Maia was a five-star celebrity now, and the most popular magician in Starlight Shores. While it was difficult to go anywhere without being followed by paparazzi or adoring fans, it also had its perks. Like when Maia went the store bakery, the manager would hear nothing of her paying for the half dozen birthday cakes for the huge party she planned for all the kids.
And what a party it was!
“Happy birthday, dear David! And Erin! And Juliet! And Romeo! And Lucky! And Snuggles! Happy birthday to you!”
Of course, now that David was a teen, he insisted he had to learn how to drive right away! On the plus side, it was much easier to teach just one teenager, instead of four.
It was a good thing that David learned quickly, because Maia also had a gig that evening. She thought she’d be exhausted after the long day she’d already had, but Maia always seemed to have more than enough energy and enthusiasm for her performances.
Immediately following the show, Maia was introduced by her agent to a man named Jesse Kerns.
He was a fashion designer, and offered to be Maia’s personal stylist. Since he came so highly recommended, Maia agreed, and they made arrangements for the following day for him to assist her with her wardrobe for all the events she had coming up, including Romeo, Juliet, Lucky and Snuggles’ graduation.
The next day, Maia met with Jesse at the salon.
In addition to the formal wear she needed for events and parties, Maia also got herself a new set of clothes for everyday.
And somewhere in between outfits...
But Maia had no time to wonder if she’d become pregnant, since the next day was expected to be a busy one. It was Graduation Day!
She was so proud of her twins, and of their former IF friends. Juliet was voted Most Popular by her classmates, and Romeo was voted Most Likely To Be A Rock Star. Snuggles was voted Most Likely To Take Over The World, while Lucky was voted most likely to save it!
And immediately after they received their diplomas, Romeo proposed to Snuggles, and Lucky proposed to Juliet!
To celebrate graduation, as well as the upcoming double wedding, Maia decided to take her family out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Everyone was tired of eating leftover birthday cake, anyway!
The following day, all of the new young adults in her family went to their first day of work in their new careers.
Juliet got a job at the film studio as an extra, and hoped to put her drama class skills to work as an actress.
Snuggles became a self-employed chess player.
She liked playing chess matches in the park best, because when she wasn’t working, she got to watch her fiancée at his job.
Romeo was a busker, and Snuggles was his biggest fan.
And Lucky did manage to get a job at the sports stadium, even if it wasn’t as a professional athlete. But he figured that if he worked hard enough, luck would take care of the rest, as it often did for him.
After everyone got back from work and went to bed for the night, Maia went jogging. Going on midnight runs was something she had just recently begun doing, to have some peace and quiet. The cool ocean air helped to clear her mind, and gave her some time to herself with no paparazzi, no party plans, and no worries, which was something she especially needed now.
Lately, though, Maia felt like she was being watched. Then again, she really didn’t have much in the way of privacy anymore. It was probably nothing.
The next day was Moving Day. Although it seemed like just yesterday that Maia had brought her newborn twins home from the hospital, it was time for them to move out with their fiancées and begin the next chapter of their lives.
“I love you to pieces, sweet girl.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
“I love you, baby. Oh, I’m going to miss you guys so much!”
“Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll visit you all the time, and we’ll see you on Saturday for the wedding. Love you! Bye!”
And then they were gone.
Maia was determined not to cry. She went for a walk instead. A long, long walk, that took her into the neighborhood where she had lived when she first came to Starlight Shores. Not the safest streets to wander after dark, but she was too deep in her own thoughts to notice much.
“Maia, look out!”
Maia startled, and a man came running over to her. He looked vaguely familiar.
“You really need to be more careful in this neighborhood,” the man told her. “You were this close to getting mugged, or worse!”
Maia looked around herself, bewildered. “What... where... Who are you? And how do you know my name?” she finally asked.
“I’m Keith, Keith Vincent, and I live right over there.” He pointed at one of the trailer homes nearby. “And I might be new in town, but you’re kinda famous here. I’m pretty sure everyone knows your name.”
“Oh,” said Maia sheepishly. “Right. Well, thanks, Keith, for saving me from... from... a mugger, you said?”
“Well, he could be. Although he was dressed a lot better than your usual street thug, I guess.”
“Do you think you could you try to describe him?”
“Well, it was dark, but he looked like...”
When he described someone who Maia was certain had to be her ex-boyfriend, Steve, Maia finally did burst into tears.
“Aw... hey, don’t do that. Oh, hell. Here. It’s okay.”
He invited Maia inside, and she found herself telling this total stranger all about her past relationship with David’s father, and about her twins moving out today, sobbing the entire time.
Keith just held her the whole while, and let her talk. They cuddled, and then...
Maia felt a bit better the following day, especially after the twins and their spouses invited her to the stadium to watch a game. Lucky had been able to snag them all free tickets. The home team lost 8-10, but it was still a lot of fun.
One of Maia’s fans stopped to give her yellow roses while they were leaving. He introduced himself as Terrence Clemens, and he was quite charming. Maia wasn’t sure how, but in the space of a few minutes, Terrence had managed to talk her into an impromptu date!
She was starving, so they went out to eat first. Afterwards, they went to see a movie, and after that, they went to a few show venues. They talked a great deal, and hit it off very well. So well, in fact, that Maia agreed to go back to his place...
The rest of the week was taken up by dress fittings and cake orders and decorating the Harmony Honeymoon Suite for the wedding ceremonies.
And suddenly, the day of the double wedding was here! The whole family posed for a wedding photo.
Maia was going to be the mother of the groom for one wedding, and the mother of the bride for the other.
Romeo and Snuggles said their vows first.
Then it was Juliet and Lucky’s turn.
Soon after, each couple cut one of the wedding cakes. Maia secretly hoped there wouldn’t be any leftovers!
And then it was time for both brides and grooms to dance!
Later, all of the couples danced. Maia danced with Aashif.
Afterwards, some of the others joined in.
David danced by himself, staying near the cake. That kid must’ve eaten a dozen pieces by himself! (Thank you, David!)
And after watching the grown-ups for awhile, even Erin did a little dance by the tables.
They all boogied and feasted, partying till after two in the morning.
Everyone went home exhausted, but happy.
Maia intended to sleep in late, but she was awoken in the early morning hours feeling nauseated. She knew then that she was expecting another baby.
But what she didn’t know was which man was the father...
Author's Note-Chapter 12=Twelve Days of Christmas, but I could only think of seven verses for this update, lol. And instead of linking the traditional song here, I went for a parody instead, The Twelve Pains of Christmas--Sims 2 style! xD
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