Thank you so much for your insightful comment ❤
About Alice, I think that she is not quite finished in her development.
She contains a void that basically makes her very dependent on being filled up from the outside, in order to feel herself. Her immature and playful almost boundless personality is one of the reasons why she and Allan got together. She has a need for boundaries. When we get to know Allan, he is a strong, controlling male stereotype. He’s come a long way since then. Now that Alice focus is being shifted from his bullying and their mutual fights, she might be ready to look at herself.

This line hit me really hard, vividly representing how much unprocessed emotion and shame Alice is struggling with:

She should have listened to him by now, but she’s so inflamed from months of repressed shame that she continues like a punctured abscess…..

Haha, the attraction system sure threw a lot of things out of whack. But it brought some great things too and Elijah and Fatima is one of them! Even if Jade probably doesn’t like the sudden lack of attention, lol.

Fingers crossed that Alice and Allan manage to conquer the unsaid together <3

Rasmus always seems so patient with Fabio. I never see him getting angry, even though Rasmus is actually hotheaded by nature. I think it’s quite annoying when Sims children get their obsession to wear a bear costume, but here it actually fit into the story quite well.
Somewhere, Rasmus probably misses Sulani water, but he is so busy with all his changes right now.

I love describing Tusnelda. She is so wonderfully imperfect in her obsessions.

Elijah and Fatima are wonderful together. It wasn’t planned, but now I can hardly leave them to themselves. I think her somewhat tight, controlled manner is a wonderful counterpoint to his flighty outgoing manner. He hardly ever takes his eyes off her and always smiles in response to her worried expression.

Alice and Allan yes. Alice seems frustrated and angry. As you point out, an unwell infant is really exhausting.
My thoughts on the situation between them is that Allan thinks they have both agreed on a cover story (lie) when he found his fair-haired great-grandmother in the family annals.
Alice has not fully understood that it is a way out that he has given her. She still carries the guilt within her. Every day. It is a heavy burden. Allan is shocked that she suddenly confronts him with the facts, thereby breaking their unwritten contract.
I often find that Allan turns his back when Alice has her tantrums and therefore I think that he has developed the most of the two. There is no doubt that he loves his son. What’s going to happen to Alice I’m still not quite sure.
The only way they can save their marriage is to really talk about the unsaid between them. It is their common enemy.

Tusnelda’s focus is amazing. Once she centers her attention on something, she -really- centers her attention xD

Elijah the romantic! He accurately sensed Fatima’s self-doubt when looking at Jade’s picture without her having to tell him. I’ve said it before but those two make for a good couple together. <3 HA, no need for the coffee machine indeed! They’re more than capable of keeping each other awake.

Andy is a total daddy’s boy, huh? I sympathise with Alice a bit, it must be hard to have an infant all fussy around you and then right as rain around your partner. It doesn’t give her a pass to be nasty to Allan, though. He’s trying so hard. I wonder if Alice is feeling trapped, and that’s why she’s acting up? Ooh I was close, her own morality is eating her up. And she’s in a foul mood too. That can’t go well. Not really wanting to allow herself to be happy, huh? Maybe she even wants Allan to get angry with her.

Oh my gods, Alice. Looks like her secret is finally out… and I’m mighty impressed with Allan here. Not only did he stop himself from exploding, but he already knows Andy isn’t biologically his, and loves him anyway. He’s come so far. He’s a very different person from the abusive spouse we saw in the beginning.

The Grand Marshal’s story is heartbreaking and so true – Allan actually has a son, if he wants him (and we know he does). Not everyone gets that lucky. I’m glad that he had that conversation with his superior. And that he sees “the enemy” not as Alice, but as the lie between them. Alice still needs to work on herself, a lot. But they might actually make it. I hope they do. <3

Thank you very much for your detailed comment. I am really touched and encouraged by your comment 😀
I think you are absolutely right about Allan’s tenacity. Unfortunately, Alice still has a long way to go.
I started writing primarily because it helps me process difficult issues in my life, but in addition it is very enriching when my characters touch my readers.
It can be really hard to reach readers, so I’m very grateful for your persistence and taking the time to let me know what you think.
Thanks for reading! ❤

It’s interesting how the balance shifts back and forth between Alice and Allan. We met Allan originally at the worst possible moment, right when he was finding out that his wife was cheating on him. We definitely didn’t see him at his best. We were inclined to be on Alice’s side because Rasmus liked her, and Allan was scary. But as the story has developed, it’s becoming clear that they both have aspects of themselves they need to work on. At this point it feels like Allan is the one who is making that effort most earnestly, even if he’s not always totally successful at it.

A while ago, on the Art of Simlit Storytelling thread, there was a discussion about memorable characters. I hadn’t read enough of your story at that time (and a lot of this season hadn’t yet been written) so I didn’t know, but right now I feel like after all is said and done, Allan may be the character who sticks in my mind the longest. I’m usually drawn to the characters who struggle the most with themselves.

I really like your writing and how you weave all these different story-lines together. I’m fascinated by every one of your characters.

Tusnelda became so flirtatious from the treatment that it is almost comical. I laughed so hard when I saw Martin’s somewhat skeptical expression 😆

Right now I mostly want to play with Elijah and Fatima all the time. They are really cute together and I think it’s fun to find clothes and make-up for her that underline her transformation….. but I have a story to write so I’m trying to stay focused! 😀

Allan has changed so much. I hadn’t planned it from the start. I probably have a hard time endorsing the really mean sims. They bore me and put me in a bad mood. I know other people find them amusing.
Fatherhood is not about genetics. I totally agree ❤

I love it too. I hadn’t quite planned this development, but when Allan simply turned his back on Alice’s tantrums on several occasions, the inspiration for this chapter came.
Alice clearly needs to mature. We’ll see how it goes.
Thank you for your comment ❤