The Vincis (B) - Round 9


Starring:


Enzo Vinci, Adult Fortune Sim, LTW Become Head of SCIA




Fiona Vinci, Adult Family Sim, LTW Raise 20 Puppies or Kittens




Grace Vinci, Toddler Fortune Sim, LTW Grow Up Well




Leah Vinci, Toddler Family Sim, LTW Grow Up Well

~*~*~*~*~


Last round at the Vinci household, Fiona and Enzo struggled terribly with their brand new twin girls. They were getting older, and the strain of raising two more young children nearly broke them...especially the strong-willed Leah, who was not interested in learning anything. Two kittens were born of Cinnamon and Pumpkin -- Sugar and Spice -- and Enzo finally reached his TOC. How will this family fare this round? Will they succeed or continue to crash and burn? We'll find out.



The first thing on the agenda that fall in the Vinci house was the birthday of the toddlers. Though Enzo and Fiona loved the little ones, they were more than ready for the girls to grow up and be more self-sufficient. Late-life twins had aged the couple considerably, and they couldn't wait for the girls to be able to help out around the house at least a little bit.






Grace went first and aged into a sweet, pretty child...not unexpected given what a darling toddler she had been.



Indeed, her personality was very pleasant, and she was a playful, kind, outgoing child. Admittedly, she was a little messy, but her parents didn't mind. The girl's good heart made up for a world of faults.




Next to have a birthday was Leah, the more surly of the pair, and her daddy held her over the birthday cake to blow out the flames.




She grew up as pretty as her sister but definitely had more of a tomboy streak than Grace could ever have. One thing the Vincis were sure of: no one would ever push Leah around.



Unsurprisingly, Leah turned out to be a very outgoing, very active, and very grumpy child. Her parents would have guessed as much given how much trouble she'd been to potty train and teach her other toddler skills.




Fiona and Enzo took the girls shopping and allowed them to choose new outfits. The choices, again, were unsurprising, as Grace lived up to her name and chose a beautiful flowered pink dress, accenting her feminine girlishness, and Leah chose an outfit that looked perfect for climbing trees and playing with bugs. Despite their differences, Enzo and Fiona were equally proud of their freshly grown-up little girls.






And the girls definitely seemed to share the connection common to twins, even though they were extremely different in certain aspects of their personality. Leah teased Grace, sure, but Grace knew that her sister loved her and easily forgave any of Leah's less-attractive qualities.




As for Enzo and Fiona, they were simply happy that they didn't need to worry about feeding, bathing, changing diapers, and teaching basic skills. They felt like a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders with the age transition of the girls, and they celebrated accordingly. For one night, at least, they could act like they were still young adults in college instead of nearly-elder parents.





Some small trouble arose quickly, though, as the crowded quarters of the cats seemed to spark them to fight.




Brownie seemed to be the problem, constantly beating up on the poor, older Pumpkin. One thing Fiona would not tolerate among her animals was bad behavior, and though she loved Pumpkin and her mate, Cinnamon, like her own children, she decided to give them the best retirement she could: she gave the pair of them to her daughter, Imelda, who had grown up with the cats and would take care of them well. The fighting ceased once the two older cats moved out and didn't threaten the territory of the younger ones.





Of course, Pumpkin and Cinnamon weren't the only two members of the house getting older. One day, Fiona was surprised to look in the mirror and find that her red hair had turned gray, almost without her notice.



Enzo, too, was beginning to feel his age and the strain he'd been under all his life to support his family and raise his children. The girls thought he looked funny with his white hair, but he only smiled.




With more room in the house, Fiona waited no time at all to encourage Roux and Brownie to start a family of their own. Sugar and Spice were still kittens, but when they grew up, they and the lineage of Pumpkin and Cinnamon would be gone. Then it would be Brownie, Roux, and their progeny.




One thing that hadn't aged for Enzo was his creative mind, and he continued to publish successful novels that augmented the family funds. Finally, he felt they were in a place to allow him to do what he'd wanted to do so many years ago.





One sunny, cool fall morning, he called the SCIA and retired from his position. It was time for some new young buck to take over, and he had more important things to do: like spend time with his family, raise his girls, and continue writing his novels.






He made good on his promise to himself to spend a lot of time with the girls, too. He especially tended to stick close to Leah, hoping that his guidance could help her sort out and grow out of some of her wilder ways before her teen years hit and she was uncontrollable.



Fiona and Grace developed a special bond, though in truth, everyone loved Grace. She was a pleasant, feminine, intelligent little child with a surprisingly serious sense of responsibility, even at her young age. Fiona hoped she could help keep her twin sister out of trouble.




As for the kittens, Sugar and Spice finally grew into beautiful adult cats with a clear influence of both their parents in their genetics. Fiona sadly gave them up for adoption but knew whoever adopted them would appreciate what wonderful kitties they were.




They were adopted just in time to make room for the next set of kittens: one black and one golden kitten, dubbed Salt and Pepper.




Fiona wasted no time in making sure that more kittens would be on the way by the time Salt and Pepper became adult cats.




The girls spent a lot of time together, close despite their differences. Leah continued to be Leah, frequently cheating her sister at chess. Grace pretended not to notice. She knew that Leah loved to be able to say she won against her brainy sister.



Both of the girls were soon at the top of their classes, though it took much more effort on Leah's part than it did on Grace's. Fortunately, she had the full support of a loving family to encourage her, without which she may have become one more juvenile delinquent.



[[Author's Notes: Whew. This house is SO much easier now that the twins are children. Last round, I wasn't sure Enzo and Fiona were going to make it, but this round, there is finally time for everyone in the house to do both the things they need to do and the things they want to do. Leah is a total little brat, which kind of amuses me, and Grace is an angel incarnate. I think they are going to be my equivalent of Angela and Lilith Pleasant. Should be exciting! I haven't counted yet how many kittens Fiona has raised... I think it is... 7, counting Salt and Pepper, which means, holy crap, she'll never make it. The seven are Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Brownie, Sugar, Spice, Salt and Pepper. Roux was adopted as an adult cat. Here's hoping the next few litters have four each. O.o

Bloopers:
Bad girls. This is somehow Leah's fault, I'm sure. // Catnip high. // Synchronized pooping. // Plz to moov birdee down lower? // Told you. ]]

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The Beaumonts (B) - Round 9


Starring:


Arnaud Beaumont, Adult Romance Sim, LTW Become Celebrity Chef



Steffi Beaumont, Adult Family Sim, LTW Reach Golden Anniversary



Bastien Beaumont, Child Knowledge Sim, LTW Grow Up Well


NOT PICTURED:
Bijou Beaumont, Infant Knowledge Sim, LTW Grow Up Well

~*~*~*~*~


Last round at the Beaumont home, Arnaud finally, FINALLY reached his LTW of Becoming a Celebrity Chef, and continued writing novels and restaurant guides to great success. Steffi worked hard on her garden and earned a silver gardening talent badge, also managing to get knocked up and have a baby girl named Bijou by the end of the round. Bastien was mostly adorable and social all round. Let's see how the family adapts to having a new baby in an already cramped house!



Arnaud, despite the house being extremely cramped (after all, his office was in the hall because the real office had to be turned into a bedroom for Bastien) managed to continue keeping his focus and writing wonderfully-selling novels and restaurant, really padding the family funds and allowing Steffi to be a stay-at-home mom.




Bastien didn't seem to be bothered by the noise much either. He already had six skill points in every area before he even aged into a teen. He was either extremely bright or able to ignore everything around him.





He couldn't stay a child prodigy for long, though. It was soon his birthday, and he couldn't wait to have all the privileges associated with having a -teen suffix to his age.




He decided that he would like to continue on his path of knowledge, and he hoped someday to find a charismatic Rosie-the-Riveter type who was NOT a mime.




After a brief makeover, Bastien looked every bit the handsome teen his parents believed he would grow up to be.




The whole family seemed to be adjusting quite well to having a new little one in the house. Arnaud, despite his former romancing ways, still loved family values and spent as much time as possible with his little angel.




Even Bastien, now that he was old enough, was glad to help out. The tiny girl was so sweet and innocent and cooed so pleasantly at her family members that everyone was charmed.



Being charmed apparently didn't preclude letting her have some floor time when it was time for Arnaud's birthday, but the little girl didn't suffer any ill-effects thanks to the cold tile.



Arnaud could hardly believe that he was an old man. Where had time gone. Sometimes he felt like he was a hundred years old, and sometimes he felt like he'd just graduated college yesterday. It was strange how time worked.




He still retained a lot of his handsome looks, and the silver-gray hair made him look like a distinguished surfer boy.




Last but not least on the birthday merry-go-round was the little bundle of joy.




Bijou grew up fulfilling the Beaumont family tradition of blonde hair and almost startlingly blue eyes. She was truly a jewel, as her name implied.




Her personality couldn't have been better, either. She'd inherited her father's neatnik habits instead of her mother's intense sloppiness (much to everyone in the house's relief), and she was as sweet and outgoing as could be imagined. Steffi and Arnaud were especially glad they'd decided to go ahead and have this second, later-in-life child.




Arnaud continued to spend time with his pretty little girl, teaching her to do all the things necessary to grow up well. It was strange how he felt differently about a daughter than a son. He loved them both equally, but he felt particularly driven to make sure she was protected and taken care of. She was definitely daddy's little girl.




Steffi, in between helping teach Bijou her skills and helping Bastien with his homework, continued her work in the garden and finally managed to snag a gold gardening badge. Now the house always had fresh produce for Armand to whip into some delicious meal. Steffi thought that next, she would definitely try her hand at raising a fruit tree or two.




One day, after receiving a fat royalty check and facing the decision whether to call off of work to continue the spark of inspiration on his next novel, Arnaud came to a conclusion: His novels were well enough known and well-circulated enough that he could make just as much money doing that as doing his job. Plus, he could stay home with the family all the time and continue to cook at home, enjoying his hobby.



The decision practically made itself. He had struggled to become a celebrity chef, but now that he'd done it, he could finally relax and truly enjoy his life with his family.




As if on cue to reinforce his decision, he got a call from his publisher about another great royalty check for one of his restaurant guides. He was very pleased with his decision.




Life continued. Steffi and Arnaud both spent loads of time with Bijou, who constantly followed both of her parents around the house. The tiny bedroom they'd constructed for her at the back of the house held what toys they could squeeze in, but mostly, she just wanted to interact with her family. They happily obliged her.



Arnaud particularly enjoyed reading to her, and Bijou loved every second of it. He didn't know if she would inherit his love of books and all things literature and stories but he secretly hoped she would.



She seemed to be growing like a weed, and before the family could believe it, she was already having another birthday. She wouldn't be quite so little a little bundle anymore!



She maintained her sweet blue eyes and blonde hair, but he mother felt the little girl needed a change to match her personality.




Thus, Bijou got a new pretty outfit and a new pretty hairstyle, and she was ready to charm people and break hearts all around Rosebud.



[[Author's Notes: Yaaaay, more pretty blonde-haired, blue-eyed babies! I'm so scared that the blonde will eventually be overwhelmed in the neighborhood because it's a recessive trait. I'm trying desperately to make sure the Beaumonts remain blonde. I think Bastien is in a slightly awkward teenage phase right now but will end up being super-handsome as a YA and Adult. Bijou is such an adorable little thing. I'm SO happy I let these two breed again. And maybe now the Vinci boys might have a girl to potentially mate. :p Yay for girls! Anyway, this is a sweet house, and I'm looking forward to Steffi aging into an elder (maybe next round? not sure) so that she can fulfill her lifetime want. I've never had an anniversary party before, so it should be fun. Anyway, I leave you with a few bloopers!

Bloopers:
Wow, Bastien, you are an amazingly bad dancer. // Steffi: Ooh, look, a kitty! // Bad kitty! Bad kitty!! // Weeding familiar faces: gtfo y'all. You can't live forever. ]]

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