The Calypso Island Legacy, Chapter 12- Spares G2, R2
And we are back! I've tried to decide the best way to post this update and even now as I sit down to write it up I'm still not sure if I should present all 3 of my Generation 2 Spare households in one big chapter or if I should break them down and give everybody their own. I have a scary number of pictures this time around (I've mentioned I have a weakness for weddings before, right?) and honestly don't know what the LiveJournal limit is so... I'm going to just see where this goes. Right now the neighborhood rotation is Spares, Legacy House, University. Spare lots are - 1) ADAMS- Braden, 2) ATKINS- Bennett, 3) HAYES- Brianne.
Last chapter the younger O'Keefe twins, Blake and Benedict started college and spent their first 2 years living in the dorms before moving to the Legacy's rental house. Bishop, our Legacy heir, and his younger sister, Brianne, graduated from Sim State University and returned home to Calypso Island. Brianne proposed to her long time love, Cornelius Hayes, at her and Bishop's graduation party and, of course, he said yes. Bishop was feeling unsure about where his relationship with his current girlfriend, Sydney Mills, should go- having a locked engagement want, but also having typical romancer wants to fall in love with numerous other girls- but was otherwise ready to step into his roll as Legacy Heir.
Okay, ready or not, here is a BIG chapter...
1) ADAMS
Life at the Adams-O'Keefe household is pretty mellow. No great excitement, drama or tragedy. Braden and Lucy have been together since they were teenagers and have settled into married life, nice and neat. Their twins, Jasmine and Leo, are full of energy (19 active points between the 2 of them), but after living in a household with 5 siblings Braden is a pro at keeping chaos down to a minimum and having 2 toddlers running around isn't a big deal to him.
Tot training- check. No big surprise, both children learn all of their skills.
Family is a huge thing to the O'Keefes and even with Ainsley's kids grown up and living on their own, they still find time to talk and visit often. Brianne and Cornelius pop over to spend some time with Braden and Lucy. Since Brianne has been away at school she wants to get to know her niece and nephew. She and Lucy talk and play with the tots.
While Braden finds out more about the man who is going to marry his only sister during a friendly game of chess.
Wha... Hey! Hey, wait a minute! I didn't see a grow up warning! We were going to throw a birthday party!!!
Talk about a family resemblance- Leo is just a darker version of his Dad, I swear. You can totally tell they are father and son.
The twins seems fine with the lack of cake even though I feel bad- how did 2 popularity sims NOT remind me that it was time for a birthday party? I mean seriously??? At least Brianne and Cornelius were there for the occassion. And speaking of Brianne... Leo seems to have a little crush. He gloms on to her in a huge way right out of his kid twirl.
"Auntie Bri! Auntie Bri! Look what I can do!"
"Hey... No fair! Go away! I was showing her something! You can sing to her later!"
"You'd rather spend time with me, right Auntie Bri?"
"I can't believe they are old enough to go to school now! Time went so fast!"
"I know! When I was growing up we'd have a birthday in the house and then Mom would tell us we'd be getting a new brother or sister. It's strange to think we are done with babies completely now."
"Braden... I know I said two was enough, but they are good kids and maybe..."
"One more?"
Yeah, I know how it happens Lucy, you don't need to tell me about it.
Lucy doesn't have it bad as far as pregnancy symptoms go, but her energy bottoms out fast and she spends a lot of time napping. Luckily for her and Braden, the twins are very self motivated and don't need their parents to get them going in the mornings.
Leftovers are perfect for kid breakfasts.
A little skilling before the bus shows up. Logic for Jasmine.
Body for Leo. Between his love of jumping rope and playing on the monkey bars it is no surprise that Leo maxes his Body skills in no time flat. His sister maxes hers right behind him. It's all those active points at work.
"Hi!!!"
"Well, hello there!"
"I'm Jasmine! I know who you are! You're my Uncle Bishop! My Daddy says you are the Heir to our Legacy!"
Ten outgoing points... She'll talk to anybody who wanders by the house.
You might as well go in, Bishop. Your newest niece or nephew is due to arrive any minute now.
Lucy... Is it time?
Welcome to the family Owen!
Braden's second son has black hair like his mother and siblings, his mother's light blue eyes and a S2 skintone. All of Braden and Lucy's kids have different eye and skin colors- nice variety!
Braden and Lucy are pleased to have another son, Jasmine is happy about the new arrival because it means another person she can befriend, and Bishop seems very excited to have been there when his nephew was born. Apparently, Leo didn't want a little brother though. Right off the bat, he has negative feelings for the newest member of his family which distress his folks some, but Bishop gave him a little pep talk.
"Leo, man. I totally understand how you feel. I really do, but little brothers aren't so bad. You know I'm smack dab in the middle of my family- I've got older brothers and younger ones too. It can be hard when a new baby shows up. Mom and Dad are distracted and it can seem like everybody is always focusing on the baby instead of on you. But ya know, he's only going to be a baby for a short time and then you can really play with him. Give him a little time and you'll see- you can show him how to do all kinds of stuff and he's going to think you are awesome. "
Nobody can accuse the O'Keefe's of not being a close family. They show up all times of the day!
Ainsley walks by and stops to meet her newest grandson.
And to make best friends with her first.
Later that night Brianne comes by for dinner. Leo is less than thrilled that Cornelius came with her.
"She spends so much time with him. I wish she'd come and sit with me."
"Well, she is marrying him. Of course, she wants to be near him!"
"She could marry me instead!"
"Leo, you can't marry her! She's our AUNT!"
"Mom! Tell Him!"
"Uh... Leo. Honey, you can't marry her. "
It's okay Luce. Don't worry- he'll get over this long before he becomes a teenager.
It's a good day for Braden. He was already perma-platinum, but it is still very satisfying to fulfill his lifetime want.
And make best friends with Owen.
And throw a birthday party. (Ha! No missing it this time!)
Time to make a wish!
Happy Birthday Owen!
Owen is another Scorpio like his Dad and older brother (9-5-10-8-3). Super neat, super active, very playful. The active point total for this household is crazy. Only Lucy has less than 9 points.
You can't beat a party with cake, good company and plenty of music. A good time was had by all.
Well, almost everybody.
Blake, what's the matter?
"I wish Philip was here with me. But Braden is friends with Roy and he doesn't know Philip so I didn't think I should ask..."
Blake O'Keefe, have you EVER known your brother, Mister "I want 30 Best Friends", to turn away a guest? Next family get together you will invite Phil to come too! Your family wants to get to know him, I promise! There is absolutely no reason for you to be feeling lonely at what is suppose to be a happy family occasion.
"Hey there, Little Man! Sebastian, your birthday's next. We can't wait to celebrate with you!"
2) ATKINS
Braden and the rest of the family might have wanted to celebrate Sebastian's birthday with him, but Sebastian Atkins didn't want to have anything at all to do with a birthday party. He was okay with going to his Uncle's or his Grandparents' house and spending time with his family, but he didn't want all those people in HIS house.
Sebastian and his one outgoing point were challenging for Bennett. He often wondered where Sebastian got it. Definitely not from him, he might be a little awkward at times, but he had 9 outgoing points, and while Mabel had been on the shy side with only 3, it was nothing like Sebastian and his one. He even wondered if Mabel's death had somehow contributed to how shy his son was.
Bennett had briefly thought about trying to contact someone in the paranormal career and asking if he could use their Reaper phone to bring Mabel back for Sebastian, but in the end he wasn't comfortable crossing that line. And, even though he felt incredibly guilty about it, he couldn't help but think that with Mabel gone, maybe, just maybe he could find a way to be with Marguerite.
Determined to do the best he could for his son, Bennett made sure that Sebastian learned all his tot skills and with the exception of when he went to work and left his son in the care of Trina Watson, the nanny he'd hired after interviewing nearly a dozen candidates, he tried to be there for the boy at all times.
But much as he loved his son, Bennett wanted more. He had grown up in a household full of activity and noise and it was just too quiet in their little townhouse. He was lonely. He worried and brooded until he finally decided he had to see if he could have everything he wanted- a happy, well adjusted Sebastian and a life with Marguerite. So he made a phone call and told Marguerite everything- how he was a single parent now, how he worried that Sebastian would respond badly to another woman in his life, how much he had thought about her since the last time he had called to tell her he was going to be staying with Mabel.
"I missed you so much."
"I want you too meet Sebastian, but he's horribly shy and I don't know how he'll react and.."
"I want to meet him too, Bennett. We'll figure it out. I don't want to lose you again."
"Marguerite, this is my son, Sebastian."
"Sebastian, this is my... special friend, Marguerite. She is..."
"Pitty."
"You think I'm pretty, huh? Well, I think you are adorable!"
"Can we be friends, Sebastian?"
"I think we can do this, Bennett. If you want to try."
"I do. More than anything. I want to try."
Feeling like they were taking steps in the right diection Bennett decided on a small celebration for Sebastian's brithday- no big family party though his parents and his siblings all wanted to be there. He did it Sebastian's way- small. Marguerite cheered as he brought his boy to a cake with candles.
"Make a wish, Buddy!"
Wow, Bennett. Other than his eye color, Sebastian resembles Mabel so much. Nobody is going to forget who his mother was, that's for sure.
"I don't want to forget. We weren't happy at the end, but... if not for Mabel there wouldn't be a Sebastian and I can't imagine not having him."
"Happy Birthday, Sebastian. Love ya, Kiddo."
Sebastian went to school for the first time the next day and Marguerite became part of Sebastian and Bennett's everyday life. She filled a need for both father and son and they blossomed under her care.
"Thanks for coming, Braden."
"Of course, I'm going to be here when my twin brother gets married! Are you sure you want to do it here though? City Hall? Without Mom and Dad or the others?"
"Mabel taked about a big ceremony, something like your and Lucy's wedding. Marguerite wants something small and this just felt like the best way to do it- make it ours, ya know."
"It means a lot to Bennett to have you and his brother here. I know Mabel was your friend, Lucy. I hope that... Well, I hope we can become friends too."
"I think I'd like that, Marguerite. I'd like it a lot."
So Bennett O'Keefe and Marguerite Lynch were married in a simple ceremony at the City Hall, with his brother and sister-in-law as their witnesses. They went out to dinner to celebrate and then went home to 'their' son. And Bennett couldn't remember ever feeling so content in his life.
The family was happy to hear Bennett's news. To nobody's surprise, his mother chewed him out about not being at the ceremony, but he knew that she was pleased.
"Two down, four to go. Right Mom?"
"You hush! You know I've been worried about you and Sebastian. All I want is for you to be happy... I don't know this girl, Bennett, but I want to. Bring her and my grandson to the house. We'll have a party!"
"We will. Soon, I promise. We've got lots to celebrate."
Someone wasn't happy about Bennett's new status as a married man though... and she let the whole household know about it.
Appearing for the first time since her death, Mabel went out of her way to show her disapproval. She shorted out the stereo, flicking the electronics on and off all night long. She broke a lamp. She possessed Sebastian's favorite teddy bear, making it float and scaring the boy so much he refused to take the bear upstairs with him. She jumped out and frightened Bennett, Marguerite and Sebastian numerous times making Bennett really worry about his son and his new wife's health. She was an unhappy ghost.
"Damn it, Mabel. I get that you are mad at me, but you can't attack them like that. I won't let you do that again. "
"Sebastian, see how pretty it is? I think she'll like it here. I promise that if you want to visit her, I'll bring you. You can come anytime."
"Mabel, I... this is for the best."
"Hey, I love you, Dad."
"I love you too. You aren't upset that I moved her here?"
"No. I don't want her to scare us again. I don't want her to scare Marguerite and our new baby."
Yep, Marguerite was expecting, a wedding night baby. Both Bennett and Marguerite wanted to have a child as soon as they could so that the age gap between Sebastian and the new baby wouldn't be too large. Marguerite was feeling pretty good, all things considered, though she seemed to always be hungry and tired, Sebastian was looking forward to having a little brother or sister and Bennett... Well, Bennett was thrilled. He had missed out on Mabel's pregnancy with Sebastian and he was completely enjoying the experience this time around. His wife had a craving for Chinese food at 1 in the morning? On it!
Oh Bennett! Don't you look dapper in your little red bow tie and sportscoat!
"Whoa... Bennett! Wait!!!"
"But my car is here. What d... Oh! Oh!!!"
And...it is a girl! Totally worth missing his carpool.
Welcome to the family, Skye!!!
Skye has her Grandma Ainsley's leafy green eyes just like her half-brother does, her father's S1 skin and she is the first of the 3rd generation grandchildren to have the O'Keefe trademark red hair. Right off the bat she has her father wrapped around her little finger.
"Bennett, go to work! You aren't very late, save your vacation day! We're fine!"
Another high for the day- Bennett's Lifetime Want is fulfilled! For a long time that was all that Bennett was really focused on, but now it takes second to his happiness over his new daughter and how he feels about his family.
"What are you thinking, Buddy?"
"She has hair like Aunt Brianne."
"Yep, Grandma's hair used to be that color too."
"Marguerite, do you think she's going to like me?"
"Absolutely. I think she's going to love you."
"I think that having a little sister is going to be cool."
(Official Lot name changed to LYNCH)
3) HAYES
Brianne O'Keefe has a hard time thinking back to a time when she wasn't dazzled by Cornelius Hayes. To be done with school, engaged to marry him, and finally moving in with him is like a dream come true for her.
"Oh, Cornelius... I am so happy to be here! Finally!!!"
Wow... You look pretty spiffy in your uniform, Cornelius. Or should I say General Hayes?
Brianne probably should have already known this, but they never did the whole "ask" flirty thing so she was as surprised as I was to find out that her Cornelius was a General in the Sim Army and that she had been missing out in seeing him in his uniform all this time. Other fun facts about General Cornelius Hayes- he would like to become the Head of the SCIA. He is 13 days years older than Brianne. He is a Pisces (5-3-7-3-7), has a Knowledge/Family aspiration and a thing for tinkering.
Cornelius inherited a run down farmhouse from a distant relative and has been working on it in his spare time, doing some construction and work around the grounds to pretty it up for his new bride.
(*in case anybody is going "The lot looks sort of familar to me." it is because it is actually a modified version of Leod McGreggor's farm lot from Riverblossom Hills)
Settling into a new house is not really exciting except to the people doing the settling. Brianne and Cornelius focused on rooms on the ground floor to start, figuring that they could work on the rooms upstairs as they were needed when they had more free cash to spend.
Brianne got a job in the Natural Science career because somehow during college her Lifetime Want had changed and she no longer wanted to become a Cult Leader. Neither she or I know exactly when the change occured, but as long as it makes her happy I'm fine with the change. Well, I would be okay with the change if the Natural Scientist people weren't trying to steal her money when she reached level 10! A bonus of NEGATIVE $32, 734! I don't know what you Natural Science folks are trying to pull, but Brianne's got a great lawyer on retainer, who also is her older brother. Braden Adams-O'Keefe is Calypso Island's top dog in the Law career and he will come after your organization in ways you don't want to think about if you do not fix this right away. Do what needs to be done and put that money back! (game glitches are so much fun ~facepalm~)
While Brianne dealt with Natural Scientist career track shenanigans Cornelius stepped down from his position as General and got a job in the Intellegence track instead. His first day on the job he earned a promotion to Rookie Field Agent. Nice job, Cornelius- only 4 more levels to go until you hit your Lifetime Want!
"Honey, I just got off the phone with Braden and he says they deposi... It smells good in here! What are you doing?"
"I wanted to make you something special to celebrate fulfilling your Lifetime Want, to help make up for the aggravation with your bonus."
"Crepe Suzette! Wow, fancy! When did you learn how to make these???"
"Oh, they are just something I read about recently and thought you'd like."
Knowledge sims love, love, love to learn new stuff and Cornelius has been racking up the aspiration points trying to get all his skill levels up for his new job.
These two are too cute together. They just gravitate toward each other, all the time.
If Brianne is out working in her little garden, then Cornelius will wander out to help her.
If he decides to do a little fishing, then she'll wander out to paint on the deck so she can talk to him and cheer if he catches something.
Sitting on the sofa watching cooking shows or sports- together, of course.
Absolutely adorable.
Brianne had imagined what her wedding to Cornelius would be like since she was a teenager. She knew just what she wanted, simple and pretty, surrounded by family and friends. And that's what she got.
"I, Cornelius, take you Brianne to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, So I give you my life to keep."
"I, Brianne, take you Cornelius to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, So I give you my life to keep." **
Cornelius, you may kiss the bride.
"Love you, Mrs. Hayes."
"Love you more, Mr. Hayes."
It was a wonderful wedding. The guests drank bottle after bottle of nectar, ate wedding cake and danced to the tunes the DJ was spinning. Couples smooched and snuck off to get free photo rembrances at the photo booth. The kids in attendance, Jasmine, Leo and Sebastian, laughed and played together and Brianne found herself dancing with both her nephews multiple times. It was just what she had wanted and Brianne was glowing with happiness by the time the party was over. ***
"That's three, Mama."
"I don't care about that silly Lifetime Want so much anymore. Just be happy, Baby Girl. Be happy."
She was extremely happy. Being with Cornelius was everything she had imagined and even more. She found herself smiling at him for little things each day.
She liked her job. She finally got her gold gardening badge. She aced her Garden Club inspection.
The only thing she felt was missing was the baby both she and Cornelius wanted so badly. But no matter how many times they tried, there was no lullaby.
"Here Mom. Wedding Pictures."
"What a nice gift! Thank you, Sweetie! There isn't something like a surprise sonogram picture in there too, by any chance? You know your Dad..."
"No, Mom, there isn't anything like that. I... I'll be right back, I need to... use the phone. I just remembered something I was supposed to tell somebody at work."
"I know you didn't mean to upset her, but she's worried that she can't get pregnant and is afraid that she's letting me and you and her Dad down. She sees how quickly her brothers' families got started and... She's so stressed. I hate seeing how tense she is about it. I've told her it will happen when it happens and I'm fine with that, and she pretends that she agrees, but she doesn't hide things from me very well- I know she's feeling down about herself."
Cornelius booked a Couples Day package at the local day spa, hoping that maybe Brianne could relax and they could just take a day for themselves. A couples massage, a steam in the sauna, a long soak in the hot springs sounded just like what they needed.
They were enjoying the hot springs when it started to sprinkle. They started to get out of the water right away, having watched a news show talking about sudden lightning storms and hot tub injuries just the night before. It happened so fast. Cornelius was helping Brianne out of the water when he was struck.
"Cornelius!!!"
"Get inside, Brianne! Now!"
He had almost made it to the covered porch when he was struck by another bolt of lightning. He felt horrible- his heart was racing, he was lightheaded and his skin crawled. His vision was blurred, but he could hear Brianne crying for help clearly.
It was close. The emergency workers told him he had almost died. He and some of his other Knowledge aspiration friends used to joke that they wanted to cheat death, be hit by lightning. Cornelius knew he would never make those kind of jokes ever again.
"I can't believe I almost lost you. What would I do then, huh? You are not allowed to do that to me ever again, Cornelius Hayes. Never again."
"I... love you so much, Bri. That was the scariest thing I've ever been through.You know how they say you see your whole life flash before your eyes? I saw mine and you weren't in it nearly enough yet."
"Nothing else matters to me as much as you do. Everything else I've been worried about it... It isn't anything next to almost losing you."
The next morning...
"Brianne. Babe? Are you okay in there?"
And... that's it for now! It took me ages to get this update together because of how much happened at each lot, but I hope everybody enjoys it. Next time we'll be going back to the main Legacy House to see how Bishop deals with his first season as the official Legacy Heir.
(** I found B and C's wedding vows here- myweddingvows. com/traditional-wedding-vows/exchange-of-vows and thought they were lovely. Perfect for Brianne's wedding)
(*** There will be an add-on chapter for additional shots from Brianne and Cornelius' wedding. They were just so cute, that I took picture after picture. I'm going to work it so that the screenshots will work in game and Brianne can have a proper wedding photo album full of them.)