Hi Mum, it's Sammy clone 17 (part 10)

Hi Mum.  In my last letter, I was in very bad shape.  River was gone and her passing left a hole in my life.  If I were alone, I might have given up.

But I couldn't give up.  I had Brooke to take care of.  Here we are in the library.  Those children's books are expensive to buy but free in the library.  We read two.

This was the painting that River was working on just before she died.  I'm keeping it as a memorial to my lovely wife.  I wonder what it would have been worth if she had completed it?

I finally started to recover and decided it was time to fix the computer.  I'll never write regularly without it.

I was looking through my address book and ran across Ripley.  Ripley has a boyfriend but unlike so many of the women around, she doesn't have a family or a serious relationship.  So I thought I'd ask her over and see if things developed.

You know that I'm nearly an elder and I'd like someone else to be here for Brooke.  You never know when the Reaper is ready to stalk you.

I did tell Ripley everything.  Small house, small income, small child.

It seems that she's still interested.

Oh Mum, I didn't think my heart would ever heal.  I still long for River but Ripley is very special.

I've asked Ripley to be my girlfriend.  She agree to that and to moving in with us. 

I'm finally writing again.  It shouldn't be long before I finish my new book.

Ripley decided to play with Brooke.  Aren't they so cute together?

I gave Ripley a reward for being cute.

Teaching Brooke to talk was my last big want for her as a toddler.  I taught her about some of the fun things in life.

And about some of the unpleasant things as well.  She's read a couple of toddler books, maxed the logic toy and the music toy and mastered the toddler skills.  She's ready to be a child.

My birthday.  There was no way I was having a party or cake this time.  I wonder if Ripley likes older men?

Hi Mum, it's Sammy clone 17 (part 9)

Why, why was River taken from us?  She was too young to die.  I loved her and Brooke needed her.  She shouldn't have died.

As if that wasn't bad enough, we had a midnight visitor.  A thief coming to steal things from our tiny little home.  Why?

I got up to ring the police, but getting up reminded me of my loss.  Everything reminds me of my loss actually.

He stole the new shower.  Part of the new bath I did just for River.  How dare he!

The police arrived in time.  The cop fought with the burglar and

Arrested him.  We even got the shower back.  But I'm still upset over the theft.  Between that and River's death, I've hit bottom.  I can barely cope.

I do have Brooke to look out for.  She's my only sunshine.  

I know I should be teaching her to walk and talk but I can barely bring myself to do anything.  At least I can play with her.

I'm trying to work on my next novel.  But after this session, the computer broke.  I haven't repaired much electronics, I'm not sure I can deal with this.

But I'll have to try.  Brooke is depending on me.  She has no one else.  I just hope it starts getting easier soon. 

Hi Mum, it's Sammy clone 17 (part 8)

Mum, please sit down before you start reading this letter. I'm afraid that it's not one of the happier ones I've ever sent.

The weekend started well enough. River went to work on a new painting, it looks quite interesting.

River changed Brooke's dirty diaper.  And gave her some love.

I was on bottle and love duty later in the day.

Urgh!  the sink is broken again!  There are times that I hate this place.  Nothing works for long.

We spent a fair amount of our cash getting the bath redone.  River doesn't cringe when she goes in there now.

And we ended Saturday night with a small party.  Several of the people became my friends by the end of the night.

Sunday morning and we are both woken by the baby.

I got to play with Brooke first thing in the morning. Can life get better than this?

I started work on a new book.

Then I went to the local business centre to teach them how to be more charismatic.  Let me tell you, some of those suits really need to learn a lot in this area.

So it was time for Brooke to have her birthday.

The cake exploded!  The cake, the table, a chair AND RIVER were all on fire.  Since when was a birthday cake dangerous? 

I wanted to extinguish the fire on River first but I couldn't do anything while she held the baby.  She just would not put down the baby Mum.

So I tried extinguishing some of the rest of the fire and hoped that the fire department would get here in time to help.  Even one of the guests was on fire by now.

River went outside after a bit, put Brooke on the ground and died.  My River is gone!  She only put down Brooke when it was too late to save her! 

I had to go ahead with Brooke's birthday, even though River is gone.  God, how am I going to raise our girl by myself? 

Brooke Grant, my daughter. I wish River were here to see her.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy clone 17 (part 7)

Well, Mum, you might have guessed it already. River is pregnant, that's why she was spewing.

I didn't mind cooking for myself but now it seems like a much nicer chore.  Something about feeding the person you love that makes it better. And River needs her rest just now so I want to help where I can.

We did buy a slighter bigger table and two more chairs.  Now we can both sit to eat.

I've been working hard at my 3 fantasy novel.  I hope to get some good news from the publisher about it.

We spent a little money for the baby.  Did I tell you I'd love a sweet little girl?   I'm sure she'll be just as wonderful as her mother.

I've been talking to River's tummy and giving her massages.

I finished the new book.  It's a hit.  The publisher sent 1294 simoleons and I'll be getting that for the next 6 weeks.  My royalty check should be around 3,000 per week now.  I feel like a real author.
River and I were dancing together to celebrate when...

She stopped to tell me that the baby was coming.  Oh no, a baby...

River decided to drive.  She didn't think I was in a fit state to do anything.

And here we are, coming home. Meet Brooke, our daughter.  Isn't she just the cutest sweetest little baby you've ever seen?

I took the first baby tending shift that night.  I finally got to snuggle Brooke. And gave her the first bottle.

It's still work but adding a family to my life is very rewarding.  I adore Brooke.

Hi Mum, it's Sammy clone 17 (part 6)

I still can't believe that River is now living with me.  It turns out her favorite food is waffles so she'll love having breakfast every day.  I think her next pay goes to a second chair, maybe even a bigger table.  There is something to be said for a regular job.

Still having trouble with the plumbing, but I've done so much plumbing repair work that this tub should never break again.

Well, Mum, you knew this bit was coming didn't you? After I proposed to River and had her move in, there was one thing left to do.

Throw our wedding party. 

For some reason, having the party at the beach seems...familiar.  I can't work out why, none of my friends have had a beach wedding.  It's a great location for a great event.

We exchanged rings as the sunset was fading away.

And then we got to indulge in the best bit.  Mmmm, baby, let's kiss some more.  Practice makes perfect and this should be perfect.

Poor River.  I wonder if maybe she had a bit much fruit juice to calm her nerves before the ceremony.  She's certainly not feeling too well.