Generation 3: Chapter 2. Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend

The house was busy. I mean, really busy. Although there were only two people living there, it was also inhabited by round about ten animals, which turned the place into a loud playground wherever they went. Fortunately most of them couldn’t get out of their cages –unless they were taken out of there -, but Lina, Bello and Cookie ran around all day, preferably resting directly in front of the doors or at other places that made Emma and Brianna trip more than one time. Still, they loved each and every one of them.

Brianna apparently also loved somebody else. In the past few days she had realized that every time she thought about Norman Hatch-Hart, Cella’s former romantic interest, there were butterflies in her stomach, not allowing her to sleep or to think straight. Was she falling for a man who had once loved her sister? Apparently, yes. She knew her time was up, so she called him over to tell him how she feels. Nobody knew how much time they had left and she didn’t want to spend that time alone, but with him. He was a little overwhelmed, but soon accepted that first kiss that was the beginning of a love that shouldn’t last too long.

That very day Brianna was playing with the dogs out in the garden when all of a sudden a weird feeling came over her. First she couldn’t feel her legs anymore, then her arms became agravic and then the rest of her body as well. The poor dogs couldn’t understand what was happening there, but Emma who came as soon as she heard something outside knew what was going on there. Her mother was dying, leaving her all alone with all the animals.

Brianna begged for some more time, but the Grim Reaper was lessed than impressed and sent her straight to heaven.

But apparently something about humanity had stuck in his head, as he afterwards went to take the trash out. Um, thank you…?

Emma didn’t know how to go on now that her beloved mother was dead. For quite some time they had been living in this house together and had really started bonding. It had taken Brianna some time, but by now they had a really good relationship. Losing her was the worst thing that could possibly have happened. For hours she would sit on the table, staring across the room, not touching her mac and cheese. Life as she knew it had ended. Now she had to be responsible for herself.

Whereas somewhere else life began. Lina and Cello had been getting on very well all the time they knew each other and both of them felt it was time to take the next step. They wanted to create something that would last for a long time, a symbol of their bond.

Apart from their newly discovered love there was not much joy these days in Emma’s house. Someone was missing and by now all of them knew who that was. Emma tried to distract herself and the animals by playing with them as often as they could, taking them to the park or for a long walk. On one of these she accidentally ran into her older sister Daisy, who was playing her guitar in the dog park. She had grown quite a bit and finished high school a few months ago. Now she had joined the music career and wanted to become a star. The relationship between her and Marilyn Schrott-Bunch hadn’t lasted; Marilyn soon had left her for a man. Now she was focusing on music.

The big day had arrived! For some time, Lina had just been walking around lazily, carrying a huge stomach with her. Emma (who didn’t know of what had happened between the two dogs) had thought she had just eaten too much, but when she suddenly lay down and made inexplicable noises, she instantly knew what was going on. She was having puppies!

Everybody, meet Arbo and Kati! No, wait, Kati and Arbo. I mean…crap.

To celebrate, Emma put on her best dress and went over to the local restaurant. It was time to meet people and to start living. She had been alone after her mother’s death way too long and needed to get out of this. She started by running into her aunt Cella in front of said restaurant! She had recently aged into a senior and decided to cut her hair quite a bite. Emma was happy to see her, but had to realize that she didn’t know much about her aunt. It mostly was like meeting new people.

Starting to live again had been a good idea. There was so much that had to be done, starting with collecting little animals. By searching for them, Emma walked around town a lot and discovered beautiful places she had never seen before. Isn’t Sunset Valley just amazing?

The animals seemed to think that as well – on all the meadows Emma found whatever she wanted. Like lizards, who were trying to hide in the green grass, being green and all. Emma found them anyway but made sure not to hurt them.

Soon, it was prom time! There was nobody Emma could show her awesome dress to and there was nobody to tell how excited she was about being voted prom queen! Well, she could tell her animals, but that was not the same as telling her mother. If only her parents had still been there. Nevertheless it was an amazing evening, ending with a passionate dance between her and this boy from her music class, who she had noticed quite some time ago. She didn’t know if he could be right for her, but it was worth a shot!

Author's notes: Goodbye, Brianna... her last love interest really didn't last that long, too bad. It was weird to suddenly see her with Norman, as I always had pictured Norman with Cella! But she really wanted to kiss him. And died later that day....Now Emma is all alone with the animals.

I had major playing issues which weren't so obvious when I took these pictures, but mostly came up afterwards. They made me make a decision I am not too happy about, but there was no other way. Next chapter will be still "normal", but then you will see what I mean.

Oh, and: I am getting on with Emma much better than I did in the beginning. :)

Chapter title by James Blunt