1. Chapter 19 – So This Is Growing Up
Hello dear readers, and welcome back to A Piratical Legacy.
Generation five is growing up and the pace of this legacy is starting to pick up slightly as the halfway point approaches. Roche, the heir of
generation four, is working on fixing the problems with his marriage to Marie, which stem from the loss of their oldest daughter, Susanna. In fact,
youngest daughter Gertie may not even be his, though Roche does not suspect this. Meanwhile, Susanna's twin Grace is a teenager, and twin boys
Nick and Willie are old enough to start to get to know their cousins.
Roche's older brother Bart is worried about the legacy family and wishes Roche could have as good a marriage as he does. Married to De, a
simself, Bart has two children: Morgan and Pierce. And there's a third baby on the way!
With the recap out of the way, let's get on with the chapter!

2. Before the chapter gets properly underway, though, there are a few lingering items from the previous chapter. My son strolled into my house a few
days after he'd witnessed his wife cheating on him with his (former) best friend.
"I don't know what to do, mom," he said plaintively. "I caught Elphaba and Roche flirting the other day. I'm so mad at them!"
"What were they doing?" I asked as I carefully stretched my Zotz!ing finger.
"He admired the green dress she was wearing," Herc said in a choked voice.
"WHAT?!?"

3. I jumped up off the couch and laid into my not-so-bright son.
"Wh-what?"
"All that happened was Roche complimented her dress," I said.
"There's no harm in looking!" I cried. "You go home right now,
"Yup," he gulped. "I-I don't want you to kill her or anything, mom. I young man, and don't come back until you've apologized to your
just want advice on how to fix my marriage. I miss being friends with wife. All this over a little flirt. And here I thought you were going to
Elphaba." tell me that they were sleeping together."
My husband walked past without saying a word, but the look on his "Why would you think that?" Herc asked.
face clearly said that he was staying out of this one.
"Because that's usually what one means by cheating," I said
I shook my fist at Hercules. "Son," I said sternly, "you owe Elphaba hurriedly. I didn't think Herc knew about 'Faba's unfaithfulness
an apology." during their engagement - not that he'd been any better.

4. "Okay, I'll go apologize," Herc said uncertainly. "But how do I get over being mad?"
"Being mad is part of any marriage," I shrugged. "Especially marriage to a human. They do silly things occasionally, but the important thing is
forgiveness... both of each other and of yourselves. Aren't you feeling a bit sheepish about blowing things so much out of proportion?"
"Stop reading my mind, mother."
"That's what mothers are for, dear. Let me know if everything works out okay."

5. Back home, Hercules took a deep breath and approached Elphaba.
"'Faba, love," he said hesitantly. She scowled at him. "I'm sorry."
"Y-you're sorry?" Elphaba's features softened slightly. "What for?"
"For overreacting," Hercules said. "Can you forgive me?"
"I-I'll try, I guess," Elphaba said uncertainly. "You really hurt me, Herc."
"I know," Hercules said, shame evident in his voice. "I'm sorry for not trusting you."
The two smiled at each other tentatively. Their marriage wasn't repaired yet - not by a long shot - but it was a start.

6. Grace dreamed... and opened her eyes, and found herself in a familiar place. She was sitting on a swing, and her dream-friend Anna was swinging
beside her.
"Hello again," Anna smiled. Like Grace, she was a teenager as well.
"Hi," Grace said. "Nice outfit."
"Isn't it just too much?" Anna grinned.. "Grandfather gave it to me for my birthday. I told him that this place needed some colour."
"That's for sure," Grace said frankly, looking around at the drab landscape. "How can you handle living in such a monotonous place?"

7. "Oh, it's alright," Anna shrugged, sliding off of the swing and onto real boys. Have you ever had a boyfriend?"
the ground. Grace followed suit. "But I wish there were boys here. I
can see snatches of their dreams sometimes, but I've never met one. "Not yet," Grace shrugged. "But I haven't been a teen for very long
They're ... fascinating." either. It'll come sooner or later."
"They're smelly and gross, sometimes, too," Grace laughed. "I'm so jealous," Anna sighed. "At this rate I'll die unkissed. Or
something."
"Do you know any?" Anna pounced. "You've actually spent time with
boys?" "I'm sure you'll meet someone eventually," Grace said. "Everybody
does, I think. Maybe if you ever manage to leave the dreamworld..."
"Of course," Grace said. "I have two brothers, and a boy cousin too."
"Oh, I can do that," Anna said. "But grandfather doesn't like it. Still,
"Oh, relatives," Anna dismissed this with a wave. "I'm talking about I think he's going to make me live with the mortals soon."

8. "Look me up, then," Grace smiled. "I live on Pirate Island... it can't be that hard to find."
"I will," Anna promised. "And you'll introduce me to some boys, okay?"
"Deal."
The two girls embraced, and Grace woke up.

9. When Grace went downstairs, her dad was already awake and feeding Gertie, her littlest sister.
"Drink up, sweetie," Roche crooned as he cuddled his youngest daughter close. "You have to grow up big and strong 'cause you might be the
heiress. We haven't had blond hair in the family since great-great-grandmother Elise. Funny how these things skip generations."
In daddy's arms, Gertie giggled and cooed as she drank her bottle.

10. Upstairs, Willie and Nick were playing with their toys before having to go to school.
"My rocket crashes into your pony!" Willie shrieked. "Boom!"
"Nope, Freckles got away just in time 'cause she gallops faster than a rocket can fly," Nick declared, cuddling his toy horse possessively.

11. "Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Boys, it's time to get ready for school!" Marie called from outside the bedroom. "And come straight home afterwards, mind. It's Gertie's birthday
today and you don't want to miss the party!"

12. The children away at school, Marie at work, and Roche off at the store, Ivy
and Pao took the time to relax quietly with a drink or two. "Yes, dear?"
"Ivy, darling, you're just as beautiful as you were the day I married you," "When we die... we don't want you to be alone. We hope you will find
Pao declared as he looked fondly at his wife. someone who loves you as much as we do."
"We are glad you think so," Ivy said, returning his smile. "We feel old and "I don't need that kind of love after you're gone," Pao said. "If you die
wrinkly... except when we are with you, Pao." before me, I mean. I have our family... I won't be lonely."
The two elders looked at each other happily, perfectly content with the "But if you are," Ivy insisted, "we want you to find someone."
world. Still, Ivy knew she was getting older, and that she might have to
leave Pao soon. "I doubt it'll come to that," Pao shrugged. He leaned over and kissed Ivy
lightly on the cheek. "Don't worry, love."
"Pao?" she said hesitantly.

13. That evening, Buccaneer manor was filled with happy sounds as the family prepared to celebrate Gertie's birthday.

14. Dear Diary,
My littlest one isn't a baby anymore! No, she's a sturdy little toddler, very girly in nature. She likes being dressed up in frilly outfits over trousers,
and she can be pretty fussy about making sure she's fancied up just right.
Gertie is always on the go, these days. She runs here, there, and everywhere. I think what she likes best is meeting new people and making friends -
she's outgoing like... like Susanna was.

15. Gertie is much more serious than the rest of her siblings. Sometimes I wonder if that's because she's Anthony's child, and not my husband's. Yes,
I'm certain of it. I sat down and made a chart - even though there is blond hair in the Buccaneer family, Roche doesn't have the gene for it.
Roche loves her so, though. He loves her so much that I'm finding myself loving him again. I can't tell him the truth about this. I just can't.
Love,
Marie

16. Gertie wasn't the only one celebrating a birthday. The next morning, Pearl quietly became an elderly dog. Life was good for her. She had plenty of
children to babysit, all the dog food and bones she could want, and humans who loved her.

17. "Tickles, Mommy!" Pierce Buccaneer giggled and squirmed.
"Who's gonna getcha?" De Buccaneer, wife of Bart Buccaneer and sister-in-law of Roche, grinned. She tickled Pierce again before putting her
smartmilk-endowed son down by his skilling toys. She smiled to her the little boy singing to himself as he played.
"I love my mommy and my daddy and my sister... best friends..."
And another baby soon, De thought as she patted her baby bump.

18. The new baby was a girl, and Bart and De decided to name her Rose.
"I think our family's complete," Bart said as he ran a finger over Rose's baby-soft cheek.
"I think you're right," De agreed. "I like babies, but I really don't like being pregnant."
"And you need to focus on your career," Bart said. "Between our hours and Morgan we should only need a sitter for a couple of hours a week."
"That's a relief," De said. "I don't like the Nanny very much."
"Did I tell you she set the kitchen on fire again yesterday?" Bart asked.
"Again?" De sighed in resignation.

19. Morgan settled in easily to being babysitter for her brother and sister. She rather liked the job. The kids were quiet and slept most of the time.
When Pierce was awake, he kept himself entertained. So she had plenty of time to read her books and study for scholarships.
She kept a notepad beside her bed now, too, and wrote down any questions she happened to think up as she was falling asleep. Then she'd research
the answers the next day.
How do our eyes adjust to darkness so quickly? How fast does the earth rotate on its axis? What's the latitude and longitude of Pirate Island
anyway? What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Each time she answered a question she put a checkmark next to it on her list.

20. "Best friends, Morgan?" Pierce asked as his sister lowered him into his high chair.
"Best friends," Morgan chuckled. She put a bowl of mushed peas on Pierce's tray.
"Yuck!" Pierce declared. "Not best friends anymore, Morgan! Yuck!"
"I wonder if this stuff is really as healthy as they say it is?" Morgan mused, eyeing the jar dubiously.

21. Pierce grew quickly, though (possibly because of all the healthy mushed peas Morgan gave him), and soon it was time for his birthday.
"Why do kids on Pirate Island grow up with sparklies anyway, dad?"
"Hush, Morgan, you can look it up later. Pay attention and sing the birthday song!"

22. "Now I can stay up late!" Pierce crowed as he ran outside to play on the swings.
"Well, a little later," Bart laughed. "C'mon in, Pierce. Don't you want birthday cake?"
"I'd rather stay up all night and play on the internet," Pierce muttered, but he went in to have some birthday cake anyway, while Morgan frantically
researched birthday procedures in her encyclopedia.
"'See game play manual page 5.' What the heck does that mean?"

23. It was the night after her cousin Pierce's birthday, and Grace was in a fantastic mood. She'd made plans with Morgan after the party - they were
going to sneak out and cruise downtown for boys.
But sneaking out meant convincing the rest of the family that she was asleep, so that they would all go to bed. It was a lot harder to sneak out past
grandparents watching TV in the living room than it was to sneak past two closed bedroom doors.
Accordingly, Grace got ready for bed, said goodnight to her parents, closed her bedroom door, and turned out the lights. She got out her MP3
player so she'd have something to listen to while she waited.

24. A few hours later, Grace snuck out of bed and quietly got dressed. It "I don't see what's so great about boys anyway," Morgan said. "Do
was almost 1 AM, and Morgan was due any... ah, there she was. you know, Grace?"
"Geez, where'd you lift the limo?" Grace asked. "I want one." "An-- er, someone I know, that is, says they're good for kissing,"
Grace shrugged. "I wouldn't mind being kissed."
"Borrowed it from daddy's driver," Morgan shrugged. "C'mon, we
have to drop it off and pick up the van. So where are we going "Is it slobbery, do you think?" Morgan persisted. "Or what if their
anyway?" lips are chapped? Girls' lips are always softer."
"Cruising for boys," Grace declared. "This is going to be awesome!" "Just... drive."

25. The vehicle arrangements taken care of, the two girls cruised Lemme up!"
downtown. Fortunately, parking was easy to find this time of night -
though Morgan made sure to arm the alarm. "Why aren't you allowed to drive it?" Morgan was curious.
"Can I drive back?" Grace asked. "I wanna see how this thing "Why do you think?" Grace said, patting her hair back into place.
handles compared to my dad's Porsche." "Daddy doesn't want me scratching it, and mom says that I drive too
fast anyway."
"Why do you want to drive this clunky old thing instead of the
Porsche?" Morgan demanded. She grabbed her cousin in an armlock "They're right, you know," Morgan smirked.
and noogied her.
"Hey!"
"Ack!" Grace spluttered. "I'm not allowed to drive the Porsche.

26. The girls made their way to an all-hours club, where they spent most of their time pointing and laughing at the old people and how badly they
danced.
"We're so awful," Grace wheezed as she collapsed onto a bench. "They can't help it if they're hopeless."
"And what's stopping them from taking dance lessons?" Morgan giggled, clutching her sides. "Ow! Laughing this hard hurts! Let's go bowl. I think
my grandpa's manning the DJ booth and I don't want to get caught."
"Think?"
"The mullet makes it hard to recognize him. Why do people have different hair when they change clothes sometimes, anyway?"

27. A few games later and both girls were feeling a bit discouraged at the lack of prospective suitors.
"Guess everyone's home for the night," Morgan complained. "C'mon, let's go to the magazine shop and then I'll drop you off at home. I want to get
the new issue of Paranormal Weekly. I wonder if they've caught Bat-Boy yet?"
"You're such a dork," Grace said.

28. It didn't take long to find the magazine Morgan wanted, but for some reason she didn't seem to want to leave the store. Grace glared at her from the
doorway, but Morgan ignored her and chatted with the shop clerk for a few minutes longer.
Grace stomped into the store. "C'mon Morg, it's almost four," she said in exasperation. "We have to get home!"

29. "Fine, I'm coming," Morgan said, stuffing the magazine into her bag. She glanced back at the clerk and smiled. "Thanks for the tip, Lisa! I'll be
sure to check that out." The clerk waved as the girls walked out of the store.
"Didn't you think she was pretty?" Morgan added as they got into the car.

30. "Different strokes for different folks," Grace said philosophically. "We need to come up with a signal system if the reason you're making me late is
because you're trying to get a date. And vice versa."
"I'll look something up," Morgan said. "If we're roommates at college we're definitely going to need something like that so nobody walks in on
anybody else. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"Exactly," Grace grinned.
Morgan dropped her off just down the street and Grace quietly snuck back into the house. A quick pop at the Energizer later and she was ready to
face the day. She was vaguely disappointed that she hadn't met any cute boys, but at least Morgan had a potential crush. In the overall cost-benefit
analysis, the evening wasn't a total waste.

31. Roche's days were kept busy at the store, so he didn't notice that the Energizers were wearing out faster than usual due to Grace's delinquency. The
store was doing well, and he got along well with all of his employees - although his head cashier had a disconcerting habit of staring right at him
while making gagging motions.

32. Nick was definitely the more artistic of the Buccaneer boys. He spent a lot of his spare time painting, or playing chess, or reading.
"What are you doing, Nicky?" asked his mother.
"Painting a portrait of the whole family!"
"Why did you make your brother with a rocket ship jammed up his nose?"
"No reason."

33. Willie, on the other hand, was always trying out new games and toys.
"Hey Grace!" he called up the stairs to where his sister was playing on the computer. "How do you work this thing?"
"Search me!" Grace called back down the stairs.
"But you're the one who bought it!" Willie whined.
"Children! Stop yelling!" Marie called from the kitchen.
"It looked expensive," Grace muttered. Willie soon gave up and wandered off to find something else to play with.

34. "Willie, when we grow up we'll live in a house just like this, right?"
"Us and our wives, yeah!" Willie said. "And we'll throw parties every day, too."
"Uh, maybe," Nick said. He looked dubious.

35. Later that day, he approached Marie.
"Mommy, do I have to get married to a lady?" he asked as he twirled around the library with his mom.
"Do you want to?" Marie asked. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Nicky."
"But what if I'm the heir?" he asked worriedly.
"We should know in a few days," Marie reassured him. "And... marriage isn't so bad, Nick."
"I know, but..." he trailed off and changed the subject.

36. Whatcha doin', Willie?
"Oh, hi Goddess. At least, I'm guessing you're the Goddess. You haven't spoken to anyone in my family in a loooong time. That's what Morgan
says, and she knows everything."
She certainly does know a lot.
"More than me! Say, Goddess, who's going to be the heir this generation? If it's me I promise to throw tons of parties!"
That's not doing you any favors, kid.

37. I followed Willie into the washroom to see if he had any thoughts about his siblings and their heir potential, but he shooed me away.
"When I said we could be friends, Goddess, this wasn't quite what I had in mind."
Sorry, Willie. It's my omniscience leaking out.

38. Later that night, after both boys were in bed, Ivy visited their room to tuck them in.
"Sleep tight, little princes," she murmured as she straightened the covers. "Tomorrow we find out if one of you is the heir!"

39. "Your reservation is right this way, sir."
"Thank you for your excellent hospitality, friend," Jack said. He beckoned towards the rest of his party and the group of them traipsed through the
restaurant to the private room Jack had reserved. "I trust that you received the orders we sent in? We have much business to discuss and do not
wish to have to wait an excessive length of time. What we are discussing is famishing business."
"Your food should be ready within the next ten minutes," the host said.
"Excellent," Jack smiled, and slipped a bill into the host's hand.

40. As the Londoste servers began moving among the guests of Jack bluntly, it's heir time. One of my kids has to carry on the family
Thayer, Roche smiled at those assembled and began to speak. name, and I can't decide. I figure if we all put our heads together we
can come up with the best candidate."
"I want to thank all of you for coming out today," he said.
"Especially Uncle Jack for arranging everything on such short notice. "Doesn't the Goddess usually make that choice?" a growling voice
I bet you're wondering why I've invited you here." asked.
"I confess I did "She hasn't seen fit to give me any guidance yet," Roche said. "And
Wonder why you called us here, I'd like the matter settled sooner, rather than later."
Though the food is good."
"We would like to know as well, and we don't have that much time
"Well, Aunt Celeste," Roche said, nodding to the speaker, "to put it left," Ivy's authoritarian tones echoed through the private room.

41. So the remaining direct descendants of Jack Buccaneer I discussed he'll turn out to be a Popularity sim. There have already been two
the prospect as they ate. Would it be Grace, the eldest child? Popularity spouses in the family. Perhaps another aspiration ought to
Certainly, she was charming, and ambitious. have a turn?"
"But she's not very nice, is she?" Bart said. "She's a lot like Morgan, "I believe young Nicholas is a budding Family sim," Jack pointed
actually. Other than the twenty questions thing, I mean. But I don't out. "To my knowledge, only grandmother Mary has shared that
think Morgan would be the most suitable heiress if it were her we particular aspiration."
were discussing. I like Grace, but I don't think she's cut out for it."
"We are also pretty sure that Nick is gay," Ivy pointed out. "The
If not Grace, then what of William? Goddess does not cause miracle pregnancies, so if Nick inherited he
would have to marry."
"Willie is a good kid," Anne, Roche's aunt, admitted, "but I think

42. "To live in such a state
Is a terrible fate
When one does not find
Fulfillment with womankind," Celeste said. "Were Nick to be the heir
He'd have to bear
An alien child, or if he can't
He'd have to spawn a podling plant."
"Best not burden the boy," Eddie mewed. "No matter what his preference, he doesn't seem suited to legacy living anyway. He's much too nice." He
paused. "Although... plant-spawn... hmmm."
Bart elbowed Eddie in the arm. "No," he hissed under his breath.

43. "Well, that just leaves Gertie," Roche said. "And she's so young. It's a lot to put on her shoulders."
"We do think she has the advantage, though," Ivy said. "Knowing one is the heiress from birth is desirable. We can instruct her in all she knows as
she grows. This way she can be eased into the responsibility instead of having it all thrust upon her at once."
"My noble sister makes an excellent point," Jack said. "Young Gertie is a pleasant child, not overly fawning but not excessively antagonistic either.
She is more serious than her siblings, but parental encouragement will ensure that she is properly playful. I approve of this choice."

44. "I don't have any objections," Eddie agreed. "Say, do you think she'd be Being crowned next chief
willing to experiment with the feline genome with me?" Though she might regret it when she's thirty.
Heir is a job with no relief."
"No," Roche said firmly.
"Is there any chance she might convert to the way of Cheese?" Anne asked.
"It's just one injection, completely painless--"
"I think that's the Goddess' choice," Bart said.
"No."
"Well, either way I suppose I approve," Anne said finally.
"Gertie's a good kid," Bart said. "I'm in favor too. How about you, Aunt
Celeste, Aunt Anne?" "We also think Gertie will do fine," Ivy said.
"We have no objection to Gertie "Might as well make it unanimous," Roche shrugged.

45. The excellent food eaten, and the question of heir decided, the family council took their leave and left the restaurant.
"We'll have to do this again soon," Eddie said. "Before it's too late for the lot of us, I mean."
"Don't be morbid, Ed," Anne said. "Give Tosha a hug from me and Marla, okay?"

46. Bart, however, hung back and motioned for Jack to do the same.
"That would be the one," Bart said, scowling.
"Is there anything I can help you with, nephew Bartholomew?" Jack
asked politely. "What of him, nephew?"
"There's an issue that you may be able to help with, Uncle Jack," Bart "Roche's wife is having an affair with him," Bart muttered. "I saw
said slowly. "Do you remember Anthony Greaves?" them carrying on in her store."
"Ah, that erstwhile suitor of my sister," Jack said. "Unfortunately "Ah," Jack said softly. Somehow, his voice was more threatening
deceased due to his stalkerish behavior. Purveyor of curses, receiver when he spoke softly. "I see."
of anti-curses?"

47. Anthony chortled with delight as he read his newspaper. Gertie Buccaneer being made heiress had warranted the front page, and as he saw his own
features staring up at him from the photo of the chieftaness in waiting, Anthony couldn't help but feel that he had finally been vindicated.
Knock-knock.
Still grinning, Anthony got up and opened the door.

48. "Roche, dear, my face is up here," Marie said irritably.
"What? Oh, right," Roche jerked his eyes skyward. "What was I saying?"
"You were telling me that Gertie is the heiress," Marie said. "You're sure it was unanimous? Even Bart agreed?"
"It's exactly how it was presented in the paper," Roche said. "Uncle Jack only publishes the truth, love."
"I just wanted to make sure," Marie said. "Sorry."

49. Grace bounced Gertie up and down in her arms as she carried her downstairs for a bottle.
"So, you're the heiress eh, little sister?" she said as she cuddled the tot.
"Whatsa heiress, Gracie?" Gertie asked.
"It means you get to live in this house and have lots of babies when you get big," Grace said. "And you get the family fortune too," she muttered
sourly.
"Lots of friends?"
"All the friends you can buy, Gertie," Grace chuckled.

50. "So the results are in?" Pao mused as he and Ivy cuddled in their bedroom.
"We decided on Gertie, yes," Ivy replied, pulling her husband closer and giving him a scorching kiss. "But we still feel a bit uneasy over the
prospect, Pao. There is something not quite right about the little girl... watch over her for us, will you?"
Pao nodded, and Ivy cut off any further comments in her trademark way.

51. The next day, Pierce came home from school with Willie and Nick.
"Awww... why can't we play, Grandma?" Nick whined as Ivy sent him off to do his homework.
"Finish your spelling first," Ivy instructed. "We will let you play after you are finished your schoolwork."
In the meantime, Ivy chatted with Pierce for a few minutes. She didn't know him as well as she knew his older sister, and intended to rectify that --
if possible.

52. "Homework is stinky," Nick complained.
"Oh, hush," Willie said. "If you stop complaining you'll finish sooner."
"Good point," Nick responded, and bent industriously to his work. "What's the capital of Canada?"
"I think it's Prince Edward Island," Willie responded. "No, wait... that's not right... that's the capital of Australia."
"No, New Zealand is the capital of Australia!"
"Is not! New Zealand is the capital of Japan!"

53. Once the boys finished, Ivy sent them off to play with Pierce. She wanted to spend a bit of quality time with Pao.

54. "Remember what you promised us," Ivy reminded her husband as they danced to music only they could hear. "You won't let yourself be lonely."
"Why are you bringing this up now?" Pao asked in a quiet voice filled with dread.

55. Ivy just stepped away from him with a sad smile.
"We love you, Pao. We always have."
"I love you too, Ivy. You've always been the most beautiful woman in the world to me."

56. And with that, Ivy was gone. She picked up her pina colada and her suitcase, and travelled off into the great beyond...
... leaving Pao alone.

57. Pao loved his family, but he needed to mourn alone so he took himself upstairs to the washroom where he could cry in peace. He was a fair bit
younger than Ivy and it would be some time before he joined her.
In the meantime, his family and friends needed him. He wiped his eyes, washed his face, and squared his shoulders before heading back out to
comfort them.

58. While there is a fair bit of sadness in life, there's also a lot of happy moments, and this is one of them! A few hours after Ivy's passing, the family
gathered at Bart and De's home to celebrate Rose's birthday.
She was a sweet kid with a gentle disposition - a lot more like her brother Pierce than her sister Morgan in that regard, though all three of Bart and
De's offspring were fairly similar in temperament - neat, outgoing, active, and serious. And Rose seemed to have picked up some of Morgan's
mania for asking questions, likely due to all the time they'd already spent together.
"Why sparklies? Make sneezes! Bad sparklies!"

59. "Hrmm..." Morgan eyed herself critically in the mirror after Rose's party. "I wonder if Lisa will go out with me if I call her...?"
Deciding there was nothing to lose by asking, Morgan placed the call.

60. "Any big plans today, kids?" De asked as the family sat around the table for breakfast the next morning.
"Well, I think I'll stop by and see how Grandpa Pao is doing after school," Morgan said. "Do I have to be home in time to watch the kids?"
"You'd better," Bart said. "I should be home at the regular time today, so you won't have to watch them for long."
"Great! Can I borrow the limo?"
"No."
"Darn."

61. Morgan's quick stop by the Buccaneer manor showed that Grandpa Pao was doing as well as could be expected. His method of dealing with the
pain of losing Ivy was evidently to spend as much time with his grandchildren as possible - when Morgan popped by, he was busy helping Grace
study for her science class.
"Oo! Can I help? What does that purple button do?"
Go home, Morgan. And don't touch the purple button.

62. "Daddy, do you think Grandma is happy where she is?" Nick asked as he danced on the stair landing with his father.
"I do," Roche said without a moment's hesitation. "You know that the people we love are never truly gone, right? As long as you still love them,
you carry a piece of them with you wherever you go."
"Have you ever lost someone you love, daddy? Other than grandma, I mean?"
"A-a few, Nicky."

63. More time passed, as time inevitably does, and it was Gertie's birthday again. Marie, as usual, was dressed in her pajamas as the family gathered
around the birthday cake.
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Gertieeeeeeeeee... Happy birthday to you!"

64. "All right!" the child-sized Gertie squealed. "Now I can go to school! Sweet! But why didn't you throw a party?"

65. As the family festivities continued, Grace found herself in the kitchen washing up the dirty dishes.
"Grace, when are you going to college?" Willie asked.
"Not for a bit longer," Grace answered. "Why?"
"Because I want to have my own room," Willie declared. "And if you move out then I can have yours!"
"Not so fast, Willie," Pao chuckled. "Even as we speak, your dad is setting up a bed for Gertie in Grace's room. They'll have to share - Gertie is too
big to sleep in a crib in your parents' room anymore."
"Aw, nuts! Can I at least have a divider, then? I'm getting tired of looking at Nick's posters of Shane West."

66. "I'm all grown up now," Gertie protested sleepily as her mother herded her upstairs. "I don't know why I still have to go to bed early."
"Because you're tired, dear," Marie said fondly. "Besides, Willie and Nick are on their way to bed, too."
"Well I guess that's okay," Gertie said, yawning as she changed into her nightgown. "As long as they have to go to bed now too. I can't wait til I'm
a teenager, though. Then I can stay up late and have parties and everything!"

67. "Nick, I think we should go on strike," Willie said to his twin.
"On strike?" Nick asked, not taking his eyes off of the TV.
"I mean it, boys!" Marie called from the hall. "Ten minutes and you'd better be in bed!"
"That's what I mean," Willie whispered. "We're older than Gertie. Why can't we stay up later than her?"
"We are staying up later than her, Will," Nick pointed out.
"Well yeah, but only half an hour," Will complained. "I think we should hold out for an hour, at least." He yawned and rubbed his eyes. "See? I'm
not tiredzzzzzz......"

68. A few days later, the family had the headmaster over to see about getting Gertie into private school with her siblings. Fortunately, everything went
smoothly and there were no issues. The headmaster was happy to have the Chief's family attending his institution.

69. "I wish you weren't too old to have puppies, Pearlie," Nick giggled as he played with the dog. He, Willie, and Grace had been fed hurriedly before
the headmaster arrived, then sent upstairs to amuse themselves. "I want to have lots of puppies and kittens when I grow up, but until then you'll
do."
Pearl's response was to pounce him and cover his face with kisses.
"Aaah!" Nick squealed, giggling. He and Pearl were especially close.

70. In fact, he often sat up late at night coming up with hypothetical names for his future puppies.
"The first one will be named Rover," he said. "Then there'll be Spot, and Fido. After those three will be Angus, Larchtree, and Masque. Then I
think I'll have ones named Molly, Sim, and Cheetah."
"Cheetah's a cat name," Willie protested. "And Sim's a private detective who hates animals."
"Oh, hush. Anyway, where was I. Cheetah." And he continued with his list. "Ooh, can't forget Shane..."

71. Dear Diary,
Gertie is such a helpful child. She always wakes up early and comes downstairs to help with the morning chores. She's much more helpful than
Grace, for example. Grace would rather leave it for the maid.
Well, I guess that's why Gertie is the heiress and not Grace. Though I do feel a little guilt... Gertie not being Roche's daughter. But that doesn't
really matter, does it? He considers her his daughter... surely that's enough!
Love,
Marie

72. The twins were very close, and grew closer all the time despite their "--a minute!" Nick concluded. They shared a glance, then burst into
differing personalities and outlook on life. They even started to look giggles.
more alike, though the different hairstyles meant that everyone could
tell them apart easily. "Twins!" Grace complained. "You two are so juvenile!"
To Grace's disgust, they started completing each others' sentences, "What do you--"
too.
"--expect? We're still just--"
"Will you two stop horsing around and come down for breakfast,"
she called from the doorway one morning. "--kids, after all!"
"We'll be down in--" began Willie. "Aaah! I wish I could sell you both to the circus!"

73. "Pearlie, the very first puppy I adopt is going to be a standard poodle just like you," Nick promised.
"Wuf."
"And then I think I'm going to try to adopt a wolf!" he added, ruffling Pearl's grey-streaked black fur.
"Hey, if we're going to be roommates then no wolves," Willie declared. "Their glowing eyes creep me out."
"Not one of the glowy-eyed ones," Nick explained. "Those can never be tamed. Just an ordinary wolf. Maybe I'll be lucky and get a white one!"
"You're really weird, Nick," Willie declared. "C'mon, let's go creep out Grace by talking in unison again."

74. "Hey Nicky, come out and try this thing!" Willie called from the
patio. Grace was babysitting, and wasn't paying very close attention "That's not a very nice thing to do to our sister," Nick protested.
to what the younger kids were up to, so Willie had taken the
opportunity to try out the bubble blower on the back patio. He wasn't "That's what sisters are for!" Willie grinned.
really supposed to use it.
"Hey, get away from that thing you two!" Grace called suddenly
"Mom and dad are going to get mad," Nick said nervously, but he sat from the upstairs window.
down on the cushion next to Willie anyway.
"Aw..."
"Yeah, but they'll get mad at Grace for not keeping a closer eye on
us," Willie said. "So we'll be okay." "...nuts."

75. From then on, Nick and Willie were limited to playing with their toys
inside or playing catch outside. Either way, Grace made sure to keep "If you don't get your homework done before mom and dad get back
a much closer eye on them. from work, you'll be hanging out to dry," Grace called threateningly
from inside.
"I can't wait til we're teenagers," Nick said. "Then we can help the
family by babysitting Gertie!" "Grace is a tyrant babysitter," Willie muttered.
"I'll pass," Willie declared. "I'm going to spend as much time hanging "She's just making sure she does a good job," Nick said. He was
out with my buddies as possible." much more forgiving of family members than Willie was.

76. Dear Diary,
Every day I look at Gertie and wonder how it is that I'm the only one who realizes she's not Roche's child. She's the spitting image of Anthony. I
really need to tell someone - but who? If this gets out now, when I've let the family make her heiress, I'll be lynched! Well, figuratively speaking.
I don't know what to do!
Love,
Marie

77. "It's a beautiful Saturday morning," Pao declared one morning a little Pao thought about that for a minute. "Are your aunt and uncle going
while later. "What are you young fry going to do with it?" to be there, boys?"
"We're going to go--" "We don't know," they replied.
"--play with Pierce!" Nick and Willie said. "I think Morgan said she had to babysit," Grace volunteered. "But I
can go over too if that's the case and make sure these kids don't get
"Me too!" Gertie insisted. into too much trouble. You know, in exchange for the proper
remuneration."

78. "Trouble? Who's causing trouble?" Marie and Roche walked into the room together, clothing and hair slightly mussed. "Sorry we're late for
breakfast."
Grace died of embarrassment. "No worries," she said, staring at her plate.
"The kids want to go and spend some time with Pierce," Pao said, rescuing all the embarrassed parties by changing the subject. "But Morgan's
babysitting today. Grace offered to go over with them and make sure things don't get out of hand."
"That sounds like a good plan," Marie said, self-consciously fixing her hair and doing up her last button. "I'll just give De a call and make sure it's
okay with her and Bart. And, Grace, you'll be doing this out of the goodness of your heart, won't you?"
"Uncle Jack says there's no such thing as a family discount," Grace muttered under her breath.

79. "When are they coming, Morgan?" Pierce asked excitedly as he flipped through channel after channel looking for some good cartoons.
Morgan, who had been staring at her magazine without reading it and daydreaming about Lisa instead, took a minute to answer. After checking her
watch, she told Pierce that their cousins should be there any minute.
"Can I wait outside?" he asked eagerly.
"Go for it, kid!" she focused her gaze on her magazine once more. I wonder if Lisa likes aliens?

80. Sure enough, a few minutes later Gertie, Willie, and Nick traipsed down the sidewalk, accompanied by their older sister.
"Why don't you guys play outside for a bit?" she suggested as she headed into the house.
"Nah, let's watch TV," Gertie said. "We can play outside in a bit."

81. Morgan and Grace dragged the couch from the upstairs sitting room down into the living room so that everyone would have a seat, and Pierce got
the beanbag chair from his room. Then the four kids settled in to watch TV. Morgan took the first shift in the living room with them while Grace
headed into the nursery to get Rose dressed and fed.
After an hour or two, the boys decided they were bored and stampeded outside, Gertie tagging along anxiously. She didn't want to get left out.
"I really hope Rose grows up soon," she complained to Morgan as she walked by. "That way I won't have to spend so much time hanging around
with the boys."
"I don't blame ya, Gertie," Morgan chuckled, not taking her eyes off of her magazine. "Why would anyone want to spend so much time with
boys?"

82. The four younger kids spent the rest of the afternoon playing and chilling
outside. There was only one swing, so they didn't play with that for very "Hey, don't you two usually talk at the same time?" Pierce asked.
long, but there's no limit to the number of people who can play tag, or catch,
or have a water balloon fight. "Nah, only when Grace is around," Willie grinned. "It drives her bonkers."
"I hope we stay good friends when we're all grown up," Gertie said "Heh, I wish I had a twin so I could do that to Morgan," Pierce laughed.
contentedly as they sprawled on the grass towards the end of the day,
exhausted from hours of hard playing. Just then, Bart drove home from work in his minivan. "Okay, squirts!" he
called from the driveway. "The last bus up the hill is about to leave!"
"Me too!" Pierce grinned.
With a fair bit of laughter, the three legacy kids and their older sister
"We're family," Nick said. "We'll always be friends." scrambled into the van for their ride home.

83. After her cousins had left, Morgan dashed upstairs to get ready for her date with Lisa, and about twenty minutes later the red-headed cashier
arrived.
"Hi?" Morgan said nervously.
"Hi," Lisa smiled.

84. The date was just starting to get interesting when De got home from work. She glanced over to where her daughter was dancing with Lisa on the
sidewalk, grinned proudly, and headed into the house without saying anything to disrupt the mood.
"After all, every girl deserves a bit of romance in her teens," De mused later to Bart.
"It is kind of weird, though," Bart said. "I dated Lisa when I was a teenager."
"The wonders of being attached to a legacy," De chuckled.

85. As it turned out, the date was a perfect one, and Morgan walked away from it with her first kiss and her feet hovering about a foot off the ground
for the next week or two.
"Do you think Lisa really likes me?" she asked Grace later that evening on the phone.
"She kissed you, didn't she?"
"But she could just be trying to be nice," Morgan said in an agonized voice. "Do you think she thinks I'm pretty? Do you think Lisa's pretty? Am I
just settling for the first girl I can get? Aah! I'm confused!"
"Just do what what feels good," Grace advised. "And stop worrying!"
Morgan stopped worrying.

86. But soon, summer had ended and it was back to school for the legacy kids. That meant less time playing with their cousins, much to their disgust,
and more time spent hitting the books. Grace, especially, was in the running for several scholarships and grants.
"For it's money money money makes the woooooorld gooooooo rooooooooound."
"Sis, we're trying to--"
"--study. What's with the--"
"--annoying humming?"
"Just because you two can't appreciate the beauty of Economics... sheesh."

87. Still, her parents insisted that she take some time out from Introductory Entrepreneurship to have a bit of a social life. It was with some trepidation
that she headed over to the family Wishing Well.

88. "I guess I want... a boyfriend," she said as she tossed in the coin with some reluctance.
There was a whoosh of light, and a strange 'thud' sound.

89. The next thing she knew, Grace was being kissed soundly on the lips by the boy of her dreams, Randy London. She'd had a crush on him for a
while, but it had been a crush from afar as he'd never spoken as much as two words to her.
A little while later, Grace asked Randy how he'd ended up flying out of the well towards her.
"Well," he said, squeezing her hand tenderly, "I was actually making a wish on my own wishing well ... and the next thing I knew I was here!"
Before the end of the evening they were going steady, though they knew they'd have to break things off when Grace went to college.

90. It was a night of four birthdays amongst the legacy Buccaneer connections. First up was Rose, whose birthday picture I completely spaced on. Next
came Pierce, about to enter teenagerhood.

91. He turned out really, really cute, as all the girls on Pirate Island can attest.

92. Rose grew up kind of ... interesting, but her features are a lot like Morgan's, and Morgan definitely grew into hers when she hit teen.
Pao was the only family member to attend all four birthdays.

93. The next morning, De spent some quality time with her youngest before sending her off to her first day of school.
"And you can find out from Gertie how her older brothers' birthday party went, too!" De suggested.

94. But Rose had much more important things than socializing on her mind - like schoolwork. She was thrilled to bring home her very first A+ report
card that same evening.
"Way to go, Rose!" Bart said, applauding as he scanned the paper. "That's my girl!"

95. And later that night, the taxi came for Morgan. She was heading to Paris a bit ahead of Grace to get settled in their new dorm, though they would
be starting class at the same time.
"Have fun, dear, and don't forget to write!" De called as the taxi drove away.
"Wait!" Morgan cried out the taxi window. "Does anyone in our family get seasick?"

96. Dear Diary, day. I'm really trying, now. I told Roche about the affairs and he
forgave me, which I wasn't expecting. He said he'd known all about
So many birthdays today! In a few minutes I'll be heading downstairs them and didn't want to say anything because he didn't want to lose
to celebrate with the twins, and over at Bart and De's house they're me. I don't deserve him.
celebrating a birthday too! Why do children grow up so fast,
anyway? I don't like it. I want them to stay cute, cuddly babies I still haven't told him the truth about Gertie, though. I don't want to
forever. wreck the happiness we've managed to rebuild.
I just wanted to note that Roche and I are getting along really well Love,
lately. We haven't fought in ages, and I think I'm finally over the
worst of losing Susanna. I've been seeing a counselor and I've Marie
stopped having affairs... especially since Anthony just vanished one

97. Dear Diary,
Don't my boys look handsome! Their birthday party was a huge success. This is Willie, though he's informed all of us that he'll only be answering
to "Will" from now on. The girls are going to go crazy for him.

98. And this is my sweet Nicky. He and Willie look so much alike, it's uncanny - especially with their new haircut. At least they haven't started dressing
alike. It's bad enough when they're in their school uniforms. They have different noses, and Nick has my colouring, but that's the only difference
between them that I can see.
Love,
Marie

99. No, Gertie.
You can't burp into the microphone.
"Aw, nuts."

100. Sensing that he didn't have a terribly long time left, Pao began dividing his energy between visiting with Bart and De's kids and home.
Sometimes, he didn't exactly know when to leave.

101. "It's been great to see you, Pao," De said, "But the kids are all asleep and Bart and I have to work in the morning. Why don't you stop by again
tomorrow after dinner?"
"Oops, is it that late?" Pao asked, grinning abashedly. "Guess I'll be running along then, but I'll stop by again tomorrow or the next day."
"Sounds like a plan," De smiled, and ushered her father-in-law out.

102. Pao spent his mornings hanging out with his other grandkids, though sometimes he forgot to get dressed first. Fortunately, the boys thought this
was hilarious.
"Grandpa, you forgot your clothes again," Will smirked.
"Oh, did I?" Pao looked down. "At least I remembered my underwear. Otherwise I'd be pretty embarrassed."
"You, embarrassed?" Nick laughed. "Grandpa, nothing phases you."
"Well, that's true," Pao said. "All the same, though, I think I'll go and get some pants. It's a bit chilly in here."

103. Pao wasn't the only one having embarrassing moments. The kids quickly learned to knock before going into any room or risk having their eyes
scalded by the sight of their parents making out.
"At least they're not fighting anymore," Nick said, averting his eyes from one particularly passionate clinch.
"Yeah, but they really should get a room," Will complained loudly.
Roche and Marie obligingly went upstairs to their room.
"Y'know, I think it's even worse when we know they've gone up to their bedroom," Will shuddered.

104. Now that the boys were old enough to cook, Marie insisted that they take their turn once a week to feed the family.
This meant that, once a week, the family was guaranteed either macaroni and cheese or spaghetti.
"Can't you two learn to cook anything else?" Grace grimaced, eating a forkful.
"If you don't like it you can cook," they said in unison.
"STOP DOING THAT!"
"No."

105. Grace maintained her sanity when forced to spend long periods of time with her brothers by tub-pirating in the noble tradition of her family.
"Arr! I'm going to be a space pirate, just wait and see! Just wait 'til I get my hands on some nice shiny booty!"

106. "Hey Will, come check this out," Nick called from the upstairs
landing, where he was playing on the computer. "Well, I like it," Nick said.
"What is it?" Will asked, wandering over. "That's 'cause you're a nerd," Will explained.
"It's this new game I got," Nick said. "You make these computer- Nick ignored him and continued choosing the perfect hairstyle for his
controlled people, dress them up, and then watch them and see how sim. "Do you think this one looks like me?"
they interact with their world. It's totally simulated. The AI kinda
sucks, though." "Only if you were all cartoony and weird, and a girl," Will said.
"Sounds nerdy," Will sniffed. "You wouldn't catch me playing some "I do not look like a girl!"
sort of sim game like that."

107. Despite his age, Pao was still pretty limber and in good shape.
"It's all those years of minioning for your Uncle Jack," he explained to the boys as the thwapped each other with pillows. "Minioning is good
exercise."
"I wouldn't mind being a minion," Will said. "Could you talk to Uncle Jack for me?"
"You'll have to ask him yourself," Pao said sternly. "Jack doesn't believe in nepotism, for all he wants to protect the family."
"Eh, maybe when I graduate, then," Will said dismissively.

108. "Only three more days and then I can leave," Grace said, looking up from her homework for a minute. "Why do they have to give me more
homework even though I'm about to leave?"
Teachers can be sadistic?
"Very funny, Goddess. Ha ha ha. See? I'm laughing. I just want to grab my scholarship money and go!"

109. Grace had been working for some time, too, and so she was pleasantly surprised when she got to work one day and was presented with another
scholarship, this from the law firm she'd been interning at.
"Woo! Money!"

110. "Dad, I want you to tell me about rum," Will said the next afternoon, cornering his father in the living room.
"Rum?"
'Yes, rum," Will insisted. "If I can't be a minion, I'll be a pirate. Do pirates throw lots of parties?"
"Err..." Roche looked for a way out of the conversation. "Why don't you go find that ratty old Commodore Bear and ask Great-Grandfather?"
"'Cause Pearl's been chewing on him and he's covered in dog slobber," Will explained.
"Then he'll be extra glad to see you," Roche pointed out, and darted out of the living room.

111. "I wish you didn't have to go," Gertie said, hugging her sister.
"It's only Paris," Grace said. "I'll come home in the summers to visit, I promise. And it won't be long til you're there too!"
"I suppose," Gertie grumbled. "I'm glad you're my sister, Grace. I wish you were the heiress too. Then you could come back here and live with me
after I graduate."
Grace just smiled and went inside to phone for her taxi.

112. "Well, I'm off to college," Grace said once she'd called. "The taxi to the
airport should be here in a few minutes." "--we have the same school uniforms," they grinned.
"Phone often," Marie said, giving Grace a fierce bearhug. "Aah!"
"Don't forget--" "There's just one thing I want you to remember," Roche said, moving closer
to his daughter to be heard over the boys. "Live your life for you and not for
"--to email either," said the twins. anybody else, okay? And remember, love those dear to you as fiercely as
you can. You never know when you might lose them."
"Will you two stop doing that?" Grace said plaintively. "It's downright
creepy. And stop dressing alike!" Sadness and old bitterness tinged his words, but Grace didn't hear it. Instead,
she gave Gertie a quick kiss on the cheek, hugged everyone one last time,
"We can't help that--" and stepped out to the waiting taxi.

113. Grace got into the taxi and headed to the airport... and that's the end of this chapter!
Will anyone find out the truth of Gertie's parentage? Will I develop Rose's personality into something other than a carbon copy of Morgan's? Will
we see Anna again? Will Grace ever talk to her high school boyfriend? Will we ever learn to tell the twins apart? Will I kill them if they insist on
dressing alike in university? Where did Anthony go? Will Professor Butters ever be able to go more than thirty seconds without gagging at Roche's
appearance?
All this and less... in the next chapter of A Piratical Legacy!
In the meantime... check out the newest Sim Spade adventure: Sim Spade in The Mascot Murder Mystery! Now playing on my Sim Page!
------->

114. "This really sucks."
"Arr! Now ye know how I felt, mate."
"Shut up."