The Monroe Legacy - G.2. Chapter Three - Black Sheep and White Weddings

Hallie's first semester rushed by in a blur of excitement, stress and chaos. Hallie was happy that she'd managed to patch things up with Cai, they shared a love of art as well as a major so it made sense that they be good friends.

It helped that Hanna turned out to be kind of a terrible person, they pretty quickly drifted apart when Hallie caught her telling one of her roommates that she was in to threesomes.

With the ugliness behind them Hallie made it clear to Cai that it had just been the juice talking, besides which she soon discovered he had a girlfriend back home which made all the gossip pretty irrelevant.

Hallie and Cai became quite the double act, they were the life and soul of every party, the biggest daredevils in their class and they soon had a reputation as ringleaders of the rebel clique.

They probably should have been failing their classes but they were both such talented artists that their lecturers tended to turn a blind eye. Hallie did put in the occasional hour of study....

But partying and street art were so much more fun!

Hallie might have cruised all the way through her degree without a care if it hadn't been for Professor Brian Petersen. New to the University and fighting for a tenure he soon caught on to Hallie's attendance and performance not exactly matching and called her in.

Hallie approached the administrative office with a swagger in her step, she didn't know who she was meeting but she was pretty sure her sway with the student population made her immune to whatever little punishment they might devise.

As she stepped into the room and into the steely gaze of Professor Petersen a thrill ran through her.

He was so young! As he introduced himself and held out his hand Hallie found herself transfixed by his piercing green stare. It was like he was staring straight into her mind...

'Miss Monroe?' Professor Petersen  repeated. 'Are you listening Miss Monroe?'

'Huh?' was all Hallie could manage.

'Miss Monroe I don't want to keep you, I'm a busy man but I just wanted to be clear that if things don't improve with your attendance and academics you will not pass this year. I'll be watching you carefully, don't throw away all that talent.'

Hallie left the Union building in a daze. She'd never felt such a strong reaction to anyone before. Rummaging in her bag for her phone she tried to explain to Cai what had happened but he seemed unimpressed saying only that this professor sounded like an ass. Hallie huffed that he couldn't understand being a boy and resolved to find some girlfriends!

As term wound on Hallie found herself looking out for Professor Petersen around the campus. She paid a little more attention to school work and managed to keep her GPA up.

Cai had also had to meet with him and came away fuming about the "ass-hat professor" as he insisted on calling him. Cai had somehow landed community service as well as a lecture - Hallie wondered why she had been let off.

As Christmas and the holidays approached Hallie began to miss the rolling hills and open skies of Appaloosa Plains. She felt as if she'd seen all that University had to offer....

The good (Cai was hilarious and studying with him made Hallie's day)

The bad - (That time she realised she'd thrown her project in the garbage!)

The mad (because megaphone pranks are ALWAYS funny)


And the downright unpleasant! (I mean if you cook for someone they could at least put on clothes!)

Hallie was so ready to go home that she was barely paying attention to her surroundings as she grabbed a coffee to take in the cab to the airport.

'A much better effort Miss Monroe,' came the voice which had fueled a few not entirely innocent dreams.

'Um... Hi Professor' Marlie managed. 'Are you on your way home for the holidays?'

'Yes,' he replied, 'My parents just moved to Utah so I'm headed out to visit them.'

'What a coincidence! I'm from Utah too, Appaloosa Plains. Where do they live!' Hallie enthused before blushing and realising that that was kind of a personal question to ask a professor.

But he didn't look offended, grinning and saying, 'Logan, so not too far. I saw your maginificent painting of the Salt Lake landscape and wondered if you were from there. I'll see you soon, Merry Christmas Hallie!' and left her standing frozen in the snow.

He'd called her Hallie and said  he'd see her soon. Hallie smiled picturing his expression of surprise and pleasure when they'd discovered their Utah connection. Maybe next semester would be interesting after all!

Any thoughts of handsome professors was wiped from Hallie's mind as she arrived home to a chaos of wedding preparations. Marlie had just been elected town Mayor after a bi-election and no longer had time to plan everything - there was a grit-salt shortage to handle.

Belle was away on tour, Brody didn't have the first idea about florists and Lola was melting down! Hallie and Georgia became the unofficial bride-calmers and wedding planners. Georgia handled the dresses and the catering, Hallie managed the venue and decorations. When the big day arrived everything was in order despite a heavy snowfall and Marlie hugged her daughters gratefully.

As their mom went to welcome guests, Hallie and Georgia high-fived and posed for Oscar who was taking the photographs, everything was perfect and Lola was due to arrive any minute.

When Hallie saw Lola arrive at the doors, glowing and nervous on Brody's arm she shivered with anticipation.

One day it would be her turn. She tried to picture the man standing at the altar and waiting but he was just out of sight. Her thoughts flickered briefly to Professor Petersen and the inexplicably to Cai before the wedding march began and all she could see was her beautiful sister walking down the aisle.

As Lola and Jeffery murmured promises to one another Hallie felt tears prickle in her eyes. Hallie prayed that she would find a man who would look at her like that.

As Lola began her vows Hallie looked around at her family, all of whom were now openly crying and knew that this was the legacy she would do anything to protect and continue.

The words were simple, taken from their favourite book from childhood. They represented not only the love between the bride and groom, but the love shared by every Monroe in the room, the love that made them a family.

'Today begins my walk with you. Where you go, I go. Where you stay, I stay. When you sleep, I will sleep. When you rise, I will rise. I will pass my days within the sound of your voice, and my nights within the reach of your hand. And none shall come between us. '

-William Nicholson - Slaves of the Mastery

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Sorry there are so many pictures in this chapter! I got camera happy with my new EP!

Next time on the Monroe legacy, firsts and finals. First year exams are upon Hallie and she chooses a risky moment to finally test drive her great kisser trait.

Read it now - The Monroe Legacy - Gen. 2 Chapter 4 - Red is the Colour of....