Chapter 2.14- It'll All Be Over

          Early morning the day before Election Day saw Layla in front of her brother’s house. As early as she had arrived he should have a little bit of time to spare for her before he had to be at Ned’s Campaign Headquarters downtown. And Layla wanted every moment he could offer her. She had questions.

          “It’s a little early for you to stop by,” he greeted her warmly. “But Phedra and George have already left. You missed them.”

          “That’s fine, it’s you I wanted to see,” she said. “Can I come in?”

          “Yeah! Yeah! Come on in, looks like it’s about to rain.”

          “So, what's up? Wanna read Corinne a book before she goes to school?”

          “Maybe another day, I have some questions about Ned’s campaign,” Layla was afraid that if she wasted time on small talk he’d have to leave before she learned what she needed to know.

          “Oh? And you didn’t want to ask him?”

          “He’s told me before that it’s going very well. But I’ve heard rumors that that isn’t the case. What’s going on? Really going on.”

          “Ned is going to lose tomorrow,” Cyrus said bluntly. “And it isn’t going to be narrow.”

          “Is there anything that can be done?”

          Looking at her closely, Cyrus waited a moment before answering her. The pause made her uneasy.

          “How much do you really get out in town, Laydee? Like, really get out and get to know the people in town.”

          “I don’t.”

          “Alright, then this might be difficult for you to understand.”

          “Try me.”

          “This town is a very tightly knit, small farming community,” he said. “They live their lives together from birth to death. Outsiders are suspect, newcomers are strange and people they don’t know they secretly fear. And these people don’t know Ned. They didn’t see him grow up, they didn’t know his father well, and they pitied his mother in private. His wealth doesn’t help him win their affections either.”

          “Wow, you’ve haven’t been here as long as I have and you seem to know the town very well.”

          “It’s part of my job, Laydee.”

          “So there’s no hope at all then?”

          “Not unless you can get the entire town to change their habits and minds overnight,” Cyrus told her sadly.

          “Habits?” she asked.

          “Yes, their habits too. They all stick together like glue, for one. They’re used to Mayor Martingale. And they like to infuse almost all situations with a little drama. This is a fantastic tragi-comedy for half the gossiping citizens of Appaloosa Plains. The stuck-up wealthy son of the marriage for money versus the small town farmer who overcame his father’s infamous behavior to run the town is how they see this election.”

          “But Ned isn’t stuck-up at all!”

          “I know that,” Cyrus answered in a soothing tone. “I know that and you know that, but Ned hasn’t gone out of his way to do anything for the town since his return. They just don’t know him and so they assume.”

          “But that’s not fair!” Layla nearly shouted.

          “It’s not fair,” Cyrus answered, trying to shush his sister before she upset his kids. “But it’s the way things are. And there is nothing we can do to fight that.”

          “Have Ned go out and meet the people!”

          “He’s done that. They smile politely and turn their backs.”

          “Have him donate to local charities!”

          “His entire family has done that for generations.”

          “Have him-”

          “-Layla? There is nothing more that can be done. It would take something monumental happening to make the town look at Ned in a favorable light. And it would have to happen now.”

          Her head drooping with her shoulders, she’d never felt so defeated.

          “Wow,” Cyrus breathed. “You really like this guy don’t you?”

          She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to tell a half truth.

          “You know,” he continued. “You know when I first came to town I kind of thought you and Ignacio had a thing going, but I can see I was wrong. Ned’s a good guy Layla. He’ll be good to you.”

          A new thought struck Layla suddenly and her blood ran cold.

          “What happens to you and Olivia and the girls if Ned loses?”

          He smiled at her ruefully.

          “With both of us working and getting paid well we’ve been saving up. When the campaign is over one of us will travel somewhere larger and will look for work. With any luck, we’ll get something quickly and we’ll just relocate again.”

          “But what about Henry?”

          “Fay and George are going to be sending us a little each month to make sure we can take care of him. We’ll be fine Layla. We’ve done this before.”

          “Hey,” he smiled at her. “Hey, there’s no need to look so sad. At least we’ve had this little bit together, and you’ve got to meet the girls. We’ll keep in touch now, too.”

          Nodding, Layla tried to talk of the weather for the few remaining minutes before he had to leave. She couldn’t imagine having Cyrus move away again, she’d barely gotten used to having him nearby.

          With her thoughts still in a whirl she left to let Cyrus and Olivia leave for work.

          To her surprise she saw Aunt Estella leaving Skeet and Rosemary’s house across the street and assumed she had been visiting Rosemary and the new baby. At first she didn’t really want to stop, she wanted to get to Ned’s before he left for work to hear his opinion, but then something struck her. Who better to know how the town really thought of Ned than Estella. After all, Sally hadn't got her gossipy streak from Trigger.

          “Aunt Estella!” She yelled, running across the street. “Aunt Estella!”

          “I hear ya Honey Girl! There is no need ta shout,” the older woman chuckled.

          “Aunt Estella what do you think of Ned Hale?”

          Estella’s face went blank and she stared long and hard at Layla.

          “I think yer a lucky woman to have caught ‘is fancy,” she said guardedly.

          Layla shook her head in exasperation.

          “No,” she said. “No, what do you think about Ned personally? Honestly.”

          “Honestly? I think the boy needs some more time to grow up afore ‘e runs the town.”

          “But what about his platform?”

          “What about it? As far as I know 'e doesn’t have any experience playin' politics and so I’m sure he’d have no idea how to implement his platform even if ‘e did win.”

          “Now, Laydee,” Estella cutoff the hasty words Layla had been forming. “We all know that he’s yer special friend, but really. He’s jus’ not cut out to be Mayor here. And no one really knows ‘im very well. But I’m sure once the two o’ya settle down together you’ll be able to get ‘im to mix more with the townfolk ‘stead of just paying off the church alms box. That might go a long way toward getting’ ‘im a seat on the council one day, too.”

          There was nothing Layla could say to express her righteous indignation at such a speech. Did the town’s gossiping old biddies do this just to Ned? Had they labeled her in such a way too? Had they done it to Cyrus? Sally? Ignacio?

          “Now, then,” Estella continued. “I’ve got ta run back ‘ome. I just wanted ta see if Rosemary needed me today. Ya know how new babies make their Mama’s. It were good to see ya and talk to ya Honey Girl. I’m sure you’ll be awfully busy the rest o’today and tomorra with your young man, so I doubt we’ll see you afore it's all over.”

          She patted Layla’s cheek and left.

          Standing on the sidewalk alone Layla saw the carefully constructed safe world she had around her crumbling. She couldn’t just stand by. Maybe it wasn’t too late to get Ned to do something to eke out a win.

          On the way the clouds above parted and the sun warmed the air. It did nothing for the chill Layla felt though.

          “Well this is a pleasant surprise,” Ned greeted her at the door to the cottage in the backyard. The maid had informed her of his whereabouts when she rang the front bell. "Won’t you come in?”

          Layla nodded her acceptance of his invitation and stepped after him into the cool little building.

          “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this early in the morning?”

          Suddenly uncertain of how to proceed, Layla hesitated.

          “Will you come to headquarters tomorrow evening to be with me while we await the results?” Ned broke into her thoughts. “I’m sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but I’m so excited and I’d like nothing more than to have you with me as the vote counts come in.”

          Taken aback, Layla’s eyes widened.

          “About that Ned, how is your campaign going?” Layla was nearly breathless with all she’d heard that day. “I-I mean, have you gotten an indication of how the vote will fall?”

          “Ah,” Ned beamed at her. “Of course. But right now we’ve only got preliminary polls and guesses. According to those figures things might be a little slim, but I have no doubt that when the voters actually go to the polls that I’ll come out on top in the end.”

          Her shoulders fell, there was no response she could give. She hadn’t wanted to believe Ignacio’s grim outlook and so had gone to other sources she believed to be reliable. All seemed to confirm that there was nearly no way Ned would win. Was this simply bravado for her sake?

          “You look startled,” Ned went on, still smiling confidently. “But I understand how these things work. I majored in politics and I know how this will all end. Now then, will you be with me?”

          “Uh, yeah, sure. Sure I’ll be there,” Layla stuttered. He was bluffing for her sake, and that made it so much worse.

          Reaching for her, Ned pulled her into a tender embrace.

          “I’m so sorry I haven’t been around nearly as much as you deserve,” he whispered in her ear. “And as soon as it’s all over I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

          Not trusting her voice, Layla nodded into his shoulder feeling her stomach churn.

          She pulled away first, unable to keep herself that near him any longer without flinching.

          “Tomorrow night then,” he said. “By tomorrow night it’ll all be over.”

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Dun da DUN! Yeah. This should be fun.

Oh, I mentioned Angelo Martingale's infamous father above. He's a son of Kanoa Parrot. One of the mob of them around town that popped up before I disabled Kanoa's ability to sire children. However, he's good looking so he didn't get killed in the Master Controller Killing Spree I had before moving the Sixkillers over to AP. Just FYI.

Chapter 2.9- Couldn't She

          Nervous and excited, Layla had showed up in front of Kim Gould’s nearly 15 minutes early. Ned hadn’t arrived yet and so she stood on the sidewalk, waiting, hoping she was watching the general direction he’d arrive in.

          It had taken Sally almost 2 hours to get Layla’s make-up and hair done just-so. Of course Sally wanted to do it for her. In fact, the girls had made a trip to Lucky Palms a few hours away just last night to find the perfect dress. Sally said that Kim Gould’s was an exclusive 5-star restaurant. Layla hadn’t thought to question what an ‘exclusive 5-star restaurant’ was doing in such a tiny town but had been as caught up in the excitement as her young cousin was.

          Ned had not arrived either in the direction or the manner that Layla had expected. This suited him perfectly. She was overdressed, but looked wonderful to Ned who was able to use the fact that she didn’t see him to gather himself a little.

          “You take my breath away,” Ned said quietly as he neared, trying not to startle her. He was proud of that line. Ignacio had helped coach him so he could be a little more confident in his abilities tonight and that line in particular impressed Ned.

          His gentle approach worked and she turned to hug him.

          “I thought you’d be arriving in your car,” Layla said. “I had no idea you’d walk up behind me.”

          “I hope I didn’t startle you,” Ned replied pulling back gently, but taking her hand instead of breaking away entirely.

          “Not at all.”

          Guiding her gently but firmly nearer the restaurant, Ned could hardly take his eyes off of her. It also cheered Layla that he was already touching her, holding her hand, hugging her. She’d tried desperately the other day to get him to touch her and he hadn’t.

          The only problem seemed to be that she was really overdressed judging by Ned’s clothes. But she was here now and had to make the best of it. She’d kill Sally later, the first chance she got, she’d spent over §500 on the dress, shoes, make up and jewelry.

          The restaurant was both cold and stuffy to Layla, which made her jittery. Thankfully, Ned had changed the script given to her by Ignacio and instead of chatting, then eating, they had eaten inside before taking a table on the patio to enjoy the mild spring weather and lengthening days.

          “I don’t know if I told you last time, but I’m going to be running for mayor in the upcoming election,” Ned told her once they were both seated opposite each other.

          “You didn’t tell me that,” Layla acknowledged. The atmosphere made her nervous, but it was much better than being inside that dungeon they had eaten in.

          “Have you served in government before?” Layla asked, hoping it would open more conversation.

          “No,” Ned answered promptly, “But I think I’d make a fine mayor. I’ve already began hiring and planning for my upcoming campaign. I’m really excited. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

          Unable to understand why anyone so young and inexperienced would run for such a high office Layla’s only answer was a smile. He might stand more of a chance than she knew since the town was so small, and she’d best keep her opinions to herself if she wanted her relationship with Ned to ever get anywhere.

          Turning the topics to more mundane things (Al Gore again I see- sorry I accidentally cut off his thought bubble, but it was the political thingy I promise) the two easily chatted as the sun began to sink behind the hills. Using moments when he dominated the topic under discussion Layla had time to really survey Ned.

          He was well informed and intelligent. She really couldn’t keep up with the depth of topics he brought up he was so smart. He was handsome in a way,  but to her it was more boyish charm. He was obviously inexperienced but eager. And while she enjoyed her time with him she just didn’t feel a spark. Should she keep up with the pretense of really liking him just for a little fun, or should she be straight forward? Could she really bear to hurt him like she’d hurt Anthony?

          Noticing how intense Ned’s gaze had become she took advantage of the momentary lull in conversation to brush an invisible wrinkle out of her dress.

          Remembering how she’d strung Anthony along was painful and something she tried very hard to forget. At least walking away from Joel had been a mutual decision.

          She looked back up to find Ned’s eyes still on her. There was a soft smile on his lips she just couldn’t return. Though she was able to keep her expression from giving her thoughts away as his smile brightened, eyes still on her.

          The whine of the metal chair legs as they were pulled against the concrete broke her concentration. Glancing sideways she was shocked to see Ignacio sitting in the seat next to her dressed as though he meant to stay.

          Quickly looking back at Ned, she was pleased to see that at least Ned didn’t look very happy that Ignacio was there either.

          “Would you like me to summon a member of the wait-staff to take your order?” Ned asked his assistant mildly.

          “No,” Ignacio help up his hands in a gesture of protest. “No. I am not hungry tonight.”

          Ned still stared at Ignacio, his eyes widening, occasionally he waggled his eyebrows at him even. But still Ignacio sat.

          “Oh, come,” Ignacio finally flailed. “You two have eaten and now is the time for conversation. Let’s talk! How was your dinner?”

          But Layla refused to respond. Why did he seem to think he could just step into her life whenever he wanted? She was really getting sick of it.

          The next words Layla heard were not designed to make her any happier about the situation either.

          “Well, I had the filet, Medium Rare,” Ned offered. “Layla had the catch of the day.”

          She’d rip his tongue out if she got the chance.

          “I’m sure it was an insult to the fish you catch, but I enjoyed it very much,” she said sharply.

          “Are you saying that the fish I raise, the fish I catch are not good enough for you, who have travelled the world, to eat?”

          “I just said I had the catch of the day and I’m sure you weren’t the one who caught my dinner. I was simply saving you making some remark about your favorite sport.”

          “Oh,” Ignacio sneered at her. “Oh, so you insult my job, my knowledge, my love of fishing?”

          Layla didn’t respond, but she had a sour taste in her mouth that wouldn’t go away.

          “Iggy, I’m sure she meant no disrespect to you as a fishersim,” Ned hurried to stem the damage being done between the two people in town he was closest to.

          “No matter,” Ignacio frowned at his boss. “She has insulted me as a fishersim. It may not be all I do for a living, but at least I love my job!”

          He ended his speech by tossing his head at Layla, putting on an injured air. It didn’t go unnoticed by her either. She narrowed her eyes intent on coming up with a way to smooth this over. He wouldn’t one up her!

          “I think it’s wonderful that every sim in Sim Nation has the opportunity to do what makes them happiest for a living,” Layla raised her chin at Ignacio before turning back to Ned. “And I’m sure you’re going to be incredibly happy as the Mayor of Appaloosa Plains. Mayor Hale. It’ll be a great day when everyone in town calls you that Ned.”

          Eyes darting between the two men, Layla wasn’t quite sure what affect her speech had had on them. Ned’s face was passive when she had expected him to receive the most confirmation from what she’d said. Ignacio looked at her almost tenderly, which was almost exactly opposite what she’d intended.

          Sighing, confused, she reached to brush more invisible wrinkles out of her dress.

          “Well it will be,” she muttered into her lap.

          “You know,” Ned piped up at long last, this time looking at Ignacio. Ignacio turned toward his boss, away from Layla and she finally dared look up again. “You know I have an idea about a campaign fundraiser we could have-”

          Layla exhaled as quietly as she could, thankful the attention was off of her at last.

          The men went on discussing a fish fry and how that would help people to like Ned more while Layla used their engrossment to study Ignacio without him being the wiser. It was an opportunity that had never presented itself before, and she welcomed it.

          His nose was over-large, his eyes slightly protruded, his brow heavy and low. Yet despite his irregular features he was what Phedra would have classified as ‘hot.’ Layla would agree.

          He was maddeningly infuriating, but she knew from the few times she’d had civil conversations with him that he was intelligent but didn’t like to flaunt his wealth of knowledge. He loved the outdoors as much as she did. He took care of his body nearly as well as he took care of Ned an Ned's interests. And sometimes, when he’d look at her with lazy lust in his eyes she wanted him. That base desire he awakened in her made her hate him all the more.

Why couldn’t she feel that way about a decent man like Ned? Why couldn’t she just ignore that Ned didn’t make her blood burn like fire?

          Feeling the heat in her cheeks the longer she stared at Ignacio, Layla turned her attention to the pavement. To the mortar. To the ants scurrying along looking for crumbs.

          She’d just have to push through her desire. She’d be a fool to throw away what Ned could possibly offer with both hands just for his assistant instead. Besides, hadn't he shown just how unscrupulous he could be when she'd asked him to be kind and forget what she had told him? Admittedly, it didn't seem like he had shared her secrets with anyone, but he still held it over her. And she hated that she was in his debt in so many ways.

          Becoming so absorbed in her thoughts had quite a drawback. The two men had stopped talking and were looking at her expectantly. Jerking back to the present her mind went blank as she looked between her companions. Did she miss something? Did she do something stupid, or rude? Did she give herself away?

          “Yeah,” Ned chuckled, smiling at her. “Thanks Ignacio.”

          Both men began to stand up, so Layla quickly rose also, hoping she hadn’t embarrassed herself.

          Walking a short ways away, she heard Ned say her name quietly. She stopped, waiting as Ignacio bid Ned a good night.

          Then, she heard Ignacio mutter a string of Spansimlish that Ned answered in the same tongue with a smile under his words. Ignacio gave a humorless laugh and clapped Ned on the back as he passed by.

          Ignacio spared only a blank look for Layla before opening the gate of the restaurant patio and hailing a cab.

          “Hold out your hand,” Ned begged of her. He’d come around with one arm behind his back.

          Looking sideways at him in curiosity, she tentatively held out a hand a small smile on her face. See, pretending wasn’t that hard? Was it?

          Producing a dozen white roses from behind his back, Layla exclaimed over their beauty. She could get used to gifts like this. Couldn’t she?

          “Will you take a walk with me?” Ned asked.

          “Of course,” Layla responded, smiling kindly. Walks weren’t a big deal. She could walk with Ned.

          Instead of holding her hand this time, he placed his fingertips delicately on the small of her back talking of indifferent matters until they reached the park. Then he took her hand, guiding her to a bench and seating her as any gentleman would.

          Feeling a surge of affection for Ned she looked at him to find him watching her softly. It crushed her. She couldn’t hurt him. It would be too awful.

          “I’m really sorry Iggy and I got carried away with talk of my campaign back there. It was incredibly rude of me to not try and include you in the conversation more.”

          Sighing, smiling, Layla shook her head. “No. No, you weren’t rude at all. I tend to get lost in thought sometimes and I think my head just kind of took over. I’m the one who should be sorry. I know how important all this is to you.”

          Suddenly, the cool night air caught up to her and she shivered rather violently.

          “See, now I am being terribly rude,” Ned exclaimed a little dismayed at his lack of thought at her comfort. “Come here.”

          And he scooted closer to her, putting one arm around her shoulders and chafing one of her arms with his other.

          “I’m so sorry, I should have remembered that you’re probably freezing in that dress in the night air.”

          “I’m fine now,” Layla shook her head again. Determined to make the most of this she went to move her hand from her knee to his, but he kept her hand firmly where it was.

          Looking down, she sighed. She’d never get this to work out if he blocked her every attempt to be closer to him.

          “Layla?”

          Turning to look at him he ducked his head just enough so that his lips met hers. His fingertips on the back of her neck ticked while her breath caught and her head spun. His lips were soft and he held them tightly shut, though he pressed his face hard into hers.

          It was awkward and strange and left Layla confused. Did he want to kiss her? Or was he just doing what he thought she expected?

          Then she felt his lips tense, and move a little, parting slightly, and his shoulders relaxed as he exhaled slightly. This was more like it.

          “Mmmmm,” Ned groaned just a little as he pulled back only slightly several long moments later. His lips still barely brushing hers Layla nuzzled her nose a little into his cheek, smiling, knowing he could feel it even if he couldn’t see it.

          Then he slid his arm back down her side, pulling her closer to him by her hip.

          Though she couldn’t tell in the darkness, she was pretty sure he was smiling, too.

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All together now: Aaaaaaawwwwww!

Yeah, yeah they’re cute. But better than that, I’m in Looooooove with my photography this time. So kudos to Me! Screw the sap story above. Lol. Just kidding. I'll never be able to recreate how I managed to get that as it was an accident.

So this was shot in an alternate save where I added both Ned and Iggy to the household so I could direct them. Unfortunately, there was an unforeseen problem. Iggy and Ned very nearly got into a fight at Kim Gould's (It really is the steakhouse from AP, I just changed the outdoor seating) over Layla. Don't you just love it when they play along? Both rolled wishes to kiss her, and other things. Layla rolled wishes to play catch with the dog who oogled her thigh for a sim hour. I finally sent him home. Along with everyone else in town who insisted on showing up to see if they could ruin the scene. I'm all for extras, but Cyrus is not an extra. Neither are Estella and Sally and Trigger and Ignacio's mom and dad and every other family member any of them have living in town currently. Not cool.