Life in Christophe Harbour

Beautiful house, and nicely furnished! I love your way to make a house comfy and sweet, Good work on this one Toni

It's sooooooo good to have you back Jackie!

I hope when you get a chance, you'll get to catch up on the story of Carolyn and Marco. I even had the contest for someone to win Carolyn and Marco as a download...but no body got the answer. But I'll have another one soon. I know you're dying to have her in your game!

I'm into a home decorating and landscaping phase this week, but will get back to playing tonight.

Missed you soooo much!

Toni wrote:

I totally love this little dude! Ha haaaaaaa! Great smilie Elle! Tee hee!

I thought you would get a kick out of that!

I am really loving that house, Toni! You really did a beautiful job on it! Your decorating skills continue to amaze me.

Autumnelle wrote:

I am really loving that house, Toni! You really did a beautiful job on it! Your decorating skills continue to amaze me.

I just popped by to say my Sim-self is one lucky girl!

He is quite a looker.

Oh, momma. That boy is...sizzling. Yum yum yum. (Pretty babies on the way )

Their new house is breathtaking! You did a beautiful job! Everything just looks so realistic.

Toni

Sweet guy you made him very well

G'day everybody! I come bearing a rather sensational and possibly upsetting update. This story continues to spiral all over the place, and so I've decided to speed up the updates in the interest of readers' blood pressure levels.

I won't waste time posting the other things that are happening in my game until I'm all done with this saga. I promise more frequent (though likely distressing) updates.

To those who're interested in what else is going on in my hood...I will be helping Carolyn's story along with the occasional magazine or newspaper post...you can catch up on other happenings by reading all the headlines and side-stories. For newspapers I'll post links to larger versions so you can read the fine print.

Now, to all the club-wielding vikings, and assorted foot-stomping, stick-out-tongue folks out there....buckle up...it's about to get really bumpy. :muahaha:

---

Marco was in Canada filming a new movie when Carolyn and Kyle got married a month later.

FOR LARGER IMAGE CLICK HERE

Marco felt as though Carolyn had reached inside of his chest with her bare hands and ripped his heart out. He was sure a piece of him died on that day.

Watching TV in his hotel room a couple of weeks later, he saw her in a smiling interview on Helen saying that she and Kyle really hadn't been in a rush to get married, they'd known each other since they were kids. He was her brother's best friend.

She looked beautiful...

...And Marco felt ill.

Over the next few years, he threw himself into his work, winning award after award as he fast became one of the hottest commodities in the industry.

He perfected the art of dating career-obsessed women who weren't looking to settle down.


Marco instinctively learned to recognize the early signs of emotional attachment, and gently create space so things drifted amiably apart. It was not a particularly conscious thing on his part, but rather a survival mechanism.

His fast moving career assisted in that regard and Marco's star continued to rise. He was regularly dubbed Simmiewood's most eligible bachelor and named the 'Sexist Man Alive' by People Magazine.

He kept abreast of Carolyn's career and life through industry rags and TV programmes and mutual friends.

Within six or seven years Carolyn and Kyle had had three children: two girls and a boy.

Her sitcom, Buddies, was still at the top of the ratings, the directors choosing to shoot around her pregnancies over the years.

Kyle's menswear line was a great success and he had given up modeling to concentrate on his business.

Within a few years of their 'dream wedding' there were rumors popping up in the tabloids about Kyle and other women. (SEE RUMOR CIRCLED ON THE RIGHT. BY THE WAY, AMAYA COLLINS IS THE GIRL MARCO DATED IN COLLEGE)

Marco assumed Carolyn would have heard the rumors. He wondered if she was happy.

Because she was a protective mother, other than her show and her required appearances, she didn't really move in the Simmiewood jet set circle, so Marco managed to avoid running directly into her for many years.

He largely avoided events hosted by mutual friends. He would decline their invitations using his busy work schedule as an excuse, and then would later reciprocate by inviting them to his place when he was in town.


He did glimpse Carolyn at the occasional Simmiewood award ceremony or premier, but they never came face to face.

Not for nearly ten years when he went home to Christophe Harbour for Andre and Toni Stovic's wedding anniversary party.

Carolyn saw Marco as soon as she entered the room.

Kyle was in India sourcing fabrics for his new summer line, and so she had come to the party alone. She was greeted warmly by Andre and his wife Toni. Andre was a successful architect. Toni was a news anchor at NNN (National News Network). They lived in Christophe Harbour not far from where Carolyn and Kyle had settled with their family.


Marco was standing alone looking at a painting...

...When he seemed to sense someone looking at him, and he turned towards her. The familiarity of his face, made her stomach flip over, and she chided herself. "Get it together Carolyn."

He looked wonderful. He seemed to be getting more handsome with age. His striking features were sharper and more distinguished. He looked like a Roman god she thought, staring at his translucent skin, and dark hair framing his smoky blue-gray eyes.

She moved towards him, not even sure what she was going to say. He stood watching her approach, and just as she began to panic over what she would say to him, his face melted into a soft smile.

She went through with it. Well, all I can say is I hope the rumors are just rumors and that he's treating her right. And Marco doesn't have anyone to blame for missing out on his chance with Carolyn but himself. You snooze, you lose. He could have taken her calls after their night together. I really don't feel too sorry for him. I still want to know what happened to make her get back together with Kyle. At least they have some cute kids.

Woah, I'm farther behind on commenting than I though. I love the weddings. Toni's dress, and her house, and her new hubby are all gorgeous. She's one lucky sim lady!

Quote :

But not with you, Dearheart! You're doing a fabulous job with this story, pulling your readers right along where you need us, setting us up for whatever you wish. And then letting us witness all the heartbreak and twisted emotions. You are a master storyteller, lady.

Oh, and I totally agree with everything Ari said in this post. I was starting not to care whether or not they got together before, then they slept together and I was rooting for them again, then it all went downhill . . . You really are everything Ari said above. You know just how much to give us to keep us going along. Excellent!

All I'm prepared to tell you is that you will find out how Carolyn and Kyle got back together. But that's it! My lips are otherwise sealed!

Thanks for the kind words about the weddings. C & K's was actually very beautiful, but somehow I didn't think they'd be many folks around here who'd appreciate being deluged with images of Carolyn's mistake...ooooops....did I say that out loud?

Carolyn and Marco have been struggling with this chemistry vs friendship thing since they were teenagers. I went back and found this excerpt from an installment when Carolyn was back in high school, had broken up with Kyle and was trying to understand these feelings she had for her best friend Marco:

"Her emotions were all over the place. She had been thinking about Kyle, and how things used to be between them, and she would be lying to say she didn't feel her heart twinge when she thought about him. But she also couldn't deny that she had feelings for Marco. When she thought about him, her stomach kinda flipped over a bit.

But she wasn't sure if they were real feelings, or ones that she'd developed because she was getting over Kyle and Marco was so sweet, and pretty much everything that Kyle was not. Sometimes she thought her feelings for Marco had always been there. Even before Kyle, and while she was going out with Kyle. But that was crazy wasn't it?"

Do you see that underlined bit?!

OMG!!!! I am devestated.

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

OMG!!!! I am devestated.

*hands Jen a tissue* There, there.


TEASER:

Yup...all the men in Carolyn's life are thinking about her...

I'm...in complete shock. I expected an emotional episode, not one that hit me with a sucker punch, and then kicked me several times while I was down. Even when I was holding my face curled up in a fetal position your story was still hitting me!

Wow. Not only did she go through with it, but extreme fast forward 10 years and now she has a handful of sproglets, too! Marco threw himself into his career, kept his emotional distance with the women, and he and Carolyn still aren't over each other. I really want to slap them both! I mean, I love them dearly, and I can totally understand why they made the decisions they did, but if they had once just sat down and talked things out instead of making assumptions and acting like the helpless member of the party and waiting for the other to bend. I don't necessarily think they deserve what ever is coming their way, but they wasted so much time and now their lives are in completely different places. Sigh.

Your magazines are fantastic! I love reading them - they're so authentic looking! The cover layouts and the articles are top notch, hon! Way to go. And thank you, thank you for stabbing me and then twisting the knife so I'm in complete agony. It seems weird to beg for more punishment, but there you go. You are the top of your class and a Master Storyteller. And you're completely evil. But in a good way.

Oh! And I love the blurbs about Don Lothario!

Astral Faery wrote:

I'm...in complete shock. I expected an emotional episode, not one that hit me with a sucker punch, and then kicked me several times while I was down. Even when I was holding my face curled up in a fetal position your story was still hitting me!

*pats Ari on head*

Between supplying you and Jen with tissues, I'm going to have to start buying in bulk!

Astral Faery wrote:

I really want to slap them both!

I know how you feel!

Astral Faery wrote:

Your magazines are fantastic! I love reading them - they're so authentic looking! The cover layouts and the articles are top notch, hon!

Thank you! Thank you Ari! You always notice the little details! I love it!

Astral Faery wrote:

...thank you for stabbing me and then twisting the knife so I'm in complete agony.

I aim to torture...*cough* I mean please, I aim to please!

Astral Faery wrote:

You are the top of your class and a Master Storyteller. And you're completely evil. But in a good way.

Astral Faery wrote:

Oh! And I love the blurbs about Don Lothario!

I'm enjoying telling his story this way!

Okay, I know I said no meanwhiles...and side-tracking into other stories, but I just HAD to share! Besides, Andre and Toni are good friends with Carolyn and Kyle....and Andre is Marco's best friend and former uni roomie....and I just had to let you see what happened with them in the past 10 years.

Well I decided to enable ACR autonomy when I first played their house when they moved in after the wedding...and Toni wasted no time (like I'm talking as soooooon as I enabled autonomy....control freak that I am, I usually have it disabled) luring her new hubby to the sofa and showing him that he was a lucky man.

She immediately got pregnant...with TWINS!

Not that that stopped them from keeping at it! Newly weds! lol! I had to disable the autonomy before they died from exhaustion! I love those three bolt couples!


I'll skip forward a few years to show you the disaster. Unfortunately Adrien got my huge nose and Gabriele my enormous cheeks! Poor fellas! lol! Maybe they'll grow into their over-sized features.

But they're happy as anything. Lots of nice points....and are constantly hugging their parents and showing off for anyone whose attention they can get. Adrien is crazy outgoing.

And they're really funny. They also gossip about their mother a lot! What is that?!

I have a nudist mod in my game, that can be set so that simmies will go nude depending on their personality and whether or not they're alone.

Anyhow...so Adrien and Gabriele apparently think it's appropriate to SWIM in the buff!

And I have crammyboy's mod that adds the gents' 'particulars' so I'm talking a seriously amusing situation. When they get out of the pool they just run about playing and letting it all hang out, so to speak.

Here they are all naked welcoming their baby brother Julian.



It's a fun house to play!

ilikefishfood wrote:

I aim to torture...*cough* I mean please, I aim to please!

LOL!!

OMG your little twins are hilarious! My oldest wouldn't even wear clothes if I didn't make him. He's hated clothes since he was little. Even now he'll try to squeak by in just his undies and I have to tell him to get dressed. Your little dudes are just too cute. And I don't see any over sized cheeks or noses - I see cute little happy well adjusted boys - who have no need for clothes. Congrats to the new baby, too! How cute Toni's family is.

Quote :

really want to slap them both! I mean, I love them dearly, and I can totally understand why they made the decisions they did, but if they had once just sat down and talked things out instead of making assumptions and acting like the helpless member of the party and waiting for the other to bend.

I agree that it's both of their faults. Either one could have spoken up, but I want to kick Marco over it more. Maybe I'm just traditional and think the guy should (generally) make the first move. He's a sweetheart, but he should have manned up at some point and stopped being such a wimp about Carolyn. He should have crashed the wedding, confessed his love for her, and carried her out of there. But now she has three kids . . .

I wouldn't mind seeing the pictures of Carolyn and Kyle's wedding. I'm sure they're gorgeous. But I wouldn't want you to make Jen and Ari puke or Ulli start swinging her club again.

Go simToni! Woohoo! What is it with boys running around naked? I can't get my kid to wear clothes some days either. If it wasn't for us women, they'd probably run around naked all the time. The boys are super adorable. I think their noses and cheeks look fine. They're really cute! But if think they're too big, I'm sure they'll grow into them a little as they get older. The game seems to think that kids and toddlers have to have monstrous cheeks compared to their adult faces.

SimEm wrote:

Either one could have spoken up, but I want to kick Marco over it more. Maybe I'm just traditional and think the guy should (generally) make the first move. He's a sweetheart, but he should have manned up at some point and stopped being such a wimp about Carolyn. He should have crashed the wedding, confessed his love for her, and carried her out of there. But now she has three kids . . .

lol! I hadn't thought of the wedding crashing bit! That would've been awesome!

SimEm wrote:

I wouldn't mind seeing the pictures of Carolyn and Kyle's wedding. I'm sure they're gorgeous. But I wouldn't want you to make Jen and Ari puke or Ulli start swinging her club again.

Between the sobbing and the puking and the club-swinging I'd best not. What I will do though when I get home later, is upload a few to a little photo album, and post a link for those who think they can handle it.

SimEm wrote:

What is it with boys running around naked? I can't get my kid to wear clothes some days either. If it wasn't for us women, they'd probably run around naked all the time.

Astral Faery wrote:

My oldest wouldn't even wear clothes if I didn't make him. He's hated clothes since he was little. Even now he'll try to squeak by in just his undies and I have to tell him to get dressed.

OMG! That's hilarious! It's clearly a boy thing! Ha haaaaaa! I forgot how much fun simmie children can be. I've spent so much time with my YAs, and have been racing through my regular households in the interest of advancing the story.

SimEm wrote:

The boys are super adorable. I think their noses and cheeks look fine. They're really cute! But if think they're too big, I'm sure they'll grow into them a little as they get older. The game seems to think that kids and toddlers have to have monstrous cheeks compared to their adult faces.

Astral Faery wrote:

Your little dudes are just too cute. And I don't see any over sized cheeks or noses - I see cute little happy well adjusted boys - who have no need for clothes. Congrats to the new baby, too! How cute Toni's family is.

Had a long play session last night before my game started to act up, and the twins didn't turn out half bad. Here they are as teenagers with their hair cut.


This is little brother Julian. He tends to keep his clothes on! (he got the nose too)


And seeing as the story-line has jumped ahead. I thought I'd share a photo of Max and his kids. The teenager is Samantha (his daughter with Ciara Peters who his parents raised)...and his two kids with Cassie, Trey and Madison. Max and Cassie live together but they're not married. He has a terrible fear of it. I'm afraid he'll go into aspiration failure. lol!

SimToni's boys are all adorable! I love Tristan's nose - it suits his face. They're all quite dapper little fellas.

Of course I want to see your beautiful pictures of the wedding! Just because I think Carolyn is being a dork doesn't mean I don't want to see them. I bet you did a great job on the pictures, and would love to see. I bear no ill will toward either of them, you know. I just tend to let my emotions get ahold of me and speak through them.

Hiya folks!

Oh simToni's family is soooo adorable!!!

What cutie pies they are ;)

I am still trying to get over the fact that Carolyn married Kyle....oh I hope this is like that old episode of Dallas, you remember, when Bobby came back. Pam just dreamed the whole last season..hahahahahaha!!

No I won´t look at those wedding pictures.

I like your little sims family Toni. They boys are handsome the little one Julian is really cute

Max kiddos looks alright too. He looks like a really proud dad.

I go to the Hamptons for one weekend and come back to this! I should have known you would pull this crap, Ms. Toni! Hmmmph....

I have nothing to say about Carolyn, Marco, and Kyle since I feel in a way they all have gotten what they deserved. Sometimes fate steps in and kicks your a$$, but in their cases they all had a part to play in the hands dealt to them.

Toni wrote:

...and just as she began to panic over what she would say to him, his face melted into a soft smile.

He was probably looking right past her, at another person or perhaps an attractive spot on the wall....

Ari wrote:

Your magazines are fantastic! I love reading them - they're so authentic looking! The cover layouts and the articles are top notch, hon!

The ones that are mirrored after real pop culture cracked me up!

Toni wrote:

I aim to torture...*cough* I mean please, I aim to please!

I love the commentary and pics at Toni and Andre's house. It's so nice to see a couple in your game who can't get enough of one another and show it. The shots with the "streaker children" were too funny. I love it; they seem like such a happy family!

Toni wrote:

I'll skip forward a few years to show you the disaster. Unfortunately Adrien got my huge nose and Gabriele my enormous cheeks! Poor fellas! lol! Maybe they'll grow into their over-sized features.

Boy, you guys are really hard on your sims. I think they are cute kids. Everyone in the world can't be breathtakingly gorgeous, and I think little imperfections add character to a face. Anyway, I think they will grow up to be quite dashing young men given where they came from.

Toni wrote:

Here they are all naked welcoming their baby brother Julian.

I see after I wrote all the above that simToni's family turned out just lovely.

Toni wrote:

I thought I'd share a photo of Max and his kids.

Another beautiful family, I see.

The pictures of Carolyn and Kyle's wedding are beautiful. She looks stunning, but then again she always does.

Ullwera wrote:

I like your little sims family Toni. They boys are handsome the little one Julian is really cute

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

Oh simToni's family is soooo adorable!!!

What cutie pies they are ;)

They're crazy cutie pies! Even the teenagers are a bit too playful for their own good! I' have got to find a mod to stop them from playing in the shower autonomously! Ha haaaaaaa! Nuts I tell ya!

Autumnelle wrote:

Boy, you guys are really hard on your sims. I think they are cute kids. Everyone in the world can't be breathtakingly gorgeous, and I think little imperfections add character to a face.

Yeah, they're not bad! And even if they were, I'd still love 'em to pieces. They're got tons of nice and playful points, so they're a blast to watch. I'm actually trying not to control them at all, other than making sure they go to the bathroom. Simmies are really bad at gauging their potty needs for themselves! lol!

Ullwera wrote:

Max kiddos looks alright too. He looks like a really proud dad.

He's really good with kids. Even with Cassie's niece and nephew (her brother Patrick's kids). I've always found romance simmies make great parents, never mind that they usually harbour fears of having more babies. Go figure!

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

I am still trying to get over the fact that Carolyn married Kyle....oh I hope this is like that old episode of Dallas, you remember, when Bobby came back. Pam just dreamed the whole last season..hahahahahaha!!

Hmmmm...I wonder......What're the chances?! :muahaha:

Ullwera wrote:

No I won´t look at those wedding pictures.

I bet you already did!

---

As promised...faster updates. Here's a the latest on the star-crossed lovers....



Carolyn stopped right in front of Marco. "D'Angelo."

"Garcia."

"Still pretty I see," she said with a straight face. She had teased him years ago about his being too pretty for her to settle down with.

He threw his head back and laughed, and she joined him.

"Well, see now, I do have a scar," he said pointing to a thin line on his chin.


"Fight scene," he said proudly.

She nodded approvingly, her face flushed as she remembered him asking years ago if he would be a more acceptable partner if he had a broken nose and a scar.

They stood smiling at each other.


Then her smile faded, and she looked him right in the eyes.

"Marco...I..." she trailed off.

"It was a long time ago," he said, touching her hand gently. She was surprised to feel a little spark of electricity, but he didn't seem to notice.


"Let's not go backwards," he said quietly, and she nodded not trusting herself to speak.

"Well!" He said, breaking the awkward silence. "You look great Garcia!" he continued, making a motion for her to turn around for him.

She obliged.


"Well done!" he said grinning.

"I live in the gym, and haven't had sugar or flour in six years!" she said, pretending to frown. "I'm deluged with inappropriate dreams about cupcakes and warm bread!" she cried in mock horror.


He laughed, and Carolyn's heart lifted, as the time and tension slipped away...and so began the next phase of their inexplicable friendship.


Carolyn and Marco started communicating by text and email and spoke on the phone during the following week. That weekend she invited him over for lunch to meet her kids: the oldest, nine-year old Maya; Joel, he was seven and little Caitlin who was five. They hit it off with Marco who was amazing with them.


Her kids weren't phased about being around famous people, though tomboy Maya did think he was particularly cool because he could kick box.


Kyle was great with the kids, but he wasn't home as much as Carolyn would like.

Usually when he was they were at school or some other activity: sports, music, dance, etc.

Hanging out by the pool after lunch, Carolyn lounged quietly enjoying watching Marco romp around with them.

By time he left that afternoon, he was "Uncle Marco."

He smiled and waved, grinning at them before he slipped behind the wheel of his Jaguar XKR (cars were Marco's weakness). Carolyn felt light and happy.

It was great to be reunited with her old friend. That night, lying alone in her huge pillow-filled bed, thoughts of that night they had shared together so many years ago, flooded her mind.

It was the most passionate experience she had ever had in her whole life. Her whole body felt hot and she tossed off the down comforter to cool her skin in the air conditioned air.

She was embarrassed by her body's reaction to the memories of that night.

She got up and took a cold shower...

...And wandered around the empty house in a t-shirt until the sky took on an orange glow alerting her that it was time to start her day.

Now that he was back in her life, she was not going to ruin it or confuse it by nurturing memories of the past. "He's Uncle Marco now," she told herself.



TEASER FROM NEXT UPDATE:

"How many chances am I supposed to give you?!" she shouted.

"At some point, I might as well just not bother to say anything!

[cue dramatic music]

Ok - #1: The wedding pictures are fabulous! I can't believe how much hard work it took to create all those beautiful memories. I love how you make a really big deal out of it because it should be - it's a dang important step and it's commemorated beautifully. My favorite shot is of the back of Carolyn's dress in the garden. Stunning! And I love that garland she's wearing. Any chance you remember where you got it?

#2: Right now I just want to stuff a big fat cinnamon roll in Carolyn's mouth. A fat buttery one dripping with frosting. And I want to make her eat the whole thing! No flour or sugar for 6 years. Sheesh Carolyn! It's called life - you live it. Moderation - it's a good thing. Go look at beautiful Toni with her gorgeous rounded body. That woman is having a dessert with every meal and she's all the more gorgeous for it! But I tease. Carolyn is beautiful, too.

#3: It's awesome that all the kids adore Uncle Marco so much. I wonder how healthy it is for them (or Carolyn) to be spending time with him.

#4: Judging by the little sneak peak, if this is going where I think it's going, I might jump for joy. Well, after the emotional upheaval and all around heartaches.

Beautiful shots and gripping story, as always, Dear Toni. Keep it coming - the torture, the anguish, the rare happy moment...

Toni wrote:

I've always found romance simmies make great parents, never mind that they usually harbour fears of having more babies. Go figure!

This is so true. I made a similar comment on another thread about Romance sims. They don't want anything to do with children and family, but once they are in a relationship they usually thrive and do well with it, although it does not usually satisfy any wants for them.

Ari wrote:

I wonder how healthy it is for them (or Carolyn) to be spending time with him.

Great update, Toni! I can't wait to see where you take us next!