There's actually a professional ballerina custom career that I just downloaded... Excited to put it to use... though it won't be as visual as being Acrobat, of course. 
Loved the screenshot of Leighton falling on his butt... hihihi
I'm seriously going to have to find that! I've read about custom career mods but haven't looked into them much.
Aw! I love Pose Player, even though I could never understand how to do all of that stuff. My favorite picture is Simon bending backwards. He looks like he's trying to break his back or something! As I said, can't wait for the next chapter!
Yeah, I kind of like that pic too.
Simon has grown on me. At first he wasn't my favorite as far as a possible spouse for Lexie, but story-wise it made perfect sense and I love how he turned out as a character. Thanks!
I stumbled upon this story about a week ago, and let's just say I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many times I've read it. It's that good. And now, to go and read your other stories (and maybe even finish the Dreamweavers)...
Glad you have enjoyed! And the Dreamweavers is most definitely worth the read.
---
Chapter 21 – Love is Patient, Part 2Later that afternoon...
“It's just not
fair,” Abby ranted. “I hate being younger than everyone else. I miss out on everything!”
Winter waited patiently on the other end of the line while her younger sister released her pent-up frustrations. She knew from vast experience that stopping Abby before she had spoken her peace would wind up with a lot of tears and even more frustration, and that was the very last thing that she wanted. Unrequited love was torturous enough without someone inadvertently rubbing salt into the wound.
That, Winter knew from experience.
“Abs...this wouldn't have anything to do with Brent, would it?” She finally spoke once Winter had finished. Her words were met with silence from the other end. “You always have liked him...and I don't blame you. He's a really nice guy. I...imagine hearing that he was about to marry someone else must hurt like crazy.”
More silence. For a short time Winter feared that her little sister had hung up on her, until she heard Abby sighing heavily on the other end of the line.
“I guess I should've expected that he'd pick someone else,” the teenager replied. “It's not like I'm anything particularly special.”
Nope, Winter was
not about to let her go there.
“Abby, you know for a
fact that isn't true,” she quickly countered. “Brent is ten years older than you. I highly doubt that he has any clue about your feelings for him. I mean, the last time you saw him you were eleven years old.”
At Jeremy's wedding, as a matter of fact...though Winter was going to refrain from using the word “wedding” at all costs.
“I...suppose it
was sort of silly to think that he'd wait that long. I guess...maybe.” Abby let out a forlorn grunt. “It still sucks though.”
“It does. I won't deny that.”
Winter's own failures in the romance department were a testament to that fact. Being stood up at prom by her crush still stung, even after more than two years...and what made it even
worse was that they hadn't spoken since. “It's a pretty rare thing for your first crush to be The One,” she mused, “so take come comfort from that at least.”
“Hannah was Jeremy's first crush, and it seemed to work for him.”
“Yeah, but Jeremy and Hannah were
friends long before they ever started dating. Try again.”
“Okay, it worked for
Simon then.”
“And it took four years and a car accident for Lexie to even agree to go out with him.”
“But it
still worked.”
“True, but that is an
exception, not the rule.” Winter rubbed her temples, trying to fend off the beginnings of a headache. Stubborn though Abby was, Winter was more determined...and fortunately she had one last card up her sleeve. “All right, do you know Bella Goth?”
“The reporter on channel six? Yeah...what about her?”
“Sam had the biggest crush on her back when he was in middle school. Obviously you can tell how that one worked out.”
“Yeah, but
Sandi's awesome. She and Sam are perfect together, and...” Abby's voice trailed off.
Bingo.
“
Now do you get my point?”
“Maybe...”
“It's not like Brent is the only guy in Sunset Valley,” Winter continued. “What about some of the boys in your class, like Blaine?”
“You mean Blaine
Langerak? Ew!” Abby stuck out her tongue in protest. “He's too weird, and besides, I'm not dating the principal's son. That would just be...awkward.”
“...but you were all right with the idea of dating your Simlish teacher's little brother?”
“That's different. By the time I would have been able to date Brent I would've been out of high school.”
“All right.” Winter stifled a giggle. “What about Darin?”
“Dad is his dad's coach! That wouldn't work either, and besides—he's my friend. I don't wanna mess that up.”
“...one of the Alvi twins?”
Abby made a gagging noise. “That's just ew on multiple levels.”
“All right, all right...” Winter chuckled. “How about this: Enjoy being single and just let the chips fall where they may. You're
thirteen, Abs. You've got plenty of time for all that romantic nonsense. If love happens, it happens...and chances are it will blindside you when you least expect it.”
“Oh all right...
geez...” Abby huffed. “Is that the whole reason why you called, just to try and yank me out of feeling sorry for myself?”
“Did it work?”
“Maybe.” Abby paused. “Do you think that Mom and Dad will make me go to the wedding?”
“Possibly. On one hand it's only courteous, given that we've known the Ramseys for just about forever...but if Mom and Dad know how you feel they might not push the issue. I can talk to Mom about it, if you'd like.”
“I'll think about it. I dunno yet. Maybe I'll go...but only if you go too.” Her voice trailed off. “You are going, aren't you?”
“Of
course! Brent is still my friend, after all...and Jeremy and Hannah will be there probably with A.J. in tow, and you know I can't resist my little nephew.”
“But you know who
else will probably be there though...right?”
Winter froze. She hadn't even
thought about the possibility of seeing him again, but as close as he and Brent were it was almost a given that he'd be there. Heck, there was probably a good chance that he would be the best man. Uncomfortable though the thought was, Winter wasn’t about to let it stop her from going. If anything she knew she had to set a good example for Abby, not to let personal feelings get in the way of family.
And who knows...maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if she
did run into Oliver Frio again. Perhaps she could finally get an explanation as to why he suddenly fell off the face of the planet.
“You know what? I’m okay with that,” she finally answered.
She could almost hear Abby smile over the phone. “Then so am I.”
---
Meanwhile, upstairs...
“So how did it all go this afternoon?”
“All right, I guess. The doctor said that his numbers were holding steady, which is as positive as it can be at this point.” Lesley shrugged her shoulders. “What it all boils down to is that he's not getting any better...but at least for right now he's not getting any worse. I guess that's a good thing, right?”
The forlorn expression on her face spoke volumes more than her words alone could convey. These last few months had been a struggle in almost every possible way, with her father's failing health riding on the coattails of her mother's untimely passing. It wasn't fair. Lesley didn't deserve this sort of pain.
No one did.
What made it worse was the fact that she was so far removed from her family thanks to the troupe's performance schedule. They were on the road for months at a time, and getting any sort of time off during a tour was next to impossible. But that was the life they had chosen as masters of their art—prestige, fame, wealth, cramped feet, swollen ankles, and no family life. The glamour of the stage had its price.
A price that both Justin and Lesley were beginning to question.
“I've been doing a lot of soul-searching, what with Dad being the way he is.” Lesley continued, somewhat hesitantly. “He's
dying, Justin. He manages okay now, but as this progresses he's only going to get worse...and...”
Justin knew what she was going to say before she could even say it.
“You don't want to go back to Starlight.”
Lesley sat down on the edge of the bed. “All I know is that I can't leave Dad. Not like this.”
Justin took his girlfriend into his arms, cradling her close as the tears began to fall from her eyes. Months of pent-up emotions had finally surfaced, and what began as gentle weeping soon became a torrent of racking sobs. Lesley clung to Justin for dear life as a flood of anguish washed over her. There was nothing that Justin could do but hold her. No words were needed. No words were desired. She just needed
him.
It was in that moment that his question found its answer. He needed her just as much as she needed him, and if Lesley wasn't going back...
“Then I'm not going back either.”
A sudden gasp escaped his girlfriend’s throat.“
What?”
“If you're not going back, then neither will I,” he repeated. “You're not the only one who has been doing some soul-searching. Being back at home has made me realize just how much I've missed over these last few years. I mean...I wasn't here when either of my nephews or niece were born, I missed Jeremy's
wedding of all things, and while Winter was getting her high school diploma we were on a train heading for St. Simsberg.”
“We were in Japan when my oldest nephews graduated,” Lesley mused as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. “And I think we were still touring Australia when I got the call that Lisa was arrested. Kind of glad I missed that part, actually. But when Mom passed away I only barely got home in time for her funeral, and even then I was only home for three days. You should have seen the look in Dad's eyes when I left.” She shook her head sullenly. “I almost quit then and there.”
Justin kissed her softly on the forehead. “To be honest, I was surprised that you didn't.” He heaved a sigh. “It's been a lot of fun traveling around the world...but I'm really starting to miss being home.”
“But what will you do?”
“
Heal, for starters. After that...I don't know, really.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe I'll teach dance at the school or something along those lines. Heck, that's how we got our start.”
Lesley nuzzled against his shoulder and let out a contented sigh. “That sounds like fun, actually. I might just join you.”
“Maybe
then we could...” Justin's voice trailed off. A light blush began to flower on his cheeks as he glanced down at his girlfriend. “Remember Love Day?”
“In Champs les Sims...how could I forget?” Lesley answered, a wistful grin on her face. “I'm glad we had the day off.”
Justin prodded her further. “Yes, but...do you remember what we talked about? While we were at the Nectary, I mean?”
“You were telling me about how your parents visited France before you were born, and to be wary of any nectar that contained plasma fruit.” Lesley pursed her lips, deep in thought. “We started talking about family, and we discussed the idea of marriage...” Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. “Are you thinking--”
“--that maybe we don't need to wait after all?” He finished her sentence. “I mean...we were thinking of giving it a few years so we'd have a chance to settle down somewhere, but if we're both of the idea to stay in Sunset Valley is there really any reason why we can't just...you know...get married sooner?”
“I guess there isn't, really.” Lesley looked up at her boyfriend with wide eyes. “Justin, does that mean you're proposing to me?”
Justin nodded. “Yeah, I am. I hope you don't mind me not getting down on one knee. I don't think I'd be able to get back up again.”
“I think I can forgive that tiny formality,” Lesley replied with a giggle.
“Er...and I kind of don't have a ring yet. Maybe we can go to the jeweler tomorrow and pick one out?”
“That's fine by me. A moonstone, maybe? I'm not that partial to diamonds.”
“Sure, why not?” Justin grinned. “So does that mean that you accept my proposal?”
Lesley threw her arms around his chest and kissed him. “I absolutely do.”
