Round Nine - Straight

The Straights were enjoying life in their new farmhouse on the outskirts of the town. Lisa was still perfecting her art - she was so close to the top of her career she could almost taste it!


The twins weren't quite as serious as their parents or older brother - they loved to gossip and tell secrets to each other.


Cameron had decided he wanted to follow in his mother's footsteps and become a City Planner someday too. His natural skills lay more with mechanics than art but he was trying his best - architecture demanded at lease SOME artistic skill.


However, his natural gift for tinkering meant that he was the one who usually ended up having to deal with the old farmhouse's cantankerous plumbing.


Taylor had struck up a friendship with Elle Knox, and had to admit to himself that she was very attractive. Secretly, she agreed, but they were both married and staunch Family-types so nothing would ever happen.


Despite their occasional laziness in the area of academics both Douglas and Caitlyn were soon getting excellent report cards. The combined forces of Lisa, Taylor AND Cameron helping them learn how to study couldn't have resulted in anything less.


Caitlyn had made friends with Zillah Knox. They were very similar in many respects, although Zillah was more outgoing and had some crazy ideas about the paranormal that didn't fit into Caitlyn's more practical world-view.


Lisa was busy at work and was often out all day. The kids would stop whatever they were doing to welcome her back home.


Lisa and Taylor both reached retirement age. Taylor was keen to collect his pension but Lisa pointed out they needed more money - even though she had no plans to retire soon, they weren't going to be able to get the house absolutely perfect on her salary alone. She had dreams of getting her children into private school someday and giving them the opportunities she'd never had and hadn't been able to give her first son, Ewan.

Round Nine - Chalmers

Ash and Jacinta were enjoying their life as newlyweds in their very own suburban house. It offered a lot more privacy than their tiny apartment with the paper-thin walls!



Jacinta had always had a big appetite but now she was finding herself getting so hungry she woke up in the middle of the night and had to raid the refrigerator. She was also putting on a bit of weight, which wouldn't have been surprising except she had always had a fast metabolism and was feeling sick all the time... the symptoms clicked into place. She took a pregnancy test and lo and behold, it was positive.


Ash was overjoyed when she told him. In fact, he was probably considerably happier than she was - not that she was miserable, just that she had her career to think about whereas Ash had always been more of a family man who looked forward to grandchildren someday.


She got into the idea of parenthood quickly, though, and soon they were discussing names.

"What do you think of 'Daisy' for a girl?" she asked over a delicious roast turkey dinner.


It wasn't long before she was showing and had to start taking time off work. She was a bit resentful but tried to keep it out of her mind.


All her resentment washed away when she gave birth to a little boy that she and Ash named Josh. He looked like his father except for his bright green eyes, inherited from his mother and grandfather.


Jacinta went back to work as soon as she could - even if she'd wanted to stay home, Ash hardly let her be involved in parenting at all! He was always picking up Josh from his cradle and playing with him or feeding him.


Sometimes Jacinta thought back to her own childhood, wrecked by Jill and her manstealing ways. Really she was lucky to be able to offer her child more stability - Ash would never stray, she could tell. She had to keep that in mind whenever she was annoyed because Josh's crying called her away from studying.

Note: Even though I've got the hack that makes them stop harassing the babies, Ash is ALWAYS going and waking Josh up. ACR was responsible for Josh and Ash had a want for a baby while Jacinta didn't.

Round Nine - Knox 3

Using their combined wealth as a sports star and a successful criminal, Danny and Emma were able to afford a stylish and very modern house rather than a cramped apartment.


A silly mistake resulted in Emma getting demoted down the ranks of the underground organisation she was part of, and she was absolutely heartbroken.


Danny, on the other hand, was slowly but surely making his way through his career. He'd discovered a true love of studying and could often be found reading some book or other.


The new house had a large back yard and Danny and Emma wasted no time in getting some sports equipment installed. They invited work colleagues home for occasional soccer matches - Danny's work colleagues, of course. Emma wasn't about to risk detection and trouble.


All in all, things were going very well for Emma and Danny. Their shared love of sports just brought them closer together.


It didn't take long before Emma was back in her crime syndicate's good graces and she was back on the "team" when it came to heists. It was dangerous, she knew that - but it felt so good.

Round Nine - Nakamura 2

Shiina and her son Jin had really hit the jackpot. Her new lover, Gabe, was the heir to a fortune and a really nice house.


On top of that, despite his prickly nature Gabe was very caring and nurturing towards Jin, even though he wasn't his own flesh and blood. Shiina couldn't believe her luck!


It wasn't all about the practical things, though. They may not have had the biggest spark chemistry-wise as a couple but it was still definitely there.


Jin soon started school. He was an energetic young lad who much preferred sports to his mother's arts and crafts, but he would still sit down and watch movies with her.


For her part, Shiina was a very caring mother. She may have had a party-goer's soul but she had a mother's heart.


Gabe was very impressed. He'd always hoped he'd find a beautiful, caring wife someday and he knew he'd found her in Shiina. He proposed and Shiina joyfully accepted.


Jin was making friends at school - he soon brought home Adeola Knox. They talked about their joint desires for new siblings.

Round Nine - Davies 2

Heaven had gotten an expensive makeover, courtesy of Jill. She wasn't entirely sure if it suited her but it would do for now - she had more important things to worry about, like finding the job of her dreams so she could get rich on her own terms!


She went on an extensive job-hunt, checking the listings on the internet frequently. Soon she found an entry-level position in the Oceanography career. Perfect!


Nicole had struck up an acquaintance with Caitlyn Straight at school. They had a lot in common - they were both fairly relaxed, messy kids with a love of logic and games.


Leah, on the other hand, was quite the budding little socialite. She was a neat-freak but put it into her appearance rather than chores, and spent most of her time on the phone talking to her many friends.


James reached elderhood but he wasn't worried about it. Jill didn't just want him for his looks, did she? She seemed to approve of him no matter what.


Behind closed doors, however, it was another matter. Jill was still seeing her young man, and James growing older made her a little more bold - and desperate. She wouldn't be young forever either.

Round Nine - Knox 2

Adeola was growing up fast. She was an absolutely beautiful little girl who greatly resembled her father, which kept Elle from getting too angry at him.


This was probably a good thing. Will was enjoying the last few years of his youth by increasing the intensity of his womanising. His passion for blondes would never die down.


And even when he was engaging in extramarital shenanigans, he gained new admirers. Maybe this getting old thing wouldn't be TOO bad...



Elle wasn't entirely convinced. She had struck up an acquaintance with Will's stepmother, Kaylynn, and eventually she dared to ask the widow's opinion of her step-son.

"I am not getting involved," said Kaylynn firmly. "I know he's had a past, but I'm not in a position to tell you what's going on. We've barely talked in years."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's okay, sweetheart. Just... keep an eye on him."


Unfortunately Elle couldn't keep an eye on Will 24/7 - she DID have a job to go to. Will used his time taking care of Adeola while Elle was at work to swiftly romance the maid.


He was successful, as ever.


Adeola soon started school and Elle never wasted a moment with her. Her little girl was growing up so fast!


Will had also had a birthday. He stared at the mirror despondently as he brushed his teeth. When did he get so old? And who would want an old codger like him? He sighed. It was likely he'd be stuck with just Elle... unless he could find some young ladies who found grey hair "distinguished".

Round Nine - Nakamura

Things were going well for Yuki. She asked Zara on an official date and it went amazingly well.


So well, in fact, that she asked her if they could go steady. It was more of a big deal than it would have been a few years ago - they were both graduating soon and would be adults. They were serious about each other.


Nobuo and Sachiko reaching elderhood hadn't curbed their amorousness, and Junko was more disgusted than ever. Old people! Old people KISSING! EW!


Sachiko had heard about Shiina's relationship with the handsome (and very rich) Gabe LeTorneau, and wasted no time in grilling her about it.

"So, when are you going to marry him?"

"MOM! He hasn't even proposed yet!"

"Well, you'd better make sure he does it soon. You're a single mother, you're lucky to have made such a catch..."


Junko and Yuki both graduated high school and grew into beautiful young ladies, but their boisterous and occasionally childish behaviour when together didn't die down. They still loved playing "Punch You, Punch Me."


But their childish dreams couldn't last forever. The house was far too crowded so they decided to move out together and find a snazzy apartment while Yuki made her way up the Oceonography career ladder and saved up for a proper house.


Hiro had reached the top of his chosen career - he was a sports superstar!


Unfortunately his efforts in the making-a-family area were not proving as successful as his efforts in his career. Destiny still wasn't pregnant and was getting a little upset about it. All she wanted to talk about was babies!


Thankfully, keeping on in their quest and trying for a baby was a lot of fun.