The Monroe Legacy - Gen. 2 Chapter 1 - Growing Pains

Hallie Monroe cracked open an eye and peered around her bedroom, wondering why her mouth tasted so disgusting. As she sat up she clutched her head, wincing at the movement, jeez she felt like crap!

As she finally reached an upright position her younger sister Georgia swam into view with an amused smile on her face.

Running her tongue over her fuzzy teeth she grimaced and mumbled,

'What the hell happened to me G, I think I got hit by a truck'.

Georgia's grin got bigger, 'You don't remember anything do you?! Well Belle certainly delivered on her promise to help you celebrate in style. Don't worry though, you weren't hit by a truck... Hit on by a truck driver is more like it. Happy 21st birthday Hal, I'll go make you some coffee!'

Groaning as the slamming door sent another wave of agony through her throbbing head Hallie collapsed on her bed. Whilst she couldn't vouch for what had happened in the last twelve hours Hallie knew one thing for sure, she was 21 and officially in control of her family legacy. It she was less hungover she'd probably be nervous but right now all she could think was that it could only get better from here!

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Three years earlier

The morning after the heir had been announced nothing it seemed as though nothing had really changed. Hallie had supposed she'd wake up feeling different somehow, more grown up perhaps so she felt kind of let down by the normality of the day. She could hear all the normal noises of the house, the grumbling washer, Georgia giggling at the TV, Oscar's workout music. Hallie did what she always did when she wasn't sure what to do... She painted.

She wasn't disturbed until lunch time when her mother tapped softly on the door before sitting on her bed. She had a scruffy looking notebook in her hand and it was clear they'd be having a chat. Hallie reluctantly dunked her brushes in some turpentine and went and sat down.

Marlie squeezed her daughter's knee and handed her the book.

'I started this diary a few years back when I began to dream about my legacy. It's yours now. My story is there for you to read if you wish to, I've written down the principles which I've lived by. When you're ready, read them, decide which ones are a fit for you and when the time comes - you'll know when that is - add your own story and pass it along.

I know this is a big thing to process, you're still so young and you've a few years before you're officially in charge but I thought this might help you to adjust.'

Standing up she started to leave the room, turning as she reached the door.

'I know I've made the right choice Hallie and when things get hard I want you to remember that. I'll be proud of you whatever road you choose, as long as you choose what is right for you and the person that you want to become.

I love you so much'  Marlie smiled and shut the door behind her.

Staring at the cover of the book beside her Hallie pulled her knees up to her chest and lost herself in dreams of the future.

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In the years that followed a lot changed in the Monroe house. Belle soon saved the money she needed to move to a tiny place near the city centre, it wasn't much but it was big enough for band practice and she adored it. 

Hallie was a frequent visitor, she even designed a cover for Belle's first recording. The two sisters had always been firm friends and distance didn't seem to be changing that. A few months after the move it was no surprise to Hallie to walk in on Belle and Harris kissing,  it was about time! 

The two of them hand been spending every moment together, performing as a duo, writing together, working together. Hallie was so pleased that her wild sister had found a guy who accepted her crazy ways and even seemed able to occasionally calm her down!

Lola returned to university where she continued to make good grades whilst reveling in the social scene. 

She dated a lot, sending Hallie pictures of her at parties and out for dinner with a whole raft of handsome guys, but none of them lasted long.

In Lola's final semester she met Jeffery and Hallie could tell that this one was different, Lola was quieter about it, more hesitant to laugh about their little disagreements, she returned with her diploma in hand and a sad look in her eyes.

When Hallie and Belle coaxed her into talking about it she said only that Jeffery lived thousands of miles away and they hadn't thought they could make the distance work whilst starting up their medical careers. 

Much as she had when breaking up with her teen sweetheart Carson, Lola threw herself in to work, logging long hours as a paramedic and even running vaccination clinics on her days off.

Whilst Lola took off, Oscar flunked out. Repeating junior year was a huge reality check for the kid who had always been the school's golden boy. Brody and Marlie didn't scold their son too harshly, they could see on his face that being held back was punishment enough, especially as he'd now graduate a year behind his ditsy twin.

Ditsy as Georgia was, she'd made a pretty good go of high school. She made cheer captain in senior year, maintained a solid B in her academics, landed the hottest guy in the year (who as fate would have it was her old admirer Humberto) and discovered a talent for design. 

With Hallie helping her to improve her drawing skills Georgia was now determined to become a stylist, well at least until she married somebody rich!

The summer before Hallie turned 21 was one of the happiest the family had spent. They heard Belle on local radio for the first time, Brody hit Rank 4 in chess (only one away from his goal), Marlie was promoted and Lola had two unexpected visitors.

The morning that Hallie opened her door to reveal Carson Jeans was to become family legend. After a few minutes of awkward small talk he asked to speak to Lola alone. 

Shouting drew Brody into the kitchen after twenty minutes where he found Carson swearing he'd never loved anyone else and brandishing an engagement ring at a mortified Lola. 

It emerged they'd been writing each other all these years and that Carson had never moved on. A few minutes later a subdued Carson drove out of town whilst Lola went back to  her room and cried.

She cried over Carson's humiliation, over all the history they had but mostly she cried because Jeffery was a world away from her. She'd been distraught when she and Carson had had to end things but until she left Jeffery she'd never known true heartbreak, the aching sadness which ran under all the ups and downs of each day was now her constant companion.

Hallie looked on rather helplessly as Marlie comforted her big sister. She'd been in a few dates but never felt that spark she'd always dreamed of. The boys in Appaloosa just didn't seem to get her - they were so wrried about appearances and status - Hallie knew she couldn't fall in love with sombody who used more hair products than she did!

Frustrated, Hallie almost envied Lola's heartbreak, it had been preceded by a love that Hallie just couldn't seem to find. 

Her frustration gave her new creative wings and her street art became more ambitious, more dangerous. The thrill of completing a new piece began to replace the fulfilment of  the relationship she craved, she only wished she could tell everybody that she was Why? and revel in their surprise!

 But romance wasn't done with the Monroes. Brody and Marlie were as inseparable as ever, stealing kisses and spending hours reminiscing together. They were sitting out on the bench together when the second visitor arrived.

Recognising him, despite the desperate look on his face Marlie gestured silently to the back if the house where Lola was experimenting in the vegetable garden.

As Jeffery's eyes found Lola, weeding her plants with her back to him the tension drained from his shoulders. Marlie and Brody rose silently and went inside, knowing that what was to follow was for the two young people only.

Lola came inside with shining eyes and a glow to her ten minutes later and asked if Jeffery could stay with them. He'd missed her so much he'd transferred to a local hospital so they could give their relationship a chance. Within six months Jeffery had offered Lola a promise and a diamond to symbolise it in the same place where they had been reunited.

Hallie watched her sisters grow and wondered when her life would start to unfold, she was so ready to be done with school. Lola had found love at university maybe she could too? 

When Belle offered to take Hallie and Lola out in the city for a bachelorette/birthday extravaganza Hallie jumped at the chance. The place was prepared to ignore her birthday as a favour to Lola - the bouncer totally had a crush - and Hallie wanted to party like the rebel people seemed to think she was!

As the first shot of tequila seared her throat Hallie felt invigorated, alive and rebellious. The next two seemed like a great idea. The last thing she remembered was a hot tattooed guy leading her on the the dance floor whilst Lola hollered her on and Belle danced on the bar.....

At the thought of tequila Hallie's stomach began to heave - she ran for the bathroom.

Things really could only get better!

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Next time on the Monroe Legacy - Hallie gets a makeover, stares down a cake and takes a test.

Read it now - Generation 2 Chapter 2 - A Blank Canvas