@Caterina and
@FrancescaFiori : Thank you ladies for your kind comments. I really wasn't trying to fish for compliments but have really been considering whether or not my compulsive interest in the minutiae of my Sims lives is as interesting to others as it is to me. Sometimes I know it is because once in awhile I get my dh, (dear husband), to see what I'm laughing at and he laughs as well. I think multi-generational games can be deadly dull after awhile. Really, it's all rinse and repeat stuff. It takes finding those few moments to keep my interest in the play or I know I'd wind up just quitting from boredom.
I'm glad everyone is liking how this house is coming along. At first I really disliked it. It felt clunky and uncomfortable and it can be a logistical nightmare at times. I still haven't found the right formula that will make a house both beautiful and efficient but I keep trying. Here is a snap shot of some of the items you found in the house. These are the ones I kept, (and probably recolored like that love seat), during a short transforming episode.
And now, back for a short update.
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Dax sat there, contemplating his life and the day he had just had. Maybe he was slowing down a bit. Sure, he managed one more try for baby in the tent, but it seemed like this time it was so exhausting. Still and all, he was having a really good end of life time. Oh, there were probably many, many days left, but the important thing was he was having the kind of life he had never dreamed of before. Bumming around in the Deep Woods had been fun and adventuresome, but did you really want an adventurous life to include not knowing if you were going to have sufficient food or shelter? He'd managed quite well in the woods, and even had had some fun and a lot of friends. But this? Living as a Watched Sim definitely had it's advantages. Knowing he was going to die one day didn't matter much. After all, most Sims were eventually going to die, weren't they? Look at the long list of passed friends he already had. It would have been pretty lonely, but this wonderful McCloud Clan had taken him in, made him one of their own, and asked very little of him really. Yes, it was a good life and one that would be remembered. At least he wouldn't die alone eaten by some bear.
Dax had not noticed a very determined looking young man approaching him. He had just been sitting there, thinking about his life when the boy appeared, almost by magic. He sat down beside Dax and looking up to him said, "Hi. My name is Braylon. Braylon Dowd and I'm your son." It was a good thing Dax was sitting down because he would have been completely bowled over by these words. Sure, he knew what he had been doing, but up to this point he had never met any of the children he was supporting. He was a handsome young boy, blonde and good looking like his mother. Not sure of what he was supposed to do at this point, Dax said hi back and things like "pleased to meet you". And he was.
"So, you're my son?"
"Yep. Is that ok? I mean, I never met you before but my Mom has talked about you. I just wanted to get to know you and see if you were a good guy or not."
"Well, I don't know if I am for sure. I think I am. What's important is that you are a good guy. You taking care of your Mom?"
"Yeah. Sort of. She has a nice house and there's me and Nikolai, that's your other son, and we're pretty happy I guess."
"You doin' ok in school and all? Got a lot of friends and stuff?"
"Yeah. I do ok. Straight A student. So, tell me about yourself and how come you can't be our live in Dad. Mom says it's a Watcher thing."
"Well, it's kind of a long story, but I'll be glad to tell you about it. Just make sure it's ok with your Mom for you to be here. I want you to know it isn't anything you've done wrong. Ok? "
"Ok.......Dad."
And so, for the next few hours, Dax got a chance to really get to know his son, and Braylon got to find out about his Dad. They talked about all kinds of things. What they both liked and didn't like, people in their lives, and why things were the way they were. It was kind of sad for both of them, that they couldn't always be together that is, but at least they were having this kind of time. Dax just hoped it would be enough in Braylon's young life that he would turn out to be the kind of man folks would look up to and care about. Finally, there time was coming to an end. Braylon already was late for bed and the rest of Dax's family had more plans for the night. It wasn't at all easy to leave, but at least they had gotten to know each other. "I'm sorry son, but it's time to leave. I want you to know I'm very proud of you and even though I don't live in your house, I love you. I hope we get to see each other some more some time. There's a lot we could do together. Hey, I could teach you how to fish!"
"I love you, Dad. I'm glad we got to talk. It's ok. I understand. I don't like not having you around but at least I know we care about each other."
"One more hug?"
"You betcha!"
"Ok, Braylon. Bye for now! I love you."
"Love you too, Dad."
This was meant to be a fun day. A holiday of sorts. A time to celebrate impending births before the Mom's got too big and uncomfortable to go out and have a good time. The family decided a trip to the Bluffs might be in order. Who knows what might be going on there? Actually, as it turned out they were going to have it all to themselves."Whaaaahoooo! Party time for the clan McCloud!! We got this whole beach all to ourselves tonight!"
"I'm ready to boogey down! Got the ol' bonfire goin' and ready to play."
"Waylon, whatever are you doin?"
"Oh. Thought I saw something in the sand. You know folks lose bits and pieces all the time. You never know when you'll find some jewelry or a coin or two."
"Aislyn you ok? This is not too much for you?"
"Are you kidding, Dad? This is fun. I won't be able to dance like this for awhile so might as well enjoy myself."
"Let's see your moves, Kieran. I'll bet you anything you can't do a fire dance!"
"You are on, Waylon! Bring on the batons!"
"This is going to be good. I've never seen your Dad like this Airynn."
"Oh, he can be a wild one for sure Rez. Just don't get too close to him. I don't want you getting burned."
"Woot! Woot! You go Dad!"
"You were right, Airynn. Your Dad is a wild one. Never seen him like this before! What a riot."
"Yeah, once he gets goin' there's not stopping him."
"And now, for my Grand Finale!"
"Let's just hope it doesn't include setting yourself, on fire Dad. Hey, anyone want to go for a swim? My last chance for awhile."
"Aislyn, honey, are you sure it's ok?"
"Sure, Waylon. Last one is a rotten egg."
The old, abandoned pool looked kind of murky to them all. They wondered if those bubbles rising were from some hidden beast, decaying vegetation, or the supposed healthful fume that kept the water at just the right temperature. It was said this was once considered a place of healing. People would come from all over to "take the waters", not only bathing in the pool, but also drinking the rather odoriferous beverages offered. Talk about rotten eggs! Maybe that's why it all became abandoned. Still, it was soothing and very picturesque. Aislyn for one, could feel the aches and pains of late pregnancy and a busy day just easing away."I always forget how good this water always feels. Doesn't matter if it looks creepy. It works."
"Ah honey, it's just that it's taking some of the weight off your back and belly."
"No, Waylon, it's more than that. There really is a lot of healing here. It's from all the minerals."
"Some day we should have the Watcher fix this place up. It would be a great place to have a vacation home or something. It's got it all really, and talk about privacy!"
"I dunno, Dax. It all looks kind of iffy to me. You know, sort of slimey."
"Don't be a wuss, Waylon. I think you just climbed out so you could show off your bod. Compared to mine you are definitely in the shade, Dude. I mean, look at me. Elder or not you can see why the ladies go for me."
"Right. No ego there, old man."
"One more dip?"
"Race you across the pool!"
"GUYS! Guys! I think I see the sea monster! Look, over there!"
"So, you on for that race?"
"What sea monster? You're seein' things all right. Must be the fumes."
"You ok, Aislyn? You're looking a little tired."
"Well, it's been a busy day, Dad. Yeah, I'm ok, but maybe it's time to round up the kiddies and head for home. Time to call it a day."
It had been a long and productive day for our little family. Time to head home and say good night.
