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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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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Greetings

Green invited her inside offering her lunch. "Caliburst makes the best grilled cheese." She had gently refused saying that she couldn't stay around long. "Then how about a game of pool?"

They walked over to the living room with the intent to play. Green's memories still searched for the missing piece of information that he was sure would break his memory wide open. Wasn't there something more? He was pretty sure that they all lived in the same dorm for a while, yet he couldn't remember much about her.



"Do you remember the time Aden pulled that prank on the Cow mascot?" She was saying. Her eyes seemed bright, and she moved much more comfortably than she had a second before. "Oh that poor cow mascot, I was sure we weren't going to see him until the end of the school year, and he was back the next day."

Green laughed with her, a natural and easy laugh. Something about her was different, natural and simple. It was easy to laugh with her around.



"I feel bad, you know." He said suddenly. She looked at him, the curiosity clear on her face. "I feel like I should know more about you. But I'm really drawing a blank."

She shrugged with a small smile. "Well, you did have to leave quickly, I don't blame you." There was something in her eyes. Her large green eyes seemed to shimmer in the light that filtered in through the expensive window.

"Hmm.. still." Green looked away, trying to catch the memory that was dancing just out of his reach. "I think I remember you looking differently."



For a second, worry clouded her face. "Oh, true. My hair used to be longer. I'm thinking about growing it out again though."

Worried that he had somehow insulted her (shouldn't he know better then to make comments on the looks of someone he couldn't remember well?), Green said quickly, "Oh well I think it's lovely now. Very pretty." At that she perked up. "I just wonder if I can't remember you because of it."

A throat was cleared as someone entered the room. "Hello." Amanda slunk between Green and Aden's girlfriend. (Green found himself impressed by her slinking abilities even while nine months along with twins and possibly, something in the back of his head added, triplets.)



Green stumbled over a quick introduction. "Amanda this is..."

"Elizabeth," the dark haired girl said quickly. "I'm Aden Mellon's fiancée."

Amanda raked her eyes over Elizabeth. "And I'm Green's wife." She rubbed her belly purposely.

Elizabeth smiled as she nodded. "Well, I do have to get going." With a small wave, she disappeared quickly.




This is all stuff that pretty much just happened while I was playing. Pregnant Amanda snuck up on me too.

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Crash

Green stood at the bottom of the stairs after having tucked in his very pregnant wife. She was due any time now, and it was difficult to get her to listen to doctor's orders. Green had to finally just take her cell phone, her laptop, her PDA, and her files. Even then he had to practically lock her in her room to get her to stay put.

He'd had a small garden planted for her, a hint to her that she needed to slow down and smell the flowers. She only begrudgingly sat in the garden after she had rifled through his office to find her work tools and then became too tired to stand (but much too stubborn to sit with him as he worked on his newest novel).





Green put his head in his hands. She was wearing him out. As soon as the babies were born, he was sure that she would go straight back to work.

Just as Green was ready to head back to his office to continue working on his book, he heard a large crash from out front as if someone had just kicked the garbage can. Again. Only this time, he would catch the culprit!

Green burst out the door and ran over to the surprised girl who stood on his front lawn. Her eyes went wide at his approach and she raised a delicate hand. "Uhm... hi."



Green stopped short and stared at her for a short while. She looked so familiar, but in a way that felt like Deja Vu. "Did you just kick over my garbage can?"

"Uh... no? There was some guy who came along and kicked it. Then he ran off."

Green cursed under his breath. He was relatively sure that this girl had to be telling the truth. Why would she kick over his garbage can?

He focused on her, trying to remember where he had seen her before. "I know you..." Green thought back. He remembered her recently, just withing the last few phases. His thoughts stumbled around in circles as he tried to place her. He could feel the memory far off. It felt as if there were an invisible hole that his thoughts circled around.

"I know! You're Aden's girlfriend!"

He wasn't quite sure what the face she made meant (perhaps she and Aden were having some issues), but after a second of hesitation, she nodded.

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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 6 - The End

When the phone rang, Elizabeth stood at her easel practicing her painting. She was almost in the zone, she could feel the edges of it blurring her vision and sending her into a trance. At least, until the phone rang.

Green sauntered past in his robe as he usually did even before the school break and over to answer the phone. He appeared the same as he ever had before-- still smelled of coffee, went to class in his robe, and spent all of his time writing. But there was something different. Much of his time was generally spent on the phone, and usually he would take it away from where Elizabeth stood working on her painting so that he could whisper into the phone out of her ear shot.



So that was it. Probably while on break, he had met someone else, and so he only pretended to not know her so that he could avoid the messy break up that would have been involved.

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed as she furiously dabbed at her painting. So foolish to think someone who kept their relationship secret actually loved her.

She heard Green say, "What?" His mouth fell into a frown. "Oh god, I'll be right there!"



"Green?" Elizabeth turned her head to face him even as he picked up the head set again to dial another number.

"My father passed away. I have to get home." She wasn't sure if he was talking to her at that point or to the taxi service because, after a short pause, he rattled off the dorm address then ran off to his room to pack.

Aden, sensing that something was wrong, came over to Elizabeth to ask her about it. "His father passed away."

Later that day, Green hopped into a taxi loaded with his things and left.

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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 4 - After Break

A few years ago


"Oh, Green! I missed you!" Elizabeth and Green stood together in the rec room. It was late at night, and most everyone had gone to bed or at the very least their room, giving Elizabeth private time with Green.

She reached over to hug him, to smell his odd musk and coffee beans scent, but he pushed her back. "What're you doing?"





Elizabeth stood still. Her hand burned where he had touched her. "Green, what's going on? You've been acting weird since you got back from break. This isn't funny."


Green's eyebrows furrowed as he stood before her. "What are you talking about?" When no words came out of her mouth and her eyes started to sting, Green brushed past her to head back to his room.



Elizabeth's feet wouldn't move. Her face flushed as the first few tears filled her eyes. Somehow, she wasn't sure how, she was back in her room with her door locked, crying into her hands. The parts of her body where Green had touched her burned with the memory, and she tried her best to wipe away his imaginary touches.


What had happened over break? She had no way of knowing and no one she could ask. Aden had told her exactly what he had done on the farm visiting his family, but he wasn't going to share what Green had done unless she out right asked.


Since Green had returned, he hadn't spoken to her more than a curious "hey" back to any of her greetings. Could he truly have forgotten her? Or was it all a lie?

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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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Uncertainty Part 2 - Pre School Break

Elizabeth, having woken up before Green for once, brewed some coffee for the both of them. She found that coffee and Green were connected. When she had a cup of a good coffee, straight black, it reminded her of those nights she snuck into his room, past Aden's room, where they would try their best to quietly make love on his twin bed. Half the time they spent repositioning, stopping to listen for any strange noises they thought they heard, and then giggling like children.

Her short green nightie now stayed in Green's room, usually under his mattress. She loved it. It was long enough to cover her, but short enough to suggest it wouldn't. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth felt like a bad sim, and it unfortunately turned her on.

The only thing that had worried her these past nights was that she knew she had to tell Aden. Aden still hadn't managed to spend much time with her. He had morning classes which allowed for her to spend the morning in Green's room with little worry. And she had plenty of afternoon classes with Green. Both were literature majors, so both shared the same teachers and class times.

Green stirred behind her. "Mmmm... coffee. Thanks." He caressed her cheek then softly kissed her on the lips.

Her heart jumped when he did small gestures like that. Why couldn't Aden do that? "I have to talk to him today."

"Who?" Green took a sip of his coffee.

"Aden."

Green had the cup to his lips when she said it. She could see him quickly swallowing his sip. "Oh. Well, that's true I guess." He looked deeply into his cup. "I sort of feel bad though. Maybe it isn't a good time right now. Maybe we should wait until we go home for break."

It was tempting, but then when would she tell him? By phone? Or in person right before he left to be with his family?

"I mean, it could make it difficult living around here. We should get our own place together." Green caressed her cheek.

"I'll think about it. I guess. I do like the sound of our own place." Elizabeth drank from her cup, memories of public trysts in phone booths and in the rec room, the sneaking, the excitement, the guilt and shame. "We'll see."

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Uncertainty Part 1 - Green and Elizabeth

Events Previous:

Aden and Elizabeth are a couple. They came over on the ship together and were jammed in with other sims including Green (he is the chosen "Legacy" heir so he's something of a prince), who had been their roomie at the old Uni.

Once they arrived, Green, Aden and Elizabeth spent some time helping to build up the city while Richard spoke and made deals with the locals. There was a college, and Green, Aden and Elizabeth were to be the first outsiders to attend.


A few years ago from present playing day:





Green ferociously pressed his lips to hers as he half lay on top of her on the sofa. Her legs dangerously dangled half off the sofa, so she clung to him, pulling him in closer, matching his ferocity in her attempt to not fall on the ground. Green smelled of musk and fresh ground coffee beans. Elizabeth almost laughed out loud when she realized that he very often smelled of coffee but for his kisses which covered her face, her lips, her eye lids. Aden never kissed her so passionately.

It had started with the ship ride to the new land. Green had hung around Elizabeth and Aden so often when they were on the ship, the three had become close. But her feelings towards Aden and Green had managed to balance out so that she had preferred neither over the other by the end of it all, although everyone aboard the ship accepted that she and Aden were a couple.



Green grabbed her legs with one hand and held her tightly so she no longer felt like she would fall. She threw her arms around his neck and focused only on kissing him; although her mind wandered she did her best to ignore it and focus on Green. Green and his sweet kisses, his hungry passionate kisses.

At the new college, Aden was often away. He enjoyed hiking much more than Elizabeth did. Although he often invited her, she often declined. Instead, Elizabeth spent her time painting, a new hobby she was surprised to find she enjoyed.

Green noticed her painting one day. He had stood behind her a while before he went to his room to do more work on his novel. It wasn't until after dinner that day, when Aden was at class that, out of the blue he leaned in close and told her, "When you get that look of concentration on your face, you look so cute!" Elizabeth had blushed furiously. No one called her cute, not even Aden.



Green lay his full weight upon her. He wasn't heavy in the least, and surprisingly, she found him to actually be rather on the skinny side for someone who spent all his time writing and drinking coffee. His body pressed up against her, warming her bare limbs. She ran her hand up and down his poor cold back. Perhaps the rec room had not been the best choice for this unexpected trist, but the idea that they could be caught--!



"Oh, Green!" She whispered huskily in his ear. Green's kisses came faster and furiouser.

Didn't he have a girlfriend already? Ashley Stratton had been his girlfriend. "She's still a teen." Green had told her numerous times. "She's a kid. I've already talked to her about it, honestly. We're still good friends though."

Green whispered in her ear, "Cmon. Let's go back to my room." Green grabbed their clothes which lay strewn on the floor. He cautiously walked to the door of the rec room and unlocked it. Glacning around, he motioned that the way was clear, and like two little kids sneaking back into a house after staying up all night, they ran over to his room; their bare feet making no sound on the soft carpet.

Green locked the door after she entered. Dumping their clothes on the ground, he gently lay her on his twin bed, then lay on top of her. They spent the night entwined in each other's arms.

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