Generation 2, Chapter 28

Sitting outside the Bradford home, Robert bit his fingernails.

"Quit that, you're making me nervous," Shon swatted his hand away from his nibbling teeth.

"Sorry," Robert gave Shon a sheepish grin "I guess I'm more nervous than I realized."

"It's the place," Shon waved his hands around to include the whole town "it's been a long time since either of us have been in Aurora Skies."

Nodding Robert sighed "it's the last place I want to be but I have to get some answers." Reaching over he scrambled out of the car. Shon followed after him, up the sidewalk and waited for a response to their knock.

"Who is it?" a low voice inquired from the other side of the closed door.

Feeling ridiculous talking to a door Robert cleared his throat "it's Robert Bennett your daughters ..."

"I know who you are. Go away." the voice yelled from the other side.

"Please I need to talk to you," Robert entreated his voice pleading more than he cared to admit.

From inside the house they heard laughter, then the sound of a lock being turned "So you need me" she said opening the door wide. Looking around the unpleasant woman asked "where's my daughter?"

"She's not here," Robert said swallowing hard.

Looking at him "she doesn't know you're here, does she?"

Shaking his head Robert tried to speak but found himself tongue tied. How could his lovely, beautiful wife be a product of this?

Snearing at him she said "have my words come back to haunt you?"

"You know about the mysterious phone calls?" Roberts gasped. She nodded, glee shimmering in her eyes. "Why? Who?" Robert asked in haste.

"I told you she wasn't for you. You wouldn't listen to me. Why should I answer your questions now?" she spat at him moving to close the door.

"Tell me who it is and what they want," Robert demanded moving to block the door so that she couldn't close it on them.

An older man approached from inside the house. "This woman," he gestured towards Mrs. Bradford "sold her daughter to me."

Stepping back Robert reeled from the information. "What ... what do you mean sold?"

"Don't you understand english boy? Sold her daughter for her freedom. She and her husband come to my country and this woman starts making demands. I send my people to arrest them. She give me her children. The boy no good, too young, cry all the time. The girl young, pretty I give to my son, make good wife." Grabbing Mrs. Bradford's arm he squeezes it until she winces in pain, "this woman trick me, find children in orphanage and bring back here. I come to collect my investment."

"Let her pay," Robert pointed towards Patricia's mother.

Shaking his head "too fat, too old. Not good investment."

"She's my wife. You can't have her," Robert told him in no uncertain terms.

"I think you change your mind," the man told him with a cold, hard calculating stare. "I make exception for you. You bring me pretty wife and I leave you alone. If no pretty wife delivered to me when I call and I have to go to you maybe I take wife and pretty daughters too." Shrugging the man smiled at Robert "you decide."

Before Robert could respond the man walked away. Mrs Bradford turned to follow. "How could you?" Robert asked as bile rose in his throat.

Shrugging "I did what I did to survive."

"But ... but she's your daughter," he was appalled how any parent could sell their own child to save their own miserable hide.

"What difference does it make now? It's done. I told you she wasn't for you. You should have listened."

Shon shook Robert's shoulder "come on Rob, let's go. There's nothing you can do here."

"Ok, ok," Robert stepped back allowing her to slam the door. Turning bleakly towards Shon "what am I going to do?"

"First we're going to leave. Then we'll think of something." Shon told him as he led him towards the car.

They traveled all the way home in silence. Trapped in their own disturbed thoughts. Arriving four hours later at the house, they silently entered the house where the girls were waiting for them.

Patricia observing their haunted, disturbed expressions rushed to Robert "Tell me, how bad was it? I know it's bad you can't even look at me." Gently she touched his face, noting the tears swimming in his eyes.

"Yes it was bad," Robert sighed and between him and Shon they told the girls everything they learned that day.

Sitting shell shocked Patricia mumbled "that's it then. I'll have to go."

"What? No," Robert exclaimed jumping to his feet. "We'll figure something out. There has to be another way."

 

Shaking her head "no I won't put you or the kids in danger. I'll do what he wants." Looking at him, drinking in every detail. The way the light caught the blond highlights in his hair, the love, concern and fear in his expressive brown eyes. What choice did she have? She wouldn't bring her family into danger not when there was something she could do to prevent it. She wouldn't be as selfish as her own mother had been buying her freedom at the cost of theirs. What little time she had left, she wanted to spend loving her family.

***

 

Robert tried to put on a happy face as he watched his sister and best friend drive away. He and Patricia had discussed moving to Bridgeport with them but decided the city wasn't for them. Sighing Robert wondered how he was going to manage without them. He had come to rely upon Shon for his steadying effect he had on him. Patricia was watching him in concern "Rob it's going to be alright. We'll go and visit," she wrapped her arms around him.

"I know ... it's just ... I don't know I have a bad feeling," he breathed deeply looking at her.

"For them or for us?" she asked.

"Both I guess. I don't know how to explain it but it's like I'm seeing them for the last time." He moved away from her picking up Jennifer who was toddling towards the road. Coming back he motioned towards the toys in the yard, "would you like to ride?" he asked the little girl in his arms.

Clapping her hands Jennifer nodded in excitment. Patricia picked up Diana and followed them. As the kids happily chatted to each other, their parents wore identical worried expressions.

Looking at his beautiful wife Robert didn't think when the time came he'd be able to let her go. He'd rather die then let her go with that man. There had to be another way. He looked towards Patricia who was looking bleakly back at him.

Patricia tried to smile but was only partially successful at covering her thoughts. She knew Robert was thinking of their pending seperation, maybe it would be easier to leave now instead of waiting for the call summoning her. Biting her lip she knew it wasn't an option she wanted to avail herself of, at least not yet. She loved his man and those two adorable little girls. They were her life, she wouldn't give them up until she had to. How do they get past this? This feeling of doom hanging over them. Looking down she saw Robert staring at her, she looked away as if she feared he could read her thoughts.

Staring off into space, Patricia knew Robert was going to try and prevent her from going. She knew she was going to have to make sure when the time came he was unable to stop or follow her. Someone had to be here to raise their daughters. As much as it pained her, she knew that person wasn't going to be her. She knew what she had to do, if only she had the courage to follow through.

"Honey we need to talk ..." Robert's voice intruded upon her thoughts but drifted away unable to finish.

"I know but not now," she smiled at him "I want to spend time playing with my girls."

Nodding Robert let it go in favor of spending time with his favorite girls. It would have been a perfect day if it weren't for this cloud of doom hanging over them. They put the girls down for their naps and Robert followed Patricia downstairs into the newly remodeled living room. Turning to Robert, Patricia put her hands on his chest "Rob we need to get back to normal. We can't go on like this."

"I know but I don't know what normal is anymore," he tried to turn away but Patricia held him tight.

"Please Rob, help me," she cried biting her lips "help me create a few last happy memories for you and the girls. Don't let this ruin their future."

"I'm trying but it's like I'm lost and I can't find my way past this dark cloud. I don't want to lose you," he leaned forward holding her tight.

"I know but what choice do we have?" she asked. "I'm just as lost as you. The only thing I can think about is how to make this easier on the girls. When the time comes I want you to promise me that you'll tell them that I'm dead."

He shook his head refusing "no I can't, I won't," his eyes pleading with her not to exact this promise from him.

Kissing him she sighed "I know what I'm asking seems horrible but it's better than the the truth. I don't want them trying to find me in the future and they won't if they think I died."

Feeling his world crumble around his ears he nodded "I promise."

Relieved she smiled at him stroking his face "promise me you'll stay with the girls and not follow me when I leave."

Shaking his head "no ask me anything but not that I can't."

"Please for me," she pleaded "I need to know you'll be here for the girls."

Falling to the floor, shaking Robert said "you don't know what your asking of me. I can't just do nothing and let you leave."

"I know what I'm asking and I'm sorry," she pulled him close. "But I need you to do this for me."

 

"Ok, ok I promise," he sobbed feeling he had lost her forever. They held each other tight for several minutes, stirring Robert asked "what do we do now?"

"We go on with our lives as normally as we can," at his look of refusal she said "I know it's going to be difficult but together we can do this."

Sighing Robert nodded accepting what he couldn't change. He would do this because he loved her and he didn't want to miss anything during the time they had left.

 
 

Generation 2, Chapter 27

Robert helped Gene move his things from Tracie's place to his new house in Starlight Shores. Robert tried to ignore the daggers that Tracie was throwing at him as he helped Gene. Unfortunately he was more successful than Gene was. "What's your problem?" Gene asked irritated at the looks she was giving them.

"You are my problem," she shouted at him.

"Well not for much longer," Gene told her turning his back to her as he stomped out the door.

Glancing at Robert she said "don't you start."

Shaking his head in bewilderment Robert wasn't sure what he wasn't supposed to start but he had to say something. "Why won't you go with him?"

Ignoring his question she asked "how can you help him make the worst decision of his life?"

"It's not my decision to make. It's not up to me to hold him back. We can't protect him forever. Besides how do you know it won't make him better?"

"I know him. He'll fall apart as soon as someone challenges him. He'll be drinking and out of control and I won't watch him do it." Robert heard the conviction in her voice and was glad that Gene was moving.  Gene need her to tear his self esteem to shreds.

"Tracie your wrong," Robert told her quietly. "Gene thrives on support and as long as he knows he has someone rooting for him he'll be ok. I'm his cheering section, I wish I could be more but that's what he needs. Without it he would fall back into his old habits because it's easier and it's what everyone expects of him." Walking towards the door he stopped and said over his shoulder "At one time I thought you knew that. That you had his back but it seems I was wrong. What you really wanted was someone you could control. I'm glad he's moving. I'm glad he's testing the limits of what he thinks he can do. I think it'll be the best thing for him." Turning to look at her "and that's coming from someone who has watched him fall apart because of people like you doubting him and taking away what makes him, him. He's my brother and I'll support him no matter what. It's the least I can do and it's what you ought to do."

Leaving Robert found Gene standing by the car, kicking the tires.

"I can't ... can't go back in there," Gene said kicking at the tires again.

Putting his hand on Gene's shoulder "you don't have to. It's best that you don't, she'll only tear you apart. You don't need that."

***

 



Robert spent a week helping Gene get situated in Starlight Shores. "You'll come to visit?" Gene asked his tone holding a hint of doubt.

"Of course," Robert told him giving him a hug before getting into his car. He smiled as he waved yelling out the window "Break a leg."

Gene waved back as he stood watching Robert drive away. Pulling out his phone he dialed his counselor to set up a schedule that would fit it in with the show's schedule. Smiling to himself he knew he was going to survive this move despite his lack of support from his family. All that mattered was he had the support of his counselor who suggested he do the show and he had his brother in his corner, how could he fail?

Robert watched Gene in his rearview mirror until he was no longer in sight. He prayed he was doing the right thing supporting Gene in this crazy endeavor. With all his heart he hoped Gene the best and he found happiness. If this show could help give Gene back his self-confidence and become the person he knew was in there, Robert would be satisfied.

Sighing Robert couldn't wait to get home to be with his wife and children. He worried about leaving them for any length of time, especially after finding out about the effects of the pheromones. He wanted this nightmare to be over so that he could relax without wondering when the next shoe will drop. He never expected to be following in the footsteps of his dad and he hoped Peter found a solution before he too, had to watch his wife lose her mind. He tried not to dwell on these things but at times when he was alone it was all he could think about.

It had been a difficult decision to go thru with the pregnancy. But now that Diana was here, he couldn't imagine doing anything different. It was the best experience of his life to feel her growing inside him. He wished everyone could feel the joy of carrying life inside them. He knew Diana would hold a special place inside his heart, he understood the bond his dad had with Evelyn now.

Turning on the road towards home his phone began to ring. Reaching cautiously for it he brought it to his ear, "hello?"

"Robert Bennett," a low harsh voice asked sending chills down his spine.

"Yes. Who is this?" he asked stomping on the brakes as a deer ran out in front of him. Pulling over to the side of the road Robert felt his anxiety rising as his heart hammered in his chest.

A low laugh reached his ears "I'm your worst nightmare," the voice replied. "You should have listened to your wife's mother when she told you not to marry Patricia. She's not for you."

The click in his ear told him the call had disconnected but still he half expected him to say something else. Shaking Robert steered the car back onto the road finishing his ride home. Pulling up to the house, his mind spinning as he sat in the car. Who was the mysterious caller? How did he know Patricia's mother? Should he mention the call to Patricia or keep it to himself?

Robert sat staring at his phone wondering if he should tell Shon. Maybe he could somehow trace the call and find out who it was. He hated to put that burdon on Shon, not after everything he had just gone through with Evelyn. Robert wasn't sure how he'd react if his wife had been kidnapped and buried alive. Shon's father was still on the loose and a manhunt was underway to apprehend him. Shaking his head, no he couldn't add to Shon's stress load.

Robert felt they were relatively safe right now with Shon, a police officer living in the house. Who would do anything with a cop in the house? Shon's father for one was the unwelcome answer his brain provided him with. Looking up as the car door opened and Shon was looking in on him concerned.

"Hey what's up bro?" Shon asked as Robert got out of the car.

Managing to avoid looking at Shon, Robert mumbled "nothing." Walking away Shon grabbed his arm, "Rob I can tell something's wrong. Tell me, maybe I can help."

Staring into the sky Robert wished that his only enemies were aliens. Sighing he handed Shon his phone "I received a phone call from someone I don't know who said he was my worst nightmare."

"and this is the number he called you from?" Shon asked.

Nodding Robert turned to face Shon "he said I should have listened to Patricia's mom when she told me not to marry Patricia."

"Did he say anything else?" Shon asked trying to get as much information as he could.

Shaking his head "no that was it" Robert said.

"I'll see if my collegues can turn up anything," Shon offered. "I think you should have a conversation with Mrs. Bradford."

Sighing Robert grimaced "she's the last person I want to talk to right now."

"I know but she seems to be mixed up in this and could give you some answers." Looking at his good friend he offered "I'll come with you if you'd like. There's nothing I can do here while I'm on a forced leave of absence until they capture my father."

"I hope for your sake they throw away the key this time."

"So do I," Shon agreed.

Robert asked "is it safe to leave the girls and babies alone?"

"Don't worry about it," Shon pointed across the street. "You see that car? That's a surveilance unit, here to watch the house. They call another unit when one of us leaves. Until my old man is in jail we have a 24/7 tail on us at all times."

"So the entire time I was in Starlight Shores someone was watching me?" Robert asked a little shocked that he hadn't noticed anyone following him.

Nodding Shon continued "my superiors felt it necessary to put a tail on all of us since we're all potential targets. You know because of your relationship to me or with the aliens. My father hates both."

"I have to admit I feel safer with you in the house," Robert told him with a smile. "Will Bridgeport hold your job for you? or will you have to reapply?"

"They're holding it," Shon told him. "Evelyn and I have discussed this and have decided to wait until the baby's born before we move. Evelyn isn't comfortable with the idea of changing doctors."

"I hate to see you go," Robert sighed looking at his friend.

"You can always come and visit," Shon said with a smile "or better yet move there with us."

"I doubt Patricia would go for that."

"Well you don't have to worry about it for a while yet, at least seven months." Shon said as they entered the house.

    

Side Stories (Evelyn & Casey)

You can read it here Chapter 2 - Hope Revived
This is the continuing story of Evelyn and Shon in Bridgeport.  What adventures await them?  Will they finally be safe?  Will Shon's father find them?  Will another dark secret break them apart?

You can read it here Chapter 1 - The Lawyer
This is the continuing story of Casey after his fiancé Hannah ran off leaving behind their infant son with only a note.  Will he be able to pull himself together to care for his son?  Will he ever find love?  Will he allow Hannah's dumping him keep him from putting himself out there again?

Side Story - Evelyn Losing Hope Parts 1 & 2

It was a difficult decision but it was time to split the Evelyn and Roberts story.  If you want to know more about Evelyn and Shon their story is on a blog on Wordpress.  Other story lines for the other Bennett spares will be found her as well.  Some stories will be longer than others but it's away for me to tell their stories without interfering with the main legacy.

 

Chapter 1 Losing Hope Part 1

Chapter 1 Losing Hope Part 2

Generation 2, Chapter 26

"Hey Gene what are you doing here?" Robert asked as he opened the door to find his brother on his doorstep. Must be his week to have unexpected visitors, he just hoped this would be a happier visit than the one he had with Casey.

Shrugging Gene mumbled "nothing much." Looking closer at him Robert could tell something was bothering him "how's things with Tracie?"

"Fine," Gene mumbled in response.

Mentally Robert shrugged it off, if Gene didn't want to talk about it he couldn't make him. "Would you like to come in and meet your new niece?"

Gene grinned at him as he passed thru the door. Going upstairs Gene looked into the crib at Diana who was happily waving her little fists in the air.

"Would you like to hold her?" Robert offered.

"No," Gene declined "all she’d do is scream. I don’t do babies."

"You’ll change your mind when you have your own," Robert told him.

 

Shaking his head "I doubt it, besides I don’t plan on having any."

Agast Robert realized his mouth was hanging open. Closing it he asked "have you discussd this with Tracie?"

Shrugging Gene asked "what does she have to do with it? It’s not like we’re married or anything?"

"Yeah but you’re living together, surely you’ve discussed the possibility ..." his voice trailed away at the look Gene threw at him.

"I’m moving," Gene said abruptly.

"Where?" Robert asked concerned.

"Starlight Shores," Gene told him. "I applied for and was accepted to appear on Sim Star Idol the reality show. It'll boost my career, even if I don't win I'll get much needed publicity."

Robert could hear the excitement in Gene's voice but he couldn't keep from voicing his concerns "I'm happy for you, Gene honestly I am but do you think this show is the wisest thing for you to do."

"How can you say that, of course it is," Gene shouted at him taking offense. Diana began to cry, startled from Gene's outburst. He watched Robert comfort her, all the while Gene's mind was whirling. He expected opposition from the family but not from Robert. It was all too much, Robert had always believed in him, Gene felt is confidence crumbling around him, maybe he really couldn't do this.

After calming Diana, Robert motioned for Gene to follow him. Downstairs once again, he turned to Gene "I know your upset with me and I'm sorry. I know this is your dream and I didn't mean to squash it. I...I just wish you had dreams that wouldn't lure you into temptation."

"I know what the temptations are and let's be honest the temptation is going to be there no matter where I'm at. I have to learn to cope with them. I won't always have you or Tracie looking over my shoulder and telling me what I should do. Honestly I don't want you to either."

Smiling at his brother, Robert understood what Gene was trying to tell him. It was time to let him go, let him fly and see what happens. "Gene I hope you win. I can't say I'm a hundred percent happy with your decision but I'll support you. You deserve to know if you can do this on your own. Who am I to say you can't?"

"Thanks Rob, I knew I could count on you," Gene said in relief. "I really wish I had everyone else's support."

"I'd imagine they're concerned with you falling off the wagon," Robert told him.

"They make it sound like it's a forgone conclusion that I will. Even dad thought the show was a bad idea."

"And Tracie, what did she think?" Robert asked although he could guess by the way Gene had been acting.

"She refused to even consider it. She just said no and forbade me to do it. She treated me like I was a child instead of an adult cabable of making my own decisions," Gene banged his fist on the wall. "I know I've made a lot of mistakes but how will I know what I can do until I put myself out there? I can't live in a bubble."

"Of course you can't," Robert agreed. "Gene listen to me a moment," he waited Gene to calm down before continuing. "Don't let anyone dictate to you what you can or cannot do. I receive a lot of rejection letters but I keep trying because one day I know I'll eventually find someone who will accept my book and publish it."

"You want to be a writer?" Gene asked with a smile.

"Yes I do," Robert admitted "everyone has a talent of some kind, even dad."

"Dad what can he do?" Gene asked baffled.

"He can cook, remember I work with him. He has people coming in offering him positions in their five star restuarants all the time. People from the cooking channel come in to offer him his own show all the time, that's how good he is."

"Then why doesn't he go for it?" Gene asked bewildered.

"Fear. Fear of failing, fear of not being good enough, fear of being out of his element. I remember once he really wanted to do a show, a cooking competition between him and Gino Ferrari but mom put up such a fuss that he declined." Sighing Robert continued "What I'm trying to tell you is don't let anyone including yourself talk you out of reaching for your dreams."

"How is it that you know exactly what I need to hear?" Gene asked amazed at how well Robert knew him. "I was on the verge of backing out. Thinking that I couldn't do it. That I was crazy to even try if my entire family didn't think I could do." He smiled at Robert thankful for the confidence boost he received and needed. "I just wish Tracie would come with me."

"Give her time," Robert told him "she's scared. She's seen you at your worst and she doesn't want to see you like that again."

"Well between you and me Rob, you've taken more shit from me than anyone else but your the only one who keeps standing by me." Gene told him giving Robert an impulsive hug.

"What can I say," Robert shrugged "I believe in you. Now go, do the show and prove to everyone else that you can."

Leaving Robert's house, Gene felt better about his decision to do the reality show. He knew it was going to be stressful and difficult but he was up for the challenge. He just wished Tracie would come with him. He didn't plan on coming back to Barnacle Bay once the show was done. He was going to stay in Starlight Shores and pursue his dreams.

As he walked home, to the house he shared with Tracie, he kept thinking about their relationship. He didn't understand why he was finding it difficult to accept the idea of moving without Tracie, it's not like he loved her or anything. He liked her a lot but love was too big of a word to describe what they had. In his experience love was what you said to control another person. He'd seen his mom say it to his dad most of his life and if that was love he could live without it.

Walking into the house he found Tracie sitting at the counter with her back towards him. Why couldn't she accept his decision? Wasn't it time for him to stand on his own two feet? He didn't need or want a crutch to lean on all his life.

"Honey I'm home," he announced as he came in.

"Dinners in the fridge," she said without turning.

"I'm not hungry," Gene told her.

"Suit yourself," she shrugged getting up and going into the bedroom. Returning with an arm load of blankets and pillows that she dumped on the couch. Without saying anything she marched back into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Staring at the door for a moment, Gene smirked as he said aloud to himself "looks like I'll be sleeping on the couch tonight." Sitting on the couch eyeing the bedroom door, Gene felt his anger rising until he got up and knocked on the door. Silence greeted him, so he tried the knob, it moved in his palm, as he entered the dark room beyond he heard her yell at him "Get out."

"This is the only way in to the bathroom," he said without any intention of going through to the bathroom. "Fine" she said turning her back on him.

Hesitating a moment, Gene walked over to her side and touched her shoulder. "Tracie why won't you talk to me?"

"Go away," she entreated him, "we've said all we need to."

"Why don't you believe in me?" Gene asked her "please say you'll come with me."

"No," she said wiping tears from her eyes. "I won't help you destroy yourself."

"What makes you so positive I will?" Gene asked hurt at her refusal.

"You always do.  Then you wait for someone to come pick up the pieces." She laid there refusing to look at him, "I won't be there to pick of the pieces this time, I'm done."

"Fine I don't need someone who doesn't believe in me." Gene told her slamming the door behind him. Curling up on the floor beside the couch his thoughts loud in his head. Why couldn't she believe in him like Robert did? Why wouldn't she support him in this? It didn't really matter, he was doing this with or without her. He was going to prove to everyone that he could do this. 

If you want to learn more about Sim Star Idol you can read it here http://simstaridol.wordpress.com/