Hi everyone. š This is the continuation of a story I started back in March on the old Vanilla forum. If you were a regular follower of the 'What Happened In You Game Today' thread, you already know Aurora and her little family. Her save started out as just for fun. To explore things within the game that I never had before. I was just going to share a few screenshots with captions. The original idea for this save was to only be about Aurora and her sidekick, her Bernese, Piccolo.
But I realized a couple of weeks ago that, yeah, it had become a story. And it deserved its own space here on the new forum. This post and the next couple will help those of you who aren't familiar, become familiar. And since the previous updates were scattered over like 75-100 pages of the old WHIYGT thread it's a nice reminder for everyone that had been following along.
The title is also a hint at another change. I'm going to start writing each update like it was an entry in Aurora's diary. I may still write something here and there in a more traditional style with dialogue though. I'm also getting ready to start the reboot of my other story and by writing this one like a diary it's a lot easier to do both and still keep this interesting. So let me introduce you to everyone.
Aurora Westbrook-Carter
Aurora came back to her country roots. Her parents left Chestnut Ridge just as she entered her teens. She still came back to see her grandparents during the summers. She loved those visits and getting away from the city. After graduating high school she went to art school where she honed her painting and photography skills. But she never lost her love for the quiet country life in Chestnut Ridge. Now she's back where she feels most at home.
Tre Carter
Aurora's husband Tre came from an entirely different background. He grew up on the streets of Del Sol Valley just like his father. His mother came from Ciudad Enamorada. Yet Tre has always fascinated by the country life. He has an abiding love for horses too. Even if his first real life encounters weren't exactly smooth.
Piccolo
Aurora's loyal sidekick.
Peanut (l), Nashville(back), and Spirit
Peanut is Aurora's champion American Saddlebred. Nashville is Tre's horse and Spirit is the newest addition to the family.
Such a wonderful wedding in which their family members got to experience. The venue and attire really reflected who they are now. I canāt wait to see how their life journey progresses!
Our new ranch is off to a great start. My garden is coming along nicely. I already several fruit trees and berry bushes planted for the nectar business. Tre has been busy practicing his nectar making. Heās going to handle that side of the business while I grow the fruit weāll use to make them. Heās already crafted a few batches that we have aging in our cellar. Since weāre still learning those bottles are strictly for us. Once weāre both happy we have a grasp on things weāll start bottling nectar to sell.
In the midst of that we had party set up to do. Our double ranch warming and vow renewal. I can hear my mom, āItās not vow renewal girl, you need a proper wedding first.ā I know she and Consuela wonāt say they felt cheated by the way our marriage happened. But I can read between the lines. They did feel like they missed out on something special. It wasnāt the day any of us had pictured. The day is going to be a small intimate affair for the people closest to us. I found a lovely floral arch and some nice arrangements. I canāt have enough greenery around me. For a town its size, Chestnut Ridge has a nice party supply store. We found everything we needed to create the perfect setting for our little country wedding. We can finally say we had a truly special wedding day.
I really think the way our marriage happened it hit my dad the hardest. He hid it in that stoic way of his. He didnāt get the chance to walk me down the aisle. Tre didnāt come to him in private and ask for his blessing. And he missed the chance to scare the hell out of his future son-in-law. Like most dads love to do. Not in person anyway. It wasnāt like I called home one day and said; āOh by the way I met a guy named Tre and weāre married.ā We had lots of video chats. Dozens. My parents had gotten to know Tre that way. And he did have that conversation with my parents, where he asked their blessing. Until it happened I wasnāt sure how that would go over with him. Or my mom. Happening online like that. Knowing my dad he wanted to take Tre out to the patio, grill steaks, share some beers, have that man to man talk. And explain to him what would happen if he did anything to hurt me. Physically or emotionally. My daddy is the sweetest guy, but I think itās something in menās DNA. Iāll never understand it but it is one of their little male rituals.
We were busy all day Saturday getting meals ready for our guests. Tre got the grill going to make his amazing ribs and his momās pollo a la brasa.
While he was manning the grill I was busy making desserts. And a pot of my gumbo. We had a wonderful selection of dishes for our guests. The joys of an intimate gathering. We could give our guests food for our hearts.
Sunday morning came and we couldnāt afford to sleep in. There was so much to do before everyone arrived. We had nervously watched the weather forecast all week. Spring time weather in Chestnut Ridge can be very unpredictable. We were blessed with a picture perfect day. We quickly got the finishing touches done and we were ready to welcome our friends and family.
I didnāt want anything elaborate or overly frilly for the ceremony. Itās not me. I left that woman in San Myshuno. When I feel the need to wear heels I slip into my comfy cowboy boots. If Iām feeling a little girly a little lip gloss does the trick. For this occasion a nice dress, a new hat and new pair of boots is good enough for me. I still know my way around a set of makeup brushes too. Often the simplest look is the most stylish. Itās fun to have a little splash of color on my nails for a few days. But it would be murder trying to maintain them when my hands spend so much time in the dirt. If someone invents a nail polish that can stand up to that, call me. I'm here for that.
I had a few minutes with my mom before the ceremony. It was so wonderful to see her eyes light up and her beautiful smile. It was obvious this day meant as much to her as it did to Tre and I. Sheās my world and I just hope that someday I can be even half the mother and woman she is. I wish she was still here in Chestnut Ridge with us. But sheās made a rich, amazing life and career for herself as a professor in Brindleton Bay. I know how much it means to her. Being a professor was always her dream. My dad was willing to uproot his life and move to the other side of the country just so she could take her dream job. I cherish every minute I get to spend with her.
And speaking of that wonderful man I call daddy, I couldnāt help myself. The look of pride is his eyes as we stood at the aisle just made me cry. Like mom, this day meant so much to him. My happiness is their happiness and vice versa. I know I write it here often, but I am so blessed and lucky to have the life I have and the people I have around me.
I had been through this once before with Tre. But this time was so much different. Iāve never felt so nervous in my life. Our marriage was official already. But in that moment, in front of everyone important to us, everything felt so intense, so real, and yet still dreamlike. Itās like the year we had been husband and wife had only been make believe. I could have just floated away in sheer bliss.
I am now, and forevermore, Aurora Carter. My heart is Treās and his heart is mine. Our souls are intertwined for eternity. Nothing can ever change that. Weāll have good moments. Weāll have bad moments. Weāll make a lifetime of memories. What matters most is weāll do it all together.
I really feel like I'm seeing Aurora and Tre growing and deepening as a couple. I look forward to all their plans; the vow renewal, becoming parents and starting their business.
Yay, this was a lovely chapter. I'm loving the story that grew from a part-time storyline. I look forward to the ranch warming and vow renewal. Such a gift for both parents, too. So glad you posted this. I was able to select follow, so that I won't miss any more entries, hopefully.
I love the L-shaped house! My Ancestral home is L-Shaped. I say is, because it was still standing in 1961. Built likely around the 1740s, it was sold and has been added onto, but the L-shape is the original building. I love what you've done with the ranch! Looking forward to the "change" that's coming up. I think I have a hunch, but I'll wait and see.
I'm late to the party, apparently. I'm doing some catch up this morning. Did you purposefully leave out chapter five, or did you just do what many of us do, accidentally skip over the number? At any rate, the story is developing very well.
Great capture of the storm! I love the diary format, too. Tre and Aurora have much to be grateful for. Yet, that doesn't dimmish the disaster, even so.
It is great that they are feeling the same way about having children. ā¤ļø And it sounds like they have very realistic business plans for the ranch! Can't wait to see how the future unfolds for them.
