one day, just because they felt like it...

January 2083 (mini-update) - Jodie Larson is 27, Piper Wilson is 28, Hayden Phoenix is 33.

They all left her, as people tend to do. Jodie didn't know if it would be for good, because most of the time it is, but not Piper. This funny little sprite of a woman came back to visit.

Jodie doesn't hug people but Piper does. So Jodie returned the hug, and to her surprise, it actually felt so good she nearly picked little Piper right up off the ground.

"Of course I came to visit," Piper says to Jodie's sheer bafflement. "It's only a block away, and I'm bored. I just quit my job. You know, I want to be a housewife soon anyway."

"You guys haven't even set a wedding date yet."

"I know," Piper says.

The apartment is noticeably quieter now that Piper and Carly have gone. "I thought you were interviewing roommates," Piper says.

"Yeah," Jodie says. "But as soon as they meet me, they say they're not interested."

"Did you ask them about their birth control?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"It's a little weird," Piper says. "No, it's just plain weird."

"Well, what if I got a roommate and she knocked herself up?" Jodie says. "Then I'd be living with some kid! I hate kids!"

"So anyway," Jodie says. "It looks like I need a date to my brother's wedding."

"Oh, I love weddings!" Piper says. "Are you asking me? It could be so much fun! It could be like going stag to junior prom! We could go shopping for pretty dresses and get our hair done together!"

"No," Jodie says. "That isn't what I meant."

"What about Chandler? Didn't you date Chandler?"

"No, we just made out at a party once," Piper says. "He's getting married."

"Crap," Jodie says. "They all are! Or getting divorced, or sleeping with Amelia."

"Amelia isn't sleeping with anyone right now," Piper says.

"Drew?"

"Oh, she wants to take things slow," Piper says. "She isn't sleeping with him yet."

"For crying out loud," Jodie says. "Somebody needs to be!"

Piper just shrugs.

Jodie pushes aside some very delightful mental images.

"It's just that there's this invitation and it says, 'Jodie and guest.' So I guess I need a guest because I don't want to be an epic loser and go alone. Do you know anybody? Who isn't getting married, or divorced, or slept with Amelia, or is sleeping with Amelia, or wants to sleep with Amelia?"

"No," Piper says. "You know, I don't know anybody like that."

***

Later that night, Jodie is pulling a midnight delivery shift at the hospital, bringing little bundles of joy into the world, which she'll consider her part in the continuation of the human race.

Piper and Hayden couldn't have afforded this on their own, but they had help - Carly and Joe, Amelia and Drew - they all chipped in a little. They just wanted her to know that even if they're pairing off to fall in love, get married, buy real estate, and have lots and lots of children she'll never want to babysit, Jodie won't be forgotten.

Because really, who could forget Jodie Larson?

Piper whispers, "Shhh... You're being too loud!"

"You said she wasn't home," Hayden says. "Why are we being quiet again?"

Piper says, "It doesn't matter. Just be quiet!"

It takes them some time to assemble everything, but they manage it, even in the dark.

"Come on," Piper says. "She'll be home any minute now."

"That was heavier than it looked," he says.

"Good job, honey," Piper says. "I think she's gonna like them."

One day, just because they felt like it, Jodie's friends, all six of them, pitched in to show her how much she is truly loved.

*****

notes: LOL, I have no idea what Hayden and Piper were doing there, at the exact same time, but it was SO hilarious I had to make a mini-update out of it.

Apartments are always so strangely glitched for me, lol! I get that Hayden was there dropping off a gift for Piper, and the game obviously didn't recognize that I'd already moved her out, but I have no idea why Piper was there dropping off a gift, lol! Thus, I just imagined they were both for Jodie :)