Table of contents: [ Spoiler ] Since this story has grown so much bigger than I ever imagined I feel like its time to borrow a page from some of my favorite SimLit writers and offer you a syn...
Time for another episode of Under The Tartosan Sun. It's no secret what the big story is this time. So let's get started.
There were some big developments for Matteo and Liberty since we left them. Matteo had enough of the party boy lifestyle. He has been getting tired of it for some time. It was starting to affect his career. The endless nights out and parties left him tired all the time and he was losing focus on his dreams. He was dangerously close to being fired and then what? Being a master chef was his dream, and the dream was fading fast. He needed to make some changes if he was going to save his dreams. https://i.imgur.com/VKPi1IZ.png?1
First, it was time to ask Liberty to move in with him. When he is with her, she inspires and motivates him. He felt the old spark, the one that used to fuel him before he made the mistake of taking his friend Leonardo in as a roommate. Leonardo is a good friend, but a bad influence. It was time to cut ties with the wild party life and that meant, for better or worse, he was going to tell Leonardo it was time for him to find a new place to live.
Like his friend Summer, Matteo knew just how to get Leonardo to leave without risking bad blood. Just tell him how serious things were getting romantically with Liberty. Leonardo wouldn't want to live under the same roof with a couple who are in a committed relationship, he would be terrified it was contagious. With that decided it was time to break the news to Leonardo. Matteo had him over, and he and Liberty broke the news of her moving in. https://i.imgur.com/n5Nwy47.png https://i.imgur.com/JlubDyL.png?1
Leonardo, right on cue, was all too happy to get as far away from a committed relationship as he could, even if the relationship in question wasn't his. Liberty moved in and life couldn't be better for the both of them. Having Liberty there everyday has given Matteo the stability he's been longing for.
She's so much fun to just sit down and talk to. https://i.imgur.com/TcmXhzO.png?1
Matteo is much more complex and intellectual than people realize. Liberty is so happy to have someone who can actually hold their own against her in a game of chess. https://i.imgur.com/iblCOsu.png?1
The passion is there. From a simple kiss... https://i.imgur.com/TLyBC6r.png?1
To something steamier... https://i.imgur.com/vMv6yNS.png?1
The reality of what's happening is sinking in for Liberty. Just a few months ago it was life as usual back in Willow Creek. Danielle, Summer, and Liberty hanging out, talking about their dreams. Danielle wanting to become a bestselling author, Summer a master chef, and Liberty dreaming of outer space and life as an astronaut. Travis being there and being, well, Travis. How things have changed. Danielle packing up and moving half way around the world to follow her dream. The drama of Travis showing everybody what a two-timing snake he is. The fallout from that which saw Travis leaving Willow Creek in shame, and Summer picking up her life and following Danielle to Tartosa to follow her dream as well.
Now here she is, back with her friends, in Tartosa and living a life she could only have dreamed of when all these events began. It's surreal, especially when she stops to take in her surroundings. She still can't believe how her fortunes have changed. An impossibly gorgeous man who loves her deeply and madly. A home in a paradise like Tartosa, perched on a bluff overlooking the sea, with beautiful sunsets everyday. And an exotic job, with danger and intrigue, travel and glamour. Liberty can't help feeling a twinge of pride when she contemplates her life as it is. https://i.imgur.com/hzKcAP5.png?1 https://i.imgur.com/e9vnPfh.png?1
And let's not forget Liberty now has a hot tub with fantastic views. Quite an upgrade from the patio in Willow Creek wouldn't you agree. https://i.imgur.com/5wcR2hA.png?1
Liberty and Matteo are living and loving in Tartosan style and we'll leave them to it. Now it's time to go see what we've all been waiting for, Danielle and Londyn.
Things have been pretty much status quo for the ladies, or so they appeared on the surface. Danielle is busy writing her sixth novel, Heart And Soul, meanwhile Londyn has landed a recurring gig as the Salty Suds Girl. Its steady work until something bigger comes along. Londyn has had a lot on her mind though. Her love for Danielle is everything to her. It's the air she breaths, it's every beat of her heart, her every thought has at least some trace of Danielle.
There is no doubt in her mind she loves Danielle, and equally she knows how madly Danielle loves her in return. There is electricity in Danielle's touch, her gaze feels like a caress. Londyn has been trying to come to terms with how fast it all seems to be going. And yet her heart keeps telling her the time is right, the time is now to ask that question she has been dying to ask..."Will You Marry Me?" https://i.imgur.com/srWipPY.png https://i.imgur.com/ZoZKcYi.png
It's time girl, you know it is. It's not too fast when its the one. She is the one. She is the only. Let's do it! https://i.imgur.com/YgsQPIy.png
Londyn: Hey Summer! Girl I need to talk to you about something really important. Are you going to be home this afternoon? Summer: Sure. Big huh? Care to tell me what it is? Londyn: I want to so bad, but this is something we need to discuss face to face. Summer: Sounds serious. Should I be worried? Is something wrong? It's bad news isn't it? Is Danielle okay? Are you ok?... Londyn: Summer! Relax. Deep breaths girlfriend. It's nothing bad, everyone's okay. Ok. It's actually fantastic, amazing, glorious, O, M, G good! Summer Oh! Come on dish it, what... Londyn I'll explain shortly. https://i.imgur.com/O7oSCvy.png?1 https://i.imgur.com/9u7eCz6.png?1
A couple of hours later, after a short workout to calm herself down, and a shower, Londyn arrives at Summer's place across town...
Summer: What's this big news? Girl I have been going out of my mind trying to figure out what it might be. https://i.imgur.com/csRWz9f.png
Londyn: I...I... Summer: Go ahead, tell me. It's ok, whatever it is. https://i.imgur.com/jipmITy.png
Londyn: I'm going to ask Danielle to marry me! Summer: WHAT!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING!!! OH MY GOD!!! You're serious? You aren't playing with me? https://i.imgur.com/5QfhTuN.png
Londyn: I'm totally serious! Come on let's go sit down and talk. God, I feel like my legs are going to give out from under me. https://i.imgur.com/hfBRaU3.png
Summer: So when did you decide to do this? Londyn: I've been thinking about it for weeks, but the last three or four days I have put more thought into this then ever. I made up my mind this morning right before I called. https://i.imgur.com/G7DnUrE.png
Summer: Danielle is absolutely going to lose her mind. I have seen that girl in love before, but never, ever like she is with you. You are going to blow her mind and make her so deliriously happy. I am so happy for you two. I seen it myself at least before Danielle saw it, or before she admitted it to herself anyway. God you two are so good together, such a perfect fit. It's like the universe made you two specifically for each other. Londyn: Thank you Summer, that was so beautiful. I know what you mean, I felt it the instant I laid eyes on her at the lounge the night before we officially met. That split second my eyes first rested on her, even though she didn't see me, I knew. I knew it for a fact. I just never thought I'd see her again as quickly as I did. That made it even more of a sure thing. I thought I'd have to search and search to find her again, but I knew I would. It was only a matter of time. Well what do you say we go tell Lib? Summer: By all means. Let's go! https://i.imgur.com/ZJNZTrc.png
Liberty: What brings you to our little slice of paradise? Hey Summer?!?! Both of you drop in unannounced smiling like that...spill it. Something's definitely up. Summer: Guess we should have known we couldn't get anything past Jane Bond! Liberty: Jane Bond? Ha! Let's have it. Summer: Go ahead and tell her before she tortures it out of you. Liberty: Always a laugh a minute with you Summer... https://i.imgur.com/pFaOUYZ.png
Londyn: I'm going to ask Danielle to marry me! https://i.imgur.com/ExuUiF7.png
Liberty: Shut up! What? Marry? Oh my god Londyn I'm so happy for you two! Summer (in the background as she heads into the house): Hey Lib! Where do you and loverboy hide the pinot? Nevermind I'll find it myself.. https://i.imgur.com/O8LK2BL.png
Liberty: You are one very lucky girl to get someone like Danielle! She is an amazing person, but you already knew that. Oh my god, that girl is going to explode with joy when you pop the question. Londyn: Thank you Lib! https://i.imgur.com/cYwpgDu.png
Liberty: You are taking notes, right loverboy? Matteo: Absolutely, my little pierogi! Liberty: What? Pierogi? Kitchen humor... Matteo: Pages and pages of notes, sweetheart. Liberty: There'll a test eventually so make sure they're good notes. Matteo: Congrats to you and Danielle! You two always were destined to be together forever. Londyn: Thank you so much my dear Matteo! https://i.imgur.com/1687HJU.png
A week later, Friday in Tartosa, and it's the big night. Danielle doesn't have a clue what Londyn has in store. Let's go see what happens...
Friday has arrived and it's time for Londyn to put her plan into action. She hasn't planned tonight's date ahead of time, she doesn't want to give Danielle time to figure out what's coming. Danielle never turns down a surprise date night unless she has business the next day and Londyn knows Danielle's calendar is clear for the next two weeks.
Londyn: Hey babe, how about a night out? You, me, at the Celebrazioni? Danielle: I like the sound of that. Let's do it. https://i.imgur.com/nzigCdS.png
That evening, where every night of romance in this story gets started, at Celebrazioni, Danielle decides to set the tone. Danielle serenades Londyn which puts her in a mood to try a little risky romance in the club's hot tub! This night is wasting no time getting steamy! https://i.imgur.com/FqdZwC0.png https://i.imgur.com/GY9W7Zy.png https://i.imgur.com/L6CN4b7.png https://i.imgur.com/FQH64O9.png https://i.imgur.com/OoFLJfh.png https://i.imgur.com/B4gscUt.png
A little dancing, until the stereo breaks... https://i.imgur.com/JSoLKJL.png
After that some romancing... https://i.imgur.com/GgGKmpj.png https://i.imgur.com/5MV5l8n.png https://i.imgur.com/PVgyt7d.png
Londyn: Hey babe, do you remember the first time we were here? https://i.imgur.com/hTRMIvg.png
Danielle: You tell me? Did it go something like this.... https://i.imgur.com/173mWks.png
Londyn: I have an idea hun, follow me. I think you're going to love what I have in mind. Danielle: Baby, I'd follow you anywhere. I'm sure I'll love whatever plan you have in that gorgeous head of your's! https://i.imgur.com/03YFWd4.png
Are you ready dear readers? It's about to happen....
Londyn leads Danielle to their shared destiny. Londyn has this planned out. She was going to get Danielle a shiny new ring. She decided instead to give Danielle the ring Londyn's grandmother wore for her engagement. As Summer said, the only thing that matters to Danielle is that the ring came from Londyn. Nothing else matters to her.
Danielle: Baby, this has been such a special night. I have had so much fun, but anything is fun, and everything is special when I can do it with you. I love you with all my heart Londyn. https://i.imgur.com/13vEUg8.png
Londyn: There isn't another person on the face of this earth I'd rather share special moments like this with besides you. You are my everything. https://i.imgur.com/9BbKSmp.png
Londyn: Hey! I have an idea. Let's go down on the beach, come on... https://i.imgur.com/ROq5N9x.png https://i.imgur.com/L87F1xd.png
Londyn: As wonderful as this night has been, there's still a little magic left in it. https://i.imgur.com/9CwoEuQ.png
I want to reveal that magic for you...
Londyn: They say that everybody has that certain someone that they were made for.... Danielle: Londyn, wh, wha, wha, oh my god, what are you doing.... https://i.imgur.com/Qemym9C.png
Danielle: Luh, Luh, Londyn.... Londyn: The moment I saw you that night in Celebrazioni, I knew... https://i.imgur.com/XFsehDB.png
Danielle: Oooooh ggggod... Londyn: ..you were the only one who held the key to my heart. I've had a key that I've kept with me all my life. It was the key to someone else's heart. I knew one day I would find the heart that key belonged too. That night I knew it was the key to your heart. I knew then, and I knew it even more the following day that my search was over.... https://i.imgur.com/6NneJPL.png