The Lonelyhearts family was brand new to Colonial Village. Dorothy Lonelyhearts moved here from Pinecreek Rapids with her three daughters after the death of her husband, Stew. Dorothy bought the old Bugger place and opened up a boarding house for local sims needing a place to stay.
Oldest daughter Mrya was the type-A personality of the family. Tough and to the point, she had no time for fun or mess in the boarding house. She worked hard and expected others to do the same.
Middle daughter Polly was the complete opposite of Myra. Polly was wild, rambunctious, and hated to clean. She hoped to fulfill her dream of becoming a rock and roll superstar someday. Each morning she woke up and got ready as if she were performing a concert for her adoring fans. "Gotta act the part to get the part," she was famous for saying.
Kind and gentle Irene was the youngest of the bunch. Mom Dorothy had decided long ago to groom Irene to take over the Lonelyheart Boarding House in the event of her death. Irene was happy to know her future was so secure.
Currently, the House had two boarders: Kaylynn Landchild and Phoenix Peshterianu. Both were recent divorcee's and were happy to have the Lonelyhearts to rely on.
Kaylynn Landchild was going through a particularly rough time. Her husband Sirius, of the fabled Landchild coven of witches, had found a new woman to cast under his spell. Kaylynn's three sons lived with their father, new stepmother, and new stepbrother.
Phoenix was recently divorced from Adela Vantross. Adela lived on the other side of town with their two children and Phoenix really never saw them. Luckily, he found Polly to be quite the distraction.
Each night the household members would gather for Dorothy's delicious eats and enjoy energetic topics on any subject. It was a true meeting of the minds and one of the rare occasions where Dorothy's daughter's distinct personalities worked cohesively with one another.
One night, after dinner, Polly ran into Phoenix in the living room.
"Phoenix," she cooed, "I just have to tell you how adorable I think you are. I know I'd never forgive myself if you leave here without knowing that."
Phoenix grinned from ear to ear and went to the piano. Polly followed. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I want to play a song for you, Polly." Phoenix answered, and he began to sing:
"You're still the one I run to - the one that I belong to - you're still the one for me..."
"Oh!" squealed Polly, "That's Shania Twain! I love that song. I didn't know you could play - here, let me try."
"Pour some sugar on me!!!!!!!!!" she sang at the top of her lungs, "In the name of love! I'm hot, sticky sweet, from my head to my feet, yea!"
Phoenix was entranced. He and Polly went outside to get some air and relieve all the ... tension in the room.
"Polly," Phoenix murmured, "I've never felt this way about anyone. I never expected to want someone so singularly. Will you be mine?"
Polly felt the exact same way. "Yes, yes, yes! I love you, Phoenix!" From then on the two were inseperable.
The next months flew by as Phoenix and Polly nurtured their secret romance. One morning Dorothy asked Myra if she had heard anything "unusual" the previous night. Myra said she had not, but she would keep her ears peeled in the future.
"We certainly can not have canoodling of
any kind in this boarding house, mother. I will get to the bottom of it." Myra said resolutely.
Dorothy smiled, remembering her daughter's orderly nature. "Well," she said, "I agree that it's not the most appropriate behavior. But let's not call out the calvary!"
Irene, however, knew exactly who was doing the canoodling. And she was jealous. She met a man named Clay Perry and offered to pay him to date her. He agreed.
Meanwhile, Polly was having a hard time controlling her suddenly voracious appetite. Phoenix informed her that it sounded like a little one was on the way. Polly was really freaked out, but became excited about the prospect of a baby. Now, she just had to tell her mother. Polly left a letter for her family on the kitchen table that explained everything and went to bed.
Word spread quickly through the household the next morning.
Polly came to breakfast and got an earful from her mother and sister about the "prison" babies could become to a free spirit like Polly. It was enough to shake her resolve.
As soon as Phoenix arrived home that day, Polly jumped on him.
"I will NOT raise this baby alone, Phoenix. And I will not be stuck at home all day with this child while you have a career. Things need to work both ways!"
Phoenix was kind of scared of Polly at this point, but he let his heart speak. "Honey, that will not happen. I've been down that road before. I love you. And I want to make this official...would you marry me, darling?"
Polly's anger immediately dissipated! She replied with a joyful "YES" and she ordered her mother to begin the party planning.
It wasn't long before the big day was here. Dorothy worked hard at providing delicious food for the guests.
Irene sulked during the preparations, wishing it were her big day.
Some chips made her feel better. Temporarily.
A very pregnant Polly and a very happy Phoenix were married at sunset. They were so excited about the fresh start this union would provide them.
The ceremony was an exciting one, to say the least. Myra's mean streak came out after the ceremony and she took it out on Irene. "Hey Irene, pretty sweet huh?" she asked, "Must be sad to see your sis getting hitched and you can't even get a guy to KISS you!"
Irene ran away in tears.
She found her paid for date Clay in her mother's bedroom and proceeded to lay one on him.
Too bad Dorothy found them. "Irene! You're not 15," she yelled, "what the hell are you doing?"
"Get out, MOM!" Irene said with uncommon force. Dorothy left the room and went back to the party.
She and Clay then had their own "party."
Outside the bedroom, the wedding went on. Phoenix was so happy when his sons Bryson and Braeden showed up. He had not seen them in so long.
Kaylynn's three boys, Darius, Marco and Elias showed up too. Kaylynn was very happy to see her beautiful blonde boys.
Unfortunately their father Sirius, Kaylynn's ex, showed up too. He left quickly, though.
The rest of the wedding went off without a hitch. Everyone had a good time.
Adela showed up just as Polly and Phoenix were leaving for Bermuda. Phoenix was too busy with his beautiful bride to even notice.
After returning home from her honeymoon, Polly didn't feel so hot.
Little Presley Jude Peshterianu was born that night. Polly felt so whole.
That weekend the Peshterianeus moved out of Lonelyhearts House and into their own place.
Life seemed calm. But it didn't stay that way for long.
"Um, Irene," asked Dorothy, "you're eating so much lately. Is there something...I don't know...DUE in a few months?"
Myra dropped her fork in surprise. The silence at the table was deafening.
Myra stood up and began clearing dishes angrily. "Oh Myra," pleaded Dorothy, "don't be sour. Think logically. This is all part of God's plan!"
Myra made no response. Kaylynn got up and followed Myra to the kitchen.
"Oh, you too Kaylynn?" asked Dorothy, "It's a
child, not a plague, for Christ's sake."
Dorothy and Irene were left alone at the table. "Mom," Irene said after a moment's silence, "thank you for your support."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen:
Myra and Kaylynn were engaged in a secret embrace. "Oh Kay," cried Myra, "it's just not fair. Mother accepts Irene's and Polly's unplanned pregnancies. She'll never accept US."
Kaylynn thought for a long time about those sad words.
Irene went outside and cooled down by working in her tomato garden.
She went inside and found Myra cleaning the counters. "Hey," she said matter of factly, "this is who I am now, Myra. I love you and I hope you find courage to be who you are now too." Myra burst into tears and hugged her sister.
At dinner the next night, Kaylynn surprised Myra by outing their love and proposing to her. Dorothy looked shocked and uncomfortable, but Irene eased the heating moment. "Oh Myra!," she sang, "I knew it! This is so wonderful! Congratulations to you both!"
Myra smiled, thankful for Irene's instant acceptance.
The rest of dinner was eaten in a happy but slightly awkward silence. Soon it was time for Myra to talk to her mother one on one. Before she could get a word in, Dorothy said, "Don't say it, Myra. I love you and I love that you're not the "robot" I thought you might be. I am pleasantly surprised and very happy for you." Myra couldn't believe her ears!
Irene hugged a dog on her nightly walk and went to bed, happy for her family.
But she didn't sleep for long!
Dorothy heard the commotion and came to assist.
It was twins! Babies Gaylen and Garnet were born into a house full of love.
Dorothy was happy for her girls. Lonelyhearts House was its opposite. A full-of-heart house where love bloomed each day in new and different ways.
Aldric stays fit for his police job.
The Valdari's were surprised by the news of Autumn's pregnancy. Aldric spent many nights awake and worrying that his children would bear the cross of his genetic heritage. Luckily, they did not.
First born daughter, Meadow, is growing up fast. She is the spitting image of Aldric. A very Valdari girl.
After Meadow was born, little Haven joined the family. She looked just like her mom. Something was a little off in the household after Haven's birth. Autumn found that her children were always on her mind...but never quite high up on her priority list. Meadow felt despondent and alone. 
The problems escalated when baby Magnolia was born. Autumn loved her girls but was angry that so little time was left for her career. 
Autumn felt she had lost herself.
By the time son Heath came along, Autumn had had it with childbearing. 
She drove herself to the hospital she had practically lived in before becoming a milk-factory and ordered a doctor to perform a hysterectomy. 
Meanwhile, at home Aldric was encouraging his growing daughters to help their mother out in any way. Haven was very good at taking out the trash.
Aldric even bought a puppy to see if that might help bring some happiness back to his household.
Autumn still was not feeling this whole mommy thing.
The girls still noticed her lack of attention. It was like their mother was a robot - unfeeling and only performing tasks programmed by a higher power.
Aldric worried constantly.
He also turned to his love of writing in order to vent. His books "Son of a Vampire" and "Lakeside Living" turned out to be huge bestsellers! The financial gain was a real turning point in the household.
Now they could afford a nanny, to help alleviate the stress.
Aldric knew all was well when Autumn called a dinner meeting and apologized to her two eldest girls for her lack of devotion. The girls accepted their mother's apology and that night the family slept better than it had in months.
Today, Aldric and Autumn are committed to maintaining their separate identities in their careers. They also make special family time each night to watch tv with Meadow, Haven, Magnolia and Heath. The forecast remains optimistic for this branch of the crooked Valdari tree.
