No Longer Broke

Broke House, week 2: Brandi, Beau, Marlon, Mortimer, and four new little ones


Brandi: Things can change real fast sometimes, you know. I mean, there I was, struggling to raise three boys on my own. Then I met Mortimer, and everything seemed to happen all at once. I got pregnant. Dustin, my oldest, went off to college. Mortimer moved in. We adopted Kennedy - well, technically I did, since I started the whole process before Mortimer had joined the family, but Morty always treated Kennedy like his own. He did with all my kids.

And then we were married. It was just a quiet exchange of vows - well, maybe not so quiet, with kids playing all around us - but just him and me, promising to love and honor each other as long as we both should live.

Of course, we knew from the very beginning that that wasn't going to be very long, the "we both shall live" part, I mean. Mortimer was old, a grandfather already - his daughter isn't much younger than me! But to us, that just meant we had to make the most of the time that we did have together. The two of us, and the kids.


I think Marlon was the one of my boys who was happiest about the wedding. He never knew his own father, poor thing, since Skip died before he was born. He took to Morty right away, hanging on his every word. And Morty always seemed to have time for him, and patience.

You need patience with Marlon, see. He's not always the best behaved little sim. Things were so stressful when he was a baby, I guess I didn't know how to give him what he needed. Dustin was a great help, but with him gone off to college... Well, Marlon could use a good father figure, someone to help take off some of his rougher edges.


Beau is a teenager now, as hard as that is to imagine. To my great despair, his only goal in life seems to be to romance as many young girls as possible. I ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, and he says an athlete, "Because they get all the girls." If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was switched at birth!

Or if not at birth, then maybe when those aliens came and got him. Picked him right off our front yard, they did, when he was looking at the stars through Morty's fancy telescope. It was hours before their spaceship came back and spit him out onto the street in front of the house. Who knows what they did to him while they had him!


Well, marrying Morty meant I no longer had to pinch pennies. He left most of his money with his kids, but brought enough with him that we could add a second floor to the house! The whole upstairs is pretty much one big master suite, with bedroom, sitting room, nursery and bathroom. We tore out Dustin's old bedroom downstairs, to expand the kitchen, and added a new bedroom for the boys. We haven't furnished it all yet, but I figure that'll happen of itself over time.


I've made friends with a neighbor of ours, too. Well, I guess Darren does live a couple blocks away, but his boy Dirk is at college with Dustin, and is dating the other Pleasant girl, so we do have a lot in common. He lost his first wife, Darleen, and is now in love with someone a lot older than him, so he knows what that's like, too... We talk a lot. I really like him.


The baby was born, and it's another boy! Am I only ever going to have boys? It's not that I don't love them, of course, but I've been hoping for a little girl... We named him Harrison, Harrison Goth. I think that name has style, don't you? Dustin was always complaining about his name, and now Beau and Marlon are, but I like their names! What's wrong with sharing a name with a movie star? I didn't choose Kennedy's name, of course, but I still think it's so classy!


After Harrison was born, Mortimer suggested that we adopt another child - a girl, this time. Oh, I adore him! He's so good to me! He called the social worker and everything, and of course they weren't going to say no to Mortimer Goth! I made sure to thank him that night...

So of course by the time Chris arrived, I was pretty sure I was pregnant again.


Mortimer just adores being a father again. He says he was always working when his older kids were small, and that it's great to be able to spend so much time with Harrison, Chris and the boys. Oh, he still goes off to bury his nose in a book now and then, but he says he's pretty much learned all he needs to, and from now on his focus is going to be on the children. He knows he doesn't have forever.


What a night! What a night! On the one hand, giving birth to little Sylvester... On the other, losing my beloved Mortimer! I'm happy and miserable, all at the same time!


But I can't spend all my time crying, you know? I have kids to take care of, growing kids. We had a whole lot of birthdays at once. There was Harrison...


And Kennedy...


And Marlon!



Grew up: Beau, romance, turn-ons fullface make-up and glasses, turn-off custom hair, LTW Hall of Famer
Marlon, popularity, turn-ons cologne and custom hair, turn-off brown hair, LTW Hall of Famer
Adopted and grew up: Kennedy, teen, pleasure, Pisces, 5/3/7/3/7, turn-ons hats and vampirism, turn-off swimwear, LTW Celebrity Chef
Adopted: Chris, child, Aries, 5/8/6/3/3
Born: Harrison, child, Taurus, 8/6/4/6/4
Sylvester, baby

Mortimer: Fulfilled (CAS elder) impossible and LTW, max all skills. Died in platinum.

"You're a romance sim?!?"

Downtown Girls

33 Mendoza Lane, Week 1: Bronwen, Briallen, Ceinwen, Cooper and baby Colwyn


Ceinwen: Hi! I just moved into this little house downtown with my mom and Aunt Bronwen. We use to all live together, not just us but Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Bevan, too, but that was back when Grandpa Aled was still alive. After he died, we moved here to Pleasantview with Great-Aunt Angharad. Grandma wanted us to live with her, but Mom and Aunt Bronwen thought it would be much better to live here, in their own house.

Well, I'm not sure why they were so sure of that. They started fighting before we'd even had time to get all our furniture into the house. Mom was complaining that the house was too small, there wasn't even room enough in the bedroom for a double bed. Aunt Bronwen said something I didn't really hear that well, but it sounded kinda mean. Something about not needing a bed when there were cars and changing booths? I don't get it - is she saying Mom should sleep in the car?


We do have a car. That was one thing that both Mom and Aunt Bronwen actually agreed on. It's really funny-looking, with this huuuuge smiley face on the side! I think it's great!

I like the karaoke machine, too. I love to sing! It was a present from a friend of Mom's. She gets lots of presents from her friends. Aunt Bronwen always mutters under her breath about those presents, but I don't understand why. That's a nice thing for them to do, isn't it?


Bronwen: Ahem. Yes, Ceinwen, it's nice that your mom has friends who bring her presents... I suppose. Now, don't you have homework to do? Off you go, now, no whining!

Ah, yes, now that the child is out of the room, we can speak more freely. It's mortifying, frankly, the way Briallen's lovers are lined up to bring her flowers and other little thank-yous after their dates. Every single night! And she doesn't stick to one each day, either. She works as little as possible, too, to give her more time for "fun and games," as she puts it. She started out as a golf caddy, but I think she's a DJ or projectionist or something by now. Says her dream is to get paid for going to parties!


Well, I knew she'd get caught sooner or later, and she did, mark my word. I heard two of her lovers caught her with a third! What a scene that must've been - I almost wish I could've been a fly on the wall...


I myself want to be a chef, but I haven't been able to find a job in the right field, so I've joined the military for now. Somebody around here has to earn a living! Heaven knows Briallen's paycheck isn't very big. And it means I get off early enough to be back home before Ceinwen gets home from school.

I've also met the sim of my dreams... It was during a trip into town that I saw him, and he sent a tingle down my spine right away. He's so incredibly handsome, Cooper. The best part, of course, is that he felt the same way! We dated for a little while, but last night, I popped the question, and he said yes! He'll be moving in with us today, and tonight, we'll have a small private ceremony to make us husband and wife.


Briallen: Why don't you tell them what the big rush is, sis?

Bronwen: You stay out of this!

Briallen: Didn't tell you that part, did she? Then allow me. My sister, who has always looked down her nose at me for having Ceinwen out of wedlock, is now expecting a little one of her own. She'll be getting married in maternity wear!

Bronwen: At least I will be married before my baby is born! To a sim I love with all my heart, who loves me the same way!


I'll admit, though, that Cooper's not the greatest at making friends. In fact, he has a couple of enemies that he's constantly getting into fights with. The worst of them is this guy Daniel Unpleasant, as Cooper calls him. He keeps coming over to kick our trashcan. One time Cooper caught him in the act, and rushed over to throw a glass of water in his face... You can imagine where that led. They had a full-out fight right there on our front lawn! Cooper won, of course.

Briallen: Yeah, but I heard he lost a fight with a girl!

Bronwen: Only because he was holding back! He was trying to keep from hurting her, and she used that against him, the shrew!


Ceinwen: Well, if you've been listening to Mom and Aunt Bronwen going at it, I guess it's no big surprise to you that they were so busy sniping at each other, they forgot to celebrate my birthday. That's okay - I went down to hang out at the grocery store, with the other teens. And that's where I met him. The One. Randy London and I were made for each other, I swear! It was love at first sight. I must've done something really wonderful in a previous life to deserve him!


Oh, and Aunt Bronwen and Uncle Cooper had their baby. It's a boy, and they named him Colwyn. They're talking about moving out into a house of their own. I think that's probably for the best - gives Mom and Aunt Bronwen a bit of a rest from each other. They love each other, they really do, although I know it's hard to believe. It's just that living so many of us in this tiny house, where there's not much space to go off and be on your own... Well, it gets to you. With just me and Mom, it'll be much easier.

Talk to you later!


Moved in: Cooper Hourwitz, adult, fortune, Gemini, 4/7/8/3/3, turn-ons make-up and blond hair, turn-off grey hair, LTW Criminal Mastermind
Grew up: Ceinwen, fortune, turn-ons brown hair and make-up, turn-off formal wear, LTW Chief of Staff
Born: Colwyn Hourwitz

Doomed outing: Don Lothario and seven of his current and former lovers...

Elders Are Sexy, Too!

Norton House, week 1: Gloria, James, and Victor, plus Jaqueline and Sarah

James: We moved to Pleasantview not long ago, my mother, my son and I. I'd heard the schools here were good, and of course I want Victor to have the very best education. My mom... Well, let's just say there were a few sims back in our hometown who weren't too happy with her. Not to mention how their wives felt! She has a wandering eye, my mother. I'm not expecting that to change, of course, but maybe she's learned to be a little more discreet? One can hope.

I myself am strictly a one-woman sim. And I do believe I've found the right one here in Pleasantview! Her name is Jaqueline Haggerty, and she's the most amazing woman. I've always been drawn to older women - no psychoanalysis, please! - and our personalities match perfectly.


She has never been in a committed relationship before, my Jaqui. Not because she didn't want to, oh no - it's always been her dream to have a family, she says. But she found out early on that she would never be able to have children of her own, and being who she is, she decided she could never ask another sim to give up the ability to have children. That's just what she's like, always putting other sims' needs before her own.


Well, I told her a few things, of course. First of all, I already have a son - Victor. Second, not being able to have children with her would never stop me from loving her. And third, we can adopt. I guess it convinced her, because she did agree to marry me.


My mother is already up to her old tricks, no surprise there. She's been dating three or four different sims that I know of, and so far, she's managed to keep them all unaware of the others. But this latest guy... (Deep breath.)

She's dating a vampire! My mother is seeing Count Vincent, as she says he calls himself. I have always wanted to be a vampire - I wonder if I could convince him to bite me? Maybe if she brought him home one night...


Nooo! He wasn't supposed to bite her! I'm the one who wants to be a vampire, not her!


Sarah: I've been adopted! Finally I have a new family to call my own! My dad is great, even if he's a bit obsessed with telescopes and stuff, my mom is wonderful, and my big brother is okay, I suppose. And you know what's really neat? My new grandmother is a vampire! How cool is that? I can't wait to tell everybody at school! She has this really cool coffin she sleeps in all day. I wish I could stay in bed all day, but mom and dad won't let me.


Gloria: Bleh!

James: My son Victor grew up well, I'm proud to say. He had a small party for his birthday, just family and those Pleasant girls he's friends with. He's alway going on about friends, that boy - says he wants as many of them as he can. I guess it's better than wanting many lovers, like my mother...



Moved in: Jaqueline Haggerty Norton, elder, family, Cancer, 6/3/6/4/6, turn-ons facial hair and fullface make-up, turn-off brown hair, LTW graduate three children
Adopted: Sarah Norton, capricorn, 7/4/1/8/5
Grew up: Victor, popularity, turn-ons vampirism and hats, turn-off fullface make-up, LTW 20 best friends

Separated at birth?

All My Children

Parry House, Week 1: Angharad, Violet, Bevan, and a houseful of new children

Violet: Well, hello there! I'm Violet Parry, and this is my family in the picture there. Well, it's my family the way it used to look. Things change.

From left to right, that's my daughter Briallen, my sister-in-law Angharad, my late husband Aled, myself, and my daughter Bronwen. In front of us are my son Bevan, and my granddaughter Ceinwen, Briallen's daughter.

Yes, you heard me right - my late husband. Aled died shortly after we moved here to Pleasantview. I miss him terribly, I do, but I had to find a way to move on with my life. Then my daughters decided to find a house of their own, closer to the action, as Briallen put it, and of course they took little Ceinwen with them. So that just left me, Angharad, and Bevan.


Angharad soon found herself a man. It's nice to see her fall in love - and it's about time, too. Unfortunately it's too late for her to have children of her own, but I hear her Darren has a teenage son from his first marriage. Besides, she's not a family sim like me.

I had this wonderful idea, after the girls moved out. I want to open my home to those children who have nowhere else to go, the ones who have been sent from foster home to foster home without ever finding a family that would take them in - I want to give them that family. Bevan says he's fine with it - he always has his nose in a book, anyway - and Angharad is planning to marry Darren eventually, so I went ahead and contacted the social workers.


Sam and Amin came first - or Samin, as Bevan refers to them. They're brothers, and were apparently infamous for fighting all the time, but I haven't seen any sign of that. Oh, they're not the best of friends, but they get along. Maybe it's because they were told before coming here that they would be put in different homes if this didn't work out; as much as they fight, they didn't want that. They're good boys, really, they just need security and discipline.


Bevan: Can I cut in here for a second, Mom? I just wanted to mention that shortly after Samin came to live with us, something amazing happened. I was abducted, and taken to a spaceship where I met the aliens! I wish I could remember more than I do, but it's all a bit fuzzy... I wish I could go back and meet them again!

Violet: I'd really prefer it if you didn't! That was terrifying, watching my son disappear into the sky, and not knowing if he'd ever be back. Ironically, while he was still missing, and we were all worried sick, Darren Dreamer showed up with a present for Angharad - and he gave her a telescope!


I should perhaps mention that I've found someone myself, too. Like I said, Aled may be gone, but life does go on. His name is Daniel, and he's just so romantic, always giving me flowers and gifts. I'm not looking for a lifetime commitment or anything - the boys are my first priority - but sometimes it's nice to go out and have some fun.


Daniel is a bit shy, just like me. There was this one time when I ran into him downtown, and we ended up having dinner with a very nice woman named Mary-Sue. She's a friend of his, I think. All through that dinner, he looked very uncomfortable, and never made a single romantic gesture towards me. I'm not sure why, exactly, but I didn't mind. I haven't taken him home to meet my kids, either. I like to keep my fun time separate from everyday life, you know?


When Sam and Amin had settled in a little bit, I felt I was ready to adopt another child. Randy had quite a history of running away, time and again, from every foster home he'd been placed in, even the ones with a stellar record. I sat down and had a little chat with him, and eventually he told me he was looking for his brother. Apparently, they're half brothers, and after their mother died, the baby was taken in by his father's family. They weren't willing to take on a child that was not related to them, so Randy went into foster care. Can you believe that?

Well, I promised him I'd do everything I could to help him locate his brother, provided he stayed here and did well in school. If little Vince is happy where he is, we'll arrange for the two of them to visit each other, but if the boy is no longer with his relatives, I'll take him in. Randy seemed willing to settle for that, once I had convinced him I meant what I said.


It seemed that wasn't the only way my family would be growing. Bevan had been complaining of nausea and mood swings, so I wasn't too shocked when he turned out to be pregnant. There have been rumors of that happening to other abductees... So it looked like I was going to be a grandmother again.


And there he was, my grandson, Cai. Isn't he adorable? We had to add another room to the house, so he wouldn't wake up the other boys in the middle of the night with his screaming, but we needed more space anyway. All my children sleep in the same room as it is, while I or Angharad bunk in with the baby. We never seem to sleep at the same time, anyway, since I work nights as a security guard, and she spends a lot of time with Darren.


We did finally manage to track down Randy's brother Vince. He was in foster care, just as we had suspected he might be, so I arranged to adopt him as well. The sad part is, he barely remembers Randy. To him, that's a complete stranger claiming to be his brother, wanting to hug him and be best friends with him. I have faith that they'll work it out eventually, but it breaks my heart to see the look on Randy's face when the baby brother he's missed so much rebuffs him. He tries to be patient, but it's not easy.


I have to go. My little grandson is yelling to be let out of his crib, and he certainly isn't patient. I'm sure the next time we meet, I will have more to tell you! Take care until then!


Adopted: Sam Parry, Scorpio, 6/5/8/3/3
Amin Parry, Aries, 5/8/6/3/3
Randy Parry, Cancer, 6/3/6/4/6
Vince Parry, Aries, 5/8/6/3/3
Born: Cai Parry, Leo, 10/10/4/7/4

Angharad is caught printing money, fined, and lectured

The Not-So-Pleasants

Pleasant House, week 1: Daniel, Mary-Sue, Lilith, Angela, and baby

Author's note: It was a short week for the Pleasant family this round, to get them in synch with the others, so I'll just breeze through it...

Because Kaylynn had already caught Daniel on a date with Don, she was too furious with him to offer to hang out after work - so the Maxis scenario never presented itself. When Mary-Sue was fired, Daniel offered a sympathetic shoulder for her to cry on, and one thing led to another... She only got in one day of work at her new job in crime, before she was put on maternity leave.


Feuding twins Lilith and Angela started the week with a slapfest. After that I mostly managed to keep them so busy studying that there was no time for fighting. They spent all their time working for scholarships. By watching the Yummy channel together, they even managed to improve their relationship a little.

Lilith also made up with Mary-Sue just enough to be taught to study.


Angela went on a couple of dates with Dustin, even though he really wasn't that interested. It helped when she added some highlights to her hair, to make it a little less red... But it was pretty clear there was no future in it. The dates did give her the aspiration points needed for energizers and thinking caps, though.


Dirk and Lilith were a different story. He's so crazy about her, it's adorable to watch. She's not quite as into him - I think she's just happy to be loved by someone. With her family, that's no wonder. He brought her presents, too, which did more for the family net worth than her parents' paychecks...


At the very end of the week, Mary-Sue went into labor, and produced - another girl. This one was named Corinne, in an attempt to combine the names of her grandmothers.


Born: Corinne Pleasant

Angela passes out from exhaustion as the twins come home from school, but Lilith only complains that her sister is in her way.