Ch. 5: Heck Yes "I Do"

Derrick was both afraid and eager to propose to the beautiful pizza-delivering love of his life, Lauren Reeves. On his way home from work that very evening when he was going to pop the question, he picked up the engagement ring that he was going to use to entice Lauren into matrimony. He had ordered it the day before from a jewelry store about 3 blocks from the hospital. He picked the best-quality diamond that he could afford, and the store was kind enough to accommodate his budget. He kept the ring in his pants pocket, so that he won't accidentally leave it behind when he met with Lauren. That would be disastrous!

He planned to take Lauren to her favorite restaurant, Bernard's Botanical Dining. Before his big date, Derrick first took a shower & then a short nap. His long hours as a paramedic and nursing classes he's been taking at the hospital have really cut into his free time, namely Lauren-time. He'd been spending most of his non-working hours sleeping, which annoyed him. He called Lauren up as soon as he woke up.


"Hey sweetie, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing to write home about. I'm on my way to deliver a vegetarian pizza to the Walshes on Corkpike, which I guess is very unusual."

"Why unusual? I don't think I've met those people."

"They're a VERY rich family here in Finnland. Everyone who's talked to them or passed by their house knows that they're completely motherloded. I don't remember them ever ordering pizza before because Mrs. Walsh is a homecooked food freak."

"Oh, I see...I'm just calling to see if we're still on for tonight! I have some surprise good news!"

"Really! Well, I sure would like know what's going on in that head of yours, since I haven't talked to you in about 20 hours! I miss you."

"I miss you, too."

"You can pick me up at work in about 25 minutes. See you!"

Derrick showed up on time for his date, of course. He didn't tell Lauren where they were going to have dinner. When the cab dropped them off at Bernard's, Derrick greeted Lauren with a passionate smooch.


"Ooh..you're extra frisky tonight," Lauren remarked. "Your surprise news isn't about you getting an energizer, is it?"

"No, no, it's a tad much better than that! C'mon, let's eat!"


"Oh, Derrick! You took me to Bernard's Botanical! I could never afford to dine at this place--and neither could you! I hope you got some sort of cash bonus at work, because I'd hate to think that you're spending all your savings on dinner."

"Don't worry about nonsense like that. I just wanted to take you to this place that you love, since you know...*mumble**cough*I love you*cough**mumble*. But Lauren heard him!


They were such a sweet couple at dinner, holding hands and all that junk. "So, what's the surprise, Derrick? I need to know!"

"Well, I don't know how interested you'd be in this, but it should have a great effect on the quality & quantity of our dates, he he. I didn't tell you, but I've been studying to be a nurse at the city hospital. They've been training me for free because I agreed to keep working there for another 6 months. I'm finally getting my nursing credentials tomorrow!"

"That's wonderful! I love that all those long hours you're working are actually getting you better jobs. You deserve it. So, when do you start being a nurse?"

"Tomorrow as well. Of course, I get a bonus with the promotion. So, you needn't worry about my spending habits. I'm very frugal. I haven't even bought any fancy-schmancy flooring for my house! I do hope you don't think less of me now that I'm going to be a murse."

"No way."

"Whew! That's a relief, especially since...(takes out the little jewelry box)"


*Gasp* "No way!" exclaimed Lauren.
"Yes way!"
"What the..."


"It's so shiny! Derrick, this is the most dazzling thing I've ever seen!"
"I'm glad you like it."
"I love it! I love YOU. Oh...and...I accept!"
"Yippee! We're getting married!"


Derrick asked Lauren what she wanted to do next. She wasn't shy about wanting a little somethin' somethin'. So they went back to Derrick's place to do a lot of somethin' somethin'.


*Ahem*


Lauren was ready to get married any time. She was even poorer than Derrick, so it's not like she needed any time to pack or shop for stuff. They couldn't even afford to throw a small party. They agreed to marry on Derrick's next day off, which was 2 days later. They got the postman to sign the marriage papers as a witness.


"I love you, Derrick."
"I love you, Lauren."

Lauren brought in a mere $1000 [I read that there's a bug of some sort and they don't really bring in anything, but I didn't check] & 3 maxed out skills: Charisma, Body, & Creativity. She is a Family sim who wants to marry off 6 children. (Derrick is also a Family sim, and he wants to graduate 3 children from college).

Lauren is a Cancer, sloppy [3], outgoing [7], lazy or active depending on her mood [5], very serious [1], and nice [6].

The newlyweds have decided to postpone their honeymoon until who-knows-when. Their first priority is to build a more suitable home for raising little Elunes.