The world will be thy widow and still weep

While I could have wished that our first night as a married couple would have been under our own roof, that just wasn't to be. We just didn't have time to settle the paperwork on the new house after the wedding.

Jared and I were still pretty happy about everything though.

"Whatcha so excited over, Jared?"

"Cat, I just married the prettiest girl in town and I found out that work gave me a few days off." He waggled an eyebrow at me. "Can you guess what I think we should do?"

I pretended to concentrate on the question. "Let's see. Maybe you think we should spend some time with the Save the Llama foundation?"

He shook his head sadly. "No, that wasn't it. Try again?"

"Read for the blind?" More sad shakes of the head. "Adopt a cat?" "Start a new exercise regime?"

"Now you are getting close. I think we need some exercise." He was wearing the cheekiest grin. "Actually, I think we need a lot of exercise."

I had to grin back. "I do believe that you are a wicked man. Good thing I can keep you from corrupting any poor innocent girl." I looked at the treehouse which was dark and quiet. "Shall we?" I pointed.

The ladder up to the treehouse was a bit scary, it wasn't very sturdy. But the treehouse itself was very well made.

Sturdy yes, but unfortunately not very well sanded. There were definitely some splinters in the floor. That was an ouch. It was worth every moment of that ouch though.

Dad was outside finishing his latest sculpture and keeping an eye out that Mason or Dixie didn't interrupt us. Not that they'd do it deliberately but it's not a very big house.

After exploring the treehouse pretty thoroughly, we settled in for a nice long soak in the hot tub.

"Hey beautiful. When do the kids go to bed?"

"Soon, why?"

"I think I need some more exercise, if you catch my drift."

We both stopped to listen but the sounds of my young siblings seemed to have vanished. "I think we're good. Hey, Mr Policeman. You want to frisk me for hidden weapons?"

"Hmm, now there's an offer a cop doesn't hear. Now let me see." Technically, my bikini didn't really cover that much but Jared did an admirable job of checking. Just in case.

The next morning, bright and early, we heard that final paperwork on our new house had just come through.

I will miss this little house. It may be small but it has everything you could want.

Like the best dad ever.

"Daddy, we have to go."

"I know, Kitten. I know." He pulled me into a big hug. "Barnacle Bay isn't that big. I expect you to visit here a lot." He grinned. "With my first grandchild in tow. Have a son for that guy of yours, he'll love it."

I pretended a pout. "But Daddddddy. Does that mean you didn't love me?"

"Always Kitten. I've always loved you."

I gave Dad another big hug. "Don't forget, you are my bass man. I'll arrange some band time soon." There was a small beep from the car. Dad gently shoved me toward the door. "Go on, we will survive."

Jared had an old clunker of a car that he'd bought with his policeman salary. It certainly wasn't much but it would have to do.

"Catherine, this is it."

I looked at the front. "This can't be right. That's twice the size of Dad's place."

Jared checked the paperwork and the number on the letterbox. "Definitely the right place." He looked at me. "How did your dad swing this? I know he does ok with selling his sculptures but this place would be worth a pretty penny."

I shrugged. "Dad swears he found a genie and it granted him wealth. Let's go explore!"

"Oh no you don't, my new bride. I carry you in. That's the law and you know I have to enforce the law."

"You going to insist on silly old traditions?"

"Unless I think of some silly new traditions I like better." At this point, he'd already swept me off my feet and so just went ahead and carried me inside.

"Upstairs or downstairs first?" I asked.

"I want to find the kitchen. I'm hungry. I'll make a batch of my famous waffles for our first breakfast."

I left Jared to the kitchen while I explored the rest of the house. The upstairs consisted of two really quite large bedrooms and a tiny little bathroom. Downstairs was a big lounge, a big kitchen, a dining room and another tiny little bathroom.

By the time I had finished, so had the waffles. Black smoky waffles. "Those are famous waffles?" I asked.

Jared huffed at me. "I never said what they were famous for. In this case, famous for awful." He winked. "I think the stove is a bit hotter than I was expecting. They'll be better next time."

We survived the breakfast. Having been in boarding school means that I'm kind of used to food that's not that great.

"So, we've seen the house. Now, what should we do today?"

"I think we need to go on a date. Really enjoy the town while we can."

So we did a few of the tours around town. City Hall, the theatre. Unfortunately it was still too early for the first show of the day.

We stopped by the local art gallery. Dad and Muffin were there.

I suppose that Dad is allowed to play squeaky toys with Muffin since he's donated a lot of work over time to the gallery. It was a surprise to see them playing though.

Eventually, we wandered home again to find that our new home also had a hot tub.

It was a perfect end to a perfect first day as a married couple.


---

For reasons that are not adequately explained, Catherine's cousin Leonardo moved in with Johnny and family after Cat and Jared moved out. Leo just turned young adult, a lack of empty houses is the only reason that he didn't just find himself a place to live.

Mason has a job and is dating Shandra Fleet.

---

Bonus pics

Mason, put down the drink before you pillow fight.

(sigh killed game trying to track down unicorn.)

Too many clothes when cooking Jared - better not get used to that.

Help! Someone stole our car.

New house which will be getting work done as we go.

pre makeover

post makeover

bedroom pre makeover

Bedroom post makeover

Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many

Since no one was awake when we got home, Jared spent the night. We kept each other entertained until the wee hours of the morning. Neither of us got quite enough sleep, but it will do.

I finally remembered that I'm not going to be asked to do random performances at school any more and put on a more casual dress. We always wore semi-formal looking clothes at school, you just never knew.

"So, you're the young man my daughter is swooning over?" It didn't take Dad long to decide that it was time to have a heart to heart with Jared.

Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend Upon thyself thy beauty's legacy?

It was bright and early in the morning. I was up and ready to rock the world.

Dad chose then to poke his head and seriously rumpled hair out of his room. "Hey, Dad."

"Yes, Kitten?"

Just some random pics while waiting for Catherine

Pictures from the last two days while we were patiently waiting for Catherine to come home. No story, just pics.

Quick note - in case you've forgotten. John Edward (Johnny) Grant has a half sister Brooke. Brooke and husband Hans have three children; Picasso, Elizabeth and Leonardo. Johnny's oldest is Catherine from his first wife. Mason and Dixie are children from his second wife.

I'm still not fond of IF but little Dixie loves hers.

Sleepover night == cocoons of children everywhere. They just seem to flop where ever there is space at bedtime. Zonk.

Sims with sims war not, joy delights in joy

Hi Dad,

Tell Shannon that withholding cookies until a letter arrives is blackmail! Positively blackmail. And it works too. So the box of cookies should be sent soon, please? We could all starve if the cookies don't arrive.

Things are going well enough. The school does insist that we do a few things beyond art, like maths and history. Everyone complains when we do them but I have a feeling that knowing things beyond art is a good idea. How else will I know if an agent rips me off if I don't know enough about money?

I've moved to a different art class. I don't think you'd like our teacher, he insists that all great artists are at least slightly mad. I'm pretty sure that you're not mad, and from what you've said about granddad, he wasn't either.

In music, I'm doing well on guitar and keyboard but not so well on drums or bass. So if you haven't gotten a band together by the time I get home, well, you'll just have to be my bass man.

Wow, so much stuff happening at home. There's a new pet store? And you bought a bird because you just fell in love with it?

I can't wait to meet Green Hornet. He sounds pretty cool and he is very handsome in that picture you sent. Does he talk yet?

I'm so jealous that there's a ice cream van in town now. I can't image how many summer evenings would have been even better with ice cream.

So I'm sending a few simoleons to give to Mason. Tell him to enjoy an ice cream from his big sister, won't you?

You adopted a cat too?  He's a bit hyper but doesn't destroy stuff. Hyper might not be good if he runs around too much, but I guess you know what you're doing. I can see why you called him Mittens, with those four white paws.

Shannon tells me that she's not impressed that you still panic when a baby is due. It's your third time around after all and she has to do all the hard work.

She didn't even trust you to drive, you were in such a state.

The result is that I have a little sister and you've named her Dixie? I'm glad that everything went smoothly and Shannon and Dixie are both fine.

I used the picture you sent as inspiration in painting class. About half the girls were very excited by the ideas of babies and half thought babies were icky things. The boys universally thought that babies are icky things.

That's a new bird, a new cat and a new baby all in the space of a week? Wow, Dad, were you thinking at all? Maybe I was wrong, you are mad. Just teasing. At any rate, it sounds like you are going to be very busy with the baby and pets.

Give my love to everyone, I hope I can make it home soon.

---

Technical note: Cat did ring home with the message about 'Great Artists are Mad'. It was the first time we've heard from her since she left.

The return of Sir Bricks-a-lot. I hate to think how many of these my Sims 2 made with the toy bench, trying to improve their skills. I laughed to see him.

So long as Sims can breathe or eyes can see

Hi Dad,

Sorry, I know, I never write. There never seems to be time to write. Our classes have a lot of monthly projects or performances or presentations. I'm barely getting the first done when the next one comes up.

At least I'm getting along better with other students. We all have major bitch sessions over lunch and over the group dinners. There are enough group based projects that I've really gotten to know a fair number of those my age. I do feel for the younger kids, some of them are shipped here the minute they turn old enough for school. It's very hard on them.

I'm pleased to hear that Shannon's pregnancy is going well. It must be a relief for both of you that she's over the morning sickness at long last.

We are such Sims As dreams are made on

Hi Dad,

Thanks for the letter. I've been missing you guys too.

It is taking some time to get used to this school. It's not easy to fit in, some of the kids have been here since forever and they all have established groups. I feel like such an outsider.

On the other hand, there's so much opportunity to do art. We have sketch pads that we carry everywhere - random drawing in classes is encouraged.

I don't know when I'll get the chance to visit. Travel is so expensive and I don't have much to spare after buying supplies for school.

I'm glad to hear that your fame as a sculptor is definitely spreading. That lovely ice urn must have been quite the talking point at the party.