The Broke Legacy: Gen 4.1

[simgaroop]

Previous update: Gen 3.7.






After I left La Fiesta Tech, I packed my bags and got ready for the big move all the way to Veronaville.
Oberon and Titania (my future in-laws) had a room ready for me (at least until I married Puck, they were a bit old-fashioned) and I was excited to meet Bottom and Demetrius too!
But then, I realized that I couldn't leave Strangetown.
Andrew had just left a couple months before, and that was a huge blow to my parents.
They were expecting him to continue the family line. To protect the house Grandpa Beau built for future Broke generations.
But he had been forced to leave by his wife, who didn't want Sarah (their daughter) to grow up near the influence of us "freaks".




Dad told me that it was OK.
That he had no right to interfere with my destiny.
That it was my choice and that he'd always respect it.
But I decided to stay.
My parents were getting old and Tamara and Natalia were growing up.
Pretty soon, they'd leave the house for College.
I talked to Puck about this. And he agreed to move to Strangetown with me.
He just needed to take care of a few things back at Veronaville.
So, I was forced to wait for him for several months.
But it was a small sacrifice... he was leaving everything he knew for me, after all.




I was unemployed for a few months after I left College.
Man! Those teachers weren't kidding when they said life wasn't as easy as it was a few decades ago.
Every day, I looked at the paper or the computer, but I wasn't lucky.
Not a single videogame designer or artist job.
I was starting to get nervous about my future.
But then, Dad came up with a little project for my free time.
The house was almost 30 years old and most of the furniture were in bad shape.
He asked me to redecorate the house, to make it comfortable for the family I'd start with Puck.
So I got to work.




Everything around the house was changed.
The dining room.




The kitchen.




The studio.
Dad had started to paint in his free time, and he had already finished a lovely portrait of Mom.




My parent's bedroom.




The main bathroom.




And finally, the room Puck and I would share after we got married.




But the house not only changed on the inside.
Nope, I had a surprise for my fiancée.
Dad had been doing a lot of research on his lab, and had replicated the formula used in Graslax to grow plants and vegetables in their desert, almost dead surface.
It was a strong mixture of vitamins, minerals and several alien chemicals that turned the land into a perfect spot for agriculture and gardening.
With the help of that formula, we were able to create a small garden in our house.




I knew Puck loved the gardens back at Veronaville, so I hoped this would bring a bit of his home to our future house.
It'd never be as green and beautiful as the one he had back home (the climate was against us, after all), but at least it was a start.




Shortly after I finished with the remodeling, I found a job as a platform jumper.
Also known as an expert gamer and beta tester for an important videogame company.
The pay was low, but there were plenty of opportunities to grow.
I'd just have to be patient...




And to practice my gaming skills.
I'd been so busy with Puck in the last months at College, that I had become a bit rusty.




The final change I made to the house came with a very special phone call.




The famliy was a bit sad because Andrew took Tessa with him.
Well, she was his dog, after all.




So, I adopted an adorable black kitten.




We named him Bonkers.




So, a year went by.
Natalia was busy studying...




... because she'd soon join Tamara at the local high school!




Andrew came from Weirdsquare for her 13th birthday.




Natalia became a beautiful young lady.
Just like Andrew, she overcame her "lazy phase" and actually started caring about her grades when she became a teen.
She also got interested in Dad's laboratory, and spent a lot of time there.
So much that she became his apprentice, and wished to be a scientist just like him.



But that didn't mean she stopped liking videogames, though.
She was almost as good as her big sis Wanda! (Almost is the key word, of course).




Of course, no party is ever complete without a showcase of Andrew's neat skills at karaoke.
I had also remodeled the old games room (and gotten rid of the pool table, which was missing a leg) and bought a karaoke machine.




The only thing I kept from the old room were the family portraits.
Including the one Dad painted for me as an early Wedding present!




I told Andrew that I was sorry he wouldn't be the one to continue the family line after all.
I knew that's something he always wanted. He even talked to Grandpa frequently about that.
-"It's all right, Wanda. Sometimes things don't come out the way you wanted them to be. I guess it's destiny..."




-"Say, Andrew. Is Autumn coming to Wanda's wedding?"




- "I wish I could tell. Autumn's has been so busy lately with several business trip that I've barely had time to ask her. But I'm bringing Sarah with me, whether my wife wants it or not!"




It was the first time the six of us were together in a long, long time. It was so weird to see Andrew so little.
Sometimes I wished things would be just the way they were back when we I was a teen.
But just as my brother, things don't always happen as we want them.
Besides, there was a new change coming up in just two weeks!
A change I was so looking forward to!

_____________




And those two weeks went by in the blink of an eye.
Before I knew it, it was the morning of my Wedding day!
Puck would arrive from Veronaville at any moment!
I had to get ready!




Once I was dressed and ready, I could barely believe what I was seeing in the mirror.
That was me! As a bride! The day I'd dreamed about since I was a little girl was coming true!




When Natalia saw me dressed up, she bursted into tears.
"Aw, come on, Natalia? Don't cry!"




- "I... I can't help it!"




The garden was ready for the wedding ceremony.
Mom, Dad and I had worked really hard getting everything just as I wanted it.




And before I knew it, I was standing in the altar with my future husband.




As we exchanged our vows, I remembered all the times I tried to memorize the vows I've listened to in previous weddings.
I imagined myself reciting them to my still unknown groom so many times...
But as I looked at Puck's eyes, I realized that no vows would be better than the ones that came from my heart.
So, I told him everything I felt. And I promised him that I'd be by his side for the rest of my life.










We exchanged our rings.









And before we knew it, the ceremony was over!




As I kissed my husband (and how nice that sounded!) I could listen to the claps and cheering from all our loved ones.




My family.




Puck's family, who had come all the way from Veronaville for this special event, of course.




And our dear friends.




What can I say? It felt so good to walk down the aisle, surrounded by all these people who loved us.




Afterwards, it was time for the toasting.
As my maid of honor (besides my sisters), Bottom gave a lovely speech.
"When my brother announced he was going to La Fiesta Tech, I somehow knew this would happen in the end. For some, it might feel like I'm losing Puck, because he'll be so far away from us. But in reality, I've gained a new family and a new town to call home. I'm glad you got that scholarship, Puck. It was as if destiny was pulling you towards, Wanda!"




"Cheers!"




Of course, my wedding was not only made of sappy vows and good wishes.
Nope, it had to be fun too!
And Tamara was in charge of the music and dancing!




Demetrius tried so hard to dance the complex steps of Strangetown's trademark dance, The Smuttle!
He did a good job, despite being his first try.




The music died down a couple hours later.
And so, Puck and I had our first dance as husband and wife.




While Natalia asked Demetrius everything about life in Veronaville.
"Might be interesting to study the intercultural differences over there. Is it true that there's a family feud going on there?"




Finally, we cut the cake.
(And there were so much left-over that we ate cake for weeks!)
It was a lovely wedding. One of the best days of my life!

______________________




For our Honeymoon, we went to a small village named Riverblossom Hills.
We had a great time over there.




But don't think our Honeymoon ended when he returned to Strangetown.
Nope! The fun times had just started!




Sure, Puck was still a neat freak who travelled around the house cleaning everything in sight.




And he spent hours looking for a job on the computer.
Unlike me, he soon found a job as a Legal Biller.




But we still had fun together every chance we had!
Dad often scolded us for having water balloon fights in our underwear!
Well! It was hot outside, after all!




We also made good use of the Karaoke machine.
Too bad Andrew was here to destroy us with his amazing skills!
He'd brag about it all day long!




In general, our first two years of marriage were spent in complete bliss.




It was like if someone was making sure we were happy...

___________________________




There are things that are unavoidable, despite what Dad may think.
And one of them is time.
Mom soon turned 60.
And unlike what you'd think, she was glad to be an old woman!
-"I've lived more than 100 years, my sweet. I'm glad I'm starting to look like my "real" age!"




Unsurprisingly, Dad still thought she looked hot.




Around that time, I woke up one day with an annoying stomach ache.
I was dizzy and nauseous.
-"Ugh... I guess I ate too many flapjacks...."




I spent the day alone.
It was BORING! I so missed going to work.
I could barely wait to return there the following day.




Unfortunately, the nausea didn't go away.
Even worse, I started vomiting all day long.
Dad checked me at his lab and game some great news.
-"You are pregnant, Wanda! My second grandson is coming soon!"




Puck and I could barely believe the news.
A baby! Our baby!
Can you imagine how fun that'd be!
A baby to play with the whole day! I'd teach it the best videogame moves! We'd have pajama parties and go to the movies together!
It'd be awesome!

___________________




Dad and Puck had become very close.
They often spent hours talking in the studio or the living room.




- "So, is it possible to see Mars at this time of the year?"




- "Of course, Puck. The skies are clear... perfect for stargazing!"




Puck's extra-curricular classes at college had made him interested in the space and everything related to it.
Dad, of course, had a humongous book collection on that same topic, so he often reccomended Puck good things to read.
It was so awesome, that Puck's weird classes made him closer to Dad. It definitely was a work of destiny.




But Puck hadn't become a book-worm.
Nope, he still was as friendly as always.
The phone rang all the day at home.
Most of the calls were from our old pals at College.
Kevin, Marcel... even Arcadia called one day.
She asked for Saturn and... We had no idea what was going on with him.
We'd been so busy with our jobs and the baby news that we hadn't even called him in so long.

Puck called him that night... but Saturn never answered.
"He must be out with some girls. Just as always..."

_______________________




Before I knew it, my belly started to grow.
The first time I felt my baby moving... it was so weird!
But at the same time I was so excited!




Bad thing that I was placed on maternity leave soon after that.
I guess it wasn't a good idea to participate in the Dance Dance Revolution tournament with a five-months belly.
But it was SO boring to spend the day on the couch!




Sure, I had lots of things to read.
Mom bought me a ton of Baby books, with titles like "What to expect when you are popping".




And I still coached Natalia when she was playing on the computer.
But it wasn't the same.
I was so bored... I needed something to do!

That's when I remembered my old Stylist chair.
And had a great idea!




I called the Strangetown's Economy Office, and registered a small, home business.
What kind of business, you may ask?




Wanda's Pinky Scissors, of course!
I opened a small beauty parlor on my 25th week of pregnancy.
Right at my porch!




And then I waited...




And waited... (And my back hurt like hell from standing for so long...)




Until the clients began to arrive.
And it was a success!
Pretty soon, my salon was known around the neighborhood, and I spent most of the day busy taking care of other peoples' hair and makeup.
It was so fun!

_____________________




Months went by,
And Tamara left for College.




My belly was now HUGE!
With the baby's arrival so close, I started to spend a lot of time shopping for new clothes and things to decorate the nursery.
I bought everything pink, because I was expecting a baby girl!




I still had time to practice my skills, though.
I was expected to return to my job as soon as the baby was born.




Things at home were the same as always.
Puck and Natalia still liked to do boring stuff.




On the night of Puck's 25th birthday, Dad had a special present for him.




- "Are you kidding me? New lenses for the telescope?"
- "I know you've been interesting in seeing the Milky Way up close, and with these lenses you'll get a very detailed zoom."




- "Wow! Thank you, Mr. Broke! You shouldn't bother...!"
- "It's a pleasure, Puck. No one else in my family shares my love for Astronomy, so I'm glad to have you around. It's the least I could do for you..."




Puck was completely in love with his new hobby.




Not as much as he was in love with me, of course!




I still worked with my business.
My back was killing me, though.




-"Ummm... you shouldn't be working right now, Wanda. You should be on the couch!"
- "Non-sense, Andrew! And now hold still, you've got to look great for my baby-shower!"




So yeah, Andrew might complain and I might be huge, but I my scissors were still magical!




And that very night, all my family got together for my shower.
I got a lot of presents! Including lots of toys for my baby! (which I'd try first, of course!)




Saturn was acting so... weird.
When we were in College, Saturn always cared a lot about his appearance.
-"Gotta look hot for the girls!"- that's what he always said.
But now... he was wearing a horrible, loose sweatshirt. And his haircut was awful too!




I had to fix this. So I took him outside and gave him a makeover.
-"What's wrong, Saturn? You are not being yourself... and you had us worried sick too! Puck tried to call you for weeks and you never answered!"




- "I'm just fine, Wanda! Just doing my job as a Graslaxian half-breed."




- "As a Graslaxian half-breed? What are you talking about?"




- "Oh please, Wanda! Are you serious? Didn't Uncle Cosmo tell you about our duty as alien descendants?"
- "Huh?"
- "The Graslaxian Honor Code! All the Graslaxian Half-Blood Citizens have the obligation to keep the alien blood strong among their descendants. Therefore, they must submit one of their male spawn to the Mothership as soon as it turns 25 Earth years old".
- "What?! Are you telling me you are pregnant?"
- "I spent a couple weeks aboard the Mother Ship, Wanda! It was awesome! And sure, I'm expecting my little spawn in a couple months... I'm sure Andrew is getting ready for his abduction any time now!"
- "Andrew's not being abducted any time soon, Saturn! His wife would kill him!"




- "Then I guess Uncle Cosmo must be looking for someone to replace Andrew... but who...?"

AHHHHHHH! SOMEONE HELP ME!




Puck's screams could be heard around the neighborhood.
Everyone got up and ran upstairs to see what was going on.
Halley and Saturn got there first.
But it was too late... the Graslaxian ship took my husband away.




"Saturn? Does that mean?"
- "Yes, sis. Puck's been chosen to carry a new Graslaxian citizen... just like Grandpa Beau and Grandpa Vidcund."




Andrew was nearly in hysterics when he found out that Puck had been taken away.
He was his best friend, after all.
But when Halley explained him the reason he was abducted... well... I'd never seen my brother so angry.




I felt like if I were dying.
What... what if the Graslaxians never returned Puck to me?
What if they kept him for years and years... just like they had done to Mom?"




Meanwhile, Andrew was demanding some answers from Dad.
- "Are you telling me you are the one behind this, Father? How could you... how could you do this to Puck? How could you trick him like this?"
- "I just wanted to protect you, Andrew. You were destined to get abducted on your 25th birthday... but I made sure you'd be safe. Imagine what would had happened then with your marriage?"
- "Th... that was MY choice, Father! You could have told us about this law! What if I wanted to be abducted? I'm part Graslaxian too, Dad! What if I wanted to do something for my race!"
- "But your wife..."
- "Who cares about Autumn?! It's my life! You... you and Autumn... you are just toying with my life, making the most important decisions without asking me first... but not anymore! You hear me!"




Andrew left the house.
He was so furious; he slammed the door behind him.
Saturn tried to calm me.
"Don't worry, Wanda. I'm sure they'll bring him back soon... and safe. You've heard the Graslaxian tales since you were a little girl... you know they'd never hurt a human..."




Dad came downstairs a few minutes later.
And then... he confessed me everything.

Puck's scholarship... was a lie.
There was never a scholarship. Dad still had some LFT's stationery from the years he worked there. He used it to send that letter to Puck, offering complete tuition and housing in exchange for some extra-curricular classes. The tuition part was easy, Dad paid for it with his savings. The dorm had Grandpa's name, so anyone recommended by a Broke would live there for free. And the extra-curricular classes... Dad made sure Puck studied Astronomy, Intercultural education, child psychology... everything he'd need to know to raise a Graslaxian baby.

- "When I saw Puck for the first time... he reminded me of your Grandfather. A kind outsider who had no idea of the existence of aliens but who was also open to their different traits and traditions. He was also young... and therefore easy to manipulate. I felt... so bad for doing this to him... but I was trying to protect Andrew. I never expected that you'd fall in love with him. Or that you'd get married. I always thought he'd return to Veronaville, then I'd send him a telescope (from the "scholarship" fund) and he'd get abducted far away from here. I'm so sorry Wanda..."




"Do you have any idea what this means, Dad? It means that you've manipulated our lives for years. What if Puck was destined to be with Hermia? What if he was destined to spend his life at Veronaville, with his family and friends? What if...?"
- "There are no what ifs? There's no such thing as destiny. There are just choices and..."
- "Yeah! Choices you made for us, Father!"




A loud noise stopped our argument. I ran outside, not caring that I was so pregnant I could barely move.




"Oh Puck... please be safe!"




And just like Saturn said, the Graslaxians returned my husband safe and sound.
He was of course terrified by the whole experience.
I remembered Grandpa's tales from the time he was abducted and... Oh Goodness! I felt so guilty!
Perhaps if Puck had never met me... he'd never had to experience this!




I ran to his arms and hugged him tightly.
-"I'm sorry, Puck! I'm SO sorry!"
- "It's all right... there's nothing to be sorry about..."




- "I'm just glad I'm back in time for our daughter's birth. That's the only thing that matters..."








Dad approached Puck.
He was visibly ashamed. He knew that was he did was wrong... I knew he felt guilty.
But I wasn't sure if I'd be able to forgive him anytime soon.
"Please Puck... let me explain everything to you... I'm so sorry, young man and..."




"You don't have to say anything, Mr. Broke. I'd just... be grateful... if you'd stay away from me for a while..."
My father understood. He went back inside and locked up inside his room.
And he didn't come out for a long time...




Well... at least not for a few hours.
Because early the next morning, as the only doctor of the house, he had to aid me.
I guess the stress from the events the previous night took a toll on me...




"Aughh! Puck! This hurts so much!"




With the help of my husband and my father, I gave birth to my daughter.
A girl with dark hair and eyes, just like her Grandmother.




Hello, Rose Mary!
Welcome to the Broke Family!




________________________________________
Notes:
- First, here are the stats I've been missing since Gen 2:

GENERATION TWO






GENERATION THREE

















- Yeah, I'd been lazy and never made them. I have the templates ready for the Gen 4 babies, though.(yup, they are already born in my game, besides Rose Mary).

- I remodeled the house because I was getting a bit bored of seeing the same rooms over and over. I also got rid of the stupid pool table (who had me crazy) and bought a karaoke machine and a bar. Big mistake! My Sims are such alcoholics!

- Speaking of alcohol, I won't hire a bartender ever again. At Wanda's wedding, they kept drinking and drinking like crazy. And most of the guests left before the ceremony was over because they had to pee. Andrew was the first one to leave!

- The whole Natalia crying after she saw Wanda in her wedding dress was on free will. Of course, she didn't cry for seeing her sister as a bride! Nope, Wanda "ventrilofarted" on her... and made her cry. Yeah, my ten-nice-point heir playing pranks on her sisters. And one-nice-point Andrew never did that.

- The "garden" story was my excuse for having a garden in the lot. I'd love to get Plantsims eventually, but I guess that wouldn't make sense in a town like Strangetown (at least not without a lame story behind). I'd also like a wishing well!

- So yeah, I was getting bored with the game and opened a home business. Wanda rolled the want to get the gold badge, her asp score was too low (darn Pleasure sims!) and I wanted to try a business, so I said, "why not?” This will be related to future plot points, of course.

- Tamara and Natalia are up for download.

- Thanks for reading!

Comments

[sheerfreesia007.livejournal.com]

EEEEE! Yay! Wonderful update. Cosmo....I can't forgive him for what he did. I know he was trying to protect his son but he managed to hurt his daughter in the process. All your sims are gorgeous! And it's amazing that they all started with Beau Broke. Go figure. Awesome update can't wait for the next part.

[simgaroop.livejournal.com]

I guess that shows that Beau Broke has great genes! Cosmo and Andrew look a lot like him, after all!

Thanks for reading!