The Calypso Island Legacy, Chapter 9- "Twin Tales- Highs and Lows"
And we are back with the next update of the Calypso Island Legacy! Last chapter, 2nd Generation heir, Bishop, and his younger sister Brianne went off to college at Sim State University where they joined their oldest siblings. In addition to attending classes and writing term papers, romancer BIshop found himself enjoying time with townie Sydney Mills and was surprised to find out that monogamy wasn't so bad after all, and Brianne was able to pop her first kiss want and finally date Cornelius Hayes, the man she'd fallen for as a teenager. The two oldest O'Keefe brothers, Bennett and Braden, along with their girlfriends Lucy and Mabel, wrapped up their last 2 years of college studies, graduated with honors, and moved home to start their adult lives. With the brothers moving back to their home town, it will be the first time I need to document household rotations in the main neighborhood. I'm still not sure the best way to do it, so for now I'm playing all the lots and the plan is that I'll be documenting the 'Spares' combined and 'Main' house by itself. A lot depends on how much happens and how many pictures I end up taking though. Because you know how much I love to take lots of pictures...
I thought about playing the main house first, but decided to get the twins settled in first to see if that kicked started Ainsley and Gerard's family related wants- the good, high point stuff like 'a relative gets engaged', 'a relative gets married', 'have a grandchild', etc. It's been awhile since they had anything family based to want other than sending a kid to college. Plus I figured Braden and Lucy have been waiting a long time to get their own little house and to tie the knot.
Braden has always been very on top of things. He was always very organised, so of course, he had a plan.
Step one- buy a cute little house big enough to start a family in. *CHECK
(I built this house a LONG time ago- for one of my very first Legacy spares to live in actually. It used to be up on my Sims Page back at the old Sims 2 site and I was thrilled to be able to use it for Calypso Island.)
Step two- look for jobs. Both Braden and Lucy have career based Lifetime Wants so getting a job in their chosen careers- Law for Braden, Artist for Lucy- is an important step for them both. *CHECK
Step three- officially get engaged. *CHECK
"I'd like to propose a toast to the sweetest, most beautiful girl I've ever known..."
"And see if maybe she'd do me the honor of..."
"Wearing my ring and marrying me?"
Braden, Braden, you silly boy. That worried face... Like she's going to say no!
"She might. You never know..."
Pfffttt... You are ridiculous. She's as 3 bolt devoted to you as you are to her. There will be no refusals at this table!
"Ohhhhhhh, Braden, of course I want to marry you! You're it for me, always have been. It's a beautiful ring, honey. I love it!"
Yay, finally a diamond on her finger! It seems like I was they were waiting forever for that to happen.They totally would have been the type of couple to get hitched and still go to school if not for the dumb University rules prohibiting it.
I love how pleased she is with her diamond, but it just so happens that it is only going to be there for a short time, like really short, because on their way out of the restaurant the two of them popped into the photo booth for a little celebratory woohoo and... *chimes*. Ah, risky woohoo hack, you just had to make yourself known, didn't you? Apparently, the hack felt they had had more than enough protected woohoo as young adults and it was time for a little reminder of it's power. Not that big a deal, since they both want kids, but this puts wedding plans on fast forward, and they won't be heading out of town for a vacation honeymoon any time soon. And I spent time prepping the vacations hoods and everything. ~face palm~
Step Four- book the chapel, buy a dress, rent a tux, call the family, and GET MARRIED! *CHECK
(I apologize in advance for all the wedding spam. I'm not going to post all the pictures I took, but there will be a lot. I can't help myself, I'm a huge sucker for a pretty wedding.)
"Welcome to the Family, Sweetheart!!! I know you'll make my boy sooooooo happy!"
Ainsley was a trip. She walked around hugging everyone, crying softly, mumbling about her how her babies were all grown up.
If I didn't know better, I'd think she'd been hitting the nectar way before the toasts to the happy couple started.
"You are going to be such a beautiful bride, Brianne. I KNOW it!"
"It won't be long before it will be your turn, Bishop. Maybe with this pretty girl even! I know that the Legacy is in good hands!!! " sniffle, sniffle
"Okkkkkaaaayyyy..." shoots embarrassed look over at Sydney. "Mom? How much have you had to drink?"
Toasts were many, cake was cut and eaten, there was dancing and a bit of romancing...
"Mabel and I are going to run before Mom gets back from the bathroom and starts singing 'Going to the Chapel' and winking at me again. Love you guys!"
It was a lovely wedding. Practically perfect. Sigh...
I'm glad you both had such a good time, but real life is about to catch up with you. There is a baby on the way and your house is practically empty! And Lucy is ready to fall asleep standing up!!!
Trying to set up a household, skilling for promotions and dealing with a pregnant lady who wants to do nothing more than sleep, pee, eat and chat up all the townies walking by (if I hadn't mentioned it before Lucy has Popularity aspiration just like Braden does) doesn't make for very exciting pictures... just saying. Lucy's a cute preggo though.
Of course, Lucy goes into labor before Braden gets home from work. Lovely... just what every new mom wants- to give birth alone.
What??? Oh, come on! Really???
It's a girl!
AND a boy!!!
Twins. In the O'Keefe family, I don't know why I'm surprised... There has to be something in the island's water supply!
Happy Birthday Leo and Jasmine Adams-O'Keefe! Welcome to the Legacy!
You two just made your Grandpa Gerard very happy- two out of six grandkids needed to hit his Lifetime Want just like that!
"Two of them? A girl and boy? Wow!"
Braden is really good with the babies. Lucy isn't bad, but he's got the golden touch. Maybe it's because he grew up in such a crazy, crowded household and has had lots of experience around babies and toddlers, but nothing phases him. He's the king of dealing with synced dirty diapers, feedings, and cuddles. Both babies are best friends with him before their toddler birthday. Just the kind of thing a Popularity/Family sim loves to happen.
Birthday time! Time to invite the family over and twirl those babies!
Leo has his Mom's black hair, his Dad's dark blue eyes, and a S3 skin tone, nice mix of his Mom and Dad. He is a Scorpio like his Dad, in fact his stats are almost identical to Braden's. Leo is 9/5/9/7/5. Super neat, super active, playful... he is just a little nicer than his Dad.
Jasmine's got her own super traits. She's a Gemini, 4/10/10/4/3. Her stats are almost exactly the same as her Mother's (Lucy is a Leo. 4/10/4/4/3) so she is maxed outgoing and she's also super active like her Dad. She has her Mom's black hair and S4 skin tone, but she got a wonderful surprise from her Dad.
She got her Grandma Ainsley's leafy green eyes! Yay for recessives popping up!!!
Braden is such a doll. He plays with them all the time and rolled wants to teach them their tot skills.The twins adore him and follow him around the house. If Lucy ever wants to find him all she needs to do is listen for toddler giggles.
"Hey Luce? I know we said we just wanted two, but... well..."
"No! Braden, do you have any idea how much energy these two are going to have to burn once they are children? With all those active points??? They exhaust me already, and they can't even walk yet!"
Hey there, don't look so sad, Bud. Maybe she'll change her mind later- you never know. How about we leave it up to chance? That's how you got these two right?
"I guess. I'm not sad, not really. Heck, I've got nothing to be sad about. I have a wife that I love, two great kids, an awesome house, a job that I'm doing great at... Yeah, I've got nothing to complain about. I'm in such a good place... not like Bennett..."
Bennett, Bennett, Bennett...
While life after college was moving along at a nice, happy pace for Braden, things weren't quite so smooth for his twin brother.
Though Bennett and Mabel had dated exclusively all through college, he had never been sure if she was 'the one' for him. And other than finding a job in the Education field so he could reach his Lifetime Want, he really had no goals. He decided he would rent an apartment and save home ownership for a time when he had a better idea of where his life was going.
Mabel bought a little place for herself though and wanted more than anything for Bennett to move in with her and put a ring on her finger. She was sure that one day he'd suddenly look at her and realize he wanted to be engaged and married just as much as she did. So she asked him out... a lot.
To play pool and have a drink.
To have a meal at the newest restaurant in town.
To go dancing and fool around at the club downtown.
And... nothing. No engagement or marriage wants for Bennett O'Keefe. You can't blame a girl for feeling a little frustrated...
"Bennett... Can I ask you something serious? Are we ever going to be more than this? Because, I want to get married. To you! And, no, I'm not trying to rush you. I just need to know!"
Needless to say, that wasn't a fun conversation for either of them. Some harsh words were said. In the end, Bennett grabbed his clothes and left in a huff.
And that's when things got really sticky, really fast...
Feeling pressured and angry, Bennett wandered out for a drink to think about what he wanted.
And that's when he met Marguerite Lynch. In so many ways she was just like Mabel- a pretty blond, with grey eyes, and tanned skin- but he started feeling things he hadn't before. 3 bolt attraction at work...
One thing led to another, and before he knew it they were back at his apartment. And he finally understood what Mabel had been talking about all this time- how a want to get engaged would just suddenly be there. Because It was- just not a want to be engaged to her.
Oh Bennett... What are you going to do now???
"I don't know... Break it off with Mabel. I guess... I hate this... It isn't fair to her, to me, or to Marguerite to leave things how they are..."
He went to Mabel's intending to do just that, but Mabel had a little news of her own...
"How? How could this have happened??? Mabel! I... I can't believe this!"
"You were there too, Bennett O'Keefe! Don't you try to lay all the blame on me!"
And then to make a bad situation worse, in the middle of their arguing, Mabel went into labor.
Little Sebastian Atkins wasn't aware of how his arrival threw his parents lives into chaos and neither Bennett or Mabel ever wanted him to. Even though his parents were furious with one another, they wanted nothing but the best for him.
Bennett wanted to be with Marguerite, but he knew he couldn't just leave Sebastian. So he went and cancelled his lease on his apartment and moved in with his son and his son's mother. Things were tense. Bennett was angry and frustrated. Mabel was seriously depressed and not taking care of herself. She would just zone out sometimes and most of the baby care fell to Bennett.
His mother came over to help out, letting him sleep and take a shower without worrying.
but, even with help, Bennett wasn't really sure how to deal with his child or the situation he was in with Mabel. He was feeling overwhelmed and unhappy.
His job was suffering.
He called his brother over to talk him down one night and that's when things got even worse...
Mabel had gone to work, leaving Bennett with Sebastian. It was raining again, it seemed like it had rained every single day since they had gotten home from college, and lightning was lighting up the sky. Bennett, Braden and Lucy were having a good visit when there was a scream outside. He stood there, holding his fussy son, while his brother and sister-in-law ran outside and he heard them crying. He knew that Mabel was gone. They had been fighting, but he never wanted her hurt.
"Poor Mabel... Poor Sebastian..."
Poor Bennett.
Not a big surprise that Sebastian's birthday kind of snuck up on everybody. No cake, no party.
"Happy Birthday, little man. Things are going to be better. I promise."
Bennett's boy got his blond hair and S2 skin tone from Mabel and his Grandmother Ainsley's green eyes. Sebastian is like his cousins in that he has some super traits, but just not super high ones. Nope, he has super lows too. Sebastian is a Sagittarius, 1/1/10/10//8. Super messy, super shy, super active, super playful and pretty darn nice. That 1 neat point is going to be a pain- sooooo messy. Hopefully his Uncle Braden can work some neat-nick magic and encourage it up.
As his son played, Bennett dozed, thinking of teaching his boy his tot skills... and in the back of his mind, he wondered if he should call Marguerite. Could he call her? Would Sebastian like her?
Sorry to end on such a down note, but it was a crazy spring for poor stressed out Bennett.
Next time- the Main Legacy house!
I thought about playing the main house first, but decided to get the twins settled in first to see if that kicked started Ainsley and Gerard's family related wants- the good, high point stuff like 'a relative gets engaged', 'a relative gets married', 'have a grandchild', etc. It's been awhile since they had anything family based to want other than sending a kid to college. Plus I figured Braden and Lucy have been waiting a long time to get their own little house and to tie the knot.
Braden has always been very on top of things. He was always very organised, so of course, he had a plan.
Step one- buy a cute little house big enough to start a family in. *CHECK
(I built this house a LONG time ago- for one of my very first Legacy spares to live in actually. It used to be up on my Sims Page back at the old Sims 2 site and I was thrilled to be able to use it for Calypso Island.)
Step two- look for jobs. Both Braden and Lucy have career based Lifetime Wants so getting a job in their chosen careers- Law for Braden, Artist for Lucy- is an important step for them both. *CHECK
Step three- officially get engaged. *CHECK
"I'd like to propose a toast to the sweetest, most beautiful girl I've ever known..."
"And see if maybe she'd do me the honor of..."
"Wearing my ring and marrying me?"
Braden, Braden, you silly boy. That worried face... Like she's going to say no!
"She might. You never know..."
Pfffttt... You are ridiculous. She's as 3 bolt devoted to you as you are to her. There will be no refusals at this table!
"Ohhhhhhh, Braden, of course I want to marry you! You're it for me, always have been. It's a beautiful ring, honey. I love it!"
Yay, finally a diamond on her finger! It seems like I was they were waiting forever for that to happen.They totally would have been the type of couple to get hitched and still go to school if not for the dumb University rules prohibiting it.
I love how pleased she is with her diamond, but it just so happens that it is only going to be there for a short time, like really short, because on their way out of the restaurant the two of them popped into the photo booth for a little celebratory woohoo and... *chimes*. Ah, risky woohoo hack, you just had to make yourself known, didn't you? Apparently, the hack felt they had had more than enough protected woohoo as young adults and it was time for a little reminder of it's power. Not that big a deal, since they both want kids, but this puts wedding plans on fast forward, and they won't be heading out of town for a vacation honeymoon any time soon. And I spent time prepping the vacations hoods and everything. ~face palm~
Step Four- book the chapel, buy a dress, rent a tux, call the family, and GET MARRIED! *CHECK
(I apologize in advance for all the wedding spam. I'm not going to post all the pictures I took, but there will be a lot. I can't help myself, I'm a huge sucker for a pretty wedding.)
"Welcome to the Family, Sweetheart!!! I know you'll make my boy sooooooo happy!"
Ainsley was a trip. She walked around hugging everyone, crying softly, mumbling about her how her babies were all grown up.
If I didn't know better, I'd think she'd been hitting the nectar way before the toasts to the happy couple started.
"You are going to be such a beautiful bride, Brianne. I KNOW it!"
"It won't be long before it will be your turn, Bishop. Maybe with this pretty girl even! I know that the Legacy is in good hands!!! " sniffle, sniffle
"Okkkkkaaaayyyy..." shoots embarrassed look over at Sydney. "Mom? How much have you had to drink?"
Toasts were many, cake was cut and eaten, there was dancing and a bit of romancing...
"Mabel and I are going to run before Mom gets back from the bathroom and starts singing 'Going to the Chapel' and winking at me again. Love you guys!"
It was a lovely wedding. Practically perfect. Sigh...
I'm glad you both had such a good time, but real life is about to catch up with you. There is a baby on the way and your house is practically empty! And Lucy is ready to fall asleep standing up!!!
Trying to set up a household, skilling for promotions and dealing with a pregnant lady who wants to do nothing more than sleep, pee, eat and chat up all the townies walking by (if I hadn't mentioned it before Lucy has Popularity aspiration just like Braden does) doesn't make for very exciting pictures... just saying. Lucy's a cute preggo though.
Of course, Lucy goes into labor before Braden gets home from work. Lovely... just what every new mom wants- to give birth alone.
What??? Oh, come on! Really???
It's a girl!
AND a boy!!!
Twins. In the O'Keefe family, I don't know why I'm surprised... There has to be something in the island's water supply!
Happy Birthday Leo and Jasmine Adams-O'Keefe! Welcome to the Legacy!
You two just made your Grandpa Gerard very happy- two out of six grandkids needed to hit his Lifetime Want just like that!
"Two of them? A girl and boy? Wow!"
Braden is really good with the babies. Lucy isn't bad, but he's got the golden touch. Maybe it's because he grew up in such a crazy, crowded household and has had lots of experience around babies and toddlers, but nothing phases him. He's the king of dealing with synced dirty diapers, feedings, and cuddles. Both babies are best friends with him before their toddler birthday. Just the kind of thing a Popularity/Family sim loves to happen.
Birthday time! Time to invite the family over and twirl those babies!
Leo has his Mom's black hair, his Dad's dark blue eyes, and a S3 skin tone, nice mix of his Mom and Dad. He is a Scorpio like his Dad, in fact his stats are almost identical to Braden's. Leo is 9/5/9/7/5. Super neat, super active, playful... he is just a little nicer than his Dad.
Jasmine's got her own super traits. She's a Gemini, 4/10/10/4/3. Her stats are almost exactly the same as her Mother's (Lucy is a Leo. 4/10/4/4/3) so she is maxed outgoing and she's also super active like her Dad. She has her Mom's black hair and S4 skin tone, but she got a wonderful surprise from her Dad.
She got her Grandma Ainsley's leafy green eyes! Yay for recessives popping up!!!
Braden is such a doll. He plays with them all the time and rolled wants to teach them their tot skills.The twins adore him and follow him around the house. If Lucy ever wants to find him all she needs to do is listen for toddler giggles.
"Hey Luce? I know we said we just wanted two, but... well..."
"No! Braden, do you have any idea how much energy these two are going to have to burn once they are children? With all those active points??? They exhaust me already, and they can't even walk yet!"
Hey there, don't look so sad, Bud. Maybe she'll change her mind later- you never know. How about we leave it up to chance? That's how you got these two right?
"I guess. I'm not sad, not really. Heck, I've got nothing to be sad about. I have a wife that I love, two great kids, an awesome house, a job that I'm doing great at... Yeah, I've got nothing to complain about. I'm in such a good place... not like Bennett..."
Bennett, Bennett, Bennett...
While life after college was moving along at a nice, happy pace for Braden, things weren't quite so smooth for his twin brother.
Though Bennett and Mabel had dated exclusively all through college, he had never been sure if she was 'the one' for him. And other than finding a job in the Education field so he could reach his Lifetime Want, he really had no goals. He decided he would rent an apartment and save home ownership for a time when he had a better idea of where his life was going.
Mabel bought a little place for herself though and wanted more than anything for Bennett to move in with her and put a ring on her finger. She was sure that one day he'd suddenly look at her and realize he wanted to be engaged and married just as much as she did. So she asked him out... a lot.
To play pool and have a drink.
To have a meal at the newest restaurant in town.
To go dancing and fool around at the club downtown.
And... nothing. No engagement or marriage wants for Bennett O'Keefe. You can't blame a girl for feeling a little frustrated...
"Bennett... Can I ask you something serious? Are we ever going to be more than this? Because, I want to get married. To you! And, no, I'm not trying to rush you. I just need to know!"
Needless to say, that wasn't a fun conversation for either of them. Some harsh words were said. In the end, Bennett grabbed his clothes and left in a huff.
And that's when things got really sticky, really fast...
Feeling pressured and angry, Bennett wandered out for a drink to think about what he wanted.
And that's when he met Marguerite Lynch. In so many ways she was just like Mabel- a pretty blond, with grey eyes, and tanned skin- but he started feeling things he hadn't before. 3 bolt attraction at work...
One thing led to another, and before he knew it they were back at his apartment. And he finally understood what Mabel had been talking about all this time- how a want to get engaged would just suddenly be there. Because It was- just not a want to be engaged to her.
Oh Bennett... What are you going to do now???
"I don't know... Break it off with Mabel. I guess... I hate this... It isn't fair to her, to me, or to Marguerite to leave things how they are..."
He went to Mabel's intending to do just that, but Mabel had a little news of her own...
"How? How could this have happened??? Mabel! I... I can't believe this!"
"You were there too, Bennett O'Keefe! Don't you try to lay all the blame on me!"
And then to make a bad situation worse, in the middle of their arguing, Mabel went into labor.
Little Sebastian Atkins wasn't aware of how his arrival threw his parents lives into chaos and neither Bennett or Mabel ever wanted him to. Even though his parents were furious with one another, they wanted nothing but the best for him.
Bennett wanted to be with Marguerite, but he knew he couldn't just leave Sebastian. So he went and cancelled his lease on his apartment and moved in with his son and his son's mother. Things were tense. Bennett was angry and frustrated. Mabel was seriously depressed and not taking care of herself. She would just zone out sometimes and most of the baby care fell to Bennett.
His mother came over to help out, letting him sleep and take a shower without worrying.
but, even with help, Bennett wasn't really sure how to deal with his child or the situation he was in with Mabel. He was feeling overwhelmed and unhappy.
His job was suffering.
He called his brother over to talk him down one night and that's when things got even worse...
Mabel had gone to work, leaving Bennett with Sebastian. It was raining again, it seemed like it had rained every single day since they had gotten home from college, and lightning was lighting up the sky. Bennett, Braden and Lucy were having a good visit when there was a scream outside. He stood there, holding his fussy son, while his brother and sister-in-law ran outside and he heard them crying. He knew that Mabel was gone. They had been fighting, but he never wanted her hurt.
"Poor Mabel... Poor Sebastian..."
Poor Bennett.
Not a big surprise that Sebastian's birthday kind of snuck up on everybody. No cake, no party.
"Happy Birthday, little man. Things are going to be better. I promise."
Bennett's boy got his blond hair and S2 skin tone from Mabel and his Grandmother Ainsley's green eyes. Sebastian is like his cousins in that he has some super traits, but just not super high ones. Nope, he has super lows too. Sebastian is a Sagittarius, 1/1/10/10//8. Super messy, super shy, super active, super playful and pretty darn nice. That 1 neat point is going to be a pain- sooooo messy. Hopefully his Uncle Braden can work some neat-nick magic and encourage it up.
As his son played, Bennett dozed, thinking of teaching his boy his tot skills... and in the back of his mind, he wondered if he should call Marguerite. Could he call her? Would Sebastian like her?
Sorry to end on such a down note, but it was a crazy spring for poor stressed out Bennett.
Next time- the Main Legacy house!