Author’s Note: I wanted to apologize that this chapter didn’t get out at the regularly scheduled time of 10 a.m. (EST). As you’ve most likely heard or noticed, Photobucket has blocked photos used on third party hosting. While, for the most part, this site should be unaffected because I didn’t directly link from PB, it did set me back because there was a filter I was using in their editor. Now, when I try to save an image after editing, they block it on the assumption I will directly link it. In order to avoid this, they give the option of updating your account, but it costs a whopping $399.99 per year. That’s not going to happen.
So, as a result, my photos will look a bit different from now on as that filter is no longer available to me and I have not found another that is similar. For this, I apologize. The OCD in me wants to go back and update every single photo in every chapter since now they are different but that would be so taxing. (On a side note, if you are reading a chapter or see a page without the images or the images are replaced with the PB blocking image, please let me know either in the comments or in my contact form. Thank you!)
The other thing I wanted to mention was that, yet again, this chapter took on a completely different tone since the characters all decided to do what they wanted instead of what I wanted. lol So, it is what is is. I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading.
Cosette understood now, at least to some extent, why Dax had kept his past a secret. Winchester Farming Community may as well have been on another planet as far as she was concerned.
While the St. Cyr family was lovely and polite, it seemed to her they didn’t quite know what to make of their returned family member. The way things had been going, Cosette couldn’t blame them.
Since their arrival in this strange place, Dax was a different person. His easy, shy smile was now a sullen scowl. The dark, soulful eyes she’d grown to love were distant and brooding. Gone was the man she knew as if he’d disappeared as soon as they’d touched foot here.
Agathe, the family’s matriarch had greeted them warmly but her duties with the island’s council kept her away the rest of the time. Elliott and Audrey-Ann were nice enough but the furtive looks they exchanged whenever Dax said something made Cosette uncomfortable.
Elliott seemed completely bewildered by his younger brother. Every attempt to draw Dax into conversation was met with resistance. Cosette could almost read his mind regardless of the fact they mostly spoke English.
Is this really my brother? What has happened to him?
If she knew the answers, she would tell him.
The behavior of Elliott and Audrey-Ann’s children added to the strangeness churning in her stomach. They were very reserved, sitting quietly or attending to some type of studies. In her experience, children were usually lively and it was difficult for them to remain so still.
Laci was their oldest daughter. Cosette had come to understand that one day, she would take Agathe’s place as the head of the island’s governance. Although Cosette didn’t fully know what that meant, she didn’t envy the young girl’s position.
If Laci was the heir, she supposed the younger daughter Louise was the spare. At first glance, the child appeared fragile and dainty. Cosette thought perhaps it was her fine, blonde hair and china blue eyes that gave that impression. But Louise’s mouth was set in a firm line that matched Agathe’s, her expression serious.
There was nothing delicate or feeble here.
With each day, Cosette regretted that she’d pushed Dax into coming back to this dreadful place. She had never imagined that coming here would change him so.
“I just want to know what I can do. You are so different,” she told him in the room they were staying in.
“Maybe this is how I really am.”
“I don’t believe it. What has got you so upset?”
“Everything’s different!” he suddenly exclaimed. “Everyone has changed. It doesn’t feel like home anymore. This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
“Of course things are different now. You’ve been gone for years without visiting. What did you expect?”
Sighing, he said, “I don’t know. I realize I’ve been gone a long time.”
Silently, they finished getting ready for bed and settled in for the night. Although they were both exhausted, neither felt as if they could sleep.
After a while, Dax said, “I’ve never been good with words, so I’m sorry if I can’t explain myself in a satisfying way.”
“I love you, Dax, you know this. Please try.”
Looking into her eyes, Dax was moved by the tenderness and yearning in her eyes. He knew she had been wanting more from him and he’d been trying to figure out if what she desired was more than he could give. He never promised her there would be more, but if their relationship was to continue, it would have to advance in the natural way.
When they’d first begun seeing each other, it was all wonderful and new. He was embarking on a new life, exploring new frontiers and creating amazing art with the hopes of success. Now, years later, fame continued to elude him and he had not come home to Winchester with triumph and prosperity oozing out of every pore; a distinguished artist everyone adored.
Dax loved Cosette… or was she merely the person he relied upon?
Did he love her now as he once had when things weren’t a routine? Was she the person he was meant to spend the rest of his life with? How did one figure that out? Did you just marry the person you were with because you dated them for so long?
Then, always in the back of his mind, there was Blue. During his years in Paris, he often wondered what had become of her. There was a time he thought she was the one. The reasonable side of him never expected she would cling to the hope he would return. Yet when he saw her, he had the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and beg her to be his.
It was wrong of him and he knew it. Blue had a life of her own. She was married and had God only knew how many kids; he couldn’t begin to count them all because they were always running around so. He supposed it was because they were not St. Cyr children that they went without the same discipline his nieces had.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest thoughtfully, he came to the delayed realization that his life was no longer on this island, with these people. They would always be his family, of course, but everything was different now. He certainly had changed and so had Blue.
“Cosette,” he said, “if you will have me, I would like you to marry me.”
Her dark blue eyes widened in surprise, her lips curling into an ecstatic smile. “Yes! Yes, of course I will!”
The next day, Dax and Cosette announced their engagement to the family who all seemed to be happy for them. The couple decided that their place was obviously in Paris, and so they would return in the next day or two and get married once back.
As Dax wandered about the island, pondering what had so quickly transpired, he found himself on Blue’s street. Stopping in his tracks, he chided himself harshly for walking in this direction. What was he thinking? Or did his feet have a mind of their own?
Quickly, he darted into the field next to their house, hoping no one had seen him. The last thing he wanted to do was to cross paths with Blue.
Instead, though, he ran smack dab into her husband, Matthieu.
“Dax,” Matthieu said by way of greeting.
Dax wasn’t sure, but there seemed to be a current of some kind just beneath Matthieu’s hazel eyes. Was Matthieu aware that Dax and Blue had an argument the day before?
“Hey,” he responded.
Matthieu took three steps forward, closing the distance between them. “What brings you out this way? Are you here to see Blue?”
As Dax gazed at Matthieu, he could detect there was more to the question than actually asked. “Uh, no. No… I was just taking an aimless kind of walk. Didn’t even realize I was here.”
“Well,” Matthieu casually said, his stance relaxed, “why don’t you come in and have some breakfast, or coffee or something?”
“No, thank you,” Dax politely answered, cocking his head slightly to the side and trying to determine if Matthieu was just playing with him or something. He decided it would be best to just come out with it and admit everything. “I guess you heard about yesterday. I’m really sorry I upset Blue. I was just curious – but I never should have asked her those questions.”
Matthieu’s spine stiffened as he stared uncomfortably into Dax’s eyes. Dax looked away quickly, staring at the ground, but Matt kept steady with his gaze.
He knew Blue hadn’t been herself yesterday after taking the children on a picnic with Alice, but he wasn’t quite sure why. Normally, Blue spoke to him easily about everything, yet when he’d asked her why she was out of sorts, she shook her head and told him it was nothing. Now, he guessed, he knew.
“So, why did you ask her those questions then? Why not keep them to yourself?” he asked, hoping he would find out what the questions were.
As Dax stood there, he became painfully aware of how hot the sun was getting, beating down on him like a club. Wiping beads of sweat from his forehead, he averted his eyes from Matthieu’s again before answering. “Like I said, I was curious. Honestly, I didn’t realize it was that big of a deal. I thought maybe she was curious, too.”
Matthieu still didn’t know the exact questions, but now he had an idea of what they were forming in his head. Slowly, he shook his head in disbelief as he thought about Dax cornering Blue unawares and asking her if she ever thought about him.
“Did you really just wander here?” Matthieu asked.
“Honestly, yeah. I – I can see that I was out of line and maybe I should apologize to her. But I don’t think she’ll want to see me. She, uh, she got pretty mad.”
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Matthieu’s lips, but he managed to hold it back. He could only imagine how Blue had reacted.
“You’re a really lucky man, Matthieu. I never thought things would turn out the way they did.”
Matthieu breezily looked up at the sky, wishing he had his hat as he squinted at the penetrating rays of sunlight. “How did you think they’d turn out, Dax? You made a decision and you left. What did you expect the outcome would be?”
“I – I don’t know. I mean, I knew she wouldn’t wait for me, but – ”
” – But you somehow thought she would.”
“Are you accusing me of something?” Dax said hotly.
Matthieu turned his gaze back to the younger man. “Did I do that?”
“You’re so damn condescending! All right! So I messed things up with Blue, you don’t have to gloat!”
“Easy, Dax, you are out of control!”
“Don’t say that to me! You have no idea what I am! But I’ll tell you something! If I wanted, I could have Blue just like that!” he yelled, snapping his fingers for emphasis.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“You can’t even respond to that, can you? You know why? Because you know it’s true!”
“I’d suggest you remove that finger from my face, turn around and walk out of here,” Matthieu said. “We’ll just pretend none of this happened.”
“It’s easy for you, isn’t it? You can just pretend that Blue didn’t love me first? You know what they would call you in Paris? Sloppy seconds!”
That was all Matthieu could bear. Before he realized what was happening, he’d tackled Dax, bringing him to the ground with an oomph.
They struggled against each other awkwardly for a few minutes, but Matthieu was stronger from working on the farm.
It only lasted a moment but it was enough that Dax limped a few feet away. Matthieu, ashamed of how he’d reacted, tried to give Dax a hand, but Dax slapped it away, glaring at him.
“Dax – ”
” – Just shut up, all right?” Dax gasped, his chest heaving angrily. He wiped the dirt from his eyes as Matthieu uncertainly stood by. “Why don’t you just go home to your wife?”
Matthieu glanced to his house which was in plan view of the field and saw his sons watching from the window. His heart sank as he figured they’d most likely seen this sad display. “That’s not a bad idea.”
As Dax watched Matthieu walk home to his wife and children, he tried to push the thoughts of inadequacy out of his mind. Still, they overwhelmed him, making him feel as if was on a ship being tossed from wave to wave on the sea.
A sea of uncertainty.
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Water you doin’ Dax, omg? Matt’s a hero. Sometimes fists are the only way to get a point across. Not sure it helped. Poor Cosette, Dax clearly doesn’t love her. Their marriage will be a disaster.
LOL Right? I think you’re right about Cosette and how Dax really feels about her. Hopefully, he’ll get is head on straight soon.
Oh, Dax, Dax, Dax! I hate to tell you, but you’re going to have to wake up and smell the coffee. You made a decision, and you’re going to have to live with those consequences of that decision. Life seldom works out as originally planed, and dreams don’t always come true, especially in the timing we want them to. In a way, I do feel sorry for him. However, like Matt said, he was the one who decided to leave. I feel really sorry for Cosette though because she could totally get her heartbroken.
From what I read in the other comments, your game is throwing you for a loop. LOL! Nothing like rolling with the punches, is there? 😄
You tell him! LOL Dax is still learning about relationships and consequences of decisions, I’m afraid. I feel sorry for him, too, really. Hopefully, Cosette won’t get hurt in all of this.
My game is crazy! LOL But, I imagine a lot of peoples’ games are.
LOL! Maybe he acted like a jerk, but I’ll still serenade him in my music room while he paints. ❤️
The game can be SO unpredictable at times. It can be humorous, but then there are times where it has you scratching your head. LOL!
Right? I would not mind doing that either! haha
That is so true! haha
Dude, it’s been, like, at least 10 years, right? This doofus still acts like a 14-year-old!! And? To marry Cossette because Blue is not an option? Ugh! I’m sorry, Cossette! She seems genuine but she doesn’t know this guy like she thinks she does.
OMG, you’re so right! He does act like a 14 year old, doesn’t he? You’re right about Cossette, she definitely needs to figure some things out.
Well, what can I say? All that time underground certainly didn’t help Dax develop his social skills. I think Dax wants EA’s default story progression, where absolutely nothing happens to the previous neighborhood after you move the sim to another neighborhood. Unfortunately, life goes on in this story. We use mods. And a ton of save files. *big sigh* *shakes head* Dax, Dax, Dax… I kind of feel sorry for Cosette.
You’re right about Dax and his lack of social skills. (I probably shouldn’t even write this because it’s so goofy, but whenever I see the phrase, “social skills,” I hear Kathy Bates’ voice in my head from the Waterboy, saying, “He doesn’t have the social skills.” 😛 )
Ahem. Anyway, I laughed about what you said on EA’s default story progression. You are so right about that! LOL And you’re right about the tons of save files. haha
Kathy Bates really just reminds me of Misery. I kind of get terrified whenever I see her on screen. I actually have to remind myself she’s playing a different character this time. I don’t even remember her being in Waterboy. O_o Haha!
Save files are lifesavers.
They sure are.
Oh, I see what you mean about Kathy Bates! Misery was the first time I ever saw her in anything and it was quite terrifying. In The Waterboy, she was Adam Sandler’s (Bobby Bouchet’s) mother. 😛
Oh Dax. Just because you think that your life in Paris is not how you pictured it or how it was supposed to be, doesn’t mean you have to cling on the past because it just seems better from here. That’s sloppy seconds too my friend!
I must admit I immensely enjoyed Matt and Dax’s fight!! 😁 I don’t remember if I said it before, but Matt is such a dream! 😍 I hope he will not be too angry at Blue for not telling him what happened with Dax..! 😕
I love what you said about Dax. You’re so right! Those are sloppy seconds, too. lol
When they fought in game, I was a little shocked, but at least I got the pics! hahaha I’m so glad you love Matt. <3
I feel bad for Dax. He never had a chance to develop normally. I mean he lived as a recluse all those years afraid of how people might react to seeing his face. The people closest to him let him do that. They didn’t help him by delivering his meals to his dungeon. He might have been a totally different person if they had treated him like he was still normal. He’s very much emotionally stunted from that and he’s reacting like a spoiled child when they realize things aren’t the way he expected them to be. I think his own frustration at how things were and how disappointed he was with his own life and expectations just got the better of him and he took them out on Matt. I think his proposal to Cosette was a result of realizing that Blue had moved on with her life and he’s still stuck in the past. I hope he doesn’t go through with marrying her. I don’t think she’d be good for him. I don’t like how she’s so focused on his career and making him famous. That’s not what he needs. It’s what he thought in the past before his dreams in up in smoke because of his scars. He needs to stop living in the past.
I really think you have Dax figured out and you really state it all so well. You’re so right that his family didn’t do him any favors by playing in to his insecurities. They should have treated him as they always had before the accident. I think Agathe would have if she hadn’t felt so guilty about it all.
You might be right about Cosette, too. She does seem really focused on his career and making him famous. He probably shouldn’t have proposed, but as you noted, he did it right after he found out Blue was happy with Matt.
Oh the tangled web of it all. 😀
A harsh reminder that life and people go on without you, Dax. He really does have a temper doesn’t he! I wonder if the things he’s saying is because he still has feelings for Blue or if it’s the nostalgia of being back home.
I hope Matt won’t be upset at Blue because she didn’t tell him. we don’t need Dax to make more drama here >.>
You’re right about Dax and drama. We don’t need anymore. lol I think Matt will handle this situation, though.
As for his temper, it is something else in game! I never know when he is going to blow up on someone. lol It’s that hotheaded trait that he rolled.
I loved seeing Elliot and his girls. Both Laci and Louise are gorgeous. I hope they do enjoy playing now and then as well.
Thank you, ciane. I hope so, too. I think they’re quite lovely but they need more than studies and training. 🙂
I don’t even know what to say here!
Dax, you are lucky I don’t know your middle name St Cyr! What has gotten in to you?!?!
You are living your dream in Paris, with a beautiful woman who loves you more than you realize!!
Thank you, socallucyfan! And: LOL! Yes, he definitely needs a middle name so we can chew him out properly. 😀
Mattheiu needs a stern talking to as well. He should have been the bigger man, but I can understand why his emotions got so out of control.
Yes, I totally agree with you. Tomorrow, this storyline will continue with the Noble Doubt chapter.
I am counting down the hours!!
Awww that’s so cool! 🙂 <3 Thank you
I also forgot to mention. I use ipiccy.com to do some of my edits. There aren’t as many options as photobucket, but I find that it is easier to use.
Thank you! I will check it out! 🙂
Matthieu might be a very level headed guy, but a man can only take so much. Still, now he has to explain himself to his sons, who look to him as a role model. Hmm…best thing might be to be honest: you did a bad. Own up and explain your failings; instill in the boys a sense of how humanity can be flawed and still good.
Goddamnit, Dax. You need to recognize these outbursts for what they are: insecurity lashing out. Then you need to figure out those insecurities and deal with them in a productive manner. Not scream at your old flame’s husband. Jeebus, Dax! Grow the eff up!
I feel sorry for Cosette. She does seem to love him, but he’s so messed up right now. I don’t know if Dax actually loves her or has just latched onto her. Let’s hope she’s got enough guts to steer him straight. *bets 200 simoleons on Dax getting a midlife crisis and wishing to flirt with ANYONE else*
Once again, you’ve hit it right on the head. That is almost exactly how I expect Matthieu to handle things. No excuses, just being honest. Plus, there is something else he needs to do to show his boys the way to be. 😀 So well said, though.
And YES about Dax! Again, you said it very well. He needs to get it together, for sure.
Oh. My. Goodness. You know, I bet he does roll a midlife crisis. Ugh. I bet I will just have him straightened out and he’ll do exactly that! :O lol
Yikes! Dax, you’re a mess! I agree with most of the above comments.
Thank you, Jolie! A mess indeed! Now I have to sort this all out because I was determined Dax would have a good life. 🙂
Well, maybe it will turn out more true to life. I hope he does well though.
I hope so, too. 🙂
I wonder how the chapter would have went if things had gone your way; either way it would have been a great chapter just as this one. Even though Dax acted like a butt, I’m still hoping for him and Blue to be a thing. Maybe someday?😀
LOL! No promises there, I’m sorry to say. In the game, she and Matt really do adore each other. I’d hate to break that up.
If the chapter had gone my way, Matt and Dax would have talked, shaken hands and Dax would have talked to Blue. There is actually something in the house I wanted Dax to see, but as you know, he had other ideas! lol
I still love Dax and want the best for him and his future. 🙂
Dax, it seems, hasn’t learned some important lessons in life. You do not just barge into someone’s life and say you could easily take their spouse. People have been killed over less.
If Cossette marries him, I hope she has the patience of a saint.
She’s going to have to, I think. lol I’m really not sure they should get married at this point, but I’ll have to see how things play out with some new ideas I have for Dax. I really want him to have a good outcome when all is said and done. 🙂
That seems incredibly difficult as things stand currently. Good luck!
Thank you! You are definitely right about that! 😀 We’ll see who is more determined and stubborn, though, Dax or me! 😛
Oh wow… I don’t even know what to think of Dax anymore. I feel sorry for him, I guess, but with every chapter I dislike more and more how immature he is. The way he spoke to Matt about Blue was so disrespectful. I think he might have made a mistake asking Cosette to marry him, their relationship doesn’t seem particularly loving now so it probably wouldn’t be healthy in marriage, either. I don’t know how and what can force him to grow up and become a good man like Matt, but I am hoping that day will come soon…
Nice chapter 🙂
Thank you, Lila. You don’t know how this chapter pained me to write. lol I really agree with you about Cosette and Dax getting married. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that but I have some ideas. I think Saturday’s chapter is going to be interesting. haha
Wow…I am surprised that Dax went off like that. He has no filter and right after he proposed to Cosette. Poor Cosette. Maybe when they get back to Paris he will calm down. But man he was mean to Matthieu. He deserved to get the crap beat put him.
lol Thank you, Audrey. I’m still working on the details, but I think I have a plan! Woot! 😛 Anyway, I was a bit shocked myself, but there is hope coming soon for Dax! 😀
I was always team Dax so I confess to a bit of sadness … poor Cosette .. she is the sloppy seconds
Oh dear, you are right! :O You know, I still love Dax or I wouldn’t have given him his own story. 😀 So, I am determined to sort this all out for him no matter what he pulls on me in game. LOL
wow, this I didn’t expect! I thought/hoped Dax woudl one day wish to come back… but not this way! And matthieu… how will he explain his children that violence not the way is 😉
Great twist , very dramatical and dusky!
Thank you, hafuhga. I was sitting here with my mouth hanging open when Dax went off on Matt and then Matt jumped him! You should have seen my reaction. lol Anyway, I’m not giving up on Dax yet. Perhaps these are just growing pains because his maturity level is years behind.
I agree about Matt. He’s got a lot of explaining to do! :O
Dax started out so sweet, but then the sim decided that he wanted to be a butt muncher! Jeez Dax, take a seat and calm yourself! Now you done gone and made a mess. You better be grateful Cosette didn’t hear any of that. This marriage is not gonna go over too well I’m afraid.
OMG, right? I’ve about had it with this sim’s behavior. I love him a lot, that’s why I decided he deserved a spin-off story. I’m going to have to figure out how to calm him down. LOL
And yeah, poor Cosette might be in for a rude awakening! Let’s hope they still get along. So far, he’s never picked a fight with her.
He needs to do some yoga! XD Take deep, calming breathes!
Yes! What an excellent idea! I do have yoga mat CC. LOLOL 😛 😀
Goodness gracious Dax…. I think he may have made a mistake in asking Cosette to marry him. Not sure that he truly loves her at all, but we’ll see how it plays out. I really wish that he’d managed to walk off after running into Matt instead of fighting. I’d imagine that it takes a lot to anger Matt to the point of violence. Trying to explain that to his sons will be fun…
Thank you so much. I couldn’t agree more. Dax and Matt’s fight was just so unexpected for me. So I also imagined it would take something big to anger Matt that much. I’ve got a rough idea as to how Matt will deal with his sons, so that’s a start anyway. lol
Wow, they really picked a fight? I can’t believe.
I see everyone is in a way hating on Dax, but somehow I still feel sorry for him. He never knew what he really wanted, he not only wasn’t good with words (you used that one, actually! I remember that’s how I described him when he left Blue), he was just lost, back then with scars. Removing the scars didn’t help at all to remove the Dax hidden inside nor did living in Paris. He’s still the same insecure and uncertain boy that Blue met when she came to Winchester. I’m sorry he hadn’t managed to man up in all this time. Some people never grow up.
Thank you, Jowita. I really love your comment and can see how much insight you have into this character. I wonder what it will take for Dax to shed those insecurities and to become the man he was meant to be?
I wonder, too. I somehow really took to Dax from the beginning, so I can leave him now just like that, even if I was a bit disappointed.
It’s going to be difficult sorting him out, I think. I’ll definitely be working on his story. lol
Oh, Dax, Dax, Dax….he is still such an unsure child, lacking in self-confidence on top of it. I hope Cosette is wise enough to realize she would be getting herself into a bad relationship, and just wants to remain friends in the end. Of course, Dax would never accept that, either, except as a personal affront. He was in the dark for so long, and then so reliant on Cosette, he just doesn’t know he has to stand on his own before he can have real feelings for someone else. And poor Matthieu, he has a chore explaining things to his boys!! It could cause a rift with his oldest, if not approached the right way. Guys – can’t live with them, don’t want to live without them (well, most of the time, anyway). This was a good chapter, sorry it didn’t go your way, but our simmies sometimes seem to take on a real life of their own! lol I am definitely looking forward to MORE!! =)
Thank you so much, Marj. LOL It’s so true about how the sims seem to take on a real life of their own. I should fully expect that by now.
And Dax… everything you say about him is true. Will Cosette realize in time? I’m not sure about that. But I agree that Dax needs to stand on his own first.
With Matthieu, that will definitely be a chore to explain things to his boys. I guess we’ll see how that turns out very soon. lol
Hey Dax…I’m so sorry, life didn’t freeze the moment you left. I’m also terribly sorry that Blue realized that she really never loved you and that Matthieu was the love of her life. I’m sorry you aren’t at all happy with the Paris chick and you are too thick to know it yet…….. but even so, go back to your own sloppy seconds and leave all the happy people alone.
LOL! I’m seriously laughing right now at your comment. This totally didn’t turn out the way I’d planned. Now, I have to deal with Matthieu and his sons because they saw it all. This chapter was actually very difficult to write because I never planned they would fight like that. :O LOL
Don’t you just love when the game throws a wrench into play???? Just not when you get something drastic like quads, but everything else!
LOL! I don’t envy your quads, but I do think they’re adorable! Yes, I do love it, that’s true. In the end, it just means adjusting what I originally thought I wanted to do with the story. 🙂
LOL!!! I had TWO sets of quads in my story, Forever in Time. Yes…two! It was a freaking zoo.
Oh, my goodness! That would be too much for me! LOL