3.17 Another Ending

Nights at the hospital grew long and it was slowly wearing at Logan’s nerves. He enjoyed his job, but he couldn’t wait until he was promoted to Resident so he could leave the long hours behind him. The promotion did not take very long to achieve.

Being a resident was hard work. Way harder than Logan would have imagined. But each day he went to work and enjoyed his job.

Many nights, he would come home stressed out. MaKenzie would always greet him with a back rub and a warm plate from dinner. McKenzie loved her job. She was slowly but surely advancing through the lab rooms. From Useless Contraption Manipulator to Aquatic Ecosystem Tweaker, MaKenzie always loved her new position over the last.

Nights at the hospital slowly ate away at Logan. The worst part was the nights he was called into work, when he was absolutely not needed. Some nights, “they paged him on accident” other nights they did it “just because.” Logan knew why they did it. The doctor needed his private time with his new intern. The beautiful, and married Lola. It disgusted Logan. It wasn’t just the large age difference (after all the doctor was already practicing when the intern was born) between the two love birds, but also the fact that both came from loving, almost happy homes.

Tonight was like many of Logan’s nights off, after working hard all week, the weekends were spent spending time with his growing children and beautiful wife. The family sat at the ocean side. Lexi played tag with a few of the other children, while Mason made out with his current girlfriend when he thought no one was looking. It was rare that they took a time out to spend time with each other, but this was their weekly ritual.

Buzz. Buzz.

Logan slammed his head back onto the lounge chair. “Are you serious?” He questioned out loud to no one in particular. His beeper had become a nuisance; especially on his days off. He swung his feet off the lounge and stood up, fishing for his phone in his pocket.

“Logan Parkes,” he said into the receiver, without attempting to cover up his annoyance.

“Logan, we have an emergency.” Without asking questions, because he knew he would not like the answer, Logan slammed the phone shut and shoved it into his pocket.

His eyes meet with MaKenzie’s. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

MaKenzie watched the scene unfold on the evening news. A standoff at city. Couple of people dead. Many injured.

Logan paced the halls up and down the hospital. This time, it was serious. There was a need for hospital personnel. After hours of working, Logan wanted nothing more than a candy bar and a cold drink. He opened the door to the employee beakroom to find Dr. and Lola sandwiched in the gap between the wall and the refrigerator.

“I’m done with this!” Logan screamed. While everyone else was busy taking care of the injured, the doctor was diddleing with the interns. Logan threw his pager, hitting the refrigerator. He quicky spun around on his heels, without saying another word.

((Note: As of right now, Logan is still job hopping, both children are adoptive, MaKenzie is excelling in the science career almost met her LTW. Only thing completed is Awesome (rebuilding of the house-- and it is awesome) and runs in the family, both kids have artistic.))

3.16 Rebuilding Lives

The death of their grandfather hardly stopped the kids progress. Mason continually did well in elementary school. MaKenzie hoped he would continue in high school once hormones kicked in. Lexi finally entered elementary school. It was easier on MaKenzie and Logan because now, they didn't need a baby sitter.

But between raising their family and working, MaKenzie and Logan worked hard on building their new house from the ground up. MaKenzie envisioned a two story house, with an unfinished basement and deck, for future expansions. Although MaKenzie couldn't imagine why the house would need to be expanded. She had designed it with 4 bedroom and 3 bathrooms. A huge family den, living room, and upstairs play area. Not to mention a library that could easily be adapted into a bedroom if need be. Not to mention the tiny box they were living out of while they rebuilt could easily be used as an in-law annex. There would be plenty of room.

Jace was properly buried in the backyard with the rest of the family, that is after his body was located.

Building the house was therapy for MaKenzie. Something about tearing apart the house was relaxing and the rebuilding symbolized moving on for her.

3.15 Changes

MaKenzie called her sister first without any information. In a panic, MaKenzie called the police who also hadn't had any leads.

MaKenzie walked back into the house, leaving her lab coat draped on the sofa. In the distance, she herd Lexi's tears and went to hold her daughter in her arms. "Oh baby," she whispered hugging her close.




She had almost given up when the phone rang. It was Logan from the hospital. "MaKenzie hon, we found your father." MaKenzie wiped away her tears and relief overcame her. "Great Logan where is he?" But MaKenzie could tell something was wrong. Logan just wasn't Logan.
"He's in the morgue. He had a heart attack. Saturday morning. At the art gallery. They didn't find any identification on him. So when they brought him here, they started the paperwork process." MaKenzie stood unable to move.

MaKenzie arranged a wake the next day for after school. They rented out a large room and placed Jace's paintings on the wall. MaKenzie invited her sister and her aunt and uncle and their families. It was family MaKenzie hardly knew anymore, but they were family.
Together they mourned their loss.






Afterward, Logan sat at his wife's side outside. He had loved his father in law, but it was nothing compared to how MaKenzie had loved him. MaKenzie jumped to her feet to move across the yard but Logan was faster, he stopped her in her tracks and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay," he whispered. She shook her head violently. Held her close and whispered encouraging words in her ear. Her sobs quieted down and she looked him in the eyes. “I hate this place Logan. Help me change it.”

3.14 Full House

Alexis finally joined the house as Logan was teaching Mason to talk. "A-LEX-S," Logan enunciated to Mason, pointing to Alexis. "LEX-ie," Mason repeated. After that day, Alexis was always called Lexi.

Mason was a happy child. He eagerly learned his skills and then forced his father to read to him regularly.

Lexi and Mason kept everyone busy. Logan, who was currently pursuing a medical career, took time to help his aging father in law care for the kids.

It wasn't long before Mason entered school and Lexi was standing on her own two feet and chattering nonstop. With the bulk of the child raising behind them, Jace began to spend hours at the local art gallery.

Sometimes he would stay gone for days. MaKenzie figured her father had simply found a lucky lady to shower with love. But Jace would always call before Mason went to sleep, to wish him good night.

The morning started like the typical morning. Logan, ignoring the car pool horn, was helping Mason into the car. MaKenzie, in her lab coat, was rushing out the door on her phone. Logan waved good bye to Mason and turned to his wife, only her head visible over the car door. "MaKenzie," he called, shielding his eyes from the rising sun, "where's your father?" MaKenzie's head appeared over the door, "is he not here?" Logan looked around for the family truck, missing since the Friday before. "The car's still gone."

Panic crossed MaKenzie's face. It was true, she hadn't heard from her father since Friday night. "Logan, head to work, I'll stay wit Lexi. Find dad." Logan walked over to his wife and kissed her forehead.

3.13 New Arrivals

MaKenzie couldn’t wait for the social worker to pull up. After countless visits with the adoption agency and many pieces of paper work, MaKenzie and Logan had decided on a boy and a girl.

Wanting an experience as close to real parents as possible, they wanted babies.

During one of their visits, they fell in love with Mason, a three year old toddler with beautiful brown eyes. He also attached to MaKenzie. MaKenzie hated leaving him, but until the paperwork was finish, Mason had to stay at the orphanage.

Logan walked in the house from work late one night. He assumed by the emptiness of the living room that everyone was asleep. He was barely inside when his phone rang. “Hello, Logan? This is Alberto, from the orphanage.” Logan beamed; this had to be good news. “I have found you the perfect little girl, her name’s Alexis. She has a heartbreaking story. But as soon as I came across her file, I thought of you.” Logan was at a loss for words. “Mr. Parkes, are you still there?” The social worker called through the phone. “Yes, yes, I’m sure we’d be honored.”
With hasty goodbye’s Logan got off the phone with the social worker.

Logan stood with the phone till his ear until the familiar beeps sounded the line was dead.

“MaKenzie! MaKenzie!” Logan sounded running into the dark bedroom.

A car stopped in front of the house and MaKenzie knew this was it. Alberto got out of the car, carrying a smiling Mason. He looks so happy, MaKenzie thought. MaKenzie looked around before noticing, Alexis wasn’t with him. “Where’s Alexis?” MaKenzie asked, taking Mason into her arms. “Slight paperwork mix up, I’ll bring her by tomorrow. Pinky Promise.” MaKenzie grinned, it had been forever since she pinky promised anything.

True to his word, Alberto showed up with Alexis the next day.

((Note usually on chapter 13 my kids are teenagers and here I am just getting started. Needless to say the only thing I have done so far challenge wise is a couple and their jobs. ))

3.12 Moving Forward

Logan was quickly approaching full adulthood and he was thinking about a family. It was true his wife couldn’t bear his children and when he was younger, he didn't think it was a big deal. Now that he was aging he felt like they needed kids to complete the cycle. MaKenzie was doing well in her career and Logan had just received a job in the Medical career. It was peon work, but it paid the bills.

Even though he knew it was still a touchy subject for her, Logan knew MaKenzie wanted them too. Late at night he would hear her, outside, crying softly and whispering to herself about Robert and the drink. Some days, Logan would find MaKenzie watching the babies at the park.

Logan would lay in bed too, thinking about her tears. He'd hate himself because he couldn’t fix this problem.

Or could he?

Logan stayed awake and watched MaKenzie sleep. That’s when it hit him. Adopt. There were plenty of children out there that could use a good home. And Logan knew they could provide a good home.

Before running the idea by MaKenzie, Logan spoke with Jace. Jace quickly agreed that Logan had a good idea but he warned Logan to get MaKenzie’s approval before adopting.

The night Logan planned to introduce his idea to MaKenzie, he left work early and cooked an exotic meal, or just ordered Chinese and place it on the family’s dishes. With the help of Jace, they cleared a spot next to the family garden and set up a table for two, complete with candles nearby for soft light.

MaKenzie came home and quickly saw through Logan’s façade. “What are you up too?” She asked suspiciously as he led her to the patio. Instead of answering, Logan smiled and pulled her seat out for her.

As they completed the meal, Logan took her hands in his. “MaKenzie, I’ve been thinking,” MaKenzie prepared herself for the worst. Logan felt her hands tense in his. “It’s nothing bad baby. I was just thinking that we should adopt. I mean, I know we have each other and your father, but our job can only take us so far. Plus family is way more important that work.”

MaKenzie was the queen of awkward silences. Even though Logan had spent his life with her, he still hated it when she sat there expressionless. MaKenzie could sense his discomfort and squeezed his hand. “Logan,” she began, “I’d love to.”

3.11 Career Change

Although she couldn't win a battle at home, at work, she was calling the shots. She had recently been promoted to Carnivorous Plant Tender and her superiors were watching her. Not only were they watching her, they were watching Logan.

Her work performance was top rate, even if she was her husband's superior, which is why she was confused when she was called into Gerry Sanderson's office.

"You asked to see me?" She said, walking into his office with purpose. "I have called you into my office to discuss your future with Landgraab Industries." MaKenzie's heart jumped into her throat. Was she being fired? "I've heard rumors that you have married one of the Carnivorous Plant Tenders. Is this true?" MaKenzie knew she couldn't lie, but she wasn't sure why they had waited this long to say something, "Yes Sir, we've been married for six years." Gerry looked around confused and hurt. "Look, I hate to do this to you, but you have violated rule number one of the fraternization policy. If Mr. Landgraab finds out you two are married, he'll have my head or worse, my job."

MaKenzie sat stunned. It wasn't until Logan flew into the office loudly that she realized she was still sitting with her hands folded. "Mr. Sanderson, I quit. Which means, MaKenzie is no longer violating anything. And you can keep your job and so can she."

MaKenzie looked from her grinning husband to her frustrated boss. After a pregnant pause Gerry spoke, "Ok, but don't let me see you around here again Logan."

3.10 Hung on the Past

MaKenzie spent hours alone in the orchard and it gave her plenty of time to think. Since she had been promoted to Lab Tech, she had been researching the pesticide chemical that had recalled hundreds of simoleons in food before she was born. She had recently ran a study in which she fed 200 test subjects large dosages of the chemical. After years of testing, and thousands of healthy test subjects, the SVDA deemed the scare a hoax and assured all Sunset Valley residents that the food from the market was safe.

For Makenzie, this was a double edge sword. On the high side, EverFresh Delights', which the Parkes' owned stock in, sales increased bringing more money in for the family. On the low side, even though MaKenzie herself tested the product, Jace refused to eat anything other than home grown produce or caught fish.

This was okay with MaKenzie, she'd cook with whatever was in the refrigerator. So as long as Jace kept it stocked, he would have his wish.

***

MaKenzie had always hated her family's house. It was nothing more than a tiny house with addition upon addition added to it as the family grew. As a teenager, MaKenzie was often mocked by her classmates by the state of her house. It was something she never forgot. MaKenzie wanted to talk to her father about demolishing the house and rebuilding, but she knew he was too attached to the house, and the past that his parents had built there, to ever accept her idea.

Today, she was feeling extra lucky as she approached her father after breakfast. "Dad," she said softly. Jace looked up from the chest of drawers, "Yes doll?"

A few silent moments passed between them as MaKenzie played with her sleeve. "I was wondering. If you would mind if. If you would mind me rebuilding the house."

Jace looked around the bedroom. "Well, what's wrong with it?" MaKenzie's heart sank, this was a loosing battle. "Nothing dad," she said trying to recover. But looking at the hurt in Jace's eyes she knew she had went to far. "Sorry dad," she whispered walking out the door.

3.9 Happily Ever After

Logan cornered MaKenzie in her office after work one day. “Hey Logan, what’s going on?” She asked, shuffling papers in her arms. "We need to talk?" MaKenzie asked sensing that the look on his face meant something was wrong.

Quietly, Logan moved towards her, his body shaking faintly. "I don’t think you’re flawed or broken, even if we can't have kids. I think you’re amazing. I can't keep going on like this MaKenzie," Logan said, pressing his lips against hers.

MaKenzie was unsure how to react. He never acted as if he had feelings for her. She could feel Logan’s lips firmly on hers and almost instantly kissed him back. Returning his passion. But this time, she felt it.


Unlike the first time, it was Logan who pulled away. But this time, Logan gazed into MaKenzie's eyes and pulled her back into a tight hug. Lifting his head slightly, he whispered into her ear,“Marry me Kenzie."

Tears dropped from MaKenzie’s eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Finally she felt relieved. Like everything in her life so far had pointed her to this point.

She was no longer mad at Gerard or Robert for hurting her. Her pain and tears were almost forgotten, if just for those few moments. Those were just hiccups in the larger picture.

Then she wondered why she hadn't seen it before when it had always been right there under her nose.

Jace, who was strongly disappointed that neither daughter had given him grandchildren, was ecstatic that his daughter was finally getting married. Even though she couldn't live a completely normal life at least she could have happiness.

It was Jace's idea that the two wed underneath the oak tree in the backyard. It was where his parents had wed, and he would be honored to have his daughter married there also.



With all the final plans in place, Logan and MaKenzie wed in the same place her grandparents had. Inside MaKenzie hoped that, although they wed under different circumstances, her and Logan could also have a strong and a healthy marriage. With those wishes in place, MaKenzie kissed her husband.

3.8 Old Flames

Logan stood across from a grieving MaKenzie, her eyes still red from tears. Inside he thought that if he ever saw Gerard again he would ring his neck. Logan longed to hold her close and kiss away her sorrow. However, he also knew it wasn’t his place. His place was her best friend, her companion, and in all their time knowing each other they had never really been more than that.

It stung Logan sometimes.
But right now she needed a friend, and Logan knew it. Instead, he tried to comfort her.

They would spend time hanging out at the bon fire or fishing together. MaKenzie had always truly enjoyed his company. He was her best mate. Closer than any boy friend had ever been. Closer than anyone had ever been. But after sipping the chemical that destroyed her ability to produce offspring, she noticed the way he walked and the way his eyes would sometimes linger on her.

Sometimes MaKenzie thought his glances lingered because he could read her soul. He knew that even though she swore she never wanted kids, there was still a part of her that wanted them. It didn't help that Jace would mention grandchildren when he thought MaKenzie couldn't hear.

And sometimes she thought she could love him back. But after their escapade as teenagers, Logan had lost interest in her. Although he never had any dates that lasted more than three months, Logan didn’t show any interest in her.

Plus now why would he?

3.7 Tears

MaKenzie found a strange comfort in her friend Logan. They had been through a lot since high school together but MaKenzie had always viewed Logan as the brother she never had. She always enjoyed their time together.

Half way across the globe, Gerard had prepped himself for the conversation plenty of times. He promised himself that when the time came, he would tell her. But every time she would call, he could tell she was happy. Happy to talk to him. He never understood it, but he had always wanted, needed, more than a phone. Truthfully, he had had more than a phone. But when Makenzie called sobbing he felt compelled to leave sooner than expected. To be with her. To be at her side. Gerard immediately boarded the next flight to Sunset Valley. And after his eyes met hers, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to tell her anymore.

Gerard found her alone, fishing in the pond. As he approached her, she turned to face him, dropping her pole to the ground. She looped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck.“Ican’thavechildren,” she sobbed. Gerard took a step back and held her at arm’s length, “Come again?" A loud sob escaped MaKenzie's lips and a heavy pause before she began speaking again. “I drank a solution at work. Long story short, it damaged my reproductive system. I can’t have children.”

Gerard stepped back in shock. He felt horrible on the inside but this was his chance. “MaKenzie, I’m sorry. I need more than a phone at night. You will not move to Champs Les Sims. I will not move to your disgusting city. I need someone there with me at night." Gerard could see his words were hurting her more. He wanted to stop, but he had to tell her everything. "MaKenzie, I'm married. I have a wife," he paused, placing his hand over hers, "a child."

MaKenzie stepped back, Gerard's words had become nothing more than blurred mumbles. She looked Gerard in the eyes, hurt written all over her face. Inside she was forming nasty insults and put downs. She slowly shook her head and turned before running away from him.

Returning home, MaKenzie found her father alone crying. "Your mom's gone," he said, burying his face in his hands.

3.6 Harmless Potion

MaKenzie sat at her desk peering at her computer screen but not getting any work done. She enjoyed her job, most of the time. It was hard to concentrate after Gerard’s phone call the previous night. Although she had doubted their relationship would last long distance, it had so far held up. Countless visits and hundreds of long distance phone calls later, they were still going strong and he was planning another visit. And hopefully a proposal.

She was a test subject at the local laboratory and usually, something was always happening. There was always some strange concoction to drink or shots to take, or the occasional freak that streaked throughout the office.
For the most part, the life of a test subject wasn’t hard. Sit around, drink or eat something that had the possibility of being dangerous, and cross your fingers and hope for the best.
Deep in thought, MaKenzie did not hear footsteps behind her. It was Alan, the cute lab tech. “Hey MaKenzie, Robert needs you down the hall. "

Makenzie got up from her desk and followed Alan down the hall towards the top secret lab tech’s work rooms.

Robert was waiting on MaKenzie to arrive. On the table were four cups with smoke rising. Robert brought a cup to her. MaKenzie closed her eyes and took a sip.

Most concoctions MaKenzie drank were harmless. Once she had turned into a tiger, complete with hairballs, but that was the worst she had encountered. Right now, MaKenzie felt sick, sicker than she had been ever before. She thought about quitting her job as she bowed over the toilet.

Jace entered the bathroom quietly, “MaKenzie, doll, are you okay?”

“Yes I am,” she whispered between dry coughs. Jace turned to leave when MaKenzie called out,
“Dad, call Robert. Tell him to come over.”

Robert walked around the bedroom observing MaKenzie. He felt her back and her arms; he looked exactly like a doctor should. “Well MaKenzie, it looks like the sickness will pass. The concoction did misfire. So the good news is you will be okay. The bad news is you can’t have your own children. The medicine destroyed your reproductive system.”

MaKenzie sat in her corner chair, stoic. She never thought about having kids before she just figured she would at some point. But now she couldn’t.

MaKenzie returned to work the next day. She was physically present but her mind was elsewhere. She was staring absently mindedly at the computer screen when her boss approached her. “MaKenzie, I have noticed your hard work and I want to promote you to Lab Tech. I had to pull some strings but I think you deserve it.” MaKenzie just smiled. Deep down she knew it was only a condolence effort.