1.4 - Life Goes On

Connor was great with Caroline. He absolutely adored her. Every chance he got, he was fussing over her. He didn't even mind the late night bottle feeding. 

Jane, too, doted on their daughter. Parenthood was a good fit for her and for Connor. 

They took turns feeding, changing, and cuddling Caroline, managing to balance their budding self-employed careers and their love life.

Connor had just published his second best-selling novel, and his weekly royalties were bringing in two thousand simoleons. His newest book, The Silence of the Iambs, is expected to be a Sim City Times best-seller.

Jane's paintings sell for a hefty price. She spends all of her spare time outdoors at her easel. Local businesses request her artistic skill in painting murals or donating artwork. 

And since their careers and their family had grown, they decided that their house should grow with them. Connor and Jane now had a master bedroom all to themselves - a fully furnished master bedroom. 

Caroline's crib still resides outside, but a nursery is in planning.

The love is still strong between Mr. and Mrs. Plain. Every night is a night of romance for the couple, and though they both want another baby, they think holding off until Caroline is a bit older would be wise. 

Having two young children at the same time sounds like a task neither wants to tackle.

As promised, when the funds were made available, a second bedroom was built on for Caroline. Decorated in soft pinks and periwinkle, the room was perfect for the growing girl who was about to have a birthday.

Jane bought a cake from the supermarket and the family of three gathered around to wish Caroline a very happy birthday. Connor blew out the candle for his daughter while his wife cheered them on.

Caroline grew into a toddler who shared her father's hair color and complexion. Her eyes, though, were more like her mother's. She also seemed to have inherited Jane's nose. 

She's an interesting blend of her parents.

Jane immediately took to potty training and teaching Caroline how to walk. 

While Jane took up time with the toddler, Connor wrote the final chapters of his latest novel. 

Partnership is a wonderful thing in parenting. Connor owned the responsibility of teaching Caroline how to talk. (He was surprised at how quickly she learned to say 'fishing pole'.)

And while Connor was spending time with Caroline, Jane practiced her artistry. She had recently learned how to paint a still life and was trying out the technique to paint a portrait of herself. She hoped to paint Connor's portrait when she improved a bit.

The finished product was abstract, but it was her and she liked it. Connor's would be in the same style for matching's sake.

For several days, Jane had been feeling a small ache in her muscles. She was also starting to notice fine lines forming on her forehead. Worriedly, she confided in Connor her new concerns. With a laugh, he had told her that all of that could be contributed to her aging.

Three nights later, he was proven to be right. As Jane was going to tuck Caroline into bed, she was suddenly quite a bit older. She had tried to avoid her birthday, but it was no use. She was no longer a young adult. Her younger days were now far behind her.




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1.3 - Baby, Baby, Baby

(This chapter will be short and choppy due to my poor picture taking. I apologize in advance!)

Conner brought in a good bit of simoleons, so the Plain lawn was transformed into the Plain shack.

The bathroom was amped up; a kitchen of sorts, complete with a small table, was built outside; a comfortable double bed was purchased; an easel was bought for Jane and a desk for Conner.

Things were beginning to come together.

When the newlyweds weren't spending time together, they worked on their hobbies.

Jane started painting, working towards her goal of Master of the Arts. She hoped to paint a portrait of Conner once she got good enough.

Conner spent most of his days in solitude, showing his loner side, writing successful books.

After mastering the guitar skill and raising quite a good amount of money through tips, Jane and Conner decided it was time to expand the Plain family. 

Morning sickness suggested that the second generation was about to begin.

When she began to show, Jane's suspicion was confirmed. She was pregnant!

She excitedly shared the news with a sleepy Conner. 

Though she was just barely showing, Conner enjoyed fussing over her. Every chance he got, he talked to, rubbed, and listened to her growing belly. 

While Jane was sure she would be a fine mother, she was confident that Conner would make the perfect dad to their little one.

Time flew quickly, and Jane was looking like she was ready to pop! Most of her pregnancy had been spent in front of the easel or enjoying time with Conner. Thankfully, this first pregnancy had been an easy one and she had been able to fully enjoy it.

She was not prepared, however, for the sudden labor she went into. Neither was Conner. 

While Jane took a taxi to the hospital, Conner was having a small meltdown at home.

Caroline Plain, born with the friendly and brave traits, was born in Sunset Valley's hospital just as her father was arriving. 

Jane decided to give her first daughter a plain but pretty name.

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1.2 - Let's Get Hitched

The next morning, Jane continues what's become a tradition: eating the left behind picnic food. Her conscience worries that she might be stealing, but the her stomach's growling says otherwise.

After a quick breakfast, Jane puts her new guitar skill to use. A small crowd gathers, and her guitar case floods with tips. One onlooker in particular keeps throwing in simoleons.

She sneaks a peek at her admirer. He's not bad looking, but then again, he's not exactly good looking, either. Jane decides to scope out the rest of the men that Central Park has to offer.

She spots a firefighter reading a book by the chess table. Smart and a firefighter? She's instantly interested. Too bad for Jane, though, he leaves before she can even end her song.

Jane spies a decent looking young man by the picnic tables, but his sideways hat sends off a red flag: the last time she saw someone wearing a baseball cap sideways was in 2009. She keeps looking.

From afar, Jane eyes a handsome, red-haired man. He seems to be writing a story on his laptop, and being artistic, she definitely likes that he's a writer. She also doesn't mind the beard.

Once night falls, she finally works up enough courage to talk to him. She learns that his name is Conner Frio. He's a journalist and a writer. Actually, his goal in life is to become a Professional Author. 

The two really hit it off.

I mean, they really hit it off.

Jane quickly falls for Conner, and it's safe to say that he feels the same.

Jane is so in love that she invites Conner down to the beach; she wants to show him those beautiful stars, but it turns into a very romantic night beneath the stars.

With every passing moment (and every passing kiss), Jane is falling more in love with Conner. 

She has this crazy idea...

After one night of knowing each other, Jane asks Conner to marry her.

Conner has an even crazier idea...

After being engaged for less than five minutes, Conner and Jane become Mr. and Mrs. Plain.

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1.1 - The Beginning

Meet Jane Plain.

Throughout her life, she had always been described as average or run-of-the-mill − some might would say she was a plain jane, even. 

It would seem that destiny intended for our friend Jane to lead a life of mediocrity. Everything about her was quite plain: her mousy brown hair, hair ponytail hairstyle, her dull brown eyes, her average sized figure, her clothing style, and even her last name.

But Jane has other plans.

Jane Plain is determined to live a life anything but plain. Jane wants to be remembered; Jane wants to leave her mark on the world; Jane wants to be the start of a great legacy.

And Jane intends to do just that by buying the biggest plot of land in all of Sunset Valley, meet the man of her dreams, and create a foundation for their offspring and future descendants. 

Jane's escape from the ordinary begins on 15 Summer Hill Court with a cheap twin bed and a single wall separating the toilet and the shower. She spends the last of her money on a guitar.

Jane takes a cab to the park and whips out her guitar. Jane has the 'loves the outdoors' and the 'virtuoso' traits, so this is right up her alley. Her lifetime wish is Master of the Arts, and if she wants to go down in history, she might as well get a head start.

It doesn't take long before she has a fan base crowding around her. Some are tapping their feet, some are dancing, and some are just listening, but everyone is taking notice of the ordinary girl with extraordinary talent. The prospects are looking in Jane's favor. She can't help but smile just a bit at the thought of it.

Having spent all her money on a massive plot of land, a refrigerator and stove is out of the question. Jane has to make do with stealing other people's food. She spots an abandoned picnic basket and gets to grubbing, enjoying what seems to be a delicious hotdog. It's getting dark out, and she decides to call it a day after her feast.

Before putting an end to her day, Jane stares up at the open sky above her bed. She remembers reading that the stars are always visible at night in Sunset Valley, and her meager home provides the most spectacular view. She could get used to this.

Content with the beginning of her self-made destiny, Jane shuts her eyes and welcomes sleep. Tonight, and for many nights after, she sleeps among the stars.

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