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Notes from the Stallings Stationary:
This story will contain adult/mature themes. This is includes but is not limited to: war, death, depression, alcoholism, grief, mature language, sexuality, homophobia, adult content, racism. Depending on the character, there will be mentions of colonialism and other tough subjects. Please do not feel the need to read if bothered by these topics. I will include a TW on posts that include such topics.
This is not going to be historically accurate, because that makes it less fun. There will be things that were not possible like "science babies" and other things, mostly because I find it fun. I will try to stick to historical accuracy as much as I want, but a lot of this will be historical based.
I have no set schedule yet. I try to post often but life happens. Typically it's when I feel like it, typically at nights.
Custom Content is heavily used. I will try to link what I use for the characters in their look books. You can always send me a wcif ask and I will try to answer it.
With the amount of homework I have to do, youâd think I wouldnât spend my day on memes about the new pope or about 9-1-1 theories. But here we are.
As the months progressed, Eva seemed to be slowly coming back around to the house. Edmund knew it was not without wanting something out of him but he couldn't figure it out. He knew it was not because she finally wanted to play mother with Elsie again. She still barely touched Elsie, but he did not care - he could try and fill both roles for as long as he could.
The evening started off well. Eva sat next to him on the couch and even let him hold Elsie while they were together. Kellan was nowhere to be seen, perhaps she had scared him away or perhaps he knew that this was not the time to hang around the house. However, Eva was making Edmund uneasy and he would've felt better if Kellan was there to hold his hand and reassure him.
Halfway through the evening, as she stared down at Elsie with a distraught look on her face, Eva blurted out, "I want another child."
Another what?
Edmund felt his heart sink down to his stomach as he stared back at her. Elsie was still in his arms but everything felt cold around him.
"Eva..." he started. Surely she knew that since she had left him to raise their daughter alone - but not really alone since he had Kellan - that their deal was off? Yes, he knew their situation was odd to say the least but he thought they would both benefit from it. He had found himself exhausted in these last few days and had taken several of them off work.
"I know, I know. I have not proven myself with her, but I can do better this time. I want to try again with a child that loves me from the start," Eva said. She stood up but he felt tethered to the couch. He slowly put Elsie down as he stood to face Eva by the fireplace. She was not looking him the eye as she spoke and her words came out rushed and anxious.
"Elsie never hated you," Edmund said. He stood up and crossed over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. His voice was steady but he could feel the frustration building beneath the surface, adding bite to it.
"Well she never liked me much either," Eva insisted. Her voice raising several octaves. "She prefers Kellan. She smiles at him but barely knows me. She loves him more than me. You both do."
Edmund froze at the mention of his love. He wanted to tell her how wrong that statement was, but he knew it would just be a lie. Kellan was his partner, his husband, the love of his life from the day he entered it. Kellan made him feel complete and made them feel like a family. Elsie at her young age found comfort in Kellan neither Eva or Edmund could provide. Kellan was present in her life, Eva was not. But Elsie did not hate her mother. She was just a baby.
"For God's sake, Eva, she's a child!" Edmund yelled at her, his anger finally bubbling to the surface.
Eva was shaking her head. "She's a child who does not love me but I can make another one that can."
"Do you hear yourself, Eva?" Edmund's anger had finally exploded. He knew that Kellan had told him to be gentle on Eva, that Eva couldn't help it. Eva should be able to help herself and stop taking it out on a child, Edmund told himself. He knew he was being unfair but raising a kid alone was becoming exhausting and to hear his "partner" suggest that the best solution was to have another one that she might consider being around was even more irritating than being up all night and day.
Eva didn't flinch at his outburst even as he put both hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him again. He felt a little nauseous because he never treated a woman like this before. He shouldn't be doing this but he was just so angry.
"Yes, I heard it, Edmund. I know what I want. I want a child that I can raise the way I need to, the way I need to. I want one that will love me and come to me first, not like the way she does with Kellan," Eva said. Her tone was cold and even. She had practiced this speech, probably had done it many times before.
Edmund's body became a bit more numb as she continued to speak. Eva had been the maternal loving type for most of the time he had known her, but now? Her words were cold and felt like they could physically press down on him and crush him into the ground. She was lonely, like he had been throughout his life. But she believed she could simply fix this problem by having more children until that love stuck.
"I am not going to be a part of this," Edmund said after a few minutes.
"Edmund!"
"I'm not going to be a part of this! You want me to give you another child just to make you feel better about yourself, about our marriage? Which you agreed to going in and you KNEW - no don't interrupt me - you KNEW I only wanted the one," Edmund yelled. He was sharking with rage.
"I agreed before I realized how devastating it would be! I never expected my own daughter to hate me," Elsie argued, sitting back in the chair facing the fireplace.
"My god, we've been over this!"
"You don't think that one day she won't love you anymore either? The day she learns what you are? The day she learns who Kellan is to you? She will never truly love you or accept you for who you are. She will hate you, just like I do," Eva said.
Edmund's rage had reached a fever pitch.
"Being cruel to me won't get you that baby, Eva."
"Reminding you that you'll be lonely when your daughter finds out is not cruelty. It is just a suggestion that unless you find a way to keep everyone happy, you will always struggle with it," Eva said. Her voice was balanced. She had been practicing this argument as well, as a final effort against him.
"Fine, you win, Eva, but don't think for a moment I will ever forgive you for what you've done."
With those final words, Edmund stormed out of the house.
Not that anyone is expecting content since I haven't posted in a bit but life is rough right now. With current events impacting personal life and other personal matters, life has become too full and depressing to want to play video games.
I will see what I can create during my grieving process - yay horrible coping methods
Edmund took to parenting like a duck to water. He loved nothing more than just spending time with his young daughter and quickly learned that there was another thing he loved more than work. He found himself working at the office less and spending more time at home with Elsie.
Eva was struggling still and spent most of her days tucked away in her room or staying with Nivi in a nearby apartment. She was rarely home and Elsie was left to the care of Edmund and a nanny. Edmund had never believed in letting someone else raise his child, something he was trying not to hold against Eva. It wasn't her fault that this was happening. Still, Edmund felt a little angry every time he realized he could not help his daughter in the way she needed and instead had to hand her back to the nanny. A fact that he remained guilty in.
Kellan became a constant presence in their house. Edmund also felt guilty when he realized that Nivi was becoming a single mother due to his own needs and wants. He couldn't stop the selfish need of having Kellan with him. Edmund wanted, or needed based on how he was feeling that day, Kellan with him everyday. He needed to feel the love and connection to another person, who wasn't being paid to stay near the house.
One evening, Edmund sat in the parlor, cradling Elsie in his arms. Eva was gone, again, and Kellan had not showed up that day. It was as if his bitterness and hurt were reflected in his daughter, because Elsie could not get to sleep and continued to fuss and whine. Edmund knew the nanny was in the other room, probably enjoying his struggles. He continued to sing to an old lullaby he had learned from Mayme as he rocked her in his arms, praying that Elsie would go to sleep.
Elsie continued to stare up at him. Not even a hint of sleep in her eyes.
"Please Elsie, I only know the one lullaby," he whispered.
He had officially reached the point of insanity where he began to bargain with a baby. Just as he resigned himself to the fact that he would not be getting anymore work done and instead would be staying up as long as his daughter wanted, Kellan appeared in the sofa next to him.
He was so tired he must not have heard Kellan come in or notice him sit down or say anything. Kellan looked as exhausted as Edmund assumed he himself did. Tired eyes, dark circles under them, but a smile still on his face as he looked at Edmund.
âI see this is a first, youâre losing the debate about bedtime,â Kellan whispered.
âDo you think if I promise to buy her whatever she wants when sheâs older, sheâll give in?â Edmund asked with a smile.
âBribing a baby, Eddie? I thought you were supposed to be good at this stuff. Thatâs a new low, even if she is your own baby,â Kellan said with a chuckle.
Elsie giggled as Kellan wiggled his fingers in her direction. Great, something that would wake her up even more. But Edmund couldn't stay angry when Kellan was smiling.
âBesides,â Kellan continued. âWhat happens when she gets older and you actually have to give her everything she wants, assuming she takes you up on your offer?â
âI go bankrupt leaving her with no money to afford anything else, and Iâll have a reason as to why you donât bargain with infants," Edmund said. He smiled as he leaned back in his chair.
âSpoken like the words of an amazing lawyer. Everyday I find a new reason to not be a client,â Kellan said.
âIâve taken on senators and businessmen with less fight in them than her,â Edmund said. He hugged his daughter close.
Kellan rolled his eyes as he stood up from the chair. He stretched lazily before shuffling over to face Edmund's chair. He held his arms out, staring down at his lover.
âWhat?â Edmund asked as he looked up at Kellan. Kellan loved the face that Edmund made when he was well and truly confused. It was something that all the artists in the world could not capture if they tried.
âWell, my dear, shall I help you out or do you have more to older men to complain about?" Kellan asked.
Edmund's mouth dropped open for a moment âI am not moaning about old-" Edmund's protest was interrupted by his lover's sly tone.
âBecause really, darling, I know we are not alone in our relationship but I thought we limited that to two very specific, very in love women? Adding old men is something I don't think our relationship can survive through," Kellan continued. He was smiling slyly down at Edmund.
âKellan, I beg of you -â
âOh I didnât know you were into that. I'll keep that in mind for the next time we're in bed with my -"
âKELLAN!â Edmund's tone was affectionate despite cutting off Kellan's raunchy sentence.
âReally Edmund, just hand her over. Iâve had my little girl a bit longer than youâve had yours, I promise you nothing will happen. Iâd rather help you before you switch Elsie and I's rooms," Kellan said. His tone had turned into a gentle whisper.
Despite the need to keep his daughter close to him, Edmund knew that Kellanâs request was more logical than his wants. He reluctantly stood and passed Elsie into Kellanâs waiting arms. Kellan sat down on the sofa and hummed as she settled down.
"Be careful," Edmund murmured as he felt the exhaustion crawl over his bones.
"Always, my lover," Kellan whispered back.
Kellan spoke in low whispers and hums that Edmund couldnât understand from his seat. It took a few moments, but soon Edmund found himself fading in and out to Kellanâs low whispers and the warmth from the fire place.
Edmund woke up the next morning, stiff and aching from sleeping on a chair. Kellan must've moved him to the couch in his sleep. The soft, quiet peace of the house was a warm greeting and he laid there, soaking in the sun and the quiet. As he blinked against the pain and sleep, he realized Kellan and Elsie were not in the room any longer.
He stood up, groaning in pain at the ache in his neck and back as he stretched up towards the ceiling. As he listened more to the house for any signs of life, he heard Kellan's soft swears and Elsie's quiet giggles from the dining room.
"You better not be teaching her such words, Kellan," Edmund said as he entered the room. His tone was a mixture of amusement and desperation as he took in the scene before him. Kellan was seated at the dining room table with Elsie on top of the table. He had a newspaper in one hand with the other hovering near Elsie in case of an emergency.
"I have every intention of doing so but I'll teach her which ones annoy you the most first. I'm sure she'll have the most colorful vocabulary when she's older," Kellan said with a smile that melted hearts.
Edmund laughed as he moved closer to them. He ran his hand over Kellan's strong shoulders and through his hair, struck with amazement that they could be so casual and so intimate in any place. He had grown used to their rushed secrecacy of the last few months with the new babies and new job.
"You didn't have to let me sleep so long, dear," Edmund whispered as he bent down to kiss Kellan's head.
Kellan leaned into the kiss as he spoke. "Yes, I did. You needed it and I want to take care of you. Besides, I have selfish motivations. I would rather see that smile than see the sleepy gargoyle that has replaced my loving husband lately."
"Ah, the real reason comes out at last."
Edmund figured he'd be okay as long as he got to spend everyday like this.
Iâve got my 1910s generation all planned out and in true sims fashion, Iâm going to put them all through it. I just need to get there, which is proving to be the hard part.
The Spring of 1897 - Eva Savalani Stallings and Nivi Kipp
(TW: Postpartum depression (PPD))
After the birth of her daughter, Eva had been struggling to find her footing in the world again. Edmund had taken to parenting naturally and he was obsessed with their child, Eva however found herself seeking out reasons to get away from their new family. Despite what Nivi had said, Eva realized she was not made to be a parent. She loved kids, but for some reason not her own.
Eva usually found her escape in traveling with Nivi to various nearby towns. They would spend an afternoon there and Eva would finally feel like herself again. The adventure today led them to a small rural town that Nivi had heard of. As she dressed for the day, Eva found herself wanting to leave her wedding ring behind for the day to just let herself be free, so she did. She took off the ring, put it back in the case and pulled on short, lace gloves.
Eva met Nivi there and found herself awkwardly waiting outside a tavern for a while. She did not fit in with the rural atmosphere in her fancy, lace shirt, full blue skirt, delicate jewelry and her dark curls pinned back with a blue bow. As she stood there she began to regret all her layers as she began to sweat.
Nivi arrived a few minutes later and as usual, she stole Eva's breath away as she walked towards her with a practiced elegance. Eva held out her arm as Nivi approached and she felt her heart pound when Nivi took it.
They strolled down the streets together, discussing anything but their children back home. Nivi told her gossip about the men at Edmund's workplace that had been shared with her. Eva discussed the latest fashions that were lining the window of a rural shop - a topic she knew that Nivi did not care for. To her surprise, only a few people cast them a look before deciding they were not worth the time to talk to.
It was a sunny afternoon and Eva felt like she was going to faint if Nivi got any closer to her. Maybe that was because of the sun's heat or because her heartbeat was racing.
Finally, the topic Eva dreaded came up - the children. It was something that she could not avoid forever. It had been innocent, but the impact was instant. Nivi leaned forward towards the fabric in a window and commented that Laura's complexion would go well with a certain color fabric there.
Eva felt her heart drop to her stomach and the ground below her tilted dangerously. She had not even considered her daughter that day. She did not care much what suited her daughter, Elsie, and she immediately felt the guilt creep back into her heart. What kind of mother was she that she didn't care about her daughter or think about her all day? Was she a terrible mother?
She angrily walked away from Nivi, ripping her arm away like it had been burned. All the lighthearted talk came to a screeching halt and suddenly she was reminded about the life at home - the life she cared so little about. As she tried to put distance between her and Nivi, she heard the sigh from her partner and knew that her lover would follow her as usual.
Her exhaustion hit her suddenly. She say down on a bench to regain her energy, fully knowing that she would not escape this feeling forever. Nivi would always catch her and work through these emotion with her. Most women would be grateful to have such a partner, but Eva could only find herself angry that she could not pretend for one evening that nothing else existed.
She sat on the bench with her eyes closed. Her shoulders were sore from being tense so often - always on edge from waiting for Elsie to cry at home. Eva heard her partner's footsteps and felt the bench she was on bend under their combined weight.
"Eva... you have been quiet recently. Too quiet. What is going on?" Nivi asked. Her words were gentle as she sat as close to Eva as she could, their arms touched and Eva was secretly overwhelmed by the rush of good and bad emotions together.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I wanted this. I wanted her. It's not that I don't love her. I just cannot find it within myself to care for her in the way I should. Why don't I care? It's what I am supposed to do and I....I realize I am failing her," Eva said. The words came out in a rush, like a waterfall threatening to send her over the edge.
When she opened her eyes to face Nivi, she was met with the quiet peace that surrounded their love. Nivi took her hand in both of hers and stared at her. Staring into her dark eyes, Eva felt herself find shelter in the loving gaze.
"You are not failing her. You're exhausted and have given so much of yourself to our...arrangement. You feeling this way is something many others bear in silence. I am grateful you have chosen not to," Nivi said softly.
"I have lost myself in this marriage and in this family. Kellan is a better mother than I am and he's there everyday. Which I am realizing means he is not there with you and that is another fault of mine," Eva whispered. She felt another rush of shame as she realized that her lack of mothering had caused Nivi to become like a single mother.
Nivi rubbed circles into Eva's hand. "Eva, my dear, do not feel as though you have caused this. Our dynamics are too complicated for you to take upon yourself. You are allowed to feel all of these things and more. If anyone tells you otherwise, remember that your family tells you differently and we are the people who truly matter. "
"it's just so hard, Nivi," Eva said. "I do not want to burden you with myself but I cannot be a mother just yet. The mother I desperately know Elsie needs. And I am now realizing how much I have taken from you. All this time that Kellan has been helping Edmund, I cannot imagine the stress you are going through. How can I deserve you without being the mother I need to be?"
Nivi's gaze softened and her hands moved to rest on Eva's shoulders. "Elsie has two mothers and two fathers. So does Laura. They have more love than any child in this town will ever have. What matters right now is that we help you. Kellan will help Edmund but we must focus on you. My dear, you are worth more to me than anything this world can offer. Let me help you when you cannot do it yourself," Nivi said.
Eva leaned against Nivi's shoulder as exhaustion ran over her. Nivi whispered sweet nothings as they gazed up at the clouds together, taking the lazy day that Eva so desperately needed.
Edmund Stallings Charity Event - Brindleton Bay Telegraph
Mr. Edmund Stallings and his wife, Eva, hosted a tea at a friend's residence this past week. The event raised money to help aid local Native American tribes after a particularly rough winter and hoped to provide more food and other necessities. Edmund Stallings insisted that any left over money was to be used to fill any areas that the individual tribes thought were the most pressing.
This cause is particularly close to the Stallings family as their close family friend, Kellan Rollins is married to a Native American woman, Nivi Rollins. They have connected deeply to the welfare of various communities of Native American people in recent years.
Mr. Edmund Stallings' had many family members, friends and community members present at the event. They enjoyed a pleasant afternoon of conversation, socializing, and refreshments. Mr. Stallings spoke a few words at the start of the event where he expressed his thankfulness and desire to reach people where they were needed and let them guide him in how to best be of help.
The event was an overall success and many donations poured in, mostly in thanks to the young lawyer's dedication to the town. The people here are grateful for Mr. Edmund Stallings' generosity and care for the town and are willing to support him in any manner, even if they don't agree with the cause. Mr. Edmund was the most proud of his outcome and hopes that his efforts will make a difference.
via NYPost: Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to launch a âbig fâking operationâ across sanctuary cities â including Chicago and New York â immediately after President-elect Donald Trumpâs inauguration, multiple sources told The Post.
Starting Jan. 21, multi-day âground operationsâ will be launched across cities that have served as safe havens for migrants because the local authorities do not cooperate with the federal government when it comes to immigration issues, sources said.
everyone in the US be safe and aware- if you are undocumented, know your rights! if you are a citizen DO NOT be quiet! if you see ICE - CAUSE A RAUCUS! record videos! make their job as difficult as possible to do (without putting yourself at risk).
To calm my stress and anxiety about how the next few years will go in America (not that this will help but it gives me a distraction), I want to do an info dump on actual history that somewhat connects with the sims story I am making. So please ignore me if thatâs not something you are into.
