Gen. 2 Ch. 1 The End of a Generation

I am so sad.  I was due to graduate in two days time when father passed away.  It happened suddenly when he was outside working in his garden.  Mom always told him that now that he was older that he should take it easy, but Dad never did listen.  Mom erected a small little graveyard in the back corner of the house, and she had the tombstone engraved so sweetly. 

I would never dream that right before graduation that I would get another call.  The police had told me that my mother's body was found just outside the local bistro.  They preceded to inform me that no foul play was involved, and that she passed from natural causes.  I was so heartbroken!

Things finally settled down after my parents passing.  My boyfriend, Treymayne Lloyd had alot to do with that.  We were good friends having had some of the same classes in school, and we had grown closer recently.  He was always there for me, and encouraged meto follow my dream.  Tomorrow I am going to apply at the local private investigator branch of the police force.  I can't wait!

Ch. 8 ....and the Winner Is!

"This year's Green Globe Award goes to Kelly Taylor Armstrong!"  That's what was said at the ceremony the other night.  It is amazing how far I have come along.  Now the leading actress on my current movie project, and getting scripts left and right to read over.  I even have a limo service that picks me up, and brings me home.  The downside is still the paparazzi.  They have no qualms coming into the yard when Jean Luc is working on his garden.  My husband just ignores them, and continues weeding the garden.  I could never do that, I have to keep up my publicity now.

I have to admit, I do kind of enjoy being stopped to sign autographs, and I think it's cute when someone has to stop what they are doing so they can take a photo of me with their cell phone.  My agent says it's good for publicity, but I just like making my fans happy.  The money is rolling in too, which helps with our remodel, due to all the events I am asked to oversee.  I am just happy to be of help.

Jean Luc finally had his chef's hat!  I guess they don't earn them until they have proven themselves in a restaurant.  He was happy to accept the Executive Chef position.  It still amazes me that my husband, who is now approaching 90, still puts in time at the restaurant every day.  He loves to cook though, and I have to admit, besides his family, that food is his true passion.

From time to time, Alaire would pop in for a visit.  He took time to spend with all of us, and even helped Aimee study for her SATs.  She was fast approaching graduating, and really wanted to do well.  Alaire was working on his first book about his travels to his father's home country.  He couldn't stop speaking about France.  I was just happy to see him have a purpose!

He brought me a present from his last trip though.  It seems Alaire had my old jalopy traded in, and had gotten me a brand new car!  I laughed when he told me, "Mom, you are famous now.  You don't need that old thing anymore."  It was hard to explain to him that I'd kept that car to remind me of where I started out at.  I happily accepted my new gift though.  I felt that my time was coming to an end and I didn't want to harp on things that would sadden me so I decided to just enjoy this time with my family.

Ch. 7 Two Children Growing Up and One Leaves the Nest

It's hard to believe my children are growing up!  Aimee has been doing so well in school, and it just seems like yesterday that we bought her that dollhouse that she was asking for.  Scroll back up to the present, and she's just finished blowing out her candles, and fixing to head to high school!  She reminds me much of myself when I was that young, and I just know she will have some potential suitors following her around.  Aimee asked for a chess table so I picked one up from the store on the way home from the studio set.  She seems the opposite of Alaire, more logical where he's more artisy.

Pretty soon after Aimee's birthday, Alaire's followed.  Then before Jean Luc and I knew it, our son was graduating.  It's hard to believe that he went from being a troubled student to a straight A student!  We are so proud of him, and we both agree he will be successful at whatever he does.

It was soon after his graduation that Alaire sat us down to have a talk.  I knew this moment was coming though, and though I dreaded it, I would listen to what my son had to say.  He told us that he had ideas of being an illustrious writer traveling the world, but he couldn't do that just sitting at home.  He said that an offer had come to him, but it would mean he would have to leave.  Alaire would be traveling all over the world covering stories about every subject.  He subletted an apartment here in Buena Vista when he won't be traveling.  Lastly, he said he needed his space, and that he didn't love us any less.  We told our son that we understood, and that we were proud of him.  It was Aimee that took it the hardest.  She looked up to her big brother, and didn't know what she would do without him around.  Our son just hugged her, and told her that he was just a phone call away whenever she needed him.  I thought this was so touching!

Remember that dry spell I was having in my career?  Well things were looking up.  I received a Sims' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress.  Jean Luc and the kids were so happy for me.  My new found fame had some drawbacks though.  The more fame meant the more privacy I lost.  Paparazzi hounded our doorsteps at all times, and we had more break ends.  It seems that burglars get a better price on stolen items from a celebrity's house!  Jean Luc is definitely on his way to a head chef.  He is a Sous-chef to the famous Wolfgang of all people!  I am so proud of him.  Things are going great, but I am realizing that Jean Luc and I aren't getting any younger, and our children are growing up before our eyes.

Ch. 6 The Finished House

Well this is our finished house.  I have to admit the architect and her contracter did a great job!  In all there are four bedrooms, a bonus room, a small office, a dining room, a huge great room with a fireplace, two and a half baths, and a two-door garage.  We had the contracter fence in our yard to try to keep some of the paparazzi out.

This is the downstairs area.  We have the kitchen area almost done, and will be working on the breakfast nook, dining, and great room next.  I have to admit this house project has taken most of my life, but hopefully, I will have it done before it is my time to go.

Here is the upstairs. The far upper bedroom on the left is Alaire's.  You can see his easel, and he sents at the desk in the office to do his homework.  The third bedroom, which is the one close and up front, is Aimee's bedroom.  She has been asking for a dollhouse for her birthday.



Ch. 5 Old Age Sets In

It is truly amazing how quickly time flies by!  We all helped celebrate Jean Luc's birthday.  Alaire was especially excited to watch his father try to blow out the trick candles he put on the cake.  I asked Jean Luc if he felt like retiring now that he was older, but he shook his head.  He told me that he still felt like he could do alot of things, but if he stopped feeling that way then he would consider it.

I had an abundance of vacation time off after having Aimee, and before you know it she was already a toddler!  Unlike her brother, she seemed more logical than artistic.  She took really well to the family, and even our maid fawned over her.

Alaire took to his little sister the most.  Everytime he got a chance, he would spend it with her.  He was such a great help when it came to babysitting, and Alaire even taught her to walk!  I had to pull him aside one day though, and make sure that he took some time on his school work first before playing with his sister.  It turns out he had a detention because of his C average and goofing around in class!  Jean Luc gave him a stern talking to, and made sure he understood that he would be grounded if he got detention again.

There was some craziness the other night.  It seems there were a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood, and last night we fell victim to the robber.  Luckily for me, Jean Luc insisted that our contractor install security systems on both doors leading into our home.  The cops catch the thief immediately, and took him away in handcuffs.  This just goes to show that crime does not pay!

My birthday fell on a day that the kids were busy, and Jean Luc was at work.  I told Jean Luc that I didn't want a big fan-fair over my birthday, but my darling husband still baked me a cake.  He is always thinking about me or the kids.  I don't know how I feel about getting old, but my career was going great!  I had been making alot of appearances at different places, and have been getting good pay for these events.  We made enough that the building is all done on the house, and we just have to focus on the remodeling inside.  I pulled Alaire aside, and asked him how he felt about taking over the house if something were to happen to his father and me, but he told me to leave the house to his sister.  Alaire talked about traveling, and that he wouldn't have the time to stay here in the city to play house.  It saddens me that he doesn't want to take over my legacy, but I am sure that my sweet daughter will do a terrific job!

Ch. 4 Super Star Chef in the Making

My career as seemed to stall as I am still a soap star actress.  It has been hard keeping up with my tasks on set plus making time for my fans.  I hope this dry spell is only temporary after all, I do want to be an A-list actress!  Jean Luc's career has been doing quite well though.  He was just assigned as the pastry chef at the local bistro!  I am so proud of him, and if you have ever tasted his cooking you would have to admit that it is outstanding.

I was good on my promise, and you should have seen my boy's face when he saw me bring in the easel!  He couldn't wait to get started painting.  Whenever he isn't doing his homework or his chores, he is at that easel painting away.  His first painting was a drawing of our home.  It was just so cute that I had it framed, and had Jean Luc hang it up in his room.  He isn't crazy about art, but he is proud of Alaire.

Money was beginning not to be an issue anymore so Jean Luc and I were thrilled when I found out that I was pregnant again.  This pregnancy was different now that I knew what to expect, and I had my husband to help me out around the house and with Alaire.  I still had to make a few appearances, such as presenting a check to Alaire's school, but I spent alot of time gardening in my down time.  Now that I had my boy, I was hoping this one was going to be the girl that Jean Luc wanted.

We had a new room added on, and a second bathroom installed with the money we had saved up, and the new baby on the way.  The architect even added a balcony overlooking the downstairs great room.  Our home is going to look really nice once all the renovations are done.  I can't wait to see the finished project.

Alaire was excited when he moved on to high school, and had his teen birthday.  He couldn't stop talking about the things he would like to do, and the places he would like to visit.  He seemed to have that same knack for cooking that his father and I have, but his interests still lay in painting.  We encouraged him to acheive his goals, and I know that he would be a success in anything that he does.  I am so proud of Alaire.

May I present Jean Luc and my daughter, Aimee Oriel.  Again, we stuck with the tradition of choosing french names to help remind Aimee of her father's country.  Her name is so lovely, and is roughly translated to "loved angel of destiny".  The paparazzi was there as I stepped outside taking pictures, but I didn't mind.  I was in my own little world, holding such an amazing gift.  I was truly happy in that moment.  I had a wonderful husband, a great career, and two beautiful children.  In my eyes, things couldn't be any better.

Ch. 3 ....and Action!

It finally happened!  My director offered me a role on the soap opera he directs.  Of course, I said yes.  I was so excited to give Jean Luc the great news, and he wanted to know when he could start watching me on tv.  Our schedules became busier between my new job, Jean Luc's new taste testing position, and raising our little baby.  Though we struggled some, we managed some how.

Before we knew it, little Alaire's first birthday was here.  Jean Luc and I both took some time off so we could celebrate.  He made one of his famous birthday cake's, and I helped Alaire blow out the candles.  I stare into my son's face, and can't believe we made something so precious.

I wasn't able to be there for much of Alaire's training, but I did manage to potty train him!  That seems like the important one in my book. (no more diapers) I can't help but smile too, when I watch my adorable son climb up on his potty.  Jean Luc taught him to talk, and he got to see his first steps.

Because of our finances the baby's things were in the downstairs living room.  We knew though that the next step of the house project was to add a bedroom for our son.  We had a deep discussion on whether we should move the crib upstairs or just start saving up for when he gets older.  Jean Luc and I finally agreed that it would be a better idea to buy a bed.  We found this cute little boy's bed at a great deal, and the salesman threw in this toy chest with it!  We rummaged the yard sales and flea markets for some toys to fill up the toy chest.

Pretty soon it was time for another birthday.  It is truly amazing how quickly Alaire is growing!  He is ready for his first day of school, and is already badgering me to buy him an easel.  All he wants to do is draw, draw, and draw.  Of course, I agree with the easel idea.  It beats catching him drawing on the walls like when he was a toddler!  Jean Luc and I have talked about having another baby, maybe even a little girl, but I am still not sure if we are financial ready for one more child.  It took all our expenses just to add Alaire's room for him.  My other worry is that now that I am an actress, and continually get noticed that my son will have to deal with the hazards of being a famous person's child.