Southern Secrets

by Shelley Stringer

  Drat, I wanted to make an entrance. I walked over, sat down at the dressing table, and flipped my laptop open to check my e-mails.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing, Mister?” I asked as he slid his hands up my robe in the back. He’d sneaked up behind me as I sat with my back to the door.

  “Well, I’m hoping to get you all revved up.” He kissed my neck and down to my shoulders, sending little shivers up my spine.

  “Do I need to remind you, we are in your parent’s house? In your old bedroom, I might add.” I turned, and grinned at his pained expression.

  “We have mom’s permission, remember? She even, in a roundabout sort of way, gave her permission for all the unmarried couples to co-habitate this weekend, so I’m sure it’s all right with her if the married couples…” He leaned in to kiss me and then looked up at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Yeah, but you aren’t the quietest person about it,” I reminded him.

  “I promise, I’ll be as quiet as a mouse. Come on, don’t make me suffer. Besides, it’s always been a fantasy of mine to make love to a beautiful girl in my old bedroom.”

  “Banton Matthew Gastaneau! I’m shocked! I thought you were such a good boy!” I teased as I turned to face him.

  “Oh, Baby…that’s…that’s …if you wanted me to be good, you shouldn’t have worn that!” His eyes raked down my body as if he wanted to devour me. I dropped the robe to the floor, and as he pulled me over to the bed I lost the argument. I had to admit to myself I never intended to put up much of a fight.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Knock, knock, can we come in? I’m dying to see my handsome baby brother!” We woke to the sound of Claudia’s excited voice, and the patter of Ava’s little feet in the hallway.

  “Um, yes, just a minute,” I called out as Banton chuckled. Jumping up, I grabbed a gown out of my suitcase, and threw it over my head as I threw his pajama bottoms at him. He struggled under the covers until he had them up around his waist. I sat back down on the side of the bed, and he pulled me over to him as I called out to Claudia. “Come on in, it’s open.”

  Ava Grace bounded through the door first, and crawled up on the foot of the bed. She then bounced up between us, throwing her arms around Banton’s neck. “Unca Banin, Aba’s missed you!” she squealed as he smothered her face with kisses.

  “And so have I, little brother.” Claudia swept into the room and hurried over to his side of the bed, sitting on the edge as she gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek.

  “I’ve missed you too. Doodle-bug, you’ve grown a foot since Uncle Banton saw you last. Would you quit growing while I’m gone!” He mock glared at her, and she giggled, struggling to sit up beside him.

  “I ca-yant, Unca Banin, I don’t knoow ho-ow!” she exclaimed, in her little girl southern drawl. She was even more adorable than I remembered her. Then she rolled over and crawled in my lap as I wrapped my arms around her.

  “Chandler, you look so much better than the last time I saw you. Banton, you just can’t leave her alone any more. I had no idea the danger you all are in! Can’t you just take her and go somewhere far away? Alaska maybe, or Europe,” she asked as she hugged me. “I’m so worried about you all, and all this danger can’t be good for the babies!”

  “Claudia, I know. I’m trying to work something out, but I have a little more time left on my obligation to the Navy. I’m working on it, believe me. I’m hoping after this weekend, the Aldon will have some of the answers we need, and the cell we’ve been dealing with in Baton Rouge will be non-existent.

  “Well I hope so, because I have some news!” she gushed. I glanced at Banton.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Will has agreed to move back here to N’awlins! The other office is running smoothly, and Will has someone in place who can handle anything, so Daddy is starting another division, and he’ll need Will here for a while. Momma and I are goin’ house huntin’ next week!” she finished as I hugged her.

  “I’m so glad. I miss you when you’re away! Now we can see you all the time!” I exclaimed as my eyes filled with tears. Having her close was the next best thing to having my mother back; we’d shared so much over the past few months. Banton smiled at me over her shoulder, glad I’d become so close to his sister.

  “Claudia? Ava Grace!” Mrs. Elaine’s voice drifted up the staircase.

  “Oh, Everett is already here, and he wants me and Ava to try on our dresses for tonight. I’d better go downstairs,” Claudia explained as she rose and left the room.

  Ava Grace continued to chatter away, telling Banton about all her new dolls, and then ran back and forth to her room to retrieve them two at a time. As he looked at me helplessly, I laughed.

  “You’re on your own. I’m going to slip into the shower. I’ll only be a minute,” I grinned at him as I shut the bathroom door, leaving him with Ava Grace and a bed full of dolls.

  After I’d showered and put on a pair of pale pink taffeta and silk ankle-pants and matching jacket for our brunch date, I pulled my hair back into a sleek, sophisticated pony-tail at the nape of my neck, and secured it with a hair clip. Banton looked up over Ava’s head and smiled at me as I opened the bathroom door.

  “Unca Banin, who is dis one?” Ava asked as she pointed at a doll in his lap.

  “Belle,” he answered her, smiling back down into her face.

  “That’s wright, Unca Banin!” she exclaimed.

  “And who is she?” Banton pointed at me.

  “Pwincess Andler!” she exclaimed as she bounced off the bed and into my arms.

  “Come on, Princess Ava, let’s go and see what Uncle Everett has for you to try on! I think Uncle Banton needs to take a shower.” I gathered her up into my arms and kissed her.

  “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” he said. He rose and crossed the room to kiss us both before we left.

  * * *

  I’d no sooner stepped into the hallway, than Everett’s voice drifted from Claudia’s room.

  “Turn, Sweetie…oh, this will never do! Mr. Philippe, did you bring a needle and thread? We simply must sew this bodice up, or she’ll spill over like a turnip wagon! How did I get those measurements so mixed up?”

  “Calm down, dear boy…everything is fixable, up until six-thirty!” Mr. Philippe exclaimed as I rounded the corner and into the room.

  “What is all the commotion in here?” I asked, rolling my eyes at Ava Grace.

  “Unca Ebret is frowin’ a fit!” Ava Grace exclaimed.

  “So, nothing is out of the ordinary, then…” I commented as Everett shot me a look.

  “Here, Bebe, make yourself useful. Let’s get this little princess in her dress. I know I got that one right.” As he rushed around fluttering his hands in the air, even Mrs. Elaine giggled.

  Claudia stood on a stool in the center of the overly-large bedroom, modeling her gown for the masque. It was soft champagne pink, appearing nude against her naturally tan skin. The bodice was simple, with a sixties sort of flair to it, covered in crystals and tiny beading. It then flared down to an empire-waist chiffon skirt which flowed and rolled when she stepped down and walked around the room. Everett was strangely silent, and I noticed as I glanced up at him he was studying Claudia intently, almost in a worshipful sort of way.

  “A classically beautiful dress for a classic beauty!” Mr. Philippe clapped his hands excitedly. “I almost want to put my signature across the skirt!”

  “Just wait till you see Julia in her gown,” Mrs. Elaine added.

  Then Everett seemed to break out of his trance. “Oh, no one but Mr. Philippe and I will see that one…we will unveil it tonight for everyone!” Everett shot over his shoulder as he helped me drop Ava’s little gown over her head.

  I’d never seen anything like Ava’s dress. It wasn’t a little girl’s gown; it was made just as the rest of ours. Hugging her little torso tightly, the bodice of the dress was covered in the same kind of crystals and beading as her mothers, and then drape
d down the back in little layers of shredded ruffles; the train draped for about a foot behind her. Everett then produced a crown especially made for her, with a fluff of feathers on the side, and a little half-masque. Most little girls her age would have balked at wearing anything on their head, but not our little Ava. She twirled and posed in front of the mirror and giggled as Everett fussed over her.

  After Ev and Mr. Philippe pronounced Ava and Claudia ready for their masque appearance, we all filed downstairs to join the group gathered in the living room.

  “Finally, the moment I’ve been waiting for! Everyone load up, it’s time for all of you to meet Grandmother Wellington, and feel my pain!” Everett announced grandly as Constance and I giggled.

  “I have no idea what to expect, the way you’ve described her. After all this drama, she’s probably a tiny, sweet, gray-haired lady,” Constance commented.

  “I’ve got her pictured more as a two-hundred year-old version of you, Diva-doll!” John retorted as we all filed out the front door.

  As we were the last ones in the entry, Banton took my arm, and drew me back into the foyer.

  “Chandler, life has been a bit crazy the past few days, and I have a little gift that I haven’t found the right moment to give you. When I saw how you have your hair this morning, I thought it would be appropriate now.” He smiled, producing a small red satin box. “Happy late Valentine’s Day!”

  “You already sent me roses…” I began as I untied the bow. I raised an eyebrow at him as I caught the sparkle in the bottom of the box. Inside, I found a simple round hair clip, covered in diamonds.

  “Oh, Banton…it’s beautiful!” I placed the box on the entry table. I quickly took the clip from my hair, and replaced it with his gift. Turned back to him, I twisted my head around to see the back of my head in the hallway mirror.

  “It sure is.” He grinned as he looked down at me, placing a kiss on my lips.

  The horns from the Suburban’s outside broke in on our intimate moment, our group was apparently eager to go. After we’d loaded up with the others, we were off. It was a trick getting to Grandmother Wellington’s as the older, more historic sections of town were also the ones overrun with traffic and party goers. I was enthralled by the beautiful old antebellum homes. If Baton Rouge had their fair share of old treasures, then New Orleans had a treasure trove of jewels! Street after street of beautiful old brick homes, balconies, and courtyards opening to mansions built way before the Civil War kept me entranced the entire way there. Just when I didn’t think I’d see anything more majestic than what I’d already glimpsed, we passed through what Everett referred to as the “Garden District” and we stopped at the grandest of them all, parking at the curb just outside the courtyard gates.

  “We’re here…everyone get your game face on!” Mr. Philippe commented as we all piled out of the two vehicles.

  “Fruit-loop, you’ve been holding out on us, dude…Did you grow up here?” John asked as he punched Everett in the arm.

  “Yes, actually, I did.” Everett answered, serious. “My grandfather built this house, sometime before 1820,” he continued as John’s eyes widened. I could tell the ancient sequence of Everett’s life kind of hit John out of the blue as it did me sometimes. It was hard to wrap your head around how old Everett and Mr. Philippe actually were.

  A kind of reverent silence fell over the gathering, and I sensed there were some nervous members of our little group; even Banton seemed a little in awe of the obvious opulence and old money.

  A quick rap at the ancient door-knocker produced an even more ancient butler.

  “Why, Mister Everett, how good it is to see you! Your Grandmother is expecting you; she is in the main parlor with your mother.” He smiled warmly as he and another gentleman began taking our coats.

  “It’s good to see you as well, Mr. George. Thank you. Mr. George, these are my friends from Baton Rouge, Banton and Chandler Gastaneau, John and Brie Calder, and Ty Preston and Constance LaBlance, Chandler’s cousin; and Colin and Ben, two more SEALs from Banton’s group. My dear friends, this is Mister George--my grandmother’s right arm and the man who helped to raise me, God bless his sweet soul!” Everett shook his hand warmly, and then ushered us down a wide hallway and then to the left through a grand doorway. Seated on an antique sofa I was sure was as old as Everett, were two of the most beautiful mature ladies I’d ever seen. Everett’s mother was easy to pick out; she was just an older, grayer version of Everett, the same full, pouty lips. Everett’s grandmother was a portrait of dignity. You could almost imagine her holding court in seventeenth-century Europe in robes and jewels.

  “Oh, my dear…you must be Chandler! Everett has told us so much about you, dear girl! Come here, and let me look at you…I feel as if I already know you!” Grandmother Wellington exclaimed warmly as I walked forward, Banton at my side.

  I extended my hand to her, and for a moment, felt the urge to curtsy. “Mrs. Wellington, it is a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been looking so forward to this moment, meeting the two women in Everett’s life. And thank you, for the wonderful food you sent to the house after Banton and the SEALs came home. The bisque was wonderful…you will have to give me the recipe!” I thanked her as warmly as I could manage. I knew in the South, one of the greatest compliments one can give is to ask for the recipe.

  “Oh, my dear girl, it was my pleasure! Everett has filled us in on all you have been through, and it was the least we could do, after the attack and everything. I even told Everett he must bring you and your dear cousin and friend here to stay with us, if your young men are ever called away again. You would be more than safe, and welcome here!” She patted my hand warmly.

  “That is so kind of you, thank you. I hope it won’t be necessary, though,” I replied. Constance, Ty, and the others came forward.

  “Grandmother, Mother…this is Chandler’s husband Banton, Constance LaBlance, Ty Preston, Brie and John Calder, and Ben and Colin, the rest of Banton’s Navy friends.” Then he turned to us. “This is Grandmother Wellington, and my Mother, Mrs. Samuals.

  “Please, call me Mrs. Wilhelmina,” Grandmother Wellington replied, “and Everett’s dear mother is Mrs. Henrietta. Well, Everett, your friends are absolutely delightful! Fluorine has our brunch almost ready. Why don’t we take a walk in the courtyard and enjoy a glass of chardonnay while we wait.”

  She motioned across the room, and Mr. George presented a tray of wineglasses. Everett stood and retrieved a glass from the corner of the tray, having obviously requested Perrier water for me beforehand. After he handed me the glass, he dispersed the others to our group as his mother rose. She walked over to me and took my arm as we walked into the ornately carved wood walls of the foyer.

  “Oh, my dear, I’ve so looked forward to meeting you. Everett has completely fallen in love with you and your little family, and I can certainly see why. I just can’t believe it took so long for us to finally meet you.”

  “Thank you, I feel the same way about you. Everett has been an absolute God-send…I don’t know how I would have managed the first few months after I moved to Baton Rouge, if I hadn’t met him. He was my first Baton Rouge friend!”

  “Yes, he told me how you came into his little shop that day, and he was in love with you from the start! I can certainly see why, my dear. And, he tells us you’re expecting twins! He was so proud, you would have thought he was the father!” She chuckled, and the sweet lilt to her voice reminded me of Everett.

  “Darlin’, I can see why you hired these two right away as your little handy-men!” Mrs. Wilhelmina exclaimed, taking first Banton’s profile in on the left, and then John’s on the right. She walked arm-in-arm with them out to the garden.

  “This one is one tall, cool, drink of water you have here!” she commented as she tugged on Banton’s arm. John laughed out loud as I shot a look over at Everett, who smirked at her analogy.

  “I have a weakness, you know, for beautiful men and fine wine! I just can’t resist either one, bless Ge
neral Lee and all that is holy!” she exclaimed, raising her glass to drain it. I realized it was genetic…Everett got his flair for the dramatic from his grandmother.

  “And I think you’ve had quite enough of the latter already this morning, Mother…control yourself!” Mrs. Henrietta cautioned as Everett shot her an expression that screamed I need a nerve pill!

  After a few moments, Sam and Olivia stepped into the entry to the courtyard.

  “Oh…and here are our charming house guests. We’ve been getting to know them as well. This dear girl has been entertaining us with Somali customs and stories. She is such a delight,” Mrs. Wilhelmina commented as the couple joined us.

  “Where is Patrick?” Everett asked.

  “He went down the street earlier to watch one of the parades downtown. I’m sure he’ll be back soon to get ready for the ball,” Mrs. Henrietta replied.

  Mrs. Wilhelmina continued to chatter on and flirt with the SEALs all the way out into the courtyard, Colin and Ben snickering beneath their breath. Constance and Brie followed in the rear, not knowing quite how to react to the extremely eccentric grandmother. As we stepped into the center of the house, we found ourselves in a secluded paradise of winter shrubbery and ferns. A large ornate fountain sat in the center of the moss-covered brick and stone patio, with benches and intimate settees scattered around. Mrs. Henrietta pulled me over to an iron bench covered with plush, overstuffed cushions, and motioned for me to sit with her.

  “This garden is beautiful! I could sit out here for hours and take photographs or write,” I commented enthusiastically as I glanced around.

  “Then you simply must come for a visit! We would love for you to come with Everett for a long weekend!”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you,” I replied, warmed at the way she embraced me from the start.