@BallerinaHippo Yes, Jersey, Indi, and Georgie are the heir candidates for this generation. You'll get to see a little more of them today. Thanks for reading!
@oshizu Lol, yes, the computer has been corralled for now. I'm trying to get this caught up with my playing this weekend so that I can get going with the next generation while the getting is good. I added Elektra and Jax to the world as toddlers, about the time Georgie was born. Short Lifespan is great as far I'm concerned. I really dislike the toddler stage, especially when it comes to skilling, so being able to get through it in one sitting is wonderful.
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"Got any twos?" Bodhi asked.
"Nope, just an existential crisis," Jarrett returned before eyeing his brother in law. "She tell you?"
"Yeah," Bodhi sighed. "I'm trying real hard not to think about it right now. And it's not like she'll be gone forever, Papa and Grandma still visit."
"Doesn't make this sort of thing easier," Jarrett said. "I mean, it's our own mortality staring down at us too. Pretty soon we're going to be old men and gone."
"Wow, you're maudlin today."
"Eh, the nature of holidays. We're lucky if we get two of each to celebrate with everyone."
"So make it count, jeez. Can we please get back to the game?"
"Will do. Also, I'll need your king, ten, and five."
"Do you have to count cards?" Bodhi grumbled as he handed over the requested cards.
"Attention to detail is the only reason you lot didn't kill me when Sophie and I got together."
"Now be reasonable, Ginny was the only one really trying to kill you."
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"Outside, Nonna! Outside!" Indi shrieked.
Ellie laughed. "Oh, no sweetheart, there's a blizzard rolling in. We are staying here where it's warm and toasty."
"No," Indi whined.
"Come on, now, let's go read the Treehouse book instead."
"Treehouse! Yay please, thankie."
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"And the treehouse flew into space. They brought their treasure back home."
"Good story, Nonna," Indi giggled then curled around Ellie.
"Yes it certainly is." She wasn't talking about the story.
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"Pew, pew, pew, take that, you pirates, you'll never get me! Pew, pew, pew!"
You're out awfully late."Ah, it's the Admiral of the SLS Bossy! Your ship is no match for mine! You can take my life but you can't take my freedom!"
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"It's not the Bossy you should worry about, it's the GIANT SQUID ATTACK!"
Jersey shrieked. "You'll never take me alive! Pew, pew, my cannon shoots lasers!"
"Oh, no, lasers! My one weakness, curse you pirate captain Jersey!"
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"You excited for tomorrow?"
"Duh, presents and friends to play with, Mom, why wouldn't I be?"
"You could play with your sisters."
"They're babies, Mom, and Indi's always breaking my stuff."
"I know she's a little wild but give her a chance, she'll grow out of it. One day, you three will be all any of you has and I want you to be friends."
"Not promising anything."
"Just try."
"Fine."
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"Whee!"
"Hey, there, baby girl, welcome to the world of walking."
"Pfbt!"
"Yeah, I get, this look is nasty. Let's get you into something better."
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"Hey, cuz, Merry Simsmas!" Jax yelled as he pelted Jersey.
"Hey!!" she shrieked, sopping wet. "You'll pay for that!"
"Yeah, right, you throw worse than Georgie!"
"Grr!"
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"What? No fair, you cheated!"
"Did not! Read it and weep, boy. I beat you in three moves, whoo."
"I just- I- uh, okay, you win. Sorry about earlier, Jers."
"Apology accepted."
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"Happy Birthday, Indi!"
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Congratulations on aging up. Wild to Lazy is quite a turnaround."Haha, come on, Wizard, it's still me."
"Everyone, Feast time then presents," Sophie called.
"Gotta go, Wiz, they are speaking my language."
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That smells quite lovely, Ginny."Thank you, Wizard, it's one of Dad's old recipes. Think there's enough to save to send to Evie and the kids?"
I would say so. Perhaps you should invite them over to the next gathering. I don't believe anyone will desperately need the Sharebear Club perks at that time. "Thanks but where would we put them all? Between Bodhi's family and Geordi's family and this family and mine, that's way too many people on the lot at once, don't you think?"
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"I'm going to play chess," Jersey called.
"Can I play too?" Indi asked.
"Not with me, you can't."
"Oh."
"Should we be worried about Indi and Jersey not getting along? Or should I say Jersey not getting along with Indi?" Sophie asked, slightly worried.
"Really? You two couldn't be bothered to dress up for the Simsas dinner?" Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Ginny, I'm serious, I'm worried."
"Kids fight and don't always get along, Soph," Jarrett replied soothingly. "We can't make them get along. They'll figure something out."
"Look, the four of us had abnormally strong bonds as kids. Part of it was just those attacks on Geordi, remember? Who knows how things might have turned out if things had gone differently. I mean, he's your twin so you two might've always been close but with Bodhi? With me? I doubt it would've been smooth sailing."
"Still I want my girls to be close," Sophie insisted.
"They will figure it out, Sophie," Jarrett repeated. " If not now, then maybe when Georgie ages up. If not then, then maybe when they're all grown up. If not then, then maybe when they're all old and we're cold in the ground. Have a little faith in them, they're our kids."
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"That was kinda mean, what you said to Indi in the kitchen."
"So? She's still a big whiny baby who ruins my stuff. You're so lucky you only have brothers."
"And you're lucky to grow up in this house with both of your parents," Nicole replied with no recriminations. Jersey winced none the less.
"Look, I mean.."
"As one big sister to another," Nicole said as she moved her pawn, "Your sister is now old enough to do the things you're interested in, to get into the same kind of trouble you have, and to have the same problems you do. You can ignore her, help her do better, or handle things together. Whatever you choose, even if it's to keep doing what you're doing now, it will be your choice, all of it, and you'll have to own what kind of sisters you'll be."
"She's not my responsibility, she's just my little sister," Jersey grumbled.
Nicole laughed. "Did you miss the 'do it together' part? Trust me, it's way better getting into scrapes together than separately."
"If you say so."
"Also, checkmate."
"What?!? How?"
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"Your sister is so cool," Jersey said.
"No duh," Jax said with a grin. "I'm her brother, aren't I?'
"Shut up."
"Language, children."
"Sorry, Nonna."
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What are you four scheming?"Nothing important, Wizard," Penny dismissed.
"Yeah, nothing because it's not. happening. Got it?" Nicole said through gritted teeth. "Why are you even asking me??"
"It's just a thought, Nicole," Salim replied calmly.
"Not a very good one, Granddad. Are you kidding me?"
"Nicole, I'm sorry we brought it up now," Geordi said, placating the girl. "We just wanted to let you know the option is available if you want it. It's never too early to start planning for the future."
"Exactly," Penny said. "For now, just relax and have fun, dear. Just bear in mind what we said."
"You guys are so lucky I don't want Dad to murder you," Nicole growled.
Seriously, what is happening?"Later, Wizard. It's nothing we haven't discussed with you or Ellie."
Now was not the time to bring THAT up, of all times."I may not have another time," Salim said firmly. "And I'd rather we not spring this on her later after everything has happened."
"You really know how to drag a party down, don't you, Granddad?"
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"Momma, presents please!" Georgie squealed.
"Georgie, what are you doing eating down there? How did you get out of your high chair?"
"I poof. Presents?" she giggled.
"All right, let's get you your present."
"Thankie!"
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And so, gifts were opened. Georgie received a rubber duck, Indi a brand new fossil, Jersey a diary. The adults got Nicole a new study planner while Jax got a chess set of his own. "So that you at least put up a fight next time," Jersey sniggered.
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What are you doing out here so late, young lady?"Waiting for Uncle Bodhi," she replied as she started on her snowman.
And where is your uncle?She shrugged. "I dunno, there was a light and he vanished into the sky."
He what??? Oh, no."What, Wizard?"
It's nothing you need to worry about, young lady. I'm sure your Uncle will be fine. But you need to run inside now, understand?"Sure, okay."
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"Um, can I sit here?" Jersey asked hesitantly.
Indi looked at her pointedly then shrugged. "It's a free house."
"Thanks," Jersey said. The girls sat in silence for a moment.
"I think something's spooked the Wizard," Indi said haltingly. "Um, do you want to find out what it is with me?"
"Sure," Jersey said in a rush. "I'd love to."
"Thanks." There was a pause. "Sorry about breaking your stuff."
"It's just stuff."
