Henson Legacy, Generation 4.3!
Last time was a decent while ago. Scooter became a child. Though Chessidy had been skeptical about the life Bradley had chosen as Zoe's second husband and stepfather to her children with Jess, seeing him with his new family won her over. As much as Chessidy could be won over, anyway. Bradley and Zoe decided to have a child together, which resulted in a little girl, Camilla. They finally tied the knot while Zoe was in her third trimester, too. Fozzie became a teen with a zeal for learning, and his birthday party was spoiled a bit by the bizarre incident of his father, Jess, hitting on his Great-Aunt Betty-Lou. Skeeter became a successful novelist, incorporating bits and pieces of her own life into her plots.
In case you've forgotten, here's everybody. Skeeter and Cleve, Zoe and Bradley, Fozzie and Scooter, and little Camilla. The Hensons had a pretty full household.
Zoe had been a little worried that the boys would resent their little sister, but, luckily, the age differences were big enough that they wanted to take care of Camilla a bit, too.
The day finally came...the day that she thought would never happen in her life. It was the day that the hired a babysitter because all the adults had to go in to work.
Luckily, Fozzie being older meant that he came home early and could watch his sister. It was also luck that he didn't have to work, either.
While he might never completely eat his words about not babysitting, Fozzie didn't mind watching Camilla every now and then. And Mom and Bradley were pretty good about not forcing him to do it.
Even though the boys missed their father sometimes, the extended family was pretty close, so they were never at a loss for male companionship.
If Bradley was busy, there was always Grandpa Cleve or Great-Uncle Joshua nearby to throw a ball with...just like Dad always promised but never really delivered on.
Seeing his brother go to work gave Scooter the idea to make some money himself. Though he knew Grandma would probably buy a little bit of ANYTHING he made, he knew it was a success when Uncle Joshua bought some, because he was pretty stingy!
As for Zoe, pangs of worry at leaving the baby plus butterflies heading into the courtroom ended paying off big time. There was now no question. She was the best damn lawyer on the entire island.
Jess can bite me.
Not that things were idyllic. Sometimes Camilla could be very cranky, and while Zoe would joke that her daughter took after Bradley's family, it was frustrating.
Somehow her mother always knew how to handle it. "She's like a nicer version of Chessidy," she said.
And even though Joshua was good with the boys, he often had heated arguments about mutual funds with her father.
...she didn't understand how people could care about money that much, and she really, really, really loved money!
Not as much as her husband, though.
Fozzie had been talking to the very sarcastic girl he met at the amusement park. Her name was Caryn, and she was a year below him in school. Finally, one night, he bit the bullet and asked her out on a date.
Your stepfather let you take the car? He looks so evil!
He's not. Besides, it's not his car, anyway.
Manhattenton finally had a movie theater. It wasn't huge, but it was definitely an improvement on the crappy satellite television reception they got.
Despite Caryn's warbling about his stepfather, Bradley's tips about getting in good with girls was working pretty well! Caryn rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips when he picked the Greeting Cat pinball machine, and when she did that, he knew she was amused.
Do you realize there's a really creepy looking dude staring at us?
Yeah, so? Afraid I'm going to ditch you for him?
I was wondering if you wanted to really give him something to look at.
Perhaps it didn't make for the most romantic story, but really, Fozzie was a smart guy and he knew the only way he would get a kiss from Caryn was to goad her into it.
As they walked into the theater, he could hear her grousing about how she hoped the movie didn't suck. Who cared about movies? She'd slipped him some tongue!
Oh god, the previews. Let's go back to the lobby.
Wait, what? Are you high?
Psh. The movie won't start for another ten minutes at this rate. C'mon. I'll buy you popcorn.
However, Caryn's attempts at getting snacks were thwarted unexpectedly.
You see that guy over there hitting on the cashier? That's the owner and he's married.
I won't tell if you won't.
Are you kidding? This is great. We need to keep coming here every weekend to see if he gets caught!
He knew most people wouldn't understand, but Fozzie thought he was a lot like his mother. Sometimes, mean people were just funny.
Watch where you're putting your goddamn hands!
...though sometimes, it was hard to read whether or not they were serious or just fucking with you.
He still figured being with a complete bitch could make for a healthy relationship. It worked for his folks.
Take, for instance, one of their favorite pasttimes: underwear chess.
Bradley would always try to cheat, and his mom would always pretend to fall for it.
Then his mom would "pretend" to catch him, and the chess game would be over. Then they disappeared for a couple of hours.
A normal teenager would try not to notice such things, but Fozzie knew that at these times, one had to go figure out where they'd inadvertantly left Camilla.
Still, Bradley was better than his absentee father. When Fozzie told him that his grandma was going to invite the Headmaster of the settlement's new prep school over for dinner, he went straight to the freezer and pulled out a turkey to prep.
He'll want to eat good. Don't worry. You'll make it in. If you don't, I'll poison the pie.
Caryn wasn't the only girl who liked him, though. Some of his friends were being a little extra friendly, if you get the picture.
Fozzie was finding himself caught in the dilemma of looks vs. personality.
But he soon had other things to be concerned about. The Headmaster had called his grandmother to let them know he was on his way!
He hoped that the sight of his stepfather reading would be enough to offset the gigantic video game fest in the living room.
The Headmaster arrived at about the same time his mother arrived home--the same mother no one had informed about the dinner with the Headmaster!
Luckily, Zoe relaxed a bit when she saw her mother handling the man.
Hello, Mr. Buckingham. Welcome to our home.
I'm pleased to be here, Mrs. Henson! Henson...as in one of the first families?
Yes. We're standing here, right about at the edge of the original house that my mother built on this land after she came to Manhattenton. Of course, later on, she built the house you see here now.
Fascinating!
Well, this is the kitchen. I was never wonderful at cooking, personally, but my daughter and her husband share a passion for the culinary arts.
It was about the point that the Headmaster started raving about the giant, kitschy anime poster in Fozzie's room that Skeeter decided that the guy was already swayed by the fact that their family was one of the older ones in the settlement.
So, she took him back to the kitchen, where Bradley was serving up one of his delicious meals.
Now, grades are very important to us. Both my daughter and I went to the Academy on full academic scholarships. Both she and her husband also made dean's list while there.
Oh, I've already seen and heard enough, Mrs. Henson. Though I have to say, there was little doubt in my mind from the moment you first called. Fozzie will certainly be allowed into our school. I only wish you'd have contacted us sooner, he'd be a year ahead of schedule!
Well, it's actually my other grandson's birthday and he'll be ready to start next year.
That certainly changes things a bit, then! Fozzie and Scooter, of course.
While Skeeter had her doubts about this "new, prestigious preperatory academy," since the High had been good enough for her and her children, she knew that Fozzie had really wanted this, and she didn't want him separated from his brother. They'd decide about Camilla when the time came.
With the Headmaster tucked safely away in his luxury sedan, it was time to start up Scooter's birthday party.
For some reason, when Zoe looked at her younger son, she was reminded a bit of her brother.
Scooter was afflicted a bit with middle child syndrome. With most of the grandchildren self-sufficient, Skeeter and Cleve were back to being wrapped up in each other. His parents made time for the kids despite the work schedules, but Camilla was young enough to demand quite a bit of attention.
Even Fozzie was wrapped up in his various female friends, leaving little time for his brother.
He was friends with Bradley, sure, but he understood why his stepfather might pay more attention to his own kid than him. It seems like the only time he got much attention was when...
Absolutely not.
Oh, Zoe, he looks fine!
You're his grandmother, he could shave his hair into devil horns and put a plate in his lip and you'd think that was oh so hip and adorable. Besides, it stands that the school said no mohawks!
Mom, it's not a mohawk.
Well, I suppose it's not, technically, but...it looks like one.
Hence, fauxhawk.
And there's that no piercings rule!
Earrings are exempt!
Those are bigger.
Look, if I get suspended, you can say that you told me so.
Don't worry, sweetie, it'll be your birthday soon enough.
Zoe didn't know if Scooter was calling out for attention or just being a normal annoying teenager, but she decided to spend some more time with him, at any rate.
Much to the delight of Fozzie.
And Camilla, who was able to sneak into Fozzie's room and play with his old toys when neither one of them were under supervision.
Little did Skeeter and Cleve know that they weren't the only ones putting their bed to good use.
...ugh.
Let me guess, Zo. You want another one.
What? No. I want to celebrate that Camilla's almost school age and we'll have more time to ourselves. If you know what I mean.
Oh! Time to celebrate!
Between all the single and loving it elders in his family tree, the very "active" relationship of his parents and grandparents, and the friends-with-benefits of his older brother, Scooter was definitely planning to spend some time playing the field before he settled down--if he ever did settle down!
Yeah, I know, someone has to come back and hold down the fort. But look, it's always been a girl and there's Camilla. No reason why we should be tied down by the ghosts of the past, right bro?
Well, I guess...
It was probably a bit early to start pinning the entire family legacy on what amounted to a toddler, though.
Scooter wasn't exactly happy that he was going to that fancypants school his smart brother pined after. The girls at the regular high school were probably a bit more open-minded.
Their "real father" was still pretty absent, only coming over at really bad times. He'd want to pick them up a half hour before school started on a Wednesday and then blame their mother for not fixing their schedules!
Now that Zoe was head of the most prestigious law firm on the island, she only had to go to work on court days. She took up a painting hobby and made a few bucks selling the finished product.
Bradley only worked four days a week at the restaurant, now, so he was enjoying playing the manly husband role around the house. Generally he waited until everyone was either away from home or occupied, so they didn't hear him yelling at the stuff he had trouble fixing.
When Camilla's birthday rolled around, Zoe pulled out the old diary again and sat down in her old room for the last time.
After tonight, this is going to be Camilla's room...
Doing another scientific experiment, nerd?
Yes, I am.
You see, I'm testing to see if picking up a hobby of collecting "cute" and "pretty" things will help me pick up girls with the same descriptions.
I think I LOVE science now, too!
(Never to fear, Skeeter always released the butterflies after the boys forgot they'd been captured.)
Despite the other female attention he received, Fozzie had a real place in his heart for Caryn. No one really knew why.
Caryn brought over a friend for Scooter to meet, Rebecca. He thought she was pretty, but wore a bit too much make-up. She thought he was cute, but had a bit too much junk in the trunk.
Skeeter's sister Betty-Lou came to visit for the birthday, but it was a little awkward after the last time.
So, I heard you were getting pretty friendly with my exhusband at Fozzie's last party.
Yeah, so? I thought you didn't want him anymore?
You have no idea why that was completely inappropriate? I don't believe this.
Scooter had always been a little self-conscious about his weight, but now he had a reason to get in gear and lose it. Women.
And he found that he was also susceptible to the cuteness of a little sister, just like everyone else in the house.
It was funny; if it weren't for Camilla's dark skin and eyes, no one would think she looked a thing like their mother. She didn't look much like him or Fozzie.
She was probably the cutest one of them all.
Though his stepfather could take the cake when he praised his in-laws to his own mother.
Look, it's been like forty years, could you stop calling him the Nose? I like Cleve!
...
Yes, even his nose! No, I would NOT have minded it if Camilla had gotten that nose. In case you hadn't noticed, Zoe does and she's gorgeous!
...
Better looking than you? Of course! Yes, I did just go there!
Even though Camilla's grandmother Chessidy was not invited over, she still had a pretty hopping birthday party.
Though she had inherited Chessidy's brow, she did not inherit the same caustic personality that had belonged to her father and grandmother before her.
She did, however, insist that she never wear pink again.
Even though Gonzo was getting a bit old to be acting like a twenty-year-old, he seemed happy. And as long as he didn't go after the exes of his nieces and nephews like Aunt Betty, Zoe was happy for him.
Joshua seemed pleased that there was another youngster in the family to teach chess to. Even if he did get a little heated over the game.
Fozzie and Caryn had ~their first time together~ while everyone else was still distracted with the party. And if Fozzie neglected to tell her that it wasn't his first time ever...well, you know, he was probably just doing it out of a good sense of self-preservation.
Scooter started up an exercise regimen. There weren't very many girls out there who liked guys whose body shape resembled a dough-boy's!
I'm surprised that you did as well as you did in school, actually, Bradley. With that mother of yours.
I'll have you know that it was your wife who helped me with my homework!
Oh. Er...then not surprised at all!
Scott, I have a question for you...
Sorry, Mrs. Henson, I am not getting involved in your romance novels in any way.
I didn't mean it like that.
I just don't want to be an unintentional resemblence!
Once Fozzie had reached the final round of Manhattenton Prep's spelling bee, he had a feeling it had been R-I-G-G-E-D by a biased Headmaster.
Hey, Fozz! Meeting all sorts of spiffy people at that fancy school of yours?
Sure.
You're lucky, I think. Pops is going to insist on me going to college, but he says he won't pay any money on a fancy school when he learned plenty at the public one to make all that money he has.
Yeah, well, since I wanted to attend Prep, my parents told me I needed to help out with the fees.
Harsh.
I think it's worth it.
So, Scooter free?
Sure.
Skeeter continued helping out with homework, since she was considered so good at it. She wondered if the small argument between her husband and son-in-law had been staged to get them off of homework duty...forever.
And, even though she was still in love with Cleve, the "excellent descriptions of the hero" in her debut novel may have been founded in fact more than fiction.
Fozzie had become one of the youngest EMTs in the settlement, though his hours were severely limited because of school. He was still happy with his accomplishment.
So, I get a sneaking suspicion that the one book of my mom's...might be about us.
Now I feel kinda creeped out that I read it.
Tell me about it.
Let's replace fiction with fact.
Good idea!
Are you okay, Mom?
Yeah! It's just your stepfather and I have been having some rather vigorous literature debates lately.
They're calling it literature debates, now?
Who knew sci-fi was such serious business?
Sci-fi?!
That's what grandma's new novel is going to be, right?
Yes! It's about a space-maid named Cotter.
Cleve never told anyone, but Scooter was his favorite grandchild. Scooter seemed like the son he'd never had, but this was mainly because Cleve didn't know that Scooter planned to be a player just like his uncle Gonzo.
Even though no one would ever believe him, Bradley didn't really have a favorite child. He was just happy that everyone in the house was happy and content. Life seemed perfect...
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Notes:
- That ending sounds really sinister, doesn't it? Well, I haven't played any farther, so I have nothing evil planned. If nothing else, though, Skeeter and/or Cleve are getting really close to passing.
- Also, Scooter and Fozzie both have the hots for Fozzie's pigtailed-friend-with-benefits.
- It is most likely Scooter or Fozzie for heir. I haven't decided yet...but, I don't think Fozzie can marry Caryn. I'm fairly certain she has the same face template as Joel.
- Camilla will be unusual-looking, but probably not ugly.
- I still have no idea how I'm gonna roll with college this time around.
- The Headmaster? He's an adult. A wonderfully awfully ugly adult. I think I'm going to keep swapping hairs on him and pretend he's a descendent of the original because I want to marry him into the family eventually.
Have a few Manhattenton at night pics:
And a very wide Manhattenton pic, linked. It's practically the entire neighborhood, so you can see why it takes me so long to fill it in!