Round Two - The Laird's

Introduction: http://aspenlake.blogspot.com/2007/12/introduction-lairds.html
Round One: http://aspenlake.blogspot.com/2007/12/round-one-lairds.html

Family

Brady - adult - knowledge
Orlando - adopted teenager - Romance
Declan - child
The Dog - Jake



After much work, it was finally opening day for Brady‘s Farmers market. Although he quickly earned his first simolean, the money did not come in as fast as he had hoped. He had sunk most of his savings into starting the business so he didn’t have anything to fall back on if it failed. At first he was averaging only about $150 a day, even though he worked well into the night, leaving Orlando to look after Declan. That amount was not enough to look after two boys and pay the mortgage on the farm. He stopped sleeping well at night and would spend odd hours out in his greenhouse trying to figure out what to do.









Orlando could see that his adopted father was worried about their situation, even though Brady tried to hide it from them. Orlando tried to help out where he could, but he just wasn’t interested in farming the way that Brady and Declan were. His love was music, and his dream was to become famous for that, not for his produce. That’s why he was excited when a local piano store offered him a job as a piano tuner and he readily took the position. It gave him a start in his music career and helped out his family too. In his spare time - which wasn’t much anymore - he practiced his piano playing.





Brady could see that his older son’s heart was not in the farm life the way his was. He knew it was only a matter of time until Orlanndo left the small vacation town for bigger things. As much as Brady didn’t want to lose his son, he also knew he had to let him make his own path, and tried to encourage him in his efforts.





As both boys continued to grow, Brady finally accepted the fact that he was not going to get remarried and have more children. He was almost an elder as it was. He knew it was time to let go of that hope, and be happy with the two wonderful boys that he *had* been blessed with. So one morning he packed up all the baby stuff in the house and took it down to his market to sell. Then he started to teach Declan all the ways of the farm so he would be ready to take over when the time came. Declan took effortlessly to the lessons and soon had his own bronze gardening badge. Some of Brady’s worry and sleepless nights began to leave.











As Orlando entered his last year of high school he became more and more restless in the confines of their small town. It seemed like there was just nothing there for him. Many nights he would lay awake dreaming of his future, a future away from the quiet solitude of Aspen Lake.






Not even meeting a girl could lesson his desire to leave. He knew that there would many girls in the big city and didn’t want to become tied down to any in little Aspen Lake. Every time he kissed his new girlfriend, he wondered what it would be like to kiss a big town girl.





Orlando knew, though, that he couldn’t leave home until Delcan was old enough to help with the farm and family business. Time went quickly though and Orlando’s graduation day came and soon after Declan had his birthday. (note: he rolled Fortune, with LTW of being top of adventure career)





Orlando knew it was time to talk to his father about leaving home. He had even already been offered a job as a Battle Of the Bands Judge at a small club in downtown SimCity. (note: I have inteenimator installed so ‘older’ teens can hold down regular jobs and move out on their own) It wasn’t much money, but it was a start. He found his father fishing one night and went out to talk to him.





Brady had known the discussion was going to be coming for some time. It wasn’t hard to tell that Orlando had outgrown the small town of Aspen Lake. It was obvious that the boy had dreams bigger than the small town he lived in. And College had never really been an option. They just didn’t have the money. As much as Brady worried about Orlando being alone in SimCity, he wasn’t going to hold him back. He gave him his blessing to take the job and go.

The night before it was time for Orlando to leave something happened to intensify Brady’s worries even more. A burglar broke into their home. If something like that could happen in little Aspen Lake, what would happen in SimCity? He knew though, that Orlando was eighteen and had a right to his own life. He just insisted that he take Jake with him for protection.





Neither boy could get to sleep after the bugler incident and spent the rest of the night sitting on the floor and talking. Orlando was surprised to find out that Declan had plans other than running a farm.
“I want to be an adventurer,“ He told Orlando
“But what about Dad and the farm?”
“I know, I know. I have to take over the farm. I will. I’m not going to let Dad down. I just hope I can get married, and she can do must of the work. Why can’t I have plans for my own life? It’s not fair.”
“If Dad knew-”
“Don’t tell him, please. I don’t want to let him down. I know how much the farm means to him. I’m not going to do anything to risk it.”





The next morning a sleepy family saw Orlando off in the taxi. Brady put an arm around his younger son’s shoulders as he watched Orlando pull away. Declan looked up at him.
“We’re going to be okay, right Dad?” He asked.
Brady smiled down at him, “Of course kiddo. We’re the Laird men. We can do anything.”
Declan felt the weight of the words settle on him. The Laird men. Would he be able to live up to that?

(note: Orlando has now moved into the downtown neighbourhood to pursue is music career. He still has 7 days left in his teen years)

Round Two - The Jalen Family

The Jalen House - Round Two

Jalen Family - Introduction: http://aspenlake.blogspot.com/2007/12/jalen-family-welcome-to-jalen-family.html
Jalen Family - Round one: http://aspenlake.blogspot.com/2007/12/jalen-house-round-one.html

Family
Colton Jalen - Family
Marion Jalen - Family
Xiaden Jalen - teen, knowledge
Woalfe Jalen - Child


With a new baby on the way, Colton knew that Marion was not going to be returning to work any time soon, and realized that their current house was just too expensive on one income. He talked it over with his family and decided to sell and buy a smaller place in the new subdivisions on the ridge. The boys would have to double up in one bedroom but luckily they were agreeable and the family settled in quickly. Woalfe just thought it was cool to have a TV and Video game machine in his room. (note: The house they were living in became too glitchy so I had to move them)









Marion’s pregnancy went easily, mostly because of the attention and care from her husband Colton. He even made breakfast every morning for her before heading off to work.




Soon it came time for the baby to be born. It was born at home, as they both had planned. The birth was quick and they welcomed a little baby girl into the home (note: Yay! A girl!) Both parents were so proud and happy. Marion loved her boys, but was happy that her last child was a little girl to spoil. They decided to name her C.J, after her father (colton Junior). Colton’s face beamed as he held his little girl for the first time. He had missed out on so much with Woalfe, that he wasn’t going to miss a moment with his little girl.









Woalfe loved his little sister as much as the rest of the family, but he soon began to wonder where *he* fit into the family. He wasn’t the smart genius like his brother, and wasn‘t the cute youngest like his sister. So what *was* he? He was just the forgotten middle child. He mulled this over one evening and decided that he didn’t want to just blend in and be forgotten, in his family or in life. But how would he stand out? He wasn’t that bright, and wasn’t that athletic, and wasn’t all too creative either. He wasn’t really much of anything he realized, and had no way of changing that, but he *could* change how he looked he decided. He decided to get a makeover to get rid of his plain brown hair and washed out clothes. The next Saturday he conned his brother into taking him downtown to do some shopping. When he unveiled his new look to Xaiden, Xaiden just laughed, “Are you serious? You’re so going to get beat up at school.” Woalfe just shrugged and grinned, “At least I’ll be noticed.”
“You’re so nuts,” Xaiden laughed, but had to admire his little brother’s guts. At least he wasn’t afraid to be himself. He wondered how his father would react.





While stopping for something to eat before heading home from downtown, Xaiden also met a girl. They talked for a while and he forced himself to ask her for her number. She gave it to him. Woalfe snickered and whispered under his breath, “K-I-S-S-I-N -” Xaiden slugged him the shoulder and blushed.
“You going to ask her out?” Woalfe asked.
“I might.”
“You going to marry her?”
“Marry her! I just met her! Come on, lets get home.”





When they got home, they ran into their father into the kitchen. Xaiden stood back, unsure how his father would react to Woalf’s new goth look. Colton just stared at him for a moment, as if not believing what he was seeing. “What do you think you’re doing?” He finally asked.
Woalfe answered, nonchalant, “Being different.”
“*Different*? You’re wearing *makeup*”
“It’s just black lipstick.”
Colton turned back to the dinner he was cooking, “Go take it off now.”
Woalfe crossed his arms, stubborn, “No.” |
“Excuse me?”
“I said no. I can look how I want.”
“Not in my house. Take it off or your grounded.”
“Fine. I’m grounded.” He walked away to his room. Xaiden decided to stand up for his little brother, “He’s just trying to stand out Dad. It’s no easy being a middle kid.”
“It’s *makeup* . He’s a *boy*”
“If you try to stop him he’ll just rebel more,“ Xaiden reasoned. “Let him do what he wants and he’ll grow out of it.”
Colton sighed, “I’ll think about it.”
The next day when Xaiden brought home his first A+ essay Colton realized that his oldest son was right. Woalfe was just trying to stand out and he was still a good kid. If he wanted to wear makeup and dye his hair black then so be it. If that was the worst he had to deal with, then it wasn’t so bad.






With the issue with his brother settled, Xiaden decided to concentrate on the new girl he met. He had talked to her a few times on the phone and decided it was time to ask her out on their first date. She said yes, and he spent the whole day trying to figure out what to wear. He took her to the local bowling alley/arcade, and was so nervous the whole time he could barely talk. There date was okay, but just okay. Xiaden was disappointed in himself and felt like he had blown his chance, which was why he was surprised when she hugged him goodbye and said they should go out again.





A few days later she came over to help study for a history test. Soon, studying was forgotten and Xaiden decided to make the move to kiss her. He leaned in, nervous and closed his eyes, and was met with Melody’s also nervous kiss. They only kissed once, because both were two shy to try again.





Meanwhile, little C.J had her birthday and grew into a spoiled toddler. Because her Dad gave in to anything she ever asked for, she was a stubborn and spoiled little girl (note: She has only 1 nice point and maxed out outgoing. I think I ended up with the first born glitch, but I see a spoiled child story developing :P) Woalfe also had his birthday and grew into a teenager. (note: he rolled romance with the LTW of being top of artist career.) Colton was disappointed to see that Woalfe hadn’t grown out of his goth phase but decided to just let it be for now. He wanted to concentrate on Xiaden for the moment. He sat down with his oldest son to talk to him about college since he was almost at that age. Xaiden had known the discussion was going to come eventually but he honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. He didn’t actually want to go away to college. He loved hanging out with his little brother and baby sister and didn’t want to leave them. He told his father this but Colton wanted a good education for his son and told him he had to start filling out applications.










Xiaden talked to Melody about school the next day and she said that her father was also making her go to college. So they came up with the plan to try to get in together. At least they would be too lonely that way.





Xiaden sent in his application and was accepted to SimState University. On the same day his father was promoted to Guest lecturer at the local community college. Colton took the family out to dinner downtown to celebrate, though Xaiden didn’t see his acceptance as something to celebrate. All he could think of was how much he would miss his family. And he was worried too about Woalfe. Woalfe didn’t have the closest relationship with their father and their mother was quite busy with their baby sister. After dinner that night, though, Woalfe came into the living room and flopped down on the couch. “You worried about college?” He asked Xaiden.
”Kind of,” Xaiden answered.
“You worried about leaving me?”
“Yeah…how’d you guess?”
“Cause you’re always worried about me. I’m fine big brother.”
“You are right now…”
Woalfe shrugged, “I’m used to Dad ignoring me. Its not a big deal. Really. And don’t worry about C.J. I’ll look after her.”
Xaiden laughed, “I don’t worry about C.J. being looked after. Dad spoils her.”
“So do you,” Woalfe pointed out with a grin.
Xaiden grinned back. It was true. No one could say no to C.J. Xaiden became serious again, “Are you really going to be okay?”
“Completely,” Woalfe said, “It’ll be kind of fun being the oldest. So, go, have fun at college!”

So Xaiden slept better that night knowing that things at home would be okay without him. And soon, too soon it seemed to Xaiden, the taxi came and took him away.




(note: So Xaiden is now also off to college)

Round One - The Coopersmith's

The CooperSmith’s - Round One

Alex Coopersmith - Popularity
Suzie Coopersmith - Forutne
Kadia Coopersmith - teenager - Knowledge
Adam Coopersmith - Adopted Toddler




When Kadia first moved in, Alex decided to sit her down and talk to her about her recent behaviour. It was important that she knew the boundaries. Curfew was 10pm period, she wasn’t allowed alone with boys, and there would be *no* sneaking out. Kadia didn’t argued. She just gave a cynical laugh and asked, “And where am I going to sneak out to? There’s nothing in this town.”
Alex wasn’t laughing, “I’m serious Kadia.”
“Look, bro, relax, I’m not going to do anything wrong. Okay?”






She spent the next few weeks trying to find some way to have fun in the little town of Aspen Lake. She was unsuccessful. Because she had no friends and both Alex and Suzie were busy with their careers, she spent most evenings eating dinner alone at the little Snack Grill Café.





That changed about a month into her new move. In fact, everything changed that day. One of the girls at school, sunny, invited her to the local hangout with some friends. Being glad to finally be included, Kadia readily went along. And that was where she met him. Malcolm. An older man, probably in his thirties, who watched her the whole time she was at the hangout. Kadia didn’t mind the attention. She liked being noticed by an older man. It made her feel sophisticated and mature. When he came up and talked to her and asked her for her phone number, she didn’t refuse. Sunny, though, tried to intervene. “Excuse me! Do you realize how old she is?” Sunny snapped.
Malcolm just gave Kadia a sly smile, “Oh, I say a girl as sophisticated as her can’t be younger than what, 19? 20?” Kadia blushed, but Sunny snapped again, “She’s just turning 16! So why don’t you go on and find someone your age!” Malcolm winked at Kadia and left. Sunny ranted about ‘perverts’ but then noticed how Kaida was looking after him. “Kaida!”
“What?”
“Don’t get involved with him. That guy is bad news.”
“Sure Sunny. Sure.” She had no intention of listening, though later on she would wish she had.







Soon Malcolm was calling her almost everyday. She always made sure she to get the phone first when it rang so Alex wouldn’t know. The phone calls made her feel special. During one phone call he officially asked her out. He lied to Alex and told him she was going out with Sunny, and left to meet Malcolm at the boardwalk. She had a great time hanging out with him. He laughed at her jokes and complimented her. Soon she was falling for him.







A few nights later Malcom snuck up to her house at midnight. Luckily everyone was asleep. He had a limousine waiting for her and everything. How could she say no? She broke Alex’s no sneaking out rule and went with him.






Almost every night afterwards she would sneak out with him. She tried to tell herself that it was fine because they weren’t’ actually *doing* anything and her grades were still high. At first she worried every night that she would be caught, but soon realized that Alex had other things on his mind than her. His job as a detective was demanding and he was also in line for a promotion so he didn’t have much time to spend at home. With her dad also dead, it made Kadia lonely for male attention, which is why she didn’t turn Malcolm down when he asked her out on a Saturday evening. He told her it was special, so dress nice. She picked out a pretty new dress her father had bought her just before he took ill. At first the date was wonderful. He took her out for dinner, and, sure, it was just at the snack grill, but he pulled out her chair and took her jacket and listened to everything she had to say. When it was over he pulled her close and said, “I have something else planned. Shh. it’s a surprise.”






Kadia wasn’t expecting what came next. They pulled up in front of the Aspen Lake motel. Kadia was confused. “What, what are we doing here Malcolm?”
“I think its time to take the next step in our relationship," Malcolm said.
“You mean…”
“I think you know what I mean.”
“But I…” “You’re not scared are you?”
“No, I mean, I…” She wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to do what he wanted to. She wasn’t ready. She had always planned to wait until she was married. When she still hesitated Malcolm began to get annoyed.
“Look, Kadia, we’ve been dating for a while now. How long do you expect me to wait? This is what adults do in relationships. You *are* an adult right?”
“Yes…”
“Are you sure you’re not a scared little sixteen year old?”
“I’m not!”
“Then lets go.”
“Fine. Okay…” So she followed him into the room.







She lay stiffly on the bed next to him. He leaned over and began kissing her. She tried to forget everything she had ever been taught and just go with it, but couldn’t. She pushed away from him, “I can’t do this Malcolm. I’m not ready.” Malcolm stood up, angry now. “Look, either we do this or you find your own way home!”
“But Malcolm -"
“Look, *kid*, I’m *not* sixteen. I expect certain things from a girlfriend.”
Kadia just looked down and shook her head.
“Fine!” Malcolm turned and stormed out. Kadia found herself sitting outside in the rain trying to figure out what to do. She couldn’t phone Alex, she just couldn’t. And she had no money for a taxi. Finally she decided to call another friend of hers, George. He immediately offered to come and pick her up.








It wasn’t until two in the morning that she got home. Alex confronted her before she was even in the front door. Kadia couldn’t deal with him at the moment so she blurted out the first excuse she could think of, “I was doing homework at Sunny's and fell asleep, so leave me alone!” She pushed by him and ran inside. “Kadia!” She didn’t stop running until she reached her room and fell into bed. Alex didn’t follow her. Did she really expect him to?





She didn’t go to school for the next week, claiming to be ill. She just lay on her bed thinking of what a mess her life had become. While she was hiding from reality little Adam grew into a child. She watched him and was depressed at how much of his toddler hood she had missed just because she hadn’t bothered to care. She wondered to how he was going to fare with two career parents. She went back to her bedroom even more sullen and depressed.







One afternoon, while Kadia was still hiding in her room, George came over to talk to her. “I know what happened,” He said, “I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Kadia tried to appear nonchalant but he gave her the most understanding look that she couldn’t hide her pain anymore and broke into tears. George just hugged her, then took her inside to talk to her. She told him everything. It was the first person she had talked to about things. She wiped away her tears then and said, “George, I don’t know what to do now.”
“Well, what did you want to do before you met Malcolm?” George asked, “I mean, with your life?”
Kadia sighed, “Do I even have a life to d anything with anymore?”
“Of course you do! You still have great grades - you can get into any school you want!”
Kadia thought about that, “Well…I have always liked video games. I think it’d be kind of cool to design them. That’s stupid, isn’t it.”
“Of course its not! People make good money designing video games.”
“You really think I could do it?” Kadia asked.
“I do! Look, Kadia, I have an idea. There’s this program at Sim State University. It’s where you get credit for your last year of f high school *while* doing college courses. You live on campus and everything. You’ll be in grade 12 next year and with your grades you’ll be a shoe in. I’m going myself, and so is Sunny. What do you think?”
“I’d have to talk to Alex…”
“Think about it. Here’s the brochure.”





Kadia read over the brochure and she liked how it sounded. It would mean a new start, away from all her stupid mistakes. It meant too, that she wouldn’t have to worry about running into Malcolm around town. She decided she was going to talk to Alex about it that night since he had just received the promotion to lieutenant so was in a good mood.





She sat down with Alex and told him about the school. She didn’t mention anything about Malcolm. She wasn’t ready to talk about him yet. Maybe some day, but definitly not that day. Alex agreed to let Kadia go to the program. He was just relieved to see that she was thinking about her future again, and she would be going with Sunny and George who were both good kids. Alex told her to send off the application





She found out a week later that her application was accepted, as was both George’s and Sunny’s. The next few months were a blur of getting ready to leave. On the last day, Adam came into her room and sat down on her bed. “You’re really leaving tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yup.”
“You ever coming back?”
“I’ll visit.” She wasn’t sure if she actually would. Adam suddenly stood up, blurted “I’ll miss you!” Hugged her and ran out of the room. Kadia hadn’t realized Adam had any feeling for her at all. She stared after him. Maybe should would come back to visit after all...





(note: So Kadia is off in college now. I'm undecided whether I'm going to blog University for any of my sims. Generally I find university boring and just try to get through it as fast as I can so not a lot of storytelling opportunities.)

Round One - The Lairds

ROUND ONE - LAIRD FAMILY
Brady - Knowledge
Orlando - Child
Declan - Toddler


When Olando’s mom first told him that she was sending him to live with the Larid's, he had mixed feelings. On one hand, He’d miss his mom, but on the other, it‘d be nice to not live on skid row anymore. Soon he settled into family life, but then a mysterious illness ravaged the town and soon after Brady’s wife, Aurora left him. Orlando felt like the odd one out and didn‘t know what was going to happen, so he was relieved when Brady offered to take him with him when he moved to Aspen Lake.

Orlando was happy at first. He liked the new house, and the big pond he could fish in. But as the days turned into weeks he began to notice a difference in the home. Brady spent all his time with his new baby son, and barely seemed to notice him. Orlando tried to hide his loneliness by making as many friends as he could with the new locals, but he couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. He missed being part of a family.








Brady noticed that Orlando was becoming withdrawn, but figured it was just how he was coping with all the changes.. The truth was though, Brady just didn’t want to deal with it. His heart was still mending from all the loses that he had endured. It seemed like the only thing that kept him sane was his little boy Declan, who had grown into a playful and sweet toddler (note: He’s maxed out on playful and nice)





One day, Brady went in to call Orlando for breakfast. The boy was on the phone with another new friend he had made. Brady was about to knock when he realized that Orlando was talking about him. He debated quickly about the morality of eavesdropping, but gave in. “So what if your dad grounded you?“ Orlando was saying to his friend, “At least you have a dad. I don’t have any family. I don’t even think Brady really likes me that much. I’m not his kid, Declan is. I’ll probably be kicked out as soon as I’m eighteen.” There was a pause as his friend spoke, and then Orlando replied, “There’s no place to go if I leave now. I mean, at least I have food and a place to sleep. I didn’t even have that when I was with my mom” Brady backed away slowly so Orlando wouldn’t know he was there and went down to breakfast with much to think about





Orlando grew so frustrated with being ignored by Brady that he tried to get his attention with an honors report card. He had worked so hard for it and couldn’t wait to show Brady. He rushed up to him after school to show him, but barely even got an acknowledgement from Brady. He was hurt and disappointed but tried to bravely hide it. What he didn’t know was that Brady had just lost his job.




Brady spent a very sleepless night that night. He kept going over all of troubles: single father, troubled adopted son, no money coming in…. He tossed and turned and finally gave up and got out of bed. He went down and worked in his garden, something that had always managed to relax him. As he worked on the fruit trees he mulled over his situation again. He realized that actually the job had mostly been a strain for him. Identifying soil was not the most exciting job. What he enjoyed most was his farm and spending time with his kids, and yes, realized, he did means *kids*. Orlando was just as much his as Delcan was. When he was finished with the garden, he had a plan.










He made two quick phonecalls. One to the real estate office to buy a cheap piece of land. He was going to open up his own market for all the produce that he grew. The next was to the local puppy breeder. A surprise present for Orlando. Orlando was thrilled when he got home and found the puppy. “Is it ours? For real?” he asked. “Its *yours*,“ Brady answered, “And yes, for real. I also wanted to ask you something.” Orlando held the puppy close and waited. “What do you think of adoption?” Brady asked. Orlando swallowed in fear, “You mean, you’re putting up for adoption? But what’d I do!” “No, No. I want to adopt you. Myself.” “But….why would you want me? I’m just some kid from the slums.” “yeah, but you’re my kid from the slums.” So that afternoon Brady started the adoption proceedings.






The adoption proceedings took some tiem since they had to track down Orlando’s mother. As they waited both boys had their birthdays. (note: Orlando rolled "romance" aspiration and wants to be a Rock God. Hate the aspiration but like the LTW)






And then Brady received the news that the adoption had gone through. Orlando was officially his! They were now a family, the real family Orlando had longed for.