maressa

Courtship

Tabitha is standing in the foyer, envelope in hand. Her face feels flushed already, her hands are shaking, and that is even before she has opened the envelope! She recognises the type of envelope though; they are the type that normally contain invites. Party invites from friends, wedding parties, food parties, studio parties…sometimes birthday parties. Times with friends, times to socialize, opportunities to meet and greet. Most of all, chances to meet up with promised spouses.

“Is this it, then?” she whispers, “Will this be the time when I will meet Richard Knight? Will he have been invited too? Will we both get in before the party is full? Or before Sims Mobile Government in their unerring wisdom cancels the party…!” She turns the invite round in her hands, hardly daring to open it. This is going to be the day where life as she knows it will end. She will no longer be just Tabitha Mortina, she will be Tabitha Mortina, Richard’s girlfriend…then his fiancée, then his wife…

She swallows hard, “Am I ready for this? Can I actually do this? Lord, I’m scared, I can’t do this alone, it’s too uncertain, I’m too unsure of myself and who I am. I need to trust You, I know, but can I, even in this…? This is big, but I suppose in the grand scale of life it’s minuscule, and You are beyond it all, so is this small matter safe in Your Hands?”

She sighs, yes, her head knows it is, she knows she should trust, but to actually do it is not as easy as it sounds! She turns half towards the lounge to open the letter when she notices Chris. He is leaning against the doorpost, sneering. “Don’t tell me you’ve got the religion bug as well?” he says, his voice grating and nasty sounding, “I thought it was just my mum affected by it…Nobody is going to help with you getting married, you know, it’s all up to you. As it’s not that big a deal, you won’t need the help either, which I suppose is the good news in all this!”

He saunters off, his unpleasant laugh lingering in the silent foyer. Tabitha stands still, feeling dejected, hurt, angry…and more scared than ever! “Trust”, she mumbles, “come on Tabitha, just Trust, how hard can it be?” She takes determined, deliberate steps towards the lounge, ready to open the envelope.

It is an invite, of course. It’s a food party, thrown by Sierra Chisholm. That doesn’t fill Tabitha with courage at all. She imagines attending a party, where Sierra is the one to welcome you, and introduce you to the guests. Her hearts starts beating overtime again, this whole marriage thing really is more scary than she imagined! Just the initial meeting up is fraught with difficulties, let alone the courtship itself! She checks the date, the time, wondering if she really, really needs to attend, or whether there is another way of meeting Richard Knight, some quiet, private way, out of the public eye, and even better, out of Sierra’s eye…

She knows there is no way out, even though she might not be able to go to the entire party, as she will be at work. Chris will be at work as well, which means that both of them will turn up in their work clothes. Great. Knowing Sierra, she will look like a queen, and she will feel like Cinderella before the Fairy Godmother got to work… Tabitha sighs, sticks the invite on the fridge, and gets ready for work, her mind preoccupied, her hands still shaking a little…

Tabitha keeps her eyes on the clock. Tonight is he night of the party! She is so nervous, many of the photo shoots have to be redone, her hands are shaking, her legs slower than she thought possible. She keeps touching her hair, rubbing her hands dry on her simple skirt. Two more clients…one more…it’s a retake though, as something goes wrong with the camera, and polaroid photos keep flying at the client, without Tabitha being able to stop them…

It is time! She takes a deep breath, legs unsure of which way to move, hands cold and damp, and there is Sierra’s house. Sierra’s mansion, she corrects herself, the place is absolutely stunning. So is Sierra, greeting her, eyeing her simple clothes… “Well, you’re in luck,” she says, making it sound like the opposite, “one of the sticker options is ‘casual’ so you’ll add quite a few to your collection, no doubt…” she smiles, but it’s a smile that makes a girl feel anything but warm!

Tabitha goes inside, wanders round from room to room, meeting up some very kind people, singing in one room, watching the cake in another, and slowly feels herself relaxing. She spots Chris at one point, off in another room, looking grumpy and out of place in the happy crowd. Then everything changes, it seems even birds stop singing, and she feels as if everyone in the party is holding their breath…

Some young people in superhero suits have walked in. A slender girl with beautiful hair and smart glasses, and a very kind smile walks into the room where Chris is. “Hello, you must be Chris, I hardly recognised you with your hair like that. It suits you!” Tabitha hears her clear, crisp voice, not a high voice, but sweet and melodical, reminding her of the sound of a flute.

Then she forgets about the girl, as she sees the next guest arrive. It is a strong, muscly young man, also in a green superhero suit, his handsome face pleasant, eyes bright and understanding. Richard Knight! Her betrothed is here! Tabitha feels her legs staring to shake again, her feet glued to the floor, her breath coming in small gasps. Her Richard is here, now the courtship will officially begin. He walks straight up to her, his face smiling, eyes alight.

“Hello,” squeaks Tabitha, “Hi, Mr Handsome…!” The flirty introduction is made, the course is set. Now it is just a matter of time before she will be wearing a white dress, facing him in a tux…

The evening passes in a whirl of emotions. Tabitha can’t remember any of the conversations; some weren’t worth remembering, she is sure of that. Richard is gallant and kind and a great listener, and Tabitha feels herself relaxing as the evening carries on. Every now and then she catches a glimpse of Chris, although each time she spots him, she actually has to look twice, he looks so different! Gone is the scowl and permanent frown, his eyes are smiling, and even his mouth is definitely curving upwards…Who’d have thought it possible!?

The party is over before she knows it, and it all seems like a strange dream, sweet, but gone, like the Cinderella story, she thinks to herself, when she wakes up in her large bed. Reality soon knocks on the door, though, as both she and Chris begin the day with meeting up their betrothed spouses. The conversation is rather awkward at first, and a bit shallow, like discussing holiday plans at the little table, or cooking her favourite dessert.

Soon the courtship gets more involved though, their first kiss, almost inappropriate touching, a squeeze, whispering sweet nothings… Tabitha finds herself enjoying the courtship, revelling in Richard’s attention. He is such a handsome man, she thinks, I feel totally unworthy of him! He is so kind and sweet, and although he didn’t appreciate my poetry reading, he has been very good about it. She must admit, the poem she had picked wasn’t the best “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Dream…” isn’t the most manly of poems, but then, it was the first one Google presented to her on her phone…She started reading it off the device before she really noticed what it said. Richard noticed all right, and quickly stopped her! Saving her the embarrassment, no doubt…!

The time flies by, and before she even manages to catch her breath, she gets the official Government notice: She is now Richard Knight’s Fiancée… wow, she gasps as she reads the notice, this is so amazing, it’s like living a dream, I just love him already! All my worries on that score are definitely ungrounded. He is the most wonderful young man in Sims Mobile, I’m sure, and I feel richly blessed…!

The courtship is a wonderful time, one that she will always treasure in her heart. She enjoys the cups of tea, the snuggles on the sofa, and the slow dances together. Chris seems to be having a great time as well, and Tabitha finds herself breathing a prayer for him, “Please, Lord, let Victoria be the one to bring him healing and happiness…let her be the one to soften his heart, to make him see the world in a kinder light…”

Then, before Tabitha even realises their relationship had deepened to such a level, they are wearing the Government issued wedding apparel. Her dress is lovely, and Richard looks even more handsome in his wedding suit than he did in his superhero one! She can’t take her eyes off him, hugging him, whispering, imagining the big day, enjoying the flowers… It will be a long wait till the end of the wedding day, and then, soon after that, Richard will move in, they will be husband and wife! Tabitha is beyond grateful and excited, her heart is about to burst with happiness, and her jaws are aching already from smiling the biggest grin ever, like the Cheshire Cat, wondering vaguely how long she’ll manage to carry on grinning without needing corrective surgery…Life is good, oh yes, life is great, from top of her mountain anyway!

Cousins

Tabitha is standing in the large bedroom, trying to decide where to pack her personal belongings. How strange to be standing here, she thinks, looking at the blue bedspread, the large white wardrobe, this just feels strange. Only a short while ago she was counted as a child, sleeping in the nursery, the children’s’ room. Now she is an adult, counted as an adult, and given an adult’s position. She looks at the double bed again, and something shivers inside her. She gets nervous, looking at that bed…

She resolutely turns her back on the bed, and starts to put her clothes into the wardrobe. She is humming to herself, she is so excited about it all. She really thought the Promoting would never happen, and she is quite sure that if it had been up to Aunt Guinevere, it probably never would have happened. She feels guilty straightaway, even looks over her shoulder, as if anyone in the room could read her thoughts! They were a bit unfair, she admits, after all, Aunt Guinevere is perfectly at peace with the whole thing now. The grey actually becomes her, and the autumnal colours of her outfit suit her.

Soon Tabitha is installed, as she calls it. She looks round once more, checking things, looking at things, but not so much at the bed. She knows she is being silly, but she is feeling a little wobbly mass in her stomach when she thinks of her betrothed, the man promised to her in marriage, her beloved Richard. Well, beloved, she doesn’t really know him, but his name does make her heart speed up a notch! Whenever she gets ne of his regular letters, her heart does overtime! She is very, very excited about the whole arrangement.

Tabitha knows it will be a little while though, first they need to receive their shared party invite, then at the party they need to actually meet up and connect. Then there is the long and complex courtship, after which follows the proposal Event. That is something she is really looking forward to it just sounds so romantic! It makes her feel special just thinking about Richard Knight, proposing to her, Tabitha. She knows he is a very kind, charming young man, very considerate, which makes her look forward to the proposal even more!

After that, there is the very long and rather tedious wedding ceremony. Tedious, because you are limited in what you can wear, and what you can say and do. All that is regulated and ordained by Sims Mobile Government , who clearly don’t take a girl’s feelings into consideration! Tabitha is standing in front of the tall mirror now, twirling this way and that. “Will this dress suit Madam?” she askes, in a very affectatious voice. “I’m afraid we only have white this week, and blue tux for the young man,” continues the posh voice. Tabitha stops and sighs, feeling a bit down all of a sudden.

“What if they really gave us awful clothes, and we’d be stuck with them for the entire ceremony!” she groans out loud. A brusque voice answers her question from behind her back.

“Well, then you’d just have to get married with your eyes shut, I suppose.” Chris, her cousin, is standing behind her, his usual scowl firmly in place. “Who cares about the wedding ceremony or dress code or flowers? It’s the deed that matters, just a tick box exercise, dearest cousin!” he sneers, and stalks off again.

Tabitha slumps down on the bed with a sigh of relief. Chris unnerves her, the way he suddenly pops up, and always pokes his nose into things, answering rhetorical questions with his dour outlook on life. They should get him a job as undertaker, she mutters, her scowl matching his, and maybe even outscowling him! Really, the way he suddenly appears, it’s going to drive me mad! What if he comes in…her thoughts trail off, Tabitha bites her lip, and runs her hand absentmindedly over the bedspread.

Then she shakes her head, and laughs at her own worries. “Even Chris wouldn’t do that! He will probably hover nearby, but even Chris won’t be in this room on my wedding night!” She is worried about that night, nervous, excited!

Tabitha walks out of the room, passes Chris who is still nearby, of course, and gets the post in. Both of them have a letter from the Job Office, so she hands Chris his letter, and opens hers. She applied for Photographer, preferably the ASOS one, and really hopes she’ll get it. It will be so interesting and, she smiles secretly, also very convenient with Dr Knight just across the Square…

She quickly scan the letter…mmm…accepted…mmm…start on receipt of letter…oh. Not the ASOS Photographer after all, well, that is disappointing! At least she will still be a photographer. Tabitha is over the slight twitch of disappointment before the letter is back in the envelope. She can’t wait to begin her career! It will be so exciting, and the Luxury Event is almost finished, so very soon she will be able to just concentrate on her career. Brilliant!

She meets Chris, again, on her way to get ready for work. He looks just a little less grumpy, which means that he must have gotten the position he wanted as well! She asks him, not wanting to be cold towards him all the time. “Did you get your position? You applied for the office job, didn’t you? Working Downtown is quite cool, and I suppose it will make it convenient for you and Victoria to share transport!”

He grunts a bit and answers quite civil for a change, “Yes, I got the position. Of course, they could always change it I suppose. Also, that office is quite dark, and I’m sure they have lighting that can cause migraines, so I might have to apply somewhere else anyway. It said in the letter that Harry Something is still the overall manager, and he is absolutely ancient. I can’t stand most elderly co-workers, they just nag you all day, and he’ll probably pick on me because of my eyebrows.”

Tabitha just stops herself from rolling her eyes. Seriously, her cousin is worse than Eeyore, honestly, a manager picking on you just because you have slightly bushy eyebrows? As they have only just received shared responsibility of the house she decides to be extra nice to him. “I’m sure he won’t even notice your eyebrows, so you’ll be fine on that score,” she says as lightly and as upbeat as possible in front of a sourpuss like Chris.

He looks worried straight away, “What do you mean, he won’t notice my eyebrows? Why ever would he not notice them? I dislike the way you wind me up whenever you can. I makes me feel very undermined and insecure!”

This time Tabitha does roll her eyes and sigh. “That isn’t what I meant, Chris. I meant that your eyebrows are absolutely fine, and I am quite sure that the manager will not pick on you on account of your eyebrows…or for any other reason,” she adds hurriedly, seeing Chris’ frown deepening with each word. “Anyway, I have to go, my first shift starts, and I want to be on time.”

That brings the conversation to a very hurried end, as Chris most definitely doesn’t want to be late! Tabitha wonders what life with her cousin will be like, hoping they both will get married very soon. At least that will give them separate lives, and she won’t feel like Chris is watching her every move…

Transitions

It is Monday afternoon, and Guinevere and Adrianna have just finished work Downtown. Mondays are always hard, and today was no exception. Guinevere especially had been very busy, as it’s a Bank Holiday Monday. It’s Whitsunday Monday, or Pentecost, and everyone is off work. Well, almost every one. Guinevere is actually relieved to be at work today, it helps to take her mind off things. She spots a few regulars, and of course, her ancient manager is there as usual. When will he retire, or rather, will he ever retire? He never takes a day off, either…She wonders what his home life looks like. It can’t be great, that’s for sure. Guinevere can’t remember him talking about a wife or family, so presumably there isn’t much to go back to for him. The fact that he is old and stooped is strange though. Surely that should mean he’s had his papers served and accepted, and therefore should be unable to go to work?

Soon her shift is finished, and Guinevere decides to go and pour the Tea in the little café. She spots Sierra, looking her usual happy self…not! She has a few cups with her, trying to keep a conversation going. Guinevere sighs, sadly, Sierra reminds her too much of her moody son, and it’s really not something she needs at this moment! Life is depressing enough as it is, with boxes all round the Granny Annexe, Sebastian walking round with checklists, and Chris trying to look like the Victim of Injustice and Overcomer of Injustice all at the same time… She pushes any slight twitches of guilt away. It really was an injustice, after all, and the fact that it is in the past, and really not her problem doesn’t matter, surely! It’s always good to stand against injustice, she says to herself.

Guinevere sighs,and looks round the café. During one of the mentoring Events, will she be able to come back here by choice? Or will she be like some of those other elders around the café, stragglers, aimlessly wandering round the Park, in and out the café at random? Guinevere feels the lump in her throat, and breathes in deeply, and out again….and in…and out. She still has that quiet peace in her heart from yesterday, she knows it’s the way things should be, but even so, that doesn’t make her immune to sadness now, does it?

Looking at the slim, beautiful and especially young Sierra doesn’t help either. She realises that all this time in the café, she has been eyeballing people and labelling them. The put them into age categories, and felt resentful and judgmental towards anyone who fell into the ‘very young, probably only just promoted’ category. She recognises the other category, the group of people who look like her, ‘definitely got all their traits, probably holding off retirement as well’. The group she deliberately turns her eyes away from are the elders: stooped, grey, somber, dressed in dowdy clothes…

“How awful they look, and so unhappy,” she whispers into the steaming mug off very bitter tea, “none of them look at peace, none of them look attractive. Yet in a day or so I will be joining them! Oh dear, I know I need to accept and trust, and yes, I know it’s for the best, but oh, how painful to let go!” She leans over the mug, pretending to look into it, whilst covertly wiping her eyes. She breathes in deeply again, sits up straight, and feels strength flowing into her heart, followed by peace, a quiet knowing that all is well.

Yes, she thinks, it is well with me, and I will accept, and I will rejoice and be glad in this day. She smiles to herself, eyes drying quickly of their own accord, that was one of Great Auntie Alicia’s songs! She used to sing that song whenever we grumbled about something that day. She was right of course, and yes, I will decide, I will choose to rejoice.

She finishes her tea, finishes the Tea Event, and decides to go home, to check the post, to check, well nothing really, just to be home, she admits to herself. When she gets home she has a shock. The others are all there, sitting around the large sitting room. Their faces look gloomy in some cases, like Adrianna’s, and exuberant in other cases, like Tabitha’s and Chris’. Guinevere looks round the collection of Mortinas, and drops into the nearest chair. Her legs just won’t support her any longer.

“Has it come?” she is shocked at the thin, wobbly voice wafting across the lounge. Is that her voice? That old, quivery sound? “Surely the Gems haven’t come yet? Last time the Gems only came Wednesday night! Why have they come so early, why couldn’t it wait? I’m not ready, I still want to…” the tears drown out the sound of her voice however, and the family looks on, uneasy, shuffling their feet, fidgeting their fingers, as Guinevere wails and rocks herself in her grief.

Sebastian goes over to her, “Come my sweet,” he whispers, “come, don’t take on so! You know we will still have some days, we will still have time to do things together. You know there is a time for everything under the sun. This is a time to let go, to enjoy the twilight of our lives, a time to move on. There is a time to start as well, start our days here watching the new generation grow and bloom. A time for Chris to be active, to meet his future wife properly, to lead his family…”

Guinevere calms down after a while, Tabitha brings her some water, and then Guinevere looks at them all again. “So it is true, then,” she asks softly, “they really have come? Do we really have to send off for the papers right here and now?”

Tabitha shakes her head, “No aunt Guinevere, there is still a little time. Chris and I still need to make the arrangements with the Knights. We still don’t know when the meeting up party will be. I’m sure there isn’t much time, but there definitely is some. We do know that both Richard and Victoria Knight have been mad active, and as far as I know Richard managed to get that position as a doctor that he applied for. Victoria has started at the Court already, I believe, so it won’t be long before we meet up with them.”

Guinevere smiles her bravest smile and gets up. “Good,” she says, and all of a sudden there is a glimpse of the old Guinevere back in her face, “good, for I just want to lead the music one more time!” With that, she is off, back to the night club, to have one more shift. Then maybe a bit of a make over, her dress is fine for now, but once she is old and grey she wants something more flattering. The frumpy looking elders in the café come to mind… No, that would never do!

The Mortina home is buzzing with activity. Josiah and Jephta have their bags packed, most of their things in boxes stacked high in the new apartment they found. Chris is actually smiling a lot, his sour mouth and suspicious eyes looking more relaxed than Guinevere has seen them for some time. He is getting ready too, applying for a position in the office, filling in the necessary form to become Active in the House. Rooms are rearranged, plans are made, knickknacks are packed.

Time for a last complete family portrait…and Guinevere’s two sons are off. Another portrait, this time with everyone left in the Mortina home. It will be the last portrait with Lancelot and Adrianna and Sebastian and Guinevere in the active positions. The next time the family photographer will come four of them will be grey headed…Why is change so hard and painful?

Guinevere finds herself in the kitchen with kind hearted Tabitha, who is on top of the world it seems! “Well, then, have you seen this young Knight yet? Has he sent a picture to you? Now that he is active, he has probably changed quite a bit?”

Tabitha smiles, and looks dreamy, which is very sweet, Guinevere thinks. She remembers her own romance, all arranged of course, as all the townies were old. Her parents had to resort to arranged marriages for them. She loves Sebastian though, and is very happy with him. She was a bit sad and disappointed in the beginning, she remembers, as he had several traits already, and a tummy to match… But he was kind, and good natured, and he won her heart in the end! It’s obvious that Tabitha has none of these problems, she is glowing and eager to meet her Knight in shining armour!

“I’ve got a picture,” gushes Tabitha, “he just sent it this afternoon! Look, here he is, sitting round the bubble maker at their house…” She trails of a little, and her sweet smile seems to become a little bit too bright. Guinevere sees Tabitha’s green eyes darken a little. I bet she is worried, she thinks.

“Don’t you worry about their house, Tabitha, I know it’s absolutely gorgeous, and huge. That is not what is important though. They are lovely people, hard working, caring, always ready to help out. The fact that we have no bubble blower, no palace, no piano even, or any of those things, none of that will worry your Richard. I am absolutely sure of that. They are not snobbish at all!”

Tabitha sighs, and looks relieved at her aunt’s words. It is something that she is very conscious about, the fact that Richard, and Victoria too for that matter, will have to come down quite a bit in the world. She fears that the lack of niceties and fineries might cause resentment in the end, and she hopes and prays that Richard will really fall in love with her, as a person, and truly find happiness in their relationship. She is quite sure that he isn’t materialistic but still, it can be hard to do without certain things all of a sudden!

They chat a bit longer, her aunt sharing some stories of the posh party she went to at the Knight’s house, how Alex used to be a bit of a bounder (Guinevere actually blushed at that point, so Tabitha discreetly looks away!), but that rumours have it that Alex has been given the responsibility of the House, and that he takes this very seriously indeed. “Well,” Guinevere looks very mischievous all of a sudden, “well, they have a saying the Netherlands, that a fox can lose its hair, but not its tricks…So you might want to tread carefully round Alex, just in case!”

At that she laughs, hugs Tabitha suddenly, and says softly, “I am glad. Yes, I know it’s all been painful, and I don’t doubt that I will shed a few more tears, but I am glad. Yes, I still have peace in my heart, and acceptance to go wherever God leads me, and He will go with me. I can honestly say that I’m glad, as I can see the excitement in your face, and I will see this new generation moving in, taking up the mantle, growing, blossoming, thriving… I’m at peace, and I wish you and your splendid Knight peace too, when your stories begin, when highs and lows ebb your way… Have peace, dearest Tabitha, have peace always, in sadness and in joy!”

Peace

It’s Sunday morning, the Sunday after the Big Decision, as Guinevere thinks of it. She is still curled up in bed, but can’t go back to sleep. She turns, and tries the other side. She turns back, but nothing seems to work. She sighs, looking across at Sebastian who sounds like he is sawing up a forest…Her head is still in a spin, so many thoughts are crowding around in her head, shrieking for attention. The idea that in just a very, very short time she will be retired makes her stomach wobble. “I’ve just got till the next handing out of Gems,” she moans quietly, “then that’s it… Just a few more days, just long enough to complete some Family Events, some mentoring, and then my bags will be packed, and off to a tiny apartment I am!”

She is staring at the ceiling now, her hand running across the yellow bedspread, following its lines. She will need to leave this behind as well. She’ll need to leave her gold bathroom. She will need to leave the Granny Annexe which she has only just started to love. The weight in her stomach increases with each thought, with each possession that she will have to do without. Sofas, paintings, rugs…too many things to name.

“I can’t do it, I just can’t!” she cries, tears running into her pillow. “Surely there is a way round all this? Can’t we buy another home for the Family Line? Can’t another solution be found? Surely I don’t have to lose everything, give up everything I love, just to allow others to be promoted? This is too hard, how am I supposed to deal with this? I feel so silly as well, as it’s just possessions, but then, it’s my everything, my whole life, all I’ve ever kown!”

She remembers her mother’s sad face when it was time to go. She remembers Christie’s grey hair, straight as ever, her tanned face and the stunning blue eyes filled with tears whilst saying goodbye to the house. That time she had just felt impatience at the woman’s tears, thinking that it’s just a house, after all. She felt they had had their time, it was now the new generation’s turn, and she couldn’t wait to get on with life! She remembers her happiness and excitement, dreaming of her career, her hoby and all the different friendships she was going to form. She felt her mum should be grateful to move on, as she had had all her opportunities, reaching 100% on most of them. Now she is standing in her mum’s shoes as it were, and she thoroughly understands the tears now!

She feels ashamed at her impatience now, and wished she had shown more understanding then. It’s probably my punishment for being such a hard-hearted creature, she sniffs. No wonder most elders look so bowed down and unhappy! Look at the people standing outside on the pavement, peering through our windows, their faces a picture of misery. This is such an awful thing to happen to anyone! I love my job, but how am I going to be all upbeat tomorrow? That job will end soon, too, and will I only come back to chat to other elders, as unhappy and miserable and bowed down as they are? I just can’t bear it!

She tries to think of her father’s reaction to his retirement, and no sad face or tears come to mind. She remembers him doing some of the mentoring events, smiling and kind as ever. How come he didn’t fall apart, she wonders. After all, it was really him that carried the Mortina Line, so he actually was born and raised in this house. Dad left it without tears though, even the family he adored! I can’t imagine what made him like that, as it wasn’t as if he took stuff lightly, he really was so full of life and intense. He seemed so relaxed about retirement, as if moving Downtown to a pokey apartment wasn’t a big deal at all…

She sighs, and swipes at her eyes absentmindedly, not that it makes any difference to the flow of tears. She can’t get her Dad’s peaceful face out of her mind. She didn’t really spend that much time with him, being more drawn to the exuberant Christie. Surely there must be something her Dad has said about dealing with disasters like retirement and birthday cake icons?!

Lying in her bed, watching the sunlight coming in, bouncing of the room dividers, forming dancing patterns on the ceiling, Guinevere runs through conversations she has had with her Dad before retirement took him. She remembers him talking about his mum, Gabriella, and his aunt Alicia. That is it! She thinks excitedly, that was it! He said something about his mum and aunt being like chalk and cheese. His mum was Miss Awkward, even I remember her as the impossible Granny, that is, until she witnessed that incident…nuff said…and Great Auntie Alicia was sweet and kind, and everything a granny should be. I remember as a child wishing she was my proper granny, baking and playing and telling stories, singing…yes, I remember how she was always singing. Tears have dried with all those memories filing by. In fact, Guinevere is amazed to find herself smiling in the semi darkness.

What made Great Auntie Alicia so different? She tries to remember some of the songs, the stories…and pulls a face. Oh. Yes, she can tell now, even though as a child is wasn’t spelled out as much, probably. It was Alicia’s faith that filled her stories, her songs and even her hugs and cooking!

She thinks of her dad, who still went to church regularly, but she can see now that his faith wasn’t as integrated as Alicia’s was. He was a lot more private about his faith, but it obviously helped him personally. She sighs. Faith! Really? There is really no other way to cope well with this pending disaster called retirement?

She looks at the alarm clock, its red numbers making a red circle on her coffee pot, next to her pillow. 6.30. Wow, that’s still night! No work today…just some events…Should I…no, no, this isn’t me. On the other hand, can I really make it through this day, looking at my beautiful house, watching Sebastian pack, seeing Chris measure walls and windows, planning, scheming…waiting for us to go? Oh, I can’t do this! It’s too dreadful, and deep down I’m starting to feel resentment growing, anger bubbling away, tears forming… It’s going to be a very, very hard day…Maybe I should…

Well, actually, why not? Aunt Alicia lived for it, breathed it, smelled of it, Dad loved it and lived it…can it really harm? What if it does somehow help me, comfort me, give me a way to roll with the coming upheaval…?

Guinevere does what she has never done before. She slips on a long dress, even finds a hat, and off she goes! Yes, she’s off to church! Who’d have thought Guinevere would ever travel down that road? She decides to go to a very old scenic chapel outside of Sims Mobile. If you do something, do it properly, she grimaces to herself. At least I can enjoy the architecture; there’ll be stuff to look at if it’s too bad…

Guinevere arrives at the chapel, walks down the long church path, apprehension almost slowing her down to a halt. When she gets in it turns out bigger than she thought. She grabs a hymnbook and finds a seat in the old wooden pews. She looks round her, “How quaint!” she whispers to herself, “This place must be so old, look at these old wooden pews…Good thing they have cushions on here, it would be very hard otherwise!”

The service starts, and to Guinevere’s shock it’s all about peace! Being at peace, having peace, asking for peace. Just what she needed to know. How did the preacher know she needed it? She looks at him suspiciously for a moment, but soon finds herself listening to his words again. The more she listens, the more she understands, and the more she remembers some of the songs and stories from Great auntie Alicia. Many of these were about peace as well, she recalls, something she didn’t take notice of as a child.

She looks at the Bible in front of her, finally finding the verse the preacher is explaining, and it suddenly makes so much sense to her! She can feel his words landing deep down in her heart, chipping away at the huge boulder of fear and resentment lodged there. Peace, a small measure of peace is creeping into her heart. She breathes in deeply, wondering if it really can be possible for her, Guinevere, to experience some of this peace herself as well. She knows it’s a by-product, the preacher makes that very clear. She also realises that her fear and resentment have also been by-products, something that she will need to address at home, in quietness, alone…

Guinevere leaves the chapel with more peace than she has ever had before, and a firm idea of what she will do when she gets home. No, her circumstances haven’t changed, she will still be old and grey in a few days, still be bowed down, still need to pack her few personal belongings, but she has changed, her heart has changed, her life has changed! Guinevere is excited, and then stops in amazement. For the first time ever she actually…no, this is ridiculous…she actually started to look forward to her retirement! Not because of all the things she will lose, but of what she will gain! She will gain time. Time to read, to pray, to think, to feel the peace inside her growing. Guinevere actually laughs out loud, who knew a person could be turned inside out like this, and so suddenly too!

She is still smiling when she gets home, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the others, and the gigantic scowl on Chris’ face. She even hugs Sebastian, making him smile, “No wonder they warn people against religion,” he laughs with his rumbling, hearty laugh. “If this is the effect after just one service, well, who knows where it could lead!”

He is pleased though, for he had missed the sparkle in Guinevere’s eyes, and to see her coming back like this, well, it’s worth anything! Then he looks round the Annexe, his mind shaping lists and forming tick boxes in order of packing. Mmm, yes, he will miss the gold bathroom, he realises, but then, less people around in the bathroom sounds like a dream come true as well. When will the Gems be handed out again?

Time is up

Is time up?

Raised voices can be heard from the Granny Annexe. Adrianna and Lancelot look at each other with raised eyebrows, curiosity and weariness on their faces. This must be the third argument this week, although this one sounds a lot more dramatic and involved. “Will it have anything to do with the letter that arrived for Guinevere this morning? Do you think it will be her retirement letter? She looked absolutely horrified when she opened it. After all, it has been a while since she got her last trait…” Adrianna’s whispered voice trails off as Lancelot holds up one hand to stop her, tilting his head to hear better.

“I’m sure I can hear Chris’ voice as well!” he whispers back, a frown screwing up his face in what should be a concerned look, but because of his new hair do makes him look like a weird teenager with beard. Adrianna looks away, as the new hair style still annoys her. She loves class and great taste; Lancelot seems to just have reached a midlife crisis, dressing in gaudy colours and a wild hair style. She sighs, and in the silence that follows she can hear the three voices quite clearly. It sounds as if Chris is really agitated. Well, nothing new there! The poor chap is a mess, to be honest.

It isn’t that long ago since Chris reached adulthood, which did nothing to improve his moods or his attitude. He can be very charming and sweet, but only when he will benefit from it. When a situation feels slightly out of his control, well, you will see a totally different Chris! Adrianna is convinced that he grew his hair long just to wind up his parents. It doesn’t actually suit him, and Adrianna, like all the others in the Mortina household bar Chris, can’t stand long hair on the guys. She might be old fashioned, or rather, they might all be old fashioned and prejudiced and what ever else people like to call it, but the fact remains that they don’t think it looks good.

Of course, Guinevere moaned and fussed over Chris’ hair, and Sebastian made his usual vague but snide comments, and Chris just sneered at his parents, enjoying their discomfort. He dresses in ripped jeans and a hoodie, and glowers at everyone he meets. That is, until he needs something. It’s like the sun comes out then, he is fun and charming, and you would never recognise him as the sullen overgrown teenager.

“Extended adolescence,” says Lancelot suddenly. “That is all it is, and I’m afraid they had it coming too, with all their crazy schemes and talk of ‘Injustice’ and needing to put the record straight!”

Adrianna looks confused, “What are you on about?” she says, trying to keep the edge out of her voice. She is tired and actually a little worried about life in Sims Mobile.

“I mean the lad, Chris. He is a basket case, he is. One minute crying, next minute laughing and spreading charm like a farmer spreads manure… It’s all this talk about ancestor Chris that has done that. The boy doesn’t know whether he is coming or going, he doesn’t even know if he will be able to stay in the Mortina Home! Who knows what will happen, no decision has been made yet with regards to the Line, and who will carry it on. I’m not even sure that the boy should be considered, he isn’t particularly a great representative now, is he?”

Lancelot walks off, ready to do more work. The garden patch is almost cleared, and in a very short time they should have enough Simoleans to clear the next patch! What about those shoes he saw the other day…he does fancy some new shoes, but reckons that the ladies will want to go to town first. After all, he did pay quite a bit for his new hair do! He touches the wavy bits, worried that it will all go down and just look flat again. So far so good though, and when he passes one of the many mirrors he can’t resist a look and a smile.

Adrianna is left behind by herself. She sits down for a moment, tired and worried. She has been so distracted lately, thinking and fussing bout the future. Somehow she feels drawn to the past, and people have already commented about her frequent visits to her old home. I just need to touch base with my roots, she argues in her head. What is wrong with me visiting the old Family home? Anyway, I’m sure I can be of help there to, the Knight family is growing as well, and there are bound to be younger people there who need an auntie’s input!

The thing is, Adrianna is scared. Scared of changes ahead. After all, the children are all grown up, even little Jephta, and it seems that all four of them have been served their retirement papers. They can hold off, naturally, but really only for so long. For one thing, it is always possible to accept the next reminder, and you’ll be retired before you realise. On the other hand, the next generation will want to live out their lives, find spouses, have careers, and how much longer will they wait?

It isn’t that long ago that Jephta had his birthday, so obviously nothing has been mentioned yet. Also, she is quite sure that Guinevere had her notice only this morning. She must have waited till after the Events, between shifts, to show Sebastian. What is Chris doing, though, how did he get involved in all this? Mind you, he is very hyper vigilant, always worried that he will be the victim of some imagined injustice, so he was probably hanging around, watching everything with those black eyes of his…!

Adrianna gets ready, relieved to be able to still make it to work at the Court, paranoid that she will accept the retirement call when it comes again! How awful that would be, in the middle of your shift, really in the middle of your life, to accept the call and find yourself back home, grey and useless…It has happened to others recently; even one of the Starlettes retired like that. She shudders, if it can happen to Betty, it can happen to anyone!

Things have changed in the Mortina Home, that is for sure. When Adrianna comes back from the Court she can just sense it. Things aren’t as they were. Guinevere looks different, even has a new (expensive!) haircut, and brand new boots, and a totally different style of clothing. What is that all about? Then there are her angry comments that keep reminding the others that she is not old, that she is not ready for retirement, whatever the Sims Mobile Government might think, and that she has still many years of service left.

Sebastian, Lancelot and Adriana avoid her, Adrianna feels her own adrenaline rising whenever Guinevere goes off one. She knows the score, she knows that the papers are served soon after your last trait, and she knows that once the next generation is all grown up, you really can’t avoid reality. Guinevere isn’t so good at reality though. The arrival of the letter took her completely by surprise. Yes, of course she knew she’d had her last trait, but this feels so final. To hold a bit of paper that coolly states that it is really time for you to end life as you know it…the cruelty of it took her breath away.

“I’m not ready yet!” she wails to Sebastian that evening. “I have still so many things that I enjoy. I have friends I want to get to know better, I have just become better acquainted with Audrey Hepburn of all people. Do I really need to give all that up, all the chances I have at this stage, just to move into some dreary old people’s flat somewhere Downtown? It’s just so unfair, I’m not ready at all, and why should I give everything up?” She sobs as if her heart would break, and Sebastian runs through a list of tranquilizers in his mind. He hates sedating people, it never really helps long term, and it takes away healing tears as well. Guinevere got herself into a real state though, and he knows the number on her birth certificate, even if she herself denies it… Soon she falls asleep on the double bed in the Granny Annexe, and Sebastian breathes a sigh of relief. He can’t think of anything worse than Guinevere’s hysterics! Fortunately, she is usually quite calm and self controlled, something that hasn’t been passed on to their son, he thinks, scowling in the semi darkness of the room.

Guinevere is not the only one that had a letter that fateful day. The postman seems to have a regular beat to their postbox, with many letters in a sprawling handwriting found there in the morning. Tabitha is the one making off with these, her pretty face looking prettier still under a blush. Even Chris seems to get some post, and he looks a bit less like he’s suffering all the world’s ills after the post has been.

Days go by, but before too long, the children ask for a Family Conference. Guinevere promptly bursts into tears when Sebastian tells her. “This is it! This is the end, I know it is! They want to throw us out, stuff us in an old people’s home, tuck us away! What about my Chris, what about my boy, will they cut him off as well, just like ancestor Chris? Will the injustice in this family be perpetuated? What if I refuse, what if I carry on working, will they really force me to accept my retirement? Can they actually do so?” She cries and throws herself on the bed. When she is calmer she goes into the gold bathroom, and upon seeing her face in the star shaped mirror burst into new floods of tears. Sebastian is at a loss, he hates dramas, and he suspects that a lot of these tears are crocodile tears…caused by fear, and a dislike of change.

In the end the whole family sits in the spacious lounge of the Granny Annexe, as it has more sofas to sit on. Josiah scrapes his throat rather pompously, and looks round. “Ahh well, ehm..we as children would like to discuss a few things…ehm..you know, about the house and all that…eehm…well, yes, just to see what you think.” Guinevere stops herself just in time from rolling her eyes. Adrianna is watching her, and however pompous and over the top Josiah might seem, his mother adores him.

The adults look at each other, and in the end Lancelot speaks up. “Well, as you know, we all have been served our retirement papers, irrespective of how we feel about that.” He looks down at his bright red trousers, new red loafers on his feet, and sighs. “You know that we love this house, we love the family, and we don’t really feel old enough to go into a home and just play snooker all day…or darts…or whatever they do Downtown…” he trails off, unsure of what to say next. He certainly doesn’t feel ready to leave, but then, on the other hand, the children must feel ready to leave Limbo, and start living their lives and building their dreams. Surely they have a right to be heard in this matter?

“I understand that you will have a view about all this?” asks Adrianna, her courtroom voice clear and crisp, but Lancelot can hear the tiniest tremor in her voice. “We do understand that now you’re all grownup you might want to share your ideas with us.” She looks at her three children, cute little Josiah, so grownup and sure of himself, even if he is not the best speaker in Sims Mobile. Tabitha, her little girl, beautiful and sweet, considerate and kind…and her baby, Jephta, how did he get to grow up so fast?! Then there is Chris…looking sullen and stubborn, twisting his fingers in and out, shuffling his feet, glowering at whoever looks at him.

In the end it is Jephta who explains what is on their minds. He is a lovely young man, Arianna had high hopes for him; saw him as the next Mortina Clan leader. It isn’t to be, she realises as soon as Jeptha takes the floor. “We know that you all have had your papers served, we also know that you’re all four young at heart.” He pauses for a second, hesitates, and the others all try to avoid looking at Sebastian at this point. Sebastian who actually allowed his hair to go grey, who looks, dresses and walks like an old man…

Jeptha looks around at the family, and carries on. “We do know how you feel, and it’s not that we want to get you out, or stuff you away somewhere Downtown. The thing is, though, Josiah has got plans already, even got his eye on a little apartment, and so have I.” He looks at his mum apologetically, as he knows the dreams she had for him. “Tabitha and Chris, well, that is a different matter. You see, we can see aunt Guinevere’s point, and Chris has really been well prepared to take on the Family Line. It would be a shame to stop that from happening. We, as children, feel that there is no reason why he shouldn’t stay here, and carry on the Line.”

Apart from his mental health, Lancelot fills in quietly to himself. On the other hand, being placed in a position of responsibility might do him some good. Who knows, he might find a good wife who will be able to help and support him?

“Tabitha also would like to stay on, she met somebody the other day, and has been in touch with him a lot.” Jephta smiles at his older sister, who is blushing, and looks even prettier than usual, sitting on the warm coloured sofa, looking round with her large eyes glowing.

Tabitha takes a deep breath. She doesn’t like these type of meetings. Her parents look anxious, and Aunt Guinevere looks like she is on the edge of a breakdown! She smiles at her brothers, glad for their kindness and support. “Yes, I met somebody, the son of one of mum’s posh friends,” she laughs, “His name is Richard, which I thought was really providential. You know, with our Founding Father being called Ricardo,” she explains as all the faces around her have gone completely blank. “He is very kind, considerate, and has excellent manners. I love him, and really want to marry him. His parents have already agreed, and he even has a Moving Permit promised to him as soon as we need to. In one of his letters he explains how he is conferring with his parents about his career and hobbies. Just as an example of his character, which I thought said a lot about him!”

She breaths out, only then realising that all this was said whilst she was holding her breath! Honestly, how stressful families can be!

Then Chris speaks up, and waves a letter that he has just pulled from his pocket. “I’ve also been writing to a girl,” he states matter of factly, “Her name is Victoria, she is Richard’s sister, so she comes from a very well to do family, Mum’s friends, the Knight Family. She is very sweet, and loves me a lot, and is prepared to move in as well. Of course, we talked about this at great length, and she totally gets my important position in the Mortina Line, and will do all she can to support me in setting past injustices to rights.”

His parents gasp, they had absolutely no idea he had found a girl! Sebastian’s eyes are dark, he blames Guinevere, and her hysterics, for this oversight. If she hadn’t taken up so much of my time I might actually have noticed something, he thinks. Who knows what this girl is like, and what she really has promised Chris? I know she comes from a very well to do family, and is she really prepared to give that up, just to marry Chris? I hope she knows about his moods…! The boy has a very skewed take on life, I just pray the girl can cope with that…

Not much is left to be said after all this. It seems very much a done deed, Adrianna thinks to herself. In a way she is relieved, this dreaded retirement has been hanging over them all for sometime, and at least it’s all out in the open now. The decision is made that nothing will be done until the Gems are handed out by the Government. After that they will retire, and Tabitha and Chris will take over the house, and a double wedding will follow soon after that.

Guinevere is secretly relieved as well as upset about having been kept in the dark by her darling boy! Not much time is left them, so Guinevere is determined to make the most of the little time she has! There is a party to attend…friends to chat to…work to be done. Then there is the packing and sorting for the retirement home…No time to waste!

Posh Parties

Posh parties

Guinevere is looking at the invites, turning the cards round and round, thinking. Should she go? Wear something special? What about some makeup? Will the others be there, she has been desperate to meet Audrey Hepburn and the other girls, and as for Alex…well, should she go? On the other hand, the invite is there, with their names on it!

Parties are a great part of life in Sims Mobile. For such a small town, their parties are phenomenal. Guinevere has been to parties before, of course, but that just felt different. These two parties feel much more ‘by special invitation only’, even if they aren’t. Meeting Alex is always a bit exciting, you never know with him…and then a party at Audrey’s place, well, how about it?

Guinevere really feels a bit stuck. She can’t really discuss it with Sebastian, even though their marriage is on a much better footing since the Roman outing. Sebastian hates parties, and kind man that he is, still struggles with small talk. He has absolutely impeccable bedside manners, is kind and thoughtful when it comes to staff and patients, but at a party he feels like a fish out of water. Guinevere giggles, then feels guilty, but she had a quick vision of Sebastian gasping and flapping around Audrey’s posh lounge…

In the end Guinevere decides to go. “I do love parties, I never know what to wear, everyone else seems to have such wonderful, posh frocks, but I’m sure to find some glad rags, and I’m just going to really enjoy myself!” she says a little vehemently to Genevieve when she asks about the invitation cards. Genevieve had popped in, and saw the cards on the Peacock kitchen table, and asked about them. She smiles at her little sister.

“Of course you must go! Just beware of Alex…” she says with a very mischievous smile. Guinevere spins round immediately, “Why? What have you heard? Tell me!”

“Well…” drawls Genevieve, “well, I heard that he had set himself a goal, that’s all! Oh, and take your swimsuit, they have a gorgeous hot tub in their garden!”

Guinevere arrives at the party, and can’t believe her eyes, she doesn’t know where to look first! The house is huge, and amazingly decorated. Some items are clearly in a totally different league than their own furniture. Everything in the house is sought out carefully, it seems. Yes, there is the hot tub, with Alex hovering nearby. She recognises Ginamarie, and suddenly feels relieved to see a face she knows! This place is enormous, and so very beautiful! She recognises some of the Luxury Event items, and would have loved to just wander round, drinking it all in. Manners matter though, she says sternly to herself, so she goes to meet the host and other guests.

Before Guinevere knows it, she is sitting in the hot tub. With Alex! As soon as he smiles at her over his snazzy sunglasses she realises his goal for the party: get everyone into the hot tub with him! She laughs, and splashes water at him. “Honestly Alex, you’re a card! If I’d know that was your goal…” He just laughs and dodges the drops. “You wouldn’t have joined me? That would have spoiled my party!” He smiles at her, and she has to smile back. She realises that really, he is actually very sweet. He can be such a charmer, though! She is quite determined to stay away from that hot tub for the rest of the party.

She gets changed in one of the charming bathrooms, and rejoins the party. To her utter delight Audrey, Julie and Ginamarie are standing together. Guinevere walks over to the little group, and Ginamarie introduces her. Fancy meeting Audrey here, I’m so glad I came, thinks Guinevere, as both she and Audrey join Alex and another bloke at the hookah. Blowing bubbles at each other, sitting on beautiful purple cushions, seeing all these famous people, wow, this is one cool party!

Guinevere feels more relaxed than she has done for a long time. She was very worried about her Roman dress, but a few people said something kind already. Audrey especially has been so kind and thoughtful, that Guinevere secretly thinks of her as a friend! Fancy telling people at home, “Oh yes, I was at this party with my friend Audrey Hepburn!” How fortunate I am, she sighs. The more relaxed she feels, the more she can feel joy bubbling up inside. Joye the vivre, she thinks, I’m full of joy at the moment. Soon Guinevere is sharing some of her music ideas with the other three ladies who lap it all up.

“I felt I was dreaming,” she explain to Genevieve later, “there was little me, dancing with Audrey, and some other definite divas…I could have floated away on one of those bubbles, you won’t believe how happy I felt!”

Guinevere smiles when she says this, an interesting incident playing though her mind. It was this new girl in town, Sierra. “She has a reputation already. Nobody wants her near their boyfriend, she gets and gives the cold shoulder everywhere. Se is quite tough, you know. I saw her being unkind and rude at the party, and people weren’t quite sure what to do. She makes a lot of the girls cry, you see. So in the end I thought, well, why not? I’m not scared off by people like that, we get them at the Club all the time. So I went over to Sierra, and actually wasn’t very nice to her. The thing that shocked me was that she backed down straight away, and turned away a bit sad. Of course, next thing you know, she was in the hot tub with Alex. There was some sort of incident with that, I’m not quite sure.

Well, we were all talking about Sierra, and how to watch out for her and her cattiness. Then I needed the bathroom, so I went indoors, and guess what? I found Sierra! By herself, in a bathroom, looking at the mirror, crying! Can you believe it? That tough as nails Sierra, crying! Of course, she straightened up as soon as she heard me, and pretended she was just touching up her makeup. I felt bad then. After all, everyone is on their guard with her, people all treat her abruptly, banter brusquely or whatever. So the next time I saw her, I went up to her, and just asked her genuinely how her day had been. And you know, we actually had a really nice chat, I was so amazed! I didn’t really tell the others, as I didn’t want them to feel I was trying to be different or something!”

Sadly, life calls, and Guinevere has to says goodbye to her new friends and acquaintances, to go to work for a very quick shift. Sebastian isn’t very happy, as she knew he would be. “Two parties in one day? Really? What about the garden extension, who is going to pay for that? You know it’s only about two days before the current one is done, and then we really need to do the next! It will cost something like 18,000 Simoleans, you know!”

Yes, Guinevere knows, and yes, she does want the garden extended, the Granny Annexe moved round to get more privacy. On the other hand, what sort of a girl says no to a party at Audrey Hepburn’s house if they can help it? Parties fall through for all sorts of reasons, the Sims Mobile Government keeps close tabs on things, and if the party gets too big they stop anyone else attending. Sometimes they arbitrarily close down a party midway.

“That is really the worse thing to happen,” Guinevere explained to her new friends, “when you’re having a great time, chatting and giving out stickers, and suddenly you get a notice, closing the party down. They say it’s no longer valid, and off you go! All the party decorations come down, everything. Mind you, you still get the money and what not, but it’s awful!”

That afternoon, Guinevere sets off for Audrey’s house. She knows Ginamarie will be there, and Alex…she has to smile to herself, at least there is no hot tub. I wonder if he has a goal for somebody else’s party as well? She has no idea what to expect, except that it is bound to be classy, judging by the way Audrey and the others dress…

When she arrives, she is so stunned, she actually just stands on the doorstep and stares. “Wow,” she whispers when she can’t hold her breath any longer without passing out. “Wow, this place…oh my…wow, I don’t even know what to say? It’s incredible, it’s so perfectly suited to you guys…” Guinevere knows that she must look like some country bumpkin, staring open mouthed around her, gasping for breath. The house truly is amazing, everything black and white, extremely tasteful, the effect mind blowing.

Guinevere has a great time, talking to so many different people and trying different food and just being herself. Guinevere finds that that is the things she appreciates most on this day, that people accept her for who she is. “They seemed genuinely glad to see me, they made me feel welcome and appreciated. You don’t know how important that is, and how much I needed that!” She and Sebastian are snuggled up on the sofa in the Annexe, reviewing this amazing day. Sebastian smiles, and gives his lovely wife a squeeze.

“I’m sure it did you good,” he says, “and I know you actually managed to work as well. I’m sorry I mentioned it, it’s just that I would love to see the Annexe all done before we both retire! You do look lovely today, though, not at all like a retire’s wife!”

Yes, retirement looms round the corner for them all. Lancelot and Adrianna have both had their papers as well. They would hate to go, though, especially as Jephta is just a child. How long can they hold off, and how long should they hold off, if at all…?

Chedworth

Drifting. That is what it is. Drifting apart, drifting away from everyone. Guinevere is sad, and discouraged and whatever she does seems to make matters worse. Yes, she can be busy with her job, and she still loves her job.

“The problem is, when I’m feeling down, even my job can be hard, and Sebastian is so critical of my job. I know he is, even though he doesn’t say it very clearly, but I can tell. Now I find myself looking around the club, looking at the people that come, and it’s really hard to totally disagree with him. I mean, it is noisy, and it is crowded, and my get up is maybe not really designed for people with all their traits. But I love it!”

Genevieve can’t remember seeing her little sister so sad! She had such a shock when they met up. Genevieve moved out when Lancelot and Guinevere and their spouses took over, and although she has seen Guinevere a bit, definitely not enough! The change is shocking though, and Guinevere is looking so sad and depressed. She is also a little bit obsessed, decides Genevieve. She has heard the whole spiel about Chris and ancestor Chris, and the line that died out, and how it will be Chris’ destiny to revive that line…very odd, and a bit out of the blue, to be honest!

Genevieve looks at her younger sister, and gives her a hug. “You poor thing, it sounds as if you and Sebastian have been too busy lately! You guys need to spend some quality time together, you know, get out for a bit!”

Guinevere rolls her eyes (When did that start?!) and laughs, but not a very amused one. “Get out? You must be joking, have you seen Sebastian’s workload? He struggles to get out briefly for the Luxury Event, and that’s it! Even then he grumbles, and he hardly ever will agree to take the Leisure one, as it takes six hours… No, I can’t imagine him going on a holiday!”

Genevieve and Guinevere actually get the whole morning together, and Guinevere blossoms during that time. Her eyes sparkle again, and she actually seems to like the granny annexe, which is now for Sebastian and her, since Christie and Joash got their moving papers. Genevieve loves the Annexe, she loves the warm colours, the fact that it’s a bit separate, and there is of course the gold bathroom…

Guinevere agrees, “Yes, I like the colours as well, we still need to change some things round, of course, and we’re almost able to buy a new plot of land. Did you realise land was that expensive here? It must be because it is so near the seaside… I wish we could get enough money together to get right down to the beach! I can’t see that happening in our generation though, maybe darling Chris will manage?”

Genevieve quickly moves the subject before Guinevere will go off on one again about the Line, and ‘injustice’ and all sorts… “Are you sure Sebastian wouldn’t even take a day off to take you and Chris somewhere nice? You both like history, what about some historical site?”

Guinevere sits up with a shock, and grabs Genevieve’s arm. “Yes, of course, oh, clever you! Yes, Sebastian has gone on about the Romans for ages! We could take a day to see a Roman site, they are always in the most incredible places, so it would be stunning at this time of year! Great, let me see…!” and Guinevere dashes off, and comes back with some leaflets.

Together the two sister look through the materials, and in the end decide that really the best place would be Chedworth Villa. The site isn’t very big, you would need to go to Cirencester if you want to see stacks of Roman stuff, but Chedworth is the actual site of a Roman Villa, with some mosaic floors still there, and work being done to restore them as well. There is bound to be things to do for kids as well, although the amazing Chris… Genevieve interrupts Guinevere’s thoughts before she goes down that track again!

That evening, when Sebastian asks how her morning with her sister Genevieve went, Guinevere explained about the interesting Roman site they talked about. Sebastian listens at that point, of course! “I wondered if we should drive out one morning, just for a day. It would be so interesting, and if we go soon, the trees will still be covered in blossom, it will be stunning!” says Guinevere, hardly daring to breath… She so badly wants this day out, they desperately need to reconnect as a family!

She needn’t have worried, for Sebastian agrees straight away! “As you got your last Trait this morning, how about we take a day off as a family, and just spend some time together?” he asks, not realising that poor Guinevere had been holding her breath all that time!

Guinevere is so relieved, and Chris is looking forward to the trip as well. He really is a lovely lad, not half as obsessed as him mum, fortunately! So preparations are made, and a date is set.

The day of their trip is gorgeous. The evening before it was tipping it down, but the morning looks all fresh and clean, full of promises and sweet smells. They set off in their car, and are soon on the Fosseway, an old Roman road, that was later used for the extensive wool industry as well. Soon the turnoff looms up, and they leave the main road to dive into this tiny lane.

“Dad? Are you sure this is actually a road?” chirps Chris from the back, looking very anxious, as he looks up and down the tiny lane, which is like a very narrow green tunnel, finished off neatly with Cows Parsley.

Sebastian laughs, his wonderful kind laugh again, and explains, “Yes, I know it’s very narrow, it’s called a single track road. You shouldn’t really drive too fast, but as you can see just there, every few yards is a passing place. It’s quite early in the morning, so I’m not actually expecting much traffic!”

Guinevere smiles. This is just so wonderful! The scenery is amazing, even better than she thought! The different shades of green, a bright yellow rapeseed field, a dark brown, rough square of newly ploughed earth…she doesn’t even know where to look fist!

“This is so very, very beautiful!” she sighs in the end. “No wonder the Roman built their houses here, it’s amazing!”

The site of Chedworth Villa itself is in a beautiful location. There isn’t very much left, and a mock Tudor house is actually built in the courtyard. Of course, when they built it, they didn’t know there was all the Roman stuff underneath! They look round the various buildings. One of the better kept ones is the public toilets! Chris is tickled that they went to the loo together, and explains that if he was a Roman he would make sure he would only go to the toilet at weird times, when nobody else went!

Chris gets to dress up, Sebastian reads all the labels on everything, Guinevere and Chris look at the artist’s pictures everywhere that explain what everything is, and what it probably looked like. Before they know it the afternoon is half gone, and it’s time to drive back. Guinevere is a bit quieter on the way home, she is drinking in all the beauty, full of wonder and gratitude and awe at the greatness of the Ultimate Artist, who makes everything unique. She is feeling so much lighter, and bouncier and ready to accept the day again! Oh, she knows nothing really has changed in the circumstances, but she feels ready to cope with them again.

At home, Sebastian and Guinevere decide that it is really much wiser to move into the Annexe, and just the one trip out together has opened so many doors again. It has revitalised their lives together, and made them realise again how special their bond is, and how precious family is. It also showed them that really in the grand scheme of things a generation is so puny! “I can’t believe that we looked at mosaics that have been there for nearly two thousand years! How incredible is that! And nobody knows what family lived there, who built the house with the fifty rooms, who they were, what they were…Incredible!”

They both enjoy sitting on the warm coloured sofa, looking at the pictures of their family day out, and they smile at each other, and it’s a smile of contentment. Never mind what tomorrow will bring, after all, Chris is just a child, and well, one day at a time just seems to work for now!

Changes in the air

The bassinet is in use again, and not by Guinevere and Sebastian…again. Lancelot and Adrianna, both looking as young and glowing with health and happiness as ever have another son, Jephta. Adrianna is so pleased, and Lancelot beams around all day long. The close observer in the family, Christie, notices how her son seems to avoid his sister and her husband, Sebastian. She wonders about that, and starts to observe them just a bit more.

Soon she gets a good chance to spend some time with Lancelot, as he is trying to do one of the Luxury events, and has chosen to do it with his mum. He loves his mum, loves her slightly exotic looks, and it’s a great pleasure to spend a few hours with her. Time flies, especially when he takes a bit of a risk with some questions..

Christie looks at Lancelot, and she sees his eyes full of pride when he looks at his little children, but she sees the anxiety when he spots Chris, who is really Tabitha’s age. He also avoids talking about Guinevere. In the end, Christie decided that being straight is sometimes the best cause of action, and asks him outright, “I see that there is something going on between you and your sister Guinevere. What is it?”

Lancelot sighs, rubs his neck, looks everywhere, but in the end he looks back at Christie, and sees her kindness and understanding and her willingness to just quietly listen. “It’s because of Jephta. Well, no, not really because of Jephta, it’s because of Guinevere. She is becoming very bitter and hard, and something is going on with her that isn’t right. She absolutely adores Chris, is always hugging him, and listening to his babbling, but she avoids our children. Since Tabitha, and especially after Jephta was born, she has started making barbed comments. Just little hints of unpleasantness you know, some of them so vague, you wonder if you have imagined it. When I ask her she denies doing it.”

Christie looks very sad, and as she helps Lancelot with his Event, she thinks about his words. She wondered if there was something like that going on! “What sort of comments? And what does Sebastian say?” she wonders in the end.

Lancelot waves his hand around the hobby room where they have just checked out his clothes, again. “She comments about Jeptha’s name, saying that if you want Biblical names, Jephta might not be top of the list…But we like Jephta, and he was a Judge, and…well, anyway, why I am defending myself now? That is the sort of thing she does, just little catty comments. Adrianna finds it hard as well, as she feels Guinevere is very sad. They both work in Downtown places, but she hardly sees Guinevere, she is working so much!”

This is true, Guinevere is out at al hours, working hard. It seems to be the one thing that cheers her up, something that gives her a sense of achievement, of being on top of things. Once she reached level ten there was no stopping her! Sebastian works hard as well, but it is clear that he just enjoys working with people. Also, being around Guinevere is becoming quite hard work, and Christie wonders if even Sebasian is starting to avoid her company!

Lancelot hasn’t discussed the Family Line with Christie, he doesn’t want to burden her, especially as no doubt she and Joash will soon have their papers that will force them to move into a retirement home. The last thing they need is the ranting of a bitter daughter, he explained to Adrianna once she asked. The story almost came out one day, after Adrianna returned from a party. The party was actually at a distant relative’s house, and she hadn’t thought anything of it.

As soon as she arrived at the party, virtually the first one to arrive, she saw Lancelot Line, Granny Garbriella’s cousin-once-removed son, or some such title. “I can’t remember,” chuckles Adrianna, adjusting her blue glasses, “I saw all those names coming past, and there was Simeon, who married Iris Coates from the Nightclub. They had a son, Leonardo. He moved out with permit papers, to marry Aurora, I think. Well, apparently, they had a son named Lancelot! Isn’t that an amazing coincidence? Fancy having two Lancelots in the family? I was so very thrilled! Well, Lancelot Line has a daughter, called Roxette. I didn’t get to see her at the party, I believe she is still very young. I love her name, so sweet sounding!”

Adrianna had been so excited when she found out. All the digging for ancestor Chris made her more interested in the Mortina family, and to actually meet a distant relative, well, she couldn’t get over it. The tricky moment came when her mother in law Christie wanted to know how come she knew so many names and generations…after a very awkward pause she managed to explain that part of her work was filing papers. That satisfied Christie, partly because of the new distraction in the form of Sebastian. She tried not to look too disapproving, but thought to her self, “I thought it was mother in laws that were supposed to be intolerable, but really, in this family it’s the in-law children that stress me out!”

Sebastian showed the family some papers that arrived that morning. He looked a bit sad, and excited, and thoughtful. “These came this morning, they are my retirement papers.” They all gasped, and all heads swivelled towards Guinevere, who looked very unhappy, and rather determined somehow. “Naturally, I will not take up retirement just yet, as I have still got many levels to go in my career, as well as a very young son.” Ouch, no mention of a young wife there!

Guinevere straightens up at once, “Don’t forget your very young wife, who also still has many plans for her life and her family! I might have achieved level 10 in my career, but that isn’t the only thing I want to achieve in life!” At the word career, Sebastian looks very uncomfortable. It seems that over time Sebastian has aged, not just outwardly in shape, but inside as well. He shies away from exciting things, doesn’t really like meeting new people and somehow reminds Guinevere that he doesn’t think her job as DJ constitutes a career. The fact that she brings in more money seems to slide past him somehow.

Life for Guinevere and Sebastian is becoming sad and at odds with each other. Guinevere is dressing more and more modern, using quite a bit of makeup, something no other Mortina women have done. The exception was Iris Coates who married Simeon, Lancelot Line’s grandparents. But then, she was a NPC, so there was nothing the family could say or do about that!

Sebastian on the other hand actually turned grey, not resorting to any treatment as most people in Sims Mobile would do if they were still working. He seems to relish the idea of growing old, and is determined to do so gracefully. When the new Quest boxes deliver a sofa, and more little tables, Sebastian takes charge. He has the back bedroom rebuild, has the bathroom moved, and before Guinevere is over her shock he has a purpose build granny flat! With granny wallpaper, and a tiny kitchen. Guinevere is stunned, but her parents love the little flat, so at the moment there is nothing she can say.

She feels the resentment growing inside her, and only feels herself relaxing and growing softer when she is with her little boy Chris. She dreads the day he will grow up, knowing it won’t be long! She is desperate for him to get three stars in Good Upbringing, and dreams of him taking over the house, maybe even in First Line! Somehow, even though she doesn’t know this great great grandfather, she has become rather obsessed. She doesn’t want to stop and think about it though, she is too keen hat things will go according her plan. He has convinced herself that it’s just to undo the injustice done, not about her or her son, but she sees her bother and sister in-law’s doubting looks when she defends her position. This just makes her dig her heels in even more. If only she had another child, or even three, like Lancelot, that would give her claim to the Line more support. She slumps down in her seat, feeling tired, and unaccepted and very, very low. What will happen when her sweet Chris grows up? And when will Sebastian actually accept the papers? Will he really expect her to move into the granny flat with it’s geriatric wallpaper? She feels the anger and resentment bubbling inside her, and knows that she will need to sort it out. After all, clinging on to such strong emotions can’t be good for you!

New Mortina Life

New Mortina life

Little finger prints can be seen on the windows, toys are found in the strangest corners, noises come from the bassinet at all hours. Yes, the Mortina Line is extended! The messy family tree is messier still! The beautiful Adrianna and handsome Lancelot are the very proud parents of a little boy, Josiah. His shock of auburn hair make him look like many Mortina toddlers that can be seen in the family photographs. As the Sims Mobile shops limit the choices of toddler clothes, he looks identical to uncles, great uncles and great great uncles when they were his age. He is a lovely, happy boy, adored by his parents, who make sure he is having lots of Good Upbringing opportunities.

“He will do well” says a proud and assured Lancelot, when watching his son toddle round the house. “He might even be the one to carry on the family line. I’m looking forward to see him grow, and turn into a handsome young man!”

Knowing the speed with which children grow in Sims Mobile, it’s a fact that Lancelot won’t have to wait too long! In fact, the bassinet has been in use again, only to be abandoned for an incredibly short time. Another offspring of Lancelot and his beautiful Adrianna? Nope, not this time. This time it’s the heir of Guinevere and her kind husband, Sebastian. Who, in spite of his kindness and generous spirit, still carries the surname Brooks. Guinevere is actually loosing some of her twinkle, her eyes growing larger by the day. Not that it really hinders her popularity, she is still beautiful, her eyes still eye catching, but her family notices.

It started just before her baby was born. Lancelot and Adrianna pretended not to notice the heated arguments, and glares that came from green eyes that had only sparkled before now. They noticed the coolness between Guinevere and Sebastian, and when Adrianna spent some time with Guinevere during one of the Luxurious Lifestyle quests, Guinevere admitted that Sebastian was adamant that he didn’t want to change his surname. “It’s all to do with his age,” groaned Guinevere, “he insists on his own name at his age, saying that as all his traits are full, he doesn’t want the hassle of changing all the paperwork! I explained to him how important it is, and that it’s easy to be done, and actually can be used for the Daily List, but he won’t budge!”

Lancelot and Adrianna felt sorry for Guinevere, as it was obvious that to her it was a massive deal. Then the baby was born, a little boy. He did get a chance for a Good Upbringing star, which was great. Lancelot asked Guinevere and Sebastian what they would name the boy.

“His name is Chris,” said an extremely determined sounding Guinevere. Lancelot raised one neat eyebrow at his sister. He wondered about her tone of voice, so unlike her normal upbeat one she has polished in the nightclub.

“I like it,” Adrianna jumped in quickly, seeing the eyebrow, and wondering what was going on, “it suits the little boy, I’m sure!”

“Yes,” said Guinevere, looking straight at Lancelot, “it suits him perfectly. You see, he is the one who will undo a grave injustice committed in this family in the past. My son will put things straight.”

Well, what on earth was that all about? Lancelot looks at Adrianna, who looks as blank as only a lawyer who hasn’t got the facts can look. Then he looks at Sebastian, who looks very uncomfortable, but still tries to smile his kind smile, digging deep for his best bedside manners. What has gotten into Guinevere?

Lancelot and Adrianna talk about it in their room that evening. As Adrianna works at the Court she agrees to do some digging through the family documents, searching for the name Chris. Lancelot can’t remember having heard the name at all, and he wonders if Guinevere has just gone off her rocker, and made things up. “We’re only the seventh generation,” he says, still sounding bewildered, “how can there be an ancestor called Chris? Maybe she means Great granny’s sister Christine? But then, what would she mean with the ‘grave injustice’ committed to her? I really don’t get this, and it’s too late to think now, I need to get to he studio to finish my long shift.”

The very next day, as soon as Adrianna finishes the Luxury Event, she rushes back to the office to do some quick research before starting her short shifts. She finds the thick Mortina folder, looks at the papers inside, and, trying not to get overwhelmed with the amount of names, starts scanning the pages. Great, most of them had at least three children, she groans. Why not just one or two, just to keep the line going… Then she smiles, and rubs her own growing belly, and sighs in acceptance of others.

She soon finds the Christine that Lancelot mentioned, the daughter of Melany, the daughter of Marie Anne, the daughter of Ricardo and Danielle, the first of all Mortinas. She then looks more closely at Christine’s record, and gasps! Christine’s husband’s name was Chris! She keeps reading, searching for the ‘grave injustice’.

“She married Chris from the restaurant (the restaurant workers obviously make for good spouses, there is quite a few I’ve heard of in just this family alone!) and they have three children, a daughter Sophia, the second one already in this family,” mutters Arianna whilst following lines with her well shaped fingernails, “ah, they have a son, Joshua, and oh, another son, Daniel. Now, who marries who and moves….ah, oh dear, I think I have just spotted the ‘grave injustice’. Their line ends right here! None of them is ever acknowledged, no more mention of them anywhere!

So what happened to the house then? Let me see, bla bla, payment, moving in papers, oops, another restaurant worker, Ashton Sweeney, married to Abigail. That was Christine’s sister, they have children, yes, here we are, Gabriella, mmmm, THE Gabriella I presume and another daughter Alicia. Yes, Gabriella marries, oh guess what, restaurant worker Zachery, here’s Joash, my father in law. Oh dear, well, at least Lancelot has his answer I guess. Abigail and her offspring carried the line, with no mention of Christine and Chris who were sharing the house at that time. Now, let’s jump into my blue suit, and get started. ‘Guide graciously’ is the theme for today, I think!”

That evening Adrianna tells Lancelot about her findings. He looks at her, without saying anything. Then he sighs, and looks incredibly sad. “You know what that means?” he asks, “she is determined that her little Chris will take over the house, the Line. Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish! What are we to do?” and he looks pointedly at her shapely tummy…not shapely as in trim and what not, but shapely as in growing every day it seems. Adrianna smiles her most efficient smile, “Well, we’re not there yet, nothing needs to be done, as far as I understand. After all, the decision is still years away, and who knows what our family will look like by then!”

So life just moves on, and the subject of injustice, or Great granny’s sister is never brought up again, but Adrianna catches Lancelot looking at their sweet Josiah with a special look, a look which doesn’t change or improve when their sweet Tabitha is born. He just can’t resist the poke at his sister, “Many Mortina girls have carried the Line…Interesting to have a son AND a daughter…!”

He immediately regrets his words as Guinevere flees the room in tears. Lancelot is stunned, what is wrong with his happy, bouncy DJ sister? The hippie in the family so to speak. He looks at Adrianna, who slightly shakes her head, to indicate that she won’t talk about things in front of Sebastian, wo is still in the room. As soon as the door shuts behind Sebastian she explains. “I heard them last night, Guinevere wants another child, Sebastian doesn’t. He feels he is too old, in fact, with all traits achieved he might receive his retirement papers any moment now. Guinevere argued that all Mortinas have large families. I felt so sad for her, I hope she will be alright…”

This is sad indeed, and over time Guinevere seems to get sadder and sadder, and also, it looks as if she wants to constantly remind everyone, but especially Sebastian, of the fact that she is still young and hip and cool… Where will all this end?

Weddings

Weddings all round!

The day dawned bright and early for Lancelot, which came as a shock in itself. Today is hopefully going to be one of the best days in his life! A special party has been arranged, and everything has been planned ahead for him to meet some one special. He tries not to think about how organised it all has been, worried that Guinevere might find out, and look at him with those green eyes dancing. He realises how it must sound, which is why he hasn’t made a sound! Guinevere is not to know, nor his parents, for that matter. Arranged marriages sound so dreadful and hyper efficient and ancient. It conjures up images of interfering parents whose only aim in life was to either preserve their estate or to enhance it.

This is nothing like that. Nothing at all, but still, it’s better to explain much, much later how the party came about. The party! He actually feels wobbly inside, and he wonders briefly whether he is actually making a mistake. After all, turning up at a friend’s party, all smiley, handing out stickers to all sorts of people you have never met, all with just one purpose in mind. The Girl.

It was surprisingly easy to set up, he muses, whilst slipping into his suit. We’ll set a time for a party, you turn up, find the girl in question, chat her up, and Bob’s your Uncle. Apart from he isn’t. Many things in life don’t go as expected, or hoped for, or wished for, or even arranged! Especially in Sims Mobile, where the powers that be have a lot of power, and do some random things. Like cancel parties, or refuse to supply the right moving in papers. Lancelot sighs, the day ahead seems overwhelming, and he wonders if it’s really worth the stress.

He has seen her name, Adrianna. It rolls around his head and rolls of his tongue easily in his thoughts. You see, that is something else that could jeopardise the whole thing. Her name, or more precisely, his tongue. What if he mispronounces it, or after all the practise in his head says it with the wrong feeling? What will she be like, anyway? Will she be washed out looking, like one of the wives of his great great grandparents relations? The one that got cheated on… Or will she be wearing clothes that give you migraines because of their constant flashing? He sighs, this is really getting out of hand.

Time to run through the mental list: do I want to find a wife? Yes. Are any of the co-workers in Sims Mobile eligible at the moment? Nope, they’re all old. So, therefore, this party invite is perfect, Adrianna sounds wonderful and lively and interesting. So, let’s do this!

His tie is straight by this time, shoes shine, Lancelot looks one more time in the mirror, and off he strides, purposefully, out of the house. He arrives at the party, he looks round with a worried air at all the people, the hot tub, the garden…and the first person he meets is called…Adrianna! The sight of her takes his breath away, she is amazing! She is wearing a fairy outfit, with beautiful glossy auburn hair, and she smiles! He cannot believe it, all his worries disappear like snow on a summer’s day! She has a beautiful smile, her grey blue eyes sparkle with life, complimented by blue rimmed glasses. He feels his own smile getting wider and wider, and fleetingly worries that he will end up looking like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland… But here is Adrianna, and all other thoughts are left behind.

Well, he thinks later, much later in fact, I could just say, The Rest was History, but wow, what history it was! He thinks about their dates, the first one in the little café, the romantic meals at the restaurant, the dancing at home, the long Wedding… He just feels giddy with happiness. He looks across the room at his near-perfect wife, wearing a simple yet incredibly elegant blue dress, matching earrings, shoes, glasses….Adrianna is definitely about the details, he grins to himself. No wonder she is doing so well at her job!

The wedding seems forever ago, although the day itself will never be forgotten! Adrianna moved into the Mortina home, fully accepted by Guinevere. In fact, Guinevere seemed pleased to spend time with Adrianna. Lancelot and Adrianna take over the front bedroom, with the special Honeymoon bed, and soon the ancient family bassinet was in use! His cup is brimming over with happiness. The most gorgeous wife, and now also a little baby boy, Josiah. Watching Adrianna feeding him, and cooing at him makes his heart melt. He hadn’t realise that he was still grinning in her direction, until she looks at him with those amazing eyes, and sweet smile, “You look like you’re a happy man?”

“I am! The happiest in the long and complex line of Mortinas!” he laughs. “I was just counting my blessings, and as ever, I count you twice…” She rolls her eyes, as he knew she would, and laughs her melodious laugh.

“You’re the sweetest man ever, and a great flatterer…it get’s you nowhere with me, you know!” She rolls her eyes, “It might work with the lady I work with, Miss Mutton-Dressed-as-Lamb, Skyler Miner. She is awful, really judges people based on appearances, not realising that at her age dying your fringe pink is no longer cool, but sad!”

They both look serious at that, as it is such a tragic thing, and potentially disastrous for somebody. Adrianna works in the Court office with Skyler, and they do have to be so careful in how they advise people. Their advice could potentially ruin somebody, and Skyler is definitely a disaster waiting to happen.

“Is there still no word about her retirement?” he asks. “It seems that all offices in Sims Mobile are waiting for papers to come through. Could there be a strike up at the EA offices? Somebody on holiday who didn’t leave clear instructions? Wherever I go, and whoever I talk to, it seems that all shops and businesses have senior staff, and then I don’t mean Senior in rank or experience, merely in birthday candles…!”

The both look around rather awkwardly at that, as Guinevere has recently married a man who definitely has more candles on his cake than her…! He is very, very nice though. His name is Sebastian, she met him at a party very soon after Lancelot met Adrianna! Turns out that they both decided to go down the arranged marriage route, although from what Guinevere told him, her arrangement almost fell flat, thanks to Sims Mobile government officials! There was apparently a moment of panic when Sebastian couldn’t attend her party as arranged, but fortunately they managed to make other arrangements. In fact, Guinevere always boasts that she was actually the very first person to arrive at the party! Who’d have guessed that Guinevere would go for arranged marrage! Probably working with an ancient DJ colleague did it for her, Lancelot grins slyly to himself. He is very pleased for his sister though.

Sebastian looks a bit older, has blond hair, which makes him stand out in the Mortina household, and a very kind, good natured face. Guinevere and Sebastian only just got married, in fact, they are still debating over surnames. Guinevere is quite desperate to have the Mortina name, as she is still hoping that she and Sebastian might have a child who could inherit the Mortina Name. They have left it, however, as Sebastian was under a lot of stress. He struggled to find a job, and ended up working at the offices downtown. It was obvious that he hated it, he looked so unhappy!

Just a few weeks ago an opening came up in the local Mobile hospital, and Sebastian got accepted. He was thrilled, and his mood has improved! The change is enormous, helped maybe by the beard he has grown. “I just had to keep explaining that yes, I am definitely old enough to be taking charge!” he laughed, his hearty laugh bouncing round the newly painted walls. “I jut find people somehow take me more seriously with a beard. Aren’t people sad?!” Again that laugh, which in itself makes you feel better! No wonder he is such a successful and sought after doctor, thinks Lancelot, smiling at his brother in law. Unbelievable, both of us happily married, doing our very best to keep the Inheritance going! How thrilling to be part of making History!

Baby Josiah has started a new generation, Joash and Christie are still around, there is a special Events week on in Sims Mobile… Life is busy, and full and good…whatever next?