Generation 02: Chapter 19: A Fresh Start

That night we tell Rina our decision to stay in Winchester.  She tells me she's really proud of me for quitting my job.

Early the next morning, I also go to the Dhaval's house to inform them about my decision.  Mrs. Dhaval is ecstatic and doesn't even mind that I'm resigning from being their housekeeper.  Champ also quits his job as their gardener because he is finally going to fulfill his dream and start a huge garden at our house with plants from all around the world.  Fortunately, Champ provides him with a list of other good gardeners that he knows so they're not completely deserted.

Finally, we go and buy the property that Champ had been considering buying.  It's horrible looking but it's our home.

"I can't believe I'm here.  I'm here with you." I say quietly as we gaze at our run down property.  I squeal as Champ picks me up and carries me to the entrance of the house.  We kiss and then he sets me down.

"Me neither," Champ finally replies.  Then he adds, "it doesn't look great, but we'll make do."

We don't make do for long.  Starting the next day Champ starts to demolish our little abode.  I search the internet for interior design ideas.

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NOTE

At this point, I had built their new little house with the funds that they had but I was having weird issues with the doors, windows, and arches on the lot.  

So... because I like to do things the hard way, I decided to create my own world.  I spent a week making a new world called Misty Isle (which you can check out and download on my sims Facebook account.  It's far from perfect and there are quite a lot of issues with is, but it works for what I want.  Also, it was my first time using Create-a-World and I wanted to finish it ASAP).  I finally moved Calla's family, Calista and Adam, Calla's siblings, the Dhavals, Antares, Chartreuse, and Rina and Champ's brother into the new world.  

The pictures starting now are in the new world, Misty Isle.  But for story purposes, the big move isn't going to be mentioned.  The characters are going to act like it never happened because it would totally be weird in the story if they just moved all of a sudden.

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With the help of friends and family, Champ and I finally finished renovating our house.  And it only took a month!  It has three rooms - A kitchen/living room/dining room, bedroom, and bathroom.

"Ready to take a look at our amazing house?" Champ asks me as he grasps my hand in his.

"You bet!" I exclaim.

As we walk through the living room/kitchen and bedroom, I admire my decorating skills.

"It doesn't look too shabby, does it?" I casually point out.

"You definitely have an amazing decorating sense," Champ chuckles.

Mom and dad invited us for dinner to meet Champ for the first time.  He begins a small garden to the side of the house before we leave.

Seeing mom and dad is great, especially after all I've gone through this summer.  They're pleased to meet Champ, which doesn't surprise me.  We all eat dad's homemade goopy carbonara.

Now that I'm a somewhat decent chef, I can finally relate to dad's cooking hobby and we have a nice chat about the spices and herbs he put into it.

For the entire rest of the dinner, mom can't help but subtly point out that I actually have a boyfriend.  I guess she assumed I'd be single for my entire life, and knowing what I was like as a child, I don't blame her.

After a long night of laughs and family bonding, Champ and I return to our newly built home.

"So, your parents.  They seem really lovely, so young too," Champ says to me, as we snuggling on the couch before bed.

"They are.  They're really really truly in love.  They're too perfect for each other, as my siblings and I put it.  Also, I'm not supposed to tell anyone but they did drink a 'forever young' potion, so that's why they look so young still."

"Really?  I had heard about that but I didn't realize anyone had tried it."

"Yes, they knew the man who created it so they got first dibs.  I'm glad it worked because if it hadn't... I don't even want to think about that."  I shudder.

Champ hugs me and I turn to face him.  "On another note, what do you think about creating our first memory in this house," he grins.

Playing dumb, I ask, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Champ says nothing but instead leans forward and kisses me.  Things get pretty steaming so we take it to the bedroom and have quite the night.

The next morning, Champ and I are eating a delicious breakfast when I notice his outfit is much more formal than his usual shredded up gardening jeans and plaid shirts.

"What's with the outfit?"

"Oh, this?  Well... since you asked..."

At this point we're done with our food so I get up to put my dishes away while Champ speaks.  Before I can pick up my plate, however, he grabs me and kisses me quickly on the mouth.

"Cham-" I start to say but he holds a finger up to my lips.

Then he kneels to one knee....

"Ms. Calla Cohen, I know we haven't known each other long but I feel like I've known you for eternity.  You're the sweetest, smartest woman I know and I love to make you my wife.  Will you marry me, Calla?"

I'm shocked and instantly tell him yes.  He places the ring on my ring finger and it fits perfectly.

We hug each other tightly and cry tears of joy.  For most of my life, I have never fantasized about who I was going to marry or how many kids I was going to have. It was always about studying nonstop.  So this moment is completely surprising and new to me and I replay it in my head over and over again.  It's definitely the start of a new kind of life for me.  A happier, healthier one. 

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Sorry this post seems so scattered.  I had a bunch of random pictures and I had to kind of tie them together.  Plus, as much as I had disliked staging and planning my posts to fit the worlds from the book, it's much more difficult for me to write anything now that I finished the book in the last post and have nothing supporting me at the moment.  I guess it'll take a bit of time to get used to writing and using my own ideas (how sad is that??  x'D).  

Anywho... there's only one more post after this one that I will be writing on this blog.  After that post, I will be posting my "playing for fun" pictures my tumblr.  ^_^    

Generation 02, Chapter 14: But It's Not My Birthday

NOTE

Finally!  These are new photos that I took in December over my winter break so they are much more recent than the ones in the previous posts (which I took back in March and April).  O_O

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Oh my God, what was I so worried for?  She's a baby.  Still in law school for Pete's sake.  I quickly rip off the glasses and set them back into my room.

Then I head downstairs towards the kitchen to start my daily tasks.  I find Champ behind the stairs and his face lights up when he sees me.

After we kiss, Champ asks, "Has Myrtle been giving you stupid instructions?  She's been bombarding with rules about what I can and can't do.  I can't mow the lawn between the hours of nine and 6 and I have to tip-toe on the gravel because her work is so 'important.'  My work is important!"

"Hopefully she'll be leaving soon," I say unconvincingly.  We kiss again but are interrupted.

"Calla?!  Where are you?!  I need you to come up here and unpack my suitcase immediately!"  Blanche's irritating voice screeches her first of many demands.

"There you are!  I don't want to have to call you all the time.  I'll be working 24/7 and I have no time to be wasting on your.  Do you have a cell?  I'll text you.  Oh, and I'll need all my clothes washed, ironed, and folded.  And be careful with some of my outfits.  Some are very delicate and I do not want them ruined.  Also, bring me a snack.  I'm allergic to nuts and I'm lactose intolerant so don't bring anything like that.  I'll be in my room, you can find me there.  But please, don't try to bother me.  I know you probably don't understand, but my work is very hard.  Just do those things for me, pronto."

"Yes, ma'am," I mutter.

"Good," she nods, and walks out of the room.

"Bitch," I glower as I go to grab her suitcase and heave it down the stairs.  What does she have in here?  A body?  If this keeps up, I'm definitely going to have a word with Myrtle.

By the next day I've just about had it.  I can't do any of my normal duties because I'm constantly running up and down the stairs obeying Blanche's every command.  Finally, Blanche is taking a "beauty rest" and I take the time to first rest my own self a bit and then have a get with Myrtle about her insane niece.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dhaval, but Blanche is constantly asking me for things and it's keeping me from my regular household tasks."

"Well, she is a very talented young woman.  It's not easy getting into her law school.  She had to beat millions of other applicants just to get a spot."

"Um, that's great.  So could you just tell her to let down her demands a bit?  Just so I can get other chores done?"

"I suppose," she drifts off.  "Hey, for dinner later tonight, we're having a small gathering.  Perhaps you could serve some drinks there?"

"Sure, no problem."

"And could you change your outfit to something more formal?  That uniform isn't the most appealing...."

"Sure," I say flatly.  She chose the damn thing.  Who in their right mind would ever choose to wear this as an actual outfit.

Champ?  Where are you?  I haven't seen you all day?  I text, but he doesn't reply.  That's really odd.

It's nearly dinner time and I slip on a nicer outfit and some high-heels and start to walk down the stairs towards the kitchen to get some beverages started.

"There you are," Champ grins as he wraps his strong arms around me and kiss me.  He rubs his face against my hair and breathes in deeply.  Meanwhile, I'm squirming and trying to escape.

"Champ, seriously, I need to go get drinks ready.  Please let me go."  I stop trying to get out of his grip because it's obvious he has a complete physical advantage over me.

"No no no, come outside with me first.  I have something to show you."

"Really?  Now?" I whine.

"Yes, now close your eyes...."

He leads me to the backyard and when he releases his hands I gasp.

In front of my are Mr. and Mrs. Dhaval, Antares, Rina, and Blanche.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all shout in unison.

I'm utterly shocked.

"Thank you, but it's not actually-"

"Aw, she's trying to deny it.  Don't worry, we didn't put your actual age on the balloons," Myrtle informs me.

I pretty much give up trying after that.  As I continue to gaze around, I realize that it doesn't matter that my birthday was over a month ago.  They threw a birthday party for me and it's one of the best I've had since I was little.

"How... how did you find out?"

"Your friend Ms. Flavius told us a few days ago," Myrtle explains.

Chartreuse?  How did she get this number?  Oh right, I called her last week from the Dhaval's phone instead of my cell.  She must have saved the number.  She always knew that my birthdays had never been half-decent since I started working for Gainsboro.  

"Thank you guys so much.  This is one of the best birthday parties I've ever had."

Rina steps up towards me and hands me a gift.  It consists of a few pans and an apron.

"Why does she need those?  Doesn't she already have all the equipment she needs?" Myrtle asks suspiciously.

I smile knowingly at Rina and Rina says, "I took a chance," which leaves Myrtle as puzzled as ever.

Mr. Dhaval gives me a present from he and Myrtle.

"Now this isn't a raise, but it's just a small bonus," he explains, handing me an envelope with what I assume to be a check.  I thank him and then Blanche hands me a mini basket of lotions, which I know has been sitting in the Dhaval's cupboard since before she came.

Antares hands me a card.  "Champ and I were wondering if you'd like to help work at the bar sometime.  We'd love the help."

"I'd love to, Antares.  That'd be an honor."

He smiles shyly as Champ comes over to give me a gift.  It's small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.

I open it to discover a beautiful hand-carved heart pendant necklace.  Champ gestures for me to turn around and he puts the necklace around my neck.

"It's gorgeous," I gasp.

We embrace and kiss.  Realizing that we're still in front of people, we pull away but he keeps his arms wrapped around me.

"Would you like to go grab a drink?" Champ asks.

"I'm not sure..." I drift my attention towards Myrtle.

"Oh don't worry about it.  We'll put the dishes away," she assures me.  And then you can deal with them tomorrow," she hastens to say.

I manage not to frown as I thank her for being "so kind," and then Champ, Antares, and I walk down to the bar and have ourselves a few nice drinks.

Generation 02, Chapter 12: Blame it on the Hormones

The next morning, I try to sleep in until at least 8:00 but at 7:15 I'm wide awake and actually excited to start another cooking lesson with Rina.  I decide to spend my Saturday morning perusing the Gainsboro website.  There's a rumor that when you're fired, they delete everything you were ever associate with and make it seem like you never existed.  Which obviously can't be true.  It's not like they'd delete-

Oh. My. God.

They didn't.

Anger and annoyance and frustration build up inside of me.  I look through articles about deals that I know I was part of and my name isn't there. Someone has literally taken all the time to go through everything and has deleted my name.  The rumors are true.

I quickly close the browser window and head over to Champ's house.  Hopefully I can just forget about it.  I shouldn't care.  It shouldn't bother me.

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Rina greets me at the door.

"Calla!  Hello!  Come in, come in.  We're going to make pie today."

"Splendid," I saw unexcitedly.  My mind is preoccupied with the events of this morning, despite my optimism of thinking I'd be able to forget.  I was a good lawyer.

"Something wrong, sweetie?  You look startled."

"No, I'm fine," I lie.

Rina teaches me how to mix the ingredients for the pie crust and filling.  Now we are forming the crust to fit the pie plate.

"What's the point?  I mean, what am I doing?  All I'm doing is making a pie that's just going to get eaten.  There's no point to it."

"Most food is like that, as well as life itself," Rina points out gently.

"You're right, it is," I saw, trying to figure out why the hell I'm trying to argue with Rina.  What's wrong with me today?  I'm like a rebellious teenager.

"That's enough, now we wait."

"Wait?  For what?" I demand.

"For the pie to bake," Rina responds calmly as she pours in the filling.

"Oh."

We walk outside so Rina can feed the chickens.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this.  Any of this."

"What do you mean, Calla?"

"It's a waste of time.  All of this is.  I should be doing something productive.  Something more constructive and important."

"Calla, please don't leave.  I know you've been through a... trauma.  And I know it has affected you but please, you're being rash.  Just stay.  Wait for the pie," Rina says patiently.

"You don't understand.  My life is... I don't know what I'm doing.  My life is a dead end right now.  I need to find answers.  I need to find out who I really am because honestly, I have no idea right now.  And sitting here is doing absolutely nothing for me."

"Calla, stop," Rina commands.  "Sometimes life is filled with unknowns and sometimes you're not meant to know them.  Now let's go peel some vegetables for lunch.

I sigh.  Despite my irritable and irrational mood I follow her instruction.  She's right.  Somehow her steady and firm voice has calmed me down.  I wipe away tears that were forming on my cheeks.  As we walk back into the house, I think about how much she reminds me of my mother.  I make a mental note to call mom later.  She always seemed to know what to do whenever I was afraid or angry.

"Close your eyes, Calla," Rina says to me as she returns from the kitchen.  It has been an hour since my "episode" and I've calmed down considerably.

I hear the soft clink of a tin hit the table.  I open my eyes and see a warm pumpkin pie in front of me an the lovely scent fills my nostrils.  I started to cry again, the tears flowing quietly down my cheeks.

I hear a male voice.  "Mmm, smells good."  Champ has come out of no where.  My growling stomach tells me it's lunch time and he must be on his break.

"I'll leave you two along," Rina says respectively, heading outside.

"I can't believe I was able to accomplish this.  It's been a hard day," I say while I stand up and wipe my face.

"Yeah, mom told me.  All that mixing.  And waiting?"

"I'm not the most patient person.  I have to have things as quick as possible," I explain.

"As quick as possible," Champ repeats.  I take a step forward and look into his eyes.  They're bright and shining and looking warmly into my own confused blue ones.

My breath is racing and my body is practically curving in towards his.  I grab him and pull his mouth toward mine.  He's a bit shocked at first but quickly recovers.

We kiss deeply and passionately.  I am absolutely oblivious to nothing but Champagne.  Myrtle could be there taking pictures and shouting and I wouldn't even noticed.

"What, that was-" Champ starts to say.  "Well, I, er, have to get back to the bar.  It's low on staff at the moment."

"Don't worry, I don't take long," I say seductively.  I want him.  I want him now.

"I really don't have long.  Only six minutes."

"Six minutes is plenty of time for me," I whisper, leaning into him.  He supports me with his arms but doesn't make any further movements.

"We take things slower around here...," he says awkwardly.  We part and my face gets really hot.

I finally come to my senses.  "Oh right, sorry.  Uh, see you later.  I guess.  Will you be around tomorrow?"

"I should be.  So, I might possibly see you.  Tomorrow."

I laugh for the first time today.  "I guess."

"It was nice... seeing you today."

"You too."

"Talk to you later, Calla."

"Bye."

Goodness that was embarrassing.  What is with me today?