Sim in the City IV: Deadbeat Mom

Previously: While cohabitating with a shockingly oblivious Salim, Zora continued hooking up on the down-low with Miko, who she may or may not be falling head over heels in love with. Keeping up one clandestine relationship is exhausting enough, so she decided to be just friends with her third potential suitor, Maki. This turned out to be the right choice because, in a surprise twist for both her and myself, Zora managed to get pregnant with Salim's baby and she'll soon have even less time for romancing.

It's literally the first day of autumn, and the first snow has already arrived (you can see a few small flakes here if you really try). In true bookworm fashion, Salim can't head outside to celebrate this fact without taking the latest novel he's nose-deep in devouring out with him.

Zora: Babe, it was so nice of you to cook for me! Now that I'm pregnant, I can hardly work up the energy myself.
Salim: Wait. Did you say pregnant?...

Still as observant as ever, I see.

Salim's not sure how he feels about becoming a dad soon, so instead of working out those feelings in a meaningful way, he heads to the gym in hopes of sweating away the sudden build-up of doubt and anxiety.

I don't know what this lady is protesting for or against, but I support her. You go, lady. Make your voice heard!

I guess I can't go in too hard on Salim for chatting up pretty women at the gym. After all, his girlfriend does have an entire actual girlfriend of her own on the side. Still, he's not being subtle about his intentions at all with that towel loosely slung around his newly-sculpted abs. At any rate, I can guarantee he's not having a celebratory discussion about his pending fatherhood with her.

Meanwhile, Zora isn't letting pregnancy get in the way of her work. Lately, she's been teaching herself how to play guitar so that she can meet the demands of a more diverse audience.

HEY! It's barely 11:00 PM, and she's got a promotion to achieve. Stop being a whiny spoilsport... or else!

In retaliation, this guy and his wife woohoo all night long.

Salim: Damn it, you petty asshole! My pregnant girlfriend and I are trying to sleep!

In the midst of psychologically preparing himself (or avoiding psychologically preparing himself) for parenthood, Salim manages to snag a promotion of his own, which will come in handy when they have to furnish a nursery.

That's probably something they should think about doing soon since the baby could come at literally any minute. Zora still went to work, though, because she's a bad ass but also because apparently there's no such thing as mandatory pregnancy leave in this game and I really wanted her to get that promotion, damn it!

Success! And she didn't come home with a baby delivered in the middle of her shift, so that's a huge sigh of relief.

She is as big as a house, though, and entirely over the accompanying pains and aches.

The next morning, Miko invites Zora to GeekCon, and she immediately goes into labor upon arrival. On one hand, I should've known this would happen and had her stay safely at home. On the other hand, we all know how hard-pressed both Zora and I are to pass up Miko's invitations, no matter how inconveniently timed.

Miko: Oh my goodness! We're surrounded by nothing but cosplaying weirdos who haven't the slightest idea of how to handle childbirth. What should we do?!?

Zora: False alarm. I'm fine. Now let's go get our geek on!
Miko: Wait, I... What? You're sure you don't want to go to the hospital? That looked pretty real to me.

Impressively nimble for a woman who is actual minutes away from popping out a real live child.

Zora: Wow, I can't believe this t-shirt actually fits. *clutches stomach* Oh God, I feel another contraction coming on!
Vendor: Lady, forget the t-shirt! Get yourself to a doctor STAT!

Zora: I hate to tear myself away from my love Miko, but I guess she's probably right.

And just like that, Zora arrives safely back at home with her new daughter, Phoebe, in tow.

Zora: I know it doesn't look like much now, kiddo, but this is going to be your new nursery! We've just got to wait until your father gets home so I can use his money to jazz it up for you.

Zora: Hey, so, funny thing, honey! While you were at work today, I actually had our baby.
Salim: What?!? And you didn't think to call me?
Zora: Well, it happened so suddenly... I was just out enjoying GeekCon, and one second, she was still inside me, and the next, bam, she was out!
Salim: I suppose you've already named her, too?
Zora: Well...
Salim: Goddamn it! Where is she?
Zora: In the nursery, which, by the way, I'm going to need some cash for. Like, now, please?
Salim: *heavy sigh* Wait... You went to GeekCon without me?

Salim's still trying to figure out what being a father actually means. For now, what it means is that's he's stressed from a long day at work and just wants to waste the night away playing video games with his friends while Zora handles all of the parental responsibilities.

His pink-haired friend can go any time, though, considering he decided he would just waltz right into the nursery and destroy this beautiful dollhouse Zora spent some serious dough procuring.

Zora: Dude, what the fuck? Are you going to pay for that or what?
Pink Hair: How dare you accuse me, an innocent adult man, of destroying a precious child's dollhouse. I would never!

We all saw you do it, buddy, but okay, keep living in your delusion. Just stay far away from this apartment.

Salim finally worked up the nerve to properly introduce himself to Phoebe later that night, and, you know what, he actually doesn't mind her, even if she doesn't yet look impressed by him.

He's just in time, too, because when Miko calls, Zora answers, and she's not about to let being a new mom change that.

In their quest to seek out clandestine woohoo locations, they happen upon the lighthouse next.

Honestly, I am just continually stunned by the scenery in this game. I know it's possible to make TS2 neighborhoods look somewhat full and lived-in, but I always hated placing neighborhood deco and building community lots. I really appreciate how immersive and realistic the worlds in TS4 look by default. I know it'd be nice if more was functional rather than purely decorative, but no longer does it look like my Sims live on a big empty lot in the middle of nowhere. They have actual surroundings!

While Zora and Miko make passionate love at the top of that lighthouse, let's just take a moment to appreciate how freaking pretty this is! I mean, my God. (Side note: I did forget to click the roof of that building in the background on, and it vaguely irritates me every time I see this picture.)

Look at the two of them! On top of the world! Indescribably happy together! I hate to let Salim down, but I really feel like this is that rare sort of intense, sweeping romance I can't let remain on the sidelines forever.

Zora clearly feels the same way. She just can't keep her emotions contained when she's around Miko.

Back at home, Salim is apparently pulling random women out of thin air to fill the void left by Zora. I have no idea who she is, but these two are looking awfully cozy on that bed together. Based on her shirt, she might be a fellow book geek, too.

What a conundrum: Salim has to keep fit, but he also has to keep an eye on Phoebe. Solution? Sit-ups in front of the bassinet, of course!

Meanwhile, Zora is still trying to sleep off her latest wild night with Miko, which seems to take longer and longer the older she gets. Maybe that's a sign that she should cool off on the twilit rendezvous and start spending more time with her daughter, but she's too exhausted to seriously contemplate that right now.

Speaking of Phoebe, she's a toddler already and a very, very cute one at that!

The baby stage seems mercifully short, I suppose to make up for how hellishly long the toddler stage is, though I'm hoping it's less of a pain than in TS2 where they're literally helpless for 85% of their toddler existences.

Salim: Good to see your face around here, stranger! You'd better reintroduce yourself to your daughter because she probably barely recognizes you.
Zora: *chuckles nervously* Okay, touché. I deserved that one.

Zora: *pretends she's been a doting, responsible mother the entire time*

Good thing Salim was able to repair Phoebe's dollhouse for her after that strange pink-haired man so callously destroyed it because she just loves playing with (and chewing on) her tiny plastic people.

Oh no, those late nights really are catching up to Zora in a life-impeding way. She can't even take a bath anymore without nodding off, which could put her own life and Phoebe's at risk! Something's got to give - and soon.

Salim: Listen, Z, you know I care about you, and I'll always be here for our daughter, but I have to know where this relationship stands. I hardly ever know where you are any more, just that when I wake up in the middle of the night to Phoebe crying you're not there. Are you in this for the long haul or not?

After a very long conversation, Salim and Zora decided that it was best for them to call things off. Zora just has to see how this whole Miko thing plays out before she's willing to commit to anything long-term. Luckily, they've decided to remain good friends for Phoebe's sake, and Salim will be living in the apartment awhile longer so that he can spend as much time with her as possible. Zora may still be a bit too impulsive for her own good, but I'm glad she and Salim were able to work this out in a responsible way. I'm sure his future soulmate is somewhere just around the corner, too.