10.25 Failures accepted here

Deep down, Parker knew Portland was right. He had no right to come down on his daughter as hard as he did. But he couldn't explain why it scared him as much as it did. He'd spent his life keeping his children safe. Keeping them off the radar. Keeping himself out of the slammer. He had ran into Court before. Well, ran away from.



Portland flipped through the Sunday paper. "Parker," Portland said, looking over the paper at Parker who was fixing breakfast, "local mob boss found dead." Parker swore as he slammed the oven door on his finger, "What?"



"Local law authorities found Leland Currior, also known as the infamous bank robber Derik Wood, dead this morning at his home at 83 Landgrabb Ave. Authorities were alerted by his son, Manuel Stubbs-Wood, who found him unconscious in the kitchen floor this morning. He is survived by his son Manuel and two grandchildren. No foul play is suspected. His services," Portland stopped. "I'm sorry."




Before Portland could respond Parker began to speak, in a tone much chipper than he looked, "Morning Hon," Parker called as Riley poked her head out of her bedroom. "Shhh," she whispered, "come here."

In a it of fury, Parker quickly ripped his clothes off, "RAWR," he screamed letting the last bit of anger out. (See Note Below)

Portland had to commend him. She knew it pained him to have a father that would have nothing to do with him. And although she'd never completely understand the implication of his father's neglect, she knew he had learned a lot from his. That was apparent with his interactions with his own kids.



Riley looked from her father to the hodgepodge of things stacked against her wall. "None of this was here when you went to sleep?" Parker stared into her eyes. His expression hard yet loving. "None of it," Riley responded. "Do you think you can finish breakfast for me?" Parked asked. Without another word, Riley beamed and bounded out of the room.



Parker surveyed the objects. He was very familiar with them. He was pretty sure he had stolen at least one of them before. Being a thief made him observant. He knew were each piece came from. All the while he was attempted to keep Liam out of crime, he should have been focusing on Taylor. Parker kicked the flamingo, knowing that would be the first thing Taylor would fix.



Sure enough Taylor crawled out of bed hours later and stood the flamingo back up. "Where did this come from?"



Taylor let out a scream. "No where," she quickly responded, "I ummm, bought it. Yeah." Parker looked each piece up and down. "Really because that looks like Mrs. Dowell's flamingo. Your mom tells me it's missing." Parker eyed his daughter. Of all his children, Taylor was the worst liar. "I took them dad. I just had too. They," she looked around the room, "they spoke to me."

Parker knew what she was feeling. He felt it too. It was the reason he refused to tell his children about his work or past. But it didn't matter. "Taylor, you will return each piece this afternoon with a written apology to each proper owner. Taylor looked beat down. "Yes sir," she mumbled as Parker's conscience screamed "hypocrite."

___________________________________________________________
Note:
Yeah completely a joke. but if you look at the pictures you see he changes very quickly. So it's either one of two things, Parker decided to strip off all his clothes to go check on his daughters. Or I took the pictures at two different times but blended them into the story. Although the second theory is more believable, I want to go with the first one.

10.24 For what it's worth

Parker met eyes with Officer Court as soon as he entered the house. There was a bit of recognition in the glance, but Parker kept his cool as he relieved the officer. Once Officer Court was out of the house, Parker did the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.


"Do you know the seriousness of your actions?" Parker yelled at his daughter. Of course she wouldn't. She had no idea he was a infamous criminal. That the cops wanted to lock him up for the rest of her life.



"I don't know what was going through your head," he yelled as tears welled in Riley's eyes. She was the oldest. The perfect daughter. But he couldn't stop now. "You have put this family in danger Riley."


"Fa- Fa- Father," Riley mumbled. "No Riley. I don't think you understand what implication having that officer here means to this family."



Liam closed in on the two. He'd never seen his father hit anyone but the dummy in the back yard, but he'd also never seen his father this mad. Liam reasoned he could take him. After all he was younger and faster. That had to account for something right?



Unknowingly to everyone, Portland entered the room. She could feel the high tension. "Liam," she said freakishly calm, "find Gabby and usher her to bed. Riley, sweetheart, find Taylor and tuck her in. Head to bed yourself." The trio stared at each other without moving. "Now," Portland spoke.

After putting Taylor to bed, Riley sat in bed attempting to read. She could occasionally hear her parents yell. After pondering the night's events, Riley wondered if it was worth it. Riley smiled, of course it was worth it. Best of all, she finally made contact with Chad.

10.23 Friends in low Places

When he wasn't parenting, Parker took time to learn martial arts. He knew it would help him achieve that promotion faster.



His children were growing quickly. Parker had the wishes of all parents. To keep them as young as much as he could. It wasn't working and the family gathered around to watch Taylor grow up.



With Taylor, Parker aged. Even though he physically wasn't older, inside he felt the change.

Parker continued his life of crime. It was his biggest secret. Occasionally, it took him and his wife away from the house for the weekend. With a kiss for each child, Portland and Parker left for a trip that Parker hoped they'd come home from.

Oblivious to the danger their parents were in, Riley planned a rather large house party.



Riley's partner in crime was Ellen. Ellen had approached Riley earlier that day about a rumor of Riley's parents absence. Slightly higher on the teenage social food chain, Ellen was everything Riley aspired to be. She had beautiful features, the most popular friends, and she seemed to be a little bad ass. The party was mostly to impress her.

Ellen brought Lucas with her. Riley knew there was some connection between them; however, she knew it wasn't a family connection. Lucas had always bothered Riley. Something wasn't right about him. He was always quiet and moody. No where near as popular as Ellen.



Chad showed up too. Chad was Riley's secret crush. And just as Riley got a chance to talk with him, Sunset Valley's finest crashed the party.



The cops stayed long enough for Parker to get home. Lecturing Riley the whole time. Her party guests fled while Officer Court was tearing into Riley. But the officer's punishment was nothing compared to the talk she would get when Parker got home.

10.22 The groove

Portland didn't take his secrets lightly. She threatened to leave. Parker was adamant they stay. With him they had a chance. He'd take 1,000 beatings for them if it meant his family could be happy.



He'd hoped his absence hadn't effected them like his father's had him. So far, his daughters were taking everything okay. They had their mother's grace and wit. He worried about Liam, especially his desire of setting traps to the household faucets.

Parker pushed his career to the back burner. So far he was where he wanted to be. It was time to focus on his children.


He played ball with them.



Took camping trips.



He even encouraged imaginative play.



Even if it stumped him sometimes. He was the father he never had. And he enjoyed it.



Riley enjoyed art like her mother. It was nothing to see them painting together.

Parker enjoyed teaching Liam sports and training him.



But nothing was more important than school.

10.21 No more lies

There were many things he'd kept from Portland. One, the true reason he was at the museum that night; two, the real reason his mother had nothing to do with him; and three, what he really did at his job. Although the Don thought a kidnapping was the perfect hazing method, Parker thought it was ridiculous.



He returned home to a very pissed off wife, three children, and a crying toddler.
Liam, his only son, was very much the trouble maker his father was.



Gabriella, or Gaby, was very much like her father also. However, where her brother was a trouble maker, Gaby was very disciplined. If Parker hadn't fathered the other two of the twins, and seen a picture in his mother's family album, Parker would swear that Gaby wasn't his.



Riley was the youngest twin and although she was the farthest from her mother physically, she was the most like her mother.



"Portland," Parker whispered as he entered the house. "Where have you been?" Portland commanded, turning to face him. Her anger washed away as soon as her eyes fell on him.



Taylor was the baby. She was hardly taking her first steps something Parker knew he'd change.




"What happened to you?" Portland cried cupping his face. Portland met an emotional stone wall. Parker held her close, but there was nothing he wanted to talk about. "If you know what is good for you, for us, you'll start talking," Portland demanded with tears in her eyes. He'd heard that before. This time it meant something.



Her took her hands with his bloody hands, "Love, what if I told you I wasn't happy of what I've become. That there is nothing good about me." Portland looked into his eyes unsure of how to interpret his words. And one more time he recounted his life, this time he left out no details.

***
I don't have any good pics of Gabby at this age but she has the hair from Lexi in gen four.

10.20 Pure Stupidity

Parker was unsure what day it was, or how many days he'd spent locked up. Without a knowledge of time, he worried about his wife. He couldn't protect them from behind these iron bars. At least with him there they had a chance. Now his family was a group of sitting ducks.

His first few days he tried to get out. But his captors, whoever they were, had planned this well. He slept a lot now. There was nothing else to do. He'd rather be asleep than be tormented by his own thoughts. He was jerked by his slumber by the door slamming open. "Get up," voices commanded. Still half asleep, he felt his body jerked to his feet.


By time he opened his eyes he was walking down a long narrow hall. He was guarded on three sides by men. He couldn't recognize them, he dared not turn around.


They finally reached the end of the hall. The hall opened into a large room, just as desolate as the hall way. "He's ready," a single voice said, shoving into the arms of the Don. The Don leaned in, "I'm disappointed. I don't like to be let down." The Don shoved him to the ground.

From the ground, Parker couldn't see anything. "You left a very valuable thing behind," the Don hissed. "I really wanted that necklace." Parker's thoughts ran back to the heist where he almost got caught. "Pitty, I can't even trust a con artist to get anything." His voice was slow. Only adding to the suspense. "Don't let it happen," he croaked slowly before enunciating clearly, "again."


Parker laid on the floor. If he made it through today, he could make it though anything. Maybe even consider a different profession. "Get him," before the Don's last words were out, Parker felt the pains shoot through his body. He fought to protect his head and neck against the blow of their feet and sticks. The men taunted him.


Looking out of his arms, light flooded the room as the Don exited. All he had to do was make it to the door. But then what? They'd still follow him. His family would still be in danger. He wasn't sure he could make it really. He was ready to die when one last taunt reached his ears, "You're wife will look great under me."

Rage consumed Parker. He would not get away with that one. Parker rolled his body over and took a blow to his chest. However it was pure stupidity and sheer luck that Parker made it out of that room alive. He returned home to find a letter attached to his door, Great job, you've been promoted.

10.19 Round Two

Tensions ran high at the house. Between work and family, Parker was strung out. His job performance was dropping. Pissing off the Don wasn't something you wanted to do. Especially if you wanted your family alive and unhurt.

Never-the-less, Parker enjoyed being a father. If he wasn't teaching the girls to walk, he was teaching Trevor proper aim over the potty. He couldn't wait to teach them to play catch or ride bikes. He enjoyed spending time with all three of them.

He wasn't ready for Portland to approach him with the same familiar sickness and weight gain. "Are you serious?" Parker asked. "Portland, we can barely take care of the three we have now!" "Parker, I didn't impregnate myself!" Parker was about to retort when his phone rang.


"Harder," Parker said answering the phone. "I see. Yeah I'll be right there." Parker looked at his wife, just as tired as he was. "Portland, I love you. We'll figure it out. I have to go to work." He kissed her swiftly and headed out the door.

Portland woke to an empty bed for days. She was lonely without Parker home. He had these absences before, and even though she tried to rule it off as he was pulling extra hours at work, it was hard for her to believe. Even though Portland's body ached, she couldn't stay in bed anymore, the triplets were hungry.


Day in and day out Portland cleaned a clean house. She spent her time between each of the babies. Occasionally she'd paint, but with her thoughts of Parker away with another woman, her muse was dry.

Each day the maid would come to clean the already cleaned house. A waste of 125 simoleons if you asked her. But Portland kept her coming; it was nice to have an adult to talk too. Even if Portland knew the maid was laughing at her. Finally in the absence of Parker, Portland went in to labor.

Notes: Not sure what I was thinking... Triplets plus one... This should be fun.

10.18 When One isn't Enough

Parker and Portland returned home with not one, but three babies. It was almost enough to make any one else cry, Parker just beamed, "I suppose the baby room is too small."

It was true. The baby's room was designed for just one baby. Portland thought it would be easier to care for the babies if they were all together. That night Parker disassembled his exercise equipment and moved it into the smaller bedroom. The triplets now had a room to themself.

Portland felt better now that she wasn't hauling the extra weight around. Parker saw her in a different light. Not only was she beautiful but she was now the mother of his children. He wrapped her in his arms, "I think is time we make it official."

The wedding couldn't come fast enough for Portland. In addition to caring for the triplets, Portland made last minute preparations for the wedding itself.

On the night before the triplets aged up, as the sun was setting, Portland had her fairy tale wedding with her perfect prince.

Parker knew the best way to end a perfect wedding, he also didn't want to wait for Portland to come to bed.

Notes: Triplets? FML.