omg drama

Fall Semester 2026 - John Smith is 20, Tom Smith is 20, Jackson Cooper is 20, Abby Stein is 20, Rachel Cooper is 18, Madison Miller-Kim is 18.

Rachel and Madison are freshman this year, and with them comes a whole heap of drama!

there are advantages to being the younger siblings

March 2026 - James and Anne Smith are 45, Jamie Smith is 16, Alex Smith is 14 (Piper Cooper is 14).

When you're the third of four kids, you don't get a lot of one-on-one time with your parents. So Jamie is surprised one day when James suggests a camping trip, just the two of them.

a trip out east

November 2025 - Martin Miller and Miranda Kim are 45, Madison Miller-Kim is 17 (Tom Smith is 19).

Madison is leaving for college next year, and her parents decide to celebrate by taking her on a trip to Takemizu Village.

away from parents' prying eyes

September 2025 - Edward Gaunt is 20, Richie Gaunt and Ellie Cornwall are 18 (Arthur Cornwall is 47).

Richie and Ellie are freshman this year, and Edward suggests that the three of them share an off-campus house.

"You don't want to live in a dorm," he says with a shudder.

love is never equal

April 2025 - Edward Gaunt and Kaylynn Langerak are 19.

He didn't plan on falling in love with her, but he did. His father gave had given him a large enough allowance to hire a maid service for his off-campus housing (no Gaunt would live in a dorm), and when she had shown up the first day, he had been taken aback by her beauty and youth.

When he tells his parents about their engagement, they don't take the news very well.

"She's a maid!" his mother shrieks. "You are a Gaunt. You cannot marry her!"

His father isn't as blunt (how can he be, when he started out with only a decaying mansion and a formerly good name), but he isn't any happier. After a tense Christmas holidy, Edward decides the best thing is to give his parents space. After all, from what Richard's told him, what do his parents know about love?

It's his idea for them to vacation at Twikkii Island for spring break.

"I'm a maid," Kaylynn protested, "not a college student. Spring break is for college students."

He books them a suite at one of the most expensive hotels on the island. He thinks the absence of college kids will help her feel more comfortable, but it doesn't. She can't relax even for a moment, she's so worried about how his parents will react.

"I don't belong in this world," she protests.

"Nonsense," he replies firmly. "You are going to be my wife. Soon this will be your world too." Spring break may have been too early in their relationship for a luxury vacation. He promises to take her back for their honeymoon.

*****

I recently bought Bon Voyage, and I wanted to try out the new features by sending Edward and Kaylynn on a tropical vacation. Unfortunately, since they aren't living together yet, I couldn't control her. She kept wandering around the hotel in her maid's uniform; she wouldn't even hang out at the beach! Hopefully their honeymoon will go more smoothly.

he doesn't understand love

December 2024 - Richie Gaunt and Ellie Cornwall are 17, Jan Gaunt is 44, George Gaunt is 46.

Richie meets Ellie at the ice skating rink, just as they have since they were six.

Of course now they have other things to do there besides just skate.

Richie doesn't actually know what he and Ellie are; they're best friends of course, but they've never had the relationship talk. But then he isn't seeing any other girls, and he knows she isn't seeing any other boys. Perhaps when you've been friends as long as they have, going steady doesn't mean anything. They already know they'll always be together.

They run into his mother at the ice skating rink. It surprises him, but it really shouldn't. After the divorce she only moved a few blocks away. The real surprise is that he hasn't seen her walking around Aradia more often.

He doesn't know what to say to her, but the awkwardness isn't because of the divorce. Or rather, it isn't just beause of the divorce. It has more to do with the last time he saw her.

She had been in the living room when he arrived home from school. "Mom," he said, surprised, "what are you doing here?"

"Oh hello darling." She kissed him on the cheek. "I just came over to say hello."

"I appreciate that, but I could have come to your apartment." He felt guilty, realizing that he still hadn't been over there. He knew his mother was seeing several men, and he wasn't ready to face that.

"Oh that's not necessary," she replied. "I don't mind coming over here."

"Well it's great to see you, Mom. Dad won't be home for a few hours, so we could get a cup of coffee or take a walk."

"Actually," she said slowly, "I'm here to see your father as well." She let that sink in for a moment before hurrying forward. "We've been in contact for a while, just talking, and he invited me to come over for a visit."

His parents had never seemed like friends. Most days they hardly spoke to one another. His father had always put his work first, leaving his wife alone with the children and the house. Neither Richie or Edward had been surprised when they're parents divorced. But seeing his father return home and greet his ex-wife with a kiss leaves Richie completely speechless.

Richie had mentioned it to Edward, but he hadn't wanted to hear about it.

"It has nothing to do with us," he had said. "Just forget about it."

But Richie can't help but think about it, especially when he runs into his mother. He thought being with Ellie had taught him about love, but it turns out he doesn't understand it at all.



*****
George and Jan have me very confused! Even though they both considered their divorce to be a good memory, they both wanted to fall in love with each other again. Maybe they'll find some way to reconcile? It's very unexpected, but it's fun letting them control the story.

family, turkey, and thanksgiving

November 2024 - James and Anne Smith are 44, John and Tom Smith are 18, Abby Stein is 18, Jamie Smith is 15, Alex Smith is 13.

It's the twins' first Thanksgiving after leaving for college, and Anne has been cooking for days.

"Do you think they won't come home again if you don't feed them enough?" Jamie teases her.

Business Directory

This page will keep track of the occupations of the citizens of Arcadia and New Athens.


Public Services

Arcadia Government
Senator: Phoebe Bui

Arcadia Public Schools
Minister of Education: Dr. Anne Smith
Elementary School Teacher: Pierce Phillips

New Athens Hospital
Chief of Staff: Dr. Martin Miller
Medical Researcher: Dr. Alex Smith

Arcadia Laboratories
Director: Dr. Arthur Cornwall

Arcadia Police Department
SWAT Team Leader: Jamie Phillips

Central Intelligence Agency
Director: Richard Gaunt
Surveillance Operator: Whitney Riley
CSI: Thomas Cwik











Businesses

Cooper Industries
Founder: Jack Cooper
CEO: Jackson Cooper
Senior Counsel: Rachel Cooper

Gaunt Corporation
Founder: George Gaunt
CEO: Edward Gaunt


Architecture Firms

Smith and Associates
Arcadia

Founder: James Smith
Partner: Abby Stein Smith








Journalism

New Athens Times
New Athens

Editor-in-Chief: Ellie Cornwall
Reporter: Adrian Bui










Law Firms

Kim and Associates
New Athens

Partner: Miranda Kim
Associate: John Smith









Stores and Services

Downtown Gallery
New Athens

Owner: Abhijeet Turner
Business Rank: 6
Employees: Naenae Tsvirkunov, Amin Sims





Olympic Gym
New Athens

Owner: Tom Smith
Business Rank: 1

the last year before the nest starts emptying

2023 - James and Anne Smith are 43, John and Tom are 17, Jamie is 14, Alex is 12. (Madison Miller-Kim is 15.)

All of the Smith kids are in high school this year.

not a love story

2021 - George Gaunt is 43, Jan Gaunt is 41, Edward is 16, Richard is 14.

It certainly wasn't how she thought her married life would go.

For 18 years she was a good wife. She bore him two sons, she oversaw the household, she used her social connections to advance his career. But it wasn't enough for her. She was lonely. When the boys were little, they were some comfort to her. They loved her, they needed her. But now they're teenagers, desperate to pull away from her and become little versions of their father.

Alec had been the butler since before their marriage. He had always been there, taking care of them quietly. She hadn't meant for it to happen, but she was alone at home all day with only him for company.

She was surprised by the force of George's anger. She was surprised he cared.

For the first time in her life, she's living on her own. She rented an apartment in Arcadia so as to be close to the boys, although they're not speaking to her now. She isn't seeing Alec anymore; he was good company at the time, but now she has other men ringing her doorbell. For the first time, she's free.

In all the years I've been playing The Sims 2, this is the first time my Sims have had divorce as a green memory! George and Jan are both happy to be rid of each other, which is good because I'd been planning this event from the beginning.

2021 Census

Population: 20
Arcadia: 16
New Athens: 4

Babies: 0
Toddlers: 0
Children: 2
Teens: 9
Adults: 9
Elders: 0

one night in the park

2020 - Arthur Cornwall and Rowena Cornwall are 42, Eleanor Cornwall is 13. (Richard Cornwall is 13.)

She'd been sick for a while, but nothing could prepare them for the day she died.

Ellie can't imagine life without her mother. She's only 13, just starting to wear makeup and like boys. How can she become a woman without her mother?

Her father throws himself into work, leaving Ellie home alone at night while he's in his lab. He had always been a serious man, but now he's so distant and cold. If he cries or even feels sad, he never lets Ellie see.

Even when he's around, he's like a ghost. He doesn't pay attention to anything anymore. He always hated how Ellie's cat Nimue loved to sleep on her bed with her, but now he doesn't even notice.

She's supposed to stay in the house when her father's at work, but sometimes she sneaks out to the park across the street. Usually she goes alone, but when Richie finds out he offers to come with her.

She and Richie have been best friends since kindergarten. They've spent countless hours playing at each others' houses and telling each other secrets. But now they're 13, and everything feels different.

They meet at the park late at night. She doesn't know how he managed to sneak out of his house and get to New Athens by himself, but she doesn't ask.

They talk a little, but mostly they just sit together. It's so nice to have some company, to not feel completely alone for a while. When they finally get up to leave, she grabs him and kisses him. She doesn't know why she does it; it's completely impulsive, it suprises her, but it suprises her even more when he kisses back.

young love

2020 - Madison Miller-Kim is 12, Tom Smith is 14.

Madison is 12 the year she first notices boys. Specifically, she notices Tom Smith. They've been friends for years, but now she sees him in a completely new way. She notices his floppy brown hair and dreamy brown eyes, and her insides feel all gooey. He seems to notice her too.


One fall afternoon they meet at the park. At first they keep it light, joking and laughing just like when they were younger. But then the topic turns to dance. Madison's been a ballet dancer since she was five; Tom's a soccer player and thinks dance is just a silly girl thing.

"I don't dance," he insists.

"You wouldn't even dance with me?"


And he does, and her heart flutters, and it's everything she dreamed it would be - her first kiss, her first love.


But even though she loves Tom, she also loves boys. It isn't long before she's back at that same park, dancing with another boy, Justus Lim.

the Smiths

2016 - James and Anne Smith are 36, John and Tom Smith are 10, Jamie Smith is 7, Alex Smith is 5. (Piper Cooper is 5.)

Anne has never thought of herself as a weepy mother, but she does tear up a little as she watches her youngest board the school bus for the first time.

For the first time in 10 years, the house is empty of children. Parenting is a little easier now that the endless stream of diapers and bottles is over, but there's a lot more worry now. For example, little Alex's first day of school. He's so shy, Anne worries about how he'll handle being away from home. But she didn't need to worry. On the first day of school, he brings home a friend, Piper Cooper.
All of the kids are doing well in school this year.
It's so much fun getting to know these kids. 7-year-old Jamie is spirited and adventurous, and she loves being outdoors.
The twins are 10 this year, and they're still best friends even though they couldn't be more different. Tom is playful and loves sports, while John is serious and studious.
Sometimes James brings up the idea of another baby, but Anne always vetoes that. Four children are plenty. But right now they only have one dog, George, and there's room in the backyard for more...

pre-teen angst

2016 - Edward Gaunt is 11, Richie Gaunt is 9. (Ellie Cornwall is 9, Rachel Cooper is 8.)

It isn't easy growing up in Arcadia, especially if you're Edward Gaunt. He's the oldest child in Arcadia, which means there aren't any other children his age. And with both of his parents working all of the time (doing not-quite-legitimate business), he ends up spending most of his time at home with his little brother.

He and Richie actually get along pretty well. But Richie has a best friend, Ellie Cornwall. She lives in New Athens, but because her parents went to college with their father, they frequently drop her off at their house.

That leaves Edward alone with their dog Orion. He begged his parents for a dog, and his mother finally came home with one. Orion is completely Edward's dog. He's already trained her to come and roll over, and they're working on playing dead. He named her Orion after the hunter in Greek mythology before he realized she was a girl.His only friend is Rachel Cooper, who's a year younger than his little brother. But she's a smart kid, and they both love to play chess. She's also the middle child, and her older brother and younger sister like playing together and leaving Rachel out. Edward and Rachel both know what it's like to be lonely.

As Laura describes it, the Gaunts' dog would be an example of gameplay influencing the story. I didn't plan for them to have a pet, but Edward really wanted a dog. And then when I sent his mother to get one, I thought she was getting a male dog, but after she got the dog home I realized Orion was female. Oops.

the Cooper family

2014 - Jack Cooper is 35, Jillian Cooper is 32, Jackson is 8, Rachel is 6, Piper is 3.

She loves all of her children equally, but differently. Jackson is her firstborn. She is a child herself when he's born, only 24 years old. Rachel comes along less than two years later, and she is overwhelmed; two cribs, two crying children, two sets of bottles to prepare. But now Jackson and Rachel take the bus to school everyday, and she's left home alone with only one child. Jillian gives her youngest her maiden name, Piper.

Piper is such a sweet, happy child. She's especially close to her brother Jackson. He loves playing with her, making her laugh.

Rachel is the middle child, the one left out by Jackson and Piper's closeness. But then she's always been her father's girl.

I'm still having a hard time getting stories out of these characters. But the kids are really cute! I'm hoping the stories will come as I get to know the characters better and as the children get older (and I have fewer diapers to change).

2011 Census

Population: 21
Arcadia: 16
New Athens: 5

Babies/Toddlers: 7
Children: 4
Teens: 0
Young Adults: 0
Adults: 10
Elders: 0

baby time

2007 - Martin Miller, Miranda Kim, James Smith, and Anne Smith are 27; John Smith and Tom Smith are 1.

Martin, Miranda, James and Anne have been friends since their freshman year of college. They lived in the same dorm all four years; they've shared beers and soccer games and late-night gossip. They are and always will be best friends, but now when they get together it's a little different.

Martin and Miranda haven't seen a lot of James and Anne since the birth of their twins. One night when the twins are a little over a year old, they are invited over for dinner.

"Nothing fancy," Anne warns them. "Just chicken noodle soup. But we'd love to see you again, and we'd love for you to see the boys."

James and Anne are both American history buffs; they named their twins John Adams Smith and Thomas Jefferson Smith. John is the older twin, and he's already a serious little boy. Tom is sillier, always quick to laugh. Miranda has never thought of herself as a baby person, but she spends hours playing with blocks with John and watching Tom color.

James asks the obvious question over soup: "So when are you two going to have your own kid?"

Miranda and Martin exchange glances. "We haven't really talked about it," she admits. "We've been --" She pauses, uncertain how to finish the sentence. She and Martin have been focused on their careers ever since graduation.

"Are you two going to have any more?" Martin asks, changing the subject.

"We're planning to," Anne replies. "We've always wanted a big family. But the twins are a handful. I think we're going to have to wait a few years before we have more kids." She smiles so they know she's only teasing. "Just don't wait too long. Don't you want our kids to grow up together?"

Miranda brings up the subject in bed that night. "We could have a baby," she suggests.

"Do you want a baby?" Martin asks.

"Do you?"

He's quiet for a moment. Martin is a thoughtful guy, he never says anything without thinking it over. "Yeah," he says. "We've talked about having kids before, but it's always been in the future. But I think we're ready now. We both have good jobs. We're happy at work, and we could take some time off." He smiles. "Yeah. Let's make a baby."

Martin's never been an overly emotional guy. He doesn't get down on one knee and make wild romantic gestures. He reasons things through. But Miranda can see what underlies his lists. He loves her, and she loves him, and they're going to have a family together.

"Okay then," she smiles. "We'd better get to work."

I didn't take any pictures of their newborn baby, but they had a girl, Madison Miller-Kim. These updates have been pretty sporatic, but once there are more family members to play with, hopefully I'll have something to say for each family every year.

she waits faithfully

2005 - Jack Cooper is 26, Jillian Piper Cooper is 23.

Jillian had always imagined herself in a beautiful townhouse, surrounded by friends and family, attending elegant parties with her sophisticated husband by her side. But in college she fell in love with Jack Cooper. He was poor but ambitious, and he promised that he would give her everything her heart desired. He graduated, and she waited for him, lonely but faithful as he built his empire.

It wasn't everything she had dreamed. They get married as soon as she graduates, but it's in a small ceremony in their own yard. Her parents refuse to attend, and he refuses to invite his. He leaves her alone a lot, in a house that is beautiful and elegant, but remote and empty. When she gives birth to their first child less than a year after their wedding, she's overjoyed, not just to be a mother, but because now she won't be alone anymore.

beginning of a dynasty

2004 - George is 26, Jan is 24.

Jan doesn't know what she thought being married would be like, but it certainly wasn't this. When he was courting her, George was charming and romantic, always buying her roses and fancy gifts. But now his life is his work. Most days she hardly seems him, except in the morning before he heads off to work. Even then he's distant, reading the paper and thinking about business. He doesn't care that she wants to work; that she is just as smart and ambitious as he is.

The only time he seems genuinely interested in her is when he brings up the subject of children. He wants one right away. "A boy," he says, and she knows that what he really means is an heir.

She never thought of herself as a mother. When she married him, she saw herself as helping to build his empire and restore his family's power and reputation. He saw that too, just in a different way.

Jan wondered how George would react if their firstborn was a girl, but it's a boy, just like he wanted. They name him Edward. He's beautiful, perfect in every way, and yet as she holds him she can't help but wonder if he can possibly fulfill his father's expectations.

My neighborhood finally has its first child! I'm hoping now that they've started having babies, the families will be a bit more interesting.

Poor Jan - George really wanted a baby, but all she wants is to make money! Now that the baby is born hopefully she'll be able to go back to work. George, on the other hand, has been flying through the Business ranks. He got promoted to Business Tycoon which was his LTW, so I started him on the Criminal career track since that's his new LTW. It fits with my vision of their family - rich, powerful, and not above a little law breaking to make their fortune.