Round Four - University - A Beautiful Life

Tom Darwin, Jace and Petal Bhalli, Nathaniel King and Solveig Tellerman are in their final two years of university. Will the relationships between them blossom, and will Tom stop painting and womanising long enough to graduate?


There was a certain routine in their dorm now. The others would study while Tom wooed unsuspecting freshmen and sophomores.

"I can't believe him!" Solveig complained to Nathaniel. "How does he expect to get anywhere in life if all he cares about is getting his leg over?" Nathaniel said nothing, instead contemplating how he was going to move things further with Petal Bhalli.


Tom had indeed fallen off the rails. Instead of going to classes he'd head over to the Student Union or the coffee bar, and as soon as he was done introducing himself to one girl another would make her presence known. He was getting a reputation on campus as a heartbreaker and a layabout but his over-inflated view of himself left him believing he was a casanova and natural genius at art who would get over this whole "academic probation" thing with ease.


Nathaniel didn't need to worry about winning over Petal Bhalli for very long; she made the first move.


And the next move, too! Petal was very forward, a real go-getter, and Nathaniel could see himself marrying her... except for the weirdness that was the fact she was now his step-cousin.


Jace and Solveig were moving forward too, with considerably less weirdness. Jace had known for a while that Solveig was the one for him, and when he proposed she accepted without a moment's pause.


Nathaniel wasn't the only one who'd noticed the messiness on the family tree - Petal was kind of freaked out by it too.

"It's not like you're blood-related," pointed out her future sister-in-law. "There's no laws against it! Plus you already know your mother and your step-dad like him. If you love him, go for it. I want to see you as happy as me and Jace!"


Tom ended up failing out entirely and the school wouldn't keep him on academic probation forever - he had to leave.

"See, if you'd just worked harder - " began Solveig. Tom rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm going to make it big without a stupid degree, you'll see!"


Jace had told his mother about his engagement straight away, and soon Alima came to visit. She was heavily pregnant now, which weirded Jace out a bit, but he was glad to see that she got on well with Solveig.


Plus it was nice to be able to begin bonding with a new baby brother or sister!


Even though they'd met before and got on pretty well, Nathaniel was nervous about talking to Alima now he was dating her daughter - especially considering the fact that the big baby bump contained his future cousin. But Alima's friendly manner put him at ease and all the oddness finally dissipated.


So much so, in fact, that Nathaniel worked up the courage to propose. He'd liked Petal since they were teenagers, and now they were in love - a perfect story.


Petal accepted with a squeal of glee and a huge hug.


College days can't last forever, and soon the final exams had come and gone and it was time to leave.

"Congratulations on making Summa Cum Laude! A perfect 4.0 GPA!"

Solveig smiled. "You didn't do so bad yourself. Magma Cum Laude! Way to beat all the boys!"

"Yeah, we pretty much rule."


The term ended with sadness as well has happiness. The twins were going to be split up for the first time in their lives; Petal was moving in with Nathaniel and his family, and Jace was going home to Alima and Duncan and bringing Solveig with him.

"Promise you'll call! And come and visit!"

"Only if you promise you'll visit us!"


Note: All Tom wanted to do was mess around with girls and occasionally paint masterpieces - he didn't even roll up wants to influence people to do his work for him! I'm surprised he didn't get kicked out before Allyn, she was actually mildly more hardworking, but hey. As for our two new couples - my family tree's getting all twisted up already, lol.

Round Four - Bachman - Tune In, Drop Out

Allyn Bachman was expelled from university for poor grades after only two semesters and is now making a go of things for herself in the big wide world. Her unofficial boyfriend, Tom Darwin, is still at university and isn't known for his fidelity... how will she cope with being alone?


It turned out that the apartment Allyn had found was not all it had been advertised to be. The kitchen fittings and other furnishings were old and ugly, and the last occupant had left paint-stains all over the floor. Saying she was disappointed would be an understatement.


She brought it up with the landlord but he laughed in her face.

"Ooooh! You are so freaking lucky this is the only apartment in my price-range."


Of course, Allyn being Allyn she didn't spend her meager supply of money on actually improving the place but on new clothes, easels, art supplies and a mobile phone so that she would never miss a call from Tom.


They met up in a bar down-town to drink and sing karaoke together, but Allyn couldn't help noticing the looks he gave to a couple of college chicks who'd come along for the ride - she knew that look. It didn't fill her with confidence about her place in Tom's heart.


Eventually one of the co-ed tarts dragged him out onto the dancefloor and Allyn retreated to the relative safety of the bar, ready to drown her sorrows. A rich-looking guy next to her bought her a few drinks, probably thinking he'd get something out of her, but she merely said thanks then went on her way.


Tom dropped in unannounced the next day while Allyn was in the middle of painting an ode to her hangover.

"Sorry about last night, babe," he said, then kissed her. She didn't resist - she didn't want to.


Allyn knew she was being a fool, that she should be able to say no to him, but hey - she knew the score. They weren't exclusive. Two can play that game! She'd find her own fun while he was off at college banging other chicks.


She started by meeting her neighbours - there was a promising enough prospect and they went on one short date but it didn't lead anywhere in the end. She just didn't feel that "spark".


Then there was another guy who she went on a couple of dates with, but he was too clingy. He kept turning up while she was still hungover and wandering around in her nightdress!


And the guy who came home from work with her? Ugh. She couldn't believe he'd try to hit on her, she was way out of his league.


After all that she decided it was pointless to date around and worked on her art instead. Tom would be getting back from SSU soon enough and he'd already said he wanted to move in with her - as much as she wanted to be free and easy, she was stuck with him. She loved him.

Round Four - King - Baby Dreams

Adrian and Noriko King's eldest child Nathaniel has left for university, but they don't have time to miss him - Noriko has her little girls, Miranda and Liliana, to look after, and Adrian has to work hard to pay for them all... children are expensive!


Noriko did miss Nathaniel, but he called home frequently and her mind was wrapped up in looking after her new little girls. Liliana was getting bigger day by day, and Miranda had just started school.


Soon Liliana had reached that age where she was no longer just a cuddly little baby and could toddle around and cause trouble. And that she did - she was extremely excitable and demanded hugs and general companionship all the time. Miranda was not convinced. She was an introverted soul; a little sister who would get into all her things was not on her wish-list!


Still, somehow she couldn't resist her baby sister's cute little face. Despite Miranda's initial protests they grew very close and she even let Liliana play with her dollhouse!


Miranda had met Maya Darwin at school and despite her usual shyness she was keen to make a friend that wasn't her parents or her baby sister. Thankfully Maya was on much the same wavelength as her, although Miranda made a slight faux pas in going on about how great new additions to the family were. But how was she supposed to know what was going on with the Darwins?


Adrian had a blow to his self-esteem when he made a bad decision at work and was demoted. How was he supposed to pay into the girls' college funds now?!


In a blink of an eye, Liliana had started school too. She was very different from her big sister - they were both kind and playful, but Liliana was messier and MUCH more outgoing, preferring finger-painting and running around with her friends to those musty old books and silly animals...

Round Four - Darwin - Dirty Business

Business isn't exactly booming for Harvey and his new art boutique but it's going well - well enough for things to start getting hectic. Little Maya is getting bigger as her grandma Verity gets closer to the end of her days - and seeing as she's the primary caregiver for Maya and Sam, that could be a very big deal...


Verity was getting to the end of her time; she could feel it in her bones. Sometimes when she looked into little Maya's eyes she was sad - she wished she could stay and watch her grow up. But she knew she couldn't avert fate, and soon she would be joining her dear departed husband, Abraham Darwin.


Unfortunately Adele had made a few poor decisions at work (she blamed post-pregnancy hormones) and had lost her job, which meant she was stuck playing housewife until she found a new one. She wasn't a natural - she barely knew how to cook! - and the depression her unemployment had sunk her into made it difficult for her to even bother getting dressed, much to Sam's horror.

"Hi mom! School was so hectic today, you wouldn't believe ...okay. You're both still in your pajamas. That's just WEIRD."

"Be quiet and eat your macaroni, dear," said Adele with a forced smile.


The art store was getting more and more popular - so much so they needed to hire new staff. One of the applicants was a sweet young thing called Esther Pasang. She made a good impression on all of them - she was highly skilled at pottery and at sales techniques, just what they needed!


"It's such a relief to have someone to help out!" said Verity. "My old joints can't seem to get used to that cash register... I'm sure you'll have more luck. Do you have a boyfriend? Husband? Children?" Verity may have been getting older but she still hoped Esther could bring more kids over for her to fuss over. Sadly for her, Esther was single and childless, but like Verity she was family-orientated and gladly discussed her dreams for the future.


So Esther got to work, being vaguely capable on the cash register, and Verity got a much needed break to help Maya keep up with her developmental milestones. It wasn't long before she started school, after all!


Maya started school on time. She was adorable, quite shy but very nice and friendly, and was looking forward to making new friends.


Sadly, it was Verity's time. She went out happy, not as blissful as she could have been but ready to join her husband.


Maya was distraught. Verity had been the one who'd brought her up for the most part, her father too busy with the art store and her mother too busy with her own work, and she kept waking up at night and crying about her loss.


Sam was in pieces too, although his mourning turned more to anger.


Esther's sunny demeanour and ability to keep the shop not only running smoothly but getting good reviews in the local paper meant that the house didn't completely fall apart after Verity's passing. She hadn't been bragging about her pottery skills, and soon her work was being displayed side-by-side with Harvey's and some of the canvases Tom had left lying around.


One night, as the shop was readying to close and Harvey was stock-checking, he couldn't help looking at Esther. She really was beautiful. He and Adele hadn't been intimate since before Maya was born, and Esther stirred long-forgotten urges in him, tied up close with the urge to be a free-spirited artist with a muse rather than a husband to a career woman like Adele...


And once the stock was accounted for and the customers were ushered out, Harvey made his move. He was cheating on Adele, and Esther was such a sweet girl who deserved more than being someone's bit on the side, but guilt could wait. It could wait forever, if Harvey had his way.


Note: Verity :( I shall miss her and her function as free in-house childcare! Especially now Harvey's started drama with his staff... Sam's just wandering along in life.

Round Four - Bhalli - Valentine

Alima Bhalli is suffering from empty-nest syndrome now that her twin children have gone to university, and has invited her fiancé Duncan King to live with her. Things are getting pretty serious for these life-long hedonists...


Alima and Duncan didn't show-boat for their wedding, opting instead to go for the courthouse option. As far as they thought they didn't need a fancy ceremony to prove they loved each other. "Plus, I've got no right to a big white meringue of a dress even if I wanted one!" Alima had said with laughter as they made their plans.


Alima may have initially had her doubts but she knew she'd made the right decision. She and Duncan were made for each other.


With the house to themselves they had a lot of opportunity for newly-wed amorous activities, and they took advantage of that whenever they could!


Money was a little tight, though, so Alima made the decision to sell the car Jace and Petal had built together. It was a heart-wrenching goodbye, to be sure, but they got a surprisingly good deal.


It didn't take long before Alima fell pregnant. It was a little daunting seeing as her other children were already at college, but she was still excited by the idea. She called Petal and Jace to give them the good news and they were initially and understandably shocked and surprised, but the idea of having a new baby brother or sister was intriguing, especially to family-orientated Jace.


Alima was on maternity leave but the bills needed paying so Duncan was working hard. Sometimes that meant Alima had to head to bed on her own as dancing was sometimes a late-night job, but she was too exhausted to do anything but pass out anyway.


Duncan's steadily growing paychecks meant they could afford to extend and renovate the house ready for the new arrival. It was a stylish and minimalist affair and Duncan couldn't wait to put the new nursery to good use!


Notes: Yay, a wedding for Valentine's Day! ...and a pregnancy. Duncan's rolled a have-a-baby want though so it's all good.