Baby 48 and 49: Friends are always there when you need 'em

Thank you Izzi456 (or Izzi654) for the Countessa Vintage dress.

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I didn't really know much about Luke Lockhart except for some gossip, which really wasn't all that much nor was it surprising.

• He's very good looking
• He only dates the prettiest, richest women 
• He's currently SINGLE!

I looked him up on the Internet and some of his modeling photos came up.

The gossip was definitely right about one thing, he was unbelievable good looking (and well built).  Maybe I'd be able to convince him to just give me his autograph.  There's no way in a million years he would want to participate in the challenge with me.  NO WAY.  Anyway, I knew one of his signatures was worth well over 5 grand!

I told Mason which riled him all up.

"Holy cow mom!  Do you how much my friends would give to just shake his hand let alone one of his signatures?  I have to go!  I bet you could use your charm to get him to do whatever you want!"

Hmmm, not a bad idea....

The morning of the race, I packed veggieburger sandwiches and some fresh fruit from the garden for my little outing with Mason.

Before we left I said good-bye to my little baby.

"Bye sweetie, be good for your sisters."  I told him.  He just giggled and tried to grab my hair.  Mason and I were about to leave when I made a last minute decision to change my outfit into something more outdoorsy.  Mason just groaned (boys, they just don't understand do they?).

The race was starting across from, city hall and it was scheduled to end there too, at 6.  Again, this race wasn't a "real" race.  It was more like a friendly photo shoot around town.  Apparently, Luke Lockhart had thought that Sunset Valley was the most beautiful town (and how could I not agree?). 

When we got there Mason ran off with one of his friends from school (was his name Garrett?).  So much for out mother/son bonding time... oh well.  I picked a nice shady spot to settle down and eat my picnic lunch.  It was nearly noon.  My cell rang at 12:34 (ha!  1, 2, 3, 4!).  Mason was going to go home with Garrett after the "race" for a sleepover.  I told Garrett's mother that I would drop off Mason's sleepover stuff later that day.

I hung up and was about to reach for a sandwich when I noticed a shadow coming up to me.

"Dessie!"  I exclaimed.

We hugged.  Destiny Rose was a fellow challenge mother.  Her son (Duncan Rose) had participated in my challenge and my son (Saffron Smith) in hers.

"How are Calista and Connor?  I haven't seen them in so long!"  Calista and Connor were the twins that Destiny had with Saffron.

"They're doing great.  They recently moved out and I think they're transitioning to adulthood very well."

"Are you here to see the race too?"

"Yeah, well, actually, I was going to see the beginning and then go home, but I think I've changed my mind. I haven't seen from you in soooo long!  How are you?  How are the kids?  Is the Simon thing finalized?  I've heard some tidbits about it but I wanted to come to the most reliable source."

"Woah, Des, way to many questions at once.  Okay, first of all I'm doing pretty well, I'm almost to fifty in my challenge and the kids are doing great.  My son Mason ran off on me to be with his friend so I'm sure he isn't missing me.  And with Simon... do you have to ask?" I grimaced.

"Oh sorry Cal, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, that's just me being curious.  I'm just worried about you, that's all."

"No, no it's fine."

I told her every detail about my last phone call with Simon and how I needed a break and how I thought the relationship would work and how I had hung up on him.  When I had finished I was close to tears but I didn't want Destiny to know.  Of course, friends will be friends.

"Calista, hey... what's wrong?  I'm sorry if I upset you."  She pulled my in for a comforting hug.

"Let's just stop talking about it and eat some lunch.  I'm starved!  What ya got in that basket of yours?"  I managed to smile at her enthusiasm and everything went uphill from then.  We agreed, no talking about... you know.

Finally, the "race" was about to start.  Destiny and I filled an empty space within the crowd.

"Oh my plumbob!"  Destiny squealed.  I looked in the direction of her finger.  There was the famous Luke Lockhart from the flyer.  He was even more handsome in person.  I just wished he wasn't wearing that outfit....

"He's... wow."  That's all that managed to escape my breath.

"I know!  But he's totally off limits to date.  He would never fall for a couple of small-town girls like us."

"You really think so Des cuz you're pretty hot.  Men fall for you.  I'm sure he'd at least give you an autograph."

"Oh, I got it!  You should totally ask him to be the next father for your challenge."

"What?!?  Why not your challenge?  You said it yourself, he would never fall for a 'couple of small-town girls' like ourselves.

"Oh forget what I said Cal.  Okay, so you probably won't be able to date him or anything but I'm sure he'd love the publicity if you had a kid with him.  It can't be hard to get someone like him to get in bed with you for a few minutes to conceive a baby no prob....  Or you could do it the way I do it if you're really that uncertain (IVF)."

"Ugh, no.  I hate needles.  And doctors.  Fine, when I get the chance I'll ask him.  After the race okay?"

"Promise?"

I groaned.  "Promise."

Destiny and I watched the "race" and took some awesome pics.

At about 8:30 the "race" had ended (2 hours too late) and the crowds had started to die down.  Even the paparazzi was packing up.  Destiny had gone to the bathroom and I was watching Luke Lockhart take some photos with last minute stragglers.

I really wanted to just make a run for it and go home but a promise was a promise.  And I really did want Luke in my challenge.

I got up and stood where I was for a minute.  Suddenly I felt someone push me forward and I jumped.

"Ahh!"  I cursed a bit.

"Haha, gotcha.  Now GO.  ASK.  HIM."

I didn't protest.

Hesitantly I walked up with Destiny behind me, her camera poised and ready.

"Excuse me, Mr. Lockhart?  Could I get a quick picture with you?"

"Sure."

I blushed and stood next to him.  His arm worked it's way around my waist lightly resting on my hip.  I wasn't sure what to do with my arm so I just hung it in midair behind his back.  I usually wasn't this awkward around men, considering the fact that I had slept with quite a few, but something about Luke was just intimidating.

Destiny took her time (purposely I assume) with the pictures.  Even Luke Lockhart started getting restless.  After ten minutes (she had to switch cameras during that time because the first camera "broke") Destiny got a decent enough picture and Luke Lockhart released his grip on me (quite quickly I might add, did I smell?).

"Hey...." he started to say.  My heart lifted slightly.

"Yes?"

"Are you Calista Smith by any chance?  The 100 Baby Challenge mother?"

"Oh."  My face fell for a millisecond but I held it back up quickly.  "Yes, I am.  Were you--?"

"No... just wondering.  I've met your mother, Katherine Smith?  Her business sponsored one of my events in Porthaven.  She told me about you."

"Oh."  I said, trying my best not to look mortified.  Mom told him about me?  I was going to have a word with her.

"Don't worry, it was nothing embarrassing."  He grinned.

"My my, thank goodness for that!"

He immediately put on his formal face, cold and polite.  "I'm sorry to take up so much of your time Miss Smith.  It was lovely meeting you."

"No.  Um, wait!"

"Yeah?"  A hint of a smile glinted in his beautiful blue eyes.

"Would, would you like to participate in my challenge?"

"Your baby challenge?"

"Uhh, yeah."

He paused and I felt like an idiot.  Then a big smile grew on his face.  "Yes, yes I would.  Thank you for asking.  I'll pick your up tomorrow?"

"Sound great!"  I agreed.

As we left the park for home, Destiny looked absolutely shell-shocked.  "Your turn."  I teased.

That night I showed the kids my autograph from Luke Lockhart.

"Is he really as hot as he is in the pictures?"  Amber asked.

I nodded, "Hotter."

Penelope and Amber squealed excitedly.  Then I went to kiss baby Matthew goodnight and got ready for bed.  Tomorrow would be an... interesting day.

The next morning I showered, shaved, and put on my best looking dress (as well as some nice underwear).  I didn't want to look all crummy in front of a celebrity like him.

He picked me up at nine on the dot.  We went to the hotel he was staying at.  It was a really nice one on the edge of the town.

We stood there silently until he finally said, "Well, shall we proceed?"

He seemed nervous but that seemed silly to me since he was so famous and had probably done this with much prettier, richer, and more famous people than myself.

"Yes."  I replied quietly.

"Um, maybe we should take it nice and slow."  I suggested as he took my hands in his.

"Yes, great idea."  Then he came closer to me, bent his head down and started kissing me.

Luke Lockhart, the famous racecar driver, was kissing me in his private suite.

Then he stopped and closed his eyes.  Then his intense gaze caught mine.

"Calista, I know we just met, but I feel something between us.  Something stronger and beyond this challenge."

Oh my.

His hand caressed my cheek while his other traveled from my waist to my neck.

Then he pulled me in for another kiss.  Heavily this time.

"I think we should go into my room."  He said, after we had pulled apart for a breather.

I smiled in agreement and he led the way.

"Wow, your room is beautiful, just like the rest of your suite."  I complimented.

"Thanks, but we're not here to discuss my room."  He murmured as he grabbed my hand into his and pulled me into him.  "I think we have other business to do."

He embraced me and we started undressing each other.  I trembled and fumbled, gosh, I was just as nervous as he had seemed.  Maybe I should have just done the IVF procedure like Destiny had suggested.

We fell onto the bed (me stumbling, him graceful) and you know what happened after that.

To my surprise, he really did seem nervous.  It was like improv rather than a set script.

I convinced myself  that he was probably just acting the entire thing to make me feel better.

Whether or not it was acting I knew one thing, it was amazing!

Unfortunately, I assumed that he was bored of me (although he didn't act bored).

When we were finished I started getting up to put my clothes back on when he set his strong hand over mine.

"Calista, I would love it if you would stay a while.  I really want to get to know you."

My heart fluttered and I nearly swooned so I crawled back under the covers.  His amazing eyes looked back at me with the most loving expression.

So I laid on the bed with him (forgetting about putting my clothes back on accidentally on purpose) and told him everything: my family, the challenge, Destiny and her challenge, my kids, and even a little about Simon (although I definitely didn't go into detail about him).

Every so often he would stop my talking for a kiss or another woohoo and how could I resist?  He was always touching me in some way too; holding my hand, playing with my hair, running his hands down my legs and arms, and just holding me in an embrace or a hug.

He sent shivers down my spine and made me feel like how I had with (pause) Simon.

I knew this was probably just a "one-time thing" so I relished every moment of it.  This was a time I would never forget. 

Luke dropped me off late that night, about eleven.  Luke (he let me call him that, he said that Mr. Lockhart just didn't fit him) was so sweet.

He gave me a bunch of pale pink flowers before he left.  I thought back to what had happened at his place.  He really seemed interested in my life and he told me all about his.  About his family, his career, how he became famous.  He told me everything that the gossip sights never mentioned.

And with a quick kiss and a squeeze of my hand he got back into his limo and drove away.  It was a great last impression.

I set the bouquet on my dresser.

The next morning I said, "Well, I guess it's time for everyone to age up today, am I right?"

Penelope and Amber were shocked!

"I'm going to put on my best dress!"  Penny shouted as she ran up the stairs.

Amber ran after her yelling, "Not if I get it first!"  I laughed at their antics and went to go get some cakes for the party.

Amber and Penelope found compromise outfits in which neither of the girls wore the dress that they had both wanted to wear.  All the older kids aged up perfectly.

Baby 44, Amber, cut her hair in a cute, short cut.

Her twin, Penelope Smith kept her hair long.

Mason aged into a handsome teen and was already growing his much anticipated facial hair.

Finally, it was time for baby Matthew to become a toddler.  I was so excited as he "blew" out his candles.  This was a much anticipated moment for everyone.

I wouldn't say I was disappointed but I was a little annoyed that my genes were always much more dominant than the fathers of the challenge.  Matthew did age up into a cute toddler with messy blue hair and happy green eyes.

Our family photo.  I realized we hadn't had one in a while.

"Bye mom!"  The girls were leaving to move out to their new house across town.  I would miss them.

Throughout this pregnancy, our little family just did our normal things.  Teaching Matthew his skills, working on homework for school, and making sure the baby (or babies!) inside of me was growing healthy and strong.

A few months into the pregnancy, I invited Destiny over.  She couldn't believe it when I told her that I was indeed pregnant with Luke Lockhart's baby.

"No way!"  She shrieked impressed.  We hung out a bit.  It was really fun.  We watched a few movies and talked a lot.

"So, Calista.  It there anything you'd like to talk about."  Destiny cleared her throat.  I knew what she was getting at: Simon.

"Um... no?"

"I think you should at least call him and apologize.  From what I've heard, you wouldn't let him say anything during your last talk with him so I think you should let him say what he wanted to say."

"I know, but now that I think of it, I was so harsh on him.  Do you think he'll forgive me?"

Destiny sat up.  "If he's as in love with you as you say he is, of course he will forgive you."

"You think?"

She nodded.

"I guess I could once the baby is born it's just that..."

"It's just that what?"

"Well...."  I wasn't sure house to phrase what I wanted to say exactly.  "I might possibly be..."

"Falling for someone else?"  Destiny suggested.

I took a long pause.  "Yes," I finally admitted.

"For...?"  Destiny prompted.

"For... Luke.  But I know nothing can happen between us because he'll be leaving in a few days."

"Oh Calista, I'm so sorry...."

"It's fine."  I reassured her.  Then I added, "I'll... call Simon"

"Okay, but make sure I'm there when you do it.  You can't pull your way out of this one."

"Whatever you want, boss."  I sighed.

The next morning, Destiny got ready to go.

"Thanks Des, for being here with me.  Come over when the new baby comes and I'll call him."

"Alright.  Well... bye."

"Bye."

I was playing with Matthew as I thought of what to ask Simon.  Matthew did not notice my lack of focus on what he was doing.

"I making a snake!  Sssss!"

"That's the sound a snake makes, isn't it?"  I threw out there.  I felt bad for my lack of concentration.
"Mommy hiss."

"Hiss."  I said unenthusiastically.

He giggled, "Mommy, you're funny!"

The due date was here and I got ready for the birth.

Out came baby 48, a girl I named Levona Lee, after Luke's mother.

Twins!  Baby 49, a boy.  I chose to name him Jason Isaiah, after Luke's father.

The morning after the birth of the twins, Destiny came right over to make sure I called Simon.  I was so nervous.

"It'll go great Callie, just breathe in and out.  Remember, it's just a phone call, not a death sentence."

Her reassurance didn't help much.

My hands shook as I picked up the phone and dialed Simon's number.

"Hello?"

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FAMILY UPDATE

So we left off at Amanda, baby 39.  After settling down with a job she met Layton Pince.  He has dark blue hair and soft purple eyes.

Amanda and Layton had a little boy named Landon.  He had his father's dark blue hair and had somehow gotten unique dark teal eyes.

Keaon met a woman by the name of Catherine Lonsen.  She had dark purple hair and dark green eyes.

Keaon and Catherine had a little girl named Katie.  She had my blue hair and my father's green eyes.

Reginald, Destiny, and Kimberley (babies 41, 42, and 43) had it all cut out for them.  They moved into the house next door to mine with all the money that they had won in the lottery.  Kimberley married Teal Greene.  He had blue skin, eyes, and hair.

Reginald married Lavender Sweet.  She had purple-pink hair, eyes, and skin.

Kimberley and Teal had a little girl named Raina.  Reginald and Lavender had twins, Roland and Rose.

My three new grandchildren.  Raina had her father's blue hair, his blue skin tone, and grey eyes.  Roland had his mother's purple skin tone, her hair, and his father's blue eyes.  Rose had her father's regular skin tone, his blond hair, and his blue eyes.  She was the female version of Reginald!

Amber and Penelope bought a cute little house in the suburbs of Sunset Valley.  They met brothers Caleb and Jesse Anderson.  Amber married Caleb and Penelope married Jesse.

Caleb had purple skin, blue-green hair, and yellow eyes.

Jesse had green-blue skin, purple-pink hair, and yellow eyes like his brother.

Penelope and Jesse had triplet boys Donell, Terrance, and Bane.  All three of the triplets had their father's greenish skin tone.  Donell had his mother's pink hair and my blue eyes.  

Terrance had blond hair and yellow eyes.  

Bane had black hair and his mother's pale yellow eyes.

Amber and Caleb had a little girl named London.  She had pale skin, her grandfather's pink hair and her mother's pale yellow eyes.  She looked just like her aunt Penelope.

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NOTE

Thank you Destiny Rose for letting me use Destiny in my challenge!  We had so much fun!! XD

Also, I feel so good now that I've finally updated on all the babies who have moved out.  The FAMILY UPDATES are now completely updated.  YAY!

Please, tell me what you think about this post in a comment!

Extra:  I'm debating on which size to put make the pictures.  I like the x-large ones because I think the other sizes are too small but I'm not sure.  Just wanted to throw that out there. 

Edit: Okay, I'm going to downsize the pictures like I had originally planned.

Edit (10/11/12):  Actually, now I've decided to make them all x-large.  Er, apparently I can't make up my mind.