Bringing Home Baby, Havar 2012

Havar, fall, 2012

It had been hours and still no news.

Physical Stamina, 2012

Remar, summer, 2012
Johan is 51, Jadhira is 50, Myra and Naraj are 17, Udar is 8

Now that the twins were about to start their senior year, Johan noticed the change even more. He should have expected it.

At Home, 2011

Remar, summer, 2011
Lyndon is 56, Nicole is 54

Nicole hadn't been feeling well.

Simply Held, 2010

Peacar, winter, 2010


Jorge and Jolie are 43, Grace Elise is 15, Ashlee is 12, Esther is 8, Chase and Amyra are 7

Optional Soundtrack: Heaven is the Face-Steven Curtis Chapman

"Hold still, the light is still blinking."

Fairy Tales, 2010

Lovar, spring, 2010
Antonio is 59, Carmela is 50, Rojo is 18, Serendipity is 14 (Verde and Lainey are 23)

Finally Antonio and Carmela were getting one of their biggest wishes. When Verde had called and told them the news of his engagement, they were thrilled.

Always Did, 2005

Givar, winter, 2005

Tobi is 33; Cameron Smith is 28, Ping, Aaron and Simora are 6; Matt is 2, Craig Smith is 3 simlonic months

Tobi sighed as he flipped the pages of the newspaper. He wasn't bored, not in the least bit. He just felt at a standstill. He couldn't go any higher with the force due to his lack of a university degree. Heck, the position he was currently in shouldn't be his thanks to the new educational requirements, thankfully he was grandfathered in. Tobi didn't want to be a detective all his career, but the bosses had made it clear that this was the last stop on the train for him. If he wanted something different he would have to leave the force and try a new career. Even if he returned to the force, he would never be able to climb as high as he was now.

Tobi tossed the paper aside and headed upstairs to spend some quality time with his son. Matt was growing bigger everyday. Currently the little boy was enchanted with his nose and the items he could pull from there as well as push in there.

His youngest, Craig, was entering the cooing stage. Tobi babbled a bit with the infant who responded in coos and drool.

The triplets were growing bigger every day. They were enjoying school and making friends. However, they were still each others best friends.

They perferred each other as opposed to outsiders.

They even made time for their younger brothers, which was a relief for Tobi. He didn't want them to become too wrapped up in their trio that they forgot about their other siblings.

Thankfully Julio was nearby whenever Tobi wanted some adult conversation. The Wilsonoffs had moved next door a few simlonic months ago which was a godsend.

Tobi finally had someone to chat with concerning the latest scores.

Not that Cameron wouldn't listen, she did, but she was busy with her new job. As soon as she returned from work she would spend some time with Craig before opening her books.

She insisted that she had to stay abreast of the newest algae species so that she knew what she was looking for. Tobi tried not to allow her to see his eyes glaze over.

Usually whenever she started talking about algae, Tobi did what he did best. Kiss.

He was getting over his ex-wife, finally. Li had turned down his offer for a family vacation, which was probably just as well as it allowed him to reconnect with Cameron. He truly loved her, he did. Didn't every sim go through a phase of wondering what they had left behind. The curse of the chouldas, shouldas and wouldas.

Funny, his thoughts never turned to Ginger. He hadn't seen her in simlonic months. He had heard that she was pregnant and that they had recently adopted a little girl. He smirked to himself, if he had ended up with Ginger perhaps the family would be eating better.

"After dinner you can play Puzzleit on the computer," Cameron offered Aaron who had completed all his homework on time.

"We should take the triplets out to celebrate," Tobi mentioned in light of their recent school reports.

"We could go to the movies,"

"Yea, the new LlamaRama movie is coming out. Please, please, please."

"I don't know...we'll have to discuss it." Tobi promised.

"Ping, you're quiet." Cameron noticed.

"I don't feel good."

"Why don't you lay down on the couch," Tobi urged concerned. He had recieved a note stating that Ping had tested positive for the Plumbbob Virus and as a result would probably feel tired.

Most of the family was upstairs, except for Tobi. He was washing dishes when he heard it. First a soft cough, then it got louder as though his son was choking.

"Quick, call the doctors!" He yelled as he tried to help his son take breaths of air.

Eventhough Julio and Suzanna arrived within minutes, it was too late.

Ping had breathed his last.

It was so sudden that it took the family by surprise.

The official report was that Ping died from complications of the Plumbbob Virus, but Tobi insisted that he wasn't that sick.

Aaron took it the hardest. Ping was not only his brother, but his best friend.

The morning of the memorial service, Cameron found Aaron sobbing in his room staring at Ping's empty bed. She tried to comfort him as best as she could, but she felt so inadequate in that aspect.

After the steady stream of visitors had died down, the family took a break and sat on the couch. Matt and Craig were asleep and the fridge was stocked of food. The voices of the visitors still rang in her ears.

"I'm so sorry for your loss,"

"He's in a better place,"

"Let us know if you need anything."

Of course, they rarely directed their words to her. As if she didn't feel grief for the boy she considered her soon. No, those words were reserved for Li and Tobi. Tobi with his worn face etched with deep wrinkles from nights spent sobbing and Li standing nearby with her stony empty eyes. It was the only time Cameron didn't feel intimidated by her, instead she felt sorrow for the woman.

Cameron sat down after putting the last pie in the fridge. She felt numb to the events surrounding her. Her ears could hear Aaron asking if Ping would haunt them like the scary movies and Tobi's response.

She heard Simora's muffled sniffles as she cuddled close to her mother

and Aaron cuddled in his father's arms.

There was no one for Cameron to cuddle with and she felt out of place. As if she didn't belong in the midst of the family's sorrow.

She excused herself as the familar wave of nausea came over her. She didn't know when she would break the news to Tobi that they were expecting again. She had planned to tell him that night...the night Ping left them and of course she didn't...and she couldn't bring herself to say anything now. This baby was surrounded with sorrow and she wondered if she would even be able to carry it to term.

It wasn't something she could dwell on. She would tell Tobi soon, not tonight and probably not tomorrow, but soon she would tell the family. For now, she just sat and felt the sorrow wrap around her and at the same time she swore she could hear Ping's laughter, as if he would come running downstairs too fast as he always did. How she wished he would come running through the house too fast.

---

• 
  
  Ping died as the ROS. I never had to do this for a child
• 
  
  Aaron really took it hard. He was crying all the time. He could be eating and then start crying or walking to bed and start crying. I was ok with the death until I saw Aaron break down like that.

• 
  
  Cameron is due Remar 2006 

Life and Death

Lovar, spring, 2002
Matthew is 72, Cassandra is 70, Grex is 30, Ginger is 30, Bryant is 7, Annie is 7



It's planting season, which means Grex is hard at work planting seeds and preparing for the crops. He has to do so much more to the soil now, it seems like all the nutrients are being sapped out of it. After fertilizing and preparing the soil, he hopes to be able to plant a few seeds this simmonth.

In addition to the planting season, Grex and Ginger Grey are celebrating thier 30th birthday this simmonth. They keep the celebration simple and lowkey. How lowkey? Well, Ginger made thier favorite meal: garlic roasted turkey, and they enjoyed a simple dinner with the family after a simple birthday song.

Matthew was older and he knew that there wasn't much time left for him. They say that you just know when your time is up. He was tired of pushing paper across his desk and vowed to get a part-time job or retire.

"Grandpa, why do you look so sad?" Annie asked innocently.

Matthew smiled. "I'm not sad, just thinking."

"About what, daddy?"

He smiled at his daughter. He couldn't tell her the truth. He was thinking about his insurance policy and his will. Would there be enough to help support his wife and his grandchildren when he was gone? Would there be enough for the funeral? It was a long way from the grandeur that he and his wife were used to growing up. His childhood was spent in the TS1 era, son of wealthy parents-in fact his father Bryant A Pierce was the namesake and primary funder of Pierce University. Cassandra also spent her childhood in the TS1 era, daughter of the legendary actress Starr Grey, used to mansions, expensive boarding schools and vacations. However Matthew's parents left most of thier wealth to educational insitutes after thier death and strangely a large trust was set up for thier great-grandchildren (which would be Annie and Bryant and the others) upon thier graduation from Pierce University. Cassandra's family lost thier money after her parent's death and paying for thier unpaid tax bills and fees. Yes, it was a long way from his childhood memories.

"About how much you've grown." He replied instead. "I still remember your birth and holding you and your sister in my arms. You were so tiny."

"Was mom a good kid? Did she get in trouble?"

Matthew laughed at his grandson's question. "Of course! When she was your age she loved to bake muffins, however she wasn't very good at it. So one day, there's this awful smell! Your mother decided to bake a muffin, but she left the oven mitt in the toy oven as well. Gosh, it was a wicked smell!"

"That was when we were living with Grandmother Starr," Ginger added.

"I remember, you were living in that large mansion. I was scared to talk to you because I thought I didn't have enough money or class."

"But you did and the rest is history." Ginger said smiling.

----

Shortly after thier birthday celebration, Matthew passed away peacefully in his sleep. The family took it hard, especially Grex. Even though Matthew was not his biological father and did not approve of Grex and Ginger's relationship at first, Grex was still very attached to the man and vice versa. They grew to have a strong fondness for each other and Matthew taught Grex how to be a good husband.

It was no surprise that Grex was often found crying on the floor. The twins mostly avoided thier father during that time, fearful that they would make him cry.

Finally, Ginger decided to take things in her own hands. She suggested that they do a little fishing after a rainstorm, since every sim knows that rain brings the fish closer to the surface.

"Perhaps we should move." Ginger suggested, baiting her hook.

"What?"

"We could move closer to your family. Giselle called and suggested that we move out there. The soil is richer, land is cheap and she says that there is plenty of work to be done."

"What about here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Our land? Our farm? Our market?"

Ginger bit her lip, anxious about the news she had been hiding for 2 simyears. "The hood council wants our land."

"What?"

"They've been trying to buy the land for over 2 simyears now."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't know...I thought you would say no."

"Well...that's not true!"

"So, do you want to move?"

"I don't know, Ginger." Grex sighed. "I need time to think about it."

-------

Will they move or not? We'll see. If they do move, we'll be introduced to Apple Plains

Celebrating the Season, Mourning the Life

Givar, winter, 2001
Matthew is 71, Cassandra is 69, Grex is 29, Ginger is 29, Bryant is 6, Annie is 6

The month started out fairly mundane for the Grey family.



Ginger kept getting bigger with the newest Grey family addition (or additions)


The twins had celebrated thier 6th birthday earlier that year now they're in started first grade and are constantly teased by thier classmates thanks to thier grandmother's handsewn clothing. Grandmother Cassandra figured that life on the farm called for durable clothing and that said clothing should be worn to school as well. Not that clothing made from flimsy fabric that tears easily.


Grandmother Cassandra could never answer little Annie when she asked "Why do you wear clothing of filmsy fabric then grandmother?"


Grex struggled to gather the last of the harvest before the frost arrived. The winter started out fairly temperate, but Grex knew that a frost could kill all his months of hard work. So with the help of the twins, especially little Bryant who loved the feel of the dirt under his fingernails, he harvested all the fruit from the orchard.


The vegetables were not a big rush since thankfully many simyears ago, Grex invested in a greenhouse. Thank goodness, since now he could harvest vegetables regardless of the height of the snow outside. Which meant that he could always have fresh vegetables for the market.


Fruit on the other hand, was packed into crates and promptly sold to the neighboring families. He couldn't wait until the twins got older so he could take them to the family market to help out.


True, it was next door to the farm and they could run over any chance they wished, but at the age of six, they're not much help. Cute, but not much help.


During the holiday season, the market was always busy. Residents wanted fresh produce for Blessed Harvest Day and Christmas. Also, the fresh fish was slowly growing in popularity thanks to the culinary article in the paper about fish being a great alternative to turkey for holiday meals. This year, Grex made sure to slip Jolie Dawson (in the purple) an extra bass in her shopping bag for the welcomed article and boost in sales. Perhaps he should also slip newspaper editor, Li Sweeny (in red) a small fish or discount as well.


At the farm, preparations were in full swing for the Christmas holiday as well. Ginger was placing decor in every nook and corner while the twins bounced happily around admiring everything.


Besides "how will santa come when there's no fireplace?" question from the twins, the other question on the family's mind was when would the little one make its apprearence? Ginger was tired of carrying the blessed burden. Her feet were swollen, back aching and let's not even mention what was going on to her digestive system. Grex guessed that the baby (or babies, let's not forget that Grex and Ginger are both twins as well as Grandmother Cassandra and Bryant and Annie) would come at a surprise time. Most babies do anyway, though they seem to perfer in the middle of the night or right after a bath, so that everyone rushes in the bedroom or bathroom once the cries of labor are heard.


Meanwhile, Grandmother Cassandra and Grandfather Matthew were conspiring for a surprise of thier own.

Grandmother Cassandra helped Ginger with the cooking that evening and in an rare event, the dinner was burned. The family struggled to eat the extra crispy roast chicken, due both to Grandmother Cassandra's forgetfulness and Ginger's increasing need to run to the bathroom every 5 seconds. In the midst of the family's debate of if the twins should have snow boots or regular boots, Grandfather Matthew burst through the door with a shout-"surprise!" and a large skinny tree.


The twins jumped up from the table and even Grex was relieved to have an excuse to stop forcing the charred remains down his throat. However, closer inspection of the tree revealed a small family of chipmunks, so Grandfather Matthew bundled Bryant and Annie in thier winter gear and they hiked off to find another tree.

They quickly returned because Grandfather Matthew was, to be honest, plum tired. So Grex took the twins to the nearest store, picked up an artifical tree with all the trimmings and placed it in the living room. It didn't have that pine forest smell, but it was late and it was on sale.

Unfortunately, you sometimes get what you pay for as the women of the house discovered as they were cleaning the dinner dishes and preparing for the next day.

"Did you burn something else?" Grandmother Cassandra asked, sniffing the air.

"No..."Ginger replied annoyed with her mother and fighting uncomfortable back pains, before glancing in the living room. "The tree!!! The tree is on fire!!!"


Ginger worked to put out the fire, while Grandmother Cassandra clutched her shirt and fretted this way and that way and this way and that way. By the time Grex made it downstairs, the fire was out and the tree only suffered minor damage.


Perhaps it was the trama of a near death experience, or the physical labor of putting out the fire, or perhaps the newest Grey simply wanted to see what all the fuss was about for it was at that moment that Ginger felt the pangs of her first contractions.

"You better call Julio." She whispered through her teeth to her husband, before doubling over in pain. Grex instead ran to Julio Wilsonoff's house, while Grandmother Cassandra helped Ginger change into her birthing clothes. Grandfather Matthew was instructed to sleep in the twins room to make sure they didn't barge in at the wrong time.

After hours of gritting her teeth and squeezing her bed posts in pain, Ginger, with the help of Julio, delivered a healthy baby boy named Gregory. Grex grinned like an idoit at the sight of his newest son and briefly wondered what life would be like if he had ten children instead of his three. Ginger must have read his thoughts as she shot him a nasty glare, "Only if you plan on adopting."

Grandfather Matthew paid Julio his $1000 fee while Grandmother Cassandra cleaned up tiny Gregory. The twins slept through it all and would have to meet thier new little brother in the morning.

What a morning it was! It was Christmas day! Little Gregory's first Christmas, Ginger mused while feeding him a special formula of barley and milk. The twins loved Grandmother Cassandra's handsewn teddy bears, unlike the itchy pajamas she also gave them.


Grex couldn't help but spoil his oldest son with a baseball bat, ball and catcher's mitt, which Bryant promptly decided to try playing in 12 inches of snow.

Grandmother Cassandra's gift was perhaps the best.

"You two go upstairs. I have the baby and the twins."

Ginger smiled shyly at Grex and he took her hand and led her to the bedroom...where they both fell asleep.

Unfortunately, the family's joy quickly turned to sorrow. Early one morning, Grandmother Cassandra crept into baby Gregory's room. Instead of the cooing infant she had come to expect, she found baby Gregory cold and ashen.

The scream echoed throughout the house. Feet pounded the wooden floors, voices were raised, phones were off the hook dialing for help, breaths were being delivered. One-two-breath...another round of chest compressions. Julio, the resident doctor, came in his PJs and one slipper-the other one buried in the snow from his run. It seemed like hours, but only three minutes had passed. One-two-breath...another round of chest compressions.

It happened so quickly, Gregory's funeral was less than two days later.

"It was SIDS...poor family...SIDS?...so sad." echoed softly around the hood. The church was silent, but the thoughts were loud and clear above the noise of the piano.

"Do you think baby Gregory will get married in heaven?" Annie whispered.

"Babies don't get married."

"When he grows up, he will."

"Babies don't grow up in heaven." Bryant whispered back.

"I never thought I would have to bury another grandchild." Grandmother Cassandra whispered bewteen tears.

She thought about her sons, Clark and Astaire, both of them dead too soon. Astaire's death in a bus accident, Clark and his wife and her three grandchildren...victims of the great disaster. Thier wives and her three grandchildren all dead. Now a fourth grandchild is added to the list in heaven.

"No parent in the world should have to feel this." Grex mumbled to himself.

"I know..." his wife sighed in agreement.

The memorial service was quick at the request of the family. A simple hymn, a short service and a blessing for the tiny life that was.

After the memorial service, the family took the slow hike to the forest. Jorge told Matthew about a clearing that provided a clear view of the sea. They passed the urn around. Each said thier final goodbyes. The ashes were scattered in the wind. Drifting to sea, drifting to the tree tops, drifting to heaven.

Goodbye, baby Gregory.

---

This is another one of those glitchy things that happen to me. I had to use my old backup of the neighborhood after a recent hack and as a result, baby Gregory wasn't anywhere around. I didn't want to risk having another baby and it looking nothing like baby Gregory, or it being a girl. So, since Gregory was an oopsy on Grex and Ginger's part, we just had baby Gregory meet his end. It was actually pretty sad since the family was actually moping around...it was as if they knew a part of the family was missing. What about you? Any glitches cause a drastic reworking of plans in your hood?