Episode 81: A Confession
It was Rowan’s birthday, Juliette had invited her family to celebrate. It was the first proper party she gave for Rowan, cause during his first birthday she had been in no condition to celebrate. But now she was more stable, she’d gotten a promotion at her work and earned a little more money, with which had allowed her to make some improvements to her house. Everything was almost ready, Rowan was taking a nap, so Juliette would be able to take care of the final details before everybody arrived.
The first to show up was Dustin. He arrived alone and ahead of the appointed hour, which Juliette found a little strange.
“Dustin? What are you doing here so early? Where are Mom, Dad and Logan?”
“They’ll come as soon as the rain stops, and a bit of sun appears. In the meantime, Mom is making more food, and Dad is wrapping yet another present for Rowan”.
“By the way, where’s the birthday boy?”
“On the swing, napping, thankfully, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to finish all this”.
“Yeah, when he sleeps, he seems like a true angel”, Dustin joked.
“Rowan is an angel, he’s just going through a phase. They call it the ‘terrible twos’ for a reason”.
“Yeah, well…”
“Anyway, I’m glad you got ahead. As you can see, I need a lot of help here”.
“Of course, count me in, but… Er, before we start, there’s something I need to tell you”.
“Really? What is it?”, Juliette asked while she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“God give me strength”, Dustin thought to himself. “Hm, first you gotta promise you won’t get mad at me”.
“If you’re going to come back to me about moving in with you again, I’m warning you…
“It’s none of that. In fact, this is a little… confession.”
“Dustin, speak at once, you’re starting to worry me”.
“Well, Dust? Are you telling me or not?” Juliette asked, seeing her brother had fallen silent.
“Oh, yeah, sure”, he stammered.
“See, I talked to Robin a few days ago and… I told him about Rowan”.
Juliette almost choked with her coffee.
“You did what?!”
“What you just heard. I called Robin, invited him to my house and told him everything: that you had a son and that he was the father”.
“Dustin! But you promised me…!”
“I know what I promised, but I changed my mind. I thought he had the right to know, and you were never going to tell him”.
“And how did he take it?”
“Well, it was a shock for him no doubt, but he doesn’t blame you for keeping it from him, and he said he’ll support you with whatever you need”.
“He doesn’t ‘blame’ me. He’ll ‘support’ me. How generous of him! Well, tell him I don’t want anything from him anymore”.
“That’s a lie, and you know it”.
Episode 82: Not-so-Timely Warning
“Seriously, Jul, Robin is worried sick. He feels guilty for not being there when Row was born, and he wants to do something for you”.
“There’s nothing he can do. He got married, remember?”
“True, you can’t be together anymore, but he wants to help you with Rowan. After all he’s his responsibility too. Besides, as his father, he has every right to be in his life. That’s why I… invited him to the party today”.
“What??”, Juliette exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. “God, Dustin, why would you do that?”
“I’m sorry, but I thought it would be a good opportunity for both of you to clear things up. Plus, Robin missed Row’s birth so it’s only fair that he gets to be in his birthday party”.
“Really? Well, you had absolutely no right to do this behind my back! It was my call to invite him or not, Dustin, not yours!”, Juliette exploded.
“Geez, Jul, calm down, it’s no big deal, just a father attending his son’s party”.
“It’s not that simple, not for me. You should’ve asked me my opinion before doing such thing”.
“And what for? You would’ve said no for sure, as always”.
“Cause I am not ready for this, period!”
“If it’s any consolation, Rob isn’t ready either. Right now, he’s dealing with a lot of problems”.
“Problems? What kind of problems?”
“We’ll talk about that some other day, now all you have to know is that he still cares for you and wants to help you. Don’t leave him out, Jul, listen to what he has to say. Perhaps something good comes out of this encounter”.
“Perhaps, but even so, you should’ve warned me”.
“I’m doing it now”.
“A bit too late, don’t you think?”
“Better late than never. At least his visit won’t take you by surprise”.
Juliette thought for a moment. She couldn’t be mad at Robin forever. She’d have to deal with him sometime. And Dustin had a point, even in his circumstances Robin had all the right to be in his son’s life. And Rowan, the right to have a father.
“So? What do you say, should I call Rob and cancel everything, or will you talk to him once and for all?”
“For goodness’ sake, Dust, stop pushing me, I need to think”, Juliette answered, tiredly.
“I don’t mean to push you, what’s more you’re right, I should’ve asked you first, so you tell me what I have to do now”.
“Don’t do anything”.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning yes, I’ll talk to Robin. Just don’t expect me to be kind to him”.
“Why not? After all it was you who caused this mess in the first place”.
“Dust…”
“It’s the truth, Jul, admit it”.
“None of you two would be going through this agony if you had told him the truth from the beginning, you’d be together now, and Row would have his father with him”.
“Dust, please. Stop guilt-tripping me, okay? I do admit it was my fault, and I just told you I’ll talk to him. I’ll listen to what he has to say, although I think it won’t do any good”.
“We’ll see about that”.
The doorbell rang at that moment.
Juliette turned to the living room with distress.
“I-is that him?”
“I don’t think so. He said he would sneak out any moment after supper. It’s still early for that”.
“Are you sure? I need a little more time to prepare myself mentally, and I have to alert our parents too”.
“Don’t worry, they already know”.
“Good heavens, Dustin”.
“Relax, Dad took it very well. As for Mom… well, you already know how she feels about all this. Anyway, that must be them. You tend to Rowan; I’ll get the door”.
Credits and thanks to:
@nikatyler for the Gen 4 Pose Dump (poses 26 and 27)
@rollo-rolls for Nightcrawler Alluring Hair (Juliette’s hair) – Original Sims 4 version by Nightcrawler here.
@eternila for Sherry Birkin’s Hairstyle (Dustin’s hair)
SIMcredible! Designs 3 and TS3 Party Productions for the birthday party stuff. 😉
Episode 83: Happy Birthday Rowan!
The Shens were all gathered now. After the greetings, congratulations and gift giving, it was time to cut the cake. Juliette lit the candles and made a pause, her thoughts were with Robin. Where was he? Was he really coming? What was she going to tell him when she saw him?
“Yes, Happy Birthday, Rowan!”
“Happy Birthday, Row!”, the joyful voices of Karen and Dustin awoke her.
“Jul? Are you blowing the candles now?”, Dylan asked.
“Sure, Dad, right away”, Juliette answered.
“Yay, congratulations, Row!”, Dustin exclaimed again. This time Logan joined him.
Juliette forgot her worries for a moment and prepared herself to blow the candles in Rowan’s name since he was too small to do it himself.
“Ready, sweetie? Here we go!” She said, as everybody continued cheering and making noise, which scared Rowan a bit. “Silence everybody, please. One, two…”
“Jul, be careful, your hair is all over Rowan’s face”, Dylan warned her.
“Don’t worry, Dad, he’s used to it”, Juliette answered laughing, Rowan laughed too.
“I don’t know, maybe you should get a haircut”.
“Dylan, leave her alone already”, Karen intervened.
“And… here we go again. One, two… ¡Three!”
The candle was off, Rowan was officially two years old. The cheering continued:
“Hooray, Rowan!”
“Well done, Row!”
Now, it was time to grow up…
Episode 84: The “Terrible Twos”
Juliette pulled away from the group for a moment. She kept on thinking about Robin. Maybe he had decided not to come? Honestly that would be a relief, considering how her mother felt about him.
But deep inside she had to admit she was dying to see him again. How would he be? How would he look? Had he changed? Would he still think of her?
“Are you sure he’s coming?” She asked her brother in a very low voice.
“Hundred percent sure. I talked to him a few minutes ago, he’s waiting for the right time to sneak out”.
Juliette’s heart skipped a beat, but she felt a little better.
“Jul, what’s going on? Where’s our cake?”, Dylan’s voice pulled her back to reality.
“I’m coming, Dad, be patient”, she answered, and her voice sounded a bit more cheerful.
In the meantime, Rowan has turned two years old, a lovely age, but difficult as well. The ‘terrible twos’!
But “Row” (as they call him tenderly) is a good kid, he’s not exactly rambunctious, but he is very curious. He’ll sure grow up to be a scientist like her mother and grandparents, or a doctor like Uncle Dustin. Or a time traveler like his father…?
“It’s time for cake! Where’s the birthday boy?” Dylan, Karen and Logan exclaimed in a chorus.
Juliette wasn’t able to answer, she was enthralled contemplating her son. Rowan resembled Robin before, but now he had become his living portrait. (Except of course for the red hair, which he gets from Juliette, and which comes directly from his grandfather Dylan and his great grandmother Sienna).
“Oh, when your father sees you…”
“Where are you, Robin? Why aren’t you here yet?”
Episode 85: The Shens will be the Shens
The Shens sat at the table to enjoy their cake, Karen put Rowan in his highchair so Juliette could eat in peace.
“Alright, Row, please sit here and behave while your mommy eats”.
Rowan wasn’t quite satisfied with the exile. He’d rather be in his mother’s arms like he used to. But he was a big boy now and it was time to occupy his shiny and new highchair.
Thankfully, the food that his grandmother served entertained him. (Not like he was going to eat it or anything like that).
With everything under control, Dylan tried to make conversation.
“So where’s Robin? Why hasn’t he arrived?”
“Are you talking about ‘the one who must not be named’? Logan mocked.
“Dad, Logan”, Dustin grunted.
Juliette got tense. Dustin gave a quick look at her; she continued eating her cake with small quick bites.
“No, seriously, wasn’t he supposed to attend the party?”, Dylan insisted.
“Dad, let’s leave that subject for later, okay?”, Dustin asked.
“Dustin’s right, Juliette has been so stressed, let’s give her a break by not talking about him”, Karen concluded.
“You say that because you hate Robin”, Logan stated.
“Logan, please stop”, Dustin muttered.
“I don’t hate him. I just don’t understand how he could do this to Juliette”.
“He didn’t do anything to her, mom”, Dustin answer to the point.
“Robin is a good boy”, Dylan added. “We’ve known him for a long time, he was Dustin’s classmate at the Oasis Landing high school. Emit knows him well too, he’s one of his most brilliant and noble pupils”.
“Brilliant perhaps. Noble… that remains to be seen”, Karen replied.
“Mom, that’s enough, you’re making Jul uncomfortable. You said it right, she doesn’t need any more stress”, Dustin intervened again.
“Now, I hope that when Robin arrives you all behave, especially you, mother”, Dustin continued.
“Don’t worry, I’m well-taught, I have manners, I know how to be polite. And I wouldn’t do anything that could make Juliette uncomfortable. But that doesn’t mean I will not tell a thing or two to that Casanova”.
“Mom, please don’t!”, Juliette protested. “Neither Robin nor I are kids anymore, we don’t need your scolding”.
“But you could use my advice”, Karen answered.
“It’s a little late for advice, don’t you think?”, Logan joked.
“That’s enough. Listen, we won’t talk about this anymore. We’ll continue with our celebration in peace, and when Robin arrives, we’ll let him and Juliette alone, so they can settle their affairs with privacy”.
“Yeah, we saw what happened the last time they were left alone in ‘privacy'”, Logan joked once more. Juliette went red like a tomato.
“Logan, that was an inappropriate comment for your age”, Dylan scolded him.
“Don’t forget I’ll be 18 in a few days”.
“Well, you’re underage now”.
“Ooo-kay, this conversation is over”, Dustin said, getting up from the table.
Juliette got up too. She wasn’t angry about her family’s comments. After all, the Shens will be the Shens. She understood her mother’s annoyance, her father’s concern and Logan’s jokes. None of them meant any harm, they were just trying to protect her, although, in all honesty, it was indeed a bit late for that.
The celebration was far from being over, the Shens just took a break to clean and tidy up a bit. Dylan wiped Rowan’s highchair, which he had left all messed up.
Then he picked up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher so his daughter wouldn’t have to work.
Dustin thought necessary to check on his sister. He felt a little guilty, after all it was him who had caused all this commotion by inviting Robin to the party.
“Excuse Logan, he’s just an annoying teen. And… well, you know the Shens”.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to them”.
“Sure you’re okay?”
“I am, thank you”.
Fortunately, the tension dissipated soon and everybody went back to the table to continue with the celebration. Dylan saw fit to give a speech in honor of little Rowan, calling him ‘the youngest of the Shen legacy’. (Although Rowan really belonged to a certain other legacy).
Dustin contributed as well with some words of support for Juliette, and a few harmless jokes to relieve her stress. The party reached its peak with Rowan as the center of attention (it was about time) and the Shens all relaxed and happy, Juliette included.
“Well, Robin is about to arrive, what if we wait for him in the living room?” Dustin said, leaving the kitchen.
Juliette trembled inside, Robin will be here any minute to meet his son and the Shens. What will happen then? No idea, she just prayed her family would play nice with him.
Episode 86: Ready for the Big Moment
The Shens settled themselves comfortably in the living room to continue chatting. This time they left Robin out of the conversation on purpose to avoid increasing Juliette’s anxiety.
Juliette put Rowan down on the floor next to his grandparents so he could play a bit before the great moment arrived.
Rowan protested. He only wanted to be in mommy’s arms, why wasn’t that possible anymore?
“Row, you’re a big boy now, you don’t need mommy to hold you”, she explained to him. “Stay here and behave while I get you your toys, okay?”
While Rowan, not very willingly, started to play, the Shens surrounded Juliette again.
“Honey, are you sure you’re gonna be fine?” Karen asked.
“Why you all keep asking me that? I’m not made of glass, I can handle this”, Juliette complained.
“Hey, calm down, everybody”, Dustin stepped in. “It’s no big deal. Rowan’s going to meet his dad, it’s a happy occasion, there’s no reason to be upset”.
Logan wasn’t interested in what was coming next, so he went up to Juliette’s bedroom to play in her computer. Meanwhile, downstairs, Karen returned to the charge.
“Darling, I don’t want to annoy you, but I really don’t think you should be left alone with Robin”.
“Mom, please, I’m a grown-up girl, I can take care of myself.”
The doorbell rang at that exact moment.
“Okay, this is it, if you excuse me I’ll open the door”, Dustin said. Dylan closed his book and began to get up.
“Please, Jul, think well what you’re going to do”, Karen insisted.
Dustin hurried to the rescue.
“Like I said before, we’ll have to give Jul and Robin some space, so if you don’t mind…”
“Of course we mind”, Karen protested “We are Rowan’s grandparents, we are a part of his family, so before everything else we will be properly introduced”.
“Is it absolutely necessary? You guys said you already knew him”, Dustin said tiredly.
“Come on, Dust, do as you mother says or there will be a cataclysm”.
“Ah, alright. Sorry, Jul”.
Juliette didn’t answer. She was so nervous she just picked up Rowan and ran off to the kitchen. The doorbell rang again, this time more insistently.
“Well,” Dustin sighed “If no one has anything else to say, I’ll open the door now”.
Episode 87: Surviving the Shens
Without further delay, Dustin opened the door and there was Robin.
“Oh, at last! Hi, Rob”.
“Hi, Dust”.
“I’m sorry to be late, but leaving my house was quite an odyssey”.
“That’s okay. I have to warn you, though, coming here tonight could also turn into an ‘odyssey’.
“I know, and I’m ready for everything”.
“Cool. Well, we cut the cake already, but Rowan is still awake, so…”
“Is he? I’m relieved to hear that”, Robin said, cheering up.
“By the way, I brought him a present. It’s nothing big, really, I hardly had time to run to the mall and… Well, I hope, he likes it”.
“Thank you, I’m sure he will. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll put it on the table with the other presents while we proceed with the proper introductions”.
“I-Introductions?” Robin muttered.
“As you may know, the whole family is here today, and although it’s late, mom refuses to leave without meeting you”.
“Really? I thought none of the Shens wanted to hear from me, except you, of course”.
“Ah, you don’t know the Shens… Anyhow, get ready. Like I told you, this might get a little intense”.
“And please, anything my mom says don’t take it personally. She’s just worried about Juliette’s welfare”.
Robin gulped. He hadn’t come prepared for a family trial, but what choice did he have? He wanted to assume his responsibility, to support Juliette and Rowan at any cost, and that was what he would do, even if it meant being judged at the Shens’ court”.
As Dustin and Robin approached, Dylan and Karen whispered to each other.
“Please, don’t be so hard on him”.
“I’ll just tell him what I feel like”.
“Karen…”
“Er, Mom, Dad?” Dustin called them.
“Let me introduce you to Robin. That means to you, mom. Dad has met him before”.
“That’s right, nice to see you again, Rob”, Dylan said.
“Nice to see you too, Captain Shen”.
“Mom, he’s Robin Crane, Rowan’s father. Robin, this is my mother, doctor Karen Helgason-Shen”.
“How are you, Robin”, Karen answered without enthusiasm.
“Nice meeting you, Doctor Shen”, Robin answered shyly; Karen seemed to gather strength then.
“You know, Robin? My daughter’s told me so much about you”.
“All good, I hope”.
“And how could she not? If she thinks the world of you. Although I must say the news of your marriage really hurt her. And we, her family, didn’t appreciate that either”.
(Oops!)
“Mom…” Dustin mumbled; Juliette almost fainted in her kitchen hideout.
“She didn’t tell him that!”, she wailed.
Karen continued with her speech.
“Please understand I have nothing against you, I just think it’s Juliette you should’ve married”.
“Mom!” Dustin protested.
“No, your mother is right. It was my mistake”, Robin answered respectfully, (even knowing she wasn’t right at all).”Well, at least you admit it. That’s a good start”, Karen added.
“Mom”, Dustin complained again. Doctor Shen wouldn’t stop.
“My husband says you’re a decent boy, and I believe him. But I’m going to be very frank with you, it’ll take more than one visit on Rowan’s birthday to fix the mess you’ve caused”.
“Karen, please”, Dylan muttered.
“It wasn’t Robin who caused this mess and you know it, mom”, Dustin pointed.
“No, she’s right again, Dust”, Robin told him and then he turned to Karen. “Doctor Shen, I’m deeply sorry, I promise I will do anything in my power to amend this”.
“Well, seems like Emit was right about you too. It’s kind of honorable of you to apologize to our family. Now I hope you’re willing to take responsibility for my daughter and grandson the way it should be”.
“Mom, please stop already”, Dustin intervened once more.
“We know you’re in a tough position, Robin “, Dylan stepped in “And we don’t want to pressure you, we just hope you’ll find a proper solution to all this, for the sake of Rowan”.
“Have no doubt that I will, Captain Shen”.
Karen was going to say something else, and Robin prepared himself for anything, but right at that moment Juliette appeared in the living room carrying Rowan.
Dustin breathed a sigh of relief.
“About time”, he muttered.
“Mom, Dad?” Juliette said, “I appreciate your concern and interest, and I bet Robin does too, but that’s enough.”
Episode 88: Juliette to the Rescue
Robin turned to Juliette and stood speechless for a few seconds, contemplating little Rowan while Juliette contemplated him. At that moment, the rest of the people in the room seemed to disappear for them.
“Hey”, she said in a fainted voice.
“Hey”, he answered, just as nervous as her.
Juliette examined him. Something about him was different, maybe his hair, which was shorter now. Anyway, she found him even more attractive than before. And he smelled so good. The whole living room was indeed filled with the scent of his cologne. How longer could she resist?
“Is he…?” Robin asked.
“Yes. He’s Rowan, your son”, she answered before he could finish the question.
The answer was obvious, but even so Robin couldn’t hide his astonishment. His eyes went from the child to Juliette again.
“Oh my God, he’s…”
“A copy of you, yes”, she answered smiling.
“I’d say he’s a copy of you. C-can I?”
“Of course”.
Robin held Rowan in his arms and, after looking at him largely, he started playing and talking to him. Dustin, behind him, pretended to read to take a breather. Robin may not have known it, but the atmosphere had turned kind of tense.
“Rowan, this is Robin, your Dad, say hi to him”, Juliette ordered. Rowan didn’t answer but he leaned against Robin’s shoulder. It looked like he felt safe with him.
“I think he likes you”, Juliette said.
“Thank goodness. Sadly, we can’t say the same of your mother”.
“Don’t take her to heart, she just does what she thinks her duty”.
“Well, I’ll prove her I’m worthy of you, and that I’m the best father Rowan will ever have”.
“Rob, please, don’t make promises you can’t keep, okay?”
Dylan and Karen came near again; Juliette took Rowan and stepped aside.
“Robin”, Dylan said, “I was glad to see you again, we still have a lot to catch up with, but it’s a little late and we really have to leave. I hope we can get together again soon”.
“Thanks, Captain Shen, I hope so too”.
“I was glad to meet you too, Robin, believe it or not”, Karen added.
“So was I, Doctor Shen”.
“I know you and my daughter have a lot to talk about. I seriously hope you consider ‘fixing’ all this. If you know what I mean”.
“Er, Karen…” Dylan muttered.
“Mom”, Juliette protested almost at the same time.
“Like I said, I’ll do my best to make up for Juliette and our son”, Robin finally answered.
“Good. That’s what everyone of us here expects from you”.
“Well,” Dustin said, making his way to the group, “It’s time to say goodbye”.
“Your father and I say goodbye, you stay here and look after your sister”.
“For goodness’ sake, mom, stop”, Juliette asked.
“Jul doesn’t need my care, mom”, Dustin answered.
“What about Rowan? He might need something during the night”.
“Rowan doesn’t need me here anymore, he has his father now”.
“I know, but maybe…”
Dustin pulled her mother aside to talk to her privately.
“Mom, leave them alone, okay? They’re adult people now, they had a child for heaven’s sake!”
“…”
Dustin softened his tone.
“Look, mom. I’m sorry but the party is over. I did my part; I have nothing else to do here so I am leaving too period”.
“Okay, but are you sure Jul is going to be alright? I mean, she’ll be alone with Robin, he’s a married man, and…”
“And Juliette is a grown-up woman, she’ll take her own decisions and will do as she sees fit. You wanted her to reconcile with him, didn’t you? Well, this is her opportunity to do so, let’s not blow it”.
“I never said I wanted her to ‘reconcile’ with him. I said I wanted him to marry her. And that is no longer possible”.
“Yeah, you’re right”, Dustin sighed.
Episode 89: Never Ending Goodbye
While Dustin and her mother argued, Juliette waited impatiently. This had turned into a never-ending goodbye! How longer would she have to wait?
“Sorry for the ambush”, she told Robin, flushed. “Neither Dustin nor I imagined this”.
“Don’t worry, I understand. They’re nervous and rightly so”.
“Not all of them, just my mom. But I swear she means well”.
“I know, and it’s fine, really”.
This said, Robin turned to Karen again.
“You don’t have to worry about anything, Dr. Shen. I didn’t come here to take advantage of Juliette, on the contrary, I’m here to support her”.
“Did you hear, mom?”, Dustin pointed.
“Alright, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt”.
“Thank God! Can we leave now?” Dylan asked, exhausted. Rowan looked pretty tired too.
“Excuse my behavior, I just don’t want you to get hurt again”.
“Calm down, mom, I know what I’m doing”.
“I pray that you do, or you’ll be in a lot of trouble”.
Dylan turned to Robin.
“Don’t take what Karen says personally. She’s not against you, she’s just worried about Jul, like all of us”.
“I get it, and I admire your family values. We don’t have anything like that in the Future”.
“I know, and so does Karen, hence her concern”.
“Believe me, I prefer the rules of your time, that’s why I decided to get married here, I only regret that it wasn’t with your daughter”.
“Well, I bet you’ll find a solution for that”.
“Well, we’re leaving”, Karen continued. “I hope Robin didn’t get the wrong impression of me”.
Juliette smiled.
“You don’t know him. If there’s something he respects and admires are the old-fashioned family values”.
“Yeah, the concept of family has been devalued in the future. Babies by design, multiple spouses, love as a form of entertainment, no commitment at all. That’s why your father and I decided to return to the Present. Anyway, I hope you’ll make the best choice for Rowan”.
“I will, mom. Thanks for caring”.
Before walking to the door, Dylan asked Robin some questions about Emit and his mission. Robin didn’t want to inform him anything until he found out what had happened to his descendants. How to tell him all of them were missing in 2054, including his grandchild Rowan? Luckily for him, Dustin came to the rescue.
“Well, family, it’s time to go”.
“Where’s Logan?”, Karen asked.
“Upstairs, playing on Jul’s computer. I’ll go get him”, Dustin said and disappeared up the stairs. Dylan got distracted and didn’t ask anything else. Phew!
Episode 90: Out of the Chaos
“Logan says he’ll leave in a few minutes, he just wants to finish his game, so we should go”, Dustin said, returning to the living room.
“Okay, Robin, so we’ll trust you”, Karen said.
“You can leave without worries, Doctor Shen”, Robin assured her.
While the grown-ups finished their goodbyes, Rowan entertained himself playing with his presents. What interested him the most was, of course, grandpa’s gift: the Peg Toybox. Another scientist was born in the Shen family!
But as he was already tired and sleepy, Rowan started to cry. Robin took him in his arms again while Juliette escorted her parents to the door. Rowan hugged him. It was obvious that he felt comfortable with him, which meant everything was on track (in spite of the Shens).
“Are you sure you’re going to be alright?”, Karen asked once more.
“Yes, mom, don’t worry”, Juliette answered while she looked at Robin and her son.
“I’m leaving too. Sorry I stayed behind, but I needed to make sure mom would go through that door”, Dustin joked.
“I wish you both all the luck in the world. I know the odds are against you, but I’m sure you’ll be able to do something. Oh, and please, Rob, don’t let the Shens scare you, as far as I know we are all harmless”, he joked again.
“Thank you, Dust. Thanks to all of you for your advice”, Robin answered without laughing a bit. (But then again, Robin didn’t laugh much, did he?)
“Okay, now I’m leaving. If Logan isn’t out of here in half an hour, call me and I’ll come to take him out. Robin, keep in touch, bud. Jul, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, guys”, Dustin said, and left the house.
His mission had been accomplished.
Robin and Juliette were finally left alone, out of the chaos that the presence of the Shens had created. They were reunited, Robin had his son with him, Juliette wasn’t mad at him anymore. The hardest part was over, now they had to find a solution to their situation. But was that even possible?
Episode 91: Close Encounter
“Jul, I’m sorry, I…”
“Robin, forgive me for…” Robin and Juliette spoke at the same time, so none of the two could quite understand what the other was saying.
“You go first”, he added.
“No, you go first”, she granted.
“No, you”, he insisted.
“Okay. What I was trying to say is I should be the one to apologize, since it was me who caused this mess”.
“That’s not completely true”.
“Of course it is. I was the one who broke up with you, remember?”
“And I accepted your decision without questions, without a fight. I was so wounded in my pride that I just ran away”.
“Had I stayed till the end of the semester, or at least one day more, none of this would’ve happened”, Robin concluded.
“Even so, I shouldn’t have hidden from you that we were going to have a baby”, Juliette added.
“You were angry with me, and with good reason. I didn’t understand you at that moment and when I finally did it was too late”.
“And I wasn’t very kind for us to say. Now those two years in Rowan’s life that you’ve missed, I’ll never be able to give them back to you”.
“Well, I will make it up to you and him for every day I wasn’t there”.
“Yeah? How?”
“That’s precisely what I want us to talk about right now”.
“Alright, but there’s something I gotta do first”.
Juliette brought Rowan’s swing from the kitchen and placed it in the living room.
“It’s better for him to be comfortable in case the conversation gets long. And he needs to have dinner too. Can you put him down on the floor, please?”
“Sure”.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take him to bed? He seems a bit sleepy”, Robin pointed.
“I will take him in a moment, I just want him to be with you as long as possible. Besides, I don’t think he wants to go yet”.
Juliette and Robin patiently waited until Rowan finished eating, then she took him to his swing.
“Alright, honey, stay here and behave while mommy and daddy talk”.
Rowan didn’t seem very pleased, but Juliette had hope that, having had dinner already, he would soon fall asleep”.
While Juliette made sure that Rowan was comfortable, Robin thought of what he was going to tell her. He thought as well of other things, namely memories of Juliette and him together during those sweet University days…
Both Robin and Juliette got distracted for a while watching Rowan play and make attempts to talk to them. It was impossible not to get caught by the charm of their little angel.
Just a few minutes later, Rowan fell asleep. Robin kept on contemplating him and a smile came to his lips.
“Boy, he looks exactly like me”.
“Like two peas in a pot”, Juliette confirmed.
“Except for the hair, of course, that is yours”.
“Yep”.
“I wonder when it happened”, Robin went on, after a pause.
“Happened what?” Juliette asked.
“When we made Rowan. It must’ve occurred that one last night in the hot tub”.
Juliette went red as a tomato. She turned around without knowing what to say. A battery of sudden memories echoed in her mind making her feel her cheeks burn. Robin continued like it was nothing:
“I remember it as if it was just yesterday, you looked more beautiful than ever, and I was so… in love that I completely forgot about protection”.
“Robin, please stop”, Juliette claimed pulling away.
“I regret nothing, you know?” He said following her. “Cause thanks to that night Rowan exists, and because of him I’m tied to you forever”.
Juliette remained silent.
Robin got closer, looking for her gaze, or a reaction to his words.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“As a matter of fact, I have a lot to say, but…” She started, but she stopped short and then let out a sigh.
“Rob, let’s not do this, okay?”
“Let’s not do what?”
“This. Get close to each other this way, knowing that we can’t be”.
“I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention to make you feel uncomfortable, but I couldn’t resist. Just seeing you, being close to you, makes me relive things and think of what we had, of what I still feel for you in spite of – well, everything.”
“I hear you, cause I feel exactly the same, but we must be realistic.”
Robin agreed with Juliette, but in honor to the truth, the last thing he wanted at that moment was to be realistic! He just wanted to hold her, kiss her and stay with her for eternity, although he knew that now, or at least for the time being, such thing was just impossible.
Episode 92: Reality Check
“Let’s face it, Rob, this isn’t Oasis Landing but Aurora Skies, the Past, as you call it. Here you are married, and any relationship out of that marriage will be frowned upon. I don’t blame you if you don’t get it. All in all, Oasis Landing is another world, with an order of things so different to what we have here.”
“An order you know I dislike and in which I don’t believe”.
“And what difference does it make? It’s the order you were born and raised in, and to which you belong”.
“Yeah, not so proud of it”.
“You are right, 2054 is a whole new world, but you’re wrong when you say that I belong in it. There are lots of things there that I don’t agree with. It’s such a cold, impersonal place. Most of the time I feel like a stranger there, whereas in Aurora Skies I feel right at home”.
“That’s what I settled down here, because I’m tired of the robotized, hardly human society of 2054. When you met me I was just that, a robot without real feelings. I never knew what a family was. Crane, my RoboNanny, was the closest thing to a father that I had. And Emit, of course, but he’s just my mentor. Out of them two, I don’t have anyone”.
“You have your wife and your daughter. They’re your family now”.
“So are you and Rowan”.
“But you can’t have both. That’s what I’m talking about, Robin. You can’t have two wives here. At some point you’ll have to choose”.
“Are you talking about – divorce?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t have that in the Future”.
“No, cause it isn’t necessary. Marriage is a temporary contract, you choose how many years it should last, and when it’s over you can either extend it or not”.
“How convenient. Nothing as old-fashioned as what we have here”.
“Well, you know I respect your laws and traditions, in fact I like those more than the ones in my time”.
“That’s obvious, or you wouldn’t stay married to… what’s her name?”
“Ann”.
Juliette went quiet. Robin gave her an apologetic look.
“I’d get a divorce, I swear, and I would marry you right away, but I can’t. My daughter, Jessie, she’s barely two years old, she still needs me. And that isn’t all.”
“Don’t tell me, you love your wife”, Juliette remarked bitterly.
“Not as I love you. But that’s not the point”, Robin answered. “The point is – we’re expecting another baby”.
“Oh, I see”, Juliette exhaled a sigh. “So those were the serious problems Dust told me about”.
“No, he referred to another kind of problems, which I don’t know if I’ll be able to resolve. But I’m not here to talk about me or my issues, but about us and Rowan”.
Episode 93: Close Call
“Excuse me, Robin, but there is no us”.
“Of course there is. I know you think it isn’t possible, but it is!”.
“Yes, I know in the Future it is legal to have more than one spouse. But in my time, we have other standards, values in which my family and I still believe”.
“I know. And I just told you I believe in those too. I know my situation is dire now, but I will get out of it. I wouldn’t dare to propose anything illegal to you, I’m only asking you to give me a chance. Just one!”
“A chance how? Becoming ‘the other woman’ in your life?”
“No!”
“Trusting me, trusting I’ll be able to get out of this mess. Maybe I can explain everything to Ann and…”
“Rob, stop there, okay?”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to get my hopes up”.
“What’s wrong with having hope? Or is it you don’t trust me? Perhaps you don’t love me anymore?”
“Of course I love you! I love you, with all my heart. All this time I suffered like no one from your absence, haunted by the regrets of letting you go.”
“Well, I am back now, Jul. I’m here, you didn’t lose me. I love you and you love me, what keeps us from being together?”.
“You know well what”, Juliette sobbed.
“I’ll fix it, I promise. I’ll fix all my problems, one by one, and I’ll return with you”.
“Robin, I don’t know, I…”
“Please, Jul, believe in me, okay?”
Juliette ran out of words and her strenght started to abandon her. Robin got a little closer, his lips searching for hers. She was about to surrender when they both heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs.
They pulled away from each other as quickly as they could. Robin stepped back, fixing his hair as his cheeks went red. Juliette turned to look at the bottom of the stairs. But of course, she had forgotten! They were not alone; her brother Logan was still in the house on their mother’s orders.
Episode 94: Post of Surveillance
“Oops, sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt”, Logan exclaimed, still standing at the bottom of the stairs.
“Just perfect, thanks mom”, Juliette thought to herself.
“I’m sorry, I… didn’t know that…” Robin started to say.
“That’s okay, Log. Rob and I were just talking”, Juliette hurried to say.
“Yeah, that I could see”, Logan mocked.
“It’s okay, you can continue with whatever you’re doing. I am really tired, and I don’t feel like sleeping on that uncomfortable sofa in the studio, so I’m leaving now”.
“Are you sure? You can sleep in my bed if you want”, Juliette said, a little calmer.
“Thanks, but I rather go home and sleep on the Dreampod. It’s a lot more comfortable, don’t you agree, Robin?”
“Uh, yeah, in fact it is”, Robin answered, still embarrassed.
“Well then, I’m off. I just hope mom won’t be mad at me for abandoning my surveillance post”.
“Log”, Juliette begged, glancing at Robin. He looked at her in his turn, clearly confused.
“Anyway, I’m sure you two can take care of yourselves”, Logan concluded.
“Now goodbye, have a wonderful night”, he added with a wink and left the house.
Juliette turned to Robin again. He was still staring at her with a questioning look in his eyes.
“Surveillance post?” He asked.
“My mom’s idea. She thought we might need a chaperone”, Juliette answered as the door closed behind Logan.
“So, she still doesn’t trust me”, Robin sighed.
“Correction: it’s me she doesn’t trust. She knows how much I… still love you and thought it was ‘dangerous’ for me to be left alone with you”.
“Well, tell your mother she has nothing to worry about, cause I love you too, and like I said before, I’m not here to take advantage of you, but to offer my help and protection for both you and Rowan”.
“If you really want to protect us you better leave now. It’s getting late and you don’t want to get us in trouble with your wife”.
“But we haven’t finished talking, we still have matters to discuss”.
“We could see each other some other day to talk about those”.
“Some other day? You promise?”
“I promise. Now, would you help me take Rowan to bed? He seems tired and it’ll be a good way of saying goodbye to him”.
“Sure, I’d be glad to”.
Episode 95: The True Crane Legacy
“Come on, little one, let’s put you to bed”, Robin said, taking Rowan out of the swing. Rowan reached out to him, thrilled to be near his newly known father again.
Once in his crib, already in his pajamas and accompanied by his parents, Rowan quickly fell asleep.
“It didn’t take him long, huh?”
“Yeah, Rowan is a bit fussy, but when he’s tired, he goes right to sleep. He’s a late riser too.
“He gets that from me”.
“True”, Juliette laughed.
Robin laughed as well, then he went quiet while he looked around, measuring the room with his eyes.
“It’s a very tiny room. How do you manage?”
“Well, at the beginning I tripped over everything, but you get used to it”.
“I get that as a newly born Rowan didn’t need much space. But now he’ll probably want to crawl, play, and soon he’ll start to walk too. The place is not just small but dangerous with all the stairs”.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that he isn’t in danger. Now, the house may be small, but there’s enough space for the two of us. Of course, I suppose it’s not nearly as big and up to date as your own”.
“My house is big, yes, but not as up to date as you might think”.
“Anyway, I’d like to participate in Rowan’s life. You know, take him out to the park or for a ride, contribute with money to support him… And give him my last name as well”.
“Rob, you don’t have to”.
“Please, Jul. He’s my son, the first male child born of my legacy, possibly my successor”.
“¿Successor? Come on, Rob, this isn’t a monarchy”, Juliette laughed.
“I know, but according to the rules every time traveler has to name a heir”.
“Really? What for?”
“Hm, it’s difficult to explain”.
“You won’t tell me, I get it. Another one of your secrets”, Juliette said, walking away.
“It’s not a secret, it’s just – complicated. And like I said before, I didn’t come here to talk about myself. Now, will you let Rowan carry my last name?”
“Sure, but from what I remember Crane isn’t really your last name, is it?”
“No, but it’s the only one I have to offer right now”.
“I hope you don’t mind that our son bears the name of a Robo Nanny”.
“Of course I don’t, silly”, Juliette answered, smiling tenderly at him. Once again, they gazed into each other’s eyes. “I think you should leave now”, she whispered.
“Oh, no”
“Oh, yes”.
Episode 96: Goodbye or So Long?
Once near the door, Robin and Juliette’s eyes met again.
“Can I give you a goodbye kiss?”, he asked.
“Robin, I don’t think we should…”
“Please? Just one?”
Juliette didn’t think twice and put all her heart in that kiss. A kiss that, for the time being, was the only thing she could have from him.
When the kiss ended they gave each other a hug from which it was difficult for Juliette to pull away.
“You said we would talk some other day. When will that be?”, Robin asked.
“I don’t know, maybe next Saturday, not here of course”.
“Okay, where?”
“I don’t know yet, probably at the beach. And you’ll have to be careful, you don’t want the whole town to see you with me”.
“I will be, don’t worry”.
“And it might be the last time we meet, until you fix your situation”.
“Understood”, Robin said, stroking her cheek. “I love you, Juliette, don’t you forget it”.
“I love you too. Don’t you forget it either. Now for God’s sake leave already”, Juliette begged.
“Alright, I’ll wait for your call. So long, dear”, Robin said once at the door.
“So long”, she whispered, struggling so that her voice wouldn’t break.
“Goodbye, my love”, she whispered as the door closed behind him.
How would she stand her life without him? How would she stand being near him knowing that he was married, that she wouldn’t be able to kiss him or touch him again? That would be torture. Would she resist or would she fall in his arms like a fool? “This is your fault, Dustin. You shouldn’t have gotten us together. Now what am I going to do?”, she thought, as she went up the stairs to her bedroom for a well-deserved rest. Although she probably wouldn’t get to sleep at all that night.
Episode 97: Guilt
Sure enough, Juliette didn’t get to sleep that night. She woke up and sat on bed several times, thinking, doubting. Should she call Robin for a date on Saturday? That’s to say, she wanted to call him, but – was it right? The questions and doubts robbed her of her sleep making her even more anxious.
And what about Robin? How did he feel? Not good, really. When he had left Juliette’s house he was ecstatic, but as he arrived to his own, reality hit him: he loved Juliette, but he was still married. In 2054 loving a woman while being married to another was normal, but this wasn’t 2054. Kissing another woman while being married to another was called cheating.
That’s what he had done that night, he had cheated on Ann, not to mention that he had lied to her, telling her he was going to work until late at the Bot Emporium. And she believed him.
“At what time will you be back?”
“I don’t know, I should be here in about two hours, but just in case don’t wait up for me”.
“Okay, take care of yourself. I love you”.
“I love you too”.
Yeah, Ann had trusted him, and what had he done? He had betrayed her like a scoundrel.
Quietly, he went upstairs to the bedroom and stopped at the door. Ann was soundly asleep already, oblivious to the storm that lashed his heart. “Please forgive me, Ann”, he said in a low voice as he turned his eyes to the other end of the room.
Bethany was there too, taking care of Jessica. She had turned into an excellent NannyBot, almost a second mother for Jessie and a great companion for Ann. After adjusting her trait chips and resetting her system, her memories had been erased and, with them, the bonds that once had united them. Now she was just a common plumbot, helpful and efficient, like Five.
Ah, Bethany… Another of his big mistakes and one more reason to feel guilty.
Guilt, regrets, shame, sadness, but most of all love. Those were human emotions he was supposed to suppress or, at least, to keep under control. But here they were now, more alive and uncontrollable than ever.
“You forgive me too, Beth”, he whispered.
Beth didn’t get to hear him, but she did sense his presence, so she returned Jessie to her crib and headed to the door.
“Good night, master Robin”.
“Beth, I’ve told you I’m not your… (sigh). Forget it”.
Episode 98: Almost Human
After Bethany went out, Robin walked to Jessica’s crib. She was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the outside world and his father’s problems, ignoring she had an older brother now, Rowan Crane, the true heir of the Crane dynasty.
“I’m sorry Jessie, I’d name you my heir, but the rules are the rules. Anyway, I promise I’ll always be there for you and your brother that’s about to be born”.
Jessica barely moved, instead of waking her up, the sound of Robin’s voice made her sleep even more peaceful. Robin heaved another sigh.
So this was how it felt to be a man of flesh and blood instead of a semi-human, robot-like citizen from the Future? Could it be that all these ancient emotions were reviving inside of him? If it was so (and it certainly was), he would be in so much trouble with the Oasis Landing Council, the Time Academy and probably with Emit too for his lack of discipline.
But that was the least of his worries. He wasn’t worried either about all these sudden feelings that overwhelmed him. After all they made him feel alive. The true bad thing was to be trapped like he was now, wishing with all his might to return with Juliette, but unable to hurt Ann by asking her for a separation, especially now that they were expecting another baby.
From the exhilaration of his reunion with Juliette and having met their son, he fell into a total anguish. How would he come out of this mess without hurting any of the two women he loved?
Juliette was right, he couldn’t have both, at some point he would have to choose, and that made him feel even more anxious.
As he thought of Juliette, he remembered their goodbye kiss, and that memory alone made him shudder.
He thought as well of Rowan, of the joy in his eyes the moment they had met and the absolute bliss that was taking him in his arms. The father-son love, another strong emotion he had failed to suppress…
Leaving Aurora Skies at that exact moment saddened him to no end, but the hope of seeing Juliette again and the memory of Rowan gave him the strength he needed to continue ahead. He would go back to the Future and solve whatever was waiting for him there, no matter how difficult.
I love you, Jul. I’ll be back, I promise. Please, don’t give up on me.”
Episode 99: Announced Visit
OASIS LANDING, 2054… AGAIN.
Well, here he was, back in his time. At home.
Although, frankly, for Robin this didn’t feel like ‘home’ anymore. Bethany and Five weren’t there, the whole place felt empty, cold and desolate… The moment he arrived he understood it: his only home was now in Aurora Skies.
But first things first, as soon as he arrived, he went straight to the computer and checked the Population Registry to see if his descendants were already there or they continued to be missing.
Bingo! A long list of Cranes now appeared there: Michael Crane, Molly Crane, Dorothy Crane, Blair Crane – And of course his first born child, Rowan Crane. He probably didn’t appear before because he was carrying the Shen’s last name. But at some point, in their timeline, Robin and Juliette sure had changed that last name to Crane, and so the dynasty was saved.
With the satisfaction of having solved at least one of his problems, Robin decided to work a bit before going to bed. He had fallen behind in his plumbot building and the requests from the Bot Emporium were piled up in his mailbox, so he got to work right away, creating nanites and trait chips during the night so he would be able to assemble a new plumbot first thing in the morning.
Exhausted, he was heading for bed when his mobile phone rang.
“Hello?
“Hello? Mr. Robin Crane?”
“Yes, it’s me”.
“I’m calling from the Reproductive Solutions Labs to notify you that your Volunteer will be at your home early tomorrow morning. Please, be prepared to receive her and host her”.
“…”
“Mr. Crane, are you still there??”
“Yes, yes. At– what time will she be here?”
“8 am. Do you authorize the visit?”
“Sure. I just would like to know wh–“
“Thank you! Have a good evening Mr. Crane”.
The not-so-polite secretary hang up the phone leaving Robin in the air. What he was trying to ask was the name of the volunteer, but it was obvious the presumptuous employee wasn’t willing to give him more information than necessary.
And now the mystery wouldn’t let him sleep, plus he’d have to wake up before 8 am, something he hated. On top of it, he had to deal with some nightmares about what had happened in 2016. Fear, uncertainty and concern got hold of Robin’s heart that night. No doubt this slow ‘return’ of human emotions had started to take its toll.
Episode 100: The Volunteer
The next morning, the only breakfast Robin had was a cup of coffee. Who could feel hungry at such early hours? He at least couldn’t. He was barely awake thanks to coffee and to his recently re-discovered nervousness. When the bell rang it was 8 sharp, that should be the volunteer. Good, at last the mystery would be revealed.
When he opened the door, both he and the visitor went speechless, and kept looking at each other as if they were seeing a ghost.
“Kaleigh Chandelace??”, he exclaimed when he recovered.
“Robin Crane. Hi, it’s nice to see you again”.
“Glad to see you too, but– Sorry, what are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing?”, she smiled.
“Kale, listen. I appreciate your visit, but I can’t help you at this moment. Just right now I’m waiting for my…”
“Volunteer? It’s me, silly. I am your volunteer”.
“What? You?”
“Is there a problem with it?”
“Was there a problem with it”, Kaleigh asked. Was it a joke? Of course there was a problem! She was no less than Kaleigh Chandelace, his ex-girlfriend, a brilliant student from the Time Academy and a dignified member of the Oasis Landing Law Enforcement.
Kaleigh was not just excellent at her job, she was also a genius of the Rythm-a-con. She was talented, beautiful, smart, and most of all she was fun to be with. In short, a temptation. (Oh, the memories!) But Robin couldn’t afford to fall for her again. Not under his current circumstances.
A FEW MINUTES LATER…
“Don’t you like me anymore, Robby?”, Kaleigh asked, after making herself comfortable. Robin breathed deep. “Robby”. He hadn’t heard that nickname in ages.
“Of course I like you, you know damn well, but – Er, Kale, listen”, he continued, gathering all his courage. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but – why would you choose to be my volunteer?”
“It wasn’t my choice. The name of the donor is never revealed to the applicant. But, as a cop, I got access to all data bases. So I snooped around and I found out. Don’t take this the wrong way either, but it was all an accident. I wanted a baby and Edwin can’t have children, so I went to the RSL and…”
“Edwin?”
“Edwin Archibilt, my fiancé”.
“I get it. Well, for me it was kind of an accident too. I wanted an instant family, so I filled up an application at the RSL. I changed my mind a few days later, but I forgot to cancel and here we are”.
“You applied for an engineered baby and then you wanted to cancel him? Some parent you are”.
“I know, and I’m sorry”.
“That’s okay, I can have it on my own. My salary is good, I can afford it. And I have Edwin to take care of me”.
“Sounds good, but we can’t split up. The RSL would sanction me for abandonment”.
“Well, then it seems like we’re stuck with each other”.
“Basically”, Robin sighed. “Anyway, come with me, I’ll show you to your room”.
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