And the winner is...

Willow Doe!

She got four votes to Serena and Felix's three apiece (no one voted for Jonah or Amanda). What's funny is that everyone who voted before I put out the epistolary specials voted for Serena or Felix, but everyone who voted afterwards voted for Willow. Felix, at least, will be sticking around for a while, though. I still have to get quite a bit done in game before I can get started on this generation, and I'm going to be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks, so I can't say when Generation 4 will start, but hopefully it won't be too long.

The kids who didn't win had the following rolls:

Jonah:
Family Structure: Couple

Number of Children: 2

Primary Career: Medical

Secondary Career: Freelance Scientist

Generational Goal: Perfect Children

Miscellaneous Fun: No Strangers

Amanda:

Family Structure: Mixed Couple

Number of Children: 2

Primary Career: Author

Secondary Career: Stylist

Generational Goal: Photogenic

Miscellaneous Fun: It's so YOU!

Serena:

Family Structure: Couple

Number of Children: 1

Primary Career: Criminal (Evil)

Secondary Career: Music (Classical)

Generational Goal: Awesome!

Miscellaneous Fun: My Precious

Felix:

Family Structure: The Shake Up

Number of Children: 3

Primary Career: Music (Rock Star)

Secondary Careers: Professional Sports and Busker

Generational Goal: Opportunist

Miscellaneous Fun: Opposites Attract/Perfect Match

Felix - A Letter to the Future

Dear Baby,

I’m told that someday, you’ll want to know what we (me and your mother) thought when we found out we were going to have you. I have a hard time imagining you ever being old enough for that. I have a hard time imagining myself being old enough for you to be that old. But I suppose if you’re reading this, you are that old, and you want to know. I won’t lie, it was quite a surprise. I’m sure if you’re reading this, you’re old enough to have done the math. You know how old we are. You know that we were shocked. And yeah, I was scared. I still am scared. How am I supposed to know how to take care of a baby? I’m the youngest. I’ve never dealt with babies. And the idea of molding some little person, you, in my own image is terrifying. What if I do something wrong? What if I mess up somewhere down the line and you grow up hating me? Or worse, what if I end up like my father, incapable of paying attention to my family? I don’t think that will happen, but how am I to know? There’s no helpful little guide with all the secrets to good parenting inside. I know, I asked. I’m sure that like everything else, it gets better with practice, but that’s part of the problem. I don’t have any practice. I feel like I’ve been told to play a song I’ve never heard, with no music, and everything in my life rides on me getting it right. I really, really want to be a good dad. By the time you’re reading this, you’ll know whether I am or not, but right now? I have no clue. There’s still weeks before you get here, and I’m still trying to learn everything there is to know about babies. I’ve never been good at studying, but I’m trying my best for your sake. Your mother… she’s not embracing the whole parenting thing as much as I am. You know a lot better than I do how it’ll all shake out in the end, but right now… she’s restless. I hope she’ll love you once you get here. I tried to get her to write one of these letters, but she wouldn’t. I’m trying to be honest with you, honest about all of it, because I really don’t want to be my father. I don’t want to become the man who lies to his children on a daily basis, so I’ve promised myself that I’ll never lie to you. I’m trying to start early. So I’ll tell you: the idea of you is big and abstract and really, really scary. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe, because whose idea was it to put me in charge of a little person? I still forget to brush my teeth sometimes! But the reality of you… you aren’t here yet, I already told you that, but sometimes I’ll look in the little nursery we made and I can almost see you there. Or your mom will call me over because you’re kicking. Those are the moments when I have the most hope. Hope that she’ll love you. Hope that we’ll make it. Hope that we’ll be a family, a good family. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I can pull off this fatherhood thing. Now you’ve read this. You know what I’m thinking, why I’m scared, why I’m excited. If I know myself at all, I’m probably still scared, even with however old you are now. So, if you don’t mind too much, could you go tell me how I’ve done?

Love,

Felix (your dad)

Author's Note: This is it! The last one! It turned out a little different than I thought it would be, but it's still pure Felix. Now you have all the information you're going to get for the heir poll. Please vote as soon as you know who you want to vote for, but don't worry too much, because you have until July 31 to get it done. Heir poll is below:

Generation 3 Heir Poll

Serena - Forgiving and Forgetting

To: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

From: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

Subject: You’re avoiding me

Serena,

It’s been weeks since the last time I talked to you. I know you were surprised, and probably angry, and I understand that. But Serena, you have to talk to me. Even if it’s to tell me you never want to see me again, you’re going to have to say that to my face. Or write it to my computer, I guess, if you respond to this email. I’ll be honest, my hopes aren’t high. You’ve been making an effort to avoid me at school, you stay away from all the places we usually hang out, and I think you blocked my number, which is really annoying. I’m your friend, not an obnoxious ex. I’m sending you this because I’m pretty sure you don’t even remember that I have this email. I do have fond memories of the day you made me set it up, although I’m not in love with the address. But, please, Serena, write me back. Or I will actually come to your house to talk to you in person.

Alphonse

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To: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

From: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

Subject: Not avoidance, tactical evasion

Alphonse,

Can you please take a hint? I don’t want to talk to you right now. You kept a massive secret from me for years, and I’m not ready to deal with the fallout of that just yet. Can’t you let me live in denial for a little longer? And for the record, you’re very close to becoming both an ex-friend and obnoxious.

Serena

P.S. That email address is just as epic now as when we first made it.

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To: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

From: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

Subject: I stand corrected

Serena,

Just the fact that you wrote me back tells me that you’re ready to stop living in denial. I know that I hurt you, and I’m really, really sorry. I don’t think that’s what you want to hear, though. I’m not sure what you want me to tell you, but just ask and it’s yours. From now on, I am an open book. If you want a painstakingly detailed account of my breakfast routine or a word-for-word transcription of my last argument with my dad, I will give it to you. I’d give anything for us to be friends again. I’ll even stop asking you not to talk to your mother if you really want, but I know that you value my honest opinion. I won’t lie to you, not about anything. Never again. I would get down on my knees and grovel if we were in the same room, but for now I’ll just tell you that I’m begging you, Serena. Please let me be your friend again.

Alphonse

P.S. I never liked that song.

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To: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

From: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

Subject: Did you just admit I was right?

Alphonse,

I’ll pay you back and admit that you’re probably right. Denial gets really cold and lonely after a while. I appreciate the overwrought language, and you were doing really well until you got to my mother. Then you had to guilt-trip me with all that about valuing your honest opinion… but fine. You can give me advice about my mother. Just please, no unprompted nagging. And this whole thing at the end… I never knew you had such a dramatic side, Al! I’ll try to bring it out more often (preferably without the whole not talking to you for weeks part). Are you saying that you won’t even lie and tell me that you don’t think my dress is too short? Because that’s going to be quite the habit to break. Anyway, I’ll stop teasing you. If you couldn’t tell, yes, I’ll be your friend again. But I haven’t entirely forgiven and forgotten just yet. I do still need some space. And I’m going to keep getting to know my mother, whether you like it or not. She’s been talking about maybe getting me a job working with her brother after I graduate, and I’m thinking about taking it. So yes, we can be friends, but you need to be honest with me and trust that I’m capable of making my own decisions. I don’t want to be babied.

Serena

P.S. And you’re on thin ice if you keep insulting my music.

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To: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

From: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

Subject: What’s a little capitulation between friends?

Serena,

Thank you. Thank you so much. I can’t possibly express my gratitude in words. I can write you a song when I get home, is that dramatic enough for you? I’m sorry if I’ve ever nagged you, prompted or unprompted. And I think I can bring myself to even be honest about your fashion sense, and tell you when I can see your underwear. (I’m mostly kidding, but that one dress is really short.) I can give you space, if you want it. Just let me know when I’m being too much. I think that might be the only time I’ve ever said (or written) that sentence, but you make me uncharacteristically enthusiastic. I know I just said I wouldn’t nag, but I really think your mother is into some shady business, Serena. I’m not babying you, I just think you might be too close to the situation to see the bigger picture.

Alphonse

P.S. And if I don’t like Shake It Off, either?

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To: Alphonse Ziggfield (alaboutthatbass@sims3mail.com)

From: Serena Doe (polkadotprincess@sims3mail.com)

Subject: I don’t really care, but capitulation is my new word of the day

Alphonse,

It’s only dramatic enough if you play the song for me in public. Serenade me, if you will. And I like my dresses short, but please. Do tell me if you can see my underwear, because that’s too short. You are rarely too much, but even you can get stifling if you’re pressuring me constantly. I don’t think you will, but I do think that sometimes you don’t realize that I think things through just as carefully as you do. I’m a big girl, Alphonse. I can make fully thought through, grown-up decisions. And I want to be part of a family that really cares about me. Have you thought about that bigger picture? That said, I do appreciate that you’re willing to be honest with me. You don’t sugarcoat things like other people do. I love that about you.

Serena

P.S. Then I lied. We can’t be friends anymore.

Author's Note: This is the longest special, probably because it was my favorite to write. I love the email format. I loved coming up with the email addresses, and the subject lines, and the P.S. While this probably won't reappear should Serena win heir (I typed when air, because my brain is fried), what will come up is really bad puns, which there are a few of in here. Next time, bring your insulin, because Felix is writing letters to the baby.

Willow - An Explanation

Conor,

I thought about texting you, but I decided this was too important for that. Then I thought I should talk to you in person, but… I know that if I did that, I would break down. So I’m writing you a letter. First of all, in case you never speak to me again, I want you to know that you are one of the most important people in my life. I want to be with you. I want to explore the world with you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. But there’s something more important than what I want, and that’s what my family needs. I can’t go with you, Conor, as much as I want to. My family needs me here. Felix needs me here. My parents refuse to support him. They could, but they won’t, because in my father’s words, “If he wants to make adult decisions, he has to take adult responsibility.” And while I understand the sentiment, he won’t even have graduated high school by the time the baby gets here. He can’t support himself on his part-time salary, let alone Marissa and the baby. So, I volunteered to help him. As soon as I graduate, instead of using my savings to help pay for our trip, I’m going to get a house, get a job at the stadium, and help support Felix and his family. They’re my family, too. You understand, don’t you? You were the one who first told me that families should support each other. That they should have each other’s backs. I know now that you were talking about your pack, but I think of my family that way. They are my pack, and if I can make their lives easier, I will. I know that you’ll be upset when you read this, but Felix is your friend too. I can’t imagine that you want him to suffer, and if I don’t do this, he will. He can’t shoulder the burden of a new baby alone, and no one else will help him. It has to be me. So please - go on without me. Go everywhere. Make memories. Take some pictures, if you can. Tell me everything when you get back. And remember, this isn’t forever. Someday, Felix won’t need me here, and then, if you forgive me, I would love to come find you. We can still see the world together. We just have to wait a little longer.

With love,

Willow

Author's Note: This short serves as both a look into Willow's head and a little exposition to get to where we will be when the next generation starts. Serena and Felix's letters also help to show how they get from point A to point B, since the youngest three of this generation especially were still very far from YA at the end of chapter 20. This is another format, like Amanda's journal, that we might see more of, since Willow may very well write to Conor if she (or Felix, actually) wins heir. Next time, Serena and Alphonse email at cross-purposes.

Amanda - A Difficult Decision

Dear Journal,

I know you’ve put up with a lot over the years. I’ve told you absolutely everything: about Maxwell, about the fairies, about school, about my family. All of it. And honestly, you’re getting pretty full. I’m starting to think that it’s almost time to retire you. But before I do that, I have one last burden to lay on your metaphorical shoulders. It’s about Maxwell. I suppose that’s no surprise. All the troubles in my life seem to stem from Maxwell, but I could say the same thing about my joys. After all, if it weren’t for Maxwell, I might never have discovered you, Journal, and that would be a shame. He’s always kept secrets from me. I know that. I’ve known that since I was barely old enough to understand what secrets were. But at the same time, I’ve never really cared. He was Maxwell, and he was mine. Being secretive was just a part of him, and I took it in with the rest. Now, though… I think he might have finally come clean with me, and I don’t really know if I feel better or worse. Because, Journal, to save us both from the wrath of the Court, he wants me to turn him human. I told him no from the start. I said I couldn’t do it. I said I didn’t want to steal away his immortality. That’s all true, but it’s not the whole story. I certainly don’t want to take his immortality away from him, but it’s only partially because I want him to go on living after I’m gone. I don’t want him to resent me for it. I worry that if I turned him human, he would hate me as soon as he started aging. What previously ageless being would want to find wrinkles and gray hairs when they looked in the mirror? I can’t do something that would make him hate me. And there’s one more reason, even more selfish than the last. All my life, Maxwell has been all I have. You know that better than anyone, Journal. Everyone else has always distanced themselves from me for one reason or another, so Maxwell became my everything. And I know that for a long time, I’ve been all he has. His curse means that he can’t interact with other humans, and his disgrace means that other fairies don’t want to socialize with him. Truthfully, there’s a part of me, deep, deep down, that’s always been a little bit thankful for that, because it means that he couldn’t leave me. If he did, who would he have to talk to? But if I turn him human… he could go anywhere. He could talk to anyone. He could find someone else to make him smile. He could fall in love. I don’t want that to happen… but the more I think about it, the more I hate myself for feeling that way. Who am I to say he can’t have that? Who am I to limit him that way? I can’t be that selfish. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. So I’m going to do it. I’m going to make him human. And if he decides to leave me… so be it. Maybe I’ll get a cat.

Your human,

Amanda

Author's Note: So, there's Amanda's thought process for you. Behold the long-reaching negative effects of emotionally distant parents! None of the kids are immune, although Amanda hides it better than most of the rest. She is a very private person, so we might be seeing more of her journal if she becomes heir, since that's where she expresses her feelings. This is one of the shorter epistolary style shorts, but I felt a little weird about writing this much unbroken text, especially with no dialogue. Legacy writing does that, I guess. Next time, Willow writes to Conor about her decision to stay in Midnight Hollow.

Jonah - A Glimpse of the Past

Dear Jenny,

I don’t know why you aren’t returning my texts, but I’ve made a decision. Until you start using reasonable modern-day methods of communication, I will pass you long and complicated notes that convey everything I could just put into one, instantaneous, text message.

Sincerely, 

Jonah

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Dear Jonah,

You’re ridiculous. I haven’t been answering your texts because my dad took my phone, did you ever consider that? Apparently I spend too much time on it for a middle-schooler. I would have told you that if you were willing to wait until lunch, but you couldn’t just do that. And what’s this about modern-day methods of communication? You’re the one who decided to write me a letter! You really took that letter-writing lesson in English yesterday seriously.

Your friend,

Jenny

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Dear Jenny,

I didn’t think about your dad taking your phone because my first conclusion when you didn’t answer my texts was that you had been kidnapped by vampires. When it was clear that you hadn’t, because you’re in school today, I assumed you were ignoring me. If neither of those options are true (although I still think you could have been kidnapped and replaced with a carefully disguised vampire), then it does make sense that your dad took your phone. He doesn’t like that you have friends, and he especially doesn’t like that you’re friends with me. There’s no way you spend too much time on it, because everyone else I know spends at least twice the amount of time on their phones as you do. And if I had waited for lunch, then we wouldn’t be having this illuminating exchange of correspondence. Usually, I like to think that I’m at least as modern as you are, but do you remember what Mrs. Prince said, don’t you? Letter-writing is a lost art! We should write letters on every possible occasion, including to find out why our friends aren’t answering texts.

Your dearest friend,

Jonah

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Dear Jonah,

I probably would have assumed that you had been kidnapped by vampires if you didn’t answer my texts, too, but I can’t believe you would ever think I was ignoring you. If these letters have shown anything, it’s that I’ll respond to you even when you use the most ridiculously outdated format available to you. I also think that if I was kidnapped by vampires, they wouldn’t bother to send anyone to pretend to be me. School is too boring for any vampire to be forced to suffer through. But, yes, my dad took my phone. I think you’re being unfair to him, though. He doesn’t mind that I have friends, he just thinks that family should come first. I know I don’t spend that much time on my phone, but my dad thinks it should only be for emergencies. You seem to really like this whole letter-writing thing, but I don’t know… it’s just too much writing for me. My hand is starting to cramp up.

Your slightly exasperated friend,

Jenny

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Dear Jenny,

Speaking of vampires, SuperCon is coming to town next month. Well, not to town, exactly, but it’s coming to Riverview, and my mom has a job there at the same time as the con, so she offered to drive me down. You should come too! I’m glad that you wouldn’t ignore me. I would never ignore you, either. You’re my absolute favorite person to talk to. You forgot about the part where your dad hates me as a person. Maybe he does want you to have friends, but he definitely doesn’t want you to be friends with me. Every time I go over to your house, he glowers at me until I feel like I’m about the size of an ant. If you don’t like writing, then don’t write as much as you have been. It’s a pretty simple solution.

Your favorite friend,

Jonah

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Dear Jonah,

I’d love to go to SuperCon. Who else is coming? You’re my favorite person to talk to, too. I can’t imagine ever choosing not to speak to you. I think we’ll have to agree to disagree about my dad. He’s not as bad as you’ve made him sound. And look, I didn’t write as much.

Your most concise friend,

Jenny

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Dear Jenny,

I was actually thinking it would be just the two of us. Maybe even like a date?

Jonah

--------

Dear Jonah,

I would actually love that.

Jenny

Author's Note: That's it for Jonah, so hopefully you see what these will look like. I've written the first three already, and I can tell you that they'll vary in length from about half a page to maybe two pages. (This one is about a page and a half, for reference). Also, I opened the old Sandi and Darlene story today and remembered the days when my chapters were only about two pages, with less than twenty pictures apiece. They've almost doubled in average length since then, and I think it would be accurate to say that I have at least thirty pictures a chapter. It's a little crazy. Anyway, tune in next time (hopefully tomorrow) to see Amanda's innermost thoughts about turning Maxwell human.

Chapter 3.20 - Shock Value

Jenny frowned as she paced the length of her small bedroom. “I can’t believe we’re only a few weeks out from graduation and I still don’t know what I want to do with my life.”

Jonah spoke softly. “Calm down. You don’t have to know yet.”

“That’s easy for you to say! You’ve wanted to be a doctor since you were in diapers!”

“That’s an extreme exaggeration.”

She sighed. “Of course, you’re right. It’s just really stressful, this uncertainty.”

“Well, we’re definitely going off to college together, right? You still have four more years to figure out a career path.”

“Of course we’re going to college together! I couldn’t let you go alone. You might meet some glamorous pre-med girl and forget all about me.”

“That would never happen, not least because I could never leave you alone for that long. What if some man moved in and swept you off your feet?”

“That wouldn’t happen.” Jenny moved in to embrace her boyfriend. “You know you’re it for me.”

He smiled down at her. “Care to prove it?”

She stepped away from him. “What do you mean?”

To her shock, he got down on one knee. “Jennifer Doe, you are everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I think I’ve known you were the one ever since you started rambling about vampires when we were in elementary school. We’ve had our rough patches, but we’ve always gotten through them because we love and understand each other more than anyone else ever could. You soothe my worries, and I calm you during your freak-outs. You are my past, present, and future, and I love you more than anything in the world. So, Jennifer Doe… will you marry me?”

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Amanda stood in her room, feeling simultaneously scared and determined. She knew what she needed to do.

“Maxwell?”

He appeared instantly. “Have you made your decision?”

“I have.”

“I know I can’t do anything more to persuade you, but…”

“You don’t have to.”

She closed her eyes and felt his true name rise to her tongue. 

Then she spoke it, and said, “I free you.”

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Willow wasn’t usually a nervous sort of person, but there was something strange in the air tonight. Something that made her want to spend as little time taking out the trash as possible.

Maybe it was the moon. It was very full, and hung low in the sky. A harvest moon, Willow recalled. Her mother always liked to recount that she’d been born on a night much like this one. There was something unsettling about that moon. Something that made her come out in goosebumps all over.

And that was before she heard the howl. At that point, Willow froze. It was a close howl, and even with the moon, it was dark enough that she couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her face. Nighttime in Midnight Hollow was pitch black.

Then she saw something glowing in the darkness. It was a pair of eyes - a shockingly familiar pair of eyes.

Hesitantly, Willow called out. "Conor? Is that you?" She didn't know why his eyes would be glowing, but there was no denying that they were his.

"Willow, don't… don't come any closer." His voice was hoarse, and he almost sounded pained.

She stopped. "Are you alright?”

“Not really. It’s hard when the moon’s like this.”

She stepped a little closer. “What’s hard?”

“I keep forgetting you don’t know… I can’t really seem to remember much of anything at the moment. Right now, it’s hard to stay away from you.” He was almost growling, but Willow wasn’t scared. This was Conor, and even on a night like this one, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

She kept walking. “What do I not know?”

He stepped into the light and she stopped in her tracks.

“Conor? Are you…”

“I’m trying so hard to keep myself from shifting fully right now, I just can’t… and you smell so good, Willow, why do you always have to smell so good?”

She was frozen, staring at the boy she wasn’t sure she really knew anymore. Then he lunged at her, and for a moment she was almost scared…

But when he kissed her, she just embraced him back, reassured. This was definitely still Conor. He was just a little… hairier.

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Serena was swinging in the park when someone came up behind her.

“Serena?”

“Alphonse? You scared the life out of me!”

“Serena, I know you’re mad at me, and you have every right to be, but please hear me out.”

She blinked. She hadn’t expected it to be this easy. “I -”

He cut her off. “Please believe me when I say that I’ve wanted to tell you everything for ages. Maybe not since I first met you, but pretty close. But you have to understand, I’ve been hiding this for my entire life.”

“What -”

“I didn’t realize how much it hurt you. That sounds so stupid, but it’s true. I guess I didn’t realize you cared enough for it to hurt you, but you really had to yell at me for me to be able to wrap my head around it. I know I can’t offer you enough excuses. What I did was wrong, and you would be completely in the right not to forgive me for it. I should have trusted you. You’re my best friend, and I should have known that you would never tell -”

Serena couldn’t stand it anymore. “Alphonse, can you please just tell me this deep dark secret and get it over with?”

His face became serious. “Serena, I’m a witch.”

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Felix was having a pretty good day. As usual, his siblings were wrapped up in their own personal drama, but he had spent the morning hanging out with Jasmin, so that had been good.

The only dark spot on his day so far was the fact that he hadn’t seen Marissa. She’d been sick for the past week, so she hadn’t been at school, and now she was ignoring his texts. He was starting to have a bad feeling. They were already a few weeks past the usual expiration date of her relationships, but he had thought things were going well.

So when he came home that afternoon and found her waiting on the porch, he was thrilled.

“Marissa! I’m so glad to see you, did you get my texts?”

“Yeah, I did… I just didn’t really know how to respond.”

The sinking feeling was back. He now knew that she had just wanted to break up with him in person. “Oh? Why?”

“I tried to respond, I really did, but eventually… I knew I just needed to tell you in person.”

Felix braced himself. “Tell me what?”

She winced. “Felix… I’m pregnant.”

Author's Note: And there you go! One last chapter, in birth order. I hope I surprised you at least once. I put in that picture of wolf Conor just to show off the time I spent in Create-A-Pet making him, in case he doesn't make another appearance. I'm proud of how he turned out.

Anyway, on to the important part! The heir poll is right here: Generation 3 Heir Poll. Please go and vote! The five epistolary stories will be out over the course of the next week, and the poll will close on July 31.