Chapter 1.46

Chapter 1.46- There Is No Forever

            Two phone calls that morning left Layla with a stomach nervous enough that she had turned down breakfast. One ensured her future was ready and waiting for her. The other would force her to cut the final link to her past.

            Watching the students pilot the boat on the day Phedra had aged up and left herself had left an impression on Layla. And while she wished she had actually listened to her sister, she thought it might be the right place to talk to Anthony.

            Unfortunately, the boat isn’t out today. Instead she stares at where the river bends, winding between the hills beyond. Her berth on the same ship that sailed away with Phedra will take her away too that night.

            “It’s nice out here,” Anthony’s stomach must be as nervous as Layla’s, he keeps rubbing it. “Why didn’t we ever come here before?”

            “It’s one of the last places I saw Phedra,” said Layla. “I still miss her terribly. And being here makes it worse.”

            “Maybe you just need to make some happy memories here,” said Anthony. “Then it wouldn’t be so bad for you.”

            “It’s never going to erase my time here with Phedra,” Layla shot back, annoyed slightly. “I was stupid that day and didn’t listen very well to what she had to tell me. I’d give anything to go back and hear her.”

            “I take it that’s your hint to me to listen to you? Or is how you’re telling me that there won’t be any happy memories made here?”

            ‘Damn him,’ Layla hadn’t wanted to start this out with any hostility. She didn’t want it to end with hostility either.

            “It’s my hint to you to please actually listen to what I have to say.”

            “I’d listen to you forever if you’d only give me the chance.”

            “Anthony there is no forever,” sighed Layla. “I’m leaving tonight.”

            In a reversal, this time Anthony was the one to nod. Though since Layla had her back to him she couldn’t see it.

            “When we first made our agreement, that was really what I wanted. Just someone to get Galen off my back. And really, I should never have said I’d do that. Phedra had already warned me that doing something like that meant someone would get hurt.”

            “And for a really long while I had every intention of breaking the whole thing off. I wish you could know just how angry I was with you when you kissed me. And I should have known just how deep this would all get then.

            “I’m so sorry Anthony. I’m so sorry that I might have led you on for my own purpose. I’m sorry that I might have given you false hope. I’m so, so sorry that I can’t feel for you what you feel for me.”

            “Can’t?” Anthony burst out. “Why is it 'can’t?' Have you tried? Have you even thought about trying? Considered it? Actually done it? How many times have you told me what a great guy I am? Were you just saying it to say it? What about all those conversations? The long walks? The time and effort I put in with you by my side? Were you even really there?”

            And as she opened her mouth to give an angry retort he dropped to his knees beside her.

“What'll you do when you get lonely

 And nobody's waiting by your side?

 You've been running and hiding much too long.

 You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.

 Layla, I'm begging you darling please.

 Layla, darling won't you please ease my worried mind.”

            Horrified, Layla covered her ears. What the hell?!?

“Let's make the best of the situation

 Before I finally go insane.

 Please don't say we'll never find a way

 And tell me all my love's in vain.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.

 Layla, I'm begging you darling please.

 Layla, darling won't you please ease my worried mind.”

            “Oh my PlumbBob, Anthony. I’m begging you please cut that out!”

            “Only if you’ll stay here and marry me. Or let me go with you. Just say you’ll be mine and I’ll stop.”

            “Have you listened to me at all?”

            Her outburst startled Anthony, who settled back on his heels. He’d never witnessed her get angry before.

            “Anthony you are a great guy. A Great guy! But you’re not the guy for me. And honestly, your pushing on this tells me I’m not the one for you either. This isn’t what I want! I don’t want here. I don’t want to live with high school for my entire life! I want to see who else might be out there for me! And before that I want a chance to live! To live as myself and on my own.”

            Turning to Anthony, Layla sighed. Judging by the look on his face he still didn’t hear her.

            “Anthony,” her voice more controlled this time. “Anthony, do you even know my thoughts on kids? On careers? On what makes a home?”

            Unanswering, unflinching, Anthony sat still as a stone.

            “Ok, I’ll start with my thoughts on 9 to 5’s. Hate ‘em. I think they’re stupid. Neither of my parents worked regular jobs and I loved that. They were home more with us. And it made us a closer family. On kids. Maybe I’ll have a baby or two one day, but I’m in no rush. And even then I’m not sure kids are in my cards, ever. And this is all just a taster. I’m sorry Anthony. Really, really sorry. But it really isn’t me you want.”

            “Please don’t leave me! Please, please don’t leave me!”

            Anthony had nearly thrown her off balance as he grabbed onto her wrist pulling her closer.

            Pity welling up, she stroked his hair, trying to calm him a little.

            “I’m so, so sorry, Anthony.”

            Tugging her hand out of his grasp, Layla turned from him walking off.

            Not having the will to fight her any longer, Anthony’s shoulders slumped, knees wet from the moist grass beneath him.

            Knowing more than seeing his dejection, every step Layla took was fresh torture for her. Until she finally realized she hadn’t said what needed to be said most.

            Turning to see him still kneeling, eyes closed made her hate herself further. Steeling herself for the possibility a new onslaught of tender declarations from him she hesitantly walked back.

            “Anthony?”

            He made no response to his softly spoken name.

            “Anthony,” she sighed. “Anthony please you’ve got to understand that it was never me you fell for. It was only the idea of a girl like me. You’re such an amazing sim. And maybe, maybe one day you’ll wake up and you’ll find you’ve moved on. And there is another sim much more wonderful than I am standing in front of you waiting. Maybe she’s been waiting for me to make way for her all along. You’re going to find someone so much better than I am one day. I can only hope that when that sim shows up you’ll look past your memory of me.”

            Pausing for a moment to take a breath, Layla carefully thought through everything she could to make sure she said the right words to east his grieving.

            “I’ll always regret that I couldn’t be the person you needed me to be, but it’s time for you to forget me. It’s time for you to start your life without me by your side. And I’ll even bet that you’ll be spectacular at it.”

            Feeling his shoulders begin to shake beneath her hands, Layla stopped speaking.

            “Goodbye.”

            Tears finally slipped beneath Anthony’s closed lids as she turned to walk away.

            One step farther away from him.

            The next step her resolve strengthened.

            Another step for Cyrus, whom she was determined to find.

            And each step she took was heavier, harder and more freeing.

            One day, she hoped to wake up and find her own regret dissolved and forgotten. One day…

End Generation 1.

Bonobo- Stay the Same Feat. Andreya Triana

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            All hail the conquering Heeero!!!!! DA daduduDa duduDA! I finished the first generation! Finally! I got WAY too into the story. Teehee.

            Alrighty, some wonderful wrap up notes:

            Anthony was begging Layla with the lyrics to “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos. (here) Written, of course, by Eric Clapton to his (then) unrequited love Pattie Boyd. If you look at a history of the song, it was heavily influenced by the tale “Layla and Majnun” a story of Persian origin recounting the story of Layla, a Moon Princess, and Majnun, who was in love with her. However, Layla’s father gave her in marriage to another man and Majnun eventually went insane pining over her. So I believe there's plenty of justification for breaking into song with her name. lol.

            However, Layla was not originally named for this song, and her story as a teen was not intended as a parallel. Also, originally I intended to spell her name more traditionally, Leila. But I changed it in order to use the lyrics later on a little more literally. But most importantly here, Layla’s name had very particular meaning compared to her siblings and Helen’s name. Specifically, the definition is opposite the definition of Helen, Cyrus, Phedra, and even Galen. Their names all have meanings related to “light,” Layla (i.e. Leila) means “Dark as Night.” 
            Curious over Generation 2 yet?



            MwuaHahahahaha! Stay tuned. ;)

Chapter 1.45

Chapter 1.45- Advice

Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame!
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
And you are stay'd for. There- my blessing with thee!
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportion'd thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar:
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel;
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in,
Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are most select and generous, chief in that.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all- to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell. My blessing season this in thee!

William Shakespeare- Hamlet

            Galen’s birthday party still went on, sims dancing, singing, laughter ringing above the persistent drive of a booming bass as Layla slipped away to the relative peace of her room. It was still noisy of course, but at least Layla felt like she could move, like she could breathe in the sanctuary that was her room.

            Having a party at all unnerved Helen a little as well. Watching the mess accumulating, having strange sims in her house put her on a knives edge, and she sympathized with her daughter. After all, it was her birthday too.

            So Helen followed Layla wanting to make sure she was alright. And with a few other questions that needed airing for a mother’s peace of mind.

            “Have you finally made up your mind where you’re going to go?”

            For weeks Layla had been on a seesaw driving Helen, Buck, and Phedra crazy with decisions that lasted only 5 minutes before she’d rush back to one of them declaring that she couldn’t do what she had first proposed and now had another destination in mind, another path to attempt.

            Some days she wanted to go island hopping, other days she wanted to visit and see the jungles and archipelagoes of the southern wilds. When Phedra had heard of her indecision she had invited Layla to visit her in the Bush and Layla threw it into the mix with everywhere else she wanted to see along with the frigid plains and tundra of the far North.

            Finally, the day before, Layla had went out for a very long time intending to do some thinking. She had left very shortly after breakfast and hadn’t been home when the family had finally retired for the night. No one had worried much though. Layla was more at home outside than in.

            “I think I did finally come to a decision,” Layla told Helen, confidence making her voice strong. “While I was thinking I realized that a lot of my indecision isn’t really a want to see it all. It’s more of a I just don’t know where to go. I don’t think I really want to travel the way Phedra wants to travel, I just don’t want to be here.”

            Helen nodded in surprise. She hadn’t known that Layla felt so strongly against the town, her birthplace. She just assumed that she had felt the pull of the outside world, as Phedra had.

            “And being outside really helped me come to realize what I want most,” continued Layla. “What I want most is another outside to explore, but with a home to go to.”

            Helen smiled as she thought she could see where this was heading.

            “So I’m going to take up Uncle Trigger’s offer to move to their town.”

            “Have you told Daddy yet?”

        “Not yet,” Layla shook her head. “I figured I’d call Uncle Trigger to tell him of my plans myself with Daddy on the line at the same time. That way I can actually talk to him a little of what I think I’ll need for my house.”

            Tenderly, Helen smiled at her baby girl. “I think that’s a wise idea.”

            “But now I’ve heard your plans a little more clearly I have a few things to say to you,” Helen added soberly. “Don’t go too wild when you’re finally on your own. People can judge awfully hard on young ladies living on their own in a new town.”

            “Mom?” said Layla. “Mom do you really think I’m going to be throwing wild parties?”

            “I’m not just talking about parties. I’m talking about men. I’m talking about shopping. I’m talking about my daughter acting responsibly. You’ve never had to pay the bills. You’ve never kept up with a car. That’s all on you when you’re out there.”

            “Even what you eat when you first get there,” Helen continued. “People are going to be watching. And you’ve always been a pretty healthy eater, but you’ve always eaten at home. I don’t want you to start eating because you’re lonely. Or because it’s all more than you can handle and you’re stressed. There are healthier ways of dealing with that than with food. I’m always just a phone call away. So is your dad.”

            “I really don’t think I’m going to turn to food-

            “-You never know.”

            “Don’t forget to be generous to strangers. You never know when you’ll need something in return.”

            “Have I ever been stingy? Geez, where is this coming from?”

            “And being generous is not just a tangible thing. You’ve got to talk to people Laydee. Be a Lady. Don’t close yourself off. You’re just depriving the world of a chance to get to know you. And in turn you close yourself off from meeting some very interesting people.”

            “Don’t forget to check the locks on your doors and windows every night before you go to bed, and each time before you leave the house. We want you to be safe.”

            “Mom, this is nice and all, but-“

            “And check around the outside of your house at least once a day to make sure there’s nothing suspicious going on.”

            “Really?”

            “When you move in and the neighbors come over to visit, be sure to write their names down. Then you can run a background check later.”

            “Do you do that?”

            “Don’t put all your information online either. There are people in there that are out to get you.”

            “The internet isn’t something you go “in” Mom. We’ve been over this before. It’s not a real place.”

            “And above all sweetheart, don’t forget to be sweet. I’d hate for city living to turn you all sour.”

 

            “Ok,” Layla was astounded by some of the ‘advice’ she was getting. “Ok, I get that I should stay far away from the nacho bar when I’m having a bad day but I got a little lost somewhere between ‘sleep with one eye open’ and ‘love thy neighbor.’”

            “Just be you. The best you you can be.”

            “That should be pretty easy,” sighed Layla. “I have no plans on being anyone else, that’s for sure.”

            “Perfect! I’m glad you know that,” Helen beamed. “But don’t forget that sometimes people will want to talk to you and ask your opinion. When they do you should always ask yourself how would you like to take your own advice.”

            “Oh, this again.”

            “Judging others is easy, and you should remember that others will judge you just the same.”

            “I feel like I’m forgetting to tell you something…”

            “Maybe you need to tell me how the clothes don’t make the man?” Layla was being completely sarcastic.

            “Yes! I believe that was one of the things I wanted to tell you. I don’t care how expensive someone’s clothes are, or how nice they look it’s not a reflection of how they are inside. Get to know them before you decide if they’re really as nice as they dress.”

            “And finally, my love,” Helen bent down to better be on her daughters eye level. “Don’t ever give simply to expect something in return. The same goes in reverse. If someone gives you something, you should expect to return it.”

            “Mom?”

            “Hmm?”

            “That makes absolutely no sense.”

            “Yes, it does,” Helen blinked. “It’s that old saying ‘Neither borrower nor lender be.’”

            “But you said- what you said was-“ spluttered Layla. “Never mind. You’re right.”

            “Of course, I am,” Helen was smiling again. “And then for a few final words for me darling daughter before she ages up and leaves me behind.”

            “I’m not leaving you behind.”

            But Helen simply raised her eyebrows and plowed on. “I want grandbabies from you.”

            “Whoa, now!”

            “You need to let someone in. And you need to know what love is really like.”

            “If it wasn’t for your dad I would never have known love myself. And it changed me Laydee, really changed me. And I’m not saying it will change you but your life will be so much richer for it.”

            Frowning, Layla thinks of Anthony for a moment. Anthony would love for her to love him.

            “It’s a many splendored thing for sure. And I want you to know it. But I also want you to know what it really is. There’s a lot of imitators out there that will leave you cold and dark. Don’t confuse those with the real thing. You’ll know when it’s love.”

            “And speaking of your dad,” Helen’s face was more solemn, her tone less light. “Baby we’re getting old as I’m quite sure you’re aware.”

            Layla nodded as her curiosity was again roused.  

            “You are going to be moving half a world away from us to start a new life for yourself. And we’re so excited that you are doing what makes you happy.”

            “That being said there is going to come a time when your dad, or myself, will become sick, or will get hurt, or something else altogether and you will hear it from Galen.”

            Heart sinking, Layla wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this. Anytime she’d thought about her parents dying without her there she’d nearly brought herself to tears.

            “When you do get the news do your Daddy and I a favor and don’t rush back here. Please.”

            “When that time comes there is no need to rush. There will be no need for anyone’s intervention. It’ll just make it harder on everyone involved. Do you understand?”

            Slowly, heavily, Layla nodded, frowning.  She hated to think that this would be one of the last times she might see her mother. But she also understood. And then she understood why her mother thought she had to rush to give her all this unneeded advice. She was trying to make sure Layla had it. Layla was a terrible socialite and with her activities she might never call, and simply forget to ever actually answer when her parents called. You just never knew when it would be the last time you’d see someone.

            “Alright then,” Helen nodded.

            “SHE SAID YES!!!!!” Galen’s voice rang through the room over the noise of the crowd in the living room, interrupting the serious moment.

            “Hmmm, seems he went ahead and proposed tonight then.” Helen chucked.

            Layla just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

            “Laydee bug, we’re so proud of you, your Dad and I,” Helen went on as though her son got engaged every day. As though this conversation with Layla was more important. “So very proud that you’re doing what makes you happy. I’m just sorry I didn’t know sooner that you were uncomfortable in this town. Maybe there would have been other opportunities we could have given you a long time ago to go elsewhere.

            “But this is now. And right now I’m so excited to see you try your wings like Phedra did. And different from Phedra, too. Be happy Laydee, and you can never let us down.”

            Blushing a little Layla looked down, just as a familiar feeling started in her stomach.

            Seeing the sparkles start to envelop her daughter, Helen stood aside to give Layla more growing room.

            She’s taller! Her hair is pulled off of her face. She’s about to leave her old life behind.

            Layla Sixkiller is ready to take on the world.

            “Very lovely, dear,” Helen says quietly. “I’m going to go and check on Galen now. Happy Birthday, darling.”

            Turning away, Helen left the room, gently closing the door behind her as she entered the swirling party beyond.

            With only one more loose end to tie up Layla finds herself a little sad about leaving her home. Not the town, no, just the small house she grew up in.

            And since she had finally been allowed to redecorate the room to her liking it had become even more endearing.

            Hopefully, wherever she ends up, she can find a place to make a new home. After all, isn’t that where her heart is supposed to be?

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            I totally should have given Layla freckles. If this looks wierd, I'm sorry. I hit publish while I was still revising and editing html by hand and just decided to leave it up as it's almost time to take my son to Speech and Physical Therapy sessions. So, please, be kind if there are any horrible typos and tell me immediately so I can erradicate them!

            There is a better pic of Layla without the awful full moon lighting under the Generational Goals tab up top. The only reason Galen and his party didn’t look that bad was the moon hadn’t risen yet and so the lighting was nice and normal.

            At every high school I attended, inevitably, someone would want to do a production of Hamlet. I was cast as Polonius every time I auditioned. And so though I know most people just dismiss him as a bumbling fool I kinda love him. Obviously, Helen’s advice to Layla was heavily patterned on Polonius’ most famous speech from Act I. Buck probably would have fit the speaker better, but he was really enjoying the party so I had Helen do it instead.
            Also! Bloopers from the party are up. There are two. 

Chapter 1.44

Chapter 1.44- Zebra Striped Lobster Tails

            The night before the twins age-up sees Layla again coming home late. Picking her way through the yard, trying not to step on anyone’s snow angel or knock over the small army of snowmen littering the yard Layla had looked over her shoulder to see something rather strange hovering over the street.

            It was like a small, concentrated, sparkling aurora. The lights were so pretty! Dancing and flashing just for her. It made her feel happy. And light. And just a little bit sleepy.

            When the lights suddenly extinguished revealing a, is that a spaceship? Layla’s legs are nearly numb from the cold. She probably wouldn’t have run anyway. What was that? It almost looked like a video game controller. Only it was spinning, and glowing…

            Numb legs or no why is she feeling weightless? She doesn’t like this. And wait? Why is she glowing? Or is that glow coming from… $#!+

            Finally realizing what is going on and getting her brain to respond Layla starts running as fast as she can. She’s a track star, she should be able to outrun this, right?

            Well, all her running skills might have worked with her feet on the ground. But as it is, naw.

            Legs suddenly behind her, top half falling forward Layla threw out her arms, trying to brace for the impact living with gravity has taught her expect. But the fall doesn’t come. Instead the ground is falling away from her.

            Reaching, clawing the air, screaming for her Daddy, kicking, Layla desperately tries to make it stop. But she’s still rising. And suddenly very sleepy, Layla blinks and everything goes fuzzy.

            With a flash the spaceship streaks away into the night. You’d think it would be gone for hours. But just moments later:

            The ship reappears, this time seeming to park on the street outside the Sixkillers’ home.

            It’s a tiny thing really. With spinning arms that Layla can only later describe to her skeptical listeners as “Zebra striped lobster tails” and cool blue lighting the color of Luke Simwalkers original Light Saber (Before George Simcas “fixed” it) tracing along its contours. Inside a dome perched on top, a smooth skinned green alien sits punching buttons with a flash of limbs and without an expression on its taut features.

            Another blinding flash and Layla is standing on the sidewalk directly next to the strange vehicle. Eyes closed to block out anything else unpleasant Layla’s only formed opinion is that aliens suck. Like really suck. Big hairy balls suck.

            Opening her eyes a shocking sight sits in front of her. The alien is still there, finger flying as it calmly pushes button after button on the control panel. A sudden whirring noise is the only warning Layla gets that it might soon shock her even more while taking off as she watches.

            Just as things begin spinning, flashing, and rising Layla’s eyes find a focus. One that will haunt her dreams forever.

            Yeah. That’s how it feels.

            And Layla runs inside hoping to never ever have to relive this birthday gift from the stars again.

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            Heart hammering in absolute happiness Galen looks around with elation. At his demand he’s getting the first ever birthday party the Sixkillers have ever thrown.

            At Layla’s demand, it is for him only.

            There’s probably never been so many people in the living room at one time. But the one person Galen wanted to be in the crowd isn’t here yet. Arden is graduating today, right now in fact, and was very upset that Galen wouldn’t be there. But Helen had already sent out invites and didn’t want to change the time and it wouldn’t be a party without him there.

            As it was, Arden was going to be doubly pissed off that her older brother Jack had blown off her graduation to be here and gawk at the Photography legend Helen had become.

            There are so many things Galen wishes for as he prepares to blow out his candles, but none so much as his wish for Arden to be able to come soon. He thinks today will be the day he officially proposes. It’s the only thing he’ll probably ever be able to surprise her about. She had decided that he would propose as soon as he graduated.

            A cold rush of air announces a latecomer. Galen looks over excitedly hoping it’s Arden. Instead it’s her brother Thorne. But if Thorne is here, surely Arden will be here soon?

            Sparkles!

            Looking up from his survey of himself Galen’s heart leaps as Layla’s stomach sinks. Arden is here.

            Marching past Helen, Galen, and Layla all, Arden gets right up in front of Buck.

            “You must be Buck,” Arden introduces herself. “Cute. We’ll be great friends, I’m sure. Look! I’ve brought Salmon!”

            Buck ignores the Stepford twin be with a roll of his eyes. Galen is about to cut the cake!

            Setting down her plate on the table Arden looks over her shoulder. Sha Sha Black. Ick. Steeling herself to deal with the “rabble” in the house she turns to watch the proceedings.

            “Hi, Helen!” Arden chirps loud enough to be hear across the room. “I’m your future daughter in law. Arden!”

            Galen actually has to take a minute after this. Slowly blinking hoping Arden doesn’t pull this on Layla. They know who Arden is. And just because they’ve never met her it's not like he hasn't talked about her plenty or shown them pictures.

            To his relief Arden behaves very well as everyone has cake and visits the buffet Helen insisted be set out. But she begins her pompous act the moment cake has been cleared, grabbing Galen’s arm and announcing that everyone can dance now. Leading Galen to the center of the room she puts on an overly bright smile making small talk.

            “That loner Lau got Valedictorian for my class. It should have gone to me.” She’s still smiling, but her voice would make babies cry. “And I thought you said your dad was in good health? He’s awfully old isn’t he?”

            Glancing at his dad Arden gasps as Buck doubles up, whimpering about death always visiting when there is a large gathering of sims.

            “Is he okay?” Arden is truly alarmed.

            “Oh,” Galen tries to dismiss his Dad’s odd behavior. “That’s normal. Really, really normal. I swear. He does that all the time about all kinds of things. He even had a phase where he was terrified of Mom because she looked older than he thought she should have.”

            “Well, so long as you’re sure. But it’s just confirmation. Aren’t you glad we’re sticking around to help them out as they get old and senile?”

            “I’m very glad we’re staying here to take care of them.”

            “Here? In town.”

            “Yes. Yes, and No,” Galen gulps in air for a moment. He really hadn’t wanted to tell her his plans right now. “We’re still going to be in town. And we’re going to be in this house with my parents. I want to stay here. With them.”

            Arden’s smile is long gone, her eyes flashing warning signs for the room to see.

            “Really?”

            “Yes, Arden. At least, I’m going to stay here. You can stay or you can go. It’s your choice.”

            Strangely, Galen feels good about saying that. He’d expected to melt into a puddle of goo after making such a declaration to Arden, like maybe her eyes would turn into lasers and she’d melt him for daring to have an opinion of his own, but he’s still standing.

            Arden surprises him still further when she lapses into silence for several songs. Usually she is the first one to assert her right to her own way, but she hasn’t yet.

            

            Just as Galen is starting to feel like he put that little ring in his pocket for nothing a small smile brightens Arden’s face.

            Nodding in time to the music Arden takes a deep breath.

            “Ok,” her voice small and almost meek. “Ok. If that’s what you want, then we’ll live here. But only if I can redecorate the house.”

            His heart flying on newly grown wings the ring in Galen’s pocket starts to sing to him. It’s time.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

            Layla will have a birthday next time. And before anyone says anything about a cliff hanger, we’re not going to see the proposal. Just know it happened. I’ll let you know the outcome next time though. At about the point he was going to propose I needed to focus on Layla who was aging up in another part of the house and couldn’t be in two places at once. As soon as human cloning is viable though, I’ll give the whole two places at once thing a whirl though. Lol.

            As to the abduction the chapter started with, that was my first one ever in game. I had just cleared a haphazard path through the mess of fun Helen, Buck and Galen had unattended in the yard when she got the action “Investigate Strange Anomaly”. Since she goes around collecting anything she can lay her hands on she’s picked up a ton of space rocks which makes your chances of abduction higher. So now it’s happened I’m off to go and get a mod to make it not happen again. But as it was the first, and will now be the only time it happens, I showed it.
            And finally, I've abandoned the use of birthdays in story. I'm using the gamer-esque age-up instead. Seasons totally borked sim"birthday"'s in my brain. And my brain is fried enough on it's own thank you.

Onward!