They decided to hold the wedding at Brayton Hill in the garden behind the house. Harry invited Dr. Hutchins, but he was taking care of a sick patient in the country and could not attend. His daughter Regina, April’s cousin, showed up in his place and brought her husband, Percy. Regina had never been to Brayton Hill and didn’t seem to like the look of it.
Before the ceremony, she took April aside and said haughtily, “Are you quite certain you want to marry this man? You could do much better, my dear. His home is nothing but a box with windows!”
“Well, yes…” April said, faltering a little. “But…I want to marry him all the same.”
Regina grunted in disdain and left April alone to prepare for the wedding.
Harry was the happiest man in May Green when he married April Hutchins that day. Part of him wished his family could be there to see how well he had done, what a beautiful wife and home he had, but he knew they wouldn’t care. He put all thoughts of them aside and concentrated on April. This was their day.
After the guests had left and the house had been tidied up, Harry found April getting ready for bed. He couldn’t resist sneaking up and putting his arms around her to draw her near.
“Oh! You startled me,” April said as she leaned into him.
“Forgive me,” Harry said. “Shall we go to bed, Mrs. Brayton?”
“Yes, Mr. Brayton,” April said, laughing.
As Harry climbed into bed beside his new wife, he pondered the importance of this moment. It wasn’t just about April and the consummation of their marriage — it was about making a family, creating a child unto whom Harry could pass his legacy. Somehow that was just as important as his love for April and what they would share that evening.
Months passed, during which time Harry’s reputation as a physician’s assistant grew, and Dr. Hutchins talked of training him to become a full-fledged physician. Harry was ecstatic at the thought and spent even more time studying his medical books. Nothing could match his enthusiasm, however, when he discovered that April was carrying a child. He doted on her throughout her pregnancy, and when it came time for the child to be born, he was so nervous he couldn’t stand it.
While the midwife was in the bedroom with April, Harry waited in the parlor. He warmed himself in front of the stove, going over names in his head. “Frederick Edward Brayton…no…Edward James Brayton?…hmm…”
Suddenly his wife let out a horrible series of shrieks. Harry stood straight up, listening…there it was — the sound of his child crying. Moments later the midwife brought the baby out to Harry.
“It’s a girl,” she said, handing Harry the little bundle.
“A girl?” Harry hadn’t thought of any girls’ names. “I’ll ask April.”
“She’s exhausted,” said the midwife. “You’ll either have to name her yourself or wait until tomorrow.”
Harry stroked the fine hairs on the baby’s head. “Cecily, for the only relation who ever said anything nice to me, and Rose, because that’s what she is — a perfect little rose.”
Once April had recovered, she applauded Harry’s choice of name. “Cecily Rose! I adore roses. Which reminds me, our rose bushes need tending to.” She lifted Cecily into the air, admiring the green eyes she had inherited from her father.
Harry glanced up from one of his medical books and smiled. “Worry about this Rose first, dear,” he said. “I’m making enough money now that we can afford a gardener. I’ll put an ad in the Gazette.”
Harry did just that. He put an ad in the Gazette, but no one answered it for a long time. Eventually April took it upon herself to tend to the garden one afternoon while Harry was in town and the baby was asleep in her crib. As she hoisted the watering can over the tulips, she felt a sudden dizziness. She set the watering can in the grass and started for the house, but before she reached the garden gate, everything went black.
When Harry returned from work that evening, he heard the baby crying up a storm in the nursery. As he ran to fetch her, he called out for April, but she never came. With Cecily in his arms, he searched the house and grounds for her, finally happening upon her lifeless form in the garden.
Harry set Cecily down in the grass and rushed over to his wife, but it was too late.
Harry sank into despair. Had his parents been right all along? His life would be nothing now without April. What was he going to do?
A few feet away, the baby gurgled, and Harry glanced over. In that instant, a tiny glimmer of light began to glow in the midst of his darkness. He had lost April, but he still had Cecily, and she needed him.
Oh wow, love your story telling. It’s such a pity April died so soon! I really liked her. I like it how u managed to do that scene where Harry’s entering Dr Johns house and talking to him. Can’t wait to see how harry’s goign to cope as a single father
Excellent start! I very much enjoy your masterful storytelling and photographs. Please, keep up the great work!
Hi Jen, wow that’s a great start. So sad to say April died just when the family was coming together. I’m really looking forward to seeing your next post. Also I love all the Victorian outfits, houses, and I truely missed your storytelling.
Oh Jen, i’m going to get more addicted to your site… i just know it.
Happy Simming and have a great weekend!
Jen…I love this story line. The clothes idea is looking great. Wow I look forward to the next installment. Poor wife died so quickly eh?
This is a wonderful idea to take your Sims through time. The clothing is perfect. Your writing and creativity are fantastic. I feel like crying. Poor Harry and baby Cecily. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
I love the new Legacy. The story is wonderful, but poor April! Of course it can’t be any worse than what I did to Jade… ;)
Oh wow! What a story, ay? The wife dying reminded me of this book I am re-reading right now (as in, a few minutes ago *scary*) called Jack & Sarah. It’s really good. Keep up the good work and storytelling, I’m looking forwards to the next update. This is gonna be interesting, Jen…. :) Cya.
Great story Jen, even tough I regret the fact that you had April die so soon (or did this happen by accident?? Seems to me like victorian life is NOT easy on those poor sims…)
Can’t wait to read what happens next!
This is wonderful. I love period dramas, and everything needed is right in your story. Thanks for giving us something wonderful to read!
WOW great update Jen! Do you know why April died? And is April even a townie? LOL I was thinking that she was and you moved her in and changed herclothes and junk before this (thing) lol.
Oooh, I like this! How did you get everyone to wear those clothes? Did you have April move in first and then change her? It was a sad twist, but those make stories all the more interesting.
Aw, poor April! How random… anyway, great story-telling, Jen! I really enjoy your narration. Am looking forward to what happens in the next post. And I love the clothes, btw, really pretty! :D
Hey guys, thanks for all the comments! I had a blast playing this family and writing the story. I’m sorry to make you guys sad about April — I have to confess that her death was not an accident. Yes, I’m an evil Sim-killer. But it was all for the good of the story and the family — this is still a Legacy challenge family after all. ;-)
Lindsey and Mao, you are both right — April was a Townie, and I moved her in first so I could change her clothing and hairstyle. When Harry brought her home from work they were both in their blue medical uniforms! He looks pretty funny wearing one of those and a top hat…
Hope to post a Mia Shanley update sometime today!
Oh dear. Why did she die. How sad. I feel so sorry for the poor fellow. However, this is a great story Jen. You are a really talented story-teller.
Oh, I love the victorian theme…fascinating really. I am sad that April died so soon though…LOL! Great story though. HUGS!
Wow, Jen! What a great change from what we’re used to. :-) I’d say something, but I feel as if everyone already said what I’m thinking in some way or another. I seems like you’re starting out great. What size lot did you start on? Well I can’t wait to read about Mia!
oh, jen, that was a great story! i can’t wait to read more of this medieval twist to the legacy challenge. :)
Wow! That’s GREAT, Jen!
I love April’s clothes, and little Cecily – I wonder if you can get Victorian toddler clothes…:)
Keep it up!
E-Liz :)
S’sad.
Cecily is a funny name–but.
:/ I’m sorta sad she didn’t keep her mother’s eyes–’cause they were so soft. t_t
Oooooh! Just heard on news that there was a big shoot out thingy for teens in Minnesota? Hope everyone’s okies…. Just checking. Jen, don’t you live about there ay? *tear* Stay safe all you crazy Simmers!
Dustyn – I hadn’t heard about the shooting, so I checked Google News. Very sad. Apparently it took place in Bemidji, which is about 300 miles north of where I live (I’m in the southernmost part of MN).
TG ::phew:: Was a little worried for a moment there… You never know if someone was just ‘visiting’ a school or happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time. Good to know everything’s okay in the US of A!
Awwww … *sniffle* How sad!! I wonder what happened to her. Did she die of consumption? I really like this “period” piece that you have created! Very original! I look forward to reading more about this man and his daughter.
I love this one! The period-style clothes are cool!