Here is the next part of the story. Hope that you like.
Recap:
Last time, Monica, Rachel, Judy, and some others went to stay at Phoebe's because cattle rustlers.
A New Life
For Monica while waiting for Chandler, the minutes seemed to drag on. She was always on her feet, walking around with Daniel. So intent on humming him a lullaby, she did not notice the door opening.
"Well, you two are a sight for sore eyes."
"CHANDLER!" Monica then ran over and hugged him hard. Which ended in a kiss.
"It is good to see you, beautiful." He then took Daniel's hand and held it. "And you as well, buddy."
"What happened? Is everybody alright? Did anyone get shot?'
"Well, to start off with, no one was hurt. We found the rustlers sleeping off their drink. So right about now they are the only ones who are nursing headaches from their hangovers."
"That is all?" Monica looked hopefully up at Chandler.
"Strange you should say that. Your father said the same thing. Only he was disappointed." Chandler chuckled. "I think he was wanting a bit more action."
"Chandler. I think we ought to talk over something very important." Monica took a deep breath. "Do you think we are right raising our children here? I mean there is really no order. And there are only three lawmen for miles. Would our children really be safer out here than in New York?"
Chandler sat down on a chair and looked up at Monica. "Monica, while there are times that it is dangerous out here, there are plusses as well."
"I know. More room."
"Not just that. Think about it, back in New York, if shall we say, smallpox starts, than an epidemic could more easily spread. All of those cramped conditions. Fire also. And there are far more murders that occur in the bigger cities." Chandler stopped he was about to go on.
"You are right Chandler. I was just thinking on something that mom said. But, thinking about it, she is wrong." Monica then went and sat in his lap. "Now when do you want to go home?" Chandler smiled and held her tight.
Later on that day, Monica who was feeling much better, was busy spending time with her mom and dad before they went back to New York.
"Are you sure you'd rather stay out here than go back Monica? I mean think of your children." Judy reminded Monica.
"Mom, I am sure. I mean it is not as bad as it sounds or seems. You just caught us on an off day. Actually it is pretty quiet around here. I mean think about it. Not as cramped, so we have more room. There will not be a bad case of an epidemic. Even though some people may end up getting sick, the disease will not spread as bad. We have very good neighbors. How well do you know your neighbors back east?"
"I suppose you do make a point." Judy conceded.
"Of course she does." Jack boomed out. "Think about it, Judy, if we were younger, and just starting out, we would probably move out here as well."
"Well, we are not." Judy huffed out.
"Too bad." Jack sighed.
"Too bad! What do you mean too bad?" Judy asked astonished.
To stop an argument, Monica asked the question that was on her mind. "When will you both be going back to New York?"
"Tomorrow." Judy said it quick and final. So there was booking no argument. "Now that I see that at least one of my children are ok and doing well for herself, I think that our job here is done. The only thing that I want to ask you is if you hear from your brother, then let us know. Also, I will expect a letter from you at least once a month."
Monica smiled a bit. "Will do."
The next day, Monica, Chandler, Daniel, Rachel and Leonard were standing at the Wells Fargo office saying goodbye to Jack and Judy Geller as they prepared to take the stagecoach back east. After saintlier goodbyes the couple climbed aboard and soon they headed off.
Monica smiled sadly down at her son that she was holding. "At least I now know that your grandparents were worried about me and cared enough to come out here." Chandler just held her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. Soon after, Chandler and Monica headed home, Leonard walked toward his tent/ office, and Rachel ran off to find Joey who she was about to make sure that he followed through with his promise.
Three days later a telegram came. It was for Chandler informing him that his mom was on her way out west to see him and had something important to tell him.
Once Monica heard that, she and Julie and Charlotte went into full gear cleaning the house and starting to think of an idea for a feast made. Monica was really nervous about meeting Chandler's mom. And she wanted to make a great first impression.
Three weeks later, Nora Bing arrived by stagecoach. She was helped down by a man that she had been flirting with the entire time. After the flirting, she went over to see her son and to meet her daughter-in-law and to see her grandson.
Once arriving at the ranch house, she befriended Monica and flattered her to no end. Whether it was how she was raising her grandson, a housekeeper, cook, or what ever she saw that Monica did. And was exceedingly happy that she was to get another grandchild. Monica lapped it up.
Of course Nora stated that she was glad that she finally had a daughter. And was concerned that her son was going to be a devoted bachelor and deny her not only a daughter but also grandchildren as well.
The day that Nora arrived, Rachel wanted to talk to Phoebe. So she went to her hotel and saw her there in the lobby.
"Phoebe, I have a business proposition for you."
"Well, you don't beat around the bush, do you?"
"I can come back later if you are busy."
"Rachel, out with it."
"I need collateral."
"And what do you need money for?"
"I want to open a dress shop."
"Dress shop?"
"Yeah, to make dresses, sell material and other such items."
Phoebe smiled. "That sounds like a great idea. But I want half of the profits until you are done paying me off. And I insist that your first customers be me and my girls. Deal?" She then extended out her hand.
"Deal." The two women shook on it.
They then had her dress shop built. And to her word, Rachel made some new dresses for Phoebe and her girls. Her shop had dresses, coats, pattern books, material, shoes and other wear. The clothes were bought and hand made as well. The hand made ones cost more. But some women were happy to pay the extra money for good dresses.
Two months later, a church was completed, Leonard had his office built and a man by the name of Joshua Smith who became the town lawyer rode into town and was later elected the town prosecutor.
And of course, Ethan Jacobs was the defender. He was a young man from the east who went out to strike it rich in the gold fields. He was sick of practicing law, but he was even sicker of not having enough money to eat or to live on. So he took the job, no problem.
That winter, Chandler, Monica, Daniel, Joey, Rachel and Leonard all celebrated Christmas at the ranch. As well as Charlotte, Julie, Gary and few other of the ranch hands. They had a huge Christmas tree that Joey and Chandler went and cut down and hauled back to the house on a travois that was led by a horse.
Monica decorated the house so pretty. She had hand made ornaments up all over the place. And she and Julie also made a huge lunch. They had fried chicken, potatoes, green beans, corn, beans, rolls, and two kinds of pies.
Later that night, they had more food without the ranch hands and exchanged presents. They sang carols and later on went to bed.
That February, Monica gave birth to twins. Two girls. Once that happened everyone was extremely happy.
The ranch was coming along fine, as was the town. The lumber mill and mine were shut down until the spring. Which suited Joey fine, he was busy with the ranch.
Five years later…
Everything was looking up for Chandler. He had wonderful friends, four happy and healthy children a beautiful, caring wife and even another child on the way. So things could not have been better.
Monica was starting to show. And no longer tired anymore. She had a loving husband, two happy and healthy boys and twobeautiful daughters and very good friends. Now she even had her parents back as well.
Daniel was six years old and in school. He was a typical rancher's son. Had his own horse and loved the ranch life. He was rambunctious and always running around and loved to ride the ranch with his father and Uncle Joey.
Emma Phoebe and Leslie Rachel were strong headed five year old girls and were spoiled rotten. They played everything from tea party to dolls and dress up. But they were both tom boys and loved to climb trees with their brothers and play in the mud which drove Monica crazy to no end.
Jason Leonard was three years old and while the he played with theother children outdoors, he loved to spend time indoors and play quietly not to mention look through books. Of all the children, you couldtell that he wasa mommy's boy.
Joey was doing fine. He had more money in the bank than anyone else. Because of his mine and sawmill. Although he shut the mine down two years ago, he still had enough money. There were times he would visit the whorehouse to take care of his needs. Usually he was too busy working to think much about anything concrete. But there were times when he wanted a wife and then kids.
Phoebe was doing well herself. A true self made woman, she owned half the town. And was well respected. There were times that she was lonely for male companionship. Unlike Rachel, She let it be known early on that she would not date any man because she had a business to run.
Rachel now owned her own dress shop. And she even had Julie Wong working for her. Women came everyday to buy dresses, lace, materials, hats, shoes, and such. She was also added some more clothes for men as well. And what was interesting for her, all of the bachelors around town were after her. She would pick and choose who she would date, but it was nothing serious. She was not interested in them. She still had her dreams.
Leonard Green was very happy. He now had a clinic and was a very busy country doctor. He had patients all the time. Everyone from checkup to even surgery. Now and then he even would look after animals.
Everyone was happy and content. They all had what they wanted. Except a teacher. Emily who was married to the banker. Or Pete Becker. No longer taught school because she was expecting. So the town had to hire a new school teacher.
Mining camp in Nevada...
Ross went home tired. Working the night shift in the mine in Nevada was not the best of things. But he needed money. And fast. He almost had enough money saved up to pay back the gambler and hopefully rescue his sister back.
On the way home, he quickly jumped in the cold creek to get the soot and sweat off his body. That helped but not enough. He still needed to get a bath. But what he needed even more was sleep. He cut back on expenses. Everything he did was all geared to Monica.
On his way back, he met one of his roommates that worked during the day. He nodded to the man and went his way. He could not believe that everything had come to this.
Within the space of four years, he lost his wife to a woman of all things. His son to a fire. And his sister to a gambler. He knew that somewhere back in his head that he probably was never going to see her again. But he had to get enough money gathered up together.
Five years ago, Ross Geller was a man who had everything. A high paying job, anice big house. A beautiful wife and a healthy young son. He loved them all so dearly. But now he was literally broke. His own parents did not respond to his letters. So he gave up writing them.
All he had now were memories and his dreams. Not to mention his work. But he hardly got paid any money. And was seriously thinking on moving . He heard of a town up in Montana called Central Bluffs. Maybe he could get a good start there.
Not as a miner. But as a school teacher. It would not be as strenuous. So he sent a letter. But he had yet to receive a letter back yet. Maybe he would soon. Maybe.
The town would also provide him with a place to stay. So he would not have to worry about his money going to the general store. And he could save up more and faster.
He entered the cabin that had five beds in it. All of them taken. So he grabbed a pillow and blanket and went outside and fell asleep on the ground. He no longer cared about what he looked like. He had a beard and wore old clothes. His boots were falling apart.
Six hours later, he woke up and went and got himself something to eat. On his way back, he stopped off at the store.
"Mr. Wailings,." Ross greeted the owner.
"Mr. Geller, You have a letter."
Ross opened the letter and smiled. "Mr. Wailings, I would like to buy a ticket on the next stagecoach. To Central Bluffs, Montana."
"Hoping to strike it rich there, Geller?"
"Nope, I am going to be a teacher. By the way, I will need a new suit and shoes."
"You have the money for that?"
"I have never charged anything to your store. Except for sleeping arrangements. So yes."
"Fine then, let's see what I have got."
Two hours later, Ross exited from a bath house, cleaned shaved and dressed in some nice clothes. The best, he kept in his traveling bag.
An hour later, he got on a stagecoach and traveled to Central Bluffs.
Hopefully I can get this fic done soon….. But as you can see, everything is starting to come together.