With a nation torn apart, Ross wondered what was going to happen to their plantation now. He sat at the desk and held his head in his hands. There were only bills in front of him, shipments had been cancelled, a lot of the Northern customers turned their back on their southern suppliers. This war had left its mark.
Shortly afterwards, the slaves started to leave with the promise of a new life in the North. Carpetbaggers had lured away those not the most loyal to a family. Missy remained , but all they could is mourn the passing of beloved Mammy Lee.
Funds were also dwindling because of the extra mouths to feed. Sandra and the Green sisters stayed at the Geller house with the understanding that Magnolia Hill would be restored. The Green sisters were in no hurry to return to Atlanta since the boys would soon be returning from war if they hadn't yet.
What would normally be good news wasn't as Rachel had become pregnant again. Ross knew as the new business manager of the family, he had to do something fast.
In the distance the church bells could be heard. The President of the United States had been assassinated by a Southern sympathizer. The South just kept getting dealt one final blow after another.
Jack since losing Judy seemed to be getting more and more feeble minded. He would sit in the parlor and look at her picture all day. One night , he swore he could hear her calling .
"Jack, Jack," it seemed her cries were coming from the meadow. He immediately through on his coat and started for the stables. Never as much an expert horseman as his children, he hopped on the steed as it galloped for the fence. The horse couldn't clear the fence and Jack 's neck was broken. For the second time in a year, Ross was to bury a parent.
They stood at the train station as the train pulled in from New York. Rachel hugged a cloak around her as she held little Ben's hand. She could see Monica's tear stained face as she got off the train. Monica had her face covered with a black veil for the mourning of her father.
Also garbed in black, Rachel reached out when she saw Monica .
"I wish it could have been better circumstances, but it has been forever since I have seen you sister, dear." Monica said as she hugged Rachel.
"Getting a little big aren't we?" she smiled.
"This is number two..we have two names picked out , if it is a boy Daniel and if it is a girl Emma." Rachel said as she patted her stomach.
"At last my friend we can be on the same side again, brothers together." said Chandler.
"Yes," said Ross very depressed. He knew what this death was going to do to the Geller finances. He hated to even think it, let alone say it but the back taxes couldn't be paid and the plantation and house would have to be sold. He hadn't told Rachel yet, because of her delicate condition.
The two families walked toward the house steps and Monica slowly walked into the room where her father had laid. She had a lifetime of memories here. Why did she have a feeling they were about to end?
"I will admit something to you, I am worried about the state of affairs here. Rachel is expecting our second child and we now have the social status of sharecroppers. We are going to have to end up selling the family plantation and we still have a house full of guests. I am all out of ideas." Ross admitted with defeat.
Chandler looked at him thoughtfully, "You got better grades in school than myself . You are a much better leader and manager than me. Why don't you sell the plantation to Sandra and her daughters to rebuild and then bring Rachel and move up North to New York?" he suggested.
Ross looked around the study and the grand walls. The sconces were over a hundred years old. On the wall was a picture of his late mother.
Down the hall was the bedroom where Rachel laid and gave birth. This house was a house that was part of him.. A part that needed to be given up and moved on. With a tear in his eye, he lovingly fingered the desk that his father managed the plantation at. He sighed.
"I guess it is time to move on." Ross said as he closed the drawer on the desk.
Next the Gellers move to New York…thanks I found a way to extend this story a little longer because I have gotten so many nice compliments on it.. From both Mondler and RR fans..so as the last chapters are written..I have to say thanks because this was my first story to at this writing I hope hit 50...thanks also to the great people at Friends Board…my second home…and my two clubs Merge and Everlasting Love…