#adanna gardenhouse

[blueshistorysims]

November 1936, New York, New York

The baptism itself was a much more private affair than Byron had anticipated. Then again, Thaddeus was only recently on speaking terms with his mother, and he still refused to speak to his aunt and uncle over their treatment of Samson. Stella was there, the first time he’d seen her since Adanna and Thaddeus’ wedding, over eleven years ago. It was quite clear she was making an effort to not look at him. 

Like any event for infants, the party was more for the adults. Everyone drank and chatted idly while the older children played with one another. Eleora doted over baby Julianna while she chatted with Thaddeus and Adanna, Byron busy in his own conversation with Samson and Brooks. 

Stella stood alone, smoking a cigarette. She’d aged, like Byron, but she still looked exactly how she did eleven years ago. Her dress was much simpler, and Byron hadn’t known her to be a smoker when they were together, but things had changed, their roles almost reversed. She was the one working while he was the one with all the money. 

Stella noticed his eyes on hers, staring back with great intensity. She arched her brow and crossed her arms, the obvious question floating across her face. Are you going to walk over here or are you going to stare at me like a fucking coward? 

Against his better judgment, he gulped and turned back to Samson and Brooks. “If you will excuse me.”

Samson glanced at his cousin and back at Byron. “Good luck.”

Byron didn’t reply. 

“I did not know you smoked.”

She glanced at the cigarette holding dangling in her hand. “Figured smoking is better than drinking.”

“You don’t drink?”

“Not anymore.” she glanced at Samson and Brooks. “I’ve done too much damage from it.”

Byron frowned. “...I’m sorry I didn’t attend the funeral. Miranda’s mother had just died, we were still reeling from the Crash and-”

“It’s fine. It was family only anyway.”

“I see.” He glanced at the children. “Your son Carl is a nice boy. He gets along so wonderfully with everyone, even Amalia, and she is quite the handful.”

She smirked. “Sometimes I think he’s far too nice to my son.”

“That is not true.”

“Is it? I’ve ignored you for eleven years for a reason, Byron. Even acquaintances speak to one another once in a while. We are strangers.”

“Keeping a distance is the proper thing to do,” he replied defensively.

“...I am surprised Samson and Brooks forgave me. I don’t I would’ve. But you knew far before I did.”

He nodded. “...You weren’t the first Gardenhouse I slept with.”

“I know.” Stella eyed him up and down, sighing. “I know it was you who gave that money when Campbell died. It wasn’t Thaddeus’. It was yours. Why?”

“I’m not a cruel person, Stella. I would never want you or your son to suffer.”

“I’m not a good mother. It’s a miracle Carl doesn’t resent me for my drinking and now my long hours at work. I don’t deserve him.”

Byron looked away, understanding far more than he wished. “I’m rarely around my children. Mostly because of my work, but… I would rather be with my wife or read and research when I am free. I’m not good with children. Even when I was younger, I only had one friend, and we stopped talking after I went to boarding school. I love my children dearly, but truthfully, I don’t know how to be around them. I can’t relate them.”

“I think the problem was that we are far too alike, Byron.”

He nodded. 

Byron put out his hand. “I would like to be friends, Stella. Or at least acquaintances who actually stay in touch. It’s been fourteen years since we divorced. I think a friendship is possible.”

Stella paused, staring into his face before she took his hand gently and shook it. “I think we can be friends after all.”

He smiled and laughed. 

Eleora watched her husband shake his ex-wife’s hand as they both smiled and laughed. She was glad he was doing the mature thing, but she couldn’t help but stare at the two, wondering what their marriage had been like.

[blueshistorysims]

October 1936, Henford-on-Bagley, England

Eleora and Adanna often phoned each other whenever it was a reasonable hour for both. It was a sort of kinship they felt, both being outsiders. Eleora felt she could rant about her problems, and in turn, Adanna felt the same.

Lately, Adanna had been preoccupied with the birth of her daughter, Julianna, and the death of Thddeus’ father Jedidiah. Both events had only been a week apart, leaving the Gardenhouse family reeling. While Thaddeus mourned his father, he did not regret not making amends before his death.

Stella’s son Carl was already 11 while James had just turned 8. The duo were close, and Carl was often over to play since they went to the same private school. 

For the first time in her life, Stella was now working for a colored women's magazine as an assistant editor, meaning she had long hours and little time to spend with her son. Adanna admitted she pitied her, but the job had brought her out of her alcoholism and she no longer relied on her brother’s charity (except for her son’s schooling). 

Adanna then told Eleora of Julianna’s baptism, to be held in November. Adanna’s own brother and sisters were to be the Catholic godparents, but Thaddeus and Adanna wanted Eleora and Byron to also be godparents. Eleora was touched and eagerly accepeted, promising to bring the whole family, but when she hung up, she frowned. She had no idea when Byron was returning from Spain. His last letter implied he wouldn’t be home until December. 

“Mummy!” Simon-Elliot announced, opening the parlor room’s door with a little piece of paper in his hands. “The mail just arrived, and there’s a telegram from Papa!”

“Really?” She asked, standing up as her son handed her the note. 

“Oh my,” Eleora muttered when she finished reading the telegram.

“What did Papa say?”

She smiled. “He will be home in three days.”

Simon-Elliot gasped in delight and cheered. “Yes!”

“Now, before you rush off and tell your sister and Miranda, how would you feel about going to New York City?”

“We’re going to America?”

“Next month. Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Gardenhouse? They’ve invited us.”

“Can I tell Amalia and Miranda about Papa and that we’re going to New York City?”

“Of course, darling,” Eleora replied as a sense of relief washed over her. Byron was coming home. 

[blueshistorysims]

February 1929, Henford-on-Bagley, England

As the final year of the 1920s arrived, Byron began to seriously look at his economic investments. The last nine years had been a non-stop expanding economy, and he couldn’t help but think the luck wouldn’t last. He remembered Thaddeus had once explained to him why there was an economic bubble, and like any one of the past, it was only a matter of time before it popped. 

Ironically, when his phone rang, it was Thaddeus in question who called, only to bemoan about the exact same thing. As an economist, he expressed worry over the financial situation and was slowly selling his investments in the New York Stock Exchange, suggesting Byron do the same. He agreed, admitting he would try to get his father-in-law and sister to do the same while Thaddeus complained that his father wouldn’t listen to him, acting like he was the one with the degree in economics. 

The phone wasn’t just a business one, though. Thaddeus happily shared with Byron that he and Adanna were expecting their first child. 

[blueshistorysims]

June 1932, Henford-on-Bagley, England

Eleora was more than happy to take Adanna out to the town, eager there was a woman her age visiting. While she couldn’t relate to all her problems and struggles, she knew what it was like to be a fish out of water. She’d lived in England all her life, and her last name and wealth gave her access that many women like her did not have, but she still felt people’s stares and coveted whispers, whether due to her skin color or title. 

“Do you miss Nigeria?”

Adanna nodded. “Greatly. There’s no Nigerian community in New York really, and I miss eating my mother’s fufu and Jollof rice. …But at the same time, I know being an American will be better for James and any other child Thaddeus and I have.” She scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Big thank you to the Empire for ruining my home country.”

Eleora nodded. “I understand completely.”

“Thaddeus wants to leave New York, but I don’t think he will. He may resent his parents now, but my father-in-law is getting weaker. He’ll be devasted when he dies, no matter what he says now.”

Eleora sighed. “I think Byron’s the opposite spectrum but with a similar sentiment. I suspect he’s quite sick of having his mother around, however, he won’t ever outright tell his mother he’s arranged for her to live elsewhere.”

“I am lucky to have a good relationship with my parents.”

“As am I. I truly do not know or understand my mother-in-law and my husband’s resentment of one another. Neither of them will ever admit it, of course, claim it’s something else. I worry that they will eventually have a large fight.”

Adanna shook her head, smiling sadly. “We are here in England, avoiding Thaddeus’ parents for that very reason.”

[blueshistorysims]

Mr. and Mrs. Gardenhouse on their wedding day, July 17th, 1925

Thaddeus and Adanna Gardenhouse were married in a large Roman Catholic ceremony in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City—while Thaddeus remains Baptist, his marriage to Adanna ensures that their children will be brought up in their mother's faith, much to Jedidiah Gardenhouse's annoyance. Adanna comes from a wealthy Igbo family from Onitsha and met Thaddeus while studying zoology in America.

bonus shots bc i love them!!!

[blueshistorysims]

June 1932, Henford-on-Bagley, England

The arrival of the Gardenhouses sparked a new surge of energy in the household. While the adults lounged in the sitting room, chatting the hours away, the children happily played together under the watchful eye of Rebecca. Byron was more than glad that his mother decided to “volunteer” and watch the children, even if he didn’t like her reasons. They could discuss real matters then.

Later in the evening, drinking gin and tonics in the library, Thaddeus admitted he was thinking about leaving New York to get away from his parents and sister. Samson, who’d decided to pursue a jazz career full-time, agreed with the sentiment. Mostly, they felt bad for Stella’s son Carl, who was the sole reason why Adanna and Thaddeus hadn’t left the city. 

It made him upset, hearing that his former wife had fallen to drink, and it angered him that she had violated Samson’s privacy in such a way, but he couldn’t help but think: Had she known about him too?

[blueshistorysims]

February 4th, 1925, Harlem, Manhattan, New York

My Dear Byron,

You cannot imagine my surprise by your letter. Not by its content or sender, but by pure coincidence! I had just sat down to in fact write you a letter when it was handed to me. It seems you have beat me to it. You are not the only one who will be married! If you will remember a woman I  had mentioned in a letter from years ago, Miss Adanna Okafor—well, she and I are to be married as well. In fact, this letter was also meant to be an invitation to my own wedding.

I never thought I would marry, hence being 34 and only now getting married, but now, I am so enamored with my fiancée, I can barely imagine what life was like before I met her. Our situations are familiar, I think, when it comes to our parents. My father especially does not like that Adanna is one, Nigerian and two, Catholic. I find it all very silly, but what can he do, I am a grown man. 

I am delighted to meet Miss Balass and make her acquaintance—I expect her as well as you to be at my wedding. It will be on July 17th, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (I am still shocked we will wed in a church as nice as the cathedral). Of course, I will attend your wedding, and I know Samson will be eagerly writing to report the same, and so will my parents. 

I can read between the lines with the invitation of the former in-laws to your wedding. In truth, I am not sure if Stella would have gone if she were able, but there is other happy news in our family: Stella is to have a baby! Mother and Father are very excited for a grandchild. By your wedding, she will be caring for a newborn, as the baby is due shortly after my nuptial date. Campbell, on the other hand, still feels shame about the nature of the end of your marriage to my sister, and I don’t know if he will come. Perhaps if you affirm that you have no hard feelings in person, he will change his mind. 

I look forward to your reply, 

Thaddeus B. Gardenhouse

London, England

The news of Stella’s pregnancy startled Byron. She’d told him more than once that she never wanted children. He’d been fine by this when they married, but to learn she was to have a child sparked something in him he couldn’t explain. She could have a baby with Campbell but not with him? Perhaps it was unjustified anger or envy, but he couldn’t help it, much to his guilty conscience.

[blueshistorysims]

July 1925, New York, New York

Mirroring a memory from over six years ago, Byron was delighted when he saw two familiar faces standing in the New York City docks, with them a woman he did not recognize but assumed it was the future bride. 

After initial greetings, Thaddeus introduced his fiancée while Byron introduced his. Seeing them brought happier memories from New York, and he was grateful that there was no bad blood. He was more than happy to return to New York, even if it was just for a wedding.

[blueshistorysims]

July 17th, 1925, New York, New York

The wedding was delightful. It was nice to see people he’d been friendly with years ago. Samson even entertained the crowd with his saxophone. And Thaddeus had not lied about Stella being heavily pregnant. She looked rather uncomfortable—or perhaps she was uncomfortable by the presence of her ex-husband and his new fiancée. As the happy crowd watched the newlyweds slowly dance to the lull of a trumpet and piano, Byron watched the balcony where his former wife stood, staring off into the evening sky. 

“I never thought you would be a mother,” Byron said quietly, standing next to her.

Stella barely glanced at him. “I hear you’re a Jew now.”

“You heard right.”

“Then we’re both unlikely things we thought we’d end up.”

He snorted, not in disagreement. 

“...Why are you here?”

“Thaddeus invited me.”

“No, I mean—why are you talking to me?”

“I don’t like how we ended things, Stella.”

She laughed without humor. “We have moved on, have we not?”

“I don’t harbor bad feelings toward you or Campbell. …Anymore. And… I want… I would like us to be friends. If you weren’t so close to having a child, I would beg you to be at my wedding.”

Stella swallowed and licked her lips. “You should be resentful. You should harbor bad feelings.” She scoffed. “I was with child when Thomas Walsh died. I had an abortion.”

Byron froze, and everything he had meant to stay fell from his head. “...I beg your pardon?”

“I was pregnant with your child, and I chose to get rid of it. I didn’t want it.”

He couldn’t help his anger and shock, trying to make sense of the information she’d given him. “But you are willing to have a child with Campbell?”

“To have a child in your world? A society where she would be rejected in the spaces of her father’s culture and her mother’s? What cruelty would a child deserve to go through that? Yes, it is true I hadn’t wanted children, but with Campbell…” She sighed. “I’m happy, Byron. I’m happier than I ever was with you. And I think it is the same for you and Miss Balass. We can’t be friends. You lied about your past, and I lied about my love for you. You may have forgiven me, but I have not forgiven you. You forced me into a world I did not want to be in.” 

He looked down. “May we at least part as acquaintances?”

Stella was quiet for another minute. “I think so.”

Byron nodded, turning toward the night sky as they stood together in the simmering silence, watching the stars.

[blueshistorysims]

Look book for our newlyweds! Both Mr. and Mrs. Gardenhouse went for a simple yet fashionably elegant look (Adanna's dress would be very different if they'd married in her home country of Nigeria)

Thaddeus: Hair (Basegame), Tuxedo, Socks (Basegame), Oxfords (Wedding Stories)

Adanna: Hair, Veil, Earrings, Necklace, Dress, Gloves (Basegame), Bouquet, Pantyhose (Basegame), Shoes (TSR)

Thank you to these creators!

@vintagesimstress, @beocreations, @sentate, @simmerofthedawn, @gilded-ghosts

[blueshistorysims]

June 1932, Henford-on-Bagley, England

A few days after Amalia’s second birthday, Byron received a phone call from Thaddeus Gardenhouse, whose son James had just celebrated his third birthday. They chatted idly, but Byron got the sense that Thaddeus was upset over something.  

“Now, enough with the pleasantries. What’s bothering you?” He asked bluntly.

The American scoffed. “Where do I begin? I have my parents leeching off me for money because they lost all theirs, an alcoholic sister with a child also relying on me and Samson’s money… we’re all just fighting at this point, and I’m sick of it.”

“Stella’s an alcoholic?”

“Well, I think many turned to drink after the Crash. She lost her money and her husband. Carl… he’s a great kid, but he’s not even seven years old. Rather impressive being an alcoholic considering we’re in the middle of Prohibition.”

“My word.”

Thaddeus laughed without humor. “Oh, it gets worse. Stella and Samson were arguing in front of our parents and his…. And she fucking told them he was a homosexual. I wasn’t even aware she knew.”

Byron stared at the phone, stunned by the information. “Jesus… I-I… dear God.”

“It did not go over our parents’ heads very well. Samson has been staying with me ever since. Uncle Tobias and Aunt Sandrine are disowning him, though it’s more symbolic since they have no money. My parents refuse to speak to me or Adanna because we support him. I’m so fucking tired of it.”

Byron swallowed. “If you need to get away from your family, you, Adanna, James, and Samson are more than welcome to come to Henford.”

“I may take you up on that.”

“Please do. I haven’t seen you or Samson since my wedding. Even in difficult circumstances, a friend is always welcome.”