"Ask your Father"

Those infamous words were often used by parents to dodge difficult questions. Gabe had stopped trying to ask Genesis about the famous celebrity chef, Water Mellon, after she had thrown out that line. Then, just for good measure, she had suddenly decided her baby daughter Gracie needed attention.

Gabe called a taxi and headed to the city to find Richard, the mayor.



In his head, he had always called the people who adopted him by their first names even though he called them "Mom" and "Dad" out loud. They had raised him well and accepted him into their family. Richard, the mayor's actual son, was truly Gabe's brother. And Gabe knew he'd always be there for baby Gracie even when he moved out.

But there was always that "but" that hung around him when he thought about his heritage and legacy.

Gabe could not deny the resemblance between himself and Water Mellon. Too many thoughts whirled in his head to form anything but one coherent question. What would Gabe do if Richard simply denied the obvious?



The plan that formed in Gabe's head had been to boldly open the door to Richard's office and strut in to throw him off balance so that he would have to admit the truth as he most likely knew it to be. Richard had files on everyone. He had to know.

Instead, Gabe gently knocked at the door and waited for his invite.

"Come in!"

At the sight of Gabe, Richard stood up, smiled, and stepped around the desk. He was surprised. Gabe hadn't really expected that. And Richard was buying time by coming to greet him.



"Gabriel! What are you doing here?" Richard hugged him.

"Listen, I need to ask you something. About Water Mellon."

Richard fiddled with his tie, flattening it with a swipe of his hand. "Uh, well, have a seat."

Gabe sat in one of the visitor chairs in front of the desk. He expected that Richard would sit behind his desk again. Instead he came and sat in the other visitor chair.



Gabe pointed to his face. "So, do you think I could do a decent celebrity impression of him? I'm just thinking of my future career and all."



Surprisingly, Richard chuckled. It seemed that today was the day for surprises. "Ah, well. I had a feeling this would happen sooner or later. I mean, we couldn't keep you away from the cooking channel forever." Richard sighed heavily. "I haven't spoken to him yet. I keep putting it off. I'm rather sure he does not know."

Gabe didn't know what to say.

"You must wonder why in the world we waited so long if we suspected. But we didn't know before. It's just, lately, the resemblance had become rather uncanny."

"And my mother?"



"Well, you don't look like her, whoever she is. We'll have to ask him, I'm afraid. If he even knows himself. He was rather infamous when he was younger. But I must ask for your patience. I'm sure you can understand what a delicate situation this is."

Gabe nodded, accepting it all rather peacefully. He was in no rush to turn lives upside down. With nothing more to be said, he stood up, ready to leave. Richard stood up also to lead him to the door as he most likely did for all his guests. Then one last thought popped into his head.

"How many other people know?"

Richard could only shrug. "Well, anyone who knows you and watches that cooking show. Or, I suppose, anyone who knows you and knows Water. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it before."

Gabe nodded and left. It was a rather surprising day. Gabe hadn't thought of Alberta all day.

***********************

And just because it's cute:

Gabe and his little sister, Gracie.

Gabe and his brother, Richard, give her lots of attention. Their favorite thing to do with her though in the whole entire world? Give her a bath. They're both super neat sims.

It's funny that both Rich and Gabe, my carefree teen playboys, jostle for her attention. Meanwhile, where are the parents? In the bedroom thanks to ACR. So now there is another little one on the way.