Elaine's Story: Part 2 (Pre-Teen Angst) Update 9/8/12

[Montridge]

*This story is a sequel to Elaine's Story: Part 1 (In the Beginning...)


Changes



‘Miss Lanie, your breakfast is getting cold.’ Jane the maid, yelled up the stairs.
‘Just a minute!’ I snapped irritated.
‘No more minutes. Your Uncle said for you to come down now!’
Errr!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_35207482.jpg

It’s been two years since we last spoke. A lot has changed since then.
Our old maid, NanSing quit last year. She got married and is expecting a baby. We are still as close as sisters and have kept in touch. Uncle Remington and I threw her a baby shower last week.
Uncle Remington is still the same as you may remember him.
He claims that you never know only one pregnant woman. His theory is that women always get pregnant in packs. Both of his female staff members are expecting, as well as several of his models.
‘I’m surrounded by all these hormonal women about to pop!’ My Uncle dramatically declared at dinner last night. ‘It’s murder! I’ll be glad when this baby boom is over and things return to normal!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e64b29_b5208bcf.jpg

I glanced at a pretty pink card on my night stand.
My old friend Helen sent me a birthday card. In it she told me that her sister-in-law Shelly was also going to have a baby. It would be her second.
Sadly, I didn’t get to see Helen or any of her family as much as I used too.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_f52074cc.jpg

Ignoring, the shrill voiced Jane, I continued to do what I was doing before she so rudely interrupted me. I was applying make up. Since I was now in the double digits, I thought it was high time.
I still had all my Barbies and wasn’t quite ready to give them up entirely. Now days I call myself a collector.
My new passion and that of my friends in my little group known as the Wall Girls, was now fashion.
We poured over every teen magazine we could get our hands on. We were obsessed with hair, make-up, and the latest style trends.
All my friends thought it was too cool that Remington Mansfield was my Uncle. He is the top fashion designer in SimCity and really very famous.
When my parents were killed in a car accident, my Uncle become my guardian. You may remember that he legally adopted me a little later on.
Uncle Remington is the best father a girl can have, except maybe for the man that raised me the first seven years of my life....you may also remember that after eavesdropping on a conversation, I learned that Daddy wasn’t my real father at all!
I suspected that my mother’s former husband, Dex Newman, was my true father. He’s a real slimebag. I haven’t forgotten that I vowed to get revenge on him. It was because of Newman that our family unit almost crumpled a couple of years ago.
It was also the reason why Helen and I now only communicate with the occasional card or letter.
However; I don’t want to think about any of that right now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d51e6a7e.jpg

All my friends had mothers to steal-er borrow make up from. There were no other females in my household. Both Jane and Mrs. Hammond the cook went to their own homes every night.
My best friend Wendy was thoughtful enough to sneak a little extra for both of us. Wendy’s mother is an actress and had tons of it lying around everywhere. She claimed her mother would never miss it.
We made a pact that today we would all wear make up.
We would show our rivals ‘The Swingers’ that we could look better and even more sophisticated than they thought they were.
We got the idea when we over heard the ring leader of the group, Tiffany VanSwearingen, lament to her little followers, that her mother wouldn’t allow her to wear make up to school.
We would show them that we could, but thought it better to eliminate the possibility of our parental units saying no, by not asking in the first place.
I guess I should mention that my teacher, Mrs. Evans (The former Miss Fonce) is also expecting.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_35207482-1-1.jpg

Wow!
I wasn’t quite sure what to think.
The make up was certainly fun to put on, but it did feel and look a bit like a mask.
Maybe this is something I'd have to adjust too, like the taste of coffee. My first mocha latte didn’t taste as good as I thought it would. Now I drink them all the time.
Perhaps, I just had to wear this stuff on my face all day before I finally felt grown up.
I bet you've noticed that I no longer wear my hair in the curly little ponytail.
Peer pressure and the fact that it had grown so long caused me to explore other style options.
My hair has also darkened to brown since I’ve gotten older.
Uncle Remington told me that both he and my mother started out as blondes too. Their hair also darkened over time.
When I become an adult, I would dye my hair like Mommy did.
In the mean time, I fixed my hair the way Helen was currently wearing hers.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_552070c9.jpg

My friends are envious that I actually know Helen Harper personally.
Helen was ‘Midget the Surfer Girl’ when you last saw her, now she’s an international film star.
Helen’s won tons of prestigious awards for her acting ability. That's another reason why I don't get to see her any more. She's so busy going from one film to the next it's hard keeping up with her.
You also had to get past Dex Newman and Helen’s husband, Reginald to even speak to Helen now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_95209c67.jpg

'Elaine Marie!'
Uh-Oh! That’s Uncle Remington.
I can put Jane off all morning, but as you well know, Uncle Remington isn’t one to trifle with.
My cat Belle stopped sharpening her claws on the sofa and followed me downstairs.
She’s still my little shadow.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3520765a.jpg

I’m also pleased to inform you, that my Uncle never had Belle declawed when we got her spayed.
Though she made him sneeze, he was afraid Belle wouldn’t be able to defend herself if she should get lost.
He won't admit it, but he loves Belle just as much as I do.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_55207089.jpg

Coming Next: Uncle Remington's reaction to Lanie's new look.

[Montridge]

I shot the pics using the teen body, stretch skeleton body, and the kid made over...I chose the kid body since I thought it would be fun to age her over the chapters. Not to worry, there will be enough teen angst from Roberta and plently of pre-teen drama from Lanie, to make it worthy of the title. :)
EDIT: I'm also trying to write this in a way so new readers won't have to read the first part if they don't wanna.

[Montridge]

The New Lanie


‘It’s about time!’ my Uncle snapped at me, until he caught a look at my face. ‘Oh my!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_7520f348.jpg

He and his significant other Trent, had been cheerfully discussing the current baby boom.
When my Uncle nudged him, Trent stopped mid sentence.
‘Oh!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d520f3fa.jpg

I was starting to feel a little self conscious from the way they were both looking at me.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Mommy would have done if she were still alive.
An inner voice answered that she would have marched me right into the bathroom and made me scrub the make up off.
My mother was a wonderful person, but she didn’t put up with a lot of nonsense. She was certainly much stricter with me than my Uncle was.
Uncle Remington mutely pleaded with Trent to do something.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_7520f549.jpg

Giuseppe, the butler looked like he was about to crack up laughing, as he served the oatmeal.
I felt my Mansfield temper begin to boil over.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_7520f782.jpg

‘Trudy,’ Trent called out for our cook.
Gertrude Hammond was the only Grandmotherly figure I'd ever known. Though we had a close relationship, she didn't always approve of my antics. I could see this was one of those times.
‘Please take Lanie out to the kitchen and help her wash all this make up off her face.’
‘With pleasure.’ Mrs. Hammond answered grimly.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b520f805.jpg

Sensing I was about to explode, Trent held up a hand.
‘When you have it all washed off, go upstairs and bring your make up down here. If your going to wear it, you need to learn how to do it right.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b520f3c6.jpg

Relieved that he wasn’t going to make me throw it out, I went with Mrs. Hammond to the kitchen to wash my face.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b520f891.jpg

Coming Next...Make up lessons for Lanie

[exactduckwoman]

Man! Her teenage attitude comes right through your writing. I guess she was always pretty self-willed though :) I was concerned about Trent until she went down to breakfast. I assume we will hear more about what happened there soon, but for a bit I thought he and Remington had broken up.

Thanks for the update Montridge!

[IrishGrace]

I was worried too... for reference, that was one of the scenarios I thought was possible with the whole Trent/Helen thing at the end of Lanie's childhood.

I *love* Lanie's new hair! Ok, so I liked the other one too, but this is perfect for a transition between child and teen!

[sugaplum]

i love this story Montridge.
cant wait for more

[flashbangg]

Love Lanie's new 'do ;)

Great start, can't wait to see more!

[prettiammie2005]

Heehee. That reminds me of when I was a little girl and started to wear makeup. :P

[Montridge]

Thanks everyone for the comments! *hugs*
I read that first chapter back this morning and could tell I had been suffering under the influence of cold pills. LOL. It was a real challenge to try and write it so no one had to go back and read the first part. So I'm really glad to see both old and new readers.
Lanie will tell you what happened that night after Helen left in Chapter 4. It's all ready written, I just need a few more pics.
(I was being a tease in the first chap by not mentioning Trent*hangs head*, but I did let everyone know that Belle never got declawed. :D)
Chapter 3 will be up after I order my hubby's dinner from Pizza Hut.
(Remy and I went to the same cooking school.)

[Montridge]

Make Up Lessons From Professor Trent Thornton



After my face was scrubbed clean, I ran upstairs and retrieved my stol-er borrowed make up.
‘Set it down on the table, Hon.’ Trent ushered me into a chair. He frowned a bit as he looked it over. ‘This is stage make up.’
‘No wonder you looked like you were wearing a Halloween mask.’ my Uncle quipped.
Trent quickly explained the difference between stage make and everyday make up.
Using a very gentle touch, Trent began applying the make up to my face.
‘You also want to be careful about what brands you use. You never want to buy cheap make up.’
My Uncle shuddered in agreement.
‘You wouldn’t believe what they put in that stuff.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3520fb14.jpg

‘The whole point of make up is to look like your not wearing any.’ Trent continued his instruction. ‘The only thing make up is suppose to do, is give a boost to your more positive features and to conceal the flaws. I prefer my models have a fresh natural no make up look.’
‘You never want to look like you put the stuff on with a spackling tool.’ my Uncle chortled.
We had quite the audience.
Giuseppe, Jane, and Mrs. Hammond all watched as Trent redid my face.
‘Another thing you have to consider is buying the right shades of make up to match your natural coloring. Your skin has cool under tones, so you want to stick with pinks, roses, and mauve shades. You never want to wear bright reds, oranges, and under no circumstances plums or purples.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_1520fd9f.jpg

I couldn’t help but recall my first morning in this house. I’d been devastated that I hadn’t been able to fix my hair the way Mommy always did. Uncle Remington had tried to help, but designing women’s wear was his area of expertise, not styling their hair.
Trent had heard me throwing a tantrum and had come up to see what the squawk was about.
My Uncle not used to children was as equally frustrated with me.
Luckily, Trent has a temperamental daughter of his own. He also picked up a few hairstyling technics from his many years in the fashion/entertainment business. He had saved the day.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel/snapshot_71e077da_d1e5a514-1.jpg

It looked like he’d learned a few make up tips along the way as well.
‘You always want to keep your make up age appropriate.’ Trent was going on as he lightly dotted rouge on my face. ‘If you wear too much people stare at your make up, but if you wear just the right amount, you can create the illusion that you are a natural beauty with no imperfections.’
He made another face at my make up.
‘I also prefer powders over creams. Cream make up is too oily and causes break outs. I think I can get you some proper make up samples at work.’
I was suddenly over come with the love I felt for Trent. It hadn’t taken long for me to become attached to my Uncle’s other half.
We were a solid family unit even if we didn’t measure up to the conventional standards.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_1520fd92.jpg

‘Viola!’ Trent exclaimed when he’d finished.
Giuseppe, Jane, and Mrs. Hammond all looked impressed. I hoped Jane had been taking notes.
When I looked into the mirror, I couldn’t believe how adult I looked. I was actually pretty. Sometimes I feared I would always be dreadfully plain, but Trent had skillfully brought out only my best features.
Tiffany VanSwearingen would be soooo jealous.
Happily, I hugged him.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d520fcfc.jpg

My Uncle was blinking back sudden sentimental tears.
‘You look so much like your mother. I just wish she was here to see you now.’
I hugged him too.
I never stopped missing my parents. Every night before I fell asleep, the moment I turned off the lamp and nestled my head against the pillow, was our time. In my head I would tell them all about my day and share with them my hopes and dreams. When ever I became afraid I couldn’t remember what they actually looked like, all I had to do was look at the photograph my Uncle had put in my room.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3520ff51.jpg

After I hugged my Uncle, I handed him a permission slip I was supposed to have him sign.
‘What’s this for?’
‘Miss FinchMeyer feels that it’s time for our class to learn about the facts of life.’
My Uncle’s pen froze over the paper.
‘Oh God!’ he moaned. ‘You are growing up! I don’t think I like this one bit! Mostly, because it makes me feel old!’
Trent smiled sadly.
‘It happens, Mansfield. They grow up and away from you. That’s the real fact of life.’
Trent would know. His daughter Roberta and Helen had both grown up and away from him.
Though the latter was entirely his fault.
After my Uncle signed my paper, he drew himself up and looked me right in the eye.
‘I forbid you to get any older before I’m ready for you too. I’m simply not ready to deal with a teenager and all the drama that goes along with being a teen. So until I give you my permission to grow any older, you will remain the age you are now, which is....’
‘Ten.’
‘That was a good age for me. So you will be ten until further notice.’
Giggling, I humored him.
‘Ten until further notice.’
I kissed his cheek. I was thrilled to see I left a lipstick print.
‘Good Luck with that.’ Trent told my Uncle in a knowing manner. ‘It would be nice if you really could magically turn aging off and can keep our little ones from growing up too soon. If that were the case I’d have done it a long time ago.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3520fe8e.jpg

Coming Next: Lanie is ready to talk about Helen.

[IrishGrace]

Lanie is SO lucky to have Remy & Trent... if she'd had anybody else as her parents (ya know, assuming her real parents still died and everything), she'd have probably ended up going to school in the makeup she put on herself... 'specially if she was living with *shudder* Newman.

[Montridge]

Good Morning IrishGrace :)
Your so right there. If she were raised by Newman, Lanie would have turned out to have a poor self image and probably be anorexic too.
Newman neglects his children and tries not to be anywhere near them. (He doesn't care much for kids.) They were pretty much raised by uncaring servants.
He's harder on his daughter than his sons because he's surrounded by artificial beauty standards all day and is cold to her because she doesn't measure up.
I'll give you a little bit of information: Lanie's mother was determined that Newman would never raise Lanie. Quite a few of my characters were in the plot to keep Newman from finding out who she is.

[Psycho_Bunny]

either way, I'm glad trent and remington are back together... that's a goody
lol I've seen people wear so much makeup at school before they look orange!!

[Montridge]

Me too Psycho_Bunny on both statements. :) I'm happy that your reading this.
Bad News: I just wanted to let everyone know my game has gone glitchy again, so it might be a few days before I can update. I downloaded a bunch of new hairs, clothes, walls, and objects..it would be great if my computer gave the files the date I put them in, but it goes by when the file was created...sigh.
Good News:I got the next four chapters written, so once I get done sorting files the updates will be fast and furious.

[onsenmark]

I like, I like.

Nice to see Trent and Remy back together, too... although there's prolly a story behind THAT.

And is it just me, or does the Lanie in this story look completely different from the one in the prequel(hair aside)?

[Montridge]

onsenmark! *hugs*
I'm glad you like. :)
As for Lanie, it's the same little Simmy. The make up and brown hair do make her look different though.
I wanted to let everyone know that I found the files that were mucking up my game. (Wall files off all things!) The only sad news is that Miss Fonce totally vanished from my game. I do remember which face template I used and being a very minor character, it shouldn't matter if I don't get her perfect.
I also got the rest of the day off today, so expects your updates soon. :D

[Montridge]

Helen


While on my way to school, I started to think about Helen again....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_752a5077.jpg

Once upon a time, Helen was Trent’s top model. He discovered her while he was helping a client hold auditions for a soda commercial. All day long he’d dealt with snooty Studio Town type children and their tiresome stage mothers. Not one of the perfect little princesses he saw that day fit the part. He wanted a sweet natural child, one that would just drink the soda and look cute doing it.
While grabbing a quick bite to eat at The Happy Burger Shack, Trent saw Helen sitting at the counter having a hamburger with her brothers. He thought she would be perfect for the soda commercial. She was such a hit, that Trent signed her up with his modeling/talent agency and became her mentor.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_552070c9-1-1.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f52ca572_d52ecd06.jpg

When Helen was a child and later a teen, she took all Trent’s advice without question. She kept busy with commercials, modeling jobs, catalog shoots, and even a few plays. Trent was proud of her and became attached to her as if she were his own child.
Trent already had a daughter Roberta, but his wife insisted on sending their daughter off to a posh boarding school. Since Trent didn’t get to see Roberta as often as he liked, he transferred his fatherly affections toward Helen.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f52ca572_b52cb689.jpg

Trent also became attached to the rest of Helen’s family and best friends with her father, Tony.
Trent spent more time with them than with his own family.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_b52f29ae.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_f52f2a93.jpg

The trouble started when Helen became a young adult......

Coming next: Flashback...Helen meets Reginald Harris.

[Montridge]

Helen

After Helen graduated from high school, Trent got her work as an extra in beach flicks and ‘Midget the Surfer’ girl movies.
It was on the set of one of those films, she met Reginald Harris. (He played a guy named ‘Smelly’.)
At first Helen and Reginald clashed.
Reginald and his pals that were managed by Dex Newman hazed poor Helen mercilessly.
They made fun of her because Trent made lots of demands for her.
Trent would not allow Helen to dress in the common coed dressing room with the others. (The films were that low budget.) He arranged for a janitors closet to be made into a private dressing room just for her.
Trent also had a total melt down when he visited the set and discovered that wardrobe had dressed Helen in a strapless bikini. He literally stormed the set with a large beach towel and wrapped a very embarrassed Helen in it and dragged her off the set. Under no circumstances was her naval ever to be seen. So when you look closely at her dancing in those old beach flicks, she’s the one in capris and halter top.
This was also when her stage name became Helen Harper, because it was a lot easier for people to pronounce than Deppiesse.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_d2743c9f_5530a822.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_d2743c9f_5530a65e.jpg

Dancing led to a few speaking roles, the bit parts got the attention of the rest of Studio Town.
My Uncle believes it was around this time that Dex Newman became interested in Helen as well.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_d2743c9f_3530a531.jpg

Reginald and Newman’s other minions quit harassing Helen and befriended her.
Trent was concerned about the club hopping antics of Newman’s gang of delinquents, but Helen was now legally an adult.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_d2743c9f_927447bb.jpg

It also alarmed Trent when Helen and Reginald started dating.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f22af64b_322b0ed8.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f22af64b_522b0cd3.jpg

Helen was offered the part of ‘Midget the Surfer Girl’ around the time she announced her engagement to Reginald.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel/snapshot_51e3eea8_31e5bdef-2.jpg

By this time Trent had divorced his wife and was living with his one and only true love, my Uncle Remington. This is where I pretty much entered the picture........

Coming next: Flashback.. Trent tries to sabotage Helen and Reg's relationship.

[Montridge]

Helen


Trent did everything he could to discourage Helen’s relationship with Reginald. My Uncle went along with it in the beginning because he felt that anyone associated with Dex Newman was bad news. They scored a temporary victory after Trent hired a private detective and found a whole lot of dirt on Reginald. Helen’s parents were grateful when she called the wedding off.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3205aab1.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel/snapshot_71e077da_f205b053-1.jpg

Things might have played out differently, had Helen not discovered she was pregnant with Reginald’s child. Fearful of the scandal that went along with being an unwed mother, she went back to him. Even when Trent and all the other adults in her life gave her more options, she claimed to have fallen in love with Reginald all over again. Though we all hated it, we went to the wedding.
I think it was at this point my Uncle’s opinion of Reginald Harris began to thaw a bit. He knew Reginald was no saint and still not Helen’s best choice for a husband, but he did respect that the man truly loved Helen.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel/snapshot_728d4fa7_b2b38b06-1.jpg

Helen’s parents comforted Reginald when Helen lost her baby, but Trent continued to hate Reginald with an unwavering passion.
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http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_52e750ae-1.jpg

It wasn’t until Trent and Reginald grudgingly began working together that Trent finally caught a glimpse of Reginald’s humanitarian side.
While at Helen’s New Years Eve party, Trent and Reginald decided to bury the hatchet.
Just as they shook hands, Dex Newman showed up uninvited. He wasted no time in showing Helen and Reginald proof that Trent wasn’t coming forward with every offer for her talents.
Trent just hadn’t been able to accept that Helen was an adult. Though he had promised Helen she was an equal partner where her film career was concerned, he was turning down projects behind her back. He was rejecting any adult role, determined to keep Helen's image wholesome and pure.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_95065748-1.jpg

This brought the bad blood back between Reginald and Trent. It also put Trent in the dog house with Uncle Remington......
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3515c71d-1.jpg

Coming Next: Flashback...Trent and Helen dissolve their business relationship.

[IrishGrace]

Woo!! Flashbacks!!

[Montridge]

I'll be glad when the flashbacks are over and I can get on with the story!
Between game crashes and a real life virus, I've been kind of slow updating.
I also had to remake Roberta because she's vanished too!

[Montridge]

Helen


After Helen's disastrous party, my Uncle banished Trent to the guest room.
When Trent was really upset about something he turned to the bottle.
It was well known in Studio Town that Trent was an alcoholic. Dex Newman was counting on the humiliation Trent suffered by his revelations, to make him go on a binge.
When my Uncle got up the next morning, he and Trent argued. Uncle Remington was disgusted to see that Trent was already drinking. My Uncle threatened to take me and leave if Helen signed on with Newman.
While Uncle Remington took the short route to Helen’s to see if he can convince her not to sign with Newman. Helen and her husband Reg, took the scenic rote because she wanted to rehearse what she said to Trent. She had intended to stick with Trent, but was determined that he would truly treat her as an equal.
Helen did stand up for herself, but Trent stubbornly refused to give in to her demands. He felt that only he knew best when it came to her career. (He was also extremely inebriated by this time.)
Reginald would not quit getting in his face and said some things that caused Trent to strangle him.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b51dda9f-1.jpg

I had been listening in on the conversation and went down stairs to see if I could help.
If my Uncle had been there I don’t think things would have gotten that out of hand.
The end result was that Trent actually threw both Helen and Reg out of the house and claimed he never wanted to speak to either of them again.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_551e005a-1.jpg

Once they left, I yelled at Trent for treating Helen so shabbily and being unreasonable.
I was told to go up to my room, which I did, but not without telling him what I thought of him at the moment.
My words actually seemed to get through to Trent.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_753191ed.jpg

One of Trent’s biggest fears was to lose Helen. With that fear realised he had some sort of break down. Then the fear of losing both my Uncle and I rolled up as well.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_151e6720-1.jpg

To say my Uncle was furious when he got home would be a gross understatement, however; when he saw Trent in such a serious state, he forgave him. My Uncle turned all the blame on Newman instead.
My Uncle’s only demand was that Trent quit drinking.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_951e6786.jpg

Trent agreed, if they could go to one of Uncle Remington’s doctors for help and he wouldn’t have to go to any meetings.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_951e6886.jpg

The only good thing to come out of the situation is that Trent hasn't touched anything stronger than ginger ale since......

Coming Next: Final flashback...Where Helen is now.

[IrishGrace]

Yay!! I'm so glad you told us exactly what happened between Trent and Remy...

Sorry you've been having so many troubles with your game though... I'm petrified of losing any of my Sims, especially since I'm definitely not good at recreating them LOL

[Montridge]

Luckily, I used Roberta to make another character, so it wasn't hard to get her back. I've decided to quit uploading objects, hacks, and build items so this doesn't happen again. There are a few characters like Trent that would be hard to make all over again.
I'll try to have the next installment soon...*crosses fingers and hopes no other Sims vanish from game.*

[Montridge]

Helen



A week after the incident with Helen, Trent sent her flowers and told her in a card that he was sorry and wished her well in her career. Helen being a loving forgiving person called him the moment she received the flowers.
It was a tearful conversation on both sides, but the damage had been done. Helen had signed with Newman out of spite and committed herself to a binding five year contract.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_f5331bec.jpg

The saddest thing was that Tony Deppiesse, Helen’s father was no longer speaking to Trent.
It filtered down to me that Tony could have forgiven Trent for lying to Helen (as long as he made it right) but couldn’t get past the way he treated Helen when she’d come over to give Trent a second chance.
We no longer socialized with the Deppiesse’s though my Uncle and Allie Deppiesse (Helen’s mother) still spoke on the phone occasionally.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f52ca572_35332ed8.jpg

Dex Newman tried to charm Helen’s parent’s in the beginning by going to church with them and promoting Helen’s charitable work, but found Tony a hard person to con.
Newman finally decided he needed Helen away from her family’s influence and moved her and Reginald into the mansion next door to his. Helen was getting all sorts of movie offers and could easily afford it.
Helen and Reg sold their modest little home and started to live a more Studio Town life style with Newman’s encouragement.
Newman also bought out Reg’s contract with The Capt’N Billy Show and now Reginald was considered Dex’s right hand man.
Reginald did get a few bit parts in Helen’s films in the beginning, but his characters were still always killed off.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_953322c1.jpg

Newman did make Helen a star, but my Uncle was concerned with what the cost may be later. He’d known Dex Newman since he was eleven years old. Dex had dated and eventually married my mother.
My Uncle had been fooled by Dex in the beginning, but after my grandparent’s both died quite suddenly, Dex’s true colors soon appeared. He pushed my mother ruthlessly toward a modeling/acting career. He’d even got her hooked on drugs so he could control her.
I would learn later that Newman used other cruel methods to keep her in line.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_d53348b0.jpg

Uncle Remington was also a target of Newman's mental and physical abuse.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_35334a97.jpg

My Uncle finally convinced my mother to run away with him and neither looked back since....well except maybe once, because I was born years after my mother and Daddy married.
I’d overheard my Uncle and Trent say that Daddy wasn’t my real father. Newman once made the comment that I might be his and even bragged to my Uncle that my mother had strayed during her marriage to my father. I kind of added two and two together.
Uncle Remington and Trent had no idea that I suspected Newman was my real father.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_95335148.jpg

It kind of creeped me out that my mother may have cheated, (though I hadn’t officially learned the facts of life, I know now it had been more than just a few stolen kisses.) I could forgive her anything.
The Mansfield way was to forgive and move on. I thought it was a very good policy.
I would do anything just to have Mommy and Daddy back again.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_d365c57a.jpg

‘Hey daydreamer,’ Trent teased me. ‘This is your stop.’
I snapped out of my memories of playing with Mommy on the beach and grabbed my school bag.
I quickly kissed my Uncle who was in the driver’s seat.
Like he did every morning, Trent got out of the car to open the door for me.
I slid on out and paused a moment to look up at him.
We all make mistakes and I think everyone has done something stupid that they regret.
I feel a truly good person learns from those mistakes and at least tries to change once they learn they need too.
Trent Thornton is a good man and in spite of his past mistakes, quirks, and other issues, loved both my Uncle and me. He and my Uncle were like two halves of one whole. I’m glad Trent is part of our life.
I gave him the biggest hug and kiss I had, before I went to join my friends.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d52a5d67.jpg

[IrishGrace]

grrrrr... Newman gets more despicable every time he's in the story... but I'm glad you told us what happened to Helen, even though it's horrible!

[Montridge]

The Wall Girls


When I found my friends we headed for the back garden and took our place by the wall.
Only three of us were wearing make up.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_3557bf85.jpg

‘Mom stopped me at the door and made me scrub it off.’ Terri told us as she polished her glasses.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_d557c28c.jpg

‘I had some on.’ Carla sighed mournfully. ‘but it made my skin burn and itch. Now I have a really bad rash on my face. I didn’t want to go to school looking like this, but Mother said it served me right for getting into her things.’
The rest of us gathered closer to look at the angry red bumps on Carla’s face.
It figured Carla would be allergic to make up. She was already allergic to nuts, eggs, dairy products, bee stings, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, chalk dust, and crayons.
We all reassured her that the rash wasn’t that bad.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_1557c10b.jpg

‘Look at you.’ Wendy the unofficial leader of our group smiled at me. ‘You look so nice. How come Emily and I look like a couple of clowns?’
I think we all looked up to Wendy because she was a bit more mature and worldly wise than the rest of us.
Her mother was an actress and had been married seven times. There wasn’t much Wendy didn’t learn before we did, but she was always generous about filling us in.
That was how I learned about the mysterious act of Woohoo, before ever taking Miss FinchMeyer’s class.
I quickly passed along some of Trent’s make up tips and advice.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_1557c056.jpg

‘Your so lucky, Lanie. Every girl needs a gay uncle around to keep her from going out and committing all sorts of fashion faux pas.’
I giggled, Uncle Remington had teased Trent by making almost the very same statement.
However; I agreed with Trent that it was because fashion and make up were part of his profession that made him knowledgeable on the subject.
‘Did your mother ever notice that some of her make up was missing?’
‘Nah, I told you she wouldn’t. She always forgets what she has and buys more. She has five make up kits like the one I gave you. Two of them have never had the plastic band popped off.’
I felt a little better. Deep down I felt guilty that my new make up was stolen.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_d557bffa.jpg

‘How were you and Emily able to get past your mothers.’ Terri wanted to know.
‘There was a big party in Studio Town Hills last night.’ Wendy told us cheerfully. ‘Mom wasn’t able to open her eyes, let alone notice what I look like. I doubt she would have minded anyway, as long as I didn’t talk to her. She hates to be spoken to before noon.’
‘My parents are vacationing on Twikki Island.’ Emily explained. ‘Our governess Miss Burns is half blind and mostly deaf. As long as we leave her to her books and knitting, we can do as we please while the folks are away.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_7557c21e.jpg

‘Look out.’ Carla warned the rest of us. ‘It’s the attack of the killer mushrooms!’
There were only nine girls in our class. Four of them had formed an exclusive little group that became known as ‘The Swingers’ since they used to hog the swings to themselves. The rest of us started hanging out by the wall and became known as ‘The Wall Girls’.
While the Swingers looked down on everyone and embraced uniformity, we Walls Girls tended to be a more diverse lot. We enjoyed the fact that we were all unique. Though we did things together, we were still four separate individuals.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when the Swingers took their accustomed place by the swings, each with the same identical bowl haircut. I could tell by the proud way they had marched past us, they were quite pleased with themselves.
Wendy, Emily, and Carla cracked up laughing.
Terri gasped in mock horror and tore her glasses off to polish them again.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_b557c3e7.jpg

I snickered too when Tiffany VanSwearigen’s eyes narrowed on our group.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_9557c53c.jpg

Knowing she and her faithful followers were being laughed at, she signaled to the others to follow her lead.
Stomping single file they came to confront us.
This might be fun!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_d557c5a4.jpg

P.S. You do see a rash on Carla's face...I couldn't find a spotty face for kids and my photo shop one looked horrible...so just humor me, pwease. :)

Coming Next: A nasty exchange between The Wall Girls and The Swingers.

[DarkPhoenix]

Oh my! Drama alert! *Waits eagerly to see what will happen*

[IrishGrace]

LOL sweet!

It would have been more than the face, but you could have maybe tried to get Carla to get a sunburn (though more often than not, if I *want* them to get a sunburn, they get a tan and vise versa LOL)

Can't wait to see what transpires between the Wall Girls and the *snortgiggle* Swingers! I do love the haircut they've got though... very cute :P

[Montridge]

IrishGrace:
Oh wow! I never thought of that! I just got BV recently and haven't had anyone get sun burned yet.
Trent and Remy got deathly pale for awhile when I took them on a mountain vacation. I kept wondering why they couldn't get warm no matter how much cocoa I gave them and even after buying a fireplace....it took awhile for me to realise I didn't put a roof on their vacation cabin. LOL! Happily, they are back to normal.

DarkPhoenix: Talk about drama! I'm like so addicted to your story!

[RosesRRed]

I love your story! Just a question, (I don't know if this s been brought up before)
but In The Beginning, it says "my husband Reginald". Lanie's not talking about the
same one who's with Helen right?? I sure hope not! I wonder what's going to happen next!

[Montridge]

*hugs* RosesRRed
I've been asked that a lot LOL!
I never actually gave a straight answer...but I think given the age of the two Sims on the plane and the fact he has the same ugly mug...it's a probability. I just hope I can keep you and everyone reading to see how that would come about. (There will be many turns and twists in this story!)
RL has been hectic lately to say the least..so sorry about the lack of updates. I'm working on the next chap now!

[RosesRRed]

Yay! I'm sure there will be lots of twists and turns and I can't wait for the next update.
But take your time, life often gets busy. Right know, I should probably be studying for my finals
coming up next week but instead I'm looking for some clothes for my little sims!:clap:

[Montridge]

Wall Girls vs. The Swingers (Round One)


‘What are you laughing at, pimple face?’ Tiffany demanded of Carla, who had been laughing the loudest.
‘We’re laughing at you!’ Emily snapped back at her. ‘What’s with the bowl haircuts?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_756653fa.jpg

‘Yeah, what’s up with that!’ Carla abruptly stopped laughing. She was mortified to have her rash mistaken for pimples. ‘You all look stupid.’
Tiffany placed her hands on her hips and stuck her face out even further. The girl not only had this annoying way of sticking her face up at you as she spoke, but also shook her butt around too.
‘We look stupid! You should learn to wash your face and maybe you wouldn’t have a face full of zits!’
‘They have a product called Ozy10.’ Tiffany’s best friend, the dark haired scowling Alexis added cooly. ‘You really should try it.’
‘It’s not acne, dimwits’ Wendy informed them. ‘It’s a rash caused by an allergic reaction to make up.’
Tiffany’s eyes narrowed and zeroed in on all our faces in turn. She snorted contemptuously at both Wendy and Emily, then her face lingered on mine. I saw a glimmer of jealousy.
‘You all look like a bunch of circus clown freaks!’
The other Swingers quickly made noises of agreement.
‘That’s not very nice, WiggleButt.’ Wendy calmly admonished. ‘I was actually going to tell you that I like your new haircut.’
‘You were?’ Tiffany asked looking suspicious.
Normally, she had a moose when anyone called her by that hated nickname.
‘Yeah, I like it because you can see all the big ugly freckles on the back of your neck.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_75665591.jpg

Tiffany’s face turned beet red with anger and humiliation.
‘At least when I wear make up, I don’t end up looking like I got orange popsicle smeared all over my mouth. What kind of color blind idiot wears orange lipstick with purple eye shadow anyway?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_75665632.jpg

Beth Ann, the quiet shy looking, brown haired Swinger finally spoke up. ‘Emily looks like she’s eaten a fudge popsicle!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_35665970.jpg

‘How original.’ I scoffed.
After Tiffany, I hated Beth Ann the most. She couldn’t say or do anything without looking at Tiffany or Alexis for approval first.
‘Do you ever come up with your own ideas or do you always just parrot pretty much what Tiffany says?’
Beth Ann looked a bit frightened and cast another one of her looks at Tiffany, as if asking for help on what to say, do, or think next.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_b5665a48.jpg

‘That’s real rich coming from you, Lanie Mansfield!’ Alexis took up for her.
They all knew I hated it when the Beyer was left from my name.
‘If Helen Harper were to shave her hair into a Mohawk, you’d get one too!
Ouch!
Okay, that stung a little.
It was just that I missed Helen so much, that adopting her current hairstyle and trying to imitate the way she talked made it seem like she was still part of my life.
I doubted if anyone would ever understand.....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_15665bab.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Yay for Tiffany being jealous of Lanie!! Though I hate to admit it, she probably does have a point about Lanie copying Helen, but I couldn't fault her one bit... not being able to see Helen must be torture.

[sugaplum]

yay for the girls fighting back at tiffany and her gang. cant wait for another update.....

[Montridge]

I thought you might enjoy some close up shots of Wendy and Emily with their overly made up faces.
(Before they wash it off!)
In the far shots they actually look pretty nice. LOL!

Ms. Wendy Koontz
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_5568d44a.jpg


Ms. Emily Estrada
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_1568d45a.jpg

All Lanie's classmates actually went to school with me...I just changed the names. ;)

An update will be up in a jiff.

[Montridge]

The Wall Girls vs. The Swingers (Round Two)


‘Long hair is so on the way out.’ Tiffany airily informed us. ‘It won’t be long before Helen Harper cuts hers too! Bigger stars than her have short hair. Take Katey Feldman, the figure skater, she has a bob just like mine.
Look at Limber, the famous model. She has really short hair. Limber's soooo in right now. She’s going to be a guest at the Mayor’s Annual Ball. My father will be there too. Anyone that’s important will be there. All our parents will be there.’
I ground my teeth in extreme annoyance when I thought of the famous Limber. She was another Newman protegee.
The woman’s tall skeletal frame and pale gothic features graced everything from lunch boxes to beach towels. Her trade mark was her tired world weary gaze, black lipstick pout, and dark smudges under her eyes. It looked like she never got any sleep.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_3568c740.jpg

‘Limber needs a blood transfusion and a sandwich!’ I sneered, repeating what my Uncle said when he was asked his opinion of her.
‘I can’t figure for the life of me what she’s famous for.’ Terri once again polished her glasses.
‘That’s because you’re a nobody.’ Alexis snarled at her. ‘The only great thing you will ever be, is a lonely old maid with a houseful of cats.’
Terri shrugged, the Swinger’s grim predictions for her future never bothered her a bit.
‘I’ll still be a mad scientist.’ That was her life time want. ‘I also want a few dogs, horses, birds, and maybe a guinea pig, to go along with all my cats.’
‘You’re hopeless.’ Tiffany rolled her eyes.
‘You act is if a woman must have a man around to be complete. I intend to marry into a fulfilling career.’
I knew Trent would be so proud of Terri right now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_7568c8cf.jpg

‘I always wonder why they call her Limber.’ Wendy spoke up. ‘Maybe your old man might know. I mean you always see her clinging to the arm of a really ancient old geezer. That's the type she seems to go for.’
Tiffany’s father was an elderly looking man with a stern gaze and self important swagger.
Tiffany was quick to brag on her important father, but tended to gloss over and forget his famous womanizing ways.
‘My father is devoted to my mother!’ she screeched. ‘When your as rich and influential as he is, there will always be women that will tell lies and try to trap him! As for Limber, we will all be meeting her for the first time. She’s coming to an after party at our house. Daddy’s going to give her a personal tour of his trucking company.’
‘I’m sure.’ Wendy grinned wickedly.
‘Her boss or what ever he is will be there too!’ Tiffany raged at Wendy.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_7568cab4.jpg

Casting a smug look my way.
‘Helen Harper and her husband are also invited.’
I felt so jealous that my worst enemy was going to see more of Helen than I did. I tried not to show it. I also prayed that Helen didn’t like her and become friends with her. That would be unbearable.
‘You’re just jealous because your wh*re mother isn’t on the list.’ Tiffany jeered at Wendy.
Finally, the cheerful expression left Wendy’s face. She didn’t like it when the Swinger’s said cruel things about her mother.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_5568c96a.jpg

‘Your old man’s just mad because Mom flung a drink in his face at the Studio Town Awards Ceremony last year. My mother isn’t cheap and she let him know it. As for the Mayor, he’s another womanizing old prune that my mother’s turned down.’
I met Wendy’s mom. She was as down to earth and as easy going as Wendy. She was also very beautiful.
‘My mother says your mother is nothing but a drunken tramp.’ Alexis spat out. ‘She got up on the buffet table at the Goth’s party and tried to dance with their son Mortimer with a lampshade on her head! ’
‘Oh yeah,’ Tiffany smirked. ‘They call your Mom a cougar because she likes her men really young. Most decent women would call her an old alley cat.’
I thought for a split second Tiffany’s obnoxious upturned face was going to get slapped......
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_f568cb28.jpg

Coming Next: A new teacher?!

[RosesRRed]

Oooh, a verbal fight! lol
Nice update and just because I'm curious
what grade are Lanie and the others?

[IrishGrace]

I volunteer to slap Tiffany :P

[DarkPhoenix]

I volunteer to slap Tiffany :P


I call second! Very awesome update, Montridge! *Cheers loudly* I'm eagerly awaiting the next update. Those "swingers" sure are cruel, eh? Getting a head-start on being teens? Ha ha.

[Montridge]

LOL! I see everyone lining up to slap Tiffany (like on Airplane).
I often itched to slap the RL Wiggle-er Tiffany a really good one in real life.
*Takes place in line after IrishGrace and DarkPhoenix*
Trust me, she was every bit as obnoxious as her counterpart. :p

RosesRRed: Lanie and her friends are fifth graders. Lanie, Terri, and Beth Ann are ten. The rest eleven. :)

Sugaplum (below): Cool! Another slapper.
The real life Tiff loved to threaten people with 'You don't know who my Daddy is.' or 'My father owns (insert businesses/properties here)' It was really funny. She probably hasn't changed a bit. :D

[sugaplum]

i would volunteer to slap tiffany, again and again. shes just so mean going on about ''DADDY''!

cant wait till another update :)

[Montridge]

Exit, Mrs. Evans


A shrill whistle brought us all to attention, since it was Miss Finch-Meyer, the headmistress that came up on us.
She raked her cold stern eyes over the lot of us.
‘I have announcement to make, Butterflies. Your teacher, Mrs. Evans has taken ill and will not be returning this school term. Until I find a suitable replacement, I will fill in as your teacher.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_3568cc3b.jpg

We momentarily forgot our rivalries and bitter words as we looked in horror at each other.
Everyone of us fired off questions of concern.
‘Mrs. Evans and her baby will be just fine, if she follows her doctors orders and stays in bed until her due date. I’m sure your cards and letters will cheer her up until she is able to join us again next year.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_f568ccd7.jpg

‘Miss Finch-Meyer.’ Wendy timidly held up her hand. ‘Can we have Art Class first, so we can make her some get well cards?’
Miss Finch-Meyer peered down at her.
‘What on earth have you done to your face?’
The headmistress also zeroed in on Emily. ‘You and Ms. Estrada will do nothing until that mess is washed from your faces.’
The Swinger’s snickered among themselves.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_b568cd36.jpg

‘Miss Finch-Meyer.’ Tiffany sang out sweetly. ‘Lanie’s wearing make up too.’
‘Oh!’ Miss Finch-Meyer swooped down on me. I caught the cloying fragrance of Everything’s Roses cologne.
‘You’ve done a better job of it then your friends,’ The headmistress admitted grudgingly. ‘but your school handbooks clearly state that no girl shall wear anything other than lip gloss until year ten and then only if she’s passed my Charms class.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_1568ce80.jpg

‘Payne!’ she pointed a pink lacquered nail at Carla. ‘Go see Nurse Fletcher about that complexion. I’m sure she has some creme that will help clear up your acne and some good advice on how to keep your skin clean and clear.’
Miserably, Carla bowed her head in shame and slunk away towards the nurses office. She didn’t speak up for herself, because like most of us, she tended to get tongue-tied around Miss Finch-Meyer.
Wendy attempted to explain, but was cut off short.
‘You, Estrada, and Mansfield need to do as your told and wash your faces. Be quick about it! I want to see you in class in ten minutes.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_7568cee3.jpg

At least Miss Finch-Meyer didn’t seem to mind that Terri followed us into the ladies room instead of going on to class.
‘What rotten luck!’ Wendy seethed as we scrubbed our faces clean. ‘Having that old dragon as our teacher is really going to suck!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11fd6724_3568d39b.jpg

Coming Next: Trent has a surprise for Lanie

[DarkPhoenix]

Ooh... the evil teacher! *Cues dramatic music* What will they do? Go to war against her? Reluctantly obey her? *Eats popcorn and waits eagerly* This is getting better and better!

[Montridge]

*hugs* Thank you Dark Phoenix.
I'm really on pins and needles over what's going to happen to a certain villain in another story.

[Montridge]

Trent's Surprise


‘What happened to my little glamour girl?’ Trent asked when I got in the car.
I quickly launched into a tirade of my day.
Miss Finch-Meyer was so mean. She had gathered up all our fashion and Studio Town magazines.
She felt that we could do more constructive things with our free time. She also sniffed that most of the dreamy rock stars and boy band members we were infatuated with now, would be nothing more than Los Wages lounge acts by the time we were old enough to date them.
Trent had made all the right sympathetic interjections while I poured out everything I’d endured today, but my Uncle laughed.
‘Finch-Meyer sure has that right!’
‘Never mind that old Miss Finch-Meyer.’ Trent tried to sooth me. ‘I managed to get a bag full of make up samples from work. It’s much better stuff than what you had on. I guess you can wear it at home or when ever we go out.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b52a4ffe.jpg

‘That reminds me, Missy.’ my Uncle cast a stern eye at me through the rear view mirror.
‘Where did you get that make up? Trent and I could not recall ever buying it for you. I can’t remember anyone giving it to you either.’
‘My friend Wendy gave it to me.’
Sometimes I felt my Uncle could read me like a book.
‘Return it.’
‘Okay.’
‘In future, I’m to be informed when ever anyone gives you any type of gift.’
I crossed my fingers behind my back.
‘Sure.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b52a4f8a.jpg

‘You’ll have an opportunity to wear your new make up tonight.’ Trent turned around in his seat to smile at me. ‘I called Mrs. Hammond from the office and asked her to make us a very light supper. I figured we would all go to the movies tonight and have a real meal afterwards.’
‘What movie are we going to see?’ I asked eagerly. I had my hopes.
‘Your Uncle has reassured me you are old enough to see the latest Helen Harper movie Terror in the Sky.’
‘Cool!’ I shrieked out.
Seeing Helen at the movie theatre was better than not seeing her at all.
Airplane disaster movies were really popular in Studio Town at the moment. The critics and fan magazines were claiming that ‘Terror in the Sky’ was the best of the lot.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b52a504e.jpg

'Will you show me one more time how to put on my make up?’
‘Sure,’ Trent readily agreed. ‘With the powder make up, you will need to learn the swirl, tap, and buff technic. Just pay attention to what I do and you’ll be doing you own make up tomorrow. It’s that easy.’
He also assured me that applying make up was much easier than learning to style hair.
‘I guess I need to find another hair do.’ I thought out loud remembering Alexis’ comments.
It was time I started to be myself again...who ever that was.
‘I couldn’t agree more.’ Trent told me. ‘I think between the two of us, we can come up with a fabulous, yet original new look that’s your’s alone.’
I couldn’t wait!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_352a4fb1.jpg


Coming soon: Trent is attacked by a blonde bombshell!

[sugaplum]

yay another 2 chapters
i already hate that headteacher....
i wonder how Lanie will look with her new make-up on....

[IrishGrace]

Ugh... Miss Finch-Meyer... she scares me LOL Can't wait for Lanie's new make-up and hair :D

[Montridge]

*Once again cues evil music*
Miss Finch-Meyer has a diabolical plan for the Butterflies..that's all I will say for now.
In the mean while I'm on a down load spree finding hair for Lanie and the mysterious blonde that will show up soon. ;)

[RosesRRed]

I wonder what evil plan Miss Finch-Meyer has....*shudder*
Good update and Nouk has great hair, if you're still looking for hair.
I love this story and can't wait to see what happens!

[Montridge]

Another New Look



‘Here she comes Miss SimCity.’ Trent sang as I came down the stairs.
He really did have such a handsome singing voice.
For the second time today, I truly felt pretty.
I tried to imitate the cool strut of a fashion model.
My Uncle stood up and cheered when he saw me.
‘Darling, you look so mature and sophisticated.’
Two words any ten year old girl loved to hear.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_9573c3d6.jpg

‘You did a smashing job on the hair and make up.’ my Uncle grinned wickedly at Trent. ‘I guess having a couple queer old uncles around can be a good thing. Lanie never has to worry about a bad hair or make up day under your watch and I’ll always see that’s she well dressed.’
Trent fixed my Uncle with a frosty look, but his expression relaxed and he laughed instead.
‘I guess we do make a good team. Maybe we could take our combined talents on the road and show the rest of the world what a difference a good haircut, proper make up technics, and a custom wardrobe can make.’
My Uncle’s grin widened as he gave it some thought.
‘There’s several Townies I see walking about that I’d love to grab and make over. I could certainly tell them what not to wear. I think it’s a fabulous concept, Darling, but I don’t think SimCity is quite ready to accept us into their homes and listen to us tell them how to dress.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b573c43c.jpg

Uncle Remington gripped Trent’s hands in his.
They were normally careful not to show too much affection around me.
When I was a kid, I hated to see two adults of any gender acting mushy, now I thought it was kind of nice.
These little incidents of sentiment between my two uncles now reaffirmed for me that they were committed and made me even more reassured that they intended to grow old together.
‘Besides,’ my Uncle smiled at Trent. ‘We have the proper balance in our lives now. If I had to be with you twenty-four seven at both work and home, I’d probably strangle you.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b573c4d2.jpg

Trent laughed again a bit ruefully.
‘I’m lucky that you even have me around at all.’
Being more of an artist, my Uncle required more personal alone time than Trent did.
I think it hurt Trent’s feelings a little that Uncle Remington also cherished their time apart.
My Uncle’s only reply was a smile, as he lightly brushed a hand across Trent’s cheek.
Trent took that hand in his and gave it a loving squeeze.
‘Are you sure you feel up to going out tonight?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3573c51b.jpg

When Trent and I had come downstairs my Uncle had been lounging on the couch.
Uncle Remington had been fighting a really bad cold for the last couple of weeks. It seemed to have drained him of all energy. He’d only picked at the salad, Mrs. Hammond made for dinner.
‘I’ve been wanting to see this movie for weeks. Nothing is going to keep me home tonight.’
‘Remington, I’m worried...’
My Uncle cut him off.
‘I’m fine, Darling. It’s just that everything’s really crazy right now. I always get exhausted with every new season. I’ve got shows all over SimCity to organize, Phelps is launching my new office to evening wear line, the first lady needs her gown for the Annual Charity Ball, and Helen needs to be outfitted for the Simmie awards next week.’
My Uncle was still Helen’s clothing designer.
‘You’re spreading yourself too thin. I also wish you’d see a doctor about that cold.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_f573c45e.jpg

Uncle Remington changed the subject by bringing me into the spotlight instead.
‘I can’t get over how stunning you look.’ he told me. ‘You have my eye for fashion.’
I’d selected this dress out of the many Harlan Hastings, the owner of Phelps department store, had me chose from to keep for my own. I modeled children’s wear in his catalogs.
Neither Trent nor I were distracted.
‘Uncle Remington, I’ve been worried about you too.’
My Uncle had a severe heart condition. He took lots of medicine to keep it in check.
‘For the last time, I’m fine. I’m feeling better already.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_1573c7ba.jpg

As we were on the way out to the garage, my Uncle was chattering gleefully. He truly did seem to be feeling much better.
‘I wonder how Ronald will die in this one.’
Trent scowled at the mention of Helen’s husband.
While Uncle Remington placed the blame for what happened on Newman, Trent thought that Reginald was the true mastermind behind the situation.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing that myself.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_f573c85a.jpg

[IrishGrace]

squee! Lanie looks so pretty with her new hair!

I too am looking forward to Reginald's fate in the movie (you will tell us, right? :P)

[Montridge]

Yep....as soon as I decide from two different story lines I have for this 'Airplane' movie. :)

[DarkPhoenix]

Hmmm... that "really bad cold" has me concerned. Perhaps it's the start of more serious matters?

[IrishGrace]

Hmmm... that "really bad cold" has me concerned. Perhaps it's the start of more serious matters?

I'm ignoring that part... 'cuz Remy and Trent absolutely HAVE to grow old together! Especially after all they've been through...

[RosesRRed]

I hope her Uncle gets better!
I love Lanie's dress by the way and also
I wonder who the mysterious blonde is?
As usual, anxiously waiting for an update!

[creamymaldita]

I'm a newbie here and the first story that I read was part 1 of this story... I love how your twist and your plot, hope to see some more updates. Keep up the good work.

[Montridge]

*hugs* IrishGrace, Dark Phoenix, RosesRRed and creamymaldita.

IrishGrace and Dark Phoenix: Can't comment on your comments, because I don't want to give anything away.
RosesRRed: The blonde makes her appearance in the coffee shop after the movie. :)
creamymaldita: Thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it.
Sometimes I get discouraged that this story is taking so long to tell.
Hopefully, everyone will like some of the plot twists I have coming up soon....

[Montridge]

Terror In the Sky


Uncle Remington, Trent and I were in ‘on the edge of your seat’ suspense through the entire film.
Helen played a stewardess on a luxury flight that was transporting V.I.P’s and their families from the New York to Tokyo neighborhood.
There was also a subplot about a sick little girl that needed life saving surgery.
At first it seemed this was going to be another highjacking film, but when the passengers and crew started turning into killer zombies after eating tainted Chicken Marsala, Helen, the handsome villain, and the little girl had to team up to battle zombies and land the plane.
(There was originally another stewardess and a priest that also had the vegan dish, but as my Uncle said later, he knew from the beginning they were both wearing ‘red-shirts’.)
Another obstacle was that the airline, the insurance company, and the SimCity government department that O.K.’d the bad chickens were trying to shoot the plane down into the ocean to keep the public from knowing about the massive screw up and not have to pay long term healthcare for the zombies. (The condition was irreversible.)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11e3f3f4_958627ab.jpg

Helen’s husband Reginald played an obnoxious passenger that harasses Helen in the beginning of the movie.
The highlight of the entire film was when he turns into a zombie and attacks her. She tries to fight him off, but finally grabs a fire extinguisher and bludgeons him to death.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_10c0f9d8_358651f4.jpg

Both Uncle Remington and Trent stood up and cheered at that part.
Luckily, we weren’t thrown out.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11e3f3f4_f5862853.jpg

‘I truly did hold Helen back.’ Trent admitted, when we were back in the car. ‘She’s really grown as an actress. She certainly made that steaming pile of crap believable.’
Though the government wanted to blame the hijacker for the food poisoning after he and Helen land the plane, the former villain is able to show proof of his innocence. The authorities now have bigger issues on their hands and don't have him arrested.
Helen and her hijacker had fallen in love during their ordeal and he promises to help her raise her unborn child. (Her married pilot boyfriend was one of the first killed off in the movie.) They also plan to adopt the now orphaned sick little girl. The movie ended with them getting word that her surgery had been a success.
‘So much for Newman’s relevance and reality in films.’
My Uncle didn’t reply right away. He’d sent Trent out to the car to fetch his woolen scarf during the intermission and was still shivering.
‘I don’t know why they insist on keeping movie theatres so damn cold.’ he complained.
‘I know just the place that will warm you up.’ Trent told him. ‘Let’s have dinner at the coffee shop.’
‘Sounds divine.’ my Uncle was enthusiastic about the idea. ‘I could really use a cup of coffee.’
He shuddered again.
‘Not to mention they won’t have Chicken Marsela on the menu.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_11e3f3f4_358629a3.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Reginald as an obnoxious zombie... I love it! And I love the reference to "red shirts"... would this be a subtle shout-out to Star Trek? lol

[creamymaldita]

tee hee^_^ reginald got bashed by a fire extinguisher... love to see that...
and I'm glad that finally, Helen's role are evolving...
can't wait for the next update....

[Montridge]

IrishGrace: Ha Ha, yep! That was my favorite show growing up. :)
creamymaldita: I started a fire and had Helen grab a fire extinguisher, but forgot that I couldn't go into buy mode to place her in front of Reg.
Update as soon as I load my pics.

[Montridge]

A Familiar Face Part 1


Once we found a table at our favorite coffee shop, Trent offered to get our orders while Uncle Remington warmed up. The coffee shop was always cozy, toasty, and fragrant with all the coffee drinks.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_7586844f.jpg

‘I know what I want.’
Trent had a usual at every establishment that he rarely deviated from.
‘What sounds good to you?’
‘I’m not really hungry, especially after seeing such a gruesome case of food poisoning.’ my Uncle grimaced. ‘I think I’ll just have a no frills black coffee.’
Trent once again fixed him with a stern look. One that also reflected concern.
Did he suspect like I did, that my Uncle was only using the film as an excuse?
‘You have to eat something.’ Trent nagged at my Uncle. ‘The reason you get sick so often is because of all the damn dieting you do. If that cold doesn’t clear up by tomorrow night, you’re going to make an appointment to see one of your doctors.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_35868475.jpg

My Uncle held up a hand to ward off any further word from Trent.
‘Stop fussing over me. I’m fine. Just exhausted and in dire need of a strong hot coffee.’
‘Trent’s right.’ I told my Uncle. ‘You need to keep your strength up if you want to fight a cold.’
Uncle Remington never let me skip meals when I had a cold or flu.
I pointed out the sign that announced the Soup of the Day.
‘They have that Broccoli Cheese soup you like.’
‘Very well.’ my Uncle sighed resignedly. ‘That’s what I’ll have.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_158684aa.jpg

‘Me too, please.’ I told Trent. ‘Only I want a Mocha Latte to go with mine. Get some extra crackers too.’
‘Will do.’ Trent said with a smile for me and another troubled look at my Uncle.
I could see that my Uncle was starting to get cranky with us. It looked like he was going to throw one of his famous temper tantrums.
‘Will you two quit looking at me like I’m going to keel over any second! I have a damned cold! Not a flu, not food poisoning that will turn me into a killer zombie from hell, but a simple everyday cold. There’s nothing to do for it, but let it run it’s course!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f58685aa.jpg

My Uncle’s outbursts caused several people to look our way.
A pretty blonde, who I noticed sipping a coffee, as she read through a thick pile of papers, (like a manuscript or college term paper) also looked up.
Instead of going back to what she was doing, like everyone else did, she got up from her seat.
Trent’s face paled and he looked like he wanted to run in the other direction, but the woman all ready had him in her clutches and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d5868684.jpg

[IrishGrace]

interesting! oh and now I'm totally craving broccoli cheese soup LOL

[sugaplum]

Amazing update as always, i wonder who that woman is?? (hint) lol

[RosesRRed]

AH HA!
I knew it!
Well, not really but that was awesome!
Terror In The Sky seems like a good movie!

[creamymaldita]

I got hungry after reading this update^_^ want to order coffee suddenly.
Who's that woman? Can't wait to know what's her relationship with Trent...

[simfromal11]

oh that was good. i love Remington and Trent cheering for Reginalds bloody demise. i laughed so hard :beer:
whose the blonde? o god i hope its not Dagmar i cant stand her :grrr:

[Montridge]

*Turns chibi and has little hearts floating all around head*
Loving all the feedback!
Thank you IrishGrace, sugaplum, RosesRRed, creamymaldita, for keeping me motivated. Welcome to simfromal11 and thanks for commenting. *hugs*

I get hungry and crave hot coffees too when ever I use that 'coffee house' set. It's like the Starbucks of my dreams. I'm also glad some of you liked the plot line for 'Terror in the Sky'. I used bits and pieces of different airplane disaster movies and books to come up with it. Dreaming up ways to 'kill off' Reg is a lot of fun for me. HeeHee.
As for the mysterious blonde....I guess we will solve that now...as soon as I get my pics in the right order.

[Montridge]

A Familiar Face Part 2

Trent’s initial horror was soon replaced by joy and a few stray tears.
He returned the pretty blonde’s hug.
My Uncle was now laughing.
I’m still wondering what the heck’s going on.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_958ddbe7.jpg

‘Helen, I barely recognised you!’ Trent exclaimed. ‘Your hair!’
‘Oh Darling, You ought to have seen Trent’s face when you first attacked him. I think for a split second, he thought you were Dagmar.’
‘I did!’ Trent admitted with a grin. ‘When you came at me so quick, I thought I was going to be hit with something or have a drink poured on me. ’
It was Helen!
I bolted from my chair to hug her too.
Now I was crying a little, while I gave her the biggest hug I had.
I missed her so much.
(I was also glad it wasn’t Trent’s bitter ex wife.)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_558ddcb9.jpg

Helen sounded choked up as well.
‘Fancy meeting you three here.’ she quipped.
‘Please, sit down and join us.’ Trent invited pulling out a chair. ‘We we’re just at the movie theatre watching your latest film.’
‘You were?’ Helen sounded thrilled.
Then she looked suddenly shy and a bit eager.
‘What did you think?’
‘I thought about what an idiot I’ve been. The storyline aside, it was a really good film. I’m so very proud of you, Hon. Dex Newman has done far more for you than I ever did.’
Helen swiped at her eyes, touched and happy by Trent’s approval.
‘I wouldn’t be anything today, if it weren’t for you and I’ll never forget that.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f58de1fd.jpg

‘So what’s with the hair?’ my Uncle cut in quickly, fighting his own emotions.
Of the three of us, he saw Helen the most often when she came into his studio for dress fittings.
Feeling that Helen would be more comfortable not having to deal with him, Trent always made sure to be out during Helen’s appointments.
‘I’m filming Helena of Troy.’ she told us excitedly. ‘I had to go blonde for the role.’
I’d learned about the ancient neighborhood of Troy and the beautiful princess who inadvertently started a war in my history class. I was really looking forward to seeing the movie version.
‘Is it really any more fun to be a blonde?’ Trent teased her.
‘I know it’s easier to sneak away and blend into the public.’ Helen confided. ‘It’s been ages since I could go anywhere just to grab a bite and not have flashbulbs going off in my face.’
‘That’s one of the unfortunate costs of fame.’ Trent told her from rueful experience. ‘No privacy.’
‘So where are your two guard dogs?’ my Uncle asked, referring to Dex Newman and Helen’s husband Reginald.
‘I kind of slipped away from them as well.’ Helen admitted.
For a split second, I saw something dark and troubling in her look.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_758dded5.jpg

‘Is everything all right between you and Rene?’ my Uncle never minded being nosey. ‘You certainly looked like you enjoyed beating him to death with that fire extinguisher.’
I couldn’t help but giggle. My Uncle still pretended to forget Reginald’s name. Rene was the funniest one he came up with beside Renfield.
Helen’s smile was a bit grim.
‘Shooting that scene was a lot of fun.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_958de165.jpg

Trent could barely contain the delighted gleam in his eyes. He’d always felt that Helen’s husband was bad news. His disapproval of Reginald was part of the contention between him and Helen.
‘You didn’t answer Remington’s question.’ he gently pointed out. ‘Are things all right between you and Harris?’
‘Sure.’ Helen spoke up quickly. ‘Just fine.’
‘Has Ronnie submitted anything to a publisher yet?’
‘No.’ Helen didn’t bother to hide her annoyance anymore. ‘He’s been much too busy to work on his writing.’
Trent made some sort of scoffing sound, but pretended he was merely clearing his throat when Helen looked up at him sharply.
‘We’ve both been busy.’
‘I better go put in our order.’ Trent hurriedly excused himself.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f58ddf64.jpg

‘It seems to me that Newman isn’t giving either of you kids a break. You go right from one project to the next.’ my Uncle criticized his hated former brother-in-law. ‘You’re nothing but skin and bones. The last time I ran into Raymond he looked like he hadn’t eaten or slept in weeks.’
‘We’re both fine.’ Helen repeated firmly. ‘Remington, I know it’s hard for you to believe, but Dex isn’t the devil. I’ve really gotten to know him and though he has done bad things in the past, he’s totally turned his life around. His fondest wish is for you two to bury the hatchet and become family again.’
My Uncle looked appalled.
‘That will happen when hell freezes over.’
‘There hasn’t been a Christmas since I started working for Dex, that he hasn’t shown me his old photo albums.’ Helen told him. ‘They’re from back when he was married to your sister and his prized possessions. I believe him when he tells me that Mary was the one true love of his life. He has so many pictures of you too. Dex doesn’t lie about the mistakes he's made.’
My Uncle’s expression remained hard and disgusted.
‘I don’t care what he says. Dex Newman is a snake in the grass. I know you’re bound to him for another few years, but after that, you manage your own career. Don’t you and Ronald let your guard down for a minute. Don’t let him divide you either.’
‘Dex isn’t the one doing the dividing.’ Helen slipped out.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_158de057.jpg

So there was trouble going on between Helen and Reginald!
As much as I hated Helen’s hotheaded jerk of a husband, I hated Dex Newman more.
If he was stirring trouble between them, I suddenly wanted Helen and Reg to work it out.
My Uncle had often predicted that once Dex had control of Helen’s career, he’d want Helen herself, as well.
‘I’ll come to the studio a little early if you can fit me in.’ Helen told him. ‘I can really use a shoulder to cry on.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_758de29c.jpg

‘That’s what I’m for.’
Dex Newman was suddenly towering over us.
The expression on his face was a combination of worry, annoyance, and jealousy.
‘Helen you had me worried sick. I’ve been looking every where for you!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_158df12c.jpg

[IrishGrace]

*faints* HELEN! I knew that face looked familiar LOL

No comment on Dex. If I comment on him, I'll say something really really bad :P

[gazania]

Helen DOES look a little tired, and not very happy at all. She got what she wanted ... better film roles, more recognition ... she ought to be ecstatic.

The first thing I thought when I saw her was that Lanie's mother was a blonde, too. I know, I know, Helen dyed her hair for a film role. But I hope that Dex ISN'T trying to ... well ... I wouldn't put it past him. And if Helen gets too tired, I would be VERY concerned how Dex would solve the problem.

Great update!

[simfromal11]

*kicks Newman in the balls* :taekwondo
Poor Helen. Does NEwman have someone keeping track of her or something? Ah! i think if i give my real opinion of him that i might get thrown off the s2c for bad language lol. :banned:
But trent showed maturity admiting he was wrong. Go Trent! :beer:

[creamymaldita]

great update^_^ love Helen's new look... maybe gazania's right about Helen's looks though, poor Helen if Newman is trying to mold her to be as a replacement for Lanie's mom.

And how nice that with all the fame, Helen still stays grounded^_^

Love to see more updates^_^

[Montridge]

It doesn't look like Dex Newman has any fans in this crowd. LOL!
As always I really appreciate the feedback. *hugs*
One of you even asks what Remington does in my next chapter! hee.
I have the pics, but need to rewrite/edit some parts of the installment.
(mostly length issues) It should be up tomorrow. *crosses fingers*
Also coming soon: We catch up with Roberta.

EDIT: Sorry, it's taking me so long. I can blame it on RL and the fact that when ever Remy and Dex get together, they have so much to say, I have to pare it down. When I do get this troublesome chap up, I'll also have more to follow quickly.
*hugs simsfromal11* (below)

[simfromal11]

o i cant wait!
*bursts into song* gimme gimme more. gimme more gimme gimme more! lol. :dance:

i hope Helen gets away from nasty newman before he does to her what he did to lannies mom. ah i sound redundant i know.

[Montridge]

Nasty Newman Ruins the Evening Part 1


‘Does Helen have to have your permission before she goes out and has a coffee with friends?’
Uncle Remington snarled at Newman.
‘It’s well after office hours, so I would think Helen was on her own time. I also find it unsettling that you knew just where she would be. It’s almost like you have her followed.’
Newman was quick to explain.
‘I’m fine with Helen doing as she pleases when we don’t have to be on location at four o’clock the next morning. As for having her followed, of course I wouldn’t do that. You forget I live next door. When I couldn’t get a hold of Helen or Reg, I wondered where they could be. It isn’t like them to just go off without telling me where they are going. I finally concluded they must be dining out and decided to do the same. As I was driving by, I happened to see that damned yellow slugbug parked in front of this place.’
Newman smiled at Helen.
‘You and Reg should really get rid of those old clunkers you drive, then you wouldn’t be so easy to track down when you want a bit of privacy.’
He took on a hurt look.
‘You could have just said something, so I wouldn’t worry.’
‘Well, did you happen to see Reggie’s car while you were out?’
Helen’s grin was wry.
‘Because I thought he was with you. He said he was working late tonight.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d5aa3085.jpg

Newman looked taken back and suddenly very uncomfortable.
‘Er...’ he cast a quick look at Uncle Remington and me. ‘Well, Helen, um...’
‘Don’t cover for him, Dex.’ Helen’s tone was so bitter. ‘Did he work late or not?’
Dex placed his hands on Helen’s shoulders.
‘Why don’t we talk about this privately at your place. I’ve been really worried about Reg myself.’
He cast Uncle Remington a gloating look.
‘You can cry on my shoulder if you need too.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b5aa3300.jpg

Every time I saw Newman, my heart started racing and my insides turned to jelly.
I really didn’t want him to be my biological father. The very thought made my flesh crawl.
Trent had seen Newman walk in and I could tell he was trying to get our order taken care of quickly, so he could rejoin us again.
Helen’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Maybe it’s my fault.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b5aa323a.jpg


‘No, Sweetheart.’ Dex whipped out a handkerchief and handed it to her.
‘None of Reg’s problems have anything to do with you. Come on, let’s go home. We’ll go to my place instead.
I’ll make you one of my famous Irish coffees and we’ll talk. Everything will work out, I promise. ’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d5aa347b.jpg

‘Helen, listen to me.’ my Uncle spoke up. ‘I have no idea what’s going on, but I can tell you this, if there’s any trouble between you and Ramon, it’s because Newman is playing both ends against the middle. You can bet he’s telling you one thing and your fool of a husband another. I know how he operates.’
Anger flared in Newman’s eyes.
‘Your right, Mansfield, you don’t know what’s going on. I love Reg like a son.
I would never do anything to hurt him. I love both these kids like my own!’
‘That’s what I’m afraid of.’ my Uncle growled. ‘Because it’s well known you treat your own children like sh-‘
‘Enough!’ Helen flared at my Uncle. ‘Your so wrong about Dex!’
Newman's look quickly changed to triumph when Helen took up for him....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_35aa3517.jpg

Coming Next: Remington reveals a secret about Dex

[IrishGrace]

Oh Helen... stop defending that scum! We all know how horrible he is and how sweet you are!

Can't wait to see what the secret is!

[Montridge]

(*hugs IrishGrace* I love your new avvie!)
I just wanted to apologise that it's taken me so long to update.
The good news is that I have the next few chapters written. All I have to do is take a couple more pics.
So updates will come sooner.
I have an out take you might enjoy.
It looks like Helen bit Newman's finger in between shots. LOL!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_75aa328b.jpg

[simfromal11]

ugh helen would you please stop defending ur sleazy guys you keep surrounding yourself with?
love the update monty!!

[DarkPhoenix]

That's right, bite his hand off! *Cheers* Once again, totally awesome update. I can't wait to see what the big secret is!

[Montridge]

Yay! Feedback!
You tell her simfromal!
I have a friend in RL that's so beautiful, sweet, and caring, but she has the worst taste in men!
*hugs Dark Phoenix*
It's not exactly a big secret...it's more of the funny, embarrassing kind, but I do have a chapter coming up that does give you a bigger glance into his personal life. I just have to make some creepy custom content for it. I promise there will be a lot of bigger secrets in that installment. You will also learn that Newman has one weakness...there's actually someone he can't/won't harm....

EDIT (IrishGrace-below): Sorry about the contest IrishGrace. I did see the application and round one entries though. Celeste is such a pretty and truly unique sim.

[IrishGrace]

oooh sounds awesomeness!

(my avvie is/was my entry in the Mythic Dawn contest, but she and her family got stuck on vacation so I had to drop out :()

[Montridge]

Nasty Newman Ruins the Evening Part 2


Helen quickly softened her words.
‘I’m not saying you don’t have a valid reason for hating Dex. I’m just telling you that this isn’t the same man you and your sister ran away from all those years ago. Some people do change, Remington. You should at least listen to his side of the story, you might be surprised by what he has to tell you.’
‘He won’t listen.’ Newman declared dramatically.
‘I’ve tried many a time to get Remy to meet with me, just to talk. I even got him his first big job as a fashion designer and he’s never so much as thanked me for it.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b5aa73db.jpg

‘I have acknowledged that you got me my start in the fashion business, Chester, but if you expect me to kiss you’re a$$, that will never happen. Remington Mansfield would still be a household name, with or without your help!’
Newman’s face turned bright pink.
‘Chester?’ Helen looked puzzled.
‘I’ve decided that every time Newman calls me by the name I’d rather forget, I’ll refer to him by the name he’d like to forget. I’m curious, does it still say Chester Hackenbush on your drivers licence or did you finally get your name changed legally?’
Helen quickly clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her smile. I accidently let out a giggle.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_55aa7751.jpg

‘I had it changed.’ Newman admitted grudgingly.
‘Remington I never expected you to kiss my a$$, but I did want you to realise that I was trying to reach out to you and make up for the past. Your sister had already married her inn keeper, so I had no ulterior motive. When your parent’s died, I was the only father figure you had...’
‘Yeah,’ Uncle Remington cut him off ‘You did a lousy job.’
Newman’s face turned a sickly grey color. I couldn’t help but wonder if he were sincere.
‘I know. I failed both you and your sister. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life.’
Anger once again flashed across his face.
‘If you only knew the hell I went through to come home to an empty house. For over a year I had no clue what happened to either one of you. I can’t change the past, but we can change the future. There’s no reason for you, Trent, and I to be enemies. I can’t stress enough, how much we would all benefit by being friends.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_15aa77f9.jpg

Then the moment I dreaded, Newman glanced my way.
He seemed to do a double take.
‘My God!’ he exclaimed. ‘Is that Lanie?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f5aa7864.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Ick... ick... ick... anytime he looks at Lanie, I shudder.

But the secret! Chester Hackenbush? Oh that is priceless!

[Montridge]

Nasty Newman Ruins the Evening Part 3


‘You’ve grown so much since I last saw you. You not only look like your mother, but you favor your Uncle Remington as well.
When Newman spoke to my Uncle, he still couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from mine. '
It’s amazing how much Lanie takes after the Mansfield side of the family.'
The way he was studying me was giving me the creeps.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_95ab083d.jpg

'Please tell me Remington, that Trent’s getting her modeling jobs.’
When Trent was helping me with my make over, we’d talked about my doing other modeling jobs besides Phelps.
Trent thought it would be something special we could do together and that I would gain a bit of confidence.
He also thought it would be a good way for me to save for college. Not to mention, I would get both clothing and product samples in the bargain. I planned to talk to my Uncle about it tomorrow, while Trent had his visitation with Roberta.
I kept all this to myself and wished with all my heart that Newman would just go away.
‘Lanie has never expressed an interest in modeling or a show business career.’
My Uncle’s tone was sharp. I could see that he didn’t like the way Newman was appraising me either.
‘Remington, please, I’ll tell you what, I’m free tomorrow night. Why don’t you and Trent come over.
Let’s just see if we can’t talk out our differences. I want to prove to you that I’ve changed.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_35ab0819.jpg

Newman stopped to caress Helen's shoulders in a familiar way. That also creeped me out.
'The lovely Helen can act as moderator. Think of the things the three of us can do as a team!’
‘You’ve got to be kidding!’
My Uncle was appalled at the very idea of breaking bread with Newman.
Newman’s gaze shifted once again on me.
There was something that flashed in his eyes and behind that big crocodile smile that made my hair stand on edge.
‘I would love to get to know Lanie and be at least a kindly Uncle figure in her life.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f5ab07fd.jpg

My Uncle went livid.
He shot out of his seat and got right up in Newman’s face.
Everyone in the coffee shop turned to stare.
‘There is no way in hell that I’ll ever let you near my daughter!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f5ab0aba.jpg

My note: Sorry to be icking you out so much IrishGrace. LOL!

[IrishGrace]

LOL don't worry hon... this line MORE than made up for it:
‘There is no way in hell that I’ll ever let you near my daughter!’

:D

[simfromal11]

Paws off Lanie, Newman!
im afaraid for helen tho cause since Lanie ends up with Remington that means that Helen either dies or ends up with Newman and thats really bad!

[Psycho_Bunny]

oooh... incest! that's interesting...

[Montridge]

LOL!
'It's Reginald!' *Reg snaps at simfromal.* 'Why does everyone always get my name wrong?'
As for Psycho_ Bunny: Sorry *giggles* no incest...at least not in this story.
***
My apologies for the low quality of the following pics, I forgot to turn my settings back up. (I've been playing around with making videos.)
Also sorry that it's only a mini update for now.
(RL can be a bitch sometimes. ERRR!)

[Montridge]

Nasty Newman Ruins the Evening Part 4


‘Sssh!’ Newman hissed.
His face flamed bright red.
‘Damn it, Remy, really! Must you always be the drama queen? Don’t make a scene! I was only once again holding out the olive branch.’
Newman’s look became one of exaggerated pity.
‘I read in the paper that you adopted Lanie. I know Mary would be pleased that you and Trent are taking such good care of her little girl.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f5b46a3c.jpg

Newman sighed dramatically, obviously for Helen’s benefit.
‘I loved Mary too. I never stopped. Wether you believe me or not, that love extends to both you and her daughter. ’
Newman then tried to appeal to me.
‘I’m not going to lie, Miss Lanie. I wasn’t a good person in the past...though I did try...I just didn’t have skills and resources to deal with the pressure I was feeling starting out as a talent agent. I was also smarting from a failed acting career. Your father was a much better husband to your mother. I’m glad they had you. I visited once to apoligise. It nearly killed me to see my beloved Mary with someone else, but I had to admit I deserved it.’
Little did Newman know that I remembered his visit.
I couldn’t remember the conversation, just that he’d been menacing and creepy.
The thought that I ever bit the slimebag made me suddenly queasy.
‘Some day you might want to know more about you mother. I can tell you things Remy couldn’t. I have things that she left behind, that should by all rights be yours. Someday like Helen you may grow tired of being over protected and treated like a child. You can consider me your friend.
I’ll make myself available to you, if you should ever need me for any reason!'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b5b46d50.jpg’

Before my Uncle could lunge forward and silence Newman, Trent stepped in between them.
‘If your not going to order anything Newman, I suggest you leave. Your presence isn’t welcome at this table.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_95b46f55.jpg

[Montridge]

Useless trivia: (just need to vent. LOL!)
I couldn't get Lanie's smile off her face, so I couldn't shoot Newman actually talking to her. When I tried another angle, Newman kept trying to stand on Remy, the table, through Helen or one of the chairs. *cries*
I had to be careful because the coffee shop is only a set.
I also forgot that last time I played, I was shooting video and had changed all my settings. I didn't notice until I saw how grainy looking my pics were.

EDIT: 08/24/08 I didn't want to bump the thread, but I just wanted everyone to know I haven't forgotten the story. Just having some RL issues to deal with.
When I do update, several characters will hijack Lanie's story and tell their side of things. All I need are the pics. :)

[IrishGrace]

LOL I hate when picture taking isn't going the way you want or need it to!

That last shot is priceless!

[queenrebecca]

I hope that you can update soon! I have been a fan of your story for quite some time but I've never posted for some reason... x_X

[Montridge]

*hugs QueenRebeeca* Thanks so much for commenting. It really made my day. It's all right to be a silent reader, because I'm often one myself. However; I discovered your story and I could not tear myself away. Wow!
*also hugs IrishGrace* Your feedback keeps me going even when I get overwhelmed. I so appreciate it.
The reason for a lack of updates is because of RL issues with time (work, remodeling my green acres money pit house, trying to spend quality time with hubby) and health issues.
I have been working on the written part of the story during work breaks. (one of my co workers is now a reader.) I just need time to turn on the game and get pics.
It doesn't help that there are so many stories I'm into right now. LOL!
However; I will update soon. :)

EDIT: (reply to IrishGrace below) I'm reading several on LiveJournal too. LOL!
It really doesn't help that when I get computer time, I have to catch up with everyone of them here and over there. Anyways, it's nice to hear from you.
I hope you and yours have been well.

[IrishGrace]

Yay! I'm glad to see you posted. :D Take your time... real life comes first. :)
I know what you mean about getting into so many stories though LOL I'm reading three on here and about 6 billion more on LiveJournal!

[Montridge]

Sorry for lack of updates.
My husband has been really ill. We've been in and out of the hospital for the last three weeks. Besides working, hanging out at the VA, and trying to keep up with the housework that piles up, I haven't had time to get into my game.
Hopefully, I'll get out a few chapters this weekend. *crosses fingers*

[IrishGrace]

*hug* I hope your husband is doing better!

[Vinhou]

Hey! I just read 'the beginning' and of course read this right after! They're so catchy - I actually dreamt about it last night!

I hope your husband gets well soon. Sorry to hear about it. I'm sure everything will work out for you.

I'm a little sad that I've already read it all - now I have to wait for updates like the rest. Great story, indeed. :)

[creamymaldita]

Hope your husband get well soon. I've been busy taking care of my two children (they both got flu) so I've taken so long to get back here and read the updates. Anyways, as always great update... keep up the good work^_^

[Montridge]

My husband is doing much better now. He gets to come home tomorrow.
Since I have a quiet moment to myself before he does come home, I thought I'd catch up with everyone and update.
IrishGrace: Thank you! *hugs back*
Vinhou: Thank you for your comments. *hugs*
creamymaldita: I hope your little ones are feeling better. Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. *also hugs*

[Montridge]

Trent smiled bitterly at Helen.
‘Many a time you accused me of being controlling and smothering, but when did I ever intrude on your personal time? I may have voiced my opinions of the company you kept, but I never just popped up after business hours, nor did I move you right next door to me, or demand to know where you planned to be twenty four seven.’
He looked rueful then.
‘I blame myself entirely. If I hadn’t mismanaged your career, you wouldn't have turned to this snake in the grass in the first place. Just remember you have a right to a personal life’
Newman looked a bit nervous with my Uncle and Trent both towering over him.
‘I can see your still bitter over Helen signing with me. As for intruding on Helen’s personal time...I always assumed she’d tell me if she wanted some time alone. It’s just that she and Reg are the only family I have at the moment.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_162342c7.jpg

‘That’s your own fault!’
Uncle Remington got around Trent and poked Newman in the chest.
‘As for Lanie, if you ever make any attempt to contact her or show up when you think I’m not around, I’ll have you in court!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d62344e5.jpg

‘There’s no need.’ Newman quickly reassured Uncle Remington.
‘I’d never do that. I just wanted Lanie to know that she could call me if she should ever need too.’
He smiled sardonically at Trent.
‘You’ve also made me realise that I have over stepped my professional boundaries. I certainly don’t want to make any of the same mistakes you’ve made.’
Then turning to Helen.
‘I guess I’ll see you at four a.m. sharp. It truly was chance that I found you here. I should have kept driving and left you alone...it’s that I’ve been so concerned about Reg.’
‘I’ll walk out with you.’ Helen told him. ‘We really do need to talk. Wait for me outside, please.’
‘As you wish.’ Newman gave her a curt little bow before he stalked out.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d62346fc.jpg

After he left, Helen appealed to my Uncle.
‘Remington, I truly believe Dex is sorry about the past. You may not want to hear this, but he really cares about you. However; I can respect how you must feel. It would be hard to forgive someone that both physically and mentally abused me. I won’t try to force you two to be friends. I just kind hoped that if everyone got along, we could work together more.’
‘Helen, Darling, please be careful. Don’t go home with Newman and certainly don’t drink anything he offers you. Go to your own place and wait up for that idiot you married. Talk to your husband. Don’t let Newman alienate the two of you.’
‘My problems with Reggie have nothing to do with Dex.’
‘I always told you Harris was bad news.’ Trent couldn’t resist.
My Uncle shot Trent a look that quickly silenced him.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_b623478a.jpg

Helen smiled at Trent and hugged him.
‘As much as I enjoy working with Dex, I won’t ever feel that he’s family. In spite of the problems we’ve had, I’ve missed you so much. I also want you to know how proud I am of all the positive things that have happened since.’
We all knew she was referring to Trent’s giving up alcohol.
‘If I could only take back the stupid things I said and did when...’
‘Don’t. Let’s not go over it again. I think we’ve both learned from the experience.'
Helen cast a quick glance toward the entrance of the coffee shop.
When my contract is up with Dex, I’ll need a new manager...’
‘You can manage your own career.’ Trent’s voice was gruff.
He gave her a quick kiss.
‘You’re A list now. You won’t need an agent.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_562347a7.jpg

My Uncle also embraced Helen and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
‘Take my advice. Talk to Renfield when he gets home. If he needs straightening out you call me.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_56234800.jpg

‘Give our regards to your family.’ Trent told her when I also hugged Helen.
I really didn’t want to let go. I had a sudden scary feeling I might never see her again.
‘I’ll talk to Pop.’ Helen told Trent. ‘It won’t hurt if you called him. I doubt he’ll hang up.’
‘I ran into Tony at party a few months ago. I got the message that we we’re no longer best friends. I can’t say that I blame him at all.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_d623488a.jpg

The three of us watched as Helen walked out into the night.
‘Number 23!’ the cashier called out.
‘Please have them pack our food to go.’ my Uncle begged Trent. ‘I really just want to go home.’
‘All right,’ Trent readily agreed.
He gave my Uncle’s arm a quick squeeze.
‘I’m not hungry anymore either.’
Neither was I.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_9452c4d4_f6234bfe.jpg

Coming Next: Lanie's narrative is hijacked by several of the other characters in the next few chapters.
First up: Helen.

[IrishGrace]

:clap: Glad your hubby is doing better!

Any chance Helen will slap Dex silly any time soon? I would sooo love to see that :P

[Vinhou]

Yay! An update! I've been dreaming of this. No, seriously. I've had several dreams at night about your story. No kidding. :D

I'm happy to hear about your husband. :)

[Montridge]

IrishGrace: I really can't say...but I'd REALLY love writing that scene.
Vinhou:*turns chibi* I'm so glad you like this story. These characters mean a lot to me.
(I only wish I could stop dreaming about them. LOL!)
Everyone: Thanks for bearing with me while my hubby was ill.
Though this is still Lanie's story, I thought it would be nice for you to get to see inside the thought processes of some of the other characters.
You will get to hear from Helen, Reg, Remington, Trent, Roberta, Dex, and one mystery guest.
(The Helen chap will be up tomorrow or the next day.)

[Montridge]

Helen's POV Part 1

I’m well aware what everyone thinks of me.
The general consensus is that I’m a sweet, but empty-headed simpleton, easily led by the men in her life.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_962ace32.jpg

When Trent and I first parted ways, I was so deeply hurt, angry, and humiliated, that I wanted nothing more than to get revenge on him. I knew signing on with Dex would really make him suffer.
I also wanted that Gypsy Girl role so bad, I would have made a deal with the devil to get it.
I really felt I had when Reg and I first went to meet with Dex.
I told myself I would only use Dex and his resources to get ahead in my career. It would be strictly business. I’d never think of him as a friend and certainly not a confidant. Remington had filled me in on how Dex treated the women in his life. Dex Newman would be in for a nasty surprise, if he tried to rough handle me in anyway. Not many people are aware that I have a pretty mean left hook.
That's why unlike everyone else, I was never afraid of Reg’s temper. I saw a side to him the others couldn’t.
Reg’s bark is truly worse than his bite. He can’t even swat a fly without feeling guilty.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_3629f5b0.jpg

I expected Dex to be oozing and oily, telling me how he would make me a big star.
I was prepared to hear him talk a lot of trash on Trent.
Instead, he had nothing but compliments for both Trent and Remington.
Dex admitted that he had long been envious of Trent’s career. He also voiced his regret setting about Trent up, but couldn’t stand it any longer that I was being lied to.
I did admire Dex’s honest, no nonsense manner, but I kept my guard up for a long time.
It started to crumble as we had to work so closely together.
What really endeared me to Dex, was that he was so good to Reg. Dex truly cared about him.
I appreciated that he allowed Reg to co-manage my career and gave him more bit parts in films.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_9629f607.jpg

I never once saw Dex lose his temper. He treated me like an equal.
I almost started to feel Remington might have exaggerated, but Dex himself told me that anything Remington might have said was very regrettably true. The only part he adamantly denied was that he ever gave anyone drugs. He confided that Mary and most of his other wives were already party girls when he met them.
Dex deeply regretted the way he treated Lanie’s mother and Remington.
It wasn’t until he lost his fourth wife Sasha and started anger management sessions that he began to change his ways.
Dex also painfully confessed that every woman he did get involved with after Remington’s sister Mary, reminded him of his one true love in some small way. I could see for myself in pictures that he was trying to find her replacement.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_f629f6b8.jpg

‘I never gave any of my beloved wives after Mary a real chance to be their own person.’ Dex told me. ‘Each woman was unique, but I only wanted back what I had lost. When I couldn’t mold them into what she was, our relationship soured....I blame myself entirely. If it wasn’t for therapy, I’d never have broken the chain. Remy has every right to hate me, but you also have to remember that he was still very young. Things weren’t always as they seemed. Mary and my fights were because she wouldn’t stop the drug abuse. I was worried about her.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f62ab654-1.jpg

Another thing I liked about Dex, was that he treated me like an adult.
He showed Reg and I a world of glamour and parties.
We had quiet elegant dinners in his home.
Dex was intelligent and well read. We enjoyed all the things he had to teach us.
Reg and I were the only family he had.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_1629ff11.jpg

Dex’s sons no longer spoke to him. His teenaged daughter lived with her mother. She too refused to have a thing to do with him.
Dex lamented that he and his exes spoiled their kids.
‘My daughter hasn’t spoken to me since I came home one night and caught her making out with a date on the couch. When I tried to do the fatherly thing and talk to her about it, she totally disowned me. It really hurts, Helen. Brie graduated last year, but I wasn’t invited to attend. I don’t have any idea what she even wants to do with her life. It’s my own fault, I put my career ahead of my children. Now I’m paying the price.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_562a0ba4-1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_162a038c-1.jpg

I could never love Dex like I had Trent.
I certainly didn’t approve of some of the things he’d done in the past, but I did come to like him.
I also appreciated his honesty and dedication to my career.
At first being a star was wonderful, but it’s very hard work to stay on top. Most people have no clue about how hard I work everyday. I barely get four hours sleep every night.
Reg and I worked together, but it was hard getting time alone. I notice now he disappears on me for long periods of time. The other day I went through the laundry and found lipstick on Reg’s collar.
I've also noticed that Dex is starting to become a bit possessive of me.
I didn’t believe he just happened by the coffee shop. It was time I let him know that I had a right to a personal life. I'm tired and I need a break.
Dex was standing by his car. His back turned to me.
'Dex we really need to talk.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_f62acf92.jpg

Dex didn't turn around.
‘I’m sorry to have ruined your evening. Go on back in and finish catching up with Trent and Remy. I-I’m going home now.’
His voice sounded odd and he quickly swiped his eyes.
Dex was crying?!
All the fight left me in an instant.
‘Dex are you all right?’
'We can talk tomorrow Helen. Please, just go back inside.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_762ad575.jpg

I wasn't about to leave him this way.
I walked around to where I could see his face and gave him a quick hug.
Dex broke down sobbing into my shoulder.
‘Helen...I’m sorry...Lanie....it was like looking into Mary’s eyes all over again.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_762ad0e0.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Awww! I love Helen! But... is it true what *gag* Dex said about Mary and drugs?

[Montridge]

I love Helen too. Sometimes I feel guilty putting her through so much.
She's one of my favorite characters in this story.
As for Newman...now would he ever tell a lie? :D
Working on the next chapter, hopefully will have it up tomorrow sometime.
Coming Next: Newman makes a request.

[Montridge]

Helen's POV Part 2


‘Quick, lets talk in my car.’ Dex hurriedly swiped away his tears.
He seemed really embarrassed that I caught him crying.
‘I don’t want anyone to see me like this.’
I went around to the passenger side of the car and got in.
Dex removed a handkerchief from his breast pocket to finish wiping his eyes.
He blew his nose and took a deep breath to compose himself. He couldn’t seem to look at me.
‘I apologise for that girly fit of tears.’ his voice was stiff. ‘I feel so ashamed.’
‘Don’t be.’ I reached out to grip his hand. ‘It’s not girly to hurt. Crying is a release everyone is entitled to once in awhile.’
I know I certainly had reason to cry these days.
It was time to confront Reg about the lipstick stains on his collar.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_d62c7896.jpg

‘I loved Mary so much. If only I could have seen what the future held, I’d been a much better person.’
Dex angrily pounded the steering wheel.
‘Damn that inn keeper for letting her die!’
It wasn’t really fair to blame Lanie’s father. Witnesses later told Remington that Harold tried to evade the collision, but the semi truck kept barreling at them. Their small car was no match.
I didn’t know what to say. All I could do was to listen and give his hand a quick squeeze to show I cared.
‘It’s too cruel of Remy to keep me out of Lanie’s life. I have changed. I don’t know what it will take for Remy to ever forgive me!’
(I tried not to imagine some very colorful suggestions Remington might have come up with if actually asked.)
‘If only Remy would allow me to make up for the past. I want him to consider me family again. Lanie could use another Uncle. There is so much I can do for them both.’
More tears ran down Dex’s cheeks. His pain made me want to cry too.
‘My God, did you see how Remy looked? The man should be in the hospital! He’ll probably die before he ever lets me tell him that I love him. It frustrates me to no end how he has to start a fight every time I attempt to make peace!’
I blinked back tears of my own.
Remington’s appearance had frightened me too.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_b62c7947.jpg

Once again Dex attempted to compose himself.
I found a tissue and with the dim light of a near-by street lamp, swabbed the mascara steaks from my cheeks.
I’d known Remington since I was ten years old. I was inadvertently responsible for Remington and Trent finding their way back together.
Remington was the costume designer for ‘Annie the Orphan Girl’, a Broadway show that Trent had gotten me the lead in. Since Trent was my agent, he and Remington had to cross paths on the occasion.
If they couldn't totally avoid each other, Remington would be very antagonistic toward Trent.
I can still remember how they'd end up glowering at each other after those bitter run ins.
With a little help from Pop and Mama, they at least started speaking again, the rest is history.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_12ef5a9b_962ca8f2.jpg

‘Let’s get out of here.’ Dex pleaded. ‘I can have someone pick up your car. I really don’t want to be alone tonight.’
He flashed me a wry grin.
‘Since I’ve cried on your shoulder, you can cry on mine. I don’t know what’s going on between you and Reg, but he hasn’t been himself lately. I’m Reg’s closest friend, if I can’t help, no one else can.’
That made sense; however Remington’s suggestion that I talk to Reg was also good advice.
Reg and I haven’t talked one on one for a long time. Perhaps a lot of the fault for our problems was mine.
‘Come on Helen.’ Dex coaxed. ‘Let me make you one of my Irish coffees. We’ll wait up for Reg at my place.
We’ll tag team him.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_362c7a8d.jpg

Dex looked crestfallen when I reached for the door handle to let myself out.
‘Nobody touches The Bug.’ I quickly explained. ‘Pop’s the only other human being that I’ve allowed to drive her. I’ll follow you home.’
Dex laughed ruefully.
‘I don’t know what I’m going to do with you and Reg. You both need to let go of those old clunkers you drive.’
I didn’t care how rich and famous I would ever be. I’d drive The Bug until she fell apart around me.
I knew Reg felt the same about his Lucille.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_762c7a96.jpg

‘Helen?’
There was a intensely wistful look in Dex’s eyes.
Dex Newman was definitely a very handsome man. He could also be extremely charming.
No wonder so many women had fallen for him. It was hard to believe now that I ever thought he was creepy.
‘After Helena of Troy wraps I wonder if you can do me a favor?’
He gently reached out to touch a strand of my hair.
‘What’s that?’ I asked with a sudden unexplainable nervousness.
‘Dye your hair back to your natural brunette color. I much prefer the true Helen Harper.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_b62c7b6b.jpg

Coming next: Remington's POV.

[IrishGrace]

What... a... scumbag. DON'T DO IT HELEN! DON'T DRINK THE COFFEE!!

Sorry... though I do so agree with Dex (even if it makes me gag to say it) that she looks better with her natural hair color.

[Montridge]

I also agree that Helen looks better as a brunette and that Newman is a scumbag. LOL!

P.S. To get back into writing again, I had five of my characters do the 44 questions quiz. I posted it to my LiveJournal last night and made it public if anyone wants to see it.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/594.html

[paintnlines]

This story is so deep. I really like this one. Please continue!

[IrishGrace]

I said this in a comment on your LJ, but I'll say it here too: After reading the answers to all these questions (on LJ), if it's possible, I love Lanie, Trent, Remi and Helen more than ever, hate Dex more than ever and... well, my opinion of Reg has improved a bit. I actually feel a little sorry for the guy.

[el_flel]

*gasp* DRAMA!! Stay away Helen!!! I missed this story, glad it's back and that everything is ok now

[Psycho_Bunny]

yahhh! can't you see he's faking it?! You twit Helen!

[DarkPhoenix]

Eeeehhh... Dex seems particularly slimy to me now.

[Psycho_Bunny]

bit like Dunstan eh Jen?

[Montridge]

Yeah! Feedback!

SadPanda: I get the picture of a cute anime style sad eyed panda, awww!
Thanks so much for your comments and hope you continue to read.
IrishGrace:*hugs* I might use my LiveJournal for Montridge extras, kind of like DarkPhoenix has a website for her awesome story. 'When Cliques Collide.'
el_flel: Thank you. I just found your story last night. I actually logged on to read the rest. :)
DarkPhoenix and Psycho_Bunny: LOL! I think Jen and I have known the same type of guys. Sometimes I wonder if Dex and Dunstan would clash or hit it off if they ever met.
Update should be up Thursday. *crosses fingers*

[Montridge]

Remington's POV


‘Here drink this.’
‘That isn’t one of those horrible honey lemon concoctions of yours is it?’
‘Just take it.’
‘Oh, very well.’
Gingerly, I took the cup.
I was relieved to smell the fragrance of hot strong black coffee.
I had Trent trained better than I thought.
‘Now I remember why I keep you around.’ I teased him after I took a sip. ‘This is divine.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d6342998.jpg

Trent gave me a wan smile, before he ducked into the kitchen for his own cup.
I knew he was still hurting from our run in with Helen.
I was still simmering over Newman’s showing up like he did.
That story about his ‘just happening to drive by the coffee shop’ was total bulldren.
Newman had Helen followed.
I was also sure he knew exactly where that fool Reginald was as well.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b6342d08.jpg

‘If your head wasn’t so clogged up, you’d have been able to smell the coffee brewing from here.’
Trent took the place by me on the couch. He had that concerned look on his face.
I fought the tickling sensation in my throat and quickly took another sip of the coffee.
‘I’m fine.’ I snapped at him, when I could speak. ‘It’s just a common cold.’
‘Remington that cough really has me worried. You’ve had this so-called cold for three weeks now.’
I held up a hand to ward him off.
‘Don’t start on me, Trent. I’ve got more important things on my mind right now.’
‘What can be more important than your health? Damn it, Remington, if you’d just see your doctor.’
I really didn’t want to hear a lecture. Not now.
‘Enough! I have a @#$%! cold that’s all! I refuse to speak to you if you’re going to nag at me!’
I knew I was being bitchy, but Trent could make a mountain of a molehill if I let him.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3635893e.jpg

‘Fine!’ Trent snapped back. ‘Do what you want. Forgive me, for even caring.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d6343053.jpg

I really did have bigger things to worry about. The way Newman eyed my Lanie was one of them.
It was the same way he looked at Mary. It gave me cold chills up my spine.
Call me if you should ever need me.
As if! I’d never let him near my little girl!
It never occurred to me that Newman would take an interest in Lanie, but how could he have looked into Lanie’s eyes and not seen Mary.
I also wondered if he were going to make Helen keep her hair blonde and sweet talk her into cutting it, as he’d done with his other ex-wives.
Once again, I felt as if some one walked over my grave.
Dear God, please let Helen part with that maniac unscathed in any way!

[Montridge]

Remington's POV Part 2

I cast a side long glance over at Trent.
He was feeling bad enough without me adding to it with my snarky attitude.
Maybe I would see a doctor if my cold didn’t clear up. I just wanted to get all my shows over and done with first.
When I apoligised, Trent sighed, his eyes hollow with misery and regret.
‘I sure made a mess of things.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b6342fd7.jpg

All the could ofs, should ofs, and would ofs, would never bring Helen back to us.
It was no use letting him continue to beat himself up over it.
‘At least Helen doesn’t act like she’s on any drugs.’
I’d been around users long enough to know the signs and symptoms. Drugs made me sick.
‘She does seem reasonably healthy and the success doesn’t seem to have gone to her head.’ Trent agreed.
‘I’m a bit concerned about her weight and of course what ever trouble she’s having with Harris.’
He couldn’t say that last bit without a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.
‘I was more worried about the way Newman reacted to our Lanie.’ I confided.
‘He won’t come anywhere near her.’ Trent replied stanchly. ‘That’s a promise.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_b634300c.jpg

‘I think I should tell him who she is.’ I decided, equally determined. ‘Lanie’s mother may have been afraid, but I’m not. I never have been. I also want to let him know there is no way he’ll ever be allowed near her.
Trent gaped at me like I’d gone mad.
‘What good would that do? It might give you a moments satisfaction, but do you really think Newman will just slink away quietly and allow us to raise Lanie in peace? The first thing he’ll do, is go crying to the press. We’ve had enough scandal to last a lifetime. How do you think Lanie would feel to learn her true parentage from the tabloids? I can tell you from bitter experience that Lanie will be the one to suffer most. There’s no reason for Newman to know the truth, but Lanie does need to be told.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_56343047.jpg

‘I want to tell her Trent, but I’m not sure how she’ll react. Mary was adamant that Lanie would be told the truth, but we decided to wait until she reached her teens. She would have at least more life experience to understand why her mother would....’
‘When I was finally let in on this little family secret.’ Trent interrupted me. ‘Mary promised me she would tell Lanie sooner. Lanie has a right to know the truth. I think she’s plenty old enough to understand.’
I don’t think Trent ever really forgave me for keeping such a big secret from him.
I didn’t tell him the truth about Lanie until we moved into this house.
‘I will tell her Trent.’ I quickly promised him. ‘She’s still too young yet.’
I suddenly felt very tired. We’d argued about this many a time since Lanie moved in.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_3634301f.jpg

I decided I didn’t want to think about it now.
Trying to distract him, I pulled him close.
‘Mmmm nice.’ Trent melted easily into my embrace.
I really thought I had him.
‘However; we still need to decide just when we will tell Lanie the truth.’
I swallowed back my irritation. He acted like it was going to be so easy for me to explain the murky details of Lanie’s birth.
I never wanted to cause her shame or embarrassment.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_963430ef.jpg

I refrained from asking him if he were ever going to tell Roberta the truth. Trent felt our situations were different. I didn’t know if I agreed.
Roberta and Lanie had both been raised by good decent men that weren’t really their father.
I felt that both girls were better off not knowing.
Dagmar claimed that she wasn’t sure who the father was, while Lanie’s father....
‘Hey,’ Trent gently reassured me. ‘I told you from the moment Lanie became part of our lives, that we were in this together. I will be right there when you tell her the truth. I will also be there to help pick up the pieces if need be. We’re a strong family unit, we’ll only grow stronger if we stop all the lies.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_76343266.jpg

Lanie was still too young and innocent.
I at least wanted to wait until she was a teen.
I also never told Trent that Lanie had questioned her parentage long ago, when she first started wondering where babies came from.
Trent would be furious if he knew I didn’t tell her then.
I never wanted Lanie to act out like Roberta was doing. It would kill me.
I knew Lanie would be freaked out enough to know who her father was, but there were other things to consider as well.
‘Trent, I don’t want Lanie to hate her mother.’
Trent’s dark eyes flashed, he had no sympathy for her.
He also couldn’t hide his jealousy. As far as Trent was concerned Lanie was our child.
I thought it was wrong for him to judge and condemn Lanie’s mother, but I couldn’t help but love Trent for loving Lanie so much. Mary also felt that Trent would be a positive addition to Lanie’s life. Once Trent and I finally moved into this house, Mary thought it was time to let the two meet.
Trent and I were supposed to spend our holiday with the family for the first time that Christmas.
A freak car accident changed all our plans forever.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_12ef5a9b_36358e21.jpg

‘I miss Mary so much.’ I blurted out. ‘She would have known what to say.’
Trent took my hand in his.
‘You’ll find the words, Babe.’
My sister had always been my best friend and confidant.
They say that grief passes with time. The sharpness of it may ease away, but you never stop missing those you loved. If only I could talk to my parents again or see my sister’s beautiful smile one more time. At least she died with the man she loved. Neither had to go on without the other.
‘Remington.’ Trent suddenly looked contrite. ‘We don’t need to talk about this now. I just freaked when you said you were going to tell Newman. Promise me you won’t. If anyone needs to know the truth it’s Lanie.’
Trent was right, I was being foolish. I would get a moments satisfaction of seeing his face when I told him everything, but never thought much about what would happen next. I’ve always been much too impulsive.
I was not afraid of Newman, but the thought that he might come after Lanie made my blood run cold. He would go right to the press crying foul. He'd play the victim, crying his crocodile tears to get the public on his side and turn them once again on me.
What was I thinking?
If I did tell him, I really could lose Lanie forever.
Trent and I grew silent lost in our own thoughts.
It just felt nice being close and listening to the crackling of the fireplace.
Trent had his faults and I mine, but I could no longer imagine life without him.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_36343163.jpg

‘I hate to break away, Darling, but that bed upstairs is calling to me. Unlike you, I need my beauty sleep.’
Trent reluctantly broke away and helped me to my feet. He tried to conceal his concern.
‘You do need your rest. Tomorrow, I also want you to start drinking plenty of fluids other than coffee and diet soda. Try some juice. It has vit....’
I rolled my eyes and cut off the medical lecture.
‘Yesssss, Dr. Thornton.’
‘You are the most stubborn, exasperating....’
‘Just kiss me, Fool.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_763434ce.jpg
*********

‘I’ll be right up after I put out the fire and rinse out our cups. I also want to check our little one.’
‘Should I wait up for you?’
Trent laughed.
‘Who are you kidding Mansfield, you’ll be sound asleep by the time I get up there.’
I laughed too. He was right. I was nodding on my feet.
I fully intended to sleep until noon tomorrow.
‘Sweet dreams.’ Trent called up after me, as I headed for the stairs.
I turned to look at him one last time.
I was really a very lucky @#$%!. I had it made. I had my dream job, my dream house, my dream man, and the best child any father could ask for. I was truly blessed.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_563435fd.jpg

Coming Soon: Trent's true feelings toward Lanie's mother revealed.

[el_flel]

Wow I came on today and there was two updates, certainly made my day of revision better! I love Remington and Trent, they're adorable! Can't wait to see what Trent's feelings are, there are so many secrets in this story, I love secrets!

[IrishGrace]

I totally agree with Remi... Lanie is still too young to know about her real father AND Lanie and Roberta's situations are really almost identical (except that Lanie's father is known and Roberta's isn't). They should both be told the truth, in time.

[Montridge]

*hugs* el_flel and IrishGrace.
I just had to share this pic of Trent.
While I was setting up the scene and had free will turned off, animal lover Trent still had to pick up Belle and 'give love'. LOL!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_f6342b26.jpg

[IrishGrace]

LOL Belle just looks completely thrilled :P

[Montridge]

I thought the same thing. Hee! Hee! That's the same expression my cat made when ever I got into 'Elmira' mode.
I just wanted to mention that Trent's POV won't have as many pics, since he's pretty much in his own head. It was hard to know what to take pics off.
A mini update will be up soon. :)

[Montridge]

Trent’s POV Part 1

I was only going to rinse the cups and coffee pot and put them in the dishwasher, but decided to fill the sink with warm soapy water and do them up myself.
The house was quiet and peaceful, the only thing I could hear was the gentle crackle of the fireplace. Sometimes I thought I could hear the occasional snore from Remington upstairs.
(Though Remington always insists he never snores. Ha!)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_f6358992.jpg

When I get time to myself, my thoughts tend to wander in all sorts of different directions.
I was so frustrated with that man of mine. He’s had that damn cold for weeks now.
Instead of taking care of himself and resting a bit, he goes full steam ahead. He could at least be drinking fruit juice and starting his day with a decent breakfast, but he hasn’t changed a thing in his normally unhealthy routine. The man lives on coffee until dinner time.
Remington also thinks that I don’t know he’s smoking again. He normally takes up the habit when he’s under a lot of stress.
The only reason I haven’t confronted him is because he has been so busy with all the fashion lines and campaigns he has going. Everyone wants the Remington Mansfield name on their products.
I couldn’t help but feel proud, Remington’s star was only getting brighter.
Unlike most famous designers, he never just sold his name to the highest bidder. He had to be part of the project. He helped with research and came up with the designs of the product himself. He also had to know where even the tiniest little sewing notion came from.
Phelps Department Store alone was launching Remington’s Day to Evening Wear, After Hours Lingerie, Mod Teen Wear, Flower Power, Mod Madness, as well as a line of furs, evening gowns, handbags and luggage.
I tried to over look it when Remington was high strung and crankier than normal at the office.
Last night Remington stayed up late sketching a clothing line for pre teens.
He also mentioned that he wanted to come up with mod clothing the over fifties set could enjoy.
The man never quit working or dreaming up new ideas.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_16366c78-1.jpg

I just feel that with his heart condition he should be more responsible about his health.
The very thought of Remington ever dying on me always made my insides go cold.
I took comfort in the fact that Remington had been sick like this before. He’s been in the hospital more times than I can count, and always bounced right back. However; if that cough doesn't clear up in a couple days, I'm dragging him kicking and screaming to the doctor.
I had every intention of meeting the Grim Reaper first and only then when Remington and I were well into our elder years.

Then my thoughts went back to Helen......

[Montridge]

Trent's POV Part 2

After I dried the dishes and put them away, I went out into the living room.
Instead of putting out the fire, I relaxed on the couch. I couldn’t go to sleep just yet.
I was so very proud of Helen. I’d been such a fool keeping her in the innocent childlike roles that appealed to me.
I just didn’t want to accept that my Helen was growing up and away from me. When Helen first started dating that lowlife Harris, I knew it would bring nothing but trouble. It didn’t even matter to her when I had stone cold proof of Harris’ dirty dealings in the past. Helen still stood up for him and eventually married him anyway.
(Why is it that women always go for that type of guy? It seemed sometimes that they actually enjoy all the drama and heartache that sort bring with them. I was disappointed to learn that Helen was no different from the norm.)
At least my control of Helen ended after office hours, I certainly never had her followed or insisted she live right next door to me. I also wondered how Newman explained giving me the name of the detective in the first place.
Surely, either Helen or Harris confronted him on that.
I just hope Helen doesn’t divorce Harris and end up with Newman.
I didn’t like the familiar way Newman touched her. I could also see Helen was attracted to him too.
Like Remington, I decided not to not to think about that now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_16358a89.jpg

Tomorrow I would see Roberta.
I felt a small surge of pride knowing that she wouldn’t disappoint me by bringing home some ill mannered boor. I raised her to be her own woman first. Roberta, though she did have an interest in the opposite sex, focused more on her studies. It was her senior year at school and she already had plans for a career in politics.
I was so proud when Roberta informed me that she aspired to be the first woman mayor of SimCity.
I had no doubt in my mind that she could do it too. My oldest wasn’t going to be content to be someone’s wife. She was going to make her own mark in the world.
I had to give both Dagmar and I credit for how Roberta turned out. We wanted a better life for our daughter than what we had growing up. We didn’t put up limitations or allow Roberta to be a shrinking violet. We encouraged her to speak her mind and be herself.
On the flip side we did spoil her rotten and were lax in the discipline department, but all things considered we did really well.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_76390377.jpg

There was still a big rift between Roberta and I where Remington was concerned.
Roberta still feels like he wrecked our home. She blames Remington for my divorcing Dagmar. She refuses to come visit me here at home or stop by the office during working hours. She’s made it clear that she’ll never have anything do to Remington.
I think part of that is because she has trouble accepting that I’m gay. Though she insists that she’s come to grips with my sexual orientation, I can see that the idea still makes her very uncomfortable.
I can’t blame her really. Dagmar and I had the world fooled by our picture perfect marriage. When the facade finally shattered, Roberta was the one hurt most in the cross fire.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_36390aae.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_d6390d3d.jpg

I’m just glad my witch of an ex wife never told Roberta that I wasn’t the one that actually fathered her, but then again, she wouldn’t have been able to get the child support and large settlements I had to pay to end our marriage.
Public sympathy was on the wronged wife.
The only reason I took it is because I didn’t want Roberta to be hurt further to know that Dagmar and I never had a true marriage in any sense of the word. It was all one big lie to protect our careers.
The marriage only lasted so long because I couldn’t bear to abandon the baby, I’d come to love like my own.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_d638fe11.jpg

Remington was a saint to stay in the background when we first found our way back together.
I didn’t want to lose him, but I was afraid of what may happen to my relationship with my daughter.
It took a long time before I built up the courage to end my sham marriage.
I was lucky that Remington didn’t leave me a second time before I did. It also makes me heartsick that the media made him the villain in my break up with Dagmar. I don’t think I can ever make up for the pain and embarrassment Remington’s had to endure because of it. He claims he can care less what people think, but I know better. We both stay silent because we don’t want Roberta to suffer any more humiliation than she already has.
I just wish Dagmar could have at least let me break the news to Roberta myself, instead of making our divorce a three ring circus. I’ll never forgive her for that.
I understand now why Remington kept his secret from me. He had no real reassurance I would ever leave Dagmar.
It also hurt to learn that Mary never intended Lanie and I to meet until Remington and I were out as a couple. I couldn’t blame her reasoning. She didn’t want Lanie to become attached to me if I wasn’t going to be a permanent part of Remington’s life. Not to mention having to explain that Uncle Remington’s significant other was married to some one else.
This took my thoughts to Lanie’s mother.......
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_f63b2443.jpg

[el_flel]

Aw Trent's adorable. I like these POV chapters, it's nice to see the story from the other characters' views.

[Montridge]

Thanks el_flel. I'm really glad you're liking the other characters POV. It gives everyone the chance to see what's going on around Lanie that she doesn't.(She can't eavesdrop 24/7 LOL!)
Also you see other characters through another Sims eyes. I also added another pic to the end of part 2.

P.S. Hopefully, you update your story soon because you left off on a really big cliffhanger.

[Montridge]

Trent’s POV Part 3

The image of Lanie’s mother flooded my mind.
Who could forget that seductive smile and carefree party girl attitude?
I never really got to know her well, but my impression of her was not favorable at all.
So much has been said of her flawless beauty. She was quite pretty, but I thought she was common looking.
She also lacked any real talent, so I don’t know why anyone would make such a fuss.
It seemed to me the woman used and tossed away men like crumpled tissue. She married that fool husband of hers for his money and anything else he could offer her. She cheated on him and shamelessly used Remington as well. She was the kind of woman I despised the most.
I’d never wish such a tragic end on anyone, but she would not have been content to allow Lanie to grow up to have a normal life. She would only have used Lanie as a pawn in the games she played.
She may have even coached Lanie to become a conniving slut like herself.
Frankly, I thought she and Newman were two of a kind. They deserved each other
I could never say anything like this to Remington. He saw the woman as a helpless victim.
He let his emotions and his relationship to her cloud his judgment.
Anything I would say would be dismissed as petty jealousy on my part. So I normally held my tongue when Remington spoke of her.
I also never told him that she had come on to me many a time when we did happen to find ourselves alone together.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen too often.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_963b1fdd.jpg

Finally tired, I got up from the couch and put out the fire.
When I got to the second floor, I paused at the foot of the stairs leading to Lanie’s room.
I could hear the even sound of her breathing and knew she was asleep.
I tiptoed up the stairs and tucked her in. I gently kissed her forehead.
I also felt a throb in my heart that my little one was growing up.
She was also beginning to look more like her every day.
Not that it mattered. My Lanie was nothing like her mother.
I couldn’t love her any more if she truly were my own flesh and blood child.
In my book both she and Roberta were my daughters.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_36366df9.jpg


Next up: We see what that dog Reg is up to.

[el_flel]

Woah, unexpected!! Everyone always spoke so highly of her! Good update! Can't wait to see what Reg has been doing...
I shall update soon, hopefully over weekend, been busy with uni!

[Montridge]

el_flel: If I do this right there will be plot twists n turns around every corner. LOL!
Hopefully, everyone bears with me and keeps reading. :)
I didn't think Reg's POV needed words.

[Montridge]

Reg's POV

So what is Reg up too.....

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_72f2dea2_5647d67e.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_72f2dea2_3647db02.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_72f2dea2_3647dec3.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_72f2dea2_9647de9f.jpg

Next up: We catch up with Roberta.

[IrishGrace]

Gee what a surprise :P You're right, Reg's POV needs no words LOL

[el_flel]

Eurgh he's such a dog!
Yay I'm looking forward to twists and turns - my favourite!

[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 1

Thanks IrishGrace and el_flel for your comments. LOL!
I'm missing two pics, but I wanted to update, they will be up tonight as well as part 2. Hope you like!


‘Bert! Get up! It’s eight o’clock! You have visitation with your old man today.’
I had a headache that wouldn’t quit.
The bright light from the open window made me wince in pain. I didn’t see how Karen was up and cheerful as normal.
‘I want the license number of the bus that hit me.’
‘You’ll feel better after a smoke and some aspirin.’ Karen reassured me.
‘If that doesn’t help, I’ll have Daddy make you up one of his famous hangover cures.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_764b6ad7.jpg

I didn’t drink on a normal basis.
I always vowed I wouldn’t since both my parents were major alchos. However; Karen’s folks were out and we got bored.
I finally allowed her to make us some mixed drinks. They were good going down, but I felt like total dren now.
I also let her talk me into taking a few hits of her parent’s bubble bong.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_f64b7762.jpg

‘You get used to it after awhile.’ Karen continued to chatter while I rolled out of bed.
I really did need a cigarette.
‘I don’t plan on getting used to it.’ I informed her.
Alcohol was one vice I never planned to adopt. I already had an addiction to nicotine.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_b64b6bad.jpg

‘Don’t be a square.’ Karen chided me.
‘You have to learn to drink socially when your one of our set. You just have to learn how not to over do it.’
‘My Dad quit drinking and as far as I know, he hasn’t looked back.’ I retorted.
I’ve known Karen since my folks first stuck me in boarding school. She could be a pill sometimes, trying hard to be cool, but when my parent’s break up and the reasons behind it hit the tabloids, she made the uncool decision to stand by me. She even got into fights with the snooty popular girls that made jokes about my Dad being a queer.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_964b7089.jpg

As for Dad giving up alcohol, I was really proud of him. I only wish Mom would quit.
Since she and Dad broke up, it’s only gotten worse.
Mom starts her mornings with Bloody Mary’s for breakfast. By the end of the day, she’s drinking her vodka straight on the rocks.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_164dfc33.jpg

When Dad first left us for that thing he’s living with, Mom and I had the opportunity to grow closer.
Then she started dating again.
I knew ‘The Count’, as I call my hated stepfather, was a creep from the get go. He tried to win me over at first with expensive gifts and even my own little bungalow on his private Island. That cottage turned out to be little more than a broken down shack full of cockroaches.
I also felt really uncomfortable because Mom and The Count are always fighting tooth and nail.
He tries to control her, but if I stand up to him, she reprimands me.
All Mom cares about anymore is The Count’s damned money!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_564dfa4c.jpg

The Count did buy my car and supply me with credit cards, but only after privately telling me that he didn’t care much for me as a person. Except for holidays he wanted me to stay away.
When I told Mom, she cried a little, but agreed that it would be best if I stayed with Dad when I wasn’t in school.
Since I’m no longer wanted on the Island, Mom reluctantly allowed me to stay with Karen on weekends and school holidays.
I won’t stay with Dad. That is so out of the question!
Though Remington put on this sweet act that he was glad Dad and I were talking again, I knew he wouldn’t want me around anymore than The Count did. Remington also had a pretty little orphaned niece that had my Dad wrapped around her little pinky too.
Though Dad insists that I was still number one in his heart, it hurt to know otherwise.
He couldn’t help talking about the little twerp. I thought his going on about Helen was bad! That was nothing compared to the spell Lanie had him under!
I tried hard never to show how much it hurt when he actually called Lanie his other daughter.
Damn it! I was his only daughter.
******

[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 2


‘So are you really going to spend the holidays here?’ Karen asked after I’d gotten dressed.
‘That’s all right isn’t it?’ I didn’t mean to sound so sharp.
If it wasn’t all right...where else would I go?
I already informed Mom that I would be a no show at her big Thanksgiving party.
‘Come on Bert, you know you're welcome here. The folks are crazy about you. I just feel sorry for your poor Dad sometimes. How can you not tell that he loves you?’
‘I know he loves me.’ I snapped. ‘He has too because he feels obligated.’
I was a huge mistake. Knowing that made me feel very empty inside.
‘Your mother always has been a bit of a...er...been a bit flaky, but your Dad always has been the better parent. Even when he did leave your mom for Remington, he did try to keep in touch with you. I used to hate how you would return his letters and gifts.’
My heart twisted in my chest. Sometimes I did read some of them. I knew if I did have to deal with him face to face, I would break down.
It finally happened at Helen’s wedding.
‘You’re going to have to forgive him sometime for leaving your Mom. They weren’t happy.
You also should just accept that your old man is gay.’
‘I don’t have a problem with that!’
Actually, I had a very big problem with it.
I was all for people loving who they wanted, but it was very disturbing to learn that my father is gay.
I hear all the time about children coming out to their parents, but believe me, it really upsets the natural balance of order when it happens the other way around. All the mean spirited jokes about my Dad when he first came out really did hurt.
The whole idea of Dad and Remington as a couple still creeped me out.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_764defd8.jpg

‘My problem is with It and the Twerp.’
‘I thought you said the kid was kind of cool.’
I had to give Lanie some credit. She was responsible for getting me to write Helen's brother Joey.
Joey's letters were the only things I had to smile about these days.
‘Yeah, I’ll admit she isn’t a simpering goody-goody like Helen always was, but I don’t want to get to know her. I let Dad talk me into bringing her along once to a movie. Though it wasn’t a horrible experience, I’ve had enough with having to share him. I only get one lousy day a week of his time. He spends it talking about her and every sickening cute thing she does. As for It, he knew my father was married when he went after him. Anyone that breaks up a family is rotten to the core.’
‘I’m not trying to make you mad, Bert.’ Karen gave me a quick hug. ‘It’s just your Dad didn’t choose Remington over you. He’s actually been asking you to come live with them. Most girls would kill to have Remington Mansfield as their step-er-what ever he is to you.’
Grudgingly, I also had to admit to myself, that the man was a bit of a genius. His creations and clothing line were to die for.
‘Ha!’ I scoffed at her. ‘Don’t think I don’t know what your really after. You're hoping if I make nice with my Dad’s..um..so called life partner, that you’ll score some of his gowns for yourself.’
‘It’s been years now Bert. Your parents have both moved on to others. Your Dad didn’t just decide it wasn’t convenient to have you around any more. It’s time to stop punishing him. As for getting something for myself out of the deal, I really wasn’t thinking that way...but would that ever be awesome!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_364dec21.jpg

My head really started pounding now. I also felt queasy.
Karen’s stopped grinning and peered at me in guilty concern.
‘Bert..?’
I pushed past her, barely making it.
Before I knew it, I was on my knees worshiping the porcelain goddess.
I’m so never going to drink again!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_564df3a9.jpg

Up Next: Roberta and Trent's visitation.

[IrishGrace]

I like Karen. She's good and makes a LOT of good points. Really, Roberta should take some of her advice to heart.

OT to the story, but I love the wallpaper in that bathroom! Very cute!

[ndayeni]

This continues to be a great story that just keeps getting better. Don't remember if I've ever commented on it before, but I've been following it since the first thread. It's pretty much the only story I follow here anymore given the time constraints I have for reading things. I look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.

[Montridge]

IrishGrace: *hugs* I'm glad you like Karen. She a combo of different friends I had growing up. As for the wall paper, I'll run my curser over it in build mode and try to find out where I got it.
ndayeni: *also hugs* Silent readers are cool, but I'm glad you commented...I was starting to wonder if my veering from Lanie's narrative was such a hot idea after all. Feedback always makes my day. :)
Everyone: I promise that my different POV's will be significant later on.
Some things might not be quite as they seem.
In Roberta's POV: I got another plot twist coming up.....LOL!

[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 3



Dad and I normally met at the Studio Town Hills Park when the weather was decent. When I was a little girl, Mom, Dad, and I would come here a lot. The place was so full of happy memories for me. I couldn’t look at the swings and not remember how Daddy used to push me.
The three of us always had such fun as a family.
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My Dad would have a fit if he knew I’d been drinking.
He’d really have a stroke to know I was living at Karen’s instead of staying on the Island with Mom.
I hated lying to him, but I didn’t want him and Mom to fight.
I was still feeling queasy, but some aspirin, a soda, and a couple cigarettes made me feel a little better. Dad still had no clue that I smoked.
I just hoped Dad couldn’t tell I was hung over. I planned to tell him I had the flu. I also hoped he had breakfast because I so didn’t want to eat anything or be around food.
Daddy was waiting for me at our bench.
I already felt better to see he was wearing his familiar blue sweater.
He’d been looking a little pensive until he caught sight of me.
Some of Karen’s words came back to haunt me when Dad’s whole face lit up when he caught sight of me.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_f65067cd.jpg

Dad gave me a big hug which I returned.
I took in the scent of his expensive cologne and that crazy hair tonic he used. It hit me like a tidal wave, I really missed my Dad.
Much to my annoyance, tears stung my eyes.
I was still reeling that my mother didn’t leave The Count when I told her what he said to me. I reminded myself that Dad wouldn’t want me around either, if Remington had a problem with it.
I was truly on my own now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_765068d5.jpg

I’d hoped to hide my emotions, but Dad did notice.
It had actually been a few weeks since Mom decided I shouldn’t come back to the Island, but I’d always been able to act like everything was just fine. I was just not able to fake it anymore. Once the tears started I couldn’t stop.
‘Baby, what happened?’
‘N-nothing, Daddy..I-I-guess I just miss you.’
Dad’s eyes misted a bit too.
‘I miss you too, but I’ll always be here for you. All you have to do is call me. We don’t have to limit ourselves to one day a week.’
I took a deep breath to compose myself.
I was angry that I was being so weak.
‘I’m also not feeling well...I have some sort of flu or something.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_765069da.jpg

[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 4


I let Dad fuss over me a bit.
When I got over my tears, he nagged me about my lack of sweater.
‘That friend of yours was on television talking about how chic and sensible it is to dress in layers.’ I informed him. ‘I’m wearing three shirts.’
‘You saw that?’ Dad seemed delighted, before getting that stern Dad look again.
‘Well, your missing one more layer. It’s only sixty degrees and there’s a bit of a breeze.’
‘Dad, I’m seventeen not six. I love this kind of weather. It’s neither hot nor cold to me. It’s just perfect.’
I couldn’t help teasing him a little.
‘If I get cold, I’ll steal your sweater.’
It made me feel good that Dad still had the sweater I gave him.
Mom and I had bought it for him at Phelps Department store.
I was still in Kindergarten and was really proud when Dad declared it the finest sweater ever.
It turned out to be a little long in the sleeves, but he refused to take it back. He wore it all the time around the house.
I was just glad Remington didn’t make him throw it away.
Dad let it slip once that Remington didn’t like it.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_f6506a94.jpg

‘All right,’ Dad grinned at me. ‘I’ll stop my nagging. I’ve been told I’m over doing it lately. I won’t mention those tight dungarees you're wearing.’
‘The word is jeans, Dad!’
I knew he was just needling me.
‘They are not too tight. If I can get them up and buttoned without having to lie down and use a pair of pliers, they are just right.’
Karen and I really enjoyed watching her older sister wrestle into a pair of skin tight jeans.
Dad used to drive Mom and I crazy. He always found some fault with our wardrobes.
Dad could be a real Puritan when it came to hemlines and showing cleavage.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_565067ee.jpg

We decided to just hang out at the park and enjoy the mild weather.
I didn’t want to go anywhere I had to smell food or move around too much.
My head still had a dull throbbing ache.
‘So you saw Remington on TV the other day?’
I rolled my eyes. You couldn’t avoid it these days.
Remington was even a guest on the Late Show.
‘Yeah, I was flipping channels. He was taking about his Day to Evening Wear.’
I couldn’t turn the channel if I wanted too. Karen and her sister loved knowing what was hot in the world of fashion.
Dad looked really proud.
‘Remington’s creations have always been desired by the jet set, but Phelps has made his clothing lines available to everyone. It’s been crazy. Sometimes I feel like I’m joined to a rock legend or something. Young people have been coming up to us lately for his autograph.’
‘Does it bother you?’
I realised this was the first conversation we ever had about Remington where I didn’t cut him off.
The question just slipped out.
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[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 5


Dad seemed to appreciate my asking.
‘It really doesn’t. I’ve had my time in the spotlight. For years Remington was in my shadow. It’s his turn now. He’s worked really hard all his life and now he’s a household name. I couldn’t be happier. I actually like being known as Remington Mansfield’s significant other.’
I quickly decided to change the subject.
Talking about Remington made me sick all over again.
‘So have you seen Helen’s new movie yet?’
In spite of everything that went down between Dad and Helen, she wasn’t a sore spot with him.
He still enjoyed talking about her.
‘We went and saw ‘Terror in the Sky’ last night.’ Dad lit up again. ‘The story line wasn’t all that believable, but Helen herself was brilliant.’
‘Karen’s sister, Yvonne went to see it with her boyfriend last week. She said it was totally awesome. Does Helen really beat the stuffing out of a zombie?’
Something about that made Dad laugh.
‘She beats one with a fire extinguisher. The scene was a bit too graphic for my taste, but I quite enjoyed Helen showing a bit of muscle. I have to say the zombie really deserved the beating he got.’
‘Ah, let me guess, Helen’s old man played the role.’
‘Yep.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_d6506b8c.jpg

I met Helen’s husband at her wedding.
Ronald was kind of handsome. I also couldn’t help admiring him for standing up to Dad.
He wasn’t my type though. I knew he wasn’t near the monster, Dad made him out to be, but I did suspect he was a bit of a doofus.
He was with Helen after all.
I wasn’t eager to launch into a conversation about our respective home lives, so I tried to keep this subject going.
‘That guy that manages Helen now, isn’t he the one that came to her wedding?’
I remember that Helen pretty much booted that Newman guy out before her reception.
Newman seemed to creep her out back then.
In fact my mother was also really weirded out by Newman’s presence there.
Not only did Mom applaud Helen for getting rid of him, she told me in the car that though Newman claimed to be there for Ronald, he was actually there for Helen.
‘Ronald better watch his back.’ I remember Mom saying while she had the driver stop at the liquor store on the way home. ‘I know I wasn’t always kind to Helen, but she really is both beautiful and talented. She can manage her own damned career. She doesn’t need Trent or that monster to guide her!’
I tried to grill Mom on why Newman was a monster. He seemed tame enough to me.
When Newman did try to approach me at the wedding to introduce himself, Mom literally sprinted across the room and sent him on his way. He didn’t seem to care for Mom either.
Newman avoided us both after that.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_f6505e5f.jpg

‘Yeah, that’s him.’
I was surprised I never asked before now.
‘I can understand why you hate the guy so much, but what’s he ever done to Mom?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_96506bc4.jpg

[Montridge]

Roberta's POV Part 6


I was with Mom when it was announced in the SimCity Intruder that Helen ditched Dad’s management for Newman’s.
‘My God! I thought Helen was smarter than this! I’ve got to call her and warn her.’
‘About what Mom?’
She had looked at me wild eyed.
‘Never you mind! It’s late go to bed.’
‘It’s only nine o’clock.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_165063eb.jpg

‘Mind your mother.’ The Count had growled at me. ‘Besides she’s just drunk again.’
He’d gotten up from his chair.
‘As for the girl, she looks like a perfect twit to me. All those Studio Town types are.’
‘Shut up!’ my mother and I both yelled at him.
Seeing Mom and I upset made our dogs start growling at him.
‘One of these days I’m going to drown this lot of mongrels.’
I warned The Count that they’d be calling him 'The Countess' if any of our pets ever came up missing.
I think The Count knew I’d really make good on that threat too. I was satisfied to see fear in his eyes.
‘Bah!’ he had scoffed after we glared minus signs at each other. ‘I think that fairy father of yours should have slapped you around a bit when you were growing up. You might have turned out to be a half way decent human being if he had! You’d certainly’d know how to respect your elders anyway.’
His little beady black eyes fell on Mom then.
An ugly smirk lit up his toad like face.
‘If Thornton was even your real father. It’s a well known fact that your mother has had her fair share of men in her life.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_d65062f8.jpg

I still seethed with the memory. It had only been a few weeks into their marriage!
Mom tried to make excuses for The Count. She told me he was unreasonably jealous of Dad.
Well, he certainly had reason to be!
I also suspected that the old fart realised early on that Mom only married him for his money and social position.
She still very much carried a torch for Dad.
I might have felt sorry for The Count if he wasn’t such dirty rotten @#$%!!!.
Needless to say our relationship continued to deteriorate until The Count finally told me what he did after buying me the car.
(He and Mom made sure it was presented to me with the press in tow.)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_16505771.jpg

Dad was looking at me sort of funny.
‘What?’
I snapped out of the memory and repeated my question.
‘Why does mom hate that Newman guy so much?’
‘Erm...’ Dad’s look became evasive. ‘Your mother hates lot’s of people.’
‘She really hates Newman though. She chased him away from me at Helen’s wedding. She also hated him enough to try to warn Helen to stay away from him.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_76506bde.jpg

The next morning, I found Mom in her office.
She seemed miffed that no one took her seriously. She was also drinking again.
‘No one wants to take my calls. Fine! It’s no skin off my nose. I’m just a drunk and a has been! Helen’s a big girl. Let her take care of herself. It won’t be on me!’
When I tried to question her further and to talk to her about the cheap way she let the Count speak to her, we ended up fighting.
I started spending my weekends at school until she finally consented for me to go to Karen’s.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_965060e8.jpg

‘Dad, I can see it in your face. You know why! Just tell me. I’m almost an adult.’
‘Well...’ Dad seemed to be measuring how much to tell me. ‘I believe Newman once managed or wanted to manage your mother’s career. Newman was trying to build his talent agency. He needed a big name to sign on with him.’
‘And?’ I prompted.
Dad shrugged.
‘They had a falling out. I suppose they both had different ideas on where your mother’s career should be going.’
I had a gut feeling there was more than just a business relationship going on.
‘Were they lovers?’
Dad fixed me a very reproachful look. It was like I’d said a four letter word.
My Dad could be a real prude sometimes.
I would not be put off.
‘Well?’
Dad sighed and gave in reluctantly.
‘Actually, I never knew for sure. Dagmar never talked much about him after they parted ways. I really don’t have any clue about what happened between them. Why don’t you ask your mother?’
I couldn’t tell him I didn’t know Mom anymore.
Hell, what did I really know about either of my parents?
‘Come on Bobbi, that was ages ago. Way before your Mother and I got together. If there was any sort of romance, Dagmar never took it seriously enough to give me the details. I think I told you we were friends for many years before we dated. She liked to sound me out about the men she was seeing and sought my advice though she never took it. If she and Newman did have a fling, he never even rated a mention.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f4780d18_56506b4a.jpg

Up Next: Nasty Newman has his turn.

[el_flel]

Poor Roberta :( she's a good girl really. That Count is mean. She should swallow her pride and go and live with Trent and Remington!

[DarkPhoenix]

The Count looks like he's the father of all of the really ugly townies... you know, the ones you'd never marry off to your Sims or even kill because they're so hideous. *Shudder* On the upside, these have been awesome updates... I might not comment much, but trust me, I'm enjoying this a lot.

[Montridge]

*hugs* el_flel and darkphoenix
The truly scary thing is, The Count is based on some real people. LOL!
Also still laughing about him being the father of all the ugly Townies. Hee!
Thanks both of you for the feedback. I do understand if you don't comment every time. I do the same. Not because I'm not loving the story, but because of time, not logged in, or because people have said all the things I wanted to already.
P.S. I'm REALLY loving both of your stories. Both have been keeping me sneaking to the computer to check for updates!

[Montridge]

Newman's POV


‘It’s been awhile since I’ve been in here...let me clear away some cobwebs...there that’s better.’
‘My therapist will consider this a setback, but I really need to speak to you...I’m not quite sure where to begin...
You would be so proud of Remy. His star is shining bright.
He’s every bit the success that I always predicted he would be.
Though he refuses to give me any real credit and continues to fight with me, I couldn’t be happier for him. ’
‘He’s certainly the only man that can attack me in public and still be alive the next day.
The things Remy says to me really cut deep. He can certainly bring out my worse.
He provokes me into saying things I regret. In spite of that I still love him.
Before now the two of you were the only human beings I was capable of loving...It’s why I let the two of you live, when I did finally track you down. It’s why I had to forgive you both.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_565209e8.jpg

‘Remy looked pretty rough when I saw him last night. He continues to thumb his nose at the Grim Reaper with every breath he takes.
I’m beginning to think he may very well outlive me. We’ve certainly seen him through worse.
I wish I can make him understand that I was so hard on him because I wanted him to succeed.
I put more energy and time into Remy’s upbringing than I ever did any of my own children.
As angry as he can make me...I can’t hurt him now.
You would be thrilled to know that he and Trent are taking good care of your little girl.
It’s cute how Remy and Trent treat her as if she was their own child.
Remy calls her his daughter and Trent (bless his heart) acts as if he’s given birth to Lanie himself.’
Trent did a fine job raising Roberta. I’m content to allow the two to continue to raise Lanie...for now.
She’s still in that tiresome adolescent stage anyway.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f652092f.jpg

‘I do promise you that I will make your Lanie a star.
I will be watching and waiting for the right time to make my move.
You can’t stand in her presence and not feel the same energy that always surrounded you and Remy.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_36521b0d.jpg

'Trent will be easy to dispose of, if I must.
Remy, if he’s still living, will be harder for me... but I will do it if I have too.
I won’t allow Lanie to walk away from her destiny.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_71e077da_d6521996.jpg

DarkPhoenix: Your the only writer on here that seems to use the drawing like pics for fantasy sequences...(I wanted to know what Fresco did and I loved the effect too much not to use it.) so I hope it's ok. :)
Coming soon: Dex's plans for Helen.

[IrishGrace]

Holy cow! He's more evil than I thought!!

[DarkPhoenix]

Eeeww... die, Newman, die! Slimy... very, very slimy. And I loved the way the shots looked. If that's the way you felt best represented what you wanted to show, then go for it. It's not like I own the idea or anything.

[Montridge]

Newman's POV Part 2

IrishGrace & DarkPhoenix: I'm afraid he's even slimier and evil still....


'It was that energy I mentioned that drew me too you. I had to possess you.
I would have made you a star, but you walked away from it all.
Why are you looking at me like that?
You look at me like I’m some sort of monster.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_165209c3.jpg

‘I couldn’t let that father of yours stand in my way!
I truly tried to work with him and be a good son-in-law.
Edward just couldn’t stop meddling into my affairs. He was going to try to dig up dirt on my past.
I was clever in choosing my method and the gamble paid off.
No one suspected foul play when a middle aged man collapsed from a heart attack.
Everyone assumed since he never went to a doctor for regular check-ups, that he must have had heart problems to begin with.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_7653393d.jpg

The only one that suspected was Elaine.
I wanted to spare her...really I truly did...but she finally confronted me.
She would have taken both you and Remy away from me!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_56534594.jpg

‘I couldn’t do the job myself, but I hired a man who would make it quick and painless as possible.
She didn’t suffer!
Neither you or your ingrate brother ever knew what great lengths I went too to keep you with me!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_b6534d59.jpg

‘There were times I tried to convince myself I hated you.
I wanted to kill you when I saw the man you chose over me! Something made me spare him.
I guess I figured you couldn’t be serious. I knew eventually you would get bored with him and come crawling back to me.
I said stop looking at me like that!
When you and Remy took off and were gone so long, what did you expect me to do?
Yes, I got married again! I was able to divorce you for abandonment.
I didn’t love Margery...I only needed her money to help build my empire.
I was just as angry to find you preparing for your own wedding!
I suppose I let you keep Harold because I was stuck with Margery for awhile.
Then there were the times I got sidetracked...I met Kiki in a bar.
It was frightening how much she looked like you.
I thought I could mold her into what you were.
That was a disaster.
I know now that you can’t turn garbage into gold.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_36521129.jpg


Then there was Sasha.....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_d6535540-1.jpg

[el_flel]

:jaw: OMG! He's not as evil as Trent and Remy think he is; he's worse! What a twist, I can't wait to hear the rest of his part!

[Night Revenant]

Long time reader, first time poster. Firstly, I must say how much I enjoy this story. I love the vintage charm and the old Hollywood setting, as well as the use of the game itself. The characters are very well-built with depth and, if I may say, very realistic.

And now for the reason why I felt the need to post, the man that Newman hired to kill his mother-in-law. He looks awfully familiar, his face...it's unusual and it looks like it's been slammed by a car door a few times.

[IrishGrace]

*faints* Wow... Newman is just... too evil for words!

[Montridge]

*hugs everyone*
el_flel and IrishGrace: Your feedback keeps me motivated.
It was kind of a relief to finally reveal what a psycho lowlife Newman truly is.
Night Revenant: Thank you so much for you comment. I'm thrilled when ever anyone feedbacks on how realistic my characters seem. I'm also glad that the setting I intended comes across.
As for the man...he does look very similar in appearance...;)
Up Next: More on the late Sasha Newman.

[Montridge]

Newman's POV Part 3


'Of all the wives I’ve had after you...Sasha was the one that I came close to falling in love with...at least in the beginning.'

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_9653547b-1.jpg

'Like you, Sasha was young when we met.
She wasn’t your exact replica, but was physically similar in all the ways that mattered.
She also had that same aura of energy around her.
That certain something that made her stand out in the crowd.
I may not have had that elusive quality myself, but I’ve got the gift of spotting it in others.
With Sasha, I finally gained the respect in Studio Town I long deserved.'

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_165355aa-2.jpg

'The camera loved Sasha and she adored the spotlight.
Studio Town loved her sweet, carefree personality, and quirky sense of humor.
She was every man’s fantasy, not to mention, she had that sexy accent.
Sasha became a star over night.'

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_765353f1-1.jpg

'I enjoyed teaching her about the realities of Studio Town and it’s privileges.
All right! You're right! I did introduce her to drugs. We had a rigorous schedule.
The uppers were to keep her awake. The downers so she could come down from the speed and get some sleep.
The recreational drugs were just fun for both of us. You can’t condemn her for what you willingly did yourself.
I loved indulging her every whim. It was like how it used to be with us.
She reminded me a lot of you when we first married.
Sasha was innocent, obedient, and eager to please me...'

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_924116e5_96535628-1.jpg

Coming Next: What went horribly wrong with Dex and Sasha.

[Vinhou]

Darn it! No more? Loved the updates - the first thing I went to check when I finally got my internet back after having missed it for almost a month...

[Montridge]

*hugs Vinhou*
I'm glad your back. :)
I thought my internet was going to be cut off, but I got a reprieve.
*does happy dance*
I guess I better go update then...

[Montridge]

Slimy Newman's POV Part 4


I remember how excited Sasha was to learn that Remington Mansfield was my former brother in law.
Sasha was a huge fan of his creations and begged me to set up an introduction.
I was missing Remy and wanted the excuse to call on him.
My getting him that first assignment on ‘Baby, I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ launched his career.
I had to remind him of that, when I called him the night before we descended on him at his studio.
Being typical Remy, he told me off, but Sasha grabbed the phone and sweet talked him into allowing us just ten minutes of his precious time.
Sasha did have the gift of charming anyone.
Even a sissy boy like your brother was putty in her hands.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_f65b4ab4.jpg

As you may already know, Remington, reluctantly saw us that afternoon.
He was abrasive, rude, and down right bitchy to me, but a slight bit more friendly toward her.
By the end of our appointment, Sasha arranged to have Remy design a few gowns exclusively for her.
His only stipulation was that I stay home and out of his way.
Though he still refused to break bread with me, Sasha became the spokes woman and top model for his designs.
If Remy had fame before, Sasha tripled it. That’s another point he never gives me any credit for.
There’s not many men, I’d have allowed borrow my wife unsupervised.
I also could have refused to let her model his gowns.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_365b5306.jpg

Several things happened to cause my relationship to Sasha sour.
Perhaps the working relationship with Mansfield Studios made me sometimes wonder what you were up to.
I missed you a lot.
Sometimes I just needed to come in here when things got crazy.
I hired a man to keep an eye on you and make regular reports to me.
Though I had a beautiful loving wife, fame, and the prestige I’d always desired...she wasn’t you.
Sasha was beyond hurt to learn that I had several mistresses. None of them meant a thing to me, of course.
I tried to explain (as I did to you) that even if a man can dine on a juicy fillet mignon every night, he still craves the occasional pork chop or simple bowl of cereal.
Men aren't like women. We can sleep with someone and not feel a thing for them. We just like a change of pace and the thrill of the hunt. We're made that way!
It didn't help matters when she defied me by coming into this room and found a virtual shrine dedicated to another woman....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f65df7a9.jpg

[Montridge]

Still on Newman's POV

Sasha began making demands on me. As you did, she insisted she wanted a family.
She wanted better roles. She became whiny and unreasonable.
The cute accent now grated on my nerves.
She was shrill and unappreciative of everything I had ever done for her.
I tried to be patient with her, but the woman was emotionally unstable and fragile.
I had to remind her that I’m the one that made her famous.
When I didn’t give into any of her demands, she began to retaliate by showing up late to her films, shamelessly coming on to any male that crossed our path, and purposely going to interviews stoned out of her mind.
I had to start asserting my authority over her. She made me do it, Mary!
It seemed a firm hand is what she needed. I tried being kind, but we had so much at stake.
She was deliberately trying to sabotage me.
It didn’t help that Remy and her other friends only saw her side of it. They were telling her to leave me.
She started threatening she would do just that.
I know she was only testing me to see if I would truly go after her.
I grew weary of her head games and insecurities.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f65f04ec.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f65f04b7.jpg

Luckily, she started alienating everyone around her.
Remy even ended his association with her over the drug use.
However; nothing she did seemed to mar her image with the general public.
I broke my neck trying to keep everyone paid off. Anything really harmful was left out of the tabloids.
In desperation, I agreed we could start a family. I truly tried to make a fresh start with her.
I thought everything was going well and settling down again, when she suddenly ran away from me!
It took almost a year to find that b****. I had to use all my available resources to track her down.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f65f057d.jpg

I even had to pull my man off your case.
I had been informed that you and the innkeeper were trying to start your own family.
You weren’t having much success with it.
It’s apparent that you found out why you were having such trouble, because by the time I was able to give you my full undivided attention you had your Lanie.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/nsnapshot_7638fccc_765f214e.jpg

I couldn’t keep the fact that my wife left me from the tabloids.
There was a lot of speculation as to why Sasha left me.
I got painted as some sort of sleasebag. There were many people all too willing to gossip to the press about me.
I hoped Remy might know where Sasha was, but I could tell he was being truthful when he asserted he had no clue. He was every bit as worried as I was.
As you remember, I finally tracked the witch down in the Hawthorne neighborhood.
She was living in a cheap flea bitten motel.
The place was little more than a haven for drug addicts.
It made headlines that she was found in a near overdosed state.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_365f0fbe.jpg

Sasha did do me the favor by holding a press conference when she was well enough.
She claimed that her problem with drugs had nothing to do with me. She insisted I was a kind, patient husband.
She also publically apologised for any pain and worry she’d caused me and her fans.
I thought her career was over, but the public embraced her.
You wouldn’t believe the letters and cards of encouragement the woman received.
Fairchild Studios was going to end their contract with us, but the fans from every neighborhood in SimCity staged a sit in right on the front lot. It was amazing actually.
Instead Fairchild Studios extended the contract and gave her a second chance.
I had to hand it to her, Sasha knew how to play people.
She became even more popular than before.
Nothing except perhaps dope, meant more to her than her career.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_365f1404.jpg

When out in the public eye we were a devoted couple, behind the glare of the cameras and press, it was a different story. It was over as far as I was concerned.
You’re giving me that look again!
I could forgive her for making a fool of herself and even for running away...It’s what she did while she was gone.
It was unforgivable...I could never forget.
When it finally dawned on Sasha we were through, she began to unravel. She once again started doing things to get my attention. I wouldn’t give her a divorce, but I did move out of the house.
I reminded her that without a loving husband holding her hand in public, she would come across as a stupid skank instead of a fallen saint.
I couldn’t stand to look at her any longer.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_965f07ac.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_165f0764.jpg

I also believe Sasha actually killed herself with the full intention of making it look like I’d done it.
I almost went to jail for a crime I didn’t commit!
That’s why I had to see you...I really didn’t expect you’d leave that old innkeeper.
I just needed to be near you and to feel that peace that you give me.
I should have known too that your Lanie couldn’t have been adopted.
She’s certainly you and Remy all over again.
She has that feisty Mansfield spirit the whole lot of you did.
I think I still have scars on my hands where she bit me with those sharp little teeth.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_b36761ef.jpg

‘For the record, you’re old man didn’t chase me off...I was going to leave anyway. He didn’t scare me.
I knew I had only to give the word and he’d be snuffed out like a candle.
I’ve often wondered why I continued to spare him.
Perhaps, it was because I never saw him as a serious threat to me.
It couldn’t have been exciting being with him.
Perhaps, because I really couldn’t picture it, I could live with you being married to someone else.
Maybe, just maybe...I know what a monster I can be and as much as I hated you for leaving...I loved you too much to hurt you anymore.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_7638fccc_965f25a8.jpg

‘There were others after Sasha, but none of those relationships lasted very long.
When I got news of your car accident...I wanted to die too.
I locked myself up in here and refused to come out.
I’m afraid that ended my last marriage.
At least Doris was kind enough to call my shrink before she walked out on me.
I even dreamed that you were standing over me...I saw Edward and Elaine as well.
Then again they haunt my dreams...I see them every where.
I should have flown out to Vacation Island and been there for Remy, but he’d have only rejected me.
He will never have any clue how much I grieved.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_765f0172.jpg

'Remy and I really didn’t have much to do with the other socially until Helen’s wedding.
The little dren started right in on me too. He even warned me to stay away from Helen.
That brings me to why I came in here, before we got caught up in the past.
I have news to share with you about Helen!’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_965f0244.jpg

Coming Next: Newman's plans for Helen (At last!)

[Montridge]

Merry Christmas!
I just wish I'd have been able to provide Thanksgiving/Christmasy chap for you, but it's coming...who knows Lanie and family might have an unexpected guest. ;)
Here's a chapter from In the Beginning that mentioned Sasha.
http://forums.sims2community.com/showpost.php?p=894777&postcount=513

[Schnixy]

I haven't logged in in ages to comment but I wanted to let you know I look forward to every installment and check it almost every day. I'm sort of hopelessly addicted haha. Keep up the good work! ^^

Hope you had a lovely Christmas! <3

[Montridge]

*big hug*
It's always nice to hear from you.
Hope your Christmas is lovely too. :)

[Montridge]

Newman's POV Cont...

‘Mary, I think I’m actually falling for Helen. If I didn’t know better, I would think she was your reincarnation.
Oh! Come on! Don’t look at me like that!
You can’t expect me to grow old without some one young and lovely at my side.
Perhaps, you're even jealous....’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_d668edab.jpg

‘I knew when I first saw Helen that she had potential. She too has that star aura surrounding her.
That fool Trent wasn’t doing her justice.
There are roles available for women now, that Sasha would have killed to have auditioned for.
The world was changing and Trent refused to get with the times. It was quite frustrating to watch.
Just speaking to Helen, back then, I knew I wouldn’t have been able to seduce her away.
(I can only imagine what Trent and Remy told her about me.)
Plan B was to enlist Stuart’s help and have him date her.
I even offered the little S.O.B. a substantial raise to wine and dine her.
He flatly refused. I didn’t realise at the time that girls aren’t his thing.
(I've chalked that up as one of many disappointments life has dealt me. )
However; Reg volunteered for the job.
Unlike Stuart he had ambition and the raw drive to get ahead in the world.
What’s that Mary?
Yes, the same Reg that’s married to Helen now.
He and Stuart met in the juvenile detention center.
Reg is a little bit older than Stuart, but they became best friends.
I knew when I first saw Reg, that he had to be a Harris.
I was interested to see if he was anything like his Uncle before him.
I hoped he could fill the vacant spot his predecessor left behind.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_366a5bc1.jpg

Reg isn’t the cold blooded criminal that Ralph was, but they both allowed a woman to get under their skin.
With Reg it was Helen. He truly fell for her.
With Ralph, Sasha had gotten to him.
When I moved out, I put him in charge of looking after her.
The witch must have worked her vodoo on him.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_96691135-1.jpg

‘When Sasha died, Ralph confronted me. Like everyone else he assumed I killed her.
He was nuts with grief and told me that Sasha had been after him to confess to his crimes.
The nut jobber was actually going to do that, after he killed me!
Luckily, he was an even bigger idiot than Reg.
We struggled for the gun...It went off and I was the one left standing.
It was really inconvenient for him to pull that stunt when I was being investigated by the police.
I was paranoid for weeks that I was going to be handcuffed and taken to jail.
Sasha had been sloppy in her attempts to frame me.
The investigation wrapped quickly. Her death officially dubbed a suicide.
I was just glad that I could dispose of Ralph’s body in peace.
That’s another reason why I came to the Island.
I really needed a vacation after all that.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_566a1f55.jpg

‘I haven’t bothered to tell Reg about his family history.
The Harris family were nothing more than a bunch of criminal low lives.
Reg’s mother was Ralph’s sister. Everyone who lived in Hawthorn knew ‘Run Around Sue’.
When I was first introduced to Reg, I carefully probed him, to see what he knew.
It turns out that Sue didn’t raise him.
Reg was taken away by social services when he was five years old.
The only blood relations he remembers are his wh**e mother and a grandmother that died after he was placed in the foster care system.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f34570_f66a3ca9.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f34570_766a3ed7.jpg

Continued on next thread....

[Montridge]

Newman's POV Cont...

Now why the long suffering look?
That happened so long before I met you and Remy. The woman meant nothing to me.
Ralph, Sue, and I were raised in the streets of Hawthorne.
We had to pool our resources to survive.
I might have kept myself warm at night by sharing her bed, but that was so long ago.
Once I left Hawthorne, I left Chester Hackenbush behind me forever.
I’d never have contacted Ralph again if I hadn’t needed him to do the more unpleasant tasks that were sometimes necessary.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_766a4c5a.jpg

Stop it! Stop it!
I had no idea it would be Reg that would find Sue’s body!
When Reg introduced Sue to Helen. He mentioned he was working for me.
I knew it’d only be a matter of time before the skank would try to contact me.
Sue wanted to know where her brother was.
They were never even close!
In fact, if I had ever asked Ralph to shoot her, he would have done it for free!
I told her I had no idea.
Then she had the nerve to suggest that I could do more for Reg.
I’ve already done ten times more than she ever did!
Sue also had a list of demands for herself.
She threatened to call The Intruder and give them the low down on my pre-acting days.
I told her I’d think about it and hung up on her.
When the hag sobered up, she must have realised that my silence could only mean one thing.
She became paranoid and shut herself up in that tin house of hers.
I have it on good authority that trailer’s aren’t as easy to break into as one might believe.
I had to take matters into my own hands.
I went under cover of night. I was thankful for all the weeds that she’d allowed to grow up around the place.
When Sue peeped out the front window, I waved the money and a bottle of scotch under her nose.
Greed won over caution and she readily let me in.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f34570_166a53ff.jpg

I assumed a neighbor would eventually get curious and check in on her.
I swear to you Mary, I would never have put Reg through that!
I truly felt bad. I have tried to help him through it!
I was angry that he double crossed me with Helen, but I was long over it by then.
I swear, I would have stopped him if he'd mentioned he was going over there!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_d668f443.jpg


Continued on next thread.....

[Montridge]

The End of Newman's POV...at last!!!

Why is it that the villain has to tell everything?!


Yes! I did try to help Trent get rid of Reg in the beginning. Trent and I both had him blacklisted.
We thought that if he couldn’t find an acting job, he might not hold Helen’s interest.
I also provided Trent the name of one of my best detectives.
Of course my man showed me his findings first and allowed me to remove details that would incriminate me.
I personally went along to the Kitty Kat Lounge and paid those girls to come on to Reg.
(No, Trent didn’t know I added that embellishment. He wouldn’t have gone along with it.)
I have to admit those pictures turned out really good.
Reg was actually stunned that the Kitty Kats made such a fuss over him that night.
He returned a few hugs and kisses, but kept harping on the fact he had a girlfriend.
Also having Trent hire the detective wouldn’t make me look like the bad guy.
I couldn’t wait for Trent to show Helen’s parents what he found.
I often wonder what Remy would do if he found out Trent and I worked together on this little project.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_366a5ea4.jpg

When it looked like Reg and Helen were going to marry even after our combined efforts to stop them,
I decided the best thing I could do was to befriend Reg again.
It was easy getting Reg to trust me. He’s so hungry for a father figure.
It was also a blessing that Helen didn’t have her child. She needs to put her career first.
Any woman can have a raise a family, but Helen has a destiny to fulfill.
Oh, spare your guilt trip, Mary!
I always think of the bigger picture. That’s what you and all the others just can’t understand!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_7668f3b1.jpg

It was when Reg started playing that damned pink gorilla, that I started to feel I was losing him.
My methods and side business must have started to look sleazy next to Trent’s squeaky clean image.
I thought it was time to expose Trent as the two faced liar he truly is.
Crashing Reg’s party was such fun.
It was truly glorious to see the look on Trent’s face when I confronted him in front of everyone.
Remy’s expression was truly priceless.
I almost felt sorry for Trent.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_92e8312b_750659fd-1.jpg

Trent and Reg were so easy for me to manipulate...What?
Why are you doing this, Mary? Why can’t you ever be on my side, just once?
Your right Reg has been loyal to me...more or less.
I did everything I promised I would.
I made Reg an equal partner where Helen’s career is concerned.
I even put him above my own son. I have been a father to him.
Stop it!
I can’t afford to have friends in this business.
Reg isn’t my equal in any respect. He’s trash!
He’s certainly not worthy of Helen.
I can’t help it, Mary.
I’m lonely. I’m weary of one night stands.
Yes, In the beginning I went after Helen because she reminded me so much of you.
This time it’s truly different....I think I’m falling in love.
Perhaps, some day I can pull all these pictures down from the wall and put the past behind me.
Maybe then I will be truly free from your memory.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_d668ee1c.jpg

This time I want to do things differently.
I intend to keep Helen pure.
She will never know about my side businesses.
Maybe this time, I’ll do things right.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_f2f4767a_b62c7b6b-1.jpg

Stop it, Mary!
I’ve decided I won’t kill Reg. He’ll lose Helen by his own weakness and stupidity.
I can’t allow myself to feel pity for him.
Stop telling me I can fix things! I do love Helen! I feel nothing for Reg!
I will promise you not to harm Deppiesse, the man frightens me worse than Edward ever did.
There’s times I feel he can see right through me...He’s the only one that’s ever questioned me about Edward and Elaine’s deaths...I’ll have to keep on my toes.
The man is incredibly sharp when it comes to reading people.
When he sees what a good husband I will be to his daughter, he may eventually come around and accept me like he has Reg.
I’m also fortunate that none of my former associates are still living.
I sealed the last link to my past when I killed Sue.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_3668f38f.jpg

As for Lanie, I just wish she was ours.
I would have Remington in court in a heartbeat.
As a rule I don’t like children under foot, but I’d make an exception in this case.
I keep going back in my mind about when we were together last...
Oh, call it what you will!
If you didn’t want it on some level you wouldn’t have kept it secret all these years!
It was only that one time. I did the math and .....’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_d6690f23.jpg

Coming Next: One more POV before Lanie questions Uncle Remington about the past.

[IrishGrace]

I think I need to take another shower after reading this chapter :P He's so... *twitch* I can't even find the right word(s) to describe him LOL

[Montridge]

Newman creeps me out and I made him up. LOL!
I wanted to reveal that he's been the puppet master all along.
I'm glad he's finally done with his POV...*shudders*
Eventually, he will get what he deserves.....

el_flel: (below) LOL! I know it's silly, but he does creep me out.
I can't help but wonder if the men I based him on have similar skeletons swinging in their closets.

[el_flel]

^^ Lol, creeped out by your own creation, that's hilarious!
Trent and Newman in cahoots! :O I thought Trent would know better. Newman is so deranged with his little shrine and everything *shudders*

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Part1


‘I know it doesn’t look pretty right now, but once the bruising and redness clear up, you’ll see the gorgeous new you.’
I was frightened when I first looked into the mirror and saw a monster staring back at me.
I felt stupid when tears welled up in my eyes.
Of course, I’d look like I’ve been beat up.
The doctor had to break my nose to reshape it.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_966cfdff.jpg

‘You’re actually healing quite nicely, Miss Newman.’
The doctor gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
‘Nurse Templeton will be in to give you instructions on how to care of yourself over the next few days.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_566cfe4c.jpg

‘Thank you Dr. Birnbaum...for everything.’
‘You’re welcome, Dear, Good luck to you.’
The doctor gave me a quick friendly hug before he left.
Once again my eyes teared up.
It’s embarrassing, but it always happened when anyone was kind to me.
It’s not something I’m used to.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_566cfe3f.jpg

Nurse Templeton was a lot more brisk and businesslike.
After she recited her hurried instructions, she informed me.
‘You will have to dress quickly and wait in the lobby for your ride. We have another patient waiting for your room.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_b66cff03.jpg

I threw on my clothes and tossed the rest of my belongings in my suitcase.
I went down to the lobby, as I was told to do.
The doctor actually released me an hour early, so I got comfortable on one of the couches.
I considered calling Mom to tell her I was ready, but quickly decided against it.
I needed some time alone just to soak in everything that’s happed within the last 48 hours.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_f66d04cc.jpg

I just had major reconstruction surgery.
I felt a glimmer of hope that I haven’t felt in a long time.
If I were pretty maybe things would change.
Maybe, just maybe people will stop calling me a loser.
It’s hard being judged by your outward appearance.
Most people never bothered to get to know me.
When they did speak to me, like in school, it was only to ridicule me and make me feel bad.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_166cf2de_366cf308.jpg

Please God, please, put those days far behind me now.
While I was at it, I also prayed for self-confidence, poise, and that somehow getting my nose fixed will make me more graceful.
I also hoped that maybe one or both of my parents might actually want me around now.
Then I quickly corrected myself.
My parental units were too wrapped up in their own lives.
I was just lucky my wild child mother could fit me into her busy schedule to come pick me up.
My father....he was another story all together.....

Coming Next: What really happened between Brie and Dex.

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Part 2


Dad never wanted a thing to do with me. He never even pretended that he did.
Last year, he suddenly out of the blue wanted me to come over.
I was really shocked when he begged me to do him a favor.
Some big deal friend of Dad's had a son my age visiting from out of town.
Dad asked me to entertain him.
I didn’t have any experience with boys. I still don’t!
I was afraid the guy would take one look at me and run.
Dad reassured me I’d be fine.
That should have made me suspicious, because Dad was the biggest one to hound me about the way I look.
‘You’ll be fine, Brie.’ he’d smirked digging into his breakfast. ‘Don’t stress on it, O.K.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_966d0c71.jpg

When Abner came over, I can see why my Dad picked me to entertain him.
Abner seemed kind of sweet until we were left alone. Then he was all hands!
It was like trying to wrestle an octopus.
I was actually grateful when Dad walked in on us.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_562a0ba4-1.jpg

‘Dude, your daughter is lame. I fully expected to have fun while I was in Studio Town.’
To my shock, my father started apologizing to him!'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_f66ce69f.jpg

When Abner stalked off threatening to give his father a full report, Dad turned on me.
‘What the hell? I just gave you an opportunity here! All you had to do was be nice to the little troll!’
It dawned on me that Dad only picked me over any of his models was because he probably couldn't pay them enough to go out with Abner.
He had me classified in the same category!
I walked out of my father’s house and I haven’t spoken to him since. Not that he cared.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_366ce76f.jpg

I decided that even if this surgery made me model material, I still wouldn’t speak to him.
I couldn’t help smiling to myself, as I absently picked up a glamour magazine.
‘I would go to his competition. I’d ask Trent Thornton to represent me.’
That fantasy entertained me while I waited for my mother.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_166ceca1-1.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Thank God Dex's POV is over :P I've always felt sorry for his daughter... must have really sucked to grow up having a father as slimy as him...

[RosesRRed]

I'm glad that I finally am caught up with this series, now I know for sure Newman is not right in the head lol. I"m guessing on two people to be Elain's father if that is what her past is about. I love this story, it's so good and suspenseful.

[Montridge]

IrishGrace: You're about to meet Brie's mother Kiki. :D
RosesRed: Welcome back! Thanks for the comments. :)

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Part 3

‘Mom what do you mean you can’t come get me?’
After two hours had passed, I thought it was time to call my mother and remind her to pick me up from the hospital.
I had a hard time getting a hold of her.
It didn’t surprise me that she sounded like she was on something.
The nurse behind the front desk had started giving me a few dirty looks.
She silently let me know that I had far out stayed my welcome.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_566fda99.jpg

‘Look Brie, I’m sorry...something came up...I moved Javier in.’
‘Javier? Wait! You mean the pool guy?’
‘Um...yeah.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_566fd824.jpg

‘So, How does that stop you from sending someone to pick me up?’
‘Look Brie, I think you should call your father. He has that nice big house. Stay with him.’
‘Hold up! I can’t stay with Dad! He doesn’t want me around.’
I could feel the tears running down my cheeks.
I knew my mother would never win the title ‘Mother of the Year’, but I never thought she would pull a stunt like this.
‘You’re an adult now Brie, you should be on you own anyway. I’ve got to have a life too.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_566fd853.jpg

‘You’re just going to leave me stranded? I can’t believe this!’
The snooty nurse behind the counter glared at me like I was a freak.
I’m so sick of people giving me that look.
I also had a bad feeling that surgery was not going to solve all of my problems.
‘Call a cab and have Dex pay for it when you get there. I’ll have your things sent over to his house.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_966fdb11.jpg

Though Dad had to pay court ordered child support, Mom never gave me any cash.
Other than my room at her Penthouse apartment and food, I got little else from her.
I suppose she only paid for this surgery to get me out of the house.
It was probably her plan all along.
She had been angry when Dad refused to help pay for college.
I was disappointed because being knowledge oriented, I desired to further my education.
I knew Mom was mad because since I graduated boarding school, she now had me under foot.
‘Brie, listen to me. Your entitled to anything your father has. You should take advantage of it.
It’s your right. Stand up to him! Just go to his office and tell him you’re moving in.’
She had to be kidding!
Dad would probably laugh in my face and have me thrown out!
He certainly wouldn’t want me to show up at his office looking the way I did.
‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to me!’
‘Stop whining Brie and grow up! I’m entitled to a life of my own and you’re equally entitled to everything that @#$%! father of yours has. Grow a back bone and demand it from him!’
I felt like I was in the middle of a nightmare.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_966fd806.jpg

Now two nurses were openly staring at me.
They rolled their eyes at one another.
I was so sick of being treated like I wasn’t good or pretty enough to dare share valuable resources to stay alive.
Why do people judge me before they even bothered to get to know me!
Something in me snapped!
‘I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that my child support payments stopped last week!
You’re a sorry excuse for a mother!’
Then I said yelled something out loud that I’ve kept hidden in the deepest recesses of my soul.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_366fddc6.jpg

‘I wish that it was you that died instead of Sasha! She was much more a mother to me than you ever were!
In spite of any problems she may have had, she was still a better person. I hate both you and Dad!’
*click*
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_d66fd889.jpg

I couldn’t believe I finally said that out loud.
I’d never yelled at my mother before.
I’ve always let her and Dad shuffle me back and forth like I was an unwanted object instead of a human being with feelings.
However; I didn’t know what else I could do, but to take a cab to Dad’s office.
I hope he wasn’t going to throw me out too. I was suddenly very scared.
Neither of my parents ever prepared me for an adult life.
I was only allowed to come home on holidays and summer vacation when I was in school.
That was only because the school itself shut down.
I was the only student that didn’t get to go home on weekends.
Shakily, I asked the nurse for a phone book.
She shoved it at me in a hateful manner.
‘You need to keep your voice down.’
I would have loved to tell her off, but the normal sniveling Brie had returned.
God, I hate myself.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_366fde30.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Yay for having a backbone, even if it was only temporary LOL

[el_flel]

Poor Brie :( what mean parents she has. OT - I like the cheese

[Montridge]

IrishGrace: She stood up to Mom, but will she be able to stand up to Dex? LOL!
el_flel: I like the cheese too. Hee.
Everyone:I know it seems that Dex and his daughter's POV's are hogging up the story, but everything that is said or happens effects both Roberta and Lanie's lives later on.

[gazania]

Brie seems so fragile. And a fragile person in this kind of situation can be headed for disaster really quickly. No plastic surgery is going to fix that. Helen is a fragile person as well, but for different reasons. People have tried so hard to protect her that she is now so vulnerable to the sharks that circle around her.

Roberta and Elaine have an advantage, strangely. Roberta might be curious about Dex, but it seems that she has an ounce or two of cynicism that can hopefully trigger a red flag in her mind. And Elaine has been taught from a young age that an oily smile and an insincere handshake is something to be cautious about, even if the person's words are oh-so-pretty.

And strangely, I still feel bad for Reg. The fool has no idea how Dex is playing him. It will probably be way too late before he opens his eyes.

Yes, I'm still here, and I still read this story. I'm just not here as often. :)

[Schnixy]

Oh how I have known girls like Brie. Poor thing. She's really not headed down a good path I think :/

Can't wait for an update Monty, oh and I added you back on LJ. I didn't see you had added me, sorry about that ^^;;

[Montridge]

*hugs both gazania and Schnixy*
Gazania: I'm glad your still here and still reading. *YAY!*
I hope everything has been going well for you. My firewall and MySpace seem to have a bit of an issue.
As for my characters, you're right, as usual.
Mary was determined that Lanie not fall for a 'Newman' like she did and Roberta luckily, has too much of an independent streak, so she doesn't just easily obey like good girl Helen does. She's also much smarter at spotting a phony.
Schnixy: I also knew many Brie's, so eventually one found her way into my story. Thanks for the add on LJ! :D
Everyone:I'm going to update as much as possible...the cable repossession man is swooping down again...but I'll have it until the end of the month...I'm not promising them my first born again..(I think they're just catching on that they will be waiting a long time on that one. LOL!)
Don't mind me, I always get loopy like this when I've just paid bills and haven't had enough coffee...I'll be O.K...really. (hee.)

[Montridge]

Still Brie Newman's POV....

There were only two people in my whole miserable existence that I could count as friends.
One was dead and the other I had lost touch with.
The first was my former stepmother, Sasha.
Lovingly, she had drawn me out of my shell and made me feel important.
When Dad was married to her, she invited my brother Stuart and I over often.
She tried hard to make us both feel welcome in their new home.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_767badb9.jpg

Sasha was big on family being together on holidays. She also enjoyed cooking.
Indulgently, Dad gave in to all of her demands.
They were so much in love in the beginning.
Even when Dad was too busy to see me on our scheduled visitations, Sasha never failed to show up.
She never acted put out that she was stuck with me. We always had such fun together.
It was the only time in my life I felt loved and wanted.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_967babe6.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_167d04f2.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_567d0587.jpg

Stuart was both my parent’s favorite.
Stuart kept their attention by being a total jerk most of the time.
They used to think everything he did was brilliant and never reprimanded him.
Stuart hated Sasha because she was the only one that would tell him off when he acted like an ass.
He was always rude and disrespectful to her. He made fun of her accent and mimicked her.
He called her really nasty names and did all he could to annoy her into slapping him.
I was secretly pleased that Sasha didn’t think Stuart was all that special.
She gave up trying to be nice to him after awhile.
Sasha tried to warn Dad that if something wasn’t done to reign him in that he’d end up in prison.
Dad and Mom both laughed her off.
It’s little wonder Stuart is such a mess now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_f67d0880.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_967d079e.jpg

I was devastated when Sasha left Dad.
She just disappeared for a year until Dad tracked her down.
They got back together, but it wasn’t the same.
One of the first things Dad did was refuse to let her see me.
I really hated him for that.
My mother got real enjoyment out of seeing her rival so disgraced.
I saw Sasha only once before she died.....

Coming Next: Brie recalls last memory of Sasha.

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Continues....

Sasha had come unexpectedly to school one weekend.
She had no problem charming the headmaster and signing me out of school.
We happily spent the day together.
Sasha tried to make up for lost time by taking me to the beauty parlor, shopping, and to a movie.
The only thing that ruined the day for us, was this creepy sharp featured guy, that tagged along behind us.
Even when he gave us privacy, I was uncomfortable by his presence.
‘My body guard.’ Sasha had hissed disdainfully in my ear.
‘Your father seems to think I need to be watched. Just ignore him.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_b67dfb59.jpg

We had lunch that day in a nice restaurant.
‘You’ll probably hear all kinds of bad things about me, Brie. Some of them are true.
I’m not a perfect person, though I always start out being the best I can toward everyone.
I thought I could start over with your father, but he’s made it clear that we’re through.
I can never hope to gain back what we had. I place most of the blame on myself.’
I didn’t think she did anything wrong. My father was just a fickle hard to please jerk.
Dad never deserved Sasha.
I also felt guilty because I knew my parents were seeing each other again.
Mom even thought Dad would remarry her.
I didn’t know what to say, so I just held on to her hand.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_967dfd4d.jpg

‘I’m not going to stay in a loveless marriage. I’m leaving Dex.’
Sasha cast a fearful glance over her shoulder.
Her guardian sat at the table behind ours sipping coffee.
She lowered her voice.
‘If everything I’ve planned works out, Dex will agree to a divorce.
I may even be in charge of the talent agency itself. When that happens, I want you to come live with me.’
She gave my hand a squeeze in return.
‘You’re the best thing that came out of my marriage to Dex. I love you so much, Brie.
You’re the only reason I came back. I could never leave you behind.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_f67dfcae.jpg

Sasha must have seen the doubt on my face.
I did believe she loved me, but she didn’t come back willingly.
Dad found her at that hotel and brought her back.
A hard calculating look crept into her normally soft blue eyes.
‘Dex found me when he was meant too. The way he was meant too. I was ready to come home.
Someday, I’ll tell you everything, my darling Brie....There’s still a few things I need to do.
If everything goes as planned, we will both be free to do as we like.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_f67dfd37.jpg

It sounded so nice, but even then a little pessimistic voice warned me that would it would never happen.
Less than a month later, Sasha was dead. She was found over dosed in the swimming pool.
The police suspected that someone had removed the ladder while she was struggling in the water and replaced it after she’d drowned.
My father was the number one suspect.
The body guard was a person of interest, but he disappeared without a trace.
Mom always said that Dad paid a pretty penny to get the cops off his back.
‘Money talks, bulldren walks.’ she’d scoffed bitterly.
Mom had no sympathy for Sasha.
She was mad because Dad let her know that he had no intention of ever reconciling with her.
On the day of Sasha’s funeral, my mother tastelessly threw a big party.
Dad, played the role of grief stricken husband and held a lavish funeral ceremony.
I wasn’t allowed to go and cried alone in my dorm room at school.
It made front page headlines when Remington Mansfield, the fashion designer, tried to attack Dad at the funeral.
He claimed that Dad was a sleazy drug pusher and even if Sasha’s death were an accident, he was still to blame.
Dad thought Stuart and I didn’t know anything about his side businesses, but we’ve always known.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_d67e02f5.jpg

I had to accept that Sasha’s death was a tragic accident.
When I last spoke to her, she was far from suicidal.
Sasha was hopeful of the future and had wanted me to be a part of it.
I just couldn’t accept that she was murdered either.
My father was a lot of bad things, but I didn’t want to believe he could kill anyone.
****
‘Leave your purse here with me until your old man pays my fare.’ the cab driver instructed.
He was doubtful when I told him Dex Newman was my father.
With a sigh, I left my hand bag and marched up the stairs to talk to the father I vowed never to speak to again.

Coming soon: Brie stumbles into Dex's shrine room.

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Continues...

‘Oooh! Somebody had a nose job!’
The only person left in Dad’s office during lunch hour was a girl my age.
She peered closer into my battered face.
‘You also had some reconstruction done to your jaw line and chin.’
She continued to study me like she was a doctor, instead of a bleached blonde receptionist.
‘I know it doesn’t look like it now, but your doctor did a great job.’
‘Thanks, er...Miss..’
‘Just call me, Cami.’
Oh boy!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_b67fb8aa.jpg

‘Cami, is Mr. Newman in? I’m his daughter, Brie.’
Cami looked startled.
‘Daughter? Dexy...er I mean Mr. Newman never mentioned a daughter.’
That didn’t surprise me in the least.
‘Will you please tell him I’m here. It’s really important.’
‘Do you have an appointment?’
I really wished Dad’s normal secretary was here.
Marla not only knew who I was, but was often stuck entertaining me during visitations with Dad.
It was just my luck to arrive on a Saturday. Marla went home at noon on weekends.
‘I took a cab to get here from the hospital. I need money from my father to pay the cab driver.’
Cami tilted her head to one side and regarded me as if I were suddenly speaking a foreign language instead of plain Simlish.
‘Just buzz him and tell him that his daughter Brie is here and that it’s important.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_767fb9e6.jpg

Finally, I saw a light click behind her eyes.
‘Mr. Newman told me that he was not to be disturbed for any reason. He’s in a very important meeting.’
Oh no!
I knew that cab driver would be up here any moment.
I wished Marla were here. She’d probably pay the driver out of her own pocket and let Dad pay her back later.
‘Please, my father's not going to want that cabby coming up here, demanding to be paid.
Do you have any money I could borrow until Dad comes out of his meeting? He’ll pay you right back.’
At least I hoped he would anyway.
Cami licked her lips nervously.
‘I only have my check book and a credit card.’
No good!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_967fb9f1.jpg

Cami lowered her voice. She looked a bit frightened.
‘I think since it is a bit of an emergency, your father might not mind...um..he really isn’t in a meeting.’
‘Then where is he?’
‘Um...he’s in his inner office. When he goes in there..he doesn’t like to be disturbed.’
Inner office?!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_564b6a00_967fba0b.jpg

[el_flel]

Oh that shrine room is so creepy! What a mental. I'm curious to see Brie's new face too :)

[IrishGrace]

I love Cami's hair! Perfect for her type I think LOL

I agree with el_flel... can't wait to see Brie's face!

[Montridge]

el_flel and IrishGrace: Brie's new look will be revealed soon.
Hopefullly, Dex doesn't ruin things for her......

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Continues...

It's been years since I've been permitted back in Dad's office.
Cautiously, I tapped on the door.
'Dad?'
When I got no answer, I pushed the door open and peeped inside.
The office was empty.
I looked at the door, I'd always assumed was a storage closet.
Cami told me,that Marla told her, that Dad liked to meditate in there.
I certainly hoped that's what Marla said he did in there!
I was more than relieved when I heard my father talking to someone.
It was a conversational tone, like he was on the phone, certainly not like he was being romantic with anyone.
I went over to the so called inner office door, it wasn't shut all the way, so I pushed it open.
'I did the math and.....'
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'Dad?'
My father stopped mid sentence and whirled around.
I was frightened by how angry he looked.
'How dare you!' he began, until he caught sight of my face.
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His fury swiftly became fear.
He even backed away a few paces.
'Dad.' I repeated again. 'It s me Brie.'
While I tried to reassure him, I was also looking around.
Pictures of my parents were plastered on almost every square inch of wall space.
There were also lots of pictures of Mom by herself.
I couldn't believe how young and innocent my mother once looked.
'Brie?' Dad looked confused.
I now stepped into the room to take a closer look.
I knew my folks would sleep together in between relationships, but I never felt they had any sort of true love for each other.
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My gawking around his inner office, snapped my father out of his daze.
He went livid again.
'What the hell are you doing in here!' he roared.
I screamed when he lunged forward and grabbed me by the arm.
Roughly, he gave me a shake.
His fingers felt like metal pinchers clawing my flesh.
'Ouch! Dad, your hurting me!'
I'm going to do much more than that!' he shook me as he spoke.
'How the bloody hell did you get in here?'
Frightened out of my mind, by the insane agitation I saw in his eyes, I quickly tried to explain.
'Dad, please, I had no where else to go!' I attempted to plead my case. 'Mom threw me out of the house, she left me at the hospital...'
To my horror, he raised his fist as if he were about to punch me in the face.
In a split seconds time, I feared he was going to smash away all the dreams I ever had of being pretty.......
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_f68623b5.jpg

Coming Next: 'Someone' looks out for Brie.

[queenrebecca]

Oh snap!

Good update; I was hanging off the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen when she caught him in his little shrine room...

[Montridge]

QueenRebecca: I feel the same way when I read your story. I've been loving all the suspenseful updates. :D

I have the rest of Brie's POV written. I see it being posted in three pieces and then Lanie once again takes her story back. Her first order of business is to pin Uncle Remington down and make him tell her more about Newman and her mother's past.
Lanie wants to know the enemy she plans to face down later.
Also on a lighter note, Remi plans a nice surprise for Trent. :)

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Continues....

Terrified, I cringed to dodge my father’s blow.
I knew that he could easily crush all the work Dr. Birnbaum had done on my face.
I’d seen him rough handle Mom and Sasha, but before now, he never laid a hand on my brother or me.
He had much preferred ignoring us.
Then just as suddenly, he released his grip on me and spun around again.
It was like one of the pictures on the bar had called out to him.
In my extremely tense state, I could have sworn that I also heard a female voice call out his name.
‘I wasn’t going to hit her, Mary!’ Dad exclaimed. ‘Yes, I can see she just had surgery.’
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On top of everything else in my whole miserable existence, I realised that my father was stark raving insane.
I started crying and once again tried to explain what I was doing in this weird shrine room of his.
I would have much rather ran out of the room and have never looked back.
I just didn’t have any one else who would take me in.
‘Please Daddy,’ I sobbed. ‘I didn’t have any where else to go.’
Dad turned and glared down on me.
There was such contempt on his face.
I’ve seen that disgusted look from him many a time.
I’d heard bits of gossip from my Mom and our servants that Dad had been bitterly disappointed that I wasn’t pretty.
It seemed like he was never going to say anything. He just kept glowering down on me, like I was the lowest form of scum.
He finally snapped.
‘Oh, quit your sniveling, Brie. You always make such mountains out of molehills.’
His whole attitude was like I was the unstable one.
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Dad once again seized hold of my arm and dragged me back into his main office.
He shoved me on the couch in front of his desk.
We could both hear the cabby demanding his money from the reception area.
‘I’ll pay the damn cab driver.’ Dad’s tone was so cold. ‘Then you and I are going to have a talk.’
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Coming Next: Dex has some 'fatherly' advice.

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Contines.....

‘Now then,’ Dad settled himself behind his desk.
Once again his demeanor completely changed.
It seemed he decided to brush away my finding out about his shrine room.
He almost acted like he was interviewing me for a job.
‘What was that you were telling me about your mother?’
I’d been sitting in my seat wishing I was anyone else but me.
With a jagged sigh, I had to launch once more into Mom just kicking me out of the house.
‘So, she actually made good on her threat.’ Dad’s smile was smug.
‘She tossed you out as soon as the child support payments were up. She was trying to blackmail me into paying for your college tuition. She also asked for more money to support you while you were in school...though I doubt you would have seen any of it.’
My hatred toward my two parents engulfed me.
I really wanted to leap out of my seat and attack Dad.
He and Mom always discussed me like I was an object they bartered on between them.
My father’s face softened as he regarded me. He echoed what I was thinking.
‘You really lost out in the parent department, Kiddo’ he admitted. ‘I’m sorry.’
I’m sorry, somehow didn’t cut it.
However; I decided to veil my true feelings toward him.
After all, I needed a place to stay.
I was still hopeful Dad would spring for college.
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‘I know you hate me, Brie.’
Dad’s tone was as matter of fact, as if we were merely discussing the weather.
‘Your mother and I kept an adequate roof over your head, kept nice clothes on your back, provided you with all the best toys money could buy, and made sure you were well fed, but there was so much more we could have given you.’
To hear it laid out like that made the tears flow once more.
I was sure Dad would yell at me again, but instead he did something that totally shocked me.
He came out from behind his desk and stood in front of me.
Very gently, he touched my face.
‘I see you had surgery done. I know it looks really bad right now, but your doctor actually did a great job.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_76884386.jpg

When I had my first consultation with the doctor, I had brought along a picture of Sasha.
I really hoped he could make me look just like her.
Dr. Birnbaum promised me that he would help correct the feature flaws I didn’t like, but told me that I should focus on finding out who I was.
I couldn’t believe I just blurted that out to my father.
‘Birnbaum is right.’ Dad agreed, with a slight scowl. ‘You were only a child when I was married to Sasha. You only saw the better side of the woman. She’s certainly no one to emulate. She doesn’t belong up on some pedestal. Forget about her, Brie.’
How could I?
She was the only one who at least attempted to be a parent when I needed one.
I missed her so much.
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Dad grew very serious.
‘I know you must wonder, like everyone else, if I had anything to do with Sasha’s death.’
He held up his hand when I tried to speak.
‘Don’t bother denying it! I’ve seen the question in your eyes many a time. Even that mother of yours thinks that I had Sasha killed. I swear to you, right here and now, that I did not kill her. It’s true that I had fallen out of love with her. I also knew she wanted a divorce, but as her agent, she was still much more valuable to me alive than dead. Her death was a very big inconvenience for me.’
I didn’t know if I respected him for his honesty or was chilled by his coldness.
Women were mere playthings to him.
I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing.
‘Nothing to say?’ Dad asked after awhile. ‘No questions? Yet, I see many you want to ask.’
He forced me to look up at him.
‘Any facial flaw that bothered you was my fault. My daughters always seem to inherit my sister Myrtle’s hard stern jaw line. However; unlike your siblings, you haven’t inherited my spirit. You can’t allow yourself to be pushed around Brie. You can’t always be timid and afraid all the time. A true Hackenbush...that’s right, that’s our real sir name..always fights hard for what they want...even if we have to fight dirty. We are leaders and never followers. I think that’s the thing that disappoints me most about you.’
Once again, I didn’t know what to say.
Dad was right. I was a soft spineless coward. I was easily bullied.
As for siblings, besides Stuart, I had an older half brother named Victor.
Did I also have a sister?
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_16883efc.jpg

‘I admit I haven’t been much of a father, but I do want to pass along some advice...if you will listen.’
I nodded to show I was interested in what he had to say.
‘Forget about your mother and I. We never deserved children.'
He smiled bitterly.
I think your mother got herself knocked up, just to keep me trapped or to ensure she would always have a source of income from me.’
Sometimes I wish my Dad would sugar coat the truth more.
He noticed that I flinched.
‘I’m sorry, but the sooner you realise that real life isn’t like a Trent Thornton-Dagmar Valentine film, the better.
You haven’t been able to count on me for much, but at least you know that I will always be truthful with you.’
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‘As I was saying, forget about your mother and I. Do as Dr. Birnbaum advised and go out and find out who Brie Newman really is. Forget about college and get your nose out of those dusty old books. You will never be model beautiful, but will be moderately pretty enough to catch a few eyes. Get your own place and sow your wild oats while you are still young. I’ll call around and find you a fun job where you will be exposed to attractive, connected people your own age. We will also go out and find you an apartment. I want you to take all the necessary precautions to er...not have children right away and to stay safe. You're living in the mod world of free love and rock music. What a glorious time to be young! Take advantage of it Brie. I want you to travel and to experiment. Learn to use those feminine wiles to get what you want, but be careful to give out to only those that have something worthwhile to offer in return. You can be a free spirit and still not be cheap. You don’t have to limit yourself to men only. There will be plenty of girls that will desire your attention as well. I won’t even mind if you drop my name to attract the ones you desire.’
I held up a hand to cut him off.
Somehow, I knew I was the only daughter on the planet to get this sort of speech from her father.
I was not a free spirit. I enjoy being a quiet bookish knowledge Sim.
Parties and the swinging Studio Town lifestyle just wasn’t my thing.
As much as I hated to admit it, I’d never been on my own.
The thought of suddenly having my own apartment was frightening.
I was used to having to share my living space with others.
It also irked me that Dad was all right with my dating people of my own gender, but had a total melt down when Stuart finally came out.
Why was it, with a lot of men like my father, that being gay is disgusting, but lesbian cute?
I never got that!
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_728d4fa7_56884366.jpg

‘Why can’t I do all that at the Academe La Tour?’ I asked out loud instead.
‘That way I can study for a high paying career instead of settle for just a job.’
‘What is it, you would like to do?’
‘I’m still undecided but...’
‘That’s why I won’t foot the bill.’ Dad interjected. ‘If you had some clear goal in mind, or if I thought you had any sort of special talent, I might consider it. The only thing I’m willing to do on my dime, is to get you into a nice apartment. I’ll call around and get you a job. I’ll even spring for a whole wardrobe of new clothes and things for your apartment. I’m sure Marla will be glad to help you shop for everything you need. Perhaps in a few years, you will know what it is you want to study. You can put yourself through school.’
My hopes of college were dashed...I never felt such anxiety. College had always been my dream.
‘Don’t you dare go into aspiration failure.’ Dad commanded me. ‘I haven’t even told you the really good news....’
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Coming Next: Dex reveals a secret.

[queenrebecca]

...Dex is such a creep. X_X

[IrishGrace]

oy... every time I think Dex can sink no lower, he proves me wrong. But at least he's actually *talking* to Brie, though if I was her, I would have tuned him out long ago.

[Montridge]

LOL at both comments.
I'll be really glad when this chapter is over.
As I've said before Dex even creeps me out and I made him up. :D
I have the last bit ready, but I'm breaking it in two pieces due to length.
Then it's back to Lanie and some 'lighter' more fun chapters. (Yay!)

[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV Continues...

Dad grinned as if he were pleased with himself.
He definitely looked like the cat who swallowed the canary.
‘I never allowed the provisions of Sasha’s will to be published. She made sure that most of the fortune she accumulated was divided among her favorite charities. The remainder was placed in a trust fund to be awarded to you. You won’t be able to touch a penny of it until you turn twenty-one. I’m sure Sasha set it up that way, so that mother of yours, couldn’t help herself to any of it.'
Dad looked delighted to see my shocked expression.
'You’re actually a very wealthy young woman, Brie. I’m truly happy for you. I may not be father of the year, but I don’t begrudge you any of it. When the time comes, take the money and run as they say.’
I felt sick to my stomach.
I was touched that Sasha thought so much of me to do that, but once again the very idea of being on my own frightened me.
Even a psycho father was better than no one at all.
‘Dad, why can’t I just stay with you? Your house is so big. You won’t even know I’m there. I can still get a job and pay rent. Money doesn’t matter to me...all I ever wanted was a real family. Why can’t we have that?’
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‘I’m no good, Brie. I wasn’t cut out to be anyone’s father. Take advantage of my offer to pay for an apartment and to max out my credit cards furnishing it. I don’t even expect to be reimbursed.'
He shook his finger sternly at me as he spoke.
As for family...It must have occurred to your mother that with your newly resculptured face and youth, that you would become serious competition. I’m going to be really angry with you, if you forgive her when she comes crying and apologizes. She will, when I finally tell her about Sasha’s trust fund. That alley cat was never a good mother to you. Forget about her and forget about me.’
Wow...just go away, Brie....
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I would never understand the weird relationship my parents had.
Dad never acted like he cared much for mom, except as an occasional plaything.
Yet, he had all those pictures of her in his ‘inner office’.
‘You know Dad, if you love mom so much...why don’t you just tell her?’
‘What?’ Dad looked truly stunned.
I quickly indicated the door to that creepy closet.
The fury to be reminded of what went down earlier, shone in his eyes.
I thought for a split second, he’d actually slap me after all.
‘That isn’t your mother.’ he spat out. ‘They may look alike, but that would be like comparing chilled vintage champagne to warm cheap beer.’
‘You must have loved her a lot...um...who ever she is.’
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Dad’s face relaxed a little.
‘She was my first true love. Her name was Mary. She was roughly your age when we first met. I was one of the judges of a beauty pageant she had entered. She was hoping to win a scholarship to college. From the moment I first laid eyes on her, I knew she had that something special. I knew she could be much more than she aspired to be. When I actually spoke to her, I knew I didn’t want to go on without her....Mary was my first wife.’
It seemed painful for Dad to talk about, but I wanted to know more about Mary and hoped he kept talking to me.
This was probably the only time we actually ever talked.
‘It’s probably not hard for you to imagine that I made lots of mistakes. She finally grew disgusted enough to leave me. I never even saw it coming...I came home to our apartment and found her and Remy gone. They eluded me for almost two years, until I finally caught up with them. It was too late. Both Mary and I had married other people...it’s complicated.’
In quite a few pictures there was a young teen boy with a bowl haircut and huge glasses.
He’d looked so familiar to me.
‘Remy?’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel2/snapshot_74a86432_9688c00c.jpg

‘Yes, Mary’s baby brother. He was the reason her family was so poor. He had a serious heart condition. The medical bills for his care and medications had both parents too busy to give Mary much attention. I desperately wanted to whisk Mary away from all that. She needed a chance in the spot light.’
My father actually seemed grateful to let his story out.
‘I couldn’t stand Remy at first. I thought the whole family would be much better off, if someone were brave enough to snuff him out with a pillow...’
My hair literally stood up on the back of my neck.
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‘Of course I would never have done anything like that.’ Dad reassured me very quickly. ‘I also didn’t expect he’d charm his way into my heart. I couldn’t help but admire his spirit and sheer determination to survive. He was a blazing sissy, but a very gifted artist. He too had that special aura surrounding him. I knew both he and Mary could be very famous and I wanted to be a part of it.
In the beginning, I was Remy’s hero...the only man besides his father, that accepted him as he was. He helped Mary sneak out to see me and saw us off when we eloped. When their parents passed away, I tried to push them toward the goals I set up for them.
Mary kept insisting she only wanted a family and Remy became resentful when I tried to man him up a little.
They were my entire world. On retrospect I could have done things differently....’
‘Where’s Mary now?’
‘She and her husband were killed in a car accident a few years ago.’ He smiled bitterly then.
‘The only selfless thing I ever did was to let Mary go. She was happy with her inn keeper husband. I realised when I did track her down, that I loved her too much to hurt her anymore. I always thought she would be safe there.'
Did I actually see tears glittering in my father's normally cold grey eyes?
'I even forgave Remy and got him his start as a fashion designer. All I wanted from the little ingrate was that sense of family again, but he continues to shun me.’
He was talking about Remington Mansfield! Sasha’s friend!
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I did remember reading that Remington’s sister was killed in an automobile accident.
It made the news when he later formally adopted his orphaned niece.
‘Dad, I’m so sorry.’
I reached for his hand, as freaked out as I was, he was still my father.
Dad smiled at me sadly.
‘After my little family left, I lost the ability to love and be loved....I’m not a good person, Brie.
You deserve so much better. Sasha’s money will open up many doors for you. Take what I offer you today and never look back....’
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[Montridge]

Brie Newman's POV...the final part!

The buzzer went off on Dad’s desk. It startled us both.
‘Mr. Newman.’ Cami’s voice boomed from the speaker.
‘Helen Harper is here to see you...um..she’s already on her way back.’
Dad jumped a little and looked startled.
I thought for a second, he was going to ask me to hide.
‘There you are Dex Newman.’ Helen playfully scolded him. ‘We were supposed to meet for lunch, remember?’
‘Helen, I’m so sorry, I’ve been bogged down here with some scripts and well...some family matters came up.'
Dad quickly made an introduction.
'Helen this is my daughter, Brie.’
Wow, Helen Harper in person! I’ve been a fan since Midget the Surfer Girl.
‘I know who you are, Ms. Harper. I’ve been a fan forever. You’re also married to my friend, Reg.’
The only other person besides Sasha that had ever been kind to me.
Reg only looked mean and had a grumpy demeanor, but he was a real softie inside.
I saw a cloud pass over Helen’s pretty features.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Dad didn’t have something to do with that.
The predatory way, he hovered over Helen, reminded me of how he acted with Sasha.
I also had to explain when I saw Helen’s concern that I just had plastic surgery done.
I was surprised to see disapproval in her eyes.
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‘I tried to tell her, she was perfect the way she was.’
Dad also noted her displeasure.
‘Kids these days, they never listen.’
I almost burst out laughing.
Dad and his shabby comments about my looks, were the biggest factor in my decision to change them.
‘Well, I’m glad you’re here.’ Helen told me. ‘You’re father has missed you so much. He’s been really bummed about that big fight you had. Believe me, I understand what it feels like when your father disapproves of your boyfriend. However; sometimes you have to give your parents the benefit of experience...sometimes I wish I had.'
A strong emotion passed behind her large brown eyes. She quickly changed the subject.
'I also wished you had went to church with us when your father asked, but Dex explained that weekends were the only time you could hang out with your friends.’
I actually lost it then and giggled.
I couldn’t wait to find out what else Dad told Helen about me!
Dad mutely pleaded with me to agree and play along.
He actually beamed on me when I told Helen.
‘Daddy, was right when he said Abner was a troll. He really wasn’t good enough for me.’
I noticed that to play this popular Brie, Dad created, I spoke in the affected manner the snobby girls at my school did.
‘Daddy and I were just talking. He thinks we should try and work on our father/daughter relationship. He’s asked that I move in and work part times here in his office.’
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The look on Dad’s face was truly priceless.
I looked pointedly toward his shrine room.
‘Isn’t that right, Daddy?’
Where was this courage coming from?
‘I live right next door.’ Helen told me, blissfully unaware that my father was turning all sorts of funny colors.
‘You can come over anytime you like.’
‘You bet I will. I’m sure we will have sooo much to talk about.’
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‘Now Brie,’ Dad croaked out. ‘We haven’t worked everything out quite yet.’
As furious as he looked, I also saw something else in his eyes.
He knew I could ruin things between him and Helen.
It was suddenly clear to me that Helen was always what he was after.
Stuart had tried to warn Reg that Dad never took anyone under his wing that he wasn’t going to screw over later.
‘You can’t stay with me or work in this office, if you’re going to the Academe La Tour this semester.’
We locked eyes. He was serious.
He’d foot the bill for my dream, if I just help him bag his latest victim.
I gave him a slight nod and he rewarded me a satisfied smirk.
‘In the mean time, it looks like my daughter will be a guest in my home.’
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When Helen went to go freshen up before we all went to lunch, Dad grabbed my arm.
I thought he was going to shake me, but he gave me a grudging smile instead.
‘Turns out you’re a true Hackenbush after all.’
He didn’t know the half of it.
I had no intention of letting that innocent girl get caught up in his snare.
Helen reminded me too much of Sasha.
Someone had to look out for Reg too.
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[IrishGrace]

LOL I knew there was a reason I liked Brie. And holy cow Dex has been feeding Helen a pack of lies! Wow...

[el_flel]

As I've said before Dex even creeps me out and I made him up. :D
That's so funny, a real sign of creepiness when your own creations do that to you!
Hmm perhaps Brie does have a bit of her dad in her if she's going to manipulate him, how interesting, looking forwards to seeing how that pans out.

[queenrebecca]

LOL LOL LOL LOL

Way to go Brie!

That was hilarious, all the lies he had been telling to Helen. Poor thing. She really is in over her head.

[Lisang]

Dex is so scary!

[Montridge]

Brie's intentions are really good, but Dex has been in the manipulation business much longer...*evil grin*
Thanks IrishGrace, el_flel, and QueenRebecca for continuing to read.
Welcome Lisang and you are so right, Dex is scary. :O
*group hug*
I ran into some major glitches in Lanie's house. I might have to bulldoze the lot and scrap the family.
(I have a clean copy of both the house and family to start fresh with. Hopefully, it's not the whole @#$%! neighborhood that's gone buggy!)

[Montridge]

I Have Questions That Need Answers

I got up early Saturday morning.
I was still aggravated with Newman for ruining our reunion with Helen.
He was such a creepy slimebag. What did my mother ever see in him?
I tried not to feel cross with Mommy for being in love with him and possibly straying on Daddy.
I decided it was time for Uncle Remington to tell me about my mother’s past.
I also wanted to learn more about my grandparents. They had died before I was born.
I knew Grandpa Mansfield died of a heart attack, but no one spoke of what Grandma Elaine died from.
All I knew was that Mama and Uncle Remington could not speak of her without crying.
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I heard Trent banging around in the kitchen when I went downstairs.
Trent was mixing batter for pancakes. He also made some freshly squeezed orange juice.
We had breakfast before he went on his scheduled visitation with Roberta.
I haven’t seen Roberta since Trent took me along to see ‘The Magic Candy Factory’.
The only time I spoke to her was over the phone on holidays.
I wondered if she and Joey Deppiesse were still writing each other.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_9691a68b.jpg

‘Make sure Remington has at least one glass of the juice.’ Trent instructed before he left. ‘He’ll probably want his soup from last night heated up for lunch. There’s plenty of cold cuts and cheese to make sandwiches. I also have the coffee pot ready to go when his royal highness finally wakes up.’
I couldn’t help but smile. Trent fussed over my Uncle and me like Mama used to.
He bent down to kiss my cheek and gave me a hug.
‘I’ll stop by the market on the way home. I thought I might try my hand at making homemade chicken soup.
We’ll make the noodles from scratch.’
Oh boy! I loved helping when Trent made homemade noodles.
We usually made a big floury mess, but it was always fun.
‘Be a good girl and keep an eye on Remington for me.’
‘I will.’ I promised, adding to myself. ‘It will be easy once I pin him down and make him tell me about my family history.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_9691a7f2.jpg

I went upstairs and found a book to read.
After about a few hours, I thought I heard the water running for a shower.
Finally, my Uncle emerged from his room.
He joined me on the couch.
‘Good morning, Darling.’ he greeted me cheerfully.
I was a bit alarmed that his cold sounded worse.
‘Try afternoon.’ I looked up from my book.
‘Oh yeah,’ my Uncle chuckled. ‘So it is.’
I noted that my Uncle wore a shaw, but no shoes.
‘You really do look like your mother.’ my Uncle grinned at me. ‘Especially when you give me that look.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_1691aa6f.jpg

Determinedly, I put down my book.
I was glad he brought the subject up.
‘Uncle Remington, there’s something I need to talk to you about.’
Did I see a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.
‘Of course, Darling. I’m all ears. There’s only two things I ask.’
‘What’s that?’
‘First, that we move our conversation downstairs, so I can build us a nice fire. The second is that I at least get one cup of coffee in me first. Trent did make coffee before he left didn’t he?’
I took the hint.
‘All I have to do is turn the pot on. I’ll make the coffee while you build the fire.’
I looked down at his feet.
‘You really should wear your slippers if you have such a bad cold.’
My Uncle rolled his eyes, but he did agree with me.
‘Very well, Darling. You’re right. I’ll be right down once my feet are properly dressed.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_b691aab3.jpg

[Montridge]

I Have Questions That Need Answers Part 2

Once Uncle Remington had a fire going in the fireplace, I brought him the cup of coffee he requested.
He took a grateful swallow and seemed to savor the taste.
‘That’s wonderful.’ he sighed, taking another sip.
I stood in front of him, watching him enjoy his coffee.
My Uncle regarded my serious look.
‘All right, Love.’ he patted the couch cushion next to his. ‘What’s on your mind?’
I took a deep breath and just plunged in.
‘I want to know more about my mother....and Newman.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_7691ad76.jpg

My Uncle scowled.
‘The first thing I can tell you about Newman, is to stay far away from the man. He’s nobody to you and no one for you to worry about.’
‘I’m not worried about him. I just want to know more about him. There’s a lot about Mommy, I don’t even know.’
‘Dex Newman is a chapter from your mother’s life that’s best forgotten.’
‘Uncle Remington, I want to know why you hate Newman so much and why you want me to stay away from him. You told me a little, but I want to know everything now. I have a right to know more about my own mother!’
Uncle Remington’s look softened and he sighed.
‘I suppose it’s only natural that you would curious about your mother’s past. Maybe if I do tell you everything, you will heed my warnings and not be charmed by the man later on.’
That would never happen!
‘It’s not only Mommy I want to know about. I want to know about my grandparents and anything you can tell me about Daddy too.’
It occurred to my that my father must also have had a whole life before Mommy and me, that I knew absolutely nothing about.
Pain flashed behind my Uncles eye’s. I also saw sorrow, guilt, and remorse.
‘You’re right, Lanie.’ he spoke softly. ‘It is time you know your family history. There’s so much Mary and I couldn’t tell you while you were still so young. The only way I know how to do it, is to start at the beginning....’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_9691af60.jpg

Warning: More flashback sequences!

[IrishGrace]

Yay!! It's so good to see Lanie again after so long LOL

[Montridge]

I feel the same way! LOL!
It's nice to be writing for Lanie again. :)

[queenrebecca]

YAY! It's Lanie! She is such a cute little thing!

Also I am ready to learn the mysteries of her family history! This should be good :D

[el_flel]

Sneaky, making us wait to find out!! *Sits and waits for next update* :)

I ran into some major glitches in Lanie's house. I might have to bulldoze the lot and scrap the family.
(I have a clean copy of both the house and family to start fresh with. Hopefully, it's not the whole @#$%! neighborhood that's gone buggy!)

Eee I hope it's not the whole NH either! I can see my Pleasantview is starting to get a bit glitched but luckily I only use it for my story so once that's done I'm deleting it!

[Montridge]

Thanks for the comments QueenRebecca and el_flel. :)
My neighborhood has gotten a bit glitchy.
Dumping some custom content (objects) did seem to help.
Hopefully, I won't have to evacuate everyone to a new 'hood any time soon. Rebuilding sets will be a big pain.

[Montridge]

My Grandparents

‘Your Grandpa Edward and Grandma Elaine were two of the finest people to ever grace this Earth.’
Uncle Remington began.
‘They always told Mary and I that they fell in love at first site.
Daddy was working as a supervisor in a candy factory on the third shift.
He met Mama when she was hired for the fancy pack department.'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_b69236cb.jpg

‘They were married less than three months later and bought a little house on the outskirts of Veronaville.
Daddy was an orphan and grew up in various foster homes. Mama was raised by a puritanical spinster aunt.
Having a true family life was something that was important to them both.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_5693fde6.jpg

‘They wanted children, but after many years of trying, they went to a specialist.
The doctor discovered that my mother had a few irregularities that made it hard for her to conceive.
He prescribed a series of treatments and soon your Grandmother was a first time mother at age thirty-five.
She and Daddy were thrilled when they welcomed my sister into the world.
Four years later, they decided that Mary needed a younger sibling.
This time the specialist wanted to try another newer medication.
My mother did all she was instructed to do by the doctor and was soon pregnant again.
Months before I was born, the medicine my mother had been prescribed had been recalled.
Babies were being born with multiple birth defects and developmental disorders...there weren’t many that survived. My mother was frightened by the news.
She and my father prayed a lot about the matter and decided not to have the pregnancy terminated.
I was born and as you know my heart had not formed normally.
I wasn’t able to leave the hospital until I was almost three years old.
The only reason I was released was because my mother finally snapped and brought me home.
She hated that Mary could not come visit me in the hospital. She also hated being a part time mother to her.
The doctors weren’t giving her any real hope that I would survive, so my parents decided they would rather me pass away at home among family, than in a cold antiseptic hospital.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_369406d2.jpg

I felt tears sting my eyes. No wonder Mommy fussed so much over Uncle Remington.
‘By the time I was ten, I had a few experimental surgeries, but the last one enabled me to live a more normal life.
I could finally get out of bed and start experiencing what most people take for granted.
My medical condition was very expensive. Daddy cheerfully took on another job.
Your Grandfather was such a kind, quiet, soft spoken man. Mama, Mary, and I were his whole life.
He would have done anything to make us happy. He wanted us to have everything we needed.
Your Grandmother Elaine sometimes had to play the tough, but she was a real sweetie too.
Mama was so kind and patient. She also found part time work to keep the bills paid.
Both my parents tried their best to make sure they didn’t neglect Mary, but to be honest, I was such a spoiled little dren. It took a lot of energy to put up with me.
I was bad enough when I was bedridden, but once I was mobile, I was hell on wheels.
I don’t see how Mary could have ever stood to be around me.
I know I’ve stolen a lot from her, just being born, but she was always a loving second mother to me.
I’ll always be grateful for that.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_b694d203.jpg

‘When Mary started high school, she really started to feel the burn of being poor.
Like most teens she desired pretty fashionable clothing and trinkets.
She had an after school job, but most of her check wound up being used to pay household bills or groceries.
It seemed like my medicines and health care sucked away every spare penny we had.
I was blissfully unaware for a very long time that I was even to blame for our low income status.
Because both parents worked, we were ineligible for any government help.
There were a couple of doctors that waived their bills and a few charitable institutions that stepped up to help, but we still had bill collectors breathing down our backs.
Luckily, my mother was a wonderful seamstress. She could draft a pattern from just looking at a picture.
She made most of Mary’s dresses by hand.
My sister never complained, but I’m sure just once she wanted to walk into a department store and buy something new.
I think I got my interest in sewing from my mother. I wanted to create all the stylish looks Mary truly desired.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_9696195a.jpg

My Uncle took a long pause. He seemed a bit drained.
‘Are you all right, Uncle Remington?’
‘I’m fine, Darling...It’s just this blasted cold. Maybe another cup of coffee is what I need.’
‘How about some orange juice?’
My Uncle’s look was knowing. He knew who put me up to that.
‘Just another cup of coffee will be fine.’ he insisted firmly.
I jumped up to get him another cup.
His cough was sounding even worse too.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_9691ad4c.jpg

When I handed him his cup, he sipped at it thoughtfully.
It seemed he was back in the past.
‘So, how did Mommy meet Newman?’ I asked to prompt him.
‘When Mary turned sixteen, some of her friends told her about the Miss Teen SimCity pageant.
They thought with her wholesome pretty looks and beautiful singing voice that she had just as good a chance of anyone to become Miss Veronaville. The cash, prizes, and scholarship fund excited her so much, that my normally shy sister agreed to do it.
The competition was fierce. There were girls that had been doing the pageant scene since childhood.
My sister didn’t even make it as a finalist.
Dex Newman was one of the celebrity judges in that Miss Veronaville pageant.’
My Uncle scoffed then.
‘Back then he was a wanna be actor and a swim suit model. He wasn’t the big time talent agent he is now.
Anyway, Mama still took us out to celebrate.
Mary, bless her heart, was a good trouper about the whole thing. She never let any set back keep her down.
While we were waiting on our burgers, guess who ‘just happened’ to walk in?’
I all ready knew the answer to that one.
The same person who ‘just happened’ to drive by the coffee shop while Helen was there.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_56961366.jpg

Coming Next: More on Newman and Mary's relationship.

[queenrebecca]

It was absolutely beautiful you gave that bit of background about the family, and how Remington came to love making clothes. It's very good character development.

And ah, but what a sleazy stalker creep Newman is! I kinda like it haha! He is such an interestingly deranged guy...

[Montridge]

Thanks, Queen Rebecca. *hugs*
Newman is creepy, but he's never boring to write for. LOL!

[Lottiee]

Oh my goodness!
I just found this story today and I have spent the last hour reading it, it is one of the best stories I've read! I really can't wait for the next update xD

[Lisang]

I agree with QueenRebecca! Hurry with the update!

[Montridge]

*hugs* Lottiee and Lisang.
I'm almost done with my update. I just need to go in game and shoot the pics.
(Real life has a way with interferring with my Simming time. LOL!)
First, I gotta catch up on all my faves. ;)

[Montridge]

Mommy and Newman Part 1

‘Newman claimed he always visited that particular diner whenever he was in Veronaville.
He also told Mary that he had been very impressed by her.
He thought that with the proper training and tutoring, she may actually have a career in Studio Town.’
My Uncle looked very regretful.
‘Newman was at his most charming. He has this ability to become just what a person needs.
Mary secretly desired a knight in shining armor that would rescue her from her ordinary existence.
I desired a kind older brother that accepted me for who I am.
Mary and I were totally captivated by him.
Newman insisted on paying for our meal and also bought dessert.
Before we parted company, He gave Mary one of his cards.
Newman promised he could help her along a show business or modeling career path.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_76a40a92.jpg

My Uncle took another pause. He smiled grimly.
‘To make a long story short, that was not the last time we ran into Dex Newman.
He began popping up every where.
He told us that he had an elderly aunt living in Veronaville, that he took care of.
Mary and I were thrilled by every ‘chance’ encounter, but my parents became very suspicious.
My father, as I’ve mentioned, was a quiet soft spoken person.
I’d never seen him raise his voice, but he never liked Newman.
When Newman finally made his intentions to date Mary clear, my father put his foot down.
He didn’t believe Newman was only twenty-one.
Your grandparents were much better at spotting a phoney.
I just wish Mary and I would have listened to them.
Mary fell head over heels for Newman. She began to rebel and sneak out to see him.
Nothing Daddy and Mama would say to her got through.
Our normally peaceful home became a battle ground.
Mary said some things to our parents she would deeply regret later.
I didn’t tell on Mary when she did sneak out, because I was starting to feel guilty.
It was dawning on me that I was to blame for our being poor.
I also couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. In my eyes Newman was a nice guy.
I couldn’t believe my parents were being so unreasonable.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_b6a41478.jpg

‘Newman took Mary to all the glamourous places, she’d always dreamed of.
He took her to expensive restaurants, dancing, Broadway plays, the opera, and to nightclubs.
He also bought her little luxuries and trinkets that she kept hidden from our parents.
I loved to hear about the fun she had the next day. I was the only one Mary could confide in.’
Once again my uncle took a pause. He drained his coffee before he took up the tale.
‘You may remember Newman mentioning something about a New Years Eve celebration on Veronaville Square.
They always have a carnival and a light show. Newman and Mary had plans to go.
I decided that I wanted to go too.
Being a typical bratty little brother, I threatened to sound the alarm if I wasn’t invited along.
Mary was so furious with me, but Newman thought it was funny.
They did take me along and as much as I hate to admit it, we really did have such a great time.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_f6a4196e.jpg

‘When we got back home, there was a police car in the drive way.
I’d forgotten that my mother still liked to check on me at nights.
She wasn’t at all fooled by the pillows I’d stuffed under the covers.
It hurt to see my mother crying, but Daddy didn’t seem too surprised to see Newman.
It’s lucky the cops were there because my father attacked Newman.
He told him in front of the officers, that if he came near either one of us again, he’s kill him.
Daddy also made Newman remove his drivers licence and show everyone that he was actually ten years older than Mary.’
A little gleam lit up my Uncle’s eye.
‘We also found out that his true name was Chester Peleg Hackenbush.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_16a41e2f.jpg

I thought I’d never stop laughing.
‘Peleg!’
‘It’s an old Biblical name.’ my Uncle chuckled over my reaction.
‘Newman was so embarrassed, though my sister all ready knew everything, except his middle name.’
‘Did the police take him to jail?’
I knew there were laws about adults dating teens.
‘Back then there wasn’t such strict laws. Even though my father complained, the policemen were pretty much of the opinion that Mary was better off with a rich older man, than a young thug her own age. They did escort Newman to the neighborhood limits though.’
I shuddered at the thought of Newman preying on my teenaged mother.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_71e077da_b6a42a1d.jpg

‘You can imagine that more fireworks erupted after Newman left.
Mary was furious and accused our parents for holding her back and trying to keep her tied to them forever.
I didn’t like hearing Mary say such mean things to Mama and Daddy, but I thought they were over reacting.
Daddy forbid Mary to see Newman again. He and Mama tried to tell her that Newman was bad news.
Mary gave everyone the cold shoulder over the next few days. She wouldn’t even talk to me.
I guess she blamed me for getting caught. I know it really hurt our parents for her to be so resentful.
Daddy drove us both to and from school. He also took Mary to her after school job and was waiting for her at night.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_16a424ec.jpg

‘Mary’s birthday was a week later. Mama baked a Red Velvet cake.
Mary broke down crying when we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and presented our gifts.’
My Uncle’s eyes misted over with the memory.
‘We Mansfield’s have hot tempers, but we’re also a mushy sentimental lot.
We hugged, kissed, cried, and apologised to each other, before we enjoyed the cake.
Mary held firm that my parents were wrong about Newman.
My parents still forbid her to see him. They decided to agree to disagree.
Everyone was talking again and that made me happy.’
Once again Uncle Remington’s eyes got that far away look.
‘One of the gifts was the very first gown I ever designed.
I drew the picture and Mama helped me make the pattern.
The materials were expensive, but it was well worth it, when Mary saw her new dress for the very first time.
I watched her face very carefully, I knew when something looked a little too homemade for my sister’s taste.
I was beyond thrilled when she thought we’d bought it.’
My sister always worried that she wouldn’t have a decent dress, if some one should ask her to a prom.
Now she had one, she couldn’t stop twirling around in.’
My Uncle’s tears caused my eyes to well up.
We Mansfield’s truly were a mushy sentimental lot.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_96a42087.jpg

‘Did she wear it to the prom?’
‘No,’ my Uncle’s look darkened.
‘Mary never finished school. She wore it to her wedding instead.
Two nights later Mary and Newman eloped.’
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/Montridge/Regel3/snapshot_924116e5_36a4218d.jpg

[IrishGrace]

Awwww... Remy truly is talented! It's awesome that he was designing at such a young age!

Is that a teen dress or an adult dress?

[Montridge]

It's a teen dress. I got it at LianaSims2.
Remy doesn't brag on it, but he was a bit of a child prodigy and has a high I.Q.
It's one of the reasons Newman kept him around...he hoped to profit by it. :)

[TheBoyFromMars.]

i like that dress its really cool..

[queenrebecca]

Oh snap! They eloped?!

These chapters just get better and better, Montridge! I just love seeing all of these flashbacks. It really adds to the current events, knowing all the history that came before them.

[Montridge]

The Boy from Mars: Here's a link for the dress.
http://www.lianasims2.net/preview.php?cat=fashion&id=328&age=Teen&section=Formal
QueenRebecca: Thanks. *hugs*
Sometimes I'm afraid this second half is too flashback driven.
I've been busy organising my Download folder and getting rid of objects/hacks/etc. that slow my game down.
(I just learned you can sub divide folders. LOL!)
My update will be up once I have everything fixed/cleaned.
Coming Next: You only think you hate Newman now. *evil grin*

[el_flel]

:jaw: Surely he can't get more evil?!

[Vinhou]

C'mon, when will the next chapter be ready (not to sound too demanding I'm adding a 'please' here)? I want to know what happens! :D

[Montridge]

*hugs*
I'm working on your update right now. It should be up tonight or tomorrow morning.
RL has been really greedy with my time.

EDIT: I'm still having a few glitches with my game, but I'll post the next chapters on my LiveJournal while I figure it out.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/20194.html#cutid1
http://montridge.livejournal.com/20451.html

[GummiBears]

Sorry to hear about the glitches in your game! :( I hope they get all settled out for you.

I just recently started reading your story and it is so addicting! I really do love your style and creativity in it. Not to be pressuring or anything but I can't wait to read more!! :) :)

[Night Revenant]

Thank you for updating, Montridge, I was hoping you'd be back soon and lookie! My faith was rewarded. I love when that happens! Annyway, the story of Lanie's mother, it's so disturbing. Newman, he's not evil. That's too kind of a description for him, he's more of a, let's see, runaway coathanger abortion survivor? Does that work? Waste of precious oxygen?..Huh, I'm torn between the two.

At any rate, it's a shame that your game is glitching, Montridge. I hope you won't have to do everything over from scratch (I guess it wouldn't be all that hard if you have saved all of your sims and the neighbourhood in general but it's still a pain in the asssterisk), though it doesn't matter to me, I'd read your story whether or not it has pretty pictures.

[Montridge]

*hugs gummiBears and NightRevenant*
Your comments made my day.
RL has been a real pain in the assterick lately. LOL!
I'll probly have to redo Montridge, the only Simmie I can't duplicate will be Sasha. (SimPE doesn't work anymore either.) However; I only need her for flashbacks.
I'll be checking into the hospital tomorrow morning. (Nothing serious. Just tests.) I'll be going back home on Saturday morning.
While there I'll be able to post new chapters on my LiveJournal.
Hopefully I get the game glitches worked out soon.
I'll post the links as the chapters go up and unlock any Montridge related content I have on LJ so that there will be plenty to read. :)

[DarkPhoenix]

Newman is... grrrr! He needs a good kick in the pants, at the absolute least. At most, he should be tortured and then made to disappear better than Jimmy Hoffa. Evil and greedy and selfish...

[Montridge]

LOL! I agree...though I have his ultimate fate planned, I keep trying to come up with ways to make it worse.

[ndayeni]

Sorry to hear the Montridge has gone all buggy for you in game. Glad you're continuing with the story though, even if only in text-only form for now. Your pictures for it are always great, but I enjoyed reading the text-only chapters on your LJ just as much as the ones with pictures here.

Good luck with your RL stuff coming up.

[Montridge]

Thanks ndayeni *hugs*
I thought I had the bugs fixed until I actually went into Montridge.
(I've been playing/experimenting in another neighborhood)
Here's a link to the latest chapter.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/20942.html#cutid1
I'll post all new updates here as well.

[Vinhou]

I loved the last three updates - pictures or no, it's a captivating story!

I hope your game feels better *hands computer a cookie* :)

[Montridge]

Thanks, Vinhou :)
*Jumps in front of computer and takes cookie. LOL!*
I have all weekend off to tinker with my game, in the meantime I'll keep posting updates on LJ.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/21166.html
http://montridge.livejournal.com/21556.html
When I get Montridge back to normal, I'll start shooting pics like crazy.

[Montridge]

Good news! *crosses fingers* I think I have everything working again.
I'll be testing Montridge tonight. Now we will have pics again.
In the meantime, I have a new chapter for you to read.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/22246.html

[Night Revenant]

I wish you luck, Montridge. I hope everything functions well and your news was enough to make me go all 'wheeee!'. I think it's the combination of the upcoming weekend after a looong week of work, the updating of my favorite web comic and now this news from one of my favorite sim stories.

Ah, pleasure overloads don't come often enough.

[Montridge]

Yeah! It's still here. I was really afraid to come on here and look.
I was so sure my story would have a lock or have been deleted.
I had to take a break to focus on some serious matters in RL, but I plan to update soon. I apologise that I haven't been updating and plan to remedy that ASAP. Hopefully, I still have readers. :blink:

[Night Revenant]

Montridge! You have no idea how happy I am to see you posting again. There is no need to apologize for your absence, real life should always come before the e-world.

As for readers, I'll always be here.

[Montridge]

*hugs*
Thank you, Night Revenant.
Wow, lots has changed since I last posted.
(I did know that we merged with Mod the Sims, but I haven't actually explored the site since then.)

[el_flel]

Woo you're back! I've missed this story. I hope everything in RL is all ok.

[chloebee12186]

Ok this said that this thread was last updated 5/1 May the first? Oh i hope Montridge hasnt given up I read the whole first part of elains story for 8 hours on end because it was so riveting and detailed and even with the sims 2 the pictures were so good. Now im wondering will we ever have an end to my favorite story? I dont mean to rush if Montridge is planning on a big comeback chapters or something but the last post was what a month ago? Im getting scared i wont see the end to this beautiful and perfect story and by far the best one yet on this site!

[el_flel]

Read the dates again. The last time this was updated was May 2009. Montridge hasn't logged on in quite a while either (you can check her profile to find out the date) so don't hold your breath for more chapters here anytime soon, she had some RL problems which obviously take priority over everything else. Check her livejournal (links in her post above) because she posted some pictureless updates there.

[chloebee12186]

Ok thanks so much I didnt sift through the comments well 2009 !!! Zomg i thought it said 2010 oh well lets hope she gave more updates!

[Montridge]

It HAS been awhile...I was shocked (and happy) that anyone is still reading my story. I didn't give up, in fact I think about the story a lot. RL and my @#$%! computer has kept me from Simming and writing as much as I like. I apologise for the long wait. One of the reasons I came on here was to see where I was at and to catch up with some of my favorite stories. I decided that I need to make time and get this story out one way or the other. (Even if I can't find some of hair etc that I'm missing.)
I'm going to make sure my links to the Live Journal chapters work. Thank you chloebee for your comments *hugs* and el_flel for all the support/feedback that you've given me in the past.
I apologise again for the long wait. RL really has been a bit-er-pain, but I've decided to take some time back for myself and Elaine. I've missed the whole gang, even Newman. LOL!

[Montridge]

I didn't post any of this sooner because I always hoped to rewrite and get pictures. It's still going to be awhile on pictures so here's what I have so far. After October things got too hectic for even just texts posts. Anyway, it's more to read until I get my sh-act together again. Hope you like. Sorry again for the wait.

Chapter 22:
Uncle Remington continues telling Lanie about how he and Mary were treated by Newman and how they finally escaped.
Chapter 22: Part 8
http://montridge.livejournal.com/25710.html
Chapter 22: Part 9
http://montridge.livejournal.com/26019.html
Chapter 22: Part 10
http://montridge.livejournal.com/26130.html
Chapter 22: Part 11
http://montridge.livejournal.com/26850.html
Chapter 22: Part 12
http://montridge.livejournal.com/27112.html
Chapter 22: Part 13
http://montridge.livejournal.com/27372.html


Chapter 23 (The Man I Called, Daddy)
Lanie learns more about her father.
Part 1:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/27417.html
Part 2:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/27884.html
Part 3:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/27963.html
Part 4:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/29124.html

Chapter 24 (Memories)
Lanie looks through some old albums.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/29255.html

Chapter 25 (Uncle Remington Cooks a Meal)
A more light hearted fun chapter after all the flashback drama.
http://montridge.livejournal.com/29467.html
Part 2:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/29864.html

Chapter 26 (A Really Bad Day)
Lanie's back at school. The Swingers and the Wall Girls finally duke it out.
Part 1:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/30182.html
Part2:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/30208.html
Part 3:
http://montridge.livejournal.com/30674.html

[chloebee102]

OMG! Thank you so much! I really appreciate you giving me the ending chapters!!! Your such a good writer!!

[van Dorn]

Have you forgotten about this story? I love it!

[Montridge]

I can't forget this story!!!
Due to losing all of Montridge in a computer crash and real life events I haven't been able to update. Now that I have a new computer and real life is finally calming a bit, I've been on here trying to get back all my custom content and remaking my Sims.
I haven't been on in awhile because I'm scared that I'll find my story deleted.
My Sims might not look quite the same, but I still plan to update soon.

[DarkPhoenix]

Hooray! I'm glad things are settling down for you; I know things were rough for a while! *Big hugs!*

[Miyali]

I just came across this story today and I must say its simply amazing. I'm a sort that finds it hard to get into a story but you skillfully drew me in and I just could not stop reading. A shame to hear about you losing your game data, I've had a few computers over the years go bork on me as well and as a fellow Sims player.. I can understand the frustration. I do hope you can get things back up and running soon, both in this wonderful tale and in your real life. Good luck!