The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Sixteen: Renewal


Erik realized that giving them all a new start was just what was needed. The new place was larger, and they had a bit more space to expand. While the construction workers built the new place, he and the children were able to keep up their garden. Erik even grew bold enough to once again attempt to bond with his bees.
Again, it went wrong. The bees really seemed very angry with him, this time. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" He muttered as he swatted at them. "Stop it, that really hurts. Ow, forbidden words!" he shouted. He had gotten so used to substituting this phrase for the real forbidden words, it came naturally to him now. Bree could be heard saying "Spaghetti and meatballs," whenever she was annoyed. Kayleigh was fond of saying, "Oh, cheese and crackers!" Sometimes he heard one of his four Toddlers mimicking their mother, which made him smile. If only he could keep them from ever hearing the real Forbidden words. Wouldn't that be nice? But Erik didn't live in fantasy land. He knew he could only shelter them for so long.

Erik went off for his very full evening. Finally, well after ten o'clock, he stepped through the front door. He was bushed. Kayleigh was in the foyer awaiting him. Going to bed right off was no longer an option. He smiled, weakly at her. "Hi," he said. "You're up. Didn't expect that."
"Erik, I'm glad to see you're back. How did the concert go? The photoshoot and the filming? What's the name of the movie again?"
"Whoa, slow down. I'm on tactile overload," Erik laughed. "What's on your mind? I can always tell when you have something to tell me, you know." He winked.
"I am so glad you asked. I took a test."
"And … come on, don't keep me in suspense. Remember that tactile overload I mentioned?"
"Brace yourself. We're having a baby!"

"Again?" he barely kept from gulping. "But you just had one. How? Never mind, I know how wouldn't be the first time, either. Oi! I'm beginning to think I just have to look at you. And baby makes … two parents, five kiddoes. Eight, we're about to become a family of eight, what's the word I'm seeking. Staggering. Really, Kayleigh? You're on the nest again? You wouldn't be joshing me, would you?"
"Surprise!"
"Yeah, you got me on that one. Come here, I love you so much."

"So, are you as happy about it as I am?"
"Of course." He held her tight. "Maybe we should just go for an even dozen. They're said to be cheaper by the dozen, at least."

Shortly after giving him her Big News, Kayleigh left to check on the kids. Erik walked into the kitchen. Calming Chamomile tea. I need a cup. "Hurry up dratted machine. Why must you always take so long? Finally." He poured a cup and barely waited for it to cool down.Good thing record sales are up.

Not only was his family expanding, but so were his chickens. Erik went out to the chicken coop just in time to watch the hatchling break out of its shell. He carefully picked up the fluffy, soft puff of yellow and put it against his cheek. "Hi there, little fella."

So many things were happening, it was hard for Erik to keep up. He did manage to release another album, Hallelujah the title of his recent hit song. His children were growing and learning at a rate he could barely keep up with them. One really nice, sunny afternoon, he and Kayleigh packed them all up and went over to the Bramblewood. Of course, the Paparazzi and a few fans followed them. Erik was fine with that. He had slowly learned to trust them again. Many of them had posted on his Simstagram Account of how they felt about the break-in and for him to please not think all of his fans disrespected him like that. One, the president of the Erik Cantrell Fan Club even went so far as to write, "You give us your talent, your love and as much of yourself as any fan could desire. I happen to believe, and I know others who feel the same way, that you like any other Sim, deserve your private life, too. We are all so very glad you and your precious family are all okay. Take heart we will always love you. Thank you."
"Thank you," he wrote back.

HIs sister-in-law, Sandi showed up much to their surprise. She was quick to help Kayleigh coral the five Toddlers.
Although the group got to be a sizeable crowd, it felt normal to Erik. He had turned a corner, finally.


His kids loved the outdoors, and the way the eldest three walked together made him think they could possibly become a dance team. All in
perfect time with each other, all in step, too. Amazing.
Little Andrew was still a way off, unable to quite keep with the three-year-old and two-year-old twins.
Erik loved watching them. Jamison, Melody and Harmony stood together and chatted in their mumbo-jumbo baby gibberish. Odd, they seem to understand each other. Secret language?
Whatever it was, it was cute, he decided. Too bad you don't like each other much.
He felt blessed.

Another nomination came his way. Erik Cantrell found himself excited and just as equally gobsmacked. He kept to his ritual as it was a way of calming his pre-show jitters. How long can this go on? When will they decide I'm nothing more than a hack? A lucky hack, to be sure, but a hack all the same. He always fretted. I just write what comes into my head. For some time, now, at least the latest three Accolades, he was nightmare free. Sunday rolled around and it was a ridiculously hot day. Erik quickly changed out of his Sunday Best and headed for the pool.

He climbed to the top of the stone diving platform. Checking to get oriented once he stood several feet above the water, Erik then centered himself and concentrated on doing a backflip, which he hoped didn't backfire on him. A trip to the hospital would mean he would miss the Award Show. That wouldn't do at all, he was insatiably curious as to how long this winning streak might last. This would be his eleventh. Ready, he finally lifted himself off of the platform.

Smacking the water with a certain amount of precision made him happy. Then he decided to float on his back for a time. Shortly after he found his "calm space" his phone went off. It was Astrid calling to see if he wanted to come over and hang out with her, Joey and and the babies.
"Sorry, I can't. But thank you for jolting me. It's four-thirty already. I have to get out of this pool and get ready for tonight. Oh, be sure to tune in. You can then jeer at me later when I don't win."
"Ha-ha."

Erik must have changed his clothes three times and still he wasn't satisfied. He changed them again and went to Del Sol Valley.
"Okay, I'm outta here. See you when I get back. Kids, mind your mother and go to bed when she tells you to, do you hear me?"

"And now for bringing such aural beauty to ears around the world, Erik Cantrell has won the Starlight Accolade for Best Song!"
Erik stepped over to the microphone to accept the award. "To think I was nervous about tonight," he half-laughed, half sobbed. "Sometimes, it all seems like a dream. I really can't believe this. I am truly honored." Glancing at the award from time to time, he wiped an escaped tear by slipping a finger under the wire rims of his glasses. "I want to thank my wonderful wife, who by the way is on the nest again, just wanted to get that out there ahead of the tabloids." The audience chuckled a bit. "Yes, this makes baby number six. I swear every time I look at her … But I digress. Thank you to the Academy for nominating me again, to those who voted and to my incredibly understanding fans who have stood beside me through thick and thin. Thank you." Erik smiled and nodded awaiting the audience to quiet again before he went on. "Seriously, I hope to continue to write, record and play my music for those willing to listen for as long as I live. This kind of appreciation keeps me going." The music began to play in the background. Erik lifted the trophy above his head, saying "Thank you, and goodnight! I love you all. Kids go to bed!"