As summer turns to fall, it's time for baby John to turn into a toddler. Emily has of course invited all the family to mark the day and spoil her precious little boy. As a proud father, even Frank stays at home that night, toasting his little boy and hosting the party as only someone with high charisma can. For John the best part of the night is to be read to sleep by Abigail. For Emily it is to have Frank at home for a full evening. It's a good night, and when the guests have left, Emily and Frank woohoo for the first time in a long time. Emily hopes this might be the first step in turning things around. Perhaps now, Frank might want to be at home more?
The next morning, as Frank heads off to work, Virginia gets up early to make breakfast and get John ready for his mother. Once awake, Emily spends her day with John. To get out of the house, she heads over to her parents house, spending some time with her mother before heading back home in time for Frank to return from work. Will tonight be different? Will he stay at home? It starts well as they sit down for a dinner together, Virginia taking care of John for the evening. But as dinner finish, Frank has important people to meet, hands to shake and votes to secure. "At the bar?" "Don't you want me to be successful?" Frank is out the door before the conversation can turn into an argument. It seems nothing has changed at all after all.
In the other Whittaker household, Abigail is still fighting more than talking to Anna. She cannot understand how someone can be so frustrating. Taking the chance as all the girls are away at school, she visits the highly pregnant Ashley Dougherty (quite surprising given the state of her relationship with her husband which is well beyond repair, but then who said that life was easy for a woman in the early 20the century). In her friend's conservatory she takes the chance to complain about the insolence of teenagers today. "Ida was so much easier," she complains. "Think about something else," Ashley suggests. "Maybe you should host the next charity group meeting?"
Said and done, Abigail calls together the group the very next day. After all, Thanksgiving is next week, and it's about time for Anna to be introduced to society and be eligible for suitors. Perhaps some romance will calm her spirits and make her more content with life? Abigail hopes, as she and her friends plans for the upcoming charity ball. The meeting is also a chance to check up on Ida and Emily, especially Emily. Abigail is worried about the rumors she hears.
The day has more install for Abigail than she had expected, however. After the charity group meeting has ended, she gets a missive, offering her, of all things, a job! And not any job, a fairly good job at that. But Abigail has been employed, and she knows what it means to work outside the home, and its not something she wants to try again. The girls might be getting bigger and days can get boring with no children in the house, but Abigail would never skirt her duties as a wife for a job. She turns the offer down.
A few hours later she gets confirmation that it was the absolutely right decision to make, as she realises why she has been extra tired and emotional lately. In spite of her age, and in spite of more or less being a grandmother, she is pregnant again.
Joseph is delighted at the news! How couldn't he be, another child! (his sixth, Abigail's fourth).
As the news of Abigail's pregnancy reaches Emily and Frank in their little household the morning after, Emily is just about to make a discovery of her own. That one night of woohooing left her expecting too. Perhaps this could be what finally persuades Frank to stay at home more?
But as the day progresses, there are other news shadowing hers. Frank gets an offer he neither can or want to decline. Without discussion at home, he jumps straight into the political fray, gaining fame as he decides to run for office.
When he returns home he has already started to celebrate his new found position.
What is more, James and Matias shows up unannounced at the house to help him celebrate his new fame. Emily swallows her annoyance, and puts on a brave face as she hosts the three men during dinner (and more drinks). Not at any time during dinner is there any chance for her to share her news. She keeps her pregnancy for herself as Frank, James and Matias get more and more drunk, as Frank toasts his own success. Before dinner is even over, Emily excuses herself as she heads up to read her son to sleep.
Frank and his friends head out to keep on celebrating while Emily is still upstairs, and so Frank still doesn't know his wife is pregnant when he enters the Blue Velvet Bar. Today, his night is even better than normal. People flock to him, ask for his autograph and want to shake his hand. Securing votes has never been easier. The nectar is flowing, the music just sounds much better than normal and life is good, when suddenly Joseph shows up at the bar! Frank is stupefied. Everyone knows that Joseph does not drink, and does not frequent bars, and yet here is is, and he does not look happy.
In front of the entire bar, Joseph tells his son off, arguing with him loudly about his lack of parenting and absentee as a husband. Frank is mortified! There are even journalists there! What will they think? What is his own father doing to his career. As Joseph storms off from this establishment of sin, Frank tries to return to the fun, but being yelled at is never pleasant and now his good mood is gone. He heads home.
The very next day, Joseph and Abigail has decided that an intervention is necessary. They arrive early in the morning, intending to stay until Frank has shaped up, helping Emily and keeping her in good spirits during the day until Frank returns from work.
But even with his family there, Frank cannot stay away from the juice, pouring himself a drink as soon as he's out of sight from his father.
As Emily comes into the room looking for her, she finally snaps, furious at her husband's behaviour. "How dare he embarrass her like this? Can he not leave the drinks for one single night!? What's wrong with him?" Frank does not take his wife's admonitions any easier than he takes his father's. Soon they are arguing loudly and their previously close relationship takes a turn for the worse:
Frank decides to avoid further arguments by simply going to bed. Better than to be awake in a house where everyone wants him to be something he's not.
As worried as they still are, Joseph and Abigail cannot stay any more. It's Alice's birthday, and there is a birthday party planned. "You and Frank will be there," Abigail tells Emily as they head off in the morning. It's some relief to know Frank is expected to be close by after all, and in their house there is no alcohol. As her mother plans and prepares for the party, Anna escapes the house together with pickles. Anything is better than being asked to help with house work.
The party is, as usual when Abigail plans them, a success. Good food, good mood, and a delicious cake. And just like that Alice is no longer a child, but on her way to become a young woman.
As the new baby is due any hour now, she even gets to move room, taking Anna's old one as Anna is moved into the guestroom for herself. The baby and Josephine can share. But in the quiet of the night, when everyone is sleeping in their new beds, Abigail is restless - and hungry. In her nightgown she sneaks down into the kitchen to have some left overs.
A smart move it turns out, as the next time Abigail wakes up she is far into labour. This is her fastest birth yet, and soon she is holding her new baby in her arms. To her great surprise (and delight, she has to admit) it's not another girl. This time, it's a boy! They name him William and dress him in pink. A good lively colour for boys, less calm than the blue Abigail has used for her daughters.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
The last week of fall seems to be a week of birthdays in the Whittaker households. Not only is William born early Sunday morning, but a few hours later, Emily too goes into labor, giving birth to her second son who they name after her father: Edward.
Emily is delighted at her little boy, and Frank too is enamoured with the little bundle of joy. Standing there, holding his newborn son in his arms, he feels... family orientated. Perhaps he can change? Perhaps he can be home more with his sons and wife. Be a present, and loving, father the way his own father was? Who says it's too late to change after all?
For a while, it seems hopeful. John is delighted at his new baby brother, Frank vows to spend more time at home, and Emily is feeling hopeful about the future. Only addiction is addiction, and while Frank has the best of intentions, his body has other ideas.
Frank insist he does not have a problem, however. He can be at home more if he wants to. So what if he has a drink now or then? To celebrate the birth of another son? How can that be a problem?
That night, Frank does try. He truly does. But as Emily is busy feeding the kids, changing diapers and putting them to sleep... Frank is undeniably bored. He tries to read, to listen to music, to talk to a random fan coming to his doorstep, but at the end of the night, his is bored out of his mind. And then at night, the baby wakes up - at 2 am! How can anyone sleep in that? And he has work in the morning. Sleeping in the second bedroom is just a temporary measure!
As Frank heads off to work the next day, Abigail stops by to say hello to little Edward, and showing her darling John with attention. With her own baby at home, however, she does not stay for long, though her heart is deeply troubled with worry for Frank. Perhaps Emily is right though, and it will get better. She will keep onto her hope.
That night, Frank comes home in a foul mood. He picks a fight with Emily almost the second he walks in and Frank wants nothing more than to just get out of the house. But he is determined to change, and instead invites James over for dinner. It wasn't what Emily had in mind when he said he'd be at home more often, but she makes the most of the situation. After all, it could be worse. James is her brother, and it could be that Matias character, who in spite of being married never brings his wife around. And she does appreciate the attempt Frank is making, even if James is more than happy to drink with him. At least he's at home. He even tries to entertain himself as Emily goes to bed the kids, but dancing on his own in the living room. It does very little to raise his fun, however. It's just not the same as at the bar. Why does home life has to be so utterly dull? As he heads to bed, he has no clue that he entirely forgot the third birthday this weeks. His wife's!
As the middle off the week comes around, and Thanksgiving is moving ever closer, Abigail has her own intentions. Not only does she want to keep seeing her grandchildren, but she also wants to give extra attention to her daughter. Her grand debutant ball is just a day away, and Abigail is pinning all her hopes on finding her daughter a good, solid match at the ball. Someone who can sweep her off her feet and make her forget all about traveling around the world, riding horses or getting involved in politics! She starts the day with a visit to Ida's, to cuddle a bit with Melanie and catch up on the events in the Preston household. In comparison to Emily and Frank, life in the Preston household seems wonderfully uneventful.
As soon as the girls are home from school, Abigail has a surprise for them. There is a new exhibition at the museum. Some new artists are on display. Anna prepares to be utterly bored, but to her great surprise she is not. This is art like she's never seen it. Vibrant, different, up for interpretation! Abigail, on her end, is not impressed. What happened to painting things as they are? Not with weird colors or angles that has no place in the picture of a human! Even on this it seems the two cannot see eye to eye.
While Abigail is entertaining her girls, Frank and Emily goes from bad to worse. Frank has invited people over, again, and this time Emily finally snaps. Not so much because of the guests, that is a part of being a politician's wife, she knows that, but when the power is suddenly cut off because Frank has been too drunk to remember to pay the bills. "Do you expect your children to freeze? Should we sit in the dark? What were you thinking?" This time, Frank doesn't even pretend to want to stay at home any longer. He pays his bills, and then, with Matias and James in tow, he heads straight for the bar. When he finally staggers home at two in the morning he goes straight for the extra bedroom.
As hungover as Frank might be, Thanksgiving still comes with lots of expectations. First both boys age up to infants, William with a sunny disposition, and Edward with a wiggly personality. But the main event this day is of course the ball! All unmarried and young people are invited, and hopes are high both for large charitable donations and for young love. Anna, however, is less than impressed. She hates the music, the food is mediocre, and a party like this is just not her cup of tea. It does not help that the old creep Goudeau insist on her attention. It does get slightly better as Charles Edwardsson, now a young adult with a good career and a future inherited fortune shows her attention (at least he's not a creep who possibly killed his wife.) As Charles asks her to dance, she politely accepts, but while her mother might get her hopes up, Anna does not. A dance to poor music is still boring. At least her dress is pretty. She does like her dress. Joseph on his end is struck with how much Anna looks like her mother.
Friday does not start better. Anna does dismally on this weeks exams! Perhaps if her parents didn't force her to go to balls the night before a school day she wouldn't have? Either way, Anna is determined to do what she enjoys today. Immediately after school, she heads for the stable, losing track of time as she tends to the foals and rides Lady. By the time she returns home, the rest of the family is already heading to bed. Anna settles for eating left overs, enjoying her own company. At the end of the day, she really has no need to start a family, or find someone to fall in love with. She is quite happy to be single and just live her life. Now if only her mother could understand as much.
Luckily for Anna, she does have a confidant in the family. As Alice is growing older, the two are growing closer. On Saturday morning, Alice wants to know everything about the ball, but doesn't mind listening when Anna talks more about horses, politics and whines about their parents.
Today, though, it's time for the final birthday of the week. Frank's. One step closer to being fully adult. Emily (who did not forget his birthday even if he forgot hers), has arranged for a family dinner. Now this is something Frank does enjoy. People, more people, and yet more people! The gramophone is playing jazz music, he's had a few drinks, he can enjoy the company of his sister, his best friend and his parents as Abigail plays with John, and Emily takes care of baby Edward. At the end of the night, he has no problem staying at home, or sleeping in the main bedroom. He even manages to persuade Emily to woohoo with him before bedtime. As they fall asleep they are both happy and relaxed, having had a wonderful day and evening. Now if only ever day could be like this.
As a side note of my own. Right now I'm quite enjoying playing multiple households, but let me know if things get too confusing with my jumping back and forth between them. I could try to split them up more when writing if that would help.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
As a side note of my own. Right now I'm quite enjoying playing multiple households, but let me know if things get too confusing with my jumping back and forth between them. I could try to split them up more when writing if that would help.
I like it, it's like a novel.
When the decades challenge moves on through the later decades, playing only one family with less and less children it's kind of boring and repeating. That was my experience. Playing a different family gives you the opportunity to play and try out the different challenges/possibilities during a decade and not lose your interest. For example during the roaring 20s my main family had only young children, so I changed to his youngest sister, who became a young adult during that time. She had the most fun time of all of my played sims. Although her personal story was pretty rough, but that was the decade with the old society rules and it's laws.
Thank you @Daravi! And I agree, it's much more fun to play whomever fits at the moment rather than what I decided once and then not look back. But onto this week's events.
It's Christmas time for the Whittakers (and Prestons), and Christmas time is a busy time, especially now that they are divided on three households. The family has decided to split the days between them, so that all family members can be included, though Joseph and Abigail saw it as self evident that they'd host Christmas Day themselves. (The Duncans did not necessarily agree, as the world really does revolve around them, but they were forced to settle for seeing their daughter on Boxing day.)
Before the celebrations begin, however, Abigail has decided that her daughters get to see what the Charity Balls make possible. On Sunday, after service, she makes the family volunteer. Lo and behold, for once, Abigail found something Anna approves of! While Charity balls is not Anna's cup of tea, helping people, really helping them, is something she can take pride and joy in. Anna comes home delighted! This evening, there is, for once, harmony in the Whittaker household.
The following couple of days are normal school days. Joseph is at work, Abigail tends to her precious baby boy who is developing fast. Curious, he seems to want to try everything. Monday morning he's learning how to sit, and by afternoon he's tried new food and is stubbornly trying to learn how to crawl. Alice in her turn is working on her piano skill, and Anna and Joseph bond as she gets an exciting new school assignment. Unlike her brother, she isn't bored with the magic of electricity, but shares her father's fascination.
Big news arrives when Joseph publish his next book. Suddenly he's a real celebrity. On the one hand, he's truly proud and happy, on the other it's a bit of a nuisance.
For Alice, bringing home friends is a bit of a bother, as they might just fawn right over her famous father rather than just want to hang out with her. It's especially hard when lightning seems to strike whenever said friend is near. Only what do you do when the person you have your first crush on is someone you're absolutely not supposed to have a crush on? What is even going on? How can she feel this way? And what would her parents say if they ever found out?!? The solution is obvious! No one must ever know. Surely it's just a phase? Or she's miss interpreted things. She cannot possibly feel this way about... a girl?
That night, unaware of their daughter's struggles and feelings, Joseph and Abigail decorate for the holidays. As the children all sleep, all is peaceful in the Whittaker household.
As Christmas eve comes around, Ida is happy in her preparations. The house is all decked out for the holiday, the food is prepared and everyone is ready. If only she didn't feel so nauseas all the time, but surely that will pass?
This is the first time she meets Nathaniel's sister's husband, a nice enough man if a bit flirty at times. The latter, however, is not something Nathaniel approves of. At least not when it's directed at his wife. Instead he discovers his jealous trait! Luckly, Ida, who is not about to have a fight with her beloved husband over someone else flirting with her without her asking, feels no pride in apologizing and smoothing things over, thereby saving the holiday. Is it fair that she has to apologize when she has done nothing? No. Is it unreasonable for Nathaniel to be cross with her when it's someone else he should be cross with? Definitely! Does it matter if she saves Christmas eve and make it the night she wants it to be? Not at all.
The rest of the night goes off without a hitch. Everyone appreciates the food, the kids are happy and well taken care of, the family is together. Overall, it's a fantastic night. And then Melanie becomes a toddler when she takes her first few steps. A bit clingy, but she gets on well with her older cousin John.
The only cloud on the sky this night, is Frank's mood when there is nothing to drink. It turns foul as he is ready to leave, but Nathaniel steps up and tells him off. No one speaks to his wife like that. Ida realises then just why she loves her husband. As the night wanes and the guests return to their homes, Ida suddenly realises why she has been feeling queasy. It seems the new decade will bring a new family member too.
Christmas day is spent according to tradition, enjoying each other's company and eating Dolly's fantastic cooking. Even Frank is in a decent mood, in spite of the lack of juice or nectar in the house. They eat, open presents and get even more presents from Father Christmas as he shows up. It seems Melanie has a new favourite in John, who she spends the evening following around like a shadow. For Abigail this is a happy time. She has her family all around her. It's busy, chaotic at times, and bustling with life.
On Boxing day, its Emily's turn, but unlike Abigail, she spends most of the day worrying about everything that can go wrong. Dinner works out well, which is a relief, but people then don't stay at the dining room table, or even in the living room. Some go outside to play in the snow, some go upstairs and gather in the kids' room. Joseph gives an impromptu concert on his violin on the second floor landing, and Emily's mother doesn't even show up. By the end of the night, Emily is exhausted and her nervs frayed. Frank on the other hand has a great day, as it starts with him getting a promotion. Additionally, has has easy access to drinks all night and with people around him he is in his element. He is having a great night. He doesn't even seem to notice when very still teenage sister sneaks a drink (or perhaps he does but doesn't care). Anna has to admit, she does like the taste of it, though she cannot understand drinking as much as her brother. At least now she knows what the fuss is about.
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, and an end of a decade. That deserves its own post.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
@flauschtrud I know!!! I've been fairly uninterested in Alice so far, thinking her just another girl like Ida, nice and sweet and perfectly well conformed for the society she's born into. This makes her suddenly much more interesting as a character. How do you fit into a society that teaches you that what you are feeling and experiencing isn't just wrong, but actually illegal?
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
As we now stand at the change of a decade, I figured New Years eve deserved an entrance of its own. However, before we enter the 1910s, I thought it appropriate to start with a review of the "rules" of the challenge, and going over what I will change, which apparently, is a lot. First the generally most pressed on rule of the decade:
War: All male Sims who are a Teen, Young Adult, or Adult at the start of this decade, and all males Sims who become a Teen during this decade, must be drafted for World War I. This includes the husbands of the daughters in your family and their male children (even if they are no longer your primary household).
In some other versions this is only teens or YA males, but either way, the idea is that every man who lived in the US had to go to war, and of those only half returned (as we're asked to roll a dice for survival at a 50/50 chance). Nothing could be further from the truth. Fact is that only 4.8 million US men went to war at all, and none were drafted until 1916, when the US joined the war. Teens in general weren't drafted at all, as the average age of soldiers were 24 years old. Many men were also exempt entirely from being drafted, and out of the 4.8 million who went almost half, 2 million were volunteers.
For the Whittaker/Preston families not one single man would be affected by the draft past the obligation to report for it. Joseph is too old, Nathaniel is the sole provider and father of minors without male family members to cover for him should he die. Frank would be exempt because he is a local politician. Hence the only way either of these three are going to war is if they volunteered. To be honest, I have a hard time seeing either of them doing so, but since I play one decade over two in game years I have 9-10 or so weeks to see how they develop before making up my mind.
The question that is more interesting for the Whittakers, is what Anna and Alice will choose to do. Anna is poised to reach YA-hood next spring, Alice next fall. Both will be YA when the war break out. A staggering 8 million US women volunteered for the red cross in the US, most of them domestically, but several overseas as well. Will these two young women choose the comfort of their homes, go work in a factory as more and more women take on jobs, or risks the dangers of a field hospital somewhere in Europe? The game will tell.
But first, a decade needs a proper New Years Party, and the Duncans are of course the arrangers of such, and for once even teens who have not been properly introduced into society, such as Alice, is allowed to go. Alice however is much more preoccupied with her own predicament. In the early afternoon before the New Years ball, she cannot contain herself any longer. She whispers her secret in her shocked sister's ear. Just to say it out loud is mortal embarrassment! Oh how she wish she could take it back! But while Anna is shocked, she loves her sister, and hugs her reassuringly in response, though suggests they'll take the conversation elsewhere. Somewhere there isn't someone with very large ears nearby. "Should I talk to mum and dad?" Alice asks. "Ask them for advice on what to do?" But Anna vehemently shakes her head. "Definitely not! You must never tell them, especially mum, she'll have a fit of hysteria!" Right before leaving, Alice is in teers. Why does she have to be so weird???
Once at the party, things does not get better. Because, of course, Elizabeth too is invited. Alice does not know what to do with herself. She's flushing all over. Feeling flirty, and embarrassed, and tense and sad... all at the same time. She tries to talk to her, but what's the point? Elizabeth will never see her as anything more than a friend anyway. How could she? How could anyone? "At least talk to her!" Anna tells her sister. "She's your friend first." Alice tries, but she doesn't seem to get the words out right, and then James it there. Self assured, handsome, single, and openly flirty.
Alice flees the party as the two start dancing. Who would miss her anyway? What she doesn't see, however, is Elizabeth turning James down when his advances gets too bold. Or James moving his attention to the other women at the party. All she wants is to get away. To go home. To hide. "Mum and dad would wonder where you are," Anna tells her as she comes out after her. "At least watch the fireworks." That, Alice agrees to do. But she still refuse to go back inside, so Anna stays out with her sister in the cold. Finding a spare fireworks battery, she lights it up at the same time as the fireworks goes off in the front of the house. No one will notice if they're having a party of their own back here. Even if it is very very cold.
Back home, Alice runs straight for her room to cry. But Anna isn't leaving her be. She comes in, comforts her and tells her that live will continue. "You have to find out what you want to do, and build your life around that instead of some notion about love." Only Alice doesn't know what she wants in life. Unlike Anna, she doesn't have a ton of interests. "So go get some!" Anna advices her. "You have time to figure out what you want from life." Alice isn't so sure, but as they go to sleep that night, she hopes Anna is right.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
After a hectic Christmas Week with gatherings next to every night, the Whittakers are quite pleased to get back to their usual calm life. New Years Day is a day spent with the family. Joseph and Josephine builds a snowpal:
Baby William stands up for the first time and then tops it off by speaking his first word:
And Alice is starting to find a passion of her own: Acting. Anna helps as best she can, as no one else in the family will find this particular pursuit a suitable one, but Alice is having fun and Anna is determined to help her sister follow her dreams, whatever they may entail.
On Monday, Abigail takes the opportunity to visit Ida and her new bundle of joy. A little girl they named Madison:
But all is not well in the Preston household. Without reason, Nathaniel has sudden outbursts of anger, throwing accusations at his wife for no reason.
It seems his newfound jealousy has taken over his personality and his fear of being cheated on makes him act out. Ida is having none of it, however. Sitting him down she makes him talk it out with her, ensuring him of how much she loves him. Eventually the calm settles on the household again - at least for now - and Ida and Nathaniel can go back to what they most enjoy: caring for their children.
In the younger Whittaker household, problems run more severe than that. While her days are filled up with John and Edward and their needs, Frank's is taken up by politics, socialization and interesting conversations. Instead of being curious about his children when he comes home, he is mostly just bored with the lack of stimulation at home. And unlike before, he no longer tries to hide it. When Emily tells him a story at dinner, he just stares at her. Then insults her.
The moment she goes to put the children to bed, Frank heads out the door, only to return in the middle of the night when everyone in the house is sleeping. Other than dinner, which is painful, Frank and Emily, once so in love, spends next to no time together.
In the senior Whittaker household, Abigail and Joseph worry, but at the same time, they do not want to interfere. They tried their intervention, but it did little if anything to help. But there is a glimmer of hope when Frank late one night shows up on their doorstep. He might have left home, but at least he's not at the bar.
Joseph sits him down and have a long conversation with him. About his plans for the future, his family life, and his behaviour. "But family life is boring!" Frank complains. Joseph will not hear that side of it. "Your family needs you! It's your duty!" He sends Frank home and hopes his words had an impact.
As the week progress, the family quickly find their normal rhythm. Joseph spends his days writing:
The kids spend their days in school, and then once home, doing schoolwork:
But they do find time to make use of the ice rink outside their home. Almost everyone in the family joins in:
And then one day as the family is having dinner, William, stubbornly interested in the toys that are just too far away, learns how to crawl:
Once he's crawling, he crawls everywhere, and touches everything. The cat seems interesting:
But after exploring for so long, a small infant can get really tired. Then it's good to be able to take a nap in mummy's arms:
On Thursday afternoon, George Addington comes over to spend some time with Anna. They have a great time, until George starts flirting and reveals he's interest is not only of Anna as a friend. She promptly send him home with unfinished business.
That same afternoon, Joseph decides he misses spending alone time with his wife. There is almost always some child around. Therefore he takes her out to one of the newly opened cafés in Newcrest. The town is becoming a quite bustling place, filled with life and movement.
Friday morning, Abigail gets word that little Madison is now an infant. She heads over to spend some time with her, and of course with Ida and Melanie as well. The little angel looks just like her mother at the same age.
As the weekend comes around, Joseph has decide it's time for a family excursion. He takes all his girls with him to the Newcrest observatory and science museum.
Anna is delighted!
Alice thinks this is so much more boring than art. Who cares about flowers, mechanics, some old bones or looking at the sky?
Anna tries to persuade her that this is the best thing ever, but fails. She sneaks up into the observatory to watch the sky instead. It's so amazing!!! Anna stays longer than anyone else in the family. When she gest home she researches universities. She can't wait until she's old enough to apply!
At Emily and Frank's, Emily has gotten an idea on how to keep her husband at home. Frank has made it abundantly clear that he finds her company less than entertaining (boring) and that nothing she can talk to him about is interesting enough to hold his attention and that his friends are more interesting than her and the kids. So if she is not enough to hold him at home, she'll have to invite his friends more often. Even that awful Mathias. But Mathias, for all his faults, has one thing going for him. He too has a wife, even if Emily has never been introduced to her.
Said and done, Emily decides to invite both Mathias and his wife to the house. She includes their toddler, at the same age as John as well. She shares the news with Frank over a game of chess that she knows she will lose before they even start playing.
To her relief, Frank things guests is a great idea. He immediately celebrates not having to be home with just his family with a bottle of fizzy juice:
Emily in turn, makes sure Virginia makes a suburb meal, and tells her to keep the drinks within reach but not too plentiful. The dinner goes off well, it turns out Mrs Bradshaw and Emily has quite a bit in common, and both food and drinks go over well with the men.
As the night comes to an end, Frank discovers another bonus with staying at home. As the drinks makes him flirty, there is a wife to entertain him. Woohooing is an aspect of married life that he appreciates.
As far as Emily is concerned, this is a win. No she has not stopped her husband from drinking, but she did keep him at home. If all she has to do is to make sure there are always company in the house, she thinks she can do that. Perhaps then Frank will learn to see the good in their family, and be less eager to run off. She sincerely hopes so.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
After that last monster post, I think I have made the decision to divide the weeks instead of one post per sim week. There is simply too much going on at once. So, from now on, the idea, at least, is to post more often, and a little update at the time. Starting with the first half of this week.
It started quite normally, with the kids at school, William crawling around after the cat and Abigail using his nap time to visit what she considers to be her grandchildren.
Then one night, Anna had enough of Alice's whining and insisted she'd invite Elizabeth over. "But I can't!" Alice protested. "Of course you can, you're friends!" Anna insisted. Said and done, Alice invited both Elizabeth and Caroline over, so "it wouldn't be obvious". I think Anna rolled her eyes at this (or you know, if Sims could). Both Elizabeth and Caroline came over, and stayed for dinner. At first it was Anna keeping the conversation going as Alice was far too tense.
But as the conversation kept going, and Elizabeth kept trying to talk to her, she could not not speak to her. Eventually, Alice could barely stop talking to her. As they moved into the living room, Anna quietly slipped upstairs, leaving the three girls downstairs to fend for themselves. Alice's tense mood turned into a smile by the end of the night.
On Wednesday it was time for both Edward and William to become toddlers, which meant all the family gathering with ensuring chaos of babies needing their sleep, and toddlers being hungry and a cat who ran away leaving all the kids in the family sad in the middle of the party. And it started out so quietly...
No matter how chaotic the dinner ended up being, both William and Edward did turn into toddlers. William, with his short dark hair, is inquisitive and a light sleeper that is prone to wake up in the middle of the night. Edward with his blond locks is clingy, loves being carried and a bit more reserved. Here they are:
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
With Edward and William now toddlers, it was time for John to have a real birthday and become a boy! Having learnt everything he can as a toddler, he was so ready and eager to start school!
Emily had invited kids from the entire neighborhood, and had decorated the table with cake and food:
When the guests arrived, the hallway quickly filled up with both adults, children and toddlers:
The adults and children ate at the table, the toddlers in the sofa. Virginia hopes there won't be too much for her to clean up after them when they're done.
Then it was time to blow out the candles:
And go from toddler to schoolboy. Meet John Whittaker, a glutton with an eagerness to have as many friends as possible:
Frank returned home from work when John had already aged up, and headed straight for the bar. He did find the time to compliment his son on his birthday, and even sat down to speak with him for a while. John was elated that his father would give him of his valuable time!
But as fun as it is to have a party, it's also tiring. For both boy and mother:
Frank let his boy sleep for a while, then woke him up and sent him to bed, before going up himself to wake up Emily. He's been a good boy today and stayed at home. He falls asleep pleasantly satisfied, while Emily falls asleep embarrassed by the low quality woohooing after discovering a new 'unflirty' personality trait. Probably not the effect Frank was after.
The updated family tree:
Post edited by JAL on
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
Frank's and Emily's not so happy marriage - and a garden party charity event
As John skips happily away to school the next morning, Emily is enjoying the first warm day of spring in her new garden. With Frank's position, they can now finally fix up the garden to be more than just some empty space. Emily goes all in, planning a garden of winding paths, several water features and lots of lush vegetation - all according to the newest trends in gardening where straight lines are shunned and large flower beds of repeating plants are favoured.
Edward is enjoying the new garden too:
When John returns home from school, he has news. They were talking about this new organisation in school, started in 1907 in England and 1910 in the US, and it seems everyone is joining it. Can he join the scouts too? Please? Emily sees no problem in this, so said and done, John is now a boy scout. He gets his first badge nearly right away as he skips upstairs to do his homework.
When Frank returns home from work he even helps him with it:
He's not so friendly with Emily, as he is in a rather foul mood. Emily, however, has decided to ignore his behaviour and manages, this time, to calm him down.
She, on the other hand, has made a discovery that she is keeping to herself while Frank is in his mood. She is pregnant again. This time she doesn't rush to tell Frank about her pregnancy, but hold it too herself for a while before sharing the news. She's not sure of why. She tells herself it was because Frank was sleeping when she found out.
On Saturday, it's time for another Charity event, this time to celebrate easter and spring. Subsequently it's held in the park. They bring food, and gather in the sunlight. Emily plays the piano, so does Nathaniel, to everyone's delight. It's not even hard to raise the money they need for the poor when everyone is in such good mood outdoors.
For Alice, it's not her first party, but it is her official debut into society. From this day forward, she will be invited to social events, and she is eligible for proposals and courtship. As she draws Charles Edwardson's attention, Abigail secretly hopes. Could this be the opportunity her daughter need to fall in love and find a good husband? But then Abigail does not know about the secrets her daughter has been keeping.
On returning home, Frank and Emily are both in a fairly good mood. As Emily head upstairs to put Edward to bed, Frank enjoys a game of chess with his son, who takes the opportunity to tell him all about his first scout meeting. Perhaps Frank can do this family thing after all? At least if he just gets a drink or two or three first.
Post edited by JAL on
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
As Easter Sunday rolls around, Joseph discovers something delightful just outside the house. Pickles is back!
As he goes out to get her, she too seems happy to be back in the family. Anna, while happy that the cat is back, has her head elsewhere this day however. She is in her last week before becoming an adult, and can now apply for university! Even Abigail has stopped hoping for an early marriage for her daughter, and so Anna borrows her daddy's typewriter to write her application letter. She probably shouldn't do work like that on a Sunday but her parents know by now that there is little to stop Anna when she's set her mind to something.
That afternoon, after church, Alice gets another surprise, as Elizabeth suddenly knocks on the door.
Anna lets her in, and promptly leave the two friends alone as she tries to distract her parents and give the girls some room. She doesn't understand any of this, but what does that really matter. Perhaps Alice just need time to realise what a deep enough friendship is?
Alice cannot still her heart when Elizabeth is so near. She's so close! Why is she so close?
As she sits down next to her, the two cannot stop talking, finishing each others sentences. It's just so easy, at the same time that it's so hard to stay decent. To not let Elizabeth know, to never reveal anything.
But in a house like this, there is no privacy, and suddenly a little tiny toddler wants to play with dolls, and then dad comes and joins the conversation and nothing is as it should be. Eventually, Elizabeth and Alice decide to take "some fresh air" and go outside to speak. They find a bench by the water. But what is this? Is Elizabeth...flirting? Can she be? No, surely not? She couldn't be as weird as Alice is, could she? She must be imagining things! But what if she is...?
As Elizabeth returns home, Alice rushes upstairs to talk to the only one she can talk to about this. Anna! "Could this be real?" Anna isn't sure, who has ever heard of such a thing. Two women? It's so strange, but then again, who is Anna to judge? Everyone else will surely do that. "Just be careful," she tells her sister.
Post edited by JAL on
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
As I decided to shorten the posts, so that they're more frequent, I also added headlines to the post. I hope that helps you keep the stories apart a bit. In my next post, Anna is aging up and starting to prepare for adult life. Let me know what you think about the changes
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
As Wednesday came around, it was time for Anna to go from a girl to a woman. A real woman. Someone who can fend for herself. And the day started happily as Anna got her acceptance letter to university! She's getting an education!!! Anna was ecstatic. (Of course since Foxbury is modern, we're pretending that part of the acceptance letter doesn't exist, since it doesn't, yet.)
But even girls on the verge of aging up needs to go to school. Anna's last! Next she'll be studying things she want to learn, instead of what the school wants her to learn. For Abigail, this was a quiet normal day. She prepared for Anna's birthday party, baked a cake, taught William more about how to speak, and numbers, and then took the time to stop over at Emily and Frank's house to visit the new baby; a girl named Beatrice.
Once the children returned from school it was time for the party to start. Almost every teenager and young adult was there, and Anna was sure that some of the young men were invited only to keep her at home and married instead of going to university. Not that Anna has any intention of letting something so silly as a boy get in the way of her dreams. Still, she enjoyed herself, blew out her candles, and got her new trait: adventurous (although that felt fairly obvious didn't it?)
The next day is full of preparation. There are things to buy, things to pack, things to prepare. Abigail starts with taking her to Magnolia promenade and after getting some money from the bank, takes her shopping for a new wardrobe and style "more appropriate for a woman." Anna doesn't really see the problem, but does as her mother wants when it comes to her hair, but refuse to budge when it comes to her wardrobe: "No, mum, the hemline is not too short!" All the same, she does get a new athletic outfit to fit the fashion in Britechester. She doubts anyone will approve of her riding outfit. The chances that there is any riding to be had in Britechester is slim anyway.
Back home, her room is starting to look more like a warehouse than a bedroom with all her trunks.
Joseph, while supportive, cannot help to worry about his little girl. He takes her into his office for a serious chat about what she can expect, and what is expected of her. "Do not let young men fool you, they are up to no good!"
"It's a girls only dorm, dad!"
"Still! And no alcohol! See what it has done with your brother!"
"Yes, dad."
Meanwhile, Alice has joined the school drama-club, and while her parents are busy worrying about Anna, neither one pays attention enough to complain about it. Sometimes it's good to be the sister that goes under the radar. She wonders how long that will last now that Anna is going away. But then again, come fall it's her turn to go. And she intends to, just like Anna, she too want to go to university.
For Anna the rest of the week is a combination of endless and impatient waiting, and realisation of how much she will miss certain aspects of her home. Like her sisters. Like riding. Oh how she will miss riding! To make up for it she spends most of Friday in the stables or riding Lady. She only hopes the freedom she gains from going will replace the feeling of freedom she gets on the back of a horse she loves so much. Time will tell.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
Josephine aging up and Anna leaving for University
A weekend runs by fast, and on Sunday it's finally (or so Anna and Josephine thinks, if for entirely different reasons) it's time for Josephine to age up. As usual both family members and kids of the neighborhood has been invited to the festivities, which takes place unusually early to make sure Anna has time to catch her train to Britechester. Anna can barely wait to leave, and Josephine can barely wait to age up. As soon as everyone has arrived, she blows out the candles on her cake.
Meet Josephine, now a teenager, and aptly named it turned out as she is the one of the children who looks most like her father, especially around the eyes.
The party goes over well. She opens presents, socialize with the other teens and kids in the neighborhood, and eat cake.
For Anna it's a chance to say goodbye to her family, as she is ready to leave. As soon as the party is over, she is on the first train out of Willow Creek. She's not alone. Elizabeth Chandler, Betty (not to be confused with Elizabeth Byron, Alice's "friend"), is already waiting for her when she arrived. "I saved a bed for you," she says.
Britechester is beautiful, but different from what Anna had expected. She writes home to her sister.
Dear Alice,
The way Frank described it you were two or possibly three in a room. Here we're six sharing a dorm. It's a lot of girls in one place! But it's nice as well to have people around. I met a few of the girls so far. They seem nice. It does take some getting used to sharing a bathroom, however. There are three showers next to each other. No privacy.
Britechester itself is beautiful! You'll love it here when it's your turn. Just taking a walk around the University campus is amazing. So much to see and look at. Frank wasn't exaggerating that. I ran into George in the commons, already getting a move on the homework. I suppose I should too if I want to stay on top of things. So much homework already, and the term doesn't even start officially until tomorrow! The commons is nice, and has fairly decent food (though not like the one Dolly makes! I'll miss her cooking!).
I already managed to get into trouble! You know how I am, when I get wrapped up in something I forget all about time. Well, I returned to the dorm no later than 9:30, when Miss Tanner, the dorm manager, chewed me out for being late. Not even mum was that strict! We're expected back no later than 9pm each night, for some quiet time before bedtime which is promptly at 10pm. Every night! Even weekends. And boys are severely frowned upon though they are allowed to visit on occasion, if you register them first. Mum and dad were so worried about everything from alcohol to boys, but seriously, they had nothing to worry about when Miss Tanner is around. I don't know what I expected. More freedom? To be making my own decisions? But I suppose it's just for a few semesters, then I'm my own and can do what I want. The study area is nice here at Wyvern, as is the sitting room. There is almost as many books as at home.
I miss you terribly! Tell mum and dad hi for me. I'll write them in a day or two, when the classes have started properly.
Love Anna
***
And an updated family tree with the new information:
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
@JAL
The family tree is awesome! And I'm curious to see what will happen during WW1. I could imagine Anna going to Europe, especially with her new trait.
It gave me such pleasure to read your letter, and I cannot wait to hear more about life at university! I implore you to write to mum and dad soon, they are, per usual, sick with worry about you and learning more about Miss Tanner is bound to set their minds at ease.
Nothing much has happened here that you would not know of. Madison turned two, as you well known. She's walking and everything now. She looks so much like her mother. It was strange not to have you here for the occasion, and even stranger to think that you will miss Melanie's birthday too. Five! Time to start school. Ida is so proud, you wouldn't believe it. Or maybe you would, it is Ida after all.
I almost forgot, I have news! I got promoted to line learner in the drama club! Mum and dad has barely noticed. I thought they'd be much more attentive when you left, but I suppose with you at university they cannot say much about me acting. At least not as long as it's a school activity. I do not want to know what they'll say when they realise this is more than just an after school past time.
I'm enclosing a photograph of Madison. Please write soon. And write to mum and dad. I mean it.
All my love,
Alice.
***
Dear mum and dad,
I do apologize for not writing to you sooner, but my schedule has been hectic. I am settling in well and Miss Tanner, the dorm manager, is keeping a stern eye on us. We have clear curfews, and go to bed early. Not that we would have energy for much more. The dorms are nice and comfortable and there is a study room and a drawing room so we have plenty of things to do here. The commons are good for studying and eating our meals and there is a wonderful public garden right outside the library. Please tell Dolly I miss her cooking.
I have been spending a lot of time with Elizabeth Chandler who is also here, and have run into George Addington on occasion. Both send their best. I hope you are well back home, and that you'll let me know how things are going. Did you have a nice fourth of July? No one celebrated much here, we were all too busy studying. I hope to have more to tell you soon, and give my best to everyone else. Especially remember to wish Melanie the best of birthdays on Monday. I miss you all very much.
Your faithful daughter,
Anna
***
Dear Alice,
Now I've done what you asked and written to mum and dad. I hope that keeps them calm. And what is this about Line learner? That's great! Congratulations. I just know you will be such a good actress if that is what you choose to do. I hope there is an acting organization for you here by then. I haven't heard of any, but otherwise you'll just have to start your own.
Speaking of university organizations, summer semesters are so strange. Not only did we have classes on the fourth of July. I'm not joking, we did! And then all organizations seem to be a fall and spring thing only. Remember how Frank told us about the debate team? Well I was so hoping to join, and the schedule say they are supposed to meet, but when I got there no one was there. Same with the art meeting! I know Betty wanted to join that organization. It's almost enough to make me wish I had waited until the fall term and gone with you! Almost. I know I couldn't have lived inactive back home with only mum to hover over me wishing for me to find a good husband. I know she means well, I really know she does, and she is looking out for my security and happiness, but I think I'd perish if I was stuck in Willow Creek my whole life!
But your letter told me nothing about you other than your acting. Have things got better, or more strange, with Lizzie Byron? Do you know what you want yet? And how about your Independence day? Did you spend it at some stuffy old ball with the Duncans with mum trying to pair you up with any eligible young man in town? As I told you we had classes, but Betty and I found this beach area down behind the campus, and went there after class. We hung out, had a picnic, did homework and I took a swim in the river. It was freezing cold, but invigorating. We had even gotten hold of some fireworks that we let off. No one caught us at it, so it was all good.
And then I snuck out. I know I shouldn't have, but do not think for a second that I will stay here for four terms and not once visit that pub Frank spoke about! So I went. What better day than a holiday right? Well it turns out I was by far the only one, and it started out fine. I tried some strawberry nectar, and it was nicer than I expected. But I had fun. Well until out of the blue George kissed me. Yes, you read that right, he just kissed me! And I might have had a bit too much nectar because I was too shocked to even slap him for his audacity. Or at least stop him before it was too late.
I have to admit that I am at a loss at how to handle the situation. I mean it's George! I've known him since we were six years old, and it was strange enough when he tried to flirt with me that one time, and now this? What if he tells someone? And no, I don't mean like ruin my reputation, I trust him not to do anything of the kind, but I am worried that he might read too much into the act. What if he tells his parents? What if they tell ours? Mum would start to plan our wedding before I could cry out no! Oh it must not happen! I know I need to talk to him, but I have to admit I've been behaving like a coward and just avoided him all together. I know what you will say! Talk to him. I will, I promise! I cannot let this go further, or for him to think... whatever it is he might be thinking. It's not fair on him or me, and I will not be lured into marrying George because I had too much nectar once!
Perhaps dad was right about alcohol after all. I think I shall do better without it, temperance and all that. And I'll talk to George. Oh Alice I so wish you were here to talk to! Betty is fantastic, but there are things I just cannot tell her.
Do write me back, and let me know what is going on with you, and with everyone else, and especially with Lizzie Byron. Oh stop blushing! I can see you all the way to Britechester!
All my love,
Anna
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
Abigail & Anna: in which Abigail realises why even women might want to be politically active
As Anna is struggling with unwanted romantic attention and non-existing university organisations, Abigail and Joseph are getting their own challenge in Willow Creek. As more and more people are visiting 'that place' (the Blue Velvet), they find a surprise in that weeks news:
Joseph finds it shocking and repulsive. It is bad enough that this NAP is a part of his son's community, but his own? Something needs to be done. He sits Abigail down to speak to her. It's time to get the women involved. "It is clear the men of this town have been corrupted by this evil and this will only be resolved if you ladies get involved," he says. "It's time to put that charity club to some good use."
Said and done, Abigail calls a meeting the very next morning, sharing the disturbing news that now all of Willow Creeks seems to be affected by this. "Our men drink instead of coming home, they cannot help themselves. It's not them it's this evil that is taking hold of them, disrupting families both poor and rich. We have to do something! We have to make our voices heard and get that horrible place shut down once and for all!"
In agreement, the women start forming a plan involving the reverend (surely he must still be uncorrupted by this), and a labour day protest. Preparations are made, plans are formed and Abigail and Joseph gets to work on the reverend immediately.
As labour day comes around, the women meet outside the Blue Velvet. "Vote dry!" "Something's the matter with Willow Creek!" "The liquor must go!" As Alice writes to her sister later: I don't think I've ever seen mother so involved in anything before. She reminds me of you!
Alice has more news in her letter, not so much about herself and Lizzie, for not much has happened in that department, but of other things that has happened in the family. Emily being pregnant again. Melanie becoming a child and having a birthday party, the progress on her acting, and as requested the story of Independence day. It wasn't nearly as bad as you think. Mother had persuaded Mrs Duncan to host it in the park, during the day, and it was actually quite nice. I got to perform on the piano for everyone, and there weren't too much matchmaking. Not more than I could ignore. Father handled the fireworks, possibly because he was the one person who had not had any liquor. Unlike you, apparently. You have to tell me more about the situation!
***
Dear Alice,
I barely know where to start! Well, at home it suppose, because I can barely believe what I read. Our mother is politically active? Mum? Not only going to, but actually organising protests? I never in my life thought that was even possible. Well, good on her! And my one stint with nectar make me believe, and I never once thought I'd say this, that mother might be right about something.
So many things has gone on here, aside from school work. I started a debate club of my own! Why wait for University organisations to be started for you, when you can just invite people who feel the way you do, and then start it up yourself? You should start an acting club when you go, I don't think they have one, so if you want one you'll have to take matters into your own hands. I got Lizzie's brother to join (he's getting such a pot belly you wouldn't believe!). He agreed to debate the issue of women's suffrage with me 'as a favour' to 'show me women aren't made to debate serious issues'. I crushed him in the debate! I have to say that felt incredibly rewarding. Betty says I'm becoming right out ambitious. Maybe I am? If so, I kind of like it.
And yes, I know you want to know about George. I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I did the right thing, I talked it over with him. I think he took it fairly well, and I might have added a hint that there might be another friend who would be more open to approach. Well a long story short, he and Betty are now an item, which between her being raised to believe that all manner of showing affection is a sin to his social awkwardness is either a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen. He's so worried about 'getting it right' and she is so worried about moving too fast or too slow and him finding someone else. As if he would. He's so utterly grateful she'll give him the time of day. It's sort of cute, but also a bit weird. It's like watching two people who just met, rather than people who have quite literary been friends their whole life. Don't say anything to mum yet, but I think there might be a wedding in town in the near future. I know it's what Betty wants, and if I can just get George to remember that he needs to be the one doing the asking, it might just work out for them. Personally I don't see the lure of rushing into marriage and babies, but who am I to tell others what they should do with their lives?
I still wish you were here, and can't really wrap my head around the fact that when you get here, I won't be here any longer. I don't even know where I'll be. I can't really imaging moving back home, and yet I have no clue on how to get to where I want to be. I suppose I still have some time to figure that one out though.
Your loving sister,
Anna
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
@flauschtrud I'm so glad you like them. I do too. I can almost hear them in my head as a write them and it makes me feel as if I know them better somehow, if that makes sense. But while Anna and Alice is proud of their mother for getting involved in politics and stating her mind, the same cannot be said for all the households in the family, and therefore it is time for:
Frank and Emily's not so happy marriage
For Emily, it was not such a hard decision to join in the protest against the bar. After all, she has seen first hand what can happen when someone is in the grips of an addiction. Frank, however, did not approve, and by the time she returned home he was livid. "How dare you humiliate me like that? What were you thinking!"
"Can't you see that I'm doing this for you? You can't even spend a single night at home without getting drunk!" Emily retorts, but Frank is in no mood to listen to reason.
At the end of the fight, both are left deeply unhappy, wounded and hurt. Frank doesn't like to admit it, but what if Emily has a point? What if he is really a failure? And Emily worries she went too far, said too much. What if Frank falls out of love with her? What if he isn't just at the bar every night? What if he has found someone else to spend his nights with when she and the children are not enough to keep him entertained?
As they fight, John escapes the house, first to his scout meeting, then to the garden, where he spends a good while cloud gazing, pretending everything is right while knowing things aren't. As his mother is busy with one toddler and one infant in the house, he knows no one will miss him, and only go back inside well after his bedtime. It's not like it's a school night anyway.
That night, after a fitful sleep, Emily wakes up in pain as she has gone into labour. After a brief panic, Frank escapes the room. He wanders the hall, and then decide that even if it is 4 am another child warrants a celebratory drink. By the time Harold is born, Frank is in a really good mood. He happily runs up to great his youngest son.
As they head to church that morning, Frank's good mood is soured again, as the reverend is holding an impassioned speech against the evils of liquor. "We need to stop this evil from taking hold of our bodies and souls!" he argues. Emily is uplifted in her stance. This is right. This is what she needs to fight for. To get her husband back again the way he once was.
After service Abigail comes to visit. John is delighted! He can always rely on grandma Abigail to give him all the attention his parents do not have the time or energy to give him. He shows her his new uniform, and his new badges.
Abigail also greets little Harold to the world, and checks to see if Emily needs anything.
"Nothing at all," Emily lies. "Everything is quite well." As she goes to bed that night, alone, as per usual now, she wonders if she perhaps should have told the truth.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
In which Anna graduates, Alice comes of age and Emily and Frank have children aging up
In Frank and Emily's home, life continues on much as before. With one newborn, one infant, one toddler and one child, Emily has little time for anything but her children. Between feeding and changing diapers she tries to have time to actually educate her little ones as well. Especially young Edward, who is not yet old enough for school. It's not easy and Edward is not nearly as well developed as Abigail's William, even if they are exactly the same age. Beatrice too, is behind in her development. She learns to sit late, and even as she is about to age up, she has just barely started on real food.
She tries to keep it together and to keep the... challenges of her and Frank's marriage from the kids, but the constant fighting is affecting them, whether she wants to admit it or not. John, especially, is hit hard by his father's mood changes and sudden burst if illwill.
But life moved on, and by the end of the week, Emily still manages, with Virginia's help, to plan a family gathering as Beatrice and Harold both age up. Harold to infant, Beatrice to toddler. Perhaps having two toddlers will be easier? And besides, soon it's time for Edward to be a boy. Not quite yet, but soon, and then perhaps John will have someone he can play more with, and that will be good for both the boys. Or so Emily hopes.
Meet Harold and Beatrice as infant and toddlers:
In the senior Whittaker household, Josephine is having her first crush:
Nash Sinclair, son of Viviane and the late Thomas Sinclair, Emily's nephew, is a good match, or so Abigail thinks, and gently encourages the match. He's not as well off as the Duncans, who he lives with, but his father was a judge, so there is money there enough for them to live. This might actually work out well with time. If the infatuation last. Now if only Alice could also find herself a young man...
Come Friday a letter arrives for Alice:
Dear Alice,
I am sorry I haven't been writing, but this last week is insane! There is so much homework, and so many term papers to write. You can really tell that it's the last term and we're soon to graduate. I've managed to take up jogging however. It's quite a good way to relax when the world around you is moving too fast.
Good news! George did it! He got his nerves up and proposed! I'm sure by now Mrs Chandler is busy planning. I think they've decided to marry around Christmas. Long enough to show nothing improper has been going on, but soon enough that they won't need to live apart much longer. I'm so happy for them.
I cannot wait to meet little baby Harold when I return, and I am saddened that I will miss so much until then. Therefore, I have made up my mind. I am returning as soon as my finals are done, so that I won't miss your birthday at least! Yes, that does mean I will miss my own graduation ceremony, but what is a ceremony other than a hat and gown I'm never going to wear again? And no, you cannot change my mind, in fact by the time you receive this it's already too late to write me back. I'll be on my way before any letter reaches me here. Do not be sad, this is my choice. I want to be there when you come of age, and I want to see you off to university myself.
Your loving sister,
Anna
Which is followed up by Anna showing up early Saturday morning. As cross as Alice is at Anna for missing her own graduation, she's delighted to have her sister there.
The party is, as always when Abigail arranges it, a success, and Alice is proud as she is now counted as a woman instead of a girl.
Tomorrow it's time for another birthday, that of Edward and William, then, for Alice, it's time for university and a whole new life. For Anna, it's time to start to figure out what to do with her life, and to choose a path for herself.
Moreover, I advise that the cart button must be destroyed!
Comments
The next morning, as Frank heads off to work, Virginia gets up early to make breakfast and get John ready for his mother. Once awake, Emily spends her day with John. To get out of the house, she heads over to her parents house, spending some time with her mother before heading back home in time for Frank to return from work. Will tonight be different? Will he stay at home? It starts well as they sit down for a dinner together, Virginia taking care of John for the evening. But as dinner finish, Frank has important people to meet, hands to shake and votes to secure. "At the bar?" "Don't you want me to be successful?" Frank is out the door before the conversation can turn into an argument. It seems nothing has changed at all after all.
In the other Whittaker household, Abigail is still fighting more than talking to Anna. She cannot understand how someone can be so frustrating. Taking the chance as all the girls are away at school, she visits the highly pregnant Ashley Dougherty (quite surprising given the state of her relationship with her husband which is well beyond repair, but then who said that life was easy for a woman in the early 20the century). In her friend's conservatory she takes the chance to complain about the insolence of teenagers today. "Ida was so much easier," she complains. "Think about something else," Ashley suggests. "Maybe you should host the next charity group meeting?"
Said and done, Abigail calls together the group the very next day. After all, Thanksgiving is next week, and it's about time for Anna to be introduced to society and be eligible for suitors. Perhaps some romance will calm her spirits and make her more content with life? Abigail hopes, as she and her friends plans for the upcoming charity ball. The meeting is also a chance to check up on Ida and Emily, especially Emily. Abigail is worried about the rumors she hears.
The day has more install for Abigail than she had expected, however. After the charity group meeting has ended, she gets a missive, offering her, of all things, a job! And not any job, a fairly good job at that. But Abigail has been employed, and she knows what it means to work outside the home, and its not something she wants to try again. The girls might be getting bigger and days can get boring with no children in the house, but Abigail would never skirt her duties as a wife for a job. She turns the offer down.
A few hours later she gets confirmation that it was the absolutely right decision to make, as she realises why she has been extra tired and emotional lately. In spite of her age, and in spite of more or less being a grandmother, she is pregnant again.
Joseph is delighted at the news! How couldn't he be, another child! (his sixth, Abigail's fourth).
As the news of Abigail's pregnancy reaches Emily and Frank in their little household the morning after, Emily is just about to make a discovery of her own. That one night of woohooing left her expecting too. Perhaps this could be what finally persuades Frank to stay at home more?
But as the day progresses, there are other news shadowing hers. Frank gets an offer he neither can or want to decline. Without discussion at home, he jumps straight into the political fray, gaining fame as he decides to run for office.
When he returns home he has already started to celebrate his new found position.
What is more, James and Matias shows up unannounced at the house to help him celebrate his new fame. Emily swallows her annoyance, and puts on a brave face as she hosts the three men during dinner (and more drinks). Not at any time during dinner is there any chance for her to share her news. She keeps her pregnancy for herself as Frank, James and Matias get more and more drunk, as Frank toasts his own success. Before dinner is even over, Emily excuses herself as she heads up to read her son to sleep.
Frank and his friends head out to keep on celebrating while Emily is still upstairs, and so Frank still doesn't know his wife is pregnant when he enters the Blue Velvet Bar. Today, his night is even better than normal. People flock to him, ask for his autograph and want to shake his hand. Securing votes has never been easier. The nectar is flowing, the music just sounds much better than normal and life is good, when suddenly Joseph shows up at the bar! Frank is stupefied. Everyone knows that Joseph does not drink, and does not frequent bars, and yet here is is, and he does not look happy.
In front of the entire bar, Joseph tells his son off, arguing with him loudly about his lack of parenting and absentee as a husband. Frank is mortified! There are even journalists there! What will they think? What is his own father doing to his career. As Joseph storms off from this establishment of sin, Frank tries to return to the fun, but being yelled at is never pleasant and now his good mood is gone. He heads home.
The very next day, Joseph and Abigail has decided that an intervention is necessary. They arrive early in the morning, intending to stay until Frank has shaped up, helping Emily and keeping her in good spirits during the day until Frank returns from work.
But even with his family there, Frank cannot stay away from the juice, pouring himself a drink as soon as he's out of sight from his father.
As Emily comes into the room looking for her, she finally snaps, furious at her husband's behaviour. "How dare he embarrass her like this? Can he not leave the drinks for one single night!? What's wrong with him?" Frank does not take his wife's admonitions any easier than he takes his father's. Soon they are arguing loudly and their previously close relationship takes a turn for the worse:
Frank decides to avoid further arguments by simply going to bed. Better than to be awake in a house where everyone wants him to be something he's not.
As worried as they still are, Joseph and Abigail cannot stay any more. It's Alice's birthday, and there is a birthday party planned. "You and Frank will be there," Abigail tells Emily as they head off in the morning. It's some relief to know Frank is expected to be close by after all, and in their house there is no alcohol. As her mother plans and prepares for the party, Anna escapes the house together with pickles. Anything is better than being asked to help with house work.
The party is, as usual when Abigail plans them, a success. Good food, good mood, and a delicious cake. And just like that Alice is no longer a child, but on her way to become a young woman.
As the new baby is due any hour now, she even gets to move room, taking Anna's old one as Anna is moved into the guestroom for herself. The baby and Josephine can share. But in the quiet of the night, when everyone is sleeping in their new beds, Abigail is restless - and hungry. In her nightgown she sneaks down into the kitchen to have some left overs.
A smart move it turns out, as the next time Abigail wakes up she is far into labour. This is her fastest birth yet, and soon she is holding her new baby in her arms. To her great surprise (and delight, she has to admit) it's not another girl. This time, it's a boy! They name him William and dress him in pink. A good lively colour for boys, less calm than the blue Abigail has used for her daughters.
Emily is delighted at her little boy, and Frank too is enamoured with the little bundle of joy. Standing there, holding his newborn son in his arms, he feels... family orientated. Perhaps he can change? Perhaps he can be home more with his sons and wife. Be a present, and loving, father the way his own father was? Who says it's too late to change after all?
For a while, it seems hopeful. John is delighted at his new baby brother, Frank vows to spend more time at home, and Emily is feeling hopeful about the future. Only addiction is addiction, and while Frank has the best of intentions, his body has other ideas.
Frank insist he does not have a problem, however. He can be at home more if he wants to. So what if he has a drink now or then? To celebrate the birth of another son? How can that be a problem?
That night, Frank does try. He truly does. But as Emily is busy feeding the kids, changing diapers and putting them to sleep... Frank is undeniably bored. He tries to read, to listen to music, to talk to a random fan coming to his doorstep, but at the end of the night, his is bored out of his mind. And then at night, the baby wakes up - at 2 am! How can anyone sleep in that? And he has work in the morning. Sleeping in the second bedroom is just a temporary measure!
As Frank heads off to work the next day, Abigail stops by to say hello to little Edward, and showing her darling John with attention. With her own baby at home, however, she does not stay for long, though her heart is deeply troubled with worry for Frank. Perhaps Emily is right though, and it will get better. She will keep onto her hope.
That night, Frank comes home in a foul mood. He picks a fight with Emily almost the second he walks in and Frank wants nothing more than to just get out of the house. But he is determined to change, and instead invites James over for dinner. It wasn't what Emily had in mind when he said he'd be at home more often, but she makes the most of the situation. After all, it could be worse. James is her brother, and it could be that Matias character, who in spite of being married never brings his wife around. And she does appreciate the attempt Frank is making, even if James is more than happy to drink with him. At least he's at home. He even tries to entertain himself as Emily goes to bed the kids, but dancing on his own in the living room. It does very little to raise his fun, however. It's just not the same as at the bar. Why does home life has to be so utterly dull? As he heads to bed, he has no clue that he entirely forgot the third birthday this weeks. His wife's!
As the middle off the week comes around, and Thanksgiving is moving ever closer, Abigail has her own intentions. Not only does she want to keep seeing her grandchildren, but she also wants to give extra attention to her daughter. Her grand debutant ball is just a day away, and Abigail is pinning all her hopes on finding her daughter a good, solid match at the ball. Someone who can sweep her off her feet and make her forget all about traveling around the world, riding horses or getting involved in politics! She starts the day with a visit to Ida's, to cuddle a bit with Melanie and catch up on the events in the Preston household. In comparison to Emily and Frank, life in the Preston household seems wonderfully uneventful.
As soon as the girls are home from school, Abigail has a surprise for them. There is a new exhibition at the museum. Some new artists are on display. Anna prepares to be utterly bored, but to her great surprise she is not. This is art like she's never seen it. Vibrant, different, up for interpretation! Abigail, on her end, is not impressed. What happened to painting things as they are? Not with weird colors or angles that has no place in the picture of a human! Even on this it seems the two cannot see eye to eye.
While Abigail is entertaining her girls, Frank and Emily goes from bad to worse. Frank has invited people over, again, and this time Emily finally snaps. Not so much because of the guests, that is a part of being a politician's wife, she knows that, but when the power is suddenly cut off because Frank has been too drunk to remember to pay the bills. "Do you expect your children to freeze? Should we sit in the dark? What were you thinking?" This time, Frank doesn't even pretend to want to stay at home any longer. He pays his bills, and then, with Matias and James in tow, he heads straight for the bar. When he finally staggers home at two in the morning he goes straight for the extra bedroom.
As hungover as Frank might be, Thanksgiving still comes with lots of expectations. First both boys age up to infants, William with a sunny disposition, and Edward with a wiggly personality. But the main event this day is of course the ball! All unmarried and young people are invited, and hopes are high both for large charitable donations and for young love. Anna, however, is less than impressed. She hates the music, the food is mediocre, and a party like this is just not her cup of tea. It does not help that the old creep Goudeau insist on her attention. It does get slightly better as Charles Edwardsson, now a young adult with a good career and a future inherited fortune shows her attention (at least he's not a creep who possibly killed his wife.) As Charles asks her to dance, she politely accepts, but while her mother might get her hopes up, Anna does not. A dance to poor music is still boring. At least her dress is pretty. She does like her dress. Joseph on his end is struck with how much Anna looks like her mother.
Friday does not start better. Anna does dismally on this weeks exams! Perhaps if her parents didn't force her to go to balls the night before a school day she wouldn't have? Either way, Anna is determined to do what she enjoys today. Immediately after school, she heads for the stable, losing track of time as she tends to the foals and rides Lady. By the time she returns home, the rest of the family is already heading to bed. Anna settles for eating left overs, enjoying her own company. At the end of the day, she really has no need to start a family, or find someone to fall in love with. She is quite happy to be single and just live her life. Now if only her mother could understand as much.
Luckily for Anna, she does have a confidant in the family. As Alice is growing older, the two are growing closer. On Saturday morning, Alice wants to know everything about the ball, but doesn't mind listening when Anna talks more about horses, politics and whines about their parents.
Today, though, it's time for the final birthday of the week. Frank's. One step closer to being fully adult. Emily (who did not forget his birthday even if he forgot hers), has arranged for a family dinner. Now this is something Frank does enjoy. People, more people, and yet more people! The gramophone is playing jazz music, he's had a few drinks, he can enjoy the company of his sister, his best friend and his parents as Abigail plays with John, and Emily takes care of baby Edward. At the end of the night, he has no problem staying at home, or sleeping in the main bedroom. He even manages to persuade Emily to woohoo with him before bedtime. As they fall asleep they are both happy and relaxed, having had a wonderful day and evening. Now if only ever day could be like this.
As a side note of my own. Right now I'm quite enjoying playing multiple households, but let me know if things get too confusing with my jumping back and forth between them. I could try to split them up more when writing if that would help.
I like it, it's like a novel.
It's Christmas time for the Whittakers (and Prestons), and Christmas time is a busy time, especially now that they are divided on three households. The family has decided to split the days between them, so that all family members can be included, though Joseph and Abigail saw it as self evident that they'd host Christmas Day themselves. (The Duncans did not necessarily agree, as the world really does revolve around them, but they were forced to settle for seeing their daughter on Boxing day.)
Before the celebrations begin, however, Abigail has decided that her daughters get to see what the Charity Balls make possible. On Sunday, after service, she makes the family volunteer. Lo and behold, for once, Abigail found something Anna approves of! While Charity balls is not Anna's cup of tea, helping people, really helping them, is something she can take pride and joy in. Anna comes home delighted! This evening, there is, for once, harmony in the Whittaker household.
The following couple of days are normal school days. Joseph is at work, Abigail tends to her precious baby boy who is developing fast. Curious, he seems to want to try everything. Monday morning he's learning how to sit, and by afternoon he's tried new food and is stubbornly trying to learn how to crawl. Alice in her turn is working on her piano skill, and Anna and Joseph bond as she gets an exciting new school assignment. Unlike her brother, she isn't bored with the magic of electricity, but shares her father's fascination.
Big news arrives when Joseph publish his next book. Suddenly he's a real celebrity. On the one hand, he's truly proud and happy, on the other it's a bit of a nuisance.
For Alice, bringing home friends is a bit of a bother, as they might just fawn right over her famous father rather than just want to hang out with her. It's especially hard when lightning seems to strike whenever said friend is near. Only what do you do when the person you have your first crush on is someone you're absolutely not supposed to have a crush on? What is even going on? How can she feel this way? And what would her parents say if they ever found out?!? The solution is obvious! No one must ever know. Surely it's just a phase? Or she's miss interpreted things. She cannot possibly feel this way about... a girl?
That night, unaware of their daughter's struggles and feelings, Joseph and Abigail decorate for the holidays. As the children all sleep, all is peaceful in the Whittaker household.
As Christmas eve comes around, Ida is happy in her preparations. The house is all decked out for the holiday, the food is prepared and everyone is ready. If only she didn't feel so nauseas all the time, but surely that will pass?
This is the first time she meets Nathaniel's sister's husband, a nice enough man if a bit flirty at times. The latter, however, is not something Nathaniel approves of. At least not when it's directed at his wife. Instead he discovers his jealous trait! Luckly, Ida, who is not about to have a fight with her beloved husband over someone else flirting with her without her asking, feels no pride in apologizing and smoothing things over, thereby saving the holiday. Is it fair that she has to apologize when she has done nothing? No. Is it unreasonable for Nathaniel to be cross with her when it's someone else he should be cross with? Definitely! Does it matter if she saves Christmas eve and make it the night she wants it to be? Not at all.
The rest of the night goes off without a hitch. Everyone appreciates the food, the kids are happy and well taken care of, the family is together. Overall, it's a fantastic night. And then Melanie becomes a toddler when she takes her first few steps. A bit clingy, but she gets on well with her older cousin John.
The only cloud on the sky this night, is Frank's mood when there is nothing to drink. It turns foul as he is ready to leave, but Nathaniel steps up and tells him off. No one speaks to his wife like that. Ida realises then just why she loves her husband. As the night wanes and the guests return to their homes, Ida suddenly realises why she has been feeling queasy. It seems the new decade will bring a new family member too.
Christmas day is spent according to tradition, enjoying each other's company and eating Dolly's fantastic cooking. Even Frank is in a decent mood, in spite of the lack of juice or nectar in the house. They eat, open presents and get even more presents from Father Christmas as he shows up. It seems Melanie has a new favourite in John, who she spends the evening following around like a shadow. For Abigail this is a happy time. She has her family all around her. It's busy, chaotic at times, and bustling with life.
On Boxing day, its Emily's turn, but unlike Abigail, she spends most of the day worrying about everything that can go wrong. Dinner works out well, which is a relief, but people then don't stay at the dining room table, or even in the living room. Some go outside to play in the snow, some go upstairs and gather in the kids' room. Joseph gives an impromptu concert on his violin on the second floor landing, and Emily's mother doesn't even show up. By the end of the night, Emily is exhausted and her nervs frayed. Frank on the other hand has a great day, as it starts with him getting a promotion. Additionally, has has easy access to drinks all night and with people around him he is in his element. He is having a great night. He doesn't even seem to notice when very still teenage sister sneaks a drink (or perhaps he does but doesn't care). Anna has to admit, she does like the taste of it, though she cannot understand drinking as much as her brother. At least now she knows what the fuss is about.
Tomorrow is New Years Eve, and an end of a decade. That deserves its own post.
And I like to read stories of the side households, I'm just sometimes confused as to who is who
My first attempt at creating a Sims comic: The Parker-Goth Legacy.
As we now stand at the change of a decade, I figured New Years eve deserved an entrance of its own. However, before we enter the 1910s, I thought it appropriate to start with a review of the "rules" of the challenge, and going over what I will change, which apparently, is a lot. First the generally most pressed on rule of the decade:
In some other versions this is only teens or YA males, but either way, the idea is that every man who lived in the US had to go to war, and of those only half returned (as we're asked to roll a dice for survival at a 50/50 chance). Nothing could be further from the truth. Fact is that only 4.8 million US men went to war at all, and none were drafted until 1916, when the US joined the war. Teens in general weren't drafted at all, as the average age of soldiers were 24 years old. Many men were also exempt entirely from being drafted, and out of the 4.8 million who went almost half, 2 million were volunteers.
For the Whittaker/Preston families not one single man would be affected by the draft past the obligation to report for it. Joseph is too old, Nathaniel is the sole provider and father of minors without male family members to cover for him should he die. Frank would be exempt because he is a local politician. Hence the only way either of these three are going to war is if they volunteered. To be honest, I have a hard time seeing either of them doing so, but since I play one decade over two in game years I have 9-10 or so weeks to see how they develop before making up my mind.
The question that is more interesting for the Whittakers, is what Anna and Alice will choose to do. Anna is poised to reach YA-hood next spring, Alice next fall. Both will be YA when the war break out. A staggering 8 million US women volunteered for the red cross in the US, most of them domestically, but several overseas as well. Will these two young women choose the comfort of their homes, go work in a factory as more and more women take on jobs, or risks the dangers of a field hospital somewhere in Europe? The game will tell.
But first, a decade needs a proper New Years Party, and the Duncans are of course the arrangers of such, and for once even teens who have not been properly introduced into society, such as Alice, is allowed to go. Alice however is much more preoccupied with her own predicament. In the early afternoon before the New Years ball, she cannot contain herself any longer. She whispers her secret in her shocked sister's ear. Just to say it out loud is mortal embarrassment! Oh how she wish she could take it back! But while Anna is shocked, she loves her sister, and hugs her reassuringly in response, though suggests they'll take the conversation elsewhere. Somewhere there isn't someone with very large ears nearby. "Should I talk to mum and dad?" Alice asks. "Ask them for advice on what to do?" But Anna vehemently shakes her head. "Definitely not! You must never tell them, especially mum, she'll have a fit of hysteria!" Right before leaving, Alice is in teers. Why does she have to be so weird???
Once at the party, things does not get better. Because, of course, Elizabeth too is invited. Alice does not know what to do with herself. She's flushing all over. Feeling flirty, and embarrassed, and tense and sad... all at the same time. She tries to talk to her, but what's the point? Elizabeth will never see her as anything more than a friend anyway. How could she? How could anyone? "At least talk to her!" Anna tells her sister. "She's your friend first." Alice tries, but she doesn't seem to get the words out right, and then James it there. Self assured, handsome, single, and openly flirty.
Alice flees the party as the two start dancing. Who would miss her anyway? What she doesn't see, however, is Elizabeth turning James down when his advances gets too bold. Or James moving his attention to the other women at the party. All she wants is to get away. To go home. To hide. "Mum and dad would wonder where you are," Anna tells her as she comes out after her. "At least watch the fireworks." That, Alice agrees to do. But she still refuse to go back inside, so Anna stays out with her sister in the cold. Finding a spare fireworks battery, she lights it up at the same time as the fireworks goes off in the front of the house. No one will notice if they're having a party of their own back here. Even if it is very very cold.
Back home, Alice runs straight for her room to cry. But Anna isn't leaving her be. She comes in, comforts her and tells her that live will continue. "You have to find out what you want to do, and build your life around that instead of some notion about love." Only Alice doesn't know what she wants in life. Unlike Anna, she doesn't have a ton of interests. "So go get some!" Anna advices her. "You have time to figure out what you want from life." Alice isn't so sure, but as they go to sleep that night, she hopes Anna is right.
Baby William stands up for the first time and then tops it off by speaking his first word:
And Alice is starting to find a passion of her own: Acting. Anna helps as best she can, as no one else in the family will find this particular pursuit a suitable one, but Alice is having fun and Anna is determined to help her sister follow her dreams, whatever they may entail.
On Monday, Abigail takes the opportunity to visit Ida and her new bundle of joy. A little girl they named Madison:
But all is not well in the Preston household. Without reason, Nathaniel has sudden outbursts of anger, throwing accusations at his wife for no reason.
It seems his newfound jealousy has taken over his personality and his fear of being cheated on makes him act out. Ida is having none of it, however. Sitting him down she makes him talk it out with her, ensuring him of how much she loves him. Eventually the calm settles on the household again - at least for now - and Ida and Nathaniel can go back to what they most enjoy: caring for their children.
In the younger Whittaker household, problems run more severe than that. While her days are filled up with John and Edward and their needs, Frank's is taken up by politics, socialization and interesting conversations. Instead of being curious about his children when he comes home, he is mostly just bored with the lack of stimulation at home. And unlike before, he no longer tries to hide it. When Emily tells him a story at dinner, he just stares at her. Then insults her.
The moment she goes to put the children to bed, Frank heads out the door, only to return in the middle of the night when everyone in the house is sleeping. Other than dinner, which is painful, Frank and Emily, once so in love, spends next to no time together.
In the senior Whittaker household, Abigail and Joseph worry, but at the same time, they do not want to interfere. They tried their intervention, but it did little if anything to help. But there is a glimmer of hope when Frank late one night shows up on their doorstep. He might have left home, but at least he's not at the bar.
Joseph sits him down and have a long conversation with him. About his plans for the future, his family life, and his behaviour. "But family life is boring!" Frank complains. Joseph will not hear that side of it. "Your family needs you! It's your duty!" He sends Frank home and hopes his words had an impact.
As the week progress, the family quickly find their normal rhythm. Joseph spends his days writing:
The kids spend their days in school, and then once home, doing schoolwork:
But they do find time to make use of the ice rink outside their home. Almost everyone in the family joins in:
And then one day as the family is having dinner, William, stubbornly interested in the toys that are just too far away, learns how to crawl:
Once he's crawling, he crawls everywhere, and touches everything. The cat seems interesting:
But after exploring for so long, a small infant can get really tired. Then it's good to be able to take a nap in mummy's arms:
On Thursday afternoon, George Addington comes over to spend some time with Anna. They have a great time, until George starts flirting and reveals he's interest is not only of Anna as a friend. She promptly send him home with unfinished business.
That same afternoon, Joseph decides he misses spending alone time with his wife. There is almost always some child around. Therefore he takes her out to one of the newly opened cafés in Newcrest. The town is becoming a quite bustling place, filled with life and movement.
Friday morning, Abigail gets word that little Madison is now an infant. She heads over to spend some time with her, and of course with Ida and Melanie as well. The little angel looks just like her mother at the same age.
As the weekend comes around, Joseph has decide it's time for a family excursion. He takes all his girls with him to the Newcrest observatory and science museum.
Anna is delighted!
Alice thinks this is so much more boring than art. Who cares about flowers, mechanics, some old bones or looking at the sky?
Anna tries to persuade her that this is the best thing ever, but fails. She sneaks up into the observatory to watch the sky instead. It's so amazing!!! Anna stays longer than anyone else in the family. When she gest home she researches universities. She can't wait until she's old enough to apply!
At Emily and Frank's, Emily has gotten an idea on how to keep her husband at home. Frank has made it abundantly clear that he finds her company less than entertaining (boring) and that nothing she can talk to him about is interesting enough to hold his attention and that his friends are more interesting than her and the kids. So if she is not enough to hold him at home, she'll have to invite his friends more often. Even that awful Mathias. But Mathias, for all his faults, has one thing going for him. He too has a wife, even if Emily has never been introduced to her.
Said and done, Emily decides to invite both Mathias and his wife to the house. She includes their toddler, at the same age as John as well. She shares the news with Frank over a game of chess that she knows she will lose before they even start playing.
To her relief, Frank things guests is a great idea. He immediately celebrates not having to be home with just his family with a bottle of fizzy juice:
Emily in turn, makes sure Virginia makes a suburb meal, and tells her to keep the drinks within reach but not too plentiful. The dinner goes off well, it turns out Mrs Bradshaw and Emily has quite a bit in common, and both food and drinks go over well with the men.
As the night comes to an end, Frank discovers another bonus with staying at home. As the drinks makes him flirty, there is a wife to entertain him. Woohooing is an aspect of married life that he appreciates.
As far as Emily is concerned, this is a win. No she has not stopped her husband from drinking, but she did keep him at home. If all she has to do is to make sure there are always company in the house, she thinks she can do that. Perhaps then Frank will learn to see the good in their family, and be less eager to run off. She sincerely hopes so.
It started quite normally, with the kids at school, William crawling around after the cat and Abigail using his nap time to visit what she considers to be her grandchildren.
Then one night, Anna had enough of Alice's whining and insisted she'd invite Elizabeth over. "But I can't!" Alice protested. "Of course you can, you're friends!" Anna insisted. Said and done, Alice invited both Elizabeth and Caroline over, so "it wouldn't be obvious". I think Anna rolled her eyes at this (or you know, if Sims could). Both Elizabeth and Caroline came over, and stayed for dinner. At first it was Anna keeping the conversation going as Alice was far too tense.
But as the conversation kept going, and Elizabeth kept trying to talk to her, she could not not speak to her. Eventually, Alice could barely stop talking to her. As they moved into the living room, Anna quietly slipped upstairs, leaving the three girls downstairs to fend for themselves. Alice's tense mood turned into a smile by the end of the night.
On Wednesday it was time for both Edward and William to become toddlers, which meant all the family gathering with ensuring chaos of babies needing their sleep, and toddlers being hungry and a cat who ran away leaving all the kids in the family sad in the middle of the party. And it started out so quietly...
No matter how chaotic the dinner ended up being, both William and Edward did turn into toddlers. William, with his short dark hair, is inquisitive and a light sleeper that is prone to wake up in the middle of the night. Edward with his blond locks is clingy, loves being carried and a bit more reserved. Here they are:
With Edward and William now toddlers, it was time for John to have a real birthday and become a boy! Having learnt everything he can as a toddler, he was so ready and eager to start school!
Emily had invited kids from the entire neighborhood, and had decorated the table with cake and food:
When the guests arrived, the hallway quickly filled up with both adults, children and toddlers:
The adults and children ate at the table, the toddlers in the sofa. Virginia hopes there won't be too much for her to clean up after them when they're done.
Then it was time to blow out the candles:
And go from toddler to schoolboy. Meet John Whittaker, a glutton with an eagerness to have as many friends as possible:
Frank returned home from work when John had already aged up, and headed straight for the bar. He did find the time to compliment his son on his birthday, and even sat down to speak with him for a while. John was elated that his father would give him of his valuable time!
But as fun as it is to have a party, it's also tiring. For both boy and mother:
Frank let his boy sleep for a while, then woke him up and sent him to bed, before going up himself to wake up Emily. He's been a good boy today and stayed at home. He falls asleep pleasantly satisfied, while Emily falls asleep embarrassed by the low quality woohooing after discovering a new 'unflirty' personality trait. Probably not the effect Frank was after.
The updated family tree:
As John skips happily away to school the next morning, Emily is enjoying the first warm day of spring in her new garden. With Frank's position, they can now finally fix up the garden to be more than just some empty space. Emily goes all in, planning a garden of winding paths, several water features and lots of lush vegetation - all according to the newest trends in gardening where straight lines are shunned and large flower beds of repeating plants are favoured.
Edward is enjoying the new garden too:
When John returns home from school, he has news. They were talking about this new organisation in school, started in 1907 in England and 1910 in the US, and it seems everyone is joining it. Can he join the scouts too? Please? Emily sees no problem in this, so said and done, John is now a boy scout. He gets his first badge nearly right away as he skips upstairs to do his homework.
When Frank returns home from work he even helps him with it:
He's not so friendly with Emily, as he is in a rather foul mood. Emily, however, has decided to ignore his behaviour and manages, this time, to calm him down.
She, on the other hand, has made a discovery that she is keeping to herself while Frank is in his mood. She is pregnant again. This time she doesn't rush to tell Frank about her pregnancy, but hold it too herself for a while before sharing the news. She's not sure of why. She tells herself it was because Frank was sleeping when she found out.
On Saturday, it's time for another Charity event, this time to celebrate easter and spring. Subsequently it's held in the park. They bring food, and gather in the sunlight. Emily plays the piano, so does Nathaniel, to everyone's delight. It's not even hard to raise the money they need for the poor when everyone is in such good mood outdoors.
For Alice, it's not her first party, but it is her official debut into society. From this day forward, she will be invited to social events, and she is eligible for proposals and courtship. As she draws Charles Edwardson's attention, Abigail secretly hopes. Could this be the opportunity her daughter need to fall in love and find a good husband? But then Abigail does not know about the secrets her daughter has been keeping.
On returning home, Frank and Emily are both in a fairly good mood. As Emily head upstairs to put Edward to bed, Frank enjoys a game of chess with his son, who takes the opportunity to tell him all about his first scout meeting. Perhaps Frank can do this family thing after all? At least if he just gets a drink or two or three first.
As Easter Sunday rolls around, Joseph discovers something delightful just outside the house. Pickles is back!
As he goes out to get her, she too seems happy to be back in the family. Anna, while happy that the cat is back, has her head elsewhere this day however. She is in her last week before becoming an adult, and can now apply for university! Even Abigail has stopped hoping for an early marriage for her daughter, and so Anna borrows her daddy's typewriter to write her application letter. She probably shouldn't do work like that on a Sunday but her parents know by now that there is little to stop Anna when she's set her mind to something.
That afternoon, after church, Alice gets another surprise, as Elizabeth suddenly knocks on the door.
Anna lets her in, and promptly leave the two friends alone as she tries to distract her parents and give the girls some room. She doesn't understand any of this, but what does that really matter. Perhaps Alice just need time to realise what a deep enough friendship is?
Alice cannot still her heart when Elizabeth is so near. She's so close! Why is she so close?
As she sits down next to her, the two cannot stop talking, finishing each others sentences. It's just so easy, at the same time that it's so hard to stay decent. To not let Elizabeth know, to never reveal anything.
But in a house like this, there is no privacy, and suddenly a little tiny toddler wants to play with dolls, and then dad comes and joins the conversation and nothing is as it should be. Eventually, Elizabeth and Alice decide to take "some fresh air" and go outside to speak. They find a bench by the water. But what is this? Is Elizabeth...flirting? Can she be? No, surely not? She couldn't be as weird as Alice is, could she? She must be imagining things! But what if she is...?
As Elizabeth returns home, Alice rushes upstairs to talk to the only one she can talk to about this. Anna! "Could this be real?" Anna isn't sure, who has ever heard of such a thing. Two women? It's so strange, but then again, who is Anna to judge? Everyone else will surely do that. "Just be careful," she tells her sister.
As Wednesday came around, it was time for Anna to go from a girl to a woman. A real woman. Someone who can fend for herself. And the day started happily as Anna got her acceptance letter to university! She's getting an education!!! Anna was ecstatic. (Of course since Foxbury is modern, we're pretending that part of the acceptance letter doesn't exist, since it doesn't, yet.)
But even girls on the verge of aging up needs to go to school. Anna's last! Next she'll be studying things she want to learn, instead of what the school wants her to learn. For Abigail, this was a quiet normal day. She prepared for Anna's birthday party, baked a cake, taught William more about how to speak, and numbers, and then took the time to stop over at Emily and Frank's house to visit the new baby; a girl named Beatrice.
Once the children returned from school it was time for the party to start. Almost every teenager and young adult was there, and Anna was sure that some of the young men were invited only to keep her at home and married instead of going to university. Not that Anna has any intention of letting something so silly as a boy get in the way of her dreams. Still, she enjoyed herself, blew out her candles, and got her new trait: adventurous (although that felt fairly obvious didn't it?)
The next day is full of preparation. There are things to buy, things to pack, things to prepare. Abigail starts with taking her to Magnolia promenade and after getting some money from the bank, takes her shopping for a new wardrobe and style "more appropriate for a woman." Anna doesn't really see the problem, but does as her mother wants when it comes to her hair, but refuse to budge when it comes to her wardrobe: "No, mum, the hemline is not too short!" All the same, she does get a new athletic outfit to fit the fashion in Britechester. She doubts anyone will approve of her riding outfit. The chances that there is any riding to be had in Britechester is slim anyway.
Back home, her room is starting to look more like a warehouse than a bedroom with all her trunks.
Joseph, while supportive, cannot help to worry about his little girl. He takes her into his office for a serious chat about what she can expect, and what is expected of her. "Do not let young men fool you, they are up to no good!"
"It's a girls only dorm, dad!"
"Still! And no alcohol! See what it has done with your brother!"
"Yes, dad."
Meanwhile, Alice has joined the school drama-club, and while her parents are busy worrying about Anna, neither one pays attention enough to complain about it. Sometimes it's good to be the sister that goes under the radar. She wonders how long that will last now that Anna is going away. But then again, come fall it's her turn to go. And she intends to, just like Anna, she too want to go to university.
For Anna the rest of the week is a combination of endless and impatient waiting, and realisation of how much she will miss certain aspects of her home. Like her sisters. Like riding. Oh how she will miss riding! To make up for it she spends most of Friday in the stables or riding Lady. She only hopes the freedom she gains from going will replace the feeling of freedom she gets on the back of a horse she loves so much. Time will tell.
A weekend runs by fast, and on Sunday it's finally (or so Anna and Josephine thinks, if for entirely different reasons) it's time for Josephine to age up. As usual both family members and kids of the neighborhood has been invited to the festivities, which takes place unusually early to make sure Anna has time to catch her train to Britechester. Anna can barely wait to leave, and Josephine can barely wait to age up. As soon as everyone has arrived, she blows out the candles on her cake.
Meet Josephine, now a teenager, and aptly named it turned out as she is the one of the children who looks most like her father, especially around the eyes.
The party goes over well. She opens presents, socialize with the other teens and kids in the neighborhood, and eat cake.
For Anna it's a chance to say goodbye to her family, as she is ready to leave. As soon as the party is over, she is on the first train out of Willow Creek. She's not alone. Elizabeth Chandler, Betty (not to be confused with Elizabeth Byron, Alice's "friend"), is already waiting for her when she arrived. "I saved a bed for you," she says.
Britechester is beautiful, but different from what Anna had expected. She writes home to her sister.
Dear Alice,
The way Frank described it you were two or possibly three in a room. Here we're six sharing a dorm. It's a lot of girls in one place! But it's nice as well to have people around. I met a few of the girls so far. They seem nice. It does take some getting used to sharing a bathroom, however. There are three showers next to each other. No privacy.
Britechester itself is beautiful! You'll love it here when it's your turn. Just taking a walk around the University campus is amazing. So much to see and look at. Frank wasn't exaggerating that. I ran into George in the commons, already getting a move on the homework. I suppose I should too if I want to stay on top of things. So much homework already, and the term doesn't even start officially until tomorrow! The commons is nice, and has fairly decent food (though not like the one Dolly makes! I'll miss her cooking!).
I already managed to get into trouble! You know how I am, when I get wrapped up in something I forget all about time. Well, I returned to the dorm no later than 9:30, when Miss Tanner, the dorm manager, chewed me out for being late. Not even mum was that strict! We're expected back no later than 9pm each night, for some quiet time before bedtime which is promptly at 10pm. Every night! Even weekends. And boys are severely frowned upon though they are allowed to visit on occasion, if you register them first. Mum and dad were so worried about everything from alcohol to boys, but seriously, they had nothing to worry about when Miss Tanner is around. I don't know what I expected. More freedom? To be making my own decisions? But I suppose it's just for a few semesters, then I'm my own and can do what I want. The study area is nice here at Wyvern, as is the sitting room. There is almost as many books as at home.
I miss you terribly! Tell mum and dad hi for me. I'll write them in a day or two, when the classes have started properly.
Love Anna
And an updated family tree with the new information:
The family tree is awesome! And I'm curious to see what will happen during WW1. I could imagine Anna going to Europe, especially with her new trait.
My first attempt at creating a Sims comic: The Parker-Goth Legacy.
As for Anna, well, I won't say that I haven't thought about the possibility, but I won't decide before it's time.
Dear Anna,
It gave me such pleasure to read your letter, and I cannot wait to hear more about life at university! I implore you to write to mum and dad soon, they are, per usual, sick with worry about you and learning more about Miss Tanner is bound to set their minds at ease.
Nothing much has happened here that you would not know of. Madison turned two, as you well known. She's walking and everything now. She looks so much like her mother. It was strange not to have you here for the occasion, and even stranger to think that you will miss Melanie's birthday too. Five! Time to start school. Ida is so proud, you wouldn't believe it. Or maybe you would, it is Ida after all.
I almost forgot, I have news! I got promoted to line learner in the drama club! Mum and dad has barely noticed. I thought they'd be much more attentive when you left, but I suppose with you at university they cannot say much about me acting. At least not as long as it's a school activity. I do not want to know what they'll say when they realise this is more than just an after school past time.
I'm enclosing a photograph of Madison. Please write soon. And write to mum and dad. I mean it.
All my love,
Alice.
Dear mum and dad,
I do apologize for not writing to you sooner, but my schedule has been hectic. I am settling in well and Miss Tanner, the dorm manager, is keeping a stern eye on us. We have clear curfews, and go to bed early. Not that we would have energy for much more. The dorms are nice and comfortable and there is a study room and a drawing room so we have plenty of things to do here. The commons are good for studying and eating our meals and there is a wonderful public garden right outside the library. Please tell Dolly I miss her cooking.
I have been spending a lot of time with Elizabeth Chandler who is also here, and have run into George Addington on occasion. Both send their best. I hope you are well back home, and that you'll let me know how things are going. Did you have a nice fourth of July? No one celebrated much here, we were all too busy studying. I hope to have more to tell you soon, and give my best to everyone else. Especially remember to wish Melanie the best of birthdays on Monday. I miss you all very much.
Your faithful daughter,
Anna
Dear Alice,
Now I've done what you asked and written to mum and dad. I hope that keeps them calm. And what is this about Line learner? That's great! Congratulations. I just know you will be such a good actress if that is what you choose to do. I hope there is an acting organization for you here by then. I haven't heard of any, but otherwise you'll just have to start your own.
Speaking of university organizations, summer semesters are so strange. Not only did we have classes on the fourth of July. I'm not joking, we did! And then all organizations seem to be a fall and spring thing only. Remember how Frank told us about the debate team? Well I was so hoping to join, and the schedule say they are supposed to meet, but when I got there no one was there. Same with the art meeting! I know Betty wanted to join that organization. It's almost enough to make me wish I had waited until the fall term and gone with you! Almost. I know I couldn't have lived inactive back home with only mum to hover over me wishing for me to find a good husband. I know she means well, I really know she does, and she is looking out for my security and happiness, but I think I'd perish if I was stuck in Willow Creek my whole life!
But your letter told me nothing about you other than your acting. Have things got better, or more strange, with Lizzie Byron? Do you know what you want yet? And how about your Independence day? Did you spend it at some stuffy old ball with the Duncans with mum trying to pair you up with any eligible young man in town? As I told you we had classes, but Betty and I found this beach area down behind the campus, and went there after class. We hung out, had a picnic, did homework and I took a swim in the river. It was freezing cold, but invigorating. We had even gotten hold of some fireworks that we let off. No one caught us at it, so it was all good.
And then I snuck out. I know I shouldn't have, but do not think for a second that I will stay here for four terms and not once visit that pub Frank spoke about! So I went. What better day than a holiday right? Well it turns out I was by far the only one, and it started out fine. I tried some strawberry nectar, and it was nicer than I expected. But I had fun. Well until out of the blue George kissed me. Yes, you read that right, he just kissed me! And I might have had a bit too much nectar because I was too shocked to even slap him for his audacity. Or at least stop him before it was too late.
I have to admit that I am at a loss at how to handle the situation. I mean it's George! I've known him since we were six years old, and it was strange enough when he tried to flirt with me that one time, and now this? What if he tells someone? And no, I don't mean like ruin my reputation, I trust him not to do anything of the kind, but I am worried that he might read too much into the act. What if he tells his parents? What if they tell ours? Mum would start to plan our wedding before I could cry out no! Oh it must not happen! I know I need to talk to him, but I have to admit I've been behaving like a coward and just avoided him all together. I know what you will say! Talk to him. I will, I promise! I cannot let this go further, or for him to think... whatever it is he might be thinking. It's not fair on him or me, and I will not be lured into marrying George because I had too much nectar once!
Perhaps dad was right about alcohol after all. I think I shall do better without it, temperance and all that. And I'll talk to George. Oh Alice I so wish you were here to talk to! Betty is fantastic, but there are things I just cannot tell her.
Do write me back, and let me know what is going on with you, and with everyone else, and especially with Lizzie Byron. Oh stop blushing! I can see you all the way to Britechester!
All my love,
Anna
As Anna is struggling with unwanted romantic attention and non-existing university organisations, Abigail and Joseph are getting their own challenge in Willow Creek. As more and more people are visiting 'that place' (the Blue Velvet), they find a surprise in that weeks news:
Joseph finds it shocking and repulsive. It is bad enough that this NAP is a part of his son's community, but his own? Something needs to be done. He sits Abigail down to speak to her. It's time to get the women involved. "It is clear the men of this town have been corrupted by this evil and this will only be resolved if you ladies get involved," he says. "It's time to put that charity club to some good use."
Said and done, Abigail calls a meeting the very next morning, sharing the disturbing news that now all of Willow Creeks seems to be affected by this. "Our men drink instead of coming home, they cannot help themselves. It's not them it's this evil that is taking hold of them, disrupting families both poor and rich. We have to do something! We have to make our voices heard and get that horrible place shut down once and for all!"
In agreement, the women start forming a plan involving the reverend (surely he must still be uncorrupted by this), and a labour day protest. Preparations are made, plans are formed and Abigail and Joseph gets to work on the reverend immediately.
As labour day comes around, the women meet outside the Blue Velvet. "Vote dry!" "Something's the matter with Willow Creek!" "The liquor must go!" As Alice writes to her sister later: I don't think I've ever seen mother so involved in anything before. She reminds me of you!
Alice has more news in her letter, not so much about herself and Lizzie, for not much has happened in that department, but of other things that has happened in the family. Emily being pregnant again. Melanie becoming a child and having a birthday party, the progress on her acting, and as requested the story of Independence day. It wasn't nearly as bad as you think. Mother had persuaded Mrs Duncan to host it in the park, during the day, and it was actually quite nice. I got to perform on the piano for everyone, and there weren't too much matchmaking. Not more than I could ignore. Father handled the fireworks, possibly because he was the one person who had not had any liquor. Unlike you, apparently. You have to tell me more about the situation!
Dear Alice,
I barely know where to start! Well, at home it suppose, because I can barely believe what I read. Our mother is politically active? Mum? Not only going to, but actually organising protests? I never in my life thought that was even possible. Well, good on her! And my one stint with nectar make me believe, and I never once thought I'd say this, that mother might be right about something.
So many things has gone on here, aside from school work. I started a debate club of my own! Why wait for University organisations to be started for you, when you can just invite people who feel the way you do, and then start it up yourself? You should start an acting club when you go, I don't think they have one, so if you want one you'll have to take matters into your own hands. I got Lizzie's brother to join (he's getting such a pot belly you wouldn't believe!). He agreed to debate the issue of women's suffrage with me 'as a favour' to 'show me women aren't made to debate serious issues'. I crushed him in the debate! I have to say that felt incredibly rewarding. Betty says I'm becoming right out ambitious. Maybe I am? If so, I kind of like it.
And yes, I know you want to know about George. I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I did the right thing, I talked it over with him. I think he took it fairly well, and I might have added a hint that there might be another friend who would be more open to approach. Well a long story short, he and Betty are now an item, which between her being raised to believe that all manner of showing affection is a sin to his social awkwardness is either a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen. He's so worried about 'getting it right' and she is so worried about moving too fast or too slow and him finding someone else. As if he would. He's so utterly grateful she'll give him the time of day. It's sort of cute, but also a bit weird. It's like watching two people who just met, rather than people who have quite literary been friends their whole life. Don't say anything to mum yet, but I think there might be a wedding in town in the near future. I know it's what Betty wants, and if I can just get George to remember that he needs to be the one doing the asking, it might just work out for them. Personally I don't see the lure of rushing into marriage and babies, but who am I to tell others what they should do with their lives?
I still wish you were here, and can't really wrap my head around the fact that when you get here, I won't be here any longer. I don't even know where I'll be. I can't really imaging moving back home, and yet I have no clue on how to get to where I want to be. I suppose I still have some time to figure that one out though.
Your loving sister,
Anna
I really like the letters the sisters write, that's a great idea
My first attempt at creating a Sims comic: The Parker-Goth Legacy.
Frank and Emily's not so happy marriage
For Emily, it was not such a hard decision to join in the protest against the bar. After all, she has seen first hand what can happen when someone is in the grips of an addiction. Frank, however, did not approve, and by the time she returned home he was livid. "How dare you humiliate me like that? What were you thinking!"
"Can't you see that I'm doing this for you? You can't even spend a single night at home without getting drunk!" Emily retorts, but Frank is in no mood to listen to reason.
At the end of the fight, both are left deeply unhappy, wounded and hurt. Frank doesn't like to admit it, but what if Emily has a point? What if he is really a failure? And Emily worries she went too far, said too much. What if Frank falls out of love with her? What if he isn't just at the bar every night? What if he has found someone else to spend his nights with when she and the children are not enough to keep him entertained?
As they fight, John escapes the house, first to his scout meeting, then to the garden, where he spends a good while cloud gazing, pretending everything is right while knowing things aren't. As his mother is busy with one toddler and one infant in the house, he knows no one will miss him, and only go back inside well after his bedtime. It's not like it's a school night anyway.
That night, after a fitful sleep, Emily wakes up in pain as she has gone into labour. After a brief panic, Frank escapes the room. He wanders the hall, and then decide that even if it is 4 am another child warrants a celebratory drink. By the time Harold is born, Frank is in a really good mood. He happily runs up to great his youngest son.
As they head to church that morning, Frank's good mood is soured again, as the reverend is holding an impassioned speech against the evils of liquor. "We need to stop this evil from taking hold of our bodies and souls!" he argues. Emily is uplifted in her stance. This is right. This is what she needs to fight for. To get her husband back again the way he once was.
After service Abigail comes to visit. John is delighted! He can always rely on grandma Abigail to give him all the attention his parents do not have the time or energy to give him. He shows her his new uniform, and his new badges.
Abigail also greets little Harold to the world, and checks to see if Emily needs anything.
"Nothing at all," Emily lies. "Everything is quite well." As she goes to bed that night, alone, as per usual now, she wonders if she perhaps should have told the truth.
In Frank and Emily's home, life continues on much as before. With one newborn, one infant, one toddler and one child, Emily has little time for anything but her children. Between feeding and changing diapers she tries to have time to actually educate her little ones as well. Especially young Edward, who is not yet old enough for school. It's not easy and Edward is not nearly as well developed as Abigail's William, even if they are exactly the same age. Beatrice too, is behind in her development. She learns to sit late, and even as she is about to age up, she has just barely started on real food.
She tries to keep it together and to keep the... challenges of her and Frank's marriage from the kids, but the constant fighting is affecting them, whether she wants to admit it or not. John, especially, is hit hard by his father's mood changes and sudden burst if illwill.
But life moved on, and by the end of the week, Emily still manages, with Virginia's help, to plan a family gathering as Beatrice and Harold both age up. Harold to infant, Beatrice to toddler. Perhaps having two toddlers will be easier? And besides, soon it's time for Edward to be a boy. Not quite yet, but soon, and then perhaps John will have someone he can play more with, and that will be good for both the boys. Or so Emily hopes.
Meet Harold and Beatrice as infant and toddlers:
In the senior Whittaker household, Josephine is having her first crush:
Nash Sinclair, son of Viviane and the late Thomas Sinclair, Emily's nephew, is a good match, or so Abigail thinks, and gently encourages the match. He's not as well off as the Duncans, who he lives with, but his father was a judge, so there is money there enough for them to live. This might actually work out well with time. If the infatuation last. Now if only Alice could also find herself a young man...
Come Friday a letter arrives for Alice:
Dear Alice,
I am sorry I haven't been writing, but this last week is insane! There is so much homework, and so many term papers to write. You can really tell that it's the last term and we're soon to graduate. I've managed to take up jogging however. It's quite a good way to relax when the world around you is moving too fast.
Good news! George did it! He got his nerves up and proposed! I'm sure by now Mrs Chandler is busy planning. I think they've decided to marry around Christmas. Long enough to show nothing improper has been going on, but soon enough that they won't need to live apart much longer. I'm so happy for them.
I cannot wait to meet little baby Harold when I return, and I am saddened that I will miss so much until then. Therefore, I have made up my mind. I am returning as soon as my finals are done, so that I won't miss your birthday at least! Yes, that does mean I will miss my own graduation ceremony, but what is a ceremony other than a hat and gown I'm never going to wear again? And no, you cannot change my mind, in fact by the time you receive this it's already too late to write me back. I'll be on my way before any letter reaches me here. Do not be sad, this is my choice. I want to be there when you come of age, and I want to see you off to university myself.
Your loving sister,
Anna
Which is followed up by Anna showing up early Saturday morning. As cross as Alice is at Anna for missing her own graduation, she's delighted to have her sister there.
The party is, as always when Abigail arranges it, a success, and Alice is proud as she is now counted as a woman instead of a girl.
Tomorrow it's time for another birthday, that of Edward and William, then, for Alice, it's time for university and a whole new life. For Anna, it's time to start to figure out what to do with her life, and to choose a path for herself.