Gen 8 Ch 4

Rolls for Generation 9 - Rose and Coral

Second Chance (two partners, a child with each)

Two children

Primary career: Fortune Teller (Genuine Pyschic)

1st partner's career: artist

2nd partner's career: Magician

Goal: Deadbeat parents

Fun: Partier

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First things first - Topaz quickly located the quaint French marketplace, and the art collector who was interested in her paintings. She introduced herself as Jolene Montague, and proclaimed herself 'smitten' with Topaz' artwork.

"I'll take everything you brought with you, these are amazing."

After their deal was concluded, Topaz headed out the door, eager to check out the rest of the market, but stopped short when she heard Jolene call out behind her.

"Wait a minute!" Topaz was a little taken aback when she turned to find Jolene pointing an animated finger at her chest. "You look like the adventurous type. How would you like to help me research my new book?"

Jolene's 'research', Topaz soon discovered, involved breaking into the old abandoned mansion on the edge of town. At least she recognised the traps at the entrance, from her adventures in Egypt. Who would have thought that the former owners of this French mansion would utilize the same type of traps that the ancient Egyptians used to guard their tombs?

There were more traps in the foyer; luckily the room also boasted a couple of statues that could be used to disarm them. What kind of sickos plant hidden traps in their front entrance, anyway?

This must be the library, where Jolene said Topaz would find the documents - something about a stolen nectar recipe.

Jolene had told her that anyone who managed to make their way past the traps could keep any relics they found inside, but it still seemed a little creepy to Topaz to be tip toeing about lifting vases in what looked like could be someones home.

Jolene had tasked her with finding three documents. The first had been in the library; she located the second outside in the grounds keeper's cabin.

The last one, dealing with the kidnapping of a young girl, was more difficult to find, but Topaz finally discovered it in a small office on the top floor of the mansion.

Jolene was beyond pleased when Topaz presented her with all the documentation she needed for her new book.

"How can I ever thank you?"

Topaz winked at her.

"I have an idea." She grinned as she leaned in for a quick kiss. And the rest, as they say, was history.

Topaz of course stopped off at the tattoo parlor on her way home. She decided on a simoleon symbol to represent the opulent Landgrabb mansion she had explored on her trip.

She could hardly wait to get home to her girls. She knew they were in good hands with her mom and dad, but she missed them fiercely.

"Hey, little Rosie! I missed you girls so much!"

"Mama? Wanna go see Jana! Pwease?"

"My goodness, you learned to talk so well while I was gone! Of course we can visit your cousin."

"How about you, Coral? Do want to go visit Reagan and Jana too?"

"Eeeee! Let's go now, mama!"

Agate and Jojo were not the best company, but Reagan wanted to hear all about Topaz' travels. As she described her latest adventures, Topaz couldn't help but wonder if Reagan and Jana would be getting a new little brother or sister soon. 

Meanwhile, Rose and Coral were thrilled to be playing with their little cousin. It took promises of cookies and bedtime stories to finally get them back in the car when it was time to leave.

When birthday time for the twins rolled around, Topaz went all out on their party. All the relatives were invited - Jade's daughter Crystal, now an elder, Coal's little sister Tifannie and her red-headed husband, and of course Agate and Jojo. They had brand new twin boys at home, and apologized for arriving late - their sitter had not shown up until the last minute.

 Since Rose Beryl was the oldest by a few minutes, she got to blow out her candles first.

Rose cheered enthusiastically as Coral had her turn at the cake, but Topaz suddenly felt hot tears welling up in her eyes. Her babies were growing up.

Topaz closed her eyes and sighed as Eva took the opportunity to poke fun at the proceedings. She couldn't remember any more why she had at one time fallen so hard for Eva. Those emotions had certainly died out years ago,when Eva revealed her antipathy to all things child related.

After the cake, Jojo brought out her guitar, and the dancing began.

Raven kept the drinks flowing from her usual place behind the bar.

To everyone surprise, Rose watched Tifannie's expert dance moves for a few minutes, then enthusiastically jumped out onto the dance floor, copying her great-aunt's steps perfectly.

"Come on, Coral, Reagan - come dance with me!"

"Uh... we don't know how."

"It's easy - like this!" Rose spun adroitly in a complicated dance step, while her sister and cousin watched in amazement.

"Where'd you learn how to do that?"

"I dunno, I just did it."

No one else but Topaz seemed to be aware of one special guest.

"I think that one's gonna be special," Jade gestured to where Rose was tearing up the dance floor.

"They're both special. You were right about them, you know. They're what I was searching for, all along."

And when the inevitable phone call came, asking Topaz to paint several Chinese landmarks for the Bridgeport art gallery, she agreed for one reason only - her girls were old enough now to make the trip with her.