ficwhatfic | The Price Legacy - Generation One

When Marci is faced with a life-altering choice, she struggles with making a decision.

Marci: "Okay, girl...you can do this."

Marci: "All you gotta do is open your eyes and look at the stick. Just like pulling off a bandaid."

Marci: "...Shit."

For a whole week, Marci sensed something was wrong with her.

Every morning, she experienced nausea, to the point where she couldn't hold down her breakfast.

She thought it was something she ate, or she was coming down with the flu.

Then she skipped a period. A first for her.

Marci was at a loss. It wasn't as though she and Joshua discussed or planned on having a baby, or what they would do if a situation like this ever happened. Any time they had sex, they used protection.

She wasn't ready to tell Joshua.

He was such a dad. What if he wanted more children?

What did she want?

And so, Marci polled her friends for their thoughts on children. Maybe one of them would give her a better idea of what to do about the pregnancy.

First, she asked Don.

Marci: “I got a totally hypothetical question without ulterior motives for you: how do you feel about babies?”

Don: “Babies? Why? Did someone say anything to you? You'd tell me if they did, right? I use protection every time, I swear--”

That was a mistake.

Then she asked Johnny. He was always upfront with her.

Johnny: "Are you kidding me? I love kids! Can't get enough of them! I want several of my own, sooner rather than later! Can you picture it, a gang of little Zest babies running around? Between you and me, I want daughters - and hopefully, none of them look like their father!"

Marci: "Damn Johnny, that's...actually really sweet."

Johnny: "Hey, someone's got to take care of me in my old age. Do you see where I live? One of these kids is gonna love me enough to move me into their basement."

Then she ran her question by Dina.

Dina: "Sure, I want a kid someday. Who doesn't? Right now, though? No way! I'm still young, and I just started out in my career! How am I going to have a baby when I barely make any money to move out? Besides, if I'm going to make a baby with anyone, it's only going to happen after we marry and go on tons of vacations. And my husband better be gorgeous, or what's the point?"

Nina chimed in, even though Marci didn't ask.

Nina: "If you ask me, too many women are pressured into having children when they're the last people who should be parents! Same with marriage! If I ever met the right guy, sure, I'd marry him...but any fetus who tries to settle into my uterus is getting sucked out, no hesitation!"

None of them were especially helpful.

Marci knew the only person whose opinion mattered was herself...

But she still didn't know what she wanted.

There was no point in delaying the inevitable.

One night, she sat Joshua down and showed him the pregnancy test.

Joshua: "Are we...happy? Sad? Marci, please talk to me."

Marci: "I...I don't know if I can do this, Josh. I know you love Louis, and maybe you'd want more kids, but..."

When she couldn't find the words anymore, she broke down. He pulled her close and held her hand.

Joshua: "Hey...please don't cry. I promise, I'm content with just the three of us. Any more children would be an added bonus, but not if it means you're going to be unhappy."

Joshua: "When I think back on my first marriage...Katherine really only had Louis for my sake, because she thought it would save our relationship. I don't want you to do that, put my needs before yours to the point where you're not yourself anymore. I love you, Marci. And if you don't want a baby now, or never, I'll support you."

Marci: "It's...not that I never want kids. I don't know. I just try and picture having one of my own, and...it terrifies me. What if I'm not a good mother?"

Joshua: "Honey...for what it's worth, what you're feeling is normal. I was scared when Louis was born, too."

Joshua: "But I've seen how you are with Louis - how much he's opened up since we met."

Joshua: "You connect with him on a different level that Katherine could never. He's comfortable with you."

Joshua: "I think you would be an amazing mom if it's what you wanted to do."

Marci: "I'll think about it. I promise I won't make this decision lightly."

Joshua: "I know. Take all the time you need."

Marci: "You mean it? That you'll support whatever I choose?"

Joshua: "Every word."

***

The next day, Marci offered to take Louis to the park.

Normally Joshua accompanied him, but an outing was exactly what she needed. Fresh air, a change in scenery...

And she wondered if spending more time with Louis would clear up any doubts and questions lingering in her head about the pregnancy.

Louis wasn't her son, and he didn't regard her as a mother...but Joshua was correct, that they had a special connection. In a way, she saw so much of herself in the boy. Rather, what she potentially could've been under different circumstances. Beneath the bravado and his smarts, he was a thoughtful boy, and everywhere he went, other kids gravitated towards him . Marci remembered being that age, and she practically made it her mission to make sure he felt validated.

Marci: "Hey Louis! Are you ready to go? You got tons of homework, remember? Your dad wanted you home by three, and it's two-thirty."

Louis: "No! Five more minutes? Please? My friends and I have to defeat the space monster first!"

Marci: "Ohhh, a space monster, huh? Sounds serious!"

Louis: "It's really serious! If we don't stop the monster, it's going to obliterate the earth to smithereens, and sims in space have to find a new home!"

Marci agreed to give him five more minutes, but those five minutes stretched into twenty when she joined in as the space monster.

Marci: “Rawr! Stop right where you are! I am Lady Behemoth, the biggest and baddest space monster in all the galaxy! I have conquered dozens of other planets! I use the bones of my enemies as toothpicks! Surrender your planet to me, mere mortals or I will destroy your whole planet and eat everyone you love! Including your dog!”

Louis: “No way, Behemoth! You’re the one who should be scared of us! Go away, or we’ll blast you back to Sixam where you belong! And the joke’s on you, I don’t even have a dog!”

After they finished their skit, and all his friends went home for the day, Marci and Louis sat on the park benches to chill out before their walk home.

Marci: "Hey Louis...you like me, don't you? We have fun together, right?"

Louis: "Yeah! You're pretty cool. You actually play with me. Mom never did."

Sometimes, Louis mentioned Katherine.

Marci never knew what to say. Joshua warned her it might happen, and even he was at a loss of what to do with the subject. What do you tell a boy after his mother abandons him? Do you tell him the truth, or lie and spare his feelings?

Marci: "What was your mom like?"

Louis: "She was really pretty and smart. Kinda cranky, too. Like you, but you're funnier to mess with. She would just complain and tell me to go to my room."

Marci: "I can relate. My mom used to get mad at me, too. It's no fun."

Louis: "Where's your mom?"

"Marci?"

Louis: "I asked where your mom was."

Marci: "Gone. She's gone. Has been, for a long time now."

Louis: "Oh. Like mine? I'm sorry."

Although Louis was openly affectionate with Joshua, it was very rare for the boy to snuggle up with Marci. He only did so when he sensed she wasn't in a good mood, or if she said something that distressed him. She plastered a smile on her face and wrapped an arm around him.

Marci: "It's okay. I got your dad - and you! And if you don't mind me saying, you're pretty cool, too."

Marci: “We should get going.”

Louis: “Aww, do we have to? Can’t we have one more round on the jungle gym?”

Marci: “No, Louis! You should’ve been halfway done with your homework by now! I better rush you home before it gets too dark out. We can come back here another day. Oh, by the way…”

Marci leaned down and planted a kiss on Louis’ cheek. He, of course, reacted as any little boy would, and recoiled from the gesture.

Louis: “Ew! What was that for?”

Marci: “For saving our planet from the best scary space monster - and for being such a great kid.”

Louis: “You’re weird, Marci! But thanks! I try!”

It was as clear as day that Louis resembled his mother more than his father, but he and Joshua both got the same twinkle in their eyes whenever they were paid compliments, as though it was always a genuine surprise for them.

That expression never ceased to make Marci smile.

If this boy stirred her soul so effortlessly, when he wasn’t even her boy, then why the hell was she so scared in the first place? How would she feel when her own child stared up at her like this?

There was only one way to find out, but first…

Marci: "One more question..."

Marci: "How would you feel about having a little brother or sister to torture?"

***

Marci: “Hey! Sorry we’re late! We lost track of time while battling space monsters.”

Joshua: “That’s alright. I didn’t pay attention to the time. I was in the middle of a new painting. Did you guys have fun?”

Marci: “Oh, we had a blast. Actually, Louis here has something he wants to tell you.”

Joshua: “Really? I’m all ears. Let’s hear it.”

Louis: “Marci and I talked, and I decided you guys are gonna have a baby!”

Joshua: “Wai… what? Is that so? Don’t I get a vote?”

Louis: “Nope! Marci says the decision was up to me! She asked if I wanted a brother or sister, and I think it’s a great idea!”

Joshua: “Actually, Louis, the decision is up to Marci. She's the one who has to carry the baby, after all. Was she okay with this?”

Marci: “Of course I am! I mean, I just brought it up as a hypothetical, but Louis made a very compelling argument. Your boy needs a partner around here. He’s already outnumbered two to one between us. Another kid would even the score.”

Joshua: “That is true...then who am I to argue with my own flesh and blood? If you want a little brother or sister, then we’ll have to work on that. Who knows? It might happen sooner than you think.”

Louis: “Awesome! And when you do, make sure you give me a brother, not a sister! I always wanted one!”

Marci: “We can’t control that outcome, Louis. It’s not like picking what flavor of ice cream you want, or what method of torture you prefer. You might want to get comfortable with the idea of a little sister. Besides, what’s wrong with girls?”

Louis: “Girls are annoying! I don’t want to deal with them any more than I have to, and Dad wants another son, just like me! Right, Dad?”

Joshua: “Hey! That’s not true! I would be just as happy with a daughter. And don’t forget, Marci is a girl, and she’s really cool, don’t you think? If you have a little sister, she’s going to be just like her mother.”

Louis: “I guess that’s true. Fine, I can live with a sister...but I still want a brother.”

Joshua: “We’ll try our best, kiddo. Now go on and start your homework. It’s getting late.”

When Louis left, the two of them continued their discussion. Joshua was clearly relieved to drop the facade and get straight to the point with her.

Joshua: “So...you left this huge life-altering decision up to Louis? What if he said no?”

Marci: “Then we would’ve been talking him down from an epic tantrum right now. I already made up my mind at that point, to be honest. It didn’t hurt to get his two cents though, and I wanted him to feel included in the decision. See? I’m already practicing this...mothering thing. How am I doing?”

Joshua: “Are you sure about this? Please tell me you’re doing this for you, not just for us. I told you, we don’t need to have a baby.”

Marci: “I know we don’t...but I want to have one, with you. Spending time with Louis helped me with my choice. He isn’t even my kid, but I have so much fun with him. I love how you are with him, too. You work so hard on being a good father for him, even when he annoys the crap out of you. I know our kid is going to be awesome no matter what...and loved. So, I figured, why not?”

Joshua: “I know I said I’d support your decision no matter what, but...I won’t lie, this makes me so happy. I couldn’t stop picturing how our child would turn out.”

Marci: “Be careful what you wish for, Josh. This is my baby we’re talking about here. It might come out completely normal. It might also come out with a second head, or hooves and a tail.”

Joshua: “Then I’m going to love your devil spawn no matter what. And look on the bright side: if it has hooves, then at least we’ll save money on shoes.”

Marci: “Hah! That’s the spirit. So, we know what Louis wants. What about you? What are you hoping for?”

Joshua: “I truly have no preference. I’m just hoping for a healthy baby. It’s all that really matters in the end. Although I won’t lie, a daughter would be a nice addition to our family. I can see her now: a spunky and outspoken girl, just like her mother.”

Marci: “I had a feeling you were going to say that. It’s the same reason why I want a son. I hope he resembles you, with your sleepy soulful eyes, your strong nose, your messy hair that can’t be tamed no matter what we do with it...and your cute bubble butt.”

Joshua: “Marci…really? You could’ve picked any other of my physical features, but you zero in on my rear end?”

Marci: “What? It’s my favorite part of you! And come on, look at me: I’m a tasty snack in every other department, but your bonafide genetics have to overcompensate for my flat ass.”

Joshua: “You’re silly, you know that?”

Marci: “I can’t help it. Damn Josh, we’re having a baby.”

Joshua: “I know...and I can’t wait to meet them.”

Marci: “Neither can I.”

***

Part Two coming soon...