After Winterfest ended for life resumed in its typical fashion, with one of Hazel's new interest, the toilet!
it makes since she has been potty training but that is also just gross and germ ridden, so no, says grandpa!
But look at that sorry face awww~
Who could stay mad at that little face?


Grandpa sure can't and there is nothing not to forgive, so hugging time now!


Even though its winter, the day was decent so Hazel got to have a small play date with Illana and Jesse.
They had a lot of fun in the snow, chasing each other and the snowflakes alike.

The break that Aubree and Declan had from high school until New years was over was very welcoming even if she is pouting over her empty sippy, Hazel was happy to spend more of the daytime with her mommy and daddy.

Blake was still hanging around that morning and was sad, Aubree did her best by showing him funny simtube videos to cheer him up.
It worked! Also, Hazel looks interested in her ghost uncle trying to figure out maybe why he was blue and see through!

Aubree was dressed up and ready to go somewhere but first a little lunch after feeding Hazel who was in a mood today as one may see by the state of the highchair she did not want to eat anything.
Just drink juice from her sippy, sigh, life with a toddler!

Still working on her baking skill Aubree made cookies in hopes Hazel might eat one of those.
Of course she would! 😉 Aubree called to make sure her appointment was still at the right time and then with a kiss left Hazel with grandpa.

Grandpa Reed was sure to distract the meltdown that came with the poor clingy dear when anyone left the house with dolls and jokes!

By the sheer love and joy on that precious little face, Reed is succeeding!~ <3

Of course after a playtime of dolls, horsie, rocket ship and airplane, Reed settles his little grandbaby down with a story, a cuddle and finally a nap!

Aubree gets back from her appointment and decides to do a little jamming, rocking her new hair color and outfit!

Young parents are expected to have issues especially since they are teens.
Aubree has been very emotional lately as well. She is going through a distant phase. And now, its not just applied to her parents but Hazel as well. She went to check/watch her toddler like a good mommy and it made her super tense. Oh dear, I think she is just really stressed out.
Down on the portraits, you also see Dec is sad, these emotions of sad, angry and tense is mostly from school but also a lack of emotional control. Despite this, they both still are loving and always caring towards Hazel but still life is hard.

Things don't get better as Hazel started waking up a lot in the night crying for mommy or daddy, she settles for her grandparents sometimes. Aubree struggled to get to work on time on her best mornings, so she got demoted. She comes home exhausted, tense and sad.

She would often trudge upstairs and instead of going to bed right away, she had a crying session. I just don't know how she thinks things are going to be "better" without her parents?

Nadia despite all their feuding is worried for her daughter, because no matter what, that is what Aubree will always be, her girl.
She turned to Reed for comfort and advice. Reed suggested what he has been looking into therapy, but Nadia shook her head saying she does not need therapy to be told how to be a mother.
Reed knows hedging any further will be futile, at least for now, so then he suggested that as a way to help Aubree is to just help Hazel, giving Aubs a break.
Nadia jumped at that idea since its the only thing she has got and teaches Hazel some flash cards.

While Dec watched Hazel home from his work, Aubree goes to make some certain plans happen!
Aubree goes to see the realtor about the trailer. She gives the 1,500 deposit (all the money in her account) Asking when they could move in?
The sleezy realtor said she needs proof they will be able to pay payments and directions them to a loan shark to get them a loan. (This chick is only sleezy cuz who does this for teens in this manner?).
Aubree takes pics of the trailer outside and inside to show Dec.

Dec goes home to visit his big brother, his wife, Vanessa and of course his nephew Rod who he gives a big hug!
They played void critters together since the 12 year old is super into those nowdays.
The Eos's set up a room for Hazel in their home so they can help watch her to take some of the stress off of the young parents.
And both of them STILL want to move away from all this support??!


Welp~ the teens are up and celebrating....... they are taking full advantage of the adults being asleep upstairs, they did get quite juiced, teens!
They also get very, very flirty!
And since the adults were still asleep, they went to go have a little fun messing around in the shower.


Of course having Aubree and Reed in the same house means a huge new years eve party!
Countdown to midnight and!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With a lot of gentle prods, distracting and disarming jokes and a winners smile, Reed gets Aubree out in the snow with him to build a snow-pal. Aubree loosened up around Reed, perusal or at least a lot faster then her mother now days.
Reed reminisced about how they used to do this alot, when Aubree was Hazel's age, with Blake.... (dead brother) and even with Yu (his nephew). He had Aubree laughing at all the different stories and memories.
"Hey Aubs?" the man packed another heap of snow on.
"Yeah, dad?"
Reed smile hearing the smooth ease in Aubree's voice it seem like an eternity since its been there. He hesitated for a second, he did not want to ruin this moment. Reed had a very tough obligation now since things spiraled between his wife and daughter. Making sure, neither were feeling rejected or neglected and delicately placing himself in a middle-ground yet asserting his opinions when need be. This was a tough task, very tough, since on top of that, he had to take Declan's outburst at him for reasons he could not comprehend as well as help take care of his darling granddaughter, yes it was all hard.
But worth it. For moments like these.
"I love you." his voice warm seem to cut through the chill of the winter air.
He did not try to tack on that her mother did too, or ask if she knew this. He just let the pure admittance of affection linger.
"Y-yeah, I know..." the girl stammered a bit the winter air not the only thing coloring her cheeks.
Of course Aubree knew this, she knew it well, but sometimes a well placed 'I love you.' just makes you... feel so good and loved.
They finished the snowpal together and then had some tea and cookies together before Aubree went up for nice long lavender soak. Her mind was buzzing. She forced herself to relax and vaguely listened to her mom telling Hazel a bed time story.
"I remember that book... I loved it." the girl murmured moving to wash up a bit, "and the bunny went hop, hop, hop hiding all the eggs and leaving flowers." she said almost in time with her mother yet to soft for anyone to hear.
A smile, came to lips. Sometimes in stressful times, it becomes hard to think of, to remember, the good things, the small things.
In that moment, Aubree allowed herself to dwell in good memories, connecting her and her mother to something positive for the first time, in a very long time.

In bed that night, she was half asleep, when she heard Reed sneak in and tuck her in. He had always been adamant in doing that somehow, a hug goodnight, a kiss, or even just "Sweet dreams Aubs." but tonight, he tucked her in like how she did her own daughter.
Aubree's face warmed again, mixed between teenaged embarrassment and pleased love.
The teen mom allowed herself to give into the latter.
"Thanks dad, hey?"
"Goodnight Aubs," her thanks was unneeded but appreciated, "Mmm?"
"I love you too."
"I know." he lent down to kiss her gently. "Sweet dreams."
"Dad?"
He only had just leaned away, "Yes?"
"Pass that message to mom, from me, okay?"
"Of course Aubs, I'll be sure to."
He pretended not to see her peeking over her shoulder at him or a quick grateful smile that flicked, before a yawn came. She snuggled down and Reed came out the door.
As much as he did not fancy being a go-between, this was important and too good of a step forward to fuss about. He smiled and went to relay the message everyone so badly needed to hear.
That love was still alive and thriving.

And with that sweet notion we will end the Adlers off here!