Ch. 1.4 Winterfest and birthday

Annika had been getting promoted for couple times but the promotions weren't easy. She did everything she could, as many tasks as possible and enjoyed all of it. The problem was that she wasn't usually focused enough. Today was collecting day, she was eager to go and collect some minerals but why it had to rain today of all days?

The days were full of new inventions, nice colleagues, microwaved meals and trying out those new inventions. She was having especially fun with the transformer, the things she could do with it! Just too bad that you couldn't predict the outcome. She also made couple serums but didn't have that much luck with them. One made her feel angry, which was very weird, as she had never been really angry and one made her feel hungry all the time, no matter what she would eat. She just hoped that the effect would wear out by itself, she didn't have any idea how to fix it. But the best of all - she realized that there was a rocket ship at the science lab and she was allowed to work with it!

Then it really snowed! The whole scenery was different than what they were used to.

The snow was beautiful alright but it was also cold and dark and blizzards made it almost impossible to get outside.

Luckily there was something to wait for - winter fest! The family had collected all kinds of decorations through the whole autumn to be ready on this day. Hugh had just took out the boxes, ready to put everything ready.
"Ok, you furry little creatures, what do you want?", he asked when he heard loud meauwing and when he looked back he met two very stern looks.
"You are just like my audience, waiting for a next punch line, aren't you now? Do you know what's cat's favourite dessert?"
He only met that same stern expressionless look.
"Chocolate mouse!" The cat's didn't laugh - obviously, no one knows if the sim audience would have laughed either but he thought he was rather funny. "Ok, ok, I get it...I will clean up your toilet."

After doing that he started to sort out their decorations but realized it was impossible task. All the garlands were knotted together and he decided to wait for the kids to come home from school. Maybe they would have more patience to untie everything.

They did. Even though Greta complained that they looked silly, there wasn't any real style in them, everything was mismatching with their usual style which was rather minimalistic. But if three out of four think that they look just perfect, she couldn't really argue with that.

But when the Winterfest morning came, she couldn't help it, she too felt the festive spirit took over her and decorating the gigantic Winterfest tree, that didn't really fit in, was actually quite fun.
"Put the decorations evenly around", she tried to guide Nickolas.
"Yeah, yeah, do it with your boring style, I will do it like I want", Nickolas replied.
"It looks better if there are decorations around it, not just in one place", she argued back.
"Just stay on your side, this is my side", and Nickolas happily placed as many decorations on one branch as he could, "they like it together, you see."
"Decorations won't like anything, it's us who likes them - or not", Greta complained.
"Come one, Greta, leave it and let your little brother enjoy it", Hugh interrupted, "there is no right or wrong way to do that."

Greta looked at the tree, "It looks ok, I suppose."
"What do you want for presents? I think I will get thiiiiis much presents at least", Nickolas was excited about the day.
"I haven't thought yet, maybe my own guitar? Some great books that I haven't read yet would be cool too."
"I want new toys, funny things, nothing that boring", Nickolas replied. Greta smiled at his excitement. Yes, she was looking forward to presents but she couldn't really share Nickolas's enthusiasm. Maybe it was because this was her first Winterfest now that she was teen? Would it be different if she had celebrated it once she was a kid?

"I'm just about to cook a Winterfest meal", Hugh told Greta when she walked in with a plate full of hot dogs.
"Winterfest this and Winterfest that, what's wrong with just eating like any other day? Why the fuss?"
"Because we all deserve a little break from the usual everyday life, because we want to sit down in same table eating a well made dinner while spending good time together."
Greta sighed and muttered, "if you say so..."

There was one thing that not even Greta could resist - presents. The first present wasn't something one would expect though, when she found out she was getting a wolf eel, she decided the Winterfest simply wasn't for her.

Nevertheless, she had a present ready for August. They still insisted that they weren't together but if you invite someone over just to give him a present on Winterfest eve, there is something in there.
"Greta, you shouldn't have... I don't have anything for you... thank you", August said when receiving the present, "Isn't it great that we can now celebrate Winterfest? I heard that sims in other worlds have been celebrating that already."
"I suppose... it has some good things...", Greta replied uncertainly.
One thing was certain though, if that put August on that good mood, she was happy too.

As the sun was setting - which was very early in middle of the winter, Hugh was in his element preparing grand meal for the family. Annika had got funny Winterfest blouses for everyone and Hugh had been more than willing to change into one.

"Why aren't you wearing on these sweaters?", he asked Greta.
Greta snorted, "I'm not going to wear one of those things. That's my limit right there. I already changed into some winterfesty clothes, isn't that ok enough? And don't even get started about Winterfest hats, I'm not going to put one of those on my head."
Hugh laughed, "ok, whatever is good for you but how about trying to get into a feeling a bit?"
"I'm letting Tofu eat my hot dog so that I can eat your grand meal", she replied. That was something at least.

"Ho-ho-hoo", Nickolas was at least having blast. He was a bit disappointed that he too couldn't be wearing funny sweater but Annika had told him that they didn't make them in kids' size and this was the best she could find. At least he was able to wear funny hat and while waiting for the Father Winter to arrive, he didn't remember the whole sweater thing anymore.
"Is he really coming? Is he like really, really, really coming?" he kept asking.

"Is that a mistletoe?", Hugh grinned at Annika.
"Oh, where did that come from?", Annika did her best looking innocent.
"You know what they say about those?", Hugh asked, still grinning.
"What do they say then?", Annika was so hard trying to look innocent that Hugh bursted out laughing.
"They say that if you meet someone under one, you should do this...", then he leaned closer and kissed Annika, "not that I would need any excuses for this though..."

The Winterest atmosphere had really taken over the whole household. The evening passed by nicely by changing some presents and chatting together. The everyday life was usually so busy that everyone welcomed the chance to spend time together without hurry.

Then it was time for something that everyone had been waiting for - at least one of the two things, Winterfest meal. Hugh had really exceeded expectations with the meal.
"What's in this sauce? It's delicious", Annika told him, "so proud of you!"
"Thank you my love, a little bit of this and little bit of that... it's a secret", Hugh laughed.
"Alright, a secret like the bottle of cognac I saw you hiding behind the kettles?"
"That might be, that might be, we cooks never tell our secrets", Hugh winked his eye.

"This is actually delicious!" Greta had to admit, "wonder what dad did put to this."
"I know what's in this! Snail slime, frog's spawn... yum!" Nickolas laughed while enjoying his meal quite noisily.
"Oh, stop that, you are spoiling my appetite", Greta cried out.
Nickolas laughed even harder, he found Greta a bit uptight and whenever he managed to stir her emotions, he was happy.

After the dinner the mood was expectant, the kind that you only experience on Winterfest evening. When your stomach is nicely full of delicious food, you had some warming drink (the adults), you are getting a bit drowsy but you know that the best part is still coming.

Then it happened, Father Winter arrived. Partly expected, yet somehow a surprise because no one wasn't sure he would really come.

"So you are the one who dislikes Winterfest? he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Greta startled, "how do you... where did you... I don't dislike... I..."
Father Winter laughed, "relax young lady, no need to explain yourself. Father Winter sees and knows everything so he also happens to know that you aren't quite that serious, you just like your style."
Greta was speechless, Father Winter really knew everything. She smiled friendly.
"Winterfest is nice, I just don't like the funny costumes. No offence",she added hurriedly.
Father Winter laughed again, "none taken. Here you go, something little for this Christmas."
"Wow, thanks."
"I think it's better than the one you received from your little brother", he winked his eye.
"How do you..." Greta started but remembered, Father Winter was fascinating.
And as she unwrapped her present she also realized that Father Winter really knew and saw everything. She had just gotten beautiful prehistoric bird fossil. Such a perfect gift!

"That's what you get for having birthday at the same time with Winterfest", sighed Nickolas, "happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me..." But who cares, really. He would have time to organize parties for his heart's content and they would be great parties! Nickolas had completed his childhood  and was now ready for new challenges. At least when it was something about organizing parties and meeting new sims.