The Smallwood Family Legacy Generation One: A Sims 4 Story

The Smallwood Family Legacy: A Sims 4 Story

Chapter Five: Full Hands, Warm Heart

Vivaana approaches the cribs containing her new baby sisters with trepidation. As they gurgle and groan away to themselves she wonders where they came from and why they are here.

She stands for a while, staring! She lets out a nervous little giggle and babbles something incoherent, I'm still unsure of her feelings about them.

 "Who?" She mumbles, still with the nervous smile on her face. I am afraid that being the only one in Caleb's life has spoiled her. I was so excited for this baby, before I knew there were two, but now I worry for Vivvy!

Caleb arrives to meet the new arrivals, he sees Vivvy's apprehension and looks at me with an unreadable expression.

Caleb is besotted with his newborn daughters, his first words were, "I have three girls now! THREE!" And my heart swells at the thought of Vivaana being included! Despite being Vivaan's daughter, Caleb sees her as his own, even now when he is looking down upon his twins...Vivaana is very much his first child!

 But as soon as Caleb picks up Abigail, Vivaana is not pleased at all! "My dada!" She grunts, oh dear, we may have a problem!

 Caleb leaves us girls to bond, all four of us, as Vivvy continues to scowl at him. She wants him all to herself, it's only natural I suppose but how am I going to handle it? He's the one that takes care of her when she is stropping!

Caleb simply smiles and tells Vivvy, "Now these are your new baby sisters! Abigail and Esme! I think all you girls will be great friends!" And he walks away! Leaving me to deal with grumpy Vivaana! Thank you darling husband!

 While Caleb and I were struggling with two newborns and a jealous toddler, not to mention three impossible dogs, his sister Lilith was well into her third trimester and finding eating for two to be quite...unsatisfying! Not only was her husband Joaquin victim to her fangs, but Sergio Romeo their housemate succumbed to her charms and was drained!

 While Joaquin and Sergio recovered from their blood loss, the former refused to believe that Lilith would do such a thing! "Try explaining these then!" Sergio pointed to the two puncture marks on his neck!

 It seemed that Lilith had done more than just drink her husband's blood! During a very traumatic evening of barbecue fire and labour, Joaquin transformed into a creature of the night!

 But I can happily report that all is well in the Le Chien household! Joaquin has forgiven Lilith and is adjusting to vampire life very well! And I am now an Auntie, Dylan Vatore will make a wonderful cousin to my three girls! Lilith is so smitten with her little guy that she wants more and is expecting her second child already!

 The twins are now due to age up any day and Caleb has been a hands-on dad just as he was with Vivvy. And speaking of my first born, she sits by her sisters' cribs daily on guard, it seems she has warmed to the idea of not being the only one in Caleb's life.

 Vivvy is also due a birthday just after the twins, and as I enter the nursery I ask her, "So Vivvy darling what's this then?" To which she simply replies,

"Watchin' sisturs! Proteck!" Yes my fears disappear at the thought of my tiny eldest daughter sitting guard and protecting her baby siblings!

 Abigail and Esme are now toddlers, and almost identical save for a few stray freckles! Abigail is in red and Esme is in green.

They are sweet little things with their father's brown hair and grey eyes, my complexion and my freckles...not to mention my pointy ears like their sister too!

 Vivvy likes to climb up and down the stairs on a regular basis, checking everywhere for safety! My heart is in my mouth every time, but she has maxed her movement skill so I suppose she knows what she is doing.

 My heart could burst as I watch my gorgeous, amazing husband handle our tearaway twins! Although we are struggling with three toddlers at the moment, Caleb looks at me as if he yearns for another! Our house is too full right now...

 ...and although he loves his girls, I know deep down he would love a son! He is so very patient with Abi and Esme!

With the dogs? Not so much! Heidi is constantly dirty and likes to roll in everything she can find, the smellier the better!

 I have to admit I am struggling, it's a full house! The dogs crave attention and I have no time to walk them! The twins have skills to learn and basic needs to be met! Caleb is feeling neglected because I am tired all the time...and Vivaana is being as patient as can be with both myself and her father!

 But I would be lying if I said that these little darlings aren't worth it! They light up both my world and their father's! Vivvy is smitten with them too! 

 She continues to climb those stairs day and night, always exploring Wolfsbane Manor! She is inquisitive after all!

 And she always has time for her mummy! She's maxed all of her skills and she is super cuddly these days! As her birthday approaches I hope that this is a turning point in our relationship!

 "Love you mama!" She giggles, and my heart swells again! You'd think I would be content, being this happy, but the truth is I cannot enjoy the happiness I feel due to an overshadowing guilt...this should be me and my red haired love! Caleb is wonderful, he is handsome and he is kind, he loves me and my girls more than life itself...but he is not Vivaan!

 Vivvy is the dog whisperer in the house! They follow her everywhere, and she has hugs and kisses for each of them! Doodle has grown, now an adult and ready to find a mate of her own.

 All three dogs get along well, Doodle follows her mother everywhere but luckily she doesn't copy her mucky habits! Vivvy loves every one of them equally!

 Vivaana's birthday is here, Caleb hides his tears with some confetti. I baked her a chocolate cake, I'm not a baker so I hope it tastes alright!

 She blows out her candles and giggles, making a wish that she won't tell me or it will not come true! She really is precious!

 My beautiful Vivaana! Her father would be so proud, I know her daddy is! Caleb gasped when she aged, "Oh my Vivvy you're radiant!" Were his exact words!

 She really is a little treasure, she smiles all the time!

 And while Caleb and I have our hands full with the twins, Vivvy helps around the house! 

 She likes to play by her father's grave, Vivaan still hasn't come out since that night he gave Caleb and I his blessing! I do think of him a lot, especially when I watch Vivvy play! Oh how I wish he could see her, how beautiful she is!

 But Vivvy is happy! She adores Caleb and has even found his secret den in the attic! He's none too pleased but he can't stay mad at his special girl for long!

 He's trying to study vampire mythology, attempting to be one step ahead of Vladislaus Straud despite him being rather quiet of late. Caleb says that's because he is planning his next move and that we should always be in a constant state of vigilance!

 He's even dusted off the old vampire tomes, he tells me not to worry, that he will keep me and the girls safe! Because now the twins will be of interest to him, Caleb confessed to me that he not only loved Vivaan like a brother...Vivaan was his blood brother! Yes Caleb is a vampire child of Vladislaus himself, just like Vivaan!

 Caleb insisted that we start a portrait gallery here in Wolfsbane Manor, starting with me and then continuing with my descendants! He tells me I am the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on, and he professes his undying love for me daily! I do love Caleb, he pleases my eye and my heart, I love to be close to him skin to skin...and I miss it right now!

 Doodle continues to follow her mother everywhere, Heidi is still getting dirty no matter how many times we bath her!

 And Buzz guards the twins when Vivvy is busy! Esme is learning communication skills on the pink tablet that used to belong to her sister.

 Yes these girls are little sweethearts but a handful nonetheless! We have hidden their existence from everyone in town except for Lilith and Joaquin! If Vlad got wind of their birth, well I don't know what I would do!

 At bedtime the twins always insist on a story. Abi prefers me while Esme favours her daddy!

 And it's not long before they are fast asleep, they sleep right through the night I cannot complain there. It's just through the day they become a handful!

 Caleb has joined the Business Career, We are now down to our last 30,000 simoleans and he feels that he needs to provide for his family before our resources are depleted.

 I know he is scared to leave us alone while he goes out to work, but money doesn't last! Especially when there isn't anymore coming in to replace what you have spent! So I get a job too, Caleb is not amused, he worries for my safety, but the Writer Career is safe enough and I can spend most of my time at home!

 Vivvy and I are becoming closer, just as I'd hoped, she tells me everything. Right now she is a little nervous about starting school. I tell her she will be fine, she is so clever and kind that she will excel in her studies and make wonderful friends!

"Thank you mummy!" She croaks, "I really needed to hear that!" Sometimes my sweet little Vivaana doubts herself, but she has me and her daddy to tell her how amazing she is! Not only us, but the dogs adore her and her little sisters worship her too!

 The dishwasher breaks down and rather than hire a repairman to fix it, Caleb thinks that is too risky and decides to fix it himself! Standing in a puddle of water with the dogs all watching I cannot wait until it is over, I have heard of people getting electrocuted doing this when they aren't skilled in handiness!

 I often take Vivaana to talk with Vivaan, still no sign of him but I hope one day he will come out and meet his daughter. She asks me about him, was he as handsome as her daddy Caleb? Did he have cool hair like daddy Caleb? 

 I try to get her to focus on the fact that Caleb may be her daddy but Vivaan was and still is her father! She simply smiles at me and says, "Mummy I know that, but daddy Caleb is here! Father Vivaan is gone!"

 "I am a Gupta by birth, a Vatore by heart and a Smallwood by name! I would love to meet Vivaan, but Caleb is my dad as you are my mum! Let's just be happy with each other, because we are all good together, aren't we mummy?" How did she get so gosh darn wise??? She is making a lot of sense, I am forcing my feelings onto her when she is perfectly content with Caleb...so maybe I should be too!

 Despite the sun I take Abi out to play on the slide in the garden, I am sizzling slightly but I don't care I need to think!

 I am married to Caleb Vatore, the most popular and influential vampire in Forgotten Hollow! He is madly in love with me, he took me and my unborn child in and promised to take care of us both. He has stood by me through everything, he is the one! Why can't I feel it?

 As I cheer on our daughter, I feel guilty for feeling like this about her father! I love Caleb, I really do, I am attracted to Caleb but...am I IN love with him?

 "Muuuuummmmmeeeeee!" Abi giggles, knocking me out of my thoughts. I'm an idiot! Caleb loves me and I love him, I should be grateful for everything he has done and continues to do for me!

 But he is not stupid! He knows that something isn't right with me lately. "I've been thinking..." His face is stern, "...maybe we should...take a break from each other. I mean it's not as if we're...close anymore!" Oh!

"Caleb I...the twins are a handful, we've both just been so busy with them and not to mention tired I..."

 "Trixie I get the feeling that you're just settling with me! I thought when Viv gave us his blessing and you fell pregnant with the girls that we'd turned a corner. You married me, we seemed happy but..."

"Caleb we are happy! We're just going through a little rough patch that's all because of our full house! Caleb please!"

 "I have paperwork to finish for tomorrow, I'll sleep in the attic so I don't disturb you. Goodnight Trixie!" And he leaves me alone to take in his thoughts.

My Caleb, what on Earth will I do without you? Please do not doubt that I love you, I need time to think, to discover my own feelings! Please don't let me be too late!

 Caleb is out at work and I spent the night in a lonely bed last night. Despite a messy house and unruly dogs I call my sister-in-law for a chat and perhaps some advice on how to handle her brother. She suggests that I try and let go of the past, Vivaan, and embrace my future, Caleb. 

I want to, I really do! But I have a block and I don't know how to get rid of it!!! She tells me she is unhappy and fat, she's not she is pregnant! Not long to go until the new baby arrives and Dylan is now a toddler. I suggest a play date with his cousins and she likes this idea, but she wants to wait until the baby arrives.

 I head out to work myself, the twins go to daycare and Vivvy arrives back from her first day of school, but coming home to an empty house is not her idea of fun so she goes to the park...and falls asleep!!!

 Caleb returns home from work with a promotion and a bad feeling. He has searched the house for his beloved Vivvy but she is nowhere to be seen! The dogs are all whimpering and wondering where she is too!

 Of course Caleb thinks the worst, Vlad has taken her! He is terrified and about to call me at work when a little voice chirps behind him...

"Hi daddy!" Vivvy beams as Caleb let's out a huge sigh of relief.

"Oh thank heavens, Vivvy get inside please before someone sees you!"

"But..." My daughter is confused, we have never told her about Vlad, we will but it is too soon! She is too young!

"GO!" Caleb never shouts, so she knows this is important.

"Yes daddy!"

 The twins are back from daycare and Caleb is in a foul mood. Abi has a dirty nappy and they are standing on the porch in full view of anyone who happens by. Caleb takes care of the nappy and swiftly takes her inside.

 Later that evening after the twins and Vivvy have been fed, there is a commotion at the front door. Doodle is going crazy!!!

 Caleb goes to see what is going on when he stops dead in his tracks! Vladislaus Straud is at our door! And he is being attacked by Doodle...

 ...and now her mother Heidi! Luckily he does not recognise either of them, if it had been Buzz then we would have been in trouble! Caleb continues to watch, frozen on the spot and unsure of how to proceed!

Finally he answers the door to a rather shaken Vlad. "Vatore good God! What are you wearing boy???"

"My work clothes Master Straud, what are you doing here?"

"You haven't been to any meetings in a while I was...concerned! And what is with all the canines???" Caleb laughs nervously, it is true he has neglected the vampire club he founded in favour of his family lately.

"Lilith wanted a pet so..."

"I see, well the meetings, you have missed very much dear boy!"

"Yeah..." Caleb notices Abi coming to say hello and his veins turn icy cold. "...I've been trying to make a bit of money Master Straud, I bet all my savings in the casino, stupid I know but hey!"

"Oh Vatore my dear boy I warned you about that habit of yours! Well, surely you can come to the next meeting, no?"

"Sure, yeah listen I have to go I...have to get up early for work so...nice of you to drop by!"

"VATORE!" Vlad shouts through the newly slammed front door, "I was going to ask you about Vivaan's little Trixie, have you seen her at all?" Caleb's stomach churns and he struggles to find a convincing excuse.

"No I'm so broke I only have time for work, in fact I'm kinda done with the whole town Mayor thing you can so have it Master Straud, consider me no longer a threat!"

Abi is behind him ascending the stairs, Caleb acts fast and turns into a bat with a curtain of black mist surrounding the frosted glass on the door. Vlad cannot see our little girl! Abi doesn't know why daddy is acting so strangely as he disappears and reappears in the kitchen to speak with me.

 "Oh Trixie!" Caleb grabs me and pulls me in for a strong, painful hug.

"Caleb what is wrong? What was all that noise at the door?"

 "Trixie we have to leave, it's Master Straud he's...we have to go!"

"No Caleb explain! Does he know I'm here? Does he know about Vivvy???"

"No, I don't think so...oh God I don't know! All I do know is he nearly saw Abi and we have to go! We cannot stay here any longer it is not safe!"

 "Caleb no! We have made a life here, we have made our family here! This is your home, you built it for you and Lilith! He doesn't know, we can still stay!"

"NO!" Caleb shouts, the second time today, "You don't know him like I do! He knows I'm being weird, he knows I have a job, and he now knows that I no longer want to fight him for Mayor of this town my promise to Viv was to stop this petty feud and I have! But he wants you and he wants Viv's child, if he finds her it's game over! And he will find her Trix! I can promise you that!"

 Caleb walks over to the window and closes his eyes, "Trixie baby I am sorry but we have to leave Wolfsbane Manor and we have to leave as soon as possible!"

And Caleb was right to be cautious, for Vladislaus Straud is no fool, he is ancient and wise and he sees EVERYTHING!!! "Wha...a child?"

TO BE CONTINUED...