Here is chapter 4, right on time! At this point, everything I have written so far is uploaded on MTS2. That means I have to actually start taking pictures again, eek! Please enjoy, rate, and comment!



It was a happy day in the Broke household. It was little Beau’s birthday, and his closest family gathered in the pink kitchen to celebrate. Brandi swayed back and forth, singing to her song while Dustin honked on a noisemaker. Beau giggled, trying to grab the candles. “Watch out! Don’t touch them sweetie!” With Brandi’s help, Beau managed to blow them out. Cake was served, and everyone went to bed.


The next morning, the child sized Beau and big brother Dustin munched on leftover cake for breakfast. Dustin gave all sorts of big kid advice, hoping to ease Beau’s worries about his first day of school that was coming up in a few short hours.“You’re so cool Dustin!” Beau ate up every word. Dustin told stories from his rebellious days. He told Beau about his girlfriend, Angela. Most important of all, he told stories about their father. Beau was just a toddler when Skip died. He didn’t remember much about him, but hearing all the adventures he and Dustin went on made Beau wish he remembered his daddy. Beau’s birthday proved to bring the brothers very close.


In the days that followed, Dustin played a much more important role than older brother. When his father died, Dustin went on a rebellious streak. It was Dustin’s girlfriend, Angela, who inspired him to become the man of the house. Dustin took care of his family like a father, fixing, cleaning, and helping with homework.


It didn’t take long for Brandi to notice the drastic change in her son’s behavior, and she thought it was high time she told him how proud she was. Not to mention, Brandi was pregnant with her late husband’s baby and needed all the help she could get. “Dustin, this house is spotless! I can’t thank you enough.”


“Oh, thanks mom. It’s nothing”, Dustin said bashfully.
“No sweetie, really. You’ve been such a big help and I really appreciate it. Your father would be so proud.” Brandi teared up and hugged her son tightly, despite her large, pregnant belly. Dustin beamed, his mother’s words meant the world to him.


Later that day, both the boys were off at school. Brandi stepped outside to check the mail. She looked up at the sky and frowned, it looked like rain.


Brandi stopped in her tracks when she saw a strange man standing in her front yard. She gasped when she realized how much the man looked like Skip. Her heart started to pound. Who was this guy?


Something compelled Brandi to go closer; she had to get a better look at the blonde haired man. “Wow”, she breathed. He was practically a clone of late husband. “Excuse me, do I know you?” Brandi smiled at him.


“Oh I don’t think so. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. My name is Benjamin, Benjamin Long. I was just taking a walk and your house caught my eye. It’s rather…pink.”
Brandi chuckled. “Yes, it is. It was my mother’s house, she wanted it painted it that way. I’m Brandi, nice to meet you.” Benjamin smiled, noticing Brandi’s big gray eyes and full pink lips.


After that, Brandi and Benjamin talked and laughed like old friends. She eventually invited him inside the pink house where they had lunch and exchanged phone numbers. Benjamin was new in the neighborhood, and happy to make a friend. Although, he hoped he and Brandi could become more than friends.


It didn’t take long for Brandi and Benjamin to fall madly in love. They kept their whirlwind romance hidden from the boys, mostly afraid of how Dustin would feel about a new man in the house. Brandi told Benjamin about their financial struggles, and her worries for her unborn baby. Benjamin felt sorry for Brandi. He loved her, and wanted to make sure she and her children would always be taken care of. Benjamin asked Brandi to be his wife, and they were quickly married in secret.


With Benjamin always around, Dustin caught on to the situation quickly and confronted his mother. Brandi was honest with him, but Dustin didn’t understand. He took the marriage personally, feeling that not only was Benjamin replacing his father, but replacing Dustin as the stand in man of the house. Dustin made sure he and his step father did not get along, hoping he’d take a hint and then a hike. Benjamin cared about Brandi too much to retaliate, hoping to kill Dustin with kindness.


Time passed despite the stepfather/son tension, and Brandi finally went into labor. The last child of Brandi and Skip was ready to be born. Brandi pushed and gritted her teeth as her son and new husband came running.


Brandi marveled at her baby. She named him Henry, a name she and Skip had considered for both of their other children. He was a miracle, the last thing she had to remember Skip by.



Mary-Sue and Daniel Pleasant towered over their teenage daughter Lilith, not speaking. They replayed their conversation and punishment strategies in their heads, which had been formulated the night before. After finding Lilith in bed with her boyfriend, Dirk Dreamer, they knew it was time for a serious “talking to”.


Lilith rolled her eyes at her parents and let out a dramatic sigh. Their disappointment in her was nothing new, and she stopped caring what they did about it long ago. There was always a way around every scolding, every punishment. “Can we get this over with? I have somewhere to be.”


Daniel was infuriated. Pointing his finger at his daughter as not to hit her in anger, he yelled, "I'm glad this is such a joke to you, young lady! You need to realize how childish you’re being!”


Mary-Sue backed up her husband.“We are very disappointed in you, Lilith! We thought we taught you better! Have you no couth? How can you sleep with that boy?! You barely know him! Under your parents’ roof, in their bed!”


“You’re out of control Lilith! You’re going to end up pregnant with nothing going for you! I’m tempted to ask grandma and grandpa to move out, and take you with them! How would you like living on a little farm with no cell phone service and certainly no boyfriend?” That was all Lilith could take, she snapped.


Lilith jumped up from the wobbly stool, snarling, to face her father. “How dare you talk to me like I’m a little child, Daniel! I’m almost grown; I can do whatever and whoever I want, wherever I want! At least Dirk and I are in love and I’m not just sleeping with the help! You’re such a hypocrite, a sorry excuse for a father!”


Lilith spun around wildly to face her mother. Her heart pumped as adrenaline coursed through her body. “And you! You disgust me! You abandoned all of us for your precious career! How can you so surprised I had to find love somewhere besides this pathetic family?! I feel sorry for that baby you’re carrying. It’s better off dead than being born into this mess!”


Lilith’s words went through her mother like a bullet, stunned, she didn’t know what to say anymore. Daniel laughed hysterically. “So that’s it, huh? We’re the worst parents in the world and you hate us! Fine. Fine! Leave. Go be with your loser boyfriend, have his babies, and amount to nothing. Whatever makes you happy.”
“Gladly!”, Lilith said through gritted teeth. With that, she took off, running upstairs to her bedroom. She slammed the door as hard as she could, leaving her parents flabbergasted and broken hearted.


Later that night, Angela and Lilith were alone together in their bedroom. They had been forced to room together since their grandparents joined the household, and it only worsened their relationship. Angela stood in the doorway, taunting and smiling coyly at her twin. “Why so glum, sis?”


Lilith wasn’t amused; she couldn’t stand her sister’s immaturity and goody-goody attitude. “Piss off, Angela. I’m not in the mood.” Angela couldn’t contain herself; she began to laugh at Lilith. “Aww why not? Is it because you got caught in mom and dad’s bed with Dirk and now they think you’re pregnant?!” She thought she was quite cunning.


Lilith had it. She marched over to her sister and gave her a little push, just to get her to back off. “Listen here, Barbie. I am not pregnant, first of all. The only one naive enough to be a teen mom in this house is you. Second of all, why don’t you mind your damn business?!” Angela was hurt and she scurried off her side of the room. She could dish it out, so to speak, but she couldn’t take it. Lilith stormed back to her end, yanked open her bureau door, and changed into her day clothes.


She scampered quietly downstairs and stepped into the dining room. Lilith picked up the phone and quickly dialed Dirk’s number. The phone rang four long tones and finally, he answered. “Dirk, it’s me. Yeah. I know it’s late, I’m sorry. I need you to come get me. Yes, now. I’m at my house. Please, I can’t take it here anymore. Thank you! I’ll be waiting by the front door.”


Lilith stared out into her front yard, watching the rain pitter patter on the glass door. She tapped her foot anxiously, waiting for her boyfriend to pull up to the house and take her somewhere far away. The second she saw his headlights, Lilith bolted out of the house in excitement.


Lilith opened the flimsy blue door and climbed in. She gave Dirk a quick kiss and smiled, then the rebellious couple drove off into the night.



Lilith Pleasant and Dirk Dreamer relaxed together in silence on Dirk’s blue bed spread. Dirk was tired; it was about 3 a.m. He had school in the morning, and was a little annoyed that his girlfriend had called, asking him to pick her up. “I know things are bad at home, Lil. You know you can’t stay here though, right? My dad might have not cared, but now that my step mom is living here…you know she’s really good friends with your mom.”


Lilith sighed. “Yeah, I thought of that. I didn’t know who else to call, and I had to get out of that house. I figured it would be fine for the night at least.” Lilith looked hopefully at Dirk, praying he’d let her stay with him. She added a boo-boo lip for extra emphasis. “Please babe?” She batted her eyelashes.


Dirk chuckled and put his arm around Lilith. “You’re such a goof. I can’t be mad at you.” After flashing her a big smile, he planted a kiss on her forehead. “You can stay here for tonight only, so we have to figure out somewhere else for you to go. Got it?” The young couple snuggled up as Lilith breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you so much! I promise, I’ll be out of here in the morning! I think I know where you can take me.”
“Whatever you say, Lily Pad.” The two giggled as Dirk closed his eyes, falling asleep while he spoke.


Morning came and then night again. Dirk drove Lilith to her new hideout before the sun came up, without his step mom or father noticing. Cassandra Dreamer had other things on her mind anyway, concerning her family back at the Goth residence she had left for Darren. When she left, her mother was holding down the fort again. This allowed Cassandra to finally leave and start her own life. Things changed when Cassie received a call from her younger brother, Alexander, informing her that their mother, Bella Goth, had passed away due to childbirth complications. Cassandra was not particularly saddened by her mother’s death, but knew it would send her family back home into a cascade of unfortunate events.


“Darren, I’m so worried about Alex and the baby. Alex said my dad is really bad this time. Worse than when mom disappeared. It’s like, this time he knows she’s not coming back. Alexander said dad is so forgetful and depressed. The baby is getting neglected and Alex is afraid they’ll both get taken away by social services. He can’t take it. He was sobbing to me on the phone, begging me to come back. I feel horrible for leaving.”


“To make matters worse, Dina Caliente is trying to worm her way into the family again. Alex said she’s at the house all the time, slowly moving in. She’s a gold digger; she’s after our money. She tried this once before, but I was there to take care of things. Not to mention, dad would never agree to marrying her because he hoped mom would come back to him. But now that she’s dead…oh Darren, what should I do?!” Cassandra began to cry.


Darren was very angry. “Dina Caliente. We can’t let her take your mom’s place. Who knows what she’ll do to your father, Destiny, and Alex. She’ll do anything to get her hands on the fortune, for herself and now her baby because I’m sure Don isn’t giving her a dime. She can’t be trusted. I think our best bet is to get Alex and Destiny. We can’t control what your dad wants to do with his money, but we can save your siblings.”


Surprised, Cassandra gawked at her husband. “Oh Darren, do you really mean it?! It would mean so much to me! I know this is a huge deal, taking on raising two more kids while still wanting kids of our own. I just can’t watch their lives fall apart though.”


“I can’t watch that either. Your family is my family too now; we need to take care of our own. We’ll move them in here as soon as we can.”
Cassandra leapt across the couch to squeeze her husband. “Thank you Darren, thank you so much.” Cassandra’s heart pounded out of happiness for her siblings and love for her husband. “You, Mr. Dreamer, are a wonderful man.” The newlyweds laughed and embraced each other. Though the home they were making would be unconventional, it would happy.


After some flirtatious cuddling, things grew serious again. Cassandra climbed off Darren’s lap and her smile receded. “The last few years of my life have been so insane, starting with my mom’s disappearance. As you know, everyone was a suspect. My dad said it was aliens, most of the town blamed Don. Some people even questioned the involvement of the Caliente sisters. They moved here and starting poking around our fortune the same time mom vanished.” Darren sat quietly and listened.


“There were so many theories, so many accusations. I could barely keep up. Then she came back, out of nowhere! She had no idea she had been gone for so long; she couldn’t comprehend how everyone had aged. She couldn’t say where she had been or why she was just as young as she was the day she left, like her memory had been wiped.” Cassandra grew nervous planning how to explain what she was going to say next. “I don’t want to sound crazy here, but I really think dad was right. Do you think…do you think it’s possible that she was…abducted?”


Darren pondered the idea for a moment: aliens abducting Bella Goth. She always did have a fascination with the supernatural, and it sure would explain all of the holes in the situation. As a knowledge Sim, Darren thought it could be plausible. “I don’t think you or your father are crazy, Cass. No matter how bizarre, it makes too much sense. We may never know the mystery of Bella Goth, but we do know there was definitely something supernatural going on.” After that, the couple sat together in silence. They mentally debated whether or not they wanted to accept the fact that they weren’t the only species in Pleasantview. The mystery of Mrs. Goth would probably never be fully understood, especially now that she was dead. All the secrets passed on with her.



It was early morning in the Burb household while John and Jennifer slept snuggled in their bed. The married couple enjoyed every moment of sleep they could get since the birth of their twins, Tristan and Tabitha.


A steady pounding sound woke Jennifer from her sleep. She groggily opened her eyes and listened. *BOOM BOOM BOOM* It sounded like somebody was trying to beat the door down. Slightly afraid, she tried to rouse her husband from his sleep. “John! John! Wake up! Do you hear that? I think somebody is outside!”


John’s eyes snapped open. “What? Somebody outside? A burglar?” The couple panicked.
“Let’s go check on Lucy and see if somebody is there. I’ll lock our door so the twins are safe in here”, Jennifer suggested.


Jennifer and John crept through their house with their eyes peeled. After checking on their daughter to find she was sound asleep, the went back into the living room and peeked around the corner. Looking through their stained glass front door, they were relieved to see their niece, Lilith Pleasant standing there.


They let her in and Jennifer immediately began asking questions. John observed the situation unfolding with his arms crossed.“Lilith?! What are you doing here? How did you get here?”Although she was relieved there was nobody trying to break into her house, Jennifer was confused and worried to see her niece out at this hour.


“It’s my parents”, Lilith began, “I can’t take living in that house anymore. I ran away, and asked Dirk to bring me here. I was hoping I could stay here with you and Uncle John.”


Jennifer and Lilith had always gotten along well; she understood how her niece felt. Jennifer grew up with Daniel; she knew her brother wasn’t easy to get along with. Mary-Sue was no better. Still, she was angry with the teen. “Lilith! How could you runaway and come here? Don’t you realize the situation this puts me in?”


“I know. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know where else to go! Please, I’m begging you. Let me stay here!” Lilith knew living with her aunt was her last resort.
Jennifer watched tears well up in Lilith’s eyes and felt sorry for the girl; her anger dissolved. Jennifer sighed. “Alright, you can stay in the guest bedroom for what’s left of tonight. But once it’s earlier, you have to call your parents and tell them you’re safe. Got it?”


Lilith engulfed her aunt in a big hug. “Thank you so much! This means the world to me!”
“Yeah, yeah” said Jennifer sarcastically, “We’ll talk about how this is going to work at a more reasonable hour. I’m going back to bed. You should get some sleep too, kid.”
Lilith escorted herself to the guest bedroom, easing into a bed she had slept in many times during sleep overs at her aunt’s. For the first time in a while, Lilith felt like she was finally home.