   Runs in the Family

I wasn’t gonna have the heir so early, but then I was looking at all the days Zenna had off for getting married and I thought, I’d better just merge the maternity leave with the newlywed leave so she’ll have more time to become a hero. I hope it works out that I can still peak her career while having her raise a kid; I haven’t played many families before so I’m unsure about the timing.

The girl was really surprising. I had this whole hilarious conversation planned out in my head for the naming of the baby boy, and I guess I was careless and didn’t have her eat enough apples. Bam! A girl! My dreams are shattered. But not really, because naming the girl after Zenna’s kid sister is pretty sweet. It’s just too bad neither parent got the happiness points for having a boy. :/

Well. I actually wanted a boy baby too. I’m a dude so they are probably easier for me to characterize and develop.

Bonnie was born with Heavy Sleeper, like her mother, and Friendly. So, “Runs in the Family” goal fulfilled...