Sunflower - Gen 1 Ch 2

So after the mess with Larry, I was depressed for a long time, and threw myself into my gardening. I also discovered a public easel at the art museum, but I was embarrassed to paint there - my efforts looked like something a 6-year-old would paint. "Sigh." Maybe someday I could sell enough produce to afford my own easel. The grocery store liked my vegatables well enough, but didn't pay me much for them.




Then one day I stopped by the gym to .. err.. I'm embarrassed to say this... take a shower. I usually tried to make my visits at off hours; I didn't want people to know I couldn't even afford a shower. But today, even though it was still early, I heard voices upstairs in the workout room. I went to investigate, but there was only one person there, and he was.. shall I say... hot. "Hello!" I greeted him. I thought I heard talking. Where is everyone?"
He grinned at me mischieviously, "Nope, just me here. He held out his hand. "I'm Max!" I grinned back. "I'm Sunny. You are sure an early bird, you must love to work out." For a second I thought it was odd that he was working out in his swim trunks, but after all, there was a pool downstairs. I secretly admired his physique. He was suddenly shy, looking down at his feet. Well, err, I have to work out when I can, so I can help out on our family farm.
"Oh?" I said excitedly. " I love gardening!" At that, we struck up a long animated conversation, and were fast friends in no time. Then he said he had to go, his dad was expecting him. "Where do you live" I asked. "Could I come visit your farm?"
"Sure!" he anwered with that awesome smile of his. "Its the McDermott Place. Just ask anyone, they can direct you."





Max McDermott?? I was dumbfounded. Why had my best friend Ginny never introduced me to her ... what.. cousin? brother? .. son? I knew I had to talk to her about it, so the next day I headed over to "the McDermott Place" as Max had called it.
Ginny and I sat down over coffee, and she started, " I guess I have some explaining to do. Yes, Max is my son. Oh don't look so surprised, and yes, I am that much older than you! Max is a very sweet and kind boy, as you have discovered." I thought to myself that he wasn't a boy, he was a very handsome man, but I didn't interupt. I guess mothers never stop thinking of their sons as boys.
Ginny continued, " but he has never been quite right. He likes to talk to himself, and he is always coming up with the craziest stories that he insists are real. I don't know if he could make it out there." Ginny waved her hand in the general direction of the town. " So he stays here and helps Luke and me out with the farm. I think that is best for him."
I nodded soberly, and resigned myself to being "just friends" with Max, as Ginny wished. I continued to visit Ginny regularly, and sometimes Max was there too, but usually he was out somewhere fishing. He loved to fish, and was really good at it. He always greeted me with that heartwarming smile of his, and after a while he started to tell me some of his stories. They were kind of crazy, but then what would people say if I told them a pendant had directed me to spend all my money on an overgrown field?



As the weeks passed, I began thinking more and more of Max, and how sweet and kind he was, and how much he would like my garden. One evening I could stand it no longer, and called him to invite him over. He loved my garden! He thought it was a wonderful idea to sleep outside! He wondered why no one else had thought of it. He checked out all my plants and declared them "beautiful". Then he took my hands and whispered shyly, " And you are beautiful. You have such pretty hair." My heart melted at that and I gazed into his eyes. He leaned over and planted a shy kiss on my face. " I like you so much, Sunny. I know I'm sorta crazy, and my mom thinks I can't make it on my own, but she's wrong. I could make it if you were with me. Will you be my girlfriend Sunny?"
I was so overwhelmed I could only nod, then I hugged him tight. " Oh Max, you make me so happy. It's getting so late, please stay with me tonight."



The next morning I made salad for breakfast. I wanted to show off my new fridge and counter. I apologized for not having a chair, but Max just winked at me and said that the toilet worked just fine for sitting. He didn't seem to mind my tiny lean-to bathroom either. He thought it was funny to pee and shower outside.

Max says talking to plants makes them grow faster. I'm not sure about that, but I admit to talking to them too occasionally.
Well, we both went to talk to Ginny, and I was so relieved she was not upset. "I think you may be right my dears," she exclaimed. "If anyone can put up with Max, it's you, sweetheart. Now take good care of him for me, will you? And here is little something for both of you - now at least build yourselves a real bathroom."


We not only built a real bathroom but we bought a stove, a table, 2 chairs, and a boombox! I was so grateful to Ginny. We both worked hard on the garden; the fruits and veggies started selling for a little more. The grocer complimented me on the increasing quality of the produce. I was so proud!
We were never too tired at the end of the day for a little fun. Every night Max asked "Can we make a baby tonight?" and every night I said, "Not yet, we don't have enough money, and I don't want to have a baby unless I'm married. Let's just have fun instead.


One day not too long after Max moved in, he woke up with an excited glint in his eye. "Let's hurry with the garden today, I want to show you something."

He borrowed his dad's pickup, and we drove for hours. "Where are we going?" I asked. "It's a surprise" he grinned. We ended up at an incredibly beautiful park way up near the foot of the mountains. When he got there he kissed me, then whispered, "This is my favorite place, I wanted to show it to you."


We spent a wonderful afternoon there. As the sun went down we grilled veggies for dinner.


We cuddled and made out on the park bench. Max seemed to have something to say but was having trouble getting it out. "Ah... Sunny, you know I love you more than anything. You are the best friend I've ever had. Ah.. you have such pretty hair.." He turned suddenly shy, and just handed me the small box he had dragged out of his pocket.

I was not about to have a silent proposal, so I took the box, opened it carefully, then turned to Max and declared, Max, I love you too, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry me?" He looked so relieved, and nodded vigorously. It was so beautiful even at night in the little park, with fish jumping behind us, and Max and I just so happy.

Max and I set up our garden for the wedding. Heather curled my hair, and we invited Max's parents Ginny and Luke, his brother Travis, plus Odin and Heather. There was a tense moment just before the guests arrived, when Max insisted he wanted to wear his swim trunks to the wedding, but I convinced him that his everyday clothes would be better, he didn't have to wear his formal suit. He was relieved, he said it itched something awful. I just smiled.

Heather is so happy for me. I don't know who that guy behind her is, he showed up uninvited. I think he said his name was Don.

Luke and Odin look like they are about to cry from happiness. Poor Ginny couldn't make it. Luke said she was awfully sick and couldn't get out of bed. That was the only sad part of the day. I hope she's going to be alright.

After the vows, the guys threw rice, and Max and I had a very long kiss.

Max kept his promise to wear his everyday clothes for the ceremony, but as soon the vows were said and the rice was thrown, he was back in his swim trunks. We danced by the fire 'til all the guests had gone.

Max smiled happily and stroked my cheek. "Tonight we are going to make a baby," he insisted. I smiled in return and agreed. Later that night as I cuddled close to him I felt my pendant warm on my chest. Sleepily I held it in my hand. It seemed to be glowing faintly, the same way it had done right after I bought my field. Could it really be true what my mother had told me, that it might lead me to what I was seeking? I dozed off, wondering if the glow was real or if I was dreaming.

Sunflower - Gen 1 Ch 1

Hi! My name is Sunflower, but my friends call me Sunny. This is my new home... err, field. Hmm, let me back up a bit.
I was born in Sim City, and grew up in a tiny apartment at the top of a highrise. I was always facinated with plants and growing things, but there was no place for that kind of thing in a highrise; and ever since I can remember, I have been teased unmercifully because of my unusual hair. As soon as I turned 18, I was determined to leave. Surely there had to be people like me somewhere out there! And I was going to find them.
So the day after my birthday, I packed my things, and said goodbye to my mom. As I was about to leave, she handed me a small box/
"Open it!" she exclaimed. Inside was an exquisite pendant - translucent amber, with a tiny flower embedded inside. It looked very old. I looked quizzically at my mom. "It belonged to your great-grandmother. You were named after her, you know. It has been passed down for generations in our family, and now it is yours. Maybe it will lead you to what you seek. And here is a little birthday gift to help you on your way. She pressed a wad of simoleons into my hand, and then I was off.

And so I ended up here is Riverview. This place is so beautiful, and when I close my eyes, I can just imagine the forest that grew here hundreds of years ago. This spot feels old... like my pendant...

First things first - I needed a place to sleep, so I bought a bed with the few simoleons left from my real estate purchase. The delivery man looked at me strangely when he asked me where I wanted it set up, and I pointed to a flowery spot on the grass. How do you like the ivy? I did that part myself! Mmmm... so nice to wake up in the morning surrounded by nature.

I found a public garden! I could hardly believe my luck, but there it was. At first I wasn't sure it was okay to pick the apples, but the caretaker assured me it was fine - the garden belonged to the whole town. I quickly filled my pockets with apples, and decided to return later - with a basket.

Later that evening, after a meal of apples and tomatoes from the public garen, I stopped by the art museum to check it out. "Oops, excuse me!" I murmured as I accidentally bumped into someone.

"Hey there, my name's Larry." Larry was charming, and we talked for a long time. He winked at me, and being the hopeless romantic that I was, I flirted right back. He seemed nice so I gave him my cell number, and he promised to call me.

The days flew by, my garden was growing nicely, but no call from Larry. I kept busy though, and I'm sure the librarian at the public library cringed every time she say me coming, as I pestered her for more books on gardening techniques. Someday I hope to grow a perfect garden.

This is Odin Crosby. I met him at the library while I was researching gardening techniques. We got along famously. He said I should come over and meet his wife Heather, he was sure we would end up being best friends. And he was right! Heather likes the outdoors and gardening as much as I do.

And this is my friend Ginny. The librarian sent me out here to the Mc DerMott farm after I pestered her one to many times. Ginny is a veritable encyclopedia of gardening knowledge, and we hit it off immediately.

Oh my! Look who I ran into today at the public garden. "Larry! I didn't know you liked gardens." He just smiled and winked, and one thing led to another...

I invited him back to my .. um.. field, and we took up where we had left off earlier.

"Come here, Sugar," he whispered in my ear.

I couldn't resist his seductive ways. I was in love, and the hopeless romantic in me hoped this was the real thing.

The next morning I woke up late, only to see Larry was already awake. He was standing out by the street with the most evil look on his face.

Then he delibrately kicked over my trash can! "Larry?" I called out. "What's wrong?" He turned quickly when he heard me, his face smoothing out immediately into a smile.
"Nothing, Sunny, just a little headache. I think I better be going." He rubbed his forehead dramaticly, then hopped in a cab and was gone. I bit my lip, worried that I had made a mistake.. But later that day I got a call from Larry apologizing for his bad behavior. He could be so charming. I forgave him and he said he'd call again soon so we could hang out.

The days passed, and I fell into a routine. I spent a lot of time with my friend Ginny at her farm. I told her about Larry, but she would only say he was a sleazy politician, and she didn't like politicians. I talk to Larry alot on the phone, but he is always busy down at City Hall, and I haven't seen him for weeks.

My friend Heather is pregnant! I am so jealous. I am thinking maybe me and Larry... But he has never said anything about wanting children. Sigh....I would love to have a wonderful husband like Heather's Odin, and a little one, but will I ever find someone to settle down with? Just then my phone rang. It was Larry!

"Hey doll, you wanna hang out?" I said I'd be over at his place in a few minutes. But when I got there his roommate answered the door. "Nope, He left a few minutes ago, headed to the art museum I think."

That was odd, I'm sure he said to meet him at his place. At any rate, I headed over to the museum.

I was so happy to see him. I tried to give him a hug, but he pushed me away. "Something came up, I'm busy, go on home."

"But, Larry.."

"I said, go home!" His face transformed into a scowl. "Can't you see I'm busy, you green-haired freak?"

I was devestated! Crushing memories of my childhood came flooding back. I burst into tears and cried, "You can't talk to me like that, we are through!"

I rushed straight over to Ginny's and poured out my disappointed and humiliation. She patted my shoulder, and consoled me.

"He's no good, Sunny. You can do better than that. When you told him your address he most likely thought you were rich - your garden is in the wealthy part of town. I think he was only after the money he thought you had."

I had to admit she was probably right. "I'm destined to be alone forever," I mourned.

"Now now, Sunny," Ginny comforted, "the right guy is out there somewhere, you'll find him."