Chapter #7 - "Unanswered Letters"

Ariel’s twentieth birthday officially signaled her entry into adulthood and the beginning of her rein as the Legacy heir.



Ariel no longer feared growing older. She resolved to put her teenage rebellion behind her and assume her adult responsibilities with purpose, determination, and enjoyment.



That night, as the guests attending Ariel’s birthday party departed, the family made a campfire in their backyard and sat around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and reminiscing about the past. Ariel’s heart was bursting with happiness, while her mother’s swelled with pride.




The next morning, Ariel knew what her first order of business as the Legacy heir was. She had to break off her relationship with Brad. She found him at his father’s junk yard.

Before Ariel could say anything, Brad spoke: ”I know why you’re here. Just get it over with so we can put the past behind us.” He said curtly, without even looking her way.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you in any way, Brad. I guess we were never meant to be.” Ariel said, reaching out to touch him.

“Forget it. Just go! You may have been the first girl I actually ever liked, but no worries darlin’, you definitely won’t be the last. There are plenty of fish in the sea, just waiting to be reeled in by The Bradmeister!” Hearing Brad say those words, Ariel relaxed. He was returning back to his old self. He would endure their breakup just fine.




In fact, a week later, as Ariel was visiting the community pool, she spotted Brad lunching with another girl. He refused to meet her gaze and aside from deliberately putting on a flirting spectacle with his date, he did not acknowledge Ariel. She laughed at his immature demeanor and sent a friendly wave his way as she exited the pool.



Things between Ariel and Sam were still strained, although the two were once again becoming close. Living in the same house with each other meant that they could not easily avoid interactions, but both of them worked hard to keep their feelings buried deep within.



In an attempt to turn over a new leaf as the Legacy Heir, Ariel decided it was time for her family to once again embark on a vacation. Her mother and step-father had been working very hard to help pay the bills and her brother had just completed his second year of high-school, therefore it was a perfect time for the family to get away and explore the beautiful country of Simgypt.



Everyone enjoyed the trip immensely.



Phoenix and Leighton spent most of their time gazing at the stars or cuddling in the tent, reminiscing about their youth.



Ashton attempted to woo the tour guides and other locals, but due to his age he was often sent away with a laugh or a quick peck on the cheek if he was lucky enough to find a sympathetic lady.



Ariel spent most of her days exploring the crypts deep inside the pyramids, discovering small treasures. When she was not treasure-hunting, she was definitely on the prowl for the perfect guy!



And just like that, she found HIM! His name was Youssef, and he was absolutely perfect in every way.



Ariel spent the rest of her vacation in his small shop, learning everything there was to know about Youssef. For the first time since her childhood crush on Sam, she felt butterflies fluttering about her stomach when she looked and talked to a guy.



Ariel, of course, did more than just look and talk to Youssef. Kissing him was incomparable to any feeling she had ever experienced. Without a doubt, she was smitten.



Ariel spent so much time talking about Youssef to her family that Phoenix had to meet the man herself. She immediately took a liking to him and invited him to spend some time in Sunset Valley with them.

“Ariel will be more than happy to provide you with all the details before we leave.” Phoenix promised.



Unfortunately, the Legacies did not have time to say “Goodbye” to Youssef. Shorlty before they were due to return to Sunset Valley, Phoenix received a devastating telegram. Xander, her old lover, lifelong friend, and Ariel’s father had passed away. The family packed up all of their belongings and rushed back home to attend Xander’s funeral.



Months after Xander’s passing, Phoenix was still having trouble coping with the loss of her friend. After she and Xander broke up, she never continued to hold on to any romantic feelings for him. However, the two sustained quite a dynamic friendship throughout the years and Xander was always active in helping raise Ariel.



Ariel was dealing with her father’s death in a different way. She threw herself into her music, practicing every night.



She also tried to get in touch with Youssef, but unfortunately all of the letters she sent to him were returned, unopened. At the end of her wits, she decided to make a wish upon a wishing fountain. She wished to be able to once again see Youssef and continue where they left off.



In fact, her desire to be able to communicate with Youssef turned even more urgent and intense upon finding two blue lines on a pregnancy test. She wasn’t afraid of or disappointed by the pregnancy, but she felt that she could not be happy about it until Youssef knew.



Phoenix and Leighton were happy about the pregnancy news. They were getting on in years and wished to see their grandchild before they left the Sim World.

“You will not have to raise the child by yourself, Ariel. We will help with anything you need,” they promised.



Leighton took it upon himself to mail letters to Youssef every single day. The entire family was working to track down the future father and inform him of the pregnancy news.



Phoenix, on the other hand, took care of her daughter and her future grandchildren. During her first ultrasound, Ariel found out that she was expecting twins.



Even Sam was putting on an enthusiastic face for Ariel. He was very hurt and disappointed by the fact that she was going to give birth to another man’s children, especially a man who has not yet shown his face despite the numerous letters Ariel and Leighton had sent. However, Sam swallowed his pride and vowed to love and care for Ariel and the little ones no matter what.



Six months into her pregnancy, Ariel went into preterm labour.



As Phoenix escorted her daughter into the hospital, she feared the worst for Ariel and the babies.

Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out what happens to Ariel and the babies, as well as the rest of the Legacy family. Will the delivery go smoothly? Will Youssef ever respond to the letters?

Chapter #6 - "Teen Angst"

We last saw our Legacy Founder, Phoenix, and her family on their trip to visit Phoenix and Leighton’s hometowns. After years of being soulmates (and a very romantic proposal by Leighton!) the couple finally tied the knot. Ariel also met her maternal grandparents and convinced her mother to forgive them and let go of the pain that they have caused her over the years. With Phoenix and Leighton nearing old age, Ashton entering his teenhood, and Ariel on the verge of taking over the Legacy, read on to find out what’s in store for the family!



Upon their return to Sunset Valley, the family was surprised to find that their measly lawn furniture and makeshift dwelling had been replaced by a cozy bungalow consisting of a master bedroom, a living area, an open-concept kitchen and dining room, a bathroom, and two rooms fit for a boy and a girl.

In the shiny new mailbox, Phoenix found a note that read:
Dear Phoenix,
We know that this small gesture cannot make up for years of neglect and trouble we have caused our only daughter, however we hope that you and your family will enjoy our small token of love.
Loving you from afar,
Mom and Dad

Phoenix considered tearing down the house or taking out a loan from the bank and sending a payment for all of the building expenses to her parents. However, she knew that her father did not have much time left in the Sim World and that her family did, in fact, desperately need a house to live in. It was her parents’ way of apologizing for disowning her and attempting to establish ties with their grandchildren. She decided to take the higher road and accept the gift graciously. After years of no communication she would start sending cards to her parents every holiday season. She wouldn’t write much, however she would send them pictures of the children.



Ariel was excited to return home. She enjoyed the trip immensely; however she greatly missed one of the main reasons she left Sunset Valley in the first place – Sam. He was the first person she met up with when she came back, excitedly divulging details of the trip and their parents’ wedding. She also told Sam about her newfound dream of becoming a charismatic singer and guitar player. While she was away, she decided not to take the same career path her mother had by attending school and being part of a symphony, instead she wanted to play “outside of the box” for her own pleasure and the pleasure of others.



While she was talking to Sam, Ariel could not keep herself from sighing over his every word and melting under his alluring, deep gaze. Her mother, who happened to be strolling through the park at the time, took notice of Ariel’s lovesick conduct and immediately called Xander in an attempt to get their daughter’s infatuation with her stepbrother under control.



Ariel had a lot of explaining to do to her father that evening. Xander even managed to accuse Sam of seducing his young daughter and ban him from ever seeing her again.

“Ariel, he’s too old for you…Not to mention, you are officially step-siblings now. I wish your mother hadn’t married Leighton either, but now we all have to deal with it! Start behaving like a proper young heiress and date some boys of your own age!”

“Fine! If you and Mom think that’s better than being friends with Sam, I’m just going to go out and have TONS of boyfriends my own age! You just wait!” Ariel was both sad and disappointed about the way her parents were behaving over her friendship with Sam.



What made her angrier, however, was that Sam did not stand up to her father. Instead, he just took a step back and didn’t speak at all. The pained look on his face told Ariel that he felt the same way about her as she did about him, but after seeing his reaction to the situation, she vowed to hurt him as well.

I’ll show him…I’m going to find another guy and rub our relationship in his face, she vowed.



A few days after the incident, the fight between Ariel and her parents was put aside, as it was time for a big celebration! Both Phoenix and Leighton were turning into elders!

Leighton was the first to blow out his candles, his family cheering happily. Sam wasn’t invited, as the family was trying to keep him away from Ariel.



Leighton could not believe his new look. The wrinkles on his hands truly showed the passage of time.



Phoenix was the next to grow older. She clapped her hands together happily. She thought that she would dread becoming an elder, however she felt content. She had a loving husband, two wonderful children, a home, and even though she hadn’t yet reached superstardom in her singing career, she was very happy playing in the symphony orchestra for the time being. Despite her rough start, life had been good to her and she was thankful to be turning into an elder.



“So…What do you think? Do you still love me? Do you still think I’m beautiful?” Phoenix asked her husband after the children went inside to eat cake.

“Phoenix, you will always be beautiful! Most importantly, I will always love you and our children…No matter what!”



That evening, the two held each other’s hands as they gazed at the stars. Phoenix was feeling happier than ever before. More than that, she felt at peace.



Even though Phoenix and Leighton were comfortable with their age, Ariel was not happy. She worried for her mother and step-father, knowing that their days were slowly becoming numbered.



Also, Ariel was plagued by unhappy thoughts about growing old herself. She constantly applied anti-wrinkle creams on her perfect, youthful complexion, worked out vigorously, and ate only organic meals. She was trying to fight time, as deep inside she feared the responsibilities that would ensue when she became the head of the family and took over the Legacy from Phoenix.



Before that happened, however, Ariel first planned to make her parents and Sam suffer by becoming romantically involved with Brad, Sunset Valley’s notorious Bad Boy.



Leighton was familiar with Brad’s unruly ways and warned Ariel to stay away from him. Phoenix, on the other hand, was more supportive of the relationship. She was happy that Ariel was taking interest in other boys beside her step-brother.



Ashton did not have much to say about his older sister’s relationship. He often had to endure Brad’s obnoxious behavior when he visited the Legacy house, however due to the fact that his sister was going to become the heir to the family, he knew that he would soon not have any power over her decisions.



The siblings had somehow grown apart since their return home, spending less and less time taking part in joint activities. Ashton attempted to bridge the growing gap between them by discussing his sister’s favourite topic – music – with her; however Ariel was pulling away from him as each day passed by.



Ashton spent most of his time alone in his room, chatting with his Internet friends, playing games on the computer, or doing homework.



As it became more evident to everyone in the Legacy household that Brad was a bad influence on Ariel, causing her grades to drop, encouraging her to stay out past curfew, and pressuring her into taking their relationship to a more physically intimate level, Leighton tried to put an end to their romance.

“So…I assume that you’re ready to take my daughter’s hand in marraige the second she celebrates her birthday into adulthood, correct?” he grilled Brad.

“Ugh! How embarrassing! Brad, you don’t have to listen to him! He doesn’t know what he’s talking about and he’s most definitely not my father!” This was a first time that Ariel showed any animosity toward Leighton. In the past, she had always looked up to him and considered him her father. It was clear that Brad was warping the young girl’s mind.



After numerous failed attempts of distancing Ariel from Brad’s bad influence, Leighton decided on a more drastic course and invited Sam to move into the Legacy house in hope that seeing him around the house would knock some sense into Ariel’s rebellious mind. When she saw Sam at her doorstep for the first time in six months, Ariel suppressed a desire to run to him and wrap her arms around him. Instead, she just shrugged and threw a casual “Hi!” his way.



The next morning as the entire family gathered for breakfast, Ariel called Brad over. She flirted with him in plain sight of her disgruntled family members.



She especially made sure that Sam saw her every move.



Kissing Brad didn’t give Ariel much satisfaction. Despite the show she was putting on for her family, she knew deep in her heart that he was not the one for her. In fact, she didn’t even like the person that she turned into when she was around him. However, she had previously vowed to make her parents and Sam pay for hurting her so she carried on the charade with Brad.



Regardless of her best attempt at rebellion, the hurt she saw in Sam’s eyes nearly drew Ariel out of her embrace with Brad.



In the end, however, it was not Sam, but her younger brother Ashton that succeeded in drawing Ariel out of her rebellious phase. The night before her birthday and transition into adulthood, Ashton cornered Ariel on the living room couch.

“I know the real reason why you’re acting this way…I knew it all along. Yes, it may have a bit to do with Sam and our parents, but that’s not the true cause for your angst. The truth is that you’re scared of the responsibility that will have to ensue once you officially become an adult. You’re scared of taking the torch from Mom and carrying this family on your shoulders. Well, don’t be afraid. I’m here for you Ari. Mom and Dad and your father are here for you as well. You’re smart, strong, beautiful, and so very brave. You can do this, I promise! The only things standing in your way are Brad and that sour attitude you picked up from him. It’s time to ditch both and grow up.”

Ariel was in awe of her little brother. Never before had he sounded so mature, so self-assured, and so compelling. She knew that everything he said was true. She didn’t say much in response. She simply looked deep into her brother’s eyes and smiled. “You’re right little Bro. You’re so right. I always knew you were extremely smart, but I’m now convinced that you are a true genius! I will make you all proud, I promise.”



The next day as the Legacy family gathered to celebrate Ariel’s entry into adulthood and the passing of the Legacy torch, the young Heiress could not be happier. Her teen days were now behind her and as she gazed at her birthday candles, she wished to become a wonderful person, daughter, and sister and show her family members how much they truly mean to her.