Turning Over a New Leaf : Immortal Dynasty (Chapter 11)

[frogsgoribbit737]

This is my first attempt at the Immortal Dynasty, and also my first Challenge done on this forum

This story can also be found here if you are a Blogger user.

Chapter 1: Starting Over
Chapter 2: Hope and Love
Chapter 3: Harvest
Chapter 4: A New Bud
Chapter 5: Vampires Aren't Immortal
Chapter 6: Utmost Importance
Chapter 7: Immortality
Chapter 8: Finally A House
Chapter 9: Iris Blooms
Chapter 10: A Bad Prom
Chapter 11: Remembering

[frogsgoribbit737]

My name is Jasmine Mulberry.





My mother had a love for gardening, which was passed on to me. Some even call me a Green Thumb. However, I prefer to fish. I call myself an Angler.



Like the jasmine, my favorite color is white followed second by a pale yellow. I like things to be Neat, and I am always trying my hardest to succeed. Ambitious is the word.

I recently moved to Sunset Valley hoping to start anew. Unfortunately, I have no money and had to start from scratch. The only room I have is a bathroom with no windows or floors, a bed, and a refrigerator. I couldn't afford anything else.



I can't even afford a chair or table, so I have to eat sitting on the toilet. I'm just glad I could afford those walls.



Hopefully, money will start coming in soon, as I've joined the science career hoping to become a creature-robot cross breeder. It's always been my dream, after all.

All the noises at night really don't allow me to sleep as I've always been a light sleeper, so I've taken to exploring the town at night instead. One night, during my explorations, I saw a man in cow pajamas grabbing the paper and couldn't help but to chuckle.

"Are you laughing at me?" He asked, seemingly slightly offended.

"I'm sorry," I replied, trying very hard to stop laughing, "I just have never seen a grown man wear anything like that to bed."

A small smile formed on his lips as he called me up to his porch and shook my hand.



"My name is Christopher Steel. You can call me Chris if you want." He whispered into my ear.

"I'm Jasmine. Jasmine Mulberry. It's a pleasure to meet you."

When I finally returned that night, I slept well. Maybe I could fit in here after all.

[loveSims]

Great start! Chris is a good choice, he is such a sweatheart.

[frogsgoribbit737]

One night while Chris is over, he comments on how little I have. "Why is that?" He finally asks. Usually my poverty is a question we both avoid at all costs.

"I moved from a small town and couldn't bring anything with me. I spent all the money I had to my name on what you see here." I sigh. Though it's the truth, I'm still not used to living in such poor conditions.

He's quiet for a moment, thinking. Suddenly, his face lights up with an idea. "I could move in! I don't have much, but I have enough that you could build an actual house." I have always known he was Friendly, since the first day I met him, but this is entirely unexpected.

Chris and I have become close in the few days since I've moved to town, so my answer is quick. "Yes." I truly like him, and tired of sleeping outside, I decide I really do need the money.

I pull him into a hug. "Thank you so much." My voice is filled with a gratitude that I hope he recognizes.







With the money he brings with him, we manage to add a living area with a kitchen, table and chairs, couch, television, and upon his request, an easel. We can't add a bedroom just yet, but it's  still an improvement.



As always, Chris makes breakfast. This time, I decide to comment on it.



"This is really good, Chris. I think you're a Natural Cook. Have you ever considered working at the Bistro?" My question is a little nudge for him to get a job. Even after moving in, he seems content to stay unemployed, and this is not going to fly with me.

He sighs, knowing exactly where this is going. "No, I never thought about it, but if you want me to I can apply."

I nod, and the next day he's off to his new job.



When I arrive home from work, I decide I've neglected my gardening side too long, and plant the only seeds I have in my bag: A grape and an apple. They're only saplings now, but I know one day they'll grow to be big and strong.



Chris has taken up painting, which I find odd.



Like me, he enjoys fishing, an Angler. He's also very much the Daredevil, always having to take things to "the extreme". I'm not sure how sleeping or showering can be extreme, but he seems to think so. It's a quality I've found I love in him. I find that every day my feelings for him grow, until I start to think of him as more than a friend. However, he's given no hint that he feels the same way.

While watching him paint, I finally ask him, "Why are you learning this? I think it rather strange since you've never shown an interest in it before."

"Truth?" He asks, and I nod. "Well, I want to learn to paint so that I can forever preserve your beauty."

I'm speechless, and he takes the moment to walk over to me and lean forward. He's been feeling the same as me all along. The kiss is quick and shy, as if he doesn't know that I have similar feelings towards him. Even so, I find he is a Great Kisser.



I pull him close, letting his arms wrap around my waist, and place one hand on each side of his face. "Chris, I love you."



"And I love you, Jasmine."

[frogsgoribbit737]

Life is good. Chris and I are happier than ever, and my little saplings are finally grown. Harvesting that first apple from the tree swells my heart with joy.



Silently, I wonder if life will continue this way, or if things will get worse as they always have for me. I only hope that things will get better, and much to my happiness they do.

One day after work, Chris runs into our makeshift living room. My cellphone starts to ring, but as I reach for it he asks in a tone I don't recognize, "Wait. Can you call them back? I have something important to ask you."

I tilt my head a bit in confusion, for I don't know what he could possibly be asking at this hour, but I nod and signal for him to go on and ask. To my surprise, he drops to one knee and pulls out a box.



The annoying ringtone keeps playing, but we both ignore it, lost in our own little world. "Jasmine, I know that I may not be what you were looking for when you came to Sunset Valley, but I love you. I want to be with you forever, if you'll have me.  I know that I can make you happy, and that we'll never part."

I don't even hesitate. My answer is, "Yes!"



Later, while doing my daily fishing run at the lake across the street, I start to feel sick. I can't even make it back to the house before throwing up my lunch.



Maybe it's the upcoming wedding, I think to myself. It must be nerves, for I know that I could never get food poisoning from anything that Chris cooks. I make my way back to the house, and tell him what's happened.

He's silent for a moment before asking the simple question, "Well why don't we do it now?"

"What?" I'm in shock.

"Well, we don't have many people to invite anyways, and if you're so nervous about it, maybe we should just do it now. We don't need to have a party, Jasmine. As long as I can marry you, I don't care when or where it is." His smile as he looks at me says he's telling the truth.

I run to the dresser where we've put the rings as quick as I can. We don't even change into our formal wear.

"I will love you forever, Chris. As long as I live." My voice is sincere as I slip the ring onto his finger.



His voice mimics mine in it's tone as he expresses his love for me and his wish to remain together as long as we can, through sickness and health, until death do us part.

When our vows are done and the rings have been exchanged, he pulls me close.



Full of emotion, he whispers to me, "I'm glad you're finally mine, Jasmine. I don't think I could have waited any longer," and I have to agree.

When I wake up one morning to shower, I realize why I have been feeling so nauseous. My baby bump says it all.



I sigh to myself, and though I'm happy, there's a lot to think about. We have barely any money, how are we going to take care of another child? I know Chris will make the most amazing father, but what about me? I'm not sure I'm up for the task of being a mother just yet. We're so young.



But I will try, for my baby.

[frogsgoribbit737]

As I predicted, Chris is already trying to be the best father he can. He reads the pregnancy book that we purchased whenever he has the time.



He seems to be so confident in our ability to raise this baby, and it's starting to rub off on me. With his joy, comes my own. His wish is for a baby boy, but, secretly, I wish for a girl. While on maternity leave, I find there is nothing to do. I go fishing as always, but my constant backaches have me in the house sooner than I would like. When my cell phone rings, I jump for it, relieved to have something to do.

"Jocasta?" I answer, sounding a bit too excited for the call. "You'd like some fish? Of course! I'll be right there!"

There in minutes with the catch she asked for, I receive a bit of money, a plus, and some celebrity points, to my dismay.



Unlike many in the town, I want nothing to do with these rich and famous people. I want only to deal with myself and my family, but I can't turn down an opportunity for money when we have very little.



My tummy is growing every day, and I fear that soon this baby will want out. Chris is forever fascinated with the life growing inside me. He can't ever resist the urge to rub it like a magic lamp.



"What's that, little baby?" He puts his ear to my stomach as if he can hear our child speaking. "You say you're a boy? Well I already knew that!" I smile at my silly husband before shooing him to return to his paintings and leave my baby bump alone.

Early in the morning, I'm awoken by intense pain. I jump out of bed, my eyes popping out of my head. Water seeps down my leg, and I finally realize what's happening.



"Chris!" Shaking him, my voice is strained and comes out very high pitched. When he doesn't respond, I scream his name again.

Groggily, he rolls over and slowly opens his eyes to look at me questioningly.

In response, I manage to squeak out, "The baby is coming!"

Immediately, he's out of bed.



Neither of us has had a child before, and by the look on his face, I can tell Chris doesn't know what to do.

"Chris, drive me to the hospital!" I moan out in pain again, snapping him back to his senses. Thankfully, he hasn't forgotten how to drive in all of the thoughts flying through his mind.



For hours we're in that hospital, but when I finally walk out of the doors with my baby girl, I realize that it couldn't have been more worth it.



"I will name you Iris, little one," I whisper to her.

[frogsgoribbit737]

Like her father, Iris's favorite color is green. Unlike her father, she in't quite as specific as to what kind, so when we spend all our extra money to add a nursery for her, we use any color green we can find. Her room is the first room in the entire house to have windows. She's already spoiled.



Though, I had had my doubts upon pregnancy, I now know that Iris is a gift from the gods. I still haven't been back to work, as they keep giving me more and more leave time, and without my little girl, I probably would've gone crazy by now. Chris is always at work, so I can't do my daily fishing anymore, and sometimes I miss the quiet peace of it. I can't wait until my little girl can go out fishing with me.

Just holding our little girl has made the both of us happier than ever, and I can't imagine our lives without her.



Some days, when Iris is sleeping, I'll tend to the garden. I see a dog watching me sometimes, and finally I've gotten the courage to approach him. He's actually quite friendly, but I can tell he's a stray by the lack of collar and the smell. If only, I think to myself, but we can barely afford to take care of Iris, there is no way that we could bring this lovely animal into our home. The realization leaves me saddened. So many good pets that can not find a home.



While Chris is at work, we sometimes get calls on the new house phone for him. Today, I receive a call from Jared Frido asking if we'd like to come to his party. I found this slightly strange, considering he works with my husband, and therefore shouldn't be calling me, but I accept. Chris calls later to tell me he's working late, so I go alone, leaving Iris with the incompetent babysitter.



It's the first time I've ever met Jared, even though he's supposedly a celebrity, and a good friend of my husband. A chill runs through me as I shake his hand and continue getting to know him. His skin is a very weird color, and his eyes seem to pierce through me, looking for something. It's a strange feeling, but the word that comes to mind is even stranger. I feel as if I'm being hunted. Needless to say, I'm quickly out of that house and back home. Chris pulls me into his arms and explains the feeling I had was completely normal. Jared is a vampire. I'd never heard of such things, for none existed where I come from.

"I thought those were only legends," I tell him.

He chuckles at me like I did that first night so long ago, as if I'm a child. "Of course they exist, Jasmine. They're usually friendly, unless you happen to be what they want for dinner one night. Some will even change you if you ask."

I think about this for sometime. I have always thought them immortal, but Chris tells me that vampires don't live forever, just a very long time. To be truly immortal... I wonder what that would feel like. I've heard of a fish and fruit that together make a dish that can give a person immortality. With Chris's cooking skills, I'm sure he could make it, and for the next few days, I wonder if it is something I should pursue.

[frogsgoribbit737]

It is while her father is at work, that my little Iris turns three. Because of his absence, I decide to celebrate with just the two of us.



I'm quick to dress her in her favorite color before Chris comes home and tries to put in any ideas. He's not very fashion oriented, which I thought he would have learned by now.




Her resemblance of me is remarkable. Her eyes are the same bright olive color, her hair the same auburn, her skin even has the same tan undertones as mine. I'm saddened by the realization that her features bare none of the qualities I so love in my husband. I hope that as she grows older, her facial features may begin to take from her father's side.

He, however, is thrilled. Though I thought he would be disappointed that she did not look very like him, he is ecstatic.

"Now I have two beautiful girls in the house!" He exclaims. "She's going to be so beautiful, Jasmine."

His words make me smile, and I agree pulling him into a hug.



"We're going to have to keep all the boys off her," I tease.

Our little girl is more than we could ever have hoped for. Everything she does makes me smile, whether its stuffing her face with the food we give her, or letting me kiss her little head as I put her to bed.




As I still have not gone back to work, I spend my days teaching our little girl to talk and use the potty we've bought.



I know that Chris is always telling me that he has to work on painting. "It's of the utmost importance," he's always insisting, though he won't explain why to me, he feels the need to learn how to paint portraits before our daughter and I grow any older.

However, when he thinks I'm not looking, I can see him teaching our young daughter to walk.



It's not long before I hear him calling my name. "Jasmine!" His voice sounds excited, and I find my way to him, wondering what's gotten him this way.

"What is it, love?" I ask.

"Look." I follow his finger to see the portrait he's been working on. It's supposed to me, but I think it's not a very good likeness. Of course, I don't tell him this, only wonder why this small thing was so important.

[TallStar]

Iris is beautiful. I really like your story. 

[frogsgoribbit737]

Great start! Chris is a good choice, he is such a sweatheart.

Thank you! Yeah, he's certainly my favorite bachelor in Sunset Valley!

Iris is beautiful. I really like your story. 

Thanks! I was actually surprised she turned out so much like Jasmine.

[frogsgoribbit737]

Now that he's finished the portraits of Iris and I, Chris spends much more time with our daughter. I can tell by his smile that he loves her as much as I do. She's brought so much joy to our small family, and we have a surprise for her birthday, one that we've been saving for for a very long time.



Iris has discovered a favorite toy as well. I'm not sure what it's name is, as Iris tells me it's a secret, but she spends most of her time playing with it, even after we buy her more toys.



Recently, I've noticed Chris eating a lot of Sushi. When I ask him why, he replies, "Well, we have to do something with all the fish you catch."

After he says this, I think for a bit. I had been catching a lot of fish, and there was hardly any room in our refrigerator because of it.



 I decide that we could use the money, and from then on I sell my fish to the supermarket, helping to save up my dream of buying the pond across the street from us, though I assume I'll most likely have to buy another seeing as it costs more than 20,000 simoleons. I don't think that we could ever afford that.

Time passes, and before I know it, it's my birthday, which I've entirely forgotten. I age up into a full fledged adult right before heading to bed.



I'm surprised to notice that I don't feel much older, but I decide to dress more appropriately for my age anyways.



My garden has grown from those first two saplings, and I make sure to tend to it daily. I hope one day that Iris will take care of it, and not let it go to waste. The fruit it bares is much better than the store-bought quality.



Chris needs to take someone out to eat at the Bistro to help him earn a promotion, and it's been forever since we've gone out, so I agree to go with him. We leave Iris home with the babysitter, who does a bit of cleaning much to my surprise.

Out of the blue, while eating, Chris asks, "Jasmine, do you know the secret to immortality?"

I shake my head, answering, "No, I've never really looked into it. I know that a recipe is involved, and I've heard of the ingredients because they are a fish and a plant, but besides that, I know nothing."

"It starts with paintings." He looks up at me for a minute before continuing, "Portraits to be exact."

I choke on my food, wide-eyed. So this is why he's been insisting on painting portraits of Iris and I. He has no portraits, though, so what does that mean?



Going on, Chris tells me all of the requirements to immortality. How I must have six best friends, reach level 10 of my career, supermax a skill, and have portraits of the six life stages. He explains how I, being the first in my line to gain immortality, I only need the last 3.

"But, love, you don't have the portraits." I point out.

He looks at me for a moment before giving me that smile that has always warmed my heart. "I want you to live, and accomplish everything you've ever dreamed. I'll always be watching you no matter where I am."

Immortality... do I really want it? Right now, I'm not sure.

[jeanamariex3]

I really like your Sim. Do you think you can PM me where you got Jasmines hair from?

[frogsgoribbit737]

Once again, my husband is at work while my baby girl grows up, this time she's aging into a child. I find I'm liking his job less and less, but as always, we need the money.



The look on Iris's face is priceless as she goes cross-eyed in confusion. But, when it's all said and done, she doesn't look happy like she should. She's no longer a toddler, she can now go to school and do whatever else she wants, why isn't she happy?



This time, I allow Iris to dress herself, but wasn't surprised to find that she was wearing her favorite color.





For her birthday, Chris and I have added to the house, giving Iris her own room. We've built ourselves a bedroom, finally, and a larger living room. It can finally be called a house. We've even bought Iris her own easel, as she's always loved to watch her father work. In our room, we hang the portrait of me, as we do not have anywhere else to put it right now. Iris's toddler portrait is in her room, to remind her of younger days.






As days pass, and my baby girl grows more and more, I have the realization that I never want to lose her. I want to stay with her forever. Perhaps, I want immortality after all.

[loveSims]

Awesome updates! Iris is very cute

[frogsgoribbit737]

Iris is doing well, and seems to have taken to the new additions. She's often playing Rally Car on the couch.



She's also doing very well in school. Chris and I signed her up for ballet, and she's very good at it, often coming home showing us one of the new moves she's learned. There's a recital at the school that we all attend, where we get to see her entire class perform. I'm so proud of her. She gets bigger every day.

However, after the recital, I notice that look on her face still, the one I've noticed ever since she aged up. I wonder silently what's going on in that head of hers.



In all the hustle and bustle of our lives, Chris and I forget his birthday, and he ages up in the kitchen. I barely get out of the shower in time to celebrate with him.



His expression is terrified as he realizes he's getting older, and, when it's over, he closes his eyes. Like my daughter, I often wonder what my husband thinks of. We don't talk much anymore because of our work schedules. That night, I resolve to talk to my husband more. He's done so much for me.



Another event happens that is not quite as happy. In the middle of the night, we all witness our first death. One of the stray dogs I often see watching me garden comes to our porch to spend his last minutes. Grim takes the old dog without any struggles, he  knows it's his time.



"I never want to die," I hear Iris whisper beside me.

Iris often comes home with a friend she's made at school, Rocio Pugh. Though, her friend doesn't hesitate to play as a Queen, Iris knows that her homework comes first, and that she must stay on the honor roll.



Like her father, she's taken an interest in art, and I find that Iris is very Artistic. I wonder if she'll make a career out of it, as her father did not.



Her birthday comes too soon. This time, we celebrate before Chris has to go to work, as this is a special birthday. My young Iris is blooming right in front of my eyes. A smile forms on my lips as I watch her contemplate her wish before blowing out the candles.



She is beautiful, as we always knew she would be. I wonder if she'll find a date for the prom I know the high school is hosting this Tuesday. I'm sure she'll have no problems.

As always, I allow her to choose her clothes. This time she favors on a certain pattern, that I see repeated in most of her outfits




Finally, I see a smile on my daughter's face, but it's not the kind that brings a warmth to my heart. Instead, it's one that makes me think there will be trouble in the future. I never thought my little girl to be Rebellious, but she does always surprise me.