The minicab driver dropped London right on the otskirts of the sleepy town of Sunset Valley.

“That’s as far as I go,” he said brusquely, before pulling the door shut, turning around and driving off in to the distance. London watched as her last chance to return home disappeared before her eyes. She steadied herself, this is what you want. She knew she didn’t belong among the celebrities and socialites who, with her family connections, she would never escape if she stayed in Havelock. No, she was much more of a small town girl. She looked down at the piece of paper in her hand, bearing directions to Kosovo’s new house, and set off.

 As she finally approached the house, perched atop a hil overlooking the village, she could see Crystal’s influence all over it. London had expected Kosovo to have chosen a home more reminiscent of the one they had grown up in. Where was Kosovo’s garden?

Almost as soon as she had rung the doorbell, Kosovo came out.

“London!” He exclaimed, throwing himself into her embrace.  “You made it.”

“Eventually,” London sighed, “So anyway, where’s your -”

It was at that moment that Crystal, who had been watching from inside, stepped outside.

“London, darling, how are you?” she questioned, patting London on the shoulder. Kosovo hung back,

“I’m fine,” London answered, “Look, thankyou both so much for letting me stay here. I really hope I won’t be any kind of burden,”

“Oh, darling, not at all.” Crystal began, “I think you’ll be quite a benefit, if anything. You see, I work down at Landgraab Industries during the day so we’ve got a nanny for Caleb but since you’ll be home all day, we thought there’s no need for that anymore.”

“Oh… I see. Well that’s great, you know I love Caleb. It’s just that I do have my catering business and that can keep me pretty busy sometimes.” London explained.

“Back in Havelock, maybe.  But you’re new here, it’ll take a little time before everyone becomes aware of you. Besides, honestly, Caleb is no trouble. Such a well behaved child. And if you ever do need to pop down to the shops or anything, a nanny is just a phone call away.”

After a few weeks, London had settled into a reasonably comfortable routine in the house. Her favourite time was when she could steal a quiet moment to sit down with a cooking book and take some inspiration from the fine recipes within.

There was also her catering business. Despite Crystal’s doubts, she had managed to get the word out and though business wasn’t exactly booming yet, still had a steady flow of work.

Despite feeling like she was the free childcare, she couldn’t help falling in love with Caleb and spent most of her days with him.

There was just one problem…

Her bedroom, the guest bedroom, was decorated in a sparse and modern style. It was an environment that London just did not feel comfortable in. Her bedroomwas meant to be her private place to relax and unwind, but how could she when there was so much space, metal and hard lines? It just wasn’t her style.

She knew that if she was going to stay here, something would have to be done about it.

Will it be Kosovo who loves the outdoors and has proven himself to be a skilled gardener and fisherman? Will his glamorous and popular girlfriend, Crystal, want to stick with this country boy?

Or will it be London who has a passion for cooking and dreams of creating the perfect home and raising the perfect family?

What about Mali? Mali has shown that she has immense talent as a pianist but she is often distracted by her desire to party.

Or perhaps you will vote for Nadi? Much younger than her siblings, Nadi has always been the quiet one of the family and has developed an interest in chess.

When London became a teenager, she had an idea.

“Kosovo – can I have some of your fish and your fruits and vegetables, for my cooking?” she asked him. Kosovo turned his attention from the waters, to his sister.

“Uh, sure.”

“Cool. I promise I’ll let you try my food,” she smiled, “We’ll make a great team.”

London loved cooking. She loved taking old family recipes and determining what extra ingredient or what adjustments to the method of cooking might make it even better. She loved feeding her family and seeing them enjoy her creations.

As for young Nadi, she had grown up to be the brainbox of the family, developing a passion for logic.

Mali was thrilled when she aged up and was finally able to take piano lessons. As soon as she got back from her lessons she would make her mother listen to a home performance.

Where London was wholesome, Mali was something of a party animal. Almost every weekend, the teens would hit the underage clubs and dance the night away.

Sometimes, Kosovo found it hard to believe that he was Crystal Ellis’ boyfriend.

But when they danced together, his worries would disappear as everything felt as if it was completely in place.

Mali didn’t have a boyfriend but that didn’t stop her from having fun.

Of course, London wanted a boyfriend too. She was prepared to wait for the right guy, though. She didn’t just want a guy to make out with at a party but somebody who she could cook up sumptuous dinners for.

Mali soon took to sneaking out of the house and night and going to the real clubs.

She would sit and blow bubbles or have drinks at the bar, telling all the other clientele that she was over 18.

Jordan went to visit her father’s partner, Riley as she had just given birth to a son, Beau. Jordan was pretty excited to have an adorable little half-brother and wanted to check that, as an older mother, Riley was ok. 

“Oh, we’re doing fine, sweetie. It was a difficult pregnancy, but we’re very blessed. Little Beau keeps us young, you know. And Christian is being so great.” Jordan frowned, she had heard about how her father would be extremely attentive during pregnancy and just after the baby was born and then revert but she figured, he and Riley had lastest almost her whole life, perhaps things between them were actually good.

Kosovo fished early most mornings but usually he was too busy to notice his younger sister coming home to hurriedly take a nap and finish her homework before the next day of school.

Mali quickly became an expert at rushed homework completion. She wasn’t too worried that her grades were slipping as all she was really interested in was her parting and her piano playing.

As Kosovo aged he became entranced with the outside world. He marvelled at all the life around him.

He developed a passion for fishing, though at first he was only able to catch the smallest of fish

But he soon progressed.

Enya treasured little Mali, she was just such a happy and easy going child.

She impressed everyone with her xylophone playing. Where most children would just bash at the keys, Mali seemed to know which key sounded best after another and how to produce patterns that pleased the ear.

Jordan had found a new hobby in gardening. It all began when she discovered some wilting plants and decided to nurse them back to health.

She loved all her children – Kosovo who was the spitting image of his fathers, London the spitting image of Marcel and Mali, who was such a mixture of them both. She had thought her family was complete but she couldn’t help but yearn for a child to be the image of her, perhaps another redhead. Thankfully, Marcel was receptive to the idea of another child and they agreed to start trying.

As for London, she had developed an interest in cooking. She spent hours with the toy oven, in pursuit of the perfect baked goods.

Almost every weekend she would go down to the park and have a bake sale. She was a great saleswoman, not hesitating to tell everyone nearby how good everything smelt.  She only ever charged a simoleon for anything, though, as she wasn’t doing it for the money – she just wanted to please people.

Enya was now fully retired as a designer. She loved having the time to go and visit Havana and India in Bridgeport. Both her oldest daughters were doing well, with Havana in a successful career as a private investigator and India being one of the top players in the woman’s soccer team. Enya got on famously with Havana’s daughter, Tisha, who shared her love of fashion.

As Mali grew up all she wanted was to be allowed to take piano lessons.

Jordan, who had recently discovered she was pregnant again, hated to have to tell her daughter no.

“I’m sorry, honey. They just don’t have piano lessons for kids your age. When you’re older – of course you can.”

Marcel tried to bond with Kosovo over fishing. Though he had to admit he did not have the same knack for it as his step-son.

This pregnancy was a lot tougher on Jordan. The first three had been relatively easy but this time around she suffered from terrible back pains.

Luckily Marcel was always around, able to stop whatever he was doing and give her a back rub.

After a difficult labour, Jordan and Marcel’s third daughter Nadi (Nan-dee) was born.  She was not the redhead that Jordan had secretly hoped for, but she was no less adored by all her family.

Not long after Kosovo began high school he realised that the fish he caught could be used to fertilise the plants. From then on, a new passion was born.

Though he still enjoyed fishing, gardening was now well and truly his favourite pastime and he knew that his goal in life would be to one day cultivate the perfect garden.

Due to the fact that he was often too preoccupied with his hobbies to go to parties, Kosovo was certainly not the most popular boy in school. So, he couldn’t understand why Crystal Ellis, the most glamorous girl in school, was interested in him. Still, she would often come home with him after school, wanting a swim in the pool or to work on their homework together.

One evening when the two of them were flirting Kosovo decided to just come out with it,

“Crystal – what are you doing with me? You could have any guy in school.”

Crystal looked at him, a little sadness behind her eyes. “We’re not so different,” she began. “I never knew my dad, either. He died only a couple of years after I was born.”

“At least you know he loved you. At least he didn’t leave your mum while she was pregnant,” Kosovo retorted.

“He did actually.” she said, tears welling up in her eyes, “He left her when he found out she was pregnant with Susan.” She wiped a tear off her face.

Kosovo reached up and stroked Crystal’s cheek. He knew it was hard for her to talk about Susan, her much older sister who had recently drowned in the local pool. “Anyway, they got back together years later and had me, he’d matured a bit by then, I guess,” she finished.

From that night on, Crystal and Kosovo became an item. Though their peers found them an odd pairing, to them it felt right to be together. They accepted each other for who they were and didn’t try to change each other.

As Jordan walked up the aisle she found it hard to stop herself from smiling stupidly. She felt more beautiful than she ever had in her life and she couldn’t wait to marry the man she saw standing in front of her.

Marcel stood with his back turned, not wanting the guests to see his nervousness.

But when he heard her footsteps as she ascended the steps to the gazebo.

“You look gorgeous,” he whispered in her air when she reached him. They both beamed.

 ”I love you,” she said.

 After they were married they embraced and shared a quick but passionate kiss as all the guests clapped and threw confetti.

“Hey there, little cousin.” Jordan spoke to her aunt’s stomach. “Guess what?” she said, standing up and speaking softly, so only Fern could here. “I’m pregnant too!  I’m much less far along obviously but we’ll have kids really close in age – it’ll be great!”

When all the guests had left Jordan remained in her wedding dress and played some guitar to herself to relax. She was happy, completely satisfied with her life.

 Her daughter, Mali, was born 8 months later. Mali was born with streaked blonde hair and her grandmother’s beautiful apple green eyes. She was a very happy child; everything excited and impressed her.

London and Kosovo were playing blocks together, under Marcel’s watchful eye. 

As Jordan stood and watched them together she realised that the three of them were the most precious things in her life. Though neither was planned, her children were everything to her and she loved Marcel with all her heart as the father of her children and her best friend, she knew she was starting to fall in love with him. Fame meant nothing to her compared to the three of them. Gaining recognition as a musician came a very distant second to being there for her family.

Everyone was so glad to be living in the new house, for the past few months the family had been split between living at Eden’s and Gaston’s while the old house had been torn down and a completely new one was being built in its place. Jordan loved the new house, authentic antique furniture and fittings had been brought in, giving the home a lovely historic feel that Jordan loved. She especially loved her bedroom, which was all done in her favourite colour – blue. She had only recently started sharing the room with Marcel. That night she told him she wanted to try for another baby, to complete their little family. He agreed and they started trying right away.

Jordan chose her sexiest dress for the band’s next gig. She had finally got her body back into perfect shape after London and was eager to show it off before she got pregnant again.

The gig went wonderfully. The crowd was super supportive, cheering loudly and requesting their favourite songs. Jordan thought to herself, entertaning these people is nothing to be ashamed of.

One thing distracted Jordan during the performance, though. There was a man standing in the corner the whole time, who never cheered or clapped or even smiled but just stood there watching intently.

She went to introduce herself after the gig was over.

“Jordan, Jordan…” he began, looking her up and down, “I was just about to come over and introduce myself. I’ve been hoping to make your acquaintance for a while now. It’s me, Ryan Briggs. From CBD Records, you know – the top record label in the country.”

Jordan fumbled a greeting, she never thought she would end up actually meeting this man, that he would travel from Bridgeport to meet her.

“Listen, listen. I have to say what a dissapointment it was when you rejected our offer, those years ago. Still, we’re now willing to make you another offer… such is the potential we see. Come on now,  you’re a very talented musician – you can’t want to stay here all your life. No doubt we’ll be able to make a real star out of you. But, still, the clock is ticking – image is an important part of stardom and yours won’t last forever. Meet with me and my execs, make it while you still can.”

“Uh…thanks, but no thanks.  I have no desire to become one of your ‘stars,’ I’ve seen what sell outs they turn in to. Someone like you might find this hard to believe, but I’m very happy to be here thankyou.” 

With that, Jordan hurried home - keen to start planning her wedding.

London’s arrival brought great joy to the household. With two young children running about, things were certainly nowhere near as quiet as they had once been. Enya loved having a new grandchild, and relished the many babysitting opportunities that came her way.

“No, sweetie – like this” Jordan tried picking London up by the hands and showing her how to walk but the little girl just flopped back down, unwilling. At that moment Marcel walked in the door,  “How’s it going?” he said with a smile as he saw the two of them seated down in front of him.

“Oh, I think someone’s a bit tired. Aren’t you?” Jordan smiled dopily at London and patting her shoulder playfully.

“Okay, how about you give her a break then. I wanna talk to you about something.”

“Oookay.” Jordan replied confusedly as she stood up to face Marcel as he stood there awkwardly.

“What are you doing!” she shrieked when Marcel bent down and reached into his pockets.

“I want to marry you, Jordan. I know we’re not together,” he began, silencing her objections, “or anything. But I love you, I think I always have. And we have London now, and there’s Kosovo who I love. I want us to be a family. I love you so much. But no pressure, we can take it really slowly.” He blushed “Will you marry me?”

Jordan was shocked. She had had no idea Marcel felt that way, though it all seemed to make sense now.  She loved Marcel, he was one of her best friends, but she had never allowed herself to think of him as anything more. Maybe it is time I did, she thought. He‘s always been wonderful to me and he’s a great Dad. So, though for her it was not exactly love, it felt right.

“Yes!” she cried, throwing her arms up and launching herself into his arms.

When they were through embracing, Marcel picked London up off the ground.
“Did ya hear that? Mummy and Daddy are getting married!” he said, tickling his daughter until she erupted in fits of laughter.
“Allright, little one. To bed with you.”

Jordan hunched over the toilet bowl in agony, it felt as though she had emptied all of her insides into the bowl. Finally, it seemed she had nothing left. She sat up and took a minute to compose herself. How could this be happening?  When she started her band she had promised herself she would never get with one of her bandmates and she had failed utterly. First there was Sammy and then, six weeks ago, Bad Nectar played at Marcel’s cousins graduation and after the gig she had slept with Marcel.  She didn’t know why she had been feeling so needy but she had more or less flung herself at him. Marcel had seemed hesitant but gave in after her cajoling.  When her period had been late, almost two weeks ago, she told herself there would be some other, totally innocent explanation. But it had gone on too long now, plus she was having these vomiting episodes in the morning. She had to face facts, she was clearly pregnant. As she sat, back pressed against the toilet she slapped her forehead in frustration, in their drunken state they must have neglected to use a condom.

She felt terrible, explaining everything to Marcel. She knew a kid would be the last thing he’d want, that she was about to drop a complete bombshell on him.  She told him she didn’t expect anything from him, he could be as involved as he liked.  She tried to act positive, silencing the doubts that were swiming around her mind.

“That’s great, Jords!” Marcel exclaimed, “I mean, ugh, it’s not… um, the ideal situation I wanted to have a baby in but I really want to be a dad, I always have. But nobody seems to see me as potential father material.”

“Maybe that’s for a reason!” Jordan laughed.

“Yea, in the past Jordan.  I don’t wanna do that stuff anymore. I haven’t dated anyone in over 7 months, there hasn’t been anyone since… since you.” Marcel explained with a wounded look.

“Okay, okay. I believe you.” Jordan said, smiling.

“Good. I’m really excited to be a Dad. I promise, I won’t let you down.”

“Thanks.” Jordan said but Marcel saw the skeptical look on her face. He could understand why it was there, having your boyfriend leave you while you were pregnant had to leave some scars. He’d tried to remain friends with Sammy, but found he couldn’t continue the friendship when he no longer had any respect for him. He hoped he could erase some of Jordan’s pain.

A few weeks later the band were preparing to play at The Local Inn. As she tuned the guitar, Jordan realised that this was not the life sh had planned. She hoped that Bad Nectar would be famous by now, not still playing at the local pubs. She couldn’t help but feel curious as to what might have happened if she had taken up that offer to go solo.

Kosovo soon became the darling of the household.

Enya loved all her grandchildren, Tisha, Kosovo and Pawel, equally. She had the blessing, though, of being able to spend much more time with Kosovo as he lived with her and she relished her roe as a grandmother. It was getting to the point where she didn’t have to be quite so involved at work as she once had. She liked to keep well informed of all the goings, make sure all the designs had her input and seal of approval but, aside from that, the place could really run itself. Allowing her plenty of time to visit her family and spend time with her beloved grandchildren.

Even Marcel was really good with Kosovo. Whenever he came around to practice he would find himself distracted, playing with Kosovo.

Watching them mucking about together, Jordan was surprised. Marcel was normally the type to hang around after the gigs and try the “I’m in a band” line with all the pretty girls in the bar not the type to come home and play around with a toddler.

Bad Nectar got back to playing almost straight away after Kosovo’s birth. Though, at first, Jordan stuck to more modest outfits than usual, still feeling self conscious about her post-pregnancy body.

Along with Marcel and Molly, Jordan was hanging out at the local pool one night when she set eyes on Willard Vigil, the lead guitarist in another local band. Pretty cute, she thought. As she walked over to talk to him she felt glad to be wearing togs that showed off the slim and toned body she’d been working so hard to regain.  Willard was extremely charming, and the two of them spent a good deal of time chatting and flirting together.

Jordan felt happy, perhaps there was something there between her and Willard. That is, until Marcel came over and started telling her all about what a player Willard was.

“Oh, that’s a bit rich coming from you, isn’t it? Don’t you bring a different girl back to your apartment pretty much every night?” She questioned him.

“Well, maybe I’m sick of that. And, ugh, anyway – It takes one to know one I guess. Just don’t go out with him, Jords, he will screw you over.”

“Okay, okay. Thanks for the heads up.” Jordan scowled slightly as Marcel walked away, hoping she had made the right decision.