family

The Start Of It All

Back at the Sims! After a loooong break doing other stuff, I’m back at the Sims, but Sims3 this time, not Sims Mobile. Sims3 is different, in that it has a character called Grim, and your Sims die… In Sims Mobile they just move out to an old people’s home, presumably… Sims3 moves very fast, it’s very busy, and very much based round family life. They have jobs, which affects their happiness and health, and it’s a lot more involved. Great fun though, and watching them move around brings stories up again.

I tried first person, past tense for a change. My first time ever, and it feels a little weird, but fun to do! This is the first one of the series, and involves Grim…

The start of it all

It all started that one hateful morning.

I had seemed such an ordinary Saturday morning. Everybody had been at home, even I didn’t have to go anywhere till much later that afternoon. We had all started the day early, we liked it that way. Wilbert had to start at the base so early in the week, we all got used to getting up at the same time as him, have breakfast together, squabble over bathroom space, and then our day would just enfold.

Even in weekends Wilbert was an early riser, and he liked his family around him. Not that he talked much, but he did love having us around, especially me. So that morning had been an ordinary morning. We had breakfast, I think Dad actually made us breakfast. The twins were still very young, and Samuel used to go off and paint straight after breakfast, and keep it up for hours. Sarah was a lot more complex. She didn’t really paint, didn’t play the guitar, and had as her Lifewish to be the top surgeon in the hospital. Or top doctor, I don’t know, something medical anyway. She tended to read a lot. She did enjoy working out with her twin brother though, but even then she got stressed in school easily.

Having the twins had been hard work. Of course I had eaten all the relevant fruits, read the best books, listened to that awful channel on tv, and had the stereo blaring away kids’ music. We had had to wait before we were granted permission. The Baby Planning Office takes its job very seriously, and my brother was still living with us when Wilbert and I finally got married. We had to wait to get married, as my brother’s wife wanted to have her first child before we did so. She obviously wanted to settle in as the oldest family unit; you know, the young couple with a baby, as opposed to just a young couple, and to share the Child Grant equally. They had their first boy, and we got married. The very next day she announced that she was expecting again, all glowing and smiling. We knew already, of course, our bedroom was next to the bathroom…

That meant that our Child Application was rejected, and there was no way we would be allowed to have a child. I was heartbroken, as well as furious, but Wilbert was always so calm and strong, he just saw me through that impossible time. Soon after Caleb, my brother, managed to persuade my parents to pay for a decent family home for him and his family. They did, of course they did. We have one of the healthiest bank accounts around, so why not? I didn’t even begrudge Caleb his apartment. I was just relieved, and rushed the application off as soon as he and his family left our large home. I was just desperate to have twins; after all, time moves so fast, and I was still young, Wilbert had a good income, and worked really hard. Having twins would mean less time off work for me too, so I could carry on my wonderful music career. I felt that twins would make up for lost time as well.

So I read, listened to kids’ stuff, and ate and ate… It paid off, as it always does, and we had Samuel and Sarah. I fell in love with them, even though many days I went a little stir crazy in the house, rushing around to make sure they had a very good upbringing. After all, only then does the Baby Planning Department allow you to choose traits for your children! We managed, Wilbert didn’t get involved too much, he just worked hard. My dad helped a lot, and so did Mum. Then Mum passed, but she had always been quiet, and in a way she made me nervous. You see, Mum had been a very successful musician in her time. She still worked for the Orchestra, and did well. I just moved on, relying on Dad to help out and do the garden. He and Mum were both very keen gardeners, and neither Wilbert or I could stand it! Dad just dug away, humming, and laughing.

Then little Joseph was born, and I loved him, even though I chafed a little at my time away from the Music centre. I hadn’t really been at work since I had the twins, and now I was off even longer. Wilbert just laughed and hugged me, encouraging me to play the guitar outside, in front of the house. I did, and it was lovely. Many people pass our house on their way to the pool, and they always stopped and listened to me playing. Time was sweet and happy, and so calm. Dad cooked a lot of the meals, he worked in the garden, and saw to the children. Life was just amazing in our huge family home, with my three sweet children, my smiling Dad, and the most wonderful husband in the world. Then the fateful day struck and I never even saw it coming.

Dad decided that he’d harvested enough to make it worth a trip to EverFresh Delights Supermarket to sell his produce. I smiled at that, knowing that Dad had a lot of good quality fruit and veg to sell. In a way, I knew that with three kids we were bound to end up paying for at least one family home… So Dad announced that he was going to the Supermarket in a bit, which was fine. He just sorted out little Joseph who had just aged up into an adorable little toddler. On a whim Dad decided to take Joseph with him, which was a bit odd, but as I had just started a painting to work towards my own Lifewish, I was glad that there would be no distraction whilst Dad was out.

Dad and Joseph went off, and I painted, greeted neighbours, hummed whilst choosing my colours… Suddenly I felt this panic, and I just knew something was wrong. I looked around, but Wilbert was working, the twins were busy doing their own things, all the neighbours seemed fine… I called out to Wilbert whilst sorting out my brushes, “I’m just popping over to the Supermarket!” I made it sound as if I needed some ingredients or something, but I just ran and ran all the way there.

I will never forget the sight. I was too late, well, almost too late. I could hear Joseph’s crying from the distance already and that odd roaring sound when Grim is at work. My heart sank, and my legs shook, but somehow I managed to stagger on. And there, in front of the supermarket sat my sweet little Joseph waving his fists and wailing like a banshee. I was just in time to see the last of my Dad fade at Grim’s feet, the people around crying and begging Grim… In fact, even Grim must have been moved, probably by the sight of my crying baby on the pavement, for he stayed on for a while. Of course, there was no arguing with Grim, I tried that, naturally. I picked my little Joseph up, and consoled him, but my heart was just in pieces. My poor Dad, I just realised how much I loved this quiet man, and Wilbert and I seemed so young and inexperienced! Now it was just us and our three young children rattling along in that large house.

That’s when it started.

I changed; everything changed. Wilbert was calm and patient with me, and just loved me to bits, but I changed. For starters, I found out that another baby was on its way, even though I didn’t tell anyone at work, I had only just gone back after having Joseph! Nobody really knew, as it was Wilbert’s birthday that same day, and there was all this cheering and clapping, and they all missed my quiet announcement. I knew time was starting to run out for us soon too. Wilbert had aged up into a mature adult, and I would follow in a few days. Before we knew it we would be elderly, like my Dad, and that horrible Grim would come with his heart stopping noise. So I threw caution to the wind, even though I still loved my career, and even though I had no idea how we would manage with so many little ones, but my brain had been re-wired it seemed. I just wanted… Well, that was exactly it, I just wanted, full stop.

Sophie was born, my little darling girl. I can’t even remember going back to work for more than a few days, because by the time Sophie was much older, Jonas was born. I told Wilbert that it really was a shame to have all that empty attic space, and he laughed and told me to get the builders in if I wanted… I did, they converted the attic space into a huge new room. It was very rudimentary, but it had a few beds and lights, so it worked. I bought quite a few things in fact, and discovered Retail Therapy. Not that it healed much, but Wilbert just laughed and shrugged, and his hugs did really help.

That was how it started, and after baby Andy was born I was too busy and tired to think much. I just didn’t want to think either. So I painted and played my guitar, and thought of things to buy for our home. And I never ever tried to think of that hateful day. Not ever!

Past

Life moves on. Or life moves away from you, I find. I was wondering this morning whether living in the past is a form of Vicarious Living. You know, forgetting how much life has changed, you have changed; pretending things have stayed the same!

I went running this morning, with Trim Apeldoorn. The last time I ran with them was when I was 20 or 21, so a while back… It brought back lots of memories, although there were changes as well. I always ran in the evening, now it was (early!) morning. Even the starting point has changed a little. The bucket used to be yellow, hanging off a tree. It’s amazing how these tiny details matter, and how they show up change.

It was -4 when I set off in the car, and I had to scrape the windscreen (I had to use a stirring thing from the kitchen, as there was no ice scraper in our car…mmmmm), and I wondered if I would make it in time. Having managed to get up in time, kitted out, and myself brave enough to actually go, I was thinking how annoyed I was going to be if I missed it… I made it in time, just! I went with the slowest group, the group I always went with as I prefer the interval type training they do, but when I was younger I would be running near the front. Now I was right at the back, wondering what happened to my lungs… With age they must have shrunk dramatically, that’s all I can say!

The forest was incredibly beautiful though, and I was quite tempted to stop and take pictures, but as I was slow enough already, I didn’t want to push it… Anyway, I managed to survive the hour, I think I gave my lungs the shock of their life, I’ve been coughing ever since getting back into my car…

It’s funny how change comes so unexpected. Of course, I knew I was really unfit, but to run with a group that you used to run with, through familiar woods, but to find yourself at the back, gasping like a drowning hippo… It’s a change that creeps up, for life is busy, and you forget that time passes. You live vicariously as your younger self, and you see yourself as you used to be. You see others as they used to be.

This week brought grief as well. My aunt died. She had been very ill for a while, and recently her kidneys just gave in. I remember the aunt from the huge house though. The aunt who had a hallway with dark red carpet that could swallow my parent’s house, but you weren’t allowed to run around like a looney, (Too many antiques and ornaments…!) which felt such a waste of the really, really thick carpet and endless space. I remember playing in the park with my cousin, getting muddy in our best clothes… and now the only mud we have to clean off is our kids’ muddy hands and faces… Somehow I got time warped there as well. My aunt has moved houses several times since then, my cousin has her own family. And now my aunt is gone, and reality comes knocking.

I just realised that I like Living Vicariously. I’m only 50 kilo, instead of 11 stone (Ha! Such a nice, natural sounding way to measure yourself… At least you could pretend that it’s any stone you fancy, rather than the set weight…which makes me stare at my scales in horror!) I like people to stay the way they always were, I definitely would like my fitness to stay the way it always was. Even carparks, buckets, and roads should stay the way they were. I really dislike change, I realised.

Of course, it shows in the falling leaves and the golden brown beech leaf carpet in the forest that nothing lives forever, only God. It shows that we are finite, mortal, limited. It shows we are created with eternity in our heart. Just like some leaves we still cling on though, pretending it’s not the end of autumn, and it’s not time to let go and join the other leaves, there is no such thing as change…Reality can be the fact that it’s -4, and not many leaves will cling on for much longer! Vicarious Living just gives you a chance to remember good times, good things. Bringing a smile to reality, even if it hurts. Like the incredible sunbeams lighting up the floating leaves.

Arrangements

“Well, I can’t see why not? After all, you have your traits, you have your retirement letter, your children have all grown up, so why ever not?” Erik doesn’t sound angry, or even annoyed, but Tessa can tell that he is fast heading that way. She sits next to him, her large grey eyes looking anxiously from face to face. She hates confrontation, hates heated debates, and she never imagined that this meeting, this family meeting is turning into exactly that. Erik had casually announced the day before that there was going to be a Family Meeting, and Tessa had actually felt excited! A Family Meeting, how civilised and organised! “Trust the Mortina Family to do things properly,” she had grinned.

Erik smiled back at her and said, “It’s important to get this right. We need to reserve the Dynasty, and it’s important that the right person is chosen to take over the running of the family home. We have four children, so some of our children can be married off, but that will need to happen before the Family heir is married, as there are only so many adults allowed in charge. This generation somehow seems more complex than other generations, so hopefully it will all work out.”

Nothing had warned Tessa for this debate though, and she can feel her shoulders getting tighter by the minute! Zahra is looking daggers, her beautiful face slightly red, “The thing is, I have only got two daughters, and one marriage has been arranged. Bethany has made other arrangements, so Keziah is the only one from our line to carry on the Dynasty. Surely you’re not suggesting that our Line should die, just because we only have two daughters? The fact that you have four children does not give you more rights to the Dynasty, you know!” She leans back in her seat, lips clenched, eyes angry, refusing to look at Tessa, for Zahra knows that Tessa’s eyes will probably look like pools after a rainstorm, filled to the brim! That really would make her lose it!

Erik sighs, he feels so caught. To turn his children out onto the streets of SiMobile without any provision made for them hurts his heart, and he knows that Tessa would be crushed! He look at Michael and Zahra, notices her flushed face and feels grateful for Michael’s calm smile. “I’m not suggesting that your Line should die,” he says calmly, and looking at Michael with a sudden grin he continues, “Michael is a Knight, you know how special arranged marriages are with friends, so no way would we let your Line die. All I am saying is that as we have four children, I would like a chance for at least some of them to marry out before settling the Dynasty. It…” Erik suddenly feels very hot, and clammy, and he has to stop for a moment. “It would be awkward for example if Bjorn took over the Dynasty. You know he was named after my Dad’s cousin, so we feel that is special. Too special to just push him out of the family home, and have him roaming the streets.” That was probably not the wisest thing to say, for he hears Tessa gasp, and her small hand clasps his much larger one.

“The streets? You mean…you mean that our children who do not carry on the Dynasty will be made to roam the streets?” Tessa’s voice is shaking, and so are her hands. Tears hang of her eyelashes, making them seem longer, magnifying her eyes. “Is it really not possible to have more adults active in the home? I mean, do spouses necessarily need to be active?” Her voice is starting to reflect her desperation, and Erik hugs her. Tessa sobs suddenly, “What about my precious children? What about my little Solveig, she is still so young, and…and to see her wandering around the park…Is there nothing that can be done?” Her voices rises on a wail, and she cries, her heart breaking for her children. Her sweet Kari, her eldest, so strong and capable. Her Anselma, strong willed, impulsive, needing so much guidance, if she lives on the streets, what will ever become of her? Bjorn, her one son, strong and manly, looking just like his dad. Little Solveig, smiling and happy, but not for long if she has to sleep on the streets! Tessa weeps, and the others wait, uncomfortable, embarrassed and wishing this meeting was over!

Erik explains to Tessa as well as Michael, as he is from outside the family as well. “The Dynasty has had people who married Townies, who moved into the house upon marriage, but never had the Active status granted. This made many things very complex. They couldn’t change their names for example, or what they were wearing. They couldn’t contribute to the family either. So quite a few generations ago it was decided that really the spouses of the Dynasty ought to move into an Active position.”

Once Tessa has finally calmed down, they all look at the family list again. Michael speaks up this time, very unusual for him. He is normally happy to watch proceedings, and will only step in when necessary. His calm voice breaks through the fog in Tessa’s brain, and calms the stormy thoughts in Zahra’s mind. “Actually, I’m sure it can be done. Maybe not for all four of your children, but certainly for some.” He smiles at Tessa, and his strength stops her from breaking down all over again, and she even manages to lift the corners of her mouth in reply. “The thing is, Keziah has been promised in marriage to the son of one of our friends. Seraphina and Noel got married very late, as you all know, and they had a son, Nicholas.” They all nod, yes, they even went to Seraphina’s wedding, glad that she had found true love after all! “Well, her son hasn’t grown up yet, and Seraphina and Noel want to delay their retirement a bit. They still have jobs with pending promotions, so therefore Keziah could delay her promotion as well.” He smiles at Keziah, who smiles back, but both Tessa and Erik can tell that she isn’t happy about it!

She is a very pretty girl, with a sweet face and dark hair. It is clear that Keziah has many plans, and the fact that she will have to wait till Nicholas’ parents retire doesn’t make her happy! “Child, you have plenty of time,” grins Michael at his youngest daughter, “there is lots of time to get all your traits, to have a family, to make friends and go to parties. We need to make sure that nobody in the family loses out though, and there is no reason why you should apply for promotion, only to wait for Nicholas till he has got his!” This makes sense of course. Life in SiMobile is short, and you don’t want to waste it hanging around for somebody to get promoted! Keziah sighs, she can’t wait, and she just hopes that Nicholas will get his papers soon. She isn’t sure how long she can hang on, doing nothing, just counting the days…

Michael looks at the papers again, and then looks directly at Erik. “Which of your children have other arrangements already?” he asks, his finger resting next to the four names. Erik looks at Tessa, then at his four children.

Kari speaks up straightaway, flicking her long hair in dreads over her shoulder. “I have, Uncle Michael,” she says, with her kind smile. “I have plans to go as soon as things are sorted out. I’m quite excited actually!” She laughs, and looks at Keziah’s dreamy face, and only just about manages to swallow down her words. She would like to tell Keziah to grow up, and to learn to be patient; to accept that life will be very short, and that it’s sometimes better to relax, and just walk round the house without pressing duties!

Bjorn speaks up as well, sending a shock through Tessa, Erik can feel it through her hand in his large hand. Bjorn smiles at his mum, to encourage her, and says proudly, “Well, I know about a girl that I like. Her name is Nadia, she lives in the home where my mum comes from. She seems very kind and sweet from what I have heard, so I would love to meet her and marry her. One of her relatives will be throwing a party any day now, so I’m planning on going along.” Tessa gasps, and Bjorn laughs, “You will like her, Mum, she is lovely. She has beautiful brown eyes…” He dreams off a little, his own eyes shining, and suddenly he turns round to his father. “Dad, Nadia has a brother, a nice looking guy, called Damian. He would like to marry as well, but he doesn’t want to leave their home. As you know, the house is fairly new, so it needs some good families to live and work there. He is very young, much younger than Nadia. How about Solveig?”

Solveig shrieks, and jumps up. “Me? Oh, Mum, surely you can’t make me marry yet? There are other guys, surely, surely?” Erik laughs, and strokes Solveig’s arm. She looks very pretty, with short, curly blond hair and brown eyes, her face red and hot at the moment.

“Sit down, Solveig, it won’t happen today! Listen, finding a good husband is not easy, and I think this idea sounds very good. We know the family, and it is important to become closer with our friends. This young man sounds fine, and it seems your brother has met him already.” Solveig pulls a face, but the others can see that she is no longer opposed against the idea. In fact, they can see her thinking about it, and he face relaxes each minute.

Michael clears his throat, taps the paper with his finger, and his calm voice states the facts, “So Kari has her own arrangements, Bjorn is betrothed to Nadia, and it sounds like Solveig will soon be promised in marriage to Damian.” He smiles, polishes his glasses, and looks over at Anselma. “That leaves just you, Anselma,” he says, and somehow manages to keep his kind smile in place when he sees her face. Anselma rolls her eyes, smooths out her hair, and shrugs her shoulders in as graceful a way as possible.

Her lips pout even more than usual, and she sounds a little bored, “I suppose so. I’m not that familiar with the whole Dynasty thing, but I do know it’s a big issue. I do think it’s important to raise awareness, you know, get our family on the map so to speak. Not that many people have heard of the Mortina family, I have to keep explaining to my friends.” She sounds aggrieved, making it sound as if she blames the rest of the family for this lack of knowledge. “I know SiMobile is only small, you know, just one club, one small fashion studio, that sort of thing. I do believe it’s important to work together as a community though, and to get the SiMobile Government to be more proactive in raising a standard. I mean, when you see some people walking round, covered in flies… It really needs sorting out.”

Michael looks down at the paper, suppressing a groan, or a sigh, he isn’t even sure which one. Honestly, he thinks, the girl needs taking down a few pegs… When Michael looks up he sees Erik watching him. Erik looks a bit flushed, and he pulls an embarrassed grimace. When he turns to Anselma, Erik manages to keep his voice even though, and says kindly, “I’m sure we can find you a suitable husband, sweetie. Of course, he needs to be from a suitable background, and he needs to be prepared to live here and take our name.” Anselma nods, her face sullen.

“I’m sure I could sort it out once I was promoted,” she says, her voice cool, “I could look it up using the internet. I don’t know why not more people use it to find spouses. Anyway, I understand, and I accept the fact that he has to have a good background.” She looks sideways at her uncle. He might be from a good family, and a kind and smart guy, but she prefers somebody even more handsome than her uncle. No glasses, for starters, bad genetics, she pouts to herself. She catches Erik’s look, and hastily explains, “I was just thinking about the sort of husband I would need. I agree that his background is very important, not for wealth reasons, “ she adds quickly, seeing her mum’s shocked look. “I’m not like that, people are far more important than stuff. I meant in looks and hair colour. It’s just that genetics are important, so the right man is needed to secure the line. I mean, Llama Flu is very prevalent nowadays, although it tends to be the Weebles Strain. Even so, it’s just something to remember,” she ends, coolly, and dreamily tugs at her curly hair, wondering what hairstyle to choose. Not too short, she decides, I want it long, maybe long dreads, like Kari. It will make my eyes stand out more.

Erik looks at Bjorn, who is already getting up out of his seat, his phone in his hand. “I’ll give Nads a calls,” he grins, making Anselma roll her eyes. “Nads! They haven’t even met properly yet, how cheesy… well, I hope she’s good looking and pretty and all that. Bjorn deserves it, so she better be worth his time and effort!” Soon a broadly smiling Bjorn is back in the room. “I presume your ‘Nads’ thought of somebody?” Anselma asks, intonation leaning heavy on her brother’s future wife’s nickname, as if trying to put pressure on the poor girl from a distance already. Bjorn is looking very pleased with himself, looking at Anselma with an enigmatic smile.

“Yes,” he smiles at Erik, “Nadia knows a chap called Ralph. He is a lawyer, and a very nice man. She says he is one of the kindest guys she has ever met. He is very generous, patient and great fun to be with, apparently.” She says that after their family throws the party for me and Solveig to meet, they will arrange the next one soon after, so Anselma can meet Ralph.” Erik nods, smiling and looking relieved at the arrangement.

Michael takes over again, and tapping the sheet once more, says, “So, that means that Bjorn and Solveig will need to be active first. Once they have their Active Papers, they can go to Nadia’s house to meet her and her brother. They will also make connections and links to make sure that Anselma can meet Ralph. That could be done as soon as one of them marries and moves out though.” Michael smiles at Zahra, who is looking tired and very bored! “Well, dearest, how about we go and accept our papers? We can then spend more time at home, meeting friends, helping out with stuff. In that way, Bjorn and Solveig can apply, and we’ll set the ball rolling for the next generation!”

The rest of the family agrees, apart from Keziah, who looks very sad and disappointed. She had so hoped to meet Nicholas, and it seems they have forgotten her! This is not the case of course, and she is relieved to see her name appearing on the list drawn up carefully by her dad. “You could be promoted as well, as soon as Solveig and Bjorn are both gone, I suppose?” he winks, “seeing that you are so keen on starting adult life!” She is, and you never know, there is always a chance of bumping into betrothed spouses at other parties… Anselma doesn’t look too happy either, feeling that really, she actually has a plan to improve living standards for everyone in SiMobile, and why should she wait anyway? Solveig is younger, so is Bjorn, so surely she should be given priority? She is wise enough not to express these thoughts, although she has the uneasy sensation that her uncle, Michael Knight Mortina, somehow knows what she is thinking… very awkward!

Coloured Hair

Colourful

“…so you see, it has to be colourful, you know, pinks, greens, reds, that sort of thing.” Erik is grinning, his blue eyebrows waggling. “It sounds great fun, I just don’t know if I can do it, although my family will be disappointed of course. I mean, my father loved his family, they all stayed very close even after he married my mother. It would be a little awkward if no Mortina would attend. We normally attend so if we didn’t this time, well, that would be…well, we can’t of course, and…”

There is a gasp from the doorway. Tessa and Erik swing round to find Zahra standing there. She has just come back, and overheard the last few words. “Not going? What do you mean, not going to a party? Why ever would we not go to a party? Is it an invite from our friends? I saw the postman on my way here, and I did wonder about the late post,” she rattles, eyes shining with excitement. Zahra loves parties, and since her last trait and the upset it caused, she has been determined not to miss out on anything fun in SiMobile. “You were going to tell me, weren’t you? So, the theme is colourful? Great, I love colours, and those pantsuits from the Summer Sale, well, I know the Mortina tradition has always been skirts and dresses, but that pantsuit, is so bright and just shouts ‘Summer’ at you! Where is the party?”

Erik and Tessa glance at each other, looking a little uneasy, and Zahra is starting to worry. “They’re keeping something from me, I just know it! I wonder if the invite was for younger people only, and nobody with all their traits is allowed in or something. I bet that’s why the theme is colourful, thinking that those that will retire when the Gems arrive won’t wear gaudy colours. Well, they’re wrong. I’m quite happy to wear something colourful for a party! I know Michael and I have missed out, because we were so busy, and I know it tends to be younger people going to all the fun arties, but not exclusively! So what is in the invite that I shouldn’t go? I wonder why they are looking at me like that for?” Zahra looks at Tessa and Erik, who are clearly embarrassed; in fact, Tessa’s eyes are starting to fill up with tears! Erik sighs, and takes a deep breath.

He picks up the invite and hands it to Zahra, “You see, cousin, it’s not colourful clothes. It’s colourful hair!” Zahra gasps! Hair? Colourful hair? A party theme that specifies colourful hair? Subconsciously her hand reaches up to touch her dark brown hair, pulled in its usual tight bun, every hair in place of course. So if she wants to attend this party she will need to dye her hair? She looks at the invite, reading it, her lips moving along with the words. She gives another shocked little gasp at the end, and has to read the invite again. It is only after Zahra has read the invite three times, word for word, that she looks up from the invite, and wordlessly hands the invite back to Erik. She looks at Tessa and Erik, and can’t help but notice the difference. Tessa looking anxiously at her, thin hands clasped, eyes large and grey and filled with sympathetic tears, her whole thin body tense. Erik, on the other hand has a massive grin, and won’t stop waggling his blue eyebrows. In fact, he even looks excited, as if dyeing your hair some absurd colour just for a party is…is…well, acceptable and even something to look forward to!

Zahra is about to make a scathing remark about families that throw parties for hippies only, when she remembers the family name on the invite! It is only then that the name registers, as well as Erik’s words that she overheard just as she was coming into the room. It’s Erik’s father’s family! It’s the Lothbrok family throwing the party! Zahra gasps again, and stammers, “It’s…oh, it’s your father’s family…I suppose, well, I mean, do they really expect us… Well, what I mean, everybody in SiMobile knows the Mortina Dynasty and the name we have to keep up, and surely…” She doesn’t know what to say, for Erik is grinning at her, his head to one side, as if enjoying her discomfort, wondering when she will dig herself into the muck so deeply, that she won’t be able to get out unaided! Tessa looks more tense than ever, actually wringing her bony hands, tears hanging off her eyelashes; tears magnifying her beautiful grey eyes.

Zahra sighs, this is getting awkward, I mean, surely Erik doesn’t think it’s alright to go? “Oh, cousin,” he says suddenly, sounding exasperated but in a good humoured sort of way, “it’s just for a laugh. You just dye your hair for one evening, go to the party, meet with friends, talk to friends, and then you come home, you dye it back to normal, and well, you’ve only got great memories and pictures to show for it. It’s just…well, really it’s just like wearing a coloured hat!” He grins at her, and chuckles when he sees the horror on her face. “Look, my dad had blue hair, and nobody seemed to really mind! You know, not everyone dyeing their hair is a hippie, and not everyone with dyed hair is going through an identity crises, or has such low self esteem they can’t live with their natural looks… Some people just like it! Some people just want to do it for fun.” He stops, a bit breathless after such a long speech.

Tessa is nodding vigorously, and adds with a shaky voice, and even shakier smile, 2It can be really good fun, you see. I mean, I know it could look, well, running away from reality really, but it…it is different for a party, I’m really sure it is. Just imagine how colourful it will look, of everybody joins in, you see, it will be alright again afterwards. These parties do only happen once every now and again, and…well, you might not get many more chances…” she breaks off, as she sees Zahra’s face crumple, and tears drop suddenly onto Zahra’s cheeks. Tessa stands in horror, stricken dumb by the consequences of her words! She, Tessa has made the cool, calm, composed Zahra cry! She holds her face in her hands in shock, and then rushes over to Zahra, throwing her slender arms round her. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I really should have thought, I’m…” she whispers over and over.

Zahra shakes her head, her tears drying already, and manages to drag her lips into a very watery smile. “No, don’t apologise, it’s just that I keep forgetting how little time I have left. I keep forgetting that Michael and I promised to actually do some good, and have some quality time whilst we still can! No, really Tessa, I am fine, don’t worry. I…I will need to think about this, and discuss it with Michael. It is not something we Mortinas have ever done, and, well, frankly it doesn’t sound like the sort of thing the Dynasty is known for. On the other hand, you are right, Erik, there is a lot of prejudice around, and I really wouldn’t want to put your family in that light, ever. So I will have a think about it…” Zahra looks at her pantsuit and suddenly grins, adding, “As I’m wearing trousers, it seems like I have broken the Mortina mould anyway!” They all laugh and Tessa looks relieved, Erik looks bursting with anticipation, and Zahra looks thoughtful and eager to find Michael…

Tessa is in the hobby room, stretching, bending, day dreaming on her yoga mat. She and Erik are by themselves in the room, but she can hear Zahra’s voice. Zahra is becoming very firm friends with Charlotte Wayne-Knight. The two are seen together a lot, talking about art and artists. Tessa pulls a face, she really has no idea about art. Of course, there are some paintings that she likes, and some that she abhors, but that is as far as her art knowledge goes. She is pretty sure that Zahra doesn’t know that much more, seeing that Zahra’s mother came from the same household as Tessa, so not that high flying either. Tessa chuckles, she has seen that look in Zahra’s eyes, a look that says she’s winging it, trying to look intelligent, and making stuff up as she goes along. Charlotte, well, that is a totally different story. The girl has got class, it shows in the way she dresses, and her whole bearing shows her background and upbringing. Thanks to Charlotte, or Charlie as Zahra loves to call her new friend, thanks to her Zahra has actually learned quite a bit about art. Tessa giggles as she wonders if anyone from Charlotte’s household will attend the party….fancy seeing them, with their stylish dresses and pale skin, their regal way of walking…and coloured hair? Well, it would be a great fun, she sighs, not holding her breath on that one!

The thing that makes Tessa lose her balance and spin round is the very loud intake of breath, followed by uproarious laughter from her husband. Tessa feels her face burn, and tears sting immediately, as she is sure that he is laughing at her. After all, the tree thing position she tried to do didn’t go too well. When she looks at him she realises that he isn’t looking at her at all! He is looking at the kitchen, where Zahra is standing. Wait, is that Zahra? Tessa actually rubs her eyes, thinking that the sheen of tears must have made her imagine things. It is Zahra, but what a change! The flowery pantsuit with its reds and pinks is complemented by…Tessa stares, gaping, not believing her eyes! Has the prim and proper Zahra really got bright pink hair? Seriously? Tessa snorts with laughter, her knees wobbling, and soon she is gasping for breath. To see Zahra of all people with a bright pink, tightly done up bun, pink sunglasses and summer outfit… Priceless!

Zahra come into the room, looking a little self conscious, but actually rather pleased. “What do you think?” she asks, a little nervously, adjusting her pink sunglasses, “I just feel, well, a bit silly really, but I just wanted to do it! I talked to Michael about it, but he didn’t want to do it. He said that his brothers won’t dye their hair either, but are planning on wearing towels round their head!” Zahra giggles then, the sudden sound making Tessa jump, “I don’t know what I’ll do if I meet them at the party! I mean, those big, burly Knights…with bright coloured towels wound round their heads? What if I laugh, I mean, it would be terrible; it would look like I’m taking the mick, and of course, I would never do that!” Zahra sounds outraged by the mere idea that somebody might think she’s laughing at another Sim! Tessa smiles, and looks at the pink hair rather wistfully. It would be a laugh, just to try it out… She would never want to keep her hair dyed, and not pink…visions of her brothers’ blue eyed ‘concubine’ float through her head, and she shudders. No, not pink! Erik is still laughing, but he tells Zahra that he likes it.

“I’m really chuffed, cousin,” he laughs, “I love to see you trying something out, something different! You go and enjoy yourself. I’m just going to finish my guitar practice, then I’m going for a bit of a makeover as well…” He smooths out his blond hair, and smiles at Tessa. “What about you, Tess, you’re going to go wild tonight as well, and throw caution overboard…?” He looks at his wife, feeling his love for her beating inside his heart, struggling to not drown in her large eyes, and finding his breath come faster, just by looking at her sweet face! He manages to somehow come down to earth again, and looks at her, his head to one side, wondering if Tessa will actually do it! He has seen the woman that her brother was with, her pink hair and large, cat like blue eyes drawing attention. So he can understand Tessa’s aversion against dyed hair.

To his joy she nods though. “Yes,” she says, her voice sweet and quiet, “not pink though!” Her frail body shivers, just the thought of having the pink air like…like that woman…no chance! Zahra laughs, and is soon off to the party, excitement making her laugh out loud! Tessa smiles, and soon Tessa and Erik dash off to get changed. Tessa looks in the mirror, and wonders what will go with her outfit. She just loves the canary yellow top and green skirt… She takes a very deep breath, and resolutely grabs the green dye. It worked! Tessa looks in the mirror in astonishment! It looks so…so different, but good! She twirls around, trying to catch glimpses of her green curly head, giggling like a schoolgirl. When she steps out of the room, she gasps, then shrieks with laughter! There is Erik, his hair bright blue, as well as the two day beard…

He laughs, and hugs her, lifting her off the ground as always. “My gran, Kiera, apparently had this colour, so I thought it would be great to wear it at the house where she used to live…” He grins at Tessa’s sudden tears as she gushes over his words, telling him that he is the most caring man ever, just to think of things like that! Erik laughs, he loves his emotional wife; loves how she reacts so strongly, her heart showing in her tears. He touches his blue hairdo, and laughs. He is really looking forward to the party!

Zahra is having a great time, and is stunned by the different colours! She looks round the lovely house, having had a quick tour. One of the Lothbrok girls showed her round, as the house had recently been done up! Zahra loves it, and exclaims, “Oh, I love the wallpaper all round, the effect is just great! Oh, that kitchen, the floor! Brilliantly done, I love it. It is so stylish, so artistic,” she says quickly, thinking of her new growing friendship with Charlie, as she loves to call Charlotte. “very artistic, I must say, and I love the colours and ehm…” Zahra tries to think of something else to say that will prove that she is a bit of an art expert herself, but her mind has gone blank. Is that really one of the Knights, smoking, pretending he is sitting on a chair? Zahra wanders in and out of the house, finding her smile growing and growing. So many wonderful people, so much laughter! Her face lights up when she sees her friend, Charlotte Wayne-Knight, walk into the house, having her beautiful long hair dyed green! Zahra and Charlotte have a laugh together, and before Zahra realises it’s time to go! She feels a little sad going home. It was such a wonderful time!

The three of them have their picture taken, posing in their weird and wonderful hairdos. Zahra laughs when Michael asks her how it went. “It was better than I thought! The colour makes you feel so different, it’s very odd. I can see why people do it now. I will be relieved to get my own colour back though, that’s who I am, and that who I want to be. It was fun to see all the different colours, I’m very glad I went. Something was a bit off with the bubble blower I’m sure, a lot of people seemed affected by the bubbles,” Zahra says slowly, picturing in her head Charlie and the Knight family, sitting down in random places…. “I’m glad, so glad I went. I realise how important friends are, and how important it is to be with others, to talk to them, to laugh together, and to cry together. To actually do something special, something out of the ordinary together, it’s…well, it’s made me feel like I belong, like I’m alive. I’m glad I went, and I’m glad to be me again too!”

Tessa and Erik

“Mum, do I really need to be there at the reception?” Tessa’s large grey eyes are already filled with tears, and she can feel her lips trembling. “I haven’t been to work yet, and nobody in this family has completed the fashionista career yet. At this rate I will have all my traits before I finish the career. I had to do the exercise Bootcamp as Brandon and Camilla didn’t want to leave the baby with Brooklyn, so can’t I go to the studio now?” Tessa feels desperate, not so much about her career, although she does love fashion. She is desperate to escape Brandon and Camilla’s wedding reception. “Why are they having a reception now? With Brooklyn’s toddler running round, and their own baby in the bassinet? They really have no shame, have they?” she says a bit more vehemently to her mum. “Mum, I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to meet Brandon’s friends, and I don’t want to lie…what if somebody asks me if they really have two children, what can I say? ‘Just one, the older one is from Brandon’s concubine…’, Mum, please say I can go to work!”

Her mum is adamant though, “It’s your own brother, of course you need to be there! We’re expecting just a few guests, which means that it will be difficult enough to get the party up to the high standard that the SiMobile Government demands from parties. We need the Gems, and the blue tickets. Brandon has already used up four tickets to have his two children, we will need more. You are part of this household, so you need to contribute. Besides, your career is not that important, as you will be married off soon enough. Brandon says he will look for a good husband for you. Careers don’t transfer, so no need to get too high up. Maybe Camilla can work in the studio once you have left…” Tessa has gone very pale, her freckles standing our like little dark mud splats. That is the main reason that she does not want to be at the reception! The fact that Brandon is looking for a husband for her!

She rushes back to her room, tears streaming down her face, sobbing, gasping for breath. There is no escaping the party though, and Tessa dresses as conservative as she dares for Brandon’s party. Brandon and Camilla are waiting for the approval of the SiMobile Government to start the party. Papers have to be checked, and Brandon and Camilla have a quarrel about the question that lets you choose between ‘Anyone in SiMobile’ or ‘Friends only’. Brandon wants everyone to turn up, you never know if somebody good looking will be there… Camilla insists on Friends Only, as she really hopes somebody from her family might turn up. However much she wanted to escape their lifestyle and what she sees as narrowmindedness, strangely enough she does miss them. Misses their hearty laughter; misses her mum’s rather wild ideas; misses her strong Viking uncle and his lovely wife; misses her many siblings and little Viking cousins… She secretly admits to herself that she is just a little homesick…

Finally the approval is granted, and Brandon dashes out to get all the party things: the board next to the post box, the table with the cake, the book for guests to sign…he comes rushing back, and it’s a real scrum to get the house decorated before the first guests arrive. Tessa helps with the decorating, as she loves it. She is very good; her grey eyes taking in the décor, studying it, looking for ways to improve it… Once she is satisfied she finds a very quiet corner, and from there waits to see what will happen. “I wish I could make myself invisible,” she sighs, “and just hide in this corner till all the guests have gone… What will I do if Brandon brings one of his horrid friends to me, to introduce us? What if one of these louts makes a flirtatious introduction? What if they want me to come to the little café? How can I refuse? The SiMobile Government only lets you refuse the risky advances, but not the small standard ones… I have no way out…!” Panic is climbing up her, twisting round her, choking her like bindweed, and it seems just as impossible to eradicate… Tessa can feel herself sinking deeper and deeper into a panic attack, when suddenly Camilla appears.

She could tell from her side of the room that Tessa wasn’t doing very well. She isn’t surprised, as she has met quite a few of Brandon’s friends herself. There is Brooklyn as well, of course. No, Brandon hasn’t got the best reputation, and now that she has come to know Tessa a little she can just imagine the young girl’s fear! Quickly she sidles up to Tessa, and says softly, “Don’t panic, Tessa, I’m quite sure some people from my family will come. I will make sure that you get introduced, and then we can ask them to take care of matters! Brandon is so busy with Brooklyn and me, and our children, that he’ll be more than happy to delegate… Just trust me, I won’t let you down,” and she smiles at the terrified girl. Tessa just nods, fighting her panic, willing it to stay under control…

Whenever she looks round the room she can feel it wriggling at the base of her throat though, trying to get her to scream and run… Some of Brandon’s loud friends are already here, but at the moment Brandon is kept entertained by Brooklyn… Brooklyn’s huge blue cat eyes have taken it all in, and she overheard some of what Camilla said to Tessa, and thoroughly approves of the plan. She has no regard for Brandon at all; all she wanted was to be made active, and to leave her job behind. Brandon was her ticket out, and all she needs now is for Tessa to leave, so Brooklyn can take her place. So she decides to lend a helping hand by distracting Brandon, so he won’t have time to drag Tessa over to one of his friends, or to even point her out to his friends.

Tessa stands in her sheltered corner, feeling her bare knees shaking, rubbing her freezing, clammy hands dry on her little skirt, when she hears her name mentioned. Her heart stops, then starts its rhythm again, but at twice the normal speed. She glances up, and gasps in horror! Camilla is talking to this huge, blond guy, and is pointing where Tessa is trying to blend in with the paintwork! “No,” she breathes, “no, please, Camilla, no… Lord, please, not me, don’t let him come to me…” Her voice trails off into a little whimper, as the big blond man lets out a loud, hearty laugh, hugs Camilla, then turns round, and strides up to her with purposeful strides. Tessa can’t breathe, and she can feel her body starting to shake. She can hear his footsteps stopping just in front of her, but she daren’t look up.

Then, a warm, deep, manly voice says, “My cousin Camilla tells me your name is Tessa. That has such a sweet ring to it; I think it suits you. Please allow me to compliment your hairstyle as well, my cousins will be very jealous. You see, my family is saving up for one of the expensive hairstyles, so they won’t be able to afford that cut. I think it’s beautiful, and makes you look like a pixie.” He laughs, a warm, caring laugh, rumbling like thunder in the distance. Tessa looks up then, and meets the kindest eyes imaginable, with cute blue eyebrows above them! She can’t help it, she has to smile, and her little face lights up. So do the young man’s eyes, she notices.

She blushes a little, and says softly, “I love your blue eyebrows… And that was the kindest flirtatious introduction ever heard in SiMobile, I’m sure!” They both laugh then, Tessa’s light, tinkling laugh, its silver bell effect matching her grey eyes. The blond young man’s laugh is loud and hearty. He stands at a respectful distance, not crowding her at all. He doesn’t look her up and down with leering eyes, like Brandon’s friends do. He doesn’t try to impress her; he just stands there, smiling, patient and with an inner calmness that calms Tessa as well. She can feel her heartrate settling down, and realises that there is no sign of panic now at all. Just a curiosity about this giant! “I’m sorry,” she says, going red, “I didn’t get your name… You say that you’re Camilla’s cousin?” She looks over at Camilla who is chatting to another guest, and looks back at the blond man with the blue eyebrows. “I can’t spot anything blue on Camilla…?” She makes it sound like a question, as the blue eyebrows somehow really intrigue her!

The giant laughs, and says with his deep voice, “Sorry for the oversight; my name is Erik, son of Magnus, the Viking. As for my blue eyebrows, well that is quite a story. May I buy you a coffee at the little café and I can tell you the story if you’re interested? It’s…ah…rather noisy here?” His voice goes up at the end of his sentence, making it sound like a question. He looks round at the other guests, and looks at the little toddler, Deborah, with her cat like eyes and dark hair. A look of great sadness glides over his face for a moment, but when he looks back at Tessa the look has gone, and only kindness can be seen on his smiling, handsome face.

Tessa feels ashamed of her messy family, and greatly relieved that Erik has offered her a way out of the party… “Yes please, I’d love a coffee,” she says, blushing at her eagerness. I won’t need that Izzy Creation effect with the fire at this rate, she thinks, my face will self ignite any minute now if I keep blushing like this! Erik looks relieved too, and he guides Tessa out of the house, somehow, without touching her. People make way for him, only glancing at the slim girl next to him. One of Brandon’s friends, one that Tessa really can’t stand, tries to look at Tessa too long. Erik moves so he is blocking the guy’s view, as well as glaring at the man. The man goes bright red and hurries off into the hobby room.

When they pass close by Camilla, Erik says softly, “I’m taking Tessa for a coffee at the little café. We will see you later. You better let Brandon know, so he doesn’t get any ideas in his mind with regards to his cronies!” He looks quite stern, his green eyes looking right into her heart it seems, and Camilla can feel the heat creeping into her cheeks. She can only imagine what her burly cousin must be thinking… She looks over at Brandon, sees his burning eyes fastened on Tessa, his hand resting on the arm of one of his obnoxious friends. It is clear that he was just about to point out Tessa to the guy. Now he is too late, and Brandon is too much of a coward to even dream of confronting Erik, or to try and argue with him. Tessa is safe, and Brandon’s evil plan has come to nought. She knew he would find a nasty piece of work for Tessa, as he can’t stand his sister’s faith, and always tries to hurt her emotionally or cause her distress. This time he is too late, and when Camilla looks at Brooklyn she can see the bright blue cat eyes sparkling with malicious pleasure. The two women look at each other, and their glee is a precious shared moment.

Camilla almost does the fist pump used for pulling off a risky action, for Brandon’s friend has just missed out. Her plan worked, and her handsome cousin has obviously taken a liking to the petit girl. “Good for him,” she grins, “good for him, I’m really pleased. Tessa is a sweet girl, way too emotional for my liking, but in the Mortina household she’ll be fine. They will look after her, and show her the kindness she deserves. As she doesn’t mind looking modest, and staying faithful and all that, she will feel right at home! I hope the first date goes alright, and I just hope, or maybe even pray, that they will continue in a relationship. I like Erik, he’s lovely, just like Uncle Magnus. I think its nice that he dyes his eyebrows blue, as a sign of belonging to his father. He really is a great guy, and it’s a shame he is my first cousin, hahaha, otherwise Tessa might have had some competition!”

She is shocked out of her pleasant daydream by a harsh voice in her ear, “You look like the cat who got the canary. I take it you planned this? Arranged a marriage for my sister without bothering to tell your husband, who happens to be the girl’s only brother?” She looks round, and can see the fury in his dark eyes, but Camilla doesn’t care anymore.

She looks as haughtily as she can and over her shoulder, whilst walking over to one of the nicer guys, she says, “I didn’t arrange anything. In fact, you know that I wasn’t sure anyone from my family would attend. As the guy is my cousin, I think Tessa has made a perfect choice; as Tessa is a sweet, kind girl, I think my cousin has made a perfect choice too!” She briefly makes eye contact with Brooklyn again, who looks more like a cat than ever, and Camilla is sure she can actually hear her purring happily to herself…

Erik and Tessa have a lovely time at the café, and by the time the choice for relationships crops up, Erik doesn’t hesitate to apply for ‘Soulmate’. He adores Tessa, he loves her lithe frame, and those grey eyes…well, they’re large enough for any man to drown in! As they are walking over to the Mortina home to start their courtship, Erik realises with a shock that he has fallen for the girl hook, line and sinker! He tries not to worry about that fact, but he keeps seeing his cousin, bare midriff and all; his cousin’s husband with his piercing eyes; he remembers the disgusting guys at the party…and for a split second he wonders if Tessa fits in the same picture… Immediately those nasty images are replaced with his first sighting of Tessa. The tiny girl, more modestly dressed than anyone else in the house, standing in the corner. He actually could see her knees knocking together, and when they shook hands he felt the icy cold fingers; could feel the trembling of her hands and his heart had melted for this young girl, who was obviously not having a great time… No, he decides, she is nothing like anybody in that family. Let’s hope she’ll get on with cousin Zahra…

She does, and Erik is relieved. He likes Zahra, and values her opinions. She has recently married one of the Knights, Michael, who has just moved in. The wedding was very special, as it’s not the first time that a Mortina married a Knight. Zahra had glowed with happiness, and kept saying, “He is so wonderful! I just feel so honoured, I mean, think of all the things Michael has to give up… There is also the risk of…” and she had stopped, a worried frown appearing. The others knew what she meant though. The last time a Mortina had married a Knight, it turned out that he was suffering from Llama Flu. Not the Weebles strain, which was very easily cured. No, this Knight, Richard Knight, had been struck down, literally, by the Pink Blob strain, and his life had hung in the balance for several days. He was cured, eventually, but the stress had been terrible on all the family. His cousin Victoria had been in the house at the same time, as they had had a double wedding. Erik can’t imagine what it must have been like… After Michael and Zahra are married, and Michael moves in, Erik can tell that the whole family is holding their breath. It turns out that Michael is as fit as a fiddle though, and life had settled down.

Tessa is amazed at how her life has been turned round. Here she is, little Tessa, with nobody to talk to, nobody who understands her, all alone; transformed into Tessa, Erik’s girlfriend. She has to keep pinching her arms to check that she isn’t dreaming. Surely this is too good to be true? She adores Erik, and thinks the world of him, even after a few dates, and time with his family. She loves the house, and they are more than happy for her to use their yoga mat. She loves it, as the yoga mat is near the piano where Michael is playing. He smiles at her whenever she looks at him, and is very kind and polite. He loves to help, she can tell, and she likes to watch him interact with what he calls ‘his three girls’, for Michael and Zahra have two daughters.

Tessa leans over, and this time happy tears drop onto the yoga mat. “Thank you, Lord, thank you! I can’t believe how my life has changed. I’m so very grateful; I love Erik, and I love the way he speaks to me; I get goose bumps from the way he looks at me, with respect, and warmth, kindness and love…He makes me feel special. Thank you Lord, for sending the right man at exactly the right time…” Her thoughts drift off for a moment, and she shivers. In one of her few moments at home Camilla had told her in quiet whispers what had happened at the party; Camilla had in just a few words made crystal clear to Tessa what sort of life she had narrowly escaped, for Tessa knew the man Camilla described.. How awful, she thinks, how utterly and profoundly unhappy my life would have been…

Then Tessa looks up again, catching a glimpse of one of the Mortinas in the kitchen, and smiles to herself, and breathes out, relief flowing off her in huge waves. “Thank God for this family, and thank God for my…well, fiancé in just a few hours!” It is true that Erik has been patient, not wanting to push Tessa, but the proposal comes at the right time. The whole family rejoices with the happy couple, and before anyone realises it they are wearing the SiMobile Government issued wedding gear, their faces beaming. They make a striking pair, the blond, giant, muscular Erik, his Norse blood showing. Standing next to him leaning on his strong arm stands the frail looking Tessa, with her tanned skin and large, grey eyes filled with happy tears! Tears that splash onto her freckled cheeks when her blond Viking leans over and kisses her under the wedding arch, and whispers with his face aglow with wonder and happiness, “Welcome home, Mrs Tessa Mortina, wife of Erik the Viking!”

Tessa and Camilla

The door opens with a bang, making Tessa jump. She can hear Brandon’s voice, sounding pleased and cheerful. “Long may it last,” she mumbles, whilst quickly walking back to her yoga mat. Doing yoga stops Brandon from talking to her, or asking her difficult questions. Lately he hasn’t bothered her at all though, as he has been too busy chatting up Camilla. Tessa stares ahead, lifting both arms in a stretch. She doesn’t know what to make of Camilla, her soon to be sister in law. She seems kind enough, and doesn’t make the same sort of remarks as Brandon does. Something feels a little off though, and Tessa can’t figure it out. There is a feeling of desperation, of needing something hanging around Camilla. She shakes her head, as if shaking the thoughts out of it, “Never mind, it will all become clear once she moves in, no doubt.”

Tessa catches a glimpse of Brandon and Camilla as she leans over to one side. She sighs with an air of disappointment. Still no wedding garb! They finished the engagement ages ago, and Tessa has been expecting Camilla in a white wedding dress any moment. She dreams away then, imagining pretty Camilla in a white flowing dress, and Brandon in a tux. She smiles, yes, they’ll make a good looking pair. Both are dark haired, although Brandon looks a lot darker, because of his beard and his very dark brooding eyes. Tessa wished they got married; she does like Camilla in spite of this little niggle in the back of her mind. To have Camilla living in the house will be so much nicer. Camilla is completely taken up with Brandon, which doesn’t leave any girl time, Tessa thinks; when she lives here I might get to spend some time with her.

She feels puzzled though, “They spend so much time together, surely they will be almost at the level where the SiMobile Government will issue the Moving Permit without any problems? Why aren’t they doing the Wedding event? Is Brandon aiming for a top level relationship before asking Camilla to be his wife? I wouldn’t think that Brandon would wait that long…” Tessa bends over, wondering when she will have her Promotion papers, and whether her promotion will cause problems in the household. Being promoted means that she can find a husband, the thought making her shiver. Brandon has already been hinting that he will be able to find lots of his friends willing to marry a tiny slip of a girl like her… She hadn’t said anything at the time, but had left the room as quickly as she could without it looking like she was running away. She had made a b-line for the bathroom, and had been sick; the thought of one of Brandon’s cronies eyeing her up, leering at her, holding her hands… The though had been enough to make her lose her entire breakfast!

Tessa is startled out of her thought by the door of the hobby room being opened. Camilla comes in, carrying a red suitcase. Tessa forgets all about her yoga, and just stands there, staring at the suitcase. Why did Camilla bring a suitcase with her? SiMobile Government doesn’t normally allow overnight stays where you can bring a suitcase. Bedding down on a friend’s couch can happen, but to bring your overnight things along in a suitcase is a different story! Camilla smiles at her, an exuberant, glowing smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you,” she laughs, “we’ll be off in a minute anyway, just to finalise the last bits and bobs before our wedding.” And she’s off, before Tessa can even open her mouth.

Tessa sinks down on her mat, remembering just in time to stretch her leg out, just to make it look as if she is still engrossed in her yoga exercises. Her mind is spinning, and she struggles to catch her breath. Camilla is moving in? Before her actual wedding? Tessa is incredulous; she knows it happens a lot in SiMobile, people move in together all the time. Some people have very loose relationships with other Sims, having a child when they haven’t even had their first date at the café yet. She knows all that, but she had just never expected it of Camilla. You can tell that she comes from a very respectable family, and a very proper one. She has told them some stories about the Mortina Dynasty, and the faith of some of its members. Tessa had never once dreamed that Camilla would move in, like she just seems to have done! Tessa feels her eyes filling up, and before long tears make tracks down her cheeks, making her nose runny. She walks to the bathroom to blow her nose, and to pretend to have a shower, just so she can have a good cry. She feels so disappointed; somehow it has spoiled things, even though she would struggle to explain that to an outsider. To her it has marred the relationship. That is one of the ways that Tessa is different, she realises. “I just can’t see things in a relaxed way. I know I’m being fussy, and very old fashioned, but I can’t see it any other way. I believe that doing things properly is always best, the rest will lead to heartache and issues, I’m convinced of that,” she sobs, hot water running over her, washing away her tears, the warmth calming her down.

That afternoon Camilla and Brandon are walking round the house in their wedding outfits, looking as handsome as a pair can look, their faces glowing with happiness. Tessa has to smile at them, in spite of her disappointment; they just look so beautiful! The way the stand together under the wedding arch, holding hands and smiling into each other’s eyes… The way they dance slowly to the music…Tessa’s heart melts, and she sheds happy tears this time. She prays for their happiness to last; for peace in their marriage; for blessings to multiply each day and on and on Tessa prays, wishing them all the good things she can think of.

As soon as the wedding is over Brandon returns to work. He has taken a lot of time off, in order to spend time with Camilla. Not that he has achieved his goal he needs to go back to his job in the restaurant. Camilla is left behind, looking a bit forlorn. She realises that she misses her family, she confides to Tessa. “There are so many of us, it being an old family home. Most Mortina families have multiple children, so the house is just never quiet.” She starts to giggle, and when she sees Tessa’s confused face, she giggles even more. “You see, my parents had a bit of a scheme going. They needed to put some ancient Injustice straight, so they decided that the way to do so would be by having as many children as there are letters in the alphabet. So I was number three, Camilla, you know. I have two older brothers, Albert and Daniel. The problem was that my aunt and uncle were getting upset, as the bassinet was always filled with my parent’s babies. In the end they talked to my mum and dad, and they agreed to just have one more child, which was Zahra, my little baby sister.” And Camilla’s laughing face sobers then, remembering her sweet little sister, just staggering round the Mortina home…

Tessa laughs as well, imagining Camilla’s family… It mases her wonder though, so she asks, “Did they mind you moving out, and, well, and moving out without being married I mean?” She blushes a bit, as the question sounds so judgmental, but she would like to know what the people in Camilla’s large family thought of it. She worries for a moment that she has gone too far, and made Camilla feel offended, as Camilla doesn’t immediately answer the question. She is staring out of the window, her mind clearly back with her family. Then she smiles again, and the old Camilla reappears.

“Yes, they did mind. In fact, my parents were very upset, and so were my aunt and uncle. My uncle is from a Norse family, and although they are quite easy going in that respect, he felt I should have been different, as I belonged to the Mortina family. You see, my family is very old fashioned, holding on to morals, and their faith very much dictates their actions.” She pulled a bit of a face then, clearly not approving, and Tessa feels very sad all of a sudden. So Camilla’s family would maybe accept her, but it doesn’t look like Camilla will have much time for her views and concerns! She glances at Camilla’s clothes, and suddenly feels her lips trembling. Camilla got changed out of the wedding dress as soon as the event was over, and is now wearing a short top and mini skirt.

She catches Tessa’s glance and her face lights up, her family’s disapproval a thing of the past, it seems. “Do you like my top?” She asks, eyes shining, “I just got it this afternoon, as present from Brandon, for he knew I was desperate to have it! I just love it!” and with one hand she strokes her bare midriff, making Tessa cringe. “It just feels so light, and I feel so special in it. It makes me really feel liberated, and glamorous. Although,” and her face clouds over for a moment, “although I didn’t like some of the comments from the other guys. You know, Brandon’s dodgy friends…” Camilla pulls a face, a disgusted face; just thinking about Brandon’s friends gives her goose bumps. Whatever has he got those friends for, she wonders, and where did he find them!

She turns back to Tessa, feeling a little annoyed with the girl’s obvious disapproval. “I like to wear things like this, and to feel I’m free,” she says, her tone a little sharper and more defensive than she meant for it to be, “all my life I had to wear modest clothes, and I just wanted to be…well, not slutty of course, I’m not like that. I just wanted to know what it feels like to be really attractive, and to have men appreciate you. I must admit that men staring at me creeps me out though, I’m obviously more of a Mortina than I thought, hahaha.” She laughs, and Tessa has to smile in spite of her upset, for Camilla really has a great laugh. “Inherited from my mum, I’m afraid,” she grins, when Tessa tells her how she loves her laugh…

Soon, Camilla seems to have lost the ability to laugh though… For the very next day he brings his work colleague home. Her name is Brooklyn, and she has large cat like eyes and hair that is dyed pink. She looks at Camilla with her slanted eyes gleaming, and even has the audacity to chat to Camilla as if they are friends, before disappearing with Brandon to fill the bassinet! Camilla is heartbroken, and struck down with grief. Tessa tries to comfort and support her, but Camilla is just overwhelmed with grief. Tessa herself isn’t feeling much better, and she can feel her hatred against her brother growing inside. To bring Brooklyn home, and to betray his wife so utterly and totally just leaves her stunned. Poor Camilla! Brooklyn goes as soon as the baby is born, and Brandon acts as if nothing has happened. In the end, Camilla can’t stand it any longer, and Tessa sees her marching up to Brandon’s room to confront him. Tessa makes herself scarce; she hates confrontations…

The house is large enough, but the walls are thin, so Tessa can’t escape their raised voices. “Darling, you don’t understand,” Brandon’s voice sounds calm and tired, as if speaking to an ignorant child. “It is important that we have beautiful children; I’m an artist, I need to surround myself with beautiful things. So Brooklyn is my concubine, not my mistress. Mistress sounds so common, and dirty, and secretive. She is my concubine, and you’re my wife, and my life is complete, for beauty encompasses me. You’re artistic too, so surely you understand what I mean. When I turned up for work there was this new co-worker. Have you seen her eyes? They are so unusual, so I knew I just had to bring her home. We’re married, nothing will change that, so I don’t quite know what your problem is. I promise that as soon as the bassinet is empty you and I will fill it, alright?” Tessa hadn’t heard Camilla’s reply, as she had to run to the bathroom. She only just made it, and was sick until she thought her stomach would turn itself inside out. “How absolutely disgusting; how dreadful, oh, poor Camilla! What will her family think? I wonder if she will divorce Brandon…?”

Nothing of the sort happens and Tessa is shocked to see Camilla and Brandon laughing together, and even more horrified to see Camilla chatting to Brooklyn! They look as if they get on well, striking up a tentative friendship. Tessa can’t understand, and again she realises she is alone, with nobody to talk to; nobody at all who she could trust. All she could do was drag her weary body back to the yoga mat, and use the time to pray. Pray and cry, it was all she did these days, it seemed. Brooklyn was at the house a little more often, and Brandon was spending a lot of time with her. He hadn’t forgotten his promise to Camilla though, and as soon as Deborah becomes a toddler, Camilla and Brandon filled the bassinet.

Camilla smiles at Tessa’s upset face, and even gives her a hug. “Don’t worry about it, Tessa, it happens all the time in SiMobile… Lots of families live like this. In fact, Brooklyn can’t stand Brandon, but she has her own scheme to get him back. I’m a bit angry and admit I felt hurt at first, but I do agree with Brandon, that to get the right genetics, you need to be a bit openminded sometimes! Personally I don’t really care much for her huge cat eyes, but Brandon thinks they are so special, he just wants to have them mixed with his dark eyes… he knows you’ll be promoted soon,” Camilla continues, a sly smile making her face look very different. “He says you’re the marrying type, so as soon as you have married he wants Brooklyn to move in!” Camilla can’t continue, as Tessa has literally fled the room in tears. She goes to find her after a while, rolling her eyes over the girl’s sensitivity. “Those tears appear at the drop of hat,” she thinks to herself, “I hope she has calmed down by now!”

Tessa has calmed down, and Camilla tells her as a matter of fact that Brooklyn has a plan… Once she has moved in she will start a relationship with her lover. As both she and the young man she fancies are Townies it is impossible to have a relationship. SiMobile doesn’t allow two Townies to get together. Once she has moved in she will no longer be a Townie though, so she is using Brandon to have her own way… Camilla thinks it’s brilliant, beating Brandon at his own game, and is exasperated when Tessa cries even more. “Can’t you see how wrong it is?” The slender girl cries, “You can’t make a right out of two wrongs, and it’s definitely wrong! I don’t care that loads of families do it; that doesn’t make it right at all. I know Brandon is…is horrible, but surely that is not an excuse to do this…this evil scheme! Can’t you all see the grief and sadness and heartache this family has and will have in the future?”

Camilla looks at Tessa with astonished eyes, and says, “No, I can’t! You’re the only one, to be honest; we’re all having a great time! It’s called freedom; we all do whatever we like, wear what we enjoy, and just make friends and relationship that are free of restrictions and narrowminded rules!”

She walks off, feeling that Tessa is hopelessly old fashioned, and stuck in her narrow world view. Tessa lies back down, and weeps bitter tears, her heart breaking over her family’s brokenness. She knows grief and heartache will be there. There is spitefulness and jealousy already. Brooklyn and Camilla get on quite well, but it sickens Tessa the way they both vie for Brandon’s attention. He sits there, like the king, and both of them hover around him, waiting on him hand and foot. There will be fighting between the children as well, and.. “Lord, it’s all so wrong, and soon I will be promoted, and…and the idea of one of Brandon’s friends flirting with me… I really can’t do this anymore Lord, please…” Just before she drifts off to sleep, worn out from crying, the words of the hymn she heard last week floats into her semi consciousness, calming her, comforting her more than anything else can. “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” Then sleep overtakes her, and Tessa sleeps, a peaceful smile now round her sweet lips, her black curly hair framing her little pixie face.

Alphabet

When Magnus walks through the door, he meets a very excited Esther. “Come and have a look, another garden patch has finished,” she squeals, her face beaming with pleasure. Magnus laughs, but he does follow her into the back garden. He must admit, he tries to avoid the back garden, as it’s such a mess! Each patch takes many days of extremely hard work in order to raise the funds to clear the patch. Once the gardeners set to work, it will still take several days before they have actually cleared the land. It took the four of them quite a while to earn enough money to finally be able to contact the gardeners. To be honest, he had forgotten all about the patch clearing, it took so long!

He looks at the empty patch, and looks at the Granny Annexe. Plans were that they would clear enough land to move the Annexe. It is so close to the main house, that it makes the courtyard look minute. Also, another bedroom would be helpful, what with Samuel and Miriam’s brood all growing up! Would this one cleared patch do it though… Magnus looks at the patch, walks round the Annexe, measures with his eyes, and still wonders! Samuel arrives to have a look too, and being Samuel he is convinced it will fit perfectly. “Yes, I’m sure it will fit, easily! We could just move the whole thing up, easy as that. Just put those gates into storage for now, and just shove the whole lot along a bit.”

The gates are put into storage, so is the wedding arch. The shoving starts, but as soon as they lay hands on he building both men realise they will have a problem. It’s not going to be that easy after all! They check a bit more carefully this time, and then find a solution. It will need some turning and refitting, but it works. Magnus suggests resizing the bathroom as well, as it will give the house a much bigger courtyard. The Granny Annexe’s main room is made a little larger, and soon the whole thing is done! Magnus is pleased, he really likes this kind of work! He is glad they managed to fit it all, and most of the items are removed from store and fitted back into the Annexe. The house looks different, he smiles to himself, definitely more space around!

“All we need is a bit more Simoleans, and we’ll have that extra bedroom done too,” laughs Samuel, making it sound as if the room can be ordered in the morning, rather than in a few days time… “I love the new outlook, much lighter! It’s a nice place actually, I might even accept my last Trait!” and roaring at his joke he stalks off, finding some new scheme no doubt. Magnus is left standing by himself, a sad and thoughtful look on his face. He hadn’t realised that he’d been staring after Samuel, until a slender hand appears on his arm, squeezing him close. Esther has appeared at his side. She had noticed that the Granny Annexe was in place, so she came to have a look, and to check the furnishings. Good thing too, one of the wall hangings had moved, so together they put it back in the right place. Esther is watching Magnus’ face, a little worry line on her forehead. He was just standing there, staring, and she had heard Samuel’s loud laugh. She wondered if Samuel had said something inappropriate, as tact wasn’t his strength… He could do with the Tactful Trait, or something like that, she had mumbled to herself whilst going over to Magnus to find out what happened.

She asks him whilst fluffing up the cushions on the red sofa, and Magnus smiles at her. “Don’t worry, I’m alright. It’s just something that Samuel said that made me think about lots of stuff.” He grins then, his handsome face alight suddenly, like the sun peeking round a cloud. “Samuel mentioned how nice the Annexe was, and that he might even accept the last trait, meaning retirement might come soon. It made me think about our last traits. We haven’t accepted them either, and I just felt sad. I really don’t want to get retirement notices just yet…” Magnus looks sad again, staring off into the distance. He sighs after a while, “I’m trying to be content; I’m really trying to put all life’s struggles and hurts into the right perspective, and in a way I’m alright with everything. I know I have you, and I have God living in me, but my heart still longs for a child, a son. It is hard to see Samuel and Miriam with so many children, and another one in the bassinet right now. That means that we can’t use the bassinet right now, and we will need to wait till their baby is walking round. Say we get our chance then, that means that it will still be a while before our child would be an adult, and we could move out. I really don’t want that last trait, not before we have a child…”

He looks sad, tired, and Esther feels for him. Magnus has been so desperate for a child, and although he has been more at peace about it since turning to the Sun of Righteousness, there are still moments of sadness, of course! She admits that she feels the same sadness; she too would love to have a baby in the Mortina bassinet; an heir, to carry on the Mortina Dynasty, as well as a child that welds them together, a part of both of them. Magnus looks at her and adds softly, “It’s not that I’m bitter about it, or angry. I just have this longing in my heart. These days I just pray about them, and lay them before the Lord. I loved that account you read to me the other day, about that king who had received letters, mocking him and God. I was struck by how he laid them out before the Lord and prayed over these letters that way. It just resonated with me, it was such a beautiful image, this king, bowing before God, with these hateful letters spread out before him. Some days I struggle to remain at peace though; some days I even wonder if there really is nothing I can do or say that will make God change His plan; Some days just seem so dark and sad…”

Esther hugs him, tears in her eyes. Yes, that reading had been wonderful, and encouraging too. “I know my love, I know, it is so hard to wait! Trusting God is hard sometimes, it’s hard in the valleys anyway, and I keep reminding me that He hasn’t promised us an easy journey, only a safe arrival… I cling to that. No, I don’t want the last trait either, for I’m still sure that God will give us a child. I’m trusting and waiting as best as I can, and I must admit that I try to enjoy your company as much as I can as well! These days are a gift too, and I love the time it affords us to be together!”

Magnus actually blushes a little, and his large grin turns into his hearty laugh. Esther actually feels the tears leaving her eyes, splashing onto her cheeks; that laugh! It was the very first thing she heard at that party, so long ago now! She laughs through her tears, and with a shaky voice says, “Do you remember that party at your house? Our meeting up party? Remember how I went into the house, sent in by Bjorn, to find you. I had no idea where to even start, and then I heard this wonderful laugh…and my heart just knew it was you!” They both laugh, and Magnus hugs, lifts and swings Esther, knowing it will make her shriek and beg him to set her down! He is not disappointed…

That evening, as they watch Miriam walk past the lounge with a little baby in her arm, something finally clicks in Magnus’ head. He spins round to face Esther and whispers excitedly, “I know what they are up to! I knew they had a plan! I knew it! Listen, look at their baby names, ok, first boy is…?”

Esther stares at him, like he’s lost his mind. Nevertheless, when he keeps looking at her expectantly, obviously onto some great idea, she says “It’s Albert.”

“Exactly! Next boy is Brandon, then they had little Camilla. After Camilla came Daniel. Can’t you see the pattern? A, B, C and D! They are working their way through the alphabet!” He sinks down on the sofa next to Esther, and suddenly he can’t stop laughing, he is literally rolling around on the sofa, holding his sides, laughing and groaning about a stitch in his side. When he finally is able to speak again, he says, very softly, looking over his shoulder like a conspirator, “Do you think they’re really planning to work their way through the entire alphabet?” And Magnus is off again, laughing, rolling, wriggling like an out of control snake, until he actually rolls of the sofa! That puts a stop to that, and Esther wipes her own laughter tears from her face. They both sink back into the sofa cushions, still gasping for breath, and giggles still making their way up from their stomachs. They look at each other, incredulously. “Surely they’re not aiming for twenty six children?”

Esther shakes her head, “No, I don’t think so, at least not anymore. I don’t know what their plan was originally, I wouldn’t put it past them, to be honest! Remember, the little boy after Daniel is called Tyson. I’m not sure what made them change. I know Miriam was really upset after Tyson was born. She blamed it on her makeup, said she was obviously allergic to the eyeshadow, it stung her eyes. I’m absolutely convinced she had been crying; I could tell she was struggling, laughing extra loud, talking to me in a voiced even more hyped up than usual. I’m sure something went wrong, for Samuel has actually been a lot more serious since then as well. Then this morning, “ Esther continues, although she has to swallow, as this morning’s memory is still fresh, the hurt and dejected feeling still raw. Magnus and Esther had also finished their jobs as quickly as they could, and still Miriam and Samuel had beaten them to the bassinet; it was still Samuel and Miriam’s child in the bassinet, not hers. “Well, this morning they had a little girl again, and they named her…” she gasps, looks at Magnus with large, round eyes! “Gracious, they named her Ursula!”

The giggles start again, but Magnus says, “At least….at least, ow my side hurts, at least they’re near the end of the alphabet! We might get our chance soon then, once they have a Zedekiah, or Zacharias or something!” Helplessly they cling to each other, laughing uncontrollably, knowing that their behaviour isn’t particularly mature, but somehow unable to stop it! Trust Miriam and Samuel to come up with a scheme like that! “Why on earth would they do that?” gasps Magnus in the end.

Esther sits up, wiping her eyes, “It’s the ‘Grave Injustice’ that Samuel is putting straight, I’m sure of it! He said he wanted to do something special, some grand scheme to make a difference. He talked about buying that huge building behind the Club, and round up all the ancient NPCs in town, and make them move in there, so new people can have their jobs… I’m pretty sure they have decided to send out as many young Mortinas as they can, to repopulate the town with young people, providing spouses to all sorts of desperate Sims!”

The more they talk about it, the more they are sure that Miriam and Samuel are doing exactly that! So why the sudden jump to T for Tyson? Magnus wonders if the SiMobile Government has named the baby. It doesn’t happen very often, but occasionally it does. A baby is given a name, the parents somehow don’t get to choose, and the name can’t be changed once it’ given! “Well, if they have Ursula, that means they are getting near the end of the list! Maybe we should ask them outright, you know, explain that as they still have five more letters to go, maybe we could have the bassinet first? They have six children already, they could easily take a break. I’m sure the best thing to do is to be straight with them. I don’t think they take hints very well…”

Magnus doesn’t sleep well that night, every time he wakes up a little he starts laughing again, stuffing the duvet cover into his mouth to stop his giggles from waking up Esther! They both manage to keep their faces straight though when talking to Miriam and Samuel. To their surprise, they both admit to the alphabet scheme! Magnus snorts, giggles no longer under control, and he quickly pretends to blow his nose, hoping they won’t suspect… Miriam and Samuel take it very well actually, and they apologise for claiming the bassinet all the time! They reach an agreement, as Miriam and Samuel are thinking seriously about accepting their last trait. They love the Annexe, and both have reached the end in their hobbies. Finding their jobs a lot less fun, and a lot more restrictive, they admit that retirement looks like the fun option! Magnus and Esther hardly dare to look at each other, hope mixing in with the giggles, wriggling, bubbling, looking for a chance to come out in new waves of helpless laughter.

The giggles win when Magnus and Esther are finally together in their room. They laugh and cry at the same time, feeling elated, on top of the world! Soon, quite soon, sooner than they dared to dream, they might be holding their baby!

Miriam felt so bad about their lack of sensitivity that she offers to throw them a party! Esther tries to look grateful and excited, but as it’s Miriam throwing the party, she just doesn’t know what sort of party they are talking about…. “A studio one, as it’s got some lovely art work, and we’ll make it a Cocktail Party, you know, nice posh frocks and all that! You’ll like that, and all your friends and family can come over in their finery; I might even dress proper like myself!” she had laughed her wild laugh, but she kept her word, and invites were sent out for a Cocktail Party. Magnus just hoped and prayed his family would make it this time! He hasn’t seen Bjorn for a while, or his sisters! They used to pop in very regularly when he first got married, but they haven’t done so lately. He really misses them, and he hardly dares to hope that this time they’ll make it in…

The day of the party arrives, and they all finish work early to put their glad rags on. Miriam finds a lovely shaped dress, bright red, complementing her black hair an bright blue eyes. She is obviously very excited, and leans over to Esther to say in a loud whisper that can be heard in at least two rooms, “Lucille said she might be able to come. You know, she’s just told me she is going to retire after the next Gems? Well, that really settled it for me, so I talked to Samuel about it. Lucille is my best friend, we do so much together! I can’t imagine life in SiMobile without her to laugh and hang out with! Who would I go to with stuff, you know, or have a good laugh? It’s just going to be so dull; no, I’m going to accept my trait after the party. Samuel said he didn’t mind, as he feels he’s done his bit for the Dynasty and that Justice thing; you know, the Challenge that he had taken on for that ancestor guy. So there we are, might be our last party, so I better make it a good one!” She laughs, and walks off in her bright coloured shoes, red dress visible even when you switch the light off, thinks Esther, rolling her eyes. What a bit of news though, I can’t imagine them working their way to Z, so who knows how soon Magnus and I can use the bassinet… She never knows whether it was the news or the cocktails that made the party a success!

A success it is though, as Magnus’ cousin Bjorn arrives, smiling, clapping him on the back as usual. They chat a lot, Magnus louder than usual, his loud laugh setting off other guests as well. He is thrilled when his sisters arrive, hugging them, and chatting with them, telling his llama in a bar jokes… They’re pleased to see him too, and in a rare quiet moment Magnus manages to confide in his sisters, telling them that the bassinet will soon by filled with a tiny Viking! Runa and Freya are so pleased for him, as they didn’t want to ask. They’re glad he told them though! Miriam can be heard welcoming Lucille, and those two are soon heard everywhere, stirring up fun wherever they go! They certainly don’t need the cocktails to enjoy the party, thinks Esther, looking around her home, looking at the beautiful dresses, but mainly looking at her friends. Friends who made a lot of effort to come, to be there for them, to brighten up the party with their presence, making her feel overwhelmingly grateful, her face sore from smiling and chatting. She goes from friend to friend, but never seems to manage to meet everyone present! Even when the party gets shut down, as they invariably do, the beautiful memories are there. Magnus hugs her tighter than ever that night, and whispers, “I know the sun is still there, even when you can’t see the sun. How much better to actually feel the sun, and experience the warmth and revel in its healing rays… It’s also true for the Sun you told me about, and He is shining His face on us right now, and nothing in life compares to His smiling countenance! I can feel His healing touch in my heart, bringing joy and peace and happiness…”

Bright and Beautiful

Paul and Eva have been engaged for ages, it seems. Esther keeps a close eye on the calendar, as she just wants to get to her own wedding day! There have been a few changes in SiMobile, and this always causes problems. Paul’s family is new in town, so Paul and Eva will be the first to get married in their household. This means that they will have to do the main Marriage Quest, an event that last for ever it seems. As Paul’s family is new, there are no tricks to speed up the process either! Eva grumbles every evening about the length of time each step takes.

“We looked at outfits, we looked at menus. Now we have to look at both again! It’s just never ending… All we want to do is get married and have a life. Why does everything have to be so hard? His parents are getting on, so Paul’s dad is actually ready to retire whenever we get married. The Proposal event went really quickly, but now it’s just one thing after another! Their bathroom is terrible, as they are new, so even a shower doesn’t make you feel that much better!”

Yes, Eva is definitely Miss Stroppy these days, hoping to turn into Mrs Stroppy soon, Esther grins to herself. Well, good luck to Paul, although he seems quite a happy, calm sort of guy. He needs to be too, there is no way they can replace walls or windows, so hopefully he will be able to keep Eva in a good mood. Then they get the wonderful news, the wedding has started! Not long now, Esther sighs a great sigh of relief, not long, and about time too! I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait!

The day after Eva’s wedding her Permit arrives, and Eva spends the rest of the day snapping and packing, looking stressed in her rush to get out. “I didn’t realise we were that awful?” says Samuel, smiling, although his eyes are just a little darker green than usual. He must be annoyed, to let it get to him! “I have never seen anyone leave this home in such a rush! Paul must be amazing, or his house is like a palace, or…” He stops, for Eva has turned round, her face red, eyes glaring at everyone.

“No, it’s not this house, it’s not this family, it’s this town!” she hisses, surprising everyone with her anger! “We have been doing this wedding event for days and days, just to get married. On top of that, so many things have changed in SiMobile. We heard that it’s almost impossible to have a honeymoon baby now! First you have to do a baby event, and you have to attend all sorts of classes, buy stuff, do events. Then, in order to actually have the baby you need enough tickets to do so, just to prove that you can actually look after a baby! What has SiMobile come to, that they now want all prospective parents to prove themselves! I know there has been a lot of goings on in this town, and some families have more children than they should have. It’s just a silly rule, that will favour the rich and powerful, like…like…well, you know, friends we know of…!”

Eva stops then, going a brighter shade of red, realising that one of the families she was thinking of is her own father’s family, and as Samuel’s mother is her dad’s cousin, it means she grew up in the same house. The others just stare at her, too shocked for a moment to say something that isn’t going to come out all wrong. Samuel laughs, not one of his hilarious laughs though, a funny dry, short laugh. “Ha, you mean like our friends to whose parties we have been? I mean, the parties that you have been to? Like the party recently, where Esther met Magnus? Those sort of friends, with those sort of houses, you mean?”

Eva actually looks down, looking ashamed now. “I am sorry, I really am. It’s just, well…I just…” Eva stops, and swipes her eyes! Eva, the hard as nails Eva is actually crying! It is Samuel’s turn now to blush, and he hands Eva a tissue. “You see, Paul and I were so desperate to get married. We knew we had to do the official quest, and that it would take time. It just hadn’t registered how much time! I felt so bad, for I know Esther has been so looking forward to getting married, and I know you have spent lots of time with Miriam… When we finally got married, we were just looking at the…next ehm…step, and then,” tears start rolling again, and Eva mops away with the rather soggy tissue. “Well, we soon realised that in order to have children, there is a whole boatload of new events, new regulations and boxes to tick! The tickets are the worst, they are hard to get…”

Poor Eva! Esther really feels sorry for her sister. She can understand the pressure although not once has Eva let on that she was trying to do things as fast as possible to help Esther. On the contrary, she kept repeating how important it is to do all steps properly, to not rush a wedding, to really enjoy each day as it comes… Esther sighs, typically Eva, little Miss Windup, she thinks. This business about the needed tickets is bad though, as a lot of young families will struggle! “Oh Eva, how difficult it must be! Don’t worry, everything will work out for the best, you’ll see! Nothing happens by chance, God is in control.” A picture of a tiny silver hammer floats through her head and is gone, but the niggling worry stays behind.

Soon Eva’s bags are packed, and she says goodbye to them all. Moving to another family can be very hard, and soon the realise that the implications can be terrible. They can’t contact Eva, and she can’t contact them! How sad, only via family members can they keep in touch! Of course, many promises are made on that score! “Well, at least we don’t have to worry about extra quests, tickets and permissions!” says Samuel Vince, smiling around, but Esther did notice his quick look around to make sure Eva had definitely gone…

The house has space! It has gone very quiet, even though nothing much has changed, really! Mind you, Miriam makes up for any missing person, and is happy to fill any quiet moment. Samuel is clearly in love with her, and those two together are working on something, Esther is sure. Before Esther and Magnus have finished their events, Samuel Vince Mortina is strutting round the house in a blue tux, followed by a laughing and shrieking Miriam in a white dress. Their Wedding is Wild… Fortunately, Magnus and Esther have part of the event out of the house, at the Cub where Miriam works. It is very quiet at the club, making Esther giggle to Magnus, “No wonder it’s so quiet, Miriam is at the house!”

Esther thinks about the little hammer a lot; it still worries her. Magnus makes it sound as if it was just a family tradition, a family joke, but does he really see it that way? Esther smiles a little, “He really is a Viking, always talking about stuff he has done, things he can do, deeds to be done…almost as bad as Samuel with his Bringing Justice! He is a kind guy though!” Later that evening Esther is glad of Magnus and his Viking strength, for one of he guys at the Club is becoming a nuisance. Esther can feel herself getting flustered, and just wishes the man would go! Just when she thinks she will need to raise the alarm or something, there is a strong arm around her, and a deep voice challenges the annoying man.

“Leave the girl alone, you’ve done enough harm for one night, making a fool of yourself, annoying a lady. No go home, sleep it off, and behave yourself like a gentleman next time. You will be in serious trouble if I still see you in two minutes…” The man doesn’t need two minutes, and within a few seconds he has left the Club, heading towards the brand new bus stops Esther spotted on their way to the Club… Magnus turns her round, his face all smiles again, his voice still deep, but warm, rumbling, breathless… “You never worry about anything whilst with me, dearest Esther,” he commands, smiling, “I will take care of you, and I will make sure that nobody can harm you! Don’t worry about the guy, he won’t be back tonight. I love you, Esther, did I tell you already this last half hour?”

Esther laughs then, relieved that her Viking stepped up so nicely, and protected her. Relieved to see his caring face, and amused by his sweetness. “You only told me three times this half hour, you’re slipping!” She tells him, “Thank you, my dearest, for being my protector, I enjoyed that! I thank God for you every day; I thank him for your handsome face, and your strength, and your amazing warm heart…” She smiles at him, and is a little surprised and hurt to see his eyes darken a little, his broad smile slipping just a tad. “What is wrong? Have I said something to upset you?” she asks, quickly reviewing her words. What is it? She thinks, what did I say?

Magnus sighs, holds her a little tighter, and says, “I don’t quite get why you would thank God for me? I mean, our marriage was all arranged by our parents, we agreed, we met at the party, so why thank God? Also, I was the one that sent the guy packing. He ran off, because of me, not because God brought thunder down on him. I was here, at the Club, with you; you’re my fiancée, almost my wife. So of course I would come to your rescue, and I will always do so. It’s my duty and delight,” his smile is a bit broader, definitely his eyes look more mischievous, “definitely an delight, to protect you, to be with you, to keep you safe. You know, at home Bjorn and I used to do lots of wrestling. Well, you know how big he is, but I didn’t lose that often…!”

Esther giggles, men and their games… Then she turns serious again, because what he has said is serious, and she wonders how to explain, without offending him. She groans, “Lord, do I really need to explain all this? Can’t I just leave it, and explain another day, in another conversation, or can’t somebody else explain…?” She knows the answer though, and actually blushes a little for she feels a bit of a coward, backing out of an awkward conversation! “I know what you are saying, and I do understand. However, I believe God ordains things, brings things about, orders things right. So I truly believe that our meeting up, our arranged marriage, is a gift of God. You are a gift of God, and I love you even more because of that!”

She stops, wondering how Magnus will react. He is very quiet for a moment, thinking about her words, turning them round in his head, in his heart. Then he grins at her, “Well, I can definitely live with the idea of being God’s gift to you! That’s pretty cool, and does a lot for a man’s ego!” He hugs her, spinning her round and round, all serious talk forgotten, for the wedding is at the door, it will be a white dress for her, a tux for him…then they will be husband and wife!

The wedding is wonderful, even though it’s a formality in SiMobile but to Esther is the most wonderful of events, as it is an event done with Magnus. He looks incredibly handsome in his tux, and she feels like a princess in her white dress. The time speeds by, the event seems short because of its beauty and sweetness. Esther’s face aches from smiling, her eyes hurt from the camera flashes, her feet are sore for they danced too much, and the entire event wears her out. Magnus is over the moon, he loves his tux, but wears his red jacket for part of the event, explaining that the red looks great with her white dress!

Esther notices his eyes though, and it actually thrills her as well as making her nervous. Magnus watches her, a lot. Not just in the normal way, like he always does, with pride and joy shining in his big eyes, but more thoughtful at odd moments. Esther is secretly thrilled, for she can tell that he is actually thinking about the incident at the Club, and her explanation. She can tell that he watches her, to see how she lives out her words. This is what makes her nervous, for she knows how small things can really upset her. She tends to worry about small issues, knowing it’s wrong, but seemingly unable to stop herself from doing so.

The big test arrives soon after their glorious wedding. There is a small family celebration, as both Magnus and Miriam have been granted their Moving Permits, and both have walked in with huge suitcases. Now the four of them are sharing the big house, they decide to have a proper Wedding Reception. Miriam is very keen, “Ohhh, I love parties! My parents only had the one, just for Paul and Eva to meet, and for me to meet up with Samuel! It was a tiny party, hardly anywhere for guests to stand, the house is so minute!” Her head back, she roars with laughter, nudging Samuel with her elbow at the same time.

It takes a while before both have finished laughing, and then bit longer before they’re all ready to carry on the planning. Esther loves style, she loves long dresses, graceful garments, showing class. She prefers a wedding party where all the guests turn up in their best outfit, refined, pleasant, and for everyone to just have a wonderful time. Magnus doesn’t mind at all; he has been to all types of parties, his family do wild parties and classy parties, so as long as Esther is happy, well, he, Magnus is thrilled. That leaves Miriam and Samuel. It is Miriam who pipes up, making Esther gasp with her proposal, “Let’s have a really bright one, you know, a fun one! Everyone gets to wear whatever they want as long as it’s colourful, and just have a uproarious time!”

Samuel is laughing, and agrees straight away. Miriam and Samuel do a high five (really? Esther just about manages to stop the eye rolling) and cheer, and start discussing possibilities straight away. Esther hesitates, but decides to give it a shot, “Are you sure? I mean, don’t we normally wear a wedding gown type dress for the Wedding Reception? You see, it would make it feel more like a Reception, won’t it? Well, what I mean is, a lot of people wear really bright clothes anyway, they might want to wear something…chic…something stylish I mean…” She stops, blushing, struggling to sound upbeat, openminded, as if she is totally up for the weird and crazy, but just wanted to mention the…normal, proper option as well.

It doesn’t work; Miriam laughs her wild laugh again, and vetoes it straight off, “Nooooo, that’s so stiff and starchy, you don’t want that! Our friends love a bit of a laugh, don’t they? I mean, everyone knows that people in big houses get up to all sort of…hahahah…well, fun, for want of a better word! Let’s do it! I can’t wait, it’ll be hilarious!” Magnus watches Esther, she can feel his eyes, watching her, assessing her, remembering her bold words and great claims. So, if what she said is correct, then this is also in God’s control?

Esther struggles, she has to give in to the others and the party invites are sent out, calling the theme Bright and Beautiful. The last bit was a concession to Esther, as some people do like to dress up in style, even Miriam admitted that much. Esther has to think about this big question though, and she just finds a quiet spot, right behind the Granny Annexe. She sits down, feeling herself relax; the sun overhead warming her bones, the waves hitting the beach, calming her, restoring her. “Lord, I don’t understand. You said all things work to the good of those that love You. You promised that not a hair can fall off our head without Your knowledge. You said not a sparrow can hit the ground without Your consent. So how does that work with things like…like stuff I don’t want?”

Esther feels herself calming down, relaxing, peace rolling over her like the waves rolling over the nearby beach. The sound of the waves rolling, washing the beach, makes her think of her auntie’s favourite hymn, ‘When Peace Like a River…’ and she realises that it has a good part of the answer to her question. “Of course,” she whispers, “of course, it keeps repeating, ‘It is well with my soul’, so of course, part of the answer is that God doesn’t give us a perfect life on earth. The best is yet to come, and this world is a fallen world, so there will always be grief and evil. God is still in control though…”

Esther smiles, and rolls onto her front, feeling her face starting to have a familiar tightness, which means the sun is turning her skin a bright red. With the party coming up, that is not such a great thing to happen. “At least it will be bright,” she suddenly giggles, then her face lights up a bit more, “Yes! That’s it! Joseph! He actually explained to his brothers and told them that they meant the whole throwing-in-the-pit incident for evil, but God meant it for good! The incident brought Joseph to Egypt, got him into prison, ordered it so he got to meet the cupbearer and explain his dream, who remembered it rather late and that brought Joseph before Pharaoh to explain Pharaoh’s dreams, who made him governor of Egypt, which made Joseph save his family! Wow, what a long line of incidents, all terrible, sad, painful…but meant for good! All under God’s control…”

She smiles then, relieved that she has managed to work it out in her own heart; grateful for the quiet moment of reflection. Suddenly she finds herself looking forward to the Reception, wandering in her mind’s eye through her wardrobe, wondering if amongst her very sensible collection of clothes there will be something Bright! She finds herself rushing over to the house, caught up in the whole spirit of the party, looking forward to meeting the guests, showing off her amazing husband, dreaming of, no trusting in, a Bright and Beautiful future…

The noise is incredible. She chuckles to herself, and shakes her head, whilst folding and packing up her clothes. “Whoever says that retirement is so that older people can have a rest must be joking,” she mutters, “I have never heard so much noise in my life! Good thing that I don’t feel old, otherwise living in this house would probably finish me off! Oh dear, I never realised how many clothes I have… I’m not sure I really want to keep all these. Oh! No, this one is for keeps! My green superhero suit! Mmmm, I wonder if I could lose enough weight to wear it; it would certainly entertain all the other old people once we move out…!”

Victoria is packing her belongings, humming to herself, smiling every now and then when extra loud noises reach her. She loves living in a noisy household, enjoys the young people chatting and singing, and revels in their infectious energy. She wasn’t going to retire until necessary, but when Chris got his final promotion, they decided that there really was no reason to hang on any longer. The only reason they kept going was to earn a few more Simoleans, to save up for the next bit of garden to get cleared. In the end, she and Chris decided that their generation had cleared a piece of the garden, and added a wad of cash towards the next plot. It was the new generation’s turn, they felt.

So, rather unexpectedly, both Chris and Victoria had handed in their papers! She still laughs when thinking about it, her musical laugh sounding as clear as ever. “It feels like I’m on holiday,” she had laughed as she had sat down with Chris for a leisurely cup of coffee. “I sort of regret not having taken the first retirement option now, rather than letting Tabitha and Richard go first…! It’s just so nice, a normal weekday, and here I am, sitting with you, listening to all the Mortina noises!”

They had both smiled, and enjoyed their moment together. Victoria looks at herself in the mirror when she passes it with another armful of clothes. She pulls a face at the old lady staring back at her, and touches her grey hair. “I like it, I think it actually suits me. The purple dress looks good too, I’m really pleased with my choices. Of course, my superhero suit would have been fun as well, but no, I think I prefer the classy look. The photographer will be here in a minute, I better go and put my face on. Skin can look so sallow next to grey hair. Now where is my toiletry bag…” she mumbles to herself, walking out of her room, walking with a determined step as if still walking in the Court room!

The house is very full, it seems. There are the four older Mortinas, and Eva, Esther and Samuel Vince. Eva is desperate to meet Paul, and Esther dreams of Vikings day and night, making everyone in the house feel that they can imagine why people dreaded the Norsemen coming all those years ago… They are secretly starting to dread anything that has a vague connection to Vikings too. Esther is oblivious to their weariness, she just can’t wait to meet Magnus. She keeps looking at postcards that arrived in the white letterbox, checking and double checking. Parties are being arranged, times are chosen, wheels are set in motion…

The noisiest of all is Samuel Vince. His bright orange hair moves through the house like a torch, setting people’s hearts and minds alight. He really has a gift for setting people off. He likes winding up, leaving some people cross, but he is so cheerful and friendly, that he gets away with it all! Victoria tried to have a quiet word with him. Having a quiet word with Samuel however is a contradiction in terms, as she should have known after all these years! She had tried to warn him, explaining that not everyone will appreciate his jokes and his loudness. “Really sweetie, you do need to be careful. People are so easily offended, and especially at trying times like these, what with betrothal parties, and arrangements to be sorted out…”

He had just laughed; laughed and hugged her, lifting her off the ground a little, ignoring her exasperated “Samuel Vince Mortina! What do you think…Oh!” He had kissed her, and giving her a last tight hug, had put her back on the ground. He looked at her, and with his bright green eyes full of mischief assured her everything was fine. “I’m fine, mother, they are fine, everyone and everything is just fine. Did I tell you I got the photography job? Auntie Tabitha recommended me, and guess what? I got the ASOS Photographer one! She was so pleased for me, said she had tried to apply for that one herself! Well, another family member given some justice, I guess!” and he had laughed his loud, boyish laugh, and walked off.

Victoria sighs, thinking about Samuel always leaves her a little uneasy. The boy is so wild, so incorrigible! Goodness knows what he’ll be like as a photographer…She shudders thinking of her carefree son taking care of extremely expensive equipment… “I hope they have all their paraphernalia insured…Tabitha has explained before how much each lens is, and each camera. Oh dear, maybe an office job would have been safer!”

Living together, however big the house is, always brings friction. It starts with Eva, who is still very upset about her delay in meeting Paul. At least she has had a description from Richard, who has actually met the lad, but she is very disappointed. Sadly, she takes her disappointment out on others in the family. Eva is quite grumpy anyway; Madame Stroppy they used to call her when she was in one of her moods. She normally gets over her issues soon enough, but Esther is having a difficult time of it. “I just can do anything right, she is turning our entire lives into a competition! She even complains about stuff that went one when we were younger! She complains about pictures I had put on the internet, well, who cares about that sort of stuff? People do it all the time, and she is my sister, surely she can help me a bit? All the time she keeps coming up with more and more issues, it’s driving me nuts! Mum, please do something about it?”

Tabitha and Richard both tried to talk to Eva, which just made matters worse. Eva went straight to Esther and they had a huge row about tittle tattling, and who’d done it the most. It ended the usual way: Esther in tears, Eva looking bored. It did stop though, and quite suddenly too. Victoria never realised how constant the bickering had been, but one day she realised that the noise she was missing was the noise of catty girls! “How strange,” she mumbles, wandering to the kitchen to make herself a coffee, it’s like the silence in the house is…palpable, I guess! Mmm, have these girls done each other in I wonder…they were really at it last night, I was about to throw a bucket of water over them It works for fighting pets, I’m sure it works just as well for fighting siblings…!”

Then she spots the girls, sitting on the sofa, together. They both are smiling, they both look up as she walks in, they both wish her good morning. Victoria stops, and stares at them, quite deliberately. “What happened to you two? Buried the hatchet? Or run out of nasty fuel, and have to make do with kindness instead?”

The girls look rather sheepish, giggle a little, and then Eva explains how Samuel had confronted them. She rolls her eyes a bit, and explains to Victoria how Samuel had come to them, and told them to sort themselves out. “He said he wanted to be blessed, in whatever form that blessing would come, and that there is a Psalm that says that the place where brethren (or sister for that matter!) dwell together in unity, that is where God commands His blessing, and life for evermore… So he told us to quit the moaning, and get a life, and allow him to have a life too. It was so embarrassing!” Eva still blushes, thinking how Samuel’s words had stung her, and made her feel like crawling under the cheap homestead coffee table, and to stay there in hiding till Paul came to fetch her…!

Victoria chuckles, and feels herself growing a few inches, just thinking about her son coming out with such wise words! “Well, it’s so much better to see smiling sisters, I must admit, and remember, it won’t be long before you go your separate ways, girls, just meeting up now and again, so I would enjoy each other’s company if I were you! Life in Sims Mobile is short as it is, so don’t squander your time away!”

That evening, propped up in bed with a book, Victoria sighs a sigh of contentment, coming from deep inside her. Yes, life is so short here, but there have been so many blessings, so much happiness as well! She drifts away into happy daydreams, floating, remembering, accompanied by the piano music that penetrates the walls of the Granny Annexe. She recognises the music as well as the pianist; Chris, playing his Mum’s favourite hymn; the one she heard in church that Sunday so long ago now. The hymn that she sang so often, even Victoria knows the words, and she finds herself humming along with Chris’ playing, ‘When peace like a river attendeth my soul; when sorrow like sea billows roll…whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul…’ She smiles, thinking about peace, and dramas, and Llama Flu, and treasured babies, squabbling siblings, and hearty laughter; feels herself relaxing more and more, till sleep carries her away to even more dreams. That is how Chris finds her half an hour later, his precious Victoria: fast asleep, a smile curving her sweet lips upwards, an open book ready to slide off the blue bedspread…

Preparations

Victoria looks round the hobby room, wondering if she ought to hang the picture back. She sighs, their house needs more wall space, really. An extra room could be helpful too, but clearing land would take priority, as there isn’t enough space even for a very small box room! She grins, thinking back to the pictures she saw the other day, of the Mortina Home when Danielle and Ricardo first started the Mortina Family, and the pokey little house they had! Each generation has added to the house, cleared more land, extended rooms, or just moved stuff around. Like she is doing now, she thinks, looking at the picture in her hands again.

She finds a space for the picture, checks her phone for the time, and quickly goes to her room to change. They need to get things done today, and getting changed is her task, and it needs to be done soon, so another quest can be ticked off the list. The two men are determined that they will leave the next generation with the Internet hobby. Victoria and Tabitha are not that bothered, but they are willing to help the men with their quests. To be fair, the men usually take on the endless quests, taking them away from their jobs, even starting a new hobby.

Tabitha was a little upset one day, as she had had plans to go to a specific party. The quests had asked for party attendance earlier that day, filling up all available parties. Tabitha and Victoria had both complained to the men. “We had actually dressed for the party, I spent money on a new dress, and because of this quest we’re not able to go. This is really getting beyond a joke, are you telling us that the party quest could not have waited a few hours, just so we could go to this party? Would the whole event fail if we’d waited?” Richard had been very apologetic, and Chris had looked worried and embarrassed.

The men agreed that they would think a little more carefully about their quests, and make sure to communicate things better. At least Tabitha had been able to go to the Blue Party, where she had a great time! Victoria had laughed when she saw her outfit, all blue of course, with a funky blue turban. It was so unlike Tabitha, who tended to wear quite proper outfits, like the suit she wore for the English Tea Party. “I like it, I wouldn’t normally wear something like this, but it’s more fun than I thought! I was looking through the wardrobe choices to see what I could find in blue, and came across this. I thought I’d look for a hat as well, and the blue turban seemed to make the blue a bit more obvious. It’s so different, isn’t it? I loved the party, so many people had made a great effort to wear blue, amazing! The house was done in blue as well.”

She showed Victoria pictures of her Classy dress. “I had so been looking forward to that one! I had been planning the dress for absolutely ages, shoes, everything. Just to find out that we had no way of going. I was really upset!” Victoria had nodded, yes, she too had her outfit ready, actually hopped into work in it! When she found out that the party couldn’t happen for them she had been very cross. “I got very cross with Chris,” she told Tabitha, “I told him that I had dressed and everything to go to the Classy or Sassy Party, and that because of their obsession with this new hobby, all my plans had been spoiled! I must say, he took it very well, apologised and everything promised to make sure they checked the quests beforehand, rather than land us all in it! Mind you, there haven’t been many parties since, everyone is so busy with this event, there is no time!”

Victoria is actually sad about that. Soon, well, any day now the Gems will be handed out, and the four of them will retire. No more parties, no more dressing up, no more visiting when you want to, with whom you want to. The retirement papers came through a few days ago, always a shock! “I knew I had done lots of things, been through a lot, have an adult son, but still, you don’t really expect somebody to write to you to tell you it was time you disappeared from off the main stage of life, do you?” she had said to Chris that evening, wafting her paper at him. He had chuckled, and flapped his paper back at her. “I got one as well. I must admit, I wasn’t very happy. I felt that my life has only just started. I struggled for so long, feeling this burden of having to Save the Line, to be the one to bring Justice to an ancestor that hardly anyone had heard about. Now I’m finally free from all that, started to enjoy my self, and Boom, retirement is here! The worst thing about it is the parties. I didn’t think I would ever say that,” Chris had laughed, and stared in the distance. He kept chuckling, then go quiet, then laugh again, until Victoria felt like throwing something at him, a book, a plate, anything!

“I was just remembering some of the recent parties,” he says, when he realises that Victoria is looking round for something to throw at him. “The Tea Party was lovely, but to go to other people’s houses, to see their designs, I started to enjoy that. Now that opportunity is gone. It does make me feel very sad actually, to have regrets. I have so many regrets, you’re the exception as you have been such a blessing to me. Of course, Samuel is not a regret, apart from regretting that we didn’t have a child when we were very young.” He sighs, looks down at his shoes, feeling sad for all the missed chances.

Victoria leans a bit closer, rubbing his shoulder. She has regrets of her own. She regrets not having confronted and helped Chris earlier, when they would have had many happy years together, rather than just getting close at the end of their lives, with their traits all filled. She thinks of her quiet tears when looking at the empty bassinet all those years, and her loneliness when she and Chris had been so far apart. She breathes in and thinks about it.

She hugs him a bit tighter, “I don’t think we should think in terms of regret, really,” she says softly. “I know there is a verse that says that God will restore the years that the locusts have eaten. He has done that, I feel. Look at these last years, with our wonderful, handsome son, and the beautiful moments we have had together. We have been so close these last years, and had so many memorable times, I really feel they have made up for lost time. With regards to parties, well, I agree, I will miss them too. On the other hand, it is something that I should always miss, no matter how long I was allowed to live in this house. I think it’s one of the things that we should be content about, to be satisfied with what we did have. “

Chris holds her very tight, tears in his eyes, his voice sounding hoarse, “That’s why I love you so much. That’s exactly why I always think of you as God’s gift to me, my precious Victoria. You are right, of course you are right. We have been richly blessed these years, and you have helped me more than I thought anybody could ever help me. I was so miserable, so weighed down, felt everyone and everything was against me, that God Himself was against me. Then the sun came out, and everything looks different now, even the sky is clearer blue, birds sing sweeter, and you, my darling, are sweeter than all!”

Victoria smiles at her husband, stifling the growing giggles. He is such a star at flattering, she thinks, grinning at him, but he’s sweet. The best thing is, he actually means it. I do feel loved and appreciated, even though I feel he can be a bit over the top. Better this way round though, his coldness, sarcasm, sneering comments and looks drove me to distraction. I never knew a person could change so dramatically! There are still days of darkness, of course, days where Chris will be grumpy, or rude, but he will get out of it very quickly, and apologise and make up for it!

Many things change. Children change, and go from pigtailed staggering toddlers to tall pretty girls. Victoria looks at her niece Eva, walking past. “Isn’t she promised in marriage?” she asks Tabitha when she sees her in the kitchen. Eva looks so grown up, and seems very happy, glowing with it, making her face light up. She almost looks beautiful, although Victoria never liked her hairstyle, and she is hoping the girl will change that as soon as she is made active! Her clothes are a bit revealing, something that Victoria or Tabitha would never do, but then, once the girl has met her promised man, that could change too!

Tabitha smiles dreamily, “Yes, she is going to meet him as soon as we retire, or get the Gems. His name is Paul. They are new in town, their house is as tiny as the old Mortina house used to be! They are first generation people. Eva is very keen to meet him, which shouldn’t be too difficult. I’m friends with his mum, so I can go to her house at any time, meet the son, and call him over here. In fact, I know Richard has met the boy already. He wanted to have a proper talk with him, just to make sure you know.”

Victoria doesn’t know, although she would love to meet the future wife of her own precious son as well! Such a good idea, she thinks, meeting them first, just to see what they are like. She mentions it to Tabitha, who laughs, “Definitely! Richard was very keen, and he knew the boy a little, as he is a junior doctor in the same hospital. He has only just started, but Richard says he works very hard. He met him, and they got on very well. The boy has two younger sisters, beautiful little girls like their mum, with black hair and blue eyes.”

This makes Victoria stand up a little straighter. “Oh?” she says, trying not to look like a cat who’s spotted a bird, “Any idea how old they are, and what they are like?”

Tabitha smiles mischievously, knowing exactly what Victoria is driving at. “The older girl is called Miriam, has cute wavy hair, and is a real handful I’m told. The little girl is called Caitlynn; she has only just become a toddler. It’s a lovely family, hardworking, simple people. Eva and Paul will be the first to get married in their family, so his parents are very excited about that. I know they will retire soon, probably as soon as Caitlynn grows up. Miriam will be an adult very soon…”

Victoria smiles back, “She sounds lovely, and I will definitely have a word with my men folk. We quite like the idea of arranged marriages, you know, like Richard and I did. It worked out so well, and the wonderful bonus is that you get closely involved with friends and their families as well. How about Esther? She will be staying here, won’t she? Is she excited?”

Tabitha nods, yes, at the last family meeting it was decided that Esther would stay here. She found a young man, or rather, her parents found her a young man. Esther is the one most excited about it. “Yes, we did find her a prospective husband, a young Norse lad. Esther calls him her Viking hero, it’s so sweet! She is so happy, goes on and on about her young man, his name is Magnus. As soon as we retire they’ll make arrangements no doubt, unless Magnus is promoted before we retire and we can meet him like Richard met Paul. We don’t know the details yet.”

The dreaded family meeting had actually gone better than expected. Esther was really the only one interested, Eva having been promised to Paul already. Theodore has no plans as yet, but he is happy enough to make his own way in Sims Mobile. There are plenty of flats available, or even a little bungalow. The others were all very keen that Samuel Vince should stay. He is such a great guy, happy, energetic, kind and fun loving. He was keen too. He does believe in the Calling, as he sees it, but not in the burdened, dour way his father did. He loves his Mission, thinks it’s a fantastic challenge, and he is all up for it, as he calls it.

The others are all in agreement that Samuel Vince should be part of the Line, and they unanimously hope that his Mission will somehow succeed. “I have no idea how I’m going to fulfil my Calling yet,” he had grinned widely at the family sitting round the room, “but I’m absolutely determined to fulfil it. Maybe start a massive house for all the lost elders wandering the streets. Maybe I will start a trend of some sort, I don’t know. I’m sure I can think of something, and I’m equally sure that the whole Calling thing is going to be very exciting!”

The decisions were made, and it was agreed that soon after the Gems were received they would hand over the house to the new generation. Victoria does feel a twinge of anticipation, wondering what the next few years will be like. Beginnings are always lovely, the not knowing, the dreams and expectations… Now there are matters to sort out, jobs to finish, quests to complete. A last party here, a quick practise there. Then, time will slow down for them, they will need to choose what to wear, which is a Quest in itself as far as Victoria and Tabitha are concerned! Family photographs will be taken, and the last thing you want is to be immortalised in…in something dreadful, like a dull suit, or an awful jacket, or horror of horrors, a bathing suit! No, last days are filled to overflowing, and Victoria can feel time slipping away from her. Preparations have become serious all of a sudden!