Chapter 81-Nice Guys Finish Last

“Go home Sandi,” Caleb told his sister-in-law, “I can handle this from here.” The two had been working on solving the Dahlia Goodfellow murder case for many years now and Caleb knew that Sandi was way past retirement age. Dahlia was Sandi’s birth mother and even though they didn’t have a loving relationship, Sandi felt she owed it to Dahlia to see justice served for her brutal murder. Now that Pip had been arrested for the crime, it was time for her to retire. Her age was beginning to show and she owed it to herself to spend her golden years with her husband.

“Not until I see the final nail hammered into Pip’s coffin,” Sandi said. Sandi was a good detective and very thorough with her work. When she on a case she was like a dog with a bone as she wouldn’t give up until the case was solved. Caleb was really going to miss having her for a partner. Sandi was more than just a partner or a sister-in-law to him in fact he had come think of her as his real sister. “I want to see when that ballistic report comes back on the gun” she said. “This is my last case and I want to see it through to the end.

Caleb knew that it was pointless to argue with her as she was stubborn as the day was long but yet he had to give it a try. “You and my brother lost so many years together due to the Goodfellows don’t let them take anymore” Caleb said. His brother Dylan was missing for 12 years and the Goodfellow family were responsible for his kidnapping. Nothing could ever make up for those missing years but Caleb didn’t want these two wasting one more precious second together. “With the gun, the testimony of Tennille and Pip's own henchman he is going away for a good long time,” Caleb said, “It’s an open and shut case he will not wiggle his way out of this one.”

“I already put in my retirement papers but I want to wait for that final ballistic report to come in. I don’t know why but my sixth sense is telling me that I need to be here when it does.” Sandi said. Caleb knew that it was pointless to argue with a werewolf's sixth sense.

“It should be here any minute now and as soon as it comes in you are out of here.” Caleb said.

“I promise the minute I finishing reading that report I will leave this place for good,” Sandi assured him.

“If you don’t I will throw you out of here myself, bodily if I have to,” he said.

“No you won’t.” she said. “You are too much of a gentleman to throw an old lady out on her keister,” Sandi explained. “And I’m not just any old lady. I’m the old lady who taught you everything you know on the art of sim fu so you won’t be able to.  HI-YAH!” Sandi said as they both laughed.

A few minutes later there was a beep on Sandi’s computer that served as an alert to when he received a message. The message was from forensics with the ballistic report.

“If that is it,” Caleb said, “Start clearing off your desk, Detective. And that is an order.”

“Bossy today aren’t you?” Sandi answered back with a laugh.

Caleb walked around the desk and stood behind Sandi.   He looked over her shoulder to read the message as he was as anxious to read it as she was.

Now Sandi knew why her sixth sense told her to stay as neither one of them ever expected to read those words on the report.  Many years back Caleb told Sandi the story of how he was abandoned. This was a tale that was not shared with many people at all in fact Sandi was sure only her, her husband Dylan, and Caleb’s wife Hope knew of it. At the age of 5 in Riverview, Caleb’s mother brought him to a mall and told him to wait for her but she never returned. Caleb was found by a police officer named Trevor Wilcox who brought him to the group home that he met Dylan in. The officer took a special interest in Caleb and would visit him often. One day the visits stopped and Caleb learned it was because Officer Wilcox was killed in the line of duty while working a mob war. That was Caleb’s main motivation to become a police officer to stop the families involved in that mob war and to continue the good work that Trevor had started. We had already stopped one of them but now it appears that we are going to stop them both. Caleb never dreamed he would ever find the actual gunman who murdered his mentor and she could only imagine the thoughts going through his mind.

Caleb stood up and slammed his fist on his desk and shouted, “I’ll kill that fucking son of a bitch!” He stormed out of the room as he slammed the door. Sandi was alarmed as she never seen her brother-in-law act this way. No matter what situation he was in he always kept his cool and handled the situation without letting his emotions get in the way. Even when force was needed to be used Caleb always knew how much to use and when it was absolutely needed. That is what made him a natural at his job.

Sandi started to run after Caleb when she realized this was a situation she couldn’t handle alone. She picked up her cell phone and hit the speed dial for Dylan. She told him to hurry up down to the station and to bring Hope with him. She made sure to tell him that everyone was physically fine but that there was an emergency that she needed their help with.

Caleb locked himself in the interrogation room as really just needed a little while to absorb it all and most of all calm down. Pip was denied bail and was transferred to Simcatraz to await his trial. Luckily for Pip he was far out of Caleb’s reach when the rage hit as even Caleb didn’t trust his self control at that moment. For years he had wanted to get justice for his mentor’s death and ironically that gunman had been right under his nose all the time. Pip was never going to see the light of day with all the evidence they had against him for sure. How could he have not seen this one coming at all had him second guessing himself and his ability at his career?

Sandi sniffed around the station for Caleb until she was finally able to figure out which room Caleb was in. The door was locked so she knocked several times but all Caleb said was that he needed to be alone. Caleb was the type who knew how to take care of others during their time of need but found it difficult to accept help when he needed it. Dylan and Hope soon arrived Sandi filled them in on the recent events. Dylan decided to knock on the door and try to talk to his brother.

“Bro open the door let’s talk about this” Dylan shouted to the closed door.

“I should have guessed that Sandi would call you right away,” Caleb said.

“Sandi is worried about you as am I,” Dylan said. “Hope is here too and she is also worried. Why don’t you open the door and come home with us?” Caleb didn’t answer his brother at all. “Bro you know how much I hate to use magic but I will.”

“I just need some time by myself” Caleb yelled back.

“No that is not what you need. You need the love and support of your family, “Hope yelled back. “Come on hun just open the door for us.”

“Stand back” Dylan said to the women. Dylan rarely used magic but his undeveloped powers never failed him when he needed them the most.

Tears to Fears, Fears to Tears

Cheers to Jeers,Jeers to Cheers

Now we know Four is the score,

 All we need is to Open that door!

Sparks flew from Dylan’s wand towards the door. He walked up to the door and turned the knob. The door opened without any problem. Yep he magic never failed him whenever he needed. As he stood there ready to walk into the room he knew this was not his job to do anymore. Dylan was old and wouldn’t be around much longer but Hope would always be there for Caleb. Dylan looked at Hope and stepped aside.  He held the door open as he motioned for her to walk in.

"I don't want to talk about it," Caleb said.

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Hope explained. "I just don't want you to be alone right now.  It's times like these that family sticks together to support each other.  You have done it for everyone in both of our families and now you need to know that we are here for you."

"Why?" Caleb asked.  "I don't deserve it.  I should have known all along that Pip was the one.  I can't even do my damn job correctly."

"And how could you have known that?" Hope asked.

"Isn't it obvious!" Caleb snapped back.

"You had no reason in the world to suspect that Pip was the one to kill who shot Trevor." Hope answered.

"Are you sure about that?" Caleb asked sarcastically.  "My brother doesn't even like to use his powers yet they work for him."

"Hold on there one minute.  Are you blaming the fact that you didn't use your powers?" Hope asked.  "Mind reading is a power that can be abused if not handled correctly.  It's so easy to cross that line between right and wrong with an ability like that.  That is why none of us use it and it's an invasion of privacy.  You said yourself that the only time you use that ability just a tiny bit is to determine when someone is lying to you while you are questioning them. "

"So instead I was a nice guy who respected Pip's right to privacy.  He was free all this time causing trouble for MY FAMILY when I should have put him in jail a long time ago. You know what they say about nice guys,"  Caleb said.

"Stop talking nonsense!  What happened to Trevor was tragic and you found his murderer no matter how long it took.  How many others would have just left the case dormant after a while? You seen it through until the end.  You are one of the best detectives on this force. You inspired your own son to follow in your footsteps and it wasn't because of your powers.   You solve your cases using your own brain and skills. All the supernatural powers in the world pale in comparison to your skills and knowledge." Hope explained.

"I don't feel like the best detective right now," Caleb said "I still feel as if I should have done more."

"I know this had to be difficult to learn so maybe you should take some time off until the shock wears off.  You do have some vacation time accrued so why don't we go to Roaring Heights to spend some time with our grandchildren?" Hope asked.

"Hey we could use a vacation and would like to see the kids too" Dylan said as he walked in with Sandi.

"Why not after that we head on over to Isla Paradiso," Sandi said "Chrissie just found out that she is having a baby girl and I'm sure we would all love to spend some time with Bae."

"This does sound like a great idea," Hope said "The four of us on a long vacation.  What do you say hun?"

Caleb thought about it for just a moment and he knew he wouldn't be able to do his job correctly with these feelings of doubt and anger inside of him.  He also could use a vacation since he would always be a workaholic.  Seeing all the kids would be good for him and he definitely wouldn't regret spending some extra time with his brother.

"OK you convinced me.  All of you are right.  I need some time away from here." Caleb said.

Caleb's vacation turned into a very long and much needed leave of absence.  He needed the time off for himself but it also was for family emergency reasons. Trevor had just turned Carissa and she wasn't handling the change well and she felt very ill.  She needed to rest and Trevor welcomed the extra help with the kids.

It was about time that they spent some quality time with the kids anyway.  Aiden was already a teenager and the two little ones Ava and Ashley were growing up faster than they could imagine.

The four of them decided to go to Isla Paradiso right after they received word that Chrissie just delivered a healthy baby girl who she named Morgan. Bae was already accepted at Sim State University in the fall and wanted to join the Navy as an oceanographer after he graduated.  He wouldn't be moving back in with his parents so they thought it best for Morgan and themselves to move back to Aurora Skies to stay out of the hot Isla Paradiso sun.  Bae did promise to visit his parents as often as possible while he was traveling.

They stayed until Bae graduated high school and they spent the summer there until Bae left for university.  While Chrissie & Mickey was busy packing Sandi and Hope fussed over the baby and two brothers spent the day relaxing. Thankfully they had a large supply of vampiric sunscreen that Holly made on hand.  It was decided that Chrissie and Mickey would move in with Sandi and Dylan as their house was already willed to them.

By the time they finally arrived home Caleb had cooled down and was ready to go back to work again.  The time off did him good and he realized that skill and knowledge is more important than supernatural powers could ever be. This was something his brother knew already and it was about time that he learned the same lesson.  Science was always Dylan's preferred source of magic.

Caleb sat at his desk waiting for his new partner to arrive.  He was already missing Sandi and he knew he would never find another partner like her.  It was ironic that those two became so close when they hated each other when they first met.  Now he didn't know how he would do this job without her.

Taylor's boyfriend Heath walked in and shook Caleb's hand.  Caleb noticed the difference in him right away as Taylor must have turned him.

"So what brings the FBI down here to our station?" Caleb asked.

"You mean formally of the FBI,"  Heath said.  "Taylor and I talked it over and we decided to move back to Aurora Skies.  That meant I needed to leave the FBI and I joined the Aurora Skies PD.  Meet your new partner."

Caleb did like Heath so he knew this would work out but he was still the new guy. "So partner,” Caleb said with a smile on his face as there was no way he would go easy on the new guy especially a new guy who was dating his niece. "Would you mind telling me when you are going to make an honest woman of my niece instead of just shacking up with her?"

Chapter 73-White Lace and Promises

Planning the perfect wedding was something Hope was able to achieve on a daily basis. This was the part of her job which she loved best and she did it well.  As she walked through the wedding venue she checked to make sure every last little detail from the flowers to the food was exquisite and impeccable.  Only the best would do for this wedding as the hosts were more than just clients, they were family. 

The wedding cakes arrived just in time and were baked especially by Lenora Landgraab who was the bride's Aunt.  This time she had her work cut out for her as two cakes were needed.  The first cake was white chocolate with raspberry filling and a buttercream icing and the second was the same except the filling was plasma fruit instead of raspberry.  The bride and many of the guests were vampires so two cakes were necessary.

As the guests arrived Chrissie prepared for her big day with her mother and sisters by her side.  All brides are nervous and Chrissie was no exception.  She was jumpy and the simplest of tasks seemed impossible.  Starr was prepared and she hired a hair stylist and makeup artist especially for the occasion.  Starr always knew her daughter was beautiful but today in her white gown and tiara she looked like a fairy tale princess.

Across the hall the Groom was preparing for the big day.   He was just a nervous as the bride but he didn't want to show it.  His family flew in from Isla Paradiso especially for the occasion and his sisters Rose and Donna were asked to be bridesmaids.  His mother Hawk was an Imaginary Friend like himself and his sister Donna.  His father Anders and his twin sister Rose were mermaids.  

Nick walked into the room to tell the women that it was time for the ceremony to start, but his wife was still taking pictures. Starr told him they could wait as she was not finished yet.  Starr figured they couldn't start the wedding without the bride so she was going to take her time.  Its not everyday that her daughter got married and she wanted plenty of quality pictures.  Nick knew enough not to argue with his wife as it would only prolong their wait.

As Starr's camera continued to click away he looked at his daughter and she was a vision of beauty.  It felt like it was only yesterday she was the little girl who coned him into getting her a puppy dog.  Now she was a grown woman who is ready to start a family of her own. The camera clicks and flashes continued for a few more minutes until Starr was satisfied with the shots she had taken.  Starr hugged her daughter and she was able to sense that Chrissie was still a bit jittery.  She told her daughter she loved her and that she should stay calm as everything was going to be fine.  Starr looked at her daughter one more time before she went to the join their guests in the chapel.

Nick: Chrissie are you absolutely sure?  Are you having any doubts?

Chrissie:  I have never been more sure of anything in my life.

Nick: You look very nervous so I just wanted to make sure.

Chrissie: I guess I have some butterflies in my stomach, but I know I love Mickey with all my heart.

Nick: You know your old room is going to stay exactly as you left it just in case you feel you need it again.

 Chrissie: Daddy I know my room will be there.  We have already decided all this.  Mickey is moving in and we are living with you and Mom until Dimitri is found.  Remember safety in numbers.

Nick: Yes I do remember but you know what I mean.  Eventually you two will get a place of your own, but you always have a home with your mother and I.

Chrissie: I know Daddy and I love both of you for that.

Nick: I guess we better get this show on the road.  Your groom is anxiously waiting for you.  And one more thing, you look beautiful.

Nick was right and the groom was anxiously waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle. Mickey stood there thinking how accepting a teaching job so far from his home changed his life.  He had so many failed relationships one right after the other and he knew he needed a change.  When he was offered this opportunity he had no idea the love of his life would be teaching in the classroom right next to his.  In just a few minutes this amazing women would walk down that aisle and they would leave this room as husband and wife. 

As the ceremony begins the bridal party walks into the room, Andrea and Elton, 

Aurora and Carson, 

Trevor and Carissa, 

Kevin and Donna, 

Matt and Rose, 

Taylor and Heath 

and Alicia the flower girl.

When Alicia finished tossing rose petals all the way down the aisle, the crescendo changed and everyone stood up when "Here Comes the Bride" could be heard loud and clear throughout the entire room.  As soon as Mickey seen her, he was astonished at how breathtaking she looked.

As she slowly walked down the aisle escorted by her father they were greeted with smiling faces of the family and friends who agreed to attend the ceremony. Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins all arrived just to celebrate this day with the happy couple.

The bride and her father reached the end of the aisle and joined Mickey at the wedding Arch.  The ceremony was to be performed by Father Kelly of the All Sims Church.

Father Kelly: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Nick: Her mother and I do.

Nick places Chrissie's hand into Mickey's and then he takes his seat right next to his wife.

Father Kelly: Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this man Mickey Seaworth and this woman Chrysanthemum Sandra Slayer in holy matrimony.

If anyone here can show just cause why these two should not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold your peace.

At this time the Bride's Grandfather Christopher Wolfgang Landgraab asked that he read a letter written to the couple by a man who was unable to be with us today.

Wolfie:  I was handed this letter with the specific instructions that it was to be read on my Granddaughter Chrissie's wedding day but only if the groom was Mickey Seaworth. At the time I was surprised as I did not even think the two of you were dating but I was assured that he knew this day would come and I am more than happy that it did.

Dear Chrissie and Mickey,

I am sitting here today warm in the comfort of my home while the snow is really piling up out there.  I just hung up the phone with you Chrissie and I have a confession to make to you and to Mickey.  I may be old and my memory fails me but I lied. I didn't forget to call either of you about the snow day.  I knew exactly what I was doing.  I wanted you two to spend some time together.  I guess you can say I was playing matchmaker and I am quite please with the results.

If my brother is reading this letter, it means that I am no longer here to share this day with you.  Or maybe I am.  Rest assured I am there with both of you today but in spirit. As you both know I have entrusted my afterschool program to you and ownership should have already been transfered over.  Both of you are respected educators who have the same dedication to the profession as I have and I can rest in peace knowing my legacy is in good hands.

My wish is that you have a very happy and long life together.   When you have children please tell them that they also have a guardian angel watching over them, and this angel's name is Uncle Ronny.

With love always,

Ronald Emmett Landgraab

PS to Grandma Holly-I got your message, thank you for sending it.

Father Kelly: Now the Bride and the Groom will exchange their vows.  I call upon their family and friends to witness the words that shall bind Chrysanthemum Sandra and Mickey together as they profess their love for one another.

Chrissie: When we first met we were coworkers, both of teaching at the same school. You quickly became my friend and confident and eventually you became my teacher. You taught me how to love and more importantly you taught me how it feels to have that love returned. You also taught me that a relationship is an equal partnership where you receive as much as you give. I promise to spend the rest of my life as your friend, your confident, your companion, your lover and your wife.  I love you with all of my heart and I will treasure each and every one of our days together.

I, Chrysanthemum Sandra Slayer, take you Mickey Seaworth, to be my husband,

To have and to hold from this day forward,

For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;

From this day forward until death do us part.

With this ring I thee wed.

Mickey: For my whole life I was looking for love and I was ready to give up on ever being able to find it.  Finally I decided I should concentrate on my career instead so I took a chance and accepted a job far away from my home.  As I walked toward the school I saw you standing there and I struck me all at once that there was much more here for me than just a career.  We spent our days as colleagues and soon we became friends.  I grew accustomed to seeing your face every morning with a smile that warmed my heart.  That cold day that you showed me the proper way to make a snowman was the day I knew you were destined to be my wife.  I promise to love you, respect you and treat you like the beautiful goddess you truly are to me.  

I, Mickey Seaworth, take you Chrysanthemum Sandra Slayer, to be my wife,

To have and to hold from this day forward,

For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;

From this day forward until death do us part.

With this ring I thee wed.

Father Kelly: Now that Chrysanthemum Sandra and Mickey have professed their love and pledged their commitment to one another by the exchange of rings in front of God and the witnesses here today I now declare them husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.

 You may kiss your bride.

Family and Friends who have gathered here today may I present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Seaworth.

After the ceremony the celebration began with the usual wedding traditions.  The bride and the groom stepped onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. The newlyweds glided across the dance floor while the beautiful voice of Karen Carpenter filled the room with the song especially chosen by Chrissie and Mickey for this special moment.

♫And when the evening comes we smile,

So much of life ahead, 

We'll find a place where there is room to grow,

And yes, we've just begun♫

Later on it was time for more time honored wedding traditions as the bride tossed her bouquet to all the single women in the room and the lucky girl who caught the bouquet would be the next bride.  As Chrissie looked to see where her sister Taylor was standing. Heath had not proposed to Taylor yet and Chrissie wanted to send her sister some luck.

However the wedding bouquets do have the power to find the next bride, no matter who the bouquet was aimed at.  Andrea was the girl who caught the bouquet.

The last tradition of the evening was the cutting of the wedding cake.  Starr once again stepped into her role as photographer as she would not trust these pictures to anyone else. The top layer of the cake was to be placed in a box for the couple to bring home. It is believed to be good luck for a long life together if the couple freezes the top layer to eat on their first wedding anniversary.  There was a mistake in the kitchen and the top layer of the raspberry filled cake could not be found. They did indeed have the one with the plasma fruit filling which was brought home by Starr and Nick to be frozen. Mickey and Chrissie knew he wouldn't be able to eat the cake on their first wedding anniversary but they didn't care,  It was only a superstition and they didn't need a piece of cake to predict their long life together.  They both knew in their hearts that they would.

All the guest went home as Mickey carried his bride over to the honeymoon suite.  For the first time that day he had Chrissie all to himself.  The room was exactly as he ordered with champagne, heart shaped boxes of chocolates and rose petals on top of the bed. Tomorrow they would leave on their honeymoon to Hidden Spring but tonight was special as it was their first as husband and wife.

 To be continued......

Author Note:  As the families grow we have so many family member that would normally be invited to a big wedding like this but the game doesn't allow us to have that many sims in a household even with the help of a mod.  Here is a link to the couples wedding album which does show all the guest who were in attendence.  

I am breaking the rules again as Chrissie and Mickey are living in Starr and Nick's house. It is easier for me to keep them there because they will be moving out of Aurora Skies soon.  When they do they already have a house of their own waiting for them.

I would like to thank ShaliANel for use of the groom Mickey, the Bridesmaids Rose and Donna and the Grooms parents Anders and Hawk Seaworth.  Here is a link to all of her stories.  Stories of Mischief.

I would like to thank Jazen for the Groomsmen Matt and for the Solo and Gruber family. Here are the links to her stories.  As Life Goes, Kiss of a Vampire, Just Simming Along.

I would like to thank Sweetnightingale for the Bridesmaids Andrea and Aurora, for the Landgrabb Family and for Mathilda Kelly. Here are the links to her stories and her You tube channel. Forever In Time, Another World, As Tears Go By, Sweetnightingales Sims and You Tube Channel.

I would like to thank Pinksparkles3475 for Crystal Atherton and for helping me dress many of the sims for the wedding.  I also want to thank her for the incredibly long name of the bride as she is the one who gave her that name.

I would like to thank Shafer249 for Groomsman Elton Holman and Ethan Burnbright and Gia Gardens.  Here is a link to her story Sims 3 Stories and The Story of Rosaline Dimes

And last but certainly not least I would like to thank Vuneca for Wind and Jonas Solo and also for creating this wonderful challenge where I have made some very good friends who write so many wonderful stories which I do hope we will continue to do for a very long time to come.  Here is the link to her story and to the rules of the Going Solo Challenge.

Going Solo by Vuneca  Sims 3 Going Solo Rules  Sims 4 Going Solo Rules