As luck would have it, winter decided to do a 360 and get freezing cold in just a few days, turning beeing outside an aweful experience. The place they had decided to visit was really nice though, so nice that Neda contemplated having potential parties here if she ever decided to host another one.
Right now she was busy practicing her writing skills, as she'd just gotten promoted to investegative journalist. She'd gotten it after taking pictures of some creepy man that harassed a co- worker.
Kevs, could you take Titania for a second, please. The toddler wasn't making a fuzz, but she still ruined her consentration.
Kevin was more than happy to help a bit, atleast right now. They were just spending some time away from the house. And it was a great way for the kids, to avoid coming up with something to do all on their own.
Hi Titania! Why don't you and me go somewhere else, and let mum be alone a bit. She tried grabbing a handful of red hair from his scalp, a move he'd been able to avoid for what seemed a very long time now. She didn't do it to be mean though, she was just beeing a toddler.
She started fuzzing a bit. As most kids she highly preffered beeing in the way where she could be irritating, instead of somewhere she was welcome: Come on, I'll let you bite Aurelius shin...
Okay!
Neda just pretended she didn't hear that.
The kids had found themselves a wise senior citizen to teach them the exciting world of Domino, and they had that time when they experienced the difference from beeing young and old; he took his sweet damned time doing anything.
As much as Aurelius excellen in the art of zoning out, and still come off as paying attention; he had clearly found his match.
Kevin did his best to start some intelligent strategy, but it was Aurelius that made the first move. Going through his pieced he said: So, I can do this then? It wasn't all bad playing a game, but he'd rather watch tv. There were few things as good as that.
The ancient teacher pulled out one of his own pieces, kept staring at the table and then resigned: That... that was a really good move boy! You're a natural!
Yeah whatever. Aurelius was barely paying attention anyway, because tv. There was a giant tv here somewhere and he wasn't watching it. He didn't even notice the ancient one eventually putting another piece down.
Like the others, it was Kevins first try at domino. And he really wanted to win; even if it was unlikely.
Doing his best finding a strategy, he was interrupted by the wise one: Don't think boy. You must feel the board, the feeling when the spirits of the domino takes takes a hold on your soul.
Sam looked at the old man; Old man, you smell like booze!
Like all this shit about spirits and stuff didn't already give it off. Goddamned idiot. She'd rather have Neda play with them, but she was to busy working.
A part of her kind of missed the orphanage and Brandon, but still not a lot. She met the kids at school anyway, and she was glad to have a home of her own now. Even if it wasn't exactely like a normal family. With her luck, they'd probably send her home the first time she got angry; they always did that.
Oh, that's what the smell is? I thought it was Kevs' aftershave!
Aurelius was hilarious when he wanted to. It was a bit odd to have another kid around the house, but Sam seemed nice enough, they played a bit together even if she hadn't lived with them very long. It was strange to all of a sudden have a new sister, but he'd been prepared for it. He didn't mind that mum gave her attention either, because she still had tons of time for him!
....Very funny...
Winter truly was everyones favourite season, and it was pretty much impossible to stay indoors when there was so much fun to do outside. Many sims kept ignoring the cold to spend some time on the ice, even the cities cosplayers. Atleast everyone around hoped it was a cosplayer.
Neda had almost expected Dragan not to show up, but she couldn't really figure out why she'd thought it. They were meeting at todays hotspot, hoping that Irena wouldn't figure it out. She'd never thought that she'd have the energy to keep this up for so long.
So, what's going on? Kevs stopped asking questions about his parents, and I'm not sure it's a good thing. Mum and dad are getting older, and I want him to meet them! And she wanted to meet them. She missed her mum and dad. And her brother ofcourse.
Whatever had happened, they had to have gotten over it by now. He was a teenager for crying out loud, and they weren't allowed to be upset about the entire thing anymore!
She could almost see how he formed a rejection in his head: I don't know, he sighed, looking more tired than he should be allowed to: They won the first cases, obviously, but then she appealed again. It was rejected though.
What? The case had been rejected, and yet he hadn't told her: Well, why didn't you tell me?
Dragan finally resigned: I'm just so tired Neda. What if she starts the entire thing again? I don't think I can handle going through everything one more time.
It's not about you Dragan! It's about Kevs, mum and dad!
Yeah, I know. But I'm still tired of it. I never knew Irena had all that energy!
He wasn't even sure if she did it out if greed, or genuin worry. But if she actually worried, then why didn't she understand that it wore out their parents to?
I'm a bit surprised at that to, Neda admitted. She just didn't have it in her to stay mad at her twinbrother; whom she still didn't feel a special twinbond to: Maybe she actually thinks she's doing the right thing?
What if she was doing the right thing? Maybe her and Dragan was in the wrong?
But, Neda continued: I still think that Kevs and my kids are more important. I mean, mum and dad have four grandkids they've never met. Because Sam was their grandkid to. Wonder if she'd be okay with meeting them? She hadn't lived with them for very long.
Maybe she should tell him, though, that she had a plan. And she couldn't leave the kids alone without chaperoning. And for that she needed help.
Dragan? I think I want to go and find Niko. I have to ask Kevs if he wants to go with me though, but I need a babysitter for when I do.
Are you sure that's a good idea? Does he... does he know? After all this time, they still weren't able to say the words out loud.
Uhm.... no. No, I haven't told him.
I mean, I think that either of his parents should tell. Because I don't know what else to say than just.... that.
That, and she'd chicken out. She was fully aware of the fact that he'd probably end up hating her for not telling him earlier. But it didn't matter. He still deserved to know.
I just think that any additional questions is best answered by his parents. And I think I know how to find Niko. And maybe he knows how Kevin can get in contact with his mum.
It's a good idea and all Neda, but he keeps skipping everytime I find him.
It wasn't that he knew that Dragan was looking. He was just present at places for a short time. Probably to avoid beeing found, just in case.
Oh littlebrother, I might not be a computerwhiz like you, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to find someone. I am a journalist after all, and sometimes the easiest solution is actually the best.
She couldn't belive she hadn't thought about it before. There was someone who knew everything about Niko wether he wanted to or not.
When Dragan still looked confused, she decided to enlighten him: Jack. You know our cousin? Jack, whom Niko always looked up to, and hung around no matter if Jack wanted him to or not? I bet that he either knows his travel plan, or he'll be able to figure it out in a heartbeat!
She was so clever it almost hurt! But first things first.
Anyways, I'll take the kids over in a few days
But....
Don't interrupt me. I'll bring the kids over on saturday and we'll see how it goes.. Make sure mum and dad are prepared. Then I'll talk to Jack whilst they're there. If it goes well, and Jack knows what I think he does, you get to babysit when I leave. Then she was going to find that damned brother of theirs. She was done trying to save his arse.
Aurelius stared jealously at Sams food. He'd decided to go with dessert first, but regretted it a bit. The lasagna smelled really good. He bet it was made from scratch to, not like most of the food mum made.
Turned out it hadn't been anything to worry about at all. They acted just like grandparents were expected to: stuffing the kids full of food, and told them about all the embarassing things Neda had done as a kid.
It went so smoothly that Neda excused herself really early on, saying she had an errand.
The kids were so well behaved that Neda probably wouldn't have recognized them had she seen it. They happily helped with the dishes, as Titania talked to her grandma. She thought grandma looked really posh, and when she was ancient she wanted to look as posh to.
Looking down at the steps, Neda imagined it would stop her from slipping on the thin layer of ice that covered them.
She hadn't met Jack, aunt Angelas son, in ages. They'd bumped into eachother around town occationally, and exchanged short sentences about the weather ofcourse. But they'd never really met. Come to think about it, they'd barely really talked to eachother either. He'd always been Nikos friend, but he was also a lot older then her.
She showed down the little shock she got when he opened the door. Wow, he'd gotten old! She knew he had three daughters with two different women, but he was divorced now. Good for them, beeing single was the only way to live after all.
Jack seemed shocked to see her to, but it left pretty quicky: Neda? Is everything alright with uncle Danny and auntie?
Oh, she hadn't thought about him thinking they'd died: No, they are fine. I just came from them now. Everyone says hello by the way.
He probably had other things he'd rather do, but she still got invited in where they sat in the small livingroom. It looked just like she'd assumed he'd live to: simple, with expensive furniture.
Do you want some coffe or? Jack could atleast pretend he was a good host.
Neda declined: No thanks, I'm fine. I just came from mum, so I'm full.
So, you're all talking to eachother again then?
So he knew about that? Well, why wouldn't he: No, I haven't seen Irena. But the rest of us is.
You know Jack, she might as well continue since he'd opened the conversation this way: The one we're really missing is Niko. Uhm, I'm sure you know that I'm raising his son.
Kevin?
Yeah, that's him alright. And I kind of think it would be good for him to meet his dad soon. He's a teenager already and I though.... She hadn't thought this would be so difficult: And I thought that maybe you know where he is? Or if you know how to contact him?
Jack shifted uncomfortably as she kept talking: I mean, Kevin really wants to meet him. He can't remember him at all.
She smeared it on thick, since he couldn't know that she hadn't told her nephew about it. Besides, Jacks mum had died when he was a very young man, so she indirectly appealed to that side of him.
And I figured that, if Niko doesn't want to meet up. It would be better for Kevs is he tells him himself.
I don't know where he is. He sounded like a robot when saying it, completely devoted of emotion
What?
I don't know where he is. He sends the occational mail, or we chat a bit. But he's always on his way somewhere.
Jack had to be one of the worst liars she'd ever seen. Neda contemplated on calling him out on the assumed lie, but she didn't know him that well. She had no idea how he'd react.
It was way to quiet here for her liking, she was used to the kids beeing around all the time. He must have soundproof windows to, because the traffic was barely hearable, either that, or it was slow today.
I heard from him a few weeks ago, but he was already on his way somewhere else. He was going to some small village, and stay there a couple of days before moving on. And before you ask, no, he didn't say the name. Doubt it'll even come up on a map.
Okay. Do you have a phonenumber or something I can reach him on?
Sorry Neda, he uses what's available where he is. Which is why the contact is so sporadic.
She wasn't planning on giving up that easily: Well, what about a username? He has to have one of those if he's chatting with you. Or an e- mail adresse?
Hoping that he'd stutter so she could call out a lie, Jack didn't seem to have that problem: He doesn't use one specific. He just contacts me with some random numbers usually, and he switches mails constantly.
So, he really doesn't want to be found does he? Maybe he wasn't lying. It didn't sound like it atleast.
No, he doesn't. If I knew where he was Neda, I'd tell.
I know Jack. I just hoped it was something you hadn't thought about. I didn't mean to come off as accusing you of anything. She had noticed the big windows around his house. And she might have taken a sneak peek throught them before ringing the bell.
He smiled at her: Thanks Neda. I understand what you mean though. I'd never thought he'd think about so many alternatives, you know.
I know.
I should probably get the kids before they drive mum and dad crazy. Thanks for the talk Jack.
No problem. Sorry I couldn't be of any help.
Don't worry about it. Neda answered: I just needed to try. Hey, could I borrow your bathroom before I leave?
Sure. There's one downstairs. You want me to show you? It's just down the stairs, through the door. And then you'll see another door. And it's right there.
No thanks mate. I think I'll be able to find it.
Jacks description was accurate, which Neda already knew. She was a journalist, and sometimes that involved digging through sims trash and peep in through their windows; as creepy as it sounded. And she'd seen his office and the laptop with the green light on it, showing that it was already powered up, but just closed.
She couldn't have guaranteed that one of the doors was a bathroom, but the houses here usually had that layout. And she was right, so nothing else to worry about them.
As expected of the single man, it wasn't password protected either. Why would it be? He lived alone. And lets just face it, the only "secret" thing that Jack had here, was some enormous ammount of dietplans, workout scheduels and list of so- called superfoods nutritinals values; blech.
She didn't even have to open his mail, but just found the nearest chatlog. And there it was. Nikos travelplan. She always knew he didn't have it in him beeing spontanious.
She opened the file the user called a lot of random numbers had attached; and took a picture of it with her phone. She couldn't bother seeing if she could access his line, this was a lot easier. Ofcourse, she also understood that she could've just asked Dragan to access Jacks computer from home, but it was a bit late for that now. Now to remove all traces of her whereabouts on the laptop, and to remember to flush the toilet before she left. She'd just tell him that she'd emptied her menstrualcup if he asked what took so long, because that way he wouldn't ask more, or get suspicious.
And this is your dad as a teenager! He tried having that emo- style, but he just couldn't handle beeing deep and dramatic. He was waaaay to much of a mums boy for that.
Turned out that Aino and Kevin got scaringly well along. Grandma just enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and this one actually listened to her: You look so much like him! Oh, and here he is on vacation in Apaloosa plains. He thought he'd found real dinosaurskeletons, but your uncle Dragan told him it wasn't possible. Your dad pouted about that for weeks!
I got his travelplan, for a few seasons forward.
Dragan stood eerily still for a while before answering: Really? You got it? From Jack?
No, I just found it on his computer.
Luckily he didn't say anything about how he could've found it for her. For all she knew, he might be careful since he was in politics, and that it would've been a scandal. She hadn't even thought about that.
Nice job Neda.
Now she was wondering why he would take the chance, on ruining his careere with the scandal that could break. Why wasn't he worried about that? Maybe he hadn't even thought about it. Or, he might actually not care. He'd probably be happy as long as he had a computer.
I think I'll go right after snowflake day, which by the way you're all invited to. If I get an early flight, I should be able to be at Egypt when he gets there.
He's going to Egypt? Wonder why he hadn't been there before.
Yeah, it's some really tiny place called Al- Simhara. Usually some stop for touristsbuses, but sims rarely stay there.
Neda put on her best puppyeyes at her brother: It would've been really great, if you could like do some of that computerstuff, just to keep an eye to see if the travelplan changes. And, it would've been really great if you wanted to babysit all the kids. Atleast the youngest ones?
There's no need to pull out the puppyeyes Neda, they can stay here. He couldn't go with her himself, he thought that two elderly sims, three kids a dog and a cat was a bit much to leave his wife with.
Thanks littlebrother. If Kevin doesn't want to come, then he'll probably want to stay at the house alone. That was the best anyway, because that way he could take care of the animals: But if he goes with me, you'll have to feed our animals to.
All of the family, excluding Irena, met up for snowflake day. Her and her family was invited, but didn't show up. With the lack or room at home, Neda just rented the karaoke- bar in town and held it there. Everyone agreed it was a great party, and they'd most likely gained quite a few pounds after the buffet.
Finishing the last glass of nectar, Nedas favourite thing about renting a place to throw a party, was that she didn't have to clean it up herself afterwards. Her family had left with the kids, and it was just her and Kevin back now. She might as well just finish it now.
She took another look at Kevin, who still wondered why she'd asked him to stay behind when everyone else left. She ignored that little feeling in the back of her head that said he was never going to talk to her again, when he figured out what she knew. But that didn't matter. It was about time he knew, and if that meant he didn't want to see her again, it was still about what was best for him.
I think I know where we can find your dad. I can't promise that he'll be there, but it's worth a shot. Do you want to go with me?
He kept stuttering several times before beeing able to form a coherent word: What?
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That was a long chapter for such a short conclusion. Oh, the old man at the start there; Neda was supposed to play domino with them, but the old man got there first. And if anyone wondered what happened with Kevins glasses as he aged up- his nose is to big and broad. So they sink in to the nosebridge. So no more glasses.
Thanks for reading
