It was Christmas time and suddenly the two young men were dismissed to go home. Chandler had been told that his father was in Europe on business, so instead of going back to New York he would travel back to Charleston with his roommate . This was very exciting for Chandler because he had hoped that he would see Monica again.

The Greenes were throwing a huge Christmas cotilliion and all Ross heard about was the beautiful dress from Paris that his fiance was getting. Ross was anxious to get home because he missed basically being waited on hand on foot. This is what life was like in the South.He also was anxious to help attend to the business of the plantation again.

Getting off the train, Chandler handed his bags to a house servant of the Gellers. Jack and Judy welcomed home their son and his friend and then they went to the plantation. Chandler was amazed at the size of the main house. It was white and it had four white pillars in the front. On the front door was a wreath made of pine and had a red velvet ribbon on it.

"Welcome home massa Ross." said Missy as she embraced the son of the plantation owner.

"And who might this be?" she asked Ross as she spotted Chandler.

"This is my roommate from college, Chandler Bing. He is from New York," Ross explained. "Missy show our guest to his room."

"You must be the young gentleman that Miss Monica spoke of." she giggled.

"Missy that's enough." scorned Monica. Chandler looked over and saw her on the stairs in a purple velvet gown that hung off of her alabaster shoulders..

"Mr. Bing, Welcome to our home, I'll show you to your room." Monica said as Chandler extended his arm and Monica took it. A house servant followed them with his bags.

"They make a charming couple." Ross said as he began to open his mail.

"I don't know, Monica and a Yankee," said Jack.

"Father war may be in the future, but it hasn't broke out yet. I try to keep up on the talk and I am hearing the word secession thrown around quite a bit. Is this true?"asked Ross.

"I'm afraid it is. There is this man from Illinois who wants to be the next President who speaks of getting rid of slavery. If he succeeds in doing this, it will ruin our whole way of life." said Jack.

"I heard him speak in Boston, great orator." added Ross.

"Yes but these are dangerous times, son. I can't tell you how your mother worries about you in the North. If there is talk of war, you will be caught right in the middle of it . This issue of slavery is the one that will divide the country." explained Jack.

"Then I will be ready to leave Boston to defend our way of life." Ross said proudly.

"War , War War is that all men can talk of these days?" a feminine voice said as she strolled into the parlor.

"Rachel, oh my darling," cried Ross as he ran into the arms of his fiance.

"You're home. I knew you wouldn't miss the Cotillion. Now Daddy can announce our engagement there." Rachel said as she hugged her beau.

"This is wonderful because I have brought my roommate home for Christmas. Now he can go to the Cotiillion as well." Ross said.

"Oh yes, the Yankee, well that will make Monica happy." giggled Rachel.

"What?" asked Ross.

"Ever since our visit in the fall. All Monica can do is talk about the handsome man with the sandy hair and the blue eyes. How he was going to take her to dinner when she came to Boston again. She seems to be quite smitten with Master Bing. Wouldn't blame her at all. Quite a charmer."added Rachel.

"Really?' exclaimed Ross.

"But not as charming and handsome as you, my darling." she said as she kissed Ross. She took two invitations out of her purse. They were marked with script his and Chandler's names.

"Here are your invitations to the Cotillion , for you and Master Bing ."

Next the Cotillion