Dear Diary, I’m still in Storybrook, visiting my dad, step-mom and little brother. My step-sister is here, too, but she is leaving today to go back to university. She’s studying elementary education and it really seems to suit her. I wish I could get her to talk to me, but she’s still too angry with me to do anything but avoid me and glare.
I can’t say that I blame her for feeling the way she does but someday, I hope she and I can be friends as well as sisters again. As for Leela, I think she is relieved to have me here. And all the time, I thought it would be she who was the most furious with me. It just goes to show that people can really surprise you.
“When we found out where you were, I wanted them to bring you home immediately but your father had other ideas about it,” Leela was telling me.
Nodding, I said, “Yes, he told me he was thinking it would be good for me and that his health was beginning to fail.”
Her pretty hazel eyes glistened as she spoke, tears just waiting to spill, I knew. “He was determined to have a full recovery and in the meantime, he didn’t want you to see him that way.”
“I’m still just so mad at myself. I wish I’d been here. I could have helped.”
Lovingly, just like the mother I needed, she placed her hand over mine. “Blue, through it all, he has always known you love him. Never forget that because it would hurt him worse than anything else in this world if he thought you didn’t know.”
Covering my face with my hands, I all but wailed, “I was so blind! All I thought about was myself and the things that had happened to me. I never gave a thought about what he might be going through. We’d always been so close and I just ruined it! I want us to be that way again.”
Now, she gently put her arm around me, her hand lightly patting my shoulder as she let me cry. Once I’d collected myself, she said, “Do you know he said something very similar to that when he realized you’d run away?”
Wiping my eyes with my fingers, I looked at her in astonishment. “But how could he think something like that when he’s the most generous person I know?”
She shrugged slightly. “I guess he thought he could have done better. What I think, though, is that we should put this behind us. For good. I – I don’t know how much time he has left with us and it would be better if we made amends, don’t you think?”
I tried to speak but there was a huge lump in my throat stopping me. Instead, I nodded my agreement.
Then, with a firmness I needed to hear, she said, “We are going to spend all of the time with him we possibly can. We’re going to cherish what we have left and it will never feel as if we had enough time and we’ll miss him terribly. But when all is said and done, we will get through this as a family. All of us.”
I know she was attempting to be encouraging but the thought of my dad’s life slipping away from him – from us – was so abysmally sad, I didn’t see how I would ever recover from it.
“How do you get through something like this? I can’t stand the thought that he will be gone. My heart is so tight, it feels like it’s being twisted and torn right out of my chest.”
“It’s hard, isn’t it? Pretending around him that you’re happy,” she agreed, dabbing at her eyes.
“Leela, I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this, but I’m so glad you married my dad. I’m so thankful that you’re in our lives.”
It was a rare moment, seeing her smile in appreciation at what I’d said. She had been right when she said how hard this was. If we all allowed ourselves to feel the devastation we were really experiencing, this house would be like a tomb already and we couldn’t have that. So, we had to carry on as if things were somewhat normal.
On a lighter note, Leela said, “You know, Leonardo thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread!”
“What? Me?”
“You’re a fellow equestrian and horses are basically all he talks or thinks about.”
“Kind of like Dad with his guitar,” I managed to laugh slightly. More than once, when I was a little girl, I climbed onto his bed for Saturday morning snuggles and hit my knee on something sharp. He had literally slept with his guitar. I imagine that stopped, though, when he married Leela.
She groaned with a small laugh as she thought about it. “Oh that guitar! You’d think he married that thing instead of me sometimes! Did you know he talks to it?”
“When I was little, he told me her name was Ginger. And when he had to fly with Accidental Therapy, he always bought the seat next to himself for her.”
Before we knew it, we were swapping “Leo Capra Stories” and genuinely laughing. I realized later it was because we loved him so much that we were able to do that.
For a while after speaking with Leela, I wandered around the backyard. All of the familiar stone pavers had been removed, leaving behind smashed grass that was paler than the rest. I thought perhaps it was a safety precaution because Dad could so easily trip on one.
Feeling restless, I sat at the table with paper and pen and began to write to Agathe.
I had only planned on writing something short, telling her I’d gotten here safely and didn’t know how long I’d be staying. But once I started writing, my pen flew over the page as if it had a mind of its own.
Gripping the writing utensil tightly, I told her everything. About the state my father was in and every last emotion that had hit me since I found out. I told her about Ruby’s reaction to me and about Leonardo and his horses. Then, I went back to my dad again and how kind Leela was. My hand ached yet I continued on until I couldn’t write another word. Putting the pen down, I stared at the words I’d scrawled so frantically and I felt spent. I felt like I could cry, but wasn’t able to.
When I heard Ruby approaching me, I quickly folded the letter, shoving it into the envelope and put it in my sweater pocket.
“Writing to your new family?” she sneered.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am about how I left things,” I told her. “I know you don’t believe me, but I really mean it.”
Tilting her head to the side, she smiled condescendingly at me. “You’re just so full of shit, Blue.”
“I don’t know what to say to you, Ruby.”
“Maybe you should just keep your mouth shut then!” she suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” I said. “But before I do, I want you to hear me loud and clear. When I ran away, I was a selfish little girl, the clichéd angsty teen. What I did and how I treated you was one hundred percent wrong. Now you know that I know that. I hope – I really hope that one day we can be friends again.”
She glared at me for a moment and I almost thought she was going to rip me up one side and down the other. Instead, she turned on her heel and went inside.
Should I go after her? Try to make her see? Or was it completely pointless?
Before I could ponder this any further, my phone rang and I answered.
“Dax! It is so good to hear your voice!” And it was. At least he was my friend. Well, the last time I’d seen him, I’d yelled at him and ridden off with Matthieu. Hopefully, that was all water under the bridge now.
“It’s good to hear your voice, too,” he said. And I believed him. “Listen, I’m really sorry about the other day. I don’t know what came over me to fight with my own brother like that.”
“It’s okay. Let’s just forget about it, all right?”
I smiled a little when I heard him sigh with relief. “I was afraid you would never want to speak to me again.”
“Oh, Dax, I apologize for giving you that impression. It’s true, I was angry at the time, but I can’t ever imagine not wanting to speak to you again. Besides, with everything I’ve done in my life, I’m lucky anyone talks to me at all.”
“So, things aren’t going so well there?”
Pushing the numbness away as best I could, I explained to him about my father’s condition and how the doctor’s didn’t understand what exactly his illness was. I also told him about Ruby, Leonardo and Leela.
“Awww…. I’m so sorry. I wish I could hold you in my arms,” he breathed into the phone.
That’s when my tears filled my eyes again. “I wish you could, too. But I have to be strong for my dad. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, though.”
While the thought of returning to Winchester made me happy because it had begun to feel like home, it was the idea that I would be leaving because my father was no longer with us that crushed my soul.
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, ummm Mango told me that you should bring your dad to the island as soon as possible.”
“What? That’s crazy! Doesn’t he know how ill Dad is? He can’t travel!”
“All I know is that Mango said that it’s imperative that Leo come to the island. He knows all about your dad’s condition and he said he wants to see him.”
“That’s ridiculous! He’s going to have to come here!”
“Blue, he can’t. He’s been hiding for a long time, but the lab is still looking for him. They are desperate to find him. Mango told me that before your dad dies, he wants to see him. Leo has to come to the island.”
“He’s just too weak! Mango is going to have to understand that!”
“Mango said he’ll be able to make the trip. And I believe him. He’s always right about everything, Blue. I trust him or I wouldn’t even call you about this. Besides, Mango is his uncle. They’re family and this is the only chance Mango will ever have of seeing him again.”
“It seems to me you care much more about how Mango feels about things than how my dad is feeling.”
He paused for so long, I almost thought he had hung up. Finally, though, he spoke. “I’m sorry. I’m honestly not trying to sound that way. I just… I really think you should do what Mango wants, though. He made it seem really important.”
It was useless arguing with Dax as his mind was made up. I told him I would do the best I could about it, but that I wasn’t making any promises. It seemed fool-hardy to even attempt this at this stage in things.
Needless to say, I grumbled to myself all the way to Dad and Leela’s room and sat on the bed again next to him.
As if we had never been apart, Dad read in my expression immediately that there was something going on.
“Spill it,” he said. “What’s up?”
Even so, I hesitated to even mention anything about Mango. The entire thing was just so crazy.
He watched me expectantly, seemingly more awake than he had been yesterday. “I know something’s up.”
I laughed slightly because I still couldn’t fool him. “Okay, well, it’s just so crazy, I don’t even know how to begin.”
His brows knitted together in deep thought. “Are you pregnant?”
My jaw dropped. “No!”
“Because I will absolutely murder the guy that touched you – ”
” – No, Dad. It’s nothing like that.”
“Suppose you just start from the beginning,” Leela said, not knowing she was basically saying the same thing to me that I’d said to Mango a while back.
“Good idea,” I agreed. Yet, it still seemed difficult to begin when you just didn’t see the supernatural happen in your life every day. I took a deep breath, then said, “Your Uncle Mango is alive and living in Winchester.”
Dad’s eyes grew huge. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I know. But there’s more. He looks young still and his eyes glow.”
Luckily I had braced myself for the look that passed between Leela and Dad. They thought I was crazy, for sure. Still, I told them everything; the entire story about Mango and what really happened the day he disappeared. At least everything I knew.
“I know you must think I’m a few bubbles off plumb, but I’m being totally serious! You have to believe me about this.”
Dad stared into my eyes for what felt like an eternity then slowly said, “I believe you.”
“Leo, whatever is going on, don’t encour – ”
” – Mango wants you to come to Winchester to see him. He can’t safely leave there and I found out today that he is really wanting to see you.”
“This is insane! Your dad cannot travel! It would drain his energy – what if it makes him worse?”
“What if I want to go?” Dad asked.
“No, no, no!” Leela shouted. “This is not going to happen!”
Dad sighed and looked from me to her. “I want to go.”
And so we did.
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Its so hard for me to leave a comment on every chapter as I just want to quickly jump to the next and read!!! Hahaha, for today I have to stop here. I have to go to work, duty calls!
Love how things are going, now Mango’s story is coming to light and I can’t wait to read why Mango wants Leo in the Island?? I mean, besides what others have said about Mango healing Leo, I just really want to know if there is something more that Leo needs to know.
Until I come back I guess… <3
LOL I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story. ❤ Did you ever think the what happened to Mango story line would ever happen? haha
It’s crazy for sure, but i’m glad Leo is traveling to Winchester. What if there is a cure or something waiting for him? It would be great if he could get better and then die of old age instead of a terrible illness.
Ruby isn’t acting like the Ruby I know and love. OK, she’s mad, and I get that. So, get mad, get it off your chest, and then move on. After all, your father is dying and wouldn’t want his kids to be so hateful to each other. Talk about calling the kettle black, Ruby. Shut up and grow up.
Looking forward to seeing what happens in Winchester. I hope Little Leo can go, too. I think he would be in total heaven with all the horses. 😄
You just never know about what might happen in Winchester. It’s not your average place. lol 😀
You’re not the only one who thought it was high time Ruby got over this and moved on.
Little Leo will definitely be there! 😀
So great to see Blue finally able to say thank you to Leo and Leela.
I wish she’d stop referring to Leela as her step-mom, though. Leela has been more of a mother to her than Chrissy ever was.
As for Ruby, Blue remains oblivious about just how much she hurt Ruby by never contacting her.
Ruby is done being Blue’s doormat. Speak your mind, girl!
I’m hoping against hope now that Mango can help Leo!
Thank you. 🙂 I think Blue took another step in her
attitude rehab by saying thank you to her parents. It was a long time coming.
That’s a good point about how she refers to Leela as her step-mother. Leela practically helped Leo raise her, and Leela actually cares about her.
I also think you’re right that Blue still doesn’t realize the gravity of Ruby’s pain.
Mango help Leo? Hmmm…. interesting! 😀
Ooooh! Capras in Winchester. What could go wrong lol.
LMBO! Right? 😛
First of all… Thank you for the chuckle:
“Because I will absolutely murder the guy that touched you – ”
He can’t even lift his arms to wipe her tears away. O_O But still, so him. I needed something light and Leo to just offset all the pain and sickness and hurt.
And dear Rosemary the Watcher of this legacy, hope. Maybe my comment in the last chapter has some water to it. I’m almost afraid to click on the next chapter in case I get disappointed and Leo dies a painful, horrible death on some ferry to St. Cyr. That would be just… cruel. Bracing myself. Hoping for the best, but making sure I can handle the worst… Moving on…
Awww thank you. I’m glad you found something to chuckle about in all of this heaviness. We definitely need that once in a while. 😀
I hope you are happy with the outcome of this storyline. 🙂 <3 Thank you for hanging in there.
Awe, I love the little stories about Leo and his guitar. Even though it was almost just a few days ago that I finished his generation, it feels like forever ago now. I know it feels that way for you! Anyway, I hope this trip benefits everyone. I really hope they can all reconnect.
Wouldn’t it be nice if they reconnected in a positive way? We’ll see what happens. 😀
You’re right, it does seem like so long ago since Gen 2. I opened a new Instagram just for my simming and had some fun posting pictures from then. 😀
We all know I am a fan of killing off sims in my own story but I seriously FORBID it in any other story. What are you doing to us?!
LOL! I’m so sorry. 😀 Yes, that is a grin, but I am sorry.
What I hopeful ending. Much better than the “with the time we have left” line … dying to see what happens next
Thank you, Lisa! 🙂 I think you’re going to really like the next chapter! <3
Yipee
Hopefully Mango can help figure out what is wrong with Leo. And if the whole family is coming then maybe Agatha can knock some sense into Ruby!! At least Leonardo will enjoy all of the horses!!
“A few bubbles off plum” I love that line!! LOL 😉
Thank you, socallucyfan 🙂 If Mango can help Leo at all, you will find out in the next chapter! 😀 Woot!
As for Ruby, there may not be time for Agathe to do that this time, but she will be in some future chapters at Winchester. 🙂
And yes, Leonardo will be in heaven! hahaha
I’m glad you love that line! haha 😛
The way Blue is with Leela really shows how much Blue has grown and that’s a wonderful thing to see. I really didn’t like Blue at the beginning of this gen and the idea of reading all about this self centered little brat was not appealing at all. I’m glad there’s more to Blue then I initially thought or it’s the skill in which you write that has me invested in her story now.
Ruby needs to just go back to uni. All she’s doing is more harm than good. She said what she felt, she doesn’t need to keep repeating it.
Well Dax has impeccable timing. Can Mango read minds or something? Is that how he knows all he knows? Not entirely sure I trust him. Is Leo’s illness something the scientist concocted to lure Mango out of hiding? Why is Mango so insistent that Leo go there? I’m hoping Mango has an idea of how to help him. It just better not kill him!
Thank you, dandylion! 🙂 I can very much understand how Blue was a turnoff as a character. I’m so glad you stuck it out and that you’re invested in her story. 🙂 I appreciate it so much because I know she was not a completely likable type of character. Unfortunately, it was a sacrifice I had to make as a writer because this entire storyline has been in the works since Mango’s disappearance in Generation 1. 😀 If it makes you feel any better, I was really torn about Blue and am relieved now that she is growing out of this stage in her life. 🙂
Ruby doesn’t seem very forgiving at the moment and she has changed, too, from the easy going “do anything to me and I’ll forgive you” type of person. She will do some of her own growing in the future. 🙂
You always have such good questions! As for Mango, he does have some type of psychic abilities and he has been watching over the family using some of his new abilities. That is a great suggestion about Leo’s illness being concocted by the scientists to lure Mango out of hiding! Gosh, maybe you should be writing this as that is a fantastic idea! lol 😀 There is a reason to everything and you will find it out on Saturday when the next chapter is published. 😀
Thank you again. <3
I think I might scientists on my brain because I know how mine work in BMBTL lol
LOL! Yes, I can definitely see how that would be. You are an authority on the subject. 🙂
Mango, I swear to god if this trip ends up killing Leo… On the plus side, maybe Leo could meet Mattieu and Dax…interesting thoughts.
I do think Blue has done quite a bit of growing up. It’s good for her. Sucky about how much time with Leo she lost, but good for her future. Here’s to hoping for good things.
Thank you so much, fluffymao! 🙂 I totally agree that it would be good if Leo could meet Matthieu and Dax. I’m hoping for good things for them, too. <3
Oooh I really hope that Mango can somehow heal Leo! It’s too soon for him to die, I want him to see her falling in love and getting married and having kids 🙁 I still ship her with Dax because he’s super cute and sweet but there seems to be a couple of things he needs to work out and become mature like Blue has. I didn’t really like how rude Ruby was; I understand how mad she is but she sounded downright mean and I hope she forgives Blue soon. I love how Blue has grown up as a character. When she was a teenager I actually disliked her quite a bit but now she is learning the error of her past ways and becoming a better person, which is really nice to see. Great chapter <3
Thank you, Lila. 😀 Wouldn’t that be so cool if Mango could help Leo somehow? You will find out next week what it is Mango wants and why he insisted Leo travel to Winchester. I really want Leo to see Blue go through all of those things, too.
I know you ship Blue and Dax; so do I. But it’s also true that she seems to be moving beyond him as far as maturity goes. As for Ruby, she was pretty rude, it’s true.
When Blue was a teen, I had a difficult time liking her as well. It just felt that it was the way her character needed to go at the time. It’s nice to see her coming out of that place she was in and into the person we can like again. 🙂
I’ve seen your story recommended several times on other blogs and I finally have time to read some!
Mango seems to know what he’s doing (and sounds like he’s a vampire!) I hope he can help Leo. It’s so sad for Blue to finally return home and have to confront death and illness – and Ruby’s anger (which is justified, I suppose).
It’s so hard losing the old generations. It’s inevitable with legacies I suppose, but it’s still something I hate to write/read! I can’t imagine how Blue is feeling :c
I’m really excited to see more of these characters and this story! I enjoy your writing.
Hello and thank you! I appreciate so much that you’ve read and commented. 🙂
I completely agree with what you said about Blue returning home only to find illness and impending death. Such a sad situation. As for Ruby, let’s hope she didn’t cross the line too far and that she and Blue can reconcile.
It’s so true about playing legacies and losing the older generations being a kind of downfall.
I’m so glad you’re excited and that you like my writing! I hope you will continue to enjoy the story and it looks like you have a great blog that I will be working on as well. 😀
shouldn’t that be a few bubbles short of PLUMBOB? LOL Oh so excited that we are going back to the farm. I think the quiet slow place of country life will suite Leo really well, but I can’t help but think Mango has something up his sleeve.
Thank you, Lil! 🙂 Hahahaha! Yes, I reckon you’re right about the “plumbob!” I think that did go through my mind – somewhere deep in the back – when I wrote that. lol
I’m excited we’re going back to the farm, too. I also think that the slow pace of country life would be good for Leo… if the traveling doesn’t get to him first, that is.
You never know with that Mango guy… 😀
I hope Mango can somehow cure Leo. The visit can’t be for nothing! Or perhaps he had important information he needs to share….. Ruby and Blue are at odds right now, but I believe they will forgive each other in the future!
Thank you, Raymond! 🙂 Wouldn’t that be nice if Mango could? I agree that the trip should not be for nothing. (Did I say that right? lol) I believe you’re most likely right that Blue and Ruby will see eye to eye in the future. Let’s hope it’s not too late for them to be close again.
My theory is proving true! Can’t wait for next weekend !
Thank you, Cathy! And…. woot! I love it when a plan comes together! lol I can’t wait for next weekend either! Let me know if your theory proves right! 😀
Wow! You packed a lot into that chapter. I hope Ruby can become a little more understanding, now that Blue has admitted her own mistakes. I agree with everyone, I think Mango may be able to help with Leo’s illness – actually that was a first thought I had when we found out Leo was so ill! This could be an interesting trip, indeed, and I hope everyone gets to go, including Ruby. I think Agathe might have some advice for her, if the chance presents itself! I’m s till ‘shipping’ Dax and Blue, but I somehow feel she may outgrow Dax very soon. He has a lot of growing to do, himself, now that he’s coming out of his shell somewhat! Okay, I will take a deep breath and WAIT until next Saturday!! =D
Thank you, Marj! 🙂 That’s me, packing a lot into chapters. lol It would be nice if Ruby could be more understanding, but I think she needs time to cool off, tbh.
Oh, believe me, this is an interesting trip they take to Winchester! 😀 I’ve been waiting for so long to get to this point. I can safely say, the entire family went. It would be good, probably, if Agathe talked to Ruby; she does have a way about her! lol I don’t know that they’ll get the chance but perhaps later on. 🙂
I hear you about Dax and Blue. Dax does seem to be a bit behind in the maturity department now, compared to Blue. I guess we’ll see what happens. 🙂
Wow, Leo is travelling to Winchester! That sounds crazy, but what if Mango actually has a cure or something of a kind? Would be very handy if he did. Ruby is very rude, I know Blue did wrong, but you cannot be mad forever, it brings no good! That Dax is such a Mango’s slave, seriously. He pretends he called to apologize Blue and he just forces her to do what Mango ordered, haha. It’s kind of funny this way. I hope that the trip to Winchester will bring some exciting new information with it.
Thank you, Jowita. 🙂
It does sound crazy, doesn’t it? Thing is, Leo wants to see the uncle he hasn’t seen since he was quite little. I suppose it’s a curiosity plus a link to the older generation. Or maybe he wants to see the glowing eyes. hahahaha 😛
You’re so right about being angry and how it brings no good. Hopefully, Blue and Ruby will be on speaking terms in the future.
Dax is Mango’s slave! bwaaahaaaahaa! Your comment made me laugh! haha But I suppose you’re right about that. 😛
I don’t think the trip to Winchester will let you down. 😀
Of course I hope that Mango can heal him. But that mat be wishful thinking. Just when Blue and Leela were beginning to bond too. I wonder if she will go with them. I don’t think she can though. Unless they take Leo. Ruby will hate her more if he dies while he is gone. I love Dax. Still shipping them!
Thank you, Audrey 🙂
To answer your thought, the whole family has gone to Winchester, even Ruby. She was supposed to go back to university but she put it off so she could be with Leo and her mother.
Still shipping Dax, you say! lol 😀 I love Dax, too.
Very cool and good to know. Maybe Ruby will find peace there too!
Thank you so much! 🙂 Perhaps Ruby will find some peace there… or perhaps it will happen yet in the future. It may take a while for her to come around, but the hope is strong that she and Blue can repair their friendship.
A few bubbles off my plumb…..that totally made me smile when I edited the chapter and did it again just now! I’m so glad Blue was able to reunite with her family, including Ruby. For even though I have no prior knowledge they will be friends again, I figure there is a good possibility of it happening.
I’m sad Leo is sick as he is in this full extent. I was tired of his story, but don’t you just hate losing a sim anyway? I wonder what Mango is up to? hehehe I know.
Blue coming home felt right for this time in the story, Leo sick or not. But secretly so you know, I don’t want her to stay!
LOL @ a few bubbles off plumb. hahaha I’m glad you liked that. I’m really glad Blue was able to reunite with her family, too. It did seem like the right time for it to happen in the story.
Oh yes, I hate losing sims. It’s so hard. Memphis and Keniesha were the hardest.