Family Comes First

“We’ll be there in a few minutes. We’re on our way.” Tanya tells one of her daughters over the phone.

“They’re already here?” You ask Tanya.

“Yeah, their flight arrived early. Let’s go. If I make those two wait at the airport they'll probably buy a return ticket back to my parents as soon as they can.” Tanya tells you, before suddenly standing up from the dining table and rushing to leave the apartment.

“Tanya, wait!” You call out to her, but she’s already closed the door to your apartment.

You just awkwardly turn to the O’Briens, who are all also sitting with you at the dining table, eating breakfast.

Mr. O’Brien stopped by with Maddy earlier, so that Maddy could say goodbye before their trip back to her hometown. After Mr. O’Brien found out that you and Tanya are leaving around the same time though, he suggested that you guys have breakfast together. He ordered some chopped cheeses and Angel’s Donuts from Dante and had it delivered to your place, and it’s been close to an hour now since you and Tanya started having breakfast with them.

“I guess this is goodbye then, Mr. Craig.” Maddy awkwardly says, after taking a rushed gulp of the chopped cheese she just took a bite off.

“Don’t worry. She’ll be back when she realizes she left her bag here.” You point out to them, making them chuckle.

“No need to rush. We’ve got time. We’re only a few minutes away from the Terminal, and security checks and baggage claim usually take an hour anyway.” You assure them.

“Then why is Ms. Tanya in such a rush?” Tricia asks.

“Tanya’s just stressed out. She doesn’t admit it, but I think she’s anxious that her daughters are going to be here with her for an extended period.” You explain to the O’Briens.

“Ah, that’s right. Her daughters only stay here during their school breaks.” Mr. O’Brien recalls.

“Ah~ peace and quiet has once again returned to this apartment building” Mrs. O’Brien snidely remarks.

“Isn’t Ms. Tanya going to stay over with you now, Mr. Craig?” Maddy asks.

“I spoke too soon.” Mrs. O’Brien comments under her breath, as she finishes an Angel’s Donut.

“Why would she be anxious about her daughters being here, Mr. Craig? Shouldn’t she be excited to have them around but still have her own space with you?” Maddy continues to ask, clarifying why she asked the previous question.

“You’ll act differently when you’re around your kids, Maddy. Trust me.” Mr. O’Brien answers for you.

“HA! Trust you? I think our kid turned out the way he did because we didn’t act differently enough.” Mrs. O’Brien retorts, just as your apartment door opens again.

“Mr. Craig doesn’t seem to act too differently around Stella.” Maddy argues.

“Yeah. Exactly. That’s what happens when you don’t act differently around your kids! You either fuck them up, or you end up fucking them.” Mr. O’Brien counterpoints, and you actually can’t help laughing at that observation yourself.

“Forgot my keys!” Tanya shouts as she enters the apartment, before heading for your bedroom instead of heading for the dining table where her bag is; and where you visibly saw her place her keys earlier.

“Tanya! Don’t wake the girls! Your keys are in your bag!” You shout out to her.

“My bag! ¿Dónde puse mi bag?” You hear Tanya shout before she opens your bedroom door.

“It’s here, T.” You raise her bag, after grabbing from the foot of the chair she was sitting on earlier, so she could see you holding it.

“Can you please sit down first? We’ll make it in time. I promise. Even if we don’t, they’re your children. Not the police. They can wait a little.” You say to try and calm her. “You don’t need to be this anxious.” You add to assure her.

“Children are the fun police though.” Mr. O’Brien side comments with a chuckle.

“You’re not helping, Richard!” Mrs. O’Brien admonishes him.

“Gracias.” Tanya tells you before aggressively grabbing her bag. “For your information, I’m not anxious. I’m just excited to see my girls.” Tanya says defensively, before considering sitting down at the table again. Tricia seems to notice this and makes the decision for Tanya.

“Actually, I think we need to go too. We don’t want the traffic to build up if we’re going to make it back home by lunch.” Tricia says after standing up from her seat, making Tanya stay standing as well. You and the older O’Briens don’t hesitate to stand up with her, while it takes Maddy a second to react and stand up as well.

The six of you make your way out of your apartment, and you help Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien with their bags while going downstairs to leave the apartment. As the six of you reach the sidewalk, and have to go opposite directions to your vehicles, you say your goodbyes to the O’Briens.

“Thanks for bringing breakfast.” You tell Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien while offering them a handshake, which they both accept.

“Don’t worry about it kid. Like I said earlier, Maddy told us you and Antonia were already awake, so we thought we could offer you some breakfast.” Mr. O’Brien tells you as he shakes your hand.

“Thank you for your hospitality, young man.” Mrs. O’Brien tells you as you shake her hand.

“I’ll see you on Monday alright, Maddy?” Tanya says as she gives Maddy a tight hug.

“Not if my dad has anything to say about it.” Maddy jokes, but without a hint of fear or second guessing in her voice. She’s confident she’s coming back with Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien after their trip.

As are you.

“I’m sure you can persuade him.” You chime in, giving her a knowing wink, making Maddy give you an appreciative smile. Tanya has a look of realization after hearing what you told Maddy, but she doesn’t act on it as the O’Briens say their goodbyes Tanya.

“In that case, this is a ‘see you later’ and not a ‘goodbye’, Mr. Craig.” Maddy says, offering you a handshake. You actually raise an eyebrow at the offer. You take her hand, but instead of shaking it, you pull her closer to give her a hug.

“See you later, Maddy.” You tell her, before squeezing her tighter with your hug. You actually hear her moan a little, before tightening her hug too.

…

“You’ll squeeze the life out of the poor girl!” Mrs. O’Brien finally says, making you and Maddy finally let go of each other. The two of you can’t help but laugh that you hugged long enough to make Mrs. O’Brien tell you to stop.

“Thanks for having us over for breakfast, Mr. Craig. I can see why Maddy enjoys staying over at your place so much.” Tricia tells you while she offers her hand as well, which you shake.

“If our plan works, then maybe it’s a ‘see you later’ for you too sis.” Maddy comments with a hopeful smile while glancing at you.

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up.” Tricia says with a laugh.

“If you want to break free for a few months for your summer vacation like Maddy, we’ll find a way to convince your dad, Pattiecakes.” Mr. O’Brien tells her.

“We’ll be happy to have you stay with us, dear.” Mrs. O’Brien adds on.

“Well, I guess we’ll find out in six hours. It’s time to go guys.” Tricia tells the other O’Briens, and they all say their final goodbyes before walking off in the opposite direction from where you have your car parked.

You’re about to turn away, but Maddy rushes back towards you and gives you another hug, almost jumping into it. Thankfully, you don’t go out of balance, and return her hug by squeezing her tightly one more time. She rests her head on your chest while tightening her hug as well.

“Just in case the magic wears off, or if my dad’s stubbornness gets worse after our visit… I just want to say it’s been an amazing week, Mr. Craig.” Maddy whispers to you.

“That sounds like a goodbye, Maddy.” You tease her.

“I did say just in case—” Maddy tries to explain, but you cut her off.

“If that ever happens, I’m coming after you, remember?” You tell her sweetly, making her look at you with hopeful eyes. “I’ll see you on Monday.” You assure her, before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Maddy blushes a deep red immediately after that one.

“Later, Mr. Craig.” Maddy finally says after breaking away with you.

“Later, Maddy.” You tell her with a genuine smile, and she walks away awkwardly before seeing the wide, almost teasing, smiles from her family that causes her to run past them entirely. You see a skip in her step as she runs towards the part of the street where Tricia has her car parked.

“Later, you two!” Mr. O’Brien shouts with one last wave goodbye to you and Tanya.

“Hey, I thought of something.” Tanya prefaces to get your attention. “Can you buy me that trait that you bought for Maddy?” Tanya asks you.

“I just went on a shopping spree, Tanya. I don’t think I can.” You tell her with a guilty look on your face. “Why do you suddenly need it?” You ask.

“I’m panicking! Okay!? I admit it!” Tanya shouts her admission before catching herself, and taking a deep breath. “Sorry. I just… I want the transition of my mijas living here… to living with me… just me… as smooth as possible.” Tanya explains. You give Tanya a hug to comfort her, seeing as how she’s having a mild panic attack.

“If it’s just your girls, I think I have enough points to help.” You tell her to get her to calm herself some more.

“Yeah?” Tanya asks in a hopeful tone.

“Just in case I don’t though, you have nothing to worry about, mami. Some things don’t need magic to get better. We’re not even sure if it’s necessary for you to have it.” You tell her.

“Can you please just check before we go?” Tanya asks you pleadingly, and you can’t say no to her question. You do as she asks and take out your phone to open up the app.

Available points: 100 (+50) Friendship points / 100 (+50) Love points / 100 Lust points

You definitely have enough points to buy at least ‘Supportive Children’ for Tanya, but you second guess if it’s even necessary to buy it for her. You consider telling her a white lie and see how her daughters act first before actually spending some points on it. You decide to check who gave you points this go around while you think about it.

- O’Brien, Madeleine - Affection Score: 76 (+5)

Love Score: 51 (+8)

Lust Score: 72

+50 Love Points. Total: 100 (For reaching the 50+ Love Score goal with a person)

You’ve finally crossed this threshold with Maddy. Not that you didn’t believe her when she said she loves you, but there really is no denying it now.

- Sachs, Miranda - Affection Score: 61 (+1)

+50 Friendship Points. Total: 100 (For reaching the 50+ Affection Score goal with a person)

Holy shit. You didn’t know Mrs. Sachs liked you that much. You can’t help but smile that the thing you told Becca still holds true. You're always pleasantly surprised at how much the people you’ve known for quite some time like you more than you would have anticipated.

“What?” Tanya asks. “You have enough points? Is that why you’re smiling?” Tanya asks.

“I-I haven’t checked. I actually just saw the score of Mrs. Sachs, my publisher. It just took me by surprise.” You fib to Tanya. “I’ll check it now. Sorry.” You tell Tanya before she could prod you any further. Since you already know you have enough points, you decide to check if the app even recommends ‘Supportive Children’ for Tanya. If it does, then you’ll buy it for her. If not, you’ll tell her you two should see how it goes first before buying the trait.

As you open the trait catalog, you get a pop-up from the app.

New Trait suggested for Wishlist!

[Advanced Trait] Family Comes First (200 Love Points and 200 Lust Points): Everyone will not be bothered if you pursue romantic and/or sexual relationships between immediate family members or those who are of closely related kin. Through your relationship with either family member, your related partners will not be bothered to have a sexual relationship with each other when with you.

Prerequisite Traits:

Normalized Polyamory [ACQUIRED]

Normalized **** [ACQUIRED]

You can’t afford this trait right now, but it’s nice to have a goal! Add to Wishlist?

YES/NO

‘Oh, you horny piece of shit of app.’

Author's Edit: The trait has been edited from its previous wording to better convey its intended effects. Apologies for the confusion!

Previous wording: Your romantic and/or sexual partners will not be bothered if you pursue a romantic and/or sexual relationship with any one of their immediate family members or closely related kin. Through your relationship with either family member, your related partners will not be bothered to have a sexual relationship with each other when with you.