Gen 2, Chapter 8 - The final goodbye

I was absolutely shattered. Raising a baby was truly exhausting. Cameron woke up twice a night for feeds, not to forgot having to change his nappy what seemed like every hour!

It wasn't like I even had Marcus here to help me - I was a single mum. I had never wanted to be a single mum, I dreamed of settling down with a nice man and having a big family but well.. I guess destiny has made its choice.

Don't get me wrong though, I love Cameron with all my heart. Every move he makes, every time his grabs my little finger it makes my heart melt.Having a life to look after is tiring no doubt, but it is wholly amazing. I've only had him for a week, but I couldn't imagine life without him.

Luckily for me, Diana and Laura have moved in with me for a bit to help me look after Cameron, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Laura is so in love with Cameron, I can tell that she will be a great mother herself, she just needs to find a man first!

Meanwhile, the day of Marcus's funeral loomed. Diana took it upon herself to make the preperations for it, she said I had enough to deal with.

On the day of the funeral, we all woke up, got ready and headed off. I could already tell it was going to be a hard and emotional day.

We took our seats in the church and went through the procession. Then the preist asked if anyone would like to give a speech; I refused, because I knew that I would breakdown halfway through the speech.

Good old Laura stepped up to the plate though.

"Marcus was an amazing person. He was sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving, one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He was all you could ever want in a person and more.

He was the best brother to me; I can't think of a single time when we argued or when he was unkind to me or anything like that. I am so grateful to have had him in my life.

Not only was he an amzing brother, but an amazing son and fiance too."

(At this point she looked at Diana and I, respectively.)

"And I know, I have no doubt in my mind, that Marcus would have been the best father to Cameron.

He will be greatly missed, but we all know where Marcus has gone - to the great sky above, and that's where he deserves to be."

I couldn't have said it better myself. At this point though, I was in tears. I think it was the mention of Marcus being a father to Cameron that set me off.

Then we headed outside for the burial, as the sun slowly fell. Now everyone was crying (I even saw Dad sneak a few tears!). We laid down some flowers, and I said my goodbyes.

 

After that, we left to go home and have some coffee to "sober" us up.

As Dad handed around cups of coffee, Diana exclaimed "I have an announcement to make." Everyone turned to listen.

"I am moving to Champs Le Sims in a few days time."

"Really?!" I said, shocked to say the least.

Diana nodded. "I can't stay here, this place has too many bad memories for me, and I can't go back to Twinbrook, that place has too many memories full stop. I feel like I need a fresh start, and the Champs is the place to do it. I don't mean to leave you Gracie, but I need to get away. I will come and visit you and Cameron of course."

I nodded. "I understand. We'll miss you, but you gotta do what you gotta do."

"Wait, Laura?" I turned to her. "You're not going as well are you?"

She laughed. "No, no. I like Sunset Valley too much. After the fog of Twinbrook, do you really think I'm going to move from somewhere sunny and beautiful?" She laughed again. "And anyway, there is no way I'm going to leave my best friend alone to look after my nephew and godson, am I?"

Phew, that was a relief. And as I got ready for bed that night and settled Cameron down, I reflected on the days events.

My heart was aching, of course it was.

But now we had said goodbye, maybe, just maybe, my heart could start to heal again.

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Sorry it has taken me a while to get this chapter out, it's been a very hectic week for me, especially as Christmas is coming up soon.

And I won't have another chapter out before Christmas, so I just want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a merry Christmas :)

A Hope Legacy college made by angel99950!

This isn't update, although one is coming soon!

Angel99950 has made this college about the Hope legacy and the whole story that is going on between Marcus and Gracie, and I just wanted to share it with you! I really like it and I'm very pleased that the story has touched her so much.

So thank you Angel! :)

The full post on Angels blog

Gen 2, Chapter 7 - Forever is over

As I fell to the floor sobbing, I heard footsteps pounding up the stairs.

"Gracie?" Laura said, concern in her voice. "Gracie, what's the matter?"

I heard more footsteps run up the stairs - this time Mum and Diana.

Laura gently held me up. "Gracie babe..?"

I couldn't speak. Tears were rolling down my face, I couldn't breathe.

I tried to get the words out, but saying them made the whole thing seem more real.

"M-m-marcus i-is dead." I stammered.

I didn't have to say anymore, Laura knew that I wasn't lying.

"Oh Gracie." Laura wrapped me up in a hug before bursting into tears herself.

Mum came round to comfort me, while Diana just stood there, numb. Her face said it all - blank.

That night, no-one slept. We all sat around the kitchen table in silence, me still crying.

Mum was my rock that night. She firstly went and made us all some coffee, and then went around and phoned every guest and every arrangement for the wedding, explaining what had happened.

Then she came and sat down with us, and sat there holding my hand and stroking my hair.

It hadn't sunk in for me yet.

How could Marcus die? On the night of our wedding?

Not even a single hour with him as a married couple.

My love, my life was dead.

The pain I was feeling was out of the world. I was hurting more than anyone could ever hurt.

After what seemed like a year, I went to bed, even though it was now 5 in the morning.

I was exhausted, and I just cried myself to sleep.

When you wake up, there is about a minute where you think everything is perfect, where it was all just a bad dream.

And then it hits you, and you remember everything.

The next day was a lot better. It still hurt, it still hurt A LOT, but it was finally starting to sink in.

Not Diana though, she was still walking around like a zombie.

Laura had coped much better than either of us had. I couldn't deal with life without her little rays of sunshine.

I was just sitting there, later on in the day, thinking on the previous events, when this huge pain stabbed me.

"Woah."

When it happened repeatedly, I knew it was time. I was going into labour, 2 months early.

I screamed out "LAURAAA!"

She ran down the stairs. She saw me and the puddle on the floor and went "Oh Lord."

After panicking for a little, she started to think rationally.

Mum was at work, so she called her first to explain what was happening, and asked for Mum to prep for my arrival. Then she called a taxi, and we headed towards the hospital.

Although premature, my baby was fine.

I walked out a couple of days later, holding my gorgeous baby boy, who I had named Cameron.

Everyone was estatic. It was just the light everyone needed after a very hard few days.

No-one was more estatic than Laura.

"He is so PRECIOUS!" she squealed.

I took her over to one side and whispered "Would you like to be the Godmother?"

"Of course, I'd love to!" she smiled.

As I lay Cameron down in his cot, I couldn't help thinking "If only Marcus were here, then everything would be perfect."

But he wasn't there, and Cameron was the only thing of him I had left.

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I love that last paragraph way too much <3

So here is baby Cameron. I was actually hoping that it would be multi-gendered twins, but my game (and Gracie!) wanted it to be a boy. So I just let my game do its thing.

This gen isn't over by a long shot ;)

Gen 2, Chapter 6 - One moment in time

My baby bump has been blooming. Everyone just can't stop feeling it or talking to it.

Mum...

Dad...

... and even Laura has been getting in the act!

Marcus has been so amazing throughout this pregnancy. He has been reading pregnancy books, getting me all my cravings (mostly ice cream!) and giving me amaaaaazing massages!
He really is just as fascinated by our baby as I am!

I went to my parents house one day and when I came home I found him decorating Baby's room! We decided on a yellow decor, since we don't know the gender of the baby and don't intend to find out!

I truly couldn't ask for a better guy.

Meanwhile, our house has become a hive of activity. Mum, Dad, Diana and Laure have all been in and out of our house like crazy. Baby preparations, wedding preparations...

And on the note of wedding preperations, I did find my perfect dress...

... but it won't fit me.

I have to wear this maternity dress. Ugh. But I want this baby so I guess I shouldn't complain.

"You look gorgeous Gracie, don't worry!" Laura had told me.

Weeks passed and our big day was set. Everything was ready. I decided that Laura was going to be my bridesmaid - she was estatic. She ran and hugged me and nearly pushed me offf my feet!

"Thank you, thank you! I promise I won't let you down Gracie!"

She did look stunning in her bridesmaid dress though.

The eve of the wedding had arrived. Marcus was having a stag do with some mates, while I decided to chill with my mum, my mum-in-law and my sister-in-law, and watch soppy movies.

I would of had a huge club hen do knowing me, but being 7 months pregnant we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea.

They were staying the night along with my father, to help me get ready when the big morning arrived.

I was getting awfully tired so I decided to head to bed. "Night girls."

"Night." They replied in unison.

"Sweet dreams!" I heard Laura shout as I headed up the stairs. Gosh, I love that girl to pieces <3

I was just going to get in bed when my mobile phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Is this the fiance of Marcus Andre that I am speaking to?" the woman on the other side of the phone asked.

"Yes I am. Why?"

The woman took a deep breath, as if bracing herself. "This is Dr Goodison from Sacred Spleen Memorial Hospital. I am very sorry to tell you that Marcus has died in a car accident. Marcus was driving but there was an incident and the car veered off the road and down a ditch. The ambulance crew came as soon as possible and took him to the hospital, but unfortunately it was too late.

Miss Hope, I am so so sorry-"

I dropped the phone.

Marcus? Dead?

He's gone?

All I can remember is falling to my knees, sobbing, tears running down my face, wanting to just to die right there and then.

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*sob sob*

I'm sorry, I had to do it! I felt like there needed to be some drama in this generation, and this was the idea I had from the off. I do feel really bad though, I hate to see my Gracie upset <3  

Gen 2, Chapter 5 - What dreams are made of

We began to arrange our wedding, just a couple weeks after he proposed to me.

I was so eager to marry him - after all I was absolutely convinced he was my One - and he too was eager to marry me.

I had already set a date for our wedding, 8 months away.

I booked the local church to marry us, followed by a huge party at the beach. I had already arranged flowers, food and music also - I was determined that this wedding was going to go as smoothly as possible, so I had to be on top of everything.

I was yet to find my perfect dress, but I was going to keep searching til I found it.

Aside from the wedding plans, life as a proper couple was great! We were in this little perfect bubble, where nothing or noone could hurt us, as long as we had each other. Marcus was the perfect boyfriend, he did every little thing right. I hate to keep using the word perfect, but it's true - our life was perfect!

We were both pretty busy with our jobs, and having to look after our house was exhausting, but we always managed to spend time together.

There was just one thing though - I wished that my dad was here to cook! Both Marcus and I are completely useless at cooking, and to be honest we didn't even try, for fear that we would burn our kitchen down. We wasn't going to risk that.

It meant that we ate a LOT of takeaways. (At least we did loads of exercise to burn it off!)

Luckily, Marcus's mother Diana and his sister Laura were coming down to stay near Sunset Valley in the build-up to the wedding. And Diana could cook! Hurrah!

Both Diana and Laura were lovely, having only met me for the first time. I certainly didn't have to worry about nightmare in-laws!

Laura soon became my best friend - she was only a couple of years younger than me, but I could confide anything in her, and she wouldn't say a word.

One day, I was at work when I felt horribly sick. Like throw up sick. I asked my boss if I could be dismissed from work, as I wasn't feeling too well. He let me go home, and just in time too!

When I felt sick the following day, I had a thought come into my head. I quickly dismissed it, but the more I thought about it, the more it could be likely.

I mean we had always used protection, apart from... that one time. Oh no! I couldn't actually be...pregnant?!

I rushed to the grocery store as quickly as I could and grabbed a pregnancy test.

As I waited for the little stick to tell me my results, I drifted into thought. It wouldn't actually be a bad thing if I was pregnant - I mean, Marcus and I didn't hide the fact that we wanted a big family.

And then I looked down..

I was pregnant.


I had a little life growing inside of me.
 It took a while for it to sink in, that in 9 months time I would be holding a baby in my arms. Wow. Just wow. The thought blew my mind.
And then I realised I would be heavily pregnant when I walked down the aisle. But you know what? I really didn't care. Just knowing I was having a baby was the best feeling in the world.

Delighted, as soon as I heard "Gracie?" being shouted up the stairs as Marcus got home from work, I ran down the stairs.

"Marcus!" I said breathlessly.

"What's the matter baby? Are you still feeling ill?"

"I'm feeling a lot better actually. Just because I found out.. well I found out that I'm pregnant!"

A gasp escaped his mouth.

"Pregnant! No way, that's amazing!" he exclaimed.

Marcus wrapped me up in his arms. Was this a dream or was this just reality? I surely hoped it was the latter.

A baby and a wedding!

Could life possibly get any better?

Gen 2, Chapter 4 - Infatuation

You're so hypnotising
You've got me laughing while I sing
You've got me smiling in my dreams
And I can see this unravelling
Your love is where I'm falling
So please don't catch me.


Marcus and I offically became boyfriend and girlfriend. We were infatuated with each other, had such a foolishly passionate relationship.

So much so, that after three months, he asked me to move in with him. It didn't take me long to agree.

I loved my childhood home, with all the memories it had, but it was time for me to move on - after all I was offically an adult with the rest of my life ahead of me! I just hoped the rest of my life was spent with Marcus.

On the day of my move, I packed up all my stuff in some suitcases, and said goodbye to my old home.

I had a tearful goodbye with my mother and father, who both understood why I was moving, and were very happy for me.

Once I had said goodbye to them, Marcus put my luggage in the taxi and off I went to my - no - our new home.

On the way there, I was excited but anxious, having never seen the house before. But I trusted Marcus completely, and he didn't let me down this time either! The cab pulled up in front of the most beautiful beach house I had ever seen.

"Is this it?" I whispered to Marcus, astonished.

"Yes." He whispered back, a smile creeping onto his face, knowing that I was speechless.

How Marcus could afford this house was beyond me.

It was literally a few steps away from the golden sands and sapphire seas of the Simalyn Coast. It had a gorgeous kitchen, bedroom, two bathrooms, high-tech laundry room, games room and a garage! (Even though we didn't have a car yet!)

But the best part was the garden - a swimming pool, sun loungers, BBQ area and - wait for it - a hot tub!

No guesses where we decided to go first!

Living with Marcus, and only Marcus meant that we always had lots of time for each other. We literally did everything together - we had both got into fitness in a huge way, so having each other helped us progress a lot. Our relationship was at the strongest it had ever been.

I had even taken to wearing his jersey when I went to bed, just because I wanted to.

We still had to sustain this amazing house though, which meant we needed jobs. Marcus had his military job from back in Twinbrook, but I still needed a job! I had realised that art wasn't a sustainable career, so I managed to bag a job in the business career as a "Coffee Courier".

I basically just went on coffee runs, and ran about everywhere, but the hours were suitable, and the pay good so I shouldn't complain!

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Three years since the day we met, and a year since we moved in together, Marcus decided to take me out for a romantic meal to celebrate our anniversery.

I put a lot of effort into how I dressed, and how I looked - it was a special day after all!

I was pleasently surprised though, when I saw Marcus did too! Hewas amazed by me as much as I was amazed by him!

We finally arrived at the bistro and we ordered our food - Marcus goopy carbonara and I autumn salad. We drank, we laughed, we talked.

Then Marcus got up and walked over to me, before getting down on one knee!

"Gracie Hope, from the moment I met you on that beautiful starry night, I fell in love with you. I became transfixed by you, amazed by you. You stole my heart, and I'll never get it back. I have never been so happy than when I am with you; I would literally do anything for you. I would take a bullet for you, just because you mean the whole world to me and more, and I hope that you feel the same way. So Gracie, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

As the realisation of his words settled in, tears started streaming down my face.

There was only one word I would say.

"Yes."  

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I had to do it! Marcus and Gracie were getting wishes popping up everywhere, saying they wanted to marry each other. So I let it be. <3

Just a note that the house featured in this chapter (and the rest of Gen 2 probably!) is by Allure and you can download it here.

I fell in love with it and I knew I just had to have it! :)