Updated: June 23, 2023

Aubrey

The box of returned letters my grandfather wrote to my Daddy sat in front of me on my desk. There were over one hundred letters spanning thirty years. My grandfather wrote to my father, and they were returned unopened. But where did he get the pictures?

These were not the years of digital photography or surreptitiously downloading off the internet. Someone had to physically mail them to Saint Helena.

All the envelopes were opened, and I organized them into chronological order. Maybe in here somewhere was an answer to something. My past was like a hunk of Swiss cheese, so many holes.

It appeared to me after reading through them, he was speaking in some kind of code to my father. He thanked him for the pictures. Ah! There it was– my father wasn’t talking but sending photos of me to my grandfather as I grew.

I checked the envelopes carefully, had they been steamed open and resealed? I took out the magnifying glass from my desk drawer and examined the flaps. Sonofabitch, he did open them and sent them back. How were they communicating with each other? There had to be a key to the codes my grandfather was using.

Most of the letters were mundane in subject matter, nothing stood out. He talked about the farm, people who were working on the land, hardship with money. None of this made sense to me.

I left it all on my desk to meet Livvie at Miss Patti’s Salon for a cut and color before the holiday.

The atmosphere at Miss Patti’s could have been plucked right out of Steele Magnolia’s, the entire place was like Miss Truvy’s in the movie.

I felt out of place most times, a Yankee girl in the most southern of locations, the hair salon. The women were cordial and welcoming to me, they had originally been slow to warm up, but after I endured the shooting, I was embraced warmly.

“Yankee Clipper, what took you so long? We been waitin’ on you dahlin’” Livvie squawked. She was already ensconced in her pedicure chair, sitting between Mary Lou Moody and Clay’s first wife Tessa. They all had glasses of white wine in their hands and their feet in the jetting water.

“I’m sorry girls, I got tied up with work. What did I miss?” I asked breathlessly.

“Oh Bree, do we have news,” Mary Lou gushed. “Sit your ass down now in the chair and let Miss Patti get your color on and we’ll tell you everythin’.”

Miss Patti was a tall, beautiful thin woman with the most attractive mane of titian red hair. Natural curls that bounced off her shoulders. She had huge brown eyes and a brilliant smile. You just wanted to hug her when you met her. Warm and welcoming.

“Howdy Bree, how you feelin’, you look good, eatin’ better?’ she asked, wrapping a spa cape around me.

“I’m good Miss Patti, all healed up. Thank God. How are you doing? Your husband get through that knee surgery okay?” I asked.

She laughed happily, “Bree, you know my Steven, he milked that shit to the end of the earth. Had me waitin’ on him hand and hoof. “she smiled.

Patti had my hair dye on quick and I sat with the coven to hear their news.

“Sooooooo,” Tessa began, “Imagine our surprise when we saw a story on Kelly Parks instagram this morning, spillin’ tea about how that heifer Shania was run outta of Tennessee for pulling the same shenanigans she done tried here.”

My mouth dropped, “What do you mean Tess? What shenanigans?” I asked.

Livvie laughed haughtily. “C’mon now Bree, I know all about the switched rooms and her desperate attempt to bed your husband, but got the consolation prize,” She laughed and caused her cohorts to chuckle with her.

“Liv? She did the same thing in Tennessee? I don’t understand.” I really didn’t.

“Seems our Shania, likes to prey on prosecutors. She went after Colton Briggs in Nashville. Newly divorced, good looking and a rising star in the county. She was a junior reporter for the newspaper there and stalked him and tried the same shit. Once he spurned her as I imagine most men do, she fixed to set him up. Went after his new girlfriend/fiancée and dug up all kinda nasty on her life and tried to muddy the waters for the man. He was running for District Attorney, and she made it hard for him with the public.”

Mary Lou now jumped in, “That’s when she got run outta town by a few of the female judges, they got together and smeared back, through back channels of course. The proprieties observed at all times,” she laughed sweetly.

“Holy Shit,” I murmured.

“Now don’t you start feeling special about yourself Aubrey Hoover, not just your husband she was gunning for apparently,” Livvie laughed.

“Hmmm, I wonder. It couldn’t have even been the first time. What’s the chances she’s tried this somewhere else?” I asked.

Tessa smiled “Well we about to find out, since it seems Kelly Parks got this like a rottweiler with a brisket. Gonna be an entire expose in the Sunday newspaper, front page above the fold.”

I sat back and sighed, “So now what?” I asked the three pretty crones on their thrones.

Livvie, their ringleader, leaned forward. “Ask Mary Lou, her husband got this intel first thing this morning. He’s sharpening his sword.”

“Aubrey, I know we tease you mercilessly, but my Jax genuinely adores you, very much. We all do Sugar, and he is taking this personal. Him and Clayton been friends almost as long as Clay and Jimmy Lee. We got to keep Clay out of this entirely, you understand that right? Well Jax and Jimmy Lee went in front of the judge this morning with several motions. I don’t all understand what they were about, but Shania was already fired from her job and now she about to get run out of South Carolina. If they can’t lock her up for extortion, blackmail, conspiracy to commit murder and I swear I even heard Jax say something about hurtin’ Jesus.”

I started to laugh, “Killing Christ, I’ve heard Clay use that one several times. They are hungry to hang that one on somebody, the lot of them.”

Miss Patti came to wash my hair and give me a cut– it put an end to our ‘chewin’ the cud’ as Clay called it.

Once I was back in the chair, Patti returned to cut my hair. She had put her hair up in a red bandana and it hit me. The strangled co-eds, the bandana!

All the air almost left my body. Jeremy Nadler sat weeks at the defense table during his murder trial, fiddling with a red bandana. He wore it wrapped around his wrist, he tied and untied it idly while listening to testimony against him by expert forensic witnesses and the medical examiner.

The fucking bandana. He was taunting us wasn’t he? It couldn’t be the same one he used forty years ago, but I was gonna bet the farm on traces of the ones he used being part of the soil samples the team collected from the Saint Helena property.

While my hair was being finished, I searched internet images of Nadler during the trial. There it was, like a red flag to a matador, and none of us asked about it once.

I texted Clay, knowing he was about to leave the office.

Me:      “Nadler’s personal items when he was taken into custody. Is there a list?”

Sexy Husband:  “Sure enough around here somewhere, I’ll get LJ to pull it. Want it emailed to you or printed out and brought home, I’m closing up now.

Me:      Email it, thank you baby.

Sexy Husband; “You still at Miss Patti’s? Hens lay the eggs?”  

Me;      “Oh the hens are clucking, I’ve got the details”

Sexy Husband:  “I’m leaving now any ideas for dinner?”

Me; “Hmmm, I’d like to start with that masterpiece between your legs, then maybe a run to Miss Dotti’s.”

Sexy Husband: “Well I’m sure I can accommodate both requests, Mrs. Hoover. The masterpiece is trying to bust through my zipper with the mere suggestion.  I’ll see you soon.”

Clay

Thanksgiving Dinner was special. We hosted in the cottage and Miss Abigail consented to join us. Just our little family. Tate and Trina, Momma, Mr. Carl and Aubrey and I.

My wife outdid herself with the fantastic meal and I saw my mother eat a full plate for the first time in years.

Aubrey’s birthday was the same night, I brought her cake from a bakery in Beaufort, and we all sang to her while she blew out the candles and opened small gifts from the kids.

Tate and Katrina helped Aubrey clean up the kitchen and pack leftovers for everyone.

Everyone was ready to leave, and we said our goodbyes when Aubrey suddenly ran from me to the bathroom.

I was on the sofa waiting for her, “What happened, Sugar? Dinner come back up on you?” I asked empathetically.

“Yeah, that was strange. I don’t know why, that hasn’t happened since I was in the hospital.” She was in her comfy clothes and lay her head down on my lap.

“I know why,” I whispered with joy.

She sat up suddenly, “You’ve got to be kidding? Are you still on this idea?”

I laughed happily, “Sugar, you can’t see it yet. But I do. Your breasts are already transforming, your nipples are getting darker, your skin is glowing.”

“Clay, it’s been three weeks since the boat trip. It’s not even long enough for anything to be even real.” She said doubtfully.

“Let me say this, Sugar. I know your body better than I know South Carolina penal code. I know every curve, beauty mark, line, and plane. Your body has changed in the last three weeks already. You made a scrunchy face when I toasted you an onion bagel the other day, you love them, and you waved me off.  You fall asleep in the middle of the day at your desk. When did that ever happen?”

She gasped, “How do you know about me falling asleep during the day?”

“Miss Angelica, she called me to tell me she was worried about you. You’re not drinking as much coffee during the day, you’re falling asleep at your desk, and she knows you’ve been eating those ginger candy things Tate brought to you in the hospital like they was jelly beans.” I said smugly. “She was scared it was from your operation, that there might be some complications from it now.” I said soothingly.

“Clay, do you think? I’m afraid to get my hopes up.” She whispered in disbelief.

“Get your hopes up Sugar, that child has dug in if you’re sick already. Look at you and how beautiful you are. I can’t believe you could be even prettier than before. Betcha its gonna be a little girl. Sweet Jesus, my Momma will lose the rest of her mind if it’s so.” I whispered happily.

Tears ran down her eyes. “Clay I don’t want to disappoint you, baby. I’m so scared it’s a false alarm or even just the power of your suggestion.”

I kissed her softly. “Aubrey, there ain’t a damn thing in this world you could do to disappoint me. Enjoy the ride, honey. If it is, it is. If it’s not it’s not. It’s in God’s hands Sugar, and that’s the best place for it to be. I like surprises, don’t you?”

She snuggled between my legs, and I wrapped my body around hers,

“A little girl?” she whispered quietly, “I can’t even imagine this dream coming true,” she sighed.

I stroked her hair and whispered, “Don’t you want to open your birthday present?” I asked. I slid the wrapped box from under the sofa and handed it to her.

“Clay! What are you doing? After all this money you spent on the cottage, you didn’t have to buy me something for my birthday.” She gasped.

She sat up to open the box, it was a necklace, gold chain with a gold heart locket. I had one side filled with our wedding picture and the other side was empty waiting for another small picture.

“It has an empty slot,” she said quizzically.

“That’s the side for our daughter’s picture,” I said matter of factly.

She glanced at me, “And if I can’t produce her?” she choked on her words.

I took the chain and fastened it around her neck.

“Then we’ll find a picture of your choosing to put on that side and we’ll move on with our life Sugar. Stop putting this pressure on yourself. I truly believe the only reason you never had a child with Adam is that you were practically taken at gunpoint to conceive. This time, you are loved so intensely, your body relaxed and then it recovered from an incredible trauma that might have shook things around down there. I believe what is supposed to be will be, and the world has gone long enough missing a blood Hoover woman. It’s time now for a new one to be born.”

“Clay, I truly hope I can do this for you,” she whispered bravely.

“No Sugar, this isn’t about me, this is about us. Either way, it’s you and me forever. I’ve told you that since ten minutes after I met you. If this happens, it’s a cherry on top, not the whole sundae.” I kissed her happily.

“Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl.” I whispered.

Aubrey

I did feel different, and my bras were not fitting right. Not to mention, my sense of smell was incredibly acute all of a sudden. I could smell Mr. Carl smoking a cigar on his porch almost an acre away.  I was afraid to believe my husband. I was afraid to get excited. I went to the two people I trusted to help me find out without shattering Clay’s dreams.

I started with Miss Abigail. I snuck over to visit her on a weekday afternoon. I brought her fresh banana muffins I baked myself and sat with her and Miss Nadine in the late fall sunshine.

“Aubrey, honey, you’ve got a lot on your mind child, what can I do?” my sweet mother-in-law asked, taking a bite out of her half of muffin, and nodding her head in delight. It was so sweet how she handed the other half to Miss Nadine after she split it into two pieces.

“I’m not sure Miss Abigail. I think just sitting with you and spending time helps to quiet my mind. “ I smiled.

“Darlin’ please, call me Momma, you don’t have to be formal with me, you’re my daughter now.” She beamed. It brought tears to my eyes immediately.

“I’d be honored to Miss Abigail, I’m sorry, Momma.” I wiped my eyes. Miss Nadine nodded proudly at me.

“Well, now that we have that settled. Let’s spill some tea. What is working you, Sugar?”

Miss Nadine excused herself while I spoke privately with my mother-in-law.

As briefly as I could, I gave her the summation of Shania and my ex-mother in-law. The case of the thirteen co-eds and the cryptology of my grandfather’s letters.

She sat quietly and deeply engaged in my stories, I had her full attention. Typically she could be easily distracted by the garden and it’s various brilliant flying insects.

“Hmmm, that’s a good bit to get your pretty head around for sure.” She murmured.  “Let’s take a little walk around the garden, see what we can find out.” She suggested.

I stood with her, and she looked me up and down. “Aubrey?” she whispered.

“Yes?” I replied, puzzled by what seemed to have stopped her in her tracks.

Tears welled in her eyes and her smile, the mirror to Clay’s, spread across her face.

“Child? Why didn’t you tell me as soon as you got here?” she exclaimed.

“Tell you what, Momma?” I asked in disbelief.

She stood close to me and touched my abdomen gently.

“Sweet girl, you expecting, and what a lovely, happy child. I’m so delighted for y’all– my Clayton gonna be doing backflips across the Lowcountry and Lovey gonna be over the moon.” She reached for me and hugged me tight.

“I am, Miss Abigail? You’re sure? I….I never, ever could…” the words were strangled by my emotions.

She nodded with joy, “You most certainly are, Sugar. And that’s a little girl, sure as I’m standing here.” Her tears started to flow from her eyes.

“Well if this is the case, my darling mother-in-law, I have a request. Would you permit Clay and I to name her after yourself and Susie?”  My tears joined hers.

“Oh Aubrey, you precious girl. Susie and I would be much obliged. Thank you, thank you for the beautiful life you have given my son.”

Before I could thank her for the gift that was her son, the butterflies came around our heads, yellow, white, and blue, small, and medium and they fluttered around us.

“See darlin’? I told you. Let’s take a walk and see what they ‘all have to tell us.”

            After my incredible, insightful visit with Miss Abigail, I headed for the lab at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Tate Hoover greeted me at the staff entrance and ushered me inside.  I hadn’t explained my reasons when I telephoned him earlier.

            “What are we testing for?” he asked with concern as he led me into the lab.

            I sat in the chair before him and rolled up my sleeve. “HCG” I said quietly.

            His whole face erupted in smile, again the same one Clay and Miss Abigail possessed.

             “Miss Aubrey!” he shrieked and then realized he disrupted the entire workplace, “Beggin’ y’all’s pardon” he whispered to the rest of his lab partners and reached for his gloves.

            “Does my Dad know that you think…?”

            “Tate, that crazy man called it, about ten seconds after he completed the job required.” I blushed.

            “Can that even happen?” Tate asked in disbelief. He was attaching the tourniquet to my arm and loading a tube into the needle.

            “Tate, you’re a scientist, you know it takes anywhere from 8 to 72 hours for the actual conception to happen. Your father declared it before his clothes were back on and he has been adamant for the last six weeks.” I explained. “I guess a champion quarterback knows where his pass is going to land,” I chuckled.

            Tate laughed with me, “Good point, what about your periods? Beggin’ your pardon to ask this question.” He blushed slightly.

            “No apology necessary, you’re asking the right ones. Don’t apologize for doing your job.  Mine have been irregular since the shooting, but I think it’s the beginning of menopause.”

            Tate drew the blood, removed the tourniquet, and attached a small gauze pad and piece of tape to my arm.

            “We gonna find out in about ten minutes, if you want to wait?” he asked.  I nodded in the affirmative.

            “If this is a go, you should schedule an ultrasound soon,” he advised. “If he made his proclamation six weeks ago, brings you to early August for a due date.”

            “For the ultrasound, I’m gonna wait for your Daddy. I’ll make the appointment with the doctor and start that if we have a reason.” I smiled.

            “How been you feeling?” he asked gently.

            “Sick, tired, funky appetite, and I can smell things strongly. It’s almost a superpower at this moment. I was just visiting up at Bishop’s, Dr. Abigail confirmed my condition already, so you know.” I laughed.

            “Isn’t she special Miss Aubrey? She is a magical creature and I’m plumb crazy about her.” He sat back in his chair, a look of genuine happiness on his face.

            “She is very special, sweetheart, she asked me to call her Momma today, I swear I cried like a little girl.” I laughed with him.

            The computer next to him printed out a report and we both looked at each other wide-eyed.

            “Ready?” he asked with anticipation. I nodded my head.

            He pulled the page and reviewed it. His facial expression neutral. He looked up at me and couldn’t contain his smile.

            “Mrs. Hoover, Beaufort Memorial Hospital would like to congratulate you….” I jumped up into his arms and hugged him tight. “Say it out loud, Tate.” I whispered.

“Ma’am congratulations, you’re expecting a baby! Finally, I’m gonna be a big brother!” We hugged and held each other, both of us crying.

The rest of his lab partners stood up and gave us a round of applause. Tate bowed proudly and gestured toward me to take a bow as well. I did and we both giggled through our tears.

“When you gonna tell Pop?” he asked, wiping his eyes, and composing himself.

“Tonight over supper, want to be there?” I asked happily.

He nodded his head with exuberance, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world, he gonna be outta of his skin. Can I tell Katrina?”

“Of course, but Tate, no one else. This is still the first trimester, and anything can happen. I’d rather wait until I’m out of the woods to make a full declaration, if you understand.”

“Absolutely, I understand. Oh Miss Aubrey this is just wonderful, I’m so happy for the both of y’all and well, especially for me. I’m gonna spoil the hell outta this kid.” He laughed with glee. He folded up the report and handed it to me. I kissed and hugged him goodbye.

“Supper at six thirty, don’t be late,” I said over my shoulder and left the lab after thanking him over and over again for his help.

Clay

The days were getting much shorter and nightfall had come already. I pulled into the driveway and saw Tate’s car. That was a nice surprise, they never came for dinner during the week. The house looked cozy and inviting. When I approached the door I could smell the heaven. My girl was cooking something delectable.

I knew they were up to some mischief when I walked in. Tate and Katrina were joking with Aubrey in the kitchen. My son was helping her lift pans and Katrina was carrying dishes to the table. Everybody seemed squirrely.

“Hey Pop, surprise!” he laughed. Katrina came to me for a quick hug and right behind her was my son. He embraced me and slapped me happily on the back.

“What in tarnation do y’all have hatchin’?” I stood there confounded. I put my briefcase down and took off my suit jacket.

Tate and Katrina were blocking my view of Aubrey for some reason. My wife was laughing behind them and sauntered slowly toward me. She was radiant and stunning, her skin, her hair. Her face like a picture. Just lovely as hell. The kids parted to reveal her, and it took me a minute to read the writing on her long grey tee shirt, it had a phrase in script across her lower abdomen, “Can I get the Wi-Fi password in here?”

“Sugar?” my voice cracked. “Honey…You know for sure?” the tears came so quick to my eyes.

She nodded her head, and her smile could have rescued stranded sailors on a foggy sea.

I wrapped her up into my arms and held her tight. “I knew it, I knew it, Sugar,” I whispered into her neck.  “I love you so much, this is fantastic, I’m so happy,” I declared. I kissed her over and over again. I held her face in my hands and gazed into her beautiful eyes, “We did it honey, I told you, I knew the instant we created this life,” I kissed her softly.

My hand slid down low on her stomach. The bump was barely there, but I felt it. My child was in there warm and protected and so very loved already. I couldn’t be happier than I was in that minute.

“You thought of a name yet?” I asked her. She nodded her head.

“I received the sanction for it this afternoon at Bishop’s.” she smiled modestly.

“Momma knows?” I asked bewildered.

“Took one look at me and announced I was expecting. Then I went to the lab this afternoon and asked Tate to run the blood test for me.” She explained.

I was stupefied.

“We don’t know the gender yet right?” I asked, looking between Tate and Trina. “Too soon?”

Katrina interjected, “Y’all can find that out between 14 to 18 weeks, usually by ultrasound. We can find out from bloodwork sooner. But right now, it’s the size of a pomegranate seed.” She chuckled.  

“Not necessary, I already know–that there pomegranate seed is a baby girl.” I said confidently, touching my wife’s stomach again.

“Clay, Miss Abigail said the very same thing. And I asked her if we could name our little girl, Abigail Suzanne. If that is okay with you of course?” Aubrey asked shyly.

“Abby Sue? I love it!” Tate exclaimed. “It’s perfect” my son embraced me warmly again. “Nicely done, Pop.” He whispered in my ear.

I had to sit down; the emotion was overwhelming. I pulled Aubrey onto my lap.

“Abigail Suzanne?” I asked, the tears in my throat. “Okay with me? Of course, it is, Aubrey honey, what a beautiful honor. Thank you, Sugar.” I couldn’t speak anymore; I was overcome with emotion. When did this become my life? I was so blessed. “Momma agreed? She knew?” I was in a daze.

“What do you think, baby?” she asked, kissing my face and wiping my tears.

The tears wouldn’t stop leaking out of my eyes. “All these years….I didn’t dare wish for another child, but for you, Aubrey. You came along and I swear I saw this little girl in your eyes. I think I’ve never been this happy, with the sole exception of the day Tate was born.” I laughed. “Sugar, I’m so in love with you, thank you for making me a Daddy again. You are so special, honey. I told you, I told you the minute I did this to you, I knew.” I kissed her again. Holding her close on my lap.

She smiled into my eyes, “Yes you did, baby. You are solely responsible for this situation, and you called it. Thank you, Clay, thank you for giving me this gift–at last.” she whispered with tears in her voice.

We sat down to supper, the mood was fantastic.

“So, Abby Sue?” I asked with wonderment. Aubrey smiled over at me, she was so beautiful and so far pregnancy suited her. She looked tired, but that was normal.

“We’re gonna have to stock up on Spicy Wickle’s Pickles, that’s for sure. Tate, I thought you’d be born an infant cucumber, I bought so many of them while we were waiting on you. Miss Abigail told me it was the same for her while she carried Aunt Susie and myself. Something about us Hoovers, got to have a Wickle’s Pickle.” I shook my head.

“Clay, why would you tell me about them and not have them here for me right now?” Aubrey asked exasperated. “Oh no, I can’t even hear about food right, it’s going to make me crave it?” She covered her face with her hands.

I laughed happily, “Oh honey, you gonna be so much fun to be around. You’ll be mixing Lowcountry with the mother land. I dare hope you might invent some new menu items, I’m looking forward to shrimp and grits parmigiana,”

The table erupted in laughter.

“I’m down for some of that,” Tate agreed cheerfully.

Aubrey smiled so sweet at me, “You did it again, Clay. Stop mentioning food that’s not in front of me,” she laughed.

“When do you think your due date will be?” I asked suddenly.

“What did we figure out today, Tate? Early August sometime, right?” Aubrey asked.

“Yes Ma’am, the OB/GYN will get it more precise when they do the ultrasound. They take measurements and such and do the formula based on last cycle and all that.” He answered very officially.

“Now that’s what I call a genuine birthday present for me,” I announced smugly.

“Oh baby, that’s right. It should be around then, the first or second week of August. Perfect a Leo little girl with her Leo Daddy. I’ll never win an argument ever again in this house.” Aubrey laughed.

We talked about Christmas coming up soon and we planned to travel to Tybee Island together. Tate and Katrina would be there with us a few days, splitting time with Tessa and Trina’s folks. It would be Aubrey’s first time there and I wanted her to actively look at property down there. We were gonna need a bigger house soon enough.

“Son, you okay with being a big brother? I’m sorry I didn’t even ask you.” I said, finishing my supper.

“Pop are you kidding? Miss Aubrey and I received a standing ovation in the lab this afternoon. This is all about me now, I’m thrilled to be a big brother. If this is a little sister, I’m fixin’ to buy a big ass bat to swat the suitors away from her till she at least in her thirties.”

Katrina was all smiles, she asked shyly, “Y’all will let us babysit, right?”

Aubrey happily agreed. “Of course we will. I doubt we will want to give her up for at least six months at first.”

“Pop…..”suddenly Tate froze and stared at me wide eyed. I knew precisely what chilled my son to his seat. It finally occurred to him, someone would be tasked with telling this news to his mother.

I patted his hand. “I’ll do it, when the time is right, Son. We have to keep this a secret until the beginning of the second trimester anyhow. Which brings us to when? Beginning of February? Not a word during’ the holidays, both of y’all.” I warned Tate and Katrina.

Aubrey looked at each of us, completely confused.

“What are we talking about?” she asked quietly.

I turned to her and reached for her hand. “Honey, we’re talking about telling Tessa.”

“Ahhhh….”she said with understanding, and then her expression changed, “Ohhhh,” she murmured. “This is going to be bad,” she shook her head.

Tate chuckled softly, “Maybe not…” he shrugged hopefully.

I returned my gaze to my Son, and we both dropped our heads to our chest, “Who are we kidding? She’s gonna bust a gut.” We said at the very same time.

Katrina interjected, “Stop that now, the both of y’all. Miss Tessa has a new life. She likes Miss Aubrey, y’all think having a baby gonna change her feelings toward y’all back again?” she asked with distaste.

Tate and I stared at her, and I spoke, “Well I’m hopin’ you’re right Trina, maybe Tess will be gracious about this news, but I won’t put a wager on it. I’d like to be wrong.”

We all laughed, and the rest of the night was simply magical. Aubrey and I convinced the kids to stay overnight in Tate’s room.

“Pop, after tonight, I relinquish my bedroom for the baby’s nursery. Katrina and I can always bunk in with Mr. Carl when we out here. He been offering forever. I’m not messin’ with y’all you need the room now.”

“One thing at a time, Son. No one kicking you out of your room. “We don’t need it till late summer anyway,” I admonished.

“Pop, listen to me. It’s a good idea. Trina and I will have more privacy up at Mr. Carl’s and y’all need a nursery, now don’t be getting pig headed about this.” He insisted.

I nodded in agreement, and we all retired for the evening.

I couldn’t wait to wrap my wife in my arms and lay beside her. I helped her undress and touched her reverently. Her breasts were getting larger and nipples darker as I had been noticing. Her skin was like butter.

“You are so beautiful, Sugar. You are a work of art, and I can’t wait to watch your body change with our child. Nothing more breathtaking than a woman expectin’.” I whispered, kissing her softly. “Especially my woman,”

I took her to bed, and I kissed her over and over again and held her close to me. I ran my hand over her abdomen and leaned my head down to kiss her there. “Howdy baby girl, I’m your Daddy. I’m tickled you decided to join us. You be kind to your Momma now, Y’hear?” I whispered to my daughter. My daughter…the idea brought tears to my eyes again. I never entertained the hope for another child, and a little girl? I was truly over the moon.

Aubrey laughed softly and ran her fingers through my hair.

“Oh, she did not like what she had for dinner,” Aubrey moaned, getting out of the bed quickly to run to the bathroom.

She cleaned up and returned to the bedroom. “Now I’m hungry again, this is going to be some ride,” she said shyly.

“Want some company foraging in the fridge?” I asked with a smile.

“Always,” she grinned, heading toward the kitchen. “But do not let me go another day without Wickle Pickles,” she warned, laughing as she left the room.

Aubrey

I sat at my desk working on the things I had more clarity around. Walking through the garden yesterday with Miss Abigail gave me routes to follow.

It was the first time I had the privilege to stroll around her magical landscape. It was mythical and serene. Low branches of magnolia trees swagged with Spanish Moss lined the walkways and bursts of multi-colored flowers swayed with her presence.

Scattered amongst the paths were stone benches, she stopped at one and gestured for me to sit with her. She held my hand and we listened to the breeze and the buzz of bees, and the flutter of birds wings started to play in the background.

“Ask me your first question, darlin’” she whispered.

The issue of Shania and what direction to go in was my initial concern.  My mother-in-law listened and raised her chin in the air, watching the flights of the various insects and the cluster of butterflies.

Miss Abigail lowered her chin and mysteriously offered the suggestion for me to look toward the state of Kentucky.

I made the call first thing to Kelly Parks. She was very cordial and interested in the information. She assured me she would follow the lead.

With the mention of the USC Co-Eds, Miss Abigail took me by the hand toward another path, hedges and greenery were thick and fragrant with honeysuckle and jasmine. The topic of the co-eds made her sad. I didn’t want her to concentrate too much on them. She told me they were whimpering out for justice but collectively they knew it was coming soon. She touched her neck, as if she could feel the strangulations.

“It’s the bandana isn’t it?” I asked my mother-in-law. She nodded in agreement.

“One of them, and only one tore a piece off of it.” She assured me.

I asked about my former mother- in-law, Natalie Vergamo and what if anything she could tell me.

“Dark, very dark.” Miss Abigail said solemnly. “Someone very close to her wants to come forward and tell the truth. She doesn’t like what her Momma’s been up to.”

It struck me quickly, Adam’s sister Traci. She was the youngest and always my favorite. That’s the one that would flip. I was sure.

I called Jax directly and gave him her name and contact information.

“You think she’ll give her up, Bree?” he asked astounded.

“I’m pretty sure, Jax. She’s afraid of her own shadow. Press her, and threaten her with the summer of 1996 in Wildwood, NJ. She had a friend die mysteriously on a fishing charter.”

“You a good girl Aubrey, we gonna poach you one of these days.” Jax said with joy. “I’ll let you know what I get.”

As Miss Abigail and I were heading back to the deck area of the facility, I asked my last questions. The ledgers, the letters, what was my grandfather trying to tell my Daddy?

Miss Abigail sat on a wrought iron stool amongst the rose bushes and looked around. Dragonflies were weaving in and out of the flowers.

“He wasn’t telling your Daddy anything, he’s communicating with you directly. You have the key, Sugar.” She said suddenly.

“I do? No, Ma’am I don’t have the key.” I shook my head.

“You do, Aubrey. It’s hidden in time, but you have it.” She said confidently.

The clock! Oh my God, I almost forgot, with the moves and the shooting and the recovery, the crate from Saint Helena was shuffled around so much I forgot about the clock.

“But he keeps using the initials PP, I’m so confused.” I sighed exasperated.

My mother-in-law grinned slyly. “That’s you Aubrey, honey. PP, stands for ‘Puddin’ Pop,”

I gasped, “How? How could you have known that?” I whispered with awe.

“Aubrey, they tell me what they know, I’ve told you that since we met,” she stood and hugged me tight. “You’ll know what to do now, sugar. Just follow your instincts.”

“Miss Abigail, I cannot thank you enough for your help. You are truly a miracle.” I gushed, hugging her sweetly before I left that day.

“So are you my sweet girl, so are you,” she hugged me back and kissed my cheek.

“Now you stay hydrated, drink lots of water. That baby gonna run you ragged for the beginning. But she strong, don’t you worry.” She smiled joyfully.

I searched the cottage for the apple crate and found it at the back of the closet in Tate’s bedroom. I carried the clock back to my office and turned it over and around looking for the spring latch.

I heard Miss Angelica come into the house, and she appeared in my doorway.

“Miss Aubrey, how you feelin’? I been worried about you. I brought you some baked plantains and I don’t like to intrude but I think you might should call your doctor.” She was so sweet. She stood in the doorway shifting awkwardly.

“Thank you so much Miss Angelica, I will be calling the doctor. But there is nothing wrong with me, well nothing that won’t be settled in nine months.” I smiled shyly.

She erupted with joy, “Oh Miss Aubrey!!!! That is the best news! Congratulations!” She ran into the room to hug me, “What a surprise, Oh Mr. Clayton must have been over joyed.” She said tearfully.

“He was very happy, yes. Thank you Ma’am, for everything.” I whispered into her ear.

“I’m fixin’ to heat this up for you, would you like it for your lunch?” she asked, holding up the container of plantains.

“Yes Ma’am that would be just perfect, thank you.”

I went back to fiddling with the clock when my phone rang. It was Kelly Parks, that was quick.

“Mrs. Hoover?”

“Miss Parks, you can call me Aubrey, no reason to be formal.” I answered.

“Much obliged, Aubrey, and please call me Kelly. Well, you’re not going to believe this.” She said quietly.

“Try me, Kelly.” I whispered.

“Shania Greene is an alias. Her real name is Sandra Tarp, and she is wanted for murder in Kentucky. She poisoned the wife of the Chief Prosecutor in Louisville almost six years ago.”

“Christ on a bike!” I exclaimed.

“Would you like me to contact Jasper Moody, or would you like to do it?’ she asked politely.

“Kelly, I cannot thank you enough for all of your help with this. I’d rather the information go to Jax through you. And Clay tells me I owe you an interview about the co-eds if we crack this thing. Is that so?” I asked sweetly.

“Mrs. Hoover…I’m sorry, Aubrey I’d be much obliged. Are y’all close?” she asked with anticipation.

“Well, closer. But not there yet. I promise if we get there, you will have the exclusive. But it must be with the entire team. I don’t ever give an interview alone. I don’t work alone. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, Ma’am I’d be happy to do it with the team. Thank you again, Aubrey. I’ll call Mr. Moody as soon as we finish.”

“Kelly, thank you again.” I said with relief.

I finished the call and Miss Angelica brought me a small hot bowl of baked plantains with butter, salt, and black pepper. Along with the dish she presented me with a hot cup of ginger mint tea.

“This will help with the morning sickness,” she assured. “I always carry a few of the bags in my purse, I’m fixin’ to go pick up a good box of them for you to have in the house.

The tea smelled wonderful as did the steaming, buttery bowl of plantains.

“Thank you Miss Angelica, you take such good care of me, I really appreciate it.” I sighed.

Once she headed out to the market, I called and made my first appointment with an OB/GYN in South Carolina. Next I called Lora Jean to put the appointment on Clay’s calendar.

“Aubrey? Everything alright?” she asked when I gave her the date, time, and location.

“Lora Jean, you are gonna have to keep this quiet for about four more weeks,” I teased.

“OHHHHHHH Aubrey!!!!!!” she whispered loudly. “I can’t….Oh Sweet Jesus, honey how are you feelin’?” she gasped.  

“I’m okay,” I laughed. “Sick, tired, moody,” I said with joy.

“Oh sweet girl, I’m so happy for you. Well no wonder he’s struttin’ around here like the cat who swallowed the canary. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what he was preening about. That ole dog, God love him, he’s still got it.” She said proudly.

“Thank you so much Lora Jean. You are the best!” I said sincerely.

“Oh darlin’ now stop that, you know we love you both so much. This is fantastic news. When you due?”

“August, probably around Clay’s birthday. Well I’m hoping.” I replied.

“What a wonderful gift for him, I’m so pleased for y’all. I will make double sure he has nothing around that appointment, he’s gonna want to be there for the ultrasound. Oh there will be no living with that man now, he’ll be prancing around like a Preakness stud for months.”

We both laughed together, and I thanked her again.

“Aubrey, honey, you call me if you need anything. I raised four boys and each one of them worked my nerves from the second that blood test came back positive.”

I laughed and agreed, “Thank you Lora Jean I will keep that in mind. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

Clay

I was finishing up on the phone with Jax. He spoke with the lawyers in New Jersey and Natalie Vergamo’ s daughter, Traci was making a deal to turn states evidence against her mother and several of her cousin’s and family members.

Jax arranged to have her put into protective custody and bought to South Carolina. He was fixin’ to take her deposition in two days.

“I tell you what Crocodile, that wife of yours, she is somethin’ else. She knew that girl would flip. And did y’all hear about Kentucky? Kelly Parks been singin’ in my ear the last half hour. Them boys in Louisville want Shania up there for this murder, and I’m gonna hand her over to them with the stipulation she never steps foot in the Lowcountry again in her life.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Could it be? Could we clear both of these cases and give my wife some peace? Finally?

“Jax, I don’t rightly know how to thank you, Son. Y’all slayin’ this for me. I’m in debt to y’all.” I sighed.

“Don’t breathe yet, Crocodile. Let’s get the papers signed and the bracelets on these hens, and we’ll all crack open the whiskey.”

“Thank you Jax, I’ll holla at you soon,” I hung up and ran my hands through my hair.

Lora Jean appeared before me, beaming like the Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head.

“What’s got you?” I asked in wonder.

“Clayton Hoover, you ole dog. I’m about to lose my mind right now.” She said grinning like a cat.

“How did you know?” I asked in a whisper. “Close the door,” I ordered, grinning proudly.

“Little Momma called about an hour ago, put the appointment for the ultrasound on your calendar for the week before Christmas. She made me swear not a word for four more weeks. Clay I’m gonna bust, I had to at least come hug you, I’m pleased as punch.” She came around my desk and I stood to hug her quickly.

“Lora Jean, I don’t know whether to shit or go blind, I tell you what. I’m so happy I could bust myself.” I said happily.

“Oh Clay, what great news, that girl been through so much, this is wonderful. I’ll bet Miss Abigail gonna split her seams when she finds out.” Lora Jean gushed.

“Lora Jean, Miss Abigail knew when she saw Bree the other day. Told her it’s a little girl as well.”

Lora Jean gasped with delight. “Oh Clay, that is perfect. Just what you need, little girls worship their Daddy’s. Y’all talk about names yet?” she asked, lowering her voice.

I looked up at her, the tears filled my eyes. I nodded, “Abigail Suzanne, Tate already fixin’ to call her Abby Sue.” I sniffed.

Lora Jean started to cry. “Oh Clay, your Daddy would be buying rounds of bourbons down at the Gracie and handing out cigars already. He was impossible to be around when Tate was on the way. Can you just imagine him with a little granddaughter?”

I laughed with joy, “Yes, Ma’am I can see it. I tell you this, I’m so proud of my Tate. He’s excited and happy and I didn’t never see that coming. I love that kid.” I whispered humbly.

“Don’t worry Clay, that boy is just as loving a man as you are, he gonna spoil that baby rotten. If she anything like her Momma she’ll be a joy to be around.” Lora Jean declared sincerely.

Suddenly I remembered I was at work. “Lora Jean, am I supposed to be somewhere?” I asked.

She shook her head, “No Sir boss, why don’t you get out of here and take your wife out on a date? Get them in now darlin’ gonna change your life when that little dove gets here.”

“Oh, I do recall those early days,” I laughed, I stood and put on my suit jacket and grabbed my briefcase. I took the small brown paper bag I had hidden discreetly in my desk drawer out and shoved it into my briefcase.

Lora Jean chuckled with glee, “Got to be Wickle’s Pickles, am I right?”

I nodded my head happily.

“Clay? Who all gets to tell Tessa?” she asked slyly.

I laughed while packing up my laptop. “Tate and I already drew straws for that one, gonna be me of course. I’m not sure how she’ll react, but I tell you this Lora Jean, I don’t give a good fuck. That woman had years to give me another child. It was never my intention to let my boy grow up alone, and she barely let me touch her after Nathaniel was born. Had me enduring a nineteen-year drought. So, what should she say?” I mumbled angrily.

“You’re right, Clay. She should be gracious and polite. She did have every opportunity. You have to wait until the second trimester anyways, give y’all some time to come up with a plan. But whatever it is, please let me be there to see her reaction?”

We both laughed as I headed out the door.

“You gotta deal Lora Jean, I’d never deny you that show.”

I got home early and found my wife sound asleep with her head on her desk. Poor thing, she was wore slap out already. I gently left the jar of pickles on her desk like a paper weight.

I went into our bedroom to change and when I got back into the office she was rousing.

“Hey Sexy Man, you’re home early.” She smiled, already chewing on a pickle.

“I am, it’s a miracle these days. So whatcha want to do? Want to go out? Stay in? Fool around? Want a foot rub?”

She was laughing and then her face perked up. “A foot rub? Hmm, I might save that for closer to the summer, but you had me at ‘fool around’ I’m all in for a matinee.” She grinned slyly.

“Oh really? Is that so? You interested in performing some unclean acts with an old guy like me? Pretty little thing like yourself?” I whispered, my mouth watering and my dick stirring in my pants.

She nodded her head enthusiastically. “Old guy? You mean a champion stud like yourself? Knocking up a young chicken like me?” She laughed. “You do owe me some rooster prancing around here,” she smiled, reaching into the jar for another one and moaning with joy with the spicy briny cucumber.

“Oh, I’m feeling like a Game Cock lately, Sugar, so let’s get you out of those clothes and I’ll show it to you. Besides, I have got to play with those new titties, they are exceptional.” I teased.

“Thank you for the pickles. And I will follow you to our bedroom on one condition. “You will buy me a big old porterhouse steak for dinner after we’re done,” she pleaded.

I laughed out loud. “Oh honey, I’m gonna enjoy this ride with you. I can’t wait to see the combination of things you’re gonna crave.” I took her by the hand and led her to our bedroom.

“….with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus..” she was listing the rest of the menu she wanted as I started to kiss her softly.

“I got a big old cut of meat for you right now, gonna park it between your legs till you scream my name,” I laughed, kissing her more insistently.

“Mmmm Clayton Hoover, you sexy bastard, I do love it when you make me scream your name,” she whispered naughtily, sliding her hand between my legs, and making me swoon as always.