A Place to Call Home | 20

Here I am again, back after another long hiatus to attempt to revive this silly blog once more. It would really be terribly disappointing for me personally if I never wrapped up this series, and I only have two posts left to do it. (Not to mention two full series that are supposed to come after, but I digress.) I've been in a rut with how to write these because they cover some thematic territory I've never really approached in the Sims before, and I wanted to do it respectfully and accurately without abruptly turning this little pixel-filled game of mine totally serious. It's also been so long since all of this actually happened, and I'm realizing too late that I need to take better notes or something to remind myself of my intentions when I inevitably am not getting around to writing the story out until a full year later. Anyway, let me shake off the rust and get back into this baby...

Lately, Gaby and Alvin have been trying to step back and give Noelani more freedom to explore her identity. This means that her style changes what seems like every other day, but they're learning to respond to her decisions - whether that means chopping off most of her hair or getting multiple piercings in her ears - with support rather than judgment. Their new approach has paid off. Her moods can sometimes still be unpredictable, but she's more open to talking them through with her parents now.

It's the perfect time for their family relationship to be on the mend, since Winterfest is right around the corner. It can be easy to lose track of holidays in Sulani, seeing as the weather rarely changes and many of the mainland traditions aren't usually celebrated here. But when Noelani was born, Gaby and Alvin, fondly recalling their own childhood memories of the occasion, swore they would give her at least one proper Winterfest celebration. They've decided this year will finally be the one, even if she may be too old by now to fully appreciate the magic of it.

At the breakfast table, Alvin tries to get everyone in the Winterfest spirit early by doing his best impersonation of Father Winter's distinctive belly laugh. Noelani offers only a blank stare in response. "Dad, what do you think you're doing?"

"She's right!" Gaby exclaims passionately, a faux look of disgust on her face. "You call that a Father Winter impression? That was terrible! It's like you've never even met the man."

"Listen and learn," she says before launching into her own version of his signature "ho ho ho."

Alvin sighs in exasperation. "Come on, that sounds exactly the same as mine!"

"Ugh, could you guys be any more embarrassing? Thank god no one else was around to witness that."

"Witness what?" Kaimana asks, entering without knocking through the slatted kitchen doors. "What did I miss?"

Noelani rushes over to hug her. "Just Mom and Dad making complete fools of themselves," she says. "Finally, someone cool is here. You know I love you," she tells her parents over Kaimana's shoulder, "but you guys can be such squares sometimes!"

Alvin begins to protest, but his words fall on deaf ears as Kaimana grabs Noelani's hand and whisks her outside. "I can't wait to see the tree!" she squeals in excitement, having never before seen a real Winterfest tree on Sulani soil; the closest anyone has ever gotten is a few strings of lights draped across a palm tree, seeing as there aren't exactly any native pines in close proximity.

It doesn't even matter to her that the tree, shipped for a hefty price from thousands of miles away, is actually artificial. It's still a novel sight. Immediately, she and Noelani dig into the boxes of decorations Alvin ordered alongside the tree. Between intense discussions about optimal garland placement, she remarks in an offhand way, "I like your new haircut."

"Do you really think it looks good?" Noelani asks.

"Of course!"

"Mom and Dad hate it."

"Have they told you that?"

"No, but I know that's what they're thinking. They're trying, but sometimes they treat me like they have no idea what to do with me. They want me to be their perfect little girl, especially Mom. But I'm definitely not perfect. And I'm not sure I'm really even a girl. I don't know what I am. I'm still figuring it out. They're supportive enough, I guess, but sometimes I can tell they're just waiting for the day I snap out of it, like I'm just in some crazy phase."

"Have you talked to them at all?" Kaimana asks carefully. "You know, about the whole not-sure-you're-really-even-a-girl thing?"

Noelani's eyes widen in horror, as if it's impossible to imagine a more terrifying scenario than the one Kaimana's just presented. "Are you kidding? Of course I haven't! You're the first person I've told, actually. None of my friends even know. I'm afraid it might break everybody's brains."

Kaimana laughs. "Well, I'm glad you trusted me. And as far as I can tell, my brain is still intact. You know, I think we're all more open-minded than you give us credit for. It's entirely normal on this island for humans to transform into aquatic creatures. Having a complicated relationship with identity isn't an entirely unheard of concept."

Before they can continue their conversation, Gaby wanders into the backyard to join in on the decorating festivities. Immediately, Noelani clams up, but Kaimana slips a knowing smile in her direction. Then they both shift their attention back to the tree.

"Wow, this thing is looking great!" Alvin exclaims, slowly moseying over to hang the last few ornaments himself, as though he's been helping all along. "You better go put on your Winterfest best, honey," he tells Noelani, a slight but noticeable tone of fakeness in his voice that seems to give away an ulterior motive in his request. "The rest of our guests will start arriving anytime now!"

"But you aren't even dressed yet," Noelani counters, raising a single suspicious eyebrow.

Alvin chuckles stagily. "Oh, you know your old dad's not much of a fashionista. It'll take me 60 seconds to throw on whatever clean clothes I have lying around!"

"Okay, Dad," Noelani responds sweetly and begins heading back inside. "I'll leave now so that you and Mom can discuss all the terribly scandalous adult secrets you can't possibly utter in my naive teenage presence."

"Do you think she suspects the extra-special Winterfest present we got for her this year?" Gaby whispers to Alvin as they begin stacking a multitude of gifts in varying sizes beneath the tree.

"She definitely suspects something," he replies, "but don't worry. I can't imagine it's that. Now, you're going to set it up in her room after she finishes getting dressed, right? You can't let her sneak back in there again until it's time."

"I know, I know." Gaby waves her hand at him dismissively. "I've got everything under control."

By the time Gaby herself is ready for the party, it's just about going to take a miracle for her to get Noelani's present ready in time without raising any further suspicions. If she doesn't find a way to get Noelani out of her room (not to mention keep her distracted enough not to wonder why she has to stay away), the night's planned grand finale won't be nearly as dazzling as her daughter deserves.

In her haste to take over the room, she bursts through the door and exclaims in exasperation, "What on earth is taking you so long in here? It really took you nearly an hour to put on that?"

Of course, Gaby doesn't mean it the way it comes out sounding, but Noelani's face immediately falls, and she looks down at her almost entirely black ensemble sadly. Within seconds, tears begin welling up at the corners of her eyes.

"Oh, sweetie," Gaby says, directing a sniffling Noelani toward the bed so she can smooth everything over before another wrinkle appears in what's supposed to be a joyous day. "You look beautiful, really. I'm happy you seem to be discovering a style that works for you. But it's Winterfest! I guess I just expected something a little more festive for the occasion, a little pop of color even. It's not a funeral, you know? You're going to stick out like a sore thumb."

"Mom, you're the one who told me I shouldn't care what anyone else thinks! And now you're asking me to conform just to make you a little more comfortable?"

"Now, Noelani, I never said anything about conforming. I just think-"

"I don't care what you think!" Noelani interrupts, her voice more brazen and assertive than Gaby's ever heard it sound before. "You're just mad because I didn't want to wear any of those stupid frilly dresses you were begging me to try on when we went shopping. I'm not just a doll for you to dress up however you want to."

"I understand-"

"No, I really don't think you do." And with that, Noelani practically runs out of the room, slamming the door decisively behind her.

Well, that's one way to clear a room, Gaby thinks. But she knows she's just using humor to deflect from the situation, which if she spends too long stewing over will just lead her to the conclusion that she must be a terrible parent. But, deep down, she doesn't think she is. Sure, maybe she calmly suggested that Noelani try on one or two dresses in between the dozen button-up blouses in varying shades of black. But she's sure she wasn't pushy about it. And what's so wrong about a mother wanting to see her daughter in a nice dress, anyway? She knows femininity isn't Noelani's favored form of expression these days, but what harm could a few hours in a dress really do? Even if Noelani didn't want to do it for herself, couldn't she do it for her mother? What a ridiculously stodgy thought. Gaby shakes her head to clear it away. "God, I'm getting old," she says aloud to no one in particular.

Luckily, Noelani herself doesn't have much time to dwell on the unpleasant conversation with her mother. Her mood immediately lifts when her friends start arriving for the party. Just in case, Alvin keeps a close watch over her bedroom door to make sure no one but himself or Gaby enters.

"Can you believe my mom's pregnant?" Nani whines to Noelani immediately upon entering. "I'm practically an adult, and now she and my dad decide they need another kid! Everyone's going to mistake me for the mother."

"Now, Nani," Lilliana says good-naturedly, waddling carefully into the house. "I don't look that old. Besides, you keep talking about how you want to go off to some big university on the mainland. Your dad and I need someone else around the house to fill up the empty space."

"Please," Noelani counters. "I would trade my mom for yours any day. She's been driving me crazy lately! She thinks she's so cool and with it most of the time, but she's just so corny. I mean, do you see those dance moves she's pulling? I rest my case."

Little does she know her mother is purposefully dancing in a way she knows will be impossibly distracting. How else will Alvin move the final components of Noelani's big Winterfest present into her room without attracting notice?

Once her secret mission is finally completed, Gaby sneaks into the kitchen for a quick cup of the kava Alika and Mele have so kindly prepared for all the adult guests. If there's one thing in Sulani she's eternally thankful for, it's that the kava bowl never seems to run dry.

Finally, as day begins to darken into night, everyone gathers around the Winterfest tree to watch as its lights are turned on for the first time. Although some of the guests have memories of seeing a Winterfest tree once or twice before in their lives, it's still a momentous occasion for all to witness.

Mele even sheds a tear or two of anticipation as Gaby painstakingly draws her thumb closer and closer to the power button.

But rather than a dazzling display of twinkling lights, there is only a sudden explosion, as what appears to be faulty wiring combines forces with the dryness of the artificial tree to immediately send the entire thing, ornaments and presents and all, up in flames. There are terrified screams and confused cries as the party's attendees either make a mad dash in the opposite direction or stand frozen in shock and disbelief.

Within minutes, almost everyone makes it to the other side of the house, but then it dawns on them that the fire is still blazing away and no one has any idea what to do. "Quick!" Lilliana shouts, taking charge despite her delicate condition and alternately motioning toward the house and the ocean behind her. "Grab whatever containers you can find and start filling them up!"

"I told you to buy the more expensive model!" Gaby grumbles as Alvin scrambles to pull down the fire extinguisher they've luckily never had to use before now.

Despite its lack of use, the extinguisher still works, and Alvin manages to quell the flames before they threaten to start consuming the house itself.

All that's left of the tree and mountain of gifts beneath it is a few piles of smoldering ash. Meli seems to enjoy playing in this strange new substance. She may come away covered in soot, but at least she'll have had a happy Winterfest. Meanwhile, everyone else's has been abruptly - and miserably - cut short.

The guests quickly snatch up what's left of the kava and food, the only salvageable elements of the party, and leave full of disappointment. It appears that the first mainland-style Winterfest on Sulani in several years is a complete bust. Perhaps this is a sign that sometimes it's best not to mess with the island traditions.

Alvin mentally steels himself for Gaby's wrath, but instead she has become suddenly calm, cool, and collected. "Listen," she begins, her voice firm, "I'm not letting you off the hook for this disaster, but right now, we need to focus on saving this day for our daughter. Her special gift is still in there waiting. Let's show it to her before she discovers it on her own."

Inside, Gaby presents Noelani with the first part of her gift. "Your father may be an idiot who ordered a flammable tree with faulty wiring, but one present made it out unscathed, and it just happens to be for you."

Tentatively, Noelani removes the lid from the perfectly-wrapped box. Inside, there's a vintage vinyl record of one of her favorite '80s punk bands. "Wow, this is so cool!" she exclaims, unable to contain her excitement beneath her usual mask of indifference. Then she looks up as if suddenly remembering something. "But, wait, I don't have anything to play it on."

"Are you sure about that?" Gaby asks with a mischievous smirk. "You might want to check in your bedroom..."

Noelani can hardly believe her eyes when she walks through the door. There's an entire DJ set-up in there! She can't even imagine how much all that equipment must have cost.

"Oh my god, you guys! This is insane!" she squeals. It's not something that would've crossed her mind to ask for, but now that she sees it, it seems like the most perfect gift possible. So perfect, in fact, that she can't believe her parents actually came up with the idea on their own. Maybe they're not so out of touch after all.

"You've always got those earbuds on blasting your latest discovery," her dad says, watching her as she carefully starts pressing the controls. "We thought you might like to start sharing the music you love so much with everyone else. Who knows? Maybe if you get good enough, you can even start making some simoleons!"

Alvin and Gaby head off to bed, and the blaring music easily bleeds through the living room walls. "We probably should have soundproofed her room before we bought her that thing," Gaby says. "She's going to keep us up all night."

"Oh, come on, let her have some fun," Alvin replies. "It's nice to see her smiling more for a change."

Gaby can't say that she disagrees.