The Monroe Legacy - G.2. Chapter 25 - A Change of Scenery

The next few months rushed by and brought about a significant birthday that Hallie was not looking forward to. In an effort to ignore the date Hallie and Cai shared a cake with their children but as they looked in the mirror they had to admit that time was starting to take its toll on them.

Silver was beginning to streak through Hallie's long black hair and Cai was getting deep lines on his forehead. Age might be changing them physically but under it all they were still the same youngsters who fell in love all those years ago.

Once they were done with the festivities they sat all their children down for a talk, Hallie wanted to give them the information in the legacy and Cai had another announcement to make.

Once they were all settled Hallie fiddled with her hair, took a deep breath and began.

'I know I've kind of made this into a big deal by sitting you all down and demanding your attention but really I just want you to have time to think about what I'm about to tell you, it took me several years to process how I felt!'

Hallie went on to explain the concept of the legacy, the duties of the heir and how she would choose, seeing Sienna pull herself up tall and Jet sink in his chair. She finished with the words that she still remembered from her mother's announcement'

'My mother told us all this, that she wouldn't choose the smartest, the loudest or the highest achiever. The heir will be the one of you who most needs the opportunity. The one who will use it to change their life. It changed my life, it brought me all of you and this wonderful home. The financial inheritance is for each of you to spend as you wish. Please think about the legacy, tell me if you don't think you want the responsibility, I would never hold that against you. Your father I will let you all grow-up and to get to know you better before I make any decisions.'

Cai squeezed Hallie's hand, before continuing with the big announcements.

'Kids, I know this is coming from nowhere but how would you feel about moving to Lucky Palms? It would be this summer, I've been offered a job at the paper there that I'd like to take up, Vi you'll be done with school,  and you three will be between schools. Gray I know you'd be leaving mid-way through high-school. It's an hour away so we'll be close enough but what do you all think?'

Gray shrugged, 'I don't mind, school is school and there's loads of great restaurants in Lucky Palms where I could work part-time!'.

'And Sunset Film Studios!' Saffron interrupted. 'I could be an extra!'.

'Rocky wants to go' Jet agreed and Sienna shrugged, perhaps in a new town she would be the popular sister!

Violet was quiet and it looked like her eyes were a watering.

'What do you say Violet', Hallie asked softly.

Violet shook her head and forced a smile, 'Who am I to argue, there's nothing to keep me here.' Her voice cracked and she stood up and quickly left the room. As everyone got ready for bed, the triplets buzzing with excitement at the change of scenery Cai heard Violet sobbing into the phone.

The last few months in Appaloosa Plains were bittersweet. Hallie would miss having her extended family and friends  so close but Belle was already living in the suburbs of Lucky Palms and as Luna kept pointing out it was only an hour down the freeway.

Their last big family gathering was for Violet's graduation, she graduated with honours and her parents couldn't have been prouder. Cai even turned a blind eye to Chadd's presence, knowing that distance would likely out an end to whatever lingering flirtation his between his daughter and the older boy.

Gray finished his Sophomore Year and was voted Prom King to his great surprise. He hadn't even taken a date but apparently his good-natured charm had won the hearts of the student population. He thought maybe he'd try being a little more social at his new school, it could be fun!

Cai went out to Lucky Palms a few weeks early to oversee the building work. He was keeping it all very hush hush insisting that the new house be a surprise for everyone, Hallie included.

When moving day arrived they waved goodbye to their family and their home, Hallie wondering what her mother would make of them leaving the home they had built. Marlie had always insisted that the legacy was people, not things, but Hallie would miss the home they had raised their family in.

As they pulled up to the gate of their new house a collective gasp went out and Hallie was stunned into speechlessness.

'What the actual hell!' was all the usually reserved Sienna could muster as Cai walked out of the gates, a huge grin on his face.

'Welcome home baby' he said, hugging Hallie as she continued to stare over his shoulder.

'It's- it's- our house? Our house is in Lucky Palms?' Hallie finally managed.

Cai smiled. 'I knew the move would be hard on you, leaving your home and I was trying to think of what you'd like. I spoke to the architect who built our house back in Appaloosa and he recreated it for us! It's Casa Monroe, Lucky Palms edition!'

Hallie was overcome with happiness, it was exactly what she needed to feel at home in the new town.

They settled in quickly, forming new routines in the new old house and exploring their new surroundings.

Violet was taking a gap year before deciding about college and worked part time at the spa whilst she socialised her way through the new community. She couldn't believe that she was almost an adult and had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Violet dabbled in many things, she joined a band, quit the band, worked out a bit, hung out in the local bars and schmoozed with local celebrities. She'd set her heart in one of the big houses by the lake and knew that she'd need a great job (or a wealthy husband) if she was going to afford it!

Gray had got a part time pot-washing job at the exclusive hill-top restaurant The Lone Cactus and was living his dream. He came home after every shift smelling of spices and dreaming of having his own restaurant. Romon Tanner, the head chef had taken a liking to the young lad and was helping him to learn the craft. In his spare time Gray was spending a lot of time with a girl from school, Aisha. He liked her and she was super hot but poor Gray was so unused to flirting that he wasn't really sure if she liked him or not!

Jet was making occasional visits to planet earth, his grades were terrible and he still spent too much time alone but he did seem to be making more of an effort. He even went to Homecoming with his sisters though he wore jeans and got in a fight with a guy who tried to pinch Saffron's ass. Hallie and Cai were seriously considering sending him to a special boarding school which claimed to have experience dealing with kids who struggled with focus but they hated the idea of sending him away. Hallie reasoned that as long as he didn't fail school and kept up his riding, his only social activity, then it would be okay.

Sienna was probably having the hardest time adjusting to the move. She had hoped that going into a new school she wouldn't always be seen as Saffron's sister hit the kids in Lucky palms were even more like her sister than those back home. The only saving graces were the gorgeous weather, she spent hour in the pool, and the Science club she joined. There was a cute guy named Ethan who she worked on labs with and he didn't seem interested in her sister at all! Sienna saved up her allowance and bought herself a home chemistry set so she could improve and maybe impress Ethan enough that he'd ask her out!

Saffron was loving life in Lucky Palms though she hadn't managed to sneak inside a film set yet! She was having a blast at school and was always exploring the neighbourhood with her new friends. When Laurence Tucker took her to the wishing well she kissed the coin and wished for a fairytale romance! Attention was one thing but she dreamed of having a boyfriend who understood all of her, not just the shiny, popular, fun bit. What she got was Laurence kissing her without her permission. She couldn't believe he'd stolen her first kiss and rushed home to try and forget it ever happened.

Hallie watched them all from behind her workbench, she had still to figure out both that elusive invention and the right choice for heir. As a cool wind broke through the desert heat, Cai called from upstairs.

Packing her tools away she trudged upstairs, her mind full of questions only to be greeted with a beautiful bunch of flowers and a kiss. She'd forgotten her wedding anniversary!

Hallie let Cai massage away all her stress, there would be a moment when she knew what she needed to do, she was sure of it.

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The HEIR VOTE is closed but you can see the post at that link if you're curious.

Read the next chapter to find out the winner - G.2. Ch. 26 - There Can Only Be One

*Authors note - The neighbourhood move was sadly necessary - \With such a massive extended family Appaloosa Plains was full to bursting, lagging badly and with 4 spares to move out any day! I hope you'll enjoy the story as it continues in Lucky Palms - I chose this world because it best suits all the potential heirs. Classy restaurants for Gray, mansions for Violet, Film Studio for Saff, and plenty of room for Jet's horses and Sienna's whatever she decides!