Mom reveals a secret!

Recently Mom called us into the dining room of our place in Hidden Springs.

"Girls, there's some things I believe you should know," she began.  "I think you're old enough now." 

She took deep breaths as she revealed some secrets to us about our heritage.  "Your grandfather - Grandpa Plumb - when he was a very young man, he did an impromptu performance for the Grim Reaper.  And he liked it."

Sierra, of course, was ecstatic.  She rubbed her hands and clapped in glee.  "Grandpa played guitar for the Reaper?"
Mom nodded. 
"Your grandfather owes a lot of his success to the Reaper's blessing."

"There's something else, too.  You know your father was adopted, right?"

I nodded.  I remember him telling us that when we were teenagers.

"Well, I made an accidental discovery while doing some research about Dragon Valley."

She pulled out this picture, of a man that looked a lot like Dad.  And he was dressed in medieval attire, standing outside of what looked like a manor house.

"His name was Kirk Patten.  He may be an ancestor of your father's.  He worked for the O'Connell family in Dragon Valley as their cook."

Sierra and I studied his portrait carefully.  Even though there were some differences - this man had curly hair while Dad's is straight, and this man had freckles where Dad does not - gosh, they look a lot alike.  

"Here's the problem I'm having.  The records in Dragon Valley are sealed to everyone except blood relatives.  And that's where you guys come in.  My job is done - it's your turn now."

Sierra, of course, is game for time-travel, it's right up her alley.  I don't know about Skylar and AJ, though. 

I was able to find this painting online of the O'Connells, the family my dad's possible ancestor cooked for.  They were the ruling family of Dragon Valley.  The father was Seamus, the mother was Shauna, and the older daughter was Morida, Morrie for short.  The family also had twin boys, Aiden and Brien, and a younger daughter, Aileen.

What I've read about Morrie, she sounds a lot like my little sister Sierra - feisty, tomboyish, and stubborn. 

I know that the O'Connells wanted Morrie to get married - and she refused. Instead, she took over in Dragon Valley as its ruler after her parents' deaths. During her reign she brokered a peace between her family, the O'Connells, and the other powerful clan in town, the Mithrilens.

Now, my possible ancestor worked for this family, and it's said that he had a special relationship with Morrie.  So special, in fact, that there were rumors about them getting together romantically.  But Morrie was free-spirited and anti-marriage.  

Sierra says we can use mom's old time machine in the garage, Dad had bought it for her for an anniversary gift.  That my dad bought my mom a time machine instead of, say, flowers and candy, tells me he knew exactly what she was into.

September 4

 

 

Mom is now officially a Dr.!
She received two doctorate degrees recently, an honorary one in creative writing and Simlish literature, and an actual doctorate in Simlish history and paranormal studies. 

The other night we were at our house in Hidden Springs (we have residences in Sunset Valley, Hidden Springs, and Moonlight Falls, although we haven't been to our MF property in awhile) when Mom said she wanted to talk to us after dinner.

Sierra and I were sitting at the table, and we both looked at each other like, "Huh?"

"Girls," she began, "you're old enough now, I think there's something I need to tell you."

When Mom decides she wants to talk to us, it's usually because she has something very important to tell us.  "Girls, you do know that I'm not getting any younger.  And you're of an age now where it's time for you guys to find out some things about your heritage.  I've told you that I'm an ambrosial.  That's a trait I inherited from my mother - Grandma Plumb.  Your Uncle Bassy did not inherit the trait but I did.  But there's also something else you need to know.  My father - Grandpa Plumb - when he was a very young man - he performed for the Grim Reaper."

Sierra, being Sierra, was ecstatic to hear this news, and was intrigued to hear more.
"The Grim Reaper was impressed by his playing... so much so that he extended my dad's life span.  Those blessings have also come down to the rest of us.  But - those gifts have also come with a price, as the two of you either have learned already or will learn soon.   When I was little, I discovered I had the ability to communicate with specters, which is why, after I came back from France the last time, I became a ghost hunter.  It's fairly likely that the two of you, and your brother too, don't know what gifts you have.  You may have gifts that are completely different from mine, or even your father's. 

"As far as your father's family is concerned, you do know he was adopted, I told you guys as soon as you were old enough.  But - I was able to track down some of his pre-adoption records.  I don't have everything as most of them are sealed, and only blood relatives can access them.  That means you guys.   I do know that his family was originally from Dragon Valley and that an ancestor of his worked for the O'Connell family.  Are you familiar with the O'Connells?"

"Vaguely," I said, "from my history books."

"Captain O'Connell came in and tamed the dragons during a dragon outbreak.  Here's where you guys come in.  I'm leaving this one to you guys to track down.  I could probably do it, but I've pretty much done my job.  It's your turn now."