The Monroe Legacy - Chapter 8 - You Can't Change the Past

The 2500 miles to Utah from Boston had never stretched so endlessly before Hallie as they did the day she was due to move home from University. After a sleepless night where she alternately cried over losing Cai and cursed him for spoiling everything, she steeled herself and called Brian.

Hallie needed to at the very least find out whether or not she still had someone to share the driving of the moving truck.

Strangely, Brian was in a really good mood when he arrived for the "big talk". Whilst he looked disappointed when Hallie stuttered that she wasn't ready to get married, he assured her she still had a boyfriend and a driving partner.

Hallie was surprised, both that he'd taken it so well and that he still wanted her. As she began to worry that she didn't feel as happy about his decision as she ought to, Brian interrupted with news of his own.

'I'm being published babe', Brian crowed. 'I get a year off to finish writing my book on the evolution of social etiquette in the 20th Century. Isn't that great!'

Hallie pasted on a smile and hugged him.

As she did, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window, wondering how much more she would have to change to make a life with Brian.



The drive dragged by, Brian enthusing about his career, his book, his profile and occasionally throwing in a "we'll do this" which made Hallie feel as though her whole life was mapped out, even though she herself had no idea what she wanted.

She had to pull over and get some air when Brian announced that he'd secured her an interview with Utah's premier architectural firm through a family contact. Brian's expression was proud as he squeezed her hand saying,

'The job's as good as yours, just wear a suit, take some nice drawings and you'll be able to use your art degree AND have a career!'

Brian dropped Hallie and her possessions on her drive, kissed her and hailed a cab for the station promising to call and visit, 'Before you have time to miss me, Darling'.

Exhausted and with a conflicted heart, Hallie pulled out her phone to call Cai, knowing the sound of his voice would help things make sense. But as she found his number she remembered his parting words, the look on his face and the heaviness in her heart doubled.

Pleading exhaustion to her excited family, Hallie crawled into bed and lay staring at the ceiling until sleep claimed her.

In the weeks that followed Hallie tried to focus on the home and family she'd always adored, leaving the drama of university behind her. It wasn't always easy, being surrounded by love of her family was comforting but it also made Hallie more aware of what she had yet to find. As hard as she tried to go back to who she was before university, she often felt like a stranger in her own family.

Lola and Jeffery were expecting another baby so Hallie spent lots of time looking after Coralie while they fixed up their new house. With her dark hair and blue eyes Coralie looked a lot like her aunt, Hallie often wondered what her own children would look like.

When Lola found out she was having a boy the family celebrated, Oscar and Brody would finally have someone to help adjust the gender balance!

When Hallie shared the news with Brian on the phone (he kept postponing his visit because of "research") he offered hearty congratulations before sighing and saying how much he hoped he would soon have a son.

Hallie didn't know what to say. She'd been working really hard at their relationship, she'd taken the architecture job, driven up to visit his parents to deliver a birthday gift to his mother and called every night.

Brian hadn't re-opened the marriage discussion and Hallie didn't know where she stood. She tried to remind herself how much Brian had sacrificed for her but couldn't shake the feeling that now the heat of attraction and thrill of danger had burned out they didn't have much in common.

The next few months brought an abundance of change, Georgia moved out to a studio flat where she planned to run her own styling service. Hallie resisted Georgia's attempts to style her -though she did take her advice on a new pair of shoes!

Marisol moved in with Oscar after a huge fight with her own family. She wanted to be a policewoman which meant that all their grooming for her to be a society wife had been for nothing. Marlie and Brody had secretly placed bets on how long it would be before Oscar proposed.

Oscar was moving up the ranks in the army and would soon be facing deployment.The day he passed basic training Marlie won the bet.

Soon, it was Marlie and Brody's Silver Wedding Anniversary and they had a small celebration, Belle flew in from Europe especially and played a new song she'd written just for her parents.

After everyone else had gone home or to bed, Hallie pulled out the unopened Legacy journal that Marlie had given her two years ago. She skimmed through Marlie's story, marveling at the challenges her mother had faced to become the woman she was, the kind of woman who found joy in the happiness of those she loved.

Hallie felt ashamed of how self-centred she had been since becoming the heir. She hadn't been around as much as she'd meant to, she'd ignored all the signs that Cai wanted more from her than friendship. She'd blamed Brian for wanting things before she was ready after he risked everything to be with her but she'd refused to let him go.

As Hallie reached the last page a folded note fell in her lap.

'Hallie, this is a note from your mom, in case you are freaking out'

Hallie laughed half-heartedly at how well her mom knew her and read on.

'Firstly, if you've read my story, please don't compare it to your own. I am a firm believer in not letting where you've been define you - and that includes if you've had a happy start to life like you have. Just because you have yet to face tragedy doesn't mean you can't feel lost and scared.

Whatever mistakes you think you have made, let them go. I wrote my story down years after it happened and by then I could see everything in a positive light, see how I'd learned from every slip-up and ended up better off. So give yourself a free pass Hallie - that's an order!

I'm already so proud of you, you're an individual, you chase what you want and I know you're going places. Just follow the rules and I think you'll find you're already on the right path.

Mom X

Hallie turned back to the first page to the guidelines she'd never really read properly.

1. When you are lost, hold on to the things you love, hold on to those you love and live for the small moments. Eventually you will see you are already moving in the direction of happiness.

2. In love, listen only to your heart. Your head will tell you to stay, to be sensible, to appreciate effort and intention rather than actions. Your heart will throw caution to the wind and put itself in harms way, it's only in a place where the alternate is devastating heartbreak that you can can find a love that completes you.

3. In life, live. You never know how long you have so don't put off for a week anything you can do today, good or bad. Live with no regrets.

Hallie paced the house before settling in the abandoned dining room.

She knew what she needed to do.

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Unexpected events force Hallie to make some difficult choices in Chapter 9 -.Life after Death

The Monroe Legacy - G.1 Chapter 22. - The Changing of the Guard

Marlie cried the day that Lola aced the University aptitude test. As she explained to Brody later, it was neither a sad nor a happy cry, it was entangled with the knowledge that everything was going to change. Whilst the announcement of the wills had shaken things up for a while, most things had gone back to normal. Now Lola would be leaving and she might never come back to stay.

 The weeks flew by and all too soon Marlie's eldest daughter was packed up and moving away. Lola was in equal measures terrified and elated. She would be alone among strangers but she could be whoever she wanted at college. 

She wouldn't be the quiet twin any more, Lola resolved to study hard but also to have fun. A lot of fun.

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Whilst Brody comforted his wife as they waved Lola off, he too was thinking of change. For years now he'd been ignoring the niggling signs that he should be slowing down, focusing instead in his chess ranking and bringing in the money which would ensure the children's futures. 

He'd made it all the way up to executive chef, he ran the kitchen these days, but it it was more stress than was ideal. Perhaps he should talk to Marlie about slowing down.

Marlie wasn't blind to Brody's struggles. She knew he wasn't sleeping and that he was losing weight, she knew that he was starting to look his age, but she didn't know how to raise the idea of taking things easy with him, he'd always been so proud of his ability to provide. If only he would let her carry some of the burden, she was on the city council now and they could manage on her salary.

But fate has a funny way of forcing these conversations before we're ready to have them. Marlie returned home from a fundraiser to find Brody collapsed on the floor, holding his chest.

'I've called for and ambulance' he panted as she ran to his side and clutched his hand. ' I think it's my heart'.

As they rode top the hospital the ambulance techs ran all sorts of checks, as soon as they arrived Brody was rushed on to a trolley and through a set of swinging doors whilst Marlie struggled to fill in all the relevant forms with shaking hands.

 

Brody had suffered a case of acute angina, further testing revealed that he was exhibiting early symptoms of coronary heart disease. Brody felt strangely relieved, not that the diagnosis was CHD but that there was something wrong with him that was identifiable and treatable, if not curable. If Brody could just reduce his stress levels, eat better and exercise more than there was every chance he would live to a ripe old age with minimal risk of complications.

Marlie was shaken but rang home to relieve the worries of the waiting family, before curling beside Brody on the hospital bed and crying out all the worry and guilt of the last few hours. The fear of losing Brody had consumed her and she knew that she needed to make a decision about the heir so that they could enjoy their time together before it ran out.

Brody handed in his notice the next week and Marlie began to make up her mind.

Belle had decided that she definitely didn't want to be the heir. She was absorbed by her music and was working two jobs, days at the recording studio where she was on the cusp of  managing her first act and nights at a bar where she pulled pints and played the odd acoustic set of her own material.

Belle was exhausted but happy, she spent every spare moment working out, writing songs and hanging out with Harris, her best friend. Marlie wondered if perhaps there was something between them but Belle was so focused on everything else that she barely noticed the way Harris looked at her when he thought she wasn't looking.

As Belle worked hard on her career, Oscar worked hard on his physique! He wanted to be a male model, or, failing that, in the army.

 He spent hours perfecting his smouldering glare on Marisol. She didn't seem to mind, especially when he did it with his shirt off!

Georgia still didn't understand what the two of them had in common but she was happy that her brother was happy. Marlie had finally persuaded Georgia to start taking life a little more seriously so she was dabbling in a few things. 

She liked to bake and draw, but it was still so much more fun hanging with her girlfriends and flirting their time away!

Despite Georgia's flightiness Marlie's main concern was Hallie who seemed to be spending a lot of time alone now that Marisol was dating Oscar and Belle was so busy. She'd go out for long walks on her own and was very quiet. 

Marlie wondered if there was a boy but Hallie didn't seem to be using her phone or behaving sneakily, she was just a little withdrawn.

Hallie herself wasn't really sure what she was doing. School was weird because between her reputation as a hot date and her siblings popularity people seemed intimidated by her. The truth was that Hallie was intimidated by them, she just wanted a normal high school life but people seemed to think she was some super cool artsy rebel, so it was easier just to avoid it all and lose herself in art.

The only person she said much to was Abner who worked at the consignment store, they had long discussions about art and life and Hallie felt some days like he was the only one who understood her. 

She told Abner everything, except her one big secret. Hallie wasn't out walking at night, she was out making art. As much as she loved her easel there was something exciting and forbidden about the hiss of spray-paint and the expansive art she could create on the walls of local buildings. She tagged each finished piece with her signature, a simple question mark.

Hallie's work began to attract attention around town, both from art enthusiasts who declared the artist they were referring to as Why was the new Banksy. The cops were also interested but for entirely different reasons!

As Marlie felt her middle daughter closing in on herself she realised that she'd made her choice.  Once Lola was home for Christmas and the presents had been opened she sat down her family (except Belle who had a gig with Harris) to announce the choice she had made.

'I never thought it would be so hard to choose,' she began. 'I thought perhaps that more of you wouldn't want the responsibility and I'm so moved to know that you all love this family as much as I do. 

Belle isn't here, not because she doesn't love us all but because her dream is a different one, her wish is that I not consider her as an heir but she has promised me that she will support whoever is chosen. Oh and also to be the first Monroe on the Hot 100, if anyone can make it it would be her!

Lola, I'm so proud of the woman you've become. You're chasing your dream at university, making so many new friends and I couldn't be more excited to see what your life will bring you.

Hallie, you're so talented and creative. Every time I see your work I am amazed that you have achieved so much at such a young age, you inspire me and I hope that you will never lose that spark.

Oscar, you're such a gentleman. You're strong and brave and popular but you never use your strengths to make other people feel smaller, you make everyone around you shine. I see Marisol light up whenever she's around you and I'm so proud to call you my son.

Georgia, you're just learning what kind of a person you want to be but I know that whoever that is she will be a joy to be around. You're carefree and positive and free and I hope you never lose any of those qualities.

But I have to choose. 

After a lot of thought and a lot of discussion with your father, Hallie will be the heir to the Monroe legacy.'

Hallie looked dazed as Georgia leapt up and hugged her sister and Lola smiled warmly at her. Oscar seemed indifferent.

Marlie continued, 

'Hallie once you are 21, this all becomes yours. We chose you because we felt that you would most benefit from the opportunity to build an identity and a home in this place. You have your talent, your intelligence and a good heart and we hope that you will find the other components that you need for a happy and fulfilling life as you continue our family legacy.'

Hallie couldn't believe they'd picked her! She was so sure it would be Lola or Oscar, especially when Marlie was listing all their qualities. But they'd chosen quirky little her - Hallie vowed she would make her parents proud!

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So there we have it! The heir to the Second Generation of the Monroe Legacy will be Hallie who ran away with almost 50% of the vote!

Read the beginning of Hallie's story here - The Monroe Legacy - Generation 2 Chapter 1 - Growing Pains

Thank you to all who voted - let me know what you think of the new heir in the comments - I'm excited!

And to say thanks here's a sneaky peek at what Miss Hallie Mae Monroe will look like once she officially takes over her family's legacy.

The Monroe Legacy - G.1. Chapter 21 - Daring to Dream

Marlie's announcement was followed by a period of unusual quiet in the Monroe household. That evening whilst she and Brody went about their usual routine, the children seemed to be thinking of how this news would affect their dreams of the future.

Well, when I say the children I mean all of them except for Georgia.

Georgia figured that at fourteen she had a while before she'd be having to make any choices so she just went and admired herself in the mirror. She wondered if Marlie would let her have some of her money in advance because she really wanted to get her teeth whitened. Marie Fox had it done and it looked so good, though of course Marie really needed good teeth to make up for the rest of her face!

Georgia decided that she'd just see what life threw at her so she went to bed with an easy mind.

Belle had taken her guitar outside to think. She knew that she wanted to be a huge star and the pressures of a family might not be compatible. Belle knew that she had time to think but she wasn't sure if she had it in her to put the family name ahead of her own dreams. She thought that maybe she'd make it great in another way - by seeing a Monroe at the top of the charts!

Belle decided she'd sleep on it - she had her first day on the job at the local studio the next day and she couldn't wait!

As Belle played, Hallie painted. She'd been working on a gift for her parents for a few days and as she lost herself in the brush strokes she wondered if she had a chance of  being chosen.

Lola was smarter and Belle was louder, Georgia and Oscar were pretty and popular, she was the odd one out. Even her hair marked her out as different. But she loved this place, she was proud to be a Monroe, maybe..... no, Hallie told herself that there was no point building castles in the sky.

Hallie sighed and went to wash her brushes and finish her homework though her mind was elsewhere.

As she watched Hallie daydream, Lola's thoughts went in rather a different direction. The money was a huge relief - with her academics and a decent scholarship she would be able to go to medical school. But to be the heir to a legacy - that was a responsibility which scared her. Lola put on her coat and headed out for a walk only to be jolted from her reverie by a familiar and unexpected face.

She stopped dead as Carson said,

'Sorry I missed your party, my plane was late.'

Lola's high-school heartbreak was now a handsome man of 23 and it seemed he'd flown in from Europe to be there for her birthday. He said he was leaving again the next evening.

Lola was stunned.

They conversed awkwardly on the doorstep for a while, avoiding the subject of their past or any current relationships until Lola felt the walls she had carefully built around her memories of him begin to wobble.

Sensing the danger, she asked him to come back the next day to see the whole family before wishing him a shaky good night. Lola knew that she couldn't do that again. That she needed to find somebody new, and if Carson kept looking at her like he had that night she wouldn't be strong enough to do the right thing.

The next day Lola left at 5am to go fishing and despite the pouring rain she didn't return until after dark, avoiding the questioning gaze of her mother as she hurried up to her room and the safety of her textbooks. She knew that she wouldn't always be able to run away from her problems but with Carson on the other side of the world she had a chance of healing enough to move on.

Lola knew that if she was chosen to be the heir, she would need to be braver than she was. She resolved to be more like Belle, her twin was the bravest person she knew.

Whilst Lola had been fishing Oscar had been blowing off steam. Hallie's friend Marisol had blown him off again and Georgia was being extra annoying, screaming with laughter down the phone.

Oscar didn't really even know why he liked Marisol, she wasn't popular or stunningly beautiful but she was the only person he'd really been able to talk to recently. All his friends were mad on sport and girls and he just wanted someone to talk to about the big announcement, someone who would listen and sympathise.

 His face must have been a picture because Georgia hung up the phone and with the sisterly concern that lurked behind her flirty exterior asked if he was okay. Reluctantly he told her about Marisol, sure she'd laugh and suggest a more preppy girl but Georgia just listened and then went to speak to Hallie.

With Hallie's help she hatched a plan to help her hapless brother out!

The next day they all went to the Spooky Day festival, Georgia was there with Oscar and Hallie was meeting Marisol. When Hallie was called away with a "work emergency" Oscar would be able to get Marisol alone for once. Despite Oscar's doubts it worked perfectly!

 Soon Marisol and he were talking alone together, forgetting that they belonged in separate cliques as they laughed the afternoon away. Oscar found his worries about the legacy melting away as Marisol pointed out that he didn't have to stress about it now, his mom wasn't expecting him to pop out five kids in the next year or two, he could just figure out what he wanted from life and if he became the heir - figure out how the two could work together.

When Oscar asked Marisol if she would be his homecoming date, she looked shocked before blushing and accepting. Emboldened by her answer Oscar asked why she'd been avoiding him.

Looking sheepish Marisol admitted that she'd thought he was flirting with her for a dare, she couldn't believe that a popular jock would be interested in one of the school's art freaks. Oscar was horrified and just so she knew exactly what he thought of her he walked her home and summoning up all his courage, kissed her goodnight!

Back at the fair Georgia had had a great afternoon. She'd made four new friends, collected two boys' numbers AND won a pie eating contest! She loved her life!

While the younger family members had been flirting and playing their evening away, Marlie and Brody had sat down with Lola and Belle to hear what they wanted their money for - both twins had said they were decided.

Ever impatient, Belle got straight to the point.

'Mom, Dad, I don't think I want to be the heir.  I'll tell you when I'm sure but you know me. I'm impulsive, I like drama and adventure. I want to travel and be a rock star and I don't know if I can do that and be here preserving the family name.

I'd like to have my money for an apartment. Once I've saved up some money from work I want to get a studio apartment in the city and chase my dream.

I hope you can understand'.

Marlie and Brody smiled knowingly at each other.

'Of course that's okay Belle', Marlie replied. 'We wondered if you might say this and we actually have a different kind of legacy for you. We'd like you to have my mother's guitar - you love music and so did she. We thought it should be passed to you.'

Belle leapt up and hugged her mom.

'Thanks mummy' she whispered, with tears in her eyes, knowing how precious the guitar was to Marlie.

'And how about you  Lola,' Brody interjected, knowing how carried away Belle was liable to get. 'What have you decided?'

Lola didn't hesistate, 'I want to go to college. To medical school. I've applied and they've sent me an aptitude test. If I pass as well as I should the money should be enough to pay for college.

I think I could be the heir, if I'm the right choice, for now I just need to stand on my own two feet and go after what I want though.'

Marlie and Brody looked proudly at the two women they had raised. Perhaps the next big thing and the next heir of the Monroe legacy were sitting before them. Whatever happened, they knew they had done their job, raised them to be individuals who would fight for their own happiness.

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To read on and discover who becomes the heir to the Monroe legacy read Chapter 22 - The Changing of the Guard now!