[fic] continuing

[elydesia]

I've only been able to finish two small sections of the sims story, and they are midway through the whole plotline.

The following takes place after So-mi and Julian are married, after Ophelia's birth, and after Asmund and Serena get together.

The Lee Household
“Why do you hate Serena so much?”

So-mi set down her glass of red wine and looked up at her brother through her tilted glasses. “Because she is still married to that other man. She is only after your youth. She does not know our misfortune, she does not know our past. I do not like her, Asmund.”

“She is a beautiful woman who is bearing my child. I can't ignore her.” Asmund jammed his hand into his pant pocket and brought out a silver ring. The lighting was dim and the ring did not shine.

The young woman sighed. “Look, brother, you are the head of this family now. I deeply regret your choice in life partner. Please think about your position and reconsider.” She swallowed the rest of the wine in one take and headed for the back door. “I'll be in the workshop tonight. Do not disturb me.”

Asmund gripped the ring tightly in his palm and watched as his elder sister left the conversation.

---

Some months later...
A quiet house. It had been a quiet house for months. Asmund's bedroom door was long since locked shut with magic. Julian sat in the old rocking chair with Ophelia resting on his chest. He gently cradled her and rocked her. It was an attempt at putting her to sleep for the fourth time that night, since So-mi was in the workshop crafting elixirs and studying alchemy. Julian knew to not disturb her while she was working, and never did so.

Ever since Ophelia's birth, Julian had taken to sleeping inside the house instead of his fairy castle in the yard. If not to keep an eye on Ophelia, then to at least share a bed with his wife if she ever came to rest.

The time before their marriage and Ophelia and their time after, So-mi's daily schedule did not change. Countless days were still spent locked up in her workshop. She was so determined to get back to work, she left the hospital the day after having Ophelia.

Julian smiled while thinking of his lovely wife, her brash words and steadfast determination. It was what attracted him in the first place. He had known So-mi since she was very young, and had practically raised her. Although he is proud of the woman she is today, Julian cannot help but feel he went wrong somewhere. Their childhood was full of smiles, but now So-mi rarely smiles...

The sharp shrill of the antique telephone cut through the silence. Ophelia's tears were set off by the sudden sound and Julian sighed, as he had just eased her back to sleep. Ever since Asmund moved in with Serena, the amount of free time he had seemed to have been cut in half.

He stood and, still carrying his little girl, traveled to the kitchen. “Shh, shh, it's okay, my dear. It's just the telephone.” His gentle humming of words soothed Ophelia a little, but her crying did not cease.

The fairy sighed and picked up the receiver. “Lee residence, Julian Grimm speaking. Who may I ask is calling?” He turned his head slightly to catch a glance at the time on the stove. 04:18.

Whimpering came from the other end. Julian furrowed his brow. “Hello? Who is this?” He hoped it wasn't a ghost making a prank call.

“J-Julian? It-it's Asmund.”

Asmund? What was he phoning so early in the morning for? It wasn't unusual for him to be crying, however, as he did this often. His tears did not worry Julian, rather, the absurdity of the hour of phone call.

“Hello? Are you there?”

Julian was brought back from his thoughts and replied, “Yes? What is it, Asmund? Why are you phoning at such--”

“Serena is dead. There was a fire. Everything is gone.” Asmund's words left a heavy weight on the fairy's chest.

“What?” The reply was breathy and nearly inaudible.

There was gross sobbing before a reply. “Julian, there is only me and Riva.”