Chandler made sure he had everything before he left. He was waiting for a carriage to take him to the train station. He had just received it , Monica had put a handwritten note in his invitation to the wedding.Chandler would have come any way since he was the best man.

Before he had left Boston, he stopped by a jewelry store to pick up a small trinket for Monica. He had been told that her bridesmaid's gown was a sky blue with white lace, so he picked up a light blue garnet necklace for her to wear around her neck. When he heard the train whistle blow, he had the clerk wrap it and stick it in his vest pocket.

Arriving in Charleston, he was greeted by Monica and Judy Geller. They had explained that her husband and the groom were too busy but would meet him at dinner.

As it turned out the meeting had nothing to do with the wedding, South Carolina was very serious about their threat of succeeding from the union. This meeting was to get the grass roots support the politicians needed to leave the Union. Secession meant that they wanted to show President Lincoln who was boss here.

Chandler could feel the winds of war blowing as he walked by the naval Ft. Sumter. Guards now surrounded the tiny fort on the edge of the water. Last time they were carefree and playful, now they had a steady watch for any unfamiliar activity.

At the Geller plantation, Chandler settled into his room. Monica shyly stood in the doorway.

"I am so glad you could come for the wedding." Monica said.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Plus it gave me a chance to see you once again. Once this war starts, who knows when I will be able to travel." Chandler said as he took Monica in his arms. He kissed her and then he remembered her special surprise.

"I have something for you." he smiled as he handed her the wrapped jewelry box.

Monica opened it and squealed with delight, "This is perfect , it will match my gown." She threw her arms around him. "Oh Chandler, it is always a pleasure when a lady receives a bauble from her beau."

"Just save all of your dances , for me, my love." he said as he kissed her on the cheek.

"I thought I would find you here." a voice from the hallway said. "My dear friend, " Ross said as he ran into Chandler's arms.

"Well if I am to be your best man, then I should have come to your wedding." Chandler laughed. "Are you getting nervous?"

Ross broke away from Chandler. "Yes , but only because I am marrying the most beautiful woman in the world. " he sighed.

Monica knew that her time with Chandler would be limited so she excused herself . She looked down at the box that Chandler gave her and proceeded to go tell her friend, Rachel. Exhausted with the carrying out of the wedding plans, Rachel found a respite as Monica and her discussed their beaus.

"Just think tomorrow, we shall truly be sisters." sighed Rachel. "I will be Mrs. Ross Geller, and one day be the mistress of this house." She walked to the top of the stairs and swirled around in her gown of peach. She liked the sound of hearing her name with his. Monica shared her enthusiasm as she imagined her name linked with Chandler's.

Monica sat on the front stairs with Rachel. "Aren't you nervous about the wedding night.?" she asked with girlish enthusiasm.

"No because we kind of have already done it." Rachel smiled coyly. "We haven't actually acted as a husband and wife, but we have kissed and he had removed my petticoats. I am sure that since he was educated, all parts of his education are now complete and I will be satisfied." she said contently.

"Chandler seems to be wanting to return to me more and more. I am so happy that my brother asked him to be his second tomorrow. He writes me, he sends me trinkets, oh and he has informed me that he is saving all his dances at the wedding for me." Monica excitedly said.

"Who would have ever thought when your brother threw mud at us, that I would be marrying him?" giggled Rachel.

"I had an idea because he has mooned for you ever since he saw you in the gold gown at the Wallis barbecue when he was only fifteen." Monica said.

"And now your beau is your brother's college roommate, funny how life is isn't it?" Rachel said.

Judy came on to the portico, "Girls it is time for us to leave for Magnolia Hill. We have quite a trip , so we must go now. All of the bags have been loaded."

Monica and Rachel got up and walked to the waiting carriage. There was one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. Sandra thought that once Chandler arrived from Boston, that proper decorum should be observed and that her daughter and her groom to be should travel separate keeping the tradition that the groom not see the bride.

Monica couldn't help herself she ran up to the men's carriage and blew a kiss to Chandler.

"I'll see you in Atlanta, my darling." she said as she walked away. Her burgundy gown blowing in the wind.