Chapter 41

Day 180

French toast - perfect quality

Best friends

Today Nick worked on getting his career off the ground. I spent time in my garden and earned the Master Farmer Skill Challenge. Aiden and Avery Rose had their prom this evening. 

After they left for their dance we celebrated Brooke's birthday.

Brooke aged up to a teen with the trait Vegetarian.

Aiden was voted prom king. Avery Rose was voted prom queen and has a love interest now. His name is Julian Lancaster.

Day 181

After the older children left for school, Nick and I celebrated Dante's birthday.

Dante has my red hair and Nick's brown eyes.

I took my latest paintings to the consignment shop. After I left there, I decided to drop by the casino for a little gambling, while Nick was tending to Dante.

Avery Rose brought Julian home with her after school.

After a quick bite to eat at the casino I was home in time to help tuck the kids in bed.

Day 182

Molly loves to swim in the pool. As cute as that is, the puddles of water all over the house gets tiresome. But Dolly doesn't think so, she enjoys splashing in them.

Nick had breakfast with a client at the diner and then attended a seminar. The older children attended school while I took care of Dante's toddler skills.

Dolly thinks that Avery Rose is acting like a llama.

Then we celebrated Aiden and Avery Rose's birthdays.

Aiden aged up to a young adult with the new trait: Heavy Sleeper. His Lifetime Wish is to have Golden Tongue, Golden Fingers.

Avery Rose aged up with the new trait: Computer Whiz. Her Lifetime Wish is to become a Creature-Robot Cross Breeder.

Day 183

Today was graduation day for Aiden and Avery Rose.

Aiden graduated with honor and was voted "Most likely to never leave the house" by his peers. He has decided to pursue a career in music.

Avery Rose graduated with honor and was voted "Most likely to take over the world" by her classmates. She has obtained an entry level job at the science center.

After the traditional gifts and hugs, Aiden and Avery Rose moved in with the triplets. Argus' girlfriend has moved in with him and his children decided to give him some space. Plus I think they want the freedom to come and go as they please without a parent watching over them.

Nick is a devoted father. I am not certain what is happening between us. We scarcely spend any time together unless it is a family event. We jumped into this marriage barely knowing each other and it seems as if we haven't gotten any closer.

Nick had a business dinner and party to attend.

Brooke on Skype with her dad.

Nick came home very late. I didn't even hear him come in.

Day 184

Nick slept in very late and woke up in a brooding mood. I suspected he was extremely hung over. He went straight to work on his projects. He spends more time with his drafting table than with me.

But who am I to talk? I spend more time with my garden and easel than I do with him. I have achieved the Master Painter Skill Challenge now.

I received a large brown envelope in the mail. It was addressed to me and marked "Personal. For intended recipient only." I walked into the house and went into the living room to our desk. Inside the envelope was a note that read, "I just thought you should know about this." There were photos behind the note.

I was stunned at what I saw.

I leapt up from the desk chair and ground out, "Nick! Upstairs now!" I raced to our bedroom. Nick rushed in after me, concerned and confused. I confronted him with what I had just seen. 

Harsh words flew back and forth. Anger boiled over as we slung accusations at each other:

"You screwed around!"

"We never spend any time together!"

"You're too busy working!"

"You never pay any attention to me!"

"We should have never got married!"

"You're still in love with a ghost! I'm never going to be him!"

And then the fury dissipated. We were left with disappointment and sadness.

Nick and I are both decent people. We are not perfect, but who is? How did we get to this point?

He was right about one thing. I married him trying to recreate something I had lost. That wasn't fair to either one of us. But it was mostly unfair to him. No one should ever be used as a substitute for another. Everyone deserves to loved and appreciated for who they are.  

Where do we go from here?