#sims3challenge #sims3legacy #sims3story #thesims3

Abby caught Sawyer when he came home from another long shift at the hospital. “Victoria told me what happened,” she said.

Then he launched into a technical explanation of gene splicing that was way over Abby’s head.

“Hey,” she said, keeping her voice low and soothing. The last thing she needed was to give Sawyer any more sense of persecution. “You don’t have to convince me. I believe you.

“Look, if Manisha wasn’t expecting a baby, then this has to be a big shock. Maybe she just need to adjust to the idea. Give her some time.”

Sawyer paused, thinking about it. Then he hung his head. “I’ll try,” he said.

Abby had never seen Sawyer so forlorn. She wished she could give him a hug, but she knew better. “Look, Sawyer,” she said. “Ask for help if you need it, okay? I care about you.”

“Thanks,” Sawyer said. “I recognize your intelligence.”

Spring transitioned into summer, and the longer daylight brought a steady stream of children home to play with Victoria.

It was a party almost every evening.

He even pulled the ear of some of Victoria’s playmates. Victoria complained later that he was boring her friends.

Middle age finally struck Andria.

She wanted a small family celebration. Victoria insisted on bringing a friend.

Sawyer did his best to take Abby’s advice. When he wasn’t caring for Gamora, he threw himself into his work.

Much to the dismay of his patients. It’s not like Sawyer had an inspiring bedside manner on the best of days.

Andria wasn’t doing much better than Sawyer. Ever since her birthday, she had been sour and short-tempered. She went about her work and tended her farm with the same dedication, but she didn’t seem to enjoy any of it.

She stood in front of the wardobe and tried on outfit after outfit, examining herself in the mirror.

It wasn’t clear what she was looking for. Even Andria herself didn’t seem to know.

Finally, Dylan called her on it. “You look miserable,” he said. “I’m worried about you. Please talk to me.”

“I don’t know what there is to talk about,” Andria said — in that tone of voice that said, I really need to talk about this. “I thought I was being so progressive when I decided to marry you over the Fae Council objections. I thought I was standing up for our right to make our own decisions without living in fear.

Dylan took a step back as if he’d been struck.

Andria caught her breath. “I didn’t mean it like–“

“You meant it exactly as you said it,” Dylan said. “I had no idea you thought such things about me.”

“I know you’re trying your best,” Andria said.

Dylan, who was never aggressive about anything, advanced on her with a glint in his eye. “I am not afraid of our children,” he said. “I don’t think they’re freaks or monsters. Our children have gifts I will never have. They go places I can never go. I wonder ever day how I can protect and nurture them when I will never be able to completely understand them. I don’t understand you either, and I know it. I am always two steps behind my entire family.

“So there it is. My inherent selfishness. I’m not afraid of them. I’m afraid for me.“

He took a breath, but she reached her hand to his lips to silence him.

Then she kissed him with a passion that rivaled their courtship.

She pulled him up to the treehouse and had her way with him.

Dylan didn’t argue, but he didn’t stop worrying about her either.

———-

And here we have it. Another midlife crisis. Dylan’s the only person who hasn’t had one so far. Sawyer’s still a few days away.

I had a lot of trouble writing this post. He had two really personal, anguished scenes in it. I also really wanted to get an idea of where Andria’s crisis was going to go before I tried to write it.

This last scene was entirely autonomous. Andria had a wish to break up with Dylan. Sheesh. If I followed every Midlife Crisis wish to break up, I’d have no happy couples in my game. I’ve heard that sims often wish to get right back together with the sim they just dumped, but that seems like a bit too much without a good story excuse.

At any rate, I decided the wish was a hint that Andria had built up resentment toward Dylan. I decided to pick a fight between them and then see how it fell out. They fought for a while on autonomy. Then Andria dip-kissed him and woohooed him in the treehouse. I decided that whatever troubles they had, they weren’t divorce grade :).

The scenes with Victoria were primarily from a party she threw that was supposed to be a sleepover. The game forgot that part halfway through and sent everyone home. I wanted someone to tell ghost stories, but the option didn’t come up on the interaction menu. ARGH.

Also, Bonehilda autonomously returned to her coffin. I gotta get her out again.