Oasis Springs – Sunday, January 7th, 2024
“They’re here!” the sound of the knocking on the door nearly made Eliana’s heart jump out of her chest. As soon as Mauricio got back to Oasis Springs, Eliana was given clear instructions: Plan a family dinner.
So she did. She cleaned the house, looked up a new recipe and sent a funny text in the family group chat to make sure the kids knew they were required to be here.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Eliana said as she buried herself between her son’s and his girlfriend’s face. Maverick was used to his mother over pouring her love.
Bianca was not.
(Dialog in orange will represent characters speaking Selvadoradian instead of Simlish)
But that did not stop Bianca from returning the love that Eliana graciously gave her.
Eliana turned to her middle son, Maverick, “Your father and brother are outside by the pit. Us girls are going to finish up dinner and call you inside when it’s ready.” Maverick sheepishly smiled at his mother’s command.
The two women retreated to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
“Bibi,” Christine greeted. She shifted in her seat as she tried to pull the weight of herself and her two bubbas around. Although Christine was only a few months pregnant, carrying two babies caused a lot of stress on her frail frame.
“Don’t even think about getting up!” Bianca smiled as she hugged Christine and took a seat next to her.
The three women chatted, mainly about Christine’s growing stomach and her shrinking bladder, as Eliana prepared dinner for The Olivares Family.
Over at the pit, the men talked about… surprisingly, the same thing.
“And last night she woke up three times in her sleep so I woke up three times too! One time she asked me to get her the ice cream and she literally fell back asleep with the spoon hanging out her mouth.” Maverick couldn’t tell if Mateo was complaining or not. Admittedly, it was strange to see his once playboy brother married and an expecting father to twins!
Maverick imagined what their youngest brother, Malachi, would say if he was here instead of away at Britechester. Probably “That’s the life you signed up for,” or “I can’t believe they’re letting you become someone’s dad.”
Mauricio chuckled, revealing in the similarities of what he went through three different times with Eliana. “Do you know what you’re having yet?” he questioned his eldest son.
“We do but she wants to keep it a secret and do a gender reveal.” Mateo shrugged. Mauricio did too and then turned to his second son.
“Anything new with you? You buy that ring yet?” Mauricio questioned. Maverick shook his head. Mauricio released a soft sigh. He was hoping that both his eldest sons would have settled down by now. Maverick and Bianca worked well together and Mauricio really liked Bianca. He always had.
He remembered when he first saw her in cadet training. Not only was she a phenomenal critical thinker, she was eager to learn and took no shit, so she advanced pretty quickly at the Oasis Springs Police Department. There was even a point in time where he thought that Bianca would surpass his own son, Mateo, and become the department chief just like he did before he retired.
Disappointed couldn’t even describe what Mauricio felt when he learned that Bianca had up and quit one random Tuesday afternoon. He even took it upon himself to pick up the phone and call her to see what was going on. He remembered her words perfectly, “I don’t think this is meant for me.” What a waste of talent.
“Dinner’s ready!” He could hear his wife call out to the boys. The family gathered around the table and did their prayers. Bianca wasn’t quite sure what Mrs. Olivares had whipped up in the kitchen but she made sure to basked in all the aromas before digging in.
“First meal of the year together ,” Eliana prefaced. Mauricio knew it was time.
“I have a case for us. High profile, international, multi victim, good payout. I think-“
“How long is this case going to take?” Christine interrupted.
“I dunno. Maybe a few months. Maybe a year. Maybe two. I can’t answer that.“
“Well, count Téo out. I can’t even tie my own shoes, how will I be able to take care of two babies by myself? I need my husband home with me more than ever.” Christine said. Mauricio couldn’t help but to agree. He understood that it was time for his son to step up and be the father and husband he promised to be.
“Well, son,” Mauricio turned towards Maverick, “that leaves you and me.” Maverick nodded his head yes. This wasn’t an usual request. He usually helped his father in his ‘side gig’.
“And Bianca.”
Maverick furrowed his brows. Bianca? Bianca knew of the family business but never had she partook in their business dealings.
“Me?” She questioned.
“Yeah, now with Téo out, there’s an open spot on my team. You were always a great investigator and there’s going to be plenty of money going around. This seems like the perfect time to get you involved in the family business.” Mauricio reasoned.
Bianca was still jobless since she abruptly quit the force. Money was tight. Just to get by, she had taken on odd jobs and small loans from her mother. It would be nice to have a little change in her pocket. And this wasn’t real police work. From her understanding, she didn’t have to carry a weapon or chase anyone down. She wouldn’t mind just doing a bit of investigative work.
From the corner of his eye Maverick could see his girlfriend considering the offer. “I don’t think this is a great idea.” He finally said.
“Why not?” Mauricio challenged. The sound of crickets filled the air as the unspoken truth suffocated the family.
Even if Bianca had been shacking up with Maverick for years, was loved by his entire family, invited to each summer vacation, was nearly fluent in Selvadoradian, in the holiday photos, and was on the family cell phone plan, she was just girlfriend. Maybe one day in the future they would be married and popping out babies like Christine and Mateo, but today was not that day. Bianca was not an Olivares.
“I’ll do it.” Bianca smiled.
“Good girl.” Mauricio said. Bianca could hear the smile in his voice.
Olivares or not, Bianca was on the case.
The kids didn’t stay around much longer after dinner. According to Mateo, he had to make sure his wife was showered, fed (again), and given her nightly foot massage before 9 P.M., and they were severely behind schedule. And Maverick couldn’t seem to shake his attitude and stormed out of the Olivares Residence and Bianca chased after her boyfriend.
Eliana decided to clean up the kitchen as her husband sulked around.
“Honey,” he finally said as he approached his wife. He thanked her for the well made dinner and the clean kitchen was a kiss. “What’s his problem?“
“You’re rushing him.” Eliana explained. It was simple to her. “He wants to figure things out on his own.”
“And he can do that but we are going to need help. Bianca is more than capable of handling this case on her own.” Mauricio truly believed that. He seen her drive, her intelligence, her work ethic and her stamina. She was an ace.
Mauricio was bothered that Maverick never pursed police work like he did. It felt like his own son was too scared to pick up a gun and put on a badge. How could a man watch his own father and older brother enroll into the academy and not want the same for himself?
“If Maverick would stop having hissy fits, he would see that this more than his little boy problems.” Mauricio explained. Mauricio whipped out his phone.
“What are you doing, my love?” Eliana questioned.
“I’m telling that asshole to knock it out and get it together.” Furiously, Mauricio punched away at the screen on his phone. Eliana was sure that if he tapped it any harder he would crack the screen.
“How about you put your phone on the charger and get ready for dessert.” Eliana smirked. Mauricio pushed his phone back into his pocket and ran upstairs to the bedroom. Eliana knew the best way to calm a man down was to give him a sweet treat after his meal and tonight Eliana had the warmest pie.
miss moodring musings 
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