Southern Secrets (The Southern Series Book 2)

by Shelley Stringer

  “Son, we expected you earlier. What took so long?” Mr. Matt asked as he bent down to greet Beau.

  “I took a little side trip in case we were being followed and changed cars. We all did a little dance this afternoon, in case…” Banton trailed off as he glanced at Julia and his Mother.

  “Chandler, you look beautiful as usual. Married life seems to agree with you!” Mrs. Elaine exclaimed as I hugged her.

  “And how was your honeymoon? You sure had to cut it short. I’d make him take me somewhere else during spring break,” Julia commented. She put her arm around me to escort me into the house. After everyone was inside, Mr. Matt ushered us into the living room.

  “I just thought we’d visit a minute, Constance and your friend Ty are already here, along with Everett and Mr. Philippe. They are all out by the pool,” Mr. Matt commented as he sat down on the sofa next to Mrs. Elaine.

  “Well, we want to visit with the three of you before we join everyone else. We haven’t had the chance to tell you all, with everything that has been going on, but we have some news.” Banton grinned down at me, and squeezed my shoulders.

  Mr. Matt smiled knowingly at Mrs. Elaine.

  “Mom, Dad, you already know, and now it’s time to tell Julia. Chandler is expecting.”

  “Wow! Talk about gettin’ with it!” Julia exclaimed excitedly as her dad elbowed her to silence her.

  “What you all don’t already know is we’re having twins.” He grinned as Mrs. Elaine gasped. Several moments passed as Julia stood with her mouth hanging open.

  “Well, that’s what little Miss Ava Grace meant!” Mr. Matt chuckled.

  “What do you mean, Dad?”

  “She’s been running around here for days, telling us Chandler has her babies, and her babies are in Chandler’s tummy!”

  Mrs. Elaine finally reacted. She crossed the room and embraced me. Mr. Matt shook Banton’s hand.

  “I’m so happy – I could just burst!” she exclaimed through her tears.

  “Do you know what sex the babies are?” Julia asked excitedly.

  “Too early to tell yet, Ju-bean. Maybe in a couple of months,” Banton answered her as Mr. Matt hugged me.

  “Have they moved your due date up or anything?” Mrs. Elaine asked, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

  “No, not yet. But they said it could be a possibility; they might take them a little early if the babies get too big.”

  “I can’t wait! First Ava Grace, and now twins! We went from one to a litter in three short months! Julia exclaimed as everyone laughed.

  “By the way, where’s the doodle-bug?” Banton asked, glancing up the stairs. “Where’s Claudia?”

  “They’ve been with Will this week, and they are all coming in the morning. I’m anxious for them to get here. We have a special little dress Everett brought for Ava Grace for her to wear tomorrow night, and I’m dying to try it on her!” Mrs. Elaine bubbled over with excitement as Mr. Matt rolled his eyes at Banton and me.

  “Did you say some of the others are here already?” Banton asked as everyone stood.

  “Yes, they are on the patio. They’ve started the festivities without us. Let’s go join them,” Mrs. Elaine suggested, wrapping an arm around my waist.

  “I’m going to put my swimsuit on, Momma. I’ll be out there in a few minutes,” Julia called over her shoulder as she ran up the staircase.

  “Banton, you certainly don’t look any worse for the wear from your last deployment…Tell me what’s been going on while you were away,” Mr. Matt began as he pulled Banton into a discussion about his SEAL team.

  We walked arm-n-arm through the house and out to the patio. Everett sat around the fireplace with Mr. Philippe and Colin. Constance, Ty and Ben were already in their swimsuits trying out the hot tub. The first out the door, Beau flew across the patio to greet Everett.

  “There they are! Come on in, Andie, the water’s great!” Ty commented as he placed an arm around Constance.

  “Oh, we will. We’ll go up and get our suits on. We’ll just wait on John and Brie to get here.”

  “We’re here. Let’s get this party started!” John exclaimed. He ushered Brie through the double patio doors.

  “Constance, your Mother called a while ago, and said they would be here in about an hour. I told her the two of you were already here,” Mrs. Elaine said as she placed a tray of margaritas down on the outdoor bar. “Everyone come over and help yourselves. We have tons of food. Matt will be the bartender for the evening.”

  “This is wonderful, Mrs. Gastaneau. Thank you so much for inviting all of us!” Brie commented as she kissed Mrs. Elaine on the cheek.

  “Please, Darlin’, call me Mrs. Elaine. And it’s our pleasure, dear. We had so much fun getting to know all of you at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, and we so wanted all of you to be a part of this weekend. Now everyone is here, we can let you all in on our news.”

  “Don’t tell me, you’re expecting twins, too!” John exclaimed. Brie nudged him and held a finger to her lips.

  “Momma, please don’t make such a big deal out of it, it’s embarrassing.” Julia commented as she stepped out on the patio. She’d slipped into a bathing suit to join the others already in the hot tub, and as I gazed around the room at Banton and his friends, I could tell her figure had taken them all by surprise. She had on a hot pink bikini which covered a little more than mine did on the honeymoon, but barely. The difference was she had the equipment up top to give it the wow factor I’d been lacking. I watched Banton’s reaction curiously. I could tell he was uncomfortable. John was trying hard not to look at Banton’s little sister, and Ben was making no effort at all – he was staring with a slight bit of drool showing.

  “We’ve asked you all here this weekend, because our little Julia has been chosen as our krewe’s queen. It has to be kept a secret until our masque ball tomorrow night. We are hosting the ball with the king’s parents,” Mr. Matt announced proudly as everyone congratulated Julia. Brie and I both hugged her as Constance asked if we got to see her dress tonight.

  “Okay, Diva-doll. Always about the clothes…”

  “Shut it, Cowboy. Go and get your swim trunks on and don’t forget to pull the boots off, or you’ll look like a goober,” she teased. I glanced back at Banton to find a pained expression contorting his handsome face. He was still looking for a robe or something he could wrap his little sister in.

  “Come on Darlin’, before you burst a blood vein in your forehead,” I grinned at him, tugging his arm. Then I rose up on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “You can help me get into my bikini.”

  I finally had his attention.

  “Hey, Fruit-Loop, are you goin’ skinny-dippin?” John asked Ev as he followed us into the house.

  “I don’t dip, skinny or otherwise, thank you. I’ll just watch you all, and drink till it gets pretty,” Everett teased, pouring himself another glass of wine.

  Banton grabbed our suitcases and followed me upstairs to his old bedroom. As he shut the door he demanded, “Did you see the swimsuit she had on! What is Momma thinking, letting her wear it out in public?”

  “She’s probably thinking how darlin she looks in it,” I said off-handedly. I unzipped my suitcase.

  “It’s…she’s…popping out of the top!” he exclaimed as I giggled. I couldn’t help myself…he was so adorable.

  “Banton, she’s nineteen years old. Get a grip; she’s not a little girl anymore. She might be your little sister, but she’s all grown up. Her suit covers as much as the one Constance has on, or the one I’m putting on,” I commented as I pulled the red bikini bottoms up and turned around.

  “Yeah, and I might not want anyone else but me seeing this much of you either.” He moved closer to me and slid his hand down my thigh.

  “Don’t worry, I’m wearing a cover up. This suit wasn’t made for this tummy.” I turned sideways and checked it as I pulled my sweater off. Hooking the top around my middle, I then slid it around, pulling the stra
ps up around my neck. I almost gasp when I looked back into the mirror – I had more equipment to put in the top than I did on our honeymoon.

  “Wow. Wow. That’s all I’m sayin.” He grinned as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.

  “Umm, maybe I’ll just put my sweats over this and sit by the fire with Everett,” I began as I began to feel self-conscious.

  “No you’re not. You look gorgeous, Andie. So hot, I’m not sure I want to go back down stairs.” He grinned as he bent his head, pulling my lips up to his.

  * * *

  Banton took a long, long time getting his swim trunks on…so it was at least thirty minutes before we made it back down to the patio. Sam, Olivia and Patrick had arrived, gathering with Ev and the others around the fireplace.

  “Gang’s all here!” he called out as we came out on the patio. John and Brie had joined the others in the hot tub, and there were just enough seats left for Banton and me. As I began to climb in, Banton swept me up, navigating the steps and then gently placing me in the water before he settled behind me.

  “Remember, only a little while, the temp is a little high so don’t overdo,” he whispered in my ear, placing a kiss on my neck.

  “Nooop, none of that in here,” Ty cautioned. “This is a total non-sex zone, there are kids present!” He leaned his head over, motioning to Julia and Ben, who was still mesmerized, taking in her curves from a much closer proximity.

  “Hey, hey, hey…what happens under the bubbles,” John grinned as he pulled Brie over in his lap.

  “Get a room! It seems the married couples are the only ones who can’t keep their hands off each other. I thought all that stuff was supposed to get old once you tied the knot,” Constance teased, watching Banton rub my shoulders as I sank down further in the water.

  “Never! This would never get old to me,” I shot back as Banton shook his head, agreeing with me.

  “You’re parents have a beautiful house. What are there, fourteen bedrooms upstairs?” Colin asked as Julia giggled. Ben continued to be mesmerized, and Ty stuck his hand out in front of his face and moved it back and forth to break his concentration on Julia.

  “It only has eight upstairs, actually,” Mrs. Elaine answered him, strolling back out on the patio.

  “All right, everyone…being the modern, with-it parents we are, we are not under any false assumptions any of you attached but not wed couples want to, shall we say, maintain separate sleeping accommodations, so Banton and Matt have directed everyone’s suitcases to the proper bedrooms, accordingly.”

  “Really subtle, Momma.” Banton gave her a pained lopsided grin.

  “But if any of you girls require a room to yourself, for whatever reason, feel free to move across the hallway from your significant others…if you so choose.”

  Julia grinned, cutting in. “In other words, if Ty ticks you off, Constance, take the room across from his, be sure to slam the door for effect, and lock it so he suffers.” Julia punched Ty in the arm as he got her in a headlock. He then proceeded to tickle her till she cried “Uncle.”

  Mrs. Elaine cleared her throat. “Everyone, you remember Constance’s parents from the wedding, I’m sure.” Then she turned back to them. “I’ve put you two out in the guest house, so you may come and go and avoid the circus here in the house. I know you have some other friends you want to visit while you’re here, and another ball to attend, besides ours.”

  “Yes, that is so kind of you, thank you.” Aunt Sue embraced Mrs. Elaine.

  “And who is this…I don’t believe I’ve met her…Oh! It’s my beautiful daughter! It’s been so long, she never calls, never comes home, never answers her phone…I almost didn’t recognize her!” Uncle Lon commented sarcastically, in an irritated sort of way.

  Constance grinned sheepishly at him. “Daddy, it’s not that bad.”

  “We’ll have that discussion later, dear,” Aunt Sue broke in as she leaned over the steps to the hot tub and kissed Constance on the cheek.

  “Ty, how are you? It’s good to see you.” Aunt Sue greeted Ty warmly, making an effort to acknowledge him as Constance sat beaming beside him. Uncle Lon mumbled something as he continued to glare at Ty. I could tell this was going to be a fun weekend.

  Then Aunt Sue turned to me. “Chandler, you’re glowing! You look as if you’re feeling much better, and you have your cast off already! How on earth,” she exclaimed as she examined my arm.

  “Something new Dr. Lane is trying out, a brace she wears when she sleeps, or does anything active,” Banton broke in, knowing he’d never be able to explain the accelerated healing.

  “Banton, we are so glad you’re back! I hope it will be for a while,” she leaned over, and hugged us both at the same time.

  “Yes Ma’am, me too!” He pulled me in even closer to his side.

  “I hope he gets to stay for her entire pregnancy! It would be wonderful if he could be here all summer, and he certainly needs to be here when the babies come!” Mrs. Elaine gushed, hugging Aunt Sue. “We are all so excited! Were you as surprised as we were when you heard they were expecting twins?” she asked, looking expectantly back and forth between Aunt Sue and Uncle Lon.

  “You could say that,” Uncle Lon answered, nodding at Banton.

  “Yes Sir, I guess it did come as sort of a shock. We wanted to tell everyone together, formally, but we ran out of time with our last mission and all… I’m hoping we can all celebrate our news together this weekend.” Banton smiled at him, offering his hand. Uncle Lon reached over and shook, seeming to soften up a bit.

  “Well, let’s get your bags out to the guest house and get you settled. You’re welcome to join us for any of our activities, if you don’t have your own plans. We’ll have something for brunch tomorrow in the kitchen, but I’ve been told Banton’s group has been invited to Everett’s Grandmother’s house for brunch. Then we are all free until our ball at seven.” Mr. Matt went over the itinerary with them as they walked to the guesthouse.

  “Well, I guess we’d better get dressed and go out and visit with your parents…try to smooth things over with them.” Ty watched them as they walked, worrying about Uncle Lon’s mood.

  “Good luck with that…Dad’s mind is made up. He’s going to play the bad-ass dad all weekend, I can tell!” Constance crossed her arms and looked back at me with an exasperated expression.

  “Come on, Darlin’, it’s worth a try,” Ty urged her, kissing her as he pulled her to her feet.

  John pulled Brie up, and grinned. “Yeah, let’s go and see where our bags landed upstairs!” “Uh-hum, you lovers don’t mind us! We’ve got the fire to babysit and all, we’re fine, don’t worry…” Everett quipped as he studied his nails.

  As Julia rose to get out, Ben jumped up, hurrying to help her as she stepped over the side, offering her a towel and then following her into the house.

  “What the hell,” Banton commented as he pushed up, starting to rise. I caught his face in my hands, and held his eyes with mine. “Stop, stay…Good boy.” I grinned as Everett chuckled.

  “She’s all grown up, Banton-Babe. Ben just noticed, that’s all,” Everett quipped.

  “Yeah, I saw how he noticed…” Banton answered. He was so cute, it seemed as if his chest was bigger, puffed up like a bullfrog as my dad used to say.

  “Hey, pay attention right here, all right? Leave them alone.” I kissed his nose, and swiftly I commanded his full attention. His lips found mine, teasing me, his hands sliding around my waist in the water. As Mr. Matt stepped back into the house, he flipped the lights out on the patio, and we found ourselves in our own little dark, steamy world.

  “Dad’s trying to get on my good side, he read my mind,” Banton whispered, pulling me onto his lap. He kissed my neck as he continued to rub my shoulders, my arms…I relaxed back against him, and then turned to catch his lips with mine. He pulled away long enough to glance at the group around the fireplace, deep in conversation as they stared into the fire and enjoyed their drinks.<
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  “I want to get one of these for home…I think I’ll ask John if he’ll help me with a little landscaping project out back. We still have to do something with our greenhouse, and I’m thinking it’s big enough for a sitting area and small bathroom. You do still want to do something with it, don’t you?” he asked as he played with the elastic around my abdomen.

  “Sure. Does this mean you’re serious about keeping our house? You want to stay there?” I asked between kisses.

  “Absolutely. I love our house. The house is what brought me to you. Well, the house and the mutt, here.” He grinned against my lips as he nodded over the side of the hot tub at Beau…he was curled up under us as close to the base of the hot tub as he could get.

  “And there is a young couple who just bought the house next to Mr. Jackson’s garage apartment. They are going to renovate and flip it. The house on the corner on the other side of our old apartment is for sale, and I think I have John talked in to buying it. You know he’ll be able to make it beautiful. You know the one…the mission-style with the wrap-around porch? I told him it would be easy to add a second story, or add a couple of rooms to the back. It would certainly upgrade the neighborhood. And they are already building new homes on the other side of the cemetery.” I was losing interest in the conversation. He rested his hands intimately between my thighs under the water, and I gasped as he chuckled, catching my lips in a deep, breath-catching kiss.

  “Take me upstairs,” I whispered as he pulled my leg around his hip, pulling me astride.

  “Yeah, I think you’ve been in this hot water long enough.” He put his hands under my backside, and then slid them down under my knees as he pulled me up out of the water and against his chest. He stepped out of the tub, and then set me down on the patio as he grabbed two towels. After he had me all wrapped up, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door. “Night all!” he called over his shoulder, leaving Everett and Mr. Philippe chuckling by the fireplace as they rocked.

  I took extra time in the bathroom, drying my hair upside down, and then flipped it back to make it fuller. I’d found a revealing pink silk and lace teddy Everett had packed for our honeymoon, but I never got the chance to use it. I’d thought it would be just perfect for this little trip. Besides, I didn’t have a lot of time left before I’d have to start wearing oversized t-shirts to bed. I applied some insanely expensive lotion Banton had insisted on purchasing on our little shopping excursion this afternoon, and then spritzed on the perfume. After I put on the little white see-thru robe, I peeked out of the bathroom door. Banton was nowhere in sight.