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! :)

Gen 2, Chapter 3 - Growing up

The year leading up to my 18th birthday was the hardest year of my life. Wanting something but knowing I couldn't have it was very difficult. I didn't have the heart nor guts to go behind my parents' backs and date Marcus, even though I had such intense feelings for him and vice versa.

I got through school, passed my exams with flying colours, and graduated with several As and A*s to my name. Mum and Dad were so proud of me and offered to throw a celebration party for me, but I declined, seeing as my birthday was only a couple of weeks away and I didn't see the point of having two parties.

My birthday finally arrived though. I had a big day ahead planned. I had a mini-birthday at home, just so Mum and Dad would be there for  part of my birthday.

Finally! I was 18 years old, free to do what I wanted. I opted for a more grown-up curly hairstyle over my previously long, straight hair.

To start the celebrations, my girlfriends organised a spa trip for me to get pampered and preened. I particulary liked the hot tub they had at the spa, the bubbles were very relaxing!

When dusk had fallen, we headed - along with some of our guy friends - to a new club that had opened in town - "The Grind". There was a rockin' dancefloor, an amazing bar and a stage for a band to play on.

I had invited Marcus along, but for some disappointing reason he didn't come. I thought he would have wanted to celebrate my adulthood. But it was my birthday and I wasn't going to let it make me feel blue.

So I really let my hair down.

I had quite a few drinks at the bar..

..and danced for hours on end.

I did happen to get a bit tipsy, so much so that I started to dance on the tables! I don't think that the bar manager minded - in fact he found it pretty funny!

I had an amazing time, the best day and night of my life so far. When we rolled out of the club at 3 in the morning, I decided just to go home and get some much needed sleep, knowing I would have a crippling hangover in the morning.

I was preparing myself for bed when the doorbell rang.

Who the hell could it be at this time? I thought.

I dashed to get it, as I was the only person in the house (Mum and Dad were out at a friends party), only to see Marcus standing in front of me. I opened my mouth to say something to him, but he placed a finger on my lips and then started kissing me passionately, down my necks, on my lips.

I of course started kissing him back, before I knew it he was carrying me up the stairs, still kissing me while undressing me.

He laid me very gently on my, just kissing and kissing me. The heat and electricity between our two bodies.

This is what I had wanted for such a long time.

You can guess what happened next.

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I hope I didn't take that last paragraph too far!

Sorry I haven't posted an update in a while, I have been enjoying Late Night way too much (see the pic of Gracie dancing on the table! hehe)

I have a very dramatic storyline planned for our Gracie, but I'm in two minds whether to do it or not - it could get quite complicated!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and I'm already working on the next chapter! :)