“Will you play us something?” Cecily chimed in, jumping up from the sofa. It was the first time in weeks Harry had seen her look excited about something.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Arianna said. She looked at the piano longingly. “It’s been so long.”
“Please?” said Cecily. “Father even bought you some sheet music.”
“Well, I suppose I could try,” Arianna said. Almost before she finished her sentence, Harry was pulling out the piano bench for her.
Taking a deep breath, she sat down and started to glance through the sheet music. She saw a few familiar songs — “Wait ‘Til the Sun Shines, Nellie”, “In the Good Old Summertime”, and “My Dusky Rose”. But when she started playing, it was something from memory, something her mother had taught her before she came to live at Brayton Hill — a song called “I’ll Be Your Sweetheart”.
Even though Arianna hadn’t played in years, the notes fell into place easily and gracefully. Cecily watched, enthralled, and Harry felt more contented than he had in a long, long time.
They spent the rest of the evening singing all of the songs Arianna could play, and before Arianna turned in that night, she gave Harry a bright smile and a simple “thank you”. That was all Harry needed; he drifted off to his room in a blissful state and fell asleep with Arianna’s piano still playing in his head.
The next day was Sunday, Arianna’s cleaning day. While Cecily practiced on the piano in the parlor and Harry tended to the garden, Arianna swept and dusted, scrubbed and scoured.
It was while making the beds that Arianna had a sort of revelation: she loved Harry. She really did! She didn’t know if it had been the piano, or the way he had looked at her when she thanked him, but somehow she had overcome her sense of propriety and fallen in love with her employer. What was she going to do now?
For the moment, she continued to clean the house. It was hard work, but thankfully the house was still rather small, and she was finished by late afternoon. Humming a song under her breath, Arianna headed straight for the piano and began to play.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and Cecily had gone outside to sit under the willow and write in her diary. Harry was in the parlor studying some new medical texts that had arrived from the city two days before. Every so often he would look up from his book and watch Arianna play, his eyes glowing with adoration.
Arianna seemed to be playing every romantic song in existence, and with such great feeling that finally Harry had to put his books down and approach her.
Harry waited for a quiet moment in the song before interrupting with a soft “Arianna…”
Arianna stopped playing and looked up at Harry. “Yes, sir?”
His heart sounding inside him like a thousand horses running at full gallop, Harry took Arianna by the hand and led her out into the middle of the room. Arianna didn’t shy away from his touch, nor did she look anything but pleased when he dropped to one knee and, for the second time, asked her to marry him.
This time, Arianna said “yes”.
(continued on Page 3)
This has nothing to do with your update but I noticed you changed your motto. “Where llamas are considered ‘good marriage material’ Hmm. University. Oh and as usual great update!
Nice new motto! That cracked me up quite a bit. ;)
The story is coming along wonderfully. It’ll be interesting to watch Cecily’s attempts at winning the Haddaway’s affections. I know these posts take you quite a bit of time to write, but they’re so great! Well worth the effort.
Great update! I love this story!
brillaint update as usual. hehe I can feel some teenage drama coming along :p I just love how you can set the mood and atmosphere of the story so nicely and their dialogues are good too^^
You are truely a good writer Jen, I always look forward to your updates. It shows that you put such hard work into them!!
Hmmm…. So, Arianna being ex-NPC and April being ex-Townie, Arthur really is going to be the heir? And Cecily is going to marry a CAS-made Sim after she moves out? Are you timing the right era for girls to be able to go to college and become the heir? Are the Haddaways and the Hutchins CAS-Sims? April and Arianna are their real name? (I smell too many “A”s) Did you by any chance evilly pick, use and dispose April just to add some funds to the coffin*sniff**sob*?
You don’t have to answer those silly questions. I just wanted to tell you that your story-telling is awe-inspiring as usual, and the whole guessing about the “behind-the-scene” is adding even more to the fun!
It seems that the restriction of the challenge is working the other way to further inspire your creativity (…am I making sense? My brain is dead and cannot be switched to the English-mode).
Very good update Jen ..give yourself a pat on the back for giving us a good story. I’m slowly working my family back up after that darned bug forced me to move my family out ..I should be posting an update before the weekend comes. Toodles..V
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I’m having a blast with this family even though it does take me a long time to write an update.
Chie, to answer some of your questions:
So, Arianna being ex-NPC and April being ex-Townie, Arthur really is going to be the heir?
Yep. Besides, women in May Green can’t inherit property yet. ;-)
And Cecily is going to marry a CAS-made Sim after she moves out?
That remains to be seen…
Are the Haddaways and the Hutchins CAS-Sims?
The Haddaways and Dr. Hutchins are CAS-Sims. April Hutchins was a townie and Arianna Jalowitz was the maid. And yes, those are their real names. I’m kicking myself now for naming the baby “Arthur” when I already have so many ‘A’ names.
Did you by any chance evilly pick, use and dispose April just to add some funds to the coffin*sniff**sob*?
I did it for several reasons, all of which could be considered evil — she brought money to the household, she gave me a ghost color, and her death set the stage for some drama in the story. She had a beautiful daughter, too, who is sure to give us some more drama…
Jen, it was definitely four hours well spent, sweetie. I literally have tears in my eyes from reading this update. I’m glad you are willing to take such time out of your life to share all this with us. It is really is quite special for all of your readers and I’m sure we all appreciate the story — and you — very much.
Thank you for the Braytons and everything you do for the community. You’re wonderful baby! :)
Okay, I’m pretty sure it’s your writing, but those two sims look really inlove. The picture you captured of Harry looking at Arianna while she was playing the piano is so romantic. Thanks for taking the time to write these stories and share them with the rest of us. :)
I am really loving this story and this take on the challenge. Chie was right, this seems to be bringing out your creativity not stifling it. ;) How did you get such different NPC’s and townies? Did you use a hack to clear the neighborhood before beginning so that all new NPC’s and townies would be generated? Just curious. All the time you spend on these posts is time well spent. Keep up the great work!
Jen,
This is a really wonderful story. It adds a new dimension to the Legacy challenge, and I think everyone is ready for a fresh perspective on that! You’ve done a great job keeping their behavior true to history…at least it lines up with what I’ve read in period novels! A true pleasure to read. I can’t wait to read the next installment!
I love it! I echo everyone’s sentiments about this edition. You are a remarkable and creative writer, Jen. I enjoy all your stories. :)
Well done, Jen! I think everyone’s pretty much covered what I need to say. Summary: Awesome! I can’t wait for the next update! ;-)
Very pretty his history, honestly i prefer this Legacy Challenge than the another one, but of course this is me.
This history of time almost remember me to the books of Amanda Quick.
Good work
Yay! They finally got hitched! I love how Cecily’s already got her husband picked out, but you can never plan too much, can you?
Arthur is adorable! His little blue eyes are just gorgeous! Looking forward to the next part, nice work Jen, I love how you write your stories! :D
Hi Jen. Awesome job on the story and update. But i’m sure you read we all loved it. I have a question: How did you get your guest to dress up? Do you have everyone dressed in victorian clothing?
I know you found cool looking crib for the time period you are in and i wonder if you can include a pic of them using it. Also, will you be getting someone to paint a portriat of you founder like in your previous challenage?
Anyhoo, love your writting like always and i’m so glad you do take the time to entertain us with your sims. Can’t wait for your next update, but you already know that too :-D
It Sucks
8D
WELL I LIKED IT TOO.
I like it lots, Jen! I LOVE the little kids’ dresses, they’re so cute. I can’t wait to see what Arthur turns out like…he’s just so…so…CUTE!
E-Liz :)
Wow, Jen, thank you for answering my silly questions! How inquisitive of me.
And you have a troll now! Looks like your blog is getting really popular.