Rico & Cecilia
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
As time went on, Rico and Ceci grew closer and closer, putting their full trust in each other. It was something they thought was impossible after the heartbreaks they'd endured in the past. Soon, their fragile conditions were quickly forgotten as they fell deeper and deeper in love.
One thing led to another, tension rose, and soon neither Ceci nor Rico could contain themselves. That night, they took a big step in their relationship. To this very day, they still grin knowingly whenever they share strawberry cake.
In year 72, Ceci was accepted into Julliard for dance, and even though Rico knew she would be staying with her friend, Izzy, he followed her there anyway. Being in New York put a slight strain on their relationship since, with Ceci's busy schedule, Rico often found himself alone in his hotel suite...waiting for a chance to spend time with Ceci. However, they quickly found a way to spend more time together. Towards the end of that year, when Izzy left New York, Ceci decided it was time to take the next step and ask Rico to move in with her. Thus began the search for their own place. |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Forever and Always
One thing led to another, emotions rose high, and in the moment, Rico could no longer contain himself.
|
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Separate WaysFrom the time that Rico and Ceci moved in together, they'd been inseparable. There were, of course, times when Ceci was in school and Rico was at home working on his music, but it wasn't until year 74 when Rico set off on his first ever (mini)tour. When he told Ceci of his decision to tour, she was far from thrilled. In her high emotions, she suggested that they eloped before he left to see the world.
The discussion lead to disagreement and doubt, but eventually the young couple worked things out and agreed to wait until they could afford an official wedding. On day 41, Rico began his North American tour, starting in New York. He reminded Ceci that she just had to look at her ring to remember that he would be back. A couple of days before, Ceci gifted Rico with a microphone with the words: Aℓωαуѕ ωιтн уσυ ♡
Once Rico was back in town, the two didn't want to part. So for Christmas 74, they agreed to have their very first Christmas all on their own.
They spent several moments during day reflecting on what married life would be like. Their own traditions, privacy, independence... They absolutely adored every moment of the day. (From Rico's Blog) |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Grown-up DecisionsIn the autumn of Year 75, while Rico was still on tour, Ceci was mugged while walking home one night. Ceci's best friend, Bo, came to her aid, sending over reinforcement to Ceci's place to change the locks and made sure the pets were taken care of. All of this was withheld from Rico's knowledge. For years to come, Rico would hold some resentment towards Bo because of this kept secret.
The mugging brought Rico back to reality and forced him to make an important decision about his future. He realised that it hurt him more than anything that he hadn't been the one who was there for Ceci when she needed him. [From Rico's Blog] That winter, Rico quit touring and headed home to his fiance to be with her.
|
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Matrimonial TiesIn year 76, Rico and Ceci faced a major change... for them at least. Rico cut all of his long, curly hair as solidarity to growing up.
Shortly after, Rico and Cecilia finally tied the knot. On the white sands of the Prainha Beach Resort, they pledged their lives to each other. With all of their loved ones present, they started of their lives together as a married couple. During the wedding, it was noted that one of Cecilia's flower girls (Izzy) didn't show up, but everyone assumed that it was because she didn't want to face one of Rico's groomsmen after their recent breakup. Soon however, Rico and Cecilia were too overtaken by joy to worry about Izzy's absence. Wedding photos >> Honeymoon AdventuresRather than choosing one city/country in which to spend their honeymoon, Cecillia and Rico decided to travel through South and Central America, exploring a few wonders of the world. For a quarter of a year, they travelled through countries such as Peru, Chile, Brazil and Argentina, visiting places such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. For that quarter of the year, they were cut off from 'civilization', having no contact with their friends and family until they arrived in Melbourne for a friend's wedding.
Honeymoon pictures >> |
Upon returning from their honeymoon, Rico and Cecillia were struck by tragic news. The death of Izzy came as a total shock. It was even more shocking for the couple to discover that Izzy's death had occurred before their wedding. That explained her absence from the bridal party, making the couple feel incredibly guilty.
In year 77, more tragedy struck with the news of Tara (Ceci's sister-in-law)'s death, the fatal result of a car crash. Both Ceci and Rico dropped everything they were doing and went to London to offer Hayden support with his and Tara's two children. It was then that Hayden asked Rico and Ceci to be Lily's kobeparents. While in London, Rico and Cecilia also found out that Rico's younger sister, Bella, was in the hospital after supposedly jumping from the second floor of her apartment building. With both of these recent tragedies still fresh, Rico and Ceci's first wedding anniversary was fast approaching. At the end of year 77, Rico's dog Charlie died of old age. This hit both Rico, Ceci and their other two pets particularly hard, but they were able to cope. Things seemed to go from bad to worse the beginning of the following year when Rico found out that it had been three years since his sister, Bella, had been assaulted (without his knowledge). The news put an even greater strain on Rico and Ceci's emotions, and immediately, the news seemed to make Ceci physically ill. |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
On Valentine's day, Rico and Ceci were stuck with the best of surprises.
(From Rico's Blog) In Year 78, Rico and Ceci purchased their first house together. They remained in Brooklyn, NY but in a nice residential area than their previous apartment. Immediately, they began preparing a nursery for their incoming addition. Rico made it a project of his to finish the nursery so that Ceci didn't have to exert herself, especially when she went into false labour while helping him assemble the crib.
Soon, however it truly came time for the birth of their firstborn. On day 50, Rico and Ceci welcomed Lucie Rosalie Barthel into their lives. It was love at first sight. With her arrival just 2 days before Christmas, she was the greatest gift her parents could ever ask for. Daddy on Duty
|
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
A Family of Four
(From Rico and Ceci's Blogs) |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
The Barthels go to AsiaIn the winter of Year 81, Rico received a long-awaited package from National Geographic. Much to his and Ceci's excitement, Rico had been rewarded with the National Geographic Student Expedition Scholarship. They'd selected Asia as a destination, and as a result the trip Rico had been rewarded was to Beijing. For the next months, the family prepared for the big trip. This meant vaccinations for everyone, including baby Rhea.
Spring arrived, and In the midst of preparations for Beijing, Ceci got word that her brother Adam had disappeared. No one knew where he was and he'd seemed to vanish without a trace. Of course, Ceci expected the worse, but Beijing preparations served as a good distraction at times. In the summer of that year, the family finally left for Beijing. In the beginning, Rhea had fallen mildly ill, but with a little Chinese medicine, she was as good as new. The Barthels met another family who was on the expedition, and it made their stay away from home much more tolerable. At the end, Rico left with much more experience, and he and Ceci had made another set of memories that would last them a long time. Although the girls would have no recollection of the trip, Rico had enough pictures for them to look at in the future. China Expedition Photos >>
Another Jakeman DownAutumn that year brought tragedy with the news of Walker (Ceci's brother)'s death. Ceci was devastated, and although she still misses him, she healed with time.
(From Ceci's Blog: The Call) |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
In the Spring of Year 82, Rico set up a photography studio in his home to bring in clients. After much work, the studio was complete and he was able to form a clientele for freelance jobs. Sadly, not much later, word came from London that there were three deaths in the family. In a private jet accident, Rico's father (Roy) and two brothers (Lorenzo and Jari) had passed away.
Later that year, shortly after Rico's birthday, he received a call from a photography agent, offering him another job with National Geographic. After a struggle with his conscious, Rico and Ceci finally agreed upon Rico taking the job in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks.
Ceci's ferret, Frejka died while Rico was away, and on top of that, Rico just missed his family too much. On his last couple of days, Ceci and the girls paid him a surprise visit. Then when they returned home, Rico made another important decision. When the agent called him, offering him a spot on the National Geographic excursion board, traveling every month or two, Rico declined. He'd decided that would not leave his family again for any jobs. "...as much as I love the travels and the photography, I can't commit to leaving my family so often. My first priority is being a father and a husband. And I know that it might ruin my chances to become a world renowned photography and be featured in the magazine, but--" |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Amanda and Niels' youngest child, Niccolò was born in the summer of Year 84. As always, Rico and Ceci were there to meet the newest addition to the family. As Rico watched his wife hold the baby boy, he suddenly realised how nice it may be to have another Barthel baby. Perhaps a boy this time.
Later that year, the Barthels travelled to South Africa for Bella's wedding. Rico could not believe that his little sister was getting married, and he certainly couldn't believe that she and her husband, Nathan, would be living in the middle of nowhere surrounded by wildlife, but he gave his blessing because he knew Bella was finally happy. Troubles hit home the following year when Rhea snuck into Rico's photography room and crashed while climbing up to use his camera equipment. As a result, she was injured, requiring stitches, and Ceci was rather angry at Rico's carelessness in leaving the door opened. As if that wasn't bad enough, Child Protective Services showed up at their door the next day, but luckily no charges were ever pressed and eventually things calmed down. That summer, Rico was asked to be the best man in Gabriel and Isa's wedding. For the rest of the year, things went pretty well. |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
Year 86 brought the demand for a family car. With both parents working, the girls going to school and being involved in extracurricular activities such as modeling and piano lessons, there was a great need for their own transportation. At last, Rico and Ceci decided to buy a car.
In the spring, there came word that Bella had given birth to twins. The news was as exciting as it was unexpected. When Rico and Ceci met the twins, it truly increased their baby fever. They'd talked about the notion before, but with no time frame planned. However, as much as they wanted a baby, Ceci couldn't seem to get pregnant. That summer, for their 10th wedding anniversary, Rico and Ceci did a Vow Renewal right in the forest in London where Rico had asked Ceci to be his girlfriend so many years ago. Not much longer after the big vow renewal, Ceci began feeling ill. The extreme dizziness sent her to the doctor where it was confirmed that she was, indeed, pregnant. As happy as the Barthels were, they were both concerned about Ceci and the baby's health. The pregnancy was a rather difficult one, but still, Ceci desired to have a home water birth. As it drew nearer to her due date, Ceci began to fear that she wouldn't get her wish, but with the midwife's support, she was able to deliver at home just as she wanted.
A Barthel BoyIn Year 87, on the day before Valentine's day, Jesse Noel Barthel was born. Being in a posterior position, he'd given his mother quite a challenge.
Baby BluesAlthough Jesse's birth was a joyous occasion, Lucie wasn't quite appreciative of her new sibling. Jesse was a good baby, but Ceci couldn't quite seem to shake the baby blues that had befallen her. Rico struggled to try to bring some cheer to both his wife and his eldest daughter. Luckily, Rhea was absolutely delighted in having a a younger siblings. After a little while, Rosa came from London to meet baby Jesse and help out. When she returned to the place in which she was staying while in New York, the girls stayed with her.
After speaking with Rosa, Rico had more affirmation that Ceci was indeed battling postpartum depression. He suggested to Ceci that the girls returned to London with Rosa and spend some time with Ceci mother as well as the Jakemans and van Loons while there. He hoped it would offer Lucie some time to wrap her mind around being a big sister again, and it would enable Rico and Ceci to focus on Ceci's recovery and the newest member of the family. Eventually, Ceci agreed and the girls went to London with Rosa. For months, Rico and Ceci focused on adjusting as parents of a new baby again. They took time to also date again and simply regain the enjoyment of life. Of course, Ceci also began a regime of medication from the doctor for her postpartum depression. With the combination of treatments, Ceci finally recovered enough for the girls to return home. and Lucie had gained enough distance to have missed her baby brother. By the end of the year, there was great news: Ceci had been offered a job at Julliard. |
»»--(¯`·´¯)-->
With the hassle of city life, the kids and their activities, and Rico and Ceci's careers, the couple began to sort of lost touch with one another. There seemed to be hardly enough time for them to touch bases and have time to themselves, and worse, they didn't make a huge enough effort, subconsciously, to make time. Finally noticing this, Rico booked a surprise vacation for just himself and Ceci. He'd already prepared to ask the Lunas to babysit for a couple of weeks while he and Ceci ran off, but then came the news of little Channary accident and head injury.
With things reversed, the Barthels had to look after the Luna kids, but Chan recovered and once life had settled again, Rico and Ceci ran off to Argentina to rediscover the passion that brought them together. The Last Barthel StandingAt the end of Year 89, there came grave news from London that Rico's youngest brother, Eli, had been killed in a mugging during a trip to India.
In the beginning of Year 90, Eli's widow died in a hit and run accident, leaving behind hers and Eli's two children.
As Belie was Athena's kobemother, she already had the legal rights to adopt Athena, but she felt unable to take in both Athena and Mishaye, and no one else in the family seemed able to welcome another young child into their homes. Feeling a tug on his heart, Rico spoke to Ceci about the possibility of them adopting Mishaye. Then, the Barthels headed to London on a mission to save Eli's child from the foster system. |