Rose - Gen 2 Ch 10

Mason lost no time in asking Alyse to marry him. She agreed immediately. things have settled down since she arrived; Mason hasn't gotten in any  more trouble in town.

He even got a job.

"Mom, good news! My friend Daniella - you remember, the tattoo artist - got me a job working with her brother at the warehouse. I'll be... ah... loading trucks."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, " I worried. "I've heard rumors of shady dealings going on at that place."

"Oh, stop worrying, those are just rumors. I swear this is legit."

The day of the wedding, and I was in the bathroom getting ready. As usual, I took off my pendant and laid it on the edge of the sink before I stepped into the shower. Suddenly Gustave called me from the bedroom.

"What do you think I should wear, Rosie?"

When I returned to get my pendant, it was gone! I searched everywhere, but it was nowhere to be found. I was devastated. I asked everyone to keep their eyes peeled for it, but no one had seen it.

I was so distracted, I could hardly concentrate on the ceremony. Everyone said it was beautiful, though.

Margi refused to wear a dress, as usual. She insisted on wearing that awful burger shirt instead.

"I really don't like parties, Mama. It always feels like people are whispering about me behind my back."

"Well, it's your brother's wedding, you have to come."

"Okay, can James come then? Maybe it will be bearable if he is there."

Poor James looks as uncomfortable as Margi does. I think he only showed up because she asked him.

Still thinking about the missing pendant, I totally forgot to keep an eye on Margi and James.

 I shot them a dirty look. I've lectured them plenty of times on appropriate hugging between cousins. Gustave thinks it's harmless, that no one in his home village would think twice about it, but I don't like it. 

In the weeks following the wedding, Alyse proved herself to be a welcome addition to our family. She loves to help out around the house. In fact, her standard of cleanliness is way above mine, and she has taken it upon herself to keep the house spotless. But even a total spring cleaning didn't turn up the missing pendant.

One day, after she had gone into Margi's room to make her bed, I discovered Alyse on the floor, playing with Margi's old doll house.

"Oh, Mama Rose, you startled me! I didn't see you there."

She went on the explain how much she loved children, and how she just couldn't resist playing with the dollhouse. "I can hardly wait to have a baby of my own," she admitted to me.

So none of us were surprised when Mason and Alyse announced they were expecting.

"Oh, and Mama Rose, I have wonderful news! Look what I found!"

She held out her hand, and there was my missing pendant! I looked at her is surprise.

"Where... how.. oh my... where did you find it?"

"Oh, Mama Rose, I don't know what to think. I found it in the pocket of Mason's pants when I was doing the wash. I... I've been finding other things in our room, too. Odd things, like a flowerpot that looks like the one that used to be on the neighbor's porch. And a garden light just like the ones across the street. He swears he doesn't know how your pendant got in his pocket, and as for the rest... all he'll say is 'Don't worry, everything's fine'."

I was so grateful to have my pendant back, all I could say was "Thank you", over and over. The rest didn't even register until much later.

It's not long until Margi's graduation, and today I was in my study, checking out baby items online, when I heard animated whispers coming from the hallway.

"Everything's gonna be fine, Margi, you'll see. It's only a few more weeks until we graduate."

"How can you be so sure, James? I don't think I can take it any more."

"Shh, I promise, you just have to trust me, okay?"

I decided it was time to make my presence known.

"Hey you two, what's wrong?" I called.

"Oh, uh... Margi's just worried about exams, right Margi?" James called back.

"I'll see you tomorrow in art class, okay Margi? Why don't you work on your sculpture for a while, you know that always makes you feel better."

I think James knows I don't approve of how close he and Margi have gotten, since he's made himself scarce. And Margi's been spending all her time working on her sculpture. It's her final art class project, so she needs to get it done before she graduates.

I asked Margi about a party for her graduation, but she said the only person she wants to come is James. So James it is.

"Just no hugging!" I warned.

 Her sculpture turned out beautifully, and earned her an A+. We are all so proud of her.

She and James are both so excited. James announced that he has gotten a job offer from  Riverview Builders, the local architect firm, and will start on Monday.

I pulled my grown-up baby into a hug, then pulled out the pendant.

"Happy Birthday, sweetie. This is for you. It's been in our family for generations. It is supposed to lead you to what you desire."

I still am not sure about the whole magical thing with this pendant, but maybe Margi can figure it out. Although it did seem to glow as a placed it in her hand. Probably my imagination, though.

Rose - Gen 2 Ch 9

We arrived home from France ready to launch our Nectary. Gustave and I headed to Town Hall to register our business. It was so exciting to finally get our operating license!

Next Gustave headed to the new consignment shop that had recently opened.

"I have some sample bottles of fine nectar here. I think they would  make a fine addition to your inventory."

The merchant agreed, and now we have our own display at the shop!

Our White Rose Nectar is practically flying off the shelf, and Gustave is making quite a name for himself in Riverview!

One final detail - Gustave surprised me with a beautiful sign reading "The White Rose Nectary".

Life just couldn't get much better!

Mari's birthday arrived all too soon. She is so excited, she has a job lined up at the newspaper for as soon as she graduates.

And of course, there is Shayne. He is already working at the paper, and they both are eager to start their life together.

"I, Shayne Shallow, take you, Marigold, to be my wife, to love and to cherish..."

I couldn't help but shed a happy tear. My baby is getting married!

Since it was Margi's birthday, Mari insisted we celebrate at the wedding.

Our sweet Margi, so good to everyone, but always with such a faraway look in her eyes, so much like Daddy.

Marigold and Shayne settled into their own place, and Margi settled into high school. She came home all excited her first day. My Aunt Doreen's grandson James is in her art class. I guess that makes him Margi's second cousin. I'm so glad she has found a friend. Even with her good nature, she's always had a hard time making friends.

James had become a fixture at our house. When he and Margi aren't hanging out here, they can always be found at the art museum.

Mason, on the other hand, is constantly on the phone. He is still enamored with that girl from France, and talks long distance almost every day.

It's time for Mason's birthday! Of course James is here, along with my Aunt Doreen. I haven't seen her in years, but she doesn't look like she's aged a day.

Heath broke out his guitar - his music has improved immensely. I thought the guitar looked familiar. 

"You probably saw it in a magazine article about my dad - it was one of his concert guitars." 

We were all duly impressed.

"Happy Birthday, Mason! Why the long look?" I teased him.

"I miss Alyse. I wish she could have been here."

"Why don't you invite her to visit, now that you are graduated?"

That finally brought a smile to his face.

Shortly after Mason's birthday, I received a call from my Aunt Doreen.

"You should know what your son has been up to."

I guess it all started when Mason went to get a tattoo.

James was there, and saw the whole thing.

Mason accused the stylist of 'looking at him the wrong way.'

They got into a huge argument....or at least Mason did a lot of yelling.

Then Mason shoved the stylist and knocked him down. He was lucky the police weren't called. From what James said, they agreed to forget about it if Mason would just pay for his tattoo and leave.

And now there is this motorcycle.

"Where did you get the money for this? You don't have a job."

"Don't worry about it, Mom."

"I do worry about it! And I worry about you. Aunt Doreen told me about what happened at the Tattoo Parlor. What has gotten into you? "

"Now tell me where you got this bike, or I swear I will get rid of it."

"Okay, just calm down, will you Mom? I've been doing some... odd jobs for Daniella, the tattoo artist, and she gave it to me in payment. Go ahead and call her if you want."

I sighed. I knew he was hiding something, but he is an adult now. Maybe Alyse will be able to talk some sense into him.

Alyse arrived today, and I haven't seen Mason so happy since we left France. He does seem like a changed man when she is around. I hope it continues.

Hiatus

I have been hoping my story progression mod would be updated for Ambitions sooner rather than later, but right now it looks as though it will be awhile. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'll mess up my saved game by playing without it. I have every intention of coming back to the Greenbow's as soon as possible, but for now, I'm playing around with Ambitions and trying out a Rainbowcy. Just follow the link on the top right for the Prologue.

Rose - Gen 2 Ch 8

New cookbooks are in at the library! I decided to take a break from our hectic daily activities and check them out. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain. The baby was coming early!

No one there was any help, they just all freaked out. What a bunch of sissies. I had to drive myself to the hospital.  Fortunately our new little girl was fine, just a little small.

Gustave wanted to name her Marguerite - he says it comes from "daisy", in French. I think it's a beautiful name. Little Margi is wearing me out, though. She wants to be held all the time. I've never spent so much time watching TV in my life, but Margi seems soothed by the sound.

I was so glad when she grew into a toddler and started sleeping through the night. She has Gustave's hair and my eyes.

Time for another birthday! this time Mason is growing up.

Mason is an enigma to me. He is helpful enough around the house, and seems happy, but I can't shake the feeling he is hiding something, and that things are not quite like they seem with him.

Occasionally I'll hear Margi start to cry, and when I go to investigate, Mason is usually there.

"Oh, poor Margi just fell again and bumped her knee," Mason would say. I wondered, since Margi is not a clumsy child. Something else is going on, I'm sure. I wish Margi could tell me.

Yet another birthday. Both of us are excited! No more diapers!

We bought Margi her very own easel for her birthday. She wants to learn to paint, "just like Grandma", and she does seem to have a talent for it. She also seem to have inherited her Grandpa's eccentric streak - no matter how much I nag, she refuses to wear proper clothes!

Speaking of Daddy, he has been spending more and more time out at the pond, sometimes fishing,but mostly smashing rocks.

"Daddy, its getting late, you should come in!"

"No, Rosie, I'm waiting for Sunny. She promised to meet me at the pond."

I sighed. There is never any use trying to reason with Daddy.

Then one night, he was gone. Just like that. We all went to sleep with Daddy out smashing rocks, and the next morning he just wasn't there.

"Grandma called him and he went with her. Grandpa is so happy." Margi insisted she had heard her grandma in the middle of the night. She is so much like Daddy, I didn't argue with her.

The next morning there was a huge write-up on Daddy in the paper.

"The truth can finally be told. Max Greenbow is honored for his many contributions to sim security. His research into alien invasions has added invaluable information to the military database. And his development of SEA has put Riverview on the map. SEA, or Sim Earth Army, has been working for years to develop non-violent means of combat. Affectionately known by his comrades as "the sim who stares at llamas", Max Greenbow was instrumental in launching this new branch of the military."

Wow! So that was what Daddy's sea research was. I had no idea he was so famous. I guess he really meant it when he said he was doing "top secret" work.

We were all so sad at losing Daddy, Gustave and I decided a change in scenery was in order. We hadn't been to Champs les Sims since Mari was a baby, so we packed up, and off we went.

"Look, there's our house!" Gustave pointed out our cottage on the hill as we flew in.

As soon as we arrived, true to form, Mari fired up the video games, and Margi pulled out a book.

"We did not travel all the way here so you could spend your time playing video games!" I scolded. "This is a family vacation, and we are going to spend time as a family. Come on, I have scheduled a tour of the Nectary."

"Awww, Mom," Mari groaned, but I insisted.

After the tour, there was a nectar tasting. Mari was fascinated, but Mason seemed to be interested in other things.

Although later, he agreed that nectar tasting was quite enjoyable in the right company.

"First, you must let it breathe, then slowly swirl your glass, and notice the "legs". It seems Mason's new friend Alyse is quite the nectar connoisseur.

The next day we spent at the art museum.

 "This is a world famous museum, isn't that Chinese statue fascinating?" I enthused.

"I guess. I miss Shayne. When can we go home?" Mari is not as thrilled as I am to be here. All she talks about is her new boyfriend.

Mason, on the other hand, is thrilled to be here, but not because of the ancient artwork, I'm guessing. He asked to bring Alyse along the museum, but they keep lagging behind.

 

All of a sudden we realized that Margi wasn't with us anymore.

"Margi! Where are you?" Mari waited where we had last seen her, at the Chinese exhibit.

I rushed off frantically  back to the entrance, my heart pounding, but couldn't find her.

Gustave finally found her upstairs. she had slipped under the ropes at one of the exhibits.

"Margi! get back out here this instant, you're not supposed to be in there! We were all so worried!"

 

"I'm sorry papa, I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to talk to the horses."

"It's okay sweetie, I'm just glad you're safe. Promise you won't run off like that again."

The whole time we have been here, all three kids had been clamoring to visit the old nectary. Gustave kept putting it off until the last day.

"You have to come to terms with it sooner or later, why not now?" I finally convinced him.

We had a wonderful afternoon. I taught the kids how to fish, while Gustave sat on the bank and watched.

Mason and his dad played a little catch.

And we finished our last evening with a picnic on the hill overlooking the old castle. Gustave finally told the story of the abandoned nectary, at least what little he knew.

"All I know is that the Landgrabbs somehow convinced my great grandfather to sign over the deed to them, with a promise he could continue to live there. Of course the promise was never put into writing, and the Landgrabbs had him evicted. Shortly after that, all the Landgrabbs packed up and left, and the nectary and the Landgrabb mansion have been empty ever since."

Just as we were finishing up, who should show up but Alyse.

"I'm so glad you made it. I wanted to see you one last time before we left." Mason is obviously quite smitten with this girl.

I motioned quietly to Gustave and Margi, that is was time to leave.

"Don't forget the picnic basket," I called as we left.

"Yah, Yah," Mason answered distractedly.

He forgot the picnic basket....