The Culling: The Maker's Notes (Chapter 3.5)

Glenna is settling into her bunker and I've been trying to come up with a game plan on how to tackle this challenge.  I also knew that for the aesthetic of my game that I wanted Glenna to have a choice of select men to choose from. Now, the rules state that sims may marry playable sims but not custom created.   For that reason, you have my honest word that neither Maverick nor Ames started the game with a single skill. No job, nothing.

I was a little surprised that she hit it off with Ames but from a story angle, he worked out perfectly. 

As you saw, in the last chapter, he proposed rather speedily.  Remember, I'm playing the apocalypse challenge and using the telephone is prohibited so, we had to get a jump on things when he showed up on Glenna's doorstep. 

With a partner secured, the plan is for Ames to take over Anarchist as the crime boss.

Criminal – Boss
The one thing that wasn’t destroyed by the blast was the local mob. With law enforcement severely weakened and unable to maintain order, the mob has volunteered itself to ‘protect’ the residents. The upside is that burglaries are non-existent. The downside is that this ‘protection’ has a price – everythMing you made that week. Residents are in such bad shape, that saying ‘no’ is not an option.
Whenever you are due to pay bills, pay them (if able) and then reduce your household funds to $0 using the money cheat. (Open cheat console with ctrl-c then enter ‘Testing Cheats on’ without the quotes and hit enter. Then ‘Money 0’ without the quotes and hit enter). You may not spend any money while you have outstanding bills or once the mail carrier appears on the lot until the bills are paid and the household funds reduced to 0.

Completion
Beating the mob is not an option, but if you can’t beat them, join them. As the big boss in charge, the mob plays by your Sim’s  rules. And their rules say ‘no protection payments are to be drawn from my family for life’. And when the boss speaks, the goons listen.

Then, I've decided to start Glenna is on the culinary track. Largely because I had the severe misfortune of selecting a lot that has no access to water.  While Glenna has the skill to cook the fish and  rules would allow it, it would require a loading screen to get to the nearest place to fish which is prohibited by the rules.

Culinary – Chef
The destruction in the region has cut gas lines and made the electricity grid very unstable. As a result, gas and electrical appliances can’t be relied on to cook and preserve food. The citizens of the area are forced to resort to more primitive cooking methods and living off the land to stave off starvation.

You may not purchase, place, or use any refrigerators, stoves, ovens, or microwave ovens or coolers. Non-fish items may not be cooked on grilled on fire pits. If you do not have the Outdoor Retreat game pack, you may make non-fish items on the grill, but must move a fish in your inventory to the family inventory each time you cook a meal.

Completion
After breaking the Simmish Book of World Records for hosting the largest soup kitchen for the region, your culinary master Sim attracts the attention of the world’s most famous chefs. Seeing the plight of the region they form the global food fund to ship truckloads of fresh food to the region as well as repair the gas lines and electrical infrastructure, allowing the people of the region to once again make and eat good food.

Here's to hoping I've made the right choice on which restrictions to lift first!   

Gemini: The Crime Boss (Chapter 3)

Glenna looked around her new home.  It was different than the mansion she had grown up with, that's for sure. Her mind wandered back to happy days with her family.  Her mom and dad had known somehow that this was going to happen. She wasn't sure how but she would find out what happened to them.

She pushed away the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks as she looked at herself in the mirror.  Her appearance still shocked her. The experimental medication she had been given to halt the progression of the illness that claimed the life of her parents had changed her. 

The dark tattoos that marked her chest and back had been one last negotiation with the sleazy crime boss, Maverick.  Glenna had agreed to his terms, she would seek employment and after paying the Gemini Housing District their required fees, the rest of her funds would be turned over to Anarchist.  This would at least afford her a roof over her head and protection from the lawless citizens that controlled the town.

She also wanted these tattoos...maybe she hadn't really been in any position to make demands but for some odd reason he had agreed.  He wanted to know why they were so important to her. She had told him that she thought it would make her intimidating, giving a measure of protection.  She couldn't bring herself to tell him that they were the markings her father had worn.  She wasn't quite sure what they meant but he had told her that she would one day know their importance. 

"What could they mean?" Glenna murmured to herself.   She had no time to reflect as there was an incessant knocking at her door.

It's not like there would likely be a welcome wagon.  She knew no one in this town. Being settled in for less than a couple hours in her new home, it couldn't be Anarchist wanting their money already. No...she had another seven days before that was an issue.  Seven more days to secure a job, pay the bills and then turn over whatever was left to Anarchist.

"Yeah, yeah...stop your knocking! I'm coming!"  Glenna clenched her teeth and flung open the door.

"Maverick? What are you doing here?" Fear gripped at her middle. Getting a visit from the crime boss could only be trouble.

"The name is Ames.  Ames Willow.  I'm Mav's twin brother. I'm here with...a proposition."

Glenna's eyebrown went up in an arch, "A proposition? What do I have that could be of interest to you? I have nothing I could offer you."

Ames gnawed on his bottom lip and uncertainty seemed to flash in his eyes.  "I'm here to offer myself, to you."  He blushed and looked away.

Glenna was shocked and confused, "Excuse me? You're offering yourself  to me?  As in..."

Ames looked horrified at the conclusion she had drawn and quickly interjected, "Glenna, no...I'm not a slime bag!  Mav's family and I love him, but I'm sick of Anarchist. I want to see Gemini flourish. I'd like to see law and order.  There's only one way to do that...someone has to take Anarchist down from the inside.

 Those marks, the ones on your neck, I've seen them before.  My father ordered books to be burned with themes that he deemed dangerous.  He had appointed a committee of community members to read the books in the library and separate any that could be used against Anarchist. Maverick and I, along with a woman by the name of Mirabella Grimm and her apprentice, Titus, were appointed to this task.  I found a book written by James B. Montgomery.  At the time, I thought the book was the writings of a paranoid man.

The writings had outlined government corruption as well as paranoia about mass genocide.  I tossed the books in the flames but over the years, the words have haunted me.  I've always wondered if the symbols prefacing the book meant anything. Then you arrived, demanding not only housing but those same marks.  You share the author's surname..."

Glenna leaned forward, "I don't know what they mean and you've still not explained what you mean by offering yourself to me."

Ames' cheeks flushed, "Well, if you're anything like your father,  you'll have an appreciation for honesty, for law and order.  Everything that Anarachist is not. It is my plan to take Anarchist down from the inside and I want you to teach me everything your father must have taught you. 

Together, I feel like we can bring stability back to the community and as my wife, no one would ever think to ever harm you. 

I don't expect anything else out of this marriage. I don't expect for you to love me but I promise you, I will be faithful. I will do my best to never embarrass you, intentionally hurt you or bring you harm.  I want to be a better man, Glenna.  I think you can give me that.  Teach me about a life worth living.  Give me hope for a better future. In return I give you protection and the resources to make positive changes in our community. Together we start a revolution."

Glenna's eyes were wet with tears, "Okay, Ames.  We have a deal.  I will become your wife. I will help you dismantle Anarchist and I too will be faithful to the vows we speak. But..."

Ames studied her face, "But what?"

Glenna spun on her heel and marched back towards her bunk, "But, you're sleeping on the couch."

Life of Kessie: The "Date"

Hi, everyone. I know I should be getting ready for this "date" with Pierce, but I have cooking to do. Besides, I just left the bistro and I am starving. How can a person be hungry when they work in one of the top restaurants in Sunset Valley? It's easy when you're a bundle of nerves. Yes, I know it's only Pierce and I shouldn't be nervous. However, it's been a long time since I've been out with anyone other than just myself. May I not make a fool out of myself. If so, I'll blame it on Dechie. 

Pierce told me to meet him in the park by the ice skating rink. Sadly, he was running late due to some stoves not getting to Chaxeau on time. Either way, I'm by myself on ice. Can you say....help?

Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers <3 I was fumbling like an idiot, and this lovely woman saved me and helped me out a bit. I sort of had the hang of it. At least I can stand up and spin a little. 

Look who finally showed up? I wasn't too upset that he was late, but he wasn't too thrilled. At least we had the chance to skate on the ice before I froze to death. We decided to go back to my place to talk and warm up. 

...and dance! I forgot that he could actually dance. While it was only a few hours, we had a great time together....as friends.  We talked, and danced. We didn't bother talking about food, or our jobs. He spoke briefly about Melissa and I filled him in on the whole Connor fiasco. He even slipped in that I looked hot at Tiffany & Enrique's wedding. Oh jeez! I must say, I did look hot! Okay okay okay, he did too. 

At the end of the night, we hugged and he went to Trav's place to crash. He sent me a text that he had a great time and to thank me, and I thanked him as well. Hopefully we can get some work done in a few days since I am now on vacation from the bistro. It was a nice, friendly, harmless "date".  Well, it wasn't technically a date, but we had fun nonetheless. 

Until Next Time, 

Kessie:) 

*Insert the groan of every creator here* 

Gemini: The Crime Boss (Chapter 2)

Glenna tossed and turned in the small bed she had been offered by Mirabella and her colleagues.  Her mind replayed all she had been told—about how everyone she loved had died as a result of a serious illness. How her life had been spared.  How could it be possible that she had slept for twenty years without aging? 

Glenna had spent the last months rebuilding her strength and learning how to walk again.  Laying in a coma had taken a toll on her body but she was better now.  It was time to go forward with her life.  Should she stay here?  Mirabella, Titus, Fizzy and Kristine, the ones who rescued her; they had said she would be welcome to stay with them. But,  how could she be sure that they had told her the truth about her family? Were they really gone? All of them? 

Glenna shut her eyes as the memories flooded back. It had been her birthday. That was the day when her world had changed. Her sister, Gamorra, had been the first to succumb to her illness.  Truly, it had been an agonizing end—a raging fire that could not be quenched.  There was nothing anyone could have done for her.   Less than an hour later her grandmother faced the same fate.  It was at the last moment that  the inferno that threatened to claim her had been tamed.  She survived but her injuries were extensive.

The horror hadn't stopped there. Glenna flinched as she recalled her father bursting into flames.  His eyes had been wide with terror as he collapsed on the cold, wet, bathroom floor—completely naked and beyond help.

 Her mother was grief-stricken but pulled herself together, insisting that they leave town immediately.  "We have to leave...now. Glenna, you have to promise me that you'll survive. No matter what. Promise me!"  It was the last words she had heard before her world went black.

 She wiped away the tears that were now flowing down her face and she dressed quickly.  She stole a glance at herself in the mirror.  She was the same girl she had always been, young, vibrant—determined.  Yet, she was different. She had changed.  Her eyes, now a golden yellow that faded to an inky black was a starling reminder that she was not the same girl.    She was not the Glenna Montgomery that lived in a wealthy mansion with hired help and every amenity one could afford.  She was not the same Glenna that had a grandmother and a sister to love her.  She was not the same Glenna that had a loving father and a doting mother. No, she was Glenna Montgomery—the orphan.

Was she though? Was she an orphan?  Glenna didn't feel comfortable taking the word of perfect strangers. If her mother was still out there, she would find her. No matter what. 

Unwilling to place her fate in the hands of strangers, she slipped out the door and into the night.

Nothing could have prepared her for the utter devastation.  The library had been destroyed and it looked like people had taken to camping out on the lawn.  The gym was completely overgrown and graffiti defaced the building.  The sound of a dog barking in the distance made her heart race and she increased her pace.

"Where am I even going?" Glenna questioned herself.  She considered heading to the border and leaving town but all around she could see towers with guns, high powered telescopes and the sounds of dogs barking...guard dogs, no doubt. 

With no supplies and no way to care for herself, Glenna decided that it was absolutely useless to try to fight her way out of this.  The only thing she could do was follow Mirabella's advice and seek help.  Plus, the fear that Mirabella had for Maverick Willow piqued her interest,

She unfolded a map of the city that she had found in the desk that Fizzy and Kristine shared. After studying the map,  Glenna made her way to the west side of town. Being careful to not bring any attention to herself, she stuck to the shadows. She moved quickly and quietly, the way her father and mother had taught her.  Her heart hammered in her chest and she prayed that she wouldn't run into anyone.  She'd been trained to survive but twenty years in a coma had dulled her senses. Even when she had been at the height of her training it was unlikely that she could outrun a dog and she definitely wouldn't have been able to dodge bullets. 

It took all night for Glenna to skirt around the gangs that camped about the town and it was daybreak by the time that she made it to the Willow compound. 

A camera whirled in her direction and female guard with icy blue eyes grunted, "I s'pose you're here to see Ames"  It was a demand, not a question.


"Actually, I'm here to see Maverick. Maverick Willow. I am at the right place?" Glenna glanced back down at her map, hoping she hadn't read the thing wrong.

The guard's eyes narrowed and she started to say something before a very young, very good looking man sauntered over, "Knock it off, Cecily. Go inside. Cool off."

She glared at Glenna before she spun on her heel.  She stomped off towards bunker, turning one last time to give Glenna a final warning to, "watch it," before slamming the door behind her.

"Don't mind Cecily. I'm sure you understand how it is.  I'm Maverick, if you haven't figured that out.  Now, what can I do for you, love?"

Glenna scowled, "Well, for starters, whatever silly game you're playing with Cecily, I'm not interested in being a part of it. Second, as I'm told that you run this town, I am sure you're aware that I'm the patient that was being cared at the home of Mirabella Grimm and her colleagues."

Maverick raised an eyebrow, "So, you recovered and they sent you here."

"Something like that, to be honest, I'm not sure I can trust them and I definitely don't trust you." Glenna chewed on her lip, a nervous habit that her mother so often fussed at her for.  But, seeing as I don't have many choices, I'm here to report for work and to ask if there's any housing that I might be set up with.  My parents raised me to be a fast learner and I will do my part to help this town in any way that I can."

"Well know, here's the deal, Gemini belongs to Anarchist. Put any thought to society out of your mind.  You work, you pay us for protection. You leave us alone and we leave you alone as long as you keep us paid up...every Monday if you're wondering.  Drop your check off in the mailbox and someone will be by to pick it up. You don't trust me? Great. You might have a chance of surviving in this town. Don't trust anyone, girl. You definitely shouldn't trust me."

"Does this mean you have a place for me to live?" Glenna struggled to meet his gaze. 

"Darlin' I own this town. I will find you a place to live. There's always some poor fool that couldn't pay the bills.

Life of Kessie - Back to the Grind

 Hi, nice people! I am BACK!!! Yes, you're favorite sim is back, and I am dying to give you a recap. As you all have seen, my bestie Tiffany is now married to Enrique! I'm still a little mad that she told my middle name, but it's okay. Now that "Tiffrique" is now a permanent thing, back to my life - or lack thereof.

I've been spending my days alone, enjoying some much needed "Me" time. Playing pool is very relaxing, especially now that I only have one day off. It will all pay off in the end.......

BOOM! Guess who is the newest chef of Corsican Bistro? YAAAAASSS!! I can finally show my skills off to the world! Oh, and before I forget, I am finally going to start my cookbook. Everything is officially awesome! I worked really hard, and now, I can reap the benefits.

To celebrate my promotion, what did I do? I painted. I'm actually great at this, so why not? I was painting away until my phone began to ring. Who could it be at this hour? Tiffany is in China, Trav is on the road, Jamie is on maternity leave and Jeffery is on his honeymoon with Ashley. 

WHAT??? PIERCE DECHENEAUX?? He heard about my promotion through ChefTimes Magazine and wanted to congratulate me in person! That was pretty awesome of him to do. I asked him about Beacon Bay, his restaurant and how he and Melissa were going. In short, he is opening up another Chaxeau in Sunset Valley while his dad runs the one in Beacon Bay. As for Melissa? Apparently, they broke up because she wanted to get married and he didn't. It's pretty sad, I spoke to her a few times and found her to be great for him. He'll be in SV for a couple of weeks to hire staff and get Chaxeau running, and he asked me to help him. I sure can! However, he had one condition:

PD: Go on a date with me?

HUH?

PD: Yes. Me? You? Date? 

HUH?

PD: Kessie, it's obvious that we like each other.

We do?

PD: We do. It's also obvious that I wouldn't have came to you about my restaurant if I didn't admire you and respect your input.

Thank you?

PD: Okay, so maybe I'm shooting myself in the foot for asking you out this way, but I really like you, Kessie. If you say no, I understand, but I still need your help. 

Okay, Dechie. I'll help you. HOWEVER, this is not a date. It's just two friends going out and having a great time. Okay?

PD: So, I'll pick you up tomorrow then?

8:00, and don't be late! 

PD: I won't. 

So yeah, I'm going out with Pierce Decheneaux tomorrow. Great. 

CN: I KNEW IT! You like him!! YES!!! I was right, The Creator was right - I am planning the wedding as we speak! This is so awesome, y'all are finally getting together! :D

Shut it, Human! We are not "together". We're going out as friends. 

CN: Yeah, sure. "Friends" Like Ross and Rachel? Or, is it Chandler and Monica?

Leave me be, woman!!! 

Until next time, 

Kessie :)

Tifani Triumph: Faith, Hope, Love and Lily

There's not much I can say.  People growing old, growing up, being born...and cats.  You know the drill.

Faith's House
Hannah is growing up while Joe and Faith are growing old.  Will Joe manage to meet his lifetime?  Will Hannah be able to find the love her parents have on her own?  The big questions that we probably won't answer this week.

Hannah has yet to land her dream job but that's OK she's still a teen.  Joe is progressing on his lifetime want to have 6 pets max careers and Faith has rolled through a few and now has the same want.  However, adopting from the service menu has some drawbacks.  Such as having now adopted two elder cats that can't get jobs.

Just a few of the cats roaming the house.  Six in all, of which only four are eligible to work.  That's OK, there's still time right?

It wasn't too much into the week however, before Joe hit that famed elder birthday.

What is it with the Elvis wannabes?  Though from this angle he still looks pretty sharp.  Faith thinks so too.

Don't ask me why they are chilling in the nursery, they are so beyond that.

There were two kitty deaths this week.  Ronroneo and Ariel.  Both were adopted as elders and weren't part of the family long.  However, I think to think that in the short time they had they were loved.

Though their passing was sad it did leave room in the household to allow two more pets in, which were work eligible.

Hope's House
Hope and Abhijeet are more wrapped up in their dating each other than their daughter.  But she seems to be doing pretty well on her own, without parental involvement.

Remember a few weeks back when Eliza was complaining about how her parents never wore clothes?  She wasn't exaggerating.  However, 50 Dream Dates is in the books.  See those flowers all the way around the back of the house?  50 Dates worth of flowers.  Oh yeah!  Perhaps they will put on clothing now?

Meanwhile Ms Cuddles managed her last promotion marking 1/3 of the way through for Eliza and her pet careers life time want.  And she's still a teenager at that!  A bit later in the week all the kittens grew up and got jobs.  Perhaps I didn't think this through?  That's a lot of pet skills to try to get accomplished with moody cats.  The house feels a bit overrun.

While kittens were growing into cats and the family was trying to figure out how to skill them Eliza grew up to an adult.

Again with the inappropriate dress for the weather!?!  Eliza is moving up her job, which honestly only keeps her pet needs afloat.  She's so focused on her cats that she's not even given thought to her own relationship.  Crazy Cat Lady anyone?

And speaking of crazy, apparently the Cuddles family needs to visit Jerry Springer or something.  Ms Cuddles had quite the showdown with one of her children.

Next week?  Eliza takes over the reigns.  Hopefully she can not think about cats long enough to consider her own future relationships, before Mom and Dad are gone forever.

Love's House
Oh, Love.  Love and Greg.  Love and Greg and Rachel and Teresa and Expecting.  Guess what this week is gonna be about?

Why yes this week is all about babies!  Meet Shelby.  The third and final child of Love and Greg.  They have just enough to send off to college now and fulfill those lifetime wants.  However, before we worry too much about Shelby, Teresa needs to get those toddler skills done.

 Just a few days later it was Shelby and Teresa's birthdays.  Why yes an infant aged to toddler right on time.  And at the EXACT same time as her sister.

Shelby is such a cute little toddler, and with her sister now a child it's twice the homework meltdowns, twice the beds, twice the everything.  And a third on it's way up.  But before we count three stacks of homework let's get some toddler skills.

Now I know you are looking at me sideways.  Perhaps thinking that there's something wrong with your vision, or worse I'm a liar.  Well, yes it does appear as if Love is pregnant again in that picture of her with Shelby.  Well, yes she is pregnant.  But, before you call me a liar let me explain.  Greg begged for one more baby.  One more chance for a son.  He agreed male or female only one.  I mean, um he means, what if one of the girls chooses not to go to college.  Need a spare and all, bonus points if it's a boy.

She doesn't look all that miserable but I promise she is, I just missed the good misery pictures.  And apparently didn't take a picture of the baby either.  Can you blame me with all the other millions of monster's running around?  However, the baby was a cutie, looked just like a baby!  And before we leave for the week, celebrates a birthday.  On the same day as Shelby grew up to child as well.  Yes you can start counting three stacks of homework, but before long...four.

Yes, Greg did get his son.  Meet Marcus.  Though it was the last baby regardless as Love will age to elder when we return.


Lily's House
Ivy has passed away, Ava has aged to teen, Lily and Taylor are just plodding through life.  What's the week to bring?

As we settle into the week, Ivy had a birthday and aged to elder.

Even as an elder she only has swoon-worthy thoughts of Taylor.  However, age is no barrier when you have goals to meet.  And she's on the cusp of maxing out her career and meeting her lifetime want.

 Which she totally pulled off!  Meanwhile, Ava is charting her own path.

I've already nixed Ava's lifetime want to have 50 1st Dates.  How can she settle down and have a cozy family if she spends her entire life dating different people?  She can't!  And as a Sims Hoarder that is completely unacceptable.  One afternoon she brought home a friend.

Corbin Charvat.  She thinks she might like him.  I most definitely don't like the socks with sandles look.  She says she doesn't have an opinion.  I'm thinking that she might need her brain examined.  Seriously?  Who looks at a guy wearing socks with sandles and thinks there might be a future there?  Perhaps a future in a retirement community of guys who have zero hope of getting a date or something.  I digress. 

Apparently he thinks he may like her too.  If this is going to work for me he better make better clothing choices as an adult.  Just sayin'.

Saturday night, end of the week, and another birthday rolls around.

Not the way I'd want to spend Saturday night, getting old and all but Taylor didn't seem to mind.  Nor did Lily really.  He's pretty dapper isn't he?

Until next time, more houses, more sims, more stories....

Matthews Family Legacy G2E2

If you're new to the Ella Matthews Legacy, you can go {here} to begin reading with Episode 1!

In the last episode (G2E1), Generation 2's matriarch Alyson and her husband Quentin had their first child (Elliott, Generation 3 heir), and her sister Amelia left home (shew!). Little by little, this legacy is continuing on. 

Even though I'm moving the non-heir kids out as soon as they get an A in high school, it's still a little sad to see them go in a way. And today Sebastian got an A. Time to say goodbye, my young klepto fan. Time to wreak havoc with the town as a young adult.

Sebastian celebrated by himself. It was at night and everyone else was in bed.

He aged up with a decent trait this time. At least he's a cheerful klepto. *snort* 

I selected an aspiration for him. Along with his skills-set, I chose for him to seek the line of comedian.

Out the door he went, and I selected a nice little home for him to live in. Hopefully he'll find a partner who'll put up with him, and maybe he'll even have a kid or two. Who knows.

He's set up in his own home now, with a new career and some furniture to get him started.
Good luck to ya, kid. Sorry you won't get my full attention anymore. But hey, surprise me with some hopeful pursuits, eh?

Back to the main legacy house... Elliott and grandma Ella (who is stiiiiill an Adult, thanks to that aging up glitch that should've taken her to Elderhood) are hanging out together. Elliott seems like a pretty talkative kid. I've noticed that some sims will sit at a table, eating or doing homework, and never speak. Not this kid. He's a Motor Aspiration sim, but I swear I think he's a closet Social Aspiration kid.

He has a B in school, so he may be aging to Teen soon.

Meanwhile, Gramps Sergio is about to kick the bucket. Poor dude has been anticipating death for three sim days now. He doesn't seem to be feeling pressure though. Although he does have some sort of rash right now. Yikes.

I figure he'll pass away on the cusp of maxing out his piano skill. We'll see.

Grandma Ella got stuck. Tried to reset her, and it didn't work. In this picture, she is in the back yard talking to her husband Sergio through two walls, where he is in the dining room eating.

Those walls must be pretty thin.

Thankfully, closing the game and reloading set her to rights. Girl, don't be pulling anymore stunts. My time is precious, you know.

The artwork done by Ella and son-in-law Quentin is adding up. Sergio's music that he writes is adding a nice bonus, and Alyson's produce is selling at decent rates now.

They have nicely racked up some money, so I did a little renovating and added on some rooms and replaced the cheapie windows with more expensive ones.

Little by little, the house is improving, and the outdoors is coming along as well.

They've got a huge lot to fill up, and I imagine that it may not take them long to do it, with how quickly the money is piling up.

"You woke me at 2AM to tell me what?"

Alyson is flapping her arms like mad, and she's so excited she can't talk straight.

Quentin thinks this could've waited till 6am. "I guess you're pregnant? You act like this is the first time. Elliott is almost a teenager, so I guess you're just dying to get your hands on a baby, right? I'll let you wake up to feed it."

She's thrilled as can be. It's about time this  house gets filled up with kids again. At least now everyone has room to breathe.

Alyson was in a good mood after announcing her pregnancy, so I had her go ahead and get an early start on the garden. Alyson has the Freelance Botanist aspiration. She's doing very well with her gardening, and I think she'll definitely finish it before she croaks.

I've not had a Cowplant in Sims 4. I only ever had one in Sims 2, and I let it die. So I'll be anxious to see what happens with this one.

Last night, Sergio spun the want to Woohoo with Ella. Since Sergio is due to kick the proverbial bucket at any moment, I figured I'd go ahead and allow him to. Well.... that 10% chance became 100% with Risky Woohoo.

I play my legacy game this way, knowing that there's always that small chance. It keeps the Legacy Challenge from getting boring. The look on Sergio's face though is classic!

And, thankfully, Alyson doesn't look a bit upset by her mom upstaging her wonderful day.

Kudos to you, Alyson.

Later that evening, little Elliott brought home an A from school. Mom made him a chocolate cake for his birthday.

He aged up nicely, and thankfully no really bad personality traits were randomly selected. His aspiration is Computer Whiz.

Alyson's pregnancy passed by quickly enough! Baby Ewan was born, and I do believe he's going to look just like his brother Elliott and dad Quentin.

I'll be anxious to see if he has any of Alyson's features.

Two hours after Alyson had "the spare" Ewan, her mom Ella gave birth to a fourth baby, Martin.

Martin appears to be taking his father's physical features as well.

Ella had Martin just as it was time to go to work, so she left him crying with Alyson to feed him a bottle while I sent Ella to her job as Illustrious Illustrator. We need that almighty dollar, ya know.

Then, oh my goodness, Sergio was literally walking out the door to go to his job that afternoon, and The Reaper showed up. Oh shoot!

What made it worse is that Ella and her grandson Elliott came home right in time to see The Reaper take Sergio's soul away. Ella didn't even get to plead. :(

I think I'll wrap it up on that note. The first has passed in this challenge. Ella still has 12 days left till Elder, thanks to that glitch. I hope she manages to age next time.

Check back for the next episode, as Elliott will be finishing up high school, and the babies will be toddlers.

Thanks for reading! And as always, if you have any suggestions for future names, please leave them below. I keep a list! Thanks to Kristin for Ewan's and Martin's names!

Gemini: The Culling (Chapter 1)

Glenna Montgomery could feel someone watching her and it was making her uneasy.  Her entire body hurt, even her eyes, which she was struggling to open. After much effort, she forced her eyes to open and then struggled as they adjusted to the light.   She took in her surroundings, bars, restraints and medical supplies. A slow steady stream of  water  ran off a tarp that was rigged across her dwellings. It was cold and the air smelled of smoke and chemicals.

As her eyesight cleared, she became aware of a woman with white hair and flaming red eyes.  A young man was checking her vital signs and making notes on a clipboard. 

"Where am I?" Glenna's voice sounded as weak as her body felt.  She forced herself to a seated position. The effort nearly took her breath.

The young man glanced at the wild-eyed woman as if seeking permission to answer the question. When she nodded he focused his attention on Glenna and answered, "You, my dear, are in the home of Mirabella Grimm and her colleagues, Kristine Lawson and Fizzy.  They are responsible for saving your life...mine too."

The young man stuck his hand out for Glenna to shake, "I'm Titus."  She ignored the gesture and fixed her gaze on his eyes.  They were such a beautiful golden color and split down the iris they faded to an inky black.  It was unnerving and nothing Glenna had ever seen before.

Mirabella sat down on the bed beside Glenna, "Sweetie, I know you must have a lot of questions for us."

"Like why I'm hooked up to an I.V. and behind bars?  Where is my family? Am I a prisoner here?"

"No, you're definitely not a prisoner, dear.  These bars, are for your own protection.  After The Culling, a number of survivors joined together and formed a group called, Anarchist. Survivors like myself have formed agreements with them to insure our own safety. Law enforcement is non-existent so we pay a fee to Anarchist every week and in return, we're allowed to keep our home.  For the most part they'll leave us alone in exchange for cash. The bars are there to keep out the few that decides to rob us anyway."

"And my family?" Her stomach knotted as she waited on a response.

Mirabella's gaze dropped to the floor, "I'm sorry to say it but we were not able to save them.  We had heard reports of  mysterious illness come across the news and within an hour the city was on fire.  Homes were filled with the dead. Fizzy, Kristine and I went to look for survivors.  We found you, unconscious and with a raging fever. Your family had already perished.   We decided to bring you here for treatment.  I am a doctor and Fizzy is a scientist; we felt it was our duty to help.  We weren't sure that we could save you but we knew that we had to try.   We brought you here but we had to quarantine you until we were certain you were no longer contagious. We had to avoid contamination at all costs."

"How long has it been since you brought me here?"  Glenna blinked back tears that threatened to spill over.

Titus cleared his throat before answering, "It's been twenty years."

Glenna's hand flew to her face and she wondered if she would even recognize herself.

"If you're wondering how much you have changed,  you haven't. In the first week, we heard news that hundreds of people had died, not just in our community but in four neighboring communities as well.  In the second week, people were still dying. The results were always the same, sudden illness followed by spontaneous combustion.

 Fizzy made a tough decision to raid a nearby lab for medical supplies and a hazmat suit. She was determined to save you.  With those supplies, she and Mirabella worked tirelessly around the clock to keep your fever down—it was the only thing that kept you from being consumed.  Then, on the third week, a helicopter dropped supplies, experimental medication and vaccines that seems to have halted the progression of illness.  With time it became apparent that it also slowed the aging process.  The medication and vaccine affected you and I similarly...we mutated."  He pointed to his eyes, "We are not sure what caused this mutation but there haven't appeared to be any ill effects.  Still, you never woke up and we couldn't be sure that you would ever recover...until today."

Glenna had so many questions. Fixing her gaze on Titus, she had to ask,  "You mentioned these people saved your life. Were you ill like I was?"

An odd expression flashed across Titus' face before Mirabella quickly answered for him, "Titus' story is one for another day.  For now we need to make plans about your immediate situation.  You've been here for the last twenty years and we all care about you dearly. You're more than welcome to stay here with us.  Anarchist however demands that all able-bodied persons to pay their price and now that you have recovered, you're going to have to make a visit downtown to declare a profession.  Their protection comes at a price and more than likely, they're going to want back pay for the last twenty years that you've been here.  A trip downtown will be no easy task.  The streets are overran with warring factions and you must be careful not to find yourself in the crosshairs. Once you've made your way to Anarchist headquarters, you will need to speak with the crime boss, Maverick Willow about your residency here in Gemini. No matter what you decide, know that we are always here for you."