PIXX’S WINTER LEGACY1.8

Noel followed his older siblings to the bus. Last night had been crazy. First Snowie burst through the front door demanding to know if Claus was home, her shrieking sent his parents into a frenzy. People were called up and when they all reported that the hadn’t seen Claus, Jack called up his fellow officers. A very distraught Claus had been brought home in a police car, he shot Snowie a dirty look and didn’t so much as glance at their father.

Noel took a seat behind his older siblings, they shared a seat but the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Something was wrong, Noel was not used to this much negative energy in his usually happy family.

Noel questioned his parents that evening, they were both confused as to what had happened between the older children, both Snowie and Claus refused to speak to Jack.

Sighing the man ordered his youngest to get his homework, then they sat on the floor in the dining room. Jack listened as Noel told him how much he hated school, he said that the teachers were fine but he was being bullied. Jack promised to address the situation. After his talk with his father Noel felt a lot better, the tension inside the house forgotten.

Later the two older Winter children found themselves at the dining room table. “Are we going to talk about this?” Snowie asked.“You two just told me that my entire life was a lie, and the man who raised me may not be who I think, so no, we’re not going to talk about this. The last thing I need is to be more confused than I already am.”“I understand.” Snowie said, and she did, she was just as confused as her brother, not knowing what to believe.”

Determined to get to the bottom of his older children’s negative mood, Jack tried to get at them one on one. He found Claus in the bedroom and began questioning him immediately. “What’s going on with you and Snowie? The two of you are really close and it would be foolish to let a simple argument get between you.”Claus gave his father a disgusted look. “We didn’t have an argument, we just…realized some things.”

“Some things like what?”Claus’ face crumpled even more. “That our mother’s dead and it may be our father’s fault.”Jack’s temper flared immediately but before he could shout at Claus, the boy mirrored his temper. “No! Don’t you dare say anything. I’m going to get to the bottom of this Dad. Sorry if I’m falsely accusing you of something but God help you if I’m not.”

“Your criminal past, we know all about. The fact that you lived each day not sure where your next meal would come from, we know about that too. If you never loved our mother and she was only your ticket to an easy life, now is the time to tell me, to get everything out in the open, to come clean.” Claus waited, when Jack said nothing his son made a disgusted sound in his throat and left the room.

His family situation did not affect his social life though. Claus’ girlfriend who was also his younger brother’s babysitter Regan came over unannounced. She and Claus spent a lot of time together, so much so that they could read each other like a book. Regan was curious about the moments she caught her boyfriend staring into space, a deep frown on his face. “Is this about your mother’s very late funeral?” She demanded.“No Ray, it’s nothing you need to worry about yet.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll tell you eventually though.”

While her brother eased his girlfriend’s mind and her father tried to regain his composure, Snowie enjoyed her birthday in solitude. She stared at the beautiful cake Jack had bought her and felt guilty for the way she and Claus had acted toward him lately. He did truly love them, they just wished that there wasn’t such a big mystery surrounding their mother’s sudden death. Jack never spoke about Agnes, never. Unlike Claus who was on a mission, all Snowie wanted was closure.

Snowie grew into a brown haired clone of her mother. Her signature pigtails were back.

She was pleased to find her family still preoccupied with their activities when she left the kitchen to change her clothes and fix her hair. Tonight, her life began, but could it truly begin without her knowing her past? Tomorrow she would join the science career, as suggested by her brother. She had no idea what Claus was up to, she just hoped that he wouldn’t get himself in trouble.

Claus finally managed to calm Regan down. Her showing how much she cared about his well being solidified his love for her. They agreed to throw a big birthday party at the Winter house, they would start their lives together in a few days and Claus would tell her everything he’d just found out and what he planned on doing about it, he just hoped that she could handle it.

“Claus?” A small voice distracted Claus from his homework and completely broke his concentration. He was doing college level math and the interruption really pissed him off, but he figured it was best to hear Noel out and be done with it. “Yes Noel?”“Do you hate Daddy? I heard you arguing.”Claus sighed. “No, I don’t hate Daddy, we just don’t see eye to eye right now.”

“Did Daddy do something bad?”Claus sighed. “Look Noel, sometimes people just don’t get along, it doesn’t mean that one person did anything bad. You’re a kid, enjoy your childhood, Dad and me are going to be fine.” Or maybe his father did do something terribly wrong and they would never be okay.“Okay.” Noel said unconvinced.

Later Claus told his sister about their younger brother’s discomfort. “We’ve got to put an end to this, it’s making Noel nervous, you know how he gets. The problem is though, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust Dad completely again. You know, there’s so many unanswered questions. Maybe he did kill her.”

“You sound convinced all of a sudden Claus. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t, maybe he didn’t intend to. I’m moving out soon and I would like to know that you will behave yourself.”“I promise.”“Good, I was also thinking that maybe I should join law enforcement and you do science, all of the chemistry and chemicals and math stuff throws me.” That got a smile out of Claus.

Snowie returned her brother’s smile. “I was thinking, maybe not knowing isn’t a bad thing, I mean, I would like to know, but perhaps the whole mystery made us the people we are today. Mom would be proud of us and Daddy deserves some credit, he pretty much raised us on his own, we never needed for anything. Even if he murdered her in cold blood I don’t think I’ll be able to hate him and you shouldn’t either. Now, I think we should go talk to Noel.”

Noel was still in the dining room, Snowie gave him a big smile. “Hey kiddo, I heard you’re a bit worried.”“Everyone is just so angry Snowie.”Snowie ran her fingers through her brother’s silver hair. “Hmm. Noel, your mother was there for you your entire life, both Claus and I love her very much and we’re thankful to her for raising us but we miss our own mother. Do you understand?”“Yes Snowie.”

“Everything is going to be fine for my birthday then?” Noel asked. “I really want a happy birthday, but things weren’t very happy lately.”Snowie gave Claus an amazed look. “Our little brother is getting old Claus.” Then she beamed at Noel. “You are going to have a wonderful birthday, in fact Mom and Claus are going to throw one of those big parties that they always do for you.”Noel shook his head. “No, I just want everyone to be there, and be happy.”

The next evening Noel got just what he wanted, a birthday surrounded by his cheering family and the ever present repairman.

Noel grew into a familiar face, it was clear that in his teen and adult years he would be the spitting image of his mother.

Once she had kept her promise to her youngest brother, Snowie piled all of her belongings into the car Jack had given her for her birthday and drove away. Thornton was considerably older now but Snowie was still very much in love with him, although the feeling was clearly not mutual as the man seemed to have gotten closer to his wife. He never went anywhere without her.

In a few days time another birthday was celebrated. Claus stood beside the love of his life as they prepared to blow out the candles together.

With his entire family present and a whole host of family friends, Claus leaned in and blew on the candles, his wish made he transitioned into adulthood.

He was nearly a carbon copy of Jack, he had his father’s lips, eyes and those prominent ears. His nose a testament to Agnes and the Crumplebottom family much like Mortimer’s. His hair the perfect combination of both Jack’s and Agnes’ genes.

The future Mrs. Claus Winter grew up into a vision of beauty that had her soon to be brother-in-law blushing for all he was worth and also got an approving look from Jack’s former wife.

Jack caught up with his first son in the living room and handed him a black box. “Its not mine, this ring was your mother’s engagement ring, given to her when Erik proposed. You’re my son and I love you Claus, no matter what. I wish you good luck in your attempts to reopen and solve this closed case, and I will let you know that I won’t make it easy for you, but believe that I am proud and respect you.” Jack smiled at his son, genuinely pleased with the man Claus had become, and wondered how he had raised such a great man.

Claus nodded at his father and went to find his girlfriend. Regan was just leaving when Claus captured her, she was surprised when he dropped to one knee and opened the black box, tears filled her eyes when he poured his heart out to her and asked her to be his wife.

Regan was so excited, so happy, that she couldn’t even speak, she nodded her agreement then threw her arms around Claus as he bowed to her as if she were royalty, promising that he would treat her like a queen.

The wedding was a small affair in the park, only close family and friends were invited. Another surprise, poor Regan didn’t even get a chance to find a dress but the truth was she would have married Claus yesterday if he’d suggested it.

Jack’s last show of affection to his son was purchasing Claus a home, the young man refused to take anymore money from his father until he had solved the mystery surrounding his mother’s death.

Thanks to everyone for reading. I know it got confusing but please excuse me because there are millions of things going on in my head as usual, and my sims kind of took on lives of their own. Hopefully Claus’ generation is a bit easier to follow and the storyline flows a bit better. Also *prays* there was a glitch this chapter that left me surprised that Claus is still alive, hopefully his turn as the focus of this legacy is without glitches and close calls.Once again thanks so much for reading.

--Pixx

I know this is a legacy,

I should play every

generation in the

same house but as

usual my legacy goes

by my rules

Dear Readers,

I do admit that things got a

little out of hand, however I

would like to remind each and

every one of you that you do

not know my past. I am pleased

at the way my children grew up

and I am proud of all three of

them, especially Snowie and

Claus and I wish them both a

happy life. After Agnes’ death I

must admit that I was terrified

that I would turn their lives into

as big a wreck as mine was, but

they both turned out well and

I’m sure that Agnes would be as

proud as I am. Nobody knows

what the future holds, but I do

look forward to having

grandchildren. --Jack

Here ends the reign of the Jack Winter.

I loved him.I hated him.

Then I loved him again.