weddings

Tessa and Erik

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tessa and Camilla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camilla

“Mum, when will you two retire? Surely the Gems will be here soon, so how long after that will you step down?” Camilla’s beautiful face is spoilt by the pout; she looks at her mum expectantly. Miriam laughs, but is doesn’t sound anything like her loud, hearty one. It is a rather sad one, the hurt vibrating through it, as she looks at her eldest daughter. Several sons have gone and left the house already, making their own way in SiMobile. Ursula has gone as well, and now Camilla is desperate to go, but not into the unknown, but to the Snow household. Camilla heard about Brandon, and very early on she has been promised to him in marriage, an arrangement both parents agreed to. Now she is grownup, and impatient to join him, going as far as to ask her mum and dad to step down sooner rather than later!

Miriam sighs, she loves her children, and although in a way she knew this day would come, what with their crazy scheme of populating SiMobile with young people, it still grieves her. She is happy that at least Camilla has a wedding arranged; back to Miriam’s own family home no less! Saying goodbye will still be excruciating though, especially saying goodbye to her daughter. Zahra will still be here, of course, but that thought doesn’t cheer her up too much. Zahra is single, and no young man or his parents have come forward… She never realised how sad this time of her life would be, and how reluctant she would be to let go! In a way she is excited about retirement, but that excitement fades into the background now that she is confronted with the losses that accompany her retirement.

“I don’t know, sweetie, I still have things I like to finish. I know your dad has finished his goals, so he might be more inclined to go straight after Gems arrive. You could ask him,” she says, then wished she could swallow those words back down, as Camille walks off, looking very determined! She finds her dad, and asks him straight out, her face emotionless, totally oblivious to the distress this question brings! All Camilla can think of is the changes she would like to make, and the opportunities she has once she is made Active.

Samuel Vince Mortina looks at his beautiful daughter, and sadness changes his whole face, as he knows what the question means. Is he really ready? Ready to leave the active position, ready to accept that he has done his share in the Mortina Dynasty? Has he really fulfilled his destiny, and restored Justice? He sighs, just like Miriam; when he finishes his shift, his last ever shift, he goes home, looking for his wife. They hug, Miriam has a little cry and Samuel looks like he could do with one himself… “I will accept, love, for I know that Brandon Snow is having his party soon, and Camilla will need to make sure she gets in early… I hope he will be good for her, good to her as well. I know he is related to you, but I have heard that he is a bit of a hippie…I hope Camilla will remember us, and will stay in touch, somehow!”

So Samuel Vince Mortina accepts his retirement papers, turning grey, stooped and old straight away. Camilla’s face lights up, and she can’t wait for the promotion papers to come through, so she can choose an outfit, get a bit of makeup on and just make her own choices! She has it all worked out, studied her mum’s wardrobe so she knows what to wear. To her horror, and everyone else’s in the family, Camilla has a bout of Llama Flu as soon as her promotion comes through! There she is, looking like a Weeble, just as many friends have done recently; no chance of choosing clothes: she’ll be lucky to survive! No man, not even Brandon, would be the slightest bit inclined to marry her… Miriam gasps, and clutches her grey headed husband, doing her best to swallow down the hysterics she can feel worming its way out of her throat… Together they manage to put a brave face on it all, and after some simple treatment Camilla is as well as can be expected! The whole family breathes a sigh of relief that is was the Weebles Strain, and not the Pink Blob one, as that one is so much harder to cure! Camilla cries big tears of gratitude, especially as she hears via a card that Brandon had suffered the same fate, but fully recovered as well. She is so happy, she hugs her mum, dances around, even dresses quite conservatively, like all the Mortinas down the ages have done. Her relief is sweet to see. She can’t wait to meet Brandon, and drives Miriam to distraction with her restlessness; pacing up and down waiting for the party announcement…

The announcement comes, of course, and Camilla is the first guest to arrive, almost before the house is decorated for the party! The party is just to meet up of course, but it does put the whole family under considerable strain, as they are honourable enough to make sure it reaches Level ten status. Camilla is a little shocked by Brandon’s greeting. He doesn’t waste any time, but even outside the house, on the little strip of grass, he greets Camilla in a very flirtatious manner. She blushes wildly, and feels shy, hoping that if she is a bit reticent he will slow things down. Obviously, Brandon doesn’t get the hint, and he sticks to Camilla like a leech all during the party. He leaves the levelling up, the handing out of stickers and greeting the other guests over to his uncle and mum. Brandon clearly has a one track mind, and Camilla is starting to feel a little uncomfortable. She squirms, and gasps as he kisses her soundly in front of all the other party goers; strangers that she has never met before, she doesn’t even know their names! For that matter, even Brandon is like a stranger; she has only just met him after all.

Camilla goes home that night, totally overwhelmed; wondering if this arranged marriage is the biggest mistake ever. She looks at her parents, and envies the fun they have together. Even now, with her father all grey and stooped, her mother’s laugh still brightens up the entire Mortina home. Brightens it up like lightning during a thunderstorm, not once but time and time again. Camilla sighs, “Oh, I’m jealous…jealous of what my parents have! I do like Brandon, he is very arty and clever with a camera, but…but he is so intense! I just wanted to…” She stops, what is it she wanted? She stares ahead in the dark, trying to think back to before her promotion, but it’s all a blur. Probably an after effect from the Llama Flu, she sighs. She does know that things are not really going the way she expected. Brandon is so in her face, it drains her! His dark eyes staring at her with a burning intensity that makes her nervous, as she feels she might say the wrong thing!

She lies down, eyes glued to the ceiling, or where she knows the ceiling to be, rather. She thinks about her near future. Soon Brandon will propose, in fact, she is sure that the very next time she will see him he will start the Proposal event. She sighs, even before their official first date, the one everybody goes on at the little café, even before that he had brought their relationship to level three! He is very pushy, she thinks, and I wasn’t banking on that… My mum has firm ideas, and I thought I was getting my freedom by marrying an artist. Mum isn’t really pushy though, although she is usually very much in love with her own ideas. Brandon…well, Brandon insists on his ideas, in a nice way, but definitely insisting on them… Oh dear, this could be tricky!

The next morning Brandon proposes to her, and Camilla accepts, of course! She is excited as well, as Brandon seems to relax a little now their relationship level is going up steadily. Camilla has a shock when she pops back home though, for Miriam insists on her taking a job! Camilla drops down in the nearest chair, shock written all over her beautiful but proud face. “A job? You want me to take a job? Here, in town, today? Why? Why do I need a job, I mean, Brandon is already doing the Proposal, I’ll be at level eight before I would finish my job! Mum, really?” Miriam however is adamant, even though she is filling out the Acceptance forms for her own retirement.

“You must do all you can to help this family,” she says, voice more determined than Camilla has ever heard her before. “This family has been very good to us all; they took me in, even though at that time the Snow family had only just arrived. We were totally insignificant. They took me in, introduced me to friends, gave me stickers…” She has to swipe at her eyes there, realising that no more stickers will come her way! “You have met several of them, Uncle Magnus’ family for one, and my best friend Lucille Ball…Not to mention myriads of other wonderful and supportive friends. This home has been good to you too, Dad has allowed you to be Promoted, and it is the family’s loss when he did so. He had reached level ten, bringing in a steady income from hobbies and jobs. You don’t really think you can just sit around, twiddling your thumbs, waiting for your artist to come and carry you off on his white horse, do you?” Miriam’s blue eyes had been blazing by then, as Camilla’s face had become sulkier and sulkier during this tirade.

“What will I do? Work in the office, wearing that awful suit? I don’t want to be a doctor, not after… after the awful Llama Flu; what if I get infected at the hospital again, this time turning into a pink blob…” Her voice breaks, and tears roll down her well shaped face, for Camilla can switch the tap on at any given moment. Miriam is not impressed, as this trick has been used too many times now… “What about Daniel?” Camilla continues, tears switched off as she can tell they’re not making the right impression, “What about him? When is he going to get promoted, and are you forcing him to work too?”

Miriam sighs, “Goodness child, what a choice of words. It is important to contribute. You know we’re almost able to afford the next bit of ground to be cleared. It will be good to be part of that, to share the burden. Yes, Daniel will be promoted as soon as his papers arrive, just in case he meets his betrothed. You know he has been promised to Giada… Both of you will soon be gone as well and we’ll be alone, save for Zahra… Of course, Daniel will work too, he wants to be the photographer.”

Camilla wails straight away, “Ooooh, mum! I wanted to be the photographer! You can wear your own clothes, and you get to meet lots of important people! That is so unfair, why was Daniel allowed to be the photographer, why did nobody ask me if I wanted to have that career…?” Tears appears as if by magic again, and Miriam waits patiently, even though she feels like rolling her eyes, and shaking the spoilt girl! Camilla finally finishes off with a few sniffs, and says, “Well, in that case, I’ll do the fashion career. I’m good at fashion, and I might even be made a model, who knows! Serves Daniel right if he has to do a complete photoshoot of just me!” Miriam pulls a face, knowing that the likelihood is extremely remote…!

Off to work they go, the newly promoted Daniel, with his beautiful face, dark eyebrows and smiling eyes, and the sulky looking Camilla. Daniel reminds her a little of Brandon, because of their longish hair, although Brandon’s isn’t as neatly kempt as Daniel’s hair. Daniel loves his job, taking pictures everywhere. Camilla doesn’t enjoy her work, or any work for that matter! She is just filling in time, waiting for their relationship to progress. She doesn’t have to wait long. Brandon is in a hurry it seems, and even before the wedding the official SiMobile Government Moving Permit arrives. Camilla’s parents and aunt and uncle gasp; they can’t believe she will move in without being married to Brandon! Camilla doesn’t mind, doesn’t care, as her only concern is to start a new life, as she keeps telling herself, and her bags are packed; she is ready to go, ready for her new life as Mrs Snow, being an adult in her own right, choosing a hobby, doing what she wants, wearing what she wants! “I can’t wait,” she whispers in her room whilst packing her few personal belongings, “I can have all the makeup I want, wear whatever I want, do whatever I want… I can’t get over it, it’s going to be amazing! I can’t wait to ditch this top for one, it’s so stiff and starchy!”

The first thing Camilla does at the Snow’s house is change her outfit. That is, after the quick treatment for the repeat bout of Llama Flu, the Weebles variety again, fortunately. Both Brandon and Camilla were quite relaxed about the Flu this time, trusting the treatment. Fortunately for them, the treatment worked. Camilla appears again, wearing a short top, showing her bare midriff…unheard of in the Mortina household. Nobody ever, in the entire Mortina Dynasty, has ever showed bare midriffs… Camilla feels great, the cool breeze on her stomach a totally new thing. The first thing Brandon does when Camilla moves into the Snow residence is to start the wedding Event, Camilla secretly feeling relieved…

Miriam is chatting to Eva, a close relative of Brandon; Eva being Eva Mortina before her marriage into the Snow family. Eva pulls a face, and Miriam suddenly remembers Eva’s childhood nickname of Miss Stroppy, and thinks to herself that nothing seems to have changed on that score! Eva sighs, and says, clearly doing her best to be tactful, “Camilla moved in as you know, and Brandon started the wedding event. Fortunately, they can just do the event, not the entire Quest, like Paul and I had to do… Camilla seems to be alright, she changed her clothes straight away, obviously making a statement. Mind you, I think it backfired a little… She was crying and complaining to Brandon’s mum how all the guys make comments, pat her back, give her funny looks and what have you… I don’t think she realises she is sending out a dodgy message with her dress code. Of course, those guys are wrong, but sending out the wrong message is…well, it’s the wrong message, isn’t it!”

Miriam leans against Samuel that evening, looking sad, feeling weary. “Do you think she will be alright?” she asks, and she puts her hand on her heart, as she feels that each day another shard splinters off, shrinking her heart; hurting her heart… Samuel smiles at her, hugs and elbows her at the same time. They would have had a wild game, using cushions, rolled up newspaper, anything, but Zahra walks into the room, recently promoted! Her sweet face glows, and she is waving a note at them. They both sober up, and give Zahra their full attention.

Zahra shows them the note, and explains that she has been accepted in the Fashion studio, as an ASOS Fashionista. A position had come free in the atelier, as Camilla had left to move in with Brandon. What a difference, Miriam thinks, what a difference between my two girls… “This note is amazing news as well,” Zahra continues, “it’s from the Knight family. Their son…” she tears up, overwhelmed by happiness and excitement, “their son…he…he has indicated his willingness to marry me!” and she cries a flood of happy tears, hugging Miriam, and showing her the letter. Miriam is relieved, and hugs her back tightly! She reminds herself that all things are in God’s Hand, even her daughters’ lives, and that some people just have to learn the hard way that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side… She is suddenly convinced that Camilla will be fine, and that it will all work out well. It might take time, some people are slow learners, but she is sure that Camilla will grow up in all respects, some time! As for Zahra, well, Miriam is bursting with happiness, and feeling blessed that she will be able to share in her happiness, at least for a while. Will she be around long enough to meet Zahra’s Beau…or will the retirement cake be served before then…

Magnus

What has gone wrong, and when did it happen? Magnus is standing in the kitchen, peering through the latticed window into the garden; absentmindedly noticing the weeds. That still needs doing as well, he sighs; just add it to the list of wrongs and troubles. He is worried, and even though he hates to admit it, in a small dark corner of his heart, he can feel a slither of fear, wriggling, growing…

Magnus tries to think back; back to before…well, before things went off track, and life ended up out of his control. He thinks of his large home, his Norse family, his beautiful mother, and something like homesickness stirs in him. “I miss you guys, I really do! Mum, I miss seeing your blue hair and your graceful way of moving. Björn, I miss your humour, your strength, your support…” Magnus stops, takes a deep breath, runs his fingers through his own blue hair, and groans. “Oh great! Now I’m talking to myself, moaning, complaining, and wanting my past back. This is not good, this is so not good!”

Abruptly Magnus turns away from the large window, strides out of the kitchen, though the light lounge; he walks quickly through the foyer with the beautiful door and windows, worried a friend might come in for a chat, and slips into the hobby room, unnoticed. “This won’t do, this moping around won’t help. It’s just…I just need someone to talk to, somebody who can understand.” For a split second an image slides through his mind. The image of his sweet wife, Esther, sitting outside near the beach, smiling, looking relaxed, praying to her invisible God. He laughs, a different laugh than the rest of the family is so used to. It’s a harsh, scornful noise, one that they have never heard before. “What good would that do? Speaking to a God like Esther’s God? She insists He has everything under control, and everything is for the best. Well, I don’t see much control! How can a God who allowed Himself to be killed be of any use! I could just do with some of Odin’s acquired wisdom right now…”

Magnus picks up his guitar, and plucks away with abandon; the wild music matching the turmoil inside his heart. He loves Esther, absolutely adores her. He is even pleased that Esther worships God, as it does make her happy, and loving and to be honest, anything Esther does pleases him really. He smiles, his music mellows whilst thinking about Esther. He thinks about their meet up, the ribbing from Björn beforehand, when he had spent ages getting ready for the party. He still can hear his own words to his handsome cousin, “Well, some of us know how to make a woman happy, you know! I’m going to marry that girl, and I want to do things properly. She deserves that; any woman deserves that, so it’s worth making an effort, isn’t it? Just to please her, to look like I value her…”

Björn had laughed, and clapped him on the shoulder, so Magnus had to struggle to suppress the coughing and spluttering it caused, as Björn would laugh even more! He could tell Björn was pleased though, and even a little proud of his little cousin! His sisters had looked at him with adoration and pride, wishing him well, saying how lucky Esther was, and how he was obviously in the good books of the gods. They made little jokes about Frey, and wondered out loud what he had paid this god to favour him so much… He had laughed with them, pleased as well; feeling grand and strong. He was definitely feeling like the rugged Viking that Esther wished for.

Their courtship had been wonderful, his face aching from smiling at this beautiful girl. She seemed so frail, and he just loved the feel of her small hands; loved it that he could pick her up and swing her round, making her squeal and go helpless with giggles. He liked how she asked his advice, and he loved giving it to her, watching the worry lines on her forehead smooth out and her eyes shine at him with admiration. She made him feel a man, her protector, her keeper, her husband. His guitar is singing along with the many dreamy memories, but at the word ‘protector’ he misses a note. The memory jarred, like the dropped note, and he frowns, music deep, restless. He remembers her at the Club, just before their wedding. “Only God can protect me, ultimately. No human being can fulfill all my needs, only God can. He has everything in His control.” Her voice sweet and clear, her soft smile and shining eyes focused on him, and he felt the beginnings of resentment growing in his heart. Jealousy, envy and resentment against this God. A God that he couldn’t see, and obviously couldn’t compete with in his wife’s heart.

He forces himself to slow down, to catch his breath, to stop grinding his teeth, and especially to go easy on the guitar. “One of these days a string will break. I should have gone for the yoga hobby.” He pulls a face straight away, “Nah, not my style; those leggings…Björn would have a fit if he saw me twisting and bending in those!” The music slows down with his heart rate, the tune becoming slower and sweeter, wistful, as Magnus remembers standing over the little bassinet. In his strong hands he could feel the cold, silver hammer, Thor’s hammer. He felt the smooth leather string, and he can see himself, bending over the empty bassinet, murmuring, pleading with Thor, Frey and Freya. Pleading with anyone, really, to give him a son, a true Viking son. He had finished, feeling his pleadings were starting to become more like begging, and of course, a Viking never pleads or begs! He had been desperate, but that was something nobody needed to know, not even the gods!

Just as he had finished, and was tucking the little hammer into the bassinet, Esther had come into the room. Her eyes had caught the little silver charm straight away, and she had asked him about it. He had explained it was a Viking token; said it was just a thing they did at home. She had smiled then, her beautiful smile that melts his heart every time. “Don’t you just love family traditions?” she had gushed, hugging him, snuggling close, breathing in his manly scent. “Our family hasn’t really got that many traditions, but I love them. Maybe, once we have children…” she had faltered, blushed almost as red as her hair, and continued, “once we have children we ought to establish traditions as well, don’t you think?” Ha, she didn’t know what she was asking! Think, with her around? He had noticed how all sensible thought fled before her…!

The music twangs away, sounding more like an Irish jig, going on an on, faster and faster, his dreamy smile growing bigger and bigger. He laughs, yes, he is a man in love! He was as sure as his sisters that the gods had favoured him. He thinks of the beautiful wedding, even though it seemed endless…he got tired of the tux after a while, it was too restrictive. He couldn’t lift his arms properly, and kept tugging at the material, as if there would be more of it all of a sudden. Esther looked like a princess, his princess. He just couldn’t take his eyes off her, her auburn hair glowing like…like…burnished gold, whatever that meant! He felt it just suited her…but then, gold was more yellow, wasn’t it? Oh well, who cares, he grins, strumming away, it was glowing, her face one big smile, her green eyes sparkling and dancing with delight. Yes, the wedding…

Then things had changed, and he wondered why the gods seemed turned against him all of a sudden. Not that he had realised straight away, I mean, it could just e a coincidence of course. Take the wedding reception, for example. Miriam wanted a wild party, a cheerful one, a bit garish, with Bright and Beautiful as theme. Samuel had agreed with his wife straight away. Esther didn’t; he remembered her face, he remembered the internal struggle visible in her eyes, as she said that she preferred a classy wedding. Magnus hadn’t cared either way; he had been to lots of parties, and always enjoyed them whatever the theme. In the end, Esther was overruled, and Bright and Beautiful it was. The day of the wedding reception came, and they were all dressed up in bright clothes, even Esther. Her smile had been genuine, and as bright as her outfit.

Magnus had wondered about that, as he had seen the disappointment and hurt in her face once the decision was made. He had expected her to go for the ‘beautiful’ in Bright and Beautiful, and although she was still very beautiful, she was definitely bright! Her face looked sunkissed, her eyes shining as ever, smile matching his. He had asked her about it, in a quiet moment, just before the onslaught of guests. Her answer had astonished him, and left him speechless. “I saw you looking at me, noticing my disappointment. I remembered telling you that I believed God was in control. I then wondered myself, that if God is in control, why do disappointing things happen, bad things happen, terrible things even… So I sat near the beach, and thought, and prayed, and I remembered what God says about His control. I understood, and I know I can trust Him, even when I face disappointments or grief…”

He had been astonished, wondering if she realised what she was saying. I mean, she was very disappointed, but sitting in the grass, talking to…to the sky made her trust…this unseen God, and suddenly she was no longer disappointed, but happily changed into a bright outfit, and her life is all sunshine again? Really? He also felt a little hurt and left out. He was her husband after all, and she never really discussed her hurt feelings with him. She never asked his advice on this party; she didn’t ask him how to deal with Miriam’s wild ideas. No, instead, she goes and finds a quiet spot to talk to her God. Magnus feels the resentment against this God growing, jealousy easily recognised now.

The party was a flop. Lots of people turned up; they actually reached level ten in no time, but hardly any of their friends were there! Magnus plays the guitar wilder and wilder, his heart beating as wild a rhythm as the guitar. “Not even Björn…or the girls… or anyone from my family made it! Even Esther’s stroppy sister Eva didn’t get in! Well, where was Esther’s God that day then? Why didn’t He control the party? What good was there in keeping our friends away, and just letting a bunch of strangers turn up?” Magnus feels the hurt, the grief still in his heart. He misses his family, and he had been so much looking forward to this party, desperate to show off his wonderful wife. He had planned out in his head what he would say to Björn, as long as Esther wasn’t nearby of course. Certain things you can tell your cousin, but without any ladies in earshot…

He sighs, still sad; disappointed in the party, although they did have a good time. He suddenly grins, of course they had a good time! Nobody will have a dull moment with Miriam and Samuel Vince around…let alone a dull party! He knew Miriam was a bit wild, but he’d never seen her at a party…goodness, poor Samuel, he’s got his hands full, he grins. Not just with Miriam and her outlandish schemes, but with his growing family as well. Samuel and Miriam have three children already! Every time the bassinet is empty they rush over, and claim the bassinet…again. Both Magnus and Esther have tried to be there first, but Miriam and Samuel seem absolutely determined, giggling, and laughing their wild laugh. No children have been granted to Magnus and Esther yet, in spite of their burning desire to have a family; a family of tiny, cute Vikings.

The grin drops, and so does the guitar. He manages to put the guitar on the stand, and walks as fast as he can without drawing attention to himself to the blue bathroom, hoping it is empty. There, in the quiet bathroom, he moans, leaning his head against the cool tiles. He hits his fist over and over on the tiles, groaning and gnashing his teeth to modulate his grief; grief that is rushing over him, drowning him, suffocating him. “Why, God, why…if You are there, and if You do care and love us, why… How can You stand by, how can You allow this to happen to us? Why…why! Is it because of me? Is it because I put the Mjölnir in the bassinet?”

He stops, gasps, and goes completely still. Not a sound can be heard, just the soft drip drip drip from the tap… He thinks about the little silver charm…wonders about it, mulling it over. He leans his head against the cold tiles, can still smell the very faint smell of new grout, and it makes him smile just a little. Esther had confessed to putting in the new tiles, to make it feel more Scandinavian, she had said. He sighs, allowing the coolness to calm him down, making it easier to think. He has to think; he has to weigh up his thoughts. It’s how he works; it’s how he deals with issues, and this is a huge matter; one that needs extra careful deliberation.

Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer, was the little silver amulet he had hidden in the bassinet. Was Esther’s God angry with him about that, and was that why He was punishing them both? Could that be it? Did her God need more sacrifices, more payment to be appeased, so both Thor and his other Norse gods would be happy as well as Esther’s God? Was it nothing to do with her God after all, and had he offended the Norse gods instead? How can he please them, pay them, bribe them even if necessary! Then he realises that it’s June, near the end of June…Midsummer Solstice…maybe…just maybe, there might be a chance; who knows, if he can please the gods at say, Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice, maybe they will grant him a son… Just maybe! Now to convince Esther to accompany him to Stonehenge…!

Bright and Beautiful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friends

Slowly sounds and smells creep into Tabitha’s consciousness. She feels warm, cocooned, safe and protected. The smell becomes stronger and stronger, a good smell, a good quality smell, a smell powerful enough to make you open one eye, and peek. She looks at the wallpaper, the yellow stripy bedspread… Tabitha opens both eyes, closes them again as the light is way too bright. Squinting, she looks round to locate the wonderful smell…ah! Her coffee. Lovingly provided by her sweet husband.

She drags herself into a sitting position, slowly, her pulse banging a arrhythmic rhythm in her head, like a third rate nightclub gone bad. She groans quietly, shuffles and snuggles until she is comfortable, and reaches for her coffee. “Mmmm, bliss! Just what I needed!” she sighs, contentedly. “I know this headache is mainly self-inflicted, but even so…nothing like a good, strong coffee to cure everything.” She pulls a face at that, when her words register with her half sleeping brain. A cure for everything that is but Llama Flu.

She sniffs the coffee, hugging the mug, looking round at the wallpaper of the Granny Annexe, where she and Richard are now living. Seeing that they will probably just meander through life, no children, no traits in Richard’s case, just plain boring old couple, so why not put the in the Granny Annexe already? She can feel the tears, but manages to swallow them down with some more coffee. Looking at the coffee she remember the little Dutch tile on her friend’s house: “A man must be as coffee, Good, Strong and Warm” it said. She smiles, too true!

Thinking of friends makes her think of the previous night. What a night it was! She had dreaded it, worried about it, fretted over it, until she was exhausted before the party even started! The worst thing was, she and Richard were expecting a message from the Hospital Specialist at moment, which made it very hard to concentrate. She did enjoy her gorgeous dress though, with beautiful necklace complementing her eyes. She had fussed, and kept looking at herself, until she thought of her friend quoting that beautiful song by Eric Clapton, called Beautiful Tonight.

It was so true, she smiles at the memory, they were like that last night, wondering if she looked alright. Richard smiling, saying it was fine… Knowing it could be one of the last parties to go to ever made it extra special. Knowing that the handsome husband at her side might never be at her side again made her fuss, she admits. She was so worried, not just about how she looked, but that she would do him proud. Richard was feeling terribly unwell, but was determined to make it to the party. He was wearing a tux, looking as strong and handsome as ever. She wanted him to be proud of her, to feel that he could show her off a bit, to have a grand party, just in case it was his last!

How she struggled though! People arrived soon after everything was set up, the cake and huge flowers in the foyer. They took some pictures of the two of them, as well as of Chris and Victoria. She loved Victoria’s gown, white with bits of pink. Victoria looked stunning, and well put together. She sighed, and remembered how hard it had been even then in the foyer, before the party had even started, to not cry. She had felt so jealous! Grumpy Chris, married to stunning Victoria, both healthy young people, probably ready to have a honeymoon baby. Standing next to her and Richard, who might not live long enough to see the end of the honeymoon, and who would never be able to give her a honeymoon baby. Any baby for that matter, not even an adopted one. Tears come then, in spite of the comfort of her soft bed and hot coffee.

She remembers her brave smile, and Richard’s strong arm round her. That helped, and by the time the first guests arrived she was ready for them. She blushes a little then, thinking of how wild she had been at the chess set. What had she been thinking, explaining a game in such a ridiculous way! How embarrassing, what with some very distinguished guests, like Greta Garbo around! Never mind, better than hiding in the bathroom, like she did later that evening… She just needed the break, the music and happy chatter getting to her. She had looked into the gold star mirror, and cried and cried…

Her mum, Adrianna had found her there, and she had poured out her heart to her mum, which really helped. They chatted a while, and she had rejoiced the party. She feels herself relaxing as she remembers one of the guests. Very beautify, and wearing lovely clothes, she was also named Victoria, very confusing that was, Victoria McDonnell. She had been so sweet and kind to her! She had found her in the main bedroom, having a secret peek at the bassinet, and of course, Victoria knew about Richard, about the Llama Flu. Rather than brush it off, or trying to cheer her up with well meaning platitudes, she had really listened to her. She had comforted her, just by being there, and by looking her straight in the eye, listening, nodding, Victoria’s face mirroring hers.

“Wow, she was so kind and amazing,” breathes Tabitha, “I wonder when I will see her next…” for one awful moment the word ‘funeral’ trails through her brain. No, she won’t allow that thought! No, she has to keep hold of hope, grasping it with both hands, cherishing it like this hot mug of coffee. That is one of the things Victoria counselled her to do, to not give up hope, rather than live her life grieving something that may not even happen!

The party had actually been pretty good fun, she smiles, breathing in the smell of coffee; great fun in fact. Many details seem a bit fuzzy, probably to do with the drinks fountain, but she remembers the overall atmosphere. Every now and then she caught sight of Richard, smiling, chatting to people. Only she could tell that he really wasn’t feeling well. Once she saw him sitting on one of the little round cushions they had won, and oh dear, he looked so very, very sad. She thought her heart might break! Her sweet darling husband, looking like a broken man, a drowning man, a man without any hope.

She had quickly left the room, gone to chat outside the kitchen wall, to…well, she can’t even remember now! Kiera, I think her name was, she mumbles, Kiera something. I probably remember her, blue hair, short top, bit of a live wire… Glad I’m married to Richard, and even gladder that he has no interest in females at this time! In fact, scanning in her mind’s eye through the guests that were there last night, she can actually think of some blessings to count on that score…! Mind you, they were amazing friends though! Bristol had chatted with her a lot, in fact, they became quite good friends in just one evening! Vivien Leigh came to mid, she was so kind! “I can’t believe it,” she says to herself, with awe in her voice, “she is an amazing looking woman, yet she spent a lot of time with Mum that evening! She really cheered her up, Mum said she had been so kind and understanding, haha, even Mum couldn’t believe it!”

She giggles to herself as she thinks back to the time when she’d come out of the Granny Annexe, eyes still a bit tender from all the tears, to find Richard dancing with some girls! Hilarious! She actually laughs out loud, nearly spilling her coffee, as she tries to imitate some of the dance moves used…Honestly, there should be a proper dace academy in Sims Mobile! Any self respecting town, with so many parties as well, should have some top notch dance teachers! That dancefloor is great, but the dancing…!

Her hilarity ebbs away though, as another memory from the dancefloor comes to mind… The microphone had been placed on the dancefloor, to help any impromptu DJs, or singers or whatever. This time the memory is one of herself, holding the microphone, singing, her voice sounding hoarse and choked up, rasping out, ‘Who Wants to Live Forever?’, desperately trying to not break down. Truth is, she does! Or rather, she and Richard do. Maybe not forever, but just to live a normal life, just them two together, to love, to hold, to cherish…to have a family, and to live a full and rich life!

“Heaven will be forever,” she sighs, “I know that, but this life? I wanted to make this life count too, Lord. Is that so wrong? Is it wrong to be sad when life is slipping away from my sweetheart? Is it wrong to want to hold onto him just that bit longer, and to live, not forever of course, but to live to a good, ripe old age?” She knows it’s not wrong, of course it’s not. Her desperation and fierceness and demanding health and life and strength? Mmm, that might be different matter…

She pulls a face, yes, I know I’m a desperate woman, who is ambitious and probably demanding as well. I know I take things to heart. She feels her face grow warm as she remembered how a good part of the Wedding Reception she had been standing in the kitchen, staring at the highchair, working herself up into a state! Oh dear, I am a bit silly, she grimaces, I do need to practise a bit more self control I think.

Mind you, one of the guests, Ginamarie could do with some as well, the way she and some of the other girls behave…or Tyler for that matter… She pushes all guilty feelings away, “I know I’m being judgmental, but seriously, some of them go too far,” she says defensively. “They play with lives of others, and they play hard, I have never seen people more competitive than that lot last night!” she says, remembering them playing a game together. Richard was there, laughing, and seemingly totally relaxed. Actually, it had been quite funny, she thinks, softening, memories marching past her one by one.

The party had finished very late, but all of the Mortinas had managed to make it till the end, even Richard. She laughs, as she remembers the end of the party: they were all standing in the foyer together, waving and yawning rudely at the same time! Good grief, what would their friends think! Especially as some were so well to do…

The party had been better than she had expected, really. Having her friends round, all dressed in wonderful style, was such a comfort. It had helped to divert them a bit as well, although she knew that Richard kept checking his phone, hoping, praying the specialist would contact him, and give him some hope. By the time they crawled into bed in the Annexe there was still no message, nothing. She wondered if that was a good sign or a bad sign?

Her friends had all assured her they were thinking of them, that they were empathising with them, and all of them said how sad they were, and how they hoped some help could be found. Tabitha stares at the divider at the end of her bed, and wonders where Richard is. He obviously made the coffee, so he must be around somewhere. She goes quiet, and then she can hear him. He is on the phone! Is it the doctor, what’s his name, Dr Dean? Will there be hope? Is the man just bringing more bad news, even though she can’t imagine what else could go wrong. Apart from the very worst that is, but she just cannot bring herself to go there, praying fervently that it will not come to that. When will they know? Come on, Richard, how long can a phone call take?!

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!

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?