Chapter 1.24: Living Arrangements

 

 

 

Back in Angel City, Jake and I talked about our wedding and where to live going forward. We decided to get married as soon as we could arrange it; neither of us wanted a long engagement. Although we both loved Jake's modern house in the hills, it was really too small for a family of three. And besides, I still hoped to make it a family of four one day soon! Not right away, but maybe in a year or so.

 

We decided that for now, Jake would move in with me and Meadow as soon as I had a chance to discuss our relationship with Pat. I felt I owed him that, since he would naturally be concerned about Meadow, and especially since they were all going to be living in his house. He had paid for it, after all! Then as soon as Jake sold his house we would search for a new house that would just be our own, the three of them together, a place in which to make new memories. And we both agreed that we would turn the ownership of the Holmby Hills house back to Pat.

 

 

Later that week, Pat came for his usual visit and Laura had a chance to talk to him. "Pat", she said when they were eating dinner, "I told you I had been seeing another man named Jake, right?".

"Of course I remember"; Pat answered; "still seeing him?"

 

"Yes, I am. As a matter of fact, we recently got engaged to be married." Laura replied.

 

 

Pat silently looked at me for a stunned moment, then he choked out; "That's great, Laura, I know you wanted to get married"

.

 

I cleaned up the dishes, then afterwards I found Pat sitting in the office just off the kitchen, looking pensive and concerned.

 

 

"Are you OK?", I asked when I looked at his face. Pat stood up; "Yeah, sure. I'm surprised, that's all. You aren't rushing things, are you? He'll be good to you and Meadow?" Pat answered.

 

 

"I don't think so. It feels right. And he and Meadow get along great and I think he'll make a wonderful Step-Dad to her; that's something that is very, very important to me".

 

"I'm honestly happy for you, Laura. But make sure he understands that he won't be taking my place as Meadow's father", Pat said sternly.

 

"Of course not, Pat. He wouldn't do that. He's loving, supportive, and protective but he won't try to take her away from you or anything like that", Laura reassured him. "And I already told him that as Meadow's father, you would remain part of the family so we could raise her together."

 

"That's good", Pat said. "He darn well better be good to you both, because he won't like what happens if he tries to hurt either you or Meadow" Pat replied firmly.

 

His concern was really very sweet. "I'm sure everything will be OK, Pat", I said.

 

 

I ran upstairs to change clothes while Pat went to the family room to say goodbye to Meadow before he left. She loved being in her walker, so when I came back down I saw that he had placed her in it. "Did you see how well she is walking now?", I asked. 

 

"That's my girl!", he replied, then he turned to me and said out of the blue; "I'd like to formally have Meadow's last name changed to Gabriel, if that's alright with you."

 

I was surprised; he'd never offered to do this before. After I thought for a few moments about the situation and what I thought would be in the best interests of Meadow, I replied; "Yes, I think that would be fine. I'm happy to know that you are willing to publicly and legally accept her as your daughter."

 

 

"I've never denied that she's my daughter", Pat replied a little defensively.

 

"Oh, I know Pat, that's not what I meant. I just meant that it's a big step giving her your name, especially since we were never married. But for Meadow's sake I think it's the right decision, so I'm just so glad you want to do it," I explained. "I've never once thought to lie to her about who her father is, and I think having your last name will make her feel completely accepted by you".

 

Pat nodded. "I'm glad you approve"; he said. "I'll contact my lawyer and make the arrangements."

 

 

He picked up Meadow and set her down next to her toy bear before telling her goodbye. Before he left, I wanted to tell him about the house; "Jake will be moving in soon while we plan the wedding, but he and I will be looking for a house of our own. We want this house to go back to you, of course."

Pat looked thoughtful for a minute. "How about if I sell the house and put the money in a trust fund for Meadow's education?", asked Pat. "That way she'll be all set for college when she comes of age. Goth knows me and Julia don't need the money!"

 

"OK, if you're sure. I think that's a wonderful idea." I said. "I'll be sure to keep you informed on where we're moving to as soon as we know ourselves", I said with a smile.

 

"Sounds good, Laura". He told Meadow goodbye and he's see her again in a few days.

 

 

He turned to go, then he suddenly turned back towards me, spun me around in an enveloping hug and said; "For your and Meadow's sake, Laura, I hope you will be very happy. But I have to admit it's going to be really difficult for me to see another man in this house with my girls."

 

His warm breath tickled my ear and his deep voice rumbled through me. I'm pretty sure that my eyes got big and I know for sure that my heart began to pound. "Oh, Pat", was all I could come up with to say. Then he let go of me, and turned around to quickly leave before I could even begin to think of a more suitable reply.

 

 

 

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.23: Plavi Raj Part 2

 

 

"Something wrong? No, of course not", replied Jake with a smile when I asked. But I thought he wasn't quite acting like his usual self.

 

 

The sun was beginning to go down; Jake asked me if I'd like to take a walk with him on the promenade, where we could watch the beautiful sunset over the ocean. I thought it sounded like a great idea so we took the short walk over to the ocean front promenade, which was right behind our hotel.

 

 

As we slowly walked along, we watched the sky turn gold and touch everything around us in color. It was beautiful! Suddenly Jake stopped and turned to look at me. "I love you, Laura. Your lovely eyes are as blue as the ocean and I want to drown in them."

 

 

"And I love you, Jake.", I said, touched.

 

 

The paparazzi who had been following us taking pictures finally walked off, and suddenly Jake said with a quirky smile; "Wait! I want to do this the proper way". 'What is this?', I thought, slightly alarmed. I wasn't at all sure what he was talking about.

 

 

Jake got down on one knee, and presented a small box to me; inside was a flawless diamond solitaire ring. "Laura as far as I'm concerned, the sun rises and sets with you. You have the power to make me the happiest sim on earth...will you marry me?"

 

 

"Oh. My. Goodness! Yes, yes, yes!!! I will marry you!" I excitedly cried. Suddenly I realized why Jake had been so quiet. 'Did he really think I would turn him down?' I thought in amazement.

 

 

I was laughing and crying at the same time. "I love you, I love you, I love you!", I said as I showered him with kisses.

 

 

"You are the sun, moon and stars to me, my love", said Jake romantically. "And you are my love, my life, my everything", I replied with a heartfelt sigh. We kissed and gazed into each other's eyes, thinking about our future with happiness.

 

 

 

 

 Then to celebrate our engagement, and because that pesky paparazzi was back, Jake asked if I wanted to go dancing at one of the clubs so off we went.

 

 

We both loved to dance and we were quite the notable couple out on the dance floor, even if I do say so myself. We made sure to put on a show for that annoying paparazzi who apparently followed us here.
 

But we were so happy and so in love that we were quite successful at ignoring him; we mostly just had eyes for each other.
 

 

 

After dancing and a delicious meal, we headed back to the hotel for travelers. Jake took me by surprise by sweeping off my feet to give me a searing kiss before heading inside to our room. He was such a romantic! And we were both so deliriously happy! I wished that we could bottle the happiness we felt and share it with the world. It was a perfect, romantic day that I'm sure neither of us would ever forget!

 

 

 

 

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1.22: Plavi Raj Part 1

 

Pat came to pick up Meadow as we had arranged, so Jake and I took off for our travels. The surprise was a three day weekend in Plavi Raj! I thought it was the most beautiful Sim country on earth! It was on the coast, the weather was gorgeous, the architecture was that old world style that I loved, and the whole place was just altogether magical.

 

 

The old historical town center was a quaint, romantic place with beautiful architecture that was surrounded by the sea.

 

 

 

We stayed at a little place in the town center that was just for travelers. It was a lovely little washed rose colored building close to everything in the town center.

 

 

The place was small, and our room was even smaller, but it had a lovely view of the ocean on the balcony. I thought it looked just like a watercolor painting!

 

 

On our first morning there, we did some sightseeing. Jake drove us a short distance out of the town's old gated center into the countryside to visit the famous Plavi Raj Nectary, where we picked up some world famous Plavi Raj nectar.

 

 

 

There were stunning views everywhere!

 

 

 

After visiting the nectary, we went back to the city center to tour the old church and other historical buildings there.

 

 

 

When we finished a few tours, we were both a little tired so we decided to visit a little pub close by and relax and have a drink.

 

 

It had been a fun day in a glorious place. Jake and I sat quietly in the late afternoon sun, taking in the beautiful buildings and lovely ocean breeze. In fact, Jake was so quiet I was beginning to worry about something being wrong.

 

 

 

Note: Plavi Raj is a custom world by Nilxis and is available here (all his worlds are fabulous!): http://nilxisdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/05/plavi-raj-english.html

Laura's Legacy Chapter 1:21 - Words Can't Kiss

 

Leisure Day came and I threw a Pool Party. I even invited both Pat and Julia, as well as other co-workers and friends; and Jake was there too, of course. Unfortunately my co-worker Jameel got a little carried away by skinny dipping in the hot tub, which caused a mild uproar among my party guests, and I had to get firm with the sim I hired to tend bar to get her to actually work instead of lounging around. But everyone still said they had a good time so my party was a success!

 

 

One day shortly after Leisure Day, I decided to write Jake a love letter so I sat down to compose something romantic.

 

 

A few days later, I recieved a letter from Jake. It said; "Words are sweet, but words can't kiss. Get over here and let's discuss our feelings...."  Yowza!

 

 

Since I had already left Meadow with a babysitter all day while I'd been at work, I invited Jake over for dinner instead. Of course I made his favorite meal - cheesesteak!

 

 

 

Jake spent the night again. The words, the kisses - and everything else - was indeed very sweet.

 

 

The next evening Jake called me and said; "Hi, Babe. I have a surprise for you. Do you think you could find a sitter for Meadow so we could get away for a three day weekend?".

 

"Oh gosh, that sounds fabulous! I think I need a vacation and I'd love to go with you! But that's a long time to leave Meadow with a sitter", I worried.

 

Jake said, I think she's be fine as long as you have a sitter you trust. Or maybe you can get Pat to look after her while we're gone?"

 

"That's a great idea! He's coming over to see Meadow in a few hours so I'll ask him. If he can't do it, I'll see about hiring a live-in Nanny. I'll let you know as soon as I can!", I answered.

 

 

When Pat came to visit, I asked him if he'd be willing to watch Meadow while I was gone. "I need to be out of town for a few days and was wondering if she could stay with you while I was gone so I don't have to leave her with a sitter.", I said. I couldn't quite bring myself to tell him I was leaving for a romantic get-away!

 

 

"Sure!", he answered. He seemed very pleased about the idea. "I've been wanting to have her over to the house."

 

"Oh, and did I tell you that I've recently taken up fishing? Maybe I could take her fishing with me!"; Pat enthused.

 

 

I smiled. This was so endearing, Pat being Pat - the typical athlete and sportsman! "She's a little young for that, Pat", I replied. "But in a few years, I'm sure she would love to go fishing with you."

 

"Yeah, you're right", he said a little sheepishly, I got carried away there for a moment."

 

 

"If caring for her will spoil a fishing trip you have planned, I can see if I can find someone else to look after her", I said.

 

"No, no, I can go fishing any time. She can stay with me and Julia, no problem".

 

 

So that was that, I thought excitedly! I called Jake right away to accept his invitation to go on a that trip with him.