Chapter 2.1: Pressure

.

Elijah becomes an elder.

Immediately followed by Scarlett.

Faye has her adult birthday the next day.

Faye (on the right) and her BFF Heath Singleton (in the middle) graduate together. Also graduating today: Laurence Shepherd, heir to the Shepherd family fortune.

Faye and Heath head back to Heath's house after the ceremony.

"Where's Louis?" Faye asks, wondering if Heath's older brother is home.

"Probably out with his girlfriend, Yvonne," he says, making a face.

"Oh," Faye sounds disappointed. "Are they serious?"

"God I hope not," Heath replies. "He could do so much better." Noticing Faye's crestfallen expression, Heath suggests they go watch an old romantic movie. That always cheers him up when he's blue.

"OMG! Did you see that?!" Heath looks shocked. "He let her get into the plane. He actually let her get into the plane! HOLY CRAP, WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?!"

...Sometimes Faye wonders why she even bothers.

The next day, Scarlett decides to broach a very important subject with her eldest daughter: Grandchildren.

"So, how's life?" Scarlett wants know.

"Fine."

"Are you seeing anybody special?" she asks.

"No."

"Are there any prospects on the horizon?"

"Nope."

"Well, Patricia's son Roger is single too. Pat said that he is looking for a girlfriend right now..."

Faye sighs. "Roger is gay, Mom."

"Oh really? I must make note of that. What about Kevin, from down the block? He works at the hospital, you know."

Silence.

"It's nice that you are so independent dear, but I'd really love to hear the pitter-patter of little feet again."

Not even cake is worth this kind of torture. Faye excuses herself and leaves.

She heads down to the neighborhood pool, to get away from her family for a while.

"Hey Faye!" Laurence Shepherd greets her enthusiastically. "I didn't know you were going to be here today!"

Faye grins. Swimming is much more fun when you've got a cute boy to hang out with. "Hi Laurence. Are you coming or going?"

"Well, I was about to leave, but now that you're here I'd much rather stay," he says, flashing her a smile.

Faye giggles.

After a quick wardrobe change, they meet by the pool. They do very little swimming, however, and a whole lot more talking.

Holy abs, Faye didn't realize he was ripped. Well this just changes everything...

Talking quickly turns into flirting.

(Side note: Ryder (Faye's grandfather) makes an appearance at the pool today as well. He's wondering if perhaps he should have saved his little lecture for Faye instead of her brother Nathaniel...)

"Faye, I think you're awesome, and I really, really like you," Laurence tells her. "But I just don't know if there's much of a future for us..."

"Laurence, I'm not looking for a commitment," Faye says with a laugh. "Honestly, I just want to have a good time."

Laurence sighs, relieved. "Cool, me too," he agrees.

Faye's never been shy about making the first move.

And Laurence is more than happy to make the second.

In the background, Keller (in the pirate boots) watches him jealously. Why won't his wife make out with him while standing around half naked at the neighborhood public pool?!

Oh yeah. Cause she's too busy flirting with her boss Ryder.

Ryder sees nothing wrong with this picture.

Benni then proceeds to chat up Ryder about her and Keller's three kids. Still, Ryder has no problem with this scene. None what-so-ever.

Apparently, Ryder really attracts the younger women. Maisy Miller (the town slut) makes a move on him next.

...He quite enjoys the attention. It's just like the good old days back in Hollywood.

Speaking of, some of the older demographic even remember him from his days on the silver screen. Ryder could have lived without seeing Oriole Bird in her swimsuit though.

But back to the story!

The sun begins to set as Laurence leans in and pulls Faye toward him. "You wanna hang out again?" he whispers in her ear.

"I'd love to," she purrs.

"How about tomorrow night? I'll meet you at the Red Cow."

"Perfect," she grins. Who needs Louis anyway?

(Side note: Maisy, you skank!)

Their date the following night goes very, very well.

Laurence and Faye can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

As the evening winds down and the bar begins to close, they finally break apart.

"Babe, you wanna take this back to my place?" Laurence asks with a cocky grin.

Faye hesitates. "I don't know Laurence," she says. "This was fun and all, but I'm just not sure I'm ready..."

"Come on, Faye," he urges. "It will be fun!"

Faye shakes her head. "No. Not tonight."

Laurence looks perturbed, but he drives her home anyway. The car ride is long and silent.

The next morning, Faye wakes up late in the afternoon. She yawns, stretches, and makes her way out to the living room where she finds her father sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Do you know what time it is, young lady?" he lectures.

She hazards a guess. "12:00?"

"Subtract a one from that and you've got your answer. It's 2 o'clock in the afternoon Faye! What were you thinking?!"

Faye rolls her eyes. "I just stayed out late last night. It's no biggie, Dad. I'll get up early tomorrow."

"Faye," Elijah says, taking that all too familiar father-knows-best tone. "You need to learn some responsibility."

"Sure Dad, whatever you say."

"When are you going to get a job?" he demands.

"My music is my job," she replies.

"No. Music is your brother's job. He works at the theater, with a steady salary and benefits. You hang around the house in your pajamas all day and spend all night out partying with your friends! What kind of a life is that, young lady?"

A good one, Faye thinks. "I'll start making money once I can find someone to join my band. Some day, people will pay me to perform on their stages."

"Some day better come sooner rather than later," Elijah retorts. "Some day, you're going to have to start paying your own bills."

"Sure Dad. Some day."

Faye meets Heath later that evening. She wants to discuss her date with Laurence.

"...And he wanted me to come home with him!" she exclaims.

"Did you?" Heath asks casually.

Faye gawks. "No! Of course not!"

"Oh, why not?"

"Heath! I'm a virgin!"

Heath looks surprised. "Really? Why?"

Faye's eyes widen. "I- I- I don't know. I always thought I'd save myself for 'the one'."

Heath laughs. "God, you sound like a twelve-year-old. Sex is fun Faye. You should try it."

Faye heads home early that night, Heath's words still burning in the back of her mind. Perhaps he is right. Perhaps she shouldn't be such a prude.

Faye and Laurence go on a couple more dates, but Laurence doesn't invite her home again. Until tonight.

Faye reluctantly agrees. She doesn't love Laurence, but she doesn't like being called a twelve-year-old either. It can't be so bad, right?

Despite the discomfort and awkwardness of her first time, Faye really enjoys herself.

...Until the next morning and the Walk of Shame.

Faye wakes up alone in Laurence's bed, with Laurence nowhere to be found. She gets up, dresses herself, and leaves the safety of his bedroom, deciding to go and find him.

Instead she finds his twin sister Kristina and her friend Beth.

"He could do so much better," Kristina complains. "If Mom only knew the kind of trash he brings home, I'm sure she would make me the heir..."

Faye tries to sneak by them, but Beth sees her and motions to Kristina.

"Oh, hi Faye," Beth greets her.

"Hey Beth. Hi Kristina," Faye returns their fake smiles with a sarcastic grin of her own. She stares at Beth's swollen belly for a minute, realizing that she must be pregnant. She knows Nathaniel was dating her a couple of months ago, and they just broke up. Doing some mental math, she realizes that her brother must be the baby's father... Unless, of course, Beth cheated on him. Which Faye thinks is totally plausible.

They stand there awkwardly for what feels like hours before Faye breaks the painful silence. "Have you all seen Laurence?" she asks.

Kristina smirks. "Oh yes. A few hours ago, when he left for work."

Faye frowns. "Oh, right. Okay, I'll, uh, I'll just be leaving then..."

"Good idea," Kristina retorts.

At home, Faye does her best to tiptoe in the back door.

"We hear you, Faye," Elijah announces.

Faye is in no mood for a lecture. "I'll be in my room!" she yells as she stomps upstairs and slams the door closed.

Elijah sighs and scoots down next to Scarlett. "What are we going to do about her?" he whispers sadly.

Scarlett shakes her head. "There's only so much we can do," she replies.


Challenge Notes:

So I lied. Ryder did appear in my story again. He's 120 days old now, and my age span is (and always has been) set to 100. I seriously can't figure out why he's still alive, but oh man, am I ever glad that he is! I love, love, love him!

On a different note, I absolutely adore story progression. I really do. But gosh darn it, it keeps messing with my plot! Nothing too serious, just minor inconveniences, but still. Enough to change my story. I swear, any guy that Faye shows an interest in immediately becomes unavailable. Ugh! Her romance with Laurence actually occurred over the span of several days more than it appeared to. He kept going steady with all sorts of other women.

Also, the way I wrote the scene at his house was EXACTLY what happened. Laurence ditched Faye, then Faye woke up, changed clothes, walked out into the hall, and found Kristina and Beth talking about him. Truly a walk of shame if I ever saw one.

Chapter 1.7: Unfaithful

Life around the McKinley household falls into a comfortable routine. Faye's teenage birthday arrives on a busy Wednesday and goes by almost unnoticed.

Sarah and Spirit, Scarlett's horses, have a colt named Duke. He looks almost identical to his father.

Anastasia inherits her mother's passion for animals. Every spare minute she gets, she spends with Duke.

Faye on the other hand does not always share her mother's interests. Scarlett's already broaching the subject of grandchildren.

Faye's response: Utter terror.

 Nathaniel has his own interests. Named Simone...

......

And Kristina...

......

And Beth...

......

One day, Elijah gets a call from his old boss Kanoa. After years of serving under the man, Elijah recently became his partner and the gang's master thief. This visit, however, is in regards to a different matter entirely.

"I want to buy your wife's horse," Kanoa states as Elijah walks into the room.

"Spirit? Scarlett's prize winning stallion? He's not for sale," Eli responds, frowning.

"No," Kanoa says with forced patience. "I want Duke."

Silence hangs in the air, thick and heavy. "Duke? Scarlett's colt?" Elijah sounds surprised. "He is going to be my daughter's teenage birthday present."

"Buy her a car like normal parents do. I want that horse Elijah," Kanoa tells him, his voice sharp and low.

Elijah shakes his head. "I'm sorry Kanoa. He's not mine to sell."

Kanoa stares at him, his face unreadable. "Elijah," he begins. "You do remember our little agreement? I saved you from jail, and you owe me three favors. I'm asking you, as my second favor, to sell me Duke."

"Why do you want him?" Elijah asks suspiciously. "You don't even know how to ride."

"I've taken a keen interest in horse racing recently. There is a lot of money to be made in the gambling ring."

Elijah quirks an eyebrow. "Isn't that illegal?"

"Let me put it to you this way boy," Kanoa snarls. "If I don't get Duke, your wife finds out about your role in my gang. I don't think she would be pleased to learn that you've been lying to her all these years."

The color drains from Eli's face. "You wouldn't," he whispers.

"I would, and you know it," Kanoa replies smugly.

Elijah glares at him. "Fine," he says at last. "Come over tomorrow afternoon and speak with Scarlett about the deal. She won't just give him away, but for the right price he's yours."

Kanoa grins triumphantly. "Excellent."

Elijah gets home late that night. "Hi Scar," he greets her. "I brought you something..."

Scarlett gazes at him curiously. "Oh, yeah?" she asks.

He presents her with a bouquet of white roses.

"Flowers?!" she exclaims enthusiastically, burying her nose amidst their sweet scent. "What's the occasion?"

"Why does there have to be an occasion?" he retorts. "Can't I just surprise you once in a while?"

"Yes, I guess so." Scarlett sounds suspicious.

She puts the flowers down as Elijah draws her in for a hug. "I just wanted to tell you how much I love you," he says. "That's all."

"I love you too Elijah," she whispers back, relaxing as he holds her close.

"Honey," he murmus sweetly in her ear. "I think we should sell Duke."

Scarlett pulls away abruptly.

"What?" she asks sharply.

"Duke," Elijah says slowly. "The colt."

"I thought we were going to give him to Ana. For her teenage birthday."

"Well, yes. That is what we discussed," Elijah fidgets uncomfortably. "But I was talking to a good friend of mine today, Kanoa Parrott, and he is interested in purchasing the young stallion once he's been trained a bit."

"But what about Ana?"

"Well, we can buy her a car. Like normal parents do."

Scarlett narrows her eyes. "Elijah," she begins slowly. "Why do you care?"

"Because, Scarlett," he replies irritably. "We need to think about our future. Our... Our retirement! This is an excellent opportunity to actually earn some money off of your little hobby."

Scarlett glares at him, her eyes burning with anger. "My little hobby?" she repeats incredulously.

"Yes," he defends. "It costs us more money to maintain those damn horses than you've ever brought in racing."

Scarlett looks livid. "Fine, Elijah," she whispers coldly. "I'll sell Duke. But just know, I can only be pushed so far."

Kanoa comes by the next day to discuss the details of the transaction. Scarlett agrees to board Duke for a while and train him, before giving him over to Kanoa to begin his racing career.

A few days later, Anastasia brings home a friend from school. His name is Derrick Schmidt, and Ana loves the fact that he loves horses. She's very impressed right now.

Across town, Faye is making friends of her own, with the cutest boy in school. Louis Singleton is a senior while Faye is only a freshmen, but she just can't help herself. He's recently single (after Nathaniel broke up him and his girlfriend Beth), and Faye loves to flirt.

"I really like you Faye," he says, holding her hands in his. "You're different than the other girls around Appaloosa Plains. You don't giggle as much they do, and you don't play games with me."

Faye smiles, suppressing the urge to giggle. His skin feels warm and rough, and she likes the way his eyes sparkle in the late afternoon sun. "I'm just honest," she replies. "I mean, if you want something I say go for it. Live life with no regrets."

"I like that," he whispers.

They stand there awkwardly for a minute, neither one really knowing what to say, or do, next.

...Until Faye leans in and kisses him.

Gentle at first, his lips linger on hers, becoming more assertive as the minutes pass. Finally, they break apart, and Faye quickly excuses herself and leaves. She knows what will come next, a proposal to go steady, but she's not sure she's ready to be "committed". At fifteen, it seems like a monumental decision.

The days pass by, and Duke becomes a full-grown stallion. Scarlett immediately begins his training regime.

Anastasia becomes a teenager.

She gets along well with her brother Nathaniel.

"I hate school," she whines.

"I don't," Nathan replies. "Sure, math sucks. But I get to see Beth."

Ana smirks. "So her name is Beth today? I thought you were dating Kristina?"

"No. Kristina decided to go steady with Rupert. I'm with Beth now."

"What about Simone?"

"I dumped her when Kristina came on the market."

Anastasia rolls her eyes. "Player," she accuses.

Nathan grins. "And proud of it," he retorts.

Faye walks in and sits down with them.

"Speaking of players," Anastasia says with a grin, exchanging looks with Nathaniel.

"What are you all talking about?" Faye demands irritably.

"Like you don't know," Anastasia taunts. "The whole school heard about your little encounter with Louis."

Faye glares at her sister. "I don't know what you're talking about," she lies.

Always ready for a juicy bit of gossip, Nathan presses her further. "Come on Faye. It's just me and Ana. You can tell us."

Faye frowns. "Tell you what? Nothing happened."

"That's not what I heard," he nags.

"Me either," Anastasia chimes in. "The girls in my gym class said that you and Lou made out in front of the school!"

"Just leave me alone!" Faye snaps. "It's none of your business what Louis and I did or didn't do!"

She gets up and furiously shoves her chair into the table, storming off to her bedroom. She doesn't like gossip, and she doesn't appreciate her siblings trying to butt their noses into her business. So what if Louis is popular? She doesn't have to deal with that kind of notoriety.

The next morning Kanoa arrives bright and early to pick up Duke. Scarlett doesn't notice (or perhaps she can't even see) the faint red glow surrounding the older man.

Duke can though, and he's not happy to be leaving with this stranger.

Scarlett says her final farewell to the colt she's raised since birth. She doesn't let Kanoa see the tears spilling down her cheeks.

She'll miss her fiesty friend dearly.

After Kanoa leaves, Elijah comes out to comfort his wife. Seeing her distraught face breaks his already aching heart.

"I didn't want to sell him," she whispers.

"I know dear. It was for the best though," he tells her softly.

She gives him a long, hard look. "I hope you know what you're doing Elijah. That's all I have to say." Then, she turns and walks into the house, leaving Eli alone to ponder her last words.


Challenge Notes:

I changed my mind about my generation 2 heir. Faye will be my heir, because I adore her teenage self. I think she's my favorite teen that I've ever played (including Beatrix and Ethan), and I just love her already. It was a hard call though, cause I had to re-do my plot for the upcoming generation.

Generation 1 is *almost* done. Just one or two more chapters, and I can move on. For my progress report, Elijah and Scarlett have both reached the pinnacle of their careers. I was really happy that Scarlett reached level 10 in the Equestrian career because I believe it requires earnings of upwards of 70,000 Simoleons (and it wasn't easy, lol). It was nice to get that before she aged into an elder. Also, I had no idea that master thieves got so much loot through their careers! Elijah has brought home at least 40,000 Simoleons worth of goods just through the little "trinket" pop-up thing.

Which means I was able to buy the two cheapest venues in Appaloosa Plains and a partnership in the bookstore, thus completing my property mogul goal. For generation 1's miscellaneous fun, I've been pretty good about giving either Scarlett or Elijah a new outfit each week, although I did count Scarlett's pregnancy outfit one week. Really, all that's left for my first generation is the story. Honestly guys, just one more chapter and I swear I'll be moving on. =)


Outtakes:

A close up of Derrick Schmidt, Anastasia's friend. He inherited his reddish pink hair from his pre-made, already deceased grandmother. I think he's adorable.

Hana Sabo, Nadira's daughter. She looks nothing like her mother, except for her hair color.

She did, however, inherit her mom's passion for making trouble. <3

Scarlett greets her aunt, Selina Boyson. In the background, Selina's husband Jedidiah is still as crazy as ever. The Boysons ended up having three kids, and they're still madly in love with each other. I have never (ever) had someone with commitment issues stay with their partner this long. Jed must really love her. =D

Last (but definitely not least): This woman aged into an adult and autonomously dressed herself this way. With the hair and everything. LOL! I can't for the life of me remember who she resembles, but OMG she looks so cool! (If anyone knows who this looks like, please please PLEASE tell me! It's really bugging me!)