Round 8: Cipriani, Ben and Starla

**update voiced by Starla Cipriani**

I never have asked for much as a wife and mother. I have supported my husband in his career and raised our four sons with pride and integrity. Even when Ben lost his job, I was there with a new plan. And we started a home business that is tremendously successful. That said, here is our update...

These are our handsome sons who have grown up so fast. From left to right they are Aiden my middle child, the twins Toby and Trey, and my oldest Owen.

Aiden Ciprinai: Fortune - LTW - Earn 100,000 Simoleans

Libra: 2 sloppy, 8 outgoing, 4 lazy, 6 playful, 6 nice

Toby Cipriani: Knowledge - LTW - Become Mad Scientist

Gemini: 2 sloppy, 7 outgoing, 9 active, 6 playful, 1 grouchy

Trey Cipriani: Romance - LTW - Become Hall of Famer

Libra: 2 sloppy, 8 outgoing, 4 lazy, 6 playful, 6 nice

Owen Cipriani: Pleasure - LTW - Become Professional Party Guest

Gemini: 2 sloppy, 7 outgoing, 9 active, 6 playful, 1 grouchy

My husband and I though, we had grown apart. Ever since he had lost his job, he had been wanting to rehash a bunch of old relationships from college. I am not sure what had gotten into him, but like anything else I easily dimissed it and let him sew his wild oats one last time. I thought he had ment that he was going out with buddies...guys from the fraternity, but I had been gravely mistaken. Ben had been seeing a young girl that he had met durring his senior year of college named Roxie Sharpe. Nothing had happened between Ben and Roxie then as I was already in the picture. But now Ben was taking it to far. He had been seeing Roxie for weeks and she was upset that he had not ended it with me. Little did I know the thought had never crossed his mind to leave me for her, but the damage was already done.

Able to placate her, the two headed into our back yard for a dip in the jacuzzi while I was still asleep...or so Ben thought.

I woke that morning feeling refreshed, and had stepped outside to water the flowers before opening up shop for the day when I heard something coming from the jacuzzi. I thought that maybe one of the boys had left it running from the night before. But when I rounded the corner I saw them. Roxie in Ben's arms...that was where the laughing was coming from. I was furious, and needless to say Ben was shocked to see me.

My emotions got the best of me and I attacked Roxie. I was in a blind rage. All Ben could do was stand by and watch.

When it was all over I hate to admit I was on the losing end of the stick. Utterly humiliated, I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. To my perfect family...

That was the last straw. I had selflessly commited myself to a man who obviously no longer appreciated me. So I kicked him out. It was over. I tried to hold together my composure as he pleaded with me to understand, but to be honest I didn't understand.

So I didn't let him see me cry. But the moment he left I broke down. What was I going to tell our sons? They were old enough now to completly understand their fathers misdeeds.

But I was strong enough to raise them alone, that I knew. The business now on my shoulders I got ready for the day and went through my normal routine. Funny that not a thing I did on a daily basis included Ben in any way. I hadn't seen the cracks in our relationship. Maybe our love wasn't as perfect as I have claimed.

So I found the me that was hiding inside that wife and mother and I decided to live for each day as it came...somtimes I let my expectations of things cloud their reality.

I settled things with Ben...as much as I could. He had moved out of our home and into his father's old place. The divorce was final and that was all that really mattered. We could officially move on.

Though moving on was harder than it sounds. My ex brother in law, Nolan, would come by to see how I was doing. He woudl buy something every time even if had bought two of the same thing already that week. It was sweet, but in a way suffocating. I wanted to see people who didn't remind me of Ben.

And when all else failed I decided to call the gypsy fortuneteller for a blind date. What could it hurt? My husband had found someone else, I still had some life left in me. So I took the chance.

And I ended up having a really great time. My date was with handyman Edward Landchild. He was a mature and honest man with a heart of gold. He had never been married, stating he had never truly been in love, and that he regretted it.

Edward warmed up to the boys right away. They even got together and threw me a birthday party. I was actually starting to feel happiness again and it was great.

A part of me does wonder if Ben and I could have amde it work, but things seem to be going in the right direction despite the obvious detours.

Aiden went off to college. I am sure he will do great there.

And my little Owen, my baby has become a man.

I am not sure what's next for us, but I can say that life comes at you fast and I can't wait to see what's around the next corner.

Family Stats Round 8

# of sims: 4 (+1 at college, -1 Ben moved out)

# of pets: 2

Family Funds: 73,185

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Round 8: Lucien and Natasha Cipriani

**update voiced by Natasha Cipriani**

Our week started out pretty normally. Ava, who was going back and forth on whether or not she wanted to attend college, decided to head off for university after all. And I am so proud of her. I would have been happy with whatever decision she would have made, but I am glad it was in favor of furthering her education. She actually ended up with several scholarships.

And our faithful dog Dane has lived his last days. We will miss him, but Lucien will more than the rest of us. Those two were almost inseperable.

We did decide to keep his ashes as a reminder of his wonderful life with us.

And seeing our pet pass only reminded me that I did not have much time left with Lucien. He had lived a long and full life, but was much older than I. I knew when I married, but back then it felt like we had forever in front of us. But time catches up.

And on the evening of his 72nd year of life, it was time. None of us were home when he passed on, and maybe it was for the better. I am not sure how I would have held myself together. Goodbye my love.

The twins took it pretty hard losing their father at such a young age. But we had lived our lives very open to our children and they had known as well as I that their father would not be with us for very long. Though they found comfort in eachother, hanging out together when they could.

Each girl had a very diffrent taste in pass times. Sophia was very motherly doing most of the cooking and cleaning.

Scarlet on the other hand was extremely creative and expressive. She played the guitar, the piano, and loved to paint.

We also adopted a cat that we named Bosco. He was a great companion to me through some very lonely times. The girls helped me to care for him, but he was truly my cat. But I decided that I needed more from life. Sure, I was working steadily, but I wasn't fulfilled. I had the inheritence from Lucien plus a whole lifetime of savings burning a hole in my pocket. That's when I decided to purchase this...

A community lot I named "Natasha's". Since the first time I had gone shopping in this town I had wanted to change the face of Rose Island retail and this was my chance.

I have alot planned for this old place. And with the help of my girls, it should turn into a great place to shop.

Though I did not end up with much help to begin with. Scarlet soon decided that she needed to grow on her own and moved out to attend college on the heels of her big sister Ava.

Sophia though did stay behind. She was more interested in dating and starting a family of her own than going to college. And I could not blame her. Plus she was an extra pair of hands around the store.

And business was going quite well. I have alot of learning (and a bit of redecorating) to do before Natasha's becomes my vision, but it has been a welcome distraction.

And on a last note, here is a pic of Lucien and I from our anniversary party. He will be truly missed.

Family Stats Round 8

# of sims 3 (+2 at college) # of pets: 1

Family Net Worth: 63,035

Business Net Worth: 52,014

Total: 115,049

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Stats: Round 7

# of Sims: 18 (+2 this round)
# of pets: 5 (not counted in point tally) (-1 this round)

Neighborhood Net Worth: 188, 277

Total Points so far: 27

Stay tuned for Round 8!
Shaunna

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Round 7: Daryl and Marriah Jayalapan

**Update voiced by Daryl Jayalapan**

I lost my job at the resturaunt, and was pretty upset about it. But I don't really have much in mind as far as career goals...my life dream is to raise a family and not to work some random 9-5.

I spent several days on the couch in front of the tv trying to figure out what I was going to do next.

Finally I decided that sitting on the couch was not the right solution. I had a family to think of, and so I found part time work as a projectionist. I figured that way I could work at night and be wih Marriah durring the day when she really needed me.

She was happily pregnant, and never really made much fuss. Her hunger had increased some, but she got by on snacking between meals.

And then it happened. Our first child was on the way.

Our daughter, Betsy was born.

Marriah and I loved being parents. So much so that we discussed having another right away. Since I was back to work it seemed possible. But we had trouble concieving right away. By the time Betsy was ready for her birthday, we still were unable to get pregnant again.

We were still having a great time as parents. I taught Betsy to walk and talk while Marriah was stuck in bed with a terrible stomach flu.

It turned out to not be a stomach flu at all and to our excitement and amazement we were expecting baby #2!

It was another easy pregnancy for Marriah. She truly enjoyed carrying our children. Every other woman in our family seemed to struggle with it, but not my Marriah.

Little Elise was born soon after.

Betsy was growing fast and had a birthday before we knew it. One day she was a cuddly toddler...

...and the next we were blowing out the candles on her cake and she had blossomed into a beautiful child.

We decorated her bedroom as if she was the princess in a castle and she adorded it so much she wore the princess dress almost every day.

Then it was time for little Elise to grow up. I was ready for our third baby, but thought I would give my lovely wife a break. I hoped that we would have a son, though I cherished my daughters, I wanted someone to carry on the Jayalapan name.

And in all the excitement of our daughters births and birthdays, we did not notice that our dear pup Marriah was in her last days. Here she is playing with her daughter Bindi.

I thought that Marriah would be the hardest to console, but in fact it was young Betsy that had the hardest time with losing our faithful companion.

Mystic had been in Marriah's life since she was a child, so it had to have hurt. But her strong exterior would not crack. She was a mother, and a wife, and had a house and a job. Lots of things that demanded her time and attention. I tried to console her, but she did not let me...so I let her mourn privately.

Though I leave you on a sad note, we hope for your return next time...and the possibility of baby #3!

Family Stats Round 7

# of sims: 4 (+2) # of pets: 1 (-1)

Family Net Worh: 26,984

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