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So, Greg, what brings you by?" Mortimer asked the young man.

"Well, Cassandra needed a ride to come see you today..."

"What do you mean, needed a ride? Cassandra, where's your Lincoln?" Mortimer interupted.

"It got towed away for parking in a handicapped zone." Cassandra said meekly, looking down at her feet.

"Towed away? Well, we will just see about that!" Mortimer snapped. "Give me your cell phone."

Cassandra handed her dad the phone as instructed and Mortimer dialed a number, angrily pushing buttons. "Hello? Who is this? Let me speak to Chief Gillespie. You can tell him Mortimer Goth is calling, and its most urgent. Hello Chief. Top of the morning to you. Yes, sir, it is most urgent as I told your dispatcher. You can tell me what knothead decided to tow my daughter's car from in front of the hospital last night. Yes it's a black Lincoln Navigator. I see, yes, I understand that handicap zone do require a ticket, but she was not in a tow-away zone. Ah, well, in that case, I'm not sure my family will have the funds to release to the city counsel this year for the police equipment you requested. Oh really? I see. Ah, yes, of course. Yes, this morning after 9:00 am? Perfect. She will be there. Thank you again, Chief Gillespie and have a great day."

Mortimer hung up the phone with a smug satisfaction on his face. "You will be at the impound lot at 9:00 am sharp. Since your car was towed by mistake, you will not have to pay any towing or storage fees."

Cassandra leaned over and hugged him "Thank you, daddy." she beamed.

"Oh, you're not off scot free by any means. You did park illegally and will have to pay a $50 fine. And it will be on your record, which will go to your insurance company, and may result in higher insurance premiums when you renew. But, that is the cost of disregarding parking signs."

"Still, thank you." Cassandra smiled.

Mortimer face turned dark as he traced his fingertips over Cassandra's cheek. "So much like your mother." He sighed. "More and more like her with each passing day. Cassandra, there is so much I need to tell you. This heart attack got me thinking that some things need to be said, and some secrets brought to light." He looked over at Greg, who was looking very nervous and out of place. "Say, Gregory, would you step out for a minute and let me and Cassandra talk for a moment?"

"Sure, I'll go down to the cafeteria and get a bite to eat." Greg kissed Cassandra on the cheek and head out the door.

Mortimer raised an eyebrow at the tender peck "Well, at least she's not still hung up on that loser Dom." he thought to himself. "You two an item?" he asked Cassandra.

"Well, he came over and helped me out last night and..." Cassandra stammered, blushing.

"Ah, no need to explain. I've been around long enough to know a budding romance when I see one." Mortimer chuckled. "Which is good. You need this, and that boy has been in love with you since you was both knee high to grasshoppers."

"Aw, dad." Cassandra blushed and giggled.

"Now, Cassandra." Mortimer's tone deepened. "I saw a news item that might be of interest to us. It seems that over in this town called Strangetown, there is a woman with the initials B.G. who was attacked and left for dead, but is now recovered and to be released from the hospital today. I want you to get your car and go over to this Strangetown and see who this B.G. is."

"Daddy, didn't the news report give the woman's full name?" Cassandra asked.

"Yes, they gave the name Betty Gardner, but explained that name was just a pseudonym based on the initials on her ring. Now, I know this sounds far-fetched but, look at my wedding ring here." Mortimer took off his ring and showed it to Cassandra. "Look at the inscription inside. BG + MG 4ever. Your mother and I had our rings engraved alike on our wedding day. Years later, your mother had lost weight and her ring became too big. So, she had it resized. When she did that the +MG part came off. Her ring only read BG 4ever."

Mortimer grabbed Cassandra's hand and looked in her eyes pleadingly. "Cassandra, that could be your mother over in that hospital. We may have our first real clue as to the whereabouts of Bella Goth. You have to go to that hospital and speak to this Betty Gardner and see if she is your mother. Please, Cassandra. Please go see if it's her." Tears formed in Mortimer's eyes. "If it is her, please, bring her home where she belongs." His lower lip began quivering. The ideal that he may have finally found his long lost love, Bella, was overwhelming him.

"Ok, dad. I'll go just as soon as your surgery is over and I know you're ok." Cassandra was tired of chasing leads of her mother's whereabouts. As exciting as this news item was, her main concern was with her dad and his health.

"Please, Cassandra. I can't go myself right now, and if we wait till I'm better she will be out of that hospital and could be anywhere. They are releasing her today, that's why you must go right now." Mortimer pleaded.

Cassandra knew there was no point in arguing about it. Mortimer had made up her mind for her. "As soon as I get my car out of impound I will go straight to Strangetown General and see this Betty Gardner." Cassandra leaned in a kissed his forehead tenderly.

Out in the hallway, Dina lurked at the door frame. She pulled herself together and tried to put on her most concerned face she could muster. She somehow had to convince Mortimer that she was still in love with him and was very upset about him. Dina shuddered at the thought of having to once again kiss and hug that wrinkled old carcass, but, her desire to be the wealthiest sim in Pleasantview knew no boundaries.

She steeled herself and barged thru the door in to the room. "Oh, Morty, darling. I was so worried about you." She wiped away a tear for effect. "I've been trying all night long to get to see you, but those mean nurses wouldn't let me in."

Cassandra drew herself up to her feet and faced the intruder. Her fist balled up in angry knots. "That's a lie. When dad had his heart attack, you bolted out of the house like a scared rabbit." Cassandra hissed.

"That's not true!" Dina wailed. "I ran to my car and sped to the hospital! I've been here all night long waiting for news on you, Morty!"

Mortimer laid back in the bed, his head growing wuzzy from the medication the nurse put in his IV. He tried to focus on the two women in his room... Bella? Prima? What are they fighting about now? Mortimer couldnt get his eyes to focus, and he felt himself slip further in to a sleep.

Cassandra noticed Mortimer sleeping and leaned over to tuck him in. Dina became hysterical and ran to the nurse's station. "Help! Mortimer Goth just passed out! I think he's had another heart attack!" Dina could feel the millions slipping away from her.

"Calm yourself down, miss." Nurse Baker placed her hand on Dina's shoulder. "It's alright. We gave him medicine to relax him before surgery. He's just asleep, not in any trouble. We have monitors hook to him and to this nurse's station. Any change in his condition and we will know about it right away."

Cassandra came out of the room and marched straight up to Dina. "Figures you would run off at the first sign of trouble, just like you ran off last night."

"Oh, who cares what you think of me? As long as Morty knows I love him and was here all night for him, that's all that matters." Dina smoothly replied. "When Morty and I are married, I won't have to deal with you anymore."

"You'll never be married to my father. I'll see to that." Cassandra hissed, her face inches from Dina's. "You are a low life grit eating white trash tramp and I'll see to it you return to the trailer park you slithered out from."

"You don't have any say in it. You can't keep me away from Morty." Dina said in the tone of an insolent child.

"Oh I can't keep you away from him, huh?" Cassandra jeered, her face a mask of rage and hatred. "Nurse Baker, I would request that only legal family members are allowed to enter Mr. Goth's room, and any non-relations are to be turned away." Cassandra sneered, her eyes never leaving Dina.

"You can't make that request. Only Mortimer himself can." Dina cackled.

"Actually, Miss Caliente, as Mortimer's next of kin and power of attorney holder, Miss Goth is well within her rights to request such a restriction on his visitors. The only one who could overrule her is Mr. Goth himself."

"What? Cassandra has power of attorney over Mortimer's financial affairs?" Dina cried out.

"Yes ma'am. Says so right here on his paperwork. In the event that Mortimer Goth is incapacitated in anyway, Miss Cassandra Goth has final say." Nurse Baker replied, pointing at the folder next to her.

Dina stammered and turned pale as a bedsheet. "But, but, but..."

"You hear the nurse. You can't go in. Now leave!" Cassandra ordered Dina, pointing at the elevators.

Dina started bawling as she ran toward the waiting elevators.

Cassandra looked back in to Mortimer's room as the intern began preparing to move him to surgery. "I'll go to Strangetown and find BG. And if it's Mom, I'll bring her home even if I have to bring her back kicking and screaming the whole way. I promise you, Dad. If Mom is alive, she will be at your bedside when you awaken from surgery." Cassandra swore under her breath. "And that skank Dina will never come near you again."

As Dina made her way thru her home, she made a mental inventory of what few possessions she had left. She had pawned her most valuable items, and the burglar had made off with the few remaining high dollar items. Perhaps, she could take some of the remaining items and hold a garage sale. That might raise a few dollars to buy groceries.

Dina shook her head in sad frustration. Just a mere 24 hours before, she was so close to woohooing with the town's wealthiest sim, practically insuring her and her baby's financial future. Now, she was pricing out odds and ends to get money for soup.

Gah! This is outrageous! I'm a fortune sim! I'm beautiful! I should be on the arm of a wealthy, nearly dead old sim ready to inherit his money. I shouldn't have to be struggling like this! Curse that Cassandra Goth! If she was gone, that power of attorney would be mine. Curse that worthless Dom Lothario! He should have gone thru with the plan. All he had to do was marry her and move to another town. I had it all planned out. Wasn't the $100,000 I offer him enough? Can't he do anything right? I can't believe how long this is taking. I was supposed to be Mrs. Mortimer Goth by now.
She moved out on to her balcony. Her eyes landed on the driveway below. On the only possession she had worth selling. Her Ford Mustang. She could easily get $10,000 for it. But that would mean that she would ugh... have to ride the taxi with all the other poor sims. She could buy a cheap car for $950, but that creeped her out even more. The ideal of a fortune sim driving the cheapest car in the game. Absurd!

She looked around the rooftop balcony. Well, there is a radio, and two chairs. If I sell the radio and the two chairs.... Well, that's $280 I didn't have a minute ago. Still not much money. I should be a millionaire! I'll never get there with this piecemeal garage sale!


She noticed a strange package at her front door. A pink box with a red ribbon. What's this? A Mr. Humble Computer? Can I sell it? Yes, I got $1,350 for it.

Dina went thru-out her home, selling off anything and everything that wasn't a bare essential. She was able to bring her total bank account up to a little over $9000. A pitiful amount compared with the millions she was entitled to. Her anger grew inside of her, building slowly, the flames of hatred grew higher, consuming her reason and threatening her sanity. She should have Mortimer's millions. They was hers. She was entitled to them. She earned them. Worked this scam for them. But now those millions were permanently out of her reach. Gone forever.

Nina came home from a secret date to find her sister siting on the one piece of furniture left in the front room, the worn-out couch she had gotten at an estate sale months ago.

"Um, sis, isn't there some stuff missing? Did the repo man come?"

"Shut up! No, the repo man didn't come. I sold all our non-essential items to raise some funds."

"Like what?"

"Like that chair, and bookcase, and the table and chairs from the dining area, and extra countertop from the kitchen, the doors to the bathroom, the railing around the balconies, the stairs to the upstairs balcony. I sold everything we did not absolutely need."

Nina looked around her bare home, her heart sinking. Dina had even sold Nina's bed.
"You sold my bed? Where am I going to sleep?"

"I got us a cheap single bed. We can take turns sleeping in it."

"But I don't want to sleep in the same bed as you."

"Be quiet! Getting more money is all that matters! If you don't like being poor, blame that Cassandra Goth for destroying my plans!" Dina eyed her sister with a look of unbridled greed. "Say, you have some unused aspiration points, don't you?"

"Yes. I'm saving them up for a love tub."

"Love tub? Don't make me laugh! Love is a commodity that can be bought and sold for the right price. Spend them on a Counterfeiting machine!"

"I don't have enough for that."

"How many do you have?"

"3,500 points" Nina replied, checking her balance on her account.

"That's enough for a money tree. Buy it."

"I don't want a money tree. I want a love tub!"

"BUY THE MONEY TREE OR ELSE!" Dina screamed, lunging at Nina.

Nina raised her arms to shield herself from her sister's advance. "Ok! Ok! I'll buy the money tree! Chill out!"

Nina bought the money tree and placed it in her sister's room. She checked her balance. 500 points. All that hard work to get those points, now gone for her sister's greed. Nina went to her room and look at the bare walls and empty space and started crying. She sat in the floor staring at the emptiness.

Dina wasn't finished with her sister. No, not by a long shot. She had carried her along as far as she was going to. "Romance sims are so stupid. Think love is so important. The only love that is important is the love of money and it's high time you wake up and understand that. Quit messing around and find a rich sim to latch on to so we can get out of this poor house. If you think I'm going to support you forever, you got another think coming!"

Dina knelt beside her sister and looked her straight in the eye. "Now, listen, I want you to take $200 off the money tree you bought. Then, I want you to go to town and by a sexy outfit. That fool Grouchy Oldman looks like the type to have a few bucks stashed away. Get him to believe you love him and get his money. Got it?"

"I don't like Grouchy. He smells funny. All he ever wants to do is play poker and chess. I hate those games."

"So? You think I'm interested in robots and chemistry? If I can fake interest in Mortimer's boring hobbies, then you can fake interest in poker. And here's a news update for you. All old men smell funny. It's the smell of lots of money. Get used to it."

Dina stood up on her feet. "Get a sexy outfit and seduce that Oldman. And don't make me tell you again." Dina stormed out of the room, leaving her sister curled up in a ball on the floor. Nina pulled a filmstrip out of her pocket. It was a series of pictures of Wanda and Nina on their secret date. They had taken those pictures in a photo booth right before they had their first public woohoo. Nina traced a fingertip over the face of her secret lover. She loved Wanda more than any other sim she had ever met. She couldn't possibly go along with Dina's plan and be with Grouchy Oldman or any other man. Wanda was all Nina wanted.

Nina laid in the floor all night, and cried herself to sleep. She didn't want to go along with Dina's plan. But how could she betray her sister who meant so much to her? Her parents had told her family was the most important thing in the world. But they were family sims. Of course they would think so. Nina was a romantic sim. She knew it was time to tell her sister the truth, but how?

*****************

Greg was leaning against the wall just outside the cafeteria when his phone rang.

"Hello? Hi, Uncle Gregory. Yes, I've still got your car. I know you have a poker tournament today at noon. I'm at the hospital waiting for Cassandra to finish visiting Mortimer, then I'm going to take her to the impound lot so she can pick up her car. Yes, I should be back with your car in about an hour. Trust me, I don't want to drive it one more minute than I have to. Fine. Bye."

Cassandra walked up as Greg finished his conversation. He shoved the phone in his pocket and then wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hey, baby, ready to go get your Lincoln?" He purred, nibbling on her neck. Cassandra felt ready to go somewhere other than the impound lot, but, she had to get to Strangetown General as fast as possible. That sort of activity would have to wait. "Yeah, let's get moving. I got a lot of errands to run." She tenderly kissed his lips.

"So, um, no time to have a repeat of last night?" Greg growled in her ear. His hands traced down her back to her waist and beyond.

"Later tonight, maybe. Right now, let's get to that impound lot." Cassandra knew she had to get a move on. A few more moments in Greg's arms and all of her resolve would fly right out the window. Cousin or not, this man was sexy and she couldn't resist his charms. Cassandra caught herself and pulled back from Greg. "Yeah, um, well, let's go." She tried to maintain her composure as she started to walk out to the parking lot, but the sly looks she kept sneaking at Greg gave her away.

In the car, on the way to the impound lot, Greg was actually happy that they was in a small car so she could sit close to him. He put a hand on her kneecap and let his fingertips trace along the inside of her thigh. But, still, how much better this would be on his motorcycle with her thighs pressed to his, her arms around his waist, the vibration of the engine underneath them.:wub:

As they arrived at the impound lot, Cassandra noticed that her Lincoln had been moved up to the front of the lot and was waiting on them. Beside it stood a greasy young man in a pair of dirty work overalls.

Cassandra walked up to the young man and asked if her car was ready to be released.

"Oh yes ma'am. She's right here waiting for you. I just need you to sign this paper stating you are the car's owner and I need to see your driver's license and proof of insurance. For the paperwork, you know?" The young man handed a clipboard and pen to Cassandra, and she signed along the line at the bottom. She gave him the requested paperwork, and he went toward the office. "Just got to make a copy of this right quick. Look your car over and make sure everything you left in it is still there."

Cassandra unlocked her car and peeked inside. Everything appeared to be as it should be. She slid in to the driver's seat and started the motor. Purrs like a kitten, just as always. Greg walked up to the driver's side window and leaned in. "Everything ok, Cassandra?" he asked. "Yes, it all appears to be fine. I'll call you later this evening and we can make plans for a late dinner maybe?"

"That would be great. But right now, I have to get Uncle Grouchy his car back before he blows a fit."

The new lovers were sharing a lingering goodbye kiss when the young man returned. "Ahem. Ok, Miss Goth. Here's your copies of the paperwork, and your driver's license and proof of insurance. You can leave now. Have a great day." The young man turned and went back to work.

"See you later, Greg." Cassandra smiled.
"Don't forget to call me." Greg coo'ed at her.

Cassandra drove off, heading toward Strangetown General. She still felt certain this Betty Gardner was not her mother and this lead would be a dead end. Just like all those other dead ends she followed before. But still, what if...........?

***********

Early the next morning, Nina was awakened by the sounds of her sister screaming in the front lawn.

"No!!!! Not my car!!! Don't take my car!!!"

Nina hurried down stairs to find her sister sprawled across the hood of the Mustang and a two truck backed up to it. A large muscular man was standing beside the Mustang talking to Dina. "Miss, I'm sorry about your luck. But, you are 6 payments behind. I have no choice but to repo this car."

"No!!!!!!!!!!! YOU CANT TAKE MY CAR!!!! I'LL MAKE THE PAYMENTS!!!!"

"Miss, you don't understand. Once I get the order to repo your car, I don't have any choice but to take it. If you want your car back, you are going to have to call your finance company and make arrangements with them."

"I'll give you the money to give them!!!" Dina wailed.

"Ma'am, again, I can not take your money. I have to take the car. You have to call your finance company and talk to them about the back payments." Repo man repeated.

Nina walked over and grab her sister's feet and pulled her off the car's hood. "Get down from there! You look ridiculous and all the neighbors are watching."

Dina stood there sobbing and screaming. "I can't lose my car!!!!"

"You should have thought about that before you skip on the payments!" Nina snapped. She was getting fed up with her sister's hysterics.

"This is all Dom's fault!!! and Cassandra's!!! I'm not to blame for this mess! They cheated me out of my money!" Dina screamed.

"That's enough! This stupid farce has gone on long enough! I can't take it anymore! I'm outta here!"

"Wait, you can't leave!!! You have to seduce Oldman and get his money!"

"I don't care about money! I don't want to seduce Oldman or any other man! I can't stand the thought of having any man touch me!" Nina screamed back.

"What does that supposed to mean?!?"

"Oh for the love of pete! Wake up and smell the coffee! I don't like men! I'm a..." Nina caught what she was about to say and slapped her hand over her mouth.

"You're a what?" Dina's tone dropped, she inched closer to her sister. "You're a what? Tell me, now."

The sisters were so engrossed in their argument, they didn't even noticed the repo man hook up and drive off with the Mustang in tow.

Nina looked down at the ground. She suddenly wish she had just stayed upstairs. "Dina, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time, but I never knew how to put it. " Nina drew up her last reserves of inner strength and finally told her sister the truth. "Dina, I'm a lesbian, and I'm in love with Wanda Tinkler."

Dina slapped Nina across the face. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AND GET OUT OF MY SIGHT! DON'T YOU EVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN!!!!"

Nina ran off, crying. She phoned a taxi from the end of the block. As she climbed in, she took one last look back at her former home. Her sister was digging up the plants in the yard to sell. Nina sadly shook her head "Go on, driver. There's nothing left here for me anymore."

Dina walked back in to her barren house. She called Dom on the phone. She demanded to know just why he didn't marry Cassandra.

"I couldn't marry Cassandra because I was not that deeply in love with her. I couldn't stand having wake up next the same woman every day. I'm a romance sim. I need variety."

"All you had to do was marry her and move out of town." Dina corrected. "You didn't have to spend your life with her."

"You're not listening. I'm a lover, not a family sim."

"Oh, really? Need I remind you of your involvement in the disappearance of Bella Goth? She's alive you know. I saw her in the Goth home with my own eyes. It won't be long before she puts her mind back together and calls the police on you."

"Why would she call the police on me? I only tried to have an affair with her. You're the one who pushed her off that balcony. You drove her out of town and dumped her body. If anyone is going to jail, it's you."

"I didn't push her! She fell! And we both load her in the trunk when we thought she was gone. You're more to blame as me!"

Dina started to speak when Dom cut her off. "I'll be quiet about what I know as long as the police don't come snooping around. But don't call me ever again or I might be tempted to confess my sins, understand?" Dina slammed down the phone. She shudder in defeat. She looked around her empty house. "I hate this dump. This is not a fit place to raise a baby." She looked from one empty room to the next. "Why do I have to stay here? I should be living in the Goth mansion." She looked in the filthy kitchen. "Why should I clean it up? I should have maids to do that work for me." She looked at worn out couch and the bare spot where her TV used to sit before the burglary. "I should be resting on fine furniture watching a big screen plasma TV."

Nina had left her. Dom had abandoned the scam. Bella was alive. She had heard the news of BG in Strangetown. She had seen Bella walk back in her home. Mortimer wouldn't marry her now. Cassandra had all the money. It would only be a matter of time before Bella's memory came back, and Dina would be on her way to prison. If not for her baby growing in her womb, there was no point in continuing one more day.

Hours later, a stabbing pain in her lower stomach told her it was time. Alone, scared, she deliver her babies. Twins. One boy and one girl. She named them Mike and Deeanna. She laid them in the floor and walked to the phone. She knew that she could not take care of them in her current situation. She had to do what was best for them. A quick call, and the adoption worker came and took the children. She watched motionlessly as the worker put the babies in the car. "We will take good care of them, Miss Caliente. Your children will find loving, happy homes." Dina nodded sadly, and signed away her parental rights.

The next part was like she was on autopilot. She just couldn't go on this way. All she wanted was to not feel pain, not feel anything, ever again.

She returned to her living room and found the one valuable item she had left. It was worthless as far as money goes, but completely priceless to her. Micheal's urn was sitting on the floor beside where her desk once was. She picked it up and teardrops ran down her face. "Micheal, I miss you so much. Why did you have to leave? We was so happy together. You bought me everything I wanted. I was never poor or hungry when I was with you. You was so good at managing money. We always had the bills paid on time. The fridge was full of food. We had such a good life together."

She cuddled it close to her, and laid down on the couch, the last piece of furniture in the house. She drifted off to sleep, praying that somehow a miracle might occur and the Grim Reaper would return Micheal to her. Or, if he couldn't, she prayed that the Grim Reaper would take her to him.

The front door flew open. The wind swept in and rustled the curtains. The candles flickered and the flame extinguished. A dark shadowy figure floated thru the open doorway. Dina didn't even raise her head. She just couldn't do it. She clearly couldn't go on.

"Don't be afraid." The shadow said. "Just take my hand."

Dina weakly raised her hand, and tho ever fiber of her being told her she should be frightened, she wasn't scared at all. A beam of light came down and Dina felt her body fall away as she was lifted higher, flying thru the sky. She knew her final prayer had been answered. She was going to be with Micheal.

Whoops, forgot the pictures!:duh:

Cassandra pulled in to a gas station halfway between Pleasantview and Strangetown. She looked at her watch. It was 10:45 already. It was another hour and half to Strangetown, plus a three hour trip back. And how long to convince Betty Gardner to come with her, if Betty Gardner even turned out to be Bella Goth? Sigh. She could tell that she was not going to be able to make it back before Alexander got home from school.

She needed someone to watch Alexander for a few hours, but who? Mary-Sue didn't get off her job till after 5:00. She didn't know any of the other neighbors well enough to ask them. She sighed, knowing that only left one option and Alexander was not going to like it.

"Hello. Spoonful of Sugar Nanny Services."

"Hello, yes, this is Cassandra Goth."

"Hello, Miss Goth, how can we help you today?"

"Yes, I need a babysitter for this afternoon. Can someone be at my house at 3:00 pm and watch my little brother until about 6:00 pm?"

"Yes, ma'am. We can schedule that. Will that be Mastercard or Visa?"

After giving the operator the credit card infomation and finalizing the details, Cassandra hung up at the same time the gas pump shut off. She grabbed a soda from the store's cooler and paid her bill. Within moments, she was back on the road.

Her mind raced. Was this Betty Gardner really her mom? If she was, how would she convince Betty to come to Pleasantview with her? Even if it was her mom, there was no guarantee that she would remember Cassandra. A sparkle on her hand caught her attention. Her dad's wedding ring. She was still wearing it. She had forgot to give it back at the hospital. The engraving. Of course. She would show Betty the engraving. But..would that be enough? Mortimer himself had said it no longer matched exactly. As the miles flew by, Cassandra's worries and doubts built up. She knew she had to do it, but she was so lost as to how.

*wow. Almost 800 views to this thread. Hope everyone is enjoying the story. :)*

Nina had knew all along that if the truth came out, Dina would throw her out. She had saved up in a secret bank account, one Dina knew nothing about. Good thing too, seeing how money-hungry Dina had become.

Nina sat in a small local dinner, scanning the for rent ads. She found a small, 2/1 for rent at very reasonable price. She had walked past it before, and knew that even tho it wasn't in the greatest shape, it would be a cozy home for her and Wanda. She called the number in the ad and spoke with the landlord. The house was still available and ready to rent. Nina took the house right away and made arrangements to meet the landlord at the property to sign the lease.

Nina let out a long sigh as she gazed out the window. Dina was on her mind. It worried her greatly that things had occurred the way they did. Perhaps if she could talk to her sister, maybe Nina could make her see that being a romance sim was ok, and that not every girl dreamed of marrying a rich sim. Maybe if she could see with her own eyes how happy and in love Nina and Wanda was, she would give her blessing and they could be a family again.


Nina dialed Dina's cell phone number. No answer. Must be away from her phone at moment. She would call back later.

Dom rolled out of bed at around 1:00 pm. He had awoken to the sound of someone pounding on his door.

He figured it was some girlfriend who couldn't wait to get some of the Dom. He tossed his pj's on and splashed on some aftershave. "I'm coming! Keep your pants on!"

He opened the door to find a woman in a business suit. "Mr. Lothario?" she asked. "I'm Mrs. Simpson with Pleasantview Social Services. Do you know a Dina Caliente?"

"Um, yeah, that is to say, we met once or twice." Dom rubbed the back of his head. What did this woman want? His head hurt and he wanted breakfast.

"She claims you are the father of her twins. Is there any truth to this claim?" The woman motioned at the two car seats at her feet. Dom's eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight of two babies on his porch.

"Oh, no! No way! I never got her pregnant! You got the wrong man." Dom stammered. He felt his stomach lurch.

"So, these are not your children, then?" The social worker looked closely at him.

"Not a chance. She must have got them off one of her many boyfriends. I don't know who all she was with, but that chic was freaky. All I know is I aint nobody's daddy."

"I see sir. We always try to place infants with blood relatives, but since that is not you and you claim to have no ideal who the father might be, I see my business here is done. Good day to you, sir." The worker picked up the car seats and walked back to her van. She stopped and gave one parting word "I hope you can live with the choice you just made."

"Don't know what you're talking about, lady. Those aren't my babies." Dom shouted back.

"Yeah, right. Not your babies, and I'm not driving a mini-van." The worker muttered under her breath. She put the children in the van and drove away. Without any proof Dom was the father, she couldn't force him to take care of the babies. Even if she could, it wouldn't be a good situation for them. He was not fit to take care of a fish, much less two helpless babies. She sighed as she attempted to locate Dina's other relatives.

Betty Gardner stood on the curb outside the hospital, watching the taxi pull up. The nurse stood by, watching Betty.

"Are you sure you want to go to Pleasantview, Ms. Gardner?"

"Yes, I think so. I can't explain why, but I feel like I should be there."

"Well, I'm not too sure about that. I think you should stay here in Strangetown until you get your head straight."

"I must go there and find out if the answers I need are there."

"Alright. Your taxi is waiting to take you to the bus depot. I still don't think this is a good ideal."

"You worry too much. I'll be fine." Betty smiled, and patted Nurse Susan on the shoulder. "I'll let you know how it turns out." During Betty's stay, Betty and Susan had become close friends. Betty knew Susan was only concerned for her welfare. "I'll call you as soon as I can. Thanks for everything."

And with that, Betty climbed into the taxi, on her way to Pleasantview.

At noon, Mortimer's surgery was completed and he was back in his room, resting. He was still fuzzy-headed from the medicine, but was starting to come around.

The nurse came in and leaned over to whisper in Mortimer's ear. "Mr. Goth, are you awake?"

"Yes, Nurse Baker. What do you want?"

"You have a visitor. Claims he is your brother, but your file has no record of a brother."

"Brother? I have no brother." Mortimer leaned around the nurse to see the visitor standing at his door. "Oh, yes, THAT brother. Show him in, nurse."

Grouchy walked up to Mortimer's bedside. "Hello, old friend. I came as soon as that worthless nephew of mine returned my car."

"Grr, for the first time ever, I'm actually happy to see you." Mortimer reached up and shook Grouchy's hand. "Please, sit down. We have much to discuss."

"What would you like to discuss?" Grouchy leaned in close to the bedside.

"Grr, there's something you need to know about Bella and you and me. I understand that you have over the years, asked Bella if you got her pregnant and was Cassandra's father."

Grouchy looked downward, his cheeks flushed. "Well, there was a chance.."

Mortimer waved a hand to cut him off. "The answer is yes. and no. You did get Bella pregnant. But you are not Cassandra's father. I am. Emotionally, financially, legally and yes, biologically, I am Cassandra's father, not you."

Mortimer continued, feeling relief as the burden of the secret was lifted. Finally, he could explain to Grouchy what happened all those years ago.

Cassandra was driving down a very narrow lane when she saw a passenger bus coming straight at her. The road was barely wide enough for two small cars to pass each other. It was certainly not wide enough for a large SUV and a passenger bus to pass. The bus showed no signs of moving over. There was only one thing Cassandra could do. She pulled off the road and waited for the bus to pass.

The bus came blazing by her, going way too fast. She leaned out her window and shook her fist at the bus. "Slow down you nut-job!" She shouted loud enough to get the passengers' attention. For a spilt second, one of the passengers looked just like Cassandra, only with gray hair. Cassandra gasped, startled. Could that have been...? No, no, she told herself. Only her own reflection on the bus window pane. She pulled back on the road and head on to Strangetown.

************

Cassandra arrived at Strangetown General and stood before the admitting desk. "Yes, I'm here to see Betty Gardner."

"Yes, says here she is room 214. She is scheduled to leave at 2:00 pm. I assume you are here to pick her up?"

"Yes. Well, maybe. If she is who I think she is." Cassandra explained, but saw that the clerk had lost interest and was playing on her computer. "Must be nice to get paid to do nothing." Cassandra thought as she headed to the elevators.

She arrived on the second floor, in front of the nurse's station. "Can you tell me where room 214 is?" She asked.

"It's right down that hallway, but, there's no one there." The nurse replied.

"Excuse me?"

"If you're here to see Ms. Gardner, she left this morning." The nurse explained.

"Left? Do you know where she was going?" Cassandra became concerned that her opportunity had passed.

"She said she was going to ride a bus over to Pleasantview. Said she had some business there."

"Pleasantview. That was mom on the bus I saw!" Cassandra became giddy. She had seen her mother on that bus. Mom was on her way home. It had to be! "Thank you, nurse." Cassandra smiled, returning to the elevators. She had to get back to Pleasantview as fast as possible.

*************
Back out on the hi-way, a multi-car crash had traffic at a standstill. Cassandra pounded on her horn in annoyance. She would never get to Pleasantview before the bus arrived. But she knew that someone had to get over to the bus depot and pick up Betty Gardner or at least delay her until Cassandra could arrive and explain everything.

She flipped open her phone and dialed Greg's number

"Hello, Greg, this is Cassandra. Look, I need a huge favor from you. I need you to go to the bus depot. There's a bus coming in from Strangetown carrying a passenger named Betty Gardner. I need you to keep her at the bus depot until I get there. I don't know how you are going to do it. Just talk to her. Act like a lost friend. Offer to take her where ever she wants to go. Just don't let her out of your sight."

"Can do, babe. I'll go meet your friend at the bus depot." Greg smiled, happy to be able to help Cassandra.
***************

this story is great!!

Wow! Over 1000 views! Thanks to everyone for reading!

offdatsub, glad you like the story. Welcome. :)



Greg arrived at the bus depot and looked about at the people there. He walked in to the store and asked the cashier at the register if the bus from Strangetown had arrived yet.

"Oh no, not yet. Though, it should be here directly." The cashier informed Greg.


Greg studied on the problem he had. How was he going to figure out which passenger was Betty Gardner? He could ask each one as they got off the bus, but that seemed too involved to him. He looked about the store. When he spotted posterboards for sale, he knew what to do. He bought a posterboard and a marker and wrote "Gardner" in large letters on the posterboard. He then went back outside and placed the posterboard up beside his motorcycle and waited for the bus to arrive.


In a few moments, the bus pulled up and passengers began disembarking. Greg held up his sign where the passengers could see him. Soon, one passenger, an attractive grey-haired lady made her way over to him.

"Hello, I'm Betty Gardner. Who are you?" she asked Greg.

"Hi, Betty, my name is Greg. I was sent here by a mutual friend to pick you up at the bus depot." Greg smiled, leaning back against his bike.

Betty shook her head slowly. There was something very familiar about the young man and the bike. She felt like she should know who this person was, but the time frame seemed wrong, like the young man should be older now. "Who is this 'mutual friend' that sent you here?" Betty asked, hoping that perhaps a name might trigger some suppressed memory.

"Her name is Cassandra Goth." Greg ran his fingers thru his hair.

"Goth? Is she any relation to Mortimer Goth?" Betty asked.

"Yeah, Mortimer is Cassandra's dad. Um, are you any relation to Cassandra? You do look a lot like her."

Betty rubbed her temples. It all seemed so familiar, right there just beyond her reach. She felt some connection to these people, but she couldn't quite place how. "I think I might be a relative of Mortimer and Cassandra Goth, but I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?" Greg shifted his weight from one foot to the other. This lady was a bit freaky.

"I have amnesia. I am not sure of my past or my relatives. I came here to Pleasantview to see Mortimer Goth. I believe he can help me remember who I am."

Greg shifted around again, nervously. "Well, Mortimer had surgery this morning. I'm not sure he is able to have visitors yet. Perhaps we could get you checked in to a hotel while we wait for Cassandra? She is supposed to be on her way back to town. There's a Travel-Stop Inn about a block from here. Hop on my bike and I'll take you there." Greg straddled the motorcycle.

Betty gasped and took a step toward Greg. A memory came flooding up.
..........."Grr, I'm pregnant."............
........"Mortimer must be happy." .........

Betty shook her head to clear the cobwebs. The memory was just a piece of the jigsaw in her mind. She still couldn't see the whole picture, but it was starting to come together, one bit at a time.

a picture related to above post.

Quick reply:

First, thanks to offdatsub for reminding me about the story line here. I finished it on another forum, but forgot to finish it here. It's just as well, as I wasn't happy with the other ending and this will give me a chance to re-write the ending to suit me.

Since the rules require a picture with each post, and I don't have one of this storyline to share, here's a completely unrelated picture of one of my generation 3 legacy children hugging a kitty cat. Isn't she cute? Her name is Hailey Nunn, she's one of the more adorable tots in my game currently.

Again, thanks for reading everyone. I hope to get a related post within the next few days.

:)

Ok, Greg, I'm here at the bus stop, where are you?"

"Betty and I are at the motel in room 126. We decided it would be best for her to get a room first."

"Ok, I'm on my way over. Just stay there."

*******
Cassandra stood before the door of room 126, her hand posed to knock, but she paused. "Compose yourself. This woman has amnesia. She won't remember you. Don't freak out if it is your mom, or she might bolt."

She tapped on the door, and Greg answered. "Hey, babe. She's right over here." Greg gestured to the lady sitting in the chair across the room.

Betty rose to her feet to greet the visitor. "Hello. I'm Betty Gardner. I understand your name is Cassandra Goth."

Cassandra walked over to Betty on shaky legs. It was her! After all these years, Cassandra had found her long lost mother. Her eyes teared up, a lump formed in her throat. She forced herself to speak. "Yes, I'm Cassandra Goth. I have reason to believe... that is to say... You are my mother, Bella Goth." Cassandra lost her voice. She fought back the urge to cry.

"Huh? I don't understand. What makes you think I'm your mother?" Betty had to admit, the resemblance between her and this woman was uncanny. There had to be a relationship, but mother? Betty wasn't convinced of that. It was possible.

Cassandra showed Betty Mortimer's wedding ring. "See, look here. This is my father's wedding ring. It's marked almost like yours. BG + MG 4ever. Except your ring was re-sized, the + MG was removed."
Betty examined the ring closely, and looked at her own. Yes, she could see where the ring had be resized. The two rings were a set.

Cassandra reached up and embraced Betty. Betty wrapped her arms around Cassandra and hugged back. Betty felt a connection. This woman was right. Although Betty's memory was still broken, she somehow knew in that embrace, yes, this was her daughter. She was so close to remembering. If only she could speak to Mortimer Goth, then she would know for sure if this was indeed her family.

"Can you take me to Mortimer Goth? I need to speak to him." Betty whispered.

"Yes, yes. I know he wants to speak to you. He saw your story on the news. He is waiting for me to bring you to him." Cassandra wiped away the tears.

"I hate to break up this reunion, but I got to get to work." Greg leaned over and kissed Cassandra on the cheek. "It's good to meet you, Betty, or Bella, who ever you are."

As Greg hopped on his cycle and drove off to his job, Cassandra and Betty/Bella drove toward the hospital for a fateful meeting with Mortimer.

Cassandra and Betty/Bella arrived at the hospital at the same time Grouchy was leaving. They passed each other in the hallway.

"Uncle Grouchy? What are you doing here? Did you come to visit dad?"

"Yes, we had a chat about old times and some events of long ago. Go in there, Cassie, your father is waiting to talk to you." The emphasis Grouchy had placed on the word 'father' told Cassandra that Mortimer must have explained some secret to Grouchy. Some secret Cassandra wanted to know.

Grouchy turned to face Betty/Bella, "I don't believe we have been introduced. My name is Gregory Oldman, and you are?"

"I'm Betty Gardner. You look familiar, have we met somewhere before?" Betty searched Grouchy's face. He was familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she knew him from.

"I don't believe so." Grouchy's eyes shifted from Betty to Cassandra and back. "You look like someone I once loved, but she is long gone now." Grouchy shook Betty's hand "In any case, it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Gardner. I have to be going now, but have a great day."

Grouchy walked away thinking to himself "I'm just a lonely old man who gets lonelier every day. Every woman I meet looks either Bella or Marla. I miss them both so very much." Grouchy pulled out his wallet and took out Marla's picture. "It won't be much longer, my dearest, till we meet again on that golden shore." Grouchy wiped away a tear as he shoved his wallet back in his pocket. "Soon, my beloved wife, soon."

Mortimer was laying back, resting his eyes as the ladies entered. Cassandra stood back as Betty made her way up to Mortimer's bedside. Her hand lightly touched his hand. "Hello."

Mortimer's eyes fluttered open. He sat straight up and gapped his mouth open. "BELLA!"
Before Betty could say another word, Mortimer flung his arms around her and kissed her passionately all over her face. "Bella! You're home! You're back! Oh how I've missed you so! Bella, my beautiful wife is back!" Mortimer planted a big wet kiss right on her lips.

At first, Betty tried to push Mortimer off her, but as their lips met, her heart gushed forth with love. Yes! Her mind snapped on, her memories flooded back. This was indeed her husband, whom she adored. This was the moment she had been praying for since she woke up in that hospital so long ago. She was finally home with her family. Bella wrapped her arms around Mortimer and began kissing him back, pulling him close to her, she never wanted to let him go.

Bella Goth was home, and for the moment, all was right with the world.

First photo: Bella and Mortimer kiss at hospital.
Second photo: Grouchy and Marla on wedding day. This would be the photo in Grouchy's wallet.