Arianna’s Piano

Arianna and Harry were married a few weeks later in a small but elegent ceremony behind the house. Dr. Hutchins was there, beaming proudly and congratulating himself on his good advice to Harry. Also attending were Dr. Hutchins’s daughter Regina, her husband Percy (one of Harry’s very good friends), and the Haddaways from the mansion across the street.

The Haddaways thought they were quite above such a simple affair (“She doesn’t even have lace or pearls on her dress — and no veil!” Mrs. Haddaway was overheard saying to Regina), but Harry was the most promising new doctor in May Green, and whether the event was extravagant or not, they thought it would cast them in a favorable light if they attended. As the wealthiest family in town, they already looked like royalty — now they just had to act like it.

Harry didn’t care who attended, though he was glad to see Dr. Hutchins. He floated on a cloud all day knowing Arianna was now his wife. He did think of April a few times throughout the ceremony — after all, she had been his first love — but nothing could dampen his delight that day, not even the snooty Haddaways.

Harry and Arianna on their wedding day

As for Cecily, she was overjoyed that her father was marrying Arianna. She would have a mother again, and she needed someone she could confide in now that she was becoming a young lady. In a few years she would be 16, of marriageable age, and ready to find herself a husband.

Unless she had already found him — Cecily couldn’t help but notice how handsome the Haddaway boys were, especially James, the elder son, who had just turned 13 and was allowed to drink champagne.

Cecily notices James

Cecily wished she could talk to him, but she knew he would have dismissed her as a silly child. In her diary that evening, she wrote that she had met the boy she was going to marry, and that she couldn’t wait until she grew up so she could be Mrs. James Haddaway.

Elsewhere in the house, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brayton were celebrating their marriage with tender affection and amorous sighs.

Harry caresses Arianna's face

It wasn’t long before Arianna was showing signs of pregnancy and was ordered to rest until the baby was born. Harry wasn’t going to take any chances with his second wife — she would be pampered and taken care of, have the best midwife, the best doctor (in this case, Dr. Hutchins), and not lift a finger. Arianna protested, of course, but Harry believed that April had died from exhaustion after the birth of Cecily, and he didn’t want that happening to Arianna.

To that end, he hired a new maid to care for the house and Cecily, even though Cecily was becoming increasingly able to take care of herself. She was turning into quite the little lady, he thought, even entertaining guests like Mrs. Haddaway and her young daughter Dorothy.

The Haddaways were still as haughty as ever, but Cecily was determined to be part of their family someday. She tried her best to become friends with Dorothy, who was just a bit younger and therefore more juvenile in her behavior.

One day when Cecily was showing Dorothy her mother’s gravestone, Dorothy said, “I heard your mother was a very respectable lady. I wonder what she thinks of the new Mrs. Brayton!”

Dorothy giggles at Cecily

She giggled then, and Cecily was taken aback. It bothered her to think that the Haddaways looked down on Arianna for once having been the Braytons’ maid. But that didn’t stop her from trying to insinuate herself into their good graces.

Cecily knew that her father and Arianna were hoping for a boy who could inherit Brayton Hill. All of their hopes would be pinned on him. That left Cecily with nothing to do but marry someone, and if it couldn’t be a Haddaway, she figured she might as well dig a grave right next to her mother and throw herself into it.

Unfortunately Harry was too busy with work, Arianna, and the impending birth of his child to notice Cecily’s melodramatics.

And Cecily was right, of course. When Arianna finally gave birth, Harry was overjoyed to discover that he had a son. As much as he loved Cecily, he had been hoping for a boy who could take over the reins when he himself passed on. Brayton Hill was far from being the splendid home he knew it could be one day, and he looked to his new son to make sure his legacy continued.

Arianna holds the baby

A day after the birth, Harry named the baby Arthur George Brayton. As he watched Arianna hold Arthur and place a gentle kiss on his forehead, he felt more joy than he had felt in his whole life. Things were finally right again.

21 thoughts on “Arianna’s Piano

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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^^

  4. You are truely a good writer Jen, I always look forward to your updates. It shows that you put such hard work into them!!

  5. 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).

  6. 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

  7. 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…

  8. 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! :)

  9. 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. :)

  10. 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!

  11. 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!

  12. I love it! I echo everyone’s sentiments about this edition. You are a remarkable and creative writer, Jen. I enjoy all your stories. :)

  13. 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! ;-)

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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 :)

  18. 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.