Banks Dynasty

[alyssa.cole]

Lila is in disbelief. This recipe obviously has some life-giving and restorative powers. This knowledge can't find its way into the wrong hands, she decides. The last thing this town needs is a bunch of lazy young Sims overdosing on Ambrosia in dark corners after curfew. Not on my watch, Lila thinks. She looks around the room and remembers the list of accomplishments she's just made on her laptop. She'll only share this special recipe with those Sims that have proven themselves worthy. If they can show her that they've dedicated their lives to hard work, overcome challenges, and focused their attention on friends, family, and community involvement, she'll invite them to eat this special meal.

She thinks of her family - Stiles has really gotten up there in years, and while he's done an amazing job as a husband, father and provider, she must admit that he's a bit of a loner and can't really claim any friends of his own. It breaks her heart, but she's a stickler for rules, and Stiles just won't make the cut. She knows she owes a lot of her own success to their loving relationship and vows to make the most of the time they have left together. Who else in the Banks clan might be able to eat this delicacy? Her daughter-in-law, Julia? Lila is too polite to laugh out loud, but knows that no matter how hard her son's wife works, she won't keep her around for eternity. Sam! Her son is already so dedicated to his work, and has all the best traits from his parents. He's only a young adult, but Lila is confident he will live up to her sky-high expectations. And then he'll have children, and of course they'll be equally as charming and dedicated to hard work. Lila can barely contain her excitement about being around to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up!

[alyssa.cole]

Just as Lila has grandchildren on the brain, Sam and Julia have managed to find time between their painting and promotions to make their own addition. Beautiful baby girl Stella is welcomed to the family!



Sam's photography skill has been steadily climbing, and he can't resist taking lots of dramatic photos of his new daughter. He decided to hang one of his favorite shots on the wall of what will become Stella's suite in their home. It's a sepiatone of his mother holding Stella, and Sam pauses to admire his handiwork before getting back to snuggling and playing with Stella.

[AriaGirl77]

I love your story, your writing is excellent!  And that picture of Stella w/ her granny is just flat out awesome!

[Joria]

Loving it!  You really are quite a writer.

[ratchie]

Great story I love the name Stella too. I have a Stella in my story too she is named after my oldest daughter who insisted I use her name.
I cannot wait to find out what happens.

Rachel

[Anushka]

Lovely story, with romance, conflicts, hard work and fresh turnovers, I really like how you create a real story with this pictures! And I would use some of your ideas in creating museum in my game, thank you for that I didn't follow carefully to remember if you leave a child gender to random or you plan it ahead?

[alyssa.cole]

I didn't follow carefully to remember if you leave a child gender to random or you plan it ahead?

Thanks for the feedback! Before I started, I made a list of first names that I knew I wanted to use for my immortals. After that, I did a little bit more planning to organize them in a way that makes sense for which skills they'll be focusing on. More based on the names I like than anything else, if I follow the list I'll have 5 women and 3 men in the end. As the story evolves, I may move around the places I'd originally set for the generations, but I have a full garden of apples and watermelon to guarantee that when my next child is born I can name him Nicholas and not Nicole.

[alyssa.cole]

Sorry for the long delay in my story posts! I'd done some playing and have had screenshots saved on the computer for a few weeks, but unexpectedly had to travel out of state for some real-life family developments. It's a good thing these dynasties are meant to be progressing at a leisurely pace! At any rate, the Banks' story is back in session, so happy reading.

[alyssa.cole]

Little Stella has grown into an adorable toddler. She's inherited her father and grandmother's sparkling green eyes, and has an affinity for pretty pink outfits.




As the first member of the Banks family born into a comfortable financial position, Stella is doted on by every member of the family. Truth be told, she's a little bit spoiled and has all the best toys and playthings. She's so sweet, though, that her grandparents can't help being wrapped around her little finger. Nothing's too good for their little princess!

[alyssa.cole]

Quickly enough, Stella learns to walk and talk, and all too soon her birthday arrives. She was born with the Good and Artistic traits, but as a result of her privileged upbringing has developed into a bit of a Snob. She appreciates having nice things, and takes pride in always looking just right.



On someone else, Stella's sense of entitlement might seem pretentious, but her personality suits her and she somehow manages a balance of calm gracefulness and impeccable manners that endear her to everyone she meets. While other neighborhood kids are out playing tag or collecting rocks and insects, Stella comes straight home, does her homework, and spends quality time with her family. She stands quietly (and with perfect posture) while her grandfather paints her portrait, accompanies her dad on a trip to the local art museum, and helps her grandmother bake cookies.

[alyssa.cole]

Sadly, this picture of the perfect family life can't last forever. Lila, Sam and Julia try not to worry Stella, but they've all noticed that Stiles isn't moving quite as quickly as he used to. While he can still paint masterpieces before breakfast, Stiles is finding it harder to hold onto the paintbrush, and takes long naps in the afternoon in order to keep up with his late-night fishing schedule. And who can blame him? At 110 days, he's happy to have been able to provide so well for his family. Perhaps his most important contribution is the impressive collection of Deathfish he's reeled in for Lila's use in the kitchen. Altogether, he's caught nearly 90 of them, which will keep the fridge stocked for quite some time.




One afternoon as Stiles was busy at his easel, the Grim Reaper showed up to escort him on his journey to the hereafter.




After getting over their initial shock at his passing, the family gathered to celebrate the life of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. Having recently purchased Summer Hill Springs (the park across the street from their home), Sam constructed a walled garden to serve as a family burial plot. They placed an elaborate monument in his honor, and mourned the loss. Rest in peace, Stiles McGraw Banks.




Returning home, Lila sits in her suite, alone with her grief at becoming a widow. She will miss her husband, but takes comfort in their many happy memories. She can't help but be slightly cheered by the knowledge that her special recipe for Ambrosia will preserve the lives of her descendants, sparing them the difficult pain of mortality and ensuring that life goes on.

[Saltypaws]

Nice update.  I hate it when the first one dies, well any of them, but it seems the hardest for the first one.  Silly me, I forgot that you could put the gravestone in the park.  I guess I should try that, Agnes is making a pest of herself having the gravestone at home.  I really like how your story is going.

[alyssa.cole]

Happy birthday to. . . Stella and Julia Banks!

Keeping with the trend of being the family member with the least amount of face time, Julia ages up quietly and off camera.
But their baby girl's a different story, and her parents gather round while Stella blows out the candles.





Then she immediately makes a beeline for her suite, where she updates her hair, make-up, and outfit. Her fancy tastes are evident in the expensive, plush pink decor of her bedroom.



Stella's artistic trait and preference for nice things leads her to choose the Savvy Sculptor trait. She hopes to add many stunning sculptures to the family's home, and gets started right away with the new sculpting station that was a birthday gift from her grandmother. Like her family members before her, Stella considers herself an overachiever and registers as a self-employed sculptress while still in school.




Everyone expects big things from Stella, and she's off to a very promising start! She clearly has high hopes for herself as well - while her days are filled with classes and chisels, she spends her nights dreaming of shiny, sparkly jewels. Good luck, Stells! It'll take a lot of stone mermaids to buy a diamond that big!

[alyssa.cole]

A few days later, Stella's father Sam has his own birthday. Sam discreetly subscribes to one of those hair-care clubs that promise to eliminate gray hair, and is pleased with the results.



With her son all grown up, Lila knows it's finally time to have a conversation. She's not quite sure how to present the information about her "special recipe" to him, but summons up her courage and asks him into her sitting room for a serious chat.

"So, Sam," she starts. "You've done an admirable job of making this family the success that it's become. You've made a very respectable living from your painting, and your photographs are simply extraordinary. You've invested well, have many friends, and are always willing to go out of your way to help others in need. I could not be more proud of you, son." Stella figures that laying the groundwork with flattery will help make the next part of the conversation a little easier.



She continues, "What if I told you, Sam, that you didn't have to leave all of that behind? That you could continue to enjoy the fruits of your labor. That you could watch your daughter grow up, and her children, and their children, and never have to worry about the pain and peril of old age and death?"

Sam is (understandably) puzzled. "I'm not sure I know where you're going with this, Mom. Are you trying to say that you've found some sort of fountain of youth? Something to keep Julia and I alive forever?" Julia has chosen this moment to join them in the sitting room, and appears to be engrossed enough in her book to ignore the unbelievable conversation she's stumbled into.

[alyssa.cole]

Lila is visibly uncomfortable when she answers. "Well, not exactly. It is a recipe of sorts, and yes, it would make us immortal. But, err, umm, the us, would be you, and me, and Stella - when she's ready of course - but, well, probably not Julia. No, not Julia. Just the family, Sam."

Sam is out of his seat and overwhelmed by feelings of anger and confusion.
"What do you mean, just the family? She's my family. She's Stella's family. I can't believe you'd suggest. . . I mean, you've never liked her, never gotten to know her," he trails off, furious. "This is garbage, Mother! Garbage!"



Lila tries to back off a bit, hoping to calm Sam down. "Look, I know you're upset. This is a LOT to take in. Believe me, it's not easy to talk about it. And it has nothing to do with Julia herself, it's just, well, we can't take everyone with us, Sam. Your father, may he rest in peace, wouldn't have been happy living this kind of life. We all have to make some sacrifices."



"How could I even. . . would I have to tell her? No. No, this is too much. I don't want to even think about it. Just let us be. I, I need to get out of this house for awhile." Sam is full of anxiety and too shocked to continue any kind of conversation with his mother. Lila knows her son well enough to know not to push any further tonight.

"Please, Sam. Just take some time. I wouldn't have offered this if I didn't love you and want to see you take advantage of this beautiful opportunity. Promise me you'll think about it."

Sam sighs and shakes his head. "Do you really think I'll be able to think about anything else?" Sam hugs his mother, then calls Julia's name. She looks up from her book, oblivious to the entire scene. Sam takes his wife's hand, and leads her out of the room.

[alyssa.cole]

Needing to put some space between himself and the surreal discussion he'd just had with his mother, Sam buys two first-class tickets to the French countryside. He can barely look at Julia without blurting out the whole awful truth. He sends her off to a tasting tour at the nectary while he completes enough adventures to buy her a vacation house. He's feeling guilty, and overspends to furnish it with all the best items. He's admiring the view of the river out the back window when he catches himself thinking that it'd be the perfect place to teach a grandchild to fish or play catch. There are still so many places in the world he'd love to see. Photographs to take, pictures to paint. Sam's resolve is weakening as he heads into the center of town to meet Julia for dinner.

They sit at a small cafe, sharing high-priced plates of cheese and frog legs. The sun is setting, and she is smiling as the antique streetlamps begin to brighten the courtyard. Sam looks at her, and he knows. Knows he will never tell her. Knows that he will do everything in his power to enjoy the time they have left together, but that when the time comes he will accept his mother's offer. With the decision made, relief washes over him, and he orders another round of nectar to share with his lovely wife.

[alyssa.cole]

Days later, when they've made the return journey back home, Sam asks Lila to visit his suite.



They sit, and their discussion is brief. He informs her of his decision, and she agrees not to discuss the matter further in front of Julia or Stella. Sam shakes his head worriedly, thinking of the day he'll have to fill his daughter in on the family secret. His mother just laughs, and tells her son, "It'll get easier, Sam. Stella's a smart girl! She'll know something's up when she's got wrinkles and her granny's still around!"

[Joria]

The story is moving along so nicely!  I love the struggle he had with the whole concept.  Yet, the lure of immortality is so great!