how to have a quarterlife crisis

February 2079 - Chad and Riley Hathe are 27, Liza is 10, Shaun is 1.

Some people just aren't naturally happy cheery people, and Riley Hathe would be one of those. But believe it or not, Riley and Chad Hathe were once happy carefree teenagers. You might think they were centuries old, but they're only twenty-seven. Riley has always been very family-oriented, and when her family is unhappy, that means she is unhappy.

Riley has found two new dogs to take in this month, and Chad isn't happy about it. He doesn't really like animals, to be honest. "I can't believe you took in another dog! There are people and animals everywhere! It's like a zoo around here!"

It's true, they're both working too hard, and never have any time for fun. They're trying to do too much and something has to be sacrificed here. This is what struck her, in a single moment of inspiration, prompted by Chad tickling her. She realized, FUN! "Do you remember how much fun we used to have???" she says.

Riley knows he hates it out here in the country and she's trying to think about how she could make him happier. Maybe he could run some kind of business of his own? She thinks it might do him good to get out of the house and pursue his own interests. This family is going to be undertaking a whole-family happiness plan!

Though she can't give up on the poor orphaned animals out there in the world, Riley does think she can give up the merchandise portion of her animal shelter business. The money she makes is meager, but it's enough for the family to survive based on adoptions alone. That should free up a lot of time for both of them.

Chad does some research and it looks like they could use their savings to buy some shop space on Main Street. Chad always wanted to open up something like a gaming club. Of course, there's the Simoleon Arcade in Lakeside Heights, but it's so expensive and there are so many kids there. Chad thought he might open a place catering to the grown-up crowd. Grown-Up Gamers Night, every Wednesday at 7pm! He's getting excited already!

Chad stops out for some groceries and he takes Liza to see the new shop space. She says, "Dad, it's empty, I don't think people are going to have much fun here."

It doesn't stay empty for long though, and by the end of the month, they're ready to open to the public. Hayden, of course, is eager to be the first to stop by. He and Chad always did share a passion for gaming. Chad isn't sure how much to charge. "I don't know, Man," Hayden says. "I'm just a cop."

Even Adrian Jackson stopped by on their opening night, and Chad was nervous since Adrian's arcade is popular and successful. But Adrian just wanted to wish him luck. And maybe check out the competition too?

There's not much to start with, and Chad hopes to add some electronic entertainment some time in the future, but for now, it's turning out to be a nice place for Sims of all ages to appreciate a good game and unwind. He even thought up a name. The Gamer's Den.

The balloons on the chairs were Liza's idea. For the grand opening and all.

Liza is a fourth-grader this year at Bluewater Elementary, and she is enjoying her baby brother's company a lot more now that he's a toddler and can say a few words. She just couldn't really do much with him when he was a baby. They can actually have a conversation now, and though they don't always understand each other exactly, they're at least on the same page.

Chad tells Riley about his new gaming club, and Riley is happy to see him so excited.

And now comes phase two of their family happiness plan. Chad is hanging out in bed one night, catching up on a good sci-fi novel, and Riley says from the bathroom, "I think I need to be a little less uptight."

Chad says, "Okay...?" It sounds like one of those statements that don't really have a correct response.

She says, "We need to have a little more fun. We're too young to be so stressed out all the time."

He says, "That sounds good, Honey." He really isn't sure what she's up to.

Oh, that's what she's up to! "I like that idea," he says.

I think we can assume that dress isn't going to be staying on very long.

And though Riley can't really expect to take care of her animals in a red dress and heels, maybe she could stand to wear her hair down a little more often.

***

I noticed afterwards that I didn't really get in any good pictures of Shaun. He has these really pretty blue-green eyes, and I think those came from his great-grandmother, Jessa Nova. Otherwise, I think he's going to look a lot like his mommy.

***

notes: Hopefully Riley and Chad wont get another baby out of this deal! They don't have the room for it!

Riley rolled the mid-life crisis event for this round, and when I suspected this event could possibly break up one of my happy couples, I forgot to consider it might strengthen a weaker couple. What a fun surprise! :)

Riley changed her aspiration from family to pleasure, so they're both pleasure/family now. Her new LTW is to marry off both of her children. She and Chad went from two-bolts (58 ACR) to three-bolts (111 ACR). Not bad ;)