making memories

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella is 27.

* long, but mostly picture-heavy *

When Bella and Cameron step into their seaside bungalow on Twikki Island, they discover that it looks nothing like the pictures in the brochure. "Ugh, what a color," Bella says. "It's like vomit in here."

"I know," Cameron says. "A sea foam green would have been better, against a more calming shade of yellow, like wheat."

under the skin, part 3

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella Bradshaw is 27, Micah and Mariah Buchanan are 25, James Porter is 26.

* soundtrack: "The Blower's Daughter," by Damien Rice. Warnings: unapologetic cheese? It's a wedding, I'm allowed ;) *

Bella Bradshaw and Cameron Gibson are married on a sweltering day in August, in a garden ceremony at Riley Hall, hot enough even the flowers seem to sweat. Their wedding is elaborate, but appropriate for a rising young film star and Lake City's prettiest playboy socialite. The guests are adorned in shades of silver and scarlet, as per Bella's fancy. Delilah and Naomi don't exactly understand all the fuss, but they're happy enough to be held and cooed over, while their parents make funny gestures and faces at each other.

under the skin, part 2.5

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, April Hutchins is 20, James Porter is 26, Drew Bruty is 27, Bella Bradshaw is 27, Amelia Bradshaw is 28.

* soundtrack: "Reckoner," by Radiohead. Warnings: NSFW/kids *

Men are, by their nature, quite simple creatures. They like beer. They like women. But Cameron Gibson is not just any ordinary kind of man.

James, he's pretty ordinary. He'll drink cheap keg beer as long as it's free, and he certainly likes the sight of April.

Cameron, however, is not impressed with anything less than his usual rich and frothy imported ale. And April, sure, she cute, but next to Bella Bradshaw, a quickly rising young film star and the beautiful mother of his children, April is unfortunately just the average little college tart.

under the skin, part 2

August 2083 - Maxwell Shaw 37, Valerie is 42, Angelo is 13, Devon is 7. (Cecilia Dawson is 14, Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella Bradshaw is 27.)

* soundtrack: "Trouble," by Coldplay. Warnings: vulgarity? lol! You know, it is Max ;) *

Maxwell Shaw starts the day like any other man, though maybe a bit later. Valerie looks over him as she pulls back their sheets. He's almost peaceful, almost calm, with the covers pulled up to his chin and snoring lightly. But she knows better. He isn't peaceful in the least. Especially not lately. He confided in her about it, because this is about her now too. In truth, it always was. The closer he gets to the top, the more people there are just waiting to knock him back down.

happy birthday to you...

February 2083 - Welcome to Lakeside Heights: Naomi and Lillian!

Delilah Gibson contemplates a fat blue block with fierce attention at the precise moment she's about to become a big sister, wondering what are her parents going on about back there?

one day, like a light bulb...

December 2082 (mini-update) - Cameron Gibson is 31, Bella Bradshaw is 26.

*optional soundtrack: "It's You," by Pictures and Sound *

One day, like a light bulb, something finally flashes to clarity inside him. Cameron understands women?

No, probably not, but he does figure out a few things. Starting with this little pearl of wisdom he offers to a young friend. "No, kiddo," he says. "The girls don't like it when you pull their hair, I tried that once."

domestic bliss

August 2082 - Cameron Gibson is 31, Bella Bradshaw is 26, Delilah Gibson is 9 months. Last update, November 2080. *Optional soundtrack, "Sex and reruns," by Matt Duke*

*** This is long ;) ***

She missed a recording session because he wasn't home yet. She hates missing work! It's the one thing in the world she's ever been competent at, and not many people actually get this chance she's gotten and she's not going to blow it because he's a flake!

"Where were you?" she says, her voice calm and cold as he walks into the living room.

"Working," he says. "Is Lila in bed?"

"Of course she is. It's nine-freaking-thirty!"

happy mother's day!

I know there are a lot of mommies who read this blog, so in honor of Mother's Day...

this rustic life

March 2082 - Jeremiah Day is 25, Stephanie is 22. (via phone, Bella Bradshaw is 25). Welcome to Lakeside Heights, baby Skye. Last update, March 2080.

Stephanie is talking to her brother, long distance, while Jeremiah sets lunch out on the table. Lara had the baby - it was a girl, and they named her Skye. Stephanie can't even believe how much she's missed. She has four little nieces and nephews now, who aren't so little anymore. Liza is in junior high now, Shaun just started preschool, and Raine is starting preschool next year! Stephanie says, "The last time I saw Raine, she was still in diapers!" Oh, Patrick mentions, Raine still is in diapers, they've got to get that potty training done before the fall. Still potty training at three and a half! Sheesh! And they say girls potty train faster?

Stephanie says, "I can't wait to meet Skye!"

"Are you coming home then?" Patrick asks.

"Well, we kind of have to, I think. I'm kind of pregnant."

"Well, either you are or you're not," he says. "There's really no kind of about it."

"I am then," she says. "Yeah, I guess I am."

happy birthday to you...

November 2081 - Welcome to Lakeside Heights: Aaron, Emily, Hunter, Flint, and Delilah!

Jack and Nessa Phoenix had a very romantic final date last month, while they waited for their son to make his much awaited appearance. And it's a good thing, because romance is going to be the last thing on their minds for a while!

LCU, normal, simple, happy, part 3

LCU, spring semester, 2081 (part 3 of 3)

The suit is just a gag, because Micah is often silly like that. He found it at the back of his storage locker when he was packing up, and he figures he'll get one last laugh out of everybody before he leaves campus. He certainly doesn't plan on wearing the damn thing all day or anything!

the love shack

March 2081 - Maxwell Shaw is 34, Valerie is 39, Angelo is 10, Devon is 4. Last update, March 2080.

*** disclaimer: Your author and the residents of Lakeside Heights would like to express that the views and actions of Maxwell Shaw do not represent the views of the town in its entirety, and he shall be held responsible for his own shadiness. This post may not be suitable for the young, impressionable, or easily offended. Thank you, and enjoy! ;) ***

*** disclaimer #2: This is kind of long ***

Maybe this all starts with Bella Bradshaw. Maybe it's the flush in her cheeks and the way she shakes out her hair as she steps from that photo booth smelling of sweat and pure sex. Maxwell loves his wife - he and Valerie have a very special kind of connection, one that could never be replaced. But Bella Bradshaw is different. She is pure attraction and hormones. She is lust and flesh and so perfectly ripe he could just bite right into her.

She gives Maxwell an idea, and you can bet it isn't a wholesome one.

black sheep

November 2080 - Cameron Gibson is 29, Bella Bradshaw is 24. (Cody Bradshaw is 65, Kendal is 60.)

Bella Bradshaw and Cameron Gibson might possibly be the two hottest people alive... or at least they think so. Cameron is crazy about her, and has been for over three years now. He really hasn't even thought about another woman (or man, for that matter) since they got "serious." But this is Bella Bradshaw we're talking about. Cameron knows he's likely not the only man on her mind - but he also knows it's quite obvious who her favorite is.

the lofts, big fat chances

August 2079 - Paul Gallagher is 29, Cameron Gibson is 28, Charlotte Centowski is 25, Amelia Bradshaw is 24, Bella Bradshaw and Jeremiah Day are 23.

Bella and Amelia are actually getting along here in the lofts together. They're becoming almost something like friends. They never imagined the day would come, when Alon Hutchins had become inconsequential to them both, and long forgotten. We suppose that's part of growing up.

LCU, the end of an era

LCU, spring semester, 2079

LONG post! Take a potty break if you need one! :)

At the start of spring semester, the most pressing matter for Bella and Mariah is to win a dance competition. James was there to root for Mariah.

(Joel and Aurora Harris were there, on their first date night since baby Zachary was born, watching at first, but then they got bored and decide to flirt with each other instead.)

LCU, love, all around

LCU, fall semester, 2078

Bella and Mariah are living in Academy Hall this year. In her sophomore year now, Mariah declares her major in philosophy. Not because she's known to be a big thinker, but because... well, because her guidance counselor told her to.

the lofts, farewell marisa!

August 2078 - Cameron Gibson is 27, Marisa Wilson and Charlotte Centowski are 24, Amelia Bradshaw is 23.

Charlotte Centowski and Marisa Wilson have been best friends since they were five, and Charlotte doesn't know what she'll do without her. Marisa received an offer to dance in Abandia City, and she just can't pass it up. She's leaving at the end of the month.

LCU, everything she touches

LCU, spring semester, 2078

Jason called Bella to say he was coming over. He was dropping off some stuff, making it official that things were over between them. Not only had she flat out rejected his proposal last spring, but she never even called him back. He was so sure things were over, in fact, that he came from the gym and was still wearing his workout gear.

But I guess they weren't quite finished after all? Because there were no declarations of over-ness, and he didn't actually drop off anything.

LCU, spring break 2078

2078, LCU, spring break

Okay, go pee if you need to, grab yourself a snack - this one is LONG! I tried to cut it down, but it was just too funny :)

Amelia is so Zen she even has her own flock of butterflies swarming around her. She thought she was dealing with things in a healthy and responsible and normal manner - because, she figures, what are you supposed to do when your boyfriend of six years cheats on you for the second time, and finally leaves you for somebody else? Some not-that-pretty, devious, man-stealing snake who honestly has quite a large forehead!!! And what, you mean five hours of yoga isn't normal???

LCU, at the end of things

LCU, fall semester, 2077

Go ahead and grab yourself a cup of coffee or something... this one is LONG! :)

Amelia moved in with Alon and Piper after coming home from Takemizu Academy last semester. It was just something they all assumed she and Alon would do, but now she's beginning to question whether that was a good idea or not.

Amelia's flight got in really late and he was tired. Sure, he was happy to see her, but just tired. Really tired. And he had work in the morning. She tried to show him some bow thing she learned and he just didn't get it.