When we left our purple generation Matilda had just experienced her first loss with the passing of the families old dog Odie.
Now with just her and her two cats she’s feeling a bit lonesome. Because cats aren’t exactly the most affectionate of animals.
Since she’s not one to really head out on the town to meet new people she decided the romance festival in San Myshuno was her best bet.
Like every newcomer to the festival, Matties first task was to try the famous glowy sakura tea.
Arriving at the magical punch bowl at the same time as a rather strapping peach sim.
He looked at her, she at him their eyes met and dropped.
Eventually, an awkward start to their conversation began when he brought up the taste of the tea.
Mattie made a joke she was more interested in glowing and it made her throat tickle.
They laughed and broke into a far more natural conversation. Two small-town sims enjoying the fun of the big city festival.
It turns out his name is Ted and he comes from the desert town of Strangerville. He’s in the city on his spring break from culinary school and just had to experience the famous festival.
When asked what brought Matilda there she told him about her family’s big house feeling empty since her dog died and her big sister moving out with her new wife.
“So you came here looking for a connection?” Ted asked her.
“Yeah, I guess I kinda did.” Matilda admitted. “Feels like such a foolish thing to admit out loud.”
The two walked a few feet in silence until Ted steered her to an isolated bench.
“Not if it’s true.” Ted responded as he leaned in to kiss her.
Matilda lost herself in the moment. Nothing ever felt so right, she was on cloud nine. Could it be real? Love at first sight, is an actual thing?
As the festival came to a close and the magic of the romance festival was stripped away piece by piece they walked through the city. Matilda safely held in Ted’s embrace as they wandered the city aimlessly.
Eventually, they ended up at the ferry that would take Mattie back to Windenburgh.
As they approached their conversation ceased and once they stopped moving neither knew what to do.
They looked at each other with longing yet sadness for neither one believed they’d ever see the other one again.
“So, um … you will email me that sneak peek of your latest book right?” Ted barely got out of his mouth.
“Absolutely! I said I would… You will call or at least text right?” Mattie spewed out at chipmunk speed.
“Yeah, yeah of course and if time allows between work and school maybe we could video call..” Ted responded.
“I’d like that.” Matilda replied as the horn for the ferry blasted the final warning to board.
Unable to look one another in the eye Mattie turned to leave only to be pulled back into an even tighter embrace by Ted. They kissed for what seemed like forever before he released her to let her get back home.
Over the next year, the two did in fact keep in touch.
Ted finished his sophomore year of university and Matilda published her first novel.
Being so busy and nearly broke neither found an opportunity to visit the other and they carried on their long-distance relationship as best they could.
Until finally, after finishing her second novel Matilda signed on with an impressive publishing firm that gave her some much-needed extra income. In the form of a bonus.
She paid off some overdue bills, saved a bit, and made sure she had enough leftover to travel to Strangerville.
She never told Ted she was coming as she wanted it to be a surprise. Booked a room in a cheap motel and tried to make the best of the less-than-stellar facilities to deal with the oppressive heat.
As she waited for a day when she knew she could find him at work Matilda explored the strange town.
The people here were odd, to say the least.
But maybe she could use this strange atmosphere as a backdrop to a new book.
It’s certainly an idea, Strangerville does have an odd charm.
Lost in her own creative thoughts Matilda nearly forgot why she was there in the first place.
Until she passed Ted’s morning job at the Queeg Queeg Cafe.
She got back to her room after her long run cleaned up and headed back out for a cup of coffee.
Ordered her machiatto found herself a quiet table pulled out her laptop and waited.
Not two minutes later she saw him approach with her drink in his hand.
“You could of told me you were coming you know.” He said as he placed her drink in front of her. “I just got off my break I still have two hours.”
“It’s fine. I just had to surprise you, I can work while I wait. This town of yours has my creative juices flowing.” She responded.
He chuckles.
“I’m definitely surprised… Listen, there’s an ice rink on top of the building wanna meet me up there when I’m done?”
“Ok”. Was all Matilda could manage to say in response.
“It’s great to see you.” Ted said as he bent down to lightly kiss her on the lips before heading back to work.
Matilda chuckled and brushed her lips with her fingers. Now what was she thinking about, again?
Surprisingly the next two hours flew by for her as her writing flowed through her.
In fact she was so engrossed in what she was doing that Ted startled her when he tapped on her table at the end of his shift.
“Come on. I hope you’re as graceful on skates as you are on the page.”
“I seriously can’t believe there’s a skate rink on the roof of a cafe.” Mattie said as she gathered her things.
“Believe it, this is Strangerville anything is possible.” Ted responded with a huge grin on his face as he led her upstairs.
A couple of hours of some of the worst skating you have ever seen followed by dinner at a local pub.
As far as surprise impromptu dates went it was perfect. And this time the night wasn’t going to end with the two of them going their separate ways.
For the next two weeks, this was how things went. Matilda wrote while Ted went to his classes or work. Then in the evening they’d get together, go out if Ted didn’t have any school work, or sit at the motel together while they both worked.
Two splendid weeks of just acting like a normal couple. Until the final day when he put everything on hold to focus 24 solid hours on just them.
This time when they parted it wasn’t quite so sad. More bittersweet, they were both fully committed to making this relationship between them work.
So as Mattie headed home Ted promised he’d see her again very soon.
A few months later while on his winter break at school, Ted planned a trip to Windenburgh to see his girl.
The first night there he planned the ultimate date night with a romantic dinner at a classy French restaurant.
They caught up, chatted, and flirted for hours. Ultimately being there until the restaurant closed.
Just like back when they met in San Myshuno they walked hand in hand through the streets of Windenburgh.
Until they reached their final destination at the ferry stop to take them back to Matilda’s home on the island.
It was here that Ted finally managed to get the words out he’d been trying to say all evening.
Mattie was completely surprised by the engagement. She’d always hoped, but with Ted being so busy she never imagined it would be so soon.
As they traveled they discussed what happens next and Ted proposed he move in even before his graduation.
Long distance is frustrating so Matilda leapt at the idea and soon Ted was staying with her officially.
He finished his senior year while living with Matilda.
Then he headed out on his next stage of lifes great adventure, marriage.
Surrounded by Matilda’s large family the Roswells said their I do’s and now the future is theirs.
(Yes that is Ted Roswell betcha didn’t recognize him. All I did was peach him up age him down and remove the old timers skin details)
