11: Benjamin's Holiday

[jenga_sims]

Moving out can feel a little bit like starting over.


Of course, it's not entirely starting over when you have an inventory full of stuff to sell. The trick is turning that stuff into an ongoing source of income rather than a one off cash injection just to get him started.

So maybe he doesn't get to stay with Mum and Dad and their cushy creative income. But he does get to forge his own path his own way, and that seems important enough.


Not that Mum and Dad are willing to just leave him be or anything. Benjamin has barely moved in and set up before they both stop in to visit.

Benjamin gives them both keys to his place.


He knows he's going to need a dog or two, so one of the lot traits is 'dog hangout'. Before long, the strays start congregating around his place, giving Benjamin the opportunity to introduce himself and get to know as many of the neighbourhood pooches as possible.


Still on the first day, the best thing ever happens.


Date 1: things are going well, at least until Benjamin decides to 'confess attraction' to Summer.

I should have figured out by know that confess attraction almost always gets rejected early on. Their romance bars tank and the friendship takes a hit, too.


Summer walks out as soon as Benjamin pays for the food. No chance for even a goodnight kiss.


Not to worry, the next day is a new day and a new opportunity.


It also brings the welcome wagon, which of course consists of everyone in the neighbourhood except Summer.

Benjamin implores them all to share the fruitcake, then encourages them to leave.


There's someone else he'd rather spend the afternoon with.


This time he's prepared. He psyches himself up to put him in a confident mood that no Sim can resist.


I mean, who can resist a finger-gunning?


She is a bit more receptive to his advances.

But then the confidence gives way to 'uncomfortable' because fruitcake. Their relationship takes a hit, and Summer leaves.


Oh well, not yet dissuaded.


She's playing hard-to-get. Must mean she'll be a great catch when he finally wins her over.


For income, Benjamin is really just focusing on gardening. He's built a half-finished greenhouse, but for now he's going to get all the spring plants as good as he can get them before reducing the sheer number of plants and moving them inside.

The garden gnomes club is quite handy. They're happy to gather at his place and help out with the weeding and watering, and Benjamin is all too glad for the assistance. Bit annoying when they try to 'help' with the harvesting though.


Date number three. Let's do this properly. Head into a bar. Goaled event with a date reward at the end. Just the right pacing.


It seems to be working.


And, finally.


Summer even agrees to be his girlfriend. Winning at life, my friend. Winning at life.


They head back to Benjamin's place. He opens by showing Summer his guns. Then he suggests she move in with him, and she agrees.


Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't need to buy a second bed prematurely. ;-)


Summer quits her job in the culinary career. It doesn't really feel like the right fit for her. She opts to join the Athletic career instead.


Though no one is complaining about the 3 cooking skill points she comes with.


And Benjamin finally settles on a stray he likes! He adopts Luna here, making Benjamin and Summer super proud pet parents.


I do wish there was a halfway point for seeing stray dogs in the neighbourhood. "Dog hangout' as a lot trait gives this. No lot trait gives no strays at all.


On Saturday, Bethany finally appears at Benjamin's front door.


I haven't included many pictures, but Amberley and Arthur have taken full advantage of Benjamin's house keys and they're here all the time. It'll be nice to see how much time Bethany spends hanging around.


Benjamin hasn't joined a career, gardening or otherwise. I'm still not sure if/that he will. He's making a fair amount of money from selling his produce (over $1000/day).


On Saturday, Benjamin takes Summer on a very special outing to the park in Willow Creek.


Of course it would be raining, so they spend most of the afternoon in the pavilion. There's some massages.


Making out while ignoring Jacques Villareal pretending to be a homeless sim.


A very passionate kiss!


Then, finally, Benjamin pulls out a ring. He waits with bated breath.


And Summer says yes!


They celebrate their engagement with another trip to Granite Falls (because I still haven't googled how Granite Falls works with Seasons at this point in game).

They opt for the campground and when it's raining as soon as they arrive, I instantly regret everything. I don't care how 'outdoorsy' my sims are, from here on in they rent cabins at Granite Falls.


Benjamin does make another trip to visit Bonnie, and tries to get to know her a little bit better this time around.


(I just really liked this shot of the two of them warming themselves in the hermit's house). Desperate attempt to be warm and dry?


They do manage to find ways to amuse themselves in Granite Falls.


And Benjamin does manage to harvest some fireleaf and poison fireleaf to bring home for his garden.


But I feel like this shot most adequately summarises how the camping trip went. I eventually was all like 'screw it' and gave them moodlet solvers because it was miserable and awful.

Cabins next time, I promise.


Yep, this feels much more like home!


Benjamin adopts another stray. Since the dog was looking very chilly when adopted, he names him 'Frosty'. Can't wait to breed them now for puppies!

And then I get annoyed enough with all the dogs that I change the lot trait out for something else.


Finally the day of the wedding arrives.


Not sure if EA accessories, or just remnant of when Benjamin was temping as a bouncer. But it's got to go.


They set up a neat little wedding garden area in the yard, and enjoy a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends and family.


After the ceremony, the party moves inside for cake and selfies with celebrity parents.


The gold wedding event nets me this achievement which I honestly wasn't expecting to get just yet. Has to be either bugged, or, maybe it actually does count some of them across save files? Or maybe it's counting holidays?

Something about this feels dirty though. I've hosted, like, 2 parties max so far, plus a handful of dates (but nowhere near 50).


The wedding party has barely been cleaned up (and Benjamin hasn't even changed out of his tux) when Summer makes a very exciting announcement. (Also, there's Frosty looking less...frosty).

The third generation is on its way!