look how they shine

* collected gameplay and mini-stories from the Akiyama/McCarthy families

Fall 2088. Vale Akiyama is 28, Vicky Garth is 24. Blossom McCarthy is 29, George is 34, Abe is nearly 2. And welcome baby Abigail.

content warnings: childbirth, and... menstrual blood, I guess?

previously: Vale and Vicky get engaged // Blossom is the golden child in this family




🎶 Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you 🎶

—

In September, Vale and Vicky finished the last tour stop of their whirlwind musical summer. Being home again now, they were quite happy to settle into a cocoon of warmth and rest while they daydreamed of what might come next for them.

As for their wedding, they were both in agreement about one thing—it would be intimate but lavish. And if they kept the invite list small, they could spring for a destination wedding. Think of a swanky hotel on a tropical island, a long flight to somewhere they’ve never been before, sparkling waters and sandy beaches.

But that was all just talk for now, so they let the talk be as fantastical as they wished. No date set, no deposits paid. They’ve been too busy and too tired to make anything official. For now, they’re just enjoying their engagement and their raging musical success.

postcards from your next major crisis

February & March 2088.

*** content warnings: miscarriage, blood

#1: Cora Lawrence is doing just fine, thank you very much


Her life is complete, Cora tells herself. She doesn’t need a man. Especially not one like Luis-Fucking-Talbot. She is twenty-seven years old. Her biological clock is set to silent mode and folded away in her sock drawer. She owns prime real estate in downtown Sierra Nova and an investment portfolio that would impress most people twice her age. She buys fancy coffee and drinks it in silence after doing an hour of yoga at sunrise. This is going to be an incredible day, and Luis Fucking Talbot can go screw half his college campus if he wants to. Cora is filling her cup with zen, and it tastes just fine.

He probably has loads of STDs anyway.

postcards from your Valentine

February 2088.

* briefly NSFW

Here’s what a few special couples are doing on this romantic day.

—

Vale & Vicky, together 6 weeks – officially moving in together


“So it looks like your neighbor didn’t water the plants then,” he said.

thank you, part 1

November 2087. Blossom McCarthy is 28, George is 33, Abe is 9 months. Vicky Garth is 23. Amy Jones is 21, Blair is 20. Nobuo Akiyama is 55, Mayumi is 53, Vale is 27. 

previously: the dirty French song // what would you do with it if it happened?

Thanksgiving for the McCarthy and Akiyama families was a cheerful time. This was Blossom’s first year hosting the holiday as a mother—baby Abe’s first Thanksgiving. They couldn’t be more thankful. Both sides of the family were expected in full attendance. The feast would be delicious. Blossom’s mother was the star chef today, although Vicky and Amy helped, too. Blossom wasn’t much of a cook, so she put herself in charge of refilling drinks and lifting spirits. 

This blend of blood-family and friend-family had grown together so beautifully. Blossom's parents loved George and his siblings. The McCarthy clan all adored Blossom's parents and even her unruly little brother, Vale. In-laws became friends. Friends became family.  

And there were three vegetarians in one family, so it was decidedly a convincing tofu roast on their menu. The meat-eaters didn't dare complain. 

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. 

real music, part 3

June 21, 2087. Vale Akiyama is 26, Vicky Garth is 22, Lauren Sanders is 14, Blossom McCarthy is 28, April Hutchins is 23, Ariel Beech is 19, Josie Booth is 20, Lara Nova is 34, Patrick Nova is 36. 

"real music, part 1," "real music, part 2"


Vale still had his bags to pack and a flight up north to catch for the long-awaited Copper Island Summer Solstice Festival. But first, he wondered what to wear for his big night. He tried on a few combinations and texted the selfies to Vicky.

     Vale: Which one says “musical superstar”?

     Vicky: I don’t know, but that vest says arrogant and pretentious.

     Vale: And the other one?

     Vicky: I don’t know, just pretentious I guess.

—

the preggy report: February 2087

Lisa Sanchez: 5 weeks

As little Julian Sanchez nears his second birthday, Lisa and Carlos are beginning to dream of a sibling for him. The timing could be better, to be honest. Money is tight, even though Carlos just landed his dream job as a game programmer for the brand new Gamers Den arcade and development company. But they want a big family, and they think a humble upbringing will hearten their children ... or at least they don't feel like it should keep them from going off birth control while they wait to see what happens.

postcards from up north (mini updates)

January 2087.


#1: puppy love


Blossom and George are all bundled up and ready to head up north to visit her parents.

real music

January 3, 2087. George McCarthy is 32, Blossom McCarthy is 27, Vicky Garth is 22, Vale Akiyama is 26.

* Where we left off with Vicky: making her peace about Dallas, but not about Summer. Her island in the sun. 

* And meet Vale. 


After his wildly successful New Year's Eve gig, Vale planned to stay with his sister for a few days before they traveled up north together to visit their parents.

Blossom's first pregnancy was an alarming milestone in their family, considering they were less than two years apart. It seemed too soon, although of course it wasn't soon at all. Blossom had been married for three years. He and Blossom had always had a lot in common until now. He'd been following her well-charted path for most of his life, exactly eighteen months behind. Now her path diverged from his in a way he couldn't see himself following any time soon. His career was fun and frivolous, his apartment in Catalina was small and possibly toxic, and he hadn't had (or wanted) a steady girlfriend since high school. He wondered if it was a switch that just flipped at some point, the desire to finally settle down?

all's well that ends well

November 6, 2086. George and Blossom McCarthy have been married for three years.

* briefly NSFW


George and Blossom never had time to take a honeymoon when they married three years ago. On the weekend of their third anniversary, the idea of a babymoon sounded very appealing. George worried that he'd been ripped off when he bought a vacation package for this place, but once he stepped into the lobby, his worries subsided. It was a beautiful hotel. Blossom kicked off her sandals and made herself right at home.

They checked into their room, freshened up from the long trip, and went down to the lounge for dinner.

the preggy report

September 2086. Blossom McCarthy is 27, George is 32. 


"Blossom McCarthy? I can take you back now."

Blossom

age 27

Blossom Moonbeam (Akiyama) McCarthy

story tag
simblr tag

born: January 29, 2059 — Aquarius

toddler trait: charmer
child aspiration: social, achieved
aspiration 1: popularity, friend to the world
aspiration 2: creativity, painting

aspiration 3: wellness guru
traits: loves outdoors, bookworm, cheerful, vegetarian, muser, carefree, socially gifted
MBTI:

religion: Neo-Druid
politics: Speak for the Trees

loves:
hates:

education:
- Takemizu Academy, 2076-77, sophomore year (Art & Culture)
- Lake City University, class of 2081 (Art History, Political Science)
career:
- Wellness Guru and Yoga Instructor, Savasana Cafe
career history:
- retail, campus bookstore
skilled at:

wanted to be when she was a child: a fairy

orientation: mostly straight
IFS: 2

romance:
- George McCarthy, together July 2081, engaged September 2082, married since November 2083
romantic history:
- Micah Buchanan, September 2075 to March 2076

parents: Nobuo and Mayumi Akiyama
siblings: Vale Akiyama
children: Abraham McCarthy
grandchildren: --
friendships: George McCarthy (husband), Lara Nova, Vicky Garth (sister-in-law), Vale Akiyama (brother), Blair Jones (brother-in-law), Amy Jones, Amelia Bradshaw
enemies:

DNA:
weight: - 24.7 (postpartum, pre-pregnancy weight: - 41.2)
fitness: - 34.7

health history:
- birth control risk, 1%. fertility, -5%

legal history: