New Create a Family With a Twist

[CherryBomb50]

Quetzalcoatl “ Quetzal ” Raven Lively (34) is Annie’s co-worker at the bakery. His father is 50 years old but was not a 16-year-old teen dad when Quetzal was born — Quetzal was adopted. His long first name is attributed to his ancestry of Aztec descent and he was named after a god in Aztec mythology. He was adopted at age 8 and given his adoptive father’s surname and a middle name, but kept his first name to honour his heritage. They asked whether he wanted to go by Quetzalcoatl but he said he always preferred just Quetzal. Quetzal’s adoptive father was adopted as a child himself just like all his siblings. He is in the Lively family alongside close adoptive brother Andrew and estranged sister Jessa, the latter of whom still hasn’t contacted anyone since and nobody knows where she resides.

Annie’s ex had even tried to start rumours that Annie and Quetzal were dating but this was very very false — in fact, Quetzal is married and has been married for the past 3 years. Quetzal absolutely adores his wife, who is one of the college professors of Annie’s son. He and his wife have no plans to divorce, their relationship is strong and they’re always finding ways to show their love and appreciation for each other. He knows Annie has had some envy about successful relationships and much like this and Quetzal and his wife don’t push it. Annie has come to terms however and supports them together, finding his wife a wonderful professor and always feels wonderful when her son takes steps to success. He knows Hermione is also a mother but has yet to meet her children but is proud of her for raising them so well despite her struggles. He also cares about the perspectives of the childrens’ minds and despises those who claim to support kids but silence them and their best interests.

Jessa was created by me.

Andrew was created by @LillieMai.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] [name_m]Gillis[/name_m] (18) is Annie’s son, one of Quetzal’s wife’s students and ‘that [name_f]British[/name_f] kid’ on campus. Majoring in mechanical engineering, [name_m]Casper[/name_m] always preferred practical subjects at school, even before his dyslexia diagnosis when he was fourteen. This was a considerable relief to him, as it explained his struggles with reading - something he used to be very embarassed about, and subsequently secretive of, having several instances where his best friend would lie for him to ensure he wasn’t humiliated in front of their classmates. Otherwise, Casper’s a very easygoing person, who tends to serve as a voice of calm in social circles, and always makes time to listen to his mum, having daily checkins with her to see what she’s getting up to. Casper’s aware of how awful his father was - [name_f]Annie[/name_f] explained things when he was fifteen, deciding he needed to be aware of the truth after her ex insinuated he wanted to see their son [a lie but one of his usual provocative behaviours just to try and get out of his monthly payment] - and wants nothing to do with him, calling him ‘Tailor’ [his surname] instead of father or by his first name, as he doesn’t want to acknowledge any deeper connection.

In spite of having left the UK after he was offered a scholarship to pursue his dream as an international student, Casper’s maintained his friendships with those he grew up with, and visited them over his summer break, which was a great time for everyone. He’s confided in his group that he’ll stay in Conneticut once he graduates, namely as his mum’s so settled and happy there, which is what he wants, but is clear he’s not going to let his bonds with them dissolve because of the distance. Due to his accent, [name_m]Casper[/name_m] got a fair deal of attention upon starting classes - and his nickname remains as ‘the Brit’ - but his circle’s small and tight-knit; primarily consisting of students who’ve moved from further points, albeit his friends are talking within the States themselves opposed to countries. Through his group, he has met someone who he’s interested in asking out - a geology major who uses they/she pronouns - however he’s a little apprehensive. [name_m]Casper[/name_m] barely dated in secondary school on account of witnessing a lot of drama between a good friend and his girlfriend, who were the definition of hot/cold, and his lack of experience makes him nervous to take the plunge.

Aside from his studies, [name_m]Casper[/name_m] enjoys mountain biking, cooking [not baking, he hasn’t got the talent of his mum in that regard] and gaming, specifically 90s releases that he inherited from a family friend. He has eclectic music taste - listening to practically every genre imaginable - and makes [name_f]Annie[/name_f] mixtapes of sorts for her birthdays, combing everything he knows she’s currently listening to into one portable place. Casper’s open about how much she means to him, considering her the strongest person he knows, and is always there to make her laugh when she needs some cheering up. Based on her formerly cool relationship with [name_f]Hermione[/name_f], he’s only just started to really get to know his cousins - but talks to his 17-year-old one a lot, as she’s preparing for university contemplation herself, and values Casper’s advice greatly. He’s relieved to see his family coming back together in spite of their differences and the misunderstandings, hoping things will be positive going forwards for everyone.

[A.B.Galaxy]

[name_u]Ezra[/name_u] [name_u]Landon[/name_u] [name_m]Fleming[/name_m] (18) is one of Casper’s university friends. Out of their friend group, [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] has come from the farthest state, hailing from [name_f]Santa[/name_f] [name_f]Monica[/name_f], [name_u]California[/name_u]. His sister moved to Connecticut for college and decided to stay, prompting [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] to follow her. [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and [name_m]Casper[/name_m] met during orientation, later finding out that they were roommates. They became fast friends, finding common ground in their shared major. [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] has loved mechanical engineering since high school and looks forward to eventually becoming an engineer. Though immensely interested in making and fixing things he also enjoys reading and has a collection of books.

[name_u]Ezra[/name_u] didn’t listen to music much until becoming roommates with [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. He’s starting to get a music taste just as eclectic as him though and doesn’t mind it. [name_m]Casper[/name_m] told him about the girl he wants to ask out and [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] is very supportive though understanding about his nervousness. He’s been in a relationship since last year with a girl from his high school. She‘s in college at [name_m]Harvard[/name_m] and the two are able to see each other on weekends. [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] had been worried that they wouldn’t be able to stay together but things have worked out so far. He’s told [name_m]Casper[/name_m] that he’ll be his wingman if needed but isn’t pressuring him about it.

Back home in [name_f]Santa[/name_f] [name_f]Monica[/name_f], [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and his sister didn’t have the best family life. That was most of the reason they both wanted to get far away. When their parents found out they were going to have Ezra’s sister they got married. Almost from the get go it was clear the two shouldn’t have gotten married. The police was even called a few times by neighbors who were worried about the loud arguments. [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] came along four years into the failing marriage and for a few months things were relatively happy. He didn’t want to leave because his parents would have cut him off and she didn’t want to because it would mean losing the high standard of living she enjoyed. They took out their frustrations on the kids quite often but pretended everything was fine when either set of grandparents came to visit.

Six years ago when Ezra’s sister turned 16, she spilled everything out to her high school counselor. She couldn’t stand [name_u]Ezra[/name_u], who was 12 then, having to deal with all the arguing and toxicity that existed in the house. The two of them were put in their maternal grandparents care as their parents were deemed unfit. Both siblings were distant toward everyone for a while but with therapy and their grandparents love they managed to get okay again. Ezra’s sister changed her last name to their grandparents when she turned 18 and [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] did the same this year. The two of them have always been close. It was them against the world, which most times meant their parents. One thing they both don’t say, but know the other feels is that it’s poetic justice their parents aren’t getting any money from either set of grandparents. Their maternal grandparents moved to Connecticut with [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] and the siblings are very happy about that.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: past emotional abuse

Saoirse Blaise Fleming (22) is Ezra’s older sister and continuous confident, as well as an apprentice counsellor, who’s just started her first post-graduate placement. Given her formerly aloof demeanour, Saoirse’s choice of major confused some people, but it was a combination of her own exposure to emotional abuse and determination to help others put through similar trauma. She’s specialising in play therapy, having a very patient nature that allows her to work well with children, and sends Ezra frequent updates about the new techniques she’s learning, as well as how her confidence continues growing in her career.

Since graduating, Saoirse’s been living with their grandparents: partly as it’s more financially beneficial, but more so because wants to maximise her time with them, giving back support and company for how they helped her and Lorcan at the worst point in the siblings lives. Sometimes she suspects they feel guilty for being fooled by the rouse of her parents, but holds no animosity or ill-will towards them, as it wasn’t a situation easy for anyone to notice. Having guests over was always Saoirse’s favourite thing as a child, sadly, as an outside presence meant respite from the constant conflict and blame, however it created a paradox in that she never let herself become close to anyone until she had a chance to begin processing all she went through.

The one close friendship she has maintained from the age of 7 was with an army brat she became close to at school. Although the other girl moved to Fort Bragg a year after they met, the two rang each other frequently, and eventually began exchanging emails. Saoirse’s first experience providing counselling was to this girl - who she now openly calls her best friend, as it’s obvious that’s what they are - when it emerged she was adopted [being the only non-biological child of her parents, which worsened the dismay and panic], a revelation that shook the foundations of her friends whole identity and sense of familial belonging. Helping her through this rough time was something very rewarding for Saoirse, especially given the terrible behaviour of her own parents, and upon recalling it when they were older, she realised how therapy was the right career for her.

Throughout college, she attended counselling herself in tandem with her studies, and this has helped Saoirse become more comfortable opening up to new people. Like her brother she now has a solid circle of friends, smaller than Ezra’s group, but she prefers it this way. Saorise is also openly gay, having come out when she was 19, and is in a new relationship with a dentistry student, who she met through a mutual friend. She didn’t date much through college given she was just starting to feel confident befriending people, however things are going great for she and her girlfriend, as they both want to take things slowly and just enjoy the sweet simplicity of going on long walks together or enjoying artisan coffee [as they’re both confessed caffeine addicts]. In her spare time, Saoirse bakes - usually savoury pastries - which she was taught by her grandma, or she enjoys going thrifting in the local markets.

There was one occasion where she and Lorcan’s mother attempted to get back in contact, but the siblings shut this down quickly after a discussion. It wasn’t about intentions or reasoning, they just aren’t ready to engage with her at this point in time given what she subjected them to. Saoirse handled it with her usual coolness, texting her back to clarify she didn’t want to speak about things, and firmly stating her boundaries [and it hasn’t gone over her head that she has a fire themed middle name but is considered a very icy personality if making negative elemental comparisons]. For how she once was considered a bit intimidating Saoirse’s always been very kind and welcoming where Ezra’s girlfriend is concerned, sending him with loaves of bread for her whenever the couple are visiting.

[A.B.Galaxy]

Bump

[I_meme_it]

[name_u]Reagan[/name_u] ’ [name_m]Moss[/name_m] ’ [name_f]Alice[/name_f] Mossley (18) is Ezra’s girlfriend who’s currently studying at [name_m]Harvard[/name_m], majoring in architecture. Like her boyfriend, [name_m]Moss[/name_m] didn’t come from a particularly harmonious or environment. Her father was a very sporadic presence in her life, seeing parenthood as an inconvenience and frequently drawing the ire of her mom through this behaviour; worsened in how he’d use his daughter to impress new potential girlfriend’s, when in actuality he frequently missed weekend visits to pursue his own interests and social life.

This led to [name_m]Moss[/name_m] being apprehensive about dating herself, opting to solely dedicate herself to pursuing academics, platonic bonds and the incredibly close relationship she shares with her mother. They’re very similar people - forthright, a little on austere side and highly driven - with Moss’s nickname stemming from the fact her teachers immediately knew she was the daughter of [name_f]Leanna[/name_f] Mossley, regardless of the fact the two don’t look particularly alike. She calls her mom at least twice a week and goes out of her way to ensure she can visit her, having actually saved up for a car to ease this process (and y’know, it’s helpful given whenever she wants to sporadically spend time with Ezra).

For how he’s a deadbeat father, it surprises people to know Moss’s’ father is very successful professionally - a trait that drew her mom to him, as she’s the head of HR for a prestigious security company now. This causes certain people to be disbelieving when [name_m]Moss[/name_m] explains why she was raised by a single mother, and has furthered the way she carries herself with such aloofness: being happy at parties, concerts and similarly hectic social situations, but never really opening up on a deeper level unless someone’s established closeness.

When she was first asked out by her boyfriend, [name_m]Moss[/name_m] actually didn’t quite know what to say. They met through a class project - [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] being the ‘victim’, as one of his friends joked, as Moss’s’ reputation for handling group work with a serious tenacity intimidated some people - and he surprised everyone by taking well to [name_m]Moss[/name_m], not being phased or affronted by her blunt tendencies. For how she’s upfront, [name_m]Moss[/name_m] appreciates other people sincerely, and she was very complimentary of [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] during their collaboration, which led to his feelings developing. Although she needed a couple hours to process him asking for a date, leading to [name_u]Ezra[/name_u] assuming she’d turn him down, [name_m]Moss[/name_m] realised he was someone she really felt pulled towards, and the rest - as they say - is history…

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for homophobia.

Nicolette “ Nixi “ Gemma Collins (22) is the dentistry student who Saoirse is dating, met through mutual friend Moss, who is dating Saoirse’s bro Ezra. She adores coffee and long walks with Saoirse and has recently tried a new coffee Moss likes, which she adores as well. Unlike her younger sister Roxy, who is a young mum, Nixi is much slower in her newly dating life. She’s glad Roxy’s daughter isn’t raised by a deadbeat, as she’s heard all the horrors of absent parents, especially from Moss. Nixi thankfully has two open active parents in her life but has a disdain for her maternal aunt, whom Nixi finds bigoted and ignorant. Her maternal aunt isn’t outwardly hateful but she’s the type to believe Nick’s homosexuality is “just a phase”. She wholeheartedly believes Nixi will get over being lesbian and believes she and Saoirse should break up because it will “only cause them hurt when they split after finding out they’re in a phase all along”. Nixi pretty much cut contact with her aunt for this and wants her to stay out of her Saoirse’s life. Her aunt only agreed because she finds Nixi “deluded” and claims Nixi will “thank her later”. Her aunt told her mother that Nixi may need conversion therapy but Nixi’s mother defended her and asked, “How dare you say my daughter needs conversion therapy?” Nixi herself stated, “You said my homosexuality was a phase. If it’s all just a phase to you, then I don’t need therapy because I’ll just phase out naturally according to your logic. So stay out of it.” Nixi’s aunt felt shunned, nothing bothered her more than her own logic being used against her.

Dentistry was her preferred choice of career from her paternal grandfather, who was also a dentist. Nixi doesn’t hate her mother, in fact she adores her and is unbreakably close with her, but not-so-secretly dislikes her maternal relatives. Her paternal side was always a close side with her, especially her youngest paternal cousin, who is close to her age and also a lesbian. She’s also close with her sister Roxy, the similar nicknames the girls have is based from an old Christmas card in their childhood where they were referred as Nixi and Roxy and not Nicolette and Roxanne. Roxy kept her nickname after that while Nixi had not, but she changed back to Nixi due to her aunt. Nixi always cringed at the way her aunt would say Nicolette because she would always say it so posh and arrogant, and now that she knew her aunt was a deluded bigot, she had no reason to keep going by Nicolette. When Nixi isn’t with her paternal side of the family, she’s bonding with Saoirse’s family, which has really gotten a good bond with them too. It’s gotten her close with Ezra and his girlfriend Moss but also with Saoirse’s aforementioned grandma, who is such a sweetheart!

Roxy was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

[jinxed_peach]

cw: death of a partner

[name_f]Bronwen[/name_f] ‘Bonnie’ [name_f]Renee[/name_f] [name_m]Calvert[/name_m] [25] is a friend of [name_f]Nixi[/name_f] and [name_f]Roxy[/name_f] as [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] is a member of the same local mom group. They’ve since become close and have hung out outside of group meetings. As a teen she and her high school boyfriend were sort of the king and queen of the school, with her as head of the debate team and him as a star football player. They used to joke about how they would be together forever, but in senior year they split up.

In college she ended up meeting a fellow student from her high school, it was nice to have someone who understood her already, though the two hadn’t been friends in high school. Their bond strengthened over time and one night while studying together for finals he confessed that he had had feelings for her. She asked if he meant now or back then, he replied “both.” That night they ended up ditching the books to be with each other. After a few weeks of sleepovers they made things official.

The couple moved in together after graduation and felt very committed to one another, though marriage wasn’t really on their minds. The life they were living was simple and sweet, just how they liked it. Until things were turned upside down when he was killed after being hit by a car while pushing a woman out of the way. It was devastating, but knowing he had saved someone was a mild consolation.

In the weeks after the funeral she had quit her job and stopped really taking care of herself. Eventually after a sobering call from her mother she dragged herself back to life. In the process of putting herself back together she found something wasn’t quite right and went to the doctor. A blood test confirmed that she was pregnant. While sad that her boyfriend died not knowing about the baby, it was a little comforting to know that a part of him had survived. She also found having someone else to care for made taking care of herself a little easier.

However since she had quit her job she now struggled to make ends meet. Doing odd jobs could only delay her inevitably being kicked out of her apartment. While running to catch a bus she crashed into someone else, she began to apologize until she realized who it was. Her high school boyfriend! The two were happy to see one another since it had been so long, and since the bus had passed them by he offered to drive her to her destination despite it being a little out of the way.

During the drive they reconnected as the traffic was heavy they had ample time to chat. [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] filled him in on how she was now expecting a baby by herself after the death of her partner. Her ex, since he and his family were quite well off, suddenly offered her the chance to move in with him. He had the space and could certainly afford to support both her and a her baby. He also admitted that he had remembered her boyfriend from high school, and that he had been kind of a bully to him, so ensuring that his baby and girlfriend were okay would surely help out and karmically settle the score. Besides, they were already friends anyways and it would be nice to provide the child with a father figure.

Though shocked by the offer, she accepted and has been living with her ex for the last seven months. Their relationship is explicitly platonic with both parties involved being perfectly happy with that arrangement. They’ve also agreed to co-parent the baby as a team despite not being romantically involved. It’s a little confusing at times sure, but they’re happy, and that’s what matters to them.

[name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] is now just days away from delivering, she’s being induced due to a medical condition, and is very excited to meet her daughter with her ex-turned-best-friend at her side in the delivery room.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_u]Quincy[/name_u] [name_f]Renee[/name_f] [name_m]Calvert[/name_m] (nb) is Bonnie’s newborn daughter, born via c-section after Bonnie’s medical condition took a turn for the worse. Mom and baby are okay now, they are leaving the hospital tomorrow. Shortly after [name_u]Quincy[/name_u] was born, Bonnie’s ex, asked her to marry him, and she said yes.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_m]Edmund[/name_m] ‘Eddie’ [name_m]Frank[/name_m] Simms [25] is Bonnie’s best friend and ex-boyfriend. Strangely having a cliché puppy love romance ended up being a good set-up for becoming co-parents to a child. After their break-up and graduation, [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] attended college on a football scholarship but hasn’t played the sport since he left college as he felt he was done with it, despite being asked to join some local leagues by scouts. He’s just not interested in it anymore, and after receiving two head injuries playing he didn’t want to risk anymore.

He instead went into work as an occupational therapist and thoroughly enjoys his work. Running into [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] again was a surprise but it ended up being a perfect arrangement. They’ve become extremely close, even closer than they were as a couple though now firmly platonic. He was present at Quincy’s birth and held her shortly after [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] did for the first time. He thinks she’s the most beautiful baby girl in the world and [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] doesn’t disagree.

Due to Bonnie’s emergency c-section she found herself faced with a medical bill much more extensive than she was prepared for, and paying out of pocket was going to be a challenge even with help from [name_u]Eddie[/name_u]. So he thought of an even better idea. Through his own job [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] has pretty good health insurance, so if he and [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] were married she would be under his coverage. So the day after Quincy’s birth he pitched his idea to [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], she agreed. Once again blown away by his kindness and agreed to marry him for the insurance.

They plan to go to city hall and tie the knot, with baby [name_u]Quincy[/name_u] present of course, once [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] is more healed from her surgery, but their agreement to stay friends despite getting bound in matrimony still stands. There is love between them, but it’s not romantic.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Chandler[/name_u] [name_u]Davis[/name_u] Simms (26) is Eddie’s older brother and will be a brother-in-law to [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f]. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] is also engaged and is currently a tech engineer. He’s close with both his family and his fiancée’s family. His fiancée’s younger sister had an unplanned pregnancy during college with a man she met on a blind date. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] doesn’t know the whole story on that, but apparently, she was set up on a blind date with him by mutual friends. She didn’t want the blind date to be awkward, and the two wanted to have fun… but just had a little too much fun. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and his fiancée have been really close to her throughout her pregnancy and were a good support system to make sure she finishes college.

He was a bit concerned by [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] and [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] choosing to marry despite having no love, but he’ll never get into their personal life. [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] and [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f] are stable parents to [name_u]Quincy[/name_u] and that’s what matters. Besides [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and his own fiancée question their stability engagement-wise. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] remembers that “magic moment” he proposed to his fiancée after a year of dating but he really can’t help but feel regret. He feels he could have waited longer before proposing and really feels like he isn’t ready to be a husband. He wishes he could break off the engagement but doesn’t want to go through with that especially since he fears that his fiancée will think he wants to break up with her, which he doesn’t want. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] would never want to give off the impression that he doesn’t love his fiancée. He can handle a long engagement, in fact he finds this more beneficial in deciding whether he’s ready for marriage and when. However he’s tired of those who know about his engagement asking about wedding details. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] always says hes just “enjoying engaged life”, a total lie, but the only way so far to get them off his back. [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] is the one [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] feels best turning to since both can relate to awkward engagements. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] is grateful for [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] and knows he wants to follow his heart.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Mona[/name_f] [name_f]Irene[/name_f] Kitson [26], [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] [name_f]Diane[/name_f] Kitson [21], and [name_u]Aspen[/name_u] [name_u]Rene[/name_u] Kitson [ub] are Chandler’s future wife, future sister-in-law, and future niece respectively. Both sisters have been spending a lot of time with [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] as [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] nears her due date. In the final countdown, while she’s excited to meet her daughter, she’s also been experiencing a lot of anxiety about being a single mom and trying to finish college at the same time. She certainty wasn’t expecting to be pregnant going into her senior year back when she first enrolled. [name_f]Mona[/name_f] is confident that her sister can manage both responsibilities and is trying to help ease her fear.

Like her fiancé [name_f]Mona[/name_f] has been ‘enjoying engaged life’ but in a different, more genuine way, since her focus has been on helping her sister. She and [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] have been talking about his wish that they had waited and she tries to reassure him that they can be engaged for as long as they want. She’s in absolutely no rush to get down that aisle and as far as she’s concerned they’re basically still just dating since there’s been no wedding plans made yet, only difference is that there’s a ring.

Trying to manage both a nervous fiancé and a nervous sister has been a little overwhelming for [name_f]Mona[/name_f] at times, for stress relief she’s been taking kick boxing classes at the local martial arts gym, as well as seeing her therapist regularly so she doesn’t end up dumping it all back on her family.

The baby’s father is partially in the picture, he’s been sending money to [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] to help cover her prenatal appointments but hasn’t actually come with her to any of them, though he did help her pick out the baby’s name. He’s kind of still freaking out about the whole thing and is trying to decide if he wants to be in Yvette’s life, feeling pulled in about a thousand directions.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Herman[/name_m] " [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] " [name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] Simms (21) is the youngest Simms and a friend of [name_f]Mona[/name_f] and [name_f]Yvette[/name_f]. [name_m]Per[/name_m] [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and Mona’s wishes, he’s not rushing for them to marry and he’s always been mature despite being the youngest. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] isn’t even the eldest and the eldest Simms are twin men. Not all the Simms siblings are male. There is one female, the second-youngest overall after [name_u]Eddie[/name_u] and before [name_m]Hermes[/name_m]. And she’s a big personality you can’t ignore.

[name_m]Hermes[/name_m] is in university studying medicine and is building himself up quite nicely academically, being a smart student. But he feels like something big is on his mind, and it’s not schoolwork. He’s one of the mutual friends who set [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] and Aspen’s father-to-be on their blind date. Sure, [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] didn’t intend for a pregnancy to happen, and neither did the pair themselves, but [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] feels like he owes them. He is still friends with Aspen’s father-to-be and personally knows he’s not escaping to be a deadbeat on his own daughter. But [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] knows his friend is seriously nervous about being a parent. [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] is polite but he’s firm and he tells his friend that people will support them throughout Aspen’s life. They’ll support him a lot more if he stays than if he goes and [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] would definitely unfriend Aspen’s father-to-be if he abandons. After all, [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] is a friend of [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] too and he would never stand on a friend of his turning on another friend of his. [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] is close with [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and [name_f]Mona[/name_f] and this made [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] worry at first that [name_m]Hermes[/name_m] was going to be the type to beg them on wedding details. Thankfully that’s farther than the truth and [name_f]Mona[/name_f] helped reassure [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] that all is well.

[kitkatcookie]

Emmeline " Emmy " River & Annabella " Belle " Lake Jones (2) are the goddaughters of the technical second eldest Simms sibling, the younger of the twins, an irony everyone’s made jokes about. Their dad, Jeremy, has been a staple in the Simms house for as long as anyone can remember, having befriended the twins in middle school, and they witnessed his first serious relationship, although this wasn’t the one that led to marriage [something Jeremy’s relieved about ultimately, as it made separation easier when it became apparent he and his girlfriend had just grown into different people]. The twins have an older half-sister, Harley, who’s now 4, and - unbeknownst to them - their godfather was chosen because he provided Jeremy with vital support and advice following the pregnancy; something frowned upon by certain people due to the small gap between them and Harley, which Jeremy didn’t want impacting his now wife, Emmy and Belle’s mom, Morgan.

When they aren’t clamouring their big sister for stories of her adventures at school, the duo can be found playing in their garden, almost always wanting the paddling pool out to pretend they’re mermaids in. Morgan and Jeremy have considered perhaps getting a larger pool when the girls are a little older, but the fact they’d like at least one more pregnancy first has prevented them telling the pair: as they’re more than willing to work together to make demands [their dads far more likely to crumble though, which of course they’ve figured out]. In spite of both being enamoured with the water, they’re easy to tell apart in other ways: Emmy’s usually the go-getter who’s reckless and unphased by dirt or mud if it means satisfying her curiosity, whereas Belle prefers to think things through more and absolutely cannot stand getting in any kind of mess. The upcoming wedding has the girl’s delighted though, especially as they’re going to be attending and have drawn a dozen wedding dresses to see if they can figure out what Mona will walk down the aisle in.

---

Morgan is credited to @Lindseylloyd052399

Jeremy is credited to @BookSneakersMovie

Harley is credited to @elffff

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Richard[/name_m] [name_u]Claude[/name_u] [left] and [name_m]Myron[/name_m] [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] [right] Simms (28) are the twin brothers and eldest two, with [name_m]Myron[/name_m] being 17 minutes younger and the godfather to [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f]. The twins are fraternal and growing up, they looked very similar aside from their eyes. To the point where people could only tell them apart by their eyes. [name_m]Myron[/name_m] adores the [name_m]Jones[/name_m] family and has been getting closer since being named godfather. The Simms family isn’t super religious but they love the honour. [name_m]Richard[/name_m] is also a godfather too, he’s the godfather of the grandchild of [name_f]Karen[/name_f]. He is close with Zoey’s older sibling but is uncomfortable with [name_f]Karen[/name_f] favouring the older sibling so much over [name_f]Zoey[/name_f]. While [name_f]Karen[/name_f] isn’t a homophobe, [name_m]Richard[/name_m] doesn’t feel comfortable admitting he’s gay in front of [name_f]Karen[/name_f]. [name_m]Myron[/name_m] is straight and doesn’t know the [name_m]Reeves[/name_m] family nearly as much as [name_m]Richard[/name_m] knows the [name_m]Jones[/name_m] family. Regardless of sexuality, she does not believe godparents should have romantic relationships if they’re godparents, unless they are married to a child’s other godparent. Neither twin is married so according to her, they should both be single and focus solely on being godfathers. [name_m]Richard[/name_m] doesn’t agree with that notion and he doesn’t want [name_f]Karen[/name_f] involved with [name_m]Myron[/name_m] or the [name_m]Jones[/name_m] family.

Both [name_m]Myron[/name_m] and [name_m]Richard[/name_m] are single but [name_m]Richard[/name_m] is going on a blind date with a guy, something the [name_m]Jones[/name_m] family alongside [name_m]Hermes[/name_m], [name_f]Mona[/name_f], and [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] joke will thankfully not cause a pregnancy given that they’re both males. Still they’re here for [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] and they hope the best for her and hope the father is around. [name_f]Mona[/name_f] and [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] have stated there aren’t wedding plans in their engagement at the moment but they won’t stop [name_f]Emmy[/name_f] and [name_f]Belle[/name_f] from frolicking and imagining cute wedding stuff. They feel the twins’ excitement is because [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and [name_f]Mona[/name_f] haven’t discussed wedding planning and haven’t chosen a flower girl, which would likely be them given the lack of smaller family members fit for the role. [name_u]Chandler[/name_u] and [name_f]Mona[/name_f] are glad they’re not too deep in planning anyway, nobody wants to see two cute twins argue over who gets it, although likely they’ll both be flower girls.

Karen was created by @babynamesfactory.

Zoey was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.]

[kitkatcookie]

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] [name_u]Royce[/name_u] Malenhey (27) is the guy Richard’s been set up with, a date orchestrated by their mutual friend, who Ethan’s known since high school [and she jokes he struggled to rid himself of her when he had the chance]. Admittedly, it took her quite some time to get [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] to agree to anything: he’s a very shy person and tends to second guess romantic situations easily. A lot of this stems from his longest running relationship, which lasted for 4 years - when [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] was 19-23 - and stemmed from a friendship he forged during his first year of college, but broke down when Ethan’s boyfriend got a job in Dubai and began trying to pressure him to move too.

This wasn’t exactly fair, as [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] had just begun his internship in his dream job - working as a music promoter and tour assistant in the metal genre - and also didn’t want to leave home thanks to his grandma being in palliative care. His boyfriend wasn’t at all understanding where Ethan’s perspective was concerned - feeling he was the selfish one - and they parted ways. While more than a little awkward, they ultimately didn’t fight or endure too much tension, although [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] opted to not pursue a friendship in the aftermath.

For the past couple years, he’s seen a few people - having realised he was pansexual at 25 - but nothing serious broke out. In part, Ethan’s been glad for this, as he didn’t want to rush into something and end up facing a similar dilemma, however it has led to his confidence diminishing where dating’s concerned. Ethan’s typically been someone who prefers hanging back opposed to taking the spotlight, and admits he’s a little awkward at times, but once in a more comfortable zone he has a quick sense of humour and is very knowledgeable about a variety of topics; especially mixed media and the production of music. Now he does travel frequently due to his job, spending a lot of time in Northern Europe where the metal scene is highly active and flourishing; however Ethan’s able to remain based from home if necessary, such as when his grandma passed away and he wanted to remain close to his family.

The Malenhey family is small - it’s just Ethan’s parents, his younger sister and him, while his mom only has one brother and his dad’s an only child - however it’s never something he gripes about. Their tight knit and reliability in a crisis are qualities that [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] not only appreciates and works to embody himself, but also recognises and values in others. He visits his parents and sister as much as possible, typically in the company of his beloved sheepdog - [name_u]Spruce[/name_u] - who was a birthday gift from his close friend, who adopted two puppies, the younger always intended to be given to [name_m]Ethan[/name_m].

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Kiana[/name_f] [name_u]Aubrey[/name_u] Ditmer [26] is a temporary friend of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] who met him while he was in Northern Europe for work while she was there on a one of her many backpacking trips, having already spent time in [name_f]Africa[/name_f], Australia, and Mexico she embarked on a three month long trip across Europe. She indulged in a lot of simple pleasures during her travels this time around, local food, picking up trinkets, and ending up partaking in multiple hook-ups with those she met in the various countries, although her relationship with [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] was strictly platonic.

She often regards her impulsive choices as being just a method of making memories and enjoying her youth. Often experiencing that cliché ‘invincibility’ that many young people feel in their twenties, but she’s recently realized that she is in fact, not invulnerable.

A few weeks ago, after landing in Poland she found herself coming down with some kind of travel illness, which she’s experienced before but not quite like this. The symptoms lingered and never really went away despite her attempts to shake it off with both western and eastern methods of medicine. She eventually took to a clinic for further help, only to find out that she was ten weeks pregnant. The first thing she felt was shock, followed by shame as she instantly realized that she was completely clueless about who the father was, and even if she did there would be effectively no way contact him. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] knew that if she returned home, her very conservative mother, would be furious and cast her out of the family. Instead of booking a flight back, she decided to stay in Europe for a while as she figured things out.

Now she’s living in an apartment with a few locals as she researches her options, including potentially looking into seeking to extend her travel visa into a more semi-permanent one. She’s hopeful to put together a plan soon as she can’t keep passing off her morning sickness to her roommates, who are unaware of her situation, as being hungover forever.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for deceased character and religious intolerance.

[name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] [name_m]Gustaf[/name_m] [name_m]Jenssen[/name_m] (31 [name_u]July[/name_u] 1995 — 9 [name_u]December[/name_u] 2022, aged 27) was an adventurer and he’s seen [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] from time to time, working at a Swedish pub where several bands perform. And his connection to [name_f]Kiana[/name_f]? Well that will be discussed later. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] grew up in Gothenburg his life although his interest in exploring was due to the fact he was closed-adopted as an infant and was curious to find his birth parents. However after learning on his birth certificate that he was still born in Gothenburg, he decided to do adventures for fun and not just to search for birth parents. As tough as it was for him to accept, he reluctantly accepted that his birth parents didn’t want to bear a child and will never contact him. He let them be, not that he had a choice, he didn’t even know who they were. He was a person who spoke with few words, but during conversations, he’d speak his mind and contribute a good amount.

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] has confided in [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] about his difficult decision to completely let go of his ex. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] reassured [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] that even if he didn’t pursue a relationship with his ex, he felt Ethan’s ex should take solace in the good times of the relationship and hopes Ethan’s ex finds the happiness to be grateful of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] himself is straight and single, but he based his advice on how he perceives some of the kind people he’s known in his own life. He had a very photographic memory of the past and before he’d go to sleep, would often think about nice times he’s had with people years ago although he’s never seen most of these people in a while. He jots this down too, in his journal he calls the Bjornal. He’s had a chat with then-25-year-old [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] at the pub. The two of them really got along and he had an interesting conversation. He perceived her like she was a distant memory of someone, but whatever he was thinking of likely was a figment in his dreams and didn’t exist. It felt like a guide or mentor who would change his life but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] discussed being adopted as a child to birth parents who he will never find out. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] discussed how she was raised by her very conservative mother but that she knew her mother was her biological mother. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] would never judge someone for giving their child up for closed adoption but felt as though she would never understand how someone would have a child whom they never contact. This is how she felt about her own father not contacting her and she’d have no idea that in a few months, a man would be the father of her own unborn child…and he’d have no idea.

So what was Bjorn’s connection to [name_f]Kiana[/name_f]? Was he the one who fathered her unborn baby after meeting her in the pub? Yikes…no, not even close. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] passed away before this conception even occurred. One frosty [name_u]December[/name_u] night, he was shovelling snow, something common this time of year; but the way he died was not common at any time of year. He was struck by lightning! Thankfully he felt no pain, the voltage stopped his heart before he had a chance to process the sudden lightning strike on his body. [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] never thought he’d go out this way although he had ironically discussed that if he ever died unusually, that he’d want that in a lyric of a metal song. Not the whole song about it, just a lyric. Clearly he’s not the type of young person feeling a sense of ‘invincibility’, as this couldn’t be more wrong, but maybe this is a lesson to be careful what you wish for? The real relation he didn’t know he had with [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] is weirder — he’s biologically her older brother. Actually, older half-brother.

Before Kiana’s mother was the traditional conservative that she is now, she actually loved adventuring too. She never said a word about this with [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] but it was a main reason why she wasn’t hateful towards her daughter when she did adventuring in adulthood. When Kiana’s mother was adventuring in Gothenburg, she conceived [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] through an accidental pregnancy. She went back home and blamed her sickness on a weak immune system but after about 4 months and her starting to show a baby bump forming, she tripped back to [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] so her family wouldn’t find out. From there, she decided the best option was to put her son up for closed adoption after he was born, which she did. He was named [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] [name_m]Gustaf[/name_m] [name_m]Jenssen[/name_m] by his adoptive parents and he would spend the rest of his life never knowing his birth mother. After recovering from giving birth, [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] and Kiana’s mother would go back to her hometown. She maintained a very religious personality to cover any suspicions. When asked why she was in [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] for that long, she stated she’d done a special religious mission and was going to convert some people there. She stated her project was done and that she took in everything she could from [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] and wouldn’t need to come back. However after realising she was pregnant again around a year later with [name_f]Kiana[/name_f], she knew she had to find a way out again. However any of this planning backfired when a relative visited and found her positive pregnancy test. She was mortified by this and soon her other relatives found out. Kiana’s parents were forced into a shotgun wedding, which [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] never knew due to being shielded by her parents and told she was conceived after the marriage — something she was never “unshielded” from 26 years later. While the marriage ended when [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] was a toddler, Kiana’s mother had immersed herself in religious culture and always insisted the same story that she and her ex-husband would “never have a baby before marriage and she shouldn’t either”. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f], having been hidden from the truth for so many years, has now hidden herself in Poland with some local roommates. None of her roommates know about Kiana’s pregnancy or her mother’s past, although one of them has been a friendly acquaintance of [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] before. However, the chance of knowing for sure that [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] is pregnant is highly unlikely: one of the roommates is a germaphobe who is paranoid of “catching the illness” [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] has.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Ava[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] Hartung (nb) is the daughter of Kiana’s newest bestie, a mutual friend of [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m]. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] and Ava’s mom met at Bjorn’s funeral, when she was pregnant with [name_f]Ava[/name_f]. Ava’s mom wanted to have a water birth, but [name_f]Ava[/name_f] was breech, so they had to do a c section.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for location-specific homophobia. Also sorry this isn’t my best work, I had a draft of this character and was almost done, but my connection messed up and I lost the draft! So this is a redo of a lost draft rewritten entirely from memory and believe me - the original was much better.

[name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] [name_f]Klara[/name_f] Scislowski (27) is one of Ava’s mothers and one of Kiana’s Polish roommates. She, her fiancée (the other mum), and [name_f]Ava[/name_f] are all part of the living arrangement. Unlike [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] who wants to stay as long as possible, [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] is staying temporarily with her fiancée and [name_f]Ava[/name_f] so she can have more time to spend in Poland before marrying her fiancée in [name_u]Germany[/name_u]. The reason for marrying in [name_u]Germany[/name_u]? Her fiancée is [name_m]German[/name_m] and [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f], being a lesbian, can’t legally marry in Poland because she and her [name_m]German[/name_m] fiancée are both female. She was the one pregnant with [name_f]Ava[/name_f] but put her fiancée’s surname for baby [name_f]Ava[/name_f] because she will change her surname on marriage. She never revealed who the sperm donour was in the pregnancy, just that he was [name_m]German[/name_m] so [name_f]Ava[/name_f] can be biologically [name_m]German[/name_m] as well. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] is still close with her Polish culture but she’s also changing her surname given the fact that everyone outside Poland thinks she’s related to that new [name_u]Power[/name_u] Rangers actress [name_f]Jacqueline[/name_f] Scislowski, which she isn’t. She found it funny at first but now is tired of hearing it. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] works as a wedding planner and is going to continue this when she moves to [name_u]Germany[/name_u].

[name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] met [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] through mutuals when she used to date a woman in [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] who is now her ex, but are still on good terms. Wanessa’s ex was Bjorn’s co-worker at the pub and this is how the two first met. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] and [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] bonded given the fact that they felt comfortable telling one another about serious issues. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] felt comfortable telling him that she was unable to marry women in her country while [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] felt comfortable telling her that he was from a closed adoption. They formed a nice bond while [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] was in [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] and she never forgot him. She even accidentally had his Bjornal in her backpack, which she was never able to give back to him. He was the first friend who wasn’t a love interest that she truly felt comfortable sharing her concerns with, so she was understandably distraught when he passed away. She and her [name_m]German[/name_m] fiancée attended his funeral and [name_f]Kiana[/name_f], who had been bonding friends with Wanessa’s fiancée, attended too to support her friend. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] had talked to [name_m]Bjorn[/name_m] before and recognised him but had no idea of the familial relationship. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] had already known Wanessa’s fiancée but had only just met [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f]. The two bonded and [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] told [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] about Poland. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] seemed pretty happy that [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] was one of the few non-Europeans she’s met to correctly pronounce her first name and not make a [name_u]Power[/name_u] Rangers connection. That can go a long way with her.

Months later, [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] moved as a roommate to [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f], her fiancée, and a few Polish locals. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] immediately recognised the couple and asked to move in, and they agreed. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] had always been closer with Wanessa’s fiancée than [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f], which never bothered the latter. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] knew her fiancée met [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] first and that [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] felt less alienated with another non-Pole around. There was a major noticeable difference with the couple compared to the last time [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] saw them and that was [name_f]Ava[/name_f]. [name_f]Ava[/name_f] was born and Wanessa’s fiancée got nervous and squealed to [name_f]Kiana[/name_f], “I hope [name_f]Ava[/name_f] around is okay with you! Sorry we didn’t tell you about the baby living here!” [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] stated it was alright and didn’t seem fazed. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] and her fiancée assumed [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] was unsurprised about [name_f]Ava[/name_f] being there because [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] did see [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] pregnant before. They didn’t know it was because [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] was pregnant herself. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] asked [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] what her pregnancy was like and [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] still didn’t catch on, but answered everything truthfully. She explained [name_f]Ava[/name_f] was born via C-section in a hospital despite initial plans for a water birth but shrugged it off given [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] herself was born a C-section. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] may not have answered so trivial if she knew [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] was pregnant and she clearly didn’t know, given her germaphobic nature. Her fiancée convinced [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] that [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] shouldn’t be kicked out and that it’s probably just allergies or food poisoning (or a hangover, as some roomies have assumed), seeing that there were multiple roommates and nobody else was catching what [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] had. [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] agreed and [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] tried not to show too many symptoms around her. Secretly [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] felt if she were to tell any roommates about her pregnancy, that [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f] and her fiancée were the best options since they already raise a baby. But [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] wasn’t sure how to do it. [name_f]Kiana[/name_f] has tried to form other bonds with other roommates during her stay and tried to watch TV or play games with them to get their minds off the secret reason behind her illness. Maybe one of them is catching on. Not [name_f]Wanessa[/name_f], but maybe or maybe not another roommate of Kiana’s.