#blake pendleton

[fallincloversims]

Sundays at Riverstone were rarely peaceful affairs, and that day was no exception as friends and family congregated for lunch cooked by Teddy. It was nothing out of the ordinary; weekends often meant the ranch was flooded with guests, but on this occasion, there was a brand new face at the table.

James Pendleton giggled in his father’s arms as the fall breeze ruffled through his baby soft curls. Only a few months old, it was his first visit to Chestnut Ridge to meet his extended family, and he’d spent the afternoon being passed around, snuggled, and cooed over by everyone.

[pamsimmerstories]

happy birthday to the triplets!

previous || next

[blake]: sorry i’m late. did it started yet?

[halley]: no, it just started. i guess my dad is with them right now. come on in.

-

[wolfgang]: where’s hanna?

[wolfgang]: i guess hanna is gone...

*giggles*

[wolfgang]: have you seen her, rory?

[hanna]: paaaapa!

[wolfgang]: there you are!!

[fallincloversims]

Josie watched on as Livi and Blake took to the dancefloor, but any hope that she could relax and enjoy the night had vanished. She felt painfully out of place, not helped by the unexpected presence of multiple Landgraabs, and wanted nothing more than to be at home with Teddy and her babies.

Everything felt overwhelming.

The lights from the chandeliers were too bright, the heady scent of lilies and roses was choking her. The music that should have been elegant and romantic grated against her fraying nerves, worsening the headache she could feel steadily building.

[fallincloversims]

As the bridal party entered, gliding down the polished glass aisle, Josie knew that she’d made the right choice. This life wasn’t for her, it never had been. She hated the unspoken rules, the pompous laughter from people desperate to impress fake friends.

Finally, Livi arrived, arm in arm with her father and looking radiant in ivory silk. Josie’s eyes were instead fixed on the man she loved.

Their life was far from perfect but it was hers. Every decision she made was her own, she was free from the unbearable expectations she’d grown up with.

[fallincloversims]

An awkward silence descended on the group as the newlyweds realised perhaps there was more to this conversation than they knew. Eventually, Blake cleared his throat to break the tension and turned to Teddy.

“Think you’ll have time for another race while we’re there, Ted?”

If looks could kill, the way Teddy’s eyes bored into The Fortescues would have summoned the Grim Reaper himself. His entire body was tense, ready to pounce, but he knew violence wasn’t the way to help Josie. He turned to Blake with a forced smile.

“I’ve always got time to kick your ass, Pendleton.”

[fallincloversims]

“Your what?!” Morgan exclaimed, just as Teddy silently joined the group from wherever he’d been waiting for Josie’s return.

“Oh, you should’ve said!” Blake said, his business-like persona discarded. “In that case, we’ll see you at the party!”

“Party?” Meredith demanded, her eyes narrowing.

“For the twins’ birthday… Your… grandchildren? You’ll be there, won’t you?” Livi puzzled, oblivious to Josie’s history.

“They can’t make it.” Josie cut in. She’d have preferred it if her parents had never known about the babies, but it was too late now.

“Oh… That’s a shame,” Blake said politely.

[fallincloversims]

Inside the ballroom, Josie spotted Blake and Livi and silently thanked the heavens when she realised they were deep in conversation with Morgan and not strangers or worse, Landgraabs. She focused in on them, not daring to look around at the other guests. She couldn’t afford to lose her nerve now.

Her knees shook and her heart felt like it would burst out of her chest, but she forced herself to stride towards them confidently. She belonged here. She had to believe it if she was going to convince her parents.

“Hi… Sorry about earlier. Too much champagne” Josie said sheepishly.

“Been there,” Blake chuckled, to Josie’s immense relief. “Don’t worry about it, glad you’re having a good day.”

“It’s been amazing.” It hadn’t, but one more lie wouldn’t hurt. “So good to catch up with some old friends. You guys went all out, you’ve put mine and Teddy’s wedding to shame!”

[fallincloversims]

Josie had never wanted to be wrong so deeply in her entire life.

She had to be mistaken. However, looking into the eyes of Meredith Fortescue she knew that no amount of denial would change the fact that her mother was standing in front of her, and her life was about to come crashing down.

Burning acid clawed its way up her throat. She had to get out of this room, as far away from her parents as she could manage. She couldn’t breathe with their eyes on her. Every harsh word, every stinging slap was ringing in her ears.

Her body screamed at her to turn and run.

And so, she did.