Chapter No. 143: Eye Opener

[Surprised_by_Witches]

"I feel stupid," Aidan said under his breath to Connor. The two brothers stood on a stage at the Veronaville Academy, to the right of their new prince, as most of Veronaville applauded them and the other heroes of the revolution.

"You feel stupid? All I did was get shot."

The prince placed medals around each of their necks, starting at the far end of the line. Zuli stood in her mother's place, Erin in Ricardo's. Logan placed a medal around Connor's neck and then Aidan's.

"Thank you for your leadership in this war," he said to Connor. "You did a lot more than 'just get shot.'"

"You heard that, huh."

Logan smiled. "And Aidan, thanks for your quick action. I rather like having both legs."

Aidan nodded. "Of course."

Logan continued down the line and then returned to the center of the grouping. "These are not the only heroes here today," he said to the crowd. "Each and every one of you is a hero as well, for standing up, for fighting, for not giving up on your dream of a better tomorrow. I am humbled by all of these efforts in my behalf. I in turn promise to do my very best to be the prince you want, need, and deserve."

Everyone clapped and whistled and then the assembly broke up and headed off to the party: a barbecue sponsored by the prince and his new cabinet.

"What are you going to do with yours?" Aidan asked.

"I dunno, hang it in the bathroom?"

Aidan laughed. "I think I'll put mine in a drawer."

Madison and Katrina awaited them at the bottom of the stage.

"My hero," Madison said.

"I've asked you not to call me that," Aidan said, looking pained, and then he groaned. Mason and Cabot Sloane were headed their way.

"Connor," Mason said.

"Mr. Sloane. May I present my fiancee, Katrina Monty?"

"Hmph," Mason said, but he took her offered hand. "Congratulations."

"Aidan, we're so proud," Cabot said. "A decorated war hero. How very brave of you to save the prince's life like that."

"Thank you."

"Come sit with us, Mother," Madison said, and the three of them headed off.

"Mason?" Cabot said over her shoulder.

"In a minute, dear. I'd like to talk to this young man."

"Wait up," Katrina said, following the others.

"So," Mason said. "That's the young woman you threw my daughter over for. She's pretty, I'll grant you that."

"I didn't throw anyone over," Connor said. "Things just didn't work out between Madison and me."

"I wanted to ask you about that brother of yours."

"Oh?"

"He's not much like you, is he. No ambition at all as far as I can tell."

"I'd be very careful about what you say about my brother in front of me," Connor said.

"One way you two are alike," Mason said, "is you have no respect."

"I give respect where it's earned," Connor said. "If you'll excuse me, I have a party to go to."

"He's not getting one red cent of my money," Sloane said.

"I doubt very much that he wants it," Connor said. "Money just isn't that important to Aidan."

"I knew it. He's a slacker."

"No, he just knows what matters," Connor said. "And having a lot of things, doesn't. Good day."

He walked off to join Katrina. Amazing how he used to think Mason Sloane had so much to teach him. Sure, he still might, but Connor somehow doubted it was anything he wanted to learn. He hadn't given up on his dream of wanting to be rich: having money meant you didn't have to struggle to pay the bills, didn't have to worry that your children would go hungry. Having money meant people listened to you, meant you had the power to change things. But something much more important than money now shaped Connor's life.

His family and friends, and his town, would always come first.

The End

Read Connor's continuing story in Veronaville #7a: Love and Loyalty, coming soon.

[Lynet]

Applause for Connor! Again, Brava, SBW.

Too bad that Madison's dad is so obnoxious, but there will always be people like that.

I am loo0king forward to more stories about Veronaville.

"...There are 8 million stories in the naked city..."

[Sacharissa]

What a wonderful ride! Loved it, loved it, loved it! I'm SOOOO looking forward to the continuing saga!!!

[Surprised_by_Witches]

Just wanted to add a very belated thanks here. I appreciate the comments, and the readership! When I first got the idea to write about a sim's entire life I had no idea what that would lead to.

Thanks for continuing to read and I hope you enjoy the next installment.

[muffin-tacos]

So, this part comes to an end. I have to say, I did enjoy it.

I wonder if Connor is turning from a money sim into a family sim?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of his life turns out. Like, say, kids? I hope things go better for Aidan & Madison and Cecily & Charles as well.