#sim: daniel hall

[a-fundie-bunch]

Finally... the baby's here. I'm so glad that's over. Watcher forgive me, but I hate being pregnant so much that I've barely had time to pray for Mom. Not that she deserves my prayers... may she rot in hell.

...I'm still stuck with my and Daniel's mistake, though. It's another boy, by the way - his name is Ethan.

...Thank The Watcher that Joe thinks Ethan's his son. He's been a little happier lately - mainly because he gets to brag that he has three sons now. And Leah's happy too, I guess - she gets to help raise another one of my children. At least she's doing something with her life... even if no one wanted to marry her.

As for me... I'm never going anywhere with Daniel again. That was the biggest mistake of my life. I can only pray Joe never finds out... Watcher help me if he does.

[a-fundie-bunch]

"...he's never at home anymore. Always at one of his jobs. What is he, a... fry cook?"

"Yeah, and he does, like... landscaping or something too."

"Ugh. I don't know why I married him - I barely see him. Just like my dad..."

"Well, he's gotta provide, right...?"

"...you've never had a job in your life, Daniel. Or even a courtship. Don't you dare talk to me about providing anything."

"Heh... you got me there. Look, I know how Joe can be. He's up his own ass - works too hard. Needs to chill."

"Tell me about it."

"Maybe that's what you need... a guy who knows how to chill."

"What?! Ew. No."

"...fine, fine. It was worth a shot."

[a-fundie-bunch]

"Hey! Congrats again, Mama."

"Do not call me that. And don't congratulate me."

"...but you just had a baby."

"Yeah. I know that. Look, I just... don't really like being a mom, okay? I know, I know... my Watcher-given duty and all that. It's just not the 'joyful blessing' they always said it would be. Not to me."

"Yeah, I get that. Babies... I don't really like 'em, either. Then again, I'm not a woman, and I'm not married, so I don't gotta worry about that."

"Good for you, Daniel."

"...Do you, uh... wanna take a break or something?"

"Ugh... more than anything. What, are you offering to babysit?"

"Ew, no way. But, uh... I know a place in town. We could go for an evening - leave the kids here with the girls. Just the two of us."

"No way. I'm not going anywhere with you. And what about Joe? He'd never let me out of this house again."

"Well, we'll go when he's at work. C'mon... you said you wanted a break."

"...ugh, fine, whatever. But just once."

[a-fundie-bunch]

The baby's finally arrived... and it's another little boy! I really was hoping I'd have a girl this time - they're so much easier, and prettier too. But here we are, I guess... there's nothing I can do now.

Anyway, his name is Matthew. I would pray for him to be my last, but I really doubt The Watcher will be that merciful to me.

For now, I'm just praying Matthew won't be as bad as Lucas. That boy... he was difficult enough as an infant, but he's even worse now that he's aged up to a toddler - always throwing food everywhere, making messes, and throwing tantrums! Watcher save me.

I would just ask Leah to take care of him, but she's too busy helping Bethany plan her stupid wedding. And I can't ask Joe - he's always at work. I guess he has to provide somehow... if you can call this 'providing'.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but... the only person I can really talk to anymore is Daniel. Sure, he's still totally useless, but at least I can complain to him.

[a-fundie-bunch]

"Paul? What are you doing here, man?"

"...Why don't you mind your own business?"

"Wow, no need to be rude. I just thought... y'know, it's weird to see you in a bar. Thought you were a man of faith."

"...yeah, I thought I was too. I thought The Watcher had some... great plan for me, that I was going to change the world or whatever. But I didn't, so I just... gave up on the whole thing. Now my wife keeps trying to, I don't know... convert me back or make me pray or something. She thinks it'll help me... well, it won't."

"...damn, that sucks."

"What are you doing in a place like this, anyway? Aren't you a 'man of faith'?"

"Nah. I mean, I go to church and all that stuff, but The Watcher's never done much for me. I mean, look at me. I'm nothing. I got no job, no girl, and I can't get my brother's wife outta my head. Heh... I suppose that's a sin, ain't it?"

"Huh?"

"...forget I said that. I'm gonna get another drink - want one?"

"...yes, please."

[a-fundie-bunch]

We had the Williams' over to meet baby Lucas today. I've never liked them myself - especially not the mom - but obviously I've gotta let them meet their grandkid.

Of course, Phoebe made things ten times worse, though - she just ignored her dad and argued with her mom the whole time. She's got no respect for her parents - not like us Halls. When our dad was alive - Watcher keep him - we always did whatever he told us to. He would've killed us if we didn't.

And she doesn't even do what she's supposed to as a mom! She just sits around and makes Leah do all the work. I thought girls were supposed to, like, naturally be good at all that baby stuff - but nope, not Phoebe, I guess.

Mr. Williams was right. I need to man up, keep her in line... somehow.

[a-fundie-bunch]

Joe Hall here. We all went to meet that new family in town today - the Browns. Well... all of us except Phoebe. She didn't wanna come - probably thinks she's too good for them.

Eh, whatever. I don't care - at least I got away from her for a few extra hours. And anyway, the Browns were pretty great - they're a lot like us, actually. I think we're gonna get along alright.

Josh sure will - he wouldn't stop talking to one of the daughters. Maria, I think her name was. Maybe there's a courtship in their future. I hope so - 'bout time he got outta my house and started his own life.

Even Bethany's made a friend. Well... I hope he's just a friend, anyway. I'm not gonna stop her from talking to boys - well, not as long as I'm in the room watching - but I don't want my little sis having any sinful thoughts.

[a-fundie-bunch]

Today was my and Tom's wedding day - the day I married my best friend and the love of my life! That's right, I'm Hannah Hall now. I've never really felt much like an Anderson - and now I'm not one anymore.

We had to keep things cheap and low-key - just a dress and a suit, some flowers, and a quick ceremony at the Oasis Springs church. I could've gone way more modest with the dress - I've never worn anything like that in my life. But I actually really liked it.

The ceremony was nice, too... quieter than I expected, though. So many people couldn't make it. Even Mrs. Hall couldn't come - something about Mr. Hall not letting her. Poor lady.

But at least we weren't totally alone. The other two triplets came down - glad they haven't turned their back on Tom, unlike some people. And Maddie Miller came, and so did Asher Martin from church. I've always liked those two. If you ask me, they'll be next - everyone can see it.

...I still wish my family could have come, though. I may not have gotten along with them, but they're still my family. But nope... these days, they don't even pick up the phone.