11. LAST WILL

Sofia: I’m really sorry about your grandfather.

Bas: I didn’t know him very well. We never really kept in touch with my dad’s side of the family. Grandpa would sometimes visit us for holidays or birthdays.

Sofia: Still, he was your grandpa.

Bas: Yeah. But it’s going to be weird meeting that side of the family. I don’t even know them from stories. Dad has siblings, but he never talks about them. I don’t know if I want to go.

Sofia: You’re not doing it for them. You’re going to say goodbye. You probably won’t even have to talk to them.

Bas: I think I will, though. The lawyer said Grandpa left a will. And that I’m named as one of the heirs. I have no idea what he could have left me. But that definitely means there will be some sort of family gathering where they’ll announce it.

Bas: Who knows what family conflicts are going to resurface. I really don’t want to be a part of that.

Sofia: I understand.

Bas: It would be so much easier for me if you came with me.

Sofia: Bas, we already talked about this. It really isn’t a good idea. I don’t want to meet your family under those circumstances.

Bas: I don’t want to meet them either.

Sofia: Very funny. You know what I mean.

Bas: I know. Sorry. I’ll stop. You’re right. It wouldn’t be a good time. I guess I just really want to introduce my parents to my beautiful, amazing girlfriend.

Sofia: …What did you just say?

Bas: That I want to introduce you to my parents?

Sofia: Not that.

Bas: That you’re beautiful and amazing.

Sofia: Bas, don’t play with me. So I’m your girlfriend?

Bas: Only if you want to be.

Sofia: I really do. 

The day of Hector Laurent’s funeral came. But before it began, I stopped by Anna and Filip for a moment. Both of them had the Happy moodlet from Enemy’s Death, haha :D

 

Greta Laurent had many bad traits (at least one for sure). But she loved her father and was deeply affected by his passing. So the funeral had to be perfect, exactly as he wished. Guests slowly arrived. Mostly close family. Jace and Maja came as well. Jace was clearly hit hard by it.

Not everyone’s grief was equally sincere. Maja couldn’t hide her embarrassment at some funeral theatrics. Hector’s youngest son and his young wife smiled from time to time, likely thinking about the inheritance. Greta’s husband also seemed glad his father-in-law had passed.

Maja: You ok, Bas?

Bas: Huh?

Maja: I asked if you’re okay.

Bas: Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Bas was among those who showed genuine grief, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He just noticed the last guest to arrive - a girl sitting on the other side. And it seemed like he knew her. Could it really be…? But what was she doing here?

Greta gave a beautiful, somber speech (just as her father wanted). The pianist played Ave Watcher. Too bad the guests didn’t even try to pretend sadness. Except for Jace, who truly fell into melancholy. But what Greta’s husband and the hired professional (!) mourner were doing was just wrong.

At least during the moment of silence, most guests behaved appropriately.

After a cannon salute in honor of the deceased, Greta invited everyone for a small reception. Some guests rushed in like they’d been waiting the whole ceremony just for that.

Bas hesitated for a moment, then decided to go say hello. 

Laura, it really was her, was sitting next to someone, who must have been his cousin, Augustin, listening intently to some story.

Bas: My condolences. Seems we’re cousins. Pretty sad circumstances to be meeting, but…

Augustin: That’s life sometimes. I’m glad we finally meet, cousin.

Laura: Hi, Bas. I figured we might run into each other here. Small world, huh?

Bas: Indeed.

Augustin: Laura told me you were friends back in school. Excuse me, I'll leave you for a moment, my mom’s calling me.

Laura: We’ll manage.

Bas tried to break the sudden awkward silence between them.

Bas: So… how have you been?

Laura: Fine.

Bas: I heard you’re studying art?

Laura: Yes, Fine Arts, at the Académie des Sims Arts in Champs Les Sims. That’s where I met Gus, we turned out to be in the same year.

Bas: Are you two…?

Laura: A couple? No! We’re just friends. You know, I moved to Champs Les Sims all by myself. Gus helped me a lot back then. We’ve stuck together ever since. He became kind of like family to me, so when he told me about your grandfather’s passing, I knew I had to be here for him.

Laura: And you? How’s life treating you?

Bas: I just finished physics studies at Foxbury. And I built a Servo bot.

Laura: Wow! Really? Your own Servo bot? That’s incredible!

Augustin: I have no idea what that is, but it sounds impressive!

Laura: Bas is a real genius when it comes to that stuff. Back in school he was always working on inventions. So many ideas! I told you about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins a Plumbell Prize very soon.

Bas: Thanks, but don’t exaggerate. I’m nowhere near Plumbell level. I only just started looking for a job.

Laura: Since when are you so modest? We should all grab a coffee sometime, the three of us, and catch up. It’s kind of silly that you’re family and only just met at your grandfather’s funeral.

Bas was saved from answering when Greta gathered everyone interested for the reading of the will. Thank the Watcher, because it was starting to get awkward again. 

Meanwhile, the pianist and the professional mourner were shamelessly flirting on a bench…

“My daughter, Greta Laurent, and her husband, will inherit my house and 20% of my capital. My son, Wojciech Laurent, and his wife will inherit the Serena Winery and 20% of my capital. My grandson, Augustin Laurent, will inherit Villa Sophia, 20% of my capital, and the painting Garden of the Land Coral.”

“My son, Jace Laurent, will inherit my collection of paintings and 20% of my capital. My grandson, Sebastian Drozd, will inherit the Observatory and my antique radiogram, as well as 20% of my capital.”

Bas: My own observatory? I didn’t expect Grandpa to leave me anything, but this… this is really nice.

Wojciech: He left them all together 40% of the capital?

Greta: Don’t worry. In the fine print it says only after the rest of us are gone. As if that’s going to happen any time soon.

The final goodbye. Jace seemed to be handling the grief a bit better. I think it was Hector’s last wish and that collection of paintings that did it. Because, in the end, even if only after death, Hector showed he had accepted his son’s passion and love for art.

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