Gen 9 Ch 1: Marital Bliss

It was a time of change, and just after Icarus had wished for things to stay just as they were.

Shortly after Icarus‘ disaster of a birthday party it was Ivy’s turn to grow up, and she wasted no time moving in with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Wesley Chandra and getting pregnant. Theo was thrilled at the idea of becoming a grandfather, but Huxley had her reservations.

Even young Idris was off to explore the world, starting with a prestigious art school and a full ride scholarship.

Icarus supposed it was for the best that his mother and father (though it still felt weird to think of Aidan that way) decided to move to a house of their own. Things had been awkward, even though Icarus could tell how hard Aidan was trying to make everyone feel comfortable. They weren’t far gone at any rate, just the next street over.

The most surprising move of all was Icarus‘ beloved aunt Hux. Somehow Icarus had expected to hear the sounds of her compositions coming from the attic for as long as he lived. But Huxley, perhaps having mellowed with age, finally gave in to Theo‘s „pestering“, as she called it, and agreed to live with him.

„We‘re going to be roommates,“ Huxley insisted.
Theo smirked as he pulled her into an embrace. „With benefits.“
„Fine.“
„Til death do us part.“
„Now wait just a—„ but Theo‘s kiss silenced Huxley‘s protest.
And, in the end, many years down the line, Theo would be right.

The two of them weren't getting any younger, after all.

While Icarus was reeling from all the sudden changes, he comforted himself that it was only right that the he and Amy were going to have the house to themselves. After all…

They were getting married!

Amy had prepared every detail of the wedding for months. Thanks to her parents’ connections they’d gotten a great deal on renting the entire country club for the day. And it was good that way, because the price of Amy’s dress alone could’ve exploded a more modest wedding budget. Luckily the Cardwell family, despite their various eccentricities, had amassed quite the inexhaustible fortune through the generations.

After taking over the house and the finances that came with it, Icarus had realized just how well off his family was. He’d never considered it before, since none of the Cardwells had ever flaunted their wealth. However, thinking back to his mother‘s giant basement lab full of priceless equipment, the professional-grade home cinema, as well as his aunt‘s ever-growing collection of musical instruments, it did make a lot of sense.

And so he found a solution to the question that had plagued him all throughout high school: When it came to choosing a career, Icarus simply didn‘t have to. He could comfortably live off the family fortune and would never have to work a day in his life.

When he shared this revelation with his wife, however, she was appalled.

„You need to get a job, Icarus.“

„I don‘t, actually! I‘ll show you the bank accounts, it‘s all—„

„No, I mean, you can‘t just not have a job.“

 Amy herself had wasted no time starting her career as an equestrian. She had always loved watching the various derbies from overseas on TV. Ever since she was little, the immaculately dressed ladies with their elaborate hats had captured her imagination. Most of them were royalty; duchesses, princesses and sometimes even a queen. And that was just the audience! For now Amy’s rank only allowed her to compete in beginner’s competitions, but Appaloosa Plains‘ equestrian scene was considered one of the best in the world. Amy was determined to make a name for herself.

„Icarus, you can‘t be serious about this. What would people think of us? My husband can‘t just loaf around in his sweatpants and play video games all day.“

Actually, that had been Icarus‘ plan, almost exactly. He‘d also planned on reading comics, but he refrained from saying that.

And so, valuing marital bliss over his desire for comfort, Icarus picked out a job posting at random and began working at the local bistro. At least, he reasoned, it was in a good location in the center of town. He‘d be able to go to the arcade during his breaks, or whenever he decided to play hooky. Which, as it would turn out, was quite often.

When asked, Amy would tell people that her husband invested in gastronomy for a living.

 

 

 

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"Amy? Didn't she have a different name?" you may ask. Well.

Normally I just roll with whichever names the game decides to give random sims. I don't mind the occasional Zebulon or "Joesph" running around. So when Annie was born and turned into Icarus' love interest, I decided I'd just embrace the weirdness of her sharing my name. 

Now, coming back years later, I find it just too awkward to write about how Icarus adores a sim named Annie. After a lot of back and forth, I decided to change her name to Amy. I won't go back to edit the old chapters, partly because I worry I'll mess something up or lose old chapters completely. Blogger can be a little finicky for me. I'm really sorry for the inconsistency and for any confusion!