Sims 3 The Pratts (part 45)

Feeling pretty good about her new look, Rena grabs some of Sarah’s delicious French Toast; hoping that Spencer likes her hair.

 

 Spencer’s efforts to locate Gwen were in vain.  He searched the park, the theater, bookstore and grocery store, but Gwen was nowhere to be seen.  He gives up, returns home and rests his tired body on the bed.

 

 Sarah makes sure to keep busy; once again aware that Spencer has yet to officially address whether he plans to keep her on as their hired help.

 

 Rena migrates to the piano longing to feel the ebony, ivory keys beneath her fingers once again.  Parenthood leaves little time for other endeavors.

 After a short nap, Spencer is feeling better.

 

 He reflects on the successes in his life, like his growing family and his fast paced movement up the corporate ladder.  At the same time, he thinks about his failures, which can be summed up with just one name…Gwen.

 

Little Chelsea is in her room playing and chewing on her blocks.

 

  Spencer is drawn to the room by baby Candy’s fussing.  This is the first time Spencer has had a moment alone with his girls since Candy was born.

He takes Candy into his arms and instantly becomes slightly emotional that his mother never had a chance to met her pretty new granddaughter that shares her name.

The sadness doesn’t last long.  Spencer is determined not to taint this special moment with a melancholy mood.

Sarah continues her duties; preparing another new recipe.

“That smells incredible!” Spencer compliments as he enters the kitchen.

“Thank you,” Sarah replies shyly.

They both grab a plate and take a seat at the dinning room table.  “Uh, Sarah…I’ve been thinking,” Spencer begins. 

Sarah’s fork immediately stops just as it enters her mouth.  Oh God, she says to herself. Is he getting ready to let me go?

“I just realized that we never really addressed you staying here after mom died.”

“Uh…no…we haven’t,” Sarah replies nervously.

Spencer frowns, thinking to himself that perhaps Sarah may not be interested in staying with the family.  “Do you want to stay?”  He asks.

“Yes, yes…of course.  This family means a lot to me,”  Sarah answers quickly.

Spencer is relieved.  “Great!  You mean a lot to us.”

“You have seen us through some tough times.  I’ve been thinking that a raise might be in order.”

“Uh…that’s not necessary Spencer.  It’s my pleasure to be here.”

“Yes, but I’d feel better if I felt that you were getting all that you deserve,” Spencer counters.

“Whatever you feel is fair,” Sarah finally agrees.

“And…” Spencer continues.  “You need to take more time off…get out and make friends,” he suggests.

“Totally not necessary…but I appreciate it,” Sarah says pleased at the kindness the Pratt family continues to show her.

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Sims 3 The Pratts (part 44)

Rena carries Chelsea into her bedroom, attempting to process what Spencer has just told her; Gwen has moved out without telling them where she was going.

She places her sleepy child in her bed and looks around the room; noticing that it reflects how depressed she’s feeling right now.  This room needs to be livened up, she says and decides to go shopping.

Sarah works on completing her chores, but finds it hard during her bouts of sadness.  She cannot help but connect the fact that the household seems to lose one family member each time a new one is born.  Sarah prays that this is just an unfortunate coincidence.

Despite the fact that they both feel sad about Gwen’s leaving, the fatigue of being new parents takes over and Rena and Spencer lie down for well needed rest; quickly falling asleep.

In the middle of the night, Rena is awakened by baby Candy’s shrill cries.

She attempts to stretch away her sleepiness before going in to check on her.

Meanwhile, baby Candy screams while waiting for her needs to be fulfilled.

A few hours later, Spencer is jolted awake by his alarm clock.  Once again, he is very aware of Gwen’s absence.  I have to find her, he says to himself; barely able to look himself in the eye, because he feels ashamed that she ever felt the need to leave so abruptly.  He feels that it’s his fault.

Rena also wants to know where Gwen has gone as she returns to bed to try and get a little more sleep. 

Spencer leaves for work with a plan in mind.  He’ll start trying to locate Gwen by asking his co-workers to keep and eye out for her.  He’s not sure how likely it is that any of them will actually ever run into Gwen, but it’s a start.

In the meantime, Chelsea and Candy’s nursery gets a fresh coat of paint and new bed coverings; more fitting for two young girls.

Rena, happy with the changes, goes in to care for the babies as they slowly begin to awaken.

Spencer leaves work with a promotion to Department Head.  Although he would love to celebrate, he’s still tired from the time spent at the hospital the night before. 

He pushes his fatigue to the back burner for a moment.  First he decides to run to the city park and a few popular areas in the middle of town to see if Gwen may be there.

Meanwhile, Rena takes advantage of a few moments to herself to shower…

…and to change up her look in an attempt to feel a little better about the family’s current situation.

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Sims 3 The Pratts (part 43)

Drunk with the euphoria of welcoming a new daughter to his growing family, Spencer has forgotten all about Gwen’s birthday.

 

Rena walks upstairs with baby Candy and places her in the crib.  She too has forgotten about Gwen.

Spencer doesn’t even think to look for Gwen.  Instead, he heads upstairs and picks up his oldest daughter Chelsea.

 

 Sarah, who has spent the day planning and preparing a special meal, has remembered.  Her turkey is cooked to perfection and she heads upstairs to find Gwen.

 

Spencer can smell  the turkey.  Sarah has out done herself this time, he says to himself; his stomach churning in anticipation.

Rena can also smell the aroma as it drifts up the stairs.  After delivering a baby, she could use a great meal to help rebuild her energy.

 

 Sarah walks into Gwen’s room prepared to announce that her birthday dinner is ready.  Instead she is slapped in the face with the emptiness of the room.

 

 Taking a moment to comprehend what has happened, Sarah finally realizes that Gwen has moved out right under their noses.

 

 Rena is back downstairs already cutting into the turkey.

“Looks incredible huh?” Spencer asks Rena when Sarah enters the room.

“I need to talk to you,” Sarah says softly.

Spencer places Chelsea’s freshly prepared baby food in front of her and gives Sarah his attention.

“I prepared that turkey for Gwen’s birthday,” Sarah says.

Immediately Spencer feels bad.  “Oh god!  I forgot that it was her birthday.  I’ll run upstairs to get her,” he says right away.

“No, let me finish…Gwen is gone,” Sarah whispers in Spencer’s ear, as not to upset Rena by allowing her to overhear.

Spencer is amused, “Gone?  So she decided to go out and celebrate after all…good for her!”

“No Spencer…I mean gone, gone.  Her room is completely empty.”

All smiles evaporate.  “Gone, gone…” he repeats.

Not that he doesn’t believe Sarah, but Spencer rushes upstairs to see Gwen’s room for himself.

He walks toward Gwen’s room, already feeling like a failure. Knowing that his mother Candy wanted him and his adopted sister to be a family after she passed away. Her wish was in vain.

He opens the door and slowly slips in, already seeing that the room is completely empty.

When did this happen? He asks himself.  Who helped her move all the furniture?

He glanced out the window and the light house captures his attention.  The light appears to be searching for something.  Suddenly it hits Spencer that he has no idea where Gwen is.

The realization is heavy in his stomach.  Gwen is really gone.

He heads back downstairs, knowing that he has to tell Rena.  Also knowing that she’ll be upset that he and Gwen never really got along.

He considers avoiding the subject.  He walks over and grabs a plate.  Suddenly Rena asks a question that he’d rather not answer, because it should be so simple.  “Spencer, where’s Gwen?”

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