Chapter 1.10

Ayva's second child, baby girl; Bubba Simmons had to stay behind in the hospital to treat her jaundice while her elder brother, Brandon Simmons got to see her first sunrise as her mother brought him home that morning...

It would be another few days before Bubba can come home, but Ayva in the cab with baby Brandon in her arms had already started to worry about the extra expenses for her 2nd child which she could not afford. "Where do I find the money for the extra crib, bottles and diapers?" she mumbled to herself.

When they arrived home, much to Ayva's astounishment, Christopher was waiting for her...

Apparently all these while, he had been keeping a watch on her, from afar, that is... The night before, he was actually on his way to his usual hiding spot after his work shift while he saw a yellow cab speeding towards the direction of the hospital. He knew what was it, and followed her there but because he has no relation with Ayva, the doctors and nurse prohibited him from entering her ward, there so, he decided to wait by her home instead.

Ayva, still feeling bad over the incident, let out a weak smile as Christopher walks towards her. "How are you feeling now?" he asked. "... I'm fine... thank you... I have actually given birth to a pair of twins..." she replied. She also noticed when she started to have butterflies in her tummy -- she knew it wasnt any postnatal symptons, but her feelings for Christopher.

They seemed to awkward chatting but Christopher not wanting to lose this chance to speak to Ayva, continued: "So what are the names of the baby?", "Do you need help? With anything?"

"Brandon and Bubba", this time she answered with a genuine smile. "Why dont you come on in, Chris?" she continued. She's actually looking for an opportunity to apologise to him ~

While Ayva placed baby Brandon into his new crib, Christopher stood around in the house; cant help but noticed a revolting broken toilet. It smell so bad but bearing the stench, he would not plug his nose les' he offends Ayva, again. His heart was broken once again, it pains him to know that the woman he loved so much is strugging to make ends meet, yet there's nothing he could do to help...

"Erm..."

After a long awkward pause, Ayva cleared her throat: "I'm sorry, Chris... I shouldnt have done what I have done to you the other night..." she said, and continued on: "I guessed I was too naive, thinking I could handle the world alone by myself, but I just cant... and I am such a disappointment...".

"I dont want you to. I just want us both to try and make this work" Christopher said, as he bravely held her hands in his, hoping that she wont pull her hands away, that is...

Ayva didnt said much after that, but was willing to allow nature let her life and Christopher's take its course...

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Eleven

Extras

Fact is, Christopher just couldnt live any longer with that stench and decided he ought to do something about that revolting toilet, how sweet!

Chapter 1.9

In a blink of an eye, the days went by quickly...

Ayva's in her 3rd trimester now, and would be due to give birth anytime soon. Much as the days of her pregnancy went by smoothly; she's had not much sickness and was able to move around quite easily. She's also trying all her best to keep her body healthy with whatever little she could afford -- these days, she's getting better in cooking and these meals should help.



She was determined to give the best that she can, being the best Mum ever.

She also spent the rest of her maternity leave tending to her garden. It was really starting to take shape now and she was growing all sorts of fruits and vegetables. Selling the harvests was also a help, but most of all Ayva felt closer to Jared in this way. Perhaps she still love him a little despite his disppearance, but most importantly, she needed a closure, even if it means that Jared would not consider the unborn child in her stomach his.

Ayva took time to sort her thoughts, and assessed her life. She remembered the night where she shut the doors on Christopher, especially his words. Ayva had not seen him since then, in fact, she missed him alot. She admits she have romantic interests towards him too, but because she was fearful for what the future holds for her, she didnt want to drag innocent Christopher down.

Still wondering what the future holds for her, Ayva drifted to sleep on the bed, in her shack home. When suddenly she was jolted awake by the wetness of her bed, sure enough, the bed underneath Ayva was soaked, her waterbag had just bursted!



Ayva panicked: "I'm going into labour, I'm going into labour... What am I supposed to do?", then she remembered from the books she read: "Br...breath, breath slowly..." It wasn't easy for the first time mum-to-be, and she was all alone by herself. Ayva gasped with pain and doubled over, uttering low groan. She struggled to call a cab before another contraction hit her and she cried out in pain, again. Picking up the bag that she had packed before in anticipation for the delivery, the cab arrived to take her to the hospital.



Thou' smooth pregnancy but the delivery was a very long and difficult one. It was the scariest night of Ayva's life -- she almost thought she nearly lose her baby that day. She lost a lot of blood during delivery and the baby wasnt breathing when Ayva gave that final, agonising push...

It wasn't one; but 2 tiny cries. It was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard in her entire life. Ayva, still shaking and letting loose gratified tears that her babies are alive, kept slipping in and out of consciousness but the doctor assured her that once her body replenished the blood she had lost during delivery, she would start to regain her strength.

"Congratulations, Mdm. Simmons... It's a pair of healthy twins, boy and girl" announced the midwife. "What would you like to name them? We need to write up the birth certificate" the midwife asked, while gently placing the newborns into their mother's arms, one on each side...

"Br... Brandon and Bubba" Ayva whispered weakly from the bed.
Exhausted as she was, she drifted off to a deep sleep until the next morning...

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Ten

Chapter 1.8

Not wanting to aggravate matters at her current state of health, Christopher came by almost every other day to keep Ayva accompanied.

In fact, he has stayed long enough in Sunset Valley to know that Jared Frio's famous for befriending people, then betraying them for his own interests. Rumors has it too, that he is also the father of Claire Ursine's unborn child. What an incorrigible jerk he is!

While there's no way Ayva could change the facts of her life, she had considered her options seriously and decided to keep the baby at all cost. Afterall, she was once given the gift of life too, and wouldnt want to take away a poor little innocent life.

Soon, her boss, Gunther came to know about her pregnancy too. He had came by the other day to check on Ayva after a visit to the nearby Alto family. Uncontrollably she broke into tears, as she was concerned about missing out on precious promotions and opportunities. Right there, Gunther assured her position at work for now... He gave her a broken TV set, belonging to him. Gunther knew Ayva would be up to the task of repairing it, since she often fixed her own broken toilet and bathroom. It mean so much to Ayva, that her boss was such an understanding man.

When Christopher came by that night, Ayva cleared her throat and approached her friend. She needed to tell someone, to share her worries with, that she does not have enough to raise a baby. Frowning her head, she said: "Chris, I need to talk to you." Christopher brows knitted together in concern and he rushed to her side.

"What is it? Are you okay? Are you feeling sick? Do you want to go to the hospital?" he asked. Ayva shook her head and mumbled: "No, I'm fine... I guess...". Christopher stepped back for a minute, confused and Ayva continued: "I dont think I have the money to raise a baby, and I'm only 19YO! I have to think about how a baby's gonna affect my career! I'd be at home taking care of a child I can't really afford, while I miss out on promotions at work, thats if I'm lucky enough not to get demoted! I can't afford a crib, or toys, or bottles and diapers..." Ayva trailed off, because she was crying to hard to continue.

"Ayva, easy now. Think of the baby" he said gently, but Ayva couldnt calm down.

Her stomach was in knots.

"Ow!" she gasped suddenly, clutching her belly as a sharp pain caught her by surprise.

"Ayva, what's wrong?" Christopher demanded, while trying to hold her as she steady her feet.

Christopher know it was the time for him to express his romantic interest to Ayva. He could have just continue swinging by daily after work to keep her company, but deep inside his heart, it breaks to see the love of his life heart broken, for a jerk. So much so that he hopes to help her mend everything and make things right again, and wouldnt even mind considering the unborn child his, that's if she allows him to build a family together.

"It'll be okay. Ayva, trust me... Everything will work out, you'll see. Just focus on taking care of our baby..." he whispered. Ayva stood stunned, "OUR baby?"regurgitating his words. "Yes, I know this may be too sudden, and would even sound absurd but I want you to know that I will always be here for you when you need me, no matter what happens, Ayva, and I would love to raise this baby together with you, as my own."

Ayva tried to reason with herself; everything that was going on, everything that was happening in her young life, but it was all too much for her to handle. She didnt know what to do, what to say to Christopher and what's gonna happen to the baby in her stomach... Not knowing what the future holds for her, she was lost, utterly down and out... "Get out of my sight!" she screamed at Christopher, "Get out! Go away! Leave me alone!" while pushing him away, out of the door.

Ayva shut the door behind him.

Leaning onto the old wooden door, she kneeled down and wailed.

Christopher heard her cries, but left, without words...

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Nine

Chapter 1.7

The carpool honking startled and snapped Ayva out of her bed, "just give me a minute there~" she shouts back while hastily getting dressed for work. "You aren't usually late, are you alright?" asked the driver, "erm, I am..." she replied faintly. "I hope so my dear, you look so pale and your eyes are puffy today..." said the driver and deafening silence filled the car while he drove her to the office.

"Good Morning!" said Gunther Goth; her boss, as Ayva walked by the pantry to her desk. "Good Morning Sir" replied Ayva. Looking concerned, Gunther probed:"Are you alright, my dear? You looked sick...". Trying to hide her pregnancy, Ayva lied:"Err... Yes, I am Sir, I think I'd just tired from reading a book which got me drifted till late last night..."

Back at her desk, Ayva bowed her head over her arms and let out a sigh... "I don't think I can keep this secret any longer, what am I supposed to do now?" she ask herself while struggling to pick herself back to work.

She managed to survived the day but not wanting to lie through her days at work, she applied for some leave from her boss to hide away; her protuding stomach. Immediately he approved, for he had already sense something was amiss since this morning.

Out of desperation, and in need for help so badly -- Ayva rang Christopher up. Chris had recently found himself a new job at the Science Centre being a Test Subject, hence, he would only be free in 3 hours time. Meantime, Ayva decides to head down to Papyrus Memorial Library in search for some reads for her pregnancy.

While at reading the pregancy book, she saw a cute toddler playing across the room. Maybe soon, she would be a mother herself, but she can't help but wondered if she would be ready to be a single-mother? Thoughts of abortion did filled her mind, that is...

Just then, her phone rang -- Christopher is here, and he is waiting outside the Library for her. She rushes out to meet him, and as she walked towards him, he cant help but notice the changes in her body. It would be a long talking night, but knowing Chris as a good sim, Ayva's sure that he would help, if not the least; offer her some good advices.

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Eight

Chapter 1.6

Somehow, Ayva was devoid of Jared in the days after the sleepover...

Everytime she tries to ring Jared if they could meet, "not right now" was his reply! Despite knowing where he stays and work, Ayva thought it may not be a good idea to show up abruptly."He might be really busy", Ayva tried to convince herself & brushed everything aside, until...

Baby woes?

Ayva had been experiencing somewhat a roller-coaster mood swings recently... Likewise her body -- such as frequent visits to the washroom & her hips seemed wee bit rounder these days.

She tried to brush away the idea that she might be pregnant, "it was just that once!" she said while sobbing to herself, to the point these symptons have become part as her daily routine -- morning sickness! You know that you know you have to face the reality when you can no longer fit into your favourite skinny jeans anymore, exactly!

Caught in fear & dilemma, there's no way she's making a trip to the hospital, so instead, she grabbed herself a pregnancy test kit to confirm her worse fears.

Ayva's shoulders shook with petrified sobs as she steadied herself over the sink. A positive pregnancy test was lying on the edge of the sink, the blue line seeming to taunt her and gloat over her misfortune. She yelled to herself, "this cant be true!".

"Much as I want to be a Mom, I'm not ready yet!" she thought, panicked. "I'm not even sure of the relationship I have with Jared... Oh God, what am I going to do?" she wept.

Ayva needed to see Jared, badly...

She took a deep steadying breath, while her hands shook as she dialed his mobile phone number and held the phone to her ear... "Sorry, the number you've just dialed is no longer in use, thank you... Sorry, the number you've just dialed......."

Ayva took a shuddering breath, and stood frozen...
She dropped the phone, and it clattered to the ground with a small thud.

She knew she had just been used, only a bit of fun...

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Seven

Chapter 1.5

While his brother, Connor Frio is away in seek for inspiration for his next novel, Jared thought it would be a good chance to invite Ayva over to his home right after his work shift ended.

Ayva, whom had been thinking about him all day and just couldnt wait to see him! Ayva knew it was very soon but it felt so right and she had fallen deeply in love with Jared. They spent most of the evening into the night getting to know each other more, laughing and ...smooching!

Just then, in the midst of romancing -- Jared told Ayva that it was actually his birthday. He wanted to spend this special day with someone special. At that very moment, he transformed into a full grown adult.

Hoping for a 'special' gift -- he asked if she would like to sleepover?

Ayva hestitated for a moment, but later obliged...

Being a hopeless romantic, a kiss is all Ayva needed to fall in lust with Jared, so when he whispered in her ear: "lets go into the room and make some love together", Ayva just couldnt resist, although she werent sure if this is the right thing to do. They chased each other into his bedroom and made love -- it was so explosive, that Ayva was convinced she saw little hearts fall from the sky!

Little did she know what she had got herself into ~

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Six

Chapter 1.4

A brand new week, with a brand new position at work.

Ayva woke up extremely early in excitement to start her day at work as a Report Processor. It's hard to act on just a hunch when billions of simoleans are at stake, thus, she is required to compile the reports and provide detailed analysis... by morning... every morning. Ayva knows too that this would also be a chance to get close to the boss, so that when a better position opens up, her name is on the short list.

With that, Ayva know she needs some proper food & nutrients.

She tries out some homemade breakfast to kick start the day!

Indeed, the day was tough...

With the tonnes of documents stacked almost as high as the roof, looking for a specific file was like a needle in haysack. But if there's anything schmoozering cant do -- it was the Repo-Man! Argh!! Ayva had forgotten all about paying her bills!

He came, and took her only light away...

How 'nice' to start the week with a negative memory! Argh~

Immediately after her work shift ended, Ayva tries to call the Repo company if she could still pay her bills & claim back her only light. Unfortunately it was a plain NO! "You should have known it better! Your red-bills exploded & we just had to summon the Repo-Man!" was the screaming answer over the phone.

Thou' after a long tiring & stressful day at work, still, Ayva didnt wanted to head home straight to be reminded of the brutal facts that inevitably the Repoman had came & repossessed her items -- and there's nothing she can do.

So instead, she decides to try her luck with Jared if he was willing to meet her.

She thought that might help compensate the bad day she's had.

Jared agreed to meet her by the beach near his home, because he only had a short time to spare before he has to go to work. Ayva told him everything that had happened, to her astounishment, she receives a warm, tight huggle from him...

Almost lost, Ayva struggle to understand what is going on? "Does it means he likes me too?" she asked herself in her heart, still throbbing frantically. Before she could composed herself again, Jared asked if she would like to wait for him till he's off shift, as he would like to spend more time with her. Of course, Ayva agreed!

It might seemed to be too soon for anything to happen, but well, being the hopeless romantic, it's the heart and not the mind that makes the call, she just believes anyone could just be 'the one'...

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Five

Chapter 1.3

It suddenly appeared to Ayva that she would spend her first weekend, alone. Afterall, despite the distant relationships, the fact was there once was a pretty huge family around.

She asked herself if she wants anything more than just at the top of the business career?

"A new family!" Ayva proclaims to herself.

Of course, it would only be considered complete if you have a family to share your joys (and woes) with right? I'd love to have childrens, and give them the love I never real had!

If there is anything else her mother had left behind for her aside the plot of land, it's the hopeless romantic trait. Ayva loved her mother more than anything else in this world, and while she was alive, a home-maker she was thus they spent most of their time together. Although her father was an unsculptous business man, still, her mother truly loved him. She was a role figure that Ayva greatly admired & envisage to be like, someday...

Considering the options she have currently, she thought of a couple of sims; whom... mainly are her co-workers. Well, still she ought to start... somewhere... right?

She remembered there was this cute guy at work by the name of Ethan Bunch and decided to ask him out. Sadly, "not right now" was his reply! Fine! and so Ayva thought she would ring up the next in line -- Christopher Steel.


While he had agreed to meet her at the Central Park later that day, Ayva thought they didnt really hit along well together. Perhaps, the main reason behind was that Christopher had just been sacked for being late for work once too often. You know you're in trouble when you cant even handle being a coffee courier, sigh...

As she wandered around late into the night, she met Jared Frio near Le Shark Pool, where it's just opposite the Bistro he works at, and knocking off from his shift as a Spice Runner. Despite the late night, the couple were engrossed into getting to know each other, as if it was almost love at first sight ~

It was almost dawn break, where they decided to continue this some other day. Ayva went home by herself, thinking that Jared Frio could just be what she's looking for! He's cute, and considering he's a natural cook... (well, don't forget she is hopeless romantic there's nothing as too soon!) it was all too exciting!

Waking up the next morning, Ayva goes about making her home (or empty) lot more homely. She remembered what Jared had shared with her the night before about growing her own crops for better/higher quality meals, or sell the harvest for quick simoleans! Although she had bought herself a stove, truth is she hasn't really quite gone into cooking her own meal due to lack of skills, that is...

She gave herself the vegetables which she bought from the supermarket for breakfast & decides to plant the seeds after finishing what's edible, together with those apple seeds from those she had previously stolen from Central Park. One by one, she gently plants & nuture them by watering.

As soon as she came out from a quick showers, she was suprised by a call from Christopher Steel. Apparently he felt guilty for having used Ayva as an outlet after losing his job earlier on and invited Ayva to join him for a simple lunch at the Hogan's Deep-Fried Diner.

Readily Ayva agreed, oh well, being Good by nature means she hardly take these things to heart & would always be glad for company...

In fact, the lunch turned out to be more than what she was looking forward to! Spending time together, she observed that Chris is also a Good-natured sim, an Angler & Friendly. Oh, like cute Jared, he's also a Natural Cook!

Ayva wondered if she is soon gonna be torn between Chris or Jared, aww.....

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Four

Chapter 1.2

Ayva was awaken by the sound of bustling activites in Sunset Valley early as before the sun rises!

Being new to the town not only has caught attention of some folks, but it feels as if an extra pair of eyes accompanied her each time she goes back to Central Park for more apples. Surely she wouldn't want to get caught for stealing apples, its so embarassing so letting out a sigh, she said to herself: "Ayva Simmons, perhaps it's time to keep things certain things in check!".

So although tired, but with some time left before she starts her first day of work as a Coffee Courier at Doo Peas Tower, she decide to hunt nearby for something else to eat. She didn't manage to find anything except for a fishing rod left by the river so Ayva attempts to catch herself some breakfast in the river.

Unfortunately she caught nothing -- "probably raw wouldn't have tasted very good anyway..." Ayva consoled herself.

Argh!!!!! Somehow... Ayva lost track of time and is almost late on her very first day of work!!! She ran as fast as she could -- thankfully, she arrives just in the nick of time! Still panting, gasping for air, a prim and proper; well-dressed receptionist hands Ayva a set of uniform to change into before bringing her to her 'workstation' -- that is the pantry where she then learns for the days to come, how to be a professional coffee courier.

..... Soon, the week was almost over.

Perhaps too, inheriting the schmoozer trait from her evil father had proven to be good afterall -- since, she got along pretty well with all her co-workers, also, caught lil' attention from the higher management.

Gunther Goth had taken a like in her professionalism even as a coffee courier & had applied to the HR department to have her transferred over to his, as a Report Processor. So, there she caught herself in a quick promotion! She's more than thrilled! Not only she is one tiny step closer to the top business track, she now can also afford to improve her living situation a bit.

Instead of heading back to her shack-home -- Ayva decides to reward herself abit. She treats herself to a well-deserved meal at the local Bistro, dining on a lovely bowl of Mac & Cheese despite being the cheapest on their menu. This is afterall her first, proper meal since arriving in Sunset Valley.

Mmmmmm, heavenly...

Afterwhich, Ayva swings by the 24-hour EverFresh Delights Supermarket to pick out some fruits & vegetables for later meals. So glad was she, knowing that she could now at least afford to make small purchases instead of stealing apples, while harbouring fears of getting caught.

While at the grocery store, she overheard some sims talking about a garage sale nearby & decides to head over for a peek. There, she managed to grab a cheap stove within her budget.


Ayva quickly fixed them up together, and decides to call it a day.
She tucks in for the night, grateful for a proper rest at last.

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Three

Chapter 1.1

When Ayva Simmons arrives in Sunset Valley, she has little else than the clothes on her back and a plot of land on the outskirts of the town (lot chosen according to the Legacy Challenge rules) -- which she had inherited from her mother before she died. They had both kept this land a secret from her father as they both knew how mean he was and that he would try to that it away from Ayva.

Equipped with just a few basic skills and the ambition to once again have a family of her own, Ayva is bent on building her own new legacy despite the bleak future & against all odds.

With the little simoleans she had managed to save, she build herself what looks like a shack; couple of walls for the privacy of toilet, and a bed. Having no roof over her head meant that Ayva had to spend her first night sleeping under the stars -- pondering her next move in life.

The very next morning Ayva wakes up to a feeling she had never felt in her life before -- hunger pangs! Knowing no-one and with no simoleans left, she wanders around the neighbourhood for awhile before she spots an apple tree! With a rumbling stomach, and without hestitation, Ayva decides she would steal some!

Feeling distinctly unsatisfied from the apples, Ayva whom had great dreams knows in order to achieve her goals, she would first need to start somewhere -- meaning a job! She has little or no skills for the jobs currently available in town but having brought up in a business driven family all these years means she had seen a fair share of how a business is being run.

Perhaps this knowledge might prove valuable, so she decides to head down to Doo Peas Tower.

It was a very long walk and having spent the entire afternoon, it was considered proven worthwhile when they agreed to hire her on as a coffee courier! "Not quite as expected..." as Ayva thought to herself with a tinge of disappointment in her heart, but also as quickly she reminded herself: "to be real successful means you have to start from bottom".

>>> Ayva Simmons: Chapter Two