Kira,
Welcome back to Sunset Valley! Your friends, neighbors, and family have missed you for these last eight months that you have been away in Bridgeport. We hope you find it in your heart to stay with us, and we also hope you enjoy the newest editions to Sunset Valley that have been made while you were traveling abroad with your family. Little Dance Clubs, Nectaries, and a new Gym have been added to the convenience of you and your future children, along with all the other citizens. A lot of publicity has been brought to our quaint little town, all thanks to you. Your mother and father would be so proud of your accomplishments.
Sincerely, The Mayor
My house was spectacular under the clear blue sky and bright sun in my home town. I breathed in the fresh air, glad to be out of the Bridgeport smog. I honestly loved the big city, and I would enjoy visiting there often, but it is not as family oriented as I would like, and now that Bridgeport has become so popular, little changes were made to Sunset Valley to bring in tourists. There is a dance club and also a little sports bar under construction, along with a lounge. I am excited for these developments.
The ponds in front of my house were a wonderful addition, since my house was re-created on a bigger lot. I also drew up some new interior design plans, and picked out paint pallets. The improvements will be made and I will go through and take pictures once everything is completed!
The children have a fantastic view of the town from their play tower, which I am grateful for since they could view Bridgeport as well.
My ponds at night have gorgeous lanterns that have a dim orange glow. The colorful plants also make a great improvement, at any time of the day or night!
"Well at least we can still play chess, since the upstairs is being remodeled first," Tatianna pointed out during one of the twins' famous chess games.
"Very true, Sis," Avi agreed. "I can't wait to see our new room!"
"Girls!" I hollered from the top of the stairs, "Please get into bed! You have school in the morning!"
"On it Mom!" They replied in unison. Their beds were placed downstairs during the renovation, which I wasn't exactly comfortable with, since it was almost directly by the front door. They promised me they would be fine, and Aidan would protect them that night. The toddler's cribs were arranged messily in my room for the time being, which I didn't have a problem with. I loved being close to my children.
Early the next morning, Aidan came out into the garden while everyone else was sleeping.
"Hey Ma, I'm shifting out right now. I got a job offer at the Bistro and I found a nice place to stay."
"So soon? What about saying goodbye to the girls?" I was sad to see my 13th child grown up and ready to move on to the real world, especially since he was so special to my challenge, being the tribute child to Violet Jane Newbie, one of my GREAT challenge mother friends.
"We said our goodbyes last night, I told them I would be leaving before they woke up, and I promised I would visit them often. I want to take them out to lunch or breakfast every week if that's alright?"
"Of course!" I exclaimed, "You don't need my permission to spoil your little sisters!"
He laughed and hugged me goodbye and I watched him drive away.
The triplets were fussing, so I snuggled each of them.
"Are you ready for your birthday, Neil?" I smiled at my first little Reggae baby, who smiled toothlessly back up at me.
The Reggae Birthday!
Neil Jones, Baby 16 as a toddler. He is a Marley reincarnation!
Lance Jones, Baby 17. He's got a good mixture of both Bob and I, I can't wait to see who he looks like more when he grows up!
And Zeus Jones, Baby 18. He looks like me mostly, right down to his skin tone. It seems the only thing he inherited from his father is his hair!
Lance and Neil enjoy their time at the dollhouse. I was happy that the learning room was not undergoing any renovations and the triplets would not have to miss out on the important developmental stages of their lives.
Potty Training Time! Tatianna and Avril ALWAYS wanted to help out with the boys, which I was always happy about. Every mother needs extra helping hands! The girls wanted to help out as much as possible, since tomorrow was their birthday, and they would be young adults.
Avril Jones, Baby 14, as a young adult. She was completely gorgeous, and her agent was on the phone with her immediately with an acting offer.
Tatianna Jones, Baby 15, as a young adult. She looks the most like her father, but her muscular build is perfect for her dream job as a Police Woman. She was born tough!
A week passed, with nothing too spectacular. The house was still in renovation stage, and I had to add three more beds to the first floor of the house. The boys learned how to walk and talk, which would be good because their birthdays were the next Sunday...
"Grow up well, boys!" The girls cheered. They wanted to stick around the house to help me out, which of course I agreed to.
Neil as a child. He was quite unique, and never wanted to brush his hair. I would not crush his individuality, so I left it alone, although it was hard not to pull a brush through it every now and again. He would always tell me, "MA! Will you stop being such a neat freak?!" I couldn't help but laugh. He knew my personality backwards and forwards.
Lance as a child. He was another little adventurous spirit, and very vocal. He would sing and constantly talk, or hum and whistle as he did homework or worked on chores. He didn't laugh as much as his brothers, though. He would crack a smile when I talked to him, or giggle when his brothers gossiped with him. I figured it was his Grumpy trait.
Zeus as a child. Now, I know as a mother, I am not supposed to pick favorites. However, my sweet, silent, and studious 18th child was just as adorable on the inside as he was on the outside. His big, chocolate brown eyes and gorgeous, creamy skin tone reminded me of my favorite teddy bear when I was a child. He defiantly filled a missing spot in my heart.
The girls participated in their last chess match in the Jones house, since they were shifting out the next day.
"We had a good run, Sis," Avi sighed to her sister.
"Yes we did, I'm going to miss this house. Everything reminds me of it already," Tatianna pulled out a remote to the radio and switched it to her favorite childhood song "Fishin' in the Dark" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and sung along. Avril beat her sister twice in chess before they headed off to bed. Tatianna never lost, she was totally not on her game that day.
The next morning, I made a special breakfast of Eggs Machiavellian for the boys first day of school and the girls last breakfast in my house.
"Yes! I have conquered the flipping technique. I am the "Chef Ramsey" of the Jones house!" My kids laughed at my sudden cry of accomplishment through bites of their breakfast.
The boys got home, and Lance followed me around the house while I was cleaning instead of doing his homework with his brothers. He didn't say a word, he just stared up at me. I finally brought him outside and said, "Talk to me, Lance."
"Well...." He proceeded cautiously, "A man came up to me at school today."
I gave him a confused look, "Did he tell you who he was?"
"Well...." He looked down again, "He did, but he lied. He said he was my dad, and he wanted to give me a ride home. But I've seen pictures of Dad, and this man was NOT my dad."
I started to get worried. Why would a man lie to my child about something as touchy as the subject as a father in the challenge? Did they not realize that I do not keep my children from their fathers? All of my children have either met their fathers or have seen their pictures in my messy files in my nightstand drawers. I gave Lance a hug, "Please don't be worried, Son. I will call some of your older brothers and make sure they watch you and your brothers for as long as you don't feel safe. If you see that man again, you will point him out to your brothers and remember as much as you can about him. Can you do that for me?"
"Sure Ma. Who will you be calling? I would like to meet my vampire brother..." Lance hinted with adorable honesty.
I laughed and gave him a hug, "I will call Brody, Kale, Riley, and Aidan. You will meet almost all of your older brothers."
I went in to start dinner, the thought of that strange man still on my mind. Avril and Lance have gotten really close since they both aged up. Lance is always more comfortable around adults.
Everyone sat down at the dinner table and enjoyed the last, simple dinner together.
It was after that dinner though, when things started to get a little weird...
You stupid wall, I can't believe you. Why can't you be a NORMAL wall?! Don't look at me like that, you think you're all fancy with your stupid paint and your stupid pictures. WELL GUESS WHAT! I'M FANCY TOO!
Check out my clothes! Yeah, and I have hands so I can punch you! Don't talk back to me, your just a dumb pointless wall, I'll take a hammer to you! What's that? You're sorry?
*sigh* I'm sorry too, Wall. All you do is talk smack and you know how that makes me feel. Now I have to apologize to Ma since you're her wall and I punched you.
"I'm sorry for punching your wall, Mom," Neil apologized as I watched the scene from the kitchen with wide eyes. Everyone was quiet until Zeus walked up to Neil and gave him a high five.
"Yeah Neil! Show that wall who's boss!" We all smiled at the moment.
The girls waved goodbye and gave us all hugs before shifting out. I am sure going to miss my closest twins who brought sunshine into the Jones house!
The triplets enjoyed their favorite show before bedtime as I cleaned up the house.
"Time for bed, boys!" I announced as the clock on the wall chimed 9 pm.
6 little feet padded up the steps to their newly refurbished room for a nice relaxing night of dreams...
Except mine was not so relaxing. At 2, I woke up in a panicked state. Something wasn't right. I bolted upstairs to the boys room to find them all sound asleep. Above each of the boys' beds was a note written on blank, thick white paper in the same sloppy scrawl. All three of the notes read the same thing.
Kira. If you want this boy to stay safe, go to the pond. Our pond.
~j
I didn't know what was going on, or why the mysterious fog seemed increasing ever so slightly in density and thickness. I didn't know who "J" was. I couldn't recall sharing experiences at the pond with anyone who called them self "J", let alone have a name that started with it. I didn't know why I felt woozy and why my throat burned. The fog enveloped around me, suffocating me, and my last conscientious memory was slipping into a place in the back of my mind, where everything was black and empty.
J
She was more beautiful than I remembered. And harder to control than I imagined. Her mind works in a way I haven't seen before, the only way I could get her to recognize my intrusion in her mind was to threaten her children. Once I was in her mind, I had to continue the threats,or she would drift away from me. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her as she shed her clothes and slipped into the water. It was easy to control her actions once she fainted from the gas, I could leave my mark easily.
She stared at the mirror in her hand. No emotion, no fear, just inspecting. She wouldn't remember what happened, she would remember what I made her remember. Her memory of the night before was wiped in the morning and I brought her back to her house.
Kira
I woke up, fully clothed, on walkway in front of my house on Saturday morning. I was dazed, I couldn't remember anything significant. There was also another sensation... fire. My lower back was burning intensely, I thought my skin was ignited. I screamed and dropped to the ground writhing in pain. The boys ran down the stairs, all three of their faces were similar. Their eyes were puffy and red, and their cheeks were tear stained from crying all morning. Zeus had a phone pressed to his ear, crying at the Sim on the other end. I heard a female voice from upstairs crack up two octaves as she screamed my name.
Tatianna Mortelle sprinted to my side and lifted me through the door into the shade of the house.
"What's wrong, Kira! Tell me what's wrong!" She shook me hard, trying to rattle the answer out of me.
"Fire... My back is on FIRE!" I cried again as Tatianna rolled me over and lifted the back of my shirt up. As soon as she did, the fire ceased until it was just a warm feeling, like having a Flame Fruit held to my back.
"MOM!" Zeus yelled as he pressed his cool hand to the side of my face, "IS THAT A TATTOO?!" I turned around and shot up to my feet, ripping my shirt off as I ran to the mirror...
And gaped at the huge, colorful ink spot covering half of my throbbing back.
