A/N – Sorry it's taken so long for this chapter. I had the pictures all set up in story mode on The Sims 2 and was using that as a basis for this story, but they all disappeared. So I was out of inspiration for a while, but I'm on spring break this week so I'm going to try to do lots of writing! Thank you a gazillion to everyone who has read and reviewed – I hope you haven't given up on me!

Chapter 3 – Mortimer Goth

It was not what he wanted for his daughter. It was not who he wanted for his daughter. Even since Cassandra had been a child, Mortimer had had the idea that Cassandra would grow up and marry someone in their social circle and live happily ever after.

Could she possibly have a happily ever after with Don Lothario? Mortimer doubted it. But it wasn't for him to decide.

He sighed and took a sip of his punch. Cassandra was an adult now and could make her own decisions. She certainly was happy. No one could argue with that when they saw the look on her face. And Mortimer wished her every happiness, he just wished that it had been with someone else.

He tried to turn his thoughts to something more cheerful. His eyes wandered over the guests laughing and talking, and he felt a pang in his chest. Everyone had someone. Everyone, it seemed, except for the father of the bride, who was standing alone.

Mortimer sighed again. He was so lonely. He had been told that the pain would ease, and it gradually had. He didn't mourn for Bella anymore. He was able to accept that she wouldn't be coming back. But Mortimer still didn't want to be alone. He wanted someone to care for, and someone who would care for him. It was more than that – he needed someone, and he needed to be needed.

Nina Caliente was standing across the room and shot him a flirtatious smile. Mortimer automatically smiled back. Nina was certainly beautiful and she was very friendly, but she wasn't really Mortimer's type. He was friendly to her, but he never tried to encourage her, and he was relieved when Nina didn't cross the room to come talk to him.

He was left alone. Just him and his punch.

So much for more positive thoughts. Mortimer couldn't help a wry smile as he downed the last of his punch. He was the father of the bride, he should be having a good time at the reception. He set the empty cup down on a nearby table and shoved the negative thoughts out of his mind, scanning the room again.

Then he saw Brandi Broke standing several feet away. She was alone, too. Her husband had died about a month ago in some kind of pool accident. Brandi was one of Cassandra's close friends, even though they had just met a year ago and Brandi was quite a bit older than Cassandra. She was often at the Goth's house, and her quiet and friendly personality made her pleasant company. Mortimer watched her standing there, drinking her punch, and that's when he knew. He could see the same loneliness in her eyes that he felt.

Mortimer began to walk over to Brandi. He felt his heart flutter in a way he hadn't felt in years. He was going to ask Brandi to dance, and he didn't know what he would do if she said no. He needed her, and he was sure she needed him, too.

- - - - -

Normally Brandi loved weddings. And the wedding of her closest friend should be no exception. But Brandi was not enjoying herself. She felt so lonely. She just wanted someone to be with her, but everyone else at the reception had someone of their own. Brandi felt like an outsider.

She fingered the satin bridesmaid's dress she was wearing. It was a gorgeous gown, a shade lighter than forest green and trimmed with pink ribbon on the sleeves and neck. Brandi felt like a princess in the gown. But she felt like a very lonely princess.

Someone called her name. It was time for photographs. Brandi tried to smile and went to stand with the rest of the wedding party. She concentrated on how happy and excited she was for Cassandra, and managed to smile for real while the photographer was snapping pictures. Then it was all over and the wedding party dispersed.

Brandi went to get a cup of punch. She stood next to the wall and watched people dancing. The guests twirled around the room, laughing and talking and enjoying being with each other. Brandi wanted to join in, but she felt like she didn't know how. She was so lonely and her future was so uncertain, she didn't know how to be carefree anymore.

Closing her eyes, Brandi sank into her thoughts. Skip had left them with almost nothing. She was concerned about Dustin, who seemed to be mingling with the wrong crowd. She was concerned about Beau, growing up without a father figure. She was concerned for their family and how they would make do. Brandi didn't even know how they would make it through the week, let alone beyond that. It was a scary thought.

Someone clearing his throat interrupted her thoughts, and Brandi opened her eyes to see Mortimer Goth standing in front of her. She smiled warmly in greeting. Cassandra might be Brandi's best friend, but Mortimer was a close friend, too. Brandi got along well with Cassandra's father and enjoyed being in his company.

"Hello, Mortimer," she said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Mortimer remained serious.

Brandi knew he wasn't overly pleased with his daughter's choice, so she didn't press the matter. There was something more, though, Brandi thought. He seemed unsure, maybe a little nervous. It suddenly hit Brandi that maybe Mortimer felt just as much the outsider as she did.

"Would you like to dance?"

The question caught her slightly off-guard. Brandi blinked a couple of times and then smiled. "Yes." She set down her cup and slipped her hand into the one Mortimer offered as he led her onto the dance floor.

When Mortimer slid his arm around Brandi's waist, her heartbeat quickened and she looked up into Mortimer's eyes. He was looking down at her with a serious expression and Brandi eyed him closely, trying to discern his thoughts. He still looked nervous, wary, maybe a little hopeful.

They danced for a long time. Brandi wasn't sure how long it was; she just knew that she didn't want to stop. She was beginning to realize how much she cared for Mortimer and it was scary but exciting at the same time. Especially when he pulled her slightly closer when a slow song came on. Could the hope she had read in his gaze be the same hope she was feeling?

Brandi looked up into Mortimer's eyes and smiled. Maybe she didn't have to be lonely anymore.