While Dub is in Oasis Springs with Dwight, Maia starts chatting with the interior designer about the new house. They review some of Maia and Dub’s favorite colors and discuss a theme that involves bringing the outside in with nature-inspired colors and an array of house plants. The more they chat, the more excited Maia gets. The designer gathers everything they discuss and promises to send some 3d renderings and design plans by the end of the day.
Maia picks Tambara up from her playmat on the floor.
Maia: *to Tambara* You’ll have your own bedroom soon, my little Tadpole.
Tami snuggles against her mother, which makes Maia’s face light up with love for her daughter. Maia sits on the couch, holding Tami in her arms with buds of joy blooming within her thoughts.
Maia’s Thoughts: Is this what happiness feels like? I know I deserve this, and won’t let my mind fool me into thinking I don’t. I deserve to have my daughter in my arms and Dub by my side. I know this feeling won’t last forever, but it’s here now, and I will relish it. I’m happy, content, and in love, and I deserve to be!!
Maia’s smile broadens as she lifts her daughter to her breast for another feeding. She wishes she could remember if her mother nursed her. Most likely not because of the medications her mother probably had to take. Of course, she could ask her father – then she’d know for sure. But Maia decides that she doesn’t want the truth. Instead, she is content to imagine her mother holding her, nursing her, and afterward lovingly cradling her against her shoulder. Standing here with Tami makes Maia feel closer than ever to the woman who birthed and nurtured her in her early years.
Meanwhile, in Oasis Springs, Dwight stands up with sore knees and a tense back. He searched as long as he could, but the plumbite gem has eluded him. Dwight hates to disappoint Dub but has no choice. As he leaves the cave, he promises himself that he will not give up completely, no matter what. He’ll be back as often as it takes to find a rare gem for Maia’s ring.
I can tell from the expression on Dwight’s face as he emerges from the cavern that he did not find the gem.
Dwight: I did my best, but no luck. I’m so sorry, Dub. I know you want that ring.
Wade: It’s all good. You tried! I can’t fault you for anything.
Dwight: I haven’t given up! I’ll return as many times as I need to until I find it.
Wade: Well, if you haven’t given up for good, I won’t either.
Unlike the drive to Oasis Springs, where we rode the entire way making small talk, the shared disappointment that we feel on the way back to Brindleton Bay opens up a connection, making conversation easy. Dwight finally confirms that he and Bri are married. He tells me they decided to marry soon after meeting, but Bri kept it secret to avoid judgment from family and friends that could come from such a quick decision. But I tell Dwight I can understand what it’s like to feel strongly for someone soon after meeting. Dwight also reveals that he and Bri are looking to move to a bigger house in Copperdale so they can start a family. This revelation prompts me to share what having Tambara has been like for Maia and me. I proudly tell him that I wouldn’t give up fatherhood for anything in the world.
I’m happy to say that I consider Dwight a friend when he drops me off in front of my house.
I enter the house hoping to see the beautiful faces of Maia and Tambara, but instead—Clyde is standing there waiting for me like we’re an old married couple.
Clyde: Where have you been? How could you leave Maia alone with a new baby?
Wade: I didn’t—you’re here.
Clyde: You know what I mean!
Wade: Do I? Where is Maia and Tami?
Clyde: They’re upstairs. Maia’s putting Tami down for her nap.
I walk towards the kitchen. If we’re going to discuss this, I want to be sitting down.
Wade: Did anything happen while I was gone?
Clyde: No, but that’s not the point. I find it odd that you’d disappear for an entire day.
Wade: If you must know – I was trying to locate an engagement ring gem. But not just any gem, something as rare and unique as Maia is.
Clyde looks like someone who has swallowed their tongue for a moment or two before responding.
Clyde: Yeah? You’re going to ask her to marry you?
Wade: I want to. I’ve wanted to for a while.
Do I detect some emotion in his eyes?
Wade: I know asking you for her hand in marriage is outdated, but I do want your blessing. I want our engagement to be a happy occasion for all of us. But, I know you don’t like me, so I understand if—
Clyde: *interrupts* I don’t dislike you, Wade.
Wade: You don’t? I mean, because I can’t tell.
Clyde: *reiterates* I don’t dislike you. But this is my daughter that we’re talking about. I was never gonna let just any fool pull my daughter in and use her in any way he wanted. You have a daughter now; you’ll see what I mean soon enough. But I know now that you’re not that type of guy.
Wade: I’m not. I would never hurt her. I promise.
Clyde: I know, I have eyes. I see how much you love Maia and that baby. And you come from a good family. *short pause* You have my blessing, Wade. Maia is in good hands with you.
Wade: We’re in good hands with each other.
Clyde: Yeah, I agree.
Wade: Thanks—
I pause and consider calling him ’dad,’ but it doesn’t feel right yet. I think that would be taking things too far – for now.
Wade: – Clyde. I’m going upstairs to see how Maia and Tami are doing.
Clyde: You do that. They’ve missed you.
I go upstairs to check on Maia and the baby, but not even five minutes pass before we hear the fire alarm downstairs. Maia hurries to the kitchen to see what’s happening, and without even thinking about it, I grab Tami and take her outside. Clyde is already out there in complete panic mode.
Clyde: Where’s Maia? Where’s my daughter?
Firefighters Burns and Gardewi arrive in record time, but Maia practically has the fire out by then. The firefighters investigate the scene and conclude that the waffle iron is the cause of the fire. After hearing that, Clyde admits that he tried to help by cooking some waffles after I left the kitchen, but the thing overheated and caught fire. The important thing is that the dangerous situation is over, and we’re all alive and safe. I take Tami back upstairs after the firefighters have left.
I place Tami back in her crib, then turn on my recording equipment to start another video for my channel.
Wade: *in front of the camera* What’s up, SimTube? It’s your boy Dub. I’m back to update you on what life’s been like with a new baby girl. I can sum it up in one word – disgusting. *laughs* Yep, I’ve been spit up and peed on. But I say it with a smile on my face. I’m not upset because I know these are the badges of fatherhood, and I wear them proudly.
Wade: *continues* I grew up on a farm, and part of my duties was cleaning the cow shed. I hated every minute and despised my Dad for making me do it. I can’t even count the number of piles of poop I accidentally stepped in during that time. I ruined so many pairs of sneakers. But it was a sacrifice I had to make because our cow, Cocoa Puffs, needed me to keep her environment clean so she could stay healthy and thrive. It didn’t matter if it was my birthday or a holiday — there were never any days off. I didn’t appreciate it then, but now I see that my Dad was teaching me the selflessness it takes to care for something other than yourself. Now, those same things apply to my daughter. Caring for her will probably ruin every pair of pajamas and favorite shirt I own before it’s all said and done. But I’ll wear those spit-up and pee stains with pride because I know I’m doing what it takes to ensure she grows healthy and happy. It will be worth it.
Clyde ascends the stairs just as I’m ending my video.
Clyde: Is this what you do for a living – stand in front of a camera and talk to yourself?
I ignore the interruption, and make a note to myself to edit it out later.
Wade: *concludes* – so all you fathers out there, don’t shy away from the dirtier jobs that go with fatherhood. Wear those badges proudly! Your children will appreciate your sacrifices in the end.
Clyde eventually steps away, and I sit down to edit and post the video.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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