A Zest Legacy

Then he went home. Sat on the couch. Watched the door like it might open again. Exactly a week later, his own papers came. He stared at the envelope for a long minute. Then he sighed, muttered, “Of course,” and opened it. #AZestLegacy

A few days later, Portland stood at the Del Sol Valley base, watching Zoe disappear behind a steel gate with her pack over her shoulder. She turned once to wave, and he smiled, holding it together until she was gone. #AZestLegacy

Zoe leaned in a little and looked him straight in the eyes. “Promise me we don’t push the wedding back. No matter what.” “I promise.” #AZestLegacy

We’ll do it again. Then we’ll come home. And I’ll wear that dress you won’t get to see until I walk down the aisle. And you’ll cry. A little.” He smirked. “I’ll deny it. But yeah, I’ll cry.” They fell into a comfortable silence, just listening to the distant waves from Brindleton Bay. #AZestLegacy

Literally and metaphorically. Zoe’s deployment papers had come earlier that week. She was due to leave in three days. “I hate when we get split,” he murmured. “I know,” she said, brushing her fingers along his. “But we’ve done it before. #AZestLegacy

They both laughed. Then Zoe went quiet, twirling her ring slowly on her finger. “I want a spring wedding,” she said after a pause. “Cherry blossoms. Something outdoors, nothing too overdone. Simple. But, still beautiful.” #AZestLegacy

He grinned. “That’s basically a blessing. Especially from you.” She reached over to grab the remote and clicked off the TV. “Think your dad’s going to use our engagement as material for his next Simflix special?” “He better. I gave him gold tonight.” #AZestLegacy

Portland pressed his cheek to the top of her head, one arm lazily draped across her waist. The engagement party had ended hours ago, but neither of them was ready for bed. “You know,” Zoe said, her voice soft, “as far as family chaos goes, yours only mildly traumatized me tonight.” #AZestLegacy

Post-Engagement Night: Portland & Zoe’s Home — Brindleton Bay Back at home, in their quiet apartment. Portland and Zoe are tangled up on the couch in pajamas, feet bare, makeup washed off, the last of the party glitter still faintly clinging to Zoe’s hairline. #AZestLegacy

And Portland and Zoe? They stood at the heart of it all — two people in love, surrounded by slightly unhinged, mostly lovable family. “This is what forever’s going to feel like,” Portland whispered. “Yep,” Zoe said. “Loud, slightly roasted, and totally perfect.” #AZestLegacy

Phoenix dragged Memphis into a dance-off. Xenobia exchanged a suspiciously cordial conversation with Chelsey. Clover was already talking rehearsal dinner themes with Jasper (“Hear me out: orchard aesthetic. Live ducks optional.”) #AZestLegacy

Even Johnny’s jokes. Don’t tell him I said that.” “Too late,” Johnny called, apparently still holding the mic. “I have super-dad hearing. It’s real.” As the evening moved on, guests drifted to the cider bar and pumpkin-spice dessert table. #AZestLegacy

Max groaned. “Too late. She already started with the, what ifs.” Back in the center of the room, Portland leaned closer to Zoe. “I warned you,” he murmured. “This is how Zests do love — very loudly, very publicly, and with pie.” Zoe smirked, eyes soft. “Good. Because I love all of it. #AZestLegacy

“You two are brave, brilliant, and somehow not afraid of merging our chaotic families. That alone deserves applause.” As the room clapped and whistled, Jamie — Portland’s aunt — whispered to her husband Max, “I give it ten minutes before Clover suggests her wedding ideas.” #AZestLegacy

“You know, most people think comedians don’t have feelings. We do. We just process them loudly, into microphones. And tonight, I’m not even joking when I say I’ve never been prouder.” He gestured at Portland and Zoe, now standing together, holding hands. #AZestLegacy

Clover had roped her boyfriend Jasper into posing for Polaroids near the pumpkin patch and balloon arch whispering... “This is going so well. No one’s fought. Yet.” Back at the mic, Johnny was still mid-monologue. #AZestLegacy

“Why are we decorating with leaves?” he asked. “They’re literally dead tree parts.” “That’s fall, genius,” Aster replied. Meanwhile... #AZestLegacy

“He said, ‘Dad, she doesn’t laugh at your jokes, but she gets them.’ And I thought — marry her. Immediately.” Zoe, from across the room, raised her glass. “Still don’t laugh. But I support the material.” #AZestLegacy

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Chelsey Adams-Zest, sharp as ever in a gold-accented jumpsuit, gave a modest wave from the buffet station she had reorganized twice. “I remember the first time Portland told me about Zoe,” Johnny continued. #AZestLegacy

“Now listen,” Johnny began, flashing his signature grin, “this is technically Portland and Zoe’s night, but let’s be honest: it’s also my night. Because I raised that one—” he pointed dramatically at Portland “—and he turned out amazing. Mostly because of Chelsey.” #AZestLegacy

Johnny Zest, beloved across SimNation for his stand-up specials and viral parenting videos (“What Happens When Your Kid Outranks You”), stood confidently on the tiny stage set up near the string-lit gift table. #AZestLegacy

Across the room, his fiancée, Zoe, looked stunning in a rust-orange dress, half-listening to her mom — Xenobia Patel, elegant as ever in a muted sage dress — while keeping one eye on Portland’s dad, who had somehow found the mic again. #AZestLegacy

Portland Zest stood by the fireplace in a gray blazer, nursing a cider and watching the crowd with the same expression he wore during live-fire drills — fond, anxious, and very aware that at any moment, someone could metaphorically go off. #AZestLegacy