Champagne, Cigars & Southern Nights

Bourbon and Beignets

The week seemed to go in slow motion taunting me for wanting to escape. My mother has texted me every morning to ask if I have apologized to Miller and everyday, I have not acknowledged her messages. There has been zero ownership of how this could have affected me.

I step into the black Escalade awaiting to drive Kennedy and I to her father's private air strip feeling some weight starting to lift. We swiftly arrive and I make a silent promise to myself to leave the troubles of Boston, here in Boston as I board the plane.

It's seven am and Kennedy is giving the stewardess instructions for breakfast." Why so early." I groan as she settles on the couch next to me.

"I wanted you to be able to have the full N.O. experience and for us to have the full four days to do whatever we wanted."

"Thank you!" I hug her tight. Three hours, thirty minutes, breakfast and a nap later, I step out to the gorgeous sunshine of New Orleans.

"Oh my gosh. This is like another world..it's gorgeous."

"You haven't seen anything."Kennedy giggles. Twenty Minutes later we are in front of the most breathtaking home. There is nature for days. This is what peace looks like.

"Welcome to the Morgan Estate.", Kennedy begins to explain the history of the property as we exit the car and make our way in the house.

Do you even call it a house? There are six bedrooms plus a master suite, theatre and gym here. Oh how can I forget the wine cellar. There is a three bedroom pool house and then about two and half miles into the woods, there is a two bedroom cottage.

"This is where you lived when you resided here?" I question still taking in the scenery around me.

"Sometimes" She pauses. "My parents had a home about five minutes away but with my egg donor's lack of parenting and my dad trying to parent and provide, I spent most of my time here with my Mimi and Pawpaw." She continues, "Aunt Carrie was here a lot with the boys so she wasn't alone when my dad and Uncle Kurt traveled for work. That's how we are more like siblings than cousins. She has always been there for me unconditionally and when my uncle passed, my dad moved us here to be with all of them."

It makes me jealous that I'm an only child. My dad is as well and well, Cecilia thinks her family is beneath us now and burned those bridges shortly after we left Texas. I've been trying to reconnect with my cousins again and hopefully dad can help with that.

"Girls!", we hear as the front door opens and in walks Carrie, Kennedy's aunt.

"My goodness" She exclaims. "How is it that you two get more stunning each time I see you?"

We both give Carrie one giant hug before she retreats to the fridge and pulls out some sweet tea and items to make us a snack. Carrie informs us that she booked  spa treatments and begins to recite the schedule she has for us over the next few days. My thoughts start to wander till I hear, "And Brooklyn will fix dinner for us here at the house."

"Brooklyn?"I look at them confused.

" Yes" Kennedy smiles. "He has been working on his restaurant here for the past month."

I try to hide my excitement as he has left an impression that has crossed my mind a few times since my blowout with Miller.

"My son is all work and no play.", Carrie adds. "I want him to live a little. To slow down, to enjoy the fruits of his labor, to experience love outside of our family."

Kennie gets up and wraps her aunt in a hug. This moment seems so intimate and I know they are grieving the loss of Carrie's husband but also the loss of Kennedy's mother being present in her life. I excuse myself and head upstairs to change and give them some privacy. A hot shower, comfy clothes and a nap later could not have prepared me for the sight I saw from my bedroom window. A shirtless and glistening Brooklyn James.