Chapter 3.21: When Time Comes to an End

"Grandpa, are you going to be able to see me perform when I'm famous?" Brooke asks.
"Only Grim will tell," Michael replies.

It's not morbid, it's just realistic.

Lindsay is more invested in her art as she's ever been. Something about the various tips to the museum in Champs Les Sims has ignited a new fire in her.

Brooke is just as determined as ever to master the ballet skill.

Jude is happy to be back training his horses. Knight missed him.

It's Halloween and Ephraim invited people over for a party. Vera shows up dressed as a ninja.

Louis Eckert. Jermey Prudences's son, is a diver. This pup is Dahlia's puppy, Spark. He was gifted to her by Vera right before she moved out of the family home.

Speaking of Dahlia, here she is dressed as a hot dog.

Ephraim is dressed as a magician. Here he's trying to convince Cynthia Coon to partake in the holiday shenanigans. She's not interested.

Even though it is Halloween, Lindsay won't let up on her sculpting.

Cameo wants to work on her gate jumping. Jude is happy to oblige.

Brooke is ready to get some treats and pull some tricks.

Jude asks Lindsay to take her little sister out. This is her thrilled face.

She goes straight to her easel as soon as they get back.

And Brooke goes straight to her barre. I have never seen two more determined sims.

Claude's ghost appears to play some football on the ancient PC.

Bodica is trying to figure out how to release these bugs so that she can maul them.

Beekeeping is left to the elder since he has all the time in the world, at least for today.

She's got paintings started on all of the easels on the property. I hope she finishes them before she runs off to study art in France.

Brooke spends some time with Slappy. It's been a while since she did anything other than dance and go to school.

Michael has found a thing he hasn't upgraded, the horse trough. Time to get to work!

Welp, that was a terrible idea. At least Knight finds it amusing?

"Arthur says he's invited you for a date three times and you've turned him down. What's going on?" Drew asks.
"I'm busy," Lindsay says.
"That is some bull," he replies.

Lindsay sighs and asks, "Can we just do some homework?"
"You're going to have to spill it eventually," Drew says.
Lindsay hides her face in her hands and whines, "I don't want to do this anymore."

She explains, "I met a cool guy in France and I think I want to go back there when I graduate. Study art. See the world. I don't want to get stuck here and marry my high school boyfriend and never pursue the things I love."
Drew stares at her for a few moments and then says, "Good for you, Linds. You should go out there and travel the world if you want. But don't drag Arthur around just because it's easier."

Lindsay writes a love letter to Pascal while thinking about how to break things off with Arthur. Love can be so complicated.

Brooke takes some time away from her barre to hang out with second cousin Ladonna.

"Do you want to sleep over?" Brooke asks.
Ladonna breaks into a huge smile and says, "Sure!"

A family dinner with some cousins.

Brooke drags out a sleeping bag for Ladonna and they play so hard they tire themselves out.

Amira rests a bit and the Evil Mr. Gnome watches her.

Lindsay's room is haunted into the early morning hours.

It's Varinia this time and not Amira. Either way, Lindsay is not amused.

"Let's go jump some gates, girl."

"This is my squirrel, Slappy."
"Does it bite? Does it have rabies? I don't want to touch it!"

Lindsay does her thing and avoids talking to Arthur some more.

Brooke and Ladonna go to the park and Brooke immediately gets distracted trying to catch fish.

Michael puts his days to good use doing all the things that might just get him killed. Like teaching his granddaughter how to drive.

Knights turn to train.

Lindsay visits the Pittman-Soto household in search of Arthur. She finds her old friend Amelia and they spend some time catching up.

"I made some nectar while in France. I'm pretty sure it won't kill you," Lindsay says as she shoves a gift box at Amelia.
"Um, thanks."

Finally she tracks down Arthur at the fire station.

"Here you are," she says. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Is that so? I've been here the entire time."

"Right, so. Um, I like art."
Arthur nods, "Yes, and?"
"We're back from France." Lindsay struggles to get out the words she needs to say.
"Mmhhmm," Arthur hums.
"Maybe we should go for a walk?"

Meanwhile, back at the house something happens.

"What is this?" Michael asks.

"I think we should break up!" Lindsay blurts out once they're outside.
Arthur spins on his heels to glare at her. "What?!"
"You heard me. We're done."
"You're the most baffling person I've ever met!" Arthur shouts. "Good luck with whatever." He stalks away angrily.

"So, this is what death feels like. I'm coming, Amira!"

Vera and Brooke witness Michael's departure and share their anguish.

He's buried next to his wife in the back yard.

We also have two Zenyattas now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I guess the fact that Michael was 134 days old was finally enough to spur the game to send the reaper for him. I imagine he's thrilled to be in the afterlife with Amira. RIP Michael. <3

Chapter 3.20: Should I Stay or Should I Go

Amira needs a nap after all that slip and slide fun. It's a good thing that Michael is asleep or he would spend the next several days crying over his long dead wife.

Knight plays around because he is young and adorable and he knows it.

Cameo is still gorgeous in her old age. Michael takes some time to commune with her and revel in their old age together. He idly wonders if he'll outlive her too.

All the pet love is cut short because the family finally has the funds for a trip!

Hello, FRANCE!

Not two seconds after they arrive, Brooke runs up to her parents.

"There's a community performance in the park today! Can we go?"

Not much of the community is there but then again it is mid day and most sims are probably at work.

The Daring Duo begin their set with little in the way of introduction. It doesn't matter though because Brooke is almost immediately captivated. She is drawn to the stage like a moth to flame.

Then there really is flame and Brooke explodes in cheers.

"They're beautiful, mama," she cries out as the performers twirl their flame batons.

"I want to be like them," Brooke whispers and tugs on Vera's sleeve. "When I'm older, this is what I'm going to do!"

Vera nods and smiles and gently pats Brooke's hand.

The family follows the show with a trip to Le Gallerie d'Art at Lindsay's insistence. It's barely been a full day and the family has hit all their desired hot spots.

"It's breathtaking," Lindsay says as she enters a display room.
"That's just a rock," Jude replies.

"Jeez, dad. It's an ancient sculpture. Don't you have any concept of culture?"

Jude smirks as Lindsay breezes past him to observe the art.

"I didn't realize rocks were art."
Lindsay sighs, exasperated, "You cannot be serious."
"Help me out here, Vera. Sculpture or rock?"

Lindsay looks at her expectantly.

"It's a sculpture, Jude," she says with a chuckle.

The rest of the afternoon is spent listening to Lindsay go on and on about the significance of each piece.

"Now, this one is definitely a rock," Jude says.
"Really, dad, it's a copper pot fragment. Are you even bothering to read the descriptions?"

"You should be able to appreciate this one, Jude," Vera says while pointing to a tall marble statue.

"A statue made out of a rock. Everything in this place is some form of rock."
"You're hopeless!" Lindsay whines.
"Art's just not my thing," Jude says, "but I love that you love it."

Lindsay cracks a smile.

Long museum tours mean Jude takes a nap as soon as they get back to the hotel. This couch is much comfier than it looks.

Michael spends the afternoon impressing the locals with tales of his grandchildren.

"This one is Michele, she's got a little tyke of her own. My great-grandson Errol."

Vera heads out to explore first thing the following morning. This mound looks suspicious and she digs around until she finds Dropa Stone relics.

"So you think you want to be a performer?" Michael asks.
"Grandpa, you've seen me. I was made for the stage!"
"Can't really argue with that," he concedes.

They roast vegetables over the fire for dinner. Delicious and very nutritious.

"I'm not tired!" Brooke says while ducking the pillow whizzing over her head.
"But. It's. Bed. Time!" Lindsay says, punctuating each word with a swat from her pillow.

Brooke ducks out of the way with ease.

"You go to bed then!"

Five minutes later and they are both fast asleep.

The following and last day finds the family visiting the local nectary. Vera enjoys the free samples.

Lindsay plays with the nectar machines. Conjured apples will be just as good in nectar as actual apples, right?

Michael pokes and prods the machines until he understands exactly how they work. It's not that difficult and soon he's working on an upgrade.

Jude plucks ripe fruit from all the plants and trees on the premises. He can't wait to get home and plant some of these in the back garden.

Making nectar! It comes out terrible but she's thrilled to have something to bring home with her.

"I'm going to be a star!" Brooke informs Jude.
"Yes, you are. If anyone can be a star it's you, darling."

Michael has run out of locals to impress with tales of his grandchildren. He takes to impressing them with his guitar skills.

One last trip to Le Gallerie d'Art for Lindsay. Pascal Morel watches her from afar.

"'Allo," he says. "I am Pascal."
"Um, hello," Lindsay replies.

The silence stretches and Lindsay shuffles from one foot to the other.

"Well it was nice to meet you," she says and starts to walk away.

"Wait!" he says. "You're stunning! More beautiful than any piece of art here. Please, stay with me for a while?"
"You think I'm beautiful?"

Pascal nods quickly and says, "No one can compare."

Lindsay blushes furiously.

"Wow."

"I don't want to leave," Lindsay admits. "I met someone amazing and going home is making me very sad."
"You can always write or call or come back to visit."
"It won't be the same," she sighs. "What am I supposed to do about Arthur?"
"You have so much time to decide what to do."

If anyone knows about time, it's Michael.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I got no pictures of their return but this one. So funny!