The Union general Sherman had decided to attack. Georgia was a Confederate strong hold. He made a fiery path through the state. Thousands of homes were destroyed and one of those homes was Magnolia Hill.
Rachel was beside herself when she heard the news. As a courtesy, Jack had invited the Greenes to stay with them until the damage could be fixed. Sandra welcomed the visit so she could spend time with little Ben.
Amy and Jill were very annoyed. They were used to being fussed over and now Ben was the center of everyone's life. They were now in a strange house and far away from Atlanta. Most of the eligible men were now off fighting a war.
Rachel grew into her role as loving mother. Ben was the joy of her life. He had her sparkling blue eyes and his father's darker features. She was just sit in the parlor and hold her little precious one. She came in here to think or just reflect. She did that a lot since Ross had been gone. She sat in the rocker and held his head as she moved back and fourth.
Ross had been gone for almost a year now. Ben was going to be that in a few weeks. How she wanted to give him a brother or a sister. Every day the post came , brought a new bit of good news. Today she had heard from Monica, she was in New York and waiting for Chandler as well.
She said that after their impromptu wedding, Chandler had to return to his unit. It was ironic that both dear friends were waiting for their men to return from battle. Each from the other side of the war. It made her smile to see her signature,,monica geller bing…she knew she was happy.
Leonard had been sick for a while now. He had been that way after he had seen his plantation, his dream , destroyed. The pain started in his chest and then he fell down like Judy. Rachel couldn't believe it was happening again. Hours later, he was gone.
The house was silent as the servants took Leonard's body downstairs where he would be laid in state. Rachel held her son as she rubbed her mother's shoulder. Amy and Jill gathered at the feet of their mother as they mourned their husband and father.
Rachel thought she heard a noise outside. It sounded like the galloping of a horse. Could it be? She wiped her tears and carried her son with her to the door. She moved the silk drapes aside and saw it with her own eyes. He was home.
Ross no longer wore a uniform, for his valorous service he was being discharged. He had stopped and gotten a brand new suit and carried his own bags up the walk as a carriage pulled up behind the horse.
"Poke, Jed, Master Geller is home, go help him." Rachel said as she ran to the figure dismounting the horse.
"is it true darling, are you really home? Am I not just dreaming this?"Rachel said as she moved her lips to his.
"It is true, my darling." he said as he sweetly touched those soft lips he missed so much. He put down his bag and took her into his arms.
Rachel handed Ben to Missy and she left so that they lovers could reunite .
"So is the war over ?' she asked curiously.
"I'm afraid it is for us. My darling, Our lives shall never be the same again." Ross said sadly as he looked toward the South. "Our world is now just a memory."
Yes I apologize for not updating but I know there are mondler fans going hey what gives..the war isn't over…I have been working on like five stories and trying to wrap one up today..my RR wedding. Promise there will be more and thanks for being so patient.