The Daniels Generation 3.5
Well the phone conversation I had with my folks about Brian was a bit… well awkward.
They didn’t believe me at first and when they did they wanted to know what I was thinking.
They did eventually accept everything although mom was a tad annoyed. I’m sure she’ll warm up once she meets Brian… a little… maybe.
But for now, Angie and I are going to take a dip in the pool.
-Oscar
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The next couple of entries have a bunch of photos from the trip pasted onto the pages.
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Time flies when you’re having fun. I’m writing this on the train home, Angie and Keiko are sleeping while Kaede is reading one of her Hawk Bradley books… that is when she isn’t trying to peak at my journal. Well looks like I’ve got a new gift idea for the twins’ next birthday.
-Oscar
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So when me and the girls came home, we immediately saw the walls for what’s going to eventually become the attic. Mom apparently hired a company to build it to save dad and myself some trouble.
My folks also dug out an old mattress for Brian to sleep on until the attic is finished.
Brian finally arrived a few hours after we did. It took him a while to get adjusted and he really spooked the maid.
But he seems to be doing fine so far, in fact he’s already become fast friends with Fido. Granted that’s not saying much since Fido gets along with everyone but nonetheless.
-Oscar
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Nothing much to report. The girls are doing really well in school. Kaede in particular got a good grade on an assignment she was having trouble with.
I think Brian has fully gotten used to his new life here; he’s actually talked about possibly getting a job.
Oh and Milla’s adopted daughter, Caryl just hit her teens. She’s become quite pretty. The twins are a little sad because now she’s at the high school but I assured them that they’ll be teens before they know it.
-Oscar
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Some bad news in the family. Mom got a call from Uncle Nelson and found out that Aunt Lisa passed away.
I admit that I wasn’t close to Aunt Lisa as I was to Uncle Nelson but she was still family and she was always nice to me when I was a kid and I’d come over to play with Milla.
Man I can’t even imagine what Uncle Nelson, Milla, and Caryl are going through.
The funeral is next week, only mom is going along with my Uncle, Mila, and Caryl.
She and Aunt Lisa, for whatever reason, never had the best relationship but mom felt it would be disrespectful to Uncle Nelson and Aunt Lisa if she didn’t come.
-Oscar
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Mom came back from the funeral a couple hours ago.
She said it was a lovely service. Mila and Caryl looked just heartbroken but Uncle Nelson had it worse.
They all took comfort that Aunt Lisa was in a better place now.
But then mom said to me: “You know Oscar, Lisa was about the same age as your father and I.”
“Ugh… Mom please let’s not talk about this…”
“No Oscar, we need to talk about this! I want to be sure that you and the girls will be okay when your father and I are gone!”
“Mom!”
Just as I shouted that, I noticed the twins just outside the room, looking nervous.
“Are you and Grandma fighting?” Keiko asked.
I calmed down and mom piped up, “We’re not fighting sweetheart. We’re just talking about some grown-up issues now why don’t you two go play?”
The girls walked off and mom and I got up from the table.
“I’m sorry for yelling mom… we... we’ll talk about it another time okay?”
“Alright.”
I can’t avoid this forever I suppose.
-Oscar
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Things are getting quiet around here again.
Brian got a job as an entertainer so now he’s trying to work on his skills. Mom’s helping him out by playing chess with him. She remarked that he’s actually pretty decent at the game.
Although dad is still her favorite opponent since he’s one of the few in this house who can actually beat her.
Speaking of dad, apparently Kaede expressed some interest in learning how to draw and paint so dad is giving her lessons.
Angie has been helping me get back into Tai Chi to calm my nerves. I get the feeling that I’m going to need it.
-Oscar
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I knew it was inevitable but poor ol’ Fido passed away a few days ago.
Everyone took the loss pretty hard especially me. Had that dog since I was a kid so losing him was pretty bad. We decided to have cremated and get a small spot at the local cemetery for him. See ya Fido, I’ll miss you.
-Oscar
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So the girls had their teen birthdays a couple days ago. They had a little slap dance party with dad and Brian gave them his special hug.
I can’t believe my girls are already growing up. It seems like yesterday that I got the phone call at work about how Angie gave birth.
Both girls have grown up to be very intelligent young women and I am quite proud of them.
-Oscar
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Last week, my father, Sterling Daniels passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep.
I admit that dad and I didn’t really get too close till later in life but he was still my dad and he at least tried to be a good grandfather for the girls.
Mom’s trying to be strong but I can tell she’s probably the most upset out of all of us. I could hear her crying the day we made the funeral arrangements.
It’s going to be a hard next few days.
-Oscar
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The next page has an obituary taped to the page.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sterling Daniels at the age of 79.
Mr. Daniels worked most of his life here at the Gardenfield Journal where he’s remembered fondly by his former co-workers. He became very famous in the community after winning the Gootentaugen Award for Excellence in Journalism for his well-received coverage of then-candidate Benjamin Long’s presidential campaign. He is survived by his wife Nellie, his son Oscar, his daughter-in-law Angie, and his granddaughters Kaede and Keiko.
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The funeral went well. As well as a funeral can go.
When we went home, mom went straight back to her room.
After a few hours, I came by and knocked on the door.
“It’s unlocked.”
I went inside and saw mom at her desk, looking at an old weathered set of photos.
“Um… when were those taken?”
“This was from the night I proposed to your father. There was a photobooth at the restaurant we ate at. Hard to believe that was so long ago.”
“You… you going to be okay mom?”
“Just give me some time and I will. Your father was a very special man and I already miss him so much.”
“It’s okay mom, we’ll all going to miss him.”
I think I stayed by mom’s side for a few minutes before leaving her alone again. I think I’ll end this entry here, I need some fresh air.
-Oscar
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Ah a new journal, it’s been a couple years but I’ve been kind of preoccupied.
Although I don’t really have much to report for this first entry. The twins have keeping themselves busy. Kaede has been trying to make friends at school. But she’s also been busy working on her art.
Keiko on the other hand has spending most of her time stargazing.
I’ve actually come onto the porch with her and helped her identify some constellations.
She’s also been considering getting a part-time job at the local science center.
The girls have also been thinking about college. I’ve seen them talking with mom about her days at Garden University.
Speaking of mom, she’s been spending a little more time with Uncle Nelson since dad died. I guess since both of them lost their spouses, they kind of needed each other.
The latest harvest is coming in nicely and Brian is helping me pick the plants. Other than that, not else really exciting to say. Frankly after the stress and depression from dad’s death and the funeral, I’m a little grateful for some peace.
-Oscar
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I’m a little worried about Keiko; she seems a little… distant lately. Like she’s hiding something. I mean Keiko tends to be very quiet and withdrawn but something doesn’t seem right.
Mom’s noticed it too. She asked Kaede if maybe she could talk to her sister. One can hope that will work.
-Oscar
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Well that idea didn’t work out. The twins ended up arguing. Although now it does seem like Kaede knows something we don’t and she isn’t planning to tell us anytime soon.
Great.
-Oscar
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I think I’ve finally figured out what’s going on with Keiko. I ended up overhearing a phone conversation between her and someone else. She was trying to talk quietly but I managed to hear a few bits and pieces.
“Look… I got the job at the Science Center. I won’t be able to see you as much so… I know but I want to get some experience in the field and plus this means I’ll have some spare money when we go to Garden U.”
I’m surprised really. I would have thought Kaede would have been the first one to find a boyfriend. I think I’ll let Keiko keep her secret for a little bit.
-Oscar
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Okay so I was half-right.
During dinner tonight, Keiko had a very important announcement to make.
“Mom, dad, grandma… I… I’m gay.”
There was a small silence. Then Angie smiled and said, “Really? How did you find out?”
Keiko stared at us, “Y-You’re not angry or embarrassed or anything?”
Kaede piped in: “I told you they weren’t going to make a big deal out of it!”
Finally I got a chance to speak: “Keiko it’s alright. If you like girls that’s fine… I… I’m just glad that everything’s okay. We were concerned when you started avoiding everyone. Now do you have a girlfriend already? Who is she?”
Keiko gave a small smile before talking about this girl from her school named Bim. The two met during Biology class and started to spend time together at school. From there eventually one thing lead to another.
After dinner, I made Keiko promise that she’d bring Bim over to meet me and Angie.
-Oscar
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Some good news for once. Brian announced that he’s taking lessons to become a magician. Right now he’s only serving as an assistant to another professional, but he hopes to make it on his own at some point.
I can only imagine just how interesting his shows will be.
-Oscar
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It’s with a heavy he
Some bad ne
Mom passed away yesterday.
She came home from the office, she felt tired so she went to her room to rest. Kaede knocked on her door to let her know that dinner was almost ready and… when she didn’t come by, I went inside and found that mom died in her sleep.
I’m not quite sure how to feel. But Angie and I are going to go over the will tomorrow and then meet with the funeral home.
-Oscar
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The next page has a newspaper article taped onto it.
BUSINESS TYCOON NELLIE DANIELS DEAD AT 82
Tragic news from the business world today. Simsoft CEO, Nellie Daniels passed away last night in her sleep at the age of 82. Mrs. Daniels’ story of growing up on a small farm and becoming one of the most powerful and richest women in Simnation is considered to be an inspiring rags-to-riches tale.
Mrs. Daniels is often credited for helping Simsoft go from a small company to the household name that it is today. In the event of her death, the position of CEO will be transferred to her vice president: Scot Gothier III. She is survived by her son, his wife, their two children, her brother, and her niece.
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We had the funeral yesterday, I got the girls excused from school to be there. Mom was buried at the cemetery next to dad.
After everything, I looked at the twins and Angie.
“I… I need a moment alone, could you three wait by the gate?”
“Um sure dad.”
I looked at mom’s headstone. Honestly even after a week and a half to think about everything, I still wasn’t sure how I should feel. I mean I was sad that I lost my mom, in fact I had trouble sleeping for the first few nights after her death. But at the same time…
Then I heard Angie’s voice.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I sighed and explained.
“Don’t get me wrong Angie. I’m going to miss mom really… but to be honest, neither she or dad were really there when I was growing up. Dad was usually out of town or on the other side of the country covering a story and mom was busy at the office. I… I know this sounds terrible but a part of me is wondering why I’m feeling this upset over her death.”
“Well even if she wasn’t there much, she was still your mother, she still loved you.”
“…Yeah you’re right.”
Angie placed her hand on my cheek. I didn’t realize when I crying until Angie was wiping away my tears.
“It’s okay Oscar. Everything will be alright.”
You know: even though she and I got together through less than pleasant circumstances, I still think that I am incredibly lucky to have her.
As the two of us walked back to the gate, I looked back at my parents’ graves one more time.
“Good-bye… I love you two.”
-Oscar
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Wow the mood was certainly all over the place here. But I hope that you guys still enjoyed this update.
Notes:
*Both Keiko and Kaede are knowledge sims but Kaede is Knowledge/Fortune while Keiko is just Knowledge.
*Keiko's girlfriend Bim (seriously I really want to know who came up with some of these names :/ ) will actually become more of an important character in future chapters, namely during the twins' college years.
Next update is (expected to be) the last update for Generation 3 and then we'll move on to Gen 4 and Kaede's reign as heiress and I'm already cooking up ideas for her story line. :D
In the meantime though I do hope to write a couple Daniels drabbles for sim_spiration's Myshuno event, so keep your eyes peeled. See you guys next time. :)