Dear J, I can’t believe how much time has passed since I wrote to you. It used to be that every moment of the day was something I wanted to tell you right away. Maybe that’s because everything that happened was so exciting. Or maybe it was really that you were on my mind more often then. I still miss you, Jillybean. I miss you to the point where it kind of disturbs me that I now seem to be lacking whatever it was that made me feel like I couldn’t wait to tell you everything.
Since my last entry, our album Whispers was released. It was the big hit Reggie had once predicted it would be. Our song “He Heard She’s Bad” hit the number one spot and stayed there for several weeks, much to our delight. This fueled the idea that in spite of the decision we’d made to go our separate ways, the tour would go on as planned.
We all agreed we owed it to our fans. It was to become our farewell tour.
There were so many things that had to be decided before we left. For months, we spent long hours deciding on themes, sets, venues, artwork and the like. Another decision I made was that since Rachel was traveling with us, Blue should come, too.
The way that kid lights up my life, I couldn’t imagine a single day without her. It was obvious that special plans would have to be in place in order to accommodate her needs. I’d always had an understanding with the paparazzi that if Blue was with me, they wouldn’t take any photos that would show her face. I just didn’t want that kind of pressure in her life. It was bad enough trying to deal with that as an adult. It would be one hundred times worse for a child.
Blue really surprised me when she agreed to every aspect of the plan and made it very clear she wanted to go with us. It was decided that Rachel would tutor her so that when the tour was over, Blue could enjoy her summer and then start school like a normal kid.
I’d known for a while that if the band had to travel, she would insist on going. So what surprised me? The fact that my shy little girl wanted to come on stage during a song. The more I thought about it, the more against it I was even though she pestered me nonstop.
“I want to see what it’s like, Daddy!” she would argue.
The thing is, I didn’t mind so much that she had a curiosity about it. What kid wouldn’t if given the opportunity? What bothered me was that I didn’t want her to actually like it. I didn’t want her to pursue this type of career.
On our last night in Bridgeport, I climbed to a high spot in the hills and took one last picture of the city that had been so good to me. As I sat in the grass and shielded my eyes from the sun with my hand, I actually got a little misty eyed. I was leaving a lot behind. But I was also convinced there were a lot of good things to come.
Throughout our travels, I’d managed to keep Blue off the stage. She stood in the wings every night, watching everything we did and singing every song. From the corner of my eye, I could see her lips moving and her little feet tapping in time with the beat.
During our last concert of the tour, I was feeling strange. Even though it was completely crazy and exhausting, I’d become accustomed to this life. I still got a thrill that I couldn’t describe when I heard the crowds chanting my name and singing my songs. After all this time, I still felt like I needed the crowd’s love. They didn’t really know me and therefore, they wouldn’t hurt me.
Maybe it was all of these mixed up feelings coupled with seeing Blue in the wings that made me throw caution to the wind.
Without warning the band, I yelled into the microphone, “Where’s Blue?”
I grinned as I turned to look at her and gestured her to join me.
At first, she shook her head. Maybe she changed her mind, I thought.
But then the crowd started chanting, “Where’s Blue? Where’s Blue?”
I put my hands out to her again, motioning for her to come out from the wings. As if her feet weighed a hundred pounds, she slowly moved one in front of the other until she was close enough for me to take her hand. She glanced at the audience and took a tentative step backward.
“Don’t look at them, just dance with me, Blue!” I exclaimed, pulling her further out onto the stage. “It’s okay. ”
At first, she held both of my hands as she began to move with the music. Before long, though, she let go and was really shaking it.
Giggles erupted from her lips as she glanced again at the fans and back to me.
When the song was over, I bent down to hug my girl. She whispered in my ear, “I loved that, Daddy! But I never ever want to do it again!”
I laughed as Blue exited back to the wings with one of our security people. Even if I couldn’t remember all the nights of one concert after another, I knew I’d remember this one.
After the last encore, we lined up like we usually did, arm in arm. Confetti dropped from the ceiling and the lights changed colors as the audience roared.
Their enthusiasm was contagious. It electrified the air and jolted me with more feelings of bitter-sweetness. It was good that the craziness was over, but there would be times, I was sure, that I would miss this atmosphere.
After that last concert, instead of hurrying back to a party or to the hotel to finally sleep, we all mingled on the stage. Something in me wanted to stay there a little longer even though the crowd was gone.
We talked about all of the great times we had and vowed to keep in touch. Would that promise be kept? I couldn’t say.
Then it was time to say goodbye to Curtis Kelly……
… his brother Carl Kelly…..
…. and to Cranky Sy…..
An era in my life was over and another was about to begin.
Things actually got a little humdrum as I searched for a place to live. With my new job, I could pretty much go wherever I wanted as long as I was reasonably close to one of the studios. I wouldn’t have to go there often as I could write my musical scores at home. I would have to travel to the studio to oversee the recording of my compositions. It was a pretty ideal situation, but not as easy as it sounded.
While the search for a place to live continued, Rachel and Josh tied the knot. I wish I had more pictures of the family, but I was so focused on the actual ceremony, I was forgetful in capturing anyone else.
Everything about the ceremony was so sweet, you could almost see the hearts in the air. Rachel was really lovely and Josh, I guess, cleaned up all right. (Mom didn’t say anything, anyway.)
Right before he kissed her, I think he was quite astonished that she’d actually married him. I like Josh, but I was kind of bewildered, too. (And don’t think for a minute, Jillybean, that I didn’t …. ummm…. stress to this guy how he’d better treat her either!)
Yep. I think he and I will continue getting along just fine.
I’ll admit, they do make a nice looking couple. It kind of made me wonder what life would have been like if things hadn’t turned out the way they did with Cricket?
But I won’t go down that road. It only leads to sadness and I can’t concentrate on that if I want to make a new and happy life with Blue.
Which brings me to the best news of all.
When Josh and Rachel returned from their honeymoon, we got talking about our futures. My career seemed to be pretty well in hand for the moment. But Josh felt like he was floundering a little bit. He wanted to continue doing something with music, but his song writing skills just weren’t very strong (his words, not mine). But he could arrange music very nicely.
Where I excelled in composition, enabling me to score films, Josh excelled in orchestration. That’s when it dawned on us. Composers needed orchestrators! It seemed a simple solution that after I wrote my score, he could orchestrate and conduct the music in the studio. We would be a team!
After that was decided and details were hammered out regarding our new partnership, we also determined that it would be best to live near each other. Our reasoning had a lot to do with working together, but it had more to do with Blue. I couldn’t imagine separating her from Rachel.
We had considered moving to Storybrook to be close to our parents, but that didn’t seem like it would work out very well. Because I was her father, Blue would never be able to attend a public school. The paparazzi kept the deal I’d made with them, but it really didn’t take people very long to figure out who Blue was.
She’d spent these past years in a kind of isolated way and she longed to go to school. So, the only option I saw was private school. But I didn’t want to send her away to live in a boarding school.
That’s what made us decide to move to Hidden Springs. It was a beautiful area, surrounded by trees, mountains and lakes. There were a lot of residential areas and they had a very good private school that Blue could attend while living at home with me.
So, finally, here we are now.
This is a photo of Josh and Rachel’s house. The Drummond house. (Calling my sister a Drummond sounds so weird to me!)
And right across the street from them is our house.
Home sweet home.
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Aww this chapter was really cute. I loved the wedding, definitely brings back memories from the Sims 3 for me.
Thank you so much, Becca. I’m glad you loved the wedding. TS3 is still my go-to even though I play TS4 as well. I love CAS in TS4! I can’t stay out. haha
TS4 is really great. I refused to play it for 6 years, and now I’m just in love with it.
LOL I’ve yet to move it to my new laptop, but I’m doing other little stories in 4, so I need to get it over here soon! lol I do love 4, I just find myself using 3 more because of the familiarity.
My Sims 3 was very buggy so once I use 4 and played for hours without one issue I was sold.
Oh yeah, for sure. That’s reason enough to switch over. lol I don’t have problems with 3 on this laptop, but I sure did on the old one. It could get really irritating.
Things seem to be falling into place. It’s great tha Leo and Josh are still a team and neighbors, to boot. I hope Blue likes her new school. Rachel was a lovely bride. 😊 Blue onstage was classic! 😄😄😄
Leo and Josh seem to make a good team; they fill in each others’ weaknesses pretty well. I loved putting Blue on stage! That was so much fun! 😀
Fantastic transition. How wonderful that Leo & Josh will continue collaborating with both households living as neighbors.
All the rock star lifestyle images were wonderful, as was Rachel and Josh’s wedding.
<3
I couldn’t see Leo working in a different field, so I had to figure a way he could transition to a different aspect in music. 😀 I’m glad you like how it turned out.
I’ll miss the rock and roll lifestyle of Leo, but this is a great change of pace. I’m kind of curious what kind of father he’ll be like once Blue becomes a teenager and boys come along.
I missed the rock and roll lifestyle, too. Leo and teen Blue…… oh dear. hahaha
Now I feel nervous… and kinda excited… Weird.
LOL I wish I could tell you more, but you will see soon enough. 😀
Oh wow, su much emotional stuff going on in this chapter! The concert was glorious and the fact that it signaled the end of the band made the whole thing very moving!
The wedding was beautiful! <3
I hope all these new beginnings will make everyone really happy! 🙂
Thank you. I think it was the right time for Leo to do something different with his life. I know Blue felt it was the right time. lol I really loved how he called her out to dance with him. 🙂
I’m glad Blue got to go on stage (and that she hated it lol) and everything worked out for every one!
Thank you, Jes2G! 😀
Like so many others , I got teary-eyed, too . Really beautiful chapter, and I’m excited for their new life in Hidden Springs!
Thank you, cathytea. 🙂 I’m so pleased you liked the chapter. I have a feeling there will be lots of good things in store in Hidden Springs.
Oh what a lovely ending here. Blue on the stage had me in near tears
That’s so sweet. 🙂 Thank you, lisabee.
I really enjoyed this chapter! It was really sweet that Leo let Blue on stage and thank goodness she doesn’t have any interest in having that career lol. I am so happy for them all. The wedding, new homes, and Blue finally gets to go to school and be a normal kid. 🙂
Aww, Leo. There’s got to be a great girl out there for you! Maybe he’ll meet someone in Hidden Springs and fall in love. That would be really nice. Especially if it was like one of Blue’s friend’s single mom or something haha.
Thank you so much, Simsered! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked this chapter. And you have such marvelous ideas, too! You just never know what’s in store when it comes to Leo. 😀
What another awesome chapter. I am happy that Blue is going to have a childhood away from the public eye, and that she is going to a private school where she can meet friends her own age.
Rachel’s wedding was so beautiful. I can see that her and Leo have a very close sibling bond (much like Memphis and Keneisha).
And I have to wonder, who Leo wrote “He Heard She’s Bad” about. 😉
Thank you so much! 😀 The song title does make you wonder, doesn’t it? He’s got a lot of “she’s” to choose from. lol
The end af an era. The tour was bittersweet and at least Blue doesn’t want to be on stage again any time soon. It was nice she was able to share that moment with her dad though. The wedding pictures were beautiful. His partnership with Josh seems to be a good thing. They each have taken ts the other lacks. Here’s to the future!
Thank you, dandylion. 🙂 I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. To the future! 😀
I’m glad everything worked out! Keeping family close is always nice. Not always possible, though.
As always, Blue is adorable and I can’t wait to hear about what she gets up to in Hidden Springs! 😀
Thank you so much, fluffymao! 🙂
I am glad Blue will be close to Rachel, but bring on the step-mom candidates!! Leo needs a lady in his life, and help with Blue as she matures. (Hidden Springs is lovely, guess it’s time to play there!) This was a great chapter, and wrapped a lot of things up nicely. I am glad Blue didn’t like the stage, which I am sure was a relief to Leo!
Thank you, Marj! 🙂 Step-mom candidate, you say? 😀 😀 Well, hang on to your hat, my friend! lol I love Hidden Springs; it’s so lovely there. I think if Leo hadn’t let Blue try that, she’d always wonder what it was like but I think he’s really relieved she didn’t like it. lol
I’m glad Leo ended his rockstar career on a good note, and I’m glad he’s escaping to Hidden Springs, where it looks so peaceful! Rachel looked so pretty and I agree a little with Josh’s bewilderment, hah. I trust that he won’t hurt her and even if he does, he’ll be the one coming out of it hurting! The house looks so lovely, by the way!
Everything is wonderful… now we have to find Leo true love, he deserves it after all this drama and pain!
Thank you, Lila! 🙂 Hidden Springs is so beautiful. I can’t believe I haven’t played there more. I’ve really fallen in love with how lush it is. I thought Rachel looked pretty, too. And I’m laughing at what you said about Josh. You are so right! haha The houses that they have moved in to are pre=made in the world. I’m afraid that I am no builder. Leo and true love….. hmmmm…… hopefully, that can happen. 😀
Such a lovely chapter! I loved the band’s farewell concert and how Blue got to be a part of it, since she really was inspiring Leo the whole time. Josh and Rachel’s wedding was adorable! I’m glad Leo and Josh are teaming up, so he isn’t losing all the band members at once. And now they live next to each other… Things are so perfect 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked their farewell concert. I think they’re all going to miss being in the band, but they ended on a high note, which is good. I’m also really happy Blue was a part of it, too, since, as you noted, she was his inspiration. I really felt like it would hurt Blue if she no longer had Rachel around, so this seemed the best idea. 😀
This chapter brought tears to my eyes, but they were happy tears as well as sad tears. Not only are we seeing the end to the rock life for Leo and his band, but the realization that Blue is also growing and changing……I wish she could have stayed that cute toddler forever. I’m very glad that you brought Josh and Rachel with you to Hidden Springs so Leo has family close by. I think he is going to need it!
Thank you, Bee! It was really bittersweet for me to write this chapter, I’ll admit. 🙂 I wish Blue could have stayed the cute little toddler, too, but a sim has to grow. haha I thought Leo and Blue would really benefit from having their family with them like that. You’re so right about Leo needing it. lol
Awwww Blue on stage was so cute. Can’t wait to see how the next phase of their lives turns out. Rachel was a beautiful bride. So glad she is staying in Blue’s life. And I have a feelibg Blue will have a little cousin to look after very shortly.
Thank you, Lil! I thought she was cute, too. lol 😀 I’m so glad you thought Rachel was beautiful. I think she has a good life ahead of her (although you never know what the game will throw at you!). About your prediction? You just might be right. 😀
It’s lovely that Josh and Leo will make a team while Blue can stay close to Rachel. Hidden Springs is beautiful surroundings, too. I wonder where the life will take them from now on. The private school may not sound very appealing to Blue also.
P. S. Blue on stage really nailed it 😀
Thank you, Jowita! 🙂 I love Hidden Springs. I’m surprised that I haven’t played more games there because it is so lush and beautiful. I thought Blue was cute on stage, too. haha