Lia thought she’d be spending her last day in Tartosa at the beach, but the rain has been relentless. She’s on her way back to her rental when she suddenly hears a male voice calling out her father’s name.
Male: *strong Tartosan accent* Merlin! Merlin! Where are you, boy?
Lia turns and sees a guy standing out in the pouring rain with a dog. She guesses that this guy doesn’t know her father. Could he be calling out for his son?
Male: Did you see where he went, Lady?
Lady? Lia thinks he’s talking to her for just a moment, but he’s looking down at his dog.
He’s obviously looking for someone. Lia doesn’t have anything else to do. Maybe she can help. She walks over.
Jamelia: Hey there! Are you looking for someone?
Male: *Tartosan accent* Ah, yes. I am looking for my dog. Have you seen him? He is black and white with a black bow tie.
A strong wind blows, and Lia’s umbrella proves useless. She’s drenched, so she gives up and puts it away.
Jamelia: Um, no. I haven’t. Maybe I can help you look for him.
Male: I appreciate the offer. His name is Merlin.
Jamelia: Same as my dad’s.
Male: What was that?
Jamelia: Oh, nothing. Merlin, right?
Male: Yes – oh. There he is behind you. I will not require your help after all.
Jamelia: Oh, okay. Um, I’m Jamelia, by the way. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
Lia turns and begins to walk away, but the guy stops her with an introduction in his beautiful accent.
Stefan: I am Stefan. And they are Lady and Merlin.
Stay fine? That’s not exactly what he said, but it sounded close. Lia thinks that this guy won’t have a problem ‘staying fine’ at all. Then she reminds herself to play it cool and try not to appear too thirsty. He is cute, though, and she’s not ready to say goodbye.
Jamelia: Nice to meet you all. Do you know where I can go and get out of this rain? I’m not quite ready to go back to my rental yet.
Stefan: Yes, sure. I will take you there now. I just need to get Merlin back on his leash.
(Note: Stefan was made by fellow simmer – storiesbyjes2g. The link takes you to her Tumblr page.)
Lia is glad that the guy is willing to help her find someplace to spend some time. So she returns the favor by offering to help him out.
Jamelia: I can get him on his leash for you.
Stefan: You do not mind? He can get a bit – how do you say? Frisky? – in this weather. He is afraid of the thunder.
Jamelia: No. I love dogs.
Stefan: Okay, here it is.
Lia grabs the leash and quickly puts it on the dog.
Jamelia: So, where are we headed?
Stefan: Oh, it is just up this path. Past the playground. Do you see that blue and white building? That is the Courtyard Lounge. We can get drinks there if you want.
We? Maybe he’s not ready to say goodbye either. Lia once again has to remind herself not to get too excited.
Jamelia: Yeah, sure. I can use a drink.
Stefan picks up his pace, and he and Lady lead the way. Lia looks down at Merlin.
Jamelia: Please tell me that your daddy is a nice guy.
Merlin looks up at her with the sweetest expression.
They arrive at the lounge. Stefan takes some time to ensure that his dogs are secure. Then he leads Lia upstairs. Stefan orders drinks and they sit quietly, side by side, for a few moments. Either Stefan is shy, or he doesn’t have much to say. Lia can’t tell which it is. Finally, she attempts to start a conversation.
Jamelia: So, do you live here in Tartosa, Stefan?
Stefan: Yes. I was born and raised here. How about you?
Jamelia: I’m from Newcrest. But I currently live in Brindleton Bay.
Stefan: You are just visiting?
Jamelia: Yes. My sister was married here yesterday.
Stefan: It is unusual. No? – to get married in the Winter. Spring is the best weather here.
Jamelia: A little unusual, but I guess they didn’t want to wait that long.
Stefan: When do you return to Brindleton Bay?
This could be tricky. Lia is supposed to return tomorrow morning, but will that kill her chance of possibly getting to know Stefan better? She hesitates before answering.
Jamelia: I was thinking about sticking around for another day or two?
Stefan doesn’t respond. Did she play herself?
Jamelia: I will have to return to work soon, though.
Stefan: What is your work?
Jamelia: I’m a caterer right now. But I don’t plan on doing that forever. I want to open my own restaurant eventually.
Stefan: In Brindleton Bay?
Jamelia: Wherever I see a need, I guess.
Stefan: We have good restaurants here. But nothing new and innovative.
Lia smiles, thinking she can be very new and innovative. Was that an invitation?
Jamelia: And what do you do, Stefan?
Stefan: I am a bartender. Will your restaurant have a bar?
Lia stares into those beautiful brown eyes, and an answer falls out of her mouth.
Jamelia: It will now.
Me-Me and I arrive home right before sunset. Our first set of bills greet me – to the tune of over § 10,000. Ma doesn’t have to worry about me forgetting to plant that seed. I go out back and plant it as soon as the bill payment is in the mailbox.
Meanwhile, inside – Me-Me works up the nerve to finally apply for a job, which she gets immediately. She’s completed her first aspiration and now has a job, starting at level 8. It doesn’t get any better than that.
There’s no time to spare. I still have this one college course that will haunt me until I complete it. I sit outside while the weather is still nice and finish my homework. When the night begins to fall, I head inside and see that Me-Me has already put our wedding photos up. I stand and admire them, thinking about how good we look as a couple, then head upstairs to find my wife.
She is sitting on the bed when I get there. And she has some news.
Melisa: Guess what, Kaby.
Kai: What’s up?
Melisa: I found a job. I start tomorrow.
Kai: Nice! That’s good news.
Melisa: Oh…and just one more thing.
Kai: What’s that?
Melisa: I think I might be pregnant.
Kai: …
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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