#Alice Gale

[miraplayssims]

The twins kept on growing. Magdalena was still a clever girl, always with a book in hand even though she didn’t yet know how to read. Benjamin had, much to his father’s joy, developed an interest for the chickens they kept. Still, they scarcely left each other’s side.

Soon enough the twin’s first day of school came. Dressed in their Sunday clothes, they said goodbye to Alice. Filled with excitement, they made their way to the school in Henford with Eugene.

Magdalena’s heart was racing as they approached the intimidating school building.

“Papa, wait,” she tugged on her father’s hand.

“What’s the matter?” Eugene asked.

“I’m quite frightened,” she mumbled.

“Dear girl there’s nothing to be frightened of,” he said and kneeled down, “be brave now and go with your brother. Mother is preparing something special for supper too.”

Magdalena nodded and hugged Eugene farewell before running up to Benjamin. He grabbed her hand and together they walked through the doors.

[lancochang]

More Alice and Ozzie, but as children... Cause I'm stupid and do stupid things... Enjoy

(( Lol, Ozzie as a child thought it was cool to wear his hat backwards... That silly boy. ))

[miraplayssims]

The house was getting far too small for the growing family, Anne’s crib had to be placed in Eugene and Alice’s room. With some of the money they’d saved up, Eugene decided to start expanding the house.

With Alice busy taking care of Anne, Eugene decided to take the twins out to run some errands.

“Ben, don’t run away from father,” Eugene shouted out to his son who had a tendency to wander away on his own little adventures.

“You’re slow,” Benjamin frowned.

“If you can’t stay with me and Magda you’ll have to hold my hand,” Eugene said “Or you can sit on my shoulders.”

Benjamin lit up and ran over to his father.

“Do you see that building over there?” Eugene asked, pointing to a brown building, “That’s the school where you’ll go. Come on, let’s go have a look!”

[miraplayssims]

While Eugene was finishing up out in the garden late one evening, Alice went in to labour. Painstakingly she made her way out to tell him.

“Eugene, it’s happening,” she groaned.

“Oh dear,” he exclaimed and ran up to his wife, “Shall I fetch Arabella?”

“No, no time, it’s happening now,”

Alice was right, not one hour later she’d given birth to another little girl.

The next morning Magdalena and Benjamin were introduced to their new sister.

“This is Anne,” Alice whispered as to not wake the sleeping baby.

“She’s tiny,” Magdalena said, not too sure how to feel about her new sibling.

“Yes she is, you were this little once too you know,” Eugene chuckled.

“Really?” Benjamin asked, eyes wide.

Alice sighed blissfully, her family was happy and healthy, and her heart was so full of love.

[miraplayssims]

It had been a mild autumn and Alice had had her hands full with the twins, Magdalena and Benjamin. The siblings loved being taken out of their little nursery to see their father who was always hard at work farming.

But what Isabelle had told Alice turned out to be true, time did fly by. Soon enough Henford was being covered in snow and before they knew it Magdalena and Benjamin were taking their first steps and growing in to their own little people. Magdalena was an inquisitive, curious girl who never strayed far from her parents. Benjamin on the other hand loved exploring on his own and was always looking to make new friends with both people and animals. But despite their differences they were the best of friends.

Alice tried her best to live up to the promise she’d made herself to give her children a better childhood than she’d had. As often as she could they would take little walks around Henford so the twins could explore and play to their hearts desire, sometimes Arabella and Isabelle with her children would join them.

But Eugene was having a hard time. He worked long hours and envied Alice´s close relationship with their children.

"You look glum," Alice said when she one evening after putting the twins to bed walked in on her husband smoking at the dinnertable.

"Alice, be honest... Do you think I´m a bad father?" Eugene sighed.

"Where´s this coming from?" Alice asked surprised and sat down.

"I don´t know," he shrugged, looking quite pitiful, "Well I do, I fear that perhaps I don´t spend enough time with the little ones."

"Sweetheart," she reached out to touch his hand, "To answer your question, no I don´t think you´re a bad father, and neither does your children. You´re providing for us, keeping us fed and making sure we all have a warm bed to sleep in at night. Isn´t that the epitome of love? If you want to spend more time with the children, take them with you when you´re working, show them the ropes. I think they´d love that." Eugene looked up from his cigarette and smiled.

"I have some exciting news," Alice said seeing Eugene was now in a better mood, "I believe I´m expecting again!"

"Really?" Eugene jumped up from his chair.

"Yes," Alice chuckled, "Are you happy?"

"By Jove, nothing could´ve made me happier!" he exclaimed and embraced his wife.

[miraplayssims]

With Alice back in high spirits, life had returned to normal. Piano music could finally be heard around the house again. Eugene loved watching his wife play. It fascinated him, even though she´d never been taught to read she had somehow managed to teach herself how to read notes and was really quite talented.

By order of Alice, Eugene took a day off from working on the farm and met up with his friend Mathew in town.

“Never could I have imagined women get that big” Eugene said to his friend, “people say they’re the fairer sex but this whole pregnancy business is making me question that!”

“You never saw your mother or sisters pregnant?” Mathew laughed and took a chug of his beer.

Eugene shook his head “No, I was my mother’s last child, and I only had brothers.”

“When is she due?”

“Any day now, it feels like a needle dropping could set it in motion,” said Eugene.

“Well, here’s to an easy birth!” Mathew said and raised his bottle.

“Hear! Hear!”

Sure enough, the very same evening Alice went in to labour. Eugene ran the short distance to where Arabella, who was an experienced midwife, lived to fetch her.

“Bring us some clean towels, and pull up a chair with a lamp!” Arabella ordered, “Then you can go and wait downstairs.”

After a long night, Arabella finally came down the stairs with two bundles in her arms.

“Congratulations Mr Gale,” she said and handed one of the babes to a shocked Eugene, “You have a son and daughter.”

[miraplayssims]

One evening Alice made her way to Arabella’s friend’s house where Arabella had arranged a get together with a couple women she wanted Alice to meet.

“Oh I’m so happy you’re here,” Arabella said and kissed Alice’s cheek, “This is Isabelle Williams she’s the one who so graciously offered to entertain us. And this is Claudia Anderson, she’s pregnant with her first child as well!”

Alice shook hands with the two women, both of whom seemed like kind people. However, she felt quite intimidated by Claudia who obviously was more well off than the rest of them.

”I’ve told them a bit about your situation, I hope you don’t mind,” Arabella said as they all sat down.

“I know what you’re going through dear,” said Isabelle before Alice even had a chance to respond, “I was in your exact situation when I was expecting my first.”

“May I ask how you fared?” Alice asked.

“It was hard the first few months, but trust me when I say that time flies by. Before you know it your child will be taking its first step, and it will all feel worth it,” said Isabelle reassuringly.

The women talked until the sun started grazing the horizon.

"Oh, it´s getting late," Alice said and stood up "Thank you, Isabelle, for having me. It´s been truly helpfull."

"Of course," Isabelle smiled, "But please, before you go, let me fetch Theodora so you can hold her. She really is a darling."

Alice nodded, perhaps holding a baby would awaken something inside her. But as she cradled the little girl she didn´t feel the maternal love she had expected, but rather a sense of calm and acceptance.

When Alice came back home Eugene stood waiting for her.

"Welcome home my love, did you have a good time?" he asked. He knew what the visit had been about and Alice noticed how nervous he was in enticipation for what she´d say.

"It was good," she said, and Eugene let out a relieved sigh, "I think I´m fine with everything, we´ll be ok."

"Yes of course we will," he embraced her, "I love you, with all my heart I love you."

[miraplayssims]

Alice decided to visit the church in hopes of getting some help in accepting her pregnancy. She wanted to be excited about it like Eugene was, she really did, but the anxiety refused to go away.

As she was praying, a woman walked up to her.

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” the woman whispered.

“Oh, no worries, I was just about done,” Alice looked up at the smartly dressed woman.

“I’m Arabella, I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” Arabella offered her hand.

“Alice. My husband and I moved in recently, I haven’t had the time to go to mass yet I’m afraid,”

“I see, do you mind if I join you?”

“By all means,”

The two women got to talking. Arabella worked as a governess for a wealthy family in the area. She told Alice about her past. Her mother, Adesina, was originally from an influential family in Nigeria and that’s where her father, James, had met Adesina. The two fell in love and when Adesina became pregnant James pulled some favours and the couple moved to England where they got married. Although unconventional, the family lived a happy life. Alice was touched that Arabella felt comfortable enough to share her story, and she felt inclined to open up herself.

“As I’m sure you’ve noticed already, I’m pregnant,” she said and gestured to her stomach.

“You don’t sound too thrilled?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Alice sighed, “Don’t think me a horrible person now. It’s just that me and my husband, Eugene, just moved in and I was hoping we’d have a bit more time to get things stable before bringing new life in to the world.”

“Oh no I don’t think you’re horrible at all, in fact you seem like a very sensible person. A child is a great responsibility and you’d be a fool not to worry, every one worries,” Arabella reassured her before continuing “Now I’m not one to gossip, but I think what I’m about to tell you might calm your concerns. As you know I’m a governess for a little girl, barely one years old, and the mother is already pregnant again. When I tell you she has been a nervous wreck ever since she found out. And the fact is, that family has enough money to feed twenty children, but still she worries.”

“Yes, I see what you mean,” Alice said, “But I don’t know how that’s supposed to make me feel better. I’m glad I’m not alone in my anxiety, but still, her worries are different than mine.”

“You’re right dear,” Arabella put her hand over Alice’s, “But you have your husband, and now me.”

“That I do,” Alice smiled, “My husband is very happy, he tries to hide it as to not make me feel bad, but I know he is.”

“Men seldom understand our womanly difficulties,” Arabella chuckled.

As the new friends made their way out of the church Alice felt lighter, and for the first time in quite some time she laughed heartily.

[miraplayssims]

One night before bed while doing their toiletries Eugene noticed that his wife seemed out of sorts. Alice was unusually quiet and somber.

“Is something the matter?” he asked her as she stood in front of the mirror, suddenly she started sobbing. Eugene, shocked, walked over to Alice and softly turned her around. She stood there quiet for a moment.

“My monthly is late,” she looked down at her feet, feeling tears once again burn behind her eyelids.

“I see,” Eugene said, “But that’s a good thing though, right?”

“Maybe, but I don’t know,” Alice shrugged, “Something feels wrong. I just thought we’d have more time. We’re getting by fine right now, the two of us, but with a little one? It’ll be difficult, and I’ve always imagined I’d be able to give my child a better childhood than the one I had. Never hungry and get an education and everything that a child should have.”

“We’ll make it work. I’ll find work if that’s what it takes,” Eugene hugged her. While he understood her worries, he was also sad she didn’t share his joy.

[miraplayssims]

Spring had turned into summer and for each passing day the weather got warmer and warmer.

One particularly hot day, when the sun was at its highest in the sky, Eugene decided to take a well deserved break.

“What’s this, Mr Gale taking a break? I can’t believe my own eyes,” said Alice laughing when she saw her husband spread out on the hay cart.

“Believe it,” Eugene smiled.

“Well I’m sorry to disturb, but food’s ready,” teased Alice and nudged his leg.

“Won’t you sit with me for a little?” Eugene stood up and kissed Alice. She sighed theatrically but let him pull her down on to the cart.

They laid there for a while, quietly enjoying the sunny weather and each other’s company. But something had been bothering Alice for some time, and she wouldn’t be able ignore it much longer.

[miraplayssims]

Life on the farm was just as they’d imagined, albeit a tad monotonous. Each morning Eugene would be up with the sun to tend to the crops. Alice’s day would start soon after with preparing food for the day. She’d also developed a fondness for the chickens they owned and gladly looked after them when Eugene was too busy with the farming.

Some days they would venture out to the town to buy the necessities they couldn’t produce on their own.

Every evening, after the day’s chores were done, they’d retire in front of the fireplace. Eugene was some what literate and would practise reading next to Alice who’d knit clothes and blankets in preparation for the colder months.

All was good.

[miraplayssims]

Eugene and Alice´s wedding portrait.

[miraplayssims]

In the spring of 1890 Eugene and Alice Gale arrived at their newly inherited farmhouse. Eugene’s late uncle had left in his will that at the age of 25 his nephew would, if he so wished, be allowed to take over the modest little farm located some 20 minutes outside of Henford.

The couple had met when Alice started working as a maid for the same family that Eugene was a stable boy for. The ever joking Alice had immediately caught Eugene’s attention and the two were married not long there after.

As the time of Eugene’s 25th birthday grew closer, the promise of their very own farm where they’d be their own masters gave them the courage they needed to leave their employment.

Now, the time had finally come and a bright future laid ahead.

Writer´s note: The lot is an edited version of Fableman Farm by @aheathen-conceivably, all credit and tons of thanks to them!

[lancochang]

Some Ozzie and Alice because I'm bored and want something to laugh at. Anyway it's not really shown here really well, but he's eating chocolate coins. Poor fool just loves them. Welp enjoy

(( I also wanted to draw Ozzie without his hat...))