The Loveland Random Town Jump

[Beks]

Chapter 49 - The Hills Are Alive

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Welcome, everyone, to Hidden Springs! A mountainous world of lush green hills, crystalline waters, mysterious magic, and something about a lost princess. This whole town looks and feels like a fairytale. This is a brand-new town for me, and I've been aching to try it out for SO LONG. We're finally here! It's so beautiful! I'm hyperventilating! Aaaaghhh!

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Sorry. I'm calm now. The Loveland family moves into Abundant Luxury, a robin's-egg-blue house on the edge of town. It's big, it's colorful, it has everything we need, and it's freaking robin's-egg-blue. What could be better?

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Here's the ground floor. I added some cat stuff and that's about it.

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And the upper floor. Again, I added a few doodads, but overall this house is fresh out of the box.

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The Lovelands arrive bright and early Sunday morning and prepare to settle in.

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"It's just so BEAUTIFUL here! And it's almost worth it, after such a long drive..."

Yes, you poor thing, stuck in a car for hours with five other people. Go find your new study and calm down with a book, dear.

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There you go.

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Colin takes the time to inspect every single light fixture the place has to offer. Ellinor sets up shop on the front porch and makes her family's presence known to the neighbors.

Franky, meanwhile, has lots of work to do. He's at level one in the politics career right now, and he needs to meet and befriend approximately The Entire Town as soon as possible. Off he goes to start meeting the locals.

As luck would have it, he runs into his new boss, Renauld Vanderburg, just outside the bistro.

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"Ahh, looks like this town is run by a true romantic! I'm so pleased. I wonder how long this gentleman has been in office, and who his constituents are?"

And I wonder who's going to break the news to Franky that the head of the political sphere in Hidden Springs is actually a king. I also wonder how "Leader of the Free World" is going to fit into that.

Shantell joins her son-in-law downtown and runs into...um...her uncle?!

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"A real Alto, here in Hidden Springs?! How fortunate! My father never said he had a brother named Bert, strangely enough--in fact, I lost count of the number of times he insisted he was an only child..."

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"How charming, to meet my niece at last. I have always hated Nick's guts with every fiber of my being, but I'm pleased to see he produced such fine offspring."
"Right. Speaking of which, you look young enough to be, well, my cousin, not my uncle! How old did you say you were?"

I knew about the royal family in Hidden Springs. I did not know about the secret Alto (who is legitimately the brother of Nick Alto, according to his bio). What are the odds that the generation that moves to Hidden Springs is the generation with an Alto in tow?

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Even shy Georgiana makes it downtown to meet some folks. She bravely introduces herself to Mr. Prince Charming Himself, Sebastian Vanderburg, who is not impressed by her absolutely adorable outfit. Ugh, celebs.

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That night, all the Lovelands gather for a spaghetti dinner in their fancy new dining room.

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And the next morning, as other family members prepare to go to work, Shantell gets acquainted with her new kitchen, which is much better than the old one. I didn't even have to replace all the appliances!

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Georgiana settles in to her very blue bedroom, where a new desk, computer, and chair have been set up, along with plenty of blue artwork to keep her mood up. She begins her first of many children's books: Georgie Goes to the Mountains. I think this is going to be a long series of home-grown fairy tales.

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Franky heads off to his first day of work at City Hall. This is his work uniform. I know this is a resort town with a gigantic spa, but...do they have to go this far?

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Now that we're here, we can finally go shopping for something very important. A new kitten! Shantell's long-held wish to adopt a cat disappeared during the move, but I know she still holds it in her heart. Snow White joins the family that very day and just like that, I completely abandon my Star Wars naming theme. She's a Proud little kitten with differently colored eyes.

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Franky's first day goes surprisingly well, considering he's in nothing but a towel the whole time. He sails right into Georgiana's arms that evening, and the two of them head off to the bedroom for no particular reason.

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Satine celebrates her elder birthday that night.

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Such an elegant kitty could never look old to me.

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The next day, Georgiana is out in town befriending locals (and becoming best friends with Francisca Vanderburg, thanks to Francisco's many friendship elixirs) when she suddenly has the urge to throw up. She doesn't even make it into the public bathroom stall.

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Ah, yes--she's pregnant! Surprise, surprise. Georgiana and Franky both wish to have a boy, so she starts eating apples right away.

But before anything else happens, Georgie goes to tell her grandmother the big news.

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"Guess what, Grandma--you're going to be a great-grandmother!"
"Oh, Georgie--that's wonderful!"

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Felicity is very, very old at this point. She probably won't live to see her grandchild grow up, but I'm hopeful that she'll at least get to meet them. In the meantime, Felicity continues to calm my nerves with song after song at all hours of the day and night. Please stay with us for a while, Felicity. I'm not ready to say goodbye.

[Trip]

I'm more offended by Franky WEARING SHOES with that towel. If you gotta provide massages as a political intern then at least have some class.

Not ready to say goodbye to Felicity yet either. This ain't a dynasty so anyone's allowed to stay indefinitely for the sake of our feels.

[hazelnut]

I'm more offended by Franky WEARING SHOES with that towel. If you gotta provide massages as a political intern then at least have some class.

But maybe he only wears them to go to and from work.  Maybe he's classily barefoot indoors 

[Whigey89]

I still love your story, amaranthin! I know I said this a very chapters ago, but I really do. I enjoy reading the chapters you post while I eat breakfast (if you post in the morning that is)

And congratulations to Georgiana and Franky for expecting a child.

[deedee_828]

Hidden Springs is where I am in my TJ game too! It's my favorite town! But I've never seen any of the politicians dress quite as classily as Franky! I set mine up so my next gen twins have lovely greenie friends to pair up with. I'm curious to see who your HS kids make friends with and add to your family! Congrats on the coming nooboo Georgie and Franky!!!

[Beks]

I'm more offended by Franky WEARING SHOES with that towel. If you gotta provide massages as a political intern then at least have some class.

Not ready to say goodbye to Felicity yet either. This ain't a dynasty so anyone's allowed to stay indefinitely for the sake of our feels.

I know!! I take the shoes as the game saying that this definitely wasn't an accident. Like, it's just enough of a work outfit to come across as a mockery of a work outfit.

I haven't extended anyone's lives in my RTJs--I'm usually ready to move on to the next generation (and household space is always a hot commodity). Felicity is the first sim I've been this sad about in a long time.

But maybe he only wears them to go to and from work.  Maybe he's classily barefoot indoors 

I like imagining him running around City Hall barefoot, leaving his shoes by those big front doors.

I still love your story, amaranthin! I know I said this a very chapters ago, but I really do. I enjoy reading the chapters you post while I eat breakfast (if you post in the morning that is)

And congratulations to Georgiana and Franky for expecting a child.

Thank you so so much! Your comments mean a lot to me. I'm honored that you like to read this story over breakfast! That's my favorite time to read Sims stories too, when I have the time.

Hidden Springs is where I am in my TJ game too! It's my favorite town! But I've never seen any of the politicians dress quite as classily as Franky! I set mine up so my next gen twins have lovely greenie friends to pair up with. I'm curious to see who your HS kids make friends with and add to your family! Congrats on the coming nooboo Georgie and Franky!!!

I think Hidden Springs is my new favorite town too! I'm just in love with the townies and their offspring. I haven't selected any spouse(s) yet, but so far all the townie children are unusually beautiful and normal-looking. We're not in Twinbrook anymore, that's for sure.

The new nooboo will be arriving shortly!

[Beks]

Chapter 50 - The Lost Boy

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"Huh. What a strange thing. I feel so...light."

I don't get my wish from last chapter. Just a couple of hours after learning that her granddaughter is expecting, Felicity's time comes at last.

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Grim: "There you are. I've been waiting a long time to come and find you."

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Felicity: "And I've been waiting for you."

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"There, there, dear ones. I stayed as long as I could. It's time for you all to look forward to the future now."

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"Besides, I think it's about time I caught up with a certain Mr. Fox."
"Agreed, Ms. Loveland."

Felicity lived to be 120 days old, the longest a Sim has ever lived in any of my games. And although she stuck around for a long time, I still wasn't ready to see her go. Farewell, Felicity. May your music remain stuck in my head till the end of time. Rest in peace.

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The over-emotional and grumpy sims of the family don't take this loss well. Franky and Georgie are a mess of raging and sobbing for the next two days.

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But I don't think anybody takes the loss harder than Colin. He returns home from work that night to find his mother's urn on the table in the hall. Only the cats are there to see him cry.

But as Felicity said, we mustn't dwell on what is past. There's a new baby--a new generation--on the way!

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Georgiana spends her pregnancy zipping around town in her vintage car, feeling the mountain air on her face.

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As the newly-established Emperor of Evil here in Hidden Springs, Colin returns to his old nocturnal schedule. When he gets home from work and doesn't have anything to do, he usually goes to the pool table in the backyard or plays chess alone in the upstairs game room.

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Felicity haunts the house exclusively in her bathing suit. She never struck me in life as a Sim with much of a sense of humor, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention?

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Our lot is also haunted by the occasional wild horse. I don't know what it is about this town...but everything looks more magical here. I wouldn't be that surprised if this horse suddenly took flight or started speaking Elvish or something.

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Hidden Springs is full of places to hang out, so Georgiana wanders around town looking for good spots to pull out her laptop and write.

While in the park downtown, she meets some other pregnant townies. (I strongly suspect there's going to be a massive baby boom here. Seems like every other female is waddling around with a big belly.)

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"Ah, yes, your baby is a strong one. Like literally. I'm gripping its hand and it's practically crushing mine--ow!"

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Of course, Franky is excited to be a dad. His own father died when he was little and was replaced by a rather volatile stepdad, so I think Franky is eager to be the best father he can be for his child.

Georgiana goes into labor on the front porch.

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Maid: "Teehee, yikes! Thank goodnesss I can flirt freely with my clients without ever getting pregnant by them!"

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At this point, something miraculous happens. Not only does Franky react immediately to his wife being in labor--he takes action. He bolts for the car, beating Georgiana to the driver's seat. And then, wonder of wonders: he drives her to the hospital. Did you read that right? HE drives HER!

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"After you, my lady."
"Why thank you, kind sir."

I am in awe. Franky, I knew I loved you, but...you know, I really love you.

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Everyone's wishes come true with the birth of the first boy in two generations, and only the second boy ever born into the Loveland clan. Everyone say hello to Peter Loveland!

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We have another birthday happening back home. Ellinor is finally aging up to young adult, after having to sit through a few extra days of high school without her old friends.

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"Stop cheering, Mom. I look atrocious in this haircut."

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Ellinor rounds out her Evil, Virtuoso, Mooch, and Great Kisser traits with the most exciting trait of all: Heavy Sleeper. I'm not even kidding. *sigh* At least her Lifetime Wish is exciting--she's now a Gold Digger, because I don't really know what else to do with her. I think in this town, the wealthiest in Sim Nation, she shouldn't have a problem finding someone rich to marry and outlive.

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And with that, we send Ellinor off to start her own life.

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I can truly say that I'm VERY curious to see what happens with this one. What surprises does Ellinor have up her sleeve?

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*jaw drop*

[Trip]

Ellinor got a lot more interesting than her last trait made her look, lemme tell ya--

I know I should care about the baby and Franky being the best husband 5ever, but my favorite shot of the story yet is that horse roaming around at dawn. Just needs the most magical looking of the town's green sims and that's Hidden Springs alright!!

[Beks]

Ellinor got a lot more interesting than her last trait made her look, lemme tell ya--

I know I should care about the baby and Franky being the best husband 5ever, but my favorite shot of the story yet is that horse roaming around at dawn. Just needs the most magical looking of the town's green sims and that's Hidden Springs alright!!

Haha, right?!

I'm slowly collecting magical screenshots and I think I'll have quite a few by the time I'm done in Hidden Springs.

[Beks]

Chapter 51 - What a Life

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Peter is a well-loved baby. Even his Evil grandfather can't seem to stop snuggling him.

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Franky is simply awed by his firstborn son. He doesn't have a lot of time to spend with him right now--he works pretty long hours every day and then spends most evenings working aggressively on his Charisma skill challenges. Every moment with Peter is precious.

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And Georgiana, I'm pleased to report, is an enthusiastic and loving mama. I was a little worried that with her Loner trait she'd be less inclined to watch the baby all the time, but she quickly proves me wrong.

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When she's not taking care of Peter (and she gets lots of help from her parents on that front), Georgiana drives through the hills looking for new, inspiring spots to set up and write. (What a life, eh?)

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While she's at the overlook on top of the mountain, she picks up the family's next pet bird that I hopefully won't forget about. Did I forget about him immediately after this and leave him in Georgiana's inventory for the forseeable future? Nooooo, why would you even say that?

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Soon enough, Georgiana's suffering from morning sickness again. She and Franky both pop a wish to have another child just after Peter is born.

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Oops, looks like Georgie was already pregnant in that picture of her bottle feeding Peter. Ah well. She's definitely still pregnant (and wearing awesome stockings) for Peter's toddler birthday.

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Please be cute, please be cute, please be cute...

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Oh, he's cute, all right.

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Peter is one of the most interesting looking toddlers I've ever seen. Honestly, he looks like something right out of a fairy tale. Heh heh. Anyway, Peter's traits are Heavy Sleeper (sigh) and Athletic (yay, a new trait!), and he likes French music, Fish & Chips, and the color grey.

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This little guy is just...I can't think of a better word. He's so INTERESTING looking. Even when he's violently trying to bite the head off a doll.

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Our new kitten, Snow White, is serenely swimming in the front hall carpet when the inevitable happens.

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~ She's a laaaady cat, laaaaady cat on the floor ~

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Now that she's an adult kitty, Snow White starts pouncing on Chewie a lot. And nuzzling him a lot. Colin notices this and finds it slightly alarming.

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Franky finally gets a day off and spends much of the day teaching his son to walk.

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Granny Shantell takes breaks from her multi-thousand-simoleon paintings to tickle her grandson.

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Georgiana takes a turn as well, looking as derpy as ever.

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Georgiana has a nice, relaxing pregnancy. I mean, her life is pretty relaxing overall--she just writes children's books and reads all day. Now that it's the weekend, Franky can join his wife in her solitude and keep up on the political news of the day. (Yes, he does this autonomously. At least, he sits there autonomously. "Best husband 5ever" indeed!)

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Georgiana starts having contractions just after potty training Peter for the first time. An understandable reaction, really.

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Georgiana: "You know, it'd be nice not to have to walk down this terrifyingly steep hill to get to the car every time."
Franky: "Yes. Imagine being able to choose our own routing."

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"You ready for this, babe?"
"Only because you're with me, love."

These two are so lovely I almost can't stand it.

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Georgiana gives birth to another boy just before midnight. This is Theodore.

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It's starting to look like a full-ish house again. Especially with Felicity hanging around so much, getting socked in the eye with pool balls. Did the gnome throw it at her, or what?

[Beks]

Chapter 52 - A Spicy Pepper Moment

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If this isn't a New Dad mood right here, then I don't know what is. But it's also a New Work Uniform mood. Yep, Franky finally got promoted out of his bath towel and gets to wear actual clothes now. I must admit I'm a little nostalgic.

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Peter moves full speed ahead into his toddler years and starts skilling like crazy with the help of his mama. (I haven't picked the heir yet and don't plan to for quite a while, but I'm still trying to get everybody's skills up early. I think it makes me feel more in control of my life? I don't know.)

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Peter is also the first toddler to interact with the cats in this family. I never even thought to try this before. How cute! (Although, I feel like it could have been cuter.)

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I probably should have said at the beginning that this chapter is a lot of toddler spam. Well, NOW you've been warned.

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Theodore has a brief and unexciting infant stage. He gets lots of cuddles and sleeps and poops and let's just fast forward to his birthday already.

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It happens at the crack of dawn because why the heck not.

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Look look look! Somebody inherited Shantell's grey tips! And also her dark blue eyes. Other than that, though, I think Theo most resembles Georgiana, with Franky's skin tone. Theo is a Perceptive Slob, and he likes French music (like his brother), Firecracker Tofu, and Irish Green.

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Things feel nice and busy around here with two little boys in the house. Their parents and grandparents keep them active and learning.

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And they spend time getting to know each other over dolls as well.

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This is the face of a toddler who's just had his lollipop stolen. Colin, you JUST became best friends with the boy by teaching him to walk all day! What's wrong with you?!

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I think someone who's not Evil needs to take a turn on toddler duty.

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Georgiana has made great progress as a writer, although the career itself takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to complete. She's written like 25 books, all bestsellers and hits except for one or two outliers, and she's still barely at level 7 of the career. At least she gets to spend time in some seriously adorable cafes around town. And be serenaded by handsome locals.

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Other than occasionally robbing his grandchildren of their happiness, Colin is doing well. He really is one of the least Evil Evil Sims I've played. He even looks horrified upon spotting some sort of Evil Doing out in the universe one night. I wonder what scared him?

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Snow White is adapting well to adulthood, as you can see.

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  I'm still laughing.

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Hey guess what! Georgiana is pregnant again. We just can't have enough kids this generation, apparently.

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This is Franky having a bit of a spicy pepper moment. With his knees stuck in the dishwasher. I'm as confused as you are.

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Anyway...it's time for Peter's birthday!

Franky: "Whoa, Dad, you okay? Sorry, didn't mean to slam the door in your--"
Colin: "Yaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy!"

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I keep the slick hair, because somehow it works. Peter ages up into a handsome child and acquires the Supernatural Fan trait. Now that's a trait you don't see every day! He also pops his very first life-changing wish: to Become a Supernatural.

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Well, we'll just have to wait and see on that one, won't we? I file it away for future reference. I think this magical town is rubbing off on our Peter in a big way.

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Um. Georgiana, honey? That's not...that's not how you...nope.

[Beks]

Chapter 53 - Calling In

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Franky throws his first campaign fundraiser. He's now a Local Representative. It's also worth noting that the renowned Renauld Vanderburg, currently Franky's boss and the reigning king of Hidden Springs, is getting on in years. That's him over there with the cane. He doesn't seem to mind the concept of his employee campaigning for higher office. He looks more concerned about the fact that his long-lost daughter is at this party, when she hasn't paid him a personal visit in years. (Francisca Vanderburg is front and center here in the white dress.)

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The fundraiser is a financial success, although most of the party looks like this. Georgiana inspires something of a read-a-thon in the dining room.

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Really, Ellinor is the only partygoer to do anything party-like. Hey Ellinor, where's your new girlfriend?

"We're in a fight. She didn't want to come."

It's true, I'm afraid. Blake and Ellinor don't seem to get along very well, based on the constant notifications I get from Story Progression.

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Chewie is hit with his elder birthday after his seventeenth trip through the Cat Cleaner Thingy upstairs. (He loves that thing.)

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Thank goodness the animal elder stage lasts for so long.

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Oh, and if you're wondering, Chewie and Snow White are still pouncing on and nuzzling each other every chance they get. Are kittens in the future? I'm not going to promise anything...but I'm also not NOT promising anything.

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Theo is a happy toddler. He spends lots of time with his grandpa and the peg box. Being Perceptive, logic seems to be his favorite activity thus far.

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Peter goes off to his first day of school. Hey look, it's literally the entire family in one candid photo!

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Georgiana has another very productive and yet relaxing pregnancy. She writes at least one book a day and spends her spare moments rubbing her belly and cooing.

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She looks a bit worn out here, and that's because she's just maxed the writing skill. Now she just has to max painting and she'll complete her Lifetime Wish. (Of course, she's hardly painted at all thus far, so she's got a long way to go.)

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Shantell takes a page out of her daughter's book and tries painting at a beautiful spot in the mountains that happens to already have an easel. Why I didn't have her do this before, I don't know. Her still-life of the sunset even comes out vaguely resembling a sunset!

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Under that same pinky sunset, Georgiana goes into labor.

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"Franky, this HILL!"
"I know, darling."
"We have a garage! Why can't we get into the car in the garage, and then drive down this stupid hill on the ROAD?"
"I don't know, darling."
"I'm wearing HEELS, for watcher's sake!"
"I'm so sorry, darling."
"AND I'M PREGNANT!"
"You'll feel better once we're sitting in the Motive Mobile, darling."

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Peter is getting to know his first friend from school. This is Christine Colby, and she's just as mean as she looks. She's both Mean-Spirited AND Grumpy. And for some reason this scary combo excites me.

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A short time later...it's another boy! The baby behind Franky is also a boy. That's Gilbert. We have THREE SONS IN A ROW. I couldn't be happier.

Well, I could. Because something tragic happens after this.

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I've never had this happen before, although I've heard of it occurring for other players. Colin dies in the middle of his shift at the criminal warehouse, and the camera doesn't even jump, so I only realize it's happening because of the music. I race over there just in time.

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"Hey, stranger! I'm glad to finally meet ya! Can you tell me all about the dark underworld and all of your evil doings? Please."

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"Let's just get going, Mr. Loveland. There's...there's no need to kneel."
"Oh, sorry. I'm just such a big fan!"

*sigh* Oh, Colin. He's only 91 at this point; I was really hoping he'd live a lot longer. Colin was the most adorable and charming Evil Sim ever, and I honestly loved him to pieces. May he thoroughly enjoy hanging out with Grim in the afterlife. Rest in peace, my boy.

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Poor Shantell, losing the love of her life in the middle of the night when he's away from home. At least she has all three cats to comfort her.

The only one not suffering deeply from this loss is Peter.

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"So you're saying Grandpa's a ghost now, Dad? Can you tell me a ghost story?"
"I don't think I'm feeling up to that right now, Peter."

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"Ex-CUSE me! Watcher! My father is refusing to educate me on Supernatural matters!"

You'll get your chance, kid, believe me.

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Okay, I think we all need a bit of cheering up now. Here's an adorable smile from Theodore to make your day. He's demonstrating the simple joys of green baby formula. Don't you feel better now?

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That's the spirit, Franky! What are YOU so happy about?

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Oh.

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Wow, and Georgiana's aging up too! Another reminder of the never-ending onward thrust of time. This is all happening too fast. Slow down, Hidden Springs! Slow down!

[deedee_828]

Great updates and congrats to Georgie and Franky on their third son! Looks like a male heir this gen, unless they keep trying for a girl.

RIP Colin, you will me missed!

On the writer career going so slow, does Georgie have the Acclaimed Author lifetime reward? It's pricey at 30,000 LHP, but it really boosts their earnings, making maxing the writing career much faster. As does writing Sports books as they're only @ 90 pages long, and write up super fast. They don't have the bang of the longer books, but the sim writes more books, faster, which was the better return for me. For two of my male writers, their Sports books kept to a sports theme, but I had others write them as well, and just called them whatever books I wanted to, just because they write that genre so fast.

And even with all my side-stories, Hidden Springs time is going fast! My heirs are children now too, and if I would focus on writing more chapters, I'd get to play again and have them be teens in no time. lol

Can't wait to see who else Peter meets in school or his younger brothers when they become school age. Scoping out the town's children is always so much fun!

[Beks]

Great updates and congrats to Georgie and Franky on their third son! Looks like a male heir this gen, unless they keep trying for a girl.

RIP Colin, you will me missed!

On the writer career going so slow, does Georgie have the Acclaimed Author lifetime reward? It's pricey at 30,000 LHP, but it really boosts their earnings, making maxing the writing career much faster. As does writing Sports books as they're only @ 90 pages long, and write up super fast. They don't have the bang of the longer books, but the sim writes more books, faster, which was the better return for me. For two of my male writers, their Sports books kept to a sports theme, but I had others write them as well, and just called them whatever books I wanted to, just because they write that genre so fast.

And even with all my side-stories, Hidden Springs time is going fast! My heirs are children now too, and if I would focus on writing more chapters, I'd get to play again and have them be teens in no time. lol

Can't wait to see who else Peter meets in school or his younger brothers when they become school age. Scoping out the town's children is always so much fun!

Yup, definitely going to be a male heir this generation. It's nice to have some boys around after so many girls so far!

Georgiana does have the Acclaimed Author reward, but I guess because she's mostly been writing children's books, she just isn't progressing very rapidly. For some reason I had it in my head that children's books are among the most lucrative. They are not. I like your idea of writing sports books and just pretending they're a different genre / titling them as such. Sometimes I forget that I can do whatever I want in this game...

You'll be seeing some townie kiddos very soon!

[Beks]

Chapter 54 - Snazzy & Slickified

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Franky has no wish for facial hair as part of his midlife crisis, but I certainly do. I've been waiting for this moment ever since he moved in. I do love a man with a beard! Sometimes.

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And he pulls it off extremely well.

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One last picture of Theo and Georgiana before his birthday. Sometimes I can't figure out if he looks just like her, or if he looks nothing like her.

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He ages up uncomfortably close to the paparazzi. I really need to stop having birthday parties outside in the middle of the night.

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Theo ages up into a very handsome kiddo. And like his big brother, he gets a trait that I literally never see ever. He's an Equestrian!

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The birthdays keep on comin'. Gilbert is about to become a toddler as well.

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Ooooh. What a pretty baby he is! Gilbert is Brave and a Loner, and his favorites are Egyptian music, a food I can't remember but which is undoubtedly delicious, and yellow.

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I don't know if I'm right or not, but somehow Gilbert is bringing back a little bit of the Loveland-Schmidt look for me. Just a little bit, but it's there. Maybe.

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In any case, he gets lots of love from mommy and looks very cute in his yellow patterned onesie.

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Our new horse lover can't really do much with horses yet, but he can at least wear cowboy boots and do outdoorsy things. Like fish.

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And he starts getting to know the family animals. He already has a wish to adopt a horse, the poor thing. I don't think we'll have enough room in the household for quite a while yet.

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Toddler spam, toddler spam, toddler spam.

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Gilbert has a unique talent for reading half-submerged books. This carpet in the foyer is a MAGIC carpet, but in the least helpful way possible. It absorbs everything that touches it! Wow, amazing!

Franky's doing well at his career. He successfully asks his boss for a promotion after a particularly hard-working week.

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"So I was wondering, Mr. Vanderburg, sir...um, can I be mayor?"
"Why of COURSE you can, Mr. Loveland! I'm going to kick the bucket any day now, and my wife too. Plus I haven't the foggiest idea where my son, the prince, has got to. Probably off kicking soccer balls around with his flock of children. Looks like you're my best option for a successor. Unofficially, at least."
"I was thinking of abolishing the monarchy altogether after you're gone, but I've got to start somewhere, I guess! Thanks!"

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Colin has started visiting as a ghost. His glasses look snazzy even in the afterlife.

Peter always manages to track down whatever non-living-human happens to be on the lot at any given time.

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"What's it like being a ghost, Grandpa? Do you know any other Supernaturals? Fairies or werewolves or anything? Do you know how I can become one of them? Do I have to die first?"

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"And then the ghost went...BOO!"

I worry a little about the kinds of things Peter says to his baby brother.

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"And then the horsey said...NEIGGHH!"

As long as Theo's around to counteract it, I guess.

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The two older boys are good friends now that they're old enough to play together. They spend lots of time running around the yard, playing in the treehouse, and plotting mischief.

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Emphasis on the plotting mischief.

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As such, Theo is there to cheer Peter on for his teen birthday.

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Wow, a not-terrible hairstyle! Let's change it.

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Peter sticks with the slickified hair theme and takes a rather unexpected trait: Commitment Issues. Um. Not exactly an ideal trait for an heir, is it? Yikes. Our boy seems more interested in frolicking about with werewolves and fairies and vampires than settling down and starting a family. This is going to be interesting.