beanstalk_sims | Culpepper Pals: Summer 2: Brows

I've just finished the summer rotation in game, so I'm not far off catching up with myself!

Last time, Dusty and Summer moved into a penthouse in the Arts Quarter, thanks to all the money Dusty has made being a famous artist. They also tied the knot at the little chapel in Newcrest, both of them keeping their own surnames. Summer took up some new hobbies and a job as a lifeguard, while Dusty became a three star celebrity.

Index / Boolprop

The first morning of summer, and we find Dusty being all famous and adored.

That's her stan, by the way, a result of a fame quirk. She comes in to gawk at Dusty. And I think she's also supposed to occasionally steal stuff, but if she has taken anything, I haven't noticed.

Leaving Dusty to deal with her fame problems, Summer is off to guard some lives.

Of course, once Summer has left the building, look who decides to drop by.

At least there's money to be made off it.

In order to boost her fame a bit quicker, Dusty's now vlogging. In my mind I thought she'd be like one of those art youtubers, or perhaps she is just taking her gossip to the internet. Whatever sells, right?

"Candy's not going to come by and bother us anymore, Summer, I sorted it out."

Yeah, turns out, when I gave Candy a residence key for the old flat back when she was dating Dusty, it somehow automatically had access to the penthouse. That's not how keys work, but there you go.

So Dusty finally took back the key, and now Candy will have to move on with her life.

That's one way to celebrate the end of Candy's stalking, I guess.

Despite having no key, Candy is still present, though. I think Summer's face says it all.

Shortly after discovering Candy is still here, Summer discovered something else. She and Dusty are expecting a baby!

Originally I was going to keep these guys childless, but in the end I couldn't resist adding a little one. Plus who wouldn't want to see Dusty's offspring? I've played her quite a few times in the past, but this is the first time she's had kids.

Summer immediately shares the good news, and Dusty is thrilled.

Dusty then decided to randomly use the grill on the balcony. The grill they've ignored since moving in.

I guess that's how Dusty celebrates good news!

The couple enjoyed a nice, quiet evening. I also just noticed Summer's dress matches the furniture, and I'm here for it.

Who doesn't co-ordinate their fashion with their living room aesthetic??

A bright and beautiful morning in the Arts Quarter!

Perfect for morning sickness, and spending a whole morning relaxing.

Poor Summer <3

Dusty, meanwhile, spent the morning at her easel. She's still a famous artist, I don't really want the vlogging to overshadow the art.

Summer's morning sickness passed, and the couple decided to head to the beach for the afternoon.

"It's so much more beautiful than when we were here in the winter!!"

"Hang on, let me just be famous for a second, and then we'll have some fun in the sun!"

I imagine the constant autographs and fans must get annoying, especially when you've come for a quiet afternoon with your wife.

Summer didn't sit still for very long. By the time Dusty had come to sunbathe with her, Summer had found people to chat with - she's got the Outgoing trait, and you can definitely tell.

Well, you have to simstagram the beach, right? Especially when it's as pretty as this one.

I think Dusty is doing the baywatch run wrong.

"Best afternoon ever."

Summer looks way more relaxed than she did this morning, and Dusty got to ride around on a borrowed jet ski, there is no better way to spend the summer.

Back in the city with garlic noodles and tan lines.

Luckily for Summer, her tan lines don't look too bad. There's a sim towards the end of the rotation who ended up with some really interesting ones!

Can't goof off all day, though - Dusty was up late, working.

Still, with that view, who can blame her?

Do you ever just lose a sim? Summer left the apartment and I couldn't find her anywhere, but she turned up listening to this sim sing?? I honestly have no idea why.

Also why is that sim dressed like that?

The next day was Geek Con, and I thought it might be nice for the couple to go, just to get out the house for a bit.

They were being cute upon arrival <3

Dusty really can't leave the house anymore, though, too many people are excited to see her.

So she spends some of the con posing for pictures. As you do.

Summer left Dusty to it, and found some peace in the empty karaoke bar.

That night, the heavens opened. Can't have a summer without a few thunderstorms, right?

I'm not entirely why Summer decided to try mopping the balcony, but I think it's a bit of a losing battle.

I bet the rain hitting those windows would sound super soothing.

For some reason, Candy is here again. No, I have no idea.

But Summer's really unhappy about it this time - Candy was stood blocking the only toilet, and Summer was desperate to use it...

Candy was asked to leave, and Summer had a bubble bath. She still seems pretty upset and uncomfortable.

Hopefully a good night's sleep will help. And hopefully Candy will make herself scarce for the rest of the season.

The rain continued all night and into the morning, which was okay because the couple didn't have any plans to go anywhere...

Their baby is on its way!

They opted for a home birth. Probably easier than trying to go to the hospital with Dusty.

Besides, who wants to give birth in the privacy of a hospital room, when they can give birth in front of huge windows the entire city can see through?

It's a girl!

This is Victoria Holiday, who will be nicknamed Tori from here on out.

Tori wasn't a baby for long. She's also terrified of the thunderstorm, poor kid.

Tori ended up with the Clingy trait. I randomise all the traits at the moment - I guess years of playing challenges means it feels like cheating when I don't randomise!

I think she currently looks more like Summer than Dusty, but we'll see how that changes as she grows.

This hug never fails to melt my heart <3

Time to alert all her followers on the baby news. Gotta get those views!

<3 <3

I love little Tori!

Cuteness in the background boosts the viewership, right?

More cute = more views, right?

Their family life is far from normal, but for them, it works.

It's great having a toddler in the family...right up until you remember you'll be cleaning floors repeatedly for the next 3+ seasons.

Okay, now the tan lines are hilarious.

What a normal morning looks like when Dusty's in charge.

That tablet does wonders for toddler skills, and Dusty's so close to a 4th star I didn't want her to stop working.

Summer comes home, perhaps with a promotion seeing as she's changed clothes although I don't have anything written down. Either way, she immediately grabs the flash cards and sits down with Tori.

Summer loves her flash cards.

Mother daughter dance party!

...those tan lines are still making me smile.

Such a cute little family <3

Dusty and Summer won't be having any more children, their little family feels complete as it is.

A number of bicycles inside can only mean one thing...

The Culpepper Pals are here to dance!

I love that Tori is joining in.

I genuinely love getting them all together. Do I say that every update? I feel like I do.

But is a lot of fun watching them all interact.

That brown-y/sludge-coloured painting is apparently a masterpiece.

To each their own, I guess. Dusty's proud of it, at least.

"Why did we even buy a high chair? She never sits in it."

I ask myself that with all my families. Why do I ever bother with the high chair??

The chase for the fourth star leads Dusty to throw a Meet & Greet, which I think (if I remember right) is what pushed her over into four star territory.

She sparkles now!

Who would've guessed, Candy Behr is a huge fan of Dusty! Also Father Winter by the looks of things.

I kind of love the sparkle?

Dusty then set about making some famous friends, just because.

She's one of them now, right? May as well.

Back at home, Tori is being her usual adorable self.

Dusty gets to work on aiming for that last star.

I wasn't going to go this far with fame & Dusty, but now I kind of want her to have a star in the valley. I have no idea how long it'll take to gain that last star.

Despite all the work and the fame, Dusty still makes time for Summer, and Tori.

<3 <3

I'm sure Dusty's stan isn't a vampire, I have no idea why she's doing that.

I should probably learn the stan's name, seeing as she's around a lot.

One morning left in summer for this family, and Dusty spends it with her little one. <3

Despite the fame, the fortune, and the fact Dusty glows, it was a really quiet, and ordinary morning.