Rotation 4: Chapter 3: The Bray's

    The Brays honestly live quite a busy yet also relaxed life, but things haven't always been easy. Especially lately, with the deaths of Ida and Otis and the fact that Barbara is exhausted due to being pregnant and sad. But they try their best and are thankful for the fact that their eldest son, Billie is always there to step up to the plate to take care of his younger brother, Calvin! It's sad for Billie also, Calvin is his only sibling left and he wants to hold the little cutie tightly just for the sake of his heart. William has been trying to focus on their business, not in a rejecting his feelings way but rather that he just wants to fulfill his role as a provider. 

    Speaking of Calvin, the little dude ages up into a child in the blink of an eye! He gains the Rebellious trait and looks rather cute! His birthday has brightened the mood of the whole family and seems to be the perfect reminder that they must keep moving forward. Life is simply too short and too beautiful for it to not be soaked up and appreciated the best one can. Calvin Moses though is not the most perfect of kids, seeming to inherit his mom's sloppiness which makes sense for the son of dairy farmers. Although the situation isn't at all helped by how shy he is, hating any confrontation or social interaction with anyone but his family at all costs. Yet the little boy longs for a friend...

    The love story between William and Barbara is just one that is so simply refreshing. They're such a humble and supportive couple, always being there for the other when it's needed. The love and affection between these two is something that could never be hidden, it's just too strong and natural. Their eyes always look for each other, their skin feels antsy for the other and their hands just seem to fit perfectly into place. The fact that Barbara is pregnant only makes these feelings more intense, for everyone knows all the good and bad that surrounds childbirth. It's a scary thought but William is determined to ensure his lovely wife remains relaxed and positive. 

    The Bray sons are proper farmer's children, the two are just hyper balls of energy and good moments. Billie could and does spend hours just jumping around on the old wood bench that sits right outside their front door while Calvin jumpropes for hours. It's honestly not only funny but heartwarming that both the boys are like this, I think it's a characteristic from Barbara as it's only now in her middle age that she truly is learning what rest means and should look like haha. 

    William feels his age more and more, now don't take this to be a scary thing as he doesn't feel it physically as much but rather mentally. He has just seen a lot of life and has really grown into an even better man than he was when he first arrived in Bourneford. His knowledge and mind has certainly expanded due to all the books he was able to read since arriving and life has taught him quite a few valuable lessons. It's a good place to be and he hopes his beard reflects that haha. 

    Barbara is feeling really pleased when her waters break, this is her fifth labor and by this point she feels like a pro. But the pain is something that cannot be beat and truly is not at all a fun experience but it is all worth it. She knows that. A little boy arrives within hours and thankfully all seems well with both him and mom. They decide to name him Lyman Prescott, Prescott being Barbara's maiden name. He's a rather dashing little baby and such a sweet gift after losing Ida and little Otis. 

    As has been discussed and is well-known in the Bourneford community, the Brays are a diligent pair and Barbara is a workhorse. Recently though William has become more interested in taking part of the cows and their maintenance and Barbara has been tolerating it. Thus the work has become more of a couple's activity and it actually has made their love strengthen, they often end up in bed and making love after such labor. They're just a passionate and sweet pair, truly I love them and am always rooting for them!

    William has been doing great at managing the sales of the milk and cream they get from every time one of their four cows. Their business rises in rank which is certainly a very rewarding experience and one that induces a sense of pride within William. He just feels like things are good and it's impacting not only his mood but his performance. All around great things are happening for the Brays, I just hope it remains that way. 

    Little Lyman is a very easy baby to love, but that isn't the only explanation for the deep connection Barbara feels with him. It's actually rather a wider thing, a sense of confidence that she can be both a farmer and a mother. The two don't cancel each other, she can be maternal and a hard-working cow smelling woman. Thus, she holds Lyman tighter and longer soaking in the time she can get with him. It also reflects in her appearance, certainly due to aging but also just this renewed sense of confidence in her femininity being something that doesn't cancel out her other passions. It is honestly quite a beautiful thing to see and I couldn't be prouder of Barbara!

 

    Calvin has been struggling in school, he just hates it. His attention span isn't long enough, he always wants to be on the move and he hates having to talk to his classmates. Even though Barbara has encouraged him to make friends, especially with the Bourneford children as she knows they're all good families, he doesn't want to. It's been bothering both William and Barbara especially as Billie was so academically and intellectually engaged. Thus Barbara takes the time to do whatever Calvin wants, it's overall a nice moment and it makes Barbara realize she was quite similar to Calvin at that age and it isn't something they should be concerned about. Just rather he's different compared to his brother and that's okay, but he still must go to school until he is a teenager at least as it's a privilege that William and Barbara don't neglect. Even Billie who technically doesn't need to go goes on days he isn't needed at home, but Barbara can tell her second son is different!

    Barbara one day feels strikingly sick with sickness and it continues over the following days, now normally one may think they'd be pregnant but Barbara just couldn't get her mind around that realization until it turned into two weeks straight of feeling ill every day...especially in the morning. It's a crazy revelation to her especially as this is the worst she's ever had it and it is especially concerning, thus William decides she should take time to rest and for once she properly listens...seems the wiseness of middle age life has settled upon her.

    With his wife ill and resting, William finds himself responsible for entertaining his son, Calvin, taking care of all their cows and also making sure that little Lyman is satisfied. It's something that honestly doesn't stress him out as one would think but rather he just feels thankful for all the one-on-one time he is getting with his children, especially the baby. Life sometimes just feels like it has flown him by and he is amazed at how grownup Billie already is, thus he wants to make sure that he takes more time to breathe in that baby smell, hearing the little chuckles and run his fingers through the little baby hair that is beginning to sprout.

    Barbara is pleased when her friend, Jemima Drake walks over to their yard with her daughter, Isabella upon seeing from across the street that Barbara was enjoying the English air. There's been some concern about how sick Barbara has been so seeing her friend out and about surely must've felt relieving to Jemima. The two ladies catch up while their eldest children get to more formally meet. Of course the two met at the schoolhouse but well it's different when you're a teen and also haven't ever had a proper conversation with each other. Billie, especially for some reason notices that he feels a jittery feeling in his stomach...then when the wind turns a certain way and he catches a wiff...he realizes he is attracted to her. Which only makes him more of a nervous mess, which Isabella doesn't seem to mind. 

    As the day turns into evening and with their mothers still deep in talk, Billie and Isabella get to know each other better. They go over some memories at the schoolhouse, both remembering how annoying it was that they had to walk to another village just for education along with chatting about their interests. Billie, though, tries to stay silent about himself because he can tell that Isabella really loves to talk. She is a friendly girl who just seems to have an excitement about life that just makes him feel like he could listen to her for hours. When their mothers hug goodbye to each other, without thinking Billie puts a hand on her shoulder expressing how pretty she is. He quickly then pulls away and scurries inside, his stomach in a ball of nerves.  

    The next morning, Billie still feels like his stomach is in a knot and thus decides to talk to his father about well...his feelings. William is quite pleased at Billie's discussion of this and also taken aback simply because it pulls on his heartstrings, his boy is becoming a man! William though not wanting to embarrass his son keeps that to himself and instead lays out clearly to Billie that William felt the same way when he and Barbara first connected, it's not only natural but a beautiful testament. Billie later on then discusses with his mom about his feelings, just because that's the type of family they're. Barbara, so taken over with emotion, hugs her boy in the tightest of hugs only causing him to be embarrassed but she doesn't care less. Her son likes the daughter of one of her close friends!!! It's such exciting news  and a strong reaction that Billie has to force her to promise to not tell Isabella or her Mother because he is so nervous about it all. 

    Despite his romantic feelings, Billie also remains the sensible and loving smart family boy that he is. He understands his parents have other matters to attend to and thus often chips in to take care of Lyman. He adores his brother and feels a sense of pride at being able to take care of the baby along with helping his parents. Unlike most teens who may try to run away from their parents, Billie knows how lucky he is to have the parents he does. This thought made even stronger especially as his best friend, Adolphus has such a seemingly strict father. He just wants to be able to help his parents out and show his appreciation for how good they're at being parents, little does he know just by being himself he makes them feel proud. 

    These two truly cannot keep their hands away from each other, it's almost like their love has bloomed into something stronger and deeper since they lost their two children. A second bloom persay of not passion but support and a hatred of being far apart. They both know, especially when looking at the other founders of Bourneford, that they're lucky to have the other. It's something they're fully embracing. The affection is truly just dripping from them, especially as they keep giving each other longing stares as they milk the cows and clean their pen.  

    Before they know it and are ready for it, little Lyman Prescott Bray turns into a proper little toddler. Ready to walk, talk and take on the world! One thing though is that as his hair has been beginning to grow, it has been something concerning to Barbara. Not because it's wrong but rather she just doesn't know how to properly take care of it. William taught her how to braid Calvin's hair which is something he enjoys but she just feels like Lyman deserves something different. It thus creates a discussion with both her husband and eldest son about how to care for her little boy. William shares that Lyman has similar hair texture to that of his father and he knows what to do, it takes time but the family does eventually learn how to appreciate and properly care for Lyman's hair. 

    Billie, especially, takes the hair care of his little brother seriously. It's something new to him but important and he knows that it will reinforce his parents' trust in him. As he bathes the little boy he makes sure to do all the right things as his father described and once little Lyman is cleaned and dressed in fresh clothes, Billie can't help but feel a sense of pride and affection. He truly does love his family and cannot help but think of one day having his own. As for Barbara, she is rather relieved for that personal crisis to be resolved. She would hate to not feel proud and capable in her motherly abilities. Barbara truly beat herself over it as she has been used to thick wavy or curly hair, nothing like Lyman's beautiful tight little coils. But upon William's guidance and teaching, all feels well.  

    In the midst of all these wholesome family moments, their business rises to rank four and William achieves the second financial grant. Especially with having three healthy sons and another one on the way, he feels more incentive to make sure that money is coming in. Their house is simply beginning to feel too small and he'd love to have enough to add a second floor. It also has been immensely helpful to have Billie home and chipping in when he is needed!

    The pregnancy that was clouded in the beginning with worry and sickness, comes to an end in what feels like a flash. Barbara is quite relieved when a little girl comes out, alive and screaming but seven minutes later she feels the urge to push again...but she's quite unsure of the whole situation. She has never gone through something like this before with her previous labors (besides the afterbirth but that's a different feeling), it's an intense primal feeling to push. Before she knows it another baby arrives, this time a boy. Twins! Quite shocking for a mother and father who have only had singles before this. But William is there by her side to help her manage it and as they look at their twins side by side, they kiss feeling a true sense of love and merriment. The girl gets named Polly Ida, Ida after her late sister and the boy gets named Isaac Billie, Billie of course after their oldest son. These little ones complete the Bray family in the most perfect of ways. 

    The days and weeks that follow the twins' arrival are ones full of joy and also exhaustion. It's another kind of tired when having two babies, plus of course Lyman who is quite the demanding toddler. Yet, it's something that both parents know is an end. These twins are their last children, for they're getting old and know it will be time for their children to eventually grow up and begin families of their own. Especially with Billie now having a love interest of his own, it's not bittersweet though. There's a sense of accomplishment at the fact they have had so many kids and created a good life for themselves. Bourneford certainly hasn't been the easiest, but life isn't meant to be easy. 

    This energy seeps into their love and bond, they spend more nights entangled in each other's arms and stay up for hours just talking and reminiscing. Things feel so different from when they first moved here, they both have changed yet it's been a beautiful change. Life just feels beautiful, of course they will always mourn Ida and Otis, but that's simply a part of their story. It's one that has forced them to grow and keep choosing each other, themselves and their children. The love is simply strong and burning ever brighter. 

    Overall, the life in the Bray home is one of work, laughter and familial bond. Most of the day gets spent in their nightgowns or sleep clothes, they only really change when they must go outside the house to care for the animals or have visitors. Things are just better with the twins arrived, it's more joyous and complete. The Bray way is a simple way but it's a life that Barbara and William both certainly aspired for, it's a blessing and even the kids know that!

    A few days later, Billie was pleased when Isabella accepted his letter to come to visit. Their mothers, though, both swore they'd be chaperoning the little date from the insides of their homes through the windows. Both women simply are far too busy with their respective hordes of children plus just to be plain honest they have a lot of trust in their eldest kids. It's a bit awkward at first as Billie works up to making the most important move of his life, also known as  the arm around the shoulder. But eventually he does and the two settle into a sort of young love nervy daze, which gets broken by the sound of a screaming toddler inside Billie's home causing both Isabella and him to jolt up. The two awkwardly laugh and Billie attempts to conversate, which goes well because well Isabella and him are just so similar. They're both Knowledge sims who dream of more but have accepted that their families are poor and thus their place in life, plus they both as eldest children help their parents a lot with the youngins'. But there is still a sense of awkwardness which thankfully gets broken...

    As Billie knew right when the right moment was to give his crush a little tickle, something which just seemed to break any of the initial nervousness. The two, likely conscious of being watched from both ends of the street (The Drakes living across from the Brays) decide to just play a nice and simple game of catch as they just get to know each other. But honestly the two are just quite similar, they're both simply humble good people who love not only learning but their families. Their little date ends with Billie asking if they can properly court, something which Isabella gladly accepts, creating much relief in Billie's heart. It's not only the proper thing but the thing he wants to do. He wants a love like his parents...something supportive and easy and that feels possible with Miss. Isabella Drake, the girl who lives across the street and is the daughter of vegetable farmers. 

    The rotation ends with the twins aging up into toddlers! Little Polly looks so much like her momma while her brother looks like a mix of both his parents, though I must admit I don't think the twins look much alike themselves. Their birthday is just so special as both William and Barbara know these are their last babies, they must soak up as much of it as possible!