The Monroe Legacy - G.1. Chapter 17 - Seasons of Love

In the aftermath of Norma-Jeane's bombshell everything happened very quickly. Lola ran for the bathroom and Carson stood completely dazed until Norma-Jean took him by the arm and led him from the house. She promised to call back to meet Brody but knew that she had a lot of explaining to do at her own home.

Marlie stood frozen, processing what she'd just learned until she was disturbed by Belle who came galloping down the stairs with a puzzled expression on her face.

'Mommy, Lola's crying in the bathroom and Hallie wants to blow out her candles. Is it cake time yet?'

'One moment honey. Can you put the candles on - I'm going to go check on Lola' Marlie replied. She couldn't believe in all the confusion she'd forgotten it was Hallie's birthday night. She went up the stairs and tapped gently on the bathroom door.

'Lola.... are you okay, can I come in', she whispered.

There was no reply and the door stayed locked. Knowing better than to leave Belle alone with a cake she told Lola they were singing Happy Birthday in a minute, asked if she'd come down and then went to get Hallie.

It was a subdued celebration by Monroe standards, just Marlie and Belle whooping and hollering as little Hallie grew up in to a beautiful child. She was a sweet-natured little girl who had borrowed some features from each of her parents and, it seemed, added some of her own. 

She was the darling of her big sisters who she idolised, despite their flaws and as a result she developed the easily impressed trait. Belle gave Hallie her old easel as a gift, she was more interested in music these days and without even stopping to have a piece of cake Hallie was experimenting with colours on her first painting.

While celebrations were taking place in the kitchen Lola was pulling herself together in the bathroom. Looking at her tear streaked face she told herself she was being ridiculous, she couldn't possibly be in love with the first boy she had ever kissed. It had only been a few months, she could get over it. In fact, she was already over it.


She, Lola Marie Monroe, was officially, completely and totally over Carson Jeans, who just so happened to be her cousin. Well, half-cousin, but enough of a cousin anyway.

Now if only she could make herself believe that it was true.

Brody arrived home late that night, exhausted but happy as he'd been promoted to line-cook. Marlie decided to let him rest before she unloaded her story on to him and their family.

The next morning before anybody could start doing anything else Marlie sat down with Brody, Lola, Belle and Hallie and explained the situation.

 Marlie glossed over the circumstances of her mother's life and death, left out the names of Carson's father and his brother and above all made each of them swear that they wouldn't reveal Norma-Jeane's past identity or current location.

Brody was speechless, of all the secrets he had imagined Marlie could be keeping, this was by far worse. His heart broke for her having to carry this knowledge alone, plagued by questions for all these years. Lola just nodded and left, she still hadn't spoken to anyone about Carson. Belle promised, though it was clear that her mind was elsewhere and Hallie really didn't understand what all the fuss was about - but swore she wouldn't tell.

Later in the morning Norma-Jeane came over and she and Brody spoke for some time about the risks they might now face, hopefully minimal. For the first time in fifteen years the Monroe household was free from secrets.

Across town two miserable teenagers were saying goodbye. Carson and Lola ended things on "good terms" - agreeing that the half-cousins thing was just too weird. They each smiled as they hugged good-bye and turned and walked quickly away before the pasted on expression could crack.

In the weeks that followed Lola spent every moment she was free on her own. She felt as though she was missing a part of herself, Carson had made her braver and smarter and funnier and now she felt flat. She mooched around town, hanging out wherever everybody else wasn't and burying herself in schoolwork. She was soon on track for straight A's sitting on the Honor Roll at the top of every class.

She had never been more miserable.

With Lola shutting her out Belle was missing her best friend. She took to spending more time with Hallie and found that despite the age gap they were kindred spirits. Both being artistic, though in different fields they would talk for hours about music and painting - always listening out for Lola's return so they could avoid upsetting the art-hater in her!

Belle had also finally saved up enough money for a second hand keyboard. She played it night and day and was soon composing her own tunes and songs, her slight insanity feeding her creativity. She was soon an accomplished classical pianist but she secretly yearned for a more exciting outlet.

When she saw the advertisement for a keyboard player and back-up singer in local band The Lonely Hearts she was the first to audition. She found out that she had been chosen first thing in the morning and decided to share the news with Lola via a spontaneous wake-up song.

Lola was not amused.

Before long it was time for Oscar and Georgia's birthday. Norma-Jeane and her family were on vacation so it was a small family affair. Lola even managed to raise a smile.

Oscar blew out his candles first, growing into a serious faced toddler with lots of thick blonde hair.

For such a young child he was unusually disciplined, he wouldn't finish his food if he was full and he would only play with the educational toys. Brody was sure he would grow up to be a great athlete so he taught him to walk as quickly as he could!

Georgia was next and she grew in to a beautiful toddler with delicate features and big violet eyes!

As careful as her brother was, Georgia was clumsy! She was always tripping over her own feet whilst toddling around. She was besotted with Belle and her piano - she's spend hours sitting and listening before going back and trying to copy her on the little xylophone - a virtuoso in the making.

Once everyone had had their fill of cake Marlie insisted they all go outside for a family photograph - she wanted something to commemorate these special times as you never knew how long they would last. It was impossible to get everyone to look at the camera at the right moment but Marlie was pleased with the result.

This was everything she'd ever wanted, all the messes and little dramas of family life, she couldn't believe she had been so blessed. As she got ready for bed that evening she looked out of the window at the town she'd come to call home and felt as though nothing could be any better.

Little did she know that as Brody wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards bed, across town something was happening which would shake the life she had built to its very foundations.

Find out what happens next in The Monroe Legacy - Chapter 18 - Sins of the Father