Tax Season 2

Elizabeth Kauker was last featured in the Uncertainty storyline. She had been a townie who haphazardly fell for Aden Mellon (son of Lucy Hanby, someone Elizabeth figured would understand her predicament). Townies don't age unless one of my playables make them real, and Aden seemed to want to help.

Along came Green Mellon, the legacy heir, smelling of coffee from all nighters spent working on writing his romance novels and swept her off her feet. He and Aden left on break to visit their families, and when Green returned, he was a different man altogether. Their relationship was over (on his end only apparently) and Elizabeth has no idea what happened. (But we do.)

This family's last post

Elizabeth felt as if Aden's eyes were fully noticing her for the first time since they had left college.

"You look beautiful," he said simply.

"Thank you." The words fell out awkwardly. They meant nothing, hers and his. Maybe it was just her nervousness; maybe she was just thinking too much.

"They're waiting. Shall we go?"





Elizabeth and Aden stood under the rented arch in their backyard. Aden's family had not come. No, they were not invited. Aden made excuses, explaining that the wedding was being put together too fast to make the arangements to get all his family out and together. As a compromise, he told his mother they would come out to visit as soon as they could.

But Elizabeth had a feeling that Aden was deliberately leaving his family out of the ceremony. She had no proof, just a gut feeling that he was getting more into his politics career than he was into supporting his family and his formly a service NPC mother.

Glancing through the loose strands of her hair, Elizabeth glanced over at Green and Amanda Mellon. Green had married her right away after he left the college. Elizabeth tried not to think on it. Aden had invited Green with the excuse that they were old college buddies; it couldn't have anything to do with Green's status.

The other couple invited were Aden's boss, Richard Mellon, and his wife, Genesis.

Elizabeth tried not to notice that he almost fell asleep during the ceremony. Thankfully, Genesis poked him in the ribs with her elbow when she noticed.


They leaned in for their kiss as the sun slipped behind the mountain. Elizabeth closed her eyes just as the applause started first from the far corner where Genesis sat and then over to the side nearest Elizabeth where Green and Amanda sat.


The party then moved indoors. Though Elizabeth hardly made it past the kitchen.

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Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking. And reading this site.

Aden and Elizabeth don't have to pay taxes. Those working for the city don't pay, so Aden was always exempt. And since Elizabeth is now married to Aden, she doesn't have to pay either.

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One Last Dig - The end of autumn

Richard sat in an official manner at his seat behind his desk. "We still have the open position for Librarian. Any names come to mind for consideration?"

"What about younger sims that we can groom for the part? Alberta Ferguson?"



Richard shook his head. "Her grandmother is going to pass away soon, and she's going to have to run the cemetery."

The three sat for a moment before Aden said, "What about Ashley Stratton?"



"Oh, there's an idea. Hmm. Let's review her files and send her a note, shall we?" Richard smiled in an official and business-like manner. "Now, Jeanie, how is the construction on the new medical facility going? Are we still under budget?"

"Well, I am happy to announce it is complete. But we were a little over budget. We sill have enough to pay the salaries, but the summer festival will have to wait until after taxes get in."

"Over budget?" Richard still smiled, but his smile seemed to change. Aden could feel Richard's thoughts from across the desk. "What exactly was over budget?"

Jeanie looked uncomfortable. "Well, the building was fine. It's all up to code. It was just the interior decorations."



Richard hid his displeasure well. The new "medical facility director" (which was only a fancy term for their one and only doctor) was a rather strong woman who had already butted heads with Richard on what exactly were the highest priorities for the new facility lay.

Richard seemed to shrug off the entire issue. "Oh well. We just won't hand out any scholarships this year. Any other issues?"

Jeanie and Aden glanced at one another. There was certainly one large issue that Richard seemed intent on ignoring. If either of the council members brought it up, he would wave it away and say that "The Orlandos" had it under control.*

The meeting was called. Jeanie and Aden stood at the same time, but Aden stopped when he caught Richard's eye.

"Aden, we must talk, catch up you know."



Jeanie left rather quickly. Aden watched her go and felt a pang of jealousy like a school boy watching one of the children leaving early for a dentist appointment.

"So how are things? How is the new house?"

Aden fought the truth back from the tip of his tongue. "Good. Things're a little tight is all."


It was only too clear that Richard had not been listening. "Good good. So when is the wedding?"

A sigh ran away from Aden before he could stop it. "Well, it was postponed for various reasons. Mostly out of respect for Green's loss."

"Oh, so you aren't married yet?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Well, it's just that it will have to go into the file. Elizabeth will have to be taxed for half of your new property's value, you know, since she's not a city employee."



Aden could simply not believe the gall of the man. He laughed softly trying to minimize half crazy sound of his gawfaw. "Oh, uhm, right. Well. I had better head home now before she worries."

"I understand completely. I'll see you tomorrow."

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* "The Orlandos" is a new one. That would be the city's police force. Orlando Centowski, Ama's father, and Orlando Mellon, one of Hobart's fathers.

This marks the end of autumn. Which means new header picture!

Finally you meet my town's mayor. This same man is also Gabe's adopted father.

Richard was never elected to this post. He calls himself "Mayor," but he sort of created and stepped into the position. No one has objected so far. And Richard does intend on passing this position to his son Richard, the 3rd.

Also, the City Center they're in right now is an actual usable community lot. Richard gives speeches from time to time. And other sims can go to the community lot to meet and talk with Richard.

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New House

Elizabeth stepped into the living room of their very first house. It was small and old, but she loved it. A small Victorian style house with a large yard, as soon as she had seen it she had seen the possibilities.

"It's perfect," she said with a large smile. "Isn't it?"



Aden came in and stepped past her. He had been quiet on the whole ride over in a way that made Elizabeth worry again. "It's okay," he said as he placed a small box on top of a larger one.

Elizabeth walked towards the little nook near the front door. The loan had gone through for the house, but it had barely paid for it which meant the wedding was delayed. Not that Aden had been in a big rush. Right before they moved, he had told her about Green's three babies and the one who hadn't made it. He wanted the wedding put on hold out of respect, and Elizabeth couldn't argue with that.



Essentially, it had been Richard Mellon, The Mayor, who had changed the course of their lives. He had refused to loan them any city funds so they were completely on their own. Now they were 20k in debt, in an old house that needed repairs which they lacked the funds to make.

It was rather unfair. The other council member (for there were currently only two) had a huge house on The Hill. The Mayor had an even larger house on The Hill.

Not that Elizabeth cared about such things as social status. She would be happy if Aden would just be happy. But he was certain that he was being held back by the mayor simply because of his mother. Aden's mother (who Elizabeth had yet to meet) had been a Non-Persona Class service sim. It was one of the lowest positions held in their sim society. As such, although it sounded like Aden's family was happy for the most part, they lived on farms outside of the city.

Aden had been happy in college. Elizabeth wasn't sure when he had suddenly changed into this angry sim that almost frightened her at times. She hoped that she hadn't been the one to sour him because now she was ready to spend the rest of her life with him.

An exasperated gargle sounded from Aden's throat at the same time that there was a loud bang on one of the boxes.



Elizabeth turned in surprise, but Aden only walked away silently.




Creepy Pic

Clearly, Aden is angry about something.

I went back to Aden and Elizabeth's old apartment, and although their apartment is now vacant, they game still thinks they live there.

I was playing the apartment of Alberta Ferguson and her grandmother when I unwisely unlocked the door for only one second. Elizabeth came in to grab food off the family's little dining table. Then the girl passed out right on the floor! I wish I had gotten a pic. She looked like some hobo living on the street. They are indeed poor, but I didn't realize they needed to beg for food from former neighbors who are still living in the cheap apartments in the slum!

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Elizabeth at The Wedding

Elizabeth relaxed with a book in the study in an old chair she had picked up at the local thrift store. The study was turning into her favorite room. Slowly, she and Aden added pieces of art and furniture until it became their space. They had picked up an old desk with paint splattered all over it which they had sanded down and re-painted all one color. The old fashioned wooden office chair they had picked up also at the same time and with a little bit of paint and a nice cushion, it made a very comfortable chair.





Elizabeth was enjoying her life with Aden. He had just been elected by the people to be a city council member, and he answered directly to the Mayor. Sure, it put a lot of strain on Aden as well as Elizabeth with his long hours and his cranky attitude, but over all it was a good job to have.

She was ready to put their young college behind them and start acting as an adult. Until Aden received an interesting letter in the mail. It was hefty, and had silver guilding on it. Elizabeth's hand had shaken as she held it. It was addressed to Aden, but it was from Green.

Elizabeth sighed in the large loney room as she thought back to the wedding the day before. She had done her best to prepare herself when Aden received the invite. Still, that first moment when she saw Green kiss his bride to be in the garden, she had jumped out of her seat as all the muscles in her body stiffened.



Aden had looked up at her and tugged her hand to have her sit down. "What's wrong?" He had asked when she sat. Elizabeth had only waved her hand as her heart beat in her chest. She was sure she had come up with some reason, but she couldn't remember it now.



Her life with Aden was good. It was great. It was all anyone could ask for. Would she give up her current life to live in that large house on the hill with Green? Did she really think that the "Prince" of Tierra de Legado was going to choose her as his "princess?" Elizabeth shuddered at her own foolishness and selfishness. What would she have done if Green had asked? Would she have left Aden without a word of warning so that he could feel what she had felt on the day Green got married?

Elizabeth promised herself that she would never do such a thing to him again. She loved Aden. And they would be married within the next year. They would have a house and possibly children soon. Life was perfect, she told herself constantly so as not to forget.

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Uncertainty Part 5 - Decision

Still a few years ago

"Aden!" Aden had been watching a chess game between the other two dormies when he heard Elizabeth's voice coming from behind him. He turned slightly to welcome her back, but before he had a chance to utter a word, she had her arms around him and kissed him passionately, as if she hadn't seen him for years.




Aden was taken aback. "Elizabeth? Is that you?" Her long hair had been cut short and was in a simple but stylish ponytail. Her lips were painted red to match her nails, and her eyes had a touch of eyeliner to them which made him think of a cat.

A bit of the old Elizabeth shined through as she looked up at him shyly, "Yes. I just... I mean we're almost adults, right? I needed to start looking like one to feel like one."

Aden smiled at her as he gently caressed her and kissed her on the cheek. "You look beautiful! Well, you always do of course. You could have shaved your head and you'd still be the most beautiful girl in the room."



"Oh, Aden." It sounded as if her voice had warbled just a bit and looked as if her eyes teared up. Aden hadn't seen her ever get teary before. If telling her how beautiful she was made her get teary eyed, Aden would have to make sure to do it more often.

She dabbed at her eyes, trying not to ruin her make up. "I am starving. How about we drive into town and go get something to eat?"



"Town" was an hour away, and having just returned from break, Aden didn't really want to drive back. But looking into her eyes, that comfortable smile, the way she seemed so warm to him after the last semester when she had been so distant, he felt that he simply couldn't refuse.

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Uncertainty Part 3 - Distance

Break was fast approaching. Aden had asked her if she wanted to come home with him. Could he feel it? Their distance?





"Well..." She looked down at the ground. Aden had just come back from one of his hikes. He was dusty, and smelled of fish from the ocean. "I do, but I'm going to do some extra work here. Some of the teachers have asked me to help building and prepping the college for the other students."

Aden gently caressed her cheek. "Aw... but I understand. It's important work."

At his touch, Elizabeth almost cried. She grabbed his hand and gently nuzzled it. "I have to go to class."

"Now? You don't have class for another two hours."

She turned away and began walking towards the door. "I have something that I need to do before class."

Aden followed her to the porch even as she hurried away. "I can walk you to your class."

"No, that's ok. I'll see you tonight!" She called back without looking over her shoulder, leaving him standing beside the porch.

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Meanwhile

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.



Green and his cousin, Aden, are having a time in college!



Green has been working on his first book more than his school work. (As always. He was a horrible student in high school, and often had to be pushed to do his work.)

To help him stay up late, Green prefers a nice mug of strong black coffee. No girly espressos for him! I think he just likes the weight of the mug and the serious look it give him when he sips from it.

Green finally finished his book by the time his first semester was over. Poems for A., a set of poems he wrote for his sweetheart, Ashley, actually did really badly.

Green still gave her the book though. He was quite proud of it after all. He is already starting on his next book.





Aden Mellon, the unfortunate soul who is not only a middle child, but also has the misfortune of a horribly deformed face like his brother Stephen, is coming into his own. In other words, he's really growing on me.

Aden is more laid back. Originally, his parents had him running the store until his brother Phillip became a teen and decided that he was a fortune sim, and he wanted experience running a store. Thank goodness Phillip took over because Aden was seriously depressed. He hated running the store. He even hated going in with Phillip to help out.

Now at college, Phillip enjoys star gazing with the telescope (he's hoping to find the aliens again), and he's gained the attention of a cute young woman from his dorm.



Early one morning, he invited her out on a hike. Unfortunately, he lead them through a poison ivy patch, and they both came home itching. It took a while with all the itching, but Aden finally managed to get his first kiss.

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