New town, new life

 There isn't much in Sunset Valley. But I don't mind it, my family is here. Especially my little Hazel. She's growing so much every day, and above everything else, she truly resembles Spencer in almost every way. However, her personality is the spitting image of yours truly.

 I laid my sweetheart down to bed with a kiss. Hazel gave a small whine but eventually her eyes started to flutter as I sang to her.
"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are..."
She yawned
"Up above the wold so high, like a diamond in the sky."
"Love you, mama" were the words that escaped out of my little wonder before she drifted off.

 Meanwhile, in the kitchen my mother slaved over the oven for a good hour, making sure that our first night in their new house was perfect. I told her that she shouldn't worry about us and that I could just heat up something in the microwave. She seemed taken aback by my unselfishness. I understand, I've spent most of my life taking advantage of my mom. In my newly found graciousness to my parents, I vowed to myself that I wouldn't fight with them and that I would do my very best to help make this house their home.

 "Dad, will you tell me something about myself when I was a kid?"
"Like what?"
"Well, it's just that I can't remember my hobbies...what I liked to do. I want to make something of myself eventually."
"Ande, you spent your entire childhood dreaming about being a dancer. You were good too, I used to tear up watching you."
"I did dance once...I couldn't imagine doing something like that now. After back surgery and everything, I think that would be hard to get back into."
"Well, I know you Ande," My dad mused. "You could honestly do whatever you set your mind to."
"Thanks dad.." I trailed off, wishing there was some way I could prove him right.

 

When Eden and my mom sat down, I felt a slight bit awkward. These three have been together through everything. Eden is the only one of my parents children that stayed with them through thick and thin. I have walked out on my parents not once, but twice. First when I ran away from home at the age of 17, and then again when I left the island to make a new life for myself with Spencer. I was hoping this time I could finally make amends with the terrible things that I have done to my family.

"Mom? Would it be alright with you if I took over making family meals? That way you can focus on other things?" I voiced this question after only a little bit of thought. I had figured that being home all the time would really take a toll on me, especially with nothing else to do. Planning and cooking meals would really give me something to think about.
"Sure Ande, it'll give you a project." Mom smiled through her bites of salad. "I want to start thinking about a garden anyway, so I'll let you take over feeding us fatties." I laughed while my dad scoffed, "If you're cooking, you're in charge of dishes too." He gave his opinion. "That way I get your mom for a little longer."

"If there isn't anything else, I think Hazel and I are going to sit down for a little while with her lessons." I was tired. It had been a very long day, with leaving everything behind and going to a town that I had never seen before...My parents were so gracious though. They wanted to make everything easier for us and that was the thing I was most appreciative of. Both of them were my rocks and I don't know how I can ever repay them....

Besides by raising their granddaughter to be a kind, wonderful woman.

The Next New Adventure

"Come along Hazel." Ande Langley's cool voice echoed throughout the halls of an empty house. "There's no time to goof around, grandma is waiting for us."

The 25 year old Ande toted her young daughter out through the front door before turning the key in the lock, saying goodbye for the last time to the only place that Hazel had ever known. While there is no indication of anyone inside, Ande could feel the life that had been created for the two of them drifting away from her own.

Hazel and Ande made their way to the car where their cat Tiger was already napping in the front seat, among many scattered belongings. Ande's decisions were finally her own. There wasn't a man pushing her out of her home, her mother hadn't poked and prodded to finally get Ande and Hazel away from the loneliness that had consumed the two of them for so long.

Hazel had just turned 4 years old, without a father. The last that Ande had heard from Spencer was months before Hazel had been born. Although with research, Ande never found a trace of the man that she had planned on spending the rest of her life with. His face still flashed back and forth in her memory. She had wished for years that she had at least known that he wasn't dead, however nothing ever came forward.

Ande drove for 6 hours to arrive at her mothers new house on the outside of Sunset Valley. Della and Adam had recently been invited to bring their household back from the middle of nowhere. The town had contacted them to return as means to make amends with one of the biggest family lines to inhabit Sunset Valley.

**Ande's Point of View**

When I knocked on the door to my mom and dads new house nobody answered. I had figured that all of them would be busy with unpacking and exploring their new home. I couldn't see anyone through the glass front door, so I let myself in to the place that I'd be staying for the foreseeable future.

I entered the living room and  heard a faint clicking of heels coming up behind me. When I turned around my mom had her arms out ready for a hug. The last time that I had seen my parents, we had a falling out. I up and moved not to long after to get away from the people that I thought were ruining my life. As it turns out, my parents really were only trying to help me better myself. After being abandoned by Spencer, a lot of my realizations had to do with coming of age and imagining what I would have turned out like if my parents hadn't always been on my ass.

My mom...She has such a strong spirit. She didn't deserve a shitty daughter such as myself. Her age was starting to show. There weren't any strong wrinkles taking over her face, but you could tell that she is well beyond her prime years. Although she looks older, my mother has always been beautiful.

"Ande!" She sounded so excited to see me. I didn't deserve that. "God, how I've missed you..." Her voice trailed off as another picked up from across the hallway.

"Della, the pool is finally warm enough for skinny dipping!"

My dad...Always such a dork. He's had his fair share of aging. Unlike my mother, my father's age lines have really defined his face. It hadn't been more than 5 years and it seemed like it had been a million. Above all else, I had truly missed my father. He was always willing to put himself on the line to bring me out of a bad situation.

I have no idea what life brings us from this point onward. I hope that the years apart will pull my family closer together. I introduced my parents to my daughter and wished for the best for the next new adventure.

-Disclaimer-
Hello all, old and new. I have returned hopefully for longer than the last time. Just a few notes about the meaning of this post...My hopes are that I can continue this blog from this point on in Ande's life. This is going to be a little weird for me, as I haven't wrote or read about my Ande for a little over two years. It's possible that I could miss little details about the life of my own creation, but I'm willing to take that chance.

A few updates on me, I'm still the dorky lady that was once known in the sims community. However I am no longer writing out of necessity but instead I'm writing out of being really super bored. I've been attending college during the fall and spring but the summer months are pretty bleek besides work. I've recently been married, so blogs and stories and stuff can't completely run my life, as I have a family to care for now. I've been working at the Pizza Hut in my town and recently began training as the assistant manager. Besides all that, nothing really has changed. I love Naruto and Markiplier....and the sims. I hope that I can rekindle my love to my story as well and continue as I had never stopped.
-Love always,
Karni

Pregnant and alone

Facing my mother was almost harder than I had expected. She didn't understand what I felt and how I am. I stormed away that night and I finally had enough. I needed to get away from the people who believed they controlled me. I was going to have this baby in a non-stressful environment. I packed up everything that I owned and got on the first plane to a place called Isla Paradise. Spencer stayed behind to sort out the things at home while I went off on my own. It was obvious that he was worried about my behavior.

I didn't know where I was going from here. Staying on Langly island suddenly just became to much for me to handle. My mother, my father, my brother, my sister, they all pushed at me and pushed at me to become a person that I don't want to be. I wanted to be a mother, but on my own terms. My mom forced upon me a lifestyle that I never would have chosen on my own.

My past has given me a lot to reflect on. I've never imagined that I'd rather be on my own again than with my family. I paced around the tiny house looking at everything that I now owned. That old life is behind me. If I can help it, my family will never see me again. Soon it will just be Spencer, the baby, and me.

The first step to this new life is to find a new job. I was looking for something that described me and I could live with for the next few years, until I get my feet on the ground and a new house that doesn't rely on the water. I ended up applying for three positions, only willing to accept the one that gave me the best chance of survival. This is how I got my job working for the military.

I didn't start to get sick until the afternoon of the next day. That is how I knew that the little one in my stomach was growing ever slowly. I spent most of my hours watching movies on my dingy TV and waiting for Spencer to text me, telling me how hard it is to move his business from one island to another.

I wasn't sure how to handle this amount of loneliness. I needed some sort of companionship, so I adopted a cat. It was pretty unusual for me to crave the company of a furry little beast but I brought one home anyway. I called him Tiger.  

The day after I brought Tiger home, I started my new job. There was something a little thrilling about dressing up in a white shirt and camo pants to set out to help those that need it. I wasn't yet sure if the military was for me but this is how I find out.

It was really easy these days to just forget all of my troubles. As my due date lingered closer and closer I felt as though my mood was shooting upwards. I was about to have a companion that would only need me, only want me.  

"Hey!" Was the first thing that Spencer said to me after a week of half-hearted replies over text. It took me a bit by surprise.
"Hey. How's the move going?"
"Just about through, I have a few more things that have to be taken care of before I can even think about leaving here. Your mom and I had a long talk last night."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. She's not really happy about the move. She already misses you."
"Shoulda thought of that, shouldn't she?"
"Ande, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. It's just really isolated over here. There isn't much to do and this baby is giving me a bit of a hard time.
"Well, I'm sure you can find something that you like to do. Didn't you have any hobbies as a teenager?"
"Not really. Hey Spence I'm sorry but I'm feeling really sick. I'll give you a call back a little later."
"Don't keep me waiting too long. I love you."

As soon as his voice left my ear, I curled up in my bed and caressed my belly and cooed softly. I fell asleep there with my cat like every other night before.

Hazel Grace Langly was born 2 days later, at 3:45 AM.

A Baby is on the way!- Chapter 6

"Weeks? How could it have been weeks?"

"I don't know, it's time travel. It doesn't work the same as regular time."

"What happened while I was gone?"

"You're parents are worried sick about you, your grandparents are worried sick about them and everyone else is still searching for you. They all think you're dead."

"I'm fine...I was in Bridgeport. I helped my dad find me when I was lost years ago."

Spencer looked at me like I was nuts. He of all people should understand my time traveling because he is the only one who has actually seen it happen and he is the one who spent hours upon hours trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I   grabbed his hands and assured him that everything was fine and I would be fine. I then stood up on my wobbly feet and  stumbled into my bedroom for a long nap.
*********************************************************************************

 I walked around the pavement on the lot of what would soon be our new home. Spencer stood nearby watching me closely. It's been awhile since I've fallen but he still likes to keep close just in case I do. My hair was pinned back and my clothes were covered in paint from my newest hobby to keep me busy and in the house.

"It's going to be perfect. Perfect size for the three of us."
Spencer rested his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed. I turned toward him and he placed his other hand on my belly.
"Can you believe that we're starting a family?"
"I know, it's crazy. My parents are going to freak when they find out."
"We'll have to tell them sooner or later."
I leaned in to peck him on the cheek. "We can tell them today if you want?"

*******************************************************************************

Since I got back from Bridgeport, things have been changed. We sold the apartment and I have been living with my parents for the past few weeks. Spencer comes over almost daily just to keep me busy and keep me from losing my mind. About three weeks ago I stayed the night at his place because my parents wanted a night on their own. They shouldn't even be surprised when I announce that there is a baby on the way.

We all sat down for breakfast at the table in my moms house. Spencer next to me, my parents sitting side by side and my brother and sister sitting across the table. I looked at Spencer and he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Hey everyone, Spencer and I have some news!" When nobody spoke but everyone looked at me, I continued. "We're going to have a baby."
My dad looked at me with an expression that said "Why am I not surprised?" My mom was the one who started speaking first.
"You mean you're pregnant? Ande, you aren't ready for another baby. You aren't financially fit. You can barely take care yourself. You and Spencer aren't married and you don't have a house yet."

"Mom, calm down. I understand that you think I'm not strong enough yet to handle this but I swear that I am. Spencer and I have a plan. We'll have our house done by the time the baby comes and I've started selling my paintings."

"Paintings are not going to be enough to raise a child. You of all people should know that!"

"Mom! I'm doing the best I can!"

"It isn't enough. You need a real job if you are gonna be a real person. Stop being stupid!"

I stood up and pushed my chair away. Once again she was trying to control my life and I was sick of it. I stomped straight out the door.

Stranded in Bridgeport ~ Chapter 5

Spencer's question was simple but it was lost on me. I had no idea when the last time I traveled. It must have been awhile. Spencer brushed my hair out of my eyes and looked down at me. "Does this mean that your condition is gone?"
"I  really don't know, Spence. Don't you think we should do some sort of test to make sure? I mean, it could be worth our time."
"For now, we should just leave it alone and watch to see if anything happens over the next few weeks. I've been here everyday for a couple weeks now and since you're just starting to get your mobility back, we could let it be for just a bit longer."

Right as he finished his sentence, a pain shot up my leg and I sat up in pain. He grabbed my arm and stood up with a look of panic on his face. "Whats going on?!" He leaned down next to me as my leg started shaking on it's own.
"Either I'm having a seizure or I'm about to travel." I explained to him as calm as I could but the pain wouldn't go away.  He held onto my hands and told me to think about right here, right now. When nothing happened, I relaxed. He picked me up off the couch and I felt better instantly. This was where we went wrong because as I settled down into his arms, I slipped away for the first time in a year.

I woke up in the middle of Bridgeport city. The sky was light and there were only a few people in the park.  I stretched out on my back and attempted to stand up but I couldn't manage to get up. A lady who walked past scowled at me and whispered under her breath. I called out for someone to help me at least stand up. If I could get on my feet, I could walk far enough to sit down somewhere until I found myself back in my own home.

I attempted dragging myself but to no prevail. I closed my eyes and just waited until I heard a pair of footsteps running towards me.
"Ande! Oh my god I've found you!" My dads voice echoed around the park and I knew finally what time I was in. "Why are you on the ground?" I tried once again to inch myself away from him.
"Sir I don't know who you are!"
"Ande...You know me. It's dad..." I bit my lip. I needed something to get me out of this mess I was in. The clouds billowed in the sky as it began to sprinkle. It was the day years ago that my dad found me in Bridgeport. I was alone in that ally searching for some food.  It was the worst and best day of my life.

I looked up at him as his relieved look turned to confusion. "Ande, she told me you were skin and bones, covered in blood. You look fine. Are you okay?"
"Dad, I need to talk and you need to listen. I am your daughter but I'm not the one you're looking for."
"I only have two daughters and Eden is at home. And that's where you'll be soon enough!"
"Dad, I'm from the future. I'm not even sure what year it is. I swear I can prove it to you...I know where Ande is."
"So get up and show me!"
I reached my hand out to him and he pulled me up. I was very unstable but I could walk for the most part.

"What happened? How is it that you can...you know?"
"I don't even know." I said, watching my feet so that I didn't stumble and fall on the hard sidewalk. "Pretty soon you'll discover that it started in the middle of this 'trip'. I have just a few things to tell you. Ande is really weak. There is a lot that happened and you need to make sure doctor Spencer pays a lot of attention to the scars on her back." I turned around and grabbed his shoulders. "You have to listen close now. Ande was raped multiple times. She's going to have a baby. Everything is in her diary and you'll find it all there." I turned around and began to scuffle along again.

I could hear how scared he was from the way he was breathing. He was attempting to put aside all of the things I told him about what happened to me so long ago. I tried not to give too much away because I've seen the movies about all the time travelers and things could really end up messed up if I talk to much to him. Instead, while the rain was making it hard to see and move, I took him to the ally I remember so perfectly because of its occurrence in so many of my dreams. I saw my own figure laying in that ally and as soon as he saw it too, he pointed at me and told me to stay where I was until he was sure that I was telling the complete truth.

I walked away before he got to the end of the ally. I didn't need this part of my life back in my mind. I knew that as soon as he picked me up, I would say one word and be lost to this world for months. I didn't need to see that kind of suffering now so I slowly made my way to somewhere warm. I needed something to wrap around myself to brush away the coldness but there was nothing so I stood in an empty laundry mat in nothing but my underwear while my clothes dried.

When I was finally able to put my warm clothes back on, the rain had not yet subsided. I spent almost 4 more hours in the laundry mat waiting for it to stop. It was dark by the time I was finally ready to leave. That was also about the time my legs decided to give out and I toppled on the floor hard. I tried to push myself up for an hour before I gave up and closed my eyes for a forced nap.

"Oh my god. Ande!" I heard Spencer's voice before I saw him. Before I knew it, I felt his hand on my arm, pulling me up gently. "Where have you been?"
"Bridgeport." I said into his ear as he lifted me up onto the couch. "It's only been a couple days, why do you sound so worried?"
He looked at me with question in his eyes "It's been longer then that. You've been gone for weeks."