Aurora joins the family

Jane took care of Aurora and a bond was quickly formed between the two.

Joe’s kids were growing up fast.  Jane was a beautiful teenager and Jill had started school.  And Jason would soon be joining Jane at Lakeland Academy Prep.

Jill Shmoe - Child

Jason Shmoe - Teen

With two children in high school and their youngest going all day Joe and Ericka finally achieved their career dreams.

Joe as Chief of Staff

Ericka as Mad Scientist

Joe would have been lying if he didn’t admit that he was slightly worried Jason would follow a similar path to Jane and prefer the company of men.  But that did not seem to be the case with Jason.  He always had girls around him and other friends in general.  Jason was very social and always on the go.

No questions for Jason

Jane was more solitary.  She hung out mostly with Yvette although she was still close with her brother and when Yvette wasn’t around you could find Jane sitting at the chess table pondering over her next move.

Jane Concentrates on chess

Jane had also successfully raised Aurora from a puppy into an adult dog.  Joe and Ericka could not help but marvel at the affection that existed between the two.  Aurora would obey commands only from Jane and no other family member.  They were starting to get worried about what might happen when Jane left for college, which would be happening far too soon.

Jane and Aurora

Jill seemed of a mold similar to Jane.  Although her solitude may have sprung from the the fact that she was the baby.  The surprise.  Much like her brother and sister Jill was exceedingly intelligent.  She was creative and enjoyed building.  She’d spend hours at the play table perfecting creations with blocks and show them off to anyone who would take a moments notice.

Creative Jill

One Sunday Ericka had taken them to an ice skating rink.  Jill had fallen in love with cutting up the ice and had begged Joe to have one installed at home.  Joe found his youngest daughter difficult to resist so he easily gave in and had a rink built at home.  All winter long, Jill skated and skated.

Jill Skates

Though they might all be unique and have their own perks.  When all is said and done, they are all still Shmoes and all still very close.

Jill Shmoe - Toddler

Jill was a good toddler and rarely caused a fuss.  In fact, when she’d wake up in the  morning or after a nap she’d be perfectly content to stay in her crib for a while and inspect her fingers or her toes or whatever she happened to find in her nose.

Jill contently chews on her hand

It wasn’t too long after Jill’s birthday that there was another birthday in the Shmoe household.  This time it was Jane.  Joe and Ericka’s oldest was going to be starting high school.  Now they had a teenager to contend with in addition to a toddler.

Jane Shmoe - Teenager

Joe was convinced that he was going to have to beat boys off with a stick once he saw his daughter getting ready to head out with her friend Yvette to do some shopping.

But it became obvious that Jane’s interests did not lie in the boys at school but the girls.  In fact, she and Yvette became more then friends.

First Kiss with Yvette Andrews

Joe realized he needed to have a conversation with his daughter.  He had to admit he was in a bit of denial about his daughter’s preference.  So one morning over breakfast Joe decided to bring up the subject.

“Jane, honey can we talk?”

“Talk away, Dad.”

“I want to talk to you about Yvette.”

Jane turned a little red, “Daaad.  Jason is here!”

Time for a talk

Jason jumped up from the table, “Don’t worry.  I’m gone.”

“Ok, now, Yvette.”

“What about her Dad?”

“Are you, uh.  I mean to say, do you, er, um–”

“She’s my girlfriend Dad.”

“But wouldn’t you like to, you know, have a boyfriend?”

“No Dad.  Hey look at it this way, at least you don’t have to worry about me getting pregnant.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“I’m going to be late for school.  I love you Dad.”

“Love you too.”

Joe was left wondering how exactly to respond to this revelation of his daughter.  But as far as other things go he couldn’t complain.  Jane got straight A’s in school.  She never stayed out late.  And she was a huge help with Jill.  Joe and Ericka were both involved in their careers and Jane was always willing to babysit.

Jane takes care of Jill

Ericka had no issues with Jane’s decision but Joe couldn’t help but feel a little troubled.  Jane was an amazing young lady and understood her father’s hesitation.  But she hoped her father would come around.

Joe tinkers under the hood

Joe found himself really enjoying his time outside working on his car.  He had hopes of getting good enough that when Jason became a teenager the two of them could fix it up together and he could have fixed up his own car to drive.  Thoughts of father son bonding time fiilled his mind as he sanded off the body to prep it for its paint job.

Time for some body work

While Jane and Jason were close Jane was not without friends her own age.  She had met several other kids at Lakeland Academy but her best friend had quickly become Yvette.  Joe and Ericka found that Yvette was over several times a week and it was almost as if they had inherited another daughter.  Fortunately Jane and Yvette were little trouble.  Ericka often found them in the yard playing various games or inside battling over a game of chess.

Best Friends

Time continued to speed by and before they knew it, it was time for Jason to join Jane at Lakeland Academy.

Jason Shmoe - Child

Even though Jane and Jason were in the same school their bond continued to grow strong.  If Jane wasn’t with Yvette she was spending time with Jason.

Siblings and Friends

But just when life seemed to settle into normalcy for the Shmoes.  Everything changed.

Meet Jill Shmoe

Jane grows to a child

Not surprisingly Jane has proven herself to be an exceptionally bright child.  She has inherited her parents thirst for knowledge and its not unusual to find her immersed in a book of some kind.

A chip off the old block(s)

In fact, Jane was proving to be so intelligent that public school wasn’t challenging her.  It was her father who made the phone call to Lakeland Academy and arranged a meeting with the headmaster to gain admission for Jane.

So Joe and Ericka had the headmaster over for dinner and the headmaster was thoroughly impressed with Jane and found no reason she should not be admitted.  In fact, he even noticed little Jason in the crib and said that they would grant admission to all their children. (Ok not really but it saves me from having to write a headmaster scenario for all of the generation 2 children.)

Admission to Lakeland Academy

Shortly after Jane started at Lakeland Academy it was time for the Shmoe’s to celebrate Jason’s first birthday.  They kept the affair small and just the family.

Jason's First Birthday

Jason Shmoe - Toddler

Joe and Ericka had at first been concerned about sibling rivalry and jealousy on Jane’s part but their fears were unfounded.  A closer pair one would have been hard pressed to find.  It seemed that if Jane wasn’t lost in a book she was to be found in Jason’s nursery teaching him nursery rhymes.

Jane teaches Jason a nursery rhyme

Or just generally be a sweet and affectionate big sister.

Affection between siblings

Yes, when Joe looked back his life was good.  He had two beautiful children, an amazing wife and his career was going well.  In fact there was nothing more Joe wanted.

Potty Training

Of course, Joe and Ericka quickly discovered the joys of having a toddler and Ericka certainly loved seeing her daughter turn into a little person before her eyes.  Mother and daughter had a strong bond.

Mother and Daughter's unbreakable bond

Of course Ericka was also expecting another little one.  So she cherished the one on one time she shared with Jane because she knew it would be short lived.

Labor Begins, again

Of course, as luck would have Joe was at work and unable to make it home in time to help much.

Where are you Joe???

Fortunately, Joe was able to make it just in time to welcome his son into the world.

Second Generation: Jason Shmoe

Welcome to the second generation heir, Jason Shmoe.

Daddy's Little Princess

He did not mind changing her diapers.

Changing diapers isn't so bad

Joe discovered that he never knew he was capable of such love.  When he looked at Jane his heart felt like it was going to burst.  Jane’s arrival made  Joe feel like his life was complete.

A little angel

Of course even with a newborn it is important for adults to have time to themselves.  Joe and Ericka did manage to find some time to be alone together.

Grown-up Time

Maybe Jane would get a little brother or sister.

Joe walked toward his wife with his arms outstretched, “Oh Ericka, she’s nobody.  Just an ex-girlfriend.”

Ericka pulled back, “An ex-girlfriend?”

“Well, that’s probably saying too much.  We went out on a date once.  It went horribly.  And then, I met you.”

To Joe’s horror Ericka’s eyes welled with tears.  He saw them flicker to the clock on the wall, “You’re going to be late for work.”

Without another word she walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.  Cursing his job, Joe reluctantly left and went to work.

When he came back home Ericka was sitting in the living room reading a book.  She got to her feet and went to leave the room but Joe caught her.  “Ericka, you  have to believe me when I tell you there was never anything with Sadie but one very bad date.”

There was nothing with Sadie

Ericka could not help it and the tears that had been threatening spilled from her eyes, “I just felt like I was repulsive to you.  I’m so big and fat.  I feel like a beached whale most of the time.”

Joe drew his wife to him, “Oh Ericka, you are not repulsive to me.  Far from it.  In fact, I find you even more beautiful now then I ever did before.”

“You do?” she sniffled.

Joe couldn’t help but give a small laugh, “Of course I do, you are carrying our child.  What could possibly be more beautiful and attractive then that?”

“Do you mean it?”

“With all my heart.”

Even more beautiful

It was a few days after the incident with Sadie, Ericka was reading a baby book while Joe did some studying for school.   Ericka felt like she needed to use the bathroom and when she stood up she felt a warm gush of water between her legs.  That was when the first contraction hit.  She grasped her stomach, “Joe!”

Labor Begins

Joe rushed to Ericka’s side.  Even though he had helped deliver several babies as an EMT he was momentarily struck dumb and did not quite know what to do.  Ericka groaned in pain and Joe felt completely helpless.

Time to Push

Finally, Joe gathered his wits about him, called the midwife and went to aid his wife in the delivery in their first child.  After several hours of labor Ericka came though beautifully and in her arms she held their first born, a daughter.

Meet Jane

Joe had never seen anything so amazing in all his life.

Ericka nears the end of her pregnancy

Things were really going quite perfectly for Joe and his family.  That is until Sadie Allbee decided to pay a visit.

It had been an unseasonably warm winter day.  The light dusting of snow had melted and it was almost deceptively spring like.  Ericka was inside resting.  She tired out easily carrying around such additional weight and they had just returned home from the market.  Joe was taking the trash to the curb when he saw Sadie approaching.

She was upon him before he was able to react.  She grasped his hand and pressed her lips to it before saying, “Hey Joe, its been a long time.  No more fish smell I see.”

Sadie returns

Appalled Joe yanked his hand from her grasp, “What are you doing here?”

“I just thought I’d come by for a little chat.  I’ve missed you Joe.”

“I thought I made it perfectly clear to you that I was not interesting in continuing a relationship with you.”

“Joe, Joe, Joe.  I gave you your space but now I’m back.  I’ve changed.  I think we should go out again.”  She reached her hand out toward him but Joe jumped away.

“No!  Sadie, I’m not interested in you!  Can’t you get that through your head?”

Joe's not interested Sadie

“Of course you are interested Joe.  How could you not be?”

“Sadie, you are self-absorbed.  You aren’t my type.  I’m sorry.  I’m not interested.”

“Come on Joe.”

“Sadie, I’m married.  My wife is pregnant with our first child.  I’m not interested.”

“Married?  You’re married?  How can you be married?”

“Easily.  I met a girl, I fell in love with her and I married her.  She’s eight months pregnant.”

“What what about me?”

Joe was getting exasperated with  her, “what about you?”

“I thought we had something Joe.”

“No, Sadie we had a date.”

“We  had something.  You just wait Joe.  I’ll show you.  It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow but I’ll show you.”

Sadie makes her vow

Before he could say another word, Sadie turned and ran from his property.  Joe ran a hand through his hair unable to believe what had just happened.  He knew Sadie was self-absorbed but he never guessed she was unstable.  He turned to go back in the house only to see Ericka looking at him from the window.

Something to tell

Joe’s brain began racing with all the possibilities.  Was she depressed?  Was she sick?  Was she…he stopped thinking and looked up at his wife.  “What is it Ericka?”

What is it?

A smile passed across her face and Joe felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders, “Oh, Joe.  I’m pregnant.”

Joe, I'm pregnant

Joe opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.  Ericka couldn’t help but laugh at her husband who never seems to be at a loss for words standing there without a single thing to say.

Speechless

Finally a few moments passed and Joe was able to speak again, “You’re pregnant?  That’s, that’s Great!”  He let out a loud whoop and actually jumped into the air.

“I’m glad you are pleased,” Ericka said smiling.

“When?” Joe asked.

“The spring.”

He leaned forward and started talking to her belly.  “Well hello little one.  I’m your daddy.  I can’t wait for you to come and say hello.”

Hello Baby

Ericka laughed and kissed Joe warmly, “I’m glad you are so pleased.”

“How could I not be pleased?  This is the best news a man could ever receive.”

Winter sets in

Joe and Ericka were settling into married life quite nicely.  In fact, luck smiled on Joe shortly after their wedding and one morning while scanning through simjobs.com he found that there was a position working as an EMT.  This was perfect since he was set up to begin medical school in the spring.  Joe took the job and was looking forward to finally having the career he had hoped for all along.

v

EMT at last!

Joe was working the night shift so he and Ericka’s paths crossed limited amounts of time.  He always sat and studied at the kitchen table while she at her breakfast.

Making time to be together

Ericka was an avid reader as well.  While many couples spent their time together after work watching television the Shmoes could be found sitting together both engrossed in a book.

Studying together

Life was good for Joe and Ericka.  The love and passion they shared for each other seemed to grow even when the monotony of daily life.  Ericka was a much better cook then Joe so she often prepared their meals but lately she seemed to have an obsession with grilled cheese sandwiches.  That seemed to be the only food she wanted to eat.

Grilled cheese again?

Joe noticed this and while he wasn’t one to complain about what Ericka cooked, he was grateful she cooked as he was a terrible cook, he was getting a little tired of the same thing night after night.  He was also starting to get a little bit worried.  He noticed she was sleeping all the time.

Sleeping too much

So one day when Joe got home from work he decided to confront Ericka about this.  He was worried and needed to know what was going on with his wife.  He woke her up gently and Ericka sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“Ericka, I’m worried about you.  What’s going on?”

She stood up to face him, “Well Joe, there is something I have to tell you.”